Darth Corsa's Note:

Thanks for reading! (if somebody is still reading this).

Torli, we're really appreciate your criticism

Also, special thanks and respectful bow for my friend and Master Darth Manul :-)

Chapter 13. They Will Pay

The month had passed, but they still were staying on the Matan. And still no news from his Master. Darth Maul shrank. Perhaps, this was his only chance; he should make his final decision here and now, as Obi-Wan used to say.

Month ago he had sensed all forbidden for a Jedi emotions in young Kenobi—fear for the unknown future, anger for the little brat, who certainly was Qui-Gon's Padawan now, and deep hatred for his former Master. Now… all these negative emotions dimmed, practically disappeared. Obi-Wan spent his free time with pleasure, enjoying himself every moment. He did what he wanted: meditated when he thought it was appropriate, sparred with Maul, and conversed with him in the evenings.

Some more time, and this makeshift Sith would return to the Temple himself, begging to forgive him for his off-schedule vacation. This situation required immediate actions…

Maul blinked, remembering his past.

(About ten years ago)

Young sixteen years old Zabrack was standing on the ground, breathing heavily, with still activated lightsaber in his hand. He could not believe what had happened several minutes ago, but it was true and it was over. He heard rustle behind him and sensed Master's presence. Of course, Palpatine wanted to check his apprentice's work himself.

"Now, you earned the right to be called 'Darth Maul', my dear apprentice. Forget about your real name, Baal Baster. I see, you've done a good job here." He laughed. "Come with me, my young apprentice."

Baal… no, Darth Maul deactivated his double-bladed lightsaber and slowly clipped it to his belt. Then, he turned around and followed his mentor.

He often had bad dreams after this—about a little pleasant village on the peaceful planet Fleno and its dead inhabitants. He had killed all of them—men, women, and even little children. He remembered surprised looks on their faces very well. They had not expected something evil from their guest. Honestly, he had not expected, too. But he had gone too far—he had to kill peaceful people, otherwise his own Master would kill him. He'd desperately wanted to become a Sith. Was it worth all this? Yes, it was.

Then, his Master had made those awful tattoos on his face and body, they made him look more offensive. Then such… things did not case him any bad dreams anymore.

So, what to do with this Kenobi? It would be very negative for his vulnerable psyche to make some reckless action. He activated his comlink and sent some messages to his old crime friends, asking for any news.

(That evening)

They were sitting in the living room and talking.

"Obi-Wan, we should go somewhere, what do you think, ah?" Maul asked, nursing a glass with a blue drink in his hands.

"Why? I really like this planet," the lad answered, sitting in the cozy armchair, with no intentions of going anywhere.

So, it was time to start the game.

"You know, I saw some very interesting news at holonet last evening. Do you remember the blockade of Naboo?"

"Sure." Obi-Wan winced, remembering last unpleasant events.

"So, you should remember that it was all Neimoidian' fault with this scoundrel, Nute Gunray."

"Yes," Kenobi nodded once again. "As I remember, we'd rescued the Queen and landed the ship on the Tatooine," he nervously grabbed his glass and continued "Master Jinn with Amidala and this little brat headed to the Coruscant. Senator Palpatine became a new Chancellor. He was from Naboo, too… Somehow, he persuaded these gangsters to raise the blockade and go far away. No victims."

"Indeed. They were not punished. Interesting, isn't it? If there had been no Neimoidian, there would be no blockade, you had not to accept this mission… And then, they escaped!" 'Angrily' finished Maul.

Then, he sensed the anger rising in young Kenobi. He definitely thought in the right way—no Neimoidian, no mission, no Tatooine, no slavery. He possibly could be a Knight right now. Master Yoda had told him that he had had a great potential and would be on the Council someday… Damned Neimoidian! Now, his hatred was aimed on them, not on Qui-Gon.

"And do you know, why I'm asking about this?" Maul decided to fuel the conversation: "Somewhere I've heard that Nute Gunrey wants to strike back! Again! Can you imagine this?"

Kenobi could hardly control his anger.

"What? And the Council? The Senate?"

Maul shrugged his shoulders. "Absolutely nothing. The Jedi are not supposed to strike first. You should know about them yourself! They're the guardians of peace and justice, not warriors, so they just cannot do anything. Or they don't want to do. And the Senate… Do you seriously think they are interested in it? They have not heard anything about the last time before appearance of the Queen."

"But, this is… wrong!" Kenobi cried and ran away.

Maul took another glass and sipped some drink. Everything was going as he had expected. He should wait a little.

Indeed, the next morning Kenobi told him that he wanted to leave this planet for a while. It was a really short conversation as Maul remembered.

Why? Oh, you want to visit somebody. I understand. And whom? Neimoidian? And what are you planning to do? Are you sure? Really? Why? Ofcourse, I'myourfriend,I'llhelpyou! But don"t you care what will happen then? To you? To your soul? No? Well, it's your choice.

Maul smiled: he had expected this.

That evening they packed some possessions and entered the ship to hyperspace. It was not very difficult to find the Neimoidian' space station. Kenobi's anger was radiating so powerfully, that even non-Force sensitive could feel it. Interesting, he even had not checked news. He 'honestly' believed that he would do a good deal, getting rid of these Neimoidian, they deserved only death.

The small fighter entered the station. Two men jumped out from it, they were wearing dark cloaks. Nute Gunray decided to greet guests personally. His secretary said that two Jedi—a master and padawan team—would come today to sign some peaceful agreement. He realized his mistake long ago. It was not his own idea to blockade Naboo—Darth Sidious had ordered him to do so. Now he wanted to tell the Jedi everything he knew. They would get information and he would get their protection.

He went towards the Jedi. He thought that young apprentice should be a child, but both man were too tall for a little boy.

"Greetings, sirs—" he began.

Slowly, they removed their cloaks. Nute stared at them. What's wrong? They were not like Jedi! He had seen two of them two months ago.

"You!" cried the shorter one. "You will pay for all your crimes and die!" He unclipped his lightsaber and activated it.

Nute blinked surprisingly. Certainly, the Jedi could not behave so. And why his blade was red?

"Who arrrr—" he began, but the red lightsaber had already cut off his head. The last thing he saw was a pair of yellow eyes, burning with hatred. He recognized this young man.

"He is dead. Are you satisfied now?" Maul asked, inspecting his fingernails.

Obi-Wan leaned over the wall, breathing heavily. He felt awful—sick and miserable. "That's not enough. They will pay. All of them." He was sure that he would do the right thing.

Slightly shivering, he headed forward. Maul with a large grin followed him.

It was very funny. Of course, guards activated all battle droids. But what are droids against a Sith and a former Jedi, who became a Sith? Nothing, just piles of spare parts. And dead Neimoidian' bodies after Obi-Wan. Maul even practically didn't take part in this slaughtering. Kenobi did not need any help. Blind Hatred led him.

After some more hours they were on their own ship, heading to the Matan.

Obi-Wan was emotionless: he answered automatically and stared at one point.

"You've done what needed to be done. It is good for the Republic. No one will grieve them."

"I… I saw the news. It was said, they wanted to sign peace officially. What have I done?"

"You've done the right thing. Do you honestly believe them? After all that had happened? Damned corrupt bureaucrats, all of them."

Obi-Wan covered the face with his hands. One part of his mind screamed: 'You fool! What've you done? What would your Master say? What would the Council think?' Another part, more convincing, whispered: 'They paid for all that they've done. Now they cannot harm anybody. The Jedi are very pathetic to realize that it's dangerous to let them live.'

"Yes, you are right. I have done what I must."

Dart Maul visibly relaxed and continued:

"You don't think that it was only their idea, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, Neimoidian are quite stupid to plan the blockade themselves. Somebody had ruled them."

"You know more than you've already said, don't you? Continue."

Darth Maul smiled. Of course, he knew. It was time to get rid of his old Master. He took an apprentice for this own purpose.

"Yes, I know. Do you remember, I told you about my Master? Darth Sidious? He became absolutely insane. I think if we 'remove' him, we will save the galaxy from the Great Evil. But I cannot do it myself. I need some help."

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Obi-wan asked suspiciously. He was looking so lost and confused.

"Yes. I didn't tell you who Darth Sidious is. He is our great supreme chancellor—Сos Palpatine himself. Do you realize now, how corrupt the Senate is?"

"Yes." Kenobi whispered, his eyes were like steel: "You're right."

Maul took his comlink.