Around him rose the many levels of Coruscant,
the city that covered a planet. He was
standing on a landing platform at one
of the high levels of the city, surrounded by tall
buildings with spires and turrets.
The mists around him could be atmosphere or
clouds. The sky was filled with transports,
large and small, that negotiated the air
lanes with skill and daring.
Obi-Wan watched as his Master, the Jedi
Knight Qui-Gon Jinn, thanked the space
hauler pilot who had let them hitch
a ride to Coruscant. He noted the respectful way
Qui-Gon bowed to the scruffy creature.
His manner was gentle, yet strength was
behind every word and gesture. Obi-Wan
hoped that one day he would have his
Master's grace and assurance with other
living beings. Often he just felt awkward
with the many characters they met on
their journeys.
Time passes and it teaches, Qui-Gon
had told him. You are fourteen. You have much
to see and much to experience. Do not
hurry the knowledge you seek. It takes time.
"Sorry I can't bring you all the way,"
the pilot said to the Jedi. "But there are plenty of
air taxies cruising this neighborhood."
"We are grateful for your help. I wish
you a safe journey home," Qui-Gon said in his
quiet way.
"Always glad to help out a Jedi," the pilot answered, giving them a cheerful wave.
Qui-Gon slung his survival pack over
his shoulder and gave a satisfied look around.
"It is good to be back," he said.
Obi-Wan nodded. Coruscant was where
the Jedi Temple was located, and the
Temple was home. It was almost time
for the midday meal, and Obi-Wan had been
thinking about it as the kilometers
went by. He and Qui-Gon had been traveling
throughout the galaxy for some time.
"Look, here comes an air taxi." Obi-Wan started forward.
"Wait, Padawan."
Obi-Wan turned. Qui-Gon hesitated and
waved him back. "I have another idea.
Would you mind if we made a stop first?"
Obi-Wan tried to hide his disappointment. "Whatever you wish."
Qui-Gon smiled. "It won't take long.
There's someone I'd like you to meet — a friend.
It's not far. We can walk there."
Qui-Gon strode to the end of the landing
platform and activated a temporary
crossing bridge to the next level.
Here in the Senate district, the buildings were close
together and the walkways were easy
to navigate without relying on air transport.
Obi-Wan caught up to Qui-Gon's long
stride. He waited, knowing that if Qui-Gon
wanted to give him more information
about this friend, he would.
"Didi Oddo runs a café near the
Senate building," Qui-Gon explained. "He's an
informant, of sorts. Many Jedi come
to him for information. We don't pay, but we try
to watch out for him in return for
his help. He knows all types on Coruscant — from
Senatorial aides to gamblers to various
beings who find laws a hindrance to
their...operations." Qui-Gon gave a
brief smile. "Everyone knows Didi's Café. I first
met him when I was only a bit older
than you are now."
Obi-Wan detected fondness in Qui-Gon's
tone. His tiredness lifted. It would be
interesting to meet a friend of Qui-Gon's.
And a café meant he might be able to have
a meal.
They traveled along a pedestrian walkway
past shops and restaurants, all catering to
the tourist and business people who
traveled to Coruscant to either tour the Senate
or offer petitions there. Occasionally
they would have to activate a pedestrian bridge
to move from one level to another.
The walkways were crowded with being from all
over the galaxy. Talk bubbled around
them in Basic as well as several languages
unfamiliar to Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon stopped before a small café
on a corner. It appeared shabby beside the
grander restaurants next door. An attempt
had been made to improve it by painting
the windowsills and doorframe a cheerful
shade of blue. But the fresh coats of paint
only made the cracked and pitted stone
walls appear more run-down than they were.
Still, Obi-Wan noticed that the restaurant
next door was empty, and the dingy café
was packed. He could see everyone inside,
sitting at small tables crowded together,
all talking, gesturing, and eating
enormous plates of food.
"Do not engage with anyone," Qui-Gon
instructed him. "There are all types here, and
fights are common."
He started for the entrance, then stopped
and turned. "Oh, and one more thing.
Whatever you do, don't eat the food."
Suppressing a sigh, Obi-Wan followed
Qui-Gon into the bustling café. Tables were
packed so closely together they could
barely squeeze through. Obi-Wan nearly
knocked one customer's plate to the
floor. The customer, a Togorian, grabbed at it,
snarling.
"Clumsy fool!"
Obi-Wan kept walking, carefully following
Qui-Gon's graceful threading through the
narrow spaces. Finally, they reached
an open area near the back. A long bar ran
along one wall. It was crowded with
customers.
"That's enough for you there, Andoran,"
a cheerful voice called. "Finish your ale and
get a plate of food to eat. You need
food, not drink, my good friend. Pilus, do you call
this a tip? You just made a fortune
running spice to the Quintus system. You can do
better — manys the favor I've done
for you, and I have a daughter to raise. Nadarr, let
me refill your tea. No, no, don't pay
me, save it for your wife's care. Funny how we all
get better when we can afford to pay
the doctor."
Qui-Gon grinned. "That's Didi."
Obi-Wan still couldn't see anything.
Then a small, round man with a melancholy face
jumped onto a stool behind the bar.
He reached up to grab a bottle, then turned and
saw them.
"Stars and planets, it's Qui-Gon Jinn!
Clear the way, friends, I have a greeting to
bestow!" The mournful face creased
into a smile. With surprising agility, Didi leaped
onto the bar, then onto the floor.
He threw his short arms around the tall
Jedi. Obi-Wan stepped back, confused. He
had never seen anyone hug Qui-gon.
The Jedi was such a private man that Obi-Wan
expected him to disengage himself from
the embrace. Instead, he pounded Did on
the back.
"It is good to see you," Qui-Gon said.
Didi released Qui-Gon. "You rogue, you
stayed away too long. But my eyes thank me
as they look upon your person."
Qui-Gon gestured at the café.
"There have been changes. You've dressed up the
place. New paint, new decoration. It
looks nicer." He cast an eye along the food bar.
"And cleaner."
Cleaner? Obi-Wan thought. You mean it looked worse than this?
"My daughter Astri's doing." Didi shrugged
his round shoulders. "She's trying to
attract a better clientele. Wants me
to get rid of tables, have more elbow room. Buy
new plates...do renovations. She's
even taken cooking lessons! She'll either ruin me
or make me a fortune; I haven't decided
which. And who is this delightful young man
with you?"
"This is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi," Qui-Gon said.
Obi-Wan nodded at Didi. "I'm happy to meet you."
"An I you." Didi's face turned serious.
He touched Qui-Gon's arm. "I think fate sent
you to my door, my good friend."
Qui-Gon shot him a keen glance. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything is..." Didi paused. "We can't talk here. Come into the office."
Obi-Wan followed behind as Didi slid
the panel open and ushered them into a
cluttered back room. Supply boxes were
stacked to the ceiling, and the desk was
littered with account records, folded
napkins, and a food spattered apron.
As soon as the door swung shut behind
them, Didi's cheerful face crumpled. He
rubbed his plump hands together and
fixed Qui-Gon with a mournful gaze.
"My friend," he said. "I am afraid. Danger stalks me. I need your help."
