"But why?" Clee asked. "Who would object to a handful of Jedi Temple students learning how to fly starfighters?"
"Someone who is afraid of the Jedi increasing their power," Qui-Gon mused. "The program is still young. Its potential may scare them."
Qui-Gon's comlinksignaled, and he excused himself to answer it, walking a few paces away. It was Yoda.
"Unhappy news I have," Yoda said without preliminaries."Ruled the Senate has to form a subcommittee to investigate Bruck's death. Vox Chun has a hidden powerful ally there. Discovered we have that Sano Sauro is a prosecutor. Rumor is he is hungry to make his mark. Return you must, Qui-Gon. Three witnesses there will be-yourself, Bant, and Obi-Wan. Fear I do that this process will take its toll on your Padawan."
Qui-Gon's heart sank. "Yes," he said softly. "I fear it will as well."
Chapter 5
The hearing committee of the Senate did not waste time. They called the Jedi to their private inquiry room the very next day.
Obi-Wan felt a sense of dread as he dressed that morning. He could barely choke down his morning meal. He was almost relieved when it was time to meet Qui-Gon and head for the Senate.
"There will be fifteen Senators on the panel," Qui-Gon explained to Bant and Obi-Wan as they threaded their way through the Senate's lavender halls. The hallways were thronged with Senators striding by importantly, with scurrying aides, consorts, and droids at their heels.
"I will be called first," Qui-Gon explained."Then Bant. Obi-Wan will be last. Sano Sauro will try to twist your words, so be sure you speak the truth with every sentence you utter. The Jedi have elected not to use a representative. We have truth on our side. Remember that."
Obi-Wan nodded. Qui-Gon's calm gaze was reassuring. The walls of the Inquiry Room were fashioned from transparisteel, so Obi-Wan could see that the Senators had already gathered at the long table inside. It was set up on a platform. Vox Chun, Kad Chun, and Sano Sauro were already sitting opposite them. An empty table waited for the Jedi.