Katerinaki – Garen and Obi-Wan together will definitely have a knack for getting into trouble.

Chapter 11

Qui-Gon was waiting for Obi-Wan outside the meeting room when he arrived. The older man looked up, visibly sighing, the obvious concern in his warm gaze melting to relief.

"Are you okay Master?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You're late," he gently scolded. "I was wondering if you were coming."

"I'm sorry, Master. My flight practice didn't go as planned and took longer than I was expecting." The worry returned to his mentor's eyes and sudden realization came to the young Jedi. He paused. "What did you sense?"

"Nothing. I was pulled from the meeting by a communication from Master Denar saying that they had lost contact with your fighter and were sending someone up to see if there was a problem. When I tried to reach you through our bond, you were heavily shielded." He reached out placing a hand on his apprentice's shoulder as though the touch was necessary to prove what he saw was real. "The silence seemed to last for an eternity."

"I didn't mean to worry you."

"I know." He smiled. "We can discuss this more later; right now the elders are waiting."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, briefly running fingers through his hair. "I sincerely hope this goes better than the rest of the morning has."

"Don't be nervous. The elders are here to encourage you and lend you their support. Even Master Tachi favors you in this instance."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan entered the room together. Once inside, Qui-Gon took his seat among the elders. The chairs were now arranged in a semi-circle with an empty chair in front. Obi-Wan stood in front of the elders bowing respectfully.

"Masters, I am sorry for my tardiness."

"Glad we are to see you are safe." Master Yoda inclined his head, motioning to the chair. "Be seated you may."

The seating arrangement was meant to make him feel more at ease, as though he was welcomed into the circle for discussion. Some of the faces he had known since before he could remember; he had grown up with them being frequent guests of his parents and they were in a way extended family. But right now in this room, Obi-Wan knew his place. He was a learner, and although he had much experience sitting in the company of politicians and heads of state, he had to admit that he found the emotionless stares and shielded minds of the twelve persons before him quite uncomfortable.

Mace sat forward in his seat, straightening his posture. "Padawan Kenobi, after much discussion today, the elders have come to a decision. It is our belief that you should accept the Senate seat offered to you. This time has been set aside for us to ask you questions as you are now more than ever our eyes and ears into the Republic."

"I thank you for your confidence in me. I will answer whatever questions I can. Please understand that I have security clearances that do not permit me to discuss some matters."

"Of course," Mace replied.

"Shall we begin?" It didn't surprise Obi-Wan to hear Corrar Tachi's voice. "I would like to ask the obvious. Do you feel you are ready for this task?"

"It would be presumptuous for me to say that I am completely ready for anything, Master Tachi," Obi-Wan stated candidly, resisting the urge to grin. "I am very aware that I am young and have much to learn. I will only say that I feel certain in this course of action and comfortable in my ability to learn what I need as I go."

Qui-Gon rested his mouth on his knuckles to hide the smirk creeping across his face at the unflustered reply. There was a reason his padawan had been welcomed into diplomacy and politics at a young age.

"I would like to know how you intend to balance your loyalties to the Jedi and to the Senate?"

Obi-Wan nodded his head at Master Itara, thinking briefly of how to respond. She seemed older than he remembered, her hair having grayed considerably. Her words were pointed, but there was warmth that radiated through her serene gaze.

"I feel I must remind the elders right now that it is not the Jedi appointing me to the Senate. I am being asked to serve the people of Aksu. When a decision needs to be made or an issue comes for voting, I must decide what will benefit those I represent as well as the Republic."

"And what if those loyalties conflict?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at hearing his mentor's voice. He had hoped it would be one voice he wouldn't hear on the offensive.

"I am a Jedi, and because of that I live by certain values and seek out the will of the Force. You can rest assured those are things I will not compromise."

"Remember you must that a difficult path it is to stand firm. When conflict you feel – and come it will - here we are always to offer our council."

Shared nods of agreement went around the group.

"Have you given any thought to advisors?" Mace asked.

The question did not surprise him. He had been expecting it. "The three senators from the Yopurga system have always worked well together. They do not keep "official" personal advisors as the senators tend to rely on each other."

"Are there staff positions you need to fill?" another master asked. "We can provide you with some suggestions."

"While it is completely within my right to hire all new staff, I have a close working relationship with many of Senator Derih's team and wouldn't feel right firing them. Practically speaking, it looks as though the Senate will be facing some important votes right as I return. I would rather be with people I already work well with as I will likely not have time to train."

"That is understandable," Mace assured him.

"I have spoken with Knight Garen Muln about being my Chief of Security and will discuss more of what that will look like now that it is official."

The elders continued to ask questions. He told them of the darkness rapidly consuming the Senate, confirming what most had sensed about obscurities in the Force. He also made mention of Senator Gallia and her connection to the Force. They agreed that he should continue to watch her, proceeding with caution as with other strong Force sensitives the Order had encountered. A time might come for them to reveal themselves to her. They expressed their relief to hear that she and the Chancellor were recovering well.

Obi-Wan omitted mention of the Trade Federation, other than what was already public knowledge. He also chose not to tell them the latest he had heard from Senator Kitab's office. It appeared the Nebula Front had been behind the assassination attempt.

"Are there any further questions?" Mace looked around the room before looking to Yoda and Qui-Gon. "We have one last matter, then. We have also decided that while we know you will continue to learn and grow as Jedi, you have shown yourself ready for knighthood."

Obi-Wan found himself momentarily speechless and regained his composure. "Thank you Masters." He bowed again.

"I think we should adjourn now," Mace said as he stood. The other elders followed and began to file from the room. Obi-Wan made his way to his master.

"I was thinking that after we eat we should have a light afternoon since you're morning has been quite full," Qui-Gon said.

"Master, I really am fine."

An unspoken comment was exchanged between Qui-Gon and Yoda in a brief glance. "Meditate with me you will this evening. Much to discuss we have of visions and the future. Rest this afternoon you should."

Obi-Wan sat cross-legged facing Yoda on plump pillows in one of the meditation rooms. The curtains were pulled shut and the windows closed tightly to block out noise and distractions.

"In the fighter today, what happened? Saw something you did?" The small master's tones were comforting, and the invitation to finally share the visions that plagued him welcomed.

"Yes Master." He bowed his head, collecting his thoughts before meeting the ancient master's gaze. "I don't understand the images Master – they are flashes really – a blurred sequence of events perhaps?"

"If understand you do not, show me you must."

Both closed their eyes reaching for the comforting embrace of the Force. The strong, warm energies of the Unifying Force surrounded them, the current taking them from their time and place, linking them to something much larger, much more infinite than themselves. Obi-Wan released the hold on his memories, finding that the strength of Master Yoda's own vibrant connection to the Force lent a measure of clarity and order to the chaos of scattered images.

… Senator Kitab's office … a jovial man sat across from them … ghostly images surrounding looked down upon them, made more haunting by the fuzziness of the dreamlike state … he spoke, but there was only silence.

… the expansive Senate arena … a single spotlight shined down on them … row upon row of pods lined the walls … voices rushed in the roaring echo … Obi-Wan stood in the middle of it all

… a chanting crowd pressed in around them … the deafening thunder of an explosion … panic … the cold grip of death.

… a planet with bright blue skies … a palace sat on the side of a cliff surrounded by the white foam of rushing waterfalls … pristine streets lined with marbled sculpture … a dark shadow descended.

… twin suns set over a dry, barren wasteland as a dusty haze filled the air.

… a creature in black shrugging the cowl that covered horns and adornments of red and black … he extended the hilt of a saber in front of him, arm stretched straight ahead, and a glowing crimson blade emerged from one side … then the other.

… an expanse … criss-crossed with dimly lit walkways … two Jedi battled a Sith, familiar emerald and azure blades striking in a frenzy against crimson.

… the demon's face was close enough to see rotting, yellowed teeth as it sneered … the air seemed tinged pink as though being viewed through a tinted lens … the creature did not attack … it held him with a piercing red gaze.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes, breath coming in quick gasps. "That's the face that haunts my dreams, Master. Can you tell me what it means?" There was near desperation in the young man's quivering voice.

Yoda nodded his head. "These images – some have happened, some only possible reflections of the future. If continue these events do … confront a Sith Lord you and Master Qui-Gon will." The small master's ears flattened, his forehead wrinkling in contemplation. "Sensed for some time I have that trial, adversity into your life would come. Waited for you to see it on your own I have."

Obi-Wan folded hands in front of his face. He could accept that they would face a Sith. It was what he had been training for and the reason for his existence on Coruscant.

"Is there a reason why we are dressed as ancient Jedi?"

"Said I before … woven together you and Qui-Gon's destinies are. Even had the Order remained intact, believe I do that master and padawan you would be."

And there was the question that troubled him most. "Why do I never see beyond the Sith?"

Master Yoda bowed his head. "Many reasons there could be. Hide this future, the Dark side could. Perhaps a pivotal moment in time it is – too many possibilities the future holds from this point." Master Yoda looked up at Obi-Wan, wide eyes locking with the young Jedi's. "Maybe, fear what you will see beyond this point you do."

The older master's ears lowered, hunching his posture even more. Obi-Wan could sense he was holding something back and made the necessary observation. "Or perhaps, I have no future beyond this to see."

"Always in motion the future is – fixed in stone these images are not."

Sometimes Obi-Wan envied his master. Qui-Gon had the complete faith to trust the Force every step of the way, caring little of the future. But the Force chose to show him things he could not ignore and he knew there was a reason. Obi-Wan did not fear death. He had been taught it was merely a transition. Still, a chill set into his bones – the possibility that the two glowing red eyes might be the last thing his mortal eyes saw.