Chapter 25 The Mastermind

Anakin and Obi-Wan watched from the doorway; it was satisfying to see the family reunited once more with the question of Boba's innocence resolved at last. Boba seemed to bask in their company, "We should return to the Temple." Obi-Wan announced, wishing to grant the family some privacy.

"Thank you for all you have done." Bail said, extending his hand to them.

Both Jedi entered the room to take it, "We only did what we felt was right." Obi-Wan replied.

"Nevertheless, I am very grateful." Bail answered.

"Well, this is not over yet; we must still find out who hired this rogue Clone." Anakin interjected.

"And I have every confidence that you will." Bail told them.

"Tell Ferri and Zak I'm sorry." Boba requested.

"You have already done that yourself, Boba." Obi-Wan reminded him.

"I know; I just I can't be sorry enough to make up for everything I put them through." Boba replied.

Obi-Wan sighed, "And they would do it all over again." He said.

"Probably; and I probably would too." Boba admitted.

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Black grinned at the examiner, "Well, you've caught me." He stated as a guard pushed him into a chair and secured his hand to its back.

"Who hired you?" Hannon demanded.

"That's none of your business." Black answered.

"Was it Boba Fett?" Hannon asked.

The Clone laughed, "That pathetic fool? You have got to be kidding." He scoffed.

"You'll break eventually." Tursk told him.

"Not in this lifetime." Black retorted.

"Do not count on it." The Chagrian answered, "We went easy on young Fett because of his connections to the Chancellor, you will not be so lucky."

Black laughed again, "Your worthless threats don't concern me." He replied.

Tursk shook his head, "Well, they should." He said as the door opened and the looming form of a Mon Calamari stood in the doorway slapping a switch against his leg.

Acken's eyes locked onto Black's, "Oh, Mr. Black, our threats are hardly worthless." He informed the Clone as he stepped into the room and the door slid closed behind him.

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"Look straight ahead, Zak." Declan instructed as he shone a light first into one and then into Zak's other eye, "What did he spray at you?"

"I don't know; I think Master Windu confiscated the canister though." Zak answered.

"Alright, is he waiting with Master Kenobi?" Declan asked.

"Probably." Zak replied, "Why, is there something wrong?"

Declan smiled reassuringly, "I'd just like to run some tests on the substance, Zak." He told him.

Zak shook his head, "I can sense you're not telling me everything." He answered, "You should know better."

Declan sighed, "Yes, I should. Alright, the truth is I don't see any serious damage; your eyes are irritated because there is some chemical burning. Don't worry, it is reversible as long as it's treated properly; but I need to know what kind of chemical I'm dealing with here before I can start treating it." He explained, "I'm sorry, Zak; I just didn't want to scare you."

"I'm not a youngling, Master Healer; I don't scare easily." Zak replied.

Again Declan smiled as he remembered the terrified Padawan after Baylor Grant had invaded his mind five years earlier and nodded, "I guess I sometimes forget that." He said.

"I know; it's alright." Zak replied, "I'm sure Master Windu realized you would need that canister."

"You are probably right; I want you to wait here, and I'll go see if I can find him." Declan ordered.

"You won't get an argument from me; I'd rather keep my eyesight." Zak told him.

"Good; now, while I'm doing that, I want you to use this solution to wash your eyes out as well as you can. We want to be sure there is nothing of that substance left." Declan instructed, handing Zak a bottle filled with a clear liquid.

Zak nodded as he took the bottle from him, "There are sterile cloths in that cabinet; if you wipe your eyes, use them. Right now, your eyes are vulnerable, and it would be very easy for them to become infected along with being burned." Haris continued.

"Alright, rinse with the solution, use the sterile cloths in the cabinet; I think I've got that." Zak replied.

Declan smiled, patted him on the shoulder and left the room. He found Obi-wan and Anakin quietly speaking with Ferri, "Well, Declan, what have you found?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Well, it could have been worse; as it is, his eyes have been chemically burned." Declan began and then, sensing Obi-Wan sudden concern added hastily, "I do not believe the damage will be permanent; however, I cannot treat him until I know what was in the spray. Zak said Master Windu confiscated the canister; do you know where he went?"

"I believe he took that canister to the archive to have it analyzed." Obi-Wan told him.

"Alright, I'll check there; knowing what was in that spray will help me know how best to treat the damage done." Declan replied and then turned to Ferri, "I understand you were sprayed as well, Ferri."

"Yes, but not full in the face as Zak was." Ferri told him.

"I would like to check you anyway; just to be on the safe side; why don't you go in and wait for me?" Declan requested.

"Alright; but I'm telling you, I'm fine." Ferri consented grudgingly.

Declan smiled again, "Humor me." He replied.

With a sigh and a shrug, Ferri headed into the healers' quarters.

Declan waited until the door slid closed, "Make sure both of them stay here until I return with analysis." He said.

"What is it, Declan?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't know; just a feeling, but I want to know what exactly I'm dealing with here." Declan answered elusively.

"But Ferri seems fine." Anakin protested.

"I know; just bear with me here, will you?" Declan requested.

Anakin sighed, "We really don't have time for this; if you want to keep Zak, that's understandable, but there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with Ferri." He said.

"Please, Anakin; you will not lose much time, and is it not better to err on the side of caution?" Declan replied.

Anakin started to protest again, "He's right, Anakin; I'm sure it won't take long." Obi-Wan interjected.

Anakin shook his head, "You're right, Declan; Ferri's health is my responsibility, I don't know what I was thinking." He admitted.

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Lyman stood with the Vice Chancellor and walked her to the door, "Thank you for coming, Vice Chancellor; I'm sure Kilda…I'm sure if she were here…" He trailed off, stifling a sob.

Mon put her hand on his arm, "I'm so sorry, Lyman; if only I had been more open-minded about Boba Fett this Black would have been caught sooner and…" Mon sighed, "I may never forgive myself."

"Oh you must not think that; he appeared guilty, why would you have searched elsewhere?" Lyman told her.

Mon sighed again, "I suppose you're right; but I should have seen it was a frame. And that poor boy….what I allowed…" She shook her head.

"Why are you so worried about that boy?" Lyman asked angrily.

"Because a great deal of injustice was done to him and he was ill-treated for something he had nothing to do with. I understand you're grieving, Lyman; but you should still be able to understand how I feel about all of this." Mon countered and then sighed, "I'm sorry; that was uncalled for. It has been a very long day; I must be tired."

"I understand, and I'm sorry too; I guess Kilda's death…I'm having a difficult time." Lyman answered as he triggered the door for her, "Goodnight, Vice Chancellor; thank you for coming."

Mon Mothma patted his arm, "Goodnight, Lyman." She replied as she entered the hallway.

Lyman watched her for a few moments before sliding the door closed and heaving a sigh of relief; he thought she would never leave. Things were starting to fall apart for him. His carefully conceived plans were going awry; his assassin had gotten himself caught. He shook his head at that; wondering why he had agreed to the plan Black had come up with. It was apparent to him that Black held a grudge against the man the Kaminoans had used to create the Clones; but to seek revenge against the unaltered son/Clone of Jango Fett had been pure madness. Now, he stood a good chance of being discovered even if Black never uttered a word to the examiners questioning him. In fact, Lyman was certain Black would never talk; but that did not relieve his concern that somehow the entire plot would be uncovered by the investigating Jedi. Better for him, perhaps, if he cut his losses and ran. He had enough credits to set himself up rather comfortably in one of the Outer Rim systems; yes, it appeared running was his only option now.

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"Well, my feelings on this were correct; those two were very lucky you came along when you did." Declan announced when he returned a few minutes later carrying a data pad with the results of the analysis.

"What was it, Declan?" Obi-Wan asked.

"The agent Black used on them should have caused permanent brain damage. It makes its way into the system eventually reaching the brain; had you not countered it with the Force when you did, their minds would have been completely wiped clean." Declan told them, "It's conceivable that it could still happen to a certain extent if any trace of it is in their systems. Zak's eyes are not the only thing in jeopardy here."

"To a certain extent?" Anakin questioned.

"Yes, short term memory loss more than likely." Declan answered, "But I can check for that, and counter it if I need to; I could use your help here, Anakin."

"You've got it." Anakin replied without hesitation but then looked at Obi-Wan, "Can you do without me for a little while?"

"I don't see why not, I have a hunch I'd like to track down; you can find me when you're finished here." Obi-Wan told him.

"A hunch?" Anakin questioned.

"Yes; I am permitted to have hunches, aren't I?" Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin grinned at him, "Of course, Master." He answered with a hint of amusement, "Just try to stay out of trouble."

Obi-Wan shook his head but smiled, "Yes, Master." He replied.