"D...die?" Anakin stammered.
"A good place to die," Obi-Wan repeated, glancing at him and raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Now, why did that scare him so? Obi-Wan wondered, as he gave a curious look at his padawan. Anakin's face was shuttered; so too was his thoughts. Obi-Wan was at first puzzled by Anakin's rather strange reaction to this pronouncement, before he gave a slight nod of recognition at the signs.
Ah, he hasn't read up on this planet. As usual, he thought to himself with a contained sigh. Too busy brooding to study during our journey.
Obi-Wan chuckled before explaining, now amused at his padawan's carefully blank expression.
"It's just one of their phrases, Anakin." He laid a hand on the young Jedi's arm and gave him a gentle half smile. "Their ancestors thought an honorable death in battle was the highest honor a warrior could attain. The phrase has lingered long past the wars of the past; now it means that a Skorean can think of no better final resting place. I must admit…I can understand that. It's beautiful here."
Anakin suddenly frowned. "Don't get any ideas, Master. I have no intention of leaving your bones behind on this planet."
His master's quick grin was reassuring. "I had not thought to leave my bones here. As a Jedi, I expect my end to be as with all Jedi, in flames. I rather hope that won't be for many years yet." His tone was dry, though his eyes twinkled.
"I hope so, too. If you were killed -." The young man shivered. "I don't know if I want to be there when you die."
"You will be." Obi-Wan replied without thinking, a note of certainty in his voice. It startled both men and they exchanged bemused looks. It was Obi-Wan who broke the moment with a hesitant chuckle.
"A premonition?" Anakin asked carefully.
Obi-Wan rubbed a hand over his face and his eyes looked uncertain. "I don't know." He forced a wry smile and said lightly, "Can't think of a better place to be at the time, just as long as it's not at your hand."
"No chance of that," Anakin forced a weak grin onto his own face. "I couldn't bear to see you killed, Master, but, still, not to be at your side - ." He shuddered. Obi-Wan's eyes crinkled with pleased surprise at this admission, and he laid a hand on his padawan's shoulder and squeezed it lightly.
Haunted though he had been by his own master's death in front of him, he had always been glad of one thing: his master had not died alone, but within his arms.
"We had best refocus our attention on the matter at hand. Our welcoming committee approaches."
The Skoreans were a human race, somewhat stockier than the average Coruscorian, and rather more hairy, a genetic adaptation to the cold temperatures. They were also relatively short. Anakin towered above them, and even Obi-Wan, a man of moderate height, seemed tall in comparison.
Anakin couldn't resist the opportunity to tease Obi-Wan, asking him how it felt to be considered tall. The Jedi took the jibe in good humor.
"Height is no measure of competence, Padawan," Obi-Wan had responded neutrally, but the gleam in his eye as his head tilted up to stare at the top of Anakin's head betrayed his amusement.
Seeing his smirk, Anakin groaned, but decided it was best to humor him.
"Welcome, Jedi," one of the Skoreans bowed. "I am the Welcomer and I will be your guide. My name is Ovaegir Raud." Obi-Wan bowed in return, followed a moment later by his padawan. The introductions completed, the small group escorted the Jedi towards a small transport. Raud said hesitantly, "Our destination is not far – over there. Would you…."
Immediately grasping his unasked question, Obi-Wan said, "We would be most happy to walk there. It will give us a chance to stretch our legs after our journey."
The small group exited the landing platform and stepped out onto a graveled path. Krykcrows sang cheerily overhead and small skiouros, small furry balls with tiny ears, four clawed paws, long bushy tails and inquisitive eyes scurried about searching for the seed pods of the native Lyall Larislarch lying scattered over the grounds, gathering nature's bounty in preparation for their winter's hibernation.
"Focus, Master," Anakin whispered with a crooked grin as he saw the Jedi square his shoulders in pleasure. He was rewarded with a twitch of Obi-Wan's lips and the merest glimmer of rueful acknowledgement.
"You find our planet to your liking?" their guide asked, turning a pleased eye to the Jedi.
"We find it quite to our liking," Obi-Wan said with a slight emphasis on the "we," as beside him Anakin pulled his cloak closer about him. He could almost hear his padawan's thoughts: It is not Coruscant, and I would appreciate one warmer than this.
Though the air was reasonably warm there was an icy chill layered behind it: notice that the season was about to change. Obi-Wan had heard Anakin complain that just looking at snow and ice chilled his bones too many times before to pay it much attention.
"Yes, we find it very pleasing to the senses," his master continued. "However, its justly fabled scenery is not what brings us here. I understand we're here to avert a pending civil war."
"Ah, yes," Raud agreed with a small frown. "Our Council will advise the details, and why the Jedi were requested to come to our aid."
"Of course," the Jedi agreed, and he exchanged glances with Anakin. Be careful, Anakin, not all is as it seems, his raised eyebrow seemed to say. Anakin's lips twitched. You always say that, Master, was his perfectly calm response to that.
Then I guess I have no need to remind you. Obi-Wan grinned at his padawan and his eyes sparkled suddenly. Perhaps my lessons have finally begun to sink in after all this time.
Perhaps I just now choose to acknowledge them.
At this teasing reply, Obi-Wan started to laugh and covered it with a cough. Anakin had come out of his dark mood, finally, and was focused on the mission. It was a good sign.
"There aren't many people about," Anakin remarked, noting how little traffic flitted about the air lanes and how few pedestrians there were in this city of walkways and paths.
"It is somewhat between seasons," their guide said. "Most tourists are out in the country for the Season of Change and many of our citizens are off for their own period of rest. So many of them, as you know, work in tourism and this is one of our two slower periods."
He led the group down a small plaza graced with small fountains and up several steps to enter the largest and most imposing building. The hallways were broad and lined with holopics of the planet's most famous vistas, with signs - directions in Basic and in holopictograms - directing visitors to various offices.
They turned through an unmarked and unguarded doorway and found themselves boarding a lift. There was only one button, meaning only one destination – the Council chambers.
They exited the lift to find themselves in a small anteroom with several comfortable seats and little else. Off to one side of the lift stood a muscular and compact Skorean, arms hanging loosely by his side. Though his posture seemed casual, his sharp eyes closely scrutinized the Jedi, flicking casually away as he noted their lightsabers.
He nodded at the Welcomer, who pushed through the door at the opposite side as the two Jedi followed behind. Anakin almost bristled at the sentry's scrutiny, though he settled down at an almost imperceptible gesture from Obi-Wan.
"The Jedi: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker," Raud intoned. The two Jedi bowed. "Our Council: the Presiding Counselor is Tar Abrim."
At the far side of the table sat a middle-aged man, with a strong jaw and warm brown eyes, a mane of dark hair capping his head in stark contrast to the gray at his temples. He was dressed simply, though the material was of excellent quality. His eyes fixed grimly on the Jedi.
"Thank you for coming. We hope you can prevent all out civil war," Tar Abrim began with scant formalities, indicating with a quick gesture that the Jedi were to sit. "Dissension is threatening to tear us apart."
Blunt words. The six Counselors sat at a round table, four men and two women, all but one middle-aged or older. Their eyes were all focused on the Jedi, appraisingly and yet welcoming. Those nearest the doorway had swung their seats around.
The room itself was light and airy, and with a nod of appreciation, both Jedi recognized in it the same design behind the Jedi Council chamber on Coruscant - a room for equals, not separate from its environment, but meant to blend in with the world outside. To their left, a small lake shimmered blue and silver under a soft breeze in the distance and mountains rose to their right, tall spires reaching into an impossibly clear sky.
Bluntness would be met with bluntness, for Obi-Wan had learned long ago to take his cue on behavior from those he was dealing with. Problems mainly arose when dealing with multiple parties with different styles of communication.
"I understand the pro-Separatist voting bloc won 35 of the vote to leave the Republic," Obi-Wan stated, his eyes meeting the Presiding Counselor's. "Voter participation was 79 of the eligible voters - a high percentage indeed. Yet in any vote, one side is victorious and the other not. What makes you fear civil war, or that we can prevent it?"
Unspoken was his real question: why were the Jedi requested to mediate the results of a vote, and why was a company of Clonetroopers also requested?
The Counselors returned the Jedi's look directly, deferring to Tar Abrim. The Presiding Counselor suddenly stood up and leaned on the table, his eyes locking onto Obi-Wan's.
"There have been threats, small acts of sabotage already. Now the threats have escalated, even against this Council. That is why we have a guard outside. We fear the insurgents have smuggled in droids to pursue the overthrow of the government itself. Many Skoreans have been – seduced – into believing their lives are subject to the whims of others. Our proud history," he snorted, thinking of the many lives shed over the years, "as warriors has been glorified. They claim to wish to be free of the yoke of others. Tourism is service, and service is always at the whim of the served."
"That is quite true," Obi-Wan agreed. "We have some, ah, experience with that ourselves." He allowed himself a little smile, and the Counselors smiled back.
Find some common ground, and you have a better chance of making them your allies. Obi-Wan didn't have to look at Anakin to know the same thought occurred to them both. Qui-Gon's old lessons continued to echo on.
"I'm sure," Tar Abrim agreed with a dry little cough of humor. "We have a stable and strong economy and the taxes we send to Coruscant are not insubstantial. Many of the disaffected have been led to believe that they - ."
"Work too hard at the whim of others, and get too little back for their hard work," Anakin interjected smoothly. "Yes, we understand that." He shot an innocent look at Obi-Wan, who remained outwardly tranquil, though he sent a quick thought at his padawan.
Later, Padawan. What you will get for your hard work is your Knighthood, but when you take the Trials will be at my own ' whim,' he admonished gently, amusement in his mind voice for Anakin's gentle jibe at him. Over the last year this former irritating conversation had become merely comfortable banter.
"They believe that by allying themselves with the Separatists, they will be free to use droid labor, pay less in taxes, and spend more time in leisure pursuits," Tar Abrim finished. "Our laws allow the use of droid labor for only the most menial of tasks. Their use is strictly regulated. We don't know if the threats are strictly the work of the radical disaffected or instigated by Separatist agents. The presence of a droid army – real or not – is a threat to our peace, regardless of whose control it is. Violence will begat violence."
"Should there be a droid army, and we eliminate it, what is to stop another army from replacing it?" Obi-Wan asked sensibly. "The Jedi cannot remain here on guard for that possibility. I also understand that you have your own army. Why call Republic forces in?"
"Our army, such as it is, is small in number and has no experience fighting droids," Tar Abrim said, impatiently waving away the question.
"If our suspicions are correct, this is a Republic matter as well as a Skorean matter. If there is a change of government, the planet can easily join the Separatists, or there could be a protracted civil war. As I said, the acts of violence are escalating. Innocent visitors to our world could be harmed, as well as our own people. We do not wish to see either happen, nor, it appears, does the Senate. Skoreans do not like outsiders meddling in our affairs. While it is true that you are not Skoreans, the Jedi are respected, even if the Galactic Senate is…less favorably looked upon. Should a connection be established between these insurgents and the Separatists, the people themselves will disassociate themselves from these "seemingly innocent' acts."
Master, they wish to protect tourism and the Senate to protect the tax base, Anakin thought in sudden realization.
Of course, Padawan. That is quite clear.
Hardly a Jedi matter. Anakin sounded disapproving
We serve the Senate as it directs, Padawan. But there was something in the way the thought came through that indicated Obi-Wan was in agreement with his Padawan on the matter. The Jedi's inclinations were to remain aloof from politics, though that was impossible to do. Obi-Wan's views on politicians amused both Anakin and his wife, Senator Padme Amidala – both, in fact, shared his views to a degree, as Padme ruefully admitted from time to time.
"We believe the droids were smuggled in and hidden on a high mountain plateau some ways from here. There is ore in that area which masks surveillance equipment from registering their presence. For that same reason, any engagement with the droids would have to be a ground assault only. That is where we wish you to go, to find if there are droids hidden there, and destroy them if they are. If you can capture the rebel Skoreans as well - possibly find a connection to the Separatists…."
"On terrain they have chosen themselves?" Obi-Wan was clearly skeptical. "I would suggest we – entice - them," and a small smile crossed his lips, "onto a field of our own choosing. Did you not say they have threatened to overthrow the Council? Might I suggest we bait a trap with you as the lure?"
The Council members quickly began debating the merits of the proposal as the two Jedi sat quietly observing. Several destinations were proposed and discarded. Finally, Tar Abrim called for quiet. He suggested the Council agree on the plan, with the final location to be decided later after further discussion and review.
"I would like to take the rest of the day to go over maps and get the plans ready, with you announcing the Council's visit tomorrow," Obi-Wan suggested quietly. "We'll go ahead tomorrow, setting up base at one of the towns near where you think the insurgents are hiding. We'll pose as outdoor adventurers, which will allow us to scout the area as well."
The counselors looked at each and nodded. Satisfied, Tar Abrim came around the table and held out a hand to each of the Jedi.
"Agreed. Raud will take you to your guest quarters. In the meantime, I will send you both holomaps and the Commander of our army. You may use her troops as you see fit. She was raised in the mountains and knows the area well. You can provide details of your plan to me later."
The two Jedi bowed, and followed their guide to their quarters. The Skoreans had given them rooms in the best lodging, rooms usually occupied by the well-to-do and well-connected in the galaxy.
"Luxury, indeed," Obi-Wan murmured, when he saw his richly appointed room. A huge transparisteel panel overlooked a corner of the lake and a slice of mountains. A long range holocam was built into one wall, next to a large and comfortable chair arranged with several others in a corner of the room. After months of mud and rain, sleeping on the hard ground or in tents, he could hardly believe such luxury even existed.
He didn't dare test the bed for he had a sudden urge to test its comfort. It would be all too easy to let sleep overtake his weary body, for though he had slept well on the trip here, he had driven himself too hard for too long on too little sleep. Even Master Yoda, he thought with a grin, would find its lure irresistible under these circumstances. The very thought of Yoda, yawning and sprawled a-slumber, deepened his grin to a smile.
Sleep would have to wait; as always. Its demands came last, but somehow, he hoped, time would allow him a long rest shortly.
He removed his cloak and hung it away, sat on a chair and pulled off his boots with a sigh and reached for the thoughtfully provided soft indoor boots. He had just unclipped his lightsaber when the door softly chimed and Anakin slid in with a huge grin on his face.
"I could get used to quarters like this," he said, motioning wide, and waiting for Obi-Wan's gentle rebuke. When none came, he raised an eyebrow and came to sit next to Obi-Wan. "You're not going to say anything, Master? Has such magnificence struck you speechless?"
"Hardly," Obi-Wan replied with a tired grin as he stretched his legs out comfortably. "I am looking forward to enjoying at least one night in such surroundings, but we have some work ahead of us before we can indulge ourselves. Why don't you get Cody in here and we can start planning."
The two Jedi studied their datapads and compared notes as they awaited the arrival of Cody and the Skorean commander. When the door chimed, Obi-Wan looked up and with a negligent gesture, used the Force to open the door. "I know, I know," he said to Anakin with a crooked grin. "I'm too comfortable to get up and open the door."
He waited, eyebrow cocked for Anakin's protest at this trivial use of the Force – often a bone of contention between them in the past –but saw it was swallowed. It wasn't hard to assume that Anakin had noticed the lines radiating from his eyes and the weary slump of his shoulders that he saw when he caught an occasional glimpse of himself in unguarded moments.
Cody entered with a woman, smartly uniformed and immaculately coiffed. She only came to Cody's shoulder, but the aura of assurance she carried with her seemed to diminish the physical disparities between the two. She snapped a brief salute, her eyes going to the men's propped up legs and casual positions. Both Jedi looked up and got to their feet at their entrance.
"General Kenobi. Anakin Skywalker." Her voice was carefully neutral. "Major Jaysson. Tar Abrim has briefed me on your initial plan."
Obi-Wan ran a hand through his sandy hair and said gently, "I may be a general, but I'm not much for military protocol and formality. Please, sit. We've been studying the terrain. What do you think of using Skarea? We could easily sneak in your troops and Cody's in the surrounding terrain, and surprise your rebels if they take the bait."
"I'd suggest Daquera instead, General. It is deeper into the mountains, which puts it into shadows much earlier. That gives us more time to get troops into position." Her voice was firm; her look steady at the famous Jedi - everything about her showed she was not in the slightest bit intimidated by them.
"We can get the transport within several klicks of Daquera, using this ridge as cover," Cody agreed. "Land here, and move into position easily."
"Sound carries in the mountains," Major Jaysson contradicted him. "You can land no closer than here," she pointed, "if we assume they are somewhere here. The terrain is rough and pockmarked with gullies and ravines, but several of my troops know the Alpacaban trails that wind through there. They can get you into position without much problem."
"Do you expect any Skoreans to be with the droids?" Anakin asked bluntly. He glanced at Obi-Wan, who only nodded encouragingly at him, despite keeping his gaze directed elsewhere. The Jedi was studying the datapad, a frown on his face that Anakin knew only too well. Obi-Wan had a bad feeling about this, and was letting Anakin do the talking while he wrestled for answers to his doubts. Sometimes the Force would give them, but usually it only showed him several possibilities against which he could plan.
The major hesitated. "You mean, of course, the rebels. I would say yes, if this is truly a rebellion. If it is actually a Separatist droid army taking advantage of disaffected Skoreans - it is possible, but have the Separatists droid armies ever engaged in battle with sentients at their side?"
"No, they have not," Obi-Wan answered, still studying his datapad. "Why does the Council fear outright civil war, rather than these continuing minor acts of sabotage?"
He looked up at the silence. "Is there any information you wish to share with us, Major? On or off the record?" His voice was mild, but his eyes stared into hers.
She straightened her shoulders and her eyes glittered. "You see it, too. Something seems just a bit – off. This last threat, to the Council - if the Council is attacked or captured, the planet would mobilize and civil war would break out. Tourism would crash, and exports slow to a trickle. The economy would collapse. But no one would gain from that."
"And if it happens that one or two members of the Council were to avoid capture or death should some violence be carried out against the Council?"
"New elections, but the government stands, as does government policy until the next election."
"Hmm," Obi-Wan said slowly. His hand strayed to his chin, stroked it absently. "Have there been any inquiries into any new economic concerns, rumors, debates, anything?"
"Sir. There was talk of opening the mountains to mining, but the Council feared the impact on the environment, and through it, to tourism. Even exploration was denied."
"Is that anywhere near this off-limit area?" Obi-Wan asked mildly. "I see it was not restricted until fairly recently."
She looked over his shoulder. "Yes sir, near the middle I would say."
Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged looks, remembering the mention of ore that would interfere with any aerial assault. They had heard of this before – the Chancellor had asked the Jedi Council to check into rumors that someone had find a way to transform the ore into shielding for battle ships and fighters both. Had someone?
If the Skorean government collapsed and the planet erupted into open warfare, no doubt someone could take advantage of the chaos and set up mining operations. Had the Separatists hoped to take control of the ore through the chaos that would follow the collapse of the government, or if open warfare erupted on the planet? Could someone in the Skorean government be involved?
"Was the Council united on their stand?"
"The vote was unanimous."
"No debate?"
"Sir. There was discussion of course, but in the end, the Council agreed. Even those who wished to diversify the economy didn't want to risk the environment for what gains mining might have provided."
"I appreciate that, Major, but still, Skore is basically a service economy, dependent on tourism. Should the wars come close to here, perhaps even to Skore itself, could that not cripple your economy?"
Jaysson looked steadily at him, turning over his words. He watched her mind race, putting facts together, speculating on possible outcomes, deciding whether to trust the Jedi with her suspicions.
"Permission to…speculate, General," she finally asked. Obi-Wan nodded.
"There is no doubt that the war has already impacted tourism, though not on any major scale. There seems to be no benefit in opening the mountains to mining – if we use droids, there are few jobs to be created, and if we use Skorean labor, most would prefer the life they have now. Mining is too difficult and the reward too insignificant."
"Ore needs to be refined, manufactured into something useful, shipped," Obi-Wan countered. "Certainly some Skoreans would benefit from that."
The major looked skeptical. She obviously wasn't aware of the possibility that if a relatively cheap and easy process had been developed to make use of the ore, whoever controlled it could be very rich indeed.
Obi-Wan sighed and rested his chin in his hand. "I suggest we go ahead with using the Council to try to lure your insurgents out by letting them announce a visit to Daquera. We'll put troops into position as you suggest and be prepared for anything. I suggest you and Cody make your arrangements and get in position tomorrow or the following night. The Council will make their visit the day after that, with the announcement going out tomorrow. Agreed?"
Once Cody and the major left, Obi-Wan sprang to his feet and headed over to the long range holotransmitter and punched in the code for the Jedi Temple archive. Skore was far enough from Coruscant that there was some delay in transmission.
As they waited, Obi-Wan said thoughtfully, "Anakin, why don't you contact Tar Abrim and make the arrangements while I discuss this whole ore situation with Jocasta Nu. She would know more than the Jedi Council combined."
Jocasta had little news to impart. In short, little information was available. The Jedi team investigating the possible link between the ore and rumors of its exploitation had been pulled off the investigation and sent as backup to one of the many battlegrounds of the Clone Wars.
The two Jedi settled back on a couch, Anakin scowling and Obi-Wan rubbing his chin as they reviewed contingency plans. Finally, with a soft sigh of dismissal, Obi-Wan laid his datapad on a table. He stood up and wandered over to the window, standing with hands clasped behind his back.
The sun was slowly sinking out of sight and the lake flamed red, reflecting off a few clouds that had appeared above it. The light dimmed, off in the distance, the mountain peaks flamed red as if with a bonfire as the last rays of the sun crowned the highest peaks with the last of its light.
"I always think of Qui-Gon when I see the sunset," he murmured. "I can almost feel him standing beside me, a hand on my shoulder. He would have liked this one."
"You still miss him," Anakin said, surprised at the longing in his master's voice. Obi-Wan nodded and turned to face him.
"I do. I accepted his loss years ago, but acceptance does not mean one has to give up one's memories. It's how we act on what's in our hearts, not what's in them, that is important."
Anakin rarely heard such introspective words from his master. After all these years, he could still be surprised by Obi-Wan. He was even more surprised when Obi-Wan came over and placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. "I do not mourn the past, but I find comfort in remembering it. I have the future to worry about, and that is where my deepest concerns lay."
Obi-Wan's words warmed him even more than the touch, for his master was speaking of his concern for his padawan, his hopes and doubts. Obi-Wan rarely spoke openly, but the feeling coming through the bond made it perfectly clear what he was saying. Anakin swallowed, hard, at the affection he felt directed at him.
"Center yourself in the here and now," he said gently, a smile playing over his lips. "Tomorrow will come another day, Master. Today is before you." Obi-Wan's hand tightened on his shoulder in recognition of the oft-heard words. Anakin reached up and placed his hand over Obi-Wan's and the two Jedi smiled at each other.
"You won't be my Padawan much longer," Obi-Wan said softly.
"No, but I'll always be your friend," Anakin replied, just as softly. "I'll still be at your side." He smirked and added, "I just won't be taking any orders from you."
Obi-Wan had to chuckle. So what's new? The two Jedi looked at each other and broke out laughing. It was a good way to end the day; a good way to start a mission. It boded well.
