a/n: i don't like writing author's notes, because i usually have nothing to say, but this is my first SW fanfic and a WIP, any input would be vastly appreciated (constructive crit is a definite, nice or otherwise)
(The road to hell is paved with good intentions)
Prologue
The Commencement
Jedi Temple: Coruscant
Obi-Wan kept his distress to himself as he walked the long corridors of the Temple back to his shared apartment. The Council had called a meeting with all Knights, all Masters with utmost importance. Their possible decision that had been eating away at Obi-Wan ever since he had heard of it had finally come to fruition. Many of the knights and masters agreed with the enactment but others rejected the notion outright, such as Master Adi Gallia who had been vocal in her disapproval of the Republic Sentinel Enactment.
The meeting, with so many Jedi present had had to be moved to an open space where training usually commenced. The air held a much more somber air than padawans twisting for flexibility training and getting used to the Force and its ways. All the Knights and Masters of the Jedi Code were present; those unable to physically make it were televised on a scrambled link.
The Council had informed everyone of their final decision. The Republic Sentinel Enactment had been passed and would be put into motion in time to correspond with the next publicized Senate meeting. It would show the galaxy that the Jedi were stepping up to meet with the challenges the Senate faced versus the Separists, and that they were still the great protectors. It would ensure that the politicians the Jedi had thrown their lot in with long ago were still reputable, still good and they were still what they said they were. It would put an end to any duplicitous actions any Senator or planet may have against the Republic. Any slips made by them would not escape the watchful eye of the Jedi any longer. The Jedi couldn't be soft on them anymore, too much had been lost, and much more would be lost if they continued down this path that would undoubtedly lead them to their extinction.
The Jedi would serve as the personal bodyguards to the Senate, able to only be called away by war, and would be the eyes and ears of their Council.
Silence reigned after the announcement, heavy with possibilities. Amongst the Council's seats however, a member was missing. Master Adi Gallia stood strong with the Knights, newly minted and older, and the other Masters in front of the High Council.
"Taking such liberties with the Republic is not the way of the Jedi," Master Adi Gallia had insisted, blue gaze focused intensely on the members of the Council. "Crumbling as it may be, the Republic needs a steady hand, not a supposed ally with the mission of subterfuge!"
"Passionate your words are, Master Adi Gallia," Yoda spoke, his small form folded within his robes on his chair. "The Republic needs its allies, flexible the way of the Jedi must be."
Master Windu continued in Yoda's line of thought. "The Jedi seek to preserve the Republic, not make friends with its politicians. While the Act is perhaps not the most forthright, it is the best option we have of saving the Republic. Not all politicians are trustworthy and must be kept under watch."
Master Adi Gallia hadn't heeded Master Windu's finalizing tone. "Their rights to privacy will be violated, this is a security breach on a massive scale and should we go through with this, the Jedi will never be trusted with the responsibility of being the Republic's right hand again."
"Not a right hand of the Republic we are, Master Adi Gallia." Yoda spoke in the silence. "Keepers of peace and justice we are." Master Adi Gallia had made to speak again, but Master Yoda held up a small green fist for her silence. "Loyal protectors are the Jedi, firm our hand must be."
And just like that, the conclave ended with an inauspicious undertone.
Obi-Wan had looked to his left to see Siri Tachi frowning her at her once Master. Many of the faces around him seemed to radiate the same disappointment towards Master Adi Gallia.
Obi-Wan tucked his hands into the robes of his Jedi uniform, thinking on it. At the time, it had seemed like he had been the only one to support Master Adi Gallia's vehement opinion. He didn't know whether to be anxious on the fact that he and Master Adi Gallia seemed to be the only ones with the same point of view on the Act, or anxious that so many of the others held it in varying forms of positivity. Either way, he needed to meditate and perhaps seek out Master Adi Gallia later, or Siri. He frowned then. Perhaps not Siri who had seemed just as negative towards her old master's protests as the others, but certainly he'd talk with Master Adi Gallia.
"Master?"
Obi-Wan almost hit the wall when he flinched violently away from the voice that sounded so close to his right. His padawan watched the scene with undisguised mirth. Obi-Wan had closed himself off and wrapped up the Force about him like a cocoon to its larvae so well that he hadn't heard nor felt the approach of Anakin. Anakin, still with a smile on his face that seemed to be dying a slow death, asked him with some concern, "Are you alright Master? I went to wake you up for tea but you were already gone."
There was some mild teasing in his voice, because of Anakin's former life as a slave; sleep was few and far between. Work began when the sun hadn't risen yet and ended after it set. Obi-Wan, with all of his Jedi training found it…difficult at times to roll out of bed as quickly as his padawan.
The light hearted teasing did nothing to assuage Obi-Wan's state of mind. Obi-Wan inhaled and took comfort in the always strong, always bright presence of his padawan. It was a temporary balm to the wound that Obi-Wan suspected would fester later. When he opened his eyes, Anakin had focused all of his being on him. His blue eyes were clear and sharp, and the Force circled him like a serpent. Obi-Wan, having been close to Anakin for so long, was used to this degree of intensity, but it never failed to disquiet him. When Anakin focused on something, it was one-minded and all consuming.
Obi-Wan sent a wave of comfort to lessen Anakin's worry. Anakin relaxed and the Force that had been suffocating Obi-Wan receded like waves from a rising tide. He breathed out and smiled at his padawan. "Come, let's begin training." He clapped a hand against Anakin's shoulder.
"This early?" Anakin asked, obviously surprised.
His padawan, Obi-Wan reflected wearily, needed to work on his poker face. "Yes this early, I have various other things I want to get you started on before the week begins."
Anakin brightened momentarily. "Which form master?" he was always eager, always wanting more, more, more knowledge of the Jedi, of their fighting ways and their history. Obi-Wan hesitated sometimes when this hunger made itself known, like an enormous pit that would never be filled, but he ignored it. Many things about Anakin bothered Obi-Wan, but with the inevitable collision of the Senate and the Jedi Council underway, he was able to ignore these things for now.
Obi-Wan smiled and led the way to a practicing room, "It will be a surprise." He heard Anakin's footsteps bounce off the halls of the corridor while he caught up to his master's.
Tomorrow, Obi-Wan decided as he showed Anakin the steps of the few maneuvers of the Niman way he knew, he would go to Master Adi Gallia. Today, today would be a teaching day where the thin line between necessity and betrayal had no place.
