"Certainly we realize that," Obi-Wan said. "It is also illegal. The Senate has banned gambling on the Galactic Games, and for good reason. It attracts criminals." He underlined the last word, giving Didi a sharp glance.

Didi nodded, frowning. "True. It would attract the wrong sort. Unlike me, who only places a bet now and again for the fun of it."

Obi-Wan sighed. "So why did you try to get your money back?"

"I was too impulsive," Didi confessed. "One of my faults, along with my generosity, that gets me into trouble. I made a wager and then my guilt overwhelmed me."

"Since when have you felt guilty about breaking the law?"

"I prefer to think I bend it, Obi-Wan. But that's not what caused my great guilt. It is because the credits I used were not mine."

"Whose were they?" Obi-Wan sensed he was nearing the real story at last.

"Bog and Astri's." Didi hung his head. "It was wrong. You cannot reproach me more than I have reproached myself. But they have a little wealth hidden away for some land Bog wishes to purchase, and this purchase will not be made for some time. The credits were just lying there! Such a waste. I assumed I could take the credits, make the bet, collect my winnings, and return the credits I borrowed without Astri knowing."

"And what if you lost?"

"I had such a sure tip, I did not think it possible."

Obi-Wan tapped a finger on his belt. Drawing information out of Didi was like trying to siphon water from sand. "If it is such a sure thing, why do you want your money back?"

"My guilt happened!" Didi said, his brown eyes wide. "I can't do that to Astri."

"And you also discovered that Bog and Astri would need the credits sooner than you thought," Obi-Wan guessed.

"Well, they happened to meet the owner of the land they want to buy here at the Games, and he is willing to sell at last…"

"So they will find the credits missing." Obi-Wan sighed. "There is only one thing to do. Confess what you've done to Astri. She will forgive you. She always does."

"Yes, doesn't she? That is a good idea, my friend. That is exactly what I will do."

Obi-Wan knew perfectly well that Didi would do nothing of the kind.

"And do not involve me any further in your schemes," he said sternly. "You are on your own from now on. You cannot use the Jedi Order to threaten others."

"Not I!" Didi exclaimed in a hurt tone. "How can you say this, when I am the biggest supporter of Jedi in the galaxy? I did give you insider information, after all," he pointed out. "You now know the most important bookie at the Games."

"Am I supposed to thank you now?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously.

"No, no, of course not. Thanks is never what I want."

"Thanks are never what you deserve," Obi-Wan murmured.

"Ah, you joke." Didi smiled. "Then you are not angry with me. What a noble being you are, Obi-Wan Kenobi! How lucky I am to have you as a friend!"

"Not for much longer, if you try this again," Obi-Wan said. "Now I've wasted enough time. I must do my duty."

"Of course. Vastly more important than my humble problems. Do not worry about me. I will be fine," Didi said bravely.

Shaking his head, Obi-Wan left Didi, no doubt to concoct further schemes to get himself out of trouble. The gleam in Didi's eyes told him that.

Which reminded him of his Padawan. The gleam in Anakin's eyes had clearly told Obi-Wan that his Padawan would not be able to resist the lure of Podracing for long.

No doubt he was there now. After checking in with Siri and Ry-Gaul, Obi-Wan squeezed aboard a crowded Transit Red. By the time it reached the northern edge of the city he was the only one aboard. He jumped out and it turned around to speed back to the city. Obi-Wan stood in the center of a dusty road. Hills shimmered in the distance. He saw no sign of living beings.

He summoned the Force. As clearly as a directional laser, the Force told him where the cave entrance would be.

He struck off toward the hillside and climbed until he found a screen of thick green foliage. He pushed the bushes aside and found the cave entrance. Obi-Wan hiked inside. The coolness of the air felt good on his warm skin.

He found the pit hangar easily. His Padawan stood over an engine, a hydrospanner in his hand. Obi-Wan came up behind him. Anakin was so absorbed that his usual sensitivity to his Master's presence was absent.

"It's got to be calibrated exactly right," Anakin was saying to two young Aleena mechanics standing nearby. "We might have to do it fifty times to get it right. Or we might get lucky and get it right in two."

"I hope it's the latter," Obi-Wan said. "Because there is a mission you should be attending to."

Anakin stood up so abruptly that he banged his head on the turbine.

"Master! I didn't see you."

Obi-Wan examined the Podracer. "I see that you're busy."

"I thought I'd lend a hand to Doby and Deland. They're from Tatooine."

Anakin looked uncomfortable. "If they win, they free their sister. She's a slave."

"I see." Obi-Wan nodded at the two brothers. "I wish you good luck.

Anakin, may I speak with you a moment?"

He drew Anakin aside. "You know this is wrong," he told his Padawan with a frown. "I'm sure you are helping for the right reasons. But this is not our mission. We have more important things to do. And may I remind you that Podracing is illegal?"

"But the Ruling Power is looking the other way — " "But the Games Council is concerned. As should you be. Once word gets out, spectators will arrive. This could turn into a dangerous situation. Do you know what the course will be?"

"Through the caves," Anakin said excitedly. "Can you imagine the difficulties? And they've already thought about the spectators. They're going to set up a viewing stand near the finish line."

"That doesn't mean that they will be safe." Obi-Wan's comlink signaled, and he answered it brusquely.

The unfamiliar voice was frantic with urgency. "There is an emergency — "

"Who is this?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Bog. It's Bog. You must come immediately. The Official Quarters."

"What is wrong?"

"Come now!" Bog shouted, and the line went dead.