A/N: I know some of you would have liked to read more about Obi-Wan and Dwen as a Master/Padawan team, but alas I had no ideas of how develop that part of the story, after the two scenes I wrote. Perhaps, one day I will get the idea for some vignettes to insert in this AU. I would love it, because I like Dewn very much. So the story jump forward another time, to ATOC time.
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Part Four
Two Years Later
Obi-Wan walked into the Council room and straight to his chair, sitting down as he waited for his fellow councillors to arrive.
He had been elevated to the rank of Master and elected to the Council six months before, but even after all that time it felt strange to sit among the wisest and most powerful members of the Order.
In the beginning, Obi-Wan had thought he had been elected just because he was the Chosen One, but Yoda and the others had been quick to correct him. They told him his nature had not been taken in account when they had made their choice, only his records as knight.
One by one the Council members stepped into the room and took their seats; Obi-Wan exchanged nods and bows with all of them.
When everybody was settled, Mace Windu opened the session, turning to face Obi-Wan.
"Welcome back, Obi-Wan. How was the mission on Ansion?"
"Long, tiring, but in the end Master Unduli and I were able to work out a treaty that made all the parties involved happy." Obi-Wan then gave a brief report, detailing the Council on the major points of the treaty.
"Good work. What about young Highspeed? It was his first field mission."
Obi-Wan could not help but smile at the thought of his Padawan. "He behaved very well. His observations of the various political parties were quite accurate, especially for a child of eleven. I believe he has the markings of a good diplomat."
"We are happy to hear it, Obi-Wan," Ki-Adi-Mundi said with a smile. "As you know we were concerned when you took him as a padawan that he would not be very…helpful in missions."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "It's true that Dwen has a weak Force sensitivity, but he is a willing and hard working learner. He might never become a master, but he will be an asset for the Jedi in the future."
"Tell me Obi-Wan, does Dwen know of your real power? You must lower your shields when you guide him into meditation…" Kit Fisto asked.
"He has always felt my power. The first time we met he told me I was "brighter than Yoda in the Force"—and I had all my shields up. It was his perception of me that first attracted me to him. Nobody, not even my closest friends had ever glimpsed my real nature, and yet that small boy had done it within a few minutes. So yes, Dwen knows I'm different, but he doesn't know what it means."
Kit Fisto nodded, while Mace Windu said, "All right, it's time to pass to other, more important matters. As we all know the situation with the Confederation Of the Independent Systems is degenerating. Some parties in the Senate are pressing for the creation of an army to protect the Republic from the Separatists. Chancellor Palpatine is apparently against this, but he will have his hands tied if the congress votes in favour of the Military Creation Act."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Our opinion on the matter is well known, Mace, but the Senate doesn't care for it. They think the Jedi cannot ensure the safety of the Republic and nothing we can say will make them change their minds. And, in a way, they are right. There aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic, and we are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"I fear this vote," Plo Koon commented. "The Senate doesn't understand that the creation of an army won't make the possibility of a war more remote. Quite the contrary, it could be the torch that sets the whole Galaxy afire."
"Chancellor Palpatine doesn't know how long he can hold off the vote, and he is afraid that delay on this definitive issue might well erode the Republic through attrition. More and more star systems are joining the Separatists even while we talk," Ki-Adi-Mundi added.
"Senator Amidala and the Loyalist Party are quite aware of the risks involved in setting an escalation in the hostilities. They have been in opposition to the Military Creation Act since the start," Obi-Wan stated.
"Senator Amidala is scheduled to arrive today to speak against the army creation in the next Senate meeting. She might be able to drag those who have not yet made their mind up on the matter on her side," Adi Gallia interjected.
"Is she under protection?" Obi-Wan asked. "I heard they tried to kill her on a couple of occasions."
"Yes, she has increased the number of her personal guards."
"Do we know who is the responsible?"
"We have nothing definitive, but our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo. Queen Amidala increased the taxation of their profits to rebuild Theed after the invasion of ten years ago, and now the miners want the taxes reduced or eliminated," Mace Windu explained.
Suddenly, there was a tremor in the Force. Something terrible had just happened.
"Senator Amidala…" Obi-Wan whispered.
"What? Is she dead?" Plo Koon asked.
"No. She is alive, but in great pain. Someone dear to her has died."
"Another attempt to her life?"
"Possibly."
"What will happen now?"
"I don't know, but I won't be too surprised if the Jedi's help will be enlisted to keep the Senator safe during her sojourn on Coruscant," Obi-Wan concluded.
The other masters nodded grimly, then silence fell on the room as they all contemplated the rapidly deteriorating political situation.