Chance Encounter

Chapter 11

Location: Jedi Temple

Obi-Wan and Anakin were just about ready to prepare for their next assignment on the Outer Rim when they were visited by Master Yoda and Master Windu at the hanger bay. The little Master approached him seriously and said, "Attacked late last night, Senator Amidala was."

"What!" cried Ani. "Is she hurt?"

"Not fatally," answered Master Windu. "But she was not the target. It was her handmaiden, Miss Kiya Swan."

"Kiya…" whispered Obi-Wan. He knew that Kiya was really Thrice. Kiya was her alias. "I visited the Senator last night. I didn't sense any danger. What happened?"

The three Jedi looked at him concerned. Obi-Wan didn't have the chance yet to tell Ani about his run in with the Senator. He was too concerned over his feelings for Lady Thrice that he decided to put it off. He thought he could loose himself in his work and put those unwanted feelings in the past, but this—this was disastrous.

"You were at the Senator's apartment last night?" asked Master Windu.

"Yes, we had dinner. I was out for a walk and ran into her by the Senate. I supped with her and Miss Kiya. What happened?"

Master Windu drew in a deep breath and sighed. He crossed his arms over his chest and explained, "Late last night Senator Amidala said she and her handmaiden, Miss Kiya were attacked by a strange man who Kiya identified as Count Dooku. The Senator said he kidnapped her and it seemed like he knew her. She requested that you handle the case, but now I think I'm beginning to see why. What's your involvement in this incident, Obi-Wan?"

The Jedi Master shook his head and replied, "No, the incident had nothing to do with me. It had to do with the fact that Miss Kiya is really Lady Thrice from the Blackswan Clan on Dagobah. She planned on learning more about the Republic quietly in disguise while seeking the whereabouts of the Count. I had hoped to learn more about her mission during my visit, but she had nothing new to report."

Master Windu raised a brow and asked, "Why did you report this to the High Council?"

"Because I felt responsible for not finding Count Dooku sooner when I promised her that I would. That was 5 years ago, Mace and we hadn't made any progress and now she is gone. Kidnapped by the very man I gave my word I would find."

"You're not the only Jedi in the Order, Obi-Wan. But for now you are reassigned to the case since Senator Amidala insisted you help her specifically."

"Yes, Master."

However, before he strode away Mace caught his arm and added, "Don't hold back on us again, my friend."

Obi-Wan paused and said, "Then, we need to talk later in private."

Master Windu frowned, but let Master Kenobi go. He didn't like being in the dark, but he knew that Obi-Wan was a good man. He just hoped he spilled everything when they talked later on, but right now the case held more importance.

XXX

Location: Padme's quarters

Anakin was excited about seeing Padme. He hadn't seen her since he was 9 and that was 7 year ago. He was 16 now and more mature. Hehoped Padme would notice he was more of a man than a boy. Absently, he straightened his robes, but noticed that Obi-Wan was spew an aura of doom and gloom in waves.

"Um, Master? Are you ok?"

"Hmm? What?"

Ani smiled and said, "I said, are you ok? You seemed distracted. Is it that Clan woman, Thrice?"

Obi-Wan suddenly felt drained and admitted, "Yes, Ani. I'm worried about Thrice. I have no doubt that Count Dooku has instore a sinister plan. I can only hope things will turn out all right."

Ani patted his mentor's shoulder and said, "It'll be fine, Master. We'll rescue her in no time."

XXX

When they entered the apartment, the two Jedi saw that Padme was reclined in a chair with a bandage wrapped around her head and an icepack on her temple. Several of her guards were on duty and escorted them in.

"Have a seat gentlemen."

Obi-Wan and Ani bowed. "Thank you, Milady."

"I wish to be as helpful as I can in your investigation."

Obi-Wan nodded. "I appreciate that, Padme, but first start from the beginning. What happened?"

The brown-eyed beauty removed the icepack off her head and answered, "Well, after dinner Kiya and I cleaned up. We were talking for a while and out of nowhere a man came in through the balcony. I was surprised and tried to get help and silently signaled my guards, but the man closed all the doors with an invisible force."

"Did you recognize him?" asked Ani.

"No, his face was covered, but he took it off his hood when he spoke with Kiya. They seemed like they knew each other. She called him Count Dooku."

Obi-Wan asked, "Yes, but what exactly did they say?"

Padme narrowed her brow and turned away in thought. She rubbed her temple and stated, "He said she was dressed plain and called her his dear. She told him to get out. She said he didn't come all this way to say sweet nothings into her ear." She turned her glance to the Jedi Master and said, "Obi-Wan, I never heard Kiya talk that way before."

"Then, what happened?"

"Well, the Count threatened me and Kiya got angry. She said not to hurt the child and I think she meant me. I asked her what was going on, but they both ignored me. Kiya then agreed to give with the Count because he threatened me. He knocked her out with some kind of weapon and I tried to stop him with my blaster, but he used his powers to push me out too. I landed against a table and when I came to my guards had arrived, but it was too late."

Obi-Wan got up and started to pace. He rubbed his beard in thought and said, "Padme, Kiya is not her true name. Kiya is really Lady Thrice. She is a warrior from the Blackswan Clan on Dagobah. She came to covertly learn more about the Republic."

Surprised, Anakin said, "What? You mean your friend from the Kamino assignment is the same girl?"

"Yes, Ani. Though, I originally met her 15 years ago when I was a Padawan. She was on assignment from her Lord Master to deliver an invitation to Master Qui-Gon. It was then she first made contact with Count Dooku by accident and has been keeping taps on him until the fiasco after the Kamino assignment 5 years ago."

Padme said, "I didn't know you knew each other that long, but isn't she only 20?"

Obi-Wan smirked. "No, Milady is much older than that. She isn't human. She hasn't changed at all since the day we met. However, this confirms that this is the Count's doing, but I still don't understand why."

Padme stated, "Count Dooku said he had a proposition for her Lord Master."

"What kind of proposition?" asked Ani.

"I don't know."

Anakin narrowed his brow and asked, "Master, what kind of business is the Lord Master in?"

"Lord Blackswan is a geneticist. He's a cloner that initially made humanoid warriors, but swore off making higher life forms and creates specialized plants in peace."

"Then, maybe it has something to do with cloning. Maybe the Count took her for blackmail."

"It's possible, but the Count wouldn't take Lady Thrice just for petty blackmail. I think we should go visit the Clan and investigate."

XXX

Location: Blackswan Clan, Dagobah

When team Kenobi and Skywalker landed at the Colony on Dagobah they were greeted by a party of female warriors. They were lined up into two rows and were all dressed in black battle suites. At the head of the line stood a woman with cut black hair wearing silver earrings. She bowed to the Jedi and introduced herself.

"Greetings, I am Captain Sheema. I'll be your servant during your visit at the Clan."

"Thank you, Captain. I am Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and my Padawan, Anakin Skywalker. However, we won't be staying long."

"Perhaps," said Sheema and she turned to walk up the path and the warriors all saluted with a fisted hand over their chest and bowed as one.

The military air of the Colony startled the two Jedi, but patiently Sheema waited for them to catch up. She lead them through an elegant hall with a high polished floor and torch lit passageways. Obi-Wan noticed that all the staff were all young women and all of them had similar features. They all looked like Lady Thrice to some degree. It was disturbing.

"Tell me, Captain. Are all of your members created artificially?"

"Yes, Jedi Kenobi, but if you don't mind I have a question of my own."

"By all means."

Sheema paused and turned to face him and said, "I know you have been working with my Mistress. And your visit here is very unexpected. So, tell me, sir, what has happed to the General?"

"I'm sorry, Captain, but that is something I must discuss with your Lord Master."

She narrowed her brow and firmly said, "I demand to know what has happed to Lady Thrice. She goes away for months at a time to your savage land and plays peasant among you half-lives."

Irked, Anakin shouted, "Hey! We didn't do anything wrong! What is your problem?"

"Silence!" commanded Lord Blackswan.

Sheema quickly turned and approached him with her head bowed. The scientist reached up to hold her chin and ushered for her to leave. Timidly, the Captain left with out a sound. Meanwhile, he eyed the two Jedi critically with his eerie red eyes and said, "My apologizes gentlemen, but Sheema is very devoted to her mentor. Come, let us go to my study and be more comfortable."

XXX

Lord Blackswan lead Obi-Wan and Anakin into a large library with two flights of books on tall shelves. It was a very grand space and would put to shame most palaces, but causally the scientist eased himself into a leather chair and poured himself of glass of water to drink.

"Please, make yourselves at home. I hardly ever get any guests."

Obi-Wan sat down and Ani joined him. The Jedi Master bowed his head politely and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Swan, but this is not a social call. We've come to inform you that Lady Thrice as been kidnapped by Count Dooku last night on Coruscant. We believe that the Count we likely contact you with a proposition. We were hoping you could shed some light as to what he wants from you."

Lord Blackswan replied, "Thank you for being so frank, Master Obi-Wan, but I am already aware of the situation."

"You are?" asked Ani. "How?"

"I have been contacted already by Count Dooku and I do not take kindly to villains who dare harm my ladies."

Obi-Wan said, "Then, what do you plan to do? And what does the Count want?"

The scientist rose from his chair and began to pace. He circled around a large wooden table and pressed a bottom on a panel and displayed a holo-vid of space. The lights in the room suddenly dimmed and Lord Swan pointed to a region in space.

"He wasn't to make a trade. The dog wants me to solve a bit of genetic mystery in exchange for my daughter's life. The trade is to occur on a planet called Geonosis."

Puzzled, Obi-Wan asked, "What sort of genetic mystery does the Count wish for you to solve?"

Lord Swan waved his hand dismissively and closed the map and said, "Oh, nothing too hard just the replication of a strange microbe called midi-chlorians. I don't see why they're so important."

Obi-Wan was shocked. "What? You mean you are able to replicate midi-chlorians? But no one at the Core has been able to do that. It's the microbe that allows certain begins to access the Force. It's what gives us our Jedi powers."

The scientist said, "Oh, well I guess that explains it."

"You can't possibly be thinking of handing over that information. It would change the balance of the Core if just anyone could become as powerful as a Jedi without birthright or training."

Anakin was deeply disturbed. He couldn't exactly feel special anymore if just anybody could be turned into a Jedi. It could fall into the wrong hands and mess up everything. This mission could be the biggest turning point of the entire history of the Core.

Startled, he said, "Master, Lady Thrice isn't worth the safety of the entire Core."

"Yes, but we cannot abandon her as well. We have to try and save her."

"What? But there is no way that we can afford to make this trade."

Calmly, Lord Blackswan said, "Silence, children. It doesn't matter what you choose to do. I have already sent my warriors to rescue her and make the trade."

Excited, Anakin stated, "And you didn't tell us?"

"Quiet, Padawan," scolded Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master then approached Lord Swan and said, "Lord Blackswan, I wish to help you rescue Lady Thrice. She is a good friend and I don't wish to see her come to harm."

The scientist grinned and replied, "Do as you wish, Master Jedi. You do not need my consent." The red-eyed man then handed Obi-Wan the coordinates and watched as he and Anakin left.

XXX

TBC

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