On this trip Tahl had been so often in his thoughts. Was this the reason? Did Tahl need him? Or did his own thoughts summon the vision?

The pilot pushed the transport to its fastest speed. It was another seven-hour journey to Coruscant. Each minute seemed to tick by in crisp eternities.

Obi-Wan was silent during the journey. They had come to understand each other over the years. Obi-Wan knew when Qui-Gon needed silence.

Qui-Gon didn't know why the disturbing vision of Tahl had appeared.

He only knew that he had to get back to the Temple and make sure she was safe.

At last they entered the atmosphere of Coruscant. The tall spires of the multilevel city came into view. Qui-Gon swung the craft into the fastest lane, cutting off a larger transport. Obi-Wan looked at him, startled, but Qui-Gon merely pushed the engines to go faster.

He landed the craft and activated the ramp.

He stood, but for the first time in four days he hesitated before moving.

"I'm sorry for my haste, Obi-Wan. I'll explain one day." When I understand this myself.

He didn't give his Padawan a chance to reply, but turned and hurried down the ramp. He would leave Obi-Wan the chore of arrival procedures.

He strode through the door and stopped at the security checkpoint, where Jedi Knight Cal-i-Vaun was stationed.

"I need to find Jedi Knight Tahl," Qui-Gon said.

Cal-i-Vaun quickly touched the screen in front of him. "She is not in her quarters. One moment." He touched another point on the screen. "She is not answering her comlink."

"Thank you." Even the simple courtesy cost him an effort to remember.

"Is she here at the Temple?" he barked.

"Yes, I show no record of departure."