"Yes, Norval?" he asked.

Norval stood. "Please forgive the interruption, professor. I only want to know if it is true that the Sith were more powerful than the Jedi."

Dr. Lundi laughed lightly, as if Norval's question was childish. "Of course," he said. "Power and vengeance are much stronger motives than peace could ever be. The Sith could have easily controlled the entire galaxy had they not made their one mistake — "

Dr. Lundi was interrupted by a tone signaling the end of class.

Students sat silently in their seats, hoping the professor would finish his thought. But Dr. Lundi was already collecting his coat and case from the girl in the front row.

"There will be no class next week," the professor announced. The class groaned. Lundi smiled at their disappointment. "I am taking a small sabbatical."

Yellow lights went on over desks throughout the room.

"When I return I may have exciting information to share with you."

Dr. Lundi smirked mysteriously. "Until then, my assistant Dedra will answer any after-class questions."

The girl who had been holding the professor's things stood at the front of the room. Obi-Wan thought she looked overwhelmed as Dr. Lundi moved smoothly out of the course hall followed by Norval and the redheaded boy, who Norval called Omal. Obi-Wan noticed that the redheaded boy had bright, sharp-looking eyes. He was clearly excited, and talked animatedly with Norval about the lecture.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a glance before they, too, made their way toward the door and slipped out of the hall. It looked as though they would be taking a little sabbatical of their own.