Chapter 17 (Part 2 of 2)
"Married?" Garen asked, still shocked beyond belief.
Siri nodded. "We were married on Lygos III six years ago. The man that married us, Shiraka, was a holy man that ran a temple on the planet."
Garen began pacing, running his hands through his dark hair. "I can't…I just can't believe this."
Obi-Wan was about to say something when Zakk's crèche master suddenly appeared. "Excuse me, Master Kenobi, but it's time for the younglings' mid-morning meal."
Young Zakk quickly said goodbye to the adults and went along happily with Master Hyavor.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Garen demanded once the crèche master and Zakk were out of earshot.
Obi-Wan sighed. "This isn't something we go around shouting to the whole planet, Garen. There are reasons why we keep silent about this."
Siri reached out and took Garen's hand in her own, thankful beyond words that he didn't pull away. "We wanted to tell you, Garen. We've always wished we could tell you, Bant and Reeft. We don't keep it a secret because we like keeping secrets or because we we're trying to hurt you. Please believe that."
Garen sighed deeply as he took a seat on one of the stone benches. "Where does your…son fit into all this? Did you plan him or was he a…mistake?"
Obi-Wan felt Siri's emotions flare at the word mistake. "Never call my son a mistake, Garen, or you'll wish you'd never…"
"Whoa," Garen said, holding his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry. I just…I'm trying to understand all of this."
Obi-Wan sat down next to his friend. "We weren't planning on having him, no, but he certainly wasn't a mistake. He's been wanted and loved from the moment we knew of his existence. Call him…an accident. He's the happiest accident I've ever experienced."
Siri smiled. "Me, too. I don't know how to make you understand any of this, Garen. All I can say is that I love Obi-Wan. I've loved him since I was a child and even being a Jedi can't change that. I fell in love with him, married him, bore his son and nothing has ever made me happier. My life is more fulfilling than I ever imagined it could be, and it isn't because I'm a Jedi. It's because I'm his wife and Zakk's mother."
Garen looked at them both. He could see the love in their eyes when they looked at one another, and he could sense their feelings. But it hurt to not have been included.
He stood and took a deep breath. "Look, I want to understand, I really do. I'm just…I guess I'm a bit angry that neither of you trusted me enough to tell me the truth. I'll keep your secrets, though. I won't say anything."
"Garen, we never considered that you'd ever do otherwise," Siri told him.
He nodded and then walked away.
"That went well," Obi-Wan muttered sarcastically.
Siri pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Let's go to Orowood. I could use some time away from here just to be with you."
He smiled at her as they headed off together towards the Temple hanger and the landing platform where air taxis were cleared to land at the Temple.
/
Orowood, Coruscant
Orowood Tower
Kenobi Apartment
The Orowood section of Coruscant was a fairly affluent area. It had a wonderful view of the Manarai Mountains and was well guarded; giving the residents of the area certain privacy that could not be enjoyed anywhere else.
Siri came from an affluent Alderaanian family that had sent her to the Jedi along with substantial funds. So, when her mission as Zora finally ended, she took some credits and purchased an apartment for herself and Obi-Wan. It was nice to have a place where they could go and simply be a man and his wife.
After tossing the air taxi pilot a few credits, Obi-Wan and Siri walked inside the building and directly into the turbolift. Quickly, the lift took them to the thirtieth floor where their apartment was located.
Stepping inside, both breathed a sigh of relief. Obi-Wan immediately discarded his cloak while Siri sat down on the soft and removed her boots before tucking her feet underneath her. A moment later, Obi-Wan sat next to her.
"Well, that was an exhausting conversation with Garen," he commented after a few minutes of silence.
Siri leaned closer to her husband and rested her head against his shoulder. His arm easily found its way around her. For several long moments they just sat there, luxuriating in the feeling of being together.
"Are you okay with Garen knowing?" Obi-Wan asked in a gentle manner. "This has gone from us and Master Yoda knowing to us, Master Yoda, Anakin and Garen within a pretty short timeframe."
Siri sighed as she searched her heart for the answer to his question. Her main concern for so long had been protecting the true identity of their son, making sure no one knew his parentage. Now, she was in the position of trusting others with the secret.
"I trust the people that know," she finally decided. "I don't think that Zakk is in any danger from those people. As for being okay with it; I doubt I'll ever be okay with it completely. I'd feel best if you and I were the only ones that knew the truth, but we're long past that already."
Obi-Wan was about to respond when his comlink chirped at him. Siri exhaled, knowing that he was most likely being called away. So much for their relaxing afternoon together.
"Kenobi," he answered.
"Obi-Wan, the Council requires your presence in one hour."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, not answering right away. Not for the first time, he didn't want to go back to the Temple. He wanted to stay with his wife.
"Duty calls," Siri whispered to him, understanding in her gaze.
He nodded. "Yes, Master Windu. I'll be there."
"Bring your padawan with you."
"Yes, Master," he acknowledged, flipping the comlink closed. He tossed it onto the sofa between them and leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees; head cradled in his hands.
Siri began running her hand up and down Obi-Wan's back in soothing rhythms, hoping to relieve some of the tension and stress she could sense emanating from him. It was easy to see that the constant secret-keeping was getting to her beloved.
"I'll go back with you," she finally said.
Obi-Wan smiled as he took her hand in his. "You don't have to. You could stay here for a while. There's really no need for you to return right now."
Siri stood with him and smiled when he pulled her into an embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and savored the moment with his wife. He knew as he held her that he could happily spend the rest of his life in her arms; could give up everything and spend his days doing nothing but being with her. But for now, duty called.
He kissed the top of her head softly. "I love you."
Siri lifted her head and looked into his eyes. "I love you, too. Now, com Anakin and go back to the Temple. Master Windu sounded serious."
Obi-Wan placed a quick kiss on her lips before retrieving his comlink from the couch where he'd tossed it and keying in Anakin's code.
/
Anakin wasn't happy about having his time with Padme interrupted. He'd been grumpy when Obi-Wan told him they were needed back at the Temple to attend a meeting with the Council.
"Any idea what this is about, Master?" he asked as they stepped off the lift and into the hallway that led to the Council chambers.
"Master Windu didn't say anything, but I'm fairly certain that it has to do with the war," Obi-Wan answered grimly. "It's beginning to escalate, and with the appearance of that monstrosity, Grievous, it can only get worse."
Anakin cleared his throat. "I hope you're wrong, Master."
"So do I," he replied just as the doors opened in front of them. "Come along."
They walked to the center of the room, both bowing unison before the assembled members of the Council. As they rose, they noticed the other Jedi that were in the circular room; Aayla Secura, Nejaa Halcyon and Ylenic It'kla.
Mace Windu let his gaze wander the curious faces of the Jedi standing before him for several moments before he spoke.
"I trust each of you is aware of Chancellor Palpatine's news broadcast of this morning," Windu began.
"Yes, Master," came the three voices of Halcyon, Secura and It'kla.
"No, Master," sounded Obi-Wan and Anakin at the exact same time.
If Windu was surprised, he didn't let it show. He pushed a few buttons on his chair and hologram appeared in the center of the room of Chancellor Palpatine making a speech from the Council chamber.
"Greetings my fellow beings," Palpatine began. "I come before you this morning in great sadness. It is with a heavy heart that I announce to you all that in response to the military buildup by the Separatists, I have spoken with my gracious hosts, the Jedi Order, and have asked them to join the side of the Republic in this war."
Master Windu stopped the recording there, deactivating the hologram.
"Master Yoda, myself and the rest of this council have decided the best course of action is for the Jedi to join with the Republic in this fight," Windu announced. "Two standard hours from now, all Jedi Masters, Knights and senior level Padawan Learners will become commissioned members of the Republic military."
Anakin had given it a valiant effort, but he could no longer hold his tongue.
"Pardon me, Master," he began, once again speaking out of turn for a mere Padawan. "How can the Council even consider this the appropriate course of action?"
Windu looked to Obi-Wan to silence the younger man, but found nothing more than silent agreement in Obi-Wan's face.
"We cannot and will not allow the Republic to fall into chaos," Windu finally found his voice. "We all wish it had not come to this, but this war is quickly reaching the point where Jedi involvement may be the only thing standing between the Separatists and the total collapse of the Republic."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "You mentioned us becoming commissioned members of the military; what exactly will that entail, Master?"
"Most Masters and Knights will be leading platoons and occasionally entire brigades of clonetroopers into battle," Windu explained. "Some senior Padawans will also be leading troopers. For example, Master Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker are being assigned together to an elite brigade of troopers that contain both ground and starfighter forces. Obi-Wan, you'll be in command of ground operations and Anakin will be leading the starfighter division of the unit."
"What exactly will our ranks be, Master Windu?" Nejaa Halcyon finally spoke.
"All Masters will carry the rank of General," Windu answered. "Knights are all being commissioned as Colonel's and most senior level Padawans will carry the rank of Commander."
For nearly an hour the conversation went on. Questions were fired at Windu and eventually the other Council members as well, until finally Windu ended the discussion and turned his attention to Halcyon, Secura and It'kla.
"We have a special mission for the three of you," he announced. "The Republic was contacted sometime late last night by a Techno Union scientist named Ratri Tane. He claims that he's willing to give us valuable information regarding the Confederacy in exchange for protecting his family. Your mission is to travel to Corellia and retrieve him and return him to the Temple where he and his family will be put under the protection of the Jedi."
"Yes, Master," Halcyon replied.
"You'll be traveling on a public transport to Corellia," Windu advised. "Your objective is to stay out of sight and inflict as little damage as possible."
"Master, does the Confederacy know we're coming?" Aayla Secura wondered.
"We cannot determine that," he answered. "I'd suggest you assume that they are aware of our retrieval mission. The Confederacy is likely very anxious to get their own hands on Ratri Tane. Expect to be confronted. Your transport leaves in one hour."
The team of three bowed and quickly left the chamber, already planning their strategy.
/
"As for the two of you, Master Yoda and I have a special mission," Windu told Obi-Wan and Anakin.
Both men stood straighter, waiting to hear where they would be going and what they would be doing.