It was already doing that. From what Bell could see, the heap of metal was delicately balanced. One false move could cause everything to shift with devastating consequences, not to mention the very real possibility that more wreckage could tumble from above at any moment. Bell reached out with the Force, trying to see if he could support the debris, but there was little he could do with telekinesis alone. He just wasn’t skilled enough to keep everything in place while trying to get the attendant out. For all he knew, there were metal shards in there ready to puncture the man’s chest or stomach if he made a mistake. Bell’s recent experience told him how dangerous that would be, not to mention excruciating. Still, he had to do something. There was no telling how extensive the man’s injuries were under all that junk.

Bell knelt in the shallow water beside him. “What’s your name?”

“Denis,” the man replied, trying his best to remain calm as Ember gently licked his cheek. “Can you get me out?”

“I’m going to try.”

“I can’t feel my legs.”

He was starting to panic again.

“Do you trust me?” The attendant didn’t reply. “Do you trust me, Denis?”

The man bit his lip. “Yes.”

And there it was, the blind trust that the Jedi would save the day, whatever the situation. Bell hoped he could live up to the reputation of those who had gone before him.

“I’m going to try to lift the metal. Just a little bit. Is that okay?” The attendant gave another nod. Bell blew out slowly, centering his mind. Raising his palms, he closed his eyes and willed the metal to rise.

The Force will provide. The Force will guide.

The metal shifted, almost imperceptibly, but the result was the same as before. The entire heap creaked, metal fragments tumbling into the water. Denis gasped, the sudden intake of breath more terrible than a ragged scream. Ember barked, as if sensing sudden calamity.

Above them, the constant drip-drip-drip of water became a trickle.

Bell carefully withdrew his influence.

“I’m sorry, Denis, but we’re going to have to think of another way of getting you free.”

“Couldn’t you cut him out?” the Pantoran asked. “Like you did with the door?”

“I’m afraid not …” He paused, allowing the female to fill in her name.

“Senza. Senza Mulak.”

“I’m afraid not, Senza. A sudden shift in the debris could cause it to collapse, plus of course there’s a risk that I could cut Denis along with the metal.”

Bell’s heart was beating almost as fast as his thoughts were racing.

“Then what are we going to do?” Senza asked. “We can’t just leave him here. He was trying to get me out when the ceiling came down.”