Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Wyler Raladar studied the Veritin Cruiser with intense blue eyes as the pilot carefully set it down, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. What he'd told the Senate when he pled his case had been partially true. The planet's inhabitants were a volatile mix, and just recently the minorities—claiming oppression Wyler hadn't noticed—had formed the Phiranus Resistance. And since riots had broken out all over the world, forcing Wyler to stretch his forces thin, but his soldiers were well-trained and he was sure they would be fine.

What concerned General Raladar was the planet's violent aversion to lame citizens. Upon birth, if a child is determined handicapped then it was either destined a miserable life, or the parents disposed of the child to prevent a crueler fate. It was an issue that had surfaced on and off over a century, yet these children had very few sympathizers.

General Raladar prized in himself the ability to be an objective person, which had prevented him from having a forceful opinion. It was one among a dozen reasons that had won him the position of General, but the circumstances had changed. Previously he'd held only disdain for those with disabilities, and not concerned himself with them since they would never make soldiers, but that was before his son had been born.

On that glorious day Wyler remembered so clearly the person he'd cared about more than any other had entered the world, and he was deemed healthy and perfectly fit to inherit Wyler's position when he retired. But then, as the boy was transitioning into year five, evidence showed clear signs of something wrong with him. No one else could see it for he refused the heir to be seen regularly by anyone save himself. And as it became obvious to Raladar he began telling his son to hide it and act normal. Three years had passed since that discovery and no one suspected as far as he could tell, but his was reaching the stage where the public was to see him more often. It was suspicious already that he hadn't been caught outside of the castle since the day he was born, and Wyler needed the pressure taken off his head.

With his hands hidden in his sleeves Obi-wan immediately felt a crackle of electricity as he descended from the ramp into the view of three of the most powerful people of that planet, and their escorts. The atmosphere was tense from the instability of the planet, but in that swirl was a strong sense of curiosity, which matched that of the pilot. But he could pick out another emotion just as powerful, yet coming from only one person: apprehension. And the person in question would not have appeared a General in Obi-wan's eyes if he had not known he was supposed to be here, but there was a certain comfortable stance as he awaited them.

"Master Jinn, it is an honor," the man said serenely before stepping forward to clasp hands with Qui-gon. Then he turned to do the same to Obi-wan. He was of average height, standing at least three inches over Obi-wan. His bright blue eyes peered out from a clean-cut face with short, dark brown hair. "Padawan Kenobi. If you do not know me I am General Wyler Raladar. This is my Commander Perath Segis and the peace time ruler is Galin Forworth. Unfortunately it's never peaceful here."

Upon first glance, Perath Segis appeared to be a teenager to Obi-wan. He was eye level with the apprentice, and he had a childish quality in his appearance with slightly chubby cheeks and his coal black eyes danced with laughter, or at least an amused light in comparison to the grim atmosphere. The monarch expounded on the chubbiness, and could not pass it off on anything except overindulgence. His mouth seemed fixed in a permanent frown as he gazed down at the both the Jedi, standing miraculously taller than both the General and Commander. When he caught Obi-wan looking at him, he nervously reacted by reaching up with one hand to stroke the fur coat of an unknown animal he was wearing, nearly touching the golden brown curls of his hair. Immediately the apprentice did not like the feelings coming from him.

"Why not, General Raladar?" Qui-gon asked passively enough, yet Wyler's face twisted into a wry half-smile.

"It runs too deep in our blood," he answered, and it caused Obi-wan to shiver slightly after he thought of the connotations behind it. They did not linger long though, and the Apprentice had to bring his mind back to the "here and now" as his Master put it. As he started following he saw Commander Segis fall in step next to him. The monarch was the final person to follow, and the resentment was so strong Obi-wan tried to drop back behind him in hopes that it would help the official feel less ignored. But this attempt did not go unnoticed, for when he fell out of step a hand shot out faster than he could sense, grabbed his arm, and yank him back to walk instep with the Commander. Perath's grip never weakened, even when his stark black eyes made contact with Obi-wan's blue ones. He seemed to know what was on the apprentice's mind for he said, "Don't worry about him." His eyes hardened further when they flicked back to the puffier man. They don't like each other, Obi-wan thought, and then Perath was looking to continue, "Please, tell me what Jedi are. I've never really heard of them."

Obi-wan blinked at the man, but he regained his composure and smiled kindly. By the time he'd finished describing what Jedi were in as little detail as possible without confusing, they were stepping into a small room with a desk, a small table, and a bed. He was surprised when General Raladar announced it was his living quarters.

"I know there is not much in the way of luxuries here, but please make yourselves comfortable. You will be shown to your rooms later," Wyler said as he drew back a chair for Qui-gon, then stepped over to seat himself when he saw Perath give Obi-wan his seat. "Call the servants for food and leave us, please."

"As you order," the seemingly young commander replied with a stiff half bow. He turned to leave at a clipped pace, but hesitated at the door while the monarch shuffled behind much more slowly. Perath continued watching the pompous Galin go then nodded, and vanished, allowing the door to shut with a click. They were alone.

"You distrust Monarch Forworth," Qui-gon immediately began the conversation, preferring to get to the point. Wyler shot him a suspicious and unnerved look before putting a finger to his lips, as though that subject were off discussion. "There's no one outside."

Again, that look crossed Raladar's face, voicing the question as plainly as words, but then it was gone and he nodded. "Very well. I would assume you're right then." Sighing and crossing his arms Wyler said, "How's Coruscant? It's been a month since I pled my case."

Obi-wan knew with that last statement Wyler was evading the point of their visit for a reason, but it was none he could place. He began to get frustrated, and when he released those feelings to the Force he noticed the anxiety in General Raladar had risen. Give him time, Kenobi. Be patient, Obi-wan chastised himself. This man would confide in them confidential information or a dangerous secret.

Qui-gon understood this and said, "Coruscant is Coruscant. The Senate continues to pass laws and rule in cases such as yours. I doubt it has changed much since you were there."

"Uh huh," was all he said, feeling to be at his nerve's end when the door opened with the food. Despite his extreme nervousness he did not jump and Obi-wan noted this, imagining he'd trained himself extensively enough to prevent such an otherwise natural reaction. How well-trained is this army? He wondered to himself as he smiled at the waitress in thanks. Wyler didn't share in his enthusiasm for food, but he dumped two heavy coins that were apparently worth some value, for her eyes widened and she bowed deeply.

"Thank you, General Raladar," she said, sounding awestruck by her fortune, but apparently it was a regular occurrence for Obi-wan felt only slight surprise in her.

"You're welcome," Wyler mumbled absentmindedly though he was not looking in her direction, but somewhere else not in the room. When she turned to leave, though, his eyes followed her until the door slid shut once more then he turned to Qui-gon.

The Jedi Master returned the look with no more emotion than before and simply nodded before confirming, "She's nowhere in the vicinity, and I cannot sense anyone else."

With that his eyes cleared of their haziness and he looked both Jedi sharply in the eye before saying, "Whatever you hear in this room stays in this room and I mean it. There is to be no mention of what I'm about to say in anything, even if it's idle chat with the closest person a kilometer away. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, General, we do," the Jedi Master answered for both of them, and after Wyler studied him for a long moment he nodded to himself then bowed his head.

Though Obi-wan was stuffing down his food and Qui-gon was picking, Wyler did not touch the steaming plate and stayed silent for some time. Then he began, "I will be completely honest with you." With that he brought his head up to look both in the eye. "What I pled to the case wasn't entirely true. Everything I mentioned was true, but I wanted Jedi here for different reasons rather than quelling uprisings. My soldiers can handle that, and I know the attitude of the people on this planet well enough to know negotiations are fruitless. We're a hard-headed people not easily, if at all, able to give acknowledgement that someone else was possibly more right."

"Compromises don't even work?" Obi-wan asked with wide eyes, wondering what kind of planet they had landed if the people would not easily give into negotiations.

Wyler's smile twisted and he shook his head before continuing, "What I'm most concerned about is my son. He'll be here shortly, but I'm very concerned for his safety. As the future heir of my position I highly doubt the public will take his condition graciously. As a matter-of-fact there is a certain hate on this planet of people with disabilities because they can't be strong. Don't look at me like that, I'm just telling you what I know."

Qui-gon's emotionless face had taken on a harsher quality as he continued to listen to Wyler's facts, obviously none too pleased with what he was hearing. Obi-wan himself had quit eating and was looking at the General with a surprised, and partly disgusted look. "Handicapped people can be just as strong as regular people."

He shot Obi-wan an annoyed look. "Don't you think my opinions changed if I'm worried about my son's protection? Yes, I did think like that a long time ago, but I was nowhere near as violently objective to it as other people are. They'll assassinate him if they ever figure it out, and since my resources are currently stretched I imagine there will be a big show down soon enough. Maybe one that my Commander and I won't be able to handle and I want to ensure that my son at least lives."

"We are not baby-sitters, General, but we do protect the innocent and those unable to defend themselves. Yet there is no apparent or immediate threat to your son then we have no business here," Qui-gon retorted calmly enough, but there was still that harshness in his eyes that still did not affect the General.

"I understand, and I did not intend to demean your abilities, but my son is helpless per se. It's amazing how well he's been able to deceive everyone here so far, but after eight years he cannot do it anymore. People are getting far too suspicious. At least stay one night, and meet him before you leave, although I will be sad if you do," he mumbled.

Qui-gon looked ready to say more, but then his brow furrowed and he said, "Someone's coming."

"That's probably him right now then," he said.

Obi-wan's Master nodded though he didn't seem quite as convinced and the apprentice soon realized why. They both felt it. There was one presence and then another beside, whose presence shined far brighter than the other person's. Almost engulfing it in its brilliance, and the Jedi pair followed it with their minds until it was right outside the door. They stiffened when two quick wraps came to the door and Raladar bade them come in.

Hand-in-hand with Commander Segis was a small boy practically identical in appearance to his father, with the same bright blue eyes and short, dark brown hair. But what was most astonishing about him was the way he grasped the Force, reached out, and probed the surrounding area, though he had no extensive control over it. And when he felt the far powerful and greater auras he recoiled. He'd sensed their presences were far greater than his father's.

Obi-wan had to refrain from exchanging looks with Qui-gon and merely kept on looking at the child who could be no more than eight years old. Raladar's voice broke into both Jedi's thoughts and said, "This is my son, Brigan and he's eight years old. Brigan, these are Jedi Knights from the planet Coruscant by the name of Qui-gon Jinn and Obi-wan Kenobi."

"Hello, good sirs," Brigan replied with a bow of his head, though Obi-wan noticed he kept his eyes to the floor even when he brought his head up. Obi-wan couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong with this, or the disability Wyler claimed he had.

"And Jedi, this is the end of our discussion. Commander, take them to their rooms, please." Perath saluted, letting go of Brigan's hand and he took the opportunity to walk his way over to his father who ruffled his hair. Qui-gon nudged Obi-wan with the Force, and the apprentice forced himself to look at his Master and nod. Then they bowed before following the Commander.

Minutes later they found themselves in a room hardly more lavishly decorated than the previous room. Once inside, Obi-wan said to his Master through the Force, Master, Brigan is force-sensitive. We need to or should take him back to the Temple for testing. His force powers are more developed than most eight-year-olds that are just discovered.

Indeed, Padawan. And I know why they are more developed though I doubt he knew what he was using when he reached out with the force. And I can see the genuine concern General Raladar has for Brigan, and I sensed he was telling the truth, Qui-gon said as he sat down on the bed.

Yes, I sensed so, too, but I don't understand what disability he has. He looked perfectly normal to me, Master, Obi-wan thought back

You could not tell, Padawan? He was feeling out the room when he came in; he's blind.