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"There goes V-Tarz's snack," Siri murmured.
"We'd better get back to our dorm quarters," Davi said nervously. "We won't be able to escape tonight. I'm sorry. They've never put two guards on at night before."
They waited until the Guides had turned the corner. Then Davi led them out of the food hall.
"We can get back to the dorms through the admin center," Davi said.
"Hurry, it won't take them long to check out the kitchen security."
They raced through the halls and entered the admin center, a round room that was in the center of the building. All the different quads spun off from this central location.
"Almost there," Davi said as he hurried toward the door that led to the Quad 7 dorm, where they were all quartered.
But just then they heard familiar footsteps behind them. There wasn't enough time to make it to the door. Quickly, Davi sprang behind a row of desks. Siri hurried after him. Obi-Wan was bringing up the rear. He slipped behind a wall of shelves that held data files.
They could hear V-Tarz grumbling as he moved toward the security wall.
"Run the infrared check, he says," he muttered. "There's nothing wrong with the infrared. What's wrong is that I'm starving."
"V-Tarz? Are you there?" The voice came through the comlink on the console.
"I'm here."
"Run check."
"Ru
"What?"
"Nothing. Ru
Obi-Wan leaned against the console to peer around it. Would they be able to slip past V-Tarz? Not if he didn't move. V-Tarz had a perfect view of the door they needed to pass through.
As Obi-Wan retreated back behind the shelves, he brushed against a container that was overstuffed with data files. One of them slipped off the top. Obi-Wan's reflexes were excellent, and he caught it soundlessly.
It was a file for someone named 0-Uni. Obi-Wan leafed through it quietly. The girl had excellent reports from her teachers. A few visits to the med circle. Then a paper stamped reclassified to re-learning circle.
Obi-Wan carefully replaced the file. The Re-Learning Circle? What was that?
"Check complete," V-Tarz said into the comlink. "No problems."
"Copy that. Making one last check of kitchen and food hall before I get back."
"I'll give you a hand."
"Don't bother. I've got it covered."
"Didn't copy that. I'll check the kitchen." V-Tarz switched off the comlink. "Maybe I can sneak some veg patties when you're not looking, killjoy."
He lumbered off. Davi immediately poked his head out.
"Let's go," he hissed.
They hurried toward the door, but Obi-Wan stopped Davi for a moment.
"What's the Re-Learning Circle?"
"I'm not sure," Davi said. "But I know I don't want to end up there.
You get sent there if you have enough punishment marks. But then some kids who are never in trouble get sent there, too. Nobody knows why." He shuddered. "But nobody ever comes back."
The morning gong shattered the silence before dawn. Instantly, students threw back their covers and stood, lining up to use the wash basins that ran along the wall.
Obi-Wan felt the shock of cold water against his skin. His mind was already clear. The next gong sounded, the signal to dress and proceed to the food hall within three minutes. Davi had explained what was required last night before they'd separated.
Obi-Wan reflected how different life at the Temple had been. There, a soft light began slowly and grew in brightness, mimicking a rising sun. The students all had their own quarters, as privacy was respected. Early morning was a time of meditation and gentle exercise before the day began. It was not harsh noise and hurry.
Here the students did not seem to mind the abrupt start of the day or the strict schedule they had to follow. They did not seem to notice the contrast between the smiles of the Guides and their sharp orders. And nobody seemed to mind the food.
Across the room, Siri sat with the other girls. She lifted a spoonful of grain mash and made a face at him. Obi-Wan laughed quietly to himself.
"Two punishments marks, V-Obi," one of the Guides said, entering it into a touch pad. "Concentration on nutrition is what we do during meal service. Interaction with others is saved for free time."
Obi-Wan chewed on the tasteless meal. Siri was right. They had to get out of here.
"Today we will play Response Time," 0-Bin a
Obi-Wan glanced at his data screen. corus-cant flashed across it. He did not hit his response button. The best thing he could do today was try not to attract any attention from the Teaching Guides.
Jedi responses are lightning fast. The light on top of Siri's data screen lit up first. Obi-Wan threw her a warning glance, but she ignored it.
0-Bin was clearly not pleased at having to call on Siri. "O-Siri?" she asked through pursed lips.
"Coruscant is a world made up of one city. It is the home of the Galactic Senate. Billions of beings live on Coruscant. It is known for government and culture and its excellent transit and security systems — "
"I must interrupt you, O-Siri," O-Bin said with a smile. "That is all wrong. Can anyone correct O-Siri?"
Data screen lights glowed throughout the classroom. O-Bin consulted her screen to see who had been first. "V-Mina?"
"Coruscant is a world of corruption," V-Mina said. "Slavery is legal there."
"Precisely," O-Bin said.
Siri's face was burning. Obi-Wan fixed her with a steady gaze. They both had to keep quiet. They should not attract any more attention.
jedi order.
This time, O-Bin deliberately ignored Siri's glowing light. "V-Taun?"
"The Jedi Order is surrounded by darkness. They — "
Siri sprang to her feet. "The Jedi path is one of service to the galaxy!"
"Sit down, O-Siri! Five punishment marks! And you know what that means.. "