Chapter Two
The planet Chandrila was a fascinating mixture of nature and technology. Its main city appeared as if it sprung up amongst the forest, a thick growth of trees and lush foliage surrounding buildings whose architecture evoked a history long forgotten, as well as a present dedicated to keeping pace with the most advanced societies.
Home to over a billion souls, it hosted an abundant amount of wildlife, including a game reserve, state park, a variety of fresh water lakes, and beautiful sandy beaches leading to a sea, whose massive coral reef bestowed upon the waters a shimmer of silver in the sunlight.
As a Padawan, Obi-Wan had visited here with his own Master, when Qui-Gon had given a lecture at the Academy regarding World Devastators. During that period, Obi-Wan recalled spending most of his free time chasing the furry squalls which roamed the city.
As Obi-Wan approached the city, he contacted the control tower recalling the memory with fondness. Qui-Gon had often seemed aloof or apathetic to outside observers, but Obi-Wan remembered several times when the man had allowed him to simply be a child. Looking back, Obi-Wan had great appreciation for that fact, and had tried to be the same kind of master to his own Padawan.
After given clearance to land and exiting his starfighter, Obi-Wan discovered the space port to be in total chaos. There were those demanding permission to leave, while others were begging entrance. Numerous representatives from a variety of galactic emergency relief resources were all waiting to be allowed access via the presently unavailable transportation services. Apparently, following the attack, the Governor had begun limiting travel in and out of the city.
It was a long walk from the port to the damage sight, which Obi-Wan was not looking forward to, but thankfully, a handsome young man with a warm smile approached, extending his hand in a friendly greeting.
"You must be Master Kenobi," the decorated fleet officer announced, shaking Obi-Wan's hand firmly before releasing it. "My name is Hiram Drayson, Admiral of the Chandrila Defense System. I have a shuttle waiting for you."
"That is most appreciated. Thank you, Admiral," Obi-Wan replied as he gladly followed the young man through the busy space port. "When did help start arriving?" he asked, knowing the attack had only occurred the day prior.
"Most of it came early this morning," Drayson answered, "and we are grateful, but until the Academy has been declared structurally sound, no one will be allowed on the grounds, with the exception of you, of course. I cannot express how pleased we are to have such a reknown Jedi here to help." Another smile lifted the corners of his mouth in a generous gesture.
Obi-Wan nodded his head in acceptance of the compliment. It wasn't during every mission he was greeted with such approval. In fact, oftentimes, it was quite the opposite.
The transport, which carried them was directly linked to the electrical system that ran beneath the stone streets of Hanna City, and there were a few times it seemed as if the connection wasn't complete. A couple of times, actually, the transport halted completely before resuming its path.
Admiral Drayson explained: "When the building collapsed, it partially fell onto a large power grid between it and the Antiquities Institute. Full power has yet to be re-established. It's spotty, at best."
"I see, " Obi-Wan noted, his gaze focusing ahead, where he began to detect traces of debris.
"We'll stop here," Drayson announced suddenly. "The track ahead is blocked and we'll have to walk the rest of the way."
Once they had exited the vehicle, Obi-Wan began studying the layout of the debris, the scorch marks upon the street and the surrounding trees, as well as the pattern of the blast radius itself. It was his initial feeling that indeed, the attack had come from inside the building itself.
"Do you have any suspects? Were there any threats of any kind prior to the attack, or groups taking credit for it afterward?" Obi-Wan asked, as the two men carefully stepped through a increasing amount of rubble.
"None yet, " the Admiral admitted as they finally entered the portion of the building that remained standing. Numerous large support beams having been placed to prevent further collapse. Inside, were numerous fleet officers as well as members of the Youth Legislative Program, many of them having sustained minor injuries, though still choosing to stay and help. They were organized into small groups, who were doing their best to clear the broken stone and other material from the entrance to what had once been the conference center, where the annual mock senate meetings took place, and what was the suspected location of the attack.
"If you're searching for a motive, I'm afraid you're talking to the wrong man," Drayson conceded humbly. "Chandrilans are known to be stubborn and argumentative, but I honestly can't think of anyone holding a grudge against us. However, my job here is to train officers. I'm not an expert in galactic politics. I think you should speak with someone who is."
"And who would that be?" Obi-Wan's curiosity was immediately raised. Master Windu had informed him Senator Mothma was not on-planet at the time of the attack and he couldn't think of who else Drayson could possibly be referring to.
The admiral turned and motioned his hand in the direction of a young woman who was in the midst of the crowd presently clearing away the rubble. Her extravagant dress was torn, her long, dark hair looked as if had been hastily pinned up, and she was covered with dust. But it was unmistakable who she was, although Obi-Wan couldn't fathom why she was here.
"Senator Amidala?" he muttered, copper brows deeply furrowing, revealing his stark disappointment.
"That's correct, Master Jedi," Drayson casually replied, apparently unaware of the change in the Jedi Master's demeanor. "Allow me to retrieve her so you may discuss the situation further."
"Yes," Obi-Wan agreed, though in a disapproving tone, his arms now neatly crossed and tucked inside the sleeves of his cloak. "Yes, I'd like to speak with her."
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