Chapter 1
"Do you have it?" His low, harsh voice growled in sibilant tones, hemorrhaging a cold, repellent vibration into the icy night air. No one would have dared deny that voice, and the few that did had died for their efforts, in excruciating and prolonged agony. As the malevolent sounds vanished in the echoing silence that followed, the speaker shifted slightly, arm extended to grasp his latest prize.
"Yes, my Master." The dark-cowled apprentice bowed, and dropped his gift neatly into the waiting hand of the other.
As Darth Sidious moved again, the light spilling from the luminous Coruscant night briefly lit his face. Jarring in its power-mad intensity, the Dark Lord's visage had been called grandfatherly, a kindly man some said, with cobalt-blue eyes and generous mouth slightly turned upward in a politician's smile. Here, the shroud was stripped away, the eyes dead-cold, the smile snake-bright.
The Master peered at the item, satisfied. It was a woman's hand, once delicate, fingers now shredded, flesh ripped open between thumb and forefinger to show veined sinew and harsh bone. Burned, too, across the top with long straight strokes, the hand was encrusted with the reddish-brown detritus of her life's blood, and curled slightly inward as if to grasp a weapon or her last hope. It was cauterized neatly at the wrist. The hand had just begun to decay, with the slight sickeningly sweet odor of death.
Slowly, Darth Sidious began to stroke the corpse's palm, following her torn lifeline with his manicured fingertips. Lightly, intimately, he moved with a wanton's touch. Then, still faintly smiling, he brought the putrid hand to his mouth, took in a deep questing breath and laved the palm slowly, relishing the sharp metallic taste of old dried blood. His rumble of profane pleasure was breathless, long and low, his sigh incredibly sensual as he closed his eyes briefly, lost in the here-and-now, tasting the fear and intense anguish of her last moments. When, at last, the Master finished his loathsome exploration, he lowered his arm, still holding the dead woman's hand in a lover's caress.
"Did she give you much of a fight, my apprentice?"
Darth Maul's tattooed visage creased with a dark pleasure, mouth twisted in eager remembrance. "Yes, my Master. Ales'tka fought well. Even at the last, bleeding and in perfect agony, she seemed to enjoy prolonging the struggle." His eyes shut for an instant, turning inward to savor the memory of the Knight's crushing anguish and defiance even as her body was torn apart, his voice rumbling with suppressed laughter. He growled, "Playing with her was most....stimulating."
"Did you dispose of the body as per my instructions?"
"Yes, my Master." The apprentice seemed to hesitate, then reached into some fastness of his cloak and brought out a lightsaber. It was as battered and torn as the woman's hand and covered with the same encrusted residue. "She used this."
The Dark Lord's bark of laughter was clear, ice-sharp. Looking again at the decaying appendage, he shook his head in pointed disdain. "Oh, little Jedi. They threw you away, forbid you anything of them and you still clung to..." He glanced at the fouled saber, clutched in Darth Maul's grasp. "Ales'tka, you defied the Jedi Council. It speaks... well of you. Too bad you could not be turned. You would have been a valuable asset."
He tossed the filthy remains to the apprentice. "Enough of pleasure. Put that with the rest." Maul nodded briefly as he tucked away the decaying flesh and then offered up the lightsaber to the other. Sidious sneered, "You make keep your trophy. She won't need it again."
With a dismissive shrug, Sidious brought out a datachip and handed it to his apprentice. "Here is the list of Jedi discharged from the Temple six months ago. They should be ripe for the picking by now. As always, the Jedi Council will not be paying attention to those gone from the Temple that long. They have too much else to worry about...."
The Master's voice was icy with contempt. "Isolate and destroy these fools as with all the others." He looked at Maul, contemplating all the lovely, exciting, terrible ways to kill a Jedi. "Dispatch them as you like, but don't take too long. There are other matters that need attention."
Maul nodded again and growled. "My Master, there is still the matter of Jinn and his associates. They are too well guarded and more flock to him every day."
Sidious pondered this revelation. "Yes...it has been difficult. He is a wily opponent. But I have decided to let the Jedi Council deal with him." Maul moved to object but stilled his protest as his Master glared at him.
"Do you question me?" The malevolent voice was low and insistent, death waiting, longing to strike; the apprentice quickly shook his head. "Good." The Dark Lord 's mocking laughter was heard once more. "I enjoy the irony of the Temple punishing one of their own without our having to lift a finger against him. I will have my agent suggest it." He looked out into the vibrant, glowing Coruscant landscape, sweeping his eyes over the distance and stopping at the brilliantly-lit Temple in the distance. "I'll have them send Kenobi. Yes...Kenobi should be just the Jedi to dispatch Jinn." He began to laugh, deep, roiling, vicious sounds sweeping out into the bitter night.
Chapter 2
The Jedi Council chamber was bathed in the mellow-red glow of sunset, crimson light splashing across the ornate floor. Circular in design and majestic, with pillared windows framing the onset of coming night, the room was a breathtaking center of calm and beauty, the very heart of the Jedi Temple. The dying light hid well the worn tiles and cornered dust of neglect.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master, ignored the bleak evidence of his eyes and the brilliant glare of blood-red luminescence streaking across his face. The siren call of the lights of approaching night did not tempt him. He was here to be briefed on his upcoming mission, not look at the increasing decay that was the Jedi Temple. And so, standing in the very center of the Council Chamber, arms folded, face stony and shuttered, mental shields up, Master Kenobi waited and watched. By his side, his Padawan, Atel Sl'etah, stood as well, silent and ready for the briefing to begin.
Obi-Wan glanced at his apprentice, frowning slightly. Atel was nearly 20 now, with violet eyes and maroon hair, a slight purple tint to her skin but otherwise human. Dressed in typical drab grey-beige tunics, frayed chocolate robe, and worn boots, she looked threadbare and destitute. Only the lightsabers truly indicated that they were Jedi and even the sabers were shabby, showing signs of much use.
Damn, Obi-Wan thought, She looks like a refugee, not a respected member of the Jedi Order. His frown deepened. She deserves better than this. If only I could make them understand that money spent on proper clothing is not a waste of resources. Appearances do matter to those in power. Looking down at his own tattered garb, he grimaced. I don't look so wonderful myself.
His thoughts turned towards Atel again. It did not seem possible that she had been his Padawan for ten years. Had it really been that long? mused Obi-Wan. Ten years since the first of the dismissals, since the beginning of the strangulation of the Jedi Order over...money. He snorted silently, It was always about power, never money. Closing his weary eyes for a moment, he gently sighed. I wish...that things had been...different.
The Jedi Master tried to bring his thoughts back to the matters at hand but he was tired, exhausted really, and he knew Atel was, too. They had only just returned from a grueling assignment a few hours ago. That one had been disastrous all right but somehow, somehow, they had managed to pull out a success from a very near failure...again.
Now, Obi-Wan reflected wearily, Another task and another and another. How can they expect success every time when they keep pushing us beyond the limits of endurance? He swayed slightly. Perhaps because they want us to fail? That was an uncomfortable thought, but it wasn't the first time Kenobi had pondered the question. It made sense, too, with the exhausting workload, the back-to-back missions, doing the work of two or three teams and no one to pull the Jedi out when they got into serious trouble. And here we go again. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed a slow resigned sigh.
He thought that his actions would not be noticed. But his ever-alert Padawan glanced towards her Master and sent a gentle pulse through their bond. /*Focus, Master...*/ Obi-Wan sent her a weak chuckle tickling back. And then he centered himself, breathing deeply, settling in to wait for the briefing to begin.
As the seconds stretched into endless minutes, Kenobi began to wonder why they were still waiting. He said nothing, of course. It was up to the Council to decide when and how briefings, or for that matter any discussions within these chambers, were to be conducted. Perhaps they were waiting for more information, perhaps another Council member was to join them or...perhaps it was a subtle form of power play, to impress upon this Jedi Knight just what his place in the Order was.
At the moment, Obi-Wan noted that only three Jedi Council members were in attendance, none of whom he knew other than by reputation. Kenobi began to feel the slightest pinprick of apprehension. The white-furred Bothan, Trest Sle'fey, head of the Committee for Jedi Missions, was well-known for his strict adherence to the letter rather than the intent of Republic law. Sera Tharten, a tall blue-skinned human female of indeterminate age, was exceptionally outspoken on the uses of Temple regulation control and had written the stringent, restrictive code for 'Standards for Jedi Behavior' instituted last year. The green-tinged Rodian, Veendo, was in charge of Sedition Activity Investigations, a group that had grown recently, much to Obi-Wan's dismay, looking into all aspects of Temple activity with great alacrity.
They were all youngish, too. No older, more experienced Masters. Knowledge yes, but no wisdom here, only likely punishment for petty and cryptic infractions. Obi-Wan's tickle of unease began to increase to a full-blown itch. This was not going to be pleasant. Silently sighing, he wondered what marginal offense he would be accused of this time. Unlike his former Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi was not known for bending the rules, but he had been tainted by association and it had gotten him into trouble on more than one occasion.
For a few more long moments, no one spoke. The Jedi Counselors shifted uneasily in the rounded chairs as though anxious to be away. Then, from behind Obi-Wan, a derisive voice.
"Do you know why you have been called here, Jedi Kenobi?"
"No, Representative Zaros." Obi-Wan quietly replied to the rat-faced, overly-dressed man. Making his way ponderously around the the dusty, darkening room, his ornate red robes glistening with fine embroidery and sparkles of light as he strutted past the bars of fading luminescence, hair perfectly in place, Kenth Zaros came to stand before the Knight, his condescending, narrowed eyes boring into him. The garish gemstones in the man's cravat alone were blinding.
Kenobi's words had been perfectly polite and did nothing to betray the absolute loathing that he felt for the foppish, decadent human. Luckily, Zaros was not a Jedi or else Obi-Wan might have faced a severe reprimand for his wayward thoughts, and a reprimand these days was not a thing to take lightly.
"We have a special mission for you, one for which you are uniquely qualified."
Zaros smiled slightly, paused and then deliberately sat down in the centermost seat, reserved for the head of the Jedi Council. Not there, Obi-Wan's thoughts raged, Not there. You have no right.
Kenobi moved imperceptibly, almost in protest, and then eased back to ready stance and waited, tight fists clenched under his threadbare Jedi robes. He breathed out, trying to get some semblance of control of the almost involuntary wish to throttle the man, and swallowed hard. When Kenth Zaros, Senate Representative of the Oversight Committee on Jedi Affairs, smiled, misfortune certainly followed. Kenobi's revulsion spiked, his thoughts on a fast jumble of past missions, of the anguish and death that this man seemed to relish. He tried to tamp down the roiling emotions before the other Jedi seated in the chamber could become aware of them and comment. His Padawan hastily glanced at him, an admission that she was reading her Master far too well.
"We want you to investigate...." Zaros paused for dramatic theatrical effect and Obi-Wan's simmering apprehension skyrocketed. But he said nothing, immovable, and the degenerate bureaucrat continued. "...Qui-Gon Jinn. Your old Master, I believe."
Obi-Wan went absolutely rigid with shock, shields buckling for a brief moment before regaining his calm. Zaros's smirk grew predatory, his beady eyes glittering, and he nodded as if pleased with the traumatic effect that he was inflicting on the Jedi Knight.
Kenobi replied softly, "Sir, I have had no contact with Master Jinn for ten years. I have repeatedly asked to be allowed to do so but...every request has been refused."
Zaros snickered and waved his bejeweled fingers, flicking an imaginary piece of dust from his glittering ornate robes. "Yes, I know. He was a bad influence on you. It was in the best interests of the Jedi Order that contact be denied."
Obi-Wan moved again, stepping towards the Senate representative, furious eyes narrowed with revulsion. His voice was low, cold, dangerous. "What do you mean by that?"
The Rodian Council Member spoke up, dismissively, "We all know that Jinn was a rogue." Obi-Wan's eyes widened in stunned disbelief, angry beyond words as the other Jedi members murmured in agreement with Veendo's assessment. "Again and again he went against the Jedi Council, following his own path, ignoring the direct orders of his obvious superiors. It was blatantly, openly rogue behavior. And, what's more, it was sedition of the worst kind. "
Kenobi could not believe what he was hearing. If possible, his voice iced further. "He was following the will of the Force."
The Rodian snorted. "So he said...."
Obi-Wan closed his weary eyes for a moment, trying desperately to regain what little calm remained to him. He knew if he protested too much, he would be punished and Atel as well. For her sake, he breathed deeply once, twice, but the bile rising in his throat, anger pushing past all reason...he must regain control.
Zaros spoke up again, voice dripping with derision, oblivious to what Kenobi was feeling or, perhaps, not caring. "Good riddance to bad rubbish. Damn old fool."
Zaros had done many things over the years, to both Kenobi and to his beloved Jedi Order. This last statement was almost too much, a small thing amongst all of the other countless injustices, all the deaths and destruction that this man had wrought on the Jedi. Now, Obi-Wan stepped quickly forward, shaking hands rising. The Bothan barked out, white fur whirling in dismay. "Yes, Kenobi, you have a comment...?"
Obi-Wan Kenobi stopped abruptly, looked at his alarmed young apprentice and, then with shoulders slumping, stepped back into the center of the Chamber. Quietly, he said "No, Master Sle'fey."
"Good. I would hate to have to reprimand you for any insolence shown to the Senate Representative."
"Of course, Master."
Zaros continued as if nothing was amiss. "Glad to hear that you will be cooperative, Kenobi."
"Of course, Representative Zaros." Obi-Wan clenched his aching jaw at such an impossible lie but knew it would suffice for now. But he would have to release his anger to the Force soon. His wearied thoughts turned to the request at hand. "May I ask what the mission is and how it pertains to Master Qui-Gon?"
"Former Jedi Jinn has been doing the work of a Jedi Knight these past years in strict violation of his mandate." Leaning forward, Zaros thrust his immaculate, manicured hands into the air, frowning and splattered his words into the chamber, sneering voice rising with emphasis. "Jinn's dismissal was very clear...as you well know, Kenobi... He defied the Council again and again and what's worse, he failed a number of times to complete his missions. When the cost-cutting efforts started and with his failures and attitude, it was clear that he would be one of the first to go. He is no longer with the Jedi Order and he is not allowed to act as a Jedi. He must desist his current activities. You... have been chosen to investigate and bring him into custody, if necessary, because you know him so very well. Who else but you?" The man leaned back, satisfied, a fat crimson arachnid spinning his cruel web.
Obi-Wan Kenobi murmured, "Who else indeed?"
Chapter 3
The briefing, if it could be called that, lasted another grueling two hours. Aside from the cutting, snide comments of Master Jinn's unworthiness and roguish behavior from Council member Veendo and admonishments on maintaining proper 'Standards of Behavior' at all times from Master Tharten, Kenth Zaros had gone into inordinate length condemning Qui-Gon Jinn's current activities. But there was little real information about those activities. And, in the end, the Bothan Master Sle'fey carelessly tossed him a datapad with a terse "Read it." Obi-Wan was seething by the time it was done.
After the Council Chamber doors slid closed behind them, Obi-Wan and his Padawan made their slow way towards the turbolift. The Jedi Master may have been tired but the boiling adrenalin was coursing through his veins now and he needed to...to break something very large and very expensive, preferably something that made a great deal of noise when it shattered.
His young apprentice kept glancing at him and shaking her head in dismay. She spoke softly, "Well, that was fun." Atel gave him a shy, quirky smile and he sensed that she was trying unsuccessfully to divert him from his anger. He wasn't willing to give it up just yet.
A little furrow line marked his brow, the frown only pulling in the painful effects of the last few hours. He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply, trying unsuccessfully to stave off the exhaustion. The fury, too, remained, swirling in his braincase like some hungry beast, steel claws tightening their ferocious grip. An intense headache blossomed suddenly, agony shooting across his eyes, arching around and down to the base of his skull. He moved his shoulders in a futile attempt to release the stress and tension, to no avail. It had not been a good day.
He rubbed his eyes slightly, in one last attempt to push the pain aside and then, gesturing towards the turbolift, he told his weary Padawan. "I need to walk for a while. You go back to our quarters and get some rest. I'll be along shortly."
But Atel had other ideas. With quick, feline grace, she moved closer and touched his worn sleeve. "Master, I must respectfully disagree. The last thing you need right now is exercise." He glared at her for a long moment. "You know we're both exhausted. Come back with me. Rest." She grinned slyly. "I'll make you a nice cup of tea."
Obi-Wan snorted at that. Tea would not relieve his concerns or that blasted fury lingering behind the pain. He needed to walk - no, run as far and as fast as he was able - needed to do something to lash out at the incredible injustice of it all. But he could not, would not. That's not what a Jedi Master must do. He smiled slightly at his concerned apprentice, her violet eyes searching his haggard face.
"Padawan, I truly appreciate your concern but I must do this, to think about what just went on in the Council chambers. You can go back to our quarters if you wish or you can come with me. Your choice."
"My place is by your side, Master."
Her words seemed to echo forever in the darkening hallway. Another Padawan had said those very words to his Master and meant them, meant them then and meant them now. Obi-Wan blinked away sudden tears. Ten years. Ten years since I last saw Qui-Gon? How is that possible? I should have tried harder to contact him. I should have made sure he was all right. Will he understand the circumstances? Do I? Do I have enough courage to look my Master in the face after a decade with that shame? Growling, he slammed down hard on his thoughts. Now was not the time for this. When he saw Qui-Gon Jinn again, there would be moments enough for regrets and apologies.
"Come then."
With one last longing look at the lone turbolift, Atel sighed lightly and fell into step beside her wearied Master. They turned as one towards the stairs and began the long, slow descent towards the living quarters.
As their footfalls echoed into the hollow depths of the deserted stairwell, the Padawan pulled her ragged cloak tightly about her. It seemed chill here and dark, the dusky space strobing with dim light as the glowlamps flickered randomly. The litter of time hung in forgotten corners, paint peeling in places, the railing worn and in need of repair. She had seen better kept dungeons. She quietly glanced at her Master but he did not appear to notice the neglect as they glided ever downward.
The constant twists and turns of the stairs seemed to give him comfort. Obi-Wan's pain had lessened as his body remembered to walk and step, concentrating on soothing movement rather than the intolerable tension of that ghastly meeting. He felt more at ease, centered, accepting that the future may hold trials and problems but this moment was for living.
At last, when the Jedi reached the residential level, when they finally sprung from that dim place, Obi-Wan seemed preoccupied. He stopped, looking about him. Chuckling slightly and startling his puzzled apprentice, he gestured toward the stairwell and its battered durasteel door.
"I remember this place so well. Did you know that I met my Master for the first time by that door? Or rather the door met him..."
Her violet eyes grew wide as Obi-Wan reached with one hand and caressed the ancient metal, gently following the lines of misuse with his fingers. "We, Garen and I, were trouble-makers even then. I couldn't have been more than seven or eight, devious as sin and bent on breaking every rule at the Temple." He gave a quick, warm laugh. "I had bet Garen that I could race all the way down from the Council Chambers faster than the turbolifts. He was skeptical, of course but accepted the wager. What he didn't realize was that I had pressed the buttons for every floor as I raced away, running headlong down these very stairs. I would have made it, too, if a certain Jedi Master hadn't gotten in the way." He laughed again. "I don't know who was more surprised, Qui-Gon or me." Shaking his head, his grin widened. "You should have seen him, the staid Jedi Master flat on the floor, hair wild, his blue eyes smoky with anger. And me, sprawled on top. I'd tripped on his legs, of course. Once he collected himself, he grabbed me as quick as lightening, holding me by the scruff of my tunic, bending down to see what hooligan had dared pull a fast one."
"I was terrified. He was renowned, a brilliant swordsman, said to be the best in living memory and I was just a stupid kid who had gotten caught. I expected to be scrubbing the Temple floors from here to the top of the tower but he surprised me." Obi-Wan's face was relaxed, his blue-grey eyes alight with remembrance. "Qui-Gon stared at my face for a moment, then looked at the door and I knew somehow that he had figured out what I had done. Just then, Garen raced up and began to berate me for cheating, never noticing that a Master still held my tunic. And, his eyes, my Master's eyes, grew bright with mischief as he looked at us, quarreling, making accusation and counter-accusation. I couldn't believe it when Qui-Gon began to laugh. Stopped us both cold. In the end, we were all laughing and then he let us go. Last thing I remember about that day was peering back at Qui-Gon as he walked away, chuckling and shaking his head."
Obi-Wan's face grew still. "That was before Xan's fall, of course, when he was still happy. It took me a long time to help him bury those demons....but that day, I made him laugh." His eyes closed briefly in despair and loss and then he peered at Atel, sighing. "How I miss him."
The Padawan stood rigid with shock. "But...Master... I thought you hated him."
Now it was Obi-Wan's turn to be stunned. "Whatever gave you that idea?"
Atel was thoroughly confused, looked down and then into her Master's questioning eyes. "Forgive me, Master. But you never talk about your old Master. You've never said a word about him. I thought you were ashamed to be trained by that rogue Jedi."
Obi-Wan's startled voice grew harsh and strident, his eyes hard as stone. "How dare you. Don't ever call him that again. Ever!" He closed his eyes, the pain roaring back, spiking with intense urgency. He knew he should not be berating his Padawan like this; she had told the truth from her perspective. But to hear such accusations coming from her mouth after the Council's lies, it was too much. "Go back to our quarters. I will discuss this with you when I have calmed down."
"But...."
"Now, Padawan."
She nodded and turned, dejected. Obi-Wan stood, arms crossed, face scowling and watched as she scurried away. Then, shoulders slumping, he leaned against the door, weary and bewildered.
He muttered, "Blast! I shouldn't have done that. Why would she think such a thing? How could she? Qui-Gon a rogue? Never!" Gritting his teeth, he pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, trying to will away the pain and exhaustion. But it did no good. "Damn the Council for this mess. And damn Qui-Gon for leaving me here."
Still unnerved by his Padawan's accusations, the Master knew that he needed a sanctuary, somewhere safe to try and capture his lost serenity, to find his calm center. He yearned for a place of quiet meditation. Contemplating his limited options in these troubled days, a warm thought came to him. It was obvious; he knew just where he had to go.
The Room of a Thousand Fountains was ancient, older certainly than living memory, with a quiet beauty that was timeless and breathtaking. Known for its bubbling streams and stunning vistas, roaring waterfalls and cool breezes, it was the one sanctuary known to all. To Obi-Wan, it had always held a special place in his heart. So much of his past, so much history had taken place within its lush confines, both good and bad. He knew it would be the perfect place to find serenity again.
Smiling, he moved towards the distant gardens, past the living quarters, past the empty creches and the silent gymnasiums, past all the problems that had plagued his heart this day. When, at last, he reached his destination, he paused outside the ancient carved wooden doors, savoring the moment, welcoming the thought of all that greenery pulsing gently with the Living Force. He knew that much-needed tranquility was just beyond the ornate doors.
He was so wrong.
As he pushed the heavy doors wide, a overwhelming glare of harsh lights blinded him. Thrusting an arm upward to cover his now-tearing eyes, he noticed the artificial hum of mechanicals, the smell of rank fertilizer and grim taste of crushed greenery. He could not believe his eyes. Gone were the rivers, streams, swaying trees and flowers of every kind. Instead, row upon row, tiering upward, as far as the eye could see, were the plants and fruits of commerce. They had turned his beloved sanctuary into despised Bandomeer, into an agricultural factory. He stood there, stunned, swaying with disbelief. Scrubbing at his eyes to wash away the appalling vision, he looked again. Plants filled the entire space, orderly rows of vegetables, vines heavy with fruit hanging along the sides of the terraces as they mounted up towards the ceiling, exotic herbs swaying in the breeze. Every space conceivable was filled with the green of industry. Nowhere were the stone pathways, the swards of grass, the gentle grace of blooming flowers...nowhere.
He must have made some sound of anguished protest, some small noise. A human-sized droid, obviously in charge, floated up to him. "Master Jedi, you should not be here."
"What...what happened? Where is the mediation garden? What have you done?" Obi-Wan's voice was rising, almost in panic.
"Master Jedi. Please leave or I will have to call someone in authority. Go now, sir." The droid was polite but adamant. A mechanical arm swept out, grasping the Jedi's cloak and gently but firmly led Obi-Wan out into the corridor. Releasing him, it turned, without a backward glance, and closed the door.
The clang of locks turning in place, sealing the space, echoed in the darkened hallway. The Jedi just stood there, mouth open, eyes unblinking. He breathed a small "No" and then seemed to fold into himself, legs buckling as he collapsed onto the tiled floor. Pulling his legs up, hugging them as he moved into a fetal position, burying his face in his hands, Obi-Wan rocked back and forth. He sat there for a very long time.
Chapter 4
His apprentice found Obi-Wan slumped in front of the ancient doors some hours later. Atel had become concerned when he did not return and, ignoring his strict orders to remain in their quarters, hunted him out. Something was wrong; she could feel it.
"Master, it's time to come back." She pulled at him, grabbing onto his unresisting arm, tugging insistently. He just looked at her with exhausted eyes, shaking his head. "Come on, Master. You can't stay here. If you do, they'll just punish you again. And me with you." With a final upward wrench, she managed to get Obi-Wan to his feet.
He stared at her, wounded and confused. Low, harsh, his voice raspy with unshed tears, he nodded towards the doors. "Did you know about this?"
"Yes, of course. The rumor mills have been buzzing about it for months."
"Why? Why did they do that? It was so beautiful."
"You must be joking. Why? Money, of course. The Senate has just cut the allotment again. The Council needed the money to maintain the Order. It was that or more dismissals."
"Not again."
"Come on, Master. We can't stay here and discuss this. I've got tea brewing, even as we speak." With that, Atel pushed her exhausted Master towards the living quarters. They could not discuss Temple matters in the monitored hallway; that might be considered seditious and they were in enough trouble with the Jinn mission coming up. Better to get Master Kenobi up to their rooms and let him talk there.
Urgently she pulled and pushed and prodded him and, at last, they tumbled into the tiny common room of their apartment. Obi-Wan collapsed onto the small couch, giving a slight ooff sound as he sat down. Atel moved to the kitchenette and brought forth the promised tea, gently placing it into her Master's trembling hands. He just stared at it for a while, watching the steam rising in the cool air and then, dipping his face downward, took a small sip.
"Thank you, my young Padawan. It's very good." Obi-Wan closed his eyes and leaned back as his troubled apprentice hurriedly propped a pillow behind his head. "How did you know where to find me?"
She shrugged. "You often talk about that garden and I remember walking there with you many times. I thought that you might go there to meditate." She looked down and then into his bruised eyes. "I'm sorry about the gardens, Master. I know what they meant to you."
"I suppose it's better than more dismissals." Obi-Wan's hand pushed against his temple again as the headache continued to pulse and throb. He needed to get a painkiller but, not yet, not yet. Not until he apologized for his behavior to her.
"I..."
"Yes, Padawan?"
She knelt before him, a picture of perfect penitence, and bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Master. I should not have spoken so to you."
"Atel, you did nothing wrong."
"I must humbly disagree. I knew we were both tired and you were upset. I just didn't realize..."
"My young apprentice, I repeat, you did nothing wrong. I had no idea that was how you felt about Qui-Gon." Atel looked up at him with violet eyes, haggard and worn. She shook her head.
"I should have been more mindful. You never talk about him. I just assumed..."
He pulled her up and gestured to sit by his side. His arm came around her in a sharp hug, then released her and took her small hand in his own.
"Atel, I never talk about him because it hurts too much to do so. He was my mentor, my Master, almost a father to me. When he was dismissed, I was devastated, heartbroken and alone. I couldn't believe that they could do something like that to this great man." She frowned at that but said nothing as he continued. "He told me not to contact him, that it might hurt me to do so. Hurt me...hah. There he was, thrown out of the Temple, his only home, almost penniless, and he was worried about me. I ignored his advice, of course. How could I not?"
He shook his head at the harsh memories. "At first, I requested information about him every day. And every day I was told to mind my own business and not be concerned with people no longer within the Jedi Order. After a couple of months, I grew frantic and began to make my own discreet inquiries. I guess I wasn't too discreet because they found out. I was hauled before the Council and told in no uncertain terms to stop what I was doing. I bowed slightly and left and began again to make inquiries. I was more guarded this time but they must have had surveillance on me because I was brought again before the Council. This time they sent me for punishment." Atel made a small gesture of dismay.
"Oh, the Council does not harm those people they wish to punish, not physically, at least. That would be barbaric and the Council is anything but that." The sarcasm was not lost on his young apprentice. He just shook his head at the chilling memories. "They sentenced me to a day in the cells at the bottom of the Temple." Atel looked confused again.
"You've never been there, I know. I made very sure that you were never to blame whenever punishment was meted out. The cells are Force-shielded so that no Jedi could escape - at least that was their original intent. When you are put into the cells, it is as if the Force does not exist and you are alone. But, but.. it was more than that. They must have enhanced the shielding or put in some type of augmentation device for amplifying emotions in an escalating feedback loop, maybe as a test of will or control. I don't know. I would have thought that some inkling of that type of... device would have leaked out, the rumors should have been running wild but there was never a whisper. Maybe it was experimental...but whatever they did, whatever they used, it was extremely effective."
He took a deep shuddering breath and stared straight ahead. "In there, blind and deaf to the Force, you feel smothered, unable to breathe, panicking in that awful place, intensely claustrophobic, your whole being screaming for escape. The walls seem to close in, ceiling collapsing, mind wailing from the panicked echoes of the fear and torment of those who have been there before, and you are alone, so alone. It drives some insane with that loss, especially those trained within the Order from early childhood."
Obi-Wan shivered. "After a day in there, I would have done almost anything to avoid it again. Almost...but within a couple of weeks, I renewed my attempts to find out what I could about Qui-Gon. And again I was caught. Punishment this time was three days."
He stared at her, pain scrabbling behind his eyes, pulsing, pulsing around his neck and temples. He shrugged. "After that, I became very sneaky. It took them almost six months to find out about my little investigations. This time, punishment was a week."
Obi-Wan looked down, ashamed. "I am a coward, Atel. I couldn't... couldn't face that again. I stopped looking."
"But, Master, you said in the meeting, that you had repeatedly asked about Master Jinn."
"I have asked every week for the last ten years but the Council refuses any contact. I had hoped to talk with him, with or without the approval of the Council." He closed his eyes in pain and then looked at her with abject misery.
"Ten years, Atel. The best man I have ever known and I let him down. How can I face him again after all that time?"
"I don't know, Master. Perhaps he has changed."
"No, not Qui-Gon."
"Master Obi-Wan, it has been a long time. Former Master Jinn is accused of crimes against the Jedi Temple. Surely, he must have done something to merit this investigation. And he is, after all, a rogue Jedi."
Obi-Wan stood abruptly, the fragile teacup tumbling from his hands and smashing on the floor, the dissonant sound of china shattering, hot tea flying everywhere. He towered over her, enraged, his head spasming with pain.
"Never. Never a rogue. I told you no."
Atel was almost crying in her bewilderment. "Master, please. We were told he was a Jedi gone bad and dismissed for that very reason. My last class in treaty negotiation went over the circumstances several times. It's the truth, Master. Qui-Gon Jinn went rogue and was thrown out of the Order because of it."
He was stunned and stared at his apprentice with disbelief. Legs buckling, he sat down hard on the couch and tried to find the calm center that he needed so badly. He breathed deeply, once, twice. Then quietly, distinctly, he spoke, his voice firm. "Atel, listen to me. I was there all the time, for every mission. Qui-Gon Jinn never became a rogue Jedi. You have been taught a lie. The question is - why are they lying about it?"
Chapter 5
The two day flight to Naboo proved to be a boon to the weary Jedi. With no badgering sycophants, no cryptic admonishments for proper behavior and no life-threatening stops along the way, there was finally time to rest, a surprising gift after the exhaustion of endless missions.
"There you are, Padawan." Obi-Wan wore a slight grin as the still bleary-eyed Atel moved into the common area of their tiny accommodations. "I was wondering when you were going to get up. You've been asleep almost a full day and there is much to discuss."
She just grunted in response and moved to get some juice from the table. "Master, how is it that you always seem so...awake in the morning?" Admittedly, when Atel finally awoke from her dreamless sleep, she had not been eager to vacate her comfortable bed. It had been so long since she could revel in anything so luxurious, so decadent. But immovable duty called and so she sought out her Master.
He shook his head in fond remembrance. "You think I get up early? You should have seen Master Qui-Gon; he was always up with the dawn."
The mention of that former Jedi brought a quick frown to Atel's features but she turned her head so that Obi-Wan could not see it. She was still uncertain as to how to take her Master's assertions that Jinn was no rogue. Could all of her teachers have been so wrong? Could the histories be false? She knew that Master Obi-Wan would never consciously deceive her but he could be mistaken. Loyalty could beguile and twist perception into lies especially when his bonds with Master Jinn were so powerful. She would have to wait and see. She clenched her jaw, for just a second. I will have to be strong if he cannot. I just hope it will not come to that.
Schooling her features into one of calm concern, she looked towards the datapad, lying loose in his grasp, asking. "Maybe you should tell me about the information on former Master Jinn. I assume that it is complete."
He snorted at that and frowned. "No, it is not."
Tossing it to his apprentice, she grabbed it neatly out of the air and sat down to read.
The information on the life and times of the former Jedi Master, one Qui-Gon Jinn, was frustratingly brief. For the first few months, he had been tracked incessantly, every job, every conversation monitored; it wouldn't do for a Jedi, even one dismissed from the Temple, to be behaving inappropriately. Discarded, yes but not unnoticed, Qui-Gon had gone from menial job to slightly shady dealings back to menial job. Finally, he obtained a position with the Naboo security forces and was moving up the ranks when, as per Temple policy, the half-year investigation ceased and Qui-Gon Jinn dropped out of sight.
He showed up again eight years later, a successful businessman, residing in the hill country of Naboo. Going off-world several times a year for supposedly "mercantile" dealings, there were instances of spikes and ebbs in his cash flow accounts, unexplained and undocumented. He gave heavily to something called the "Bendu Philosophical Group" , to the "Abolishionist Union" and the "Rescue Relief Fund" but also to many other charities, legitimate or otherwise. In addition, he had been called upon by several influential Outer Rim groups to negotiate disputes, not a bad thing in of itself, but hovering close to that of the Jedi's fiercely protected mandate. More damning was the gathering of several force-sensitive individuals within his sphere of influence, potential problems if they decided to band together and challenge the Jedi Order's place within the Republic and the powerful Senate. The Council did not take kindly to any threat, however insignificant, and these small coincidences were enough to warrant an investigation.
Obi-Wan paced as his apprentice sat quietly and absorbed the information. He knew that there was not enough evidence on that datapad for outright condemnation of his former Master. Point of fact, there was little real proof of any misconduct. But the Order and his own conscience would demand that Obi-Wan investigate the allegations to the best of his ability and make some judgment as to whether to take Qui-Gon into custody. Misuse of the Force, especially for material gain or power, was a serious offense in the Republic. And the Council would be quick to mete out justice.
Worry about meeting his old Master, long-buried guilt at letting Qui-Gon down and the more recent anger at the Council for forcing him to this subterfuge, swirled about his head like some malevolent swarm of demoniac ghosts. Cursed by Master Qui-Gon if I do and condemned by the Council if I don't. I hate this...I hate it.
Atel must have felt some of his anxiety. Glancing up almost nervously, she watched his movements gain a jerky quality as he marched from wall to wall and back again, almost droid-like in his walk. And he was muttering to himself as well, not a good sign. This was not like her Master at all; she had never seen him so disconcerted, so anxious. Time to divert his attention.
"Master, something about this isn't right. Have you read all of this? Especially the recent Naboo history?"
"No, I skipped the history. What troubles you?"
"Whoever wrote this expects us to believe that....it's just so absurd. According to the reports, about nine years ago, Naboo was invaded by the Trade Federation. At the time, they had a fourteen year old girl as an elected queen." She rolled her eyes at that but got a stern look from Obi-Wan, settled down and began again with some exasperation in her voice. "I know, Master, I know. I realize that other species develop early. The Tssek't are mature at three and dead at 20 and don't even get me started on the Neventhk. But we are talking humans, here, after all." Another severe frown. Shrugging, she continued. "Somehow, this young girl managed to fend off the Federation with a brilliant maneuver, capturing the Viceroy. But, that's not the ludicrous part, although it does seem a bit farfetched. A nine-year old boy, piloting a Naboo starfighter, managed to blow up the droid control ship and save the day. Nine years old! That has got to be wrong. Maybe they meant a nineteen year old boy....?"
"I've heard more unusual things in my life. Perhaps the Force was with the child?" He sounded unsure, unable to dismiss the tale but not ready to believe it either.
Atel snorted at that, dismissing the thought. "Surely a boy with that much Force potential would be at the Temple. Must have been dumb luck."
Obi-Wan softly replied. "There's no such thing as luck."
"So you always tell me." She sent a sly smile his way. "Well, then, perhaps, your old Master knows him."
"I wouldn't be in the least surprised. He was always picking up strays."
The Padawan just grunted again, and turned back to her reading. Obi-Wan looked at her fondly for a moment, realizing that all too soon she would be off on her own missions, a Knight of the Jedi Order. He remembered wanting that name, that position as a young boy, as if reaching for a dazzling star, his longing pulsing bright. Such happiness when Qui-Gon finally chose him, so much joy and intensity in the training and the missions. His old Master had been a puzzle at first, stoic and inscrutable. But, once you got past his brusque exterior, his abiding affection and patient understanding ran parsecs deep. Obi-Wan had adored his Master, had hoped for a long and illustrious career with Qui-Gon there as mentor, father, friend. And yet it had all turned to ash.
He looked again at his apprentice. It was time to make amends, time to tell her about his Master, time to make her understand the truth of Qui-Gon Jinn.
"Atel, my Master's inexhaustible talent for acquiring strays was the stuff of legends. I remember one incident where..."
The Jinn residence was located quite close to Naboo's secondary spaceport, a easy landspeeder ride over gently dappled hills. As they approached, Obi-Wan Kenobi could not help but admire the serene loveliness of the place. Colored in rich honeyed tones, low and rambling, the stone house was wrapped in a blossom-covered porch, feathery trees kissing the gleaming slate roof. Several windows peeped through the green shrubbery, reflecting the blued, ice-capped mountains in the distance. Everywhere, the air was incredibly fresh and scented with flowers, delicious and relaxing. It made him envious for a moment but he hastily shook off the unnerving feeling.
As soon as the speeder powered down, Kenobi told his apprentice to scout out the area. He planned to meet with Master Qui-Gon alone, to gauge his reactions to this intrusive "visit". When he was more comfortable with the setup, he would contact her. The Padawan nodded and scampered away towards the larger outbuildings. Obi-Wan remained behind, patiently waiting for his former Master to appear, discovering for himself just what reception he could expect after all these years. He didn't have long to wait.
"Hello, Obi-Wan."
Kenobi closed his eyes for a brief moment, then pivoted slowly, the sound of that calm, beloved voice triggering a myriad of stunning memories, bright flashes of intense imagery cascading through his mind, Bandomeer, Telos, Qui-Gon laughing, screaming at him to get down as blaster bolts twanged past, gentle smiles, severe frowns, that last horrible day on Coruscant. It was too overwhelming, the emotions of a lost lifetime. Obi-Wan knew he must regain control and so he brutally suppressed the thoughts with an almost audible snap. He swallowed hard, finished his turn and stood there in typical Jedi stance, lifting his troubled eyes to the man that had once meant everything to him. Qui-Gon Jinn, his former Master.
The years had been kind to Qui-Gon. Brown and silvered hair still cascaded down his broad shoulders and he remained bearded, but there was a lightness of being in his clear blue eyes, his body straight and tall. He was not dressed in Jedi robes now, but in a comfortable blue tunic and leggings, slightly stained from kneeling in the soil. Qui-Gon's hands were covered in dirt, a smudge on his cheek, but he seemed very content, at ease with the universe. Seeing Obi-Wan's face, he broke into a broad smile.
"It's so good to see you again." Jinn strode forward, impossibly fast, and Obi-Wan was abruptly enveloped in a ferocious hug. The moment seemed forever as Obi-Wan eagerly leaned into the embrace, remembering the warmth and spirit that was uniquely Qui-Gon. His breath hitched once as he blinked away sudden tears. Finally, reluctantly, Qui-Gon stepped back a bit, his large hands still grasping the shoulders of his former apprentice. Grinning as he studied Obi-Wan, his intense gaze faltered slightly as Jinn looked more closely. Obi-Wan knew that he wore the stoic Jedi facade well but there was a unsettling shadow to his manner, his mouth tightly compressed, his blue eyes hooded. He could not hide the unhappiness buried deep inside, not from his old Master.
"Padawan, how I've missed you."
"Hello, Master Jinn."
"Obi-Wan, please. Not so formal. My name is Qui-Gon, in case you have forgotten." He teased, blue eyes twinkling.
Stepping back, he wiped his large hands on his leggings and looked again at his former apprentice. Obi-Wan knew that Master Qui-Gon was remembering the last time he had seen him, ten long years before. Forced to leave the Temple, practically penniless, without friends or family, told to leave all behind, clothes, possessions, lightsaber, it had been a harrowing time. But the most damning thing of all was having to abandon his apprentice. The loss of that relationship had hurt both men deeply; they were still paying the price.
As Qui-Gon continued to scrutinize him, Obi-Wan realized that he could feel the questions rising in his Master's thoughts, questions about where he had been for the past ten years and why no contact. But Kenobi remained stonily silent and Qui-Gon, ever the diplomat, turned and gestured for him to follow.
"Come into the house. I need to get cleaned up and then we can talk." Looking around, Qui-Gon puzzled, "Where's your Padawan? You have one, don't you?"
Kenobi shrugged. "Oh, yes. She's around somewhere, probably looking at the plants in your garden. She'll be along soon enough."
Qui-Gon blinked, unasked questions flitting across his face and then he schooled his leonine features back into a broad smile. "Well, then. Come and meet the family."
"Family?!"
"Of course. I'm not a Jedi Knight any more. I'm a farmer with a wife and son." He grinned slyly, looking at Obi-Wan's startled face. "And a baby girl on the way." Kenobi's stunned look was priceless and Qui-Gon burst out laughing. "Come in."
Qui-Gon strode up the broad stone steps, and paused in the cool shade of the long porch. He glanced back at his former apprentice and a warm smile lit his eyes, turning them a brilliant blue. "It's good to see you again, Obi-Wan." Nodding slightly, he turned and went into the house. His voice echoed through the open windows, "Le'orath, we have guests. Where are you, love?" as the sound of his footsteps faded into the far rooms.
The Jedi closed his eyes for a moment, the troubled frown deepening across his face. This was certainly not what he had expected. When assigned this mission, the Council had said that Qui-Gon Jinn was a successful businessman, not a farmer. A farmer! And with a family. Blast!! I knew I should have said no. I just knew it. Kenobi growled deep in his throat, furious with that Sith-begotten Council. It was too much, the pain of potential betrayal too great. He snarled again. They did this for spite and now I'm trapped. How am I going to do this? Shifting into immovable stance, determined to control the careening emotions, he breathed deeply once, twice. Do what you must, Kenobi. Duty first and always.
Obi-Wan looked towards the inviting house for a long moment, then lifted his comlink and contacted his apprentice. "Atel, be mindful. Things are not as they seem."
A soft voice replied, "Yes, Master. I must agree. I'm almost at the barn now. And, Master....I think that there is a force-sensitive here. A very strong force-sensitive."
"Be careful, young one. And cautious. Remember, at the moment, we are here for a visit. Nothing more. I will let you know when I want you back." Obi-Wan clicked off and followed his former Master into the house.
The Padawan looked disconcertedly at her comlink. Something was definitely up with Master Obi-Wan. She had never heard him more unsure but she pushed it to the back of her mind. Duty first. Investigating the barn and the occupant were her main priorities at this moment. There would be time enough later for questions and answers.
She looked again at the large outbuilding. More than two stories high, it appeared to be made out of stone and wood with earth mounded up along both sides. She thought, irrelevantly, that winters here must be brutal for such a strong structure but shrugged and looked for a way in. The front portals were immense and appeared to be locked but, off to the side, a small human-sized door beckoned. Pushed quietly, the door gave way to a large interior structure, almost cathedral-like in its size and scope, the light streaming though the upper windows. On either side, were tiers of droids and other mechanicals, obviously used for harvesting various types of crops. The center was wide and bare, but large enough for a gymnasium or salle. Large rings and bars hung from the distant roof; it was difficult to guess what their purposes could be, although, at the Temple, they would have been used in training exercises.
Her eyes halted on a lone figure, sitting cross-legged on the floor at the center of the structure. Light pooled around him, seemed to set him pulsing with radiance, his bright blond hair shimmering. More importantly, he was ablaze in the Force. Here was the force-sensitive she had sensed, a most powerful one, if she was any judge. He was turned away from her, with tools scattered about him and his arms and back moved as if he were struggling with something in his hands. She knew that he was aware of her, his breathing had stopped for just a second and he had shifted slightly. But he said not a word, just kept working as she moved towards him.
Finally, not turning, he spoke quietly. "May I help you?"
"I didn't mean to startle you. I was just exploring. I've never been on this type of estate before."
With that, putting down the droid in his hands, he rose gracefully to his feet and turned to face her. Dressed in blue tunic and leggings, he was about 20 years old, tall, slim and quite good-looking, his hair cropped short in a shaggy style reminiscent of a Padawan cut. A small blue jewel glittered in his right earlobe as the sunlight moved across his face.
"Estate? This is a ...." His blue eyes tightened suddenly, frowning, his whole body alert.
"Jedi!" He scowled at her. "What in the blazes is a Jedi doing here?"
She stepped back, startled as he moved towards her, posture threatening. Atel shifted into ready stance of the first defense, her hands hovering, waiting for the attack. He started to mirror her move, then stopped, realizing what he was doing, and stood up straight, hands clenched.
"I repeat. What are you doing here?"
"We are visiting former Master Jinn. I believe he owns the place?" She tried to make it sound light but he would have none of it.
"Yes, he does. We...? Who are you?"
She straightened, then bowed slightly. "I am Atel Sl'etah, Padawan Learner to Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. And you are...?"
He seemed distracted suddenly. "Anakin Skywalker. I'm apprenticed to Master Jinn. Kenobi, you say..."
She nodded. "Yes, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Do you know him?"
He looked at her again, growling. "Kenobi, Kenobi...yes, I've heard of him." He tried to push past her, rushing towards the side-door, but she stood firm.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?"
He snorted. "Back to the house. To make sure that Master Jinn is all right. Protect him from your blasted Kenobi if I need to."
"What are you talking about? Master Obi-Wan wouldn't hurt him." She was clearly concerned at his attitude. What could he have heard about Master Kenobi? Did he suspect that our mission is not just a visit but an investigation? That's not possible.
He looked at her with contempt. "You high and mighty Jedi. You think that I am a fool? You toss people out of the Order like so much garbage and then they get killed. Well, you won't do that to Master Jinn. I'll see the whole damn Temple come crashing down around your ears first. I swear it." He abruptly sidestepped her, then disappeared through the door, the backswing hitting the jamb with a loud crack.
She just stood there stunned for an instant.What in the blazes was that all about? And then she moved hurriedly to catch up. She would protect her Master with her life, even against that brash idiot.
Obi-Wan pushed the front door open and entered a large common room, beautiful in its quiet elegancy. Two comfortable couches skimmed the far walls, a scattering of fabric covered chairs, a low table near the sofas - all denoted that this was the outward facade, the meeting place for guests and business clientele. Done in cremes and beiges, there were also bright splashes of color here and there; the pillows strewn on the couches, artwork of people and places hung on the walls, a shawl cast over one chair. There were clusters of flowers everywhere, done in simple designs that spoke of wealth and style.Beyond the far right doorway, a whoosh of running water and the soft undertones of voices beckoned him. But then the sounds turned strident and he paused, torn by the twin problems of letting Qui-Gon have the privacy he deserved and the mission-imperatives that Obi-Wan must follow. Duty won and he moved closer.
A feminine voice rang out, troubled and angry. "Kenobi's here!?" The sounds turned sarcastic. "Well, about damn time. Ten years of ignoring you and he just waltzes in here without a word."
"Le', please. Can't you just let it be, just for a little while? I've missed him. Now, he's here. Let's at least pretend he's here to see me."
"So, now, it comes down to pretense. Qui, love, he's hurt you every day. I could see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice. I won't let him hurt you again." The sound of water stopped. "All right, all right, for your sake, I'll be civil." Soft noises and a heavy sigh. "Why is he here anyway? A mission?"
"Not a visit, not after all this time. Look, I've left him out there. Go and be polite while I change... Polite, mind."
Another sarcastic "Yes, oh wise Master."
The sound of footsteps coming his way galvanized Obi-Wan to step back into the center of the common room. The woman who entered was about forty years old, tall, with braided waist-length red hair and piercing green eyes, relatively thin, although her waistline had begun to thicken with pregnancy. Le'orath Jinn was not beautiful, but striking in the classic sense, so much so that, after a moment's reflection, mere beauty would seem unimportant. She filled the space with her presence, her emerald eyes staring straight into the soul.
"Knight Kenobi, welcome to our home. Please sit down." Her voice was pleasant, seemingly congenial as she gestured to one of the far couches.
Obi-Wan bowed politely. "Thank you, Mistress Jinn." He sat quickly, his tattered brown robes pooling around him, and turned to his hostess. "You have a very lovely place here."
She settled next to him and, smiling, reached for his hand. Taking it in her own, she squeezed gently at first but with increasingly painful pressure. She leaned over, still smiling, her eyes stone cold, and spoke quietly, so that her voice would not carry.
"Listen to me, you miserable bastard. I don't know why you've come. I don't know why it took you ten years to get your worthless Jedi carcass here to visit him. And, by the Gods, I certainly don't know why he still loves you like a son. But I swear to you, if you hurt him again, I don't care who you are - Jedi Knight, Republic representative, Supreme Chancellor, I don't care. I will hunt you down and destroy you. Do you understand me, Jedi?"
With that, she let his hand go and he shook it slightly to help circulation return. At first, her words had filled him with astonishment but the shame soon followed. Coward... Kenobi, you should have tried harder. It was clear that she loved Qui-Gon very much. To threaten a Jedi so was not to be taken lightly.
"I understand, Mistress Jinn. Perhaps more than you know."
He turned to say something else, maybe reassure her but at that moment, Qui-Gon returned. Dressed now in white shirt and dark-blue leggings, commanding and tall, he almost looked like a pirate or mercenary. Behind him stood a child, about four years old, red haired and blue-eyed, peering out from behind large legs.
"Le'orath, I seemed to have misplaced my son. Has anyone seen him? Oh, dear, oh, dear. Guess I'll just have to go get another one..."
The child giggled and looked up at his father. "Here I am, Daddy."
Qui-Gon turned and caught up the little one in his arms, a patently pretend growl escaping his lips. "What's this? Oh, here you are..." Hoisting the child over his shoulder, the boy giggling as he is held upside down, Qui-Gon walked over to Obi-Wan and tapped his son on the bottom. "This is my son, Ben. Usually, he is right side up but it appears that today is an upside-down day."
There were more muffled giggles, some wiggling and then, "Put me down, Daddy." With that, Ben was lifted and set down next to Le'orath. Putting her arm around his shoulder, cuddling him close as though for protection, she glared straight at Kenobi. The child looked at his mother and then at the stranger in their midst.
Kenobi had some experience in the initiate's creche; all the knights must spend time there now that most of the staff had been dismissed. Outwardly, the child seemed quite ordinary as far as children go. This one, however, was strong, very strong, in the Force, powerful enough to have been sent to the Temple three years ago. Why he was here and not on Coruscant spoke volumes. Indeed there was something amiss.
Kenobi bowed slightly to the boy. "Hello, young Ben. I am Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am very pleased to meet you."
The child's eyes grew wide with recognition as he buried himself deeper into his mother's arms. His voice trembled with fear. "Daddy, it's the Knight, the Jedi. Just like in my dream....it's Obi-Wan. Did you know that? Is he going to take you away now?"
Obi-Wan was dumbfounded. "Why would you think that, child?"
Ben drove himself behind Le'orath as though trying to disappear. 'Mommy, make him go. Please. He's going to take Daddy away."
Qui-Gon knelt beside his son, rubbing his back, trying to allay his fears. "Ben, it's all right, it's all right. Obi-Wan is here to visit, nothing more." He shot a sharp questioning glance at Kenobi as though to ask if that were true, but Obi-Wan pointedly avoided the blue eyes, staring at the lovely carpet and Qui-Gon looked again at his son.
Drawing back from his mother's embrace, Ben leapt into his father's arms, crying softly, hiccuping a bit and held on fast, his tiny fists grabbing the long graying hair. Qui-Gon made quiet comforting noises and stood up, still enfolding his son in his arms, gently rocking.
Kenobi was about to say something to ease the child's fears, now flowing palpably through the Force when Atel's frenzied thoughts invaded his own. /*Be wary, Master. Anakin's just ahead of me.*/ And a young man catapulted through the front door, took one look at Obi-Wan and moved to stand over him, posture clearly threatening. Atel was only a second behind him, catching the door on the backswing. She moved in, ready to defend her Master.
The youth glared at Obi-Wan for a moment and then turned to Qui-Gon. His concern was palpable. "Are you okay? Has he hurt you?" Frowning, he glanced at the clinging child. "Why is Ben crying?"
Throwing a quelling glance at Anakin, Jinn's eyes clearly indicated that Skywalker's menacing attitude was inappropriate. "I'm fine. Ben had a little scare but he will be better soon...right Ben?" The child nodded into his father's shoulder, his quiet sighs hitching as he began to calm.
Anakin relaxed a fraction and moved to stand next to Qui-Gon. Unsure of the situation, he settled into ready stance, continuing to scowl at Kenobi. His young face was a shifting map of troubling thoughts; confusion about the sudden appearance of this Jedi Knight, disdain for the apparent coincidence, distrust that, with so many former Jedi dead, Qui-Gon might well be the next target. His glare morphed into an entrenched frown, mouth set and grim. Hovering near his Master, Anakin's entire posture was clearly to guard Qui-Gon Jinn at all costs, with his life if necessary.
Looking at both men standing over him and reading Anakin's glowering presence as one of potential threat, Kenobi realized that he was somewhat trapped by the couch and low table before him. Smiling to relieve the tension, Obi-Wan nodded and stood up, moving discreetly to stand next to his apprentice.
Qui-Gon spoke first. "I believe that introductions are in order." Gesturing towards the Jedi, he nodded. "Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi." Qui-Gon's eyes flicked from one to the other, a brief grin lighting his face. "He's my former Padawan, now a Jedi Knight and, by the looks of it, soon to be Master Kenobi."
Qui-Gon placed a large hand on Anakin's shoulder, squeezing slightly. The young man calmed and sent him back a grateful smile. "Anakin is my apprentice."
"Apprentice?!" Obi-Wan was startled by that statement, eyes raking the two. This unexpected news was troubling.
Jinn frowned somewhat, then his face cleared as he looked again at Anakin. "Yes, he is learning the trade."
Atel had stood there quietly as the conversation flowed around her, looking at Anakin, a scowl flitting across her face. His name was familiar, so familiar; she had read it or heard it somewhere recently. And then the memory snapped into place. "You're Anakin Skywalker....the Hero of Naboo?" The young man nodded, flustered. "But that would mean that you were very young at the Battle of Theed."
He glowered at her, exasperated. "I was nine years old. What about it?"
She pressed on, turning toward him. "I read in the histories that you made the shot that brought down the Trade Federation vessel. Impressive shooting for someone so young or... was it luck? "
Skywalker took a step forward, space narrowing between them. "It's none of your damn business, Jedi." His eyes gleamed as he stared at her. "Besides, there's no such thing as luck."
Obi-Wan loudly cleared his throat. "And this brash young woman is my Padawan, Atel Sl'etah." He shot her a quieting, not-now look. "Atel, I don't believe you have met Mistress Le'orath Jinn, Qui-Gon's wife and his son, Ben."
Atel was speechless, her violet eyes widening. */Wife, Master!!! And a son. That was not in the briefing nor in the data they gave us./*
Le'orath rose gracefully and bowed, a mere nod of the head. "Welcome to our home, Padawan." Turning to her husband and gathering Ben gently into her arms, she looked at the tableau. "Qui-Gon, I need to begin the evening meal. I assume that your guests will be staying." At her husband's assent, she turned to the young man. "Anakin, could you help me, please?"
Moving past the Jedi, Obi-Wan's words stopped her for a moment. "I thank you for your generous offer, my lady. We would be glad to accept your hospitality. Atel, please go with them and lend any assistance." The group disappeared into the far doorway, his Padawan trailing behind and sending Obi-Wan an annoyed glare before moving out of his line of sight.
When they were alone once more, Obi-Wan turned to his old mentor. "You have a fine family, Master."
Qui-Gon grinned at that. "Le'orath must like you. She hates to cook and for her to volunteer...I'm astonished."
"Your son, Ben, seems to be an exceptional boy, strong in the Force. How long has he been having these visions?"
Qui-Gon's smile vanished and a stoic, shuttered look came over his face. His voice, too, was neutral, with just a touch of frost. "Visions, I'm sure that you are mistaken." His eyes tightened for just a moment, then said with some bemusement and not a little irony. "Or have you come to take me away?"
Obi-Wan moved close to Qui-Gon and gently grasped his arm. "I have no intention of taking you anywhere, Master. But it's clear that your son has been touched by the Force. How long?"
Qui-Gon looked down at Obi-Wan's hand, resting so comfortably there, memories ghosting of other times and other places long ago. He swallowed hard, looked again into those remembered sea-grey eyes and conceded the point. "He's been having waking dreams for about six months; some come true, some have yet to come to pass, some do not."
"Master, it is clear that he is very Force-sensitive. He needs to be trained in the ways of the Jedi. And he's not too old. I could take him back with me..."
Qui-Gon jerked his arm away from Kenobi. His glacier-blue eyes narrowed as he stood tall, arms folded, immovable. His voice, too, was cold as ice. "No, I forbid it."
"But surely he would be better off at the Temple. We would train him properly."
The voice was colder still, space-cold, eternity-cold. "I said no."
Obi-Wan had heard that tone only once in his life and he had forgotten neither the reason nor the result. He knew that pressing the point would not sway Qui-Gon and, indeed, might further antagonize him. But duty was duty. And he was sworn to find and bring back any children worthy of the Order, should the parents agree.
"Master, please listen. We need your son, desperately." Qui-Gon stiffened at the words. "You don't know what is going on at the Temple. Parents are refusing to give their children to the Jedi. We are told that the Order is no longer trustworthy." Obi-Wan shook his head in disbelief. "The number of young ones coming into the creche has dwindled to almost nothing. Only orphans or unwanted babies, no one else. In the last year, there have been only nine given to the Jedi, not even enough for a single Clan. The Council does not know what to do."
Obi-Wan grasped his Master's arm again, warmth and strength seeping through his hands, trying to break the frost, to persuade Qui-Gon to see the critical imperative of allowing his son to go to the Jedi. But the sharp icy stare forced the Knight to let go, his hands falling to his side, hope leaching away. One final try. "At this rate, the Jedi will be extinct within a generation. Your son would do much to alleviate this, especially coming from a family of one so sorely mistreated. He would be an example of the trust you have in the Jedi. An example that others might follow."
"Trust?! I will not send my son to be trained and then discarded as so much trash. No!!"
Sighing heavily, Obi-Wan gentled his voice. "So be it. I had to try." He leaned in close, almost whispering. "A warning, then, from a former Padawan to his old much-esteemed Master." Startled, Qui-Gon bent down to catch the words.
"The Senate is making noises about collecting data on all Force-sensitive children. From the lowest to the highest ranks of society. For their own government records, they say, not just for the Jedi's use. It doesn't make sense really since we are the only ones that would use that information. But vicious rumors are flying that the Republic government may mandate that the children be taken without consent, made wards of the state and given over to the Order. I don't agree with this course - it would be disastrous for the Jedi and for the families. It may just be rumors. They may want the information for other reasons, but I thought you should know. Qui-Gon...guard your son well."
As dinner began, conversation seemed awkward, full of strange silences. It was clear to Obi-Wan that his Master was still upset about his comments and yet he did not want to end this night with enmity. He had hoped for one night, pure, with fond remembrances and a Padawan's love for his Master. Just one night. Tomorrow would be soon enough for investigation and sullied duty.
Conversation ebbed and flowed around the passing of food and the small talk of child and parent, host and guests. Le'orath was a better cook than Qui-Gon has intimated and the smells and tastes of the many dishes were wonderful. To the Jedi, used to simple, cheap meals, it was almost a banquet.
But, to one individual, it was not a banquet. Young Ben, now secure within the warmth of his family, and, above all, bored with the adult conversation, had begun to display a four-year old's exuberance and skill at deception. Staring at the sweets just beyond his reach, the child waggled his fingers ever so slightly, his blue eyes intense, a sly smile on his face. One small brightly-colored treat began a stealthy slow dance across the table towards the boy. Obi-Wan, spying the movement and amused at the thought, lent his talent to the task and a second sweet trailed the first. When Ben looked around to see who was helping him, he was surprised to see the strange Jedi Kenobi smiling. The boy was startled at first but, when Obi-Wan winked at him, a small grin lit his young face and he giggled.
His father, suddenly aware of the scene, said sharply, "Ben, no."
Eyes abruptly huge, the boy's smile disappeared and he bent his head, unsure of what he had done wrong. Softening his voice, Qui-Gon gestured towards a small pile of blocks and other toys in the far corner of the room. "Ben, it's all right but you must be bored with all this grown-up talk. Why don't you go enjoy your games?" The child nodded and moved away, looked at the adults for a moment and then settled down to play.
"I see that Ben has many talents." Kenobi's voice was tinged with amusement and his eyes were dancing.
Qui-Gon would have none of it. "Yes, he has. I meant what I said, Obi-Wan. You will get nothing of his talents."
Kenobi nodded, unhappy that this simple act of play had caused a further rift in their relationship. "Be at ease, Master. I was merely helping Ben with his...logistical problem." With a sharp look, Qui-Gon returned to his meal and uneasy silence descended on the group.
The food lay leaden in Obi-Wan's gut, acid etching his troubled thoughts. **Damn, this may be your last chance, you blasted fool. Try and fix this, Kenobi, before it's too late.**
He sent Jinn a tentative smile. "Master, I often thought of you, hoping that you were well and happy. It is obvious that you have come far. Home, family, a good life. I'm glad." Qui-Gon recognized what Obi-Wan was trying to do, wishing to repair the damage of their bitter argument. He, too, wanted to make amends and so he returned the smile and nodded.
"It was not an easy path. In fact, at first, it was very difficult. I did not want to impose on friends, afraid that some of the shame of dismissal would fall on them. I tried several occupations, none of which paid well and sometimes I was discharged without reason. Others would not hire me at all, obviously suspicious of a former Jedi. Who can really blame them? Such a Jedi must surely be rogue or tainted in some way."
"How could they think such a thing?"
Qui-Gon shrugged. "Dismissal from the Temple had always been for crimes or behavior unbecoming a Jedi, never for money reasons. They had no way of knowing." He sighed slightly. "Finally, with my funds dwindling fast, I bowed to the inevitable and asked for help. Luckily, the entourage from Naboo needed someone familiar with Coruscant and security to run checks on locations and personnel at the capital. Captain Panaka was acquainted with my work and hired me. He did me a great service, Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon smiled briefly, warmed by the memories. "They must have been pleased with my efforts because I was invited to join their security forces back on Naboo. I accepted with pleasure. Of course, no sooner had I arrived, then the Trade Federation invaded the planet. It was pretty rough for a while but, in my own small way, I was able to help the resistance and Queen Amidala. When the Queen escaped, I was among her guards. We had a few bumps on the road to Coruscant but finally made it all in one piece." He looked over at Anakin, grinning. "Along the twisted Force-driven path, I met with this young scamp. And, together, we were able to help free Naboo."
"The Force was with you."
"It must have been. For my contribution, the Naboo people gifted me with some money. I was able to scrap together enough to buy this small farm."
"It's beautiful here. A fine place."
Qui-Gon chuckled at that. "Not when I bought it. It was tumbling down, the field fallow, the equipment old and in disrepair. I had no idea what I was doing. How could I? Diplomacy and lightsaber duels do not help crops grow." He smiled again. "I almost lost everything that first year. But then..." His hand closed over that of Le'orath, eyes glowing with pride and affection. "I met this lovely woman. Le' is a landscape architect and an amazingly good one at that. She helped me with the rough spots. The next year, the profits were so great that I was able to finish the house and outbuildings. And then I asked her to marry me."
Le'orath smiled at that, squeezing his hand lightly. The tenderness leached away as she looked across the table at Obi-Wan, her eyes narrowing. "We were married at Midwinter Festival. I knew the moment I met Qui-Gon that I wanted to be with him always. How could I not? He was so gentle and yet, there was a sorrow about him that I wanted to soothe. I didn't know, then, that the Jedi had tossed him aside."
She glanced at Atel and then back at Obi-Wan, her eyes frosty, lighting to summer warmth when she looked again at Qui-Gon. "We have built a good life here, Knight Kenobi. One, I hope, will last a long time."
"That is my hope as well, my lady."
Atel spoke up, probing for information. "You have accomplished quite a bit in such a short time, Master Jinn. Are crops all you raise?"
Anakin glared at her but said nothing. Qui-Gon glanced first at his apprentice, then at Atel, a sharp measuring look. His voice was neutral. "Actually, no. Here, I raise exotic biologicals; they have quite a high return on the money invested. But I have interests in several companies as well. It is best to diversify in this time of unrest. I have learned to adapt to the changing economic climate and now am part owner in mining, medical supplies, biotechnology, and transportation consortiums. A Jedi does not have to think about where their next meal is coming from. But I do."
"You'd be surprised at what a Jedi has to think about these days, Master." Obi-Wan's sardonic irony was not lost on his Padawan. She suppressed a brief snort.
Qui-Gon nodded slowly, a sad smile on his leonine face. "I often think about the Temple and our time together, Obi-Wan. It was exhausting but very worthwhile, helping to maintain peace and justice in the Republic. But since I left, rumors have grown that all is not well within the Order. Some pretty alarming tales have reached even the wilds of Naboo."
Obi-Wan's apprentice stared at him, resolute. /*Don't tell him anything, Master. Please don't.*/ But Kenobi ignored her warnings. He wanted, he needed to make this connection.
"Things have not been as they should. After you left, most of the Council were dismissed, Master Windu, Master Gallia and several others. When Master Yoda returned from his mission the following week, the Senate evoked some obscure statute and forced him to retire."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "The first wave of dismissals was disheartening to more than just those immediately affected, of course. Trust had been broken and the despair of it seemed to permeate the very air of the Temple for several months. But, as the shock of such a move faded, life seemed to return to normal."
"And then..?" Qui-Gon gently probed.
"The Senate tightened their grip yet again. Citing increased pressure to curb costs and disappointment in the resistant attitude of the Jedi to the Republic's wishes, there was a second round of dismissals and then a third. It seemed to almost spiral out of control. The few donations that the Order had been receiving dried up and it became entirely dependent on the good graces of the Senate. And they were not in the mood to be gracious."
The Jedi Knight pressed his hand against his eyes for a moment and looked into the sad face of his old Master. "The competition for goods and services within the Order became fierce. Cooperation is a fine thing when there is plenty but, as the stranglehold tightened, everyone began to look for ways to strengthen their own positions. And still Jedi were turned out of the Temple. Fault-finding, hoarding, rigidity of thought were encouraged by such actions. The halls are monitored, behavior codified and more dismissals are coming." Obi-Wan gave an unhappy cough. "Now, it is even difficult to replace a cloak."
Anakin glanced at Qui-Gon and nodded. "Oh, so that is why you were wearing such shabby clothes. I thought you just didn't have time to change before coming here."
Kenobi shot him a measuring look. "Quite correct, Anakin. Shabby is an apt description."
"And now?" asked Qui-Gon, softly, prompting.
"Now, they have turned most of the mediation chambers and gymnasiums into food production. There have been eight.. no, nine waves of terminations and still there are rumors of more to come. Yet, we are expected to have successful missions with no complaints or errors. Too much to do and not nearly enough Jedi or resources to cope."
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan."
Kenobi just shrugged again. "Qui-Gon, thank you. I know... But I am a Jedi and must do my duty. I can do no less."
Skywalker studied the Knight, frowning. "So, that's it then. You're just going to keep coming back for more, even though they treat you like dirt."
"I will do what I must, Anakin."
The young man looked at Obi-Wan with bewilderment. "Can't you fight them? Turn things around?"
"How? The Senate has control of the money and the Jedi are sworn to uphold the laws and government of the Republic."
"Walk away from it, then."
"I cannot do that. I would be forsworn."
Anakin snorted at that. "Duty to a group that discards its own like week-old trash? You are a fool."
Qui-Gon's reply was brief and to the point. "Anakin, this is not the way you treat guests." The soft, "No, Master" was barely whispered; a fleeting glimpse of shame crossed the young man's face.
"Obi-Wan, this is sad news indeed but not unexpected. We may be far from Coruscant but news of the Jedi travels fast, even in hyperspace." Jinn sighed and laid his hand on Kenobi's arm. "You are always welcome here."
Le'orath moved slightly, as though to protest, but said nothing. She looked at Anakin and shrugged. "Knight Kenobi, you spoke of dismissals. You must have lost a number of friends over the years. Have you kept in touch with any of them?"
That question brought a sharp, embarrassed look from Qui-Gon. "Le', you promised not to do this."
"I promised not to ask Kenobi about why he hasn't bothered to contact you in the last ten years. I'm merely inquiring about his friends."
Jinn moved to speak sharply to his wife but Obi-Wan gestured for attention. "Mistress Jinn is quite correct to ask. Master, you deserve an answer." Atel shot him a disbelieving look /*Master, Listen to me, please. Don't tell him anything. He is under investigation. Don't...*/but again he ignored her warning.
"We are forbidden from contacting anyone dismissed from the Order, for whatever reason. Ignoring that directive entails...various types of punishment, depending on the level of defiance."
Le'orath wanted the truth for Qui-Gon's sake. She pressed the point. "And you were afraid of a little punishment, a slap on the wrist, is that it, Kenobi? Couldn't break the rules even for Qui-Gon's sake, right?"
Obi-Wan sat there, quiet, still, unable to move or think for a moment. Avoiding Qui-Gon's gaze, he looked at Le'orath and murmured, "Excuse me." And then, abruptly, he stood and strode out the door. Glaring at the trio, Atel rose and hurried to follow her Master.
Qui-Gon's angry "How could you?" was met with a brief shrug. She knew he needed the answer, had needed it for years, but would not ask. A wound must be cut and cleaned before it could heal. He knew that but her husband could be woefully stubborn. So she had done the cutting.
Atel found Obi-Wan standing on the porch, gazing out at the moon rising over the mountains, his hands busy shredding a white trumpet flower. He said nothing for a time, trying to find his center, hoping to calm his raging guilt. Finally, he told Atel to bring the landspeeder around to the front. They would be leaving momentarily. When she scampered down the steps and around the corner of the house, the sounds of the night began to fill the silent spaces.
The scraping of a boot heel, the slight whine of the front door opening and the glow of a Force signature alerted the Jedi to another presence. Qui-Gon moved quietly to stand next to his former apprentice, glancing down to see a growing mound of torn blossoms at Obi-Wan's feet.
"Obi-Wan, I must apologize for Le'orath's remarks. She had no right to..." Jinn was quickly interrupted.
"No, Master, she was correct. You deserve to know the truth. It's just...hard to explain." Kenobi shrugged and seemed to shrink into himself, chilled by the memories. His hand opened and a shredded flower floated down, stained white and black as it moved from light to shadow to light again. Without thinking, he reached for another and began to slowly pull it apart.
"I'm sorry, Master. I'm a coward...such a coward." Obi-Wan's whispers were almost imperceptible but sharp with pain. "I tried, truly I did. Pulled every string I could to find out where you were. With no success. Then I got caught. Defied them as only you could, Master." An anguished grimace flitted over his face and then he looked down, unable to bear Qui-Gon's questions. "Defied them at first and then I got sneaky. But it didn't matter. They found out anyway and each time it happened, the....punishments got worse." He stopped to breathe, gasping for air as though some great weight was pressing down, down on him. He closed his eyes and tried to center, before the memories crowded out what he needed to say.
"Finally, I couldn't...couldn't face it again. I stopped looking. I'm sorry." He closed his eyes for a moment, grimacing with remembered anguish. The blossom in his hand, torn to unrecognizable pulp, floated down, light and dark, to join the others. He started to reach for the trumpet flower near his face when Qui-Gon grabbed Kenobi's shoulders with his own large hands and shook the Jedi gently.
"Obi-Wan, you were never a coward. Never." Jinn's eyes were warm with certainty.
Kenobi just shook his head, not meeting his Master's eyes. "I should have been stronger but I couldn't fight the fear in that damnable cell any more."
"What cell?" Qui-Gon stepped back, hands dropping to his side.The wintery tone in his voice was cold, sharp, almost angry. Obi-Wan flinched at the sound.
"The cells at the Temple's base." Kenobi was confused; surely his former Master knew about them.
"Yes, there are force-suppressed cells there for criminals, to inhibit escape. The worst that they face is loss of any connection with the Force - it is painful at first, but the strong-willed eventually get used to it. And you are very strong-willed." Qui-Gon probed insistantly. "Was there a particular cell that they put you in?"
Obi-Wan shuddered. "It was always cell AA23."
Qui-Gon's retort was quick and expressive. "Those damnable, bloody bastards. They promised me they would dismantle it. They promised."
"Master, you know of it?"
Jinn looked down at the mound of crushed blossoms. "I helped to test it. Gods, Obi-Wan, I'm so sorry."
Kenobi jerked his eyes up to meet Qui-Gon's own, anger growing out of the guilt and confusion. "Tested it? Helped them? How could you agree to such a thing? It's an obscenity, a twisted misuse of the Force. How could you?"
"I had no idea that they were using it in such a way. Obi-Wan, the Jedi did not invent it." Jinn's voice was gentle but Kenobi just shook his head. "Listen, please. One of the Knights in the Outer Rim stumbled across it in an investigation. As far as we know, there is only one, although it appeared that more were to be manufactured. They were going to use it as a weapon against the Jedi since it only works with force-sensitives.'' Qui-Gon moved closer. "The device is able to probe deep into the psyche to find the one thing the victim most fears and multiplies it. It is extremely effective."
"I know that." Kenobi growled.
"I agreed to help with the testing to see if there was any defense against it. At the time, the Jedi Council was afraid that more would be coming on the market and we needed to counteract its effects. I was put in the cell for up to two hours at a time, hoping that I could find a way to get around the device. They said my tendency towards stubbornness should serve me well." Qui-Gon shivered at the thought. "It did not. We were never able to find a way around it. When the testing ended, I was promised, most solemnly, that the device would be destroyed. It seems that they lied."
"So it seems." Obi-Wan rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, pain beginning to flash behind the temples. He needed time to reflect on this, time to come to some understanding and deal with the lingering guilt and anger.
"Obi-Wan, come back in. Perhaps, we can start again. I've missed you very much, my old Padawan." Qui-Gon gripped his shoulder again, squeezing slightly. "I know that my family and I haven't made you very welcome but I want another chance."
But Kenobi shook his head and Qui-Gon stepped back, unsure of how to proceed. "I need to meditate on this, Master. And my mission begins tomorrow. I will be quite busy for some time." Qui-Gon looked at him, solemn and unhappy but nodded, accepting the Jedi's decision. "I promise that I will see you, at least once, before I leave and we can talk further. Perhaps, the Force has brought us together again for a reason, one that is not apparent in the moment. We will have to see."
The whine of the landspeeder brought them to silence as Atel drove up. She got out and stood, patiently waiting by the porch steps.
"Please make my apologies to your wife and Ben. Anakin as well. I'm sorry, Master."
Qui-Gon nodded and suddenly moved to give Obi-Wan an enveloping hug, whispering. "Never forget that you are the son of my heart, Obi-Wan. Always." He released him and stood back. "May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan blinked back sudden tears. "And you are my much-loved Master. I will not forget." Turning to go, he replied. "And may the Force be with you, Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon Jinn watched as the speeder roared away and then the night settled into a peaceful calm, the lacywings humming quietly among the blossoms. The young shadow, waiting patiently by his side, moved closer. "Did he tell you about his mission?"
"Anakin, Jedi do not discuss missions with just anyone. It is unwise to do so and against the regulations as well. And no, he did not tell me."
"Do you think he is investigating the disappearance of all those dismissed Jedi? Does he know who killed them? Or is he the killer?"
Qui-Gon smiled briefly but the warmth did not reach his eyes. "So many questions, my young apprentice. No, contrary to your feelings about him, he is not the one killing the ex-Jedi. He could not, not my old Padawan. And he is not investigating the losses either or else he would have asked me about them. No, he's likely here to check up on me and our operations here."
"Master, are you sure?" A swift, unhappy nod. "What now?"
"Anakin, it will take him a while to settle into his lodgings and then he will begin inquiries tonight. We have about an hour. Let's make the most of it. Go into town and alert our friends that a potential enemy is among us."
"Is he our enemy?" The voice was taut with some darker emotion, jealousy perhaps or an eagerness to begin the chase.
"Damn, I hope not." Jinn closed his eyes for a moment, frowning, pain scrawling across his face. He shook himself free of it and turned toward his apprentice. "Have everyone treat him with the respect due a Jedi but tell him nothing."
"And if he finds out what is going on?"
The tall man shrugged helplessly. "It will be as the Force wills."
"Master, I'm sorry... about everything. It must be hard to see him again, like this." The young one stood with head bowed, penitent.
"Yes, it is. He is the son of my heart...as are you, young one." Qui-Gon put his arm around Anakin's shoulders for a swift, sharp hug and then let him go. "We are wasting time. Get going, now."
"Is he gone?" Mace Windu asked quietly from the shadowed corner.
"Yes, he's gone for now. And, before you ask, yes, I think he does suspect that there is something more going on here than growing crops." Qui-Gon frowned darkly, his voice low, almost angry. "They deliberately chose him. To torment me or to punish him. Maybe both." Staring out into the night, he admitted. "It hurt to see him and not tell him the truth. I...I've missed him."
"I'm sorry, my friend." Mace put his hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder for a second, squeezing lightly, wordless comfort in the light of the struggles to come, and stepped back. Jinn shrugged, resigned.
"No matter. I will deal with it as I must. Now, to business. I had hoped for more time to strengthen our position before discovery. Better start moving the equipment and personnel out. But not too much. He's not stupid, quite the reverse. We will have to hide what we can, obscure the training centers, if possible. He knows of my salle. Let's make sure he doesn't find any others."
"And, if he does?" The murmur of disquiet wafted through the cool night air.
"They are looking for a scapegoat. If necessary, they will have one."
"And you're it..."
"Mace, we knew this was a possibility when we started. Yes, he may not know it yet but he's come for me." Qui-Gon turned and placed a hand on Windu's arm, holding him still for a moment, his voice thready with concern. "Promise that you will look after my family. And Anakin. He's very headstrong and may protest this course."
"I will. But aren't you forgetting that the future is always in motion?"
Jinn snorted at that. "I forget nothing." He turned and looked back to where the speeder had disappeared. "Damn that Council for bringing him into this. They are playing us for fools again, Mace, but I am no longer a fool."
The silence in the landspeeder was absolute. The uneasy quiet between Master and apprentice had grown as their vehicle arrowed toward the soft haze of the distant spaceport. It deepened even as the night's second moon rose over the dappled hills and painted the far, jagged-toothed mountains in a pearlescent light. The breathtaking scene, a doubled-vision of black and white, did not relieve the tense stillness within.
Atel's face was its own landscape, sketched in lines of moonsglow and black and green, the instrument panel's reflected light patterning across her brow. Eyes hooded, mouth hard, her stress-cramped hands were stark with ivory outrage as she drove towards the port. Unaware of her turmoil and battling his own behind duracrete shields, Obi-Wan sat beside her, his figure outlined in chalk and charcoal, staring pensively and still into the vastness of space.
Finally, he moved to ease his wearied shoulders and glanced at his silent apprentice. What he saw there worried him. Obi-Wan had needed this time for reflection, to try and unknot the twisted threads of conversation and nuance, to determine what had happened and what must happen next. He had thought that Atel was merely respecting his wish for quiet but it was now apparent that more was going on, her unease pulsing through the Force. He leaned forward, touching her arm, acknowledging that he was ready to listen to her concerns but she sharply shrugged him off.
"Padawan?" Her piercing glance warned him to tread very lightly. He was weary from the constant barrage of guilt and turmoil that had blackened his day thus far but he knew this was important to her. "What is wrong?"
"I need to meditate first, Master, before I can speak clearly on this issue." Her tone was flat, almost angry.
"On what issue? If this pertains to the mission, I need to know before we reach the port."
She growled. "Permission to speak frankly, Master?"
Ah, this was serious. "Yes, Atel, say what you must."
The apprentice pulled sharply on the speeder stick. The stuttering white-noise of the repulsor fields indicated that they were no longer on the road and safely out of the way of passing vehicles. As she powered down the speeder, the engine's whine was replaced by the rustling of leaves and echo of night creatures in the nearby wood.
For a moment, the stillness remained and then the Padawan exploded with outrage. "What were you thinking back there? Endangering the mission like that?"
"What?" Taken aback, his voice rose in bewilderment.
"Telling Jinn about the Temple. It's a clear violation of the Standards for Jedi Behavior."
"That's Master Jinn to you."
"No. Not Master Jinn." She looked at him, hard frown deepening, voice steely and quick. "No, not to me and definitely not to you. Master Jinn was ten years ago. This man is Jinn who is under investigation, Jinn who is a potential enemy, Jinn who may be a rogue."
"Atel, enough."
"No, Master, it's not enough." Her voice hardened further. "What is going on? I've never seen you like this. You have never gone against the rules of the Temple while on a mission before. Ever. Even when you thought that they were wrong, you have always obeyed the Council and the Code. Why now? What makes this mission so different that you would throw away everything for that man?"
"I haven't thrown away anything."
Atel looked at him, unbelieving, unable to understand why her Master did not comprehend the potential for disaster here.
"Master Obi-Wan, please listen to me. The Standards are very clear, uncompromisingly clear on what can and cannot be said outside the Temple. You told Jinn about the Jedi's relationship with the Senate, about the codified behavior, about the monitoring, all things that are not his concern. And he is under investigation. The Council might think that you are consorting with the suspect, an accessory. You should not have told him anything."
She shook her head and then stared at him, directly, pointedly, to make him realize somehow what he had done. "Master, you have put me in a very difficult position."
"What? Why?"
"The Standards state that a Jedi, be they Master, Knight or Padawan, must inform the Council as soon as they are aware that a violation has taken place. If I don't report you and they find out, I could be punished or dismissed, depending on the level of offense. With or without your consent. If I do report you, you will be dismissed or worse." She shook her head sharply, voice catching in a suppressed sob. "What am I going to do?"
"Padawan, calm yourself. I know that I may have overstepped the letter of the Standards but, potential threat or not, Qui-Gon deserved to know what was and is happening at the Temple. It is my responsibility and mine alone. I will make sure that all my actions will be included in the mission report."
Her violet eyes flashed green in the reflected light as she blinked back unwanted tears. "But, Master, is that enough? The rules demand that the offense is to be reported immediately."
"Are you sure? I don't recall anything about that in the Standards. I read them very carefully when they were issued at the beginning of the year."
"Yes, I am sure. They revised the rules just as we returned from Septumus Five. The mandated class was held..." Her breath drew in sharply. "...while you were in the Healer's wing."
"Padawan, it was my error, not yours. Ill or not, I should have made sure that I was current with any change in Temple directives." Obi-Wan sighed heavily and rubbed his hand over his eyes, trying to ease the headache just beginning to build there. "Atel, I am not sorry that I told Master Qui-Gon what I did and I would not have changed anything had I known about the revisions. I am sorry that you are caught in the middle. It was certainly not my intention." He sighed again. "I've been less than mindful lately. The missions have been exhausting. Still, it is no excuse."
Atel repeated. "What am I going to do?"
"Before any decision, you must calm your mind, Padawan. Worry, fear and doubt will only cloud your thoughts and lead you astray."
"Yes, Master."
"Much as I might wish to, I cannot dictate your course in this matter. You must do what you feel is right." He shrugged dejectedly and turned his face towards the spaceport. "We are almost there. When we reach our lodgings, I want you to go to the room and meditate on this. You will need some time alone to deal with the issues at hand. I will scout out the area. When I will return, we will discuss this further." Unhappy, she nodded and turned away, unable to meet his eyes.
"Atel, it will be all right. I trust your judgment." He squeezed her shoulder slightly, hoping to soothe her troubled mind. "You might do me a favor and see if you can pull out the revised Standards on your datapad. I will need to review them tonight so that there will be no further problems." His voice softened. "Padawan, it will be all right. You'll see."
"Yes, Master."
"Good. Now, let's get going."
The spaceport was a small town, a village really. There was one road straight through the center with a series of side streets leading off towards the outlying farms. There was little traffic around the port; in the high season of summer, it would be bustling but now the harvests were in and the pleasure-seekers of Naboo's mountain and lake districts had gone home.
The hostelry was cheap and cramped, a small place tilting precariously towards the street. It was too near the spaceport for quiet and the walls were paperthin. But it was clean and friendly to the Jedi, an increasingly important point, and Obi-Wan had no complaints. He dropped Atel off at the front entrance, parked the speeder and then set off on foot towards the sound of nightly amusements.
Kenobi knew that tomorrow he would visit the officials of the community but, tonight, cantinas were his goal. Rumors, stories and hostility towards Qui-Gon Jinn might just show up in those seedy establishments. Resentment towards a successful farmer, even one as generous as his former Master, could lead to valuable information gleaned nowhere else. He picked a likely place, the Screaming Mynock. It was hard to tell at night, even with the twinned light of the Naboo moons peering over his shoulder, but the tavern did seem a bit rundown - perfect for his first foray.
The noise assaulted his senses as soon as he entered the place. For a moment, he seemed frozen in the light at the entrance, an obvious ploy to blind newcomers to the darkened space while letting the denizens within look them over. He moved down the steps towards the bar counter. The place quieted a bit and more than one being glanced in his direction. As he sat down, snatches of conversation could be heard.
"Who's that? .... dressed like a beggar .... a Jedi here? .... why .... do the Bendu know he's .... two-to-one odds on him .... Windu won't like .... I'm leaving now .... what's a Jedi Knight doing .... training centers .... does Jinn .... Jedi .... death .... wearing a lightsaber .... Jedi ....watch .... mind tricks .... say nothing."
The bartender, an overweight, rather grubby human of some stature, growled at him, "What's your pleasure, Jedi?" and then began to chuckle as if making a very obvious crude joke.
Obi-Wan looked at him directly, and said distinctly, "Blue Corellian and information."
The man sniffed at this. "Sure you can handle it? Corellian ale packs a mean wallop." At Kenobi's continued stare, he just shrugged, poured glowing blue liquid into a semi-cleaned glass and shoved it in the Jedi's direction.
"Two credits for the drink. Information may be free or cost a great deal, depending."
"I'm looking for someone. Been at the port a long time?" Kenobi placed the credits down on the counter and began to sip his ale, all the while glancing around the room. The crowd of humans and aliens seemed to quiet slightly while trying to avoid the Jedi's attention. It fooled no one.
"Yeah, so what?"
"Notice anyone lately who has had a very good run of luck? Maybe too good. Someone who may have become rich a little too quickly?"
Glancing towards the rear of the cantina where noises of sabaac play indicated that gambling might just be taking place, the man shrugged. "Sometimes, people get lucky. 'Course, then they take one extra spin of the radomizer and lose everything. Gambling is a matter of luck and a bit of skill. What's it to you, Jedi or is wagering illegal in the Republic these days?"
"Not as far as I know. No, I'm more interested in someone who may have moved here over the past ten years or so and gotten lucky with business ventures. Picking just the right time to buy or sell and making a huge profit. That type of luck."
"Can you be more specific? That describes a lot of someones." The human rubbed his neck as though thinking, surreptitiously nodding to a tall figure, lurking in the shadows near the rear entrance, just out of Kenobi's sight.
"Some beings are pretty adept at making deals, using their skills as negotiators to get others to agree to things that they might not ordinarily do. Or have great timing to take advantage of situations that come up quickly. Maybe even using mind tricks or wizardry to get their way. Anyone complained about that recently? "
"No, Jedi. Why don't you stop dancing around and get to the point? I have other customers."
"That farmer towards the west of town, Qui-Gon Jinn, seems to have made quite a name for himself. Owns a number of businesses and yet he started with nothing. He's quite lucky."
The man abruptly frowned, eyes narrowing, and leaned forward, staring at Kenobi. The tavern quieted suddenly. "Look, Jedi snoop. Here's a bit of free information. Leave Jinn and his friends alone."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. He's done more for this town and this world than any dozen Jedi conjurers. Was there during the Blockade, been helping out ever since. Didn't see any of your kind helping us out, then or now. You Jedi were too busy fetching and carrying for the rich and famous to pay any attention to a poor world in trouble. So, leave him alone. Leave them alone and go bother someone else." The bartender straightened up and glared at Obi-Wan. "I'm sure there's a war somewhere that you can go play in. So go play....elsewhere." With that, he turned his back on the Jedi and walked away.
The whispers and glances told Obi-Wan that he would get no help here. He noted, too, that the tall shadow was gone, probably to spread word that a Jedi was investigating Jinn. Shrugging, he left his drink at the counter and strode out of the cantina. Still, the information had been more helpful than the barkeeper had intended. It confirmed the datapad information; Master Jinn had help, allies. The man had lumped them together, indicating that either there were more than a couple of force-sensitives in the area or that his friends were willing to help Qui-Gon deal with any Jedi investigation. But, more importantly, Obi-Wan realized that, if he had to take his Master back to Coruscant, it might be quite difficult to do so, more so than from the expected resistance of a single Jedi. That uncomfortable and unwelcome thought stayed with him as he began to hunt for the next likely spot to ask questions.
Over the next few hours, Obi-Wan had widened his search to five additional taverns ranging in status from elegant to downright dangerous, three restaurants and a couple of clubs. In each, he had been treated politely but firmly. Told in no uncertain terms to leave Jinn alone by all and sundry, Kenobi was growing oddly indignant by absurdity of it all. It was just so blasted ironic because he did want to leave Jinn alone. But he couldn't, not yet.
He had gleaned quite a bit of information. It was definite that there were other force-sensitives in the area, more than just at the Jinn residence; certain whispers and veiled threats confirmed his earlier suspicions. It was clear that Qui-Gon was quite generous with his time, his abilities and his money in aiding the less fortunate. That came as no surprise; Obi-Wan had always known his Master to help when he could, when the Jedi had been allowed to help.
It also appeared that the rumors of the investigation had run like wildfire through the community. By the time he had entered the last establishment, he didn't even have to say anything. The owner had gone to him immediately and began berating him before telling him to get out. Still, he was satisfied with the evening's work. Rumors could be very helpful. They would alert the more shady beings that Obi-Wan was here gathering information; some of those individuals might want to meet in less conspicuous surroundings. Kenobi would likely be approached fairly soon, probably tomorrow or the day after.
And now, by the Screaming Mynock, he waited for his tall shadow to appear. It didn't take long.
"Hello, Anakin."
The young man bowed his head slightly, a frown settling on his troubled face. Voice clipped and anxious, he acknowledged that the chase was over. "Kenobi. Been waiting long?"
"No. Well, have you alerted the whole town or should I let you get a little further ahead?" Obi-Wan let a wry smile loose for just a moment before the stoic Jedi visage returned.
Anakin tired of the game quickly. "Why are you asking questions about Master Qui-Gon? I thought you were his friend."
"I am. Believe me, Anakin, I am."
"But you are asking about his powers, about his money and how he got it. It sounds more like he is being accused of crimes against the Republic, or maybe against the Jedi and their little kingdom. Is that what a friend does?"
"I am a Jedi, required by the Council to investigate certain allegations...."
Skywalker interrupted him, his voice fierce and low. "Trumped up charges. Your blasted Council cannot control him so they are going to shut him up." He moved forward, growling. "You're going to take him back with you, aren't you? Imprison him because he is no longer one of yours."
"I hope not." Sadness, regret seeped into those three words and Obi-Wan was suddenly very tired. He had meant to keep Anakin talking for duty's sake but now he just wanted to get away, needing to meditate desperately, to see his way clear of this dilemma.
"Then don't. Please, just leave him alone. Please." The young man sounded urgent, almost pleading.
"I wish I could." The sound of Obi-Wan's regret grew deeper. He sighed and moved close to the young apprentice, murmuring quietly, rapidly. "But, maybe, if you could help me, Anakin. Help me to prove that he is innocent, that he had done nothing wrong... I would soon be on my way and Qui-Gon could be left in peace. It's what we both want, for Qui-Gon to be happy and well. Help me make that a reality."
Anakin instantly drew back from him, his eyes wide and staring, astonished, looking at Obi-Wan as if he were a ravening nexu or venomous adder. Mouth grimacing, he hissed back. "Stay away from me, Jedi. You are unbelievable." His voice rose in fury. "You expect me to betray my Master!! You obscene fraud." He looked as if he was going to throttle the Jedi, then he abruptly turned and stalked away, muttering.
"No, Anakin, that's not what I...." Obi-Wan called after him, sorrow thickening his throat. "...meant."
He slumped back against the wall, shaking his head, muttering. "Kenobi, you are an idiot. A muck-brained inept idiot." Pulling himself up and slowly walking back towards his meager lodgings, he thought again of this last conversation. He had been a negotiator and Republic representative for ten years now, more if the Padawan experiences were tallied in. When, in the last few minutes, had he completely lost all sense of reason, of tact? He was a complete fool. Even when people were trying to blast him out of existence, he had kept a clear head, could parley his way out of war and disputes of all kinds. Except this. This one had him stumped. Now, Anakin wrongly thought that betrayal was his goal and he would certainly tell Qui-Gon. Damn. His old Master would think....damn.
It was a very weary Obi-Wan that made his way back to their rooms. He hesitated outside his door, realizing that there was still the matter of Atel's dilemma to be handled. Sighing, he closed his eyes briefly, centering himself and made his way in. His Padawan was not waiting for him inside. Looking to see if she was still meditating in the adjoining room, he peered in. Atel was quietly snoring, sprawled as always across her bed. As much as he should have awakened her and cleared the air, he could not. He had had enough emotional entanglement this day to last him a lifetime.
He closed the door quietly. Tossing his cloak onto the single chair, he made his way back to his bed, and sank down thankfully. Moving to pull his boots off, he stopped a moment, hunching down, the heels of his hands pressing into his eyes, trying to wipe away the roiling emotions that had stained his day in charcoal and ebony. They kept clouding his thoughts, buzzing like quarrel gnats, distracting him. Meditation called him, beckoned him to find his calm center but he had one more task to do before he could relax into that quiet.
As promised, Atel had left her datapad on his pillow. After changing into sleep pants, Obi-Wan leaned back and began to read. The revisions in the Standards in Jedi Behavior were extensive; some items were merely wording changes with subtle distinctions but others had been totally obliterated, remolded to mean something entirely different. By the time he had scrolled to the section on mission directives and perused the files, he was fuming and indignant.
His Padawan had been quite correct. She was expected to divulge his error to the Council or their staff, as soon as he had made it. But it was more than that. The Standards had changed to such an extent that any slight error in judgment, deliberate or accidentally, was met with harsh discipline, punishment far more severe than the error would merit.
Obi-Wan leaned his head against the thin wall, frowning. When had the Order become so twisted? Compassion and justice were the pillars on which the Jedi Order was founded. Now, it seemed that the members of the Temple were compelled to turn on their fellow Jedi at the first sign of trouble. No, it was more than that. It was treachery that was expected, pure and simple. The Council wanted to foster a system where betrayal of trust was anticipated, condoned and for...what? Expediency, control? He wasn't sure but he didn't like it. Not at all.
The door creaked opened and a very sleep-ridden Atel peered into the tiny room. "Master, is there something wrong? I felt that you were upset."
"It's been a trying day. I'm in sore need of meditation and I need to think about a few things first. I'm sorry that I woke you." He gestured for her to sit but instead, she walked over and knelt before him.
"That's okay." She bowed her head, looking away shyly. "I waited as long as I could."
"Padawan, it is late and I understand the need for sleep." He tried to make his voice light, to give her space to say what she must. "Have you decided what to do?"
"Yes, Master. I have." Atel hesitated, head bent, eyes searching the floor for calm. "I am still upset about your decisions regarding Master Jinn. However, I cannot destroy your life over this. It doesn't feel right." She looked up, unsure, but then she seemed to gather courage and said immovably. "But, I must warn you, Master Obi-Wan. I cannot continue to ignore any further infractions. I must obey the Code and the Standards. I'm sorry." Her eyes pleaded for understanding.
"Atel, you must do what you think is right. I must do that as well. Let's hope that the two rights are on the same path next time." She nodded, unhappy but reconciled to her decision.
He glanced at her, kneeling so small and forlorn on the floor. He knew that it hurt her to ignore the rules but she had a kind heart. Someday soon, she would make a great Knight. Filled with a sudden sadness for his lonely future without her, he reached down and pulled her up to sit next to him. He looked for a moment at her disheveled appearance, then began to grin.
She leaned away, disconcerted. "What?"
"You need a haircut, Padawan. It's getting a bit...well, ratty. And it's sticking straight up in the back."
She just glared at him and said slowly, distinctly. "I was asleep." She tried to push her hair into order but failed miserably. "Besides, you don't look so good yourself. You need to rest, my Master."
"Yes, I do." He sighed heavily. "You know that, although we may not always agree, I will miss you very much when you become a knight, Atel."
"That's a long time from now, Master."
"Not so long. Some knights are nearly your age. Before you know it, you will be off on your own missions."
She just rolled her eyes at him, then snorted. "Okay, when you start getting this maudlin, I know it's time for you to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow." Shaking her head, she strode to the door, stepped into her room and, closing her door, said a quiet "Good night".
Obi-Wan just stared after her, muttering. "I already miss the gangling knobby-kneed girl." Shrugging, he moved into the classic meditation position and began to search for calm in this cauldron of emotion. It was a very long time in coming.
The pulsating light from the Coruscant night oozed through the window, spilling across the carpeted floor in pools of deepest ebony and blood-red crimson. By the glass, a lone cowled figure, his visage hidden behind black cloth and deceit, paused for a moment to contemplate the coming fate of his enemies - the detested Jedi, now cowering in the halls of their impoverished and crumbling Temple and the simpering Loyalists, so santimonious in their futile pleas for calm and compromise. Soon, very soon, all his machinations would come to fruition. The fate of the Republic would rest solely in his hands; such exquisite power would be his alone. And then the fools would be no more. He could almost taste the hot copper-tang of their spurting blood, smell the ozone of lightsabers tearing through their broken bodies, hear their hoarse cries of delicious agony.
Those provocative, savory thoughts came to an abrupt end. The darkness sang with the putrid touch of his Force-fouled apprentice as he crept towards Darth Sidious, hesitant to approach his Master standing there so still and silent, staring out into deepest space. It was not wise to interrupt the Sith Lord at his polluted pleasures, contemplating the total obliteration of his despised enemies. Darth Maul knew this. Cowled in deepest black, he knelt before Lord Sidious, bowing his head, penitent, awaiting instruction.
"Maul, report."
"My Master, Kamino output is on schedule. The first 200,000 units are ready and awaiting your orders. A million more are on the way."
"Excellent." Sidious stared down at the cowering figure, a false serpent's smirk drifting across his face. "And how fares the Geonosis project?"
"As planned, Count Dooku has stirred the pot into a boiling frenzy. Several groups, including the Trade Federation, the Corporate Alliance and the Banking Clan, have all thrown in their support of a separatist movement and are eager to begin battle. You have but to wave your hand and it shall be done."
"Good, good. A few more days perhaps and then... My apprentice, you have done well." His voice was husky with sated satisfaction and yet, the apprentice continued to kneel before him. "Is there something else you wish to tell me?"
"Yes, my Master." Wordlessly, he reached into the fastness of his cloak, and offered a blue lekku, streaked with dried blood and offal, the skin shredded and fluttering as Maul laid the obscene flesh at his Master's feet.
"A fine gift, Lord Maul. Aayla Secura, I assume."
"Yes, my Master."
"And yet... you remain bowed before me. Should I ask the reason or should I pull it from your torn body as you lay screaming in purest pain? Do not try my patience too far."
Maul lowered his eyes and, grimacing, nodded. "My Lord, I have destroyed three additional Jedi, a Master and two Knights, with one blow. There was not enough flesh remaining to add to your large collection. For this, I am truly sorry."
"And why is that a problem? As long as the Jedi fools are dead, what does a bit of meat matter?"
"The manner of their death disturbs me, my Lord. I had arranged for the passenger ship, Dawn Star, to be boarded by pirates. The Black Sun criminals are looking to enhance their flesh trade in the area and two hundred or so new slaves would have sweetened our approach for an alliance with them. Temporary alliance, of course."
"Of course."
"I had disabled all of the lifepods, trapping the passengers, crew and Jedi aboard. But the pirate scum were too hasty and, unhappily, the ship blew up prematurely. There were no survivors, Master."
"That is a tragedy." A hint of derisive laughter played in the Dark Lord's voice and a smile tugged at his visage for a moment. "No matter. Slaves can be such a bother. And it may have been a boon with the Abolitionist Union increasingly active in the Outer Rim Territories. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Jinn's pitiful little band was plotting a slave revolt in the near future. Too bad, he won't be around to help complete the task."
"My Lord?"
"Jinn will soon be destroyed." The gravelly voice was tinged with grim amusement. "No, I want the attention of the Republic well away from Geonosis for the moment. A slave uprising on Tatooine or Ryloth or any of the nearby systems at this time would muddy the waters and possibly highlight our activities in the area. The Black Sun brigands will have to get their own slaves, flounder a bit more on their own. I don't need them quite yet, perhaps later."
"Yes, my Master."
"Now, rise my apprentice. Time for a little sport."
Darth Sidious moved towards the hologram generator, gesturing Lord Maul into a midnight-hued corner, hidden from view but not out of earshot. The dark Master pressed a button and a deformed, flickering figure appeared above the desk.
"My Lord, greetings. How may I serve you?" The voice was as distorted as the figure, giving no clue as to the identity of the being.
"Is this connection secure?" Sidious demanded in stern, adamant tones. Any detection at this critical juncture would be disastrous to his plans.
The voice was tenuous and cringing. "Of...of course, my Lord."
"Good. I would not wish to find that you have been neglectful." The Sith's threat was real, razor-sharp but then the tone softened into false rapport. "My friend, it is good to hear from you once more. How goes our little venture with Kenobi? I assume that he has arrested Jinn and they are on their way back to Coruscant."
The response reflected quivering fear and astonishment, terrified that the news would not be well received. "I....my... my Lord, Kenobi has only just arrived. He has not had time to investigate the charges as yet. I hope that, in a few days, he will return with Jinn."
"The Jedi Council is shockingly slow and pathetic in understanding how to control their people. Kenobi should have been ordered to arrest Jinn immediately upon arrival. Surely, you could have arranged that?" The contempt was absolute.
"The Council was rather resistant, my Lord. They insist that the law must be obeyed as well as the Code. But it will be done. Kenobi will arrest Jinn and bring him back to Coruscant."
"Would you bet your life on it?" The Master's husky voice echoed in the air, threateningly clear.
"Of...of course, my Lord. Jinn has been quite active in things he should not, things that can be quickly uncovered. But, to make sure he is apprehended, I planted undeniable evidence of Force misuse where Kenobi is sure to find it. It is hidden deep; we would not want him to locate it too quickly and be suspicious of an easy gift." The voice giggled, shrill with apprehension. "Kenobi will be drawn into the trap quite easily. He will have no choice but to bring back his former Master under arrest."
"What then? Will your simpering Jedi Council treat him with reverence or will he get what he deserves....a painful and slow death?"
The figure cringed; the dark Master would not like the answer. "Death, my Lord? They will not kill him. Imprisonment, exile to a penal planet, yes but death...."
The Sith cut through the tirade. Low, growling, but perfectly clear, he said. "I want Jinn dead. He has been a vibroblade in my side for far too long. If the Council will not kill him, then you must." The wavering shape cowered, denying the command. "You are mine, you little fool. I have given you wealth, power and slaves. Now, do as I say or else you will be destroyed." The figure bowed once, nodding reluctantly. "Kill him fast or kill him slow. Make it look like suicide or murder. I do not care. Just kill him when he returns to Coruscant."
"Yes...my Lord. I will send you word of his demise when it is done. Have you any other instructions?"
The dark Master smiled with satisfaction. "No, my friend. You have done much for me. Once Jinn is dead, your reward shall be great. Until then."
As the pathetic transparent figure disappeared, unbeknownst to the loathsome trio, from deep in the bowels of the vast city-planet, an automatic recording device clicked off. Security, it seemed, was a little lax.
Within the luxurious apartment, Darth Sidious enjoyed a moment of perfect contemplation. Then, motioning his apprentice to his side, he moved to the window, rubbing his hands together with delicious glee and began to laugh. Maul shook his head and grinned.
"What a fool. Reward, indeed. Oh, yes, you will be rewarded." The Master continued to chuckle, thinking of the excruciating torments his gullible agent would experience once the cretin's use was over.
He glanced at his apprentice, still smirking with satisfaction.
"Lord Maul, return to Geonosis and assist Dooku in his campaign. Make sure that he does not stray from our agenda. I would not want this to fall apart when we are so close." The apprentice bent his head in acknowledgement. "In a few days, I have an additional assignment for you. A vacation, if you will, for all of your efforts. Jinn's demise will be tragic, of course, but the deaths of his wife and son will be more so. If the child had been older, we could have sent him on to the slavers but, as it is....no matter. Play with them if you wish but I want the complete destruction of his lands and family when you are done. Let those fools learn why attachments should remain forbidden."
The Sith Master smiled, snake-bright, at such folly. "Love and compassion. What simpletons they are. The only true emotion is hate - seething, boiling hate. Dark, rich, intoxicating. The Jedi think that it is the Force, but, Maul, you and I know the truth. It is hate that binds the galaxy together."
Chapter 9
Naboo's third moon was just setting over the sunlit, jagged-toothed mountains when the Jedi arrived at the Lake District Administration Office. A brief distance from the spaceport, the regal, imposing structure stood back from the main street, gardens and fountains filling the front lawn with winding pathways and intimate green corners inviting all to enjoy its tranquil beauty.
Obi-Wan and Atel had decided to walk, the exercise a form of active meditation. A relief after the cramped rooms at the hostelry and even smaller cabins in their ship, they enjoyed the spaciousness of the wide roads and visions of carved stone buildings covered in lush greenery. It was a lovely morning, clear and cool with the sweet scent of flowers drifting through the air. After yesterday's emotional struggles, the peace was almost palpable.
It was easy enough to find the Governor's office. A polite acknowledgement at the front desk, directions up a broad flight of marble stairs past statues and paintings, and a quick right turn brought the Jedi to an ornately crafted door with its golden script announcing that they had reached their goal. A secretary met them at the entry, ushering them in. Scattered around the large office in small knots of activity, the other staff and interns briefly glanced at the Jedi and then abruptly turned away, pretending to work. After a few moments, Kenobi and his apprentice were quietly shown into the inner sanctum. As the heavy doors closed behind them, the hum of anxious whispers rose and was cut off.
Obi-Wan looked about the elegant room. As with all Naboo architecture, there were tall, wide windows framing the mountains, intricate designs adorning the walls of inlaid wood and stone, and comfortable, beautifully carved chairs. From behind his vast marble desk, the genial, somewhat rotund administrator smiled slightly and rose to greet his guests.
"Master Jedi, it is an honor to greet the Republic's representatives. I am Tov Antilles, Governor of the Lake District."
"Thank you, your Excellency. I am Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and this is my Padawan, Atel Sl'etah." The two Jedi bowed and, when Antilles motioned them forward, they sat, facing him.
The Governor opened his hands wide, looking at them curiously. "How may I be of service?"
Kenobi paused and then stated clearly. "Governor, I am here to investigate certain allegations with regards to one of your constituents." The man nodded slowly. "Sir, do you know a Qui-Gon Jinn?"
Antilles's smile disappeared abruptly, a small frown materializing on the now-strained face. The voice, too, was lower, chilled. "So the rumors are true. You are here to arrest Qui-Gon."
"No, sir, not to arrest Master Jinn. We are merely making inquiries about his endeavors." The Knight shifted in his chair, uneasy. "So you do know him."
"Yes, yes, of course. We are old friends."
"Then you are aware that he is a former Jedi, a Master in the ways of the Force..."
The Governor nodded slowly, frown deepening.
"It has come to the attention of the Jedi Council and the Republic Senate that former Master Jinn has become extraordinarily wealthy in a very short period of time." The administrator's eyes narrowed, frosted. "It is possible that he is just very lucky and perceptive. However, we need to make sure that he hasn't misused his powers. As I'm sure you know, the use of the Force for material gain is a serious offense."
Incensed, the Governor held up his hand, interrupting the Knight. "Stop right now! Jedi Kenobi, I will hear no more of this. Qui-Gon Jinn is a deeply honorable individual, generous to a fault...sometimes overly generous. I've known Qui-Gon a long time, nine years, ever since he married my cousin, Le'orath. He would never do such a thing and these accusations are ridiculous." His voice tightened with disgust. "I will have you know that he is one of the heroes of the Battle of Naboo, fighting for our planet while you Senate mercenaries were off having tea. I cannot believe that the Republic has nothing better to do than harass upstanding men of Qui-Gon's character."
Kenobi started to speak but was thwarted again as Antilles spat out. "Enough! I will cooperate with Republic officials, of course. It is my duty to do so but I will not help you."
"Then you do not believe he has used the Force?" Obi-Wan spoke distinctly, trying to ferret out more information.
"Not to gain wealth or power, no." Antilles was confident in his statement.
Kenobi pressed the point. "Then he has used the Force for other purposes. Can you tell me what they were?"
"Is use of his powers illegal?"
"Not per se..." Obi-Wan hesitated and was quickly interrupted again.
"I will say nothing more, then. I will tell my staff to cooperate as is my duty. Do you have any other questions?" The man was upset, indignant, folding his arms tightly, his demeanor an impenetrable barrier.
Obi-Wan sighed. It was clear he would get no further information from Tov Antilles. The Knight kept his tone neutral and correct, trying to avoid any reason for the Governor to complain to the Jedi Council about his actions or his methods.
"Your Excellency, we will need to complete our investigation. We must have access to governmental accounts, spaceport files, donation listings, tax records...."
The Governor stood up and gave Kenobi an icy glare. "I will see that they are available to you. And now, I have another appointment. Please see my attache about your needs. Good day."
The Jedi both stood up and bowed. Apparently, the interview was over.
It could not be said that the Jedi were thrown out of the Administration Office but it was a near thing. The attache was of even less help than the Governor and it was with much grumbling and delaying tactics that the codes for access to the requested records were finally available. When questioned about the governmental dataports, the attache just sniffed, told Kenobi with a growl that the public facilities were across the street, and left.
Atel was faintly amused by the whole incident. "I guess we are not welcome here, Master."
Obi-Wan quipped back. "We should be grateful. At least they are not shooting at us." Her sardonic "Not yet" brought a sly sideways glance and a slight huff of approval from her Master.
The dataport office was crowded. It took some time but, at last, they were able to get a tiny room with dual access. Pulling out her own small datapad, Atel perused the information supplied to them by the Jedi Council. As remembered, it was sketchy at best.
Obi-Wan shook his head, sighing. "The data from the Council is almost useless. Atel, I want you to download Qui-Gon's tax records with the access codes we were given. We need to know about his income sources and the businesses in which he is a partner or has had an active part, the charities as well. I will look through the spaceport records and get some idea of his movements over the past nine years."
"Why charities, Master? That can't be important to our investigation, surely."
"Why not? Unscrupulous individuals often conceal their true intentions by inventing charitable organizations and then using them to hide their activities. No one will question the movement of goods or money for altruistic purposes. Since you insist that Jinn is a rogue, I thought it wise to cover all possibilities." His apprentice has the good sense to mutter "Oh" before turning back toward her 'port.
Little was said for some time. While Atel sat hunched and unblinking over her own research, Kenobi frowned fiercely at the information he had gleaned. Qui-Gon's movements were tracked quite easily. He had gone to a number of locations: Coruscant, Sullust, Bandomeer, Kuat Shipyards, among others, obstensively for business dealings. When checked against records of his transactions, everything appeared to be perfectly legal and above board. However, he also traveled to Tatooine and Ryloth several times in the last four years, no reason given, and was often accompanied by Skywalker or Mace Windu.
Kenobi started at that and scowled, deep in thought. **Mace Windu? That's odd....he's here and with Qui-Gon. I can understand Anakin. He's Qui-Gon's apprentice and should go with him, but Master Windu. What is going on?** Turning back to the records, he looked more closely, noting the dates and specific locations. They seemed to travel first to Mos Espa, then further afield to other locations across Tatooine. Obi-Wan had never been to that desert planet but, over the years, he had heard wild tales of its depravities and illegal activities - drugs, slavery, murder, a veritable hive of scum and villainy. He couldn't help wondering just what Qui-Gon was doing there. As for Ryloth, Obi-Wan had been sent on a mission with his Master some years ago to that strange, twilight world and knew just what places were safe for travelers and which were not. In all cases, Jinn had gone to the more dangerous locales, perfect for nefarious doings, perfect for...**Stop it Kenobi. It's just not possible. Qui-Gon would not be dealing with criminals. Maybe he's helping those pathetic lifeforms I was always ranting about. Maybe...**
"Master?" Atel was looking at him, confused. "Master, are you all right?" He glanced at her and nodded, slowly. "You had the strangest look on your face."
"I'm fine. How far have you gotten with the task at hand?"
"My initial analysis is complete. I've downloaded the list of businesses that Jinn has acquired as well as dates they changed hands, former owners, business partners and any public information on how they were obtained. They look to be entirely legal at this point. Do you want me to dig further?"
"Yes, please do. Any criminal activity would be buried deep. Did you get the list of charities?"
"Yes, Master. Several of the organizations were already in place before former Master Jinn moved here. They have benefited from his generosity but have not gone beyond their initial mandates. There were only two that I thought would be of interest. The Abolitionist Union had been in existence for some time but has expanded quite a bit since Jinn started donating time and money. The Bendu Philosophical Group was founded by Jinn along with several other beings."
"Their names?"
"Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, Garen Muln and Siri Tachi were the most prominent names. Do you recognize them?"
Obi-Wan was stunned. "What!" He looked at Atel with astonishment, unable to speak for a moment. She was equally bewildered and uncertain when he said. "They were all Jedi, dismissed from the Order over the last ten years. Windu and Gallia were on the Council and Garen is or was one of my best friends before he disappeared. I mentioned him to you back at the Temple."
"That Garen?"
"Yes, that Garen. I've known him since we were both in the creche. And I went on several missions with Siri when I was a Padawan." He frowned at this new development. "Atel, I will deal with the charities. If there are more former Jedi in this Bendu group, I may recognize the names."
The Padawan agreed. "Master, our initial information did indicate that there were ex-Jedi on Naboo."
"True, but it also implied that there were only two or three at most. I'll need to look at the list but I have a feeling that it is more than just a few."
"And if there are...?"
"I don't know. We'll just have to see." With that, Atel peered into Obi-Wan's troubled eyes for a moment, and then turned, shrugging. It was her Master's problem now.
The directory of active members of the Bendu Philosophical Group was extensive; hundreds of names appeared on the public roster. Obi-Wan easily recognized more than fifty of the former Jedi, some of whom had been discharged almost ten years ago during the first great wave of dismissals. Kenobi was happy that all of these individuals had finally found a home; he knew the great price they paid for their unwarranted expulsions. But he was concerned that these Force users, these Bendu, might just be unhappy enough and powerful enough to challenge the might and will of the Jedi Order.
He needed more information. From memory, he could name approximately one hundred of those dismissed: close friends, teachers, and partners from missions long past. He knew that there had been far more Jedi that he had not known or seen only in passing on the discharge rosters. But memory was not enough. He only hoped that the Council would give him the data needed and not see this as another example of incompetence.
"Padawan..." Atel looked up from the 'port screen, blinking, grimacing as the abrupt change in posture sent a quicksilver pain slithering down her cramped back. "Sorry to interrupt you but I will be contacting the Temple to get a list of Jedi no longer with the Order. It was not included in our mission briefing and I find I have need of it. Do you require any information on Master Jinn that I might not be able to supply?"
"Yes, Master. Descriptions of his missions and contacts would be very useful."
Obi-wan chuckled. "That could take some time." But he nodded, grinning, when she sent him a wounded look. "Very well, Padawan. Stand by while I try to get through."
The datacenter had a holographic communications array, available for a minimal fee. Gritting his teeth, knowing that he would be reprimanded for unauthorized use of funds but unable to think of another way to get the needed information, he called the Temple. It took some time, going through the many layers of bureaucracy. Each lackey had to hear the reasons for his communication, loudly berate him for wasting their time and then, with much feigned exasperation, send him up to the next level where it all began again. At last, just when Obi-Wan was about to give up, he was able to reach Trest Sle'fey, head of the Jedi Missions Committee, and ultimately responsible for mission information and briefings before the Council.
"Kenobi, what are you doing contacting me at this time of night?" The Bothan was not pleased, white fur whirling in annoyance.
"Forgive me, Master Sle'fey, but I find that I need additional data in my investigation of Master Qui-Gon Jinn. "
"Kenobi, you should know better than come to me with such petty problems. See my assistant." As the Bothan began to wave his paw towards cutting the connection, Obi-Wan lurched forward, gesturing him to stop.
"Please, Master, your assistant sent me to you. I need information that is confidential in nature and she seemed to think that only you could authorize it."
Sle'fey stopped, a brief flash of immense power and satisfaction lurking in the smoky hidden depths of his eyes, before he stepped back. "Well, what is it?"
"Master, I need a copy of former Master Jinn's mission reports as well as his contacts."
Sle'fey laughed at that, a barking yip of real amusement. "Do you know how long that will take? He was a Jedi operative for a very long time and went on countless missions. Really, Kenobi, you ask too much."
Obi-Wan tried to sound contrite, hoping to ease the Councilor's clear disdain. "I realize that, Master Sle'fey, but we need it in order to further investigate his business dealings."
The Bothan's voice was rising again, beady eyes glittering with indignation. "Are you saying that the mission briefing that I sent you...that I personally oversaw...was inadequate?"
"No, Master, not at all. We feel that additional information would expedite the inquiry."
Sle'fey was amused now. "Anything else while you're asking for all of Coruscant?"
"Yes, Master, I need a list of Jedi who have been dismissed over the last ten years."
Astonishment was clear in the sweep of the Bothan's ivory fur and the movement of clawed paws. "You can't be serious. Whatever for?"
"The Bendu organization, to which Qui-Gon Jinn belongs, seems to have quite an extensive Jedi presence, more than was indicated earlier. I wish to make sure that the names on the membership list are indeed former Jedi."
"Well, that's quite a request. Do you want the entire list or only the ones still living?"
Atel stood quietly by Obi-Wan's side but her thoughts were emphatic. /*All of them, Master.*/
"A complete list might be best, Master Sle'fey"
Closing his eyes for a moment, the Councilor appeared to be deep in thought. Finally, he looked at the two Jedi standing there, lifted his paws in a gesture of indignant surrender and sighed. "Very well, then. I will be downloading this information to you momentarily. Keep in mind that the dismissal records are incomplete. The last six months have not been updated yet. The mission descriptions will take a while. Expect them within 12 hours." He paused and looked directly at Kenobi, frowning sternly, fierce eyes narrowed. "Remember that this is all completely confidential. Need to know only. I do not want any of this information to find its way into unscrupulous hands or bandied about the Temple. Not even a rumor, Kenobi or the punishment will be severe. Do I make myself extremely clear?" When Obi-Wan nodded warily, he continued. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes, Master, quite clear and no, Master, there is nothing else. You have been very helpful. I thank you." With that, the Bothan gave a final sniff and the transmission ended.
Kenobi turned to his apprentice, curious. "Well, that was interesting. Atel, why did you insist on all of the records?"
"Master, it was something Anakin said to me in the barn. It was very odd and I hadn't mentioned it to you since the implication was absurd." She paused and Obi-Wan gestured for her to continue. "He was quite angry when I first told him who you were. He insisted that you were there to kill Jinn."
"What!" Obi-Wan was clearly indignant at such an accusation but Atel was not finished.
"He said something about tossing people out of the Order like so much garbage and then they get killed. It didn't make much sense at the time, I thought he was addled or a fool, but when Master Sle'fey asked you that, it sounded important."
"One more mystery to solve. Thank you, Atel. I'm sure that Anakin was just upset but I'll look into it while I'm going through the records. It shouldn't take much time. How many dead could there be, after all? A dozen, maybe two. It's not as if there were some malevolent force going around killing former Jedi. The thought is ludicrous."
-
True to his word, the Jedi Councilor sent the requested listing of former Jedi within minutes of the petition. Since it would be hours before the mission summaries were received, Atel had gone back to the intense and tangled investigation of business transactions.
It was easy enough to have the dataport computer compare the listing of former Jedi with the Bendu followers. The current membership, at least what was known of that obscure sect, included over 2500 adult sentients. Obi-Wan assumed that most of the Bendu were non-Force users, individuals sympathetic to their credo of compassion, service and justice to all. It seemed to be a high and noble cause, worthy of the followers of Light. It was also suspiciously similar to the ways of the founding Jedi Order, begun in the mists of a time so long ago that it was almost myth. Then, the Jedi were dedicated to helping those less fortunate, regardless of wealth or station. Now, their duty to the Republic Senate superseded everything.
Obi-Wan sighed. **Compassion, justice and service to any who ask...it has not been like that for a very long time and the Order is unlikely to change. Not enough resources and certainly not acceptable in the eyes of the Council or the Senate.** He saddened at the thought.
With a soft ping, the computer announced that the analysis was complete. Obi-Wan began to roam through the gargantuan list, recognizing name after name among the Bendu Philosophical Group. Finally, in frustration, he looked at the numbers - almost 1600 former Jedi were now Bendu. That was astounding, well above what Obi-Wan had expected. It was also thoroughly disconcerting. With so many ex-Jedi, a new Temple would be easy to establish. Some of the Jedi holdings outside Coruscant, in the days before all this began, had had far less. A rogue group of this size, no matter what they called it, would still be a potential threat to the Order; the Council would have to be informed when he returned home.
Kenobi frowned and looked again at the listing, troubled. He knew that the first great wave of dismissals had included a large number of Jedi with many Masters and older Knights but there never had been any conclusive count. Each additional cluster of terminations was quietly done. There were no announcements and certainly no information of who or how many were thrown out of the Order; only rumor informed the curious that dismissals had even taken place.
Obi-Wan dug the heels of his hands into his eyes, trying to ignore an inevitable conclusion that was unsettling, daunting. If there were such a large contingent of Bendu Jedi here on Naboo, that would mean that the Order would have had to expel thousands. Surely, that must be wrong.
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan returned to the original listing, pages long, of Jedi who had been discharged over the years. When he tallied the final result, he was stunned. Over five thousand had been thrown out of the Temple in the past ten years, five thousand from a group that was never high in numbers! **This is unbelievable. More than half of the Jedi are gone from the Order. Half!!** He shook his head, trying to make some sense of it. **How could I have missed it? How could the Council? Surely they must know...**
His eyes widened, throat tightening in contempt. **The Council did know, had to know. How could they not? And yet they have done nothing to stem the problem, nothing...only tried to cover it up. No wonder Sle'fey didn't want to release the information. The Bothan had insisted on confidentiality and threatened punishment if any whiff of this got out. How very convenient...**
Obi-Wan must have made some small noise of despair. His worried apprentice looked up, a question in her violet eyes but he wasn't willing to discuss this just yet. He needed to think long and hard about what he must do before talking it over with his young and often rule-bound Padawan. He merely shook his head and bend down towards his work.
He wondered, **What else have they hidden? What else...is Anakin right? How many dead are there?**
Turning back to the dataport computer, Kenobi had the listing sorted again. After a few seconds, the gruesome results were in. The number of dead was more than 1250, a staggering amount. Obi-Wan was numb. This was not possible. Jedi, even former Jedi, should have been able to deal with accidents, even attempted murder but this...it was not...possible. Only other Force-users or overpowering numbers could execute such a foul tragedy. And not a rumor, not a word of this had graced the halls of the Temple.
He was angry then, furious at the Council and at his own inept behavior. **Surely, someone must know of this abomination. Surely, the Council must know...** He made another quiet grunt, sorrow buried deep in his chest. **Of course they knew. Sle'fey himself asked if he wanted all the data or just those still living. And yet they did nothing...**
The enormity of it was overwhelming. Unthinking, he began to go through the lists, hoping that his friends and colleagues were not among the dead, the murdered ones. And yet it was inevitable. First, he found gentle Pasht, a teacher who was strong in the Force and even stronger in compassion. A crechemate, Briathia, a fighter and able with the blade, was gone. Another teacher, Dresshe, one of the best philosophy debaters at the Temple had become one with the Force. A Master, Offeet'tha, a fierce diplomat with whom Kenobi had shared adventures and missions, would never fight again.
And then Obi-Wan stopped. There, captured on the harsh screen in razored shades of darkness and white ice, was the name of Bant - gentle, compassionate, wonderful Bant, his best friend, whose courage and understanding kept him going after the Melida/Daan madness, the one to whom he could always turn before she was inevitably thrown out of the Temple. She was dead, two years now, and he hadn't even known. He never had the chance to say goodbye and now it was too late.
For a few moments, he felt nothing, too dazed to think. Then, suddenly, his chest hurt, as the harsh notes of anguish boiled upward, tearing at his throat, the moans of twinned guilt and remorse coursing through his body. He began to curl inward, wrapping his arms tightly about him, rocking slightly. His face was wet, he wasn't sure how. But ginger hair curtained Obi-Wan's face as he leaned down to hide his shame.
"Master, what's wrong? Master...please speak to me. Tell me what's wrong, please Master Obi-Wan." Gentle arms surrounding him, a warm hand making soft circles on his back, Obi-Wan tried to gather his courage to face his apprentice. She was standing next to him, bent down, her face a mask of worry. He pulled her to him, hiding himself in her tunics.
His voice was muffled, distorted with grief. "She's dead. She's dead and I didn't know. Couldn't help her. They just tossed her out of the Temple like garbage, my gentle Bant, and they killed her."
"Master, who are you talking about? Who is this Bant, a friend of yours?" He nodded, cloth rough against his face, then pulled back, blinking away the unshed tears.
He breathed regret and despair. Looking down, at the sterile floor, away from his Padawan's questing eyes, he whispered. "Oh, Atel, they murdered her - just as surely as if they had taken a vibroblade and plunged it into her heart."
She knelt down, catching Obi-Wan's stormy eyes with her own. Her hand was still gently stroking his arm, trying to calm the distraught Knight. "Master, you are not making sense. Who killed her?"
He began to mutter angrily "The Jedi Council" but stopped, his throat tight with grief.
Atel, however, caught the thought as soon as it was formed. She drew back, her eyes flashing with indignation. Voice cool, she chided. "Master Obi-Wan, you can't be serious. That's impossible."
Kenobi merely nodded, trying to suppress the anguish so that he could think clearly. The image of Bant, floating bloated in a wind-tossed sea, lifeless eyes bulging, her chest pierced with a lightsaber blade, one arm cauterized neatly at the wrist, kept intruding in his thoughts as though it were some abhorrent vision of the past. He swallowed hard. Breathing deeply, he straightened up, and sent a vehement look towards his apprentice.
"Look at the numbers. Look at them." He thrust his hand towards the dataport screen, voice cracking as he murmured. "Just look. The Order has thrown away more than 5400 Jedi. Tossed them away and for what..." His voice rose in sudden fury. "Money. Those bloody bastards have destroyed everything that the Jedi stood for."
"Master, stop this. I cannot hear any more or I will have to inform the Council. Please stop."
He nodded sharply. "Oh, yes, the Council and I will be having a little discussion when we return. You can be sure of that."
She looked at him, unbelieving. "Master, do not say such things. The Jedi Council have always acted in the best interests of the Order. Those who were dismissed deserved it. Surely you must...."
Obi-Wan interrupted her, his voice winter-cold. "I do not agree. How can you defend the Council's actions? They did not deserve such a fate. If you truly think that, I....what lessons have you learned at the Temple that you could spout such filth?"
She frowned. "Lessons I learned through your example...loyalty to the Order, following the will and instructions of the Jedi Council without question, completing the mission at all costs. Master Obi-Wan, we are a great Master/Padawan team, the best in the Temple. We do that by following the rules. You have taught me that. What else is there to learn?"
"Compassion, for one." His eyes were storm-grey and full of sorrow.
She shook her head again, fiercely unhappy. "Master, I do feel compassion for those who deserve it. The expelled ones did not live up to the Jedi ideals or expectations of the Council. They failed the Jedi." Her eyes softened, sympathy in her gaze. "I am sorry, very sorry for your friend. Even those who were gone from the Order do not merit death."
"Atel, you don't understand. It's more than just Bant's death." He scowled at her, jaw clenched with grim determination. "Anakin was right."
"It's not possible. He was just making it up." She backed away from Obi-Wan and shook her head.
"No, look." He grabbed Atel's arm, pulling her forward to face the dataport screen. "Look at the numbers. Jedi, loyal, faithful Jedi, are being forced out of the Temple on the flimsiest of excuses and then someone or something is killing them." His voice chilled further. "Sle'fey knew it and the Council must know it. We've never heard even the slightest of rumors. Padawan, they've been suppressing the truth for years."
The apprentice drew back, mouth tight and flat with censure, alarmed at his words. "No, I'm sorry about your friend but the Council didn't have anything to do with her death or the others. They couldn't have."
He snorted bitterly at that. "Not directly, of course. But these people were thrown out, without friends or family or money. Easy targets, easy prey." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "And the Council did nothing about it. No protection, no warnings, nothing. Just kept on with the status quo..."
"Master, the Jedi did not have the money to protect them. They could hardly keep up with those still with the Order, with the cutbacks and budget problems. You cannot blame the Council for this."
"Then who should I blame?" He looked at her, hard, eyes narrowed.
"The Senate controls the money. Perhaps, the answers can be found there."
Frowning in concentration, Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "The Senate...."
"Master, leave it for now. We're both tired and you've just found out about your friend. You need to come to terms with this knowledge. Perhaps, dinner and then mediation?"
"Very well, Padawan. I will leave it alone for the moment. But, be assured, that this is not the end. I will find out the truth."
The diner was small, shabby and crowded. Tucked into a small alleyway near the spaceport, the eatery had a reputation for good, filling and, more importantly, cheap food. And so the place was crawling with beings of all types: humans, Barabels, Twi'leks and several species that were too exotic to name. Most dressed in simple working garb, roughly-used clothing, garments fraying about the edges, stained and worn; the two Jedi, with their tattered and threadbare robes, merited hardly a glance.
Atel sat there quietly, watching her Master, peering at him from time to time out of the corner of her eye. He was staring off into space, his sea-green eyes hooded, a thoughtful frown etching his face. She was beginning to worry seriously about this mission and about him. It had seemed straightforward, a simple arrest and deliver, but Master Kenobi was strangely reluctant to pursue the directives of the Council. He had been sidetracked often, too often, first in dealing with Qui-Gon Jinn and then with the revelations of Jedi dismissals and his friend's death.
She did understand his grief and anger. She, too, had lost friends; a Jedi's life is a hard one and often short. But her Master was beginning to see enemies behind every bush when he should be focusing on this mission, on doing as the Jedi Council had instructed, on following the Code. The Padawan recognized that her Master had discovered important information but she was confident that the Council would deal with it; they were, after all, the wisest of all the Jedi and much more in tune with the will of the Force than she. Besides, it was not her concern; Master Obi-Wan was.
Atel wasn't sure how to pierce the barrier of stony silence now surrounding them. She had argued twice with her Master, twice in less than a day, and the disagreements were both intense and ferocious. This was unprecedented. Obi-Wan was a kind and patient teacher, willing to explain even the simplest of lessons, and, until this mission, they had never argued - disagreed sometimes - but never to this extent. She was beginning to think that there was something seriously wrong with Master Kenobi. Was he losing his reason or his grasp on the reality of the situation? She would have to watch him more closely - for his sake.
With that thought, she glanced at him again, meeting his troubled eyes. "Master, I am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, especially....."
He just shook his head. "Atel, the news of ...Bant was unsettling but I should not have argued with you about it. As your Master, it is my duty to instruct without anger, to lead you to enlightenment within the Force and I did not do that." He paused. "We do seem to be at odds on this mission but perhaps it is to be expected." His eyes unfocused for a moment and then he looked at her directly. "After all, you are growing up, learning to be independent, a Jedi and soon you will on your own. I will not be there to guide you."
"But you do guide me, every day. You have been a wonderful teacher."
Obi-Wan grimaced at that, saddened. "Perhaps...perhaps not. It appears that I haven't yet taught you that rules are sometimes made to be broken." She scowled and sat back, arms tightly crossed. He continued, "No, it is my failing, not yours, Padawan. I think that I will need to meditate on this for some time, to see my way clearly."
He was contrite. "Enough for now. Tell me what you have discovered today."
She began to outline the paths of enterprise of the Jinn fortune. He owned the farm outright with all its peripherals, land, equipment, offices in town; he was also partnered in the Arcona Mineral Harvest Corporation, Kuat Shipping, the Thyferran Bacta League and three small biotechnology firms.
Obi-Wan smiled for a moment. "Is Si Treemba still a member of the Arcona mining firm? He was a good friend many years ago."
"Yes, Master, he is now a vice president. In fact, Master Jinn contacted him initially about the partnership and it seems to have worked out quite well."
"Good. And have you found any wrong-doing with regard to Qui-Gon in any of these?"
"That is the odd thing, Master. Kuat representatives are well-known for semi-legal and illegal transactions as is the Bacta League but I can find no link to Master Jinn. It appears that he is strictly above board in all of his dealings and I have investigated thoroughly. If there were something, I should have found it."
"Then your analysis is complete?" he queried.
"No, Master. I have one more lead that I would like to pursue tomorrow. Jinn is part of two mining consortiums, the Arcona group I just mentioned and something called Offworld...."
Obi-Wan started at that, scowling. "Offworld. He couldn't...he wouldn't have dealings with them."
"Master, the records are clear. He owns a sizable portion of Offworld Mining. Is there a problem?" Atel grew worried as he continued to stare, his unfocused eyes cloudy. "Master?"
He shuddered imperceptibly. "Maybe. My Padawan, dig deep tomorrow. Offworld is recognized for its intensive use of theft, murder and deception in business." He looked at her, a heavy frown troubling his face. "Atel, this is important. I can feel it. Dig deep."
It was night when they left the busy diner. The pale moons were not due to rise for some hours; darkness seemed to blanket the area, edged by the glaring circles of fiery streetlamps and the space-black alleyways. Slowly walking down towards the spaceport, the pair soon found themselves among a seamy mixture of rundown taverns, parlors of pleasure and pain, and hideously-painted cantinas filled with loud disagreements. The street, too, was teaming with sentient beings, looking for a good time. Apparently, the port had more than its share of independent pilots and crew, and shore leave was always a priority...
Kenobi was not particularly concerned; the two Jedi had often traveled in less august circles with little trouble. He knew, too, that they could easily handle the furtive shadow trailing them.
"Master, you realize that we are being followed." Atel murmured, glancing imperceptibly towards the evasive humanoid skulking a few meters behind them, hidden in the deep recesses of a tawdry shop's doorway.
"Of course. He's been tracking us for quite some time." He smiled slightly, without warmth. "Padawan, I was fishing for information last night and I believe that we have netted an informant." Shrugging, he stopped before a noisy tavern, leaning up against the dingy, peeling wall. "He wants to talk to me about his concerns and I am going to let him."
Their elusive pursuer hesitated for a moment, pretending to look the storefront's garish display. Standing there, lightsabers gleaming in the light, the Jedi were certainly daunting. Suddenly unsure if following them had been such a good idea, the man seemed to waver. But then he straightened and strode past the two, muttering softly. "Follow me."
Obi-Wan nodded briefly, waiting for the fellow to get some distance before both Jedi began to saunter in the same direction. He glanced at his apprentice. "He may want to be a little less conspicuous. Let's find a more welcoming environment, shall we?"
They trailed him for some distance, the crowds and pulsating lights of the shops dwindling to a few lamps here and there. Finally, the man disappeared into a midnight-dark alleyway and Obi-Wan did not hesitate to follow. Their potential informant was waiting just inside the squalid space, nervously playing with his black nerfhide jacket, the concealed blaster peering out from time to time as he moved.
Obi-Wan stood calmly, at ready stance. "Sir, we are at your disposal."
The man's dark eyes flicked anxiously from Obi-Wan to Atel and back again. A raspy voice muttered, "I heard you're looking for dirt on Jinn. That true?"
Kenobi nodded slightly. "It is true that we are looking for information on one Qui-Gon Jinn. And you are..."
"You want my name? Are you nuts?" The fellow seemed incredulous and shook his head frantically. "No, no names."
Obi-Wan spoke softly, hoping to calm their informant. "All right, friend. No names. Do you have anything?"
"Yeah, for a price. How much you got?"
The derisive laugh was sharp as Kenobi shook his head. "Not much. The Jedi Council does not pay for information. We are a poor order and..."
The annoyed growl interrupted him. "Yeah, yeah, so I heard. Damn... I figured sure that you would have something sweet for this kind of info. All right, all right. I'm here now and I owe Jinn for that little number he did on me. So here it is..."
"What little number? Did he hurt you?"
"No, that would be too dirty for the likes of him, might get his hands all soiled, might ruin his lily white reputation. That's a laugh. He just makes sure you never work again if you cross him or his little band. Sometimes, though, some of his enemies...well, they disappear. Don't know if he does it or maybe it's his sickeningly pretentious Bendu group. Don't know." The man shook his head, frowning. "I had a few....sidelines, making good money, too, until he ratted on me to the security forces. Was out of circulation for a few years and all because of that bastard. Now, I get to rat on him. Ironic, isn't it?"
Kenobi's sarcasm was lost on the odious man. "Yes, quite ironic. And what do you have for me?"
"It's a real good piece of dirt. Our dear upstanding citizen Qui-Gon Jinn's been going to Tatooine and Ryloth several times a year, him or his friends. Well....every time, he comes back with large packages, very large." Noname began to chuckle wickedly at that, nodding, his mouth a vicious smirk. "Yeah, he's been buying slaves, lots of them."
Closing his clouded eyes for a brief moment, his face a stony mask, the despair that boiled within Obi-Wan was deep, ferocious. He breathed a small "No" before the brute could continue with his lies - or his truth.
Atel's violet eyes went wide with dismay as they flicked worriedly towards her Master, standing there so still and straight. Only his apprentice noticed the slight tremble of his hands or could feel the depth of his grief. He looked lost.
And he no longer knew what to believe.
"Yeah, Jedi, you heard right. Slaves. Lots of them. Sometimes they come back with small groups, sometimes large. After he unloads them at the dock, they get moved over to the Bendu Sanctuary for a little while." He shrugged. "Then they disappear, right off the face of Naboo. Probably sells them pretty quickly to a consortium or something. Slick, mightily slick. Slavery is one hugely profitable scam, just capture and move them out. No fuss, no money up front, almost pure profit." He smiled, enjoying the spiteful thought. "Seems that Jinn's hands aren't so clean after all."
Obi-Wan couldn't think, couldn't breathe. Finally, staring at the repulsive man, he mumbled. "Yes, apparently not clean at all."
Kenobi did not say much after the informant left. The Padawan Learner paid the loathsome parasite twenty credits, all that she had, but the lowlife merely frowned at the small amount, groaned in disgust and stomped away, shaking his head and muttering about tightfisted misers.
Blinking furiously, her Master brusquely shouldered past Atel, mumbling something about katas, meditation and seeing her in the morning. Without waiting for her reply, he thrust a few credits at her and turned away. She stood there, stunned, money clenched in one hand and watched him go. He seemed so alone, his ragged cloak wrapped tightly about him like an ebony shroud, his body hunched and smaller somehow.
After a few moments, knowing that he would not accept her solace but resolute in her determination to help him, she followed Obi-Wan deeper into the shadowy night. Atel could not leave her Master alone now, not like this. He did not acknowledge his apprentice, although she was a few paces behind him, but plodded soundlessly towards some unseen goal.
The whispered murmur of falling water was a far-off lure that pulled both Jedi towards a small, quiet park tucked in one of the sidestreets. An overgrown hedge, massively black against the darkened sky, hid most of the grassy area from the lane. But there were also trees and a tiny bench hidden in the foliage. A stone fountain gleamed bone and ebony as liquid dribbled down the roughened wall. Away from prying eyes, it would have been perfect for relaxation, perfect for a kata or two, in the daylight. But at night, it was a black maw, inky walls and midnight-dark weeds.
Obi-Wan did not seem to notice the murky gloom but strode swiftly to the stone bench, flung down his cloak and stood there quite still for a moment, lightsaber in hand. Reaching up, gathering in the Force, suddenly his saber was ablaze with light, moving, binding him in its glow. He began to advance, flowing more swiftly into the kata, speeding up the moves, impossibly fast, until the light seemed to be everywhere at once. His face, lit briefly as the bright blade twirled by in an infinity loop, appeared serene but his eyes were closed, the intense frown tunneling his brow.
The kata seemed to go on forever as he twisted and spun his body in impossible ways, always with the luminous glow encasing his form. The saber flung blue light, etching the bench and trees in stark relief with razored sketches of ink and azure as he flowed past. Huge and twisted, the ghosting shadows on the far walls spun and whirled with each movement of the blade. It would have been beautiful beyond words, that ethereal radiance, riveting and breathtaking, if not for the ripples of despair flowing through the Force.
The parry and thrust of the saber began to slow imperceptibly. He was sweating now as he reached into the final forms of the kata, body trembling with the last flourish of the blade. At last, head bent, he stopped for a moment, took a hurried breath and shifted again into the beginning patterns of a second kata. Always pushing himself, the tumultuous patterns of azure light betraying his inner turmoil, Obi-Wan flowed into a third kata and then a fourth.
Atel stood still, watching her Master at war with himself. She knew that he should be acknowledging the sorrow, releasing it into the Force as he had taught her. Instead, it encased Obi-Wan, shackling his movements. He seemed angry, despair battling with regret, as he moved through the fire dance. At last, his body shouted what he could not accept. The buckling drift of arms and legs, rasping breath so fast and rough, his frame trembled as he pushed himself past the pain. Finally, he flung himself to the ground, the last kata complete. The park plunged into darkness.
Atel rushed to his side, reaching down to help him up. Instead, he growled, "I told you that I'd see you in the morning. I don't want you here."
"Master? I only thought...."
His eyes were pinpoints of starlight as he breathed in sharply. "Go back to your room."
"Please, please Master...let me help you." Her soft voice was ragged with worry.
He could feel Atel's concern and settled back, closing his weary eyes. Guilt gentled his reply. "Padawan, you cannot. I must do this alone. Now, as my apprentice, you are honor-bound to obey me. Return to your room. I will see you in the morning."
She rose up, penitant. "Yes, Master. Good-night." Bowing slightly, she turned and walked away. Before she rounded the corner, she glanced back at Obi-Wan. He was still sitting in the shadowy grass, one arm wrapped around his drawn-up knees, his clouded eyes focused on the darkened saber cradled in his upturned hand.
The morning scramble for the dataport's public access facilities was well begun by the time the Jedi arrived. When, at long last, the room became available, Atel strode quickly to one of the outlets and eagerly plugged her datapad in, anxious to begin. There was much to do. Kenobi trailed behind, sitting down heavily, dull jade eyes staring impassively at the computer screen.
The Padawan glanced at Master Obi-Wan. She knew that he had been up most of the night, trying to release his anger and despair into the Force, apparently without success. Kenobi said little, his face a mask of stoic neutrality, and he appeared outwardly serene, a superb example of the legendary Jedi facade. But Atel knew better. Her Master seemed lifeless, uncaring. It was almost as if he were grieving for the loss of something that was essential to him - hope, perhaps or faith - something that he had not known existed until it was gone.
"Master, I'm going to continue looking into Jinn's Offworld connection. I'm about to download his mission summaries. They've finally arrived from the Temple Archives. Is there anything else you wish me to do?"
His "No" was hardly above a whisper. With another concerned look, she turned back to the datapad and began the convoluted and often frustrating investigation of Jinn's dealings.
With a despondent sigh, Obi-Wan glanced at his Padawan Learner and then back at his monitor. He stared at the darkened screen for several moments, last night's discoveries harshly corrupting his beliefs, shredding his perception of truth. He was sure that the man had been mistaken. Qui-Gon Jinn could not be selling slaves; it was not in his character. It may have been ten years but his Master was more likely rescuing the poor creatures than making a profit from their pain.
And yet, and yet...Obi-Wan had begun to doubt his faith in his Master and in himself. His reality had been shattered with the tumultuous revelations of the Jedi Council's complacency. He still could not believe that the Jedi Order would betray their own, to stand by and let them die, alone and unaided. But the facts were indisputable; the Council knew. And, if that were true, could Qui-Gon Jinn be any less mired in slavery and abuse of the Force?
He shook his head, then hunched down, pulling his ragged robe tightly about him and whispered, "Time to find some answers."
He began to pull up the transportation records. He knew that Tatooine and Ryloth were the main source of slaves in the Outer Rim and Master Jinn had been there many times over the years. Qui-Gon Jinn's forays into that area of space had seemed suspicious. Now, there was a focus.
Initially, Jinn had used public transport or borrowed ships, often ones registered with the Abolitionist Union, to conduct business. However, Qui-Gon Jinn or rather the companies he partnered quickly amassed a number of freighters, Corellian class, and he used them for his travels off-world. His old Master seemed to favor one ship, Serenity, for most of his flights to the Outer Rim. The small freighter, its type well-known for its powerful hyperdrive and superb maneuverability, would be perfect for transporting cargo of any kind, including slaves.
It seemed straightforward. Any ship leaving the planet could depart after forwarding an itinerary, listing passengers, cargo, and destination. However, entry into Naboo space required a stop at the port for an inspection before traveling to their final destination - no exceptions, even for the heroes of Naboo. With their sophisticated sensor grid covering the planet, all ships were tracked and, apparently, Qui-Gon followed the rules every time.
When Jinn did carry "passengers" to Naboo, a customs agent always came onboard to ask a few simple questions such as name, occupation, and where they would be staying while planetbound. Occasionally, inspectors might delve into more personal details, especially if the individuals were suspicious-looking. Slaves would certainly have been detected quickly. But no unusual behavior or appearance was noted with any of the outworlders on Jinn's ships.
Obi-Wan's tension began to ease, a wry grin flitting across his face. Obviously, the informant's little performance last night had been a crude attempt to cause trouble for his Master. Shaking his head with annoyance at his own folly, Kenobi thought ruefully, **And it had almost succeeded. I should have known better.** Of course, there was no evidence. The thought that Qui-Gon was dealing in slaves was ludicrous. It just wasn't possible. Besides, if there had been proof, the port officials would have noticed and surely arrested him before this. Naboo's anti-slavery stance was absolute. No one, not even a Jedi Master, could have kept this secret.
He was about to halt the download of passenger information to his datapad when something caught his eye. There it was, a puzzle under the drifting details of arrival and departure. Running his hand over his eyes for a moment, trying to clear his thoughts, he huffed with frustrated annoyance. **Blast. Not another riddle.** He was sorely tempted to ignore it, but, in the end, could not.
Kenobi began to look more closely. According to the port records, in the past five years, each of Jinn's passengers had had remarkably similar responses to the bureaucratic questions - a simple and easily remembered name, an occupation such as laborer or domestic worker, and one of the cheap hotels near the spaceport listed as their destination. Everything seemed clear and straightforward. And it was always the same pattern. The freighter would land at Qui-Gon's private docking bay, located at the far end of the port, and, once the ship was cleared for debarkation, the passengers were allowed to leave. Invariably, they were picked up by one of Jinn's transportation agencies. But they never arrived at their lodgings - and never left Naboo. It was almost as if the individuals were herded into the air-taxis and promptly vanished.
**Damn it, Qui-Gon. What are you playing at?** Obi-Wan was bewildered, confused. People didn't just disappear - unless they wanted to, unless they were forced to, unless they were smuggled off-world and sold.
This did not make sense. Surely someone must have protested or noticed something was amiss.
But, as he gathered in the names and dates of passengers, as the list grew longer, he realized that there had been no outcry, no questions about the disappearing outworlders, no harsh demands for answers to this puzzle. That worried Kenobi. That would imply that Jinn did not do this, whatever it was, on his own. He had to have help, a lot of help. **Of course he had help, you idiot. The Abolitionist Union, spaceport officials, maybe Windu. Mace had gone with Qui-Gon on a number of forays to the Outer Rim. Whatever it was, this scheme ran wide and deep.**
Obi-Wan knew that he needed something concrete, some clue to this frustrating enigma but, try as he might, he could not find anything tangible in the recent past. He began to rummage through the older files, scanning backwards, towards the beginning of Jinn's time on the planet, before his Master had perfected whatever scam was going on. Finally, a name popped up that could be traced to a location on Naboo and then another name and another - twelve names out of hundreds. Twelve potential answers to his questions.
In all cases, his "answers" had stayed at Jinn's ranch or at the Bendu Sanctuary immediately following entry into Naboo. Vel Thene was now living in Theed as was Qunete Jumung. Denth Tre'fey moved to a small town on the other side of the planet. Reuno A'Mare, Iliana Treant and Shmi Skywalker were living with the Bendu at their retreat, just north of the spaceport. **Wait....Skywalker. A relative of Anakin's, perhaps. And she is close by.** He frowned at that. Anakin had never mentioned anyone. **Sure, Kenobi. As if he were going to tell you anything...** The other six individuals were scattered over the planet. Interviewing them all would take some time.
Obi-Wan leaned back, staring at the monitor. The mystery of the Bendu Sanctuary, with its enigmatic swarm of ex-Jedi and potential for a rival Temple, had called to him earlier. Now, there was one more reason to go, one more puzzle to solve. Closing his eyes for a moment, taking a deep cleansing breath to focus his thoughts, he could sense the faint nudges of the Force. This felt right. Perhaps some of the questions surrounding Master Jinn would be revealed this day. Yes, it was time to visit the Bendu.
In his quest to solve this frustrating paradox, he had almost forgotten about his lively apprentice. Startling him out of his reverie, Atel let out a joyous whoop, "I've got you now, Master Jinn."
Muttering quietly to himself, he glanced at his elated Padawan, sitting there, grinning with pride. "I've found the connection to the Offworld Mining, Master. He's been using the Force, threats and more to acquire ownership of several of the consortium's mines. No wonder he was able to buy so much of Offworld's property."
Obi-Wan frowned, his eyes narrowing. "That doesn't seem possible. Are you sure, Atel? We must have proof."
"Absolutely, Master. See here," she pointed to the list of Offworld's holdings on the screen, violet eyes gleaming with excitement. "He approached the mining consortium last year with an offer to buy one of the Offworld mines - for far less than market value, I might add. The offer was refused, point-blank. The mine's owner, Petha Ven'tl, accused Jinn of threatening him and his workers if the deal didn't go through and even tried to bring Jinn up on charges of intimidation and assault. The very next day, Qui-Gon acquired the mine. Ven'tl, the man who had turned him down, rescinded his accusations, and left the capital in a hurry."
"It happens all the time in business, Padawan. Perhaps, the consortium's governing board didn't like the man's accusations and shipped him elsewhere or threw him out of the syndicate."
"I'm sorry, Master, but he turned up a week later, dead. There wasn't much left of his body, only small pieces but it was enough for a genetic scan. Apparently, Ven'tl had fallen or been pushed into an acid pond at the Sacred Pools." She paused, uncertain. "It's a park outside the capital of Telos."
Obi-Wan scowled at Atel, his voice gravelly with dismay. "I know where it is."
"Master, I know you do. The mission report from the Temple was quite explicit. It said that your old Master had been on Telos some years before and had gone to the Sacred Pools in pursuit of a criminal, his former Padawan, Xanatos du Crion. It also said that Jinn had left for Telos on this vendetta without the approval of the Council, against their express wishes, and that you went with him."
He looked down in haunted rememberance, an anguished look sweeping his face. She continued hesitantly. "The three of you fought and the culprit died, jumping into the acid pool to escape imprisonment. Apparently, Ven'tl died the same way."
Obi-Wan was suddenly irate, wintry green eyes narrowing as he glared at her. "Are you accusing Master Qui-Gon of murdering this man? Just because he died at the same place in the same way as his former apprentice? That is absurd."
"Well, it could be a coincidence. But, Master, a month later, the same thing happened again - same pattern. Another Telosian mine from the Offworld synicate, another complaint against your former Master, another accusation of threats and mutterings about mind tricks, more vehement this time, and then the accuser retracts his complaints, abruptly leaves the capital and Jinn owns a second mine. And the guy ends up dead - same place, same way."
Atel took a deep steadying breath and continued. "Master, it happened a third time and a fourth. As of last month, by my calculations, Jinn owns a third of Offworld's mining ventures on Telos and is on the board of directors. He's been siphoning off the profits and keeping them in a separate account, for his use only."
Obi-Wan shook his head, sharply. "No. Qui-Gon Jinn would not go around killing people for profit. It's ridiculous. Do you have any other proof other than Offworld rumors? They are known for manipulation and substantial deceit."
"Yes, Master, I know, but it's more than just rumors. The charges against Jinn for threats and assaults are listed in the security records on Telos and they match the dates of the accusations. These records are considered by the Republic to be tamper-proof so they must be accepted as fact." Obi-Wan scowled at that. "The disavowals were there as well, always worded the same way - welcoming Qui-Gon Jinn as a benefactor, expressing astonishment that any charges were filed, denying that they had made the complaints. Sounds like Jinn manipulated the Force to change their minds and then they were murdered. Either way, they won't be accusing him ever again."
He began to protest but Atel raised her hand to stop him. "I agree that it is always possible, however unlikely, that the Telosian files were false. But the Naboo flight plan records show that Jinn was on Telos each time the accusations and retractions were made and he was there when the murders took place."
Obi-Wan's frown deepened but she pressed on. "But, more importantly, Master Jinn's own company files their tax records quarterly as per regulations. The Offworld mines are listed as part of his personal holdings. Last month, Qui-Gon Jinn signed the forms himself."
"Damn." Obi-Wan sighed heavily, mouth grimacing in adamant refusal. "Atel, I don't believe it, not for a moment, that Qui-Gon Jinn would murder these people. Not Qui-Gon. Mind-trick, maybe, but murder....no. There is something wrong, I can feel it."
His apprentice opened her mouth to protest but he quickly said, "Records can lie. It is easy enough for a slicer to tamper with the files, make them spew nonsense like this. We must do more than just accept the official reports. At the very least, we should talk to some of the mine's staff, get evidence from other sources. I know that these findings are ominous but there is a lot at stake here. If we find that this is correct, he will be sent to a prison colony for the remainder of his life or, worse, put to death. His possessions would be confiscated and his wife and son rendered penniless. Padawan, we must be sure."
"Master, but how? We are on the other side of the galaxy from Telos. The Council will not send us there at this time. It would be a waste of resources."
"I agree. However, when we return to Coruscant, we will have access to the records of the Republic. Besides, there should be a Jedi team near Telos. Perhaps, they could investigate this. It wouldn't take much time." He nodded, satisfied. "When we contact the Council this evening, I will request it."
"Yes, Master Obi-Wan. What do we do now?"
He sighed, suddenly tired. "The rumor that Qui-Gon is running a slaver operation has not been confirmed or denied but there is a puzzle there. I need to gather more information. I've found a number of individuals that may have some answers, living at the Bendu Sanctuary. I had already planned to visit the place after mid-day, to see if this gathering of former Jedi were a truly philosophical society. Or, perhaps, they are hiding something more sinister."
"Maybe, we could go there....after food?" She looked at him, widening her eyes in wistful entreaty. Obi-Wan almost smiled at that.
"All right, my Padawan. After mid-day meal."
The Bendu Sanctuary was a mere five kilometers north of the spaceport. With the gleaming saw-toothed mountains a spectacular backdrop, the heart of the complex was nestled among rolling hills and sweetly-scented, whispering trees. A waist-high stone wall guarded the property. Beautifully colored in greys and greens, the sunlit stone gleamed with mica and quartz, the flicker of light changing as Obi-Wan and Atel drove along its length. A series of two-meter-high engraved silver posts were placed at regular intervals inside the fence. Obi-Wan wondered at their purpose.
At length, the Jedi reached a large granite archway, intricately carved. The only portal into the property, it seemed open and inviting. On the right side of the entrance, imbedded in the stone, was a small bronze placard, proclaiming "Bendu Sanctuary." There were no gates.
As Obi-Wan drove up the winding pathway, he noted that the trees had thinned out and vast tracts of grass and low bushes now covered the area surrounding the complex. To one side, past several outbuildings, a large garden could be seen and, beyond, there were harvested fields of crops.
The main structure was extensive. Gently curving away from the path, with elegant rounded turrets flanking either end and a central circular tower as entryway, the building was a full three stories high. The facade was lovely in polished and cut grey-green stone, carved in a delicate, intricate pattern that caught the light and reflected it back in sparkling myriad colors. Beautifully-arched windows, in typical Naboo style, looked out over the drive. The curvilinear roofs gleamed a deep jade-green.
The tower's centered entrance was framed with a low, sweeping stone porch, one side covered in flowering vines. A large sign, in bronze and indigo, hung over the main door stating "Bendu Sanctuary" with a smaller inscription below "Serenity and Compassion - Twin Paths to the Light".
As the Jedi stopped the landspeeder at the gardened path leading to the front door, Obi-Wan noticed a slight movement at one of the windows. He was not concerned at the moment; the Bendu did not seem hostile - in fact the whole place exuded peace and a luminous strength in the Living Force. They quickly moved up the stairs and strode through the open door.
With the grand facade outside, Kenobi had thought that the main hall into the building would be large, stately, imposing. Instead, an atrium garden, with trickling waterfall and scented blossoms, the place alive with light and color and sound, invited them in. Here and there were scattered benches, clearly encouraging contemplation and quiet conversation. Beyond the green-filled space, through large, etched transparasteel doors, a spacious room held several alcoves with comfortable seating and privacy screens.
By the inner doors, dressed in blue tunic and leggings, a young Naboo man stood, patiently waiting for them. He bowed slightly and said, in a low soothing voice, "Welcome to the Sanctuary. I am Pavel Janson. How may the Bendu serve you?"
Both Jedi bowed and Obi-Wan went through the introductions. Pavel did not seem surprised but asked again. "Master Jedi, how may we be of service to the Republic representatives?"
"I wish to speak with Master Mace Windu and Mistress Shmi Skywalker. Please let them know we are here. My Padawan and I would also like a tour of the facilities."
The Bendu was startled when Shmi's name was mentioned but he covered it up quickly. Motioning them further into the building, through the etched doors, he pointed to one of the alcoves and promised to bring the requested people as soon as they were available. Moving into a private office beyond, Janson quickly contacted Windu. "Master, the Jedi have arrived and are asking for you and for Shmi."
"What? Why does he want to see her?" His voice was startled, then sharp with speculation.
"Master, he did not say. But he does want to see the Sanctuary. What do I do?"
Windu sighed, resigned. "He has a right to see her. Tell him that I will be down momentarily. Contact Shmi and have us meet her at the west garden. Warn her to be wary of what she says to the Jedi - truth yes, but nothing more. I will need a few minutes to let Master Jinn know what is going on. Keep them busy until then."
"Hold."
Anakin stopped short, his lightstaff pulsing green fire as he hastily aborted his downward slash. His young body felt awkward in its arrested stance, unbalanced, his right knee askew, but he did not move. After a few patient moments of silence, he glanced surreptitiously at Qui-Gon. The Master merely grunted.
"Did you feel the wrongness in the movement, Anakin? At this point in the kata, your left foot should be pointing outward slightly as you move into the next form. Remember, too, a staff is not a lightsaber; both ends cut equally well. Try it again. From the third beat of the second set. Begin."
The apprentice nodded slightly and started anew, his pike sending emerald flame into the far shadows of the barn. Flowing through the center space of the large building, his body glowed in the brilliant sunlight of midday, his motion stirring the air with its golden sparkle of dancing dust. He was light and darkness as he moved through the barred shafts of light and shadow. There was beauty, too, in the movement of the blades, wheeling, spinning, writing symbols of fire into the incongruous backdrop of harvesting droids and farm equipment.
Qui-Gon Jinn sat and watched his apprentice and was satisfied. Anakin had come a long way from the hell of slavery. One day, he would make a fine Bendu champion, walking in the ways of the Light.
He glanced down at his son sitting there, the child mesmerized. Ben moved slightly, trying to mimic the sway of Anakin's body, unconsciously bringing his chubby hands up to hold an imagined staff. Qui-Gon smiled indulgently, remembering how the young ones in the Jedi creche had done similar things with their training sabers. His son was growing up so fast. Before long, he would be going to the Sanctuary and learning the ways of the Force and the Bendu. Too soon.
Anakin slowed and then stopped, bowing as he finished his kata, waiting patiently for the next instruction. Qui-Gon nodded, motioning him over.
"Well done. Your skill with a lightpike increases daily. Soon, you will be as adept with it as the saber. Now, I think that is enough for the morning. It is past mid-day and I'm sure that someone here is hungry." He looked indulgently at Ben, his blue eyes dancing at the child's sudden interest.
"Master, there is one thing I promised to show Ben before lunch." Anakin leaned down before the young one, catching his hands and winking. "Remember..."
The boy's voice was high-pitched and excited. "Please, Daddy. He did promise."
Qui-Gon tried hard not to smile but inclined his head in silent agreement. "I will be busy with a few chores. Come in when you are done." He looked at Anakin, mock-stern. "Nothing dangerous, nothing flashy, right?"
His "Yes, Master" was spoken softly as the pair moved into the shadows to the left, stopping before one of the smaller droids. Ben at his side, Anakin crouched on one knee, waving his hand before him. The child's soft giggles echoed in the vast space as a gleaming droid with lanky digits and long legs took one hop and then another towards the pair. The apprentice waggled his fingers and the metallic legs began to twitch as the mechanical sprang from side-to-side, twisting about. Ben lifted his hand as well, trying to imitate the gestures. Just for a moment, the droid jerked and then tumbled into a clumsy dance as Anakin regained control. Wide-eyed, Ben stepped back, holding his hand over his mouth, unable to stop the laughter from tumbling out as he watched the droid flitter about the barn.
Qui-Gon chuckled at the sight. He knew that he should be stern about such frivolous Force use but it was good practice for Anakin and Ben might learn a thing or two. Shaking his head, still grinning, he turned to go.
His comlink began to chirp. "Jinn here."
Mace Windu's voice was strained. "Qui-Gon, Kenobi and his Padawan have arrived and are asking questions."
"We knew that he would find out about the Sanctuary sooner or later. Is there a problem?"
"He's asking to see Shmi."
"What? Why?" Behind him, the sounds of waltzing droid quieted and hushed whispers peppered the air. "Hold on a moment, Mace." Sighing heavily, Qui-Gon looked back at the pair. They tried to look inconspicuous, gazing earnestly away, pretending not to hear while listening intently.
"Ben, please go back to the house. I want to talk with Anakin alone."
The plea of "But, Daddy...." was met with unbending refusal. The child's mouth turned downward, his brow beginning to set in stubborn determination but Qui-Gon was adamant. Dragging his feet, prolonging the moment, Ben reluctantly moved towards the exit and finally gave up, the door closing loudly behind him.
"Anakin, just listen for now. Mace, go ahead."
"Kenobi won't say why he wants to talk to Shmi but, of course, as a Republic representative, he has the right to inspect everything here. And ask to see anyone under our protection."
Anakin started to speak but Jinn quickly shook his head, motioning for silence. "Mace, if he knows about her, I can only assume that he has tumbled onto our slave operation." Qui-Gon grimaced. "Damn. I had hoped for more time."
"What do I tell him?"
Glancing at Anakin, the Bendu sighed in resignation. "As little as possible for now. Slave issue aside, we knew that the Jedi would find out about us and investigate. A matter of when, not if." He hesitated for a moment, very aware that his apprentice was listening to every word. "Mace, we've already discussed this. You know that the Jedi will need a scapegoat."
Anakin stepped forward suddenly, his eyes wide with shock. "Master, no!"
Qui-Gon, swallowing hard, continued as if nothing had interrupted him. "Kenobi's bound to take me back to Coruscant on charges of starting an unauthorized Temple, no matter what we call it. And, if he finds the sabers, well..." He glanced quickly at Anakin who stood there, a deep frown clouding his young face. "I don't want him to find out what we are really doing with the slaves. It would ruin everything. If necessary, I will let him assume that I'm a slaver."
Mace's response echoed Anakin's "No, I will not permit it. There must be some other way."
"What way? In their eyes, we are breaking the laws of the Republic. You know this. If they think I'm in the slave trade, they'll pay less attention to everyone else and you will have time to set up alternate routes." He closed his eyes for a moment, resigned. "Either way, Mace, I'm going to be imprisoned. You must let me go, for all our sakes."
The comlink voice was somber, resigned. "Very well, Qui-Gon. I hope that you are wrong. I will let you know when Kenobi leaves and what he finds. Mace out." The comlink clicked off.
The silence in the barn was palpable. Anakin stood there, shaking with emotion, rage or despair - it was difficult to tell. Finally, the apprentice whirled on his Master, brow furrowed in fury. "What do you think you are doing?"
"Anakin, please try to understand." Qui-Gon moved toward him, but the apprentice just backed away, out of reach.
"I don't want to understand. You are just going to let that blasted Jedi take you...without a fight? How could you do that to me? To your wife? And what about Ben? Do you know what that will do to Ben?"
"I know, all too well." Deep sorrow knotted Qui-Gon's voice into a whisper. "What would you have me do, Anakin? The Jedi will not be content until they have their quarry and, like it or not, they have chosen me."
Skywalker wrapped his arms around his body as if cold, huddling inward. Staring at Jinn, he argued, "Fight them...fight him. Damn it, Master, don't do this."
"If I fight and lose, they will take me anyway. If I fight and win...Anakin, to win I would have to injure or kill both Obi-Wan and his apprentice. Is that what you want? " A quick shake of the head and Anakin looked half ashamed, half furious. "If I win, they will send more Jedi. They will take me and a lot of Bendu with me. I cannot let that happen."
"So you are the sacrifice." Anakin looked away, jaw clenched. The quiet "Yes" brought a fresh wave of despair to the young man. He turned, not wanting to look at his Master and started for the door. Qui-Gon reached for him, catching the corner of his tunic, but the apprentice just twisted out of his grasp and stepped back, still avoiding Jinn's gaze.
"Anakin, accept this, please."
The apprentice stood there for a moment, silent as a marble statue, then nodded abruptly and turned to go. Pushing the door open, stepping out into the fresh air, the apprentice was torn between his duty to his Master and the love for the man who was almost a father to him. As the door closed behind him, his decision was made. "Never."
The two Jedi stood in the waiting room, silent, stoic and apparently serene. Mace Windu paused at the door, watching them. Memory can be a fickle thing, coloring heartsore thoughts with bright hope or deep sorrow. For just a moment, only a moment, he longed to be within the Temple once more, going about the important work of the Order, basking in the deep peace of the gardens, sharing in the fellowship and dreams of the Jedi.
But that was long ago. Now he had a different mission, one as important, and he needed to remember that. Pushing through the transparasteel doors, he stopped before Kenobi and bowed slightly. "Welcome. It is good to see you again, Obi-Wan. It has been too long." He turned to Atel. "And this must be your apprentice. Welcome to the Bendu Sanctuary, Padawan Sl'etah."
Glancing back at the Jedi Knight, Windu continued smoothly, "Pavel has told me that you wish a tour of our facilities. I will take you myself and you might tell me something of the Temple while we look around."
"Master Windu, I thank you. I have heard many good things about the Bendu and their Sanctuary. I am curious to see if all the tales are true."
Mace nodded. "Only as true as the Tales of the Jedi, I'm sure. I believe that you also wanted to speak with Shmi Skywalker. She will be joining us at the west garden if that is all right with you."
"That will be fine."
"If you will follow me, I will be glad to answer any question you might have about the Bendu." He motioned them through a side entrance and into the marbled many-doored corridor beyond. Moving slowly toward a set of carved panels in the far distance, Mace glanced briefly at the pair, his soft voice echoing in the deserted hallway. "The Bendu Philosophical Group was founded about eight years ago. Our membership includes a wide range of individuals from all walks of life and we have several secondary offices scattered across Naboo. This is our largest facility. Here reside the bulk of administrative services for our group, living quarters where needed and a small school."
"It is most impressive. The Bendu must be doing quite well to be able to purchase such a large property."
"Don't be fooled by size, Obi-Wan. We acquired this site a little more than three years ago. It was a donation from a wealthy benefactor but was in fair to poor condition at the time. Through the sweat and skill of our members, we have been repairing it but the work is slow and the vast majority of our time is spent on things of more importance."
"Such as?"
Mace bowed his head for a moment, then, his voice firm, he looked directly at the Jedi Knight. "Serving the common people... of this system and others as well. Our primary goal is to provide aid, advice and physical support where needed, especially when disaster strikes but we also help individuals and small groups to avert potential problems as well."
Obi-Wan nodded, frowning slightly. "A worthy endeavor, indeed. The Jedi Order also serves the Republic's citizens. It appears we have the same goals and a common purpose."
Windu sent him a mild look of reproof. "On the surface, that is true. The Jedi are keepers of the Republic's peace and, theoretically, your service extends to all within its dominion."
"Theoretically?" Kenobi stopped abruptly, his voice hardening.
The Bendu's resigned sigh was clearly heard by the two Jedi. "Obi-Wan, I am not entirely ignorant of how the system works. The Order does not choose its assignments - they are mandated by the Senate and the Supreme Chancellor. Unfortunately, those in power within the Republic know only how to deal with governmental bureaucracies, self-serving autocrats and vast syndicates, not individuals and certainly not with the poor and defenseless. Jedi missions focus on the rich and powerful. It was not always true but it has been so for many years."
Up to this point, Atel had been content to let her Master lead the discussion. Looking into the offices through the windowed doors, exploring the texture and vibrant feel of this Sanctuary, her observant eyes everywhere, she played the part of the passive Padawan well. But, now, she could not let Windu's slurs pass without comment. His words were an insult to the Jedi Order. She stepped forward, her face a mask of stern disapproval as she started to object. Obi-Wan shot her a sharp warning glance, his hand moving subtly downward to brush her sleeve and she shrank back, chastised. Kenobi answered smoothly, "We are required to do the Senate's will."
Mace's eyes flicked between the two Jedi, then shrugged. "So you say."
Any retort from the Padawan was silenced as Kenobi probed further. "Tell me then. How do the Bendu serve the greater good if not through the channels of government?"
Disappointed in the question, Mace sighed softly. "Obi-Wan, we focus on helping those who have lost all. When catastrophe strikes, when disaster has wiped out the infrastructure and it is chaotic, we are there with aid and support - helping to alleviate suffering, finding lost souls, working with the local citizens to rebuild their communities. We cannot always avert calamity but we can help soften its cruel assault."
"Surely the Naboo authorities can direct you to areas where you can maximize your efforts. They should have a clearer picture of the scope of those needs than you."
The Bendu hesitated. "I admit that the current Naboo administration is better than most but we deal with other systems as well. We have found that large governments hunger to seize control of every situation and those within the bureaucracies will twist it to their own advantage. It appears to be the nature of things in these troubled times. The Bendu deal with the authorities as little as possible. We learned through pain and sorrow just how benevolent the Republic Senate could be and we will not repeat that mistake."
"But surely, you need monies from the government to help fund your generosity." Kenobi seemed truly perplexed.
A wry smile crossed Windu's face. "What, and give them a leash to tighten when they want control? I think not. Obi-Wan, the Bendu policy is very strict on this issue. We aid those whom we wish to aid. The government does not dictate to us in any way nor do we take money from them. Our experience within the Jedi Order has been very instructive and we learned our lesson well."
"Then, how do you fund your Sanctuary and your aid to those less fortunate?"
"Donations, mostly donations. Our founding members have been quite generous with credits, Qui-Gon Jinn in particular. Plus we tend to be fairly self-sufficient. The crops and gardens surrounding this complex feed most of our people and what we cannot eat, we barter or sell. We live strictly within our means...another lesson from our time with the Jedi Order."
Obi-Wan was quiet for a moment, then tried a different approach. "You indicated that your organization was founded eight years ago. Any reason why you did not merely join other agencies with the same goals?"
"At the time, Naboo was in the midst of recovering from the Trade Federation's illegal invasion and it was chaotic. There had been great loss of life, especially among city-dwellers and administrators, and the local associations and the government were frantically trying to regroup. The internment camps were cesspools of disease - the beings within had been fed very little and the shelters were almost non-existent. And the devastation was everywhere." He stopped momentarily, remembering, his dark eyes liquid with sorrow.
"I read about it in our briefing." Obi-Wan prompted.
"The Republic refused to send any aid. They were mired in politics as usual and Naboo was far from Coruscant." The sarcasm in Mace's voice was clear. "We could not stand by and let the people suffer. We felt it best that the Bendu group unite to help aid those in need."
"Understandable. And just who makes up the Bendu association?"
Mace paused briefly. "In this building, we house our administrative offices. There is a library upstairs as well as several large lecture halls and two small salons for defense classes." Mace nodded towards the far end of the corridor and then began walking again in that direction. "This way leads to classrooms, living quarters, a gymnasium and our cooking facilities."
As Kenobi was about to interrupt, Windu gestured for silence. "I have not forgotten your question, Obi-Wan....The Bendu was originally founded by former members of the Jedi Order, myself and Qui-Gon Jinn along with several others."
"May I have the names of those others?"
"I'm sure that you already do. It is a matter of public record."
Kenobi's eyes narrowed. "And did you think that the Jedi Order might not take kindly to former members combining forces?"
"I did not care what they thought." The sharp sarcasm was back in Windu's voice, just for a moment and then it softened. "Obi-Wan, we had been left without resources, many of us penniless. In the beginning, we banded together as much for protection and need as for service to others. Forgive me if you find that offensive but we...it was a rough time for all of us."
"So I have heard."
A fleeting look of uncertainty crossed Windu's face. "In the beginning, there were just a few Bendu but, knowledge of our organization spread and soon many former Jedi came to the area, looking for a safe refuge and, ultimately, a new home."
"Refuge? Why would they need a refuge?" Such a leading question might yield some answers.
"Yes, a refuge, a safehouse, if you will...some place where they could regain their composure after dismissal and think about what they wanted to do next. It is a very hard thing to be tossed aside from all that you have known and loved. Don't you agree, Obi-Wan?"
Kenobi looked away for a moment, nodding. His answer was a soft "Yes".
That response brought a fleeting frown to Atel's face. Her Master seemed entirely too empathetic towards the Bendu and he had let slip several opportunities for penetrating questions. Unhappily, by not debating Windu's statements about the Jedi, by letting them slide, he appeared to be agreeing with them. It was well-known that too much sympathy for those under investigation was not appropriate but she held her tongue. Now was not the time to voice that opinion.
The trio reached the end of the corridor. A set of carved wooden doors lead into a short passageway, windowed on both sides, with several portals open to let in the fresh scent of the gardens and the joyous noise of birdsong. To the left, the ice-capped mountains gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, a stunning backdrop to the panorama of gardens, the yellowed stubble of a just-completed harvest, the bright sliver of a small lake and green-treed woods in the distance.
Turning to the right, the Jedi could see that the buildings were configured as a series of faintly semi-circular clusters, grouped in such a way that, from above, it was shaped like that of a trumpet blossom. With the exception of the front structure, all of the other buildings were two-storied, faced with the same beautiful grey-green stone, the jade-colored roofs gleaming in the sunlight. Windows and several arched doors faced inward towards the landscaped grounds.
Within the large interior garden was an extensive open area, slighly mounded to one side, its short soft grass perfect for picnics, drowsy naps or energetic katas. Clustered to one side was a series of whispering trees, just now catching the breeze of late afternoon. Along the Sanctuary's glimmering facades were gathered several miniature greenery-strewn spaces, set like bright living jewels upon the necklace of each building's curve.
It was clear that every landscaped area had a different purpose: a meditation space with serene lines and flowing water was tucked into the far corner; a scented blossom-filled haven close to the main building was saturated with the sound of insects and birds sipping the nectar of a thousand plants; a monochromatic garden felt serene in multi-hued blues and greens; a shrubbed maze led into a quiet contemplative space.
It was full of the Living Force, pulsing with it, exuding an incredible calm that Obi-Wan had not felt in many years. The Room of a Thousand Fountains had felt like this when he was young, eons past. He stood there, almost in shock, breathing in the sound and light and scent.
Mace came up quietly to him, respecting the moment. "It almost feels like home, like the Temple."
Obi-Wan breathed a small "Yes" and then his voice saddened. "Long ago. It is not like that now."
The response was gentle. "No, I suppose not."
Atel resisted the feel of the gardens, the rhythm of the living Force. Listening to both men, she grew impatient. The Temple had never felt like this in her memory; on Coruscant, it was sharper, more intense, filled with incredible pressure and breathless anticipation, not this green-soaked calm. Perhaps they were remembering a story or a memory of a memory, colored by time and distance that sweetens even the sourest of dregs. Besides, the only time she remembered any gentle oneness with the Force was during meditation with her Master.
She sighed, knowing that they must move on. At this rate, they would find out what they needed by the next century. Finally, she pointed to the second set of ornate doors and asked, "What's in this building?"
"A fair question, Padawan Sl'etah. Come this way," and with that, Mace opened the doors. Beyond, a long curving hallway could be seen with myriad openings lining the corridor. "Most of this building is devoted to education with classrooms on the first floor and living quarters above. A number of rooms are set aside for exercise and meditation as well. The buildings across the courtyard that you saw earlier are in sore need of repair but we do not require them as yet so they remain unoccupied."
Atel was persistent. "Master Windu, forgive me but this complex seems deserted. Where are the students?' Obi-Wan shot her a quelling look.
Mace turned away, sighing with apology, and began walking down the hall, the two Jedi hurrying to catch up. "Unfortunately, you have come at a most inopportune moment. The post-harvest semester break started a few days ago. Many of our students are either at home or on retreat with the Gungans at Otah Gunga. The teachers as well." He shrugged. "However, classes will begin again early next week. Perhaps if you are still here, we could give you a more comprehensive view of our school."
Kenobi exchanged a scathing look of disbelief with his Padawan. An inopportune moment, indeed. However, Obi-Wan was nothing if not polite. "Thank you. We will certainly consider it. In the meantime, we would like to see some of the classrooms."
"Of course. You may go anywhere you choose."
Nodding to Mace, Obi-Wan looked at the numerous doorways lining the space and randomly pointed. "This one, I think." Pulling the windowed door open, Obi-Wan found that the chamber within was overflowing with toys and games. Soft mats lined one side of the room and there were datapads and coloring tools scattered about. Clearly a child's classroom, it was brightly colored, filled with interesting bits and pieces meant to enchant a young one and, just as clearly, left in an unsettled state. His eyes flicked to Atel and back to Mace. As Kenobi moved to the window and started to look through the large untidy stack of drawings heaped on the desk, the Padawan began to quietly search the clutter at the back of the room.
"You must start teaching them very young."
Windu came up beside him, his senses acutely attuned to Atel's rambling explorations. "We have classes for all age groups, from toddlers through adult. There is also a small area for babies - sometimes the parents have duties and leave the young ones here for the day."
From across the space, Obi-Wan could feel Atel's interest. She had discovered something, hiding now in the fastness of her cloak. She continued to explore the room, however, as the two men played with the simple toys. Hoping to divert Windu's attention, Obi-Wan asked, "I can imagine what courses you teach the young ones. But what of the adults?"
As Mace began to talk, he moved towards the door. "Perhaps you would like to see some of our other facilities?" The Jedi followed him out into the hallway and started walking towards the far end. "Our school did not begin as such. When we first formed the Bendu group and it was discovered that many of us were former Jedi, we were approached by local groups for classes in self-defense. It had been a very difficult time for the Naboo people and the Trade Federation's invasion of this peaceful world acted as a wake-up call. The humans of this planet had no army and very few weapons." Mace shrugged. "The Gungans were better equipped but even they were devastated by the war. When the Neimodians were finally defeated, it was apparent that the Naboo people wanted to make sure that it would never happen again. Now, the planet has shielding based on Gungan technology, a sensor net for policing spaceship movement and training in battle strategies and self-defense for most of its citizens. Depending on the skill level, we now teach unarmed self-defense, knife, vibroblade and sword fighting, quarterstaff combat and blaster use."
"You consider those skills defensive?" Obi-Wan was concerned.
Mace's reply was sardonic. "Most people don't have the Force as their guide. They must use what they can. Some techniques, especially blaster targeting, are relatively simple to learn. We do emphasize stun settings for living beings but droids rarely go down with anything less than lethal."
Obi-Wan pulled open another door, peering briefly into a meditation chamber before moving on. "And the children?"
"Most of our students are children of the Bendu. Here they receive a full range of educational classes. That does include defense tactics and political thought as well as philosophy, maths, science, economics, agriculture and languages."
The next several classrooms were non-descript schoolrooms, typical of those found throughout the galaxy. As they approached the end of the corridor, Atel noticed a small knot of indigo-clad teenagers were gathered by the exit, intently talking.
Atel pointed to the whispering group at the far end of the hall. "Shouldn't they be on leave as well?"
A momentary grimace and then Windu's face smoothed into a neutral mask. "A number of older students stayed behind to help with reconstruction of the one of the buildings." Mace was clearly not happy to see them. "Do you wish to talk with them?"
"Yes, thank you." Kenobi nodded and quickly moved in their direction. The fivesome looked up at the movement, startled and began to whisper more rapidly. Then, at the rapid approach of the Jedi, the teens fell silent, waiting.
As Mace approached, the tallest of the gaggle stepped forward and bowed slightly. "I'm sorry, Master Windu. We did not realize that there were guests present."
"That's all right, Denn. This is Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padawan Sl'etah. I've just been showing them the Sanctuary." Windu's voice was tight, unnamed anxiety bleeding into the air.
At the alarming realization that his suspicions had been correct and these visitors were indeed Jedi, Denn Hanoth straightened up, staring at them, while his cohort's whispers cut into the silence. He looked at the Padawan intently, frowning as he recognized her. "Atel? Atel, what are you doing here?" His harsh words were not welcoming.
The apprentice, surprised, had begun to smile warmly at her old friend but faltered as she realized he was not happy to see her. "Denn? I...I could ask you the same thing. Why aren't you on Melida/Dann? Last I heard, you were with the Agri-Corps, helping to rebuild their agricultural system."
That brought a huff of annoyance. "Yeah, I was there. Til the damn Order...." Master Windu's hasty "Denn" stopped the young man's outburst cold. "Sorry, Master Windu." He turned to Atel, looking down for a moment and then apologizing. "Sorry, Padawan." Breathing deeply to calm his fraying nerves, he began again. "Last year, the Jedi Order saw fit to shut down the Agri-Corps program. Said it was costing them too much money to stay in business. Most of the crew returned to their homes. As Padawan Sl'etah knows, I have no family so I was left to my own devices."
Atel breathed a sorrowful "Oh, I didn't know" as she moved to stand beside him, touching his sleeve. He backed away, shaking his head, his mouth flat with disdain.
Kenobi was somber. "Denn, is it?" The young man nodded warily. "What do you mean, left to your own devices? Surely, they did not dismiss anyone under eighteen - the age of majority. That would be a violation of the Order's parental contracts."
"Jedi Kenobi, excuse me, but I don't know anything about that. All I know was that they called me in and told me to get out - that I was no longer needed and here was two weeks pay. Period. And for your information, at the time, I had just turned sixteen."
Atel's eyes grew wide as Obi-Wan asked gently, "How did you get here then?"
The young man shrugged. "Luckily, a Bendu champion was in the area. He heard about the dismissal somehow and was able to transport me and two others back to Naboo. We've been here ever since."
"It appears that the Force was with you."
A second annoyed huff was heard and echoed by the other teens in the hallway. His response was caustic. "Yeah, you could say that. All I know is that the Bendu have been wonderful through the whole thing. I've my own room, I get to go to classes at the school and I am doing useful work."
"So you would not want to go back to the Jedi Order."
Denn snorted derisively at that. "Not on your life. What, and get smacked down next time they have problems with credits? No, thank you." He turned to Mace. "If you don't mind Master, I think that we should be getting back to work."
Windu nodded. "That's fine. Let me know if you need anything."
The young man moved into the center of his group, as if for support and they began to move away. Atel called after her old friend, "Denn, may the Force be with you." But he said nothing, ignoring her and the teens disappeared through the corridor's end portal.
Kenobi turned to his apprentice. "How did you know Denn?"
Her eyes were dejected as she sighed, still looking at the door where the young man had exited. "I used to tutor him in maths at the Temple. He was such a sweet kid, lively and strong in the Force. I was sure that he would be chosen as a Padawan Learner." She shrugged, dejectedly. "We were on a mission when he was sent to the Agri-Corps so I never got a chance to say good-bye." She looked at Obi-Wan and then down at the beautifully-tiled floor, her sight blurring for a moment. "I really wanted to."
Obi-Wan brushed her shoulder, squeezing gently. "Padawan, he seems happy here."
Mace tersely interrupted. "Yes now, but it was not always so." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "Denn wasn't entirely truthful. We didn't find him right away. In fact, it took about six months before we were even aware that the Agricultural Corps had been shut down. When he was finally rescued, he was living on the streets, begging for food, stealing when necessary and doing other things that he is not particularly proud of in order to stay alive." Windu's eyes were hard as stone. "Actually, Denn is lucky that we found him and brought him back here. We were not able to save them all."
"What do you mean?" Kenobi sensed that he was not going to like the answer.
"Obi-Wan, the Sanctuary is not called that because it is a lovely word. We...all the Jedi forced to leave their home needed a refuge, a place from which we could defend our own." Mace's voice hardened with animosity, staring fiercely at the two Jedi. "We discovered very early on that those who are dismissed from the Order are being hunted down and killed. Many died in the early days of the first round of dismissals, not realizing the danger in following a solitary path. Now, we band together. But we cannot always get to them quickly enough and, sometimes, they die. Even the children, Obi-Wan. That's what the Jedi Order has become."
Kenobi stood there, bleakly silent, heartsore, remembering that his best friend Bant had been among the dead. Remorse washed through him and with it flared a deep sense of outrage at the Jedi Council. He thought **Surely, they should have done something, anything to save those who did not deserve that fate. Damn, how could they let children die?**
He knew that he could say nothing to Windu, not now, not with Atel staring at him. Lifting his misting eyes to meet those of Windu, he could only whisper, "I'm sorry."
Mace's jaw clenched for just a moment as he stared at the Jedi. The apology, however heartfelt, was not enough. Fleeting glimpses of anger and resignation raced across his visage as he sought to control his fury. He wanted to throttle the pair but it would do no good. The Jedi would just send new direwolves to hunt the Bendu. Finally, scowling, Mace looked at Obi-Wan. "Sorry....Kenobi? That is not enough. I want to know why the Order is doing nothing about these murders."
Obi-Wan shook his head slowly, the frown lines gouging his face. "I don't know. The deaths are not....common knowledge within the Temple."
"But you knew about them." Mace asserted, pressing hard.
"I found out only yesterday."
Windu's soft "Ah" was followed by edgy silence.
Finally, when it was clear that the Jedi had nothing further to say on the matter, Mace sighed, turning towards the exit. Walking in the quiet of unspoken animosity, they moved soundlessly through the connecting hallway into another building. Mace pointed down the length of the corridor, not looking at his companions, his words clipped. "This building houses the gymnasium, cafeteria and power plant. The center for infant care is also in this wing. Did you wish to see anything here or should we just go to meet with Shmi?"
"I would like to see the exercise facilities, please." Obi-Wan's voice was subdued, low. Denn's revelations still weighed heavily in his thoughts.
"Through here, then." Mace pushed a door open and swept his arm to indicate that the Jedi could enter.
Beyond the entrance was a large open area, floored in a golden wood, the sunlight streaming across and bathing the place in brilliant warmth. Scattered here and there were slight straight cuts in the flooring. One wall was lined with soft matting; the section near the door was filled with stacks of equipment for different training techniques. The opposite wall held ladders, oddly-placed railings and rings of all sizes. At the far end were the ever-present bleachers. Above, the large rings and bars could be lowered to any height but were currently securely tied to the rafters.
Windu stood by the door, waiting for the Jedi to make accusations. It did not take long.
The Padawan observed. "Very nice. Looks just like the Temple on Coruscant."
Mace bowed slightly, "Thank you. Sometimes, it is good to have familiar surroundings. It is comfortable."
"And I believe that the rings and railings in those configurations are exclusive to Force-users. Am I not correct?"
"Very good, Padawan." Windu said sarcastically. "Since there are a great many former Jedi at this facility, we thought it might be a good idea to have equipment that they could use. Keep up their skills, you know, just in case someone tries to murder them." The apprentice stepped back, chastised, glancing at her Master for support.
Obi-Wan interrupted, "Mace, I know that this is difficult for all of us." He paused, "Now, is this where the defense classes are taught?"
"Usually not. As I said earlier, there are rooms in the front building that are set up for the defense classes for non-Bendu. However, we do have demonstrations occasionally for the local community."
"And do these demonstrations include lightsaber fights?" Obi-Wan was staring hard at the Bendu champion.
Mace's face was grim. "Of course not, Knight Kenobi. Owning a lightsaber is forbidden to non-Jedi, as you well know. I believe that the Senate passed a regulation last year about it."
"Yes, I am sure that they did. Could you please explain the gouges in the floor then? They seem to be recent."
"We use vibrostaffs. That might cause them."
"They appear to be singed around the edges. I ask again. Are you using lightsabers?"
"No, we are not." Windu's voice was cold, sharp. "Look, Kenobi. We are well-aware of the regulations. We do use double-bladed staffs with the tips based on a similar technology to lightsabers." He looked directly at the Jedi Knight. "We were very careful to read the law in detail. We are not violating any mandate." He folded his arms, back stiff, legs straight, and prepared for an argument.
Obi-Wan could be just as stubborn. "I want to see one. Now."
Mace sighed in disgust and strode over to a small cabinet near the entrance. Reaching inside, the Bendu brought out a longish tube and tossed it to Kenobi. The cylinder's shape was vaguely similar to a lightsaber, thick enough to be easily held but stretched to accommodate two hands. However, its indigo-blue handle, beautifully carved with gold and silver trim, the dark blue grips and various attachments made it obvious that this was not a Jedi's weapon. Obi-Wan carefully flipped on the switch and two glowing lines of turquoise light extended, the familiar saber hum filling the air. The balance of the staff was perfect.
Kenobi twirled the blades, noting the superior defense tactics that could be used with such a weapon and also realized its weakness. It could cut both ways. Only an extremely skilled Force-user could utilize this staff without serious injury to themselves. He shut off the pike and tossed it back to Windu.
"You appear to be correct, Master Windu. It is not a lightsaber." Mace bowed slightly, his face stony. Atel began to step forward, intent on objecting to her Master's statements but Obi-Wan sent her a forbidding glance and she was silent.
"I would like to see Shmi Skywalker now, if you would be so kind. I believe that we have kept her waiting long enough."
Chapter 12
The west garden was tucked into a corner near the gymnasium, hidden from prying eyes. Meadow flowers, in riotous hues, grew in abundance. Glowing in vibrant tones of amethyst, topaz and ruby, the blossoms flowed tumultuously over the small stone path that meandered through the space; a soft afternoon breeze teased them into a gentle dance amongst the greenery. In the center of all this beauty, a wide granite bench held a single individual.
Seated there, eyes closed and head tilted to catch the last of the afternoon's golden sunlight, was an older woman. In her mid-fifties, she had once been lovely. Now, framed in dark-brown hair that was liberally streaked with grey, her face seemed tired and careworn. Dressed in turquoise tunic and indigo leggings, a shawl of aqua and azure draped over her slight shoulders, she waited silently among the scented blossoms.
Obi-Wan looked at her for a moment, thinking of what he must ask her, hoping for some answers to unsettling questions. As he began to move forward however, Mace abruptly stepped in front of him, stubbornly blocking his way. "I have something to say before I introduce you, Kenobi." Obi-Wan shifted back, bowing his head, silently signaling the Bendu to continue.
"I know why you are here." Bending down slightly to catch the Knight's startled eyes with his own, Mace's deep voice was harsh, caustic. "I know what or rather whom you want. I do not approve but I have cooperated because I must."
Rising up, back now ramrod straight, Mace crossed his arms and glared at the Jedi. "Qui-Gon is his own man and makes his own decisions. I can do nothing about his actions or how they are perceived by others." He paused, his mouth flat with defiance. "However, Shmi Skywalker is under Bendu protection. You are not to harass her. Ask her what you must but...I will stop any questioning that I feel is unwarranted. Do you understand?"
Kenobi began to protest. "Master Windu, I am here for answers."
Each word was distinctly spoken. "Do...you...understand?"
"I hope you realize that this could be construed as interference with the duty of a Republic representative." Mace just stood there, silent and Obi-Wan huffed in annoyance. "Very well. I will keep the questions appropriate to my investigation. Will that satisfy you?"
The Bendu nodded stiffly to the Jedi and then strode forward. "Shmi..." She opened her eyes and stood, smiling as Mace came close. "I would like to introduce two visitors to our Sanctuary. This is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight and his Padawan Learner, Atel Sl'etah." Her smile faltered as she turned toward them, looking slightly apprehensive. "They are here from Coruscant, representing the Senate and the Republic, under the auspices of Jedi Order. They would like to ask you a few questions." Her eyes flickered towards Mace for an instant as though seeking support. He continued gently. "Please answer all their concerns with the truth, as I am sure you would. I will be nearby if you need me."
Mace moved to the edge of the small garden and stood there, arms crossed, staring resolutely at the two Jedi. Obi-Wan turned back to the dark-haired woman. "Please sit, Mistress Skywalker." With Atel at his right shoulder, he sat next to Shmi, her "Thank you" quietly spoken.
Hoping to relieve her unmistakable anxiety a bit, he said softly, "I met an Anakin Skywalker the other day. Do you know him?"
Shmi smiled tentatively at that but her eyes were sparkling with pride. "Yes, Anakin is my son. He is currently apprenticed to Master Jinn."
Acknowledging her words, Obi-Wan replied, "Yes, it seems to be working out well for them both." He paused for a moment. "You are from Tatooine, I believe."
The reply was more guarded. "Yes, I wasn't born on Tatooine although Ani was but we lived there for quite a few years."
"And you moved to Naboo about eight years ago. That must have been quite a change." As she nodded once, he continued, "Did Master Jinn bring you here from Tatooine?"
Her soft "Yes" prompted Obi-Wan to ask, "Any reason for leaving your home of many years?"
Shmi drew back, unsure if she should be alarmed or laugh at the ludicrous statement. "I was glad to leave. I missed Anakin and the prospect of living free was....welcome."
"Free? Weren't you free, Mistress Skywalker?"
The question came out sharper than he had intended and her vulnerable eyes widened in concern. She hesitated, unsure of what he wanted, uncertain about what she should say. "I....no, Jedi Kenobi, I was not free." He waited patiently, silently for her to continue. "I was a slave."
Kenobi nodded slowly, understanding her plight. "That must have been difficult for you."
She breathed softly, her reply almost unheard. "You have no idea."
"Was Anakin a slave as well?"
She looked down at her lap, her hands tightly clasped together, whitened knuckles betraying her apprehension. "Yes, Jedi Kenobi. He was."
"Did Master Jinn bring you both back?" Obi-Wan began pressing the point; he needed answers and she knew something. He could feel it, sense it through the Force.
"Yes...yes, he did."
"How did he do that? Did he purchase you?" She glanced up, seemingly frightened, and quickly shook her head. "How did you get here, then? You know that it is illegal to own slaves in the Republic." Shmi's anxious eyes grew wide and they flicked once to Mace and back again to Kenobi. "If Qui-Gon Jinn bought you and transported you here, he would have committed a crime, a serious crime with severe penalties." Obi-Wan leaned in close, whispering as softly as though he were sharing a secret. "If Master Jinn owns you now, we would arrest him and set you free." Her eyes grew huge in the afternoon light, then began to shake her head as the implications of his words sunk in. Voice husky and low, he continued. "Are you still a slave? Is Anakin?"
Shmi drew back, frowning, bewildered as she searched Kenobi's face for contradiction or trickery. "No, no, you misunderstand. I am free and so is Ani." Her sudden movement loosened the shawl, pooling it around her waist. Her fingers scrabbled about, grasping the edge of the fabric and pulling it tightly about her as if suddenly cold. "Qui-Gon Jinn is a wonderful man. How could you even think such things about him? He rescued us both from that awful place."
"How then did he do that? It is illegal to buy slaves if you are a Republic citizen, even while outside the Republic."
She hesitated at that, trying to think it through. "Even if it is to set them free?"
"Yes, even then." Deep shame briefly flickered across Kenobi's face. "The Republic's laws are quite specific on this issue."
Her mouth flattened with remembered sorrows. "How then can you rescue living beings from their bondage?"
"I don't know but buying sentients is strictly forbidden. I'm sorry." It was softy spoken, his regret evident.
Shmi sat up, staring at the Knight, her wrap tightening as she folded her arms, the barrier between them obvious. Her words were harsh but sincerely spoken. "And so instead slaves continue to live in degradation and pain, fearing for their very lives. All because the Republic cannot be bothered to help those who are powerless. This is not right or just."
The Jedi Knight looked away, contrite. "No, but it is the law."
"Then that foolish law needs to be changed."
Glancing back at her, Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully. "I agree." He drew in a long, deep breath, and returned to his questioning. "Mistress Skywalker, you still haven't told me how Jinn rescued you."
She breathed out the long sound of resignation, conceding his point. "Anakin's freedom came first." She smiled briefly at the warm memory. "When Master Qui-Gon and Queen Amidala landed on Tatooine almost ten years ago, they needed to repair their ship. As part of a desperate gamble, they bet our owner, Wattoo, that Ani would win the Boonta Eve podrace. If he did, they would get the parts they needed and my Master would get the remainder of the winner's purse. If the race was lost, the Queen's ship would be his. So you see, either way, that Toydarian would win." She shrugged as though the outcome had been obvious. "Of course, he agreed. What we didn't know at the time was that Master Jinn had also bet the podracer against Ani's freedom. Luck was with us all that day. When the race was over, Queen Amidala had a repaired ship and my Ani was free." It was a sweet remembrance. "He left with Master Jinn to start a new life."
Kenobi recognized that there was more to the tale. "My lady, I am confused. Naboo was in the midst of an invasion at that time. You let your son go with a stranger into a war zone?"
Her denial was sharp and rapid. "No, no....Master Jinn took my Ani with him to Coruscant. The Queen was on her way to the Senate to plead for aid and Master Qui-Gon was part of her security team. He had hoped that the Jedi Order would take Anakin in. My son is strong in the Force....Master Jinn says very strong and he had thought that the Jedi would be happy to receive such a candidate for instruction." She hesitated, carefully watching the Knight as she continued. "Of course, then he still believed in the Order, still....still thought there was hope at the Temple."
"What happened?" Obi-Wan could guess at the outcome but he needed to hear it for himself.
"The Jedi Council wouldn't see him. They...they wouldn't even let him inside the Temple at all, met him on the front steps with armed guards and told him never to return. He tried to reason with them, to tell them of Anakin's Force presence, but they would not listen, merely turned away, and closed the doors in Master Jinn's face."
His "Ah" was laced with regret and remorse. He could envision it far too well.
She glanced at him, concerned that she had said too much, revealed too much of Master Qui-Gon's past to this unsettling Jedi. "Ani told me about it. Master Jinn never said a word."
"No, he wouldn't."
Kenobi's bittersweet response seemed odd to Shmi. "Did you know him...before? At the Temple?"
Glancing away, Obi-Wan stared unseeing out over the garden, its colors now dulled in the lengthening shadows of late afternoon. Finally he nodded. "Yes, I knew him very well. I was his Padawan, his apprentice, for many years."
"But you are investigating him...oh." The one word said all that needed to be said.
The Knight was still, unmoving for so long a time that Shmi was beginning to wonder if the interview was over. At last, Obi-Wan shook himself free of whatever melancholy thoughts plagued him and turned back toward the older woman.
"And you remained behind on Tatooine." She shrugged again. "How then were you set free?"
"A year and a half later, Master Jinn came back. My Master had had quite a bit of bad luck and was deeply in debt. Gambling had finally overcome his good sense and he had lost almost everything. Master Qui-Gon told Wattoo that he would buy the store on one condition - that any slaves he owned were to be emancipated before the sale was completed." Her slight grin was sardonic. "The Toydarian didn't want to do it, protested vehemently, but, in the end, he had little choice. I and one other were released. Master Jinn now owns the business and..." She chuckled lightly. "Wattoo is still there, running the shop. Quite a step down, don't you think?"
Kenobi nodded. "And very cleverly done, too. Slaves were freed before any money changed hands." His green eyes lit in pleasure for a moment, immense satisfaction in his voice. "The law avoided and justice served. Well played, Master Qui-Gon."
His apprentice shifted slightly beside him although she said nothing. It was not a Padawan's place to chastise her Master in public. But her stiff silence spoke volumes about Atel's disapproval of the ingenious underhanded way that Master Jinn had avoided the rulings of law. Obi-Wan could only admire his former Master's deft touch. She did not.
The Knight turned back towards Shmi. "And what about the other slaves he has been bringing back to Naboo?"
Shmi Skywalker looked abruptly afraid, the bones in both hands standing out sharply as she grasped the shawl ever closer; the fabric threatened to tear with the strength of her unease. Glancing imploringly at Windu for an instant, she tried to bury her thoughts from this intrusive Jedi as she lowered her gaze to the gravel path before her. Her voice was thready and hesitant as she replied, "Knight Kenobi, I don't know what you mean."
"I believe that you do." He looked at her, hard. "Jinn has been transporting slaves here from Tatooine and Ryloth. Why?"
"Are you sure?" It was clear that she was hiding something or protecting someone; the quavering voice and skittish movement of her hands gave Shmi away.
"Mistress Skywalker, Jinn has brought over two hundred 'passengers' to Naboo in the last several years. They disappear after reaching the spaceport. Of course they are slaves."
"You could be....mistaken." Her reluctant response was just above a whisper.
"No." Kenobi's retort was blunt, clear-cut. "He's transporting slaves and you know something about it. What is he doing with them?"
"I don't know what you want me to say." Shmi moved restlessly, keeping her head down while she glanced surreptitiously at the Knight. Her expressive fingers, busy with anxiety, began to shred the fine threads of her azure shawl.
He leaned forward, intent on getting some answers. His flat voice insisted, "The truth, I want the truth. Is he running a slavery ring? Is he selling them off-world or to a broker?"
This was not what she had expected him to say. Her startled eyes shot up to meet his, bleak astonishment in her bewildered face. "You...think..."
"You realize, of course, that if he is running a slaver ring and you know something, you would be considered just as guilty if you didn't turn him in."
"How could you think such a thing?" Her voice frosted, contempt bleeding past her resolve to hide the truth from these Republic spies.
"I have evidence that he is funneling slaves through Naboo. Is he selling them?"
Shmi stood up abruptly, shaking with indignation. "You have no idea what Qui-Gon is doing." The soft demeanor had turned glacially cold and fiercely protective. "He is a compassionate man. You knew him for years and you could think this of him?" She scowled at the Knight, her face carved in ice. "What do they teach you at that Temple of yours?"
Obi-Wan rose also, moving in closer. "If he's not selling them, what is he doing with the slaves?" He pressed forward, his stormy eyes boring into hers, the slightest touch of Force persuasion in his desperate voice. He must know the truth, for all their sakes. "Tell me."
"I...." She stepped back, shaking her head.
So intent was the Knight on getting to the bottom of this mystery that he did not notice Mace's indignant approach nor did he note Atel's tenacious tug on his ragged sleeve. Then, abruptly, Windu was there between them, his dark eyes flashing, hands clenched by his side. "That's enough, Kenobi."
Obi-Wan shook his head in frustration as he stared at the Bendu. "No, I need answers. I will have them."
"Not from her." Mace gazed at the woman standing there so still, her cloth mantle slowly shredding under her frantic grip, her eyes wide with anxiety. Gentling his voice, he smiled reassuringly at her. "Thank you, Shmi. Why don't you go back to your duties? I will take care of this."
Kenobi began to protest but he could see that Mace was adamant, his resolve set in duracrete. He would get no further here. "Very well, then. I'm sure that you will be able to give me the answers I seek." He turned to her and bowed slightly. "Mistress Skywalker, please accept my apologies for any inconvenience or distress I may have caused. You have been most cooperative and given me much to think on. I thank you."
Mace squeezed Shmi's shoulder in silent understanding, then watched her go as she scurried away. The scorching glare that the Jedi received could have melted Hoth but then the Bendu turned and stalked quickly away, muttering, "Follow me." His path, arrow-straight through the gardens and wide grassy spaces, led toward the front building.
Obi-Wan called after him, "I will find the truth."
Windu stopped at that, folding his arms and huffing in annoyance, his demeanor stiff, dark eyes glittering. When the Jedi reached him, he replied, "Really, Kenobi? By browbeating some poor woman?" He scowled for a moment, then made a visible effort to restrain his vexation. Finally, with a deep sigh, he said, "I will answer any questions that I can. Why don't we go to my office and continue this discussion there?"
"I have a better idea. Why don't we go to Qui-Gon Jinn's office?" Mace sent Obi-Wan an indignant look and reluctantly nodded.
"If you insist."
The rest of the time was spent in uneasy silence.
The room that Mace indicated as Jinn's office was surprisingly small, especially for one of Qui-Gon's stature. Just large enough for a desk with chair, dataport, another seat for guests, a minuscule table, and a couple of storage cabinets, to Obi-Wan, it seemed almost claustrophobic with three people jammed into the tiny space. Its one saving grace was the exceptionally large window that looked out over the interior gardens but even the view was partially obscured by several plants clustered on one side of the windowsill. The walls were covered with maps, memorabilia collected from past travels and drawings. The artistic works appeared to be done by a very young craftsman but were lovingly posted opposite the desk, easily viewed by the occupant.
Obi-Wan was incredulous. "This is his office??"
Windu chuckled lightly at that. "I told you we would be better off going elsewhere. Besides, he rarely uses this space other than for storage."
"I would have thought..."
Mace shrugged. "Qui-Gon said that the larger spaces should go to others more in need of it. You know how he is. Besides, he seems to like it well enough."
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan sat down at the desk, indicating that Mace should occupy the other seat. Atel, with a nod to her Master, began to look through the cabinets. Kenobi reached out past several rock samples to the silvered visual cube next to the dataport. As he touched it lightly, every few seconds it cycled through a display of tiny 3-D images of the people most important in Qui-Gon's life - Le'orath, Ben and Anakin but, surprisingly, there were others as well including Travst, Qui-Gon's first Padawan and several of Obi-Wan himself. His mouth went dry as the images flowed by, bringing up treasured memories of days long ago.
**Damn.** Kenobi moved quickly, pressing the cube again, shutting it off. He needed no more reminders of what he was doing here; the bitter taste of his own treachery seemed ever-present now. Mace watched him, a slight look of smug satisfaction in his dark eyes.
Annoyed that the former Jedi Master had seen his discomfort, Obi-Wan busied himself, pushing data crystals into the computer's port, and began to download its memory for later perusal. Satisfied that the information was flowing smoothly, he turned to the Bendu.
"You said that you would answer my questions."
"Ask what you wish. I will try and respond as best I can."
"Good." Obi-Wan paused, "What can you tell me about Master Jinn's visits to Telos?"
"Telos?? He hasn't been there in years." Taken aback, the look on Mace's face was one of bewilderment and surprise. "I would have thought that you'd..." He stopped and looked hard at Kenobi. "Telos? As far as I know, the last time he visited that planet was with you over twenty years ago. Why do you ask about that?"
"I have reason to believe that he has been to the Telosian system several times in the last year."
"That's odd. Are you sure?" Windu frowned, thinking intently. "It takes a minimum of seven days travel in hyperspace to get there and back and I don't remember Qui-Gon being away from Naboo for that long this past year. It is quite a distance from here, across the galaxy if I remember correctly, and we have been busy enough with this part of space. Why do you think he went there?"
"I have records that indicate he was in negotiations with the mining consortium. With Offworld."
Mace did something quite unexpected. He gave a great bark of laughter. "Really, Kenobi. That is ridiculous. You, of all people, should know how he feels about Offworld. He's sooner cut his own throat than have any dealings with that group of gangsters." His dark eyes grew speculative. "I suggest that you check your sources. It is just not possible."
"I have the Telosian and Naboo flight records and his tax returns which list Offworld as one of Jinn's holdings."
"Well, I think that you need to examine them again. I am positive that Qui-Gon would have nothing to do with a consortium known for its double-dealing and criminal methods."
"I plan on doing just that once I return to Coruscant. However, my information seems quite complete."
"May I see these records?"
From the corner of the room, the rustling of flimsiplast ceased as Atel waited for her Master's reply. That data was confidential and not to be shared with potential criminals. She knew that the Jedi Council would not appreciate any breach of protocol, especially in this matter. Breathless with apprehension, unsure of his response, she caught Obi-Wan's grey eyes and gave a slight shake of her head. /*Please don't, Master.*/ was her frantic plea. /*It's against the Codes of Behavior. You know this.*/
She relaxed slightly as he stared back at her and nodded slowly. /*Yes, Padawan, I do know.*/ Then, he brought out his datapad and began scanning through several screens. Finally able to access the flight information, he handed the glowing pad over to Mace. "These are the take-off and return dates for Jinn's flights to Telos in the past year."
Atel's growl of frustration could be easily heard. /*Master, what are you doing?*/
His reply through the Force was simple and straightforward. /*What I must, Padawan.*/ Aloud, he inquired mildly, "Have you found anything of interest, Atel?"
She shook her head, incensed, but her voice revealed nothing of her inner turmoil. "No, Master, not yet."
"Keep looking."
Her nod was jerky, her eyes glistening with annoyance. Atel turned back toward her investigation, and, if the sounds coming from the search of the cabinets and clutter on the table were louder than before, Obi-Wan chose to ignore them.
Windu had felt the Force flutters of mind-speech between the pair but he wisely remained silent through this exchange. Apparently, all was not well between the two Jedi but that was none of his business. Instead, he turned back towards the datapad, closely perusing the information.
Mace frowned suddenly. "Obi-Wan, I cannot tell you where he was for all of these but this first so-called trip occurred during Ben's birthday celebration. Half the town was there and so was Qui-Gon. It was quite a party, as I remember." He snickered briefly at that. "I'm sure that there are several sources that you could access that would account for Qui-Gon's whereabouts during the festivities. Or ask the Governor or any of his staff. They were all there with their children."
Mace scrutinized the information further. "The third set of dates, he and I were on Melida/Daan on business...the Naboo flight records will show that we returned in the middle of this 'trip' to Telos. If you wish, you can access the records here."
"Thank you but we already have the flight logs. I will cross-check the dates when I have some time this evening."
"I cannot tell you about the other dates at the moment. I don't keep track of Qui-Gon every minute. That's really up to Le'orath." He chuckled at his own poor attempt at humor but the two Jedi just stared at him. "I do know that such a large time spent in transit should have been noticed by the staff since Jinn comes to the Sanctuary on a regular basis to teach. Do you want me to inquire further?"
"Not at the moment. As I said, I will check the dates between the two sets of flight information and see if there are any other anomalies."
Mace shrugged. "Fine by me. And why are you so interested in Qui-Gon and Telos? It has to be more than just buying mines from Offworld."
Atel crouched by the cabinet, rummaging through the files, plast sheets piled on the floor, and pointedly ignored her Master's response. He wouldn't listen anyway. But Obi-Wan had no intention of telling Windu about the Force manipulation or the murders, in any case.
"I'm sorry but that is confidential." Atel breathed a silent sigh of relief and returned to her hunt.
The Bendu merely sat there, waiting patiently for the next strike. It wasn't long in coming.
"Perhaps you might clear up another mystery for me then, Master Windu." Silent, his earth-colored eyes flickering back and forth between the two Jedi, Mace nodded regally. "Qui-Gon Jinn has been to Tatooine and Ryloth on a number of occasions. Whenever he returns, he has a shipful of passengers."
"So, is that illegal in the Republic, to transport beings from one planet to another?" The deep voice of the Bendu was playful, the barest flicker of buried deceit coloring his words and the Force before Mace's shields became impenetrable. Obi-Wan's smoky eyes sharpened, trying to discern just what was going on.
"They disappear upon entering Naboo territory. That is very odd, is it not?"
Mace held up his hands, spreading them wide in a gesture of impatience. "Is that Qui-Gon's fault? So they disappear. Perhaps they are tourists out for a little fun and do not wish to be disturbed."
"They never leave this planet, at least under their own name."
The Bendu shrugged, seemingly indifferent. "That is not my concern."
"It should be." Obi-Wan's face hardened, voice dagger sharp. "I ask you again. Who are the passengers that come from Tatooine and Ryloth? Those places are rife with slavery and drugs. "
"I cannot say. Qui-Gon will have the answers you seek. Ask him when you see him next."
"But I am here and I am asking you." Kenobi waited a few tense moments, probing the Force for some clue as to Windu's level of subterfuge. Then, when nothing was forthcoming, he began to evaluate aloud. "There are only three likely possibilities for disappearing passengers from slave-holding planets. One, they are indeed tourists bent on having a good time. This is highly unlikely. Too many have disappeared. " Windu's face was stony, blank, no emotion or thought seeping through the stoic visage.
Obi-Wan paused dramatically. "Two, Qui-Gon Jinn is running a slavery ring. A few people have indicated that this is indeed the case and there is much to be said for such a scenario." Obi-Wan paused in distaste, watching Mace's eyes begin to glitter with disgust. "Slavery, while illegal in the Republic, is highly lucrative. There are few expenses, and, if the security forces can be persuaded to ignore the trade, the slaver is not likely to be caught. In addition, Naboo is ideally situated since it is close to the center of the slave markets."
Kenobi leaned forward, his hands splayed across the inlaid desk. "Again, it is highly unlikely." Atel's movements stilled, as she listened closely to her Master. "I cannot believe for a moment that Qui-Gon Jinn would ever deal in slaves. It is not in his character." His Padawan started to protest but he sent her a penetrating look, quelling any protest. "Mace, you and I have known him for many years. To profit by the suffering of others? No, not possible. He was always one to rescue a lost soul, not cause it to cringe in fear."
"Besides, I cannot believe that a people so adamant about the abolition of slavery would allow anyone, even a hero of Naboo, to run a slavery ring right under the noses of the security forces. No, the third possibility is the only likely one."
Windu sat there, mouth flat, eyes hard, and did not ask for clarification. That was enough to confirm Obi-Wan's conclusion. "Three, Qui-Gon Jinn is helping runaway slaves to escape into the Republic, hiding them here at the Sanctuary until they can be safely transported deeper into the Core regions - giving them new identities, perhaps training them to deal with their situations and allowing them to hope for a better life."
A moment later, Mace began shaking his head. "Obi-Wan, you are jumping to conclusions again." He took a deep, cleansing breath. "You know that it is illegal to help runaway slaves and the punishment is quite severe - two years in a penal colony for each offense. The Republic passed laws several years ago on this very issue." He looked straight at the Knight, Windu's brown eyes stark in censure. "They have Senate-approved bounty hunters to capture those fleeing bondage - and to arrest anyone helping them."
"I know that Qui-Gon Jinn would not let slaves suffer in silence if he could do anything to help." Obi-Wan leaned forward. "I remember him trying desperately to free slaves legally on several occasions. The Jedi Order was honor-bound to follow the dictates of the Senate." Kenobi blew out an annoyed sound of disbelief. "And they refused to help. Instead, the first Slave Act was passed, making it almost impossible to free the enslaved ones outside the Republic. Politics and profit again.... I remember Qui-Gon railed for weeks about it until finally the Council made it quite clear that he was to do nothing. Or else." Obi-Wan spread his hands wide. "He agreed out of a sense of duty but it always hurt him immeasurably whenever he could not legally help those in need."
He drew closer to Mace, capturing his eyes, holding them hostage. "The Qui-Gon Jinn I knew would be funneling runaway slaves to freedom, not selling them for a profit. And I cannot believe that my old Master could have changed that much."
Windu looked away, clearing his throat. He said nothing for several moments. " Many things have happened over the years. People change..."
Obi-Wan shook his head and said clearly, distinctly. "Not that much."
Mace drew back and dismissed the Knight's conjectures with a wave of his hand. "Your evidence is strictly circumstantial. You will need more proof than speculation to net a slaver or even someone helping runaways."
"And what about your part in all this?"
"My part?" The Bendu was startled, apprehensive.
"Yes, you have traveled with Jinn on a number of occasions to Tatooine and Ryloth. What were you doing there?"
Mace snickered at that. "Selling ice." Kenobi looked at him with disbelief. "I make a huge profit just by distributing clean frozen water to the Tatooine businesses - it's compact and cold, perfect for selling in a hot, dry desert. And Ryloth...well Ryloth has trouble raising crops; here we have an excess. Again an enormous profit item." He shrugged. "Sometimes, my ship comes back full of gems and craft items. Naboo has a long artistic tradition and welcomes new ideas."
Pausing, the Bendu raised his hand to forestall any further inquiries about slaves. "And yes, sometimes I also carry passengers. I ask no questions about their private lives and they tell me nothing as well. As long as they are disease free, Naboo welcomes tourists and potential settlers. If they disappear when they leave my ship, it's not my concern."
"But..."
"It's not my affair and I don't believe you could prove otherwise." With that, Mace leaned back, his long legs stretched out and folded his arms, waiting silently. It was clear that this topic was closed.
Kenobi was not pleased with this turn of events but Windu was correct. He didn't have absolute proof and, unless he could muster the data necessary or get a confession of guilt, there was little he could do. He turned back towards the desk, gathering up and securing the now-filled data crystals in his beltpouch and then began to rummage through the drawers, hoping to find evidence of Jinn's activities.
Atel had finished her search. She had discovered nothing of interest and leaning back on the edge of the table, watched the Bendu sitting there smugly serene. She reached into the fastness of her threadbare cloak and pulled out a round silvered ball. Smiling, she placed it before Mace and asked, "Master Windu, perhaps you could tell me what this is."
The Bendu straightened and reached for the globe, looking at Kenobi for permission. When the nod came, Mace grasped it and began tossing the ball from hand to hand. "Why, Padawan, you know perfectly well what it is. A children's toy. What of it?"
"It's a mental maze, " said the apprentice. Windu's brown eyes gleamed with amusement as he acknowledged her words. She continued, "A toy, useful only to Force users. A training tool for manipulation and control."
"And your point is...." One dark eyebrow came up in a gesture of glib inquiry as the former Jedi tossed the ball skyward and caught it when gravity took over.
"Why are you training Force-sensitive children? They should have been sent to the Temple."
"And why would I want to do that?" Mace was beginning to enjoy this far too much.
"For proper guidance in the use of the Force, why else?" Her response was flat, indignant.
He chuckled at that. "My dear Atel, you forget that we have the finest teachers here, not on Coruscant. The Jedi Order has seen fit to discard their best and brightest - educators, philosophers, pilots, farmers and rebels. We give them a new home and a new purpose. I'm sorry that you do not see that."
"And the children?" The Padawan was frowning deeply.
The silvered globe stilled in his hand. "We will raise them as we see fit. They are the children of the Bendu, our own young ones. They do not belong to the Jedi nor will they."
"Your children?" She seemed quite surprised.
"Of course. I mentioned that very fact earlier if you remember - when we were talking about the school. Why, do you think Qui-Gon was the only one to get married and raise a family?" His eyes twinkled with suppressed mirth. "We are not the Jedi Order. There is no forbidden attachment here. Adi and I have two daughters, strong in the Force; many other former Jedi have children as well."
"And you think that the Order will stand for this?"
"They can do nothing about it. There is no law at present compelling parents of Force-sensitive children to send them to the Jedi. And if they passed such an absurd law, they would have a very large fight on their hands. No parent would stand for it, Bendu or not." Mace was staring straight at Obi-Wan when he finished speaking, his brown eyes challenging the Knight's own grey ones to disagree. But Kenobi said nothing. He knew that Windu was right.
"But you are teaching them how to use the Force, " protested Atel, her violet eyes whirling with disbelief.
"Of course." Windu said smoothly. "We need to guide them on the correct path. Teaching our children to use their talents wisely and well is paramount to their following the ways of the Light." He leaned forward, looking at her with challenge in his gaze. "Surely, you are not suggesting that we let our young ones flounder about and try to use their Force gifts without proper training, do you?" As she frowned, thinking of how to respond, he relaxed back into his chair. "That would not be wise. That avenue could lead to Darkness."
"The Jedi should be training them, not you." Her flat condemnation of his words was absolute.
Mace spoke with patience, his hands still cupping the reflective ball as though protecting a priceless treasure. "Padawan Sl'etah, the Jedi do not own the Force. They cannot keep it locked away in a box or given away as a bribe to those deemed worthy by the Order. It is not something to be manipulated or controlled by the Jedi or by any other group...even our own." His brown eyes held her own violet ones and she could not look away. "You have your mandates, your weaponry and your rules within the Order. We do not dispute this nor do the Bendu wish to challenge the Jedi's place in the Republic." Mace paused, trying to make her understand. "But the Force goes far beyond the Temple, beyond the Republic, certainly beyond Naboo." He shook his head. "We will not cripple our own for your peace of mind."
He rose smoothly to his feet. "Now, Knight Kenobi and Padawan Sl'etah, if there is nothing else, I have other duties that need my attention."
Obi-Wan motioned for him to be seated once more. "I have not quite finished my examination of Qui-Gon's office. It will be but a few moments and then we will take no more of your time, Master Windu."
With a slight growl of annoyance, Mace dropped back down onto the chair and closed his eyes, still holding the toy. They would be finished soon enough and gone. Hopefully, there would be no need for any sacrifice, no matter what the misguided and ever stubborn Qui-Gon Jinn insisted on doing. He began to drift, waiting for their departure, when he heard the brief snick of an opening lock. He glanced around and noticed that Obi-Wan was on the floor, reaching up under the desk while Atel stood by, her small frame quivering in anticipation. Mace drew his hand across his forehead, covering his dark eyes for a moment and thought of his foolish friend. **Blast, Qui-Gon, what have you done now?**
It did not take long to find out. First one lightsaber was pulled from the hidden compartment below the desk, and then a second and a third. Each was unique, but clearly a mixture of Jedi and Bendu design - the crafted weaponry sat there gleaming, the sleek dark-blue and silver trim an eloquent and obvious condemnation of Qui-Gon Jinn.
Obi-Wan leaned forward, both hands on the desk, his stormy eyes boring down on an astonished Mace. Lowering his voice to emphasize the gravity of the situation, the Jedi asked distinctly, "What are these doing here, Master Windu?"
The former Jedi whispered, "I have no idea." His eyes never left the three sabers sitting there in the darkening room. One mahogany hand started to reach for the silver tubes but halted midway, instead falling to the desk edge and gripping tightly.
The Padawan tried to interject with an excited, "Master, these are just the evidence...." but Kenobi silenced her with a razored glance. Mace locked his gaze with Obi-Wan's, regret and deep sorrow whispering through the Force before his shields set into duracrete once more. It was clear that Windu had not known about the lightsabers in Jinn's office.
There was nothing more to be said. The Knight gathered the sabers, dumping them into his Padawan's eager hands and, leaning over, gently pried the now-forgotten silvered toy from Windu's lax grip. Obi-Wan bowed to the Bendu Champion and, moving past him, opened the door. Atel was first into the hallway, starting to walk quickly towards the exit as though afraid Windu would snatch the evidence from her zealous fingertips.
Kenobi started to follow her but was held back by strong hands gripping his threadbare cloak. "Don't do this to him," Mace pleaded quietly. "Obi-Wan, please. He is a foolish old man who has made a new life, a better life for himself. Don't take that away."
Obi-Wan's heavy murmur of regret ghosted in the air, quiet, desperate. "What would you have me do, Mace? I cannot ignore this, I cannot ignore all of the evidence that tells me that more is going on here than a fine teaching school or that it is a harbor for runaways." His grey eyes were liquid with sorrow. "I cannot wish away the sabers, either."
Obi-Wan looked down at the marbled floor, whispering. "Tell me a way to explain this to the Council and I will." He reached for Mace's hand, fisted in the Jedi's ragged cloak and covered it with his own. "Tell me that I am wrong, that all of it is wrong." Squeezing tightly for a moment, he let his hand fall uselessly by his side. "I don't want to do this any more than you. Tell me that I am wrong."
The Bendu stepped back, releasing the fraying cloth, and said nothing. After a long moment, Kenobi nodded and turned to go.
"Obi-Wan, what will you do now?"
He should have ignored the question but he could not. "Code dictates that I contact the Jedi Council and apprise them of the situation. They will decide what is required. It is unlikely that they will overlook the evidence I have and you know what the consequences are." Mace nodded unhappily.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath and decided to do something exceptionally foolish, something that could get him punished or worse. But it didn't matter. Qui-Gon's life was at stake here. "Mace, I will be contacting the Council tonight but I won't be doing anything else before morning."
The Bendu blinked in surprise, sharply studying the Knight, understanding the meaning behind his words, and decided to meet trust for trust. "He won't run, Obi-Wan. You know how he is. Once he has decided on a course of action, an exploding nova couldn't divert him."
Kenobi looked away, nodding once in agreement. Despair colored his quiet reply. "I know. I'm truly sorry."
Mace's brown eyes glistened with unshed sorrow. "So am I."
The Jedi turned to go but hesitated. He looked down, unable to meet the somber mahogany face gazing back at him. "One more thing. I know that it is not possible now but I would still like to know."
Mace waited patiently. "Yes?"
"Do you...have you accepted Knights that leave the Jedi voluntarily?"
The Bendu was taken aback; this was completely unexpected but then he nodded slowly. Mace understood just what was being asked. "We accept all those who walk in the Light...even Jedi Knights who have only done their duty."
Dull grey eyes flashed upward, meeting the compassion reflected there. Kenobi bowed slightly and said. "Thank you, Master Windu. I take my leave. May the Force be with you."
Mace looked at the Knight, standing there so solemn, the Jedi's duty at war with impassioned regret. In that instant, the Bendu champion truly understood just what price Obi-Wan Kenobi was paying. His reply was heartfelt. "And may the Force be with you, Obi-Wan."
Mace Windu stood by the window and watched the landspeeder as it vanished into the far wood and out of sight. Sighing with both deep aggravation and bone-weary sorrow, he turned on his comlink and waited for an answer. It wasn't long in coming.
"Jinn here."
The familiar voice drove Mace further into his anger, almost wishing the speaker was present so that he could cheerfully throttle him. His deep rumble was mild, though. "Are you alone?"
"Yes, is he gone?"
Windu, his ire peaking, growled back, "You, Qui-Gon Jinn, are a fool. What were you thinking?"
The response was gentle. "I take it then that he has left."
Teeth gritted, Mace shook his head. Closing his eyes for a moment, trying to tamp down his indignation, one large hand fisted, relaxed and fisted again. He wanted to strangle that stubborn gundark, jump right through the comlink and shake some sense into the man. "Yes, he is gone."
"You seem upset. Did he find out about the safehouse?"
His voice darkening with suppressed ire, he hissed back, "I...am...upset. But, no, he didn't. Your old Padawan is smart. He figured out about the runaways although I denied everything. We'll have to start using the alternate routes immediately. I don't know what he'll tell the Council but it is best to assume the worst in this case."
"Good. Anything else?"
"He kept asking about Telos." Mace wasn't ready to discuss the sabers just yet. He needed to regain his calm center first.
The surprise in Jinn's voice was absolute. "Why Telos? I haven't been there in years...well, since Xanatos died over two decades ago."
Mace sighed heavily. "I don't know. He wouldn't say but he did share the Naboo flight information with me. In a couple of cases, they were clearly wrong and I told him so."
Qui-Gon seemed puzzled, hesitant. "He....shared the information? That's odd and most certainly against the rules of investigation. Why did he do that, I wonder?"
"I don't know but his Padawan was upset with him about that and other things."
"Yes, they do seem to be at odds quite frequently." Jinn chuckled lightly. "Obi-Wan has his hands full with that one."
"This is no laughing matter, Qui-Gon." Windu's clipped tones and rising anger came through the comlink clearly.
"All right, Mace. You always save the best and the worst for last. What is it?"
"He found the sabers in your office."
Jinn's mild "Ah" only fueled Windu's ire and the sarcasm that bounced across the link was strong. "What were you thinking? Oh, wait, I forgot....Feel, don't think." Mace's face began to redden ever so slightly. "Well, your instincts were wrong this time. This time you should have thought!!!"
"Mace, you need to calm down and listen to me." He waited a few moments, hoping that his old friend would understand what he needed to say. "I believe that the Force wanted them to be found."
Windu had not expected that. "What are you talking about?"
Qui-Gon's voice was deliberate, thoughtful. "I did not forget about the sabers, Mace. When I was there yesterday, I had fully intended to remove them along with the others. But when I took them out, it seemed wrong somehow and the feeling only increased as I left the office. I found myself, almost without thought, returning them to their hiding place." Qui-Gon gave a soft sigh. "I stood there in my office for a very long time, staring down at that desk."
The wry humor was evident as Jinn continued. "Yes, even I knew that it was foolish to leave them in such an easily found hiding place. But I could not ignore what my 'instincts' were telling me. Mace, the Force wants me to go to Coruscant with Obi-Wan. It is the only explanation."
The Bendu paused, deep in thought. "Are you sure, Qui-Gon? I doubt that we would be able to get you out."
"Yes, I'm very sure of this. I do not know what waits for me in the Temple but it is important that I go. Even my son had foreseen that I would leave with Obi-Wan."
"Very well." Windu was resigned. He knew that he could not talk Qui-Gon out of going. "Kenobi will probably be there in the morning."
"Morning?" The news was startling to the former Master.
"Yes, I believe that Obi-Wan is giving you time to go into hiding if possible. I told him that you would not."
"That is very foolish and very brave of my fine young apprentice. I hope that he will not reap the reward of his compassion with those damned bureaucrats at the Temple." Qui-Gon paused, "Mace, I will not be talking to you again before I go. Take care of my family and watch out for Anakin. He is not happy with this but he will come to see that this is the right path."
"I will, my old friend. Until we meet once more, may the Force be with you."
Qui-Gon's reply was gentle. "May the Force be with us all."
Chapter 13
Heading back to the spaceport, the landspeeder was crowded with profound silences. Concerned with the feeling of jumbled desperation leaking through her Master's granite shields, Atel drove swiftly, impatient to return, and arrowed the speeder straight for the dataport center. She kept glancing at him furtively. He sat stone-still, almost inanimate, his shuttered face stared outward, bruised eyes unblinking. Unseen was the radiance of the mountains reddening in the coming dusk, their saw-toothed majesty gleaming in sunset glory; unacknowledged was the joyous dip and whirl of birds reveling in the fierce celebration of evening flight. Obi-Wan appeared almost detached, withdrawn; only Jinn's captured lightsaber rolling silently from hand to hand betrayed his innermost turmoil.
His seeming indifference to the triumph of their discoveries was disconcerting, troubling to the young Padawan; even more alarming was the suppressed tumble of chaotic emotions gathering like a thundercloud about him. Atel frowned in remembrance. With any other mission, Master Obi-Wan would have been quietly relieved to discover the truth, to bring a criminal to justice, to do his duty. Now he just sat there, his mind's tumult frozen by the outer facade. This was not good.
Jinn was guilty; that was very clear. He was rogue, after all, just as her teachers had said - despite Obi-Wan's protests. With his illegal sabers and his slave dealing and the Telosian murders a very real possibility, the old ex-Jedi had a long list of criminal activities. And yet the certainty of Jinn's guilt had only made her Master more unhappy. She knew that he had been mistaken in trusting Qui-Gon Jinn; his misplaced loyalty had only caused him pain and confusion. For that, she was truly sorry.
But Atel was relieved that the investigation was over. For her Master's sake, she tried not to bask in the warm glow of victory, the elation of a job well done. His anxiety and roiling anguish tarnished an otherwise stellar mission. She knew that the Council would be pleased; once again the team of Kenobi and Sl'etah had pulled a Corusca crystal out of the pile of bantha droppings - if only Obi-Wan could understand that and be happy about doing his duty.
She strengthened her resolve; she knew that she would have to be the strong one just this once. She was certain that, once they returned to the Temple, he would regain his balance and go on as before. When this was done, her Master would understand that it was meant to be.
The Padawan gave a small satisfied sigh when they finally pulled up to the dataport center. It would soon be over. A short report to the Council, a quick pickup of the felon and they should be on their way back to Coruscant within a few hours.
The Jedi Council was in rare form.
As part of the reluctant concession of the Order towards its field agents, specific times had been allotted for investigative reports, and, for the most part, it worked relatively well for Knights in good standing. Kenobi had learned from his colleagues that requests for Council time were answered with some bureaucratic interference, but the other agents were seen promptly, their accounts accepted with few questions. Not so with Obi-Wan. Tainted with a perception of the Jinn heresies, reaping the reward of his long-ago apprenticeship, he was always last on the agenda. His short reports had become long drawn-out affairs with much animosity and little support of his actions. Today would be no different.
One short hour later, the request finally acknowledged, Obi-Wan bowed before the group and reluctantly waited for their signal to begin. Atel shot him a worried glance but his closed face gave her no ease. Tamping down on the formidable dismay tunneling through her, she stood quietly in the typical Padawan position, and awaited the Council's pleasure.
Before the pair, in the flickering light of long-range transmission, were three Masters of the Jedi Order and the ever-present Kenth Zaros, Senate Representative of the Oversight Committee on Jedi Affairs. Obi-Wan shuddered slightly. His experiences of the past few days had changed his perceptions drastically and reminded him of what a Jedi should be. Quenching his distaste with a gargantuan effort, he hardened his resolve and looked more closely at the group.
It almost appeared as if Representative Zaros had not moved from the centermost chair since the last time Kenobi had spoken with the Council. Sitting like a bloated spider, the man was now dressed in robes of a gleaming purple so deeply saturated in hue as to be nearly black. Heavily embroidered with threads of purest gold, the cloak was encrusted with the rarest of jewels - Corusca gems, the iridescent diamonds of Ryloth and Veda pearls. His boots almost a mirror with the black shine and trousers impeccably made, it was his vest that was most impressive, gleaming a rich grey purple in the transmission light. His every movement set off the jeweled sparks of light and color and despoiled credits. Kenobi wondered how the parasite could move - the robes were so stiff with ornamentation.
Sitting to the left of Zaros was the frowning white-furred Bothan, Trest Sle'fey, who had given Kenobi much trouble with the requested dismissal listings a few days back. The ever-smug Sera Tharten was at the Representative's right hand. Leaning in close to Zaros, she stared at Kenobi with narrowed glittering eyes and wet mouth. Seated next to Tharten was the zealous Sullustan Master, Rangt Nunb, head of the Office of Dismissals and Expulsions, his scowling visage thunderous with annoyance.
Obi-Wan knew that the next few minutes would be a turning point - for himself as well as Qui-Gon Jinn. He had hoped for some guidance in the gentle ocean of the Force but his pleas had been met with an uneasy silence and he was alone. He swallowed hard and waited for the inquisition to begin. It did not take long.
Feigning a vast indifference, the rat-faced bureaucrat waved his bejeweled fingers towards the waiting Knight. "Well, Kenobi, it's about time. Let's hear it. When are you bringing Jinn back under arrest?"
"Representative Zaros, I will answer to the Jedi Council momentarily. But, before I do, I have a question for them." The harsh murmurs to this unprecedented response echoed in the dusty halls of the Chamber.
Her eyes inky with profound annoyance, Tharten quickly retorted, "Don't waste our time, Kenobi. We want your report, not questions."
Obi-Wan flicked his hands as though brushing aside an irritating insect. "Master Tharten, your pardon but I believe that Master Nunb would best answer this as it pertains to his department." Kenobi turned to the astonished Sullustan, "Master, how many members of the Jedi Order have been dismissed..."
The chaos of noise echoing in the dataport office cut off his next words but the strident sounds were nothing compared to the din raised within the Council Chambers. The words spilling out over the spaceways - "How dare you?" from the Sullustan, "Kenobi, mind your tongue." from fury-scarred Thartan and the Bothan's "Not now, you idiot" fought for control of the situation. Through it all, Obi-Wan stood stiff and unrepentant, waiting for the silence to descend.
Finally, Zaros, through sheer volume, was able to answer. "Listen, you little Jedi fool. It is not your place to question your betters. Whether the Senate has dismissed one Knight or the entire Jedi Order is none of your business. You are here to report on Qui-Gon Jinn, nothing more. Do I make myself clear, Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan bowed slightly. "Very clear, Representative Zaros. However, I did not ask your opinion but that of Master Nunb."
That the Knight would reply and in such a way was astonishing to the Council. Zaros began to wonder if, perhaps, sending Kenobi had not been such a good idea; defiance in a Jedi, especially one as powerful as he, was not to be taken lightly. Even more importantly, it was not good management technique. Who knows, it might even spread throughout the unruly Temple and then where would the Senate be? Up to its collective eyestalks in rebellious Jedi. He squirmed at that unsettling thought but, before he could try and squash this budding anarchy, the ever-servile Council members came to his rescue.
The Sullustan Nunb sputtered heatedly, "Senate Representative Zaros is right. It is none of your business."
"And the death of hundreds of former Jedi is also not my concern?" The ice-sharp reply only seemed to incense the Council further.
Master Nunb, his eyes wide with shock, was quick to reply, "How did you know about the deaths? That information is confidential."
"Apparently not as confidential as you would like, Councilor. Did you think to keep this hidden? These murders must be stopped at all costs." The scowl on Obi-Wan's face was steel and stone.
"This is not your concern." Master Tharten's stern visage was almost purple with indignation, her cold beady eyes veiled with daggered threat.
"Then whose concern is it?" Obi-Wan challenged, growling deep in his throat.
The Bothan was quick to reply. "We are studying the situation and the committee hopes to make a report to the entire Council next week."
"A committee?" The sheer astonishment and distain in his heated voice was palpable. "So you just sit and let our people die while you study this in a committee? This is unbelievable."
Sle'fey's bark was sharp, pointed. "Knight Kenobi, we are doing the best we can with our limited resources." The Bothan paused dramatically, ivory fur frenzied in dismay. "Since you are so knowledgeable about the situation, the Investigative Committee of Unwarranted Terminations will be glad to accept your expertise. Plan on joining it once you return to Coruscant."
Obi-Wan's resolute thought **If I return** scampered past his resolute shields before he tightened them into duracreet. Atel looked sharply at her Master, her violet eyes widening with shock, unsure if what she had felt had been real or imagined. Ignoring her frantic questioning probes, he continued. "And that's it then. That is all you will do."
Sle'fey's piercing eyes bore into Kenobi's own stormy ones. "For the moment, yes. Return and we will discuss this."
Zaros was viper-quick on the uptake. "Now, Jedi. We are waiting for your report."
Obi-Wan moved into immovable stance, his face set in granite. Arms folded, he stared at the flickering images, their forms wavering in the grey mists of long-range transmission. Eyes fierce with resolution, jaw clenched in stubborn resistance, a slight frown carved his brow. But he said nothing.
As the moments lengthened without sound, without reply, the tension built within the Council chambers and within the heart of one apprentice. Her skittering thoughts pounded into the Force, trying to break through the impenetrable shields of the man standing next to her. /*Master, what are you doing? Master Obi-Wan, answer him, please.*/
Finally, Nunb spat, "Kenobi, you will report on your findings now or we will have to take steps to curb your insolence. And you might not like the result."
The threat was sincere - punishment, imprisonment, banishment. And still Obi-Wan said nothing.
A heartbeat, two and then the blue-tinged Thartan condemned him, her thin voice dripping with satiated warning. "So be it, Kenobi. Return to Coruscant to submit to our judgment."
Atel abruptly stepped forward, startling the Council members. A senior Padawan of her stature should know that interrupting a Council member was not wise in the best of circumstances but she had to do something to stem this potential tragedy. Bowing low before the image, the very essence of a penitent Padawan, she begged, "Please Masters, a moment. Master Obi-Wan has not been well. He doesn't realize what he is doing. Please, let me reason with him."
Shrugging briefly, the Bothan Master waved his paw diffidently. "Very well, Padawan....reason with him. But do not take too long. Five minutes, no more. We grow impatient with his foolishness." Moving forward, Sle'fey pressed a single button and the image winked out, the snow of paused transmission filling the space.
Whirling to face him, her voice was rough with confused desperation. "What do you think you are playing at? This is no game, Master."
Sighing with a weariness borne of somber resignation, Obi-Wan calmly met her frantic eyes. "But it is a game to them, Padawan, a grand diversion full of deceit and treachery, power and death. An entertainment where they pull the strings and I dance to their tune. I was just deciding whether to dance or not."
Taken aback, shaking her head as if to deny his perplexing words, she said indignantly, "I don't understand you at all. Do you think that defying them will help the murdered Jedi or Jinn or you?" Reaching for his ragged cloak with both hands, she grasped his arms, shaking him sharply, to try and penetrate the murky fog she imagined there. "The Council has agreed to do something about the fatalities. A committee is but the first step in fixing the problem and you will be on it, helping to keep them on the right track, pushing for a quick resolution."
He looked on her with bitter, astonished eyes. "Padawan, when did you become so naive? They will bury me there with rules and regulations and nothing... nothing will be done." He pulled away from her, folding his arms in embattled defense.
She stepped back, frowning. "Master Sle'fey gave us the information in the first place and he seems sincere."
Obi-Wan shook his head, looking down for a moment and then into her bewildered face. "He may be. I can no longer tell the good from the bad, the dark from the light. They hide their deceit so very well."
She moved closer, one small hand clutching his threadbare cloak. "Master, if you do not go back, you certainly will not be able to help find out who is murdering the dismissed ones. Isn't that as bad as doing nothing at all?"
He hesitated, "Worse. It is a denial of...of what a Jedi should be." He hurried on, doubt and despair coloring his reply. "But they will thwart my every attempt at solving this mystery. Surely you understand this."
"Master, I only know that if you do not go back and try to discover the culprit, the murders will continue. Can you live with that?" A quick sigh of defeat and he looked away.
Obi-Wan's murmur of resignation was bittersweet. "No...no, I cannot."
Atel's voice hardened again in frustration. "Then give them your report on Jinn."
He shook his head, sharply denying her request. "They will destroy him."
Her fingers tightened involuntarily, the dark cloth bunching in her fist. "Wake up, Master. Jinn is a criminal, whether you give your report or not."
Gently, he covered her clenched hand with his own and looked into the bewildered depths of her violet eyes. "But if I give them what they demand...it is I, not the Council, who will betray him."
She yanked her hand from his grasp, stepping back, face now steely with determination. "If you will not give the report, I will." His grey eyes closed for a moment, frown deepening. "Master Obi-Wan, think about what you are doing. If I give the report and they tell me to arrest Jinn, I will do so, with or without you." Her voice lowered, urgent and sharp, anxiety growling like an untuned hyperdrive coil. "It is my oath and my duty. I must obey the Council."
When he did not answer her, Atel pressed deeper, cutting through his choices with the swiftness of a lightsaber blade. "I cannot defeat you in battle, I know this, but I will do what I must regardless of the cost. And if I go down by your own hand, can you live with that? Can you?"
He shook his head sharply, the alternatives tearing at his consciousness as memories - of a bright-eyed child smiling up at him, smoothing his sweaty brow as he tossed in fever, guarding his back as blaster shots pinged their way past his riposte, laughing, screaming, crying for her Master in her nightmares - flashed past with brutal speed.
Quietly, he said, "I knew from the beginning..." Pausing, he looked down at her, his very young apprentice standing there so stiff and steadfast, stony resolve in her uncompromising stance.
"What, Master?"
Saddened that it had come to this, Obi-Wan smiled briefly, his eyes heavy with regret. "That either way, I knew I was damned."
Atel stepped forward again, gazing up at her foolish, misguided Master. "It doesn't have to be like that. Give them what they want." As his face hardened once more, she continued quickly, "Qui-Gon Jinn is going to be arrested whether you wish it or not. The reality is that he will return to Coruscant for judgment by your hand or by other Knights of the Order."
Pausing, she grasped his arms once more, her hands fisting in the fraying cloth, and spoke distinctly as though to force his understanding. "But you have a chance to help him. He will need an advocate, someone who is a Jedi yet can speak for him in the Council Chambers."
She shook him slightly, to jar him into reality. "Do you want him to go before the Council alone? He will need your help. Help him now by giving the report they require. We can do this, Master. I will help you with his defense - surely there must be a way to satisfy the Code and your own conscience."
Frowning deeply, grey eyes stormy with regret, he just gazed at her, recalling what he had asked Jinn's apprentice just few days ago. **Help me to prove that he is innocent, that he had done nothing wrong.** Almost the same words from his mouth to hers and that remembrance was ash in his soul.
But, more importantly, she was right. He could do nothing for Qui-Gon now and any further defiance toward the Council would declare him rogue and prevent him from helping his old Master. He grimaced, the taste of bile rising in his throat. **Damned.**
On the very heels of that thought, Master Tharten's voice cut through the silence. "Well, Kenobi? Ready to give your report or must we order others to do your dirty work?"
He closed his eyes for a moment, nodding slightly and stepped away from his Padawan. Blinking, trying to clear away the dust of hypocrisy, he bowed to the ghostly images. "Forgive my momentary confusion, Masters. I am quite ready."
It was almost imperceptible but it seemed as if the Council members hunched forward as one, vultures all, looking at Obi-Wan as though he were a bloody sacrifice to their forsaken honor. Zaros, waving his bejeweled fingers, roughly spoke. "We've wasted enough time. Begin now."
It was not until he finished detailing Qui-Gon Jinn's business interests that the Council members became increasingly restive. Finally, Master Nunb interrupted. "Well, Kenobi, are you telling us that he has led an exemplary life? No problems, no misdeeds...the perfect hero, beloved by all?"
"No, Master Nunb, I am not. I thought that you would like a complete report before making a judgment on a man's life."
Jowls fluttering in annoyance, the Sullustan snapped. "Are you criticizing us, Knight Kenobi?"
"Of course not, Master. I was merely..."
"Enough of his laundry list. What evidence have you found that he is violating the Jedi mandates or the Senate's laws?"
Obi-Wan sighed, despair and resignation coloring his voice. Bringing forth one of the confiscated lightsabers, he held the gleaming carved tube in the palm of his open hand. A shining example of saber technology, it clearly condemned the owner - the weapon of a Jedi and forbidden to Qui-Gon Jinn.
"This was the only piece of concrete evidence that we were able to uncover." Atel moved slightly at that, frowning, her violet eyes searching his shuttered face. He glanced at her quickly. His thousand whispering pleas for understanding ghosted through the Force but his apprentice did not respond. Stonily, she turned back, gaze sliding past Obi-Wan and towards the wavering images. He continued, "We found it hidden in his office at the Bendu Sanctuary. It is one of three, all with the same configuration."
"So he flouts the law. Excellent." The somber-tinged Master Tharten seemed quite pleased but then she began to frown as she took in the rest of his words. "What is this about a Sanctuary?"
"Master Qui-Gon Jinn is a founding member of the Bendu Philosophical Group. It is a charitable organization whose goal is to help those in need whenever disaster strikes. They have a sterling reputation among the Naboo people."
Zaros snorted, his words dripping with sarcasm, "Of course they do. Sterling reputation indeed." He glared at Obi-Wan, the irritation at this over-long discussion clear in his indignant words, "And that's former Master Jinn to you, Jedi."
Tharten nodded, her damp mouth pursing with distain. "Yes, Representative Zaros, quite correct. Kenobi, watch your tongue." He bowed slightly in obedience.
Master Nunb, slick skin gleaming in annoyance, spat impatiently, "Well, continue. What is this about a Sanctuary?"
"The Sanctuary is a large complex near former Master Jinn's farm. It is the main headquarters for the Bendu group. Here they teach, train and do the many administrative tasks needed for their charity work."
"Is that all?" The malicious woman leaned towards the Knight, her black eyes tainted with sour anticipation.
Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment, not wanting to say more but knowing that his apprentice would if he did not. "No, Master Tharten. It is called the Sanctuary because...the Bendu felt they needed a place of refuge, of safety. As you are well aware, a large number of them had been murdered about six months after leaving the Temple. They have banded together for protection."
"What do you mean... aware? And what's this about a Temple? Who exactly are the Bendu, Kenobi?" Her caustic words sliced through the ether.
"They are an organization of individuals consisting of both non-Force users and Jedi dismissed from the Temple."
The irate woman stood up abruptly, her hands clenched, eyes glittering with accusation. "Why didn't you tell us this sooner?"
Obi-Wan started to answer her but the Bothan cut him off. Turning toward the now-pacing Master, Sle'fey motioned for composure. "Sera, please. Kenobi is only informing us of his research. Let him finish." She returned to her seat with a huff and sat there glaring at Obi-Wan.
White fur smoothing down in an attempt to regain calm in this increasingly tense situation, the Bothan asked, "Now, Knight Kenobi, how many former Jedi are in the Bendu organization?"
"Master Sle'fey. I appreciate your patience. According to the membership lists, there are 1688 dismissed Jedi among the Bendu at this time."
For a moment there was silence and then the clashing objections reverberated through the cubicle. Tharten's rough "Rogues, all of them" to Nunb's sanctimonious "A rival Temple, never" to Sle'fey's careful "How many did you say?" warred with the effort to be heard over the others. Zaros, his harsh eyes narrowed in imagined treachery, stared at Kenobi's calm visage, and waited for the pandemonium to die.
Obi-Wan began to speak, his quiet words calming the chaos. "Masters, I believe that you have mistaken the Bendu's intent. Former Master Mace Windu has assured..."
The blue-skinned Master growled, "Windu is there? Surely, he was..." and stopped, pensive and nervous.
"Master Windu was quite specific. He denied that the Bendu has any intentions of intruding on the Jedi's sphere of influence. He said that they had been very careful to follow the laws of the Republic so that there would be no conflict between the Bendu group and the Jedi Order."
Sle'fey's muzzle wrinkled in concern. "Did you believe him?"
His answer was clear. "Yes, Master Sle'fey. He showed us around the Sanctuary and answered all of our questions. There were a number of items that skirted the line of the Jedi mandates, including their weaponry and their school, but I believe that they have not violated any laws at this time."
Nunb's beady eyes narrowed. "Weaponry, you say. Describe it."
Obi-Wan sighed heavily. "Master, the Bendu use a light-pike, a double-bladed weapon. They are based on lightsaber technology but they do not look like Jedi sabers even at a distance. I believe that they could successfully argue that they have not broken any law."
The Bothan pointed at the lightsaber resting next to Obi-Wan's hand. "Except for that."
The Knight nodded. "Yes, except for that. Former Master Windu was as surprised as we were when we found them."
Thartan gave a displeased grunt at that revelation. "And the school you mentioned. What of that?"
Obi-Wan swallowed hard, drew in a calming breath, and answered, "They have been teaching their children the ways of the Force." As the Councilors began to argue once more, Kenobi cut across the tempest. "Masters, as I am sure Representative Zaros would agree, the Bendu have every right to teach their children whatever they wish, as long as they complete the requirements of the Republic's curriculum."
The rat-faced bureaucrat said nothing but nodded reluctantly.
"Thank you, sir. Masters, unless there has been a radical change in Republic law in the past few weeks, you still need the permission of the parents to bring Force-sensitive children to the Temple for training." Zaros nodded again, his eyes narrowing with enmity. "I have asked and they have refused point-blank. At this time, there is nothing else the Jedi Order can do."
Zaros complained bitterly, "Don't you people have any control over your own?"
The Bothan Master retorted, "As Knight Kenobi might point out, they are not our own and we cannot force them to give up their children."
Zaros spat back, "At this time..." and Sle'fey bowed in acquiescence.
Sera Tharten snarled at the bureaucrat. "We will have to investigate this further. A rogue Temple, whatever they may call it, is not allowed within the Republic." As Obi-Wan started to protest, she abruptly changed the subject, "Well, Kenobi, anything else to tell us about your venerable Master Jinn?"
When Obi-Wan did not reply immediately, she leaned forward, frowning. "Answer me! Surely, you wish to tell us that your precious Qui-Gon is a model citizen, dabbling in business and running missions of mercy to the far reaches of the Outer Rim. Ridding the Galaxy of drug cartels and slave traders, no doubt."
The Knight's grey eyes widened at her sarcastic remarks. Too close to the mark. His Learner must have made some slight movement, a small brush of the hand because both Nunb and Tharten looked sharply at the young Padawan.
The Sullustan's inquiry was acid. "Well, Padawan Sl'etah, is Jinn running a drug cartel or not?"
Glancing quickly, shamefully at Obi-Wan, Atel stepped forward, preparing to answer the Councilor when, abruptly, Obi-Wan spoke. "Master Nunb, the evidence is quite circumstantial but it appears that Qui-Gon Jinn has been funneling slaves into Naboo for some time."
The jowly alien just looked at the Knight, aghast, unable to speak. Beside him, Tharten began to snicker while Sle'fey said nothing, concerned with this news. However, the Republic bureaucrat seemed most affected, his face stunned for just a second, before his great boom of laughter echoed through the Chamber and out into space. This went on for precious moments while Obi-Wan stood, silent and painfully stoic through the gleeful sound. Finally, Kenth Zaros was able to contain himself only long enough to sputter, "Your precious Jinn is a slaver" before bursting into uproarious laughter once more.
At last, the snorting guffaws of the loathsome sycophant died. Wiping away tears of amusement, Zaros waved his hands toward the Knight. "Thank you, Kenobi. I haven't laughed quite so hard in some time. You should give more reports on the ever-saintly Jinn."
Master Nunb was not so amused. "Representative Zaros, please. This is no laughing matter. The reputation of the Jedi Order will be stained forever if it became known that a former Jedi Master was dealing in slaves. Appalling business."
Frowning at the thought, the Bothan spoke up, "Are you sure, Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "I am sure that he is transporting beings from Tatooine and Ryloth, Master Sle'fey. Once they reach Naboo..." he shrugged, seemingly indifferent. "They disappear."
Dismissing this information, Master Nunb waved his hand. "It does not matter where they go. If he is transporting slaves for profit or some other nefarious reason, it is still unacceptable to this Council. He will have to answer to us." His black eyes glittering with dismay, he turned toward Obi-Wan once more. "Is there anything else?'
Tharten hurried to agree, nodding, a predatory look on her pasty face, "Yes, Kenobi, your Master Jinn has been quite busy. Surely there is more?"
"Nothing else of note, Master Tharten. My report is complete."
Atel abruptly looked at him, her violet eyes going wide. Her frenzied thoughts pounded against his granite shields, /*Master, don't do this. You haven't told them about Telos yet. Surely...*/ but her attempts at gaining his attention were futile. He stood rock-still, dismissing her agitation.
Sera Tharten leaned forward, staring hard at the Padawan before drifting her inky eyes towards the reticent Knight. "Kenobi, your apprentice seems unhappy with that last statement. Care to explain?"
"There was one more item but the data is flawed. I was hoping for additional information to clarify the situation before presenting it to the Council. I would not want to waste your time on something that is defective, incomplete."
She narrowed her eyes, staring at Obi-Wan with distaste. "Oh, Kenobi...waste our time. I would like to hear about this 'flawed' data."
"The information is so absurd that I hesitate to even mention it, Master Tharten." When she said nothing but continued to eye him, displeasure plainly written on her hardened face, he sighed. "Very well. Master....former Master Qui-Gon Jinn has been accused of misusing the Force to gain ownership of several mines from the Offworld Mining Consortium on Telos and of murdering four mine owners."
The Council was speechless for a moment - Nunb shiny with rage and jowls quivering, the Bothan's fur a frenzied dance of concern and surprise, Tharten's purpled face satiated with grim satisfaction - and Zaros sat looking like a caught fish, mouth opening and closing with abandon. Before the Council could pepper him with comments, Obi-Wan continued. "I'm sorry Masters but it is just not possible. I've known the man for many years. It is not in his character to do this."
A brief snort from the Sullustan broke the dam of silence. "Character...character! Slave trading, running a rogue Temple, owning an illegal lightsaber. Kenobi, you have an odd idea of his character if you don't think it possible for him to murder innocents."
"Master Nunb, I appreciate what you are saying. But we did investigate further. Former Master Windu assures me that Qui-Gon could not possibly have been on Telos on at least two of the days when the mine owners were killed, flight plans to the contrary. It is possible that the electronic data is in error. I was hoping to confirm his whereabouts on the dates in question while on Naboo." He hesitated, "When I had more substantial information, I was also going to request that the Council send an investigator to Telos to confirm the reports."
Tharten burst out. "Don't be ridiculous, Kenobi. We would not waste the time of our people on something so trivial as this. The electronic data will have to suffice." She stared at him, eyes slitted. "And what was this about Windu? You didn't share the information with him, did you? That would be against the Standards of Behavior as you well know." The threat was very clear.
Obi-Wan straightened, his stormy eyes flashing, face tense with resolve. "As part of my investigation, I did ask Master Windu about Qui-Gon's activities on those dates. I judged that he would be helpful in this regard."
The woman growled. "You told Windu...you told him?! This is completely unacceptable." She turned towards Atel. "And you, Padawan, you let him do this?"
The apprentice glanced quickly at Obi-Wan and shook her head. "He is my Master. I..."
Kenobi interrupted, stern and adamant. "Leave my Padawan alone. She had nothing to do with this. It is my responsibility alone."
"Enough!" spat out Sle'fey. "These accusations will gain us nothing at this time." Master Tharten leaned back, her eyes mere slits of black ice, her resentful face purpled with frustration. Obi-Wan stood there, awaiting the inevitable. It did not take long.
The Bothan stood, drawing up straight and tall, his fur flattened with righteous indignation. "Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, listen well. It is the judgment of this Council that Qui-Gon Jinn be arrested and brought back to Coruscant. He will be tried for his crimes according to the laws of the Republic and the Jedi Order. Kenobi, do your duty and we await your return. That is all."
And with that, the image winked out and echoing silence remained.
The soft evening had given way to harsh night by the time they left the dataport office. In this part of the spaceport, there was little activity once darkness had fallen and the elegant, ornate buildings seemed as sullen masses of grey and shadow. Everywhere, the moonslight had turned the gently carved stone to stark lines of ebony and chalk. The glowing lights of distant amusement only sharpened the deep gloom of the here and now.
Seemingly undisturbed by what had just transpired, the Knight walked slowly, the classic facade of stoic Jedi reflected in his leaden eyes and haggard face. He said nothing, had said nothing since that disastrous Council report. Beside him, matching his step with hers, Atel glanced anxiously at her too-quiet Master.
When they arrived at the speeder, he merely gestured for her to get in, then sat behind the stick and drove carefully away. Still he said nothing; the sole sound was the hum of the repulsorlifts as he moved the vehicle through the stone streets and marbled colonnades towards the hostelry. Atel glanced at him once more. His face was lighted in the patterned reflection of green and stark moonsglow, the lines of his mouth flat, unhappy and the frown tunneling his brow was sharp-edged and deep.
When, at last, they reached their accommodations and he powered down the speeder, Obi-Wan made no move but to sit, listening to the silence, and staring straight ahead.
Atel was deeply worried now. This was not the man who had trained her all those years, the gentle, patient Master with a dry wit and laughing eyes. Here was a stranger and she didn't know what to do. She needed to break through this infinite silence somehow.
"Master?"
He sat there for a just a moment and then began to speak, a murmur of enigma and questioning contradiction, his voice scarcely above a puzzled whisper. "I was going to be a farmer. Did you know that?" Atel quickly shook her head.
"So long ago, it seems a lifetime." A brief upturn of the mouth and then he turned solemn once again. "It was a lifetime ago. Just shy of thirteen and desperate to attract a Master, I let my anger control my actions, push just a little harder, parry just a little stronger than a Jedi should. Foolish mistake." His frown deepened and then smoothed out as the memories took over. "And because of that, no Master in his right mind would come near me." He shrugged, shadowed irony in the set of his shoulders and far-off stare. "I probably wouldn't have come near me with that much passion and anger." He grew still once more. "Finally, I had a chance to prove myself before the assemblage of Knights and Masters, in a sparring match that ended in triumph. But I had used my anger and aggression to win the battle and no one wanted to take on a Padawan with such traits."
He gazed at her, quiet voice thready with loss. "Instead, I was shipped off to Bandomeer, to the AgriCorps, a failure. I still loathe the place, even now. I don't think I would have minded quite so much if they had sent me elsewhere, into the piloting program maybe or the Engineering Corps but farming was never in my blood."
He looked away, off into the somber night. "I was disheartened, all thoughts of my ever becoming a Jedi Knight dashed into atoms. I did not know what to do, what to think." He paused once more. "The odd thing was that Qui-Gon Jinn was on that ship. I never did find out the real reason, whether the Force was with me that day or maybe it was Yoda's machinations, I don't know."
He breathed a gentle sigh of regret. "That man was always stubborn as a gundark. Even though I tried so hard to please him, to make him see that I could be a great Jedi, Qui-Gon refused to consider me as a Padawan, told me no several times and dashed my hopes into dust."
Obi-Wan glanced at her but he only saw the past, his mind's eye turned inward. "Did you know that when hope is gone, when you have nothing left to lose, you are free, truly free? Free to make your own choices and be damned with the consequences."
"I was about to help Qui-Gon get clear of the trap we had fallen into, blow open the door and myself with it. The explosive was attached to my worker's collar, you see, and, with very little time left, there was only one option - let the explosion rip apart the door and have a true Jedi save the planet. I would die, of course, but that really didn't matter." He frowned again, remembering the terror and peace that came with sacrifice. "And when that moment came, without hope of surviving the blast and all my dreams scattered like ash in the wind...in that moment, I was finally free. I was free of the torment of knowing I'd never be a Jedi, free to help so that others could live, free to do something worthwhile one last time." He huffed slightly, smiling at the memory. "And in that instant, Qui-Gon called me Padawan."
Atel was irate. "That was certainly last minute."
He finally looked at her with clear eyes. "So it was. But, ever stubborn, he would not let me die, refused my sacrifice and demanded that there was another way." He smiled slightly. "We found it together. We saved Bandomeer that day and a lot of people and Qui-Gon Jinn became my Master at last."
"That's a lovely story, Master but is there a point?"
Obi-Wan sighed, disappointed. "There is always a lesson." He looked off into the ebony distance and murmured, "When all hope is gone, there is truly nothing left to lose."
"Master, are we talking about Jinn?" She was puzzled and a little alarmed. His quiet "Of course" did not calm the turmoil just beginning to rise now. Her concern for his well-being deepened with each passing moment. She had to get him back on track quickly.
"Good." The Padawan glanced at him again, frowning at his seemingly placid facade. "Now that we are here, we should be able to pick up our things and arrange for a transport back to Coruscant. A passenger ship leaves at first hour, according to my schedule, and that gives us plenty of time to take former Master Jinn into custody and get him on board."
"We will go to Qui-Gon's farm tomorrow, Padawan."
Atel was astonished. "Tomorrow??!! You can't be serious, Master. Jinn will be long gone by then."
Obi-Wan shook his head, slowly as though the weight of the Galaxy burdened him beyond bearing. "No, he would be gone already if he were going to run. I imagine that Master Windu commed him right after we left. No, he will be waiting for us tomorrow."
"Master, are you sure?"
"Oh, yes. My old Master will be there. Of that, I am very sure."
Chapter 14
The day crept in, pale and overcast, clouds painting the snow-capped mountains in pewter light. Closer to the spaceport, the dappled woods and patterned fields of harvested crops seemed leaden and dull in the sullen air. Thunderheads, glowering in the far distance, threatened afternoon rain. But, for the moment, the day was merely awash in greys and gloom.
The speeder, reflecting the murky colors of the morning mists, carved a swift and straight course toward the Jinn ranch. There was little noise inside the cockpit. The thrum of repulsorlifts gave a slow and steady beat to the sound of growing apprehension; the counterpoint of tiny shifts in speed and motor control was an annoying off-balanced whine, setting tremors of anxiety slithering through the ether. Quiet conversation would have been a welcomed overlay to the metallic dissonance but there was none. The coming confrontation occupied every thought.
The Padawan stared straight ahead. She did not need to speak; her fingers stretched taut over the speeder stick, the sharp ivory of bone and muscle, told their own tale of her inner turmoil. Betraying her in myriad ways, her hands made the anxiety conspicuous with shape and form and texture.
She had spent most of the night in meditation, thinking of what her Master might do, might say when they went to apprehend Qui-Gon Jinn. The arrest would not be accomplished with any ease. The files, sent from Coruscant, had been quite clear. Former Master Jinn had always been exceptionally strong in the Force and was reported to be an excellent swordsman, certainly better than Master Obi-Wan. There was a very real chance that they might not be able to take him without serious injury. She would need to be alert to any threat posed by that rogue Jedi.
And then there was her Master, sitting there so calm and serene, his face disturbingly blank. She had not been able to sense him in the Force since the previous day; he had never shut her out like this before but his shields were strong as durasteel. What was he trying to hide? Would he ignore the will of the Council and side with Jinn? He had been increasingly erratic, distant and confused since the beginning of this mission. In all other circumstances, the questions would not even arise. But now he was so still that she almost preferred agitation to this...this quiet.
"Master, we are almost there. How difficult do you believe it will be to arrest him?"
Obi-Wan gave a slow, soul-deep sigh and turned to gaze at her, his sea-green eyes hazy with calm detachment. "He was adept at evading capture on several occasions." With that cryptic reply, the silence descended once more but the echoes of past missions, past lives lingered on.
"Master?" Atel tried again to break through the ice-sheathed barrier between them.
His voice seemed rusty, ill-used, almost burned as if by some powerful acid. "Padawan, when we reach the farm, I wish to talk to Qui-Gon alone."
Atel shook her head, deeply apprehensive at this unsettling request. "Why would you want to do that, Master?" She glanced at him, frown cutting her brow with disquiet and she floundered for a moment as suspicion began to wash through her. "I should be there. Jinn was a Jedi Master after all and one of the best swordsmen in several generations. Alone, he might overpower you..."
Obi-Wan shrugged, seemingly unconcerned with the prospect. "I may be able to persuade him to come peacefully if I can approach him as his former Padawan. I know him..." She started to interrupt but quieted at his stony glance. "I knew him quite well for a very long time."
"I want to be by your side, Master." Uncertainty chilled her voice. "I'm sure that I can help with the arrest."
"Do you doubt me, my Learner?" The dull grey eyes sharpened slightly in pain.
"I have concerns about this, Master Obi-Wan. The Council was quite specific but you seem strangely reluctant to carry out their wishes. You are going to arrest Jinn, aren't you?"
He looked straight ahead, still and haggard. "I will do what I must."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Qui-Gon Jinn was waiting for them as they drove up the gravel path to the rambling stone house. In the lee of the porch, with the ivory and emerald of blossom-covered vines a living backdrop, the peaceful setting seemed almost dreamlike in its serenity. The Bendu stood there, quietly watching their approach. Dressed in comfortable blue leggings and tunic, brown and silvered hair framing his face, he seemed untroubled by the sudden appearance of the two Jedi. But Obi-Wan could see the cobalt lightpike gleaming clearly at his side. Qui-Gon was ready for them.
Atel took in the scene with some trepidation. There were no dark powers here but the Force seemed to dip and swirl with unmade decisions and she was apprehensive of the coming confrontation. Jinn was a very powerful Force-user; he was here and he was prepared. This would not be easy.
She powered down the speeder, glancing apprehensively at an already worrisome Master Obi-Wan, and waited patiently for instruction.
Nodding to her, Obi-Wan rose slowly, reluctantly, and moved past the vehicle into the open area of the pathway beyond. He glanced quickly at Atel, gesturing for her to follow, and stopped just below the wide stone steps. He stood there quietly, looking at his former Master. The poignant overlays of shared memories kept impinging on Obi-Wan's consciousness with all the subtlety of a thermal detonator but he hastily shrugged them off. He did not need the distraction.
Qui-Gon stepped down onto the path and then halted before his apprentice. There would be no joyous reunion this time. Straight and tall, the large hands hanging loosely at his side, his blue eyes seemed as cloudy as the gloom sweeping across the mountains. Watching Obi-Wan's every move, he could see, feel the reluctance of this moment.
Qui-Gon was as calm as his former apprentice was not. "Have you come for me, Padawan?"
The words were gently spoken but Kenobi felt as if a vibroblade had sliced open his chest. Tamping down the anguished guilt that threatened to destroy his hard-fought composure, he stiffened perceptibly. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Obi-wan looked directly at his former Master, his voice sharp. "Qui-Gon Jinn, in the name of the Senate and the Jedi Order, I am here to arrest you for crimes against the Republic."
The Bendu nodded once, stoic visage firmly in place but the azure eyes were full of resignation. "I have been expecting you for some time. Of what am I accused?"
Hands clenched by his side in a massive effort to remain calm, Obi-Wan swallowed hard. It hurt to speak. "Possession of illegal weapons, specifically lightsabers. The Senate edict 327 restricts lightsaber use to members of the Jedi Order only." Qui-Gon's mouth quirked slightly at that. Most people would have thought it amusement but Obi-Wan knew better. Behind the grimace was a long-buried sorrow.
Rigid in an effort to maintain control, his next words were caustic, cutting. "Suspicion of slave trading."
The Bendu merely nodded at the allegation but his eyes were full of somber resolve, a slight frown troubling his brow. He shifted his stance slightly and waited for the rest.
Obi-Wan's voice hardened, "Suspicion of Force misuse for material gain." Qui-Gon shook his head, seemingly perplexed, but said nothing. "And suspicion of murder."
"Suspicion? Murder!? What murder?" A startled breath and the Bendu drew back for a moment, blinking rapidly. He seemed overwhelmed at such a completely unexpected statement. The accusation was almost ludicrous, some nightmare that had come to haunt him in a fevered dream. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he stepped forward again, instinctively reaching for Obi-Wan, thinking that together they could make some sense of this absurd lie. His voice, too, was concerned and heated. "Padawan, surely you don't believe such a thing." To his profound dismay, Obi-Wan sidestepped quickly out of reach.
As Kenobi moved, his hand brushed Atel's sleeve in a frantic attempt to quell her zealous call to duty. She had misunderstood Qui-Gon's gesture, had mistakenly believed it to be an attack. Obi-Wan had felt the beginnings of her movements towards the Bendu, her hands coming up with instinct and training, ready to defend her Master. He could not fault her intent but he had reacted instantly to prevent further confrontation. Thankfully, she obeyed his subtle command and stepped back.
But, in that moment, Qui-Gon saw only that Obi-Wan had left his question unanswered, had moved away from his touch to stand next to his Padawan Learner. Misinterpreting the cause, unable to sense Kenobi's motivations through the Knight's impenetrable shields, Qui-Gon stopped abruptly. He was horrified at the implication. It was clear that the apprentice believed all the lies but Obi-Wan...could he believe that this hoax was true? Looking at the shuttered face of the man he had known so long ago, trying to shake himself free of the soul-deep disappointment, Qui-Gon moved back to stand alone. The mask of stoic indifference pulled over his face with unnerving speed.
Obi-Wan's voice was harsh and uncompromising. "Master Jinn, the Jedi Council has instructed me to return with you to Coruscant under arrest. I hope that you will not resist." At the Bendu's quiet "No", Obi-Wan nodded and looked down at Atel. "Padawan, please go and find Master Jinn's family so that he may say good-bye."
His apprentice looked at him, worried at the request. "Master, are you sure? There is little time." She leaned forward, whispering, "You would be alone and he is still armed."
Kenobi looked again at the silent Bendu. With his face neutral and Jedi stoic, he nodded roughly, "My apprentice has reminded me that you have not yet surrendered your weapon. Please do so now."
Qui-Gon closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply to quell the overwhelming sense of betrayal. He had not expected this stony conduct from his former Padawan and the disappointment was parsecs deep. An infinity later, he unhooked the lightpike and handed it gingerly to Kenobi.
Obi-Wan looked down at the weapon. Beautifully made and deadly, it vibrated with the essence of the man who had built it. The Knight's hand quickly closed over the used handle, the ribs and carving distinctly felt. He remembered how his Master had guided his own small hands in the movements of gentle kata and fierce battle, teaching him the thrust and parry of the blade, all the while learning about the Force and its subtle guidance. But now... now he could not think of the past but of the present. His Master has always taught him to live in the moment. How unbearable it all was.
He shoved the pike at Atel. "Put it in the speeder with the rest of the evidence and then go find his family."
"Master, this is unwise. At least, put the binders on him."
He shook his head, brushing aside her concerns. "I will take care of it." When she moved to thrust the cuffs into his hands, he swiftly held up his palm, blocking her. Sharply, he chided. "Padawan, he has given his word that he will not resist. There will be time enough for those." His face was shuttered, hardened and resolute. "Master Jinn should be able to see his wife and son before we leave. You're wasting time. Go!"
Frowning, she looked at her Master. It was odd, this sudden turn of reluctant Jedi into hardened Knight. Something was off-balance but she could not tell what it was. She searched his face for trickery or reluctance in carrying out his duty but there was none. He just stood there, still and stony, his grey eyes hard as flint. Bowing her head for a moment in obedience, she first placed the deadly weapon in the vehicle, then stepped gingerly around the impassive Bendu and into the house.
As soon as she was out of sight, Obi-Wan strode forward, his cold mask melting into one of intense concern. Reaching quickly for a startled Qui-Gon, grasping his old Master's arms with tumultuous agitation, the fierce whisper traveled the few centimeters between them. "Master, why are you still here? I would have thought Windu would have alerted you to this. You should have left while you had the chance."
Qui-Gon let out a long gratified sigh, and smiled, welcomed relief clear in his bearded face. "Obi-Wan, I knew my faith in my old Padawan was not in vain."
Obi-Wan was frantic, shaking his head in dismay. Looking down for a moment at his whitened hands, gripping and rapidly twisting the azure cloth of Qui-Gon's tunic, the vexation clear in his every movement, he stared into the mild blue eyes of his Master. Growling, he tried desperately to break through Qui-Gon's misguided composure. "Enough of this. I am here to arrest you but there is still time to run. The speeder is ready and I can always say that you overwhelmed me." His voice was frenzied with worry. "Go now. Before she comes back and we are lost." He looked at the Bendu who merely stood there smiling. "What are you waiting for? Go!!"
"My Padawan, you have ever been a joy to me but never more so than at this moment."
Kenobi abruptly pushed himself away from Qui-Gon and stood there, bleak face stern with disbelief. The words were deep in anger and frustration. "Are you insane? Have you been listening to anything I've said?"
Jinn's deep voice held the smallest touch of amusement. "Yes, you are telling me to run away from you. That you will have to take me back to Coruscant if I don't leave immediately."
Exasperated, Obi-Wan barked at his old Master. "Then why are you still here?" When Jinn didn't move, Obi-Wan folded his arms tight about his chest, indignant. "You are the most stubborn, irritating, irascible man I have ever met. Do you want to go back to the Temple in chains? Do you want them to imprison you or worse?"
His calm reply astonished the Jedi. "Padawan, I must return to Coruscant."
Overwhelmed with the utter foolishness of that statement, Kenobi just stood there, unable to speak for a moment. Growling with utter disbelief, he berated the impassive Qui-Gon. "You are insane." He walked away for a few paces then turned abruptly, clenched fists by his side. "Do you know what I did to get this opportunity? I sold my honor for this. I was going to defy them, Master." He seemed to quiet then, the frown deepening his troubled brow. "I thought that maybe... maybe, if I capitulated, gave in, I could talk you into running. That way, at least one of us would remain unsullied." His mouth flattened in remembered shame. "Blast."
Qui-Gon murmured. "What have you done?"
The grey eyes were cloudy with guilt as he softly murmured. "I betrayed you." Bending his head in tainted disgrace, his gaze did not waver from the coarse gravel beneath his feet. "I told them everything that I had learned - your slave trading, your lightsabers, even about the Sanctuary and the murders."
"Obi-Wan, I haven't murdered anyone."
Kenobi glanced up at this, nodding slowly. "Master, I know that you could not have done such a thing but the electronic evidence was very compelling. I had hoped to investigate further but the Council has demanded that I return with you to Coruscant."
"Yet you say that you have betrayed me." Qui-Gon's rumbling voice was very soft. "Could it have been that you were doing your duty as a Jedi Knight, nothing more?" Obi-Wan shook his head, sharply denying the idea, but the Bendu continued. "If it were not me but someone else you were investigating, would you have told the Council everything?"
Kenobi's resigned "Yes" drew a quiet sigh from Qui-Gon. "It's all right, Obi-Wan."
The Jedi frowned at that, his mouth hard with annoyance. "If it is so right, why are you still here? Why haven't you left?" Leaning forward, pleading for Qui-Gon to escape the coming storm, he admonished, " Please, Master, for both our sakes, for your family, for Le'orath and Ben, you must leave. Now. Before it's too late."
The Bendu was adamant, firm in his refusal. "Obi-Wan, I cannot. I must come back with you to Coruscant."
"Why?" All the frustration of the past few days thrust Kenobi's question into the air like a razored blade.
Qui-Gon reached out, his large hand resting on Obi-Wan's cramped shoulder. The remembrance of tranquil conversations, the gentle touch of his Master's concern, seemed to still the Jedi. "Because the Force wills it so. Did you think that your coming here was a coincidence? Again and again, the Force has demanded that I go with you. My meditations, Ben's visions, your very presence, all point to me returning to the Temple." The rumbling voice was serene. "Accept this."
"Accept what, Master?" Atel's strident voice broke through the quiet moment. Scathing, there was frank accusation in her tone. She stood there at the top of the porch steps, severe censure in her visage, her arms crossed in defiance. The violet eyes glared first at Kenobi, then flicked to Jinn before returning, with daggered stares, to her Master. Behind the apprentice, the rigid figure of Le'orath Jinn, hand linked with that of her young son, gaped at the two men.
From behind Obi-Wan, a second hostile voice echoed the question. "Yes, I also want to hear the answer, Master Qui-Gon. Accept what?" Anakin Skywalker stepped out past the green leaves and white flowers, to stop just beyond the speeder, a pace or two from Kenobi. The young man appeared to be completely at ease but the azure eyes were narrowed and belligerent, his hands curling slightly as they hung by his side. He stood there, ready for argument, ready for battle. A lightpike of indigo and silver flashed wickedly at his belt.
Qui-Gon turned quickly towards his apprentice, one hand raised in an effort to curb any rash action. "Anakin, we have already discussed this. We agreed that there would be no fighting, that I would go with Obi-Wan back to Coruscant."
Skywalker shook his head, eyes narrowing as his fierce gaze moved from Jedi to Jedi. "With them, with him? I did not agree to such a thing." His face was set in stone. "They will destroy you and you know it. I won't let that happen."
Letting Ben's hand go, Le'orath quickly stepped forward. Brushing past the despised Jedi Padawan, she halted at the edge of the porch and pleaded anxiously for her husband to see reason. "Listen to him, Qui-Gon. You must leave while you still can." She looked down at her young son, his eyes bright with unshed tears, his chubby hands grasping her tunic in bewilderment. Her words caught in her throat; despairing fear for Qui-Gon and heartsore distress that Ben had to see this travesty colored her voice. "For Ben's sake and mine, please."
The pull of her anguish moved Qui-Gon to close the distance between them. Stopping at the bottom of the stone steps, well aware of Atel's animosity and suspicion as she stood next to Le'orath, Jinn carefully ignored the apprentice and gazed instead at his frantic wife. He murmured gently, "Le', don't. You know why I have to do this."
Le'orath's frown was turbulent with disapproval. Folding her arms, unyielding in her determination to thwart his foolishness, she spat out, "No, I don't know why. All this nonsense of duty and sacrifice. When did your duty to the Jedi ever get you anything but pain? Give it up, Qui-Gon."
But he looked at her with sorrow and determination, shaking his head in resolute denial. "I cannot."
Anakin scowled at that remark. Qui-Gon Jinn had always been as stubborn as a gundark when he thought he was right. But now he was wrong, so very wrong. Every meditation, every dip into the Force's gentle wellspring of infinite possibilities had only confirmed Anakin's deepest fears. Master Qui-Gon's journey to Coruscant would end in agony. The Force sang of it, whispered it to Anakin in his dreams - somehow, he had to change the future before it was too late.
But Atel heard the same words and came to a different conclusion. The Bendu had accepted the situation. There would be no resistance, no struggle or messy confrontation. Breathing a soft sigh of cautious relief, she glanced at her all-too-quiet Master and awaited his signal to complete the arrest. Standing by the speeder, a sharp frown furrowing his brow, Obi-Wan stood there, silent and still, looking as grey as the clouds scudding overhead. But he made no move toward the rogue Jedi.
Within Atel's heart, however, remnants of suspicion remained. The conversation she had interrupted between her Master and Jinn had been unsettling and he had not answered her question; his continuing reluctance to do his duty was troubling and he still had made no effort to apprehend the Bendu. The very real possibility of misplaced loyalties made her voice ice-sharp. "Master Obi-Wan, it grows late. We must go if we are to catch the transport back to Coruscant." He seemed to hear nothing, see nothing beyond the anguished tableau spread before him. "Master?!"
When he continued to ignore her, when he stared instead at Jinn, his distraught wife, and their young son clinging to his mother's tunic for comfort, the Padawan grew even more wary. Her next words were biting. "Master Obi-Wan! Remember your duty." Voice razored with animosity and frustration, she spat, "Must I remind you that the Jedi Council has commanded us to bring him back to Coruscant? Master!!"
From the corner of her eye, she could see Anakin shift in restless outrage at her statement. But she ignored him. There were larger issues here than one unhappy Bendu apprentice.
A few heartbeats later, she saw Obi-Wan give a slight shiver of unease, seemingly chilled with the thought of what must be done. Finally, drawing in a deep, despairing breath, he looked at her, anguish in his clouded eyes. Nodding slightly, the Knight murmured, "Duty first."
With that acknowledgement, Atel quickly strode forward, thrusting aside the scented blossoms and soft greenery that seemed to grow everywhere. Angling past an angry, grieving Le'orath, she glanced down at the child, standing there, hiccupping in bewildered sorrow. A cutting sting of deep pity for the boy stopped the Padawan for a moment. Leaning down, she whispered, "I'm sorry, Ben." But he just burrowed his face into his mother's embrace, sullenly ignoring her soft words.
Straightening up, Atel stepped down from the porch, stopping in front of the tall Bendu. Yanking out the required Force binders, she said clearly, "Qui-Gon Jinn. You are under arrest." His face was a mask of indifference but she could see the enormous effort at control, standing there so rigid and severe; his azure eyes were bruised, sorrowful. She grabbed one large unresisting wrist and snapped the cuff shut, the spark and sizzle of blue energy coalescing about the binder. Leaning forward, she pulled at his other arm, pinning the second cuff closed. The sapphire color of the shackles intensified, little tendrils of shimmering light leaping from one arm to another, cold ruinous beauty.
Qui-Gon gave a little grunt of pain. His aura immediately muted, the binders cutting off his access to the Force, the torment of it vibrating through the air. From behind her, the cries of the young boy grew louder as he exclaimed, "Mommy, they're hurting Daddy."
But in that instant, as the tainted shivers of the cuff's Force energy began to surround Qui-Gon, Anakin leaped forward, a frantic "No" escaping his lips. He tried to angle past Obi-Wan, his hands thrust outward as though to tear away the manacles. But the Knight shifted into Anakin's path, grabbing for his arm.
The young one twisted, slippery and sinuous, and deftly avoided the grasp but Obi-Wan was not to be ignored. Angling forward, Kenobi's foot shot out, sending Skywalker into a rocketing sprawl. Astonishingly, instead of a clumsy dive, Anakin merely tucked into a roll, the sudden jolt of twisted limbs moving into fluid grace. The crunch and clatter of displaced rock and soil was loud as he hit the ground, the lightpike a noisy counterpoint as it rolled out of reach. The blonde youth let out a sharp hiss as he brought up one bloodied hand. Then, eyes narrowing, the bitter venom in his voice was clear. "Jedi!"
The echoes of a brief struggle from the house and the hoarse shout of "Anakin, stop" were ignored as the Bendu fell into the moment. He had failed, failed to protect his Master from those Jedi hypocrites, failed to prevent his capture. But they hadn't left yet. Perhaps there was still a chance to keep him from leaving with Kenobi, to save Qui-Gon from himself.
Anakin leapt up, almost rocketing toward his Master's enemy. Obi-Wan reversed, wheeling away swiftly, startled at the frenzy and speed of his opponent. But the apprentice would not be denied, his hand grabbing one swirling piece of Obi-Wan's ragged cloak, pulling it sharply. The sound of tearing cloth shredded the air but the fierce effort was enough. The Jedi was sent flying backwards in a sweep of brown.
Struggling to regain his balance, trying desperately to get up but entangled in his robe, Kenobi was trapped for a brief moment. Anakin leaped into the Knight, their bodies colliding as both grappled for leverage. The youth thrust his hands towards the vulnerable throat but the Jedi pushed him up and back. The momentum and agile use of the Force proved a powerful combination as Skywalker was tossed over the Jedi's body and landed hard a meter away. This gave Obi-Wan enough time to drop the ensnaring cloak and move into defensive stance.
He tried desperately to stop the youth. Speaking softly, he whispered, "Anakin, we are on the same side."
'Liar!" spat the young apprentice as he hurtled toward Obi-Wan. Experience proved a cunning defense as the Jedi blurred into motion, skillfully sidestepping the attack. Whipping around, Skywalker would not be denied and feinted left, then moved in, kicking at the Jedi's legs, hoping to bring him down. The faint sound of boot meeting flesh was followed by the crackle of gravel grinding beneath the two men as they tumbled to the ground. Snarls of anger and the faint noise of whispered appeals were not loud enough to hear beyond the fighting pair.
While the two men battled with fury and determination, Atel had her hands full with the rogue Jedi. He was huge, commanding and tall compared to her petite form, but she had the Force on her side and he did not. Jinn tried to step forward, his bound hands held before him as he moved to intercept the pair. Shaking her head, Atel grabbed his arm, yanking him back. Slightly off-balance, he bumped into her, hissing, "They could get hurt. Let me help."
Le'orath moved forward, catching one manacled hand with her anxious fingers. Jade eyes wild with emotion, she pulled him close. "Qui-Gon, can you help Anakin?"
"Le', it's not Anakin that I'm worried about." His voice was laced with concern.
Atel looked at him with disbelief. "Do you think me a fool, Jinn? Master Obi-Wan can hold his own against any half-trained boy." Her eyes scanned the struggle as it intensified with kicks and punches, her Master now dancing away and then leaping over Skywalker as the youth tried to pummel him. The aerial retreat failed as Anakin feigned with his own fast jump, fist connecting with Kenobi's stomach, doubling him over as he fell grounds ward. Soon, the pair were both bloodied. The onslaught of bruising attacks was beginning to take their toll.
"You are a fool." Qui-Gon's voice was hurried with anxiety. "Anakin is more than capable. If this fight escalates to lightsabers, Obi-Wan will be in serious trouble. Let me stop it before that happens."
She just snorted in disbelief and ignored his plea, turning back to watch the Jedi Knight grapple with his young attacker.
Obi-Wan was beginning to worry. His opponent was indeed well-trained as only an apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn could be. He needed to finish this and soon.
Skywalker pushed forward defiantly, hoping to sweep in with a flying kick and end this conflict. But Obi-Wan moved impossibly fast, his upper torso twisting as he shifted abruptly, intent on capturing Anakin's outstretched leg and bringing him down. The youth saw his mistake immediately and tried to compensate by flinging his body away from Kenobi, hoping to regain control, but the pebbles beneath his feet shifted abruptly under the strain, throwing him off-balance. He fell awkwardly, a mere breath away from Kenobi's grasp. In a blur of motion, Obi-Wan was on the apprentice, flinging him face down onto the gravel path. Anakin's chest plowed into the stones, one hand locked behind his back, the other outflung but tightly bound by the Jedi's own. Obi-Wan pressed his body into Skywalker's, forcing him to remain still. Anakin tried desperately to break free but could not; he was caught tight.
Kenobi leaned forward, speaking gently to the Bendu apprentice. "Anakin, I am not your enemy." He nodded back towards Jinn. "I am not his enemy."
Skywalker struggled, trying to gain some purchase to break free. "Liar." He twisted hard but to no avail. "I've seen the future, Jedi. You and your precious Council are going to torture him. I've seen it!"
Obi-Wan was shaken, troubled with this revelation. "No, that can't be true. You must be mistaken."
"No mistake, Jedi. And it's all your fault." He growled, lifting his head, his sharp blue eyes meeting turbulent grey ones.
Obi-Wan was adamant. "I promise. I won't let that happen." His reply softened, hurt at the thought of that vision coming to pass. "I don't want to take him back either, Anakin. But he insists on going. Help me to stop... "
Interrupting the Jedi, rocking his body back and forth in a seemingly futile attempt at escape, he hissed, "He's a damn fool. And so are you..." With that, his fingers fluttered lightly.
The Force was suddenly ablaze with movement, an astounding whirlwind of energies aimed straight for the Knight. With that energy came a cacophony of sand and rock, the very gravel from the path lifting and smashing into Obi-Wan's body. He had very little time to react, raising his arm in a futile attempt at protecting his face. In the few moments of startled reflex, Anakin flung him off and scrambled away to evade the whirlwind of air and stone battering the Jedi.
Obi-Wan struggled to stand as the sharp-edged pebbles continued to pummel him. A thumb-sized rock swiftly scored one cheek, sending a trickle of blood down the Knight's jaw as the granite rubble battered his face. He grunted in pain as the far-off sounds of "Master" and "Anakin, no" filtered through the noisy blast of dirt and debris. Finally, he managed to send a frantic Force push back into the barrage of rock, stemming their fierce onslaught. The clatter of falling stone was loud in the sudden silence.
Wiping his face with one blood-streaked sleeve, he looked in astonishment at the young Bendu. "How did you do that?"
Anakin snorted, "It's a child's game. Seeing how much you can put into the air at one time. Don't you Jedi ever go outside and play?"
"Not like that." Obi-Wan frowned at the thought. "What other tricks has Qui-Gon taught you?"
"That one I thought of all on my own, Jedi." The smile did not reach his fierce eyes.
"Impressive." The Knight was serious. With proper experience and deft Force use, that attack would be almost unbeatable. But Anakin didn't need to know that at the moment.
"Yeah, I'm just full of surprises." And, frowning in deep concentration, Skywalker pulled out his lightpike and thumbed on the dual switches. The twin blades gleamed a brilliant green in the dusky air, the doubled sound of humming clear and loud. He stood there, resentment and battle-frenzy swirling like a miasma about his Force signature. And then, blurring with Force-heightened speed, he vaulted forward, one searing edge swinging down towards Obi-Wan's torso.
Voices raised in horror echoed from the porch but Obi-Wan had no time to listen. Instead, he backwheeled furiously, bringing up his own saber in a flash of blue flame as Anakin's swerving blade missed by millimeters. The second green tip swept roughly upward, aiming for his hip as Obi-Wan frantically blocked the cut. Then the right blade moved impossibly fast, the descent so swift that the trail of green fire was all that the eye could see. Kenobi's blade was a blur, halting the pike in midstroke.
Before the Bendu's left blade could begin its climb once more, Obi-Wan lashed out with his boot, stabbing towards Skywalker's vulnerable knee. Anakin felt the movement and shifted slightly, the foot impacting the upper shin instead. But the blow sent a sheet of agony through the muscles and ligaments around the joint, Anakin grunting in pain as he collapsed. The emerald pike flashed off briefly as Anakin rolled away, hissing in pain. Then, struggling to stand, he ignited the lightpike once more. A green blaze danced across his sullen face as he stared at the Jedi.
Obi-Wan stilled. There was still a chance to prevent further bloodshed. Trying to diffuse the thunderclouds of jealous fury sweeping over young Skywalker, his voice lowered to a gentle whisper. "Anakin, you don't want to do this. I am not your enemy."
The apprentice huffed at that. "I believe you said that before. Saying it again will not make it any less a lie." He shifted painfully, his emerald lightpike a glowing counterpoint to the thickening gloom.
"Don't do this, Anakin. It will only end in tragedy."
"Yes, it will. Yours, Jedi." And with that, the apprentice moved forward, the limp now imperceptible as he lunged for the Knight. Anakin feigned the pike high then quickly flicked the left blade low, pass Kenobi's guard, singeing his tunic as Obi-Wan danced away. The Jedi's eyes narrowed, concentrating on following the movements of Anakin's Force signature, looking for weakness. He needed to disarm this young Bendu before it was too late.
As the fight escalated, as the flurry of thrusts and parries between the two intensified into an ethereal blaze of deadly color, another struggle was taking place nearby. Qui-Gon Jinn watched with horrified eyes as Obi-Wan and Anakin began to batter each other with searing light, the scars of harsh energy appearing on cloth and skin. He had to do something, anything to keep them from this foolish conflict. Releasing Le'orath, he jerked out of Atel's inattentive grip and began to move towards them once more.
The Padawan leapt in front of him, hissing fiercely. One hand was raised in denial, the other hovered over the worn lightsaber at her side. "Where do you think you are going?"
"To stop this." He growled at her, his anxious eyes never leaving the savage rush of unexpected battle, his body leaning forward, frantic to reach the grappling pair. Even as he watched, Obi-Wan flew backwards over the speeder, a soft grunt joining the noise of flying gravel as Anakin created another Force storm, stones and dirt whirling towards the Jedi's head. The Knight scrambled to his feet, azure lightsaber ready as one steady hand pushed the chaotic debris back towards the Bendu apprentice. The youth ducked out of harm's way and nodded agreeably to his enemy. Admiration briefly lit his young face before his eyes narrowed again. Leaping up onto the speeder and down again, he moved the pike in a quick slashing motion and the deadly dance began once more.
Qui-Gon sharply thrust his hand toward the dueling pair, almost frantic in his attempt to make her realize the truth, that Obi-Wan may yet lose. It would only take one mistake. "Look at them, Atel. Reach out with your feelings and see what is really going on. Anakin is strong in the Force, stronger than any living Jedi, and he is well-trained."
The Bendu champion held his breath for a moment as Obi-Wan thrust his lightsaber forward and up, almost cutting Anakin's lightpike in half. But Qui-Gon knew that his apprentice had felt the movement. He saw the youth jerk back, out of reach as the Knight pressed his advantage, slashing with lethal accuracy. It hurt to watch.
Turning to the Padawan, he spat, "Blast it, trust your instincts and look!" Both manacled hands reached for her arm, bruising in its strength and fear, and yet it was his desperate eyes that moved her to turn and witness the ongoing melee. His voice was harsh with apprehension. "I need to stop this before they kill each other."
Even as Qui-Gon spoke, it was clear that Anakin was not done yet. His blue eyes seemed to mist over for a moment, then from behind the Knight, a large tree branch arrowed its way towards the Jedi's unguarded back. Sensing unseen danger, twisting at the last possible second, he avoided the projectile only to have Skywalker pull up with the green blade, scoring through leggings and shallow flesh. Obi-Wan hissed as the pain flared but he managed to escape once more, leaping over the speeder and moving to regroup.
Atel grunted, an echo of Obi-Wan's pain, "Master, no." Turning quickly, she spat at the Bendu champion. "Stay here."
As she raced away, Qui-Gon's eyes gleamed with rebellion. Waiting for a few precious moments, he ignored her rough command and hurried toward the fray. As long as the Force binders shimmered with polluted light, he was helpless to use his powers. But he must be ready. Powers or no, he must do what was needed to end this conflict.
Ignoring Qui-Gon's defiant folly as he followed her into the battle arena, Atel pulled out her lightsaber and rushed to Master Obi-Wan's side. Her violet blade was a stark counterpoint to his blue flame.
He glanced down at her and gave a brief grin. "Glad you could join me. I could use a little help." His eyes flicked to Qui-Gon standing close by and then, turning back to Skywalker, he called out, "Stand down, Anakin, before it's too late."
Qui-Gon's "Stop this, Anakin" echoed through the air, a harsh rumble of agreement with the embattled Knight but the apprentice just shook his head.
"No, I've got to save you, Master." And with that, he slid over the back of the speeder, using his momentum to fly at Obi-Wan, his pike a blur of emerald light as he tried to strike at both with one killing sweep. Atel leaped out of the way but abruptly turned as he rocketed past, his vulnerable back exposed. She leaned forward to strike, to end this conflict. But Anakin sensed her movement and arched wildly, blocking her saber's upward journey while Obi-Wan's blade met his low and pushed, twisting the emerald flame down as the sizzling sound of sabersong split the air. Atel disengaged, then spiraled in, cutting at his legs, hoping to distract him enough for her Master.
Anakin danced out of her reach just as Obi-Wan slashed dead center, cutting the lightpike in half. One end sputtered and died, clattering to the ground. Qui-Gon was shouting something but he ignored the noise.
Skywalker growled and backpedaled quickly, out of their reach. Instantly, Obi-Wan pressed the attack. Dancing forward, pushing Anakin back with the thrust of his blue blade, he began to hammer the youth with a flurry of attacks as his Padawan moved in from the side.
Anakin was starting to tire as he defended against the twin onslaught. Stepping back, parrying wildly, low and high as he met each blade with his own, he gathered his strength to make one final attempt at driving these Jedi away. Breathing sharply, his eyes flicked to the fist-sized stones near the porch, feeling them tremble at his compelling call. He thrust forward once more, forcing both Jedi back, then disengaging for an instant, backpeddling, and prepared to throw the granite debris at his Master's enemies. He shifted slightly so that the muted Force presence of Master Qui-Gon was behind him, out of the way of the onslaught.
But, instead of moving aside and away from harm, the Master stepped closer. As his apprentice raised his arm to begin the assault, Jinn swung both manacled hands toward Anakin's head, clipping him soundly. He dropped like a stone, dazed and furiously confused with this unexpected attack. Instantly, Qui-Gon knelt by his side, then leaned over his body, holding him down, talking to him in desperate, urgent tones.
Atel ran to engage the youth, moving to point her blade at his throat, hoping to make Anakin understand that the fight was finished and he had lost. But Obi-Wan pulled her back, shaking his head, and, thrusting binder cuffs at her, pointed toward the defeated Bendu. "We need to secure him quickly before he can do more damage."
"Yes, Master." Nodding sharply, she hastened to Jinn's side. Careful to remain out of reach of the still-groggy Anakin, she glanced at the former Jedi Master. He was pressing his apprentice down, clearly determined to stop any further attacks but the defeated pain in his clouded eyes was devastating to see.
The Padawan knelt quickly, bringing out the tainted Force cuffs and pressing the first onto one stiff wrist. The azure glow began to sparkle as it powered up but Anakin, blinking rapidly as he gained strength after the stunning assault, resisted the pull of the loathsome manacles. Snapping the other cuff on proved to be a challenge as the youth tried to crawl from beneath his Master's grasp. But, at last, the two shackles were joined and she stepped back quickly.
The sapphire light sizzled as the tendrils of cold fire flowed around Anakin's hands; the brilliant Force aura of the apprentice muted abruptly and he hissed in pain. Thrusting his bound hands towards Qui-Gon, his eyes darkened in confusion and sorrow. "Why, Master? Why did you let them do this?" His furious gaze melted into defeat. "It hurts."
"The ache will subside in time." His quiet voice did nothing to quell Anakin's unease, the question still unanswered.
Both looked up as Le'orath and Ben approached, the child huddled tight against her tunic. Smoothing one loving hand over her husband's hunched shoulder, she peered anxiously at the struggling apprentice. "Anakin, are you all right?"
"I will be when these binders..." His frustration and outrage at the situation escalated as Anakin glanced up. Standing nearby, the Knight and his little veldt Padawan were unharmed and watching him with those smug Jedi stares. Struggling furiously, Anakin scrambled to push past his Master and get to his feet but Qui-Gon was immovable. "Master, let me up! I can still save you if only..." Once more, he tried to shove the large man aside but Jinn would not be dislodged.
Qui-Gon's voice was harsh with condemnation. "Anakin, you disobeyed me." He gazed down at his wayward apprentice, his eyes sapphire hard.
Anakin stilled at that, suddenly afraid to hear more. He knew that he had to make Master Qui-Gon understand that he must not go with the Jedi. The visions were too strong, too frightening to ignore. Frantically, he said, "I had to, Master. They will destroy you if you go back to the Temple."
Jinn shook his head, weary of this resistance. "I had already made my decision. You had no right to interfere."
The youth's eyes flashed with cobalt fire, his head lifting in urgent reply. "I had every right. Sacrifice yourself for them?? So they can... no, he's not worth it, Master, not worth your life."
"Anakin, it is my choice and my sacrifice." His voice was saturated with haggard indignation, demanding obedience from his young charge.
Frowning at that, the apprentice spat back, "So that's it then. You'd rather go with him than stay here with me...with us?"
Qui-Gon drew back, surprised. "Is that what this is all about? You're jealous of Obi-Wan?"
Anakin quickly shook his head, his eyes flicking to the waiting Knight, to Le'orath, and back again. "No, it's just..." His mouth grew hard. "That's all you think about, that gundark and his little pet. Shouldn't Ben and your wife and, yes even me, be more important than those Jedi hypocrites? And it is your life now. Don't throw it away on them. Please..."
Qui-Gon sighed, heavy with the burden of what was to come. His apprentice was not the only one with visions of the future. "This has nothing to do with what I want, but what the Force wants. Feel the rightness of this, Anakin. See beyond the loss. It is what I must do." Softly spoken, the statement seemed to penetrate the youth's duracreet shields of anger and guilt.
Anakin's reply was rough with despair. "I don't want you to go."
"I know." Qui-Gon looked at his wife, her eyes bright and shimmering with unshed tears, and then back to Anakin, now lying quiescent beneath him.
"My apprentice, you realize that you have assaulted Republic representatives while they were on a mission. They have every right to arrest you and judge you here and now. It is possible that you will go to prison for some time for this offense."
For the first time since the scuffle began, the youth hesitated, uncertain, "I didn't want...I just wanted them to leave us alone. But they didn't seem to be able to take the hint."
"They are well within their rights to take you. Anakin, I needed your obedience in this. I wanted you here, to continue your training with the Bendu, to help protect my family, to keep you safe. But now..." He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather the strength to do what must be done. "An apprentice of the Bendu obeys his Master's instructions at all times. If he does not, the Master has the right to cast him aside."
Anakin's eyes flew wide at that. "No, Master, please. I..."
Qui-Gon continued as if there had been no interruption. "If the Master so chooses, he may deliver up the apprentice to senior members of the Bendu Philosophical Group for justice or to any other authority he deems worthy of impartiality and fairness."
"No, Master, don't..." The apprentice gazed at him, unable to believe what was happening. "Please no..."
Rising to his feet, Qui-Gon reached down and pulled Anakin up sharply. The youth seemed stunned, blinking in angry confusion as he stared unseeing at the ground before him. As Qui-Gon turned towards Obi-Wan, his hands still gripping his young apprentice with determination and anguished strength, he looked into the sea-green eyes of his old Padawan.
"Knight Kenobi, I present my apprentice to you for judgment. Know that he mistakenly thought to protect me with this rashness but it is no excuse. He had agreed to abide by my commands while under my tutelage. He has not done so in this case. Do with him what you must." The words were harsh but Qui-Gon's eyes begged for understanding.
Le'orath's hand gripped her husband's shoulder with bitter strength. "Oh, Qui-Gon, no." But when he reminded her that Anakin must learn that there are consequences to his actions, she stood there, her mouth an unhappy line and said nothing.
Obi-Wan drew himself up, resolute and controlled. Standing there, bruised and hazy with dirt, he stared at the apprentice. Wiping away one small irritating trickle of blood now coursing down his torn cheek, his voice rasped. "Anakin, what do you have to say?"
The apprentice's blue eyes were fierce with anguished regret as he shifted under Jinn's grip. "Master, please don't." But Qui-Gon ignored his plea, looking straight ahead and did not answer.
Anakin stiffened as he stared at the Knight, a touch of desperation in his voice. "I only wanted to help Master Qui-Gon. He should not be made to be the sacrifice you require."
"Did you think killing me would help Qui-Gon?" The words were quietly spoken.
The young man swallowed hard. The bleak realization that all his efforts had been in vain, that Master Qui-Gon would leave with this Jedi deepened with that single question. Kenobi's own words echoed Master Jinn's quiet reasoning, spoken only yesterday. It seemed a lifetime ago.
Anakin's response was hesitant at first. "No, I never meant... I only wanted you to leave...to leave us all alone. I thought I could scare you away." His voice grew sullen with remembered indignation and the futility of his cause. "But you wouldn't go. And I kept having to push harder. And still you wouldn't go."
Moving his hand slowly up to wipe away the drying blood, showing Anakin the smears of brown and red staining his ragged sleeve, Obi-Wan grimaced wryly, "I believe you got your point across."
"But you haven't gone." His helpless frustration ran parsecs deep.
"We will be leaving soon enough." The Jedi's voice was laced with regret. "With Master Jinn."
Anakin drew desperate again, leaning forward, jerking out of his Master's tight grasp, and then frowning, shaking his head at the Knight. "Damn it, Jedi. Haven't you been listening at all? For once, do what is right."
"Young one, it is far too late for that."
The words seemed to shake Anakin as he glowered at the Knight. Finally, with jaw clenched and hooded eyes, he turned his head towards the cloud-tipped mountains. He stood there quietly, seemingly calm. But his hands were anxious, trying to escape the azure fire of the binders, trying to see his way clear. The turbulent drifts of muted Force currents slipped and curled around the troubled apprentice, encasing him.
Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon, frowning. "What would a Bendu mediator do in this case?"
His eyes flicking once to Anakin before returning to the concerned gaze of the Jedi Knight, Jinn considered the question for a moment. "For disobedience, guided meditation. For aggressive fighting, isolation for a day, a week, a month depending on the reason. For attacking another such as Anakin has done, isolation, shunning; expulsion may be required. For killing in anger, prison according to the laws of Naboo."
Obi-Wan thought about it, carefully mulling over the options. "The same as with the Jedi. And what do you want me to do, Master?"
Qui-Gon's response was straightforward. "I will not cast him out but attacking without provocation must be punished. Do what you must, Obi-Wan."
The Jedi Knight turned toward the sullen apprentice. "Anakin Skywalker, you said that you wished to help Master Qui-Gon." The young man nodded sharply, then straightened, waiting for his fate to be decided. "I believe that you are sincere." Anakin's eyes began to lighten in relief but Obi-Wan was not finished. "You taught me a great deal today, Anakin. Uses of the Force that I had never contemplated. For this, I am grateful and I thank you for my lesson."
The Jedi Knight drew in a hoarse breath, "But disobedience in an apprentice is not acceptable nor is unwarranted attacks."
He took a step closer, steadily staring at the blonde youth. "Will you obey your Master and accept my judgment?"
Anakin's bitter eyes flicked towards Qui-Gon and back to the Jedi, his indignant face a study in resentment. "Why should I? You are not my Master."
"No, I am not but he has asked that I decide on the punishment for your rash actions." Obi-Wan lifted his head, quiet resolve and determined strength in his stance. "So I will make it very simple. You can accept my judgment here or we can take you back to Coruscant to stand trial before the Jedi Council. They will be less pleased than I." He paused, "Do I have your word?"
Skywalker narrowed his eyes, huffing with deep frustration, not wanting to capitulate but knowing that he must. Finally, teeth gritted, with no options of escape and incensed at his own inept failure, his response was curt. "Yes, Jedi, you have my word."
Obi-Wan straightened, folding his arms across his chest and staring resolutely at the young apprentice. "Hear this and obey, Anakin Skywalker. Say no good-byes to Master Jinn but turn and walk away."
The youth started at that, frowning, and moved to object. But he subsided when his Master sent him a scathing glare; he had given his word and he must keep it.
The Jedi continued, "Do not look back but go straight to Master Windu. He will be able to remove the binders. You are to explain your actions to him, including your motivations - all of them - jealousy, anger, hatred. Leave nothing out. He will determine your punishment for disobedience."
Obi-Wan looked again at Qui-Gon, who nodded in grateful relief. The Knight continued wearily, "Tell Master Windu that, when your atonement is complete, you are to stay at the Bendu complex for six months - isolated. Talk to no one. Interact with no one. Since you will have plenty of time to reflect on your transgressions, begin to rebuild some of the Sanctuary's fallen masonry. I'm sure that Mace has a list of items that will need repair."
He stared pointedly at the apprentice. "Anakin, one final thing. No use of the Force is to be permitted during this time with the sole exception of defense for yourself or others. A little sweat, a little hard labor might help your outlook."
Anakin was bewildered, "Is that all?"
Kenobi shot back, "Isn't that enough?" At the apprentice's quick nod, he spoke again. "When all of this is finished, your punishment will be complete. And forgiven."
It was clear that Obi-Wan's statements met with some approval from Le'orath, quiet concern from Qui-Gon and immense relief from the wayward apprentice. However, Atel was incensed. Leaning close to Obi-Wan, a low rumble of fierce misgiving in her voice, she hissed. "How can you say that, Master? Anakin attacked you...with deadly force. He deserves to be arrested and brought up for trial. He should be in prison, not this."
"Padawan, my judgment is final." She scowled at that but subsided. However, Obi-Wan knew that he would hear about this later in great depth and probably, with a loud and lengthy discussion about the Standards of Behavior. Wryly, he thought, **I can hardly wait.**
Turning to Anakin, he saw the young man was staring intensely at Qui-Gon, as though trying to communicate without words. But the former Jedi ignored his apprentice; the punishment had already begun.
Obi-Wan's voice was hard and unyielding. "Anakin, go now. Do as I have said. Remember that you have given your word to obey."
The apprentice snapped back, "I will not forget this, Jedi." Narrowing his ice-blue eyes, a fierce frown branding his brow in lines of indignation and failure, he turned abruptly away and began to stride quickly towards the north, towards the Bendu Sanctuary. It was only with extraordinary effort that he did not glance at his old Master as he left. But Anakin kept his word; he did not look back.
Obi-Wan gathered up his torn cloak and tossed it into the speeder. Gesturing for his Padawan to stand by his side, he moved away slightly leaving the family alone for a few moments. He knew that they needed to make their final farewells in private.
It was the child that broke the impasse of silence. Ben tugged on his mother's tunic as one small fist brushed away the wetness on his soft cheek, his luminous eyes swimming. "Mommy, when is Anakin coming home?"
Kneeling down, Le'orath gathered her son in her arms, clinging to him tightly. "Oh, Ben, I don't know. He has to stay with the Bendu for a while."
Ben's small voice piped clearly, "For not listening to Daddy?" She nodded at that but the child turned towards his father, staring at him with wide blue eyes brimming with tears. "Is Daddy going away now, too?"
The hesitation in her words was a poignant reminder that Le'orath was also on the verge of tears. Only the determination to remain strong for the child kept the strangling emotions at bay. "Yes, Ben, he is."
"I don't want him to, Mommy. They're going to hurt him." He pointed to Obi-Wan, his chubby fingers wavering at the Knight. "He's a bad man for taking Daddy away. I don't like him. Make him go, Mommy."
Le'orath buried her face in Ben's bright hair, her breath hitching as she tried to maintain control. "Oh, Ben, I only wish I could."
Qui-Gon stepped forward and knelt beside his wife, his bound hands reaching for the young boy. The bright azure sparks of light danced across the Bendu's wrists, encasing them in light, but the child did not care. He began to whimper as he let go of Le'orath and threw his arms around Qui-Gon's neck. "Don't go, Daddy."
The Bendu leaned into the embrace, his bearded face gently nuzzling his son's wet cheeks. He whispered quietly, "My Ben, I don't want to leave but I must." He drew his head back, trying to meet the boy's eyes. But the child held on tightly and Qui-Gon fell back into his son's arms.
"Ben, do you remember what I told you about duty?" The tenuous shake of the red-gold head and the faint catch of a quiet sob told Qui-Gon that his son was listening, however reluctantly. "Sometimes, we have to do what is required of us even if it hurts. I need to leave with Obi-Wan." The child only gripped tighter, not wanting to let go. "And I could use your help with Mommy."
The child's reply was muffled, his face still buried in Qui-Gon's shoulder. "Mommy?"
"Yes, Ben. Mommy will be very sad when I leave. She will need you to keep her company and make her feel better. Do you think you can do that?" A tentative nod and Ben drew back, looking at his father's plaintive face.
Qui-Gon's smile was laced in sorrow. "Now, little one, I need to say goodbye to Mommy. Can you give me a goodbye hug?"
Ben's eyes grew huge, swimming again, and one lone tear rolled down his cheek. He tightened his grip once more, his face digging into Qui-Gon's neck, burrowing in. The boy's quiet whisper was halting, the pain of loss coloring his voice. "I love you, Daddy."
Qui-Gon's throat tightened unbearably, "I love you, too, Ben. Never forget that." He leaned into the downy cheek and then gave him a gentle kiss, murmuring, "Love you."
The child squeezed him tightly for a moment, then loosening his hold on his father's neck, stepped back and huddled against his mother.
The Bendu stood rapidly, extending his bound hands towards Le'orath, inviting her to stand with him one last time. She looked up at him, angry jade eyes shimmering in the gloomy overcast. She could not believe that the thing she had feared most had come to pass. Qui-Gon Jinn, the man that she adored, was deserting her.
Le'orath stormed to her feet, her arms crossed in furious resentment. She hissed at him. "So you're leaving then."
Qui-Gon blinked rapidly, surprised at his wife's obvious indignation. "Le', you know that I had no choice. Let our last moments together...."
She harshly interrupted, bitter irony in her voice. "You had a choice. You could have run away and come back later. They would never have been able to find you and you know it. Instead, duty wins again. Over me, over Ben, even over Anakin. Well, you can take your duty and..." She shivered, curling inward as if cold. Her face was suddenly wet with tears as she turned away, angrily brushing at her cheeks and staring at the stones beneath her feet. The silvered, cloud-swept mountains framed her in stormy half-light.
His first light touch was rejected with one swift jerk of her shoulder. But as he persisted, tenderly touching her back with his large hands, making soft circles to gentle the harsh stiffness in her stance, she began to lean into his caress. One hushed sob was heard as he began to speak. "Le', you knew when you married me that duty would come first. It always has and always will. But you should know that this is the hardest thing I will ever do... to leave you like this."
She whirled abruptly, grabbing his shoulders and dragging him close. "Blast it, Qui-Gon Jinn, you are the most irritating, stubborn man on the planet." She reached up, one questing, fervent hand caressing the rough silk of his beard. "I love you, you foolish gundark."
"I know." He turned his head for a moment, kissing her palm, then looked intently at the lines and planes of his wife's beloved face. He wanted to experience all of her in this moment, to memorize her image in his heart.
She smiled tremulously at that. "What do you know? That I love you or that you are foolish?"
"Both, Le'orath. Both."
And then she pulled him close, kissing his mouth as if it were the last time she would ever taste or touch him. His manacled hands followed the pulsepoints of her throat upward, cupping her face as they embraced, trying to drink her in. Clinging to each other in a tumult of emotion, they tried to make the moment last an eternity. But all moments must end.
At last, with one lingering caress, Qui-Gon stepped back, his eyes intense with grief and longing. "I will always love you, Le'orath Jinn. Good-bye." He turned swiftly away, moving towards the speeder. Stiff with emotion and loss, his voice cracked abruptly as he told Obi-Wan, "Let's go."
The Knight nodded in sympathy. Signaling his Padawan, both Jedi moved in, surrounding Qui-Gon, shepherding him into the passenger seat. Atel took the back and, as Obi-Wan settled in and began to drive away, he could hear Le'orath shout out behind him, "Kenobi, I won't forget this."
Obi-Wan knew that he would not forget this either - not for a long, long time.
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Chapter 15
The roiling thunderclouds flowed like cascading smoke over the mountained landscape. Hurrying swiftly towards the now-retreating Jedi, the murk, with its random flashes of light and clamor of sharp sound, seemed almost alive. The storm was fast approaching.
Within the speeder, the invisible tendrils of unsettled Force energy matched the storm without, seemed to flash and sputter around its occupants. But there was no corresponding shout of noise; instead, the vehicle was saturated with unsettled silences.
Atel, her vigilant eyes narrowed in suspicion and deep worry, studied her Master and the rogue carefully. When they left the farm, Qui-Gon Jinn had ignored the Padawan's sharp scrutiny. Instead, he twisted around to drink in the tableau of his grieving wife and child, gazing intently at the scene until his beloved family became lost in the distance and faded from sight. Then, he seemed to shrink inward suddenly, closing his eyes, settling back into his seat. She caught a fleeting glimpse of anguish before the visage turned to stone. But the set of his hunched shoulders and bowed head spoke volumes of his misery.
She could almost see his grief in the muted tangles of the Force. And, in that moment, she felt sorry for him - not for his well-deserved arrest and eventual conviction but for the love he obviously bore his wife and child. It was very likely that he would never see them again or perhaps only after Ben had grown to manhood. It was such a waste. And it could have been avoided so easily if only he had followed the rules of law. She sighed, heavily. She hoped her Master would realize that as well. Rules were made to be followed, not twisted to suit the moment or one's own desires.
Glancing towards the pilot's seat, trying to make sure that Master Obi-Wan was coping well with the tremedous stresses of this mission, she became concerned as she saw him gently brush Qui-Gon's sleeve for a moment. It appeared that he was almost too aware of the Bendu's misery. She watched as Jinn said nothing but nodded his head imperceptibly, seemingly grateful for his old Padawan's understanding.
But Atel studied them with now-troubled eyes. Obi-Wan was showing compassion and something more - empathy and an unsettling solidarity with Jinn. She had hoped that the arrest would have corrected this problem with her Master. Realizing that he had to bring back the rogue Jedi to Coruscant should have cemented his resolve but it appeared that things were more unbalanced than ever.
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And things did not get better once they reached the transport. The speeder seemed to gather an exhaust trail of several individuals who followed them into the port and, once the engine had died, scattered about the area in a wide circle. Atel watched the crowd grow quickly. They did not appear hostile but anxious whispers morphed into fierce questions when it became clear that Jinn was a prisoner. A few had started to move towards the vehicle, intent on getting some answers, when Tov Antilles appeared.
Hurrying to catch the trio before they could escape, slightly out of breath, the Governor walked quickly toward the speeder. Even from a distance, his whole demeanor was that of a very angry man; his face was sharply marked with a deep frown. Antilles began to speak even before reaching Obi-Wan's side.
"Jedi Kenobi, may I be of assistance?" His voice was cold and harried, his eyes moving quickly as he took in the sight of the Jinn's glowing manacles, the Knight's stoic facade and the Bendu lightpike that Atel clutched so fervently.
Obi-Wan glanced at his Padawan, indicating that they should get moving, then stood abruptly. He turned to the impatient Antilles and bowed slightly. The day's events roughened his weary voice in a harsh rasp, "Governor, thank you for your concern. But we are on our way to Coruscant and the transport will be leaving momentarily. Please step aside."
Brushing past the man, Obi-Wan assisted Qui-Gon out of the speeder. Gathering their small packs and the treasure-trove of evidence, Atel moved quickly to flank the rogue, acting as point, hoping to stem any potential trouble. Taking the Bendu's arm, Obi-Wan began to guide the little group up towards the ramp.
But the Governor refused to be dismissed. Ignoring the Knight's reply, he moved quickly to stand at the foot of the entry. "You realize, Jedi Kenobi, that if you are here to arrest anyone, you must go through my office." He glanced at the Bendu. "And I'm sure that a Hero of Naboo would need legal council if that were the case." His frown deepened, staring at the blue-hazed shackles entrapping Jinn's wrists. "Do you need legal council, Qui-Gon?"
Shaking his head slightly, it was clear that the Bendu was resigned, saddened by this. He had hoped to be on the transport, to get past this last hurtle, to finally accept the burden. He did not need to be reminded of the consequences of his choice. "Tov, no. I appreciate what you are trying to do but you must let me go."
The Governor's voice grew soft, confidential. "Are you sure, my friend? This doesn't look right to me." His eyes flicked to the Jedi, then off towards the knots of people hovering nearby, before returning to Qui-Gon's solemn face.
"Knight Kenobi is only doing what is required. I am certain, Tov. Be at peace with this."
Antilles glanced again at the Jedi, staring hard at Obi-Wan for a moment, then nodded slowly towards his old friend. "Very well, Qui-Gon. I will do as you ask." He stepped back, turning towards the Knight, the scowl returning in full force. "Jedi Kenobi, Qui-Gon says that he accepts this and I will honor his request." He paused, gathering strength. "I have my...doubts. Arresting one of Naboo's citizens without a warrant is highly suspect, Jedi business or not. Be advised that I will be contacting your Order to seek further information in this matter."
With that, the Governor stepped onto the duracrete landing pad, allowing the trio to pass unobstructed up the ramp. As the Bendu moved to the ship's portal, Tov called after him. "Good luck, Qui-Gon." The Bendu did not reply but stopped, his sorrow-filled eyes flicking to Antilles for a brief moment, and nodded before disappearing into the bowels of the transport. Obi-Wan bowed once more and quickly followed.
Atel paused, looking about the now hectic launch pad. The crowd's distant murmurs had grown louder as several individuals began to argue with the Governor over his apparent inability to stop the arrest. Ignoring the noise, she scanned the area one final time before following her Master inside. Unnoticed, in the deep shadows of the landing bay, a lone figure watched the proceedings with a sly smile. The informant, Noname, was quite pleased with his handiwork. Revenge was sweet indeed.
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By the time the Padawan had reached the small quarters, Obi-Wan has already removed Jinn's binders. They were talking in soft whispers at the far end of the cabin but, as she entered the tiny space, the sounds abruptly ceased. She blinked at the unsettling sight. Her violet eyes flicked uneasily between the two, noticing again how closely they were standing together, almost like old friends or perhaps conspirators in a plot.
Her anxiety began to spike upward as she considered the present scene and the events of the past few days. Staring at her Master, she could feel the silence between the men, the quelled conversation a tangible thing waiting for the right moment to resume - without her presence. She did not like this at all but, for the moment, there was nothing to be done. Jinn could not escape the transport in hyperspace and they had two days to come to terms with all that had happened, all that would happen once they reached Coruscant. It would be over soon enough.
She tamped down the rough worry with a savage sigh. She still had time to reconnect with her Master, time to reconcile their differences, and time to reestablish their Master/Padawan relationship. She would make time, make sure it was enough. This was too important for her to fail. She wanted her Master back.
Nodding to Obi-wan, she dropped the packs onto the nearest sleepcouch. It would be a tight fit with the three of them. Two narrow sleepers and an overhead bunk crowded the space, a 'fresher unit occupied one small corner, and while there was a small transparasteel porthole, the cabin was almost claustrophobic - no place for meditation and certainly no place for private conversation. Looking about, she found a small cubbyhole just perfect for the evidence pouch and shoved it inside, closing the door with an audible snap.
"Master, I'm sorry that I could not get a larger cabin or two. This was all they had on such short notice."
"It will be fine, Padawan. Besides, we have a window. Luxury indeed..."
"Yes, Master." A brief smile touched her face. She had always loved his dry wit and this meager attempt at humor was a good first start at reconciling the rift in their relationship. She just hoped that it would be enough.
Looking more closely at him, she could see that he was still dusty from the fight, grass and burrs in his hair, and sporting several rents in his tunic and leggings. A few blossoms of blackened blood were clustered on his arms and legs and the ragged score on his cheek was clear evidence of how intense the battle with Anakin had been. No wonder the Governor had been so tenacious about Jinn. How it must have appeared to the bureaucrat - no calm cool Jedi demeanor but blood and dirt and intensity. Master Obi-Wan looked as if he had just fought the demon draigons of old legend.
Digging down into her pack, she quickly pulled out several small bacta patches. Acknowledging the silent Bendu standing by the porthole, she moved past him to Master Obi-Wan's side. One small hand gently touched his torn skin with its trickle of dried blood and dark sweat as she shook her head, chiding him quietly. "Master, you need a healer again."
"Never that, Padawan." But he seemed suddenly tired, all the adrenalin of the past hours leaching away.
"Go clean up, Master. I'll keep... Master Jinn company."
He frowned at her words, suspicious of her sudden eagerness to help. "Are you sure?" His grey eyes were somber with questions and hesitation.
She tried to reassure him with a fleeting grin, hoping to stem the morass of failure and wary uncertainty. "Yes, Master. I promise I won't carry him off while you're gone. Besides, the ship is about to leave. Feel the vibrations?"
Obi-Wan nodded unhappily, turning back toward Qui-Gon as if to comfort him. But the Bendu was at the porthole, staring out through the transparasteel, darkened eyes wide and unblinking. The Force seemed to thrum with his anguish.
Through the window, a sudden flash of light crashed and lit Qui-Gon's face in a grim mask. The storm had finally arrived. The intense thunderclap that followed could not be heard through the thick durasteel shell but there was an instant of resonance before the sheets of rain painted the porthole in grey mist. The Bendu closed his eyes for a moment, then straightened, folding his arms tightly across his chest, his leonine face a stoic facade. Quickly raising his shields, he remained by the portal, gazing out into the half-light of cloud and rain. But the calm pose fooled no one.
The vibrations increased as the ship leapt its way out of Naboo's atmosphere and then settled down as the secondary dampers kicked in. Above the heavy clouds and the rain, the sun stabbed its brilliant light into the window for an instant before the transport turned toward Coruscant. A few moments of star-dusted night and the planet disappeared as they entered the streaked luminescence of hyperspace. There was no turning back now.
Atel sighed with quiet relief. "Two days of rest and then home." Obi-Wan frowned at that, concern for what lay ahead clearly marked in his clouded eyes.
The Padawan quickly realized her mistake. "Master, you really need to take better care of yourself." Thrusting the bacta patches into his hands, she gestured towards the 'fresher. "It will be all right."
Obi-Wan gazed at her for a moment, his eyes flicking toward his old Master and back again to his Padawan, then nodded. "I won't be long."
As the door closed behind Obi-Wan, Atel glanced again at the tall Bendu. Qui-Gon had said nothing since her arrival. Standing there, intently staring out into hyperspace, it seemed almost as if the random streaks and shimmer of hyperlight were infinitely precious to him - certainly more important than the grey reality of this tiny cell; perhaps the beauty of the moment gave him some fleeting comfort with the devastating loss of his family and his freedom.
After the harsh events of this day, she could well understand his need for quiet contemplation. But, if she were to have any chance at regaining her Master's affection and regard, she had to try to understand this rogue and the hold he had on Obi-Wan. Atel knew that, with no privacy in the small space, this was probably the only chance she would have before returning to Coruscant and the Temple.
"Master Jinn," she began. She watched as his back stiffened abruptly. He did not turn to meet her gaze, but she could feel that he was listening. "I wish to thank you for helping Master Obi-Wan with Anakin." She paused, trying to gain some sense of what he was thinking, his motivations in helping his Jedi captors. "You were right."
At that, he twisted to stare into her violet eyes but still he said nothing, cautiously waiting in resolute silence.
"You were right to interfere." She hesitated, unsure if this was the right time, but she was determined to finish what she had begun. "Anakin is well-trained and his use of the Force today was astonishing. It could have been much worse without your intervention." When he nodded slightly, acknowledging her words, and turned back toward the portal, she pressed the point. "But I want to know why you did it."
At that, realizing that she would continue to question him until she had the answers she needed, Qui-Gon gave a heavy sigh and moved to face the young apprentice. His low voice was calm, polite, remote. "Did what, Padawan Sl'etah? Interfere?"
"Yes. You could have let Anakin continue the fight, maybe even kill my Master. But you did not. Instead you helped Master Obi-Wan. I want to know why."
He gazed at her, his azure eyes seeming to measure her sincerity, as if trying to determine if she were enemy or ally. Finally, his voice still remote, colorless, he replied. "Perhaps I knew that Obi-Wan would win anyway. Perhaps I knew it was a losing cause and could only make matters worse."
Atel moved impatiently, "Master Jinn, I was there. Perhaps... you might try again. Why?"
He looked past her, his face shuttered and serene. "Does it really matter? I am here and under arrest. Imprisonment is likely once we reach the Temple. Why seems to be irrelevant now."
"Not to me."
Qui-Gon sent a questioning glance in her direction, noting her strained face; staring for a moment, he shrugged again. Perhaps truth might not implicate the others; he would have to be careful. "I knew that you were here to take me back to Coruscant. Anakin disagreed with my assessment of the situation and disobeyed me, attacking Obi-Wan without provocation. What could I do but stop him?"
"You could have let Anakin continue and yet you tried again and again to prevent his attack." Her voice was insistant, demanding.
"I knew that I was going to be arrested and there was little I could do about it." His voice deepened in sadness. "I didn't want Anakin implicated. He is young and brash but he will make a fine Bendu Champion someday. I did not want his future jeopardized for my life choices."
"And yet you had Master Obi-Wan judge his actions." She frowned at this. "I don't understand why you didn't just let him get away. Once he was brought down, you helped us cuff him. You gave him over to the Jedi for judgment. Why?"
"In that, you are wrong, Padawan Sl'etah. I gave him over to Obi-Wan for judgment." He waited for her to understand the difference. It did not take long but the hard lines of her mouth told a tale of bitter comprehension.
Atel looked away for a moment, her brow a sharp furrow in frustration. She did not like the way this conversation was going. "Yes, well... Master Obi-Wan has been very lenient of late." Her eyes sharpened as she gazed at the rogue, then narrowed in thought. "The Council would not be so understanding."
His mouth curled slightly, seemingly amused but the Force swirled muddily around him, steeped in sorrow. "Just so."
The dichotomy of the man just frustrated her more. He seemed at peace with the arrest. Yet, was he saying that her Master was Qui-Gon Jinn's ally, that he was not going to follow the will of the Council in this matter? It made a frightening type of sense but she did not like it...at all. She hissed back.
"Yes, Master Obi-Wan is a very compassionate Jedi. You were lucky that he was the one sent by the Council to investigate your crimes. Another Knight might not have been so understanding."
"Yes, I'm sure that the Council was quite deliberate in their choice." His face was a calm mask but the fierce eyes glittered in profound resentment. The memory of Obi-Wan's unhappy confession was still clear and cutting.
"What does that mean?" Her reply was sharp and cold.
"Perhaps they were following the will of the Force in this matter." Qui-Gon turned away from the angered apprentice, looking out again into the ethereal beauty of hyperspace, hoping to find some semblance of peace in the ever-changing light. But Atel would not be denied.
"Of course they were. Why else would they send us here?" Her violet eyes whirled with righteous indignation.
"Why else indeed?" The rumbling sigh echoed in the tiny cabin.
Atel growled in frustration. She was no closer to understanding this former Jedi than before. She moved to face him, her back against the chill wall, the portal's flickering glow bathing her face in a shadowy half-light, her body taut as she gazed up at the tall Bendu. "What do you mean by that....Master Jinn?
"Perhaps they were being kind in allowing my former apprentice to see his old Master once more." The ironic tone in his voice was space-cold, icy in his condemnation of the Jedi Council and their motivations.
"I do not like what you are implying." Her mouth was a hard line of empassioned denial. "My Master is well-known for his unflagging devotion to duty as well as his compassion for others. We were the perfect team to investigate your 'life choices'. I believe that Master Obi-Wan has been more than tolerant of the whole situation."
"Indeed he has. I only hope that Obi-Wan will not be punished for his compassion towards a former Jedi."
"Of course not. He has done his duty and we are on our way to Coruscant. Why should he be punished?" Her bitter tone belied the undercurrent of uncertainty that his statement had raised. **Is he right? Master defied the Council for this Bendu. Will my Master be condemned for his compassion?**
Qui-Gon stared out into the infinite luminous night for a moment. Wearied, his arms folded in embattled stance, he gazed at her once more. "Perhaps you may be able to answer that better than I, Padawan Sl'etah."
She studied his leonine features, trying to gage his sincerity, seeing nothing but calm and stoic acceptance. But, for a fleeting moment, as the Bendu looked down into her indignant face, she thought she saw his azure eyes darkening in intense pity. She pressed on, growling - the stresses building as he remained unfailingly polite but answering none of her concerns - almost if he were taunting her.
"I'm sure your assessment of the situation is flawed, sir. But I will not debate you on this issue. I have agreed to help my Master with your defense once we reach the Temple."
When he remained silent, seemingly lost in thought, Atel took a deep breath and tried to release her anger. This stoic Bendu with his quiet dignity only seemed to infuriate her more. But she needed to understand him and there are a number of questions that remain unanswered.
"Master Jinn..." she began but he abruptly interrupted her.
"Is that wise?" His voice was a low rumble but concern laced the edge of his question.
"What do you mean?" Her eyes narrowed in thought.
"It might be more prudent to distance yourself from my interrogation. The Council might see your assistance in my defense as collaboration. That could be disasterous for Obi-Wan and for you as well, Padawan."
Irritated, Atel pushed off from the cold wall, her clenched fists hidden within the beige folds of her Jedi tunic. "Sir, I don't like your attitude or your implications. The Council is made up of the wisest beings in the Jedi Order. Surely, you are not insinuating that they have already decided on your fate without a proper trial."
"Have you?"
The apprentice was taken aback; this rogue saw far too much. Blinking furiously, she replied. "I...my opinion has no bearing on this. I promised to help my Master and I will do so, with or without your cooperation."
The silence that followed was short. For the briefest of moments, the Bendu frowned at her fierce declaration before his visage smoothed into a stony facade, his hooded eyes turning towards the mysteries of hyperspace once more. His hushed question was steeped in long-buried sorrow.
"Do you care about your Master?"
"What do you mean? Of course I do. He is my teacher, my confidant, my closest friend. He is my Master. Yes, I care about him."
"So do I, Padawan Sl'etah, and I have for many years." His voice lowered, growing hoarse with weariness. "If you truly wish to help your Master, if you have any influence over him at all, convince him to distance himself from my case. I have no wish to see Obi-Wan condemned for my decisions."
She stood there, stunned. This was not what she had expected. "Master Jinn, I... for once, we agree."
"Agree on what, Padawan?" Obi-Wan leaned against the 'fresher door, his green eyes flicking first to Atel, resting for a moment on the too-silent Qui-Gon Jinn and then returned with a sharp, pentrating stare to his apprehesive apprentice.
"Master Jinn and I were merely discussing his case before the Council." She moved quickly to his side, looking at the clean tunic, the drying hair. "Master, they have a water shower?"
Their eyes locked, each recognizing that the change in subject was merely a diversonary tactic. Atel was quite relieved when Master Obi-Wan nodded slightly.
"Luxury indeed, my Learner. A choice of sonics or water shower as well as a sonics cleaner. We will have fresh clothing for a change. Even Master Jinn will be able to clean up before arriving at the Temple."
Obi-Wan handed her the remnants of his torn clothes, clean but still with the ragged tears from the intense battle with Anakin. "I believe we will have time to repair these as well. My cloak got the worst of it; I may need to get a new one from stores when we return. We shall see whether the Jedi Order can spare us a few supplies."
"I have the repair kit. Shall I start on this or would you prefer to eat first? They have a dining hall aboard, a good one I hear, but we can also have it delivered if you want to maintain privacy."
The Jedi Knight sighed in weary resignation. " Food and privacy. We have much to discuss."
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tbc