I can help you win."

Doby and Deland exchanged a glance. "We can't ask you to do that,"

Deland said.

"You're not asking."

"We can't pay you," Doby said. "All of our credits are tied up in the Podracer. We barely have enough to get home."

"I don't need credits. And I don't need thanks," Anakin said. "I just need you to win."

"So you promised me inside information," Obi-Wan said to Didi. They could not locate an air taxi, and all the Transits were full, so they had to walk to the swoop seller. Obi-Wan didn't mind. It gave him a chance to get a feeling of the streets. He reached out to the Force and received nothing alarming back.

"My son-in-law is an idiot."

"That's not exactly the kind of information I had in mind," Obi-Wan said mildly.

Didi sighed. "You'd think Astri would have more sense. Did I raise her to fall for the first tall, handsome idiot who walked through my door? I did not! Is it my fault she picked such a stiff-necked, rule-following, small-spirited, mid-Rim, mid-minded, puffed-up bonehead?"

"Well, at least he's not a criminal," Obi-Wan said. "Maybe Astri wanted a quieter life. Maybe she was tired of dealing with a rule-breaking, truth-stretching, scam-running scoundrel of a father."

"So it is my fault," Didi sniffed.

"Astri has always made her own choices, Didi. And they are hers to make. Now, you said you had insider news on the Games."

"Bog thinks that by serving on the Council for the Games, he'll get the backing of some important beings in the Senate, and that he'll be assigned important committee assignments. All he does is talk, talk, talk about how important his role is and what it will mean for his future." Didi mimicked a snore. "Honestly, I don't know how Astri stands it. His big job has been arranging the seating for some big-shot Senators. Hoo diggety-hoo.

" "Didi, you said you had information," Obi-Wan said. "This is complaining."

"I have plenty of information," Didi said. "How can I not? Bog never stops talking. But he never says anything worth listening to. Oh, look, here we are." Didi paused in front of a shop with closed durasteel shutters.

"It doesn't look open," Obi-Wan observed.

"Oh, it is. The seller just doesn't want to attract too many customers."

"Really. That doesn't sound typical."

"It's a very exclusive shop." Didi turned to him. "Remember, you don't have to say anything. Just stand there and give that Jedi-ish look."

"I think I can manage it," Obi-Wan said dryly. "Tell me something, Didi. If you want to return a swoop, shouldn't you have brought it with you?"

"I can fetch it in moments. No need to worry."

Didi rapped a rhythmic knock on the door. Several seconds later the door slid open. Obi-Wan realized that the pause of the few seconds meant that they had just undergone some sort of security check. Was the shop- owner concerned about vandalism or theft? It was possible, since Eusebus was crowded with strangers.

But the security measures seemed excessive for a swoop seller. Obi-Wan stepped into the dim interior, fully aware that Didi could be leading him into his usual swamp of deception. Didi didn't so much lie as leave crucial pieces of information out.

You owe me one, Qui-Gon.

"Good afternoon, good afternoon," Didi said to a massive creature who suddenly loomed out of the shadows in the shop. The being was two meters taller than Obi-Wan. Each fifteen-fingered hand was the size of a bantha haunch.

There were six swoops parked in a random fashion around the open space. There were no other customers and no sign of business that Obi-Wan could see.

"You may remember me," Didi said. "Didi Oddo. I was in yesterday."

The massive creature said nothing, just watched Didi with flat eyes.

"Then again, you may not," Didi said nervously. "This is my very good friend, the great Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan, this is the swoop seller, Uso Yso."

The creature did not shift his gaze from Didi's face.

"Obviously you are a creature of action and I should get right to the point," Didi said. "The swoop I bought yesterday… I have changed my mind.

" A flicker of alertness lit Uso Yso's opaque gaze.

"I would like my money back," Didi said, trying to sound forceful.

"The swoop is not… not what I expected. No doubt I will return another day to buy a… different swoop, but not this one."

Finally, Uso Yso spoke. "No."

Didi took a delicate step backward. "One moment."

He leaned back and whispered to Obi-Wan. "Can't you draw your lightsaber or Jedi-move something? You don't have to kill him."

"No," Obi-Wan said.

"A deal is a deal," Uso Yso said, crossing his huge arms. "You are insulting me with your presence. I do not like to be insulted."

"Ah, no insult intended. None at all," Didi said rapidly. "Just a polite request. Surely there beats a heart underneath that. ah, magnificent physique."

"Two hearts, actually," Uso Yso said. He withdrew an electro-jabber from his belt. "Would you like to continue the argument?"

Didi froze, staring at the weapon. He took another step back. "No argument. Just a thought. Such a pleasant afternoon. We must be going."

Didi almost ran from the shop. Obi-Wan followed. The door slid shut behind them, and Obi-Wan turned to Didi disgustedly.

"That was no swoop seller," he accused him.

"An unusual type, yes," Didi said. "Most helpful. Well, it's been such an unexpected pleasurable experience to see you, my friend, but I must be going — "

Obi-Wan stepped into his path. "Explain."

"Most happy to oblige, Obi-Wan," Didi said. "It is possible that the swoop seller might have an additional business."

"Ah," Obi-Wan said.

"Perhaps he sells swoops — I am sure he does, in fact, a few here and there — but that was not my business with him," Didi said evasively. His eyes darted about as if trying to find an escape route.

"Your business with him was?" Obi-Wan asked.

"A small bet," Didi said. He held up his hands as Obi-Wan glowered at him. "Such a tiny bet! On one of the events. Even the Jedi must realize that such an opportunity exists here on Euceron and there will be many who wish to place a wager."