Chapter 25
/
Luke yawned, fighting off his fatigue as the convoy arrived at yet another settlement. He had lost count of how many settlements they had visited in the last two days. They all resembled each other, thought the number of huts and citizens varied. The reception to their arrival had remained the same, though; cool detachment.
Luke was amazed at how little appreciation the Arkanians showed. They were after all, delivering lifesaving supplies and most of the settlements were unaware of what had happened at the landing dock. Luke thought they'd have been more warmly received.
Sliding from the saddle of his dewback, he quickly moved to the rear of the convoy and began helping the accompanying Arkanians unload the supplies while Kit Fisto went to greet the approaching representatives of the settlement.
"Greetings," Kit spoke as he smiled at the group of Arkanians, bowing respectfully. "My name is Kit Fisto and I have come…"
"To bring us food and medicine," the tallest of the group interrupted. "We know. Let's dispense with the pleasantries, Master Jedi, and get these supplies delivered. My people are dying, you know, and we'd all like for you to be on your way as soon as possible."
He turned towards the settlement and with a wave of his hand, a half dozen young males advanced towards the convoy.
"Of course," Kit managed. He bit back his shock at the Arkanian's abruptness. "If you'll follow me…"
"Excuse me, Jedi," a petite young female called out as she stepped forward.
Kit turned to her in surprise. "Yes?"
"I am Rika Adrien. I believe you met my husband two days ago."
Kit froze at her announcement, knowing instinctively who her husband must have been. Glancing at the retreating group of Arkanians, he stepped forward hoping to keep anyone who hadn't heard of the incident from learning of it.
"Yes," he gazed at her compassionately. "I, and the rest of the Jedi, am very sorry for what happened. It was an unfortunate…"
"Accident," she finished with a huff. "So we've been told."
Kit opened his mouth to reply, but she held up a hand to stop him.
"While I do not agree with Governor Verbeke's decision to not punish the person responsible, I have accepted that decision," she stated calmly. I am only here to collect the supplies for my settlement."
"Wha…what was that?" Kit didn't bother to hide his surprise.
"My settlement is fifty kilometers to the South, through the mountains and difficult to find unless you know where to look," she explained. "The trip is quite treacherous and not recommended for non-natives and since it was to be your last stop, you don't have to be concerned with me taking more than the settlement has been allotted."
"I assure you we are capable of making the trip," Kit replied. "It won't take long to finish up here…"
"And I assure you it would be better for your sake to allow me to collect our supplies," Rika sniffed. "My people may be in dire straits but they are still quite capable of expressing their extreme displeasure over what happened if any Jedi show up."
Kit studied her closely. Rika's face was etched with worry lines, her eyes devoid of any emotion. Her voice and demeanor were sincere but he could feel deception hanging heavily in the air. Something was not right. She met his gaze without flinching.
"Well?" she finally said breaking the silence.
"You may take the last of the supplies," he acquiesced. "My fellow Jedi and I will head back to the Capital once we have dispersed the supplies here."
/
Anakin surveyed the crowds waiting their turn in the voting spheres carefully. The air was dripping with tense anticipation. His every nerve had been on alert for any sign of trouble for three days now but everything seemed to be going smoothly.
To his relief, Leia and Barriss Offee completed handing out supplies to the citizens of the capital without incident. They returned to the ship stunned to learn of the events leading to confinement of Mara and Shaak-Ti. Leia had been so upset; she offered to stay aboard the ship to keep Mara company.
Anakin and Barriss quickly agreed. While Anakin wanted all the help with security he could get for the voting, he and Barriss both knew Leia wasn't prepared for any unexpected danger. He knew she could handle her lightsaber well enough to survive a battle, but he was more than happy to have her in a position where that wouldn't be required.
Luke and Kit Fisto had arrived back at the landing dock earlier than expected with news of Rika Adrien's insistent demand for them not to travel to her settlement. Even considering her husband's death, that was an alarming development. There was more to her insistence, Anakin was sure of that.
Luke had immediately requested permission to stay on the ship, to keep out of trouble, he'd mumbled; not fooling anyone. After a brief conference with Kit and Barriss, Anakin agreed to allow Luke to remain on the ship. They all sensed something…elusive and knew it would be better for Luke to remain out of harm's way. Anakin was just relieved Luke's infatuation with Mara kept him from sensing that his long desired adventure could have been at hand.
He sighed, releasing his fatigue and anxiety into the Force. He was able to convince Yoda and Governor Verbeke to allow Tristan to resume his place by Anakin's side. They all agreed the Arkanian guard could remain on duty by himself. With a Jedi Master and three Padawans on board the ship, there was little danger of anything happening.
Tristan, like Anakin, had shed his cloak as they walked about the crowd. Anakin felt it prudent that they not be hampered by anything should they need to defend themselves.
"This is quite boring, Master," Tristan quipped.
Anakin smiled. "Just the way we want it, Padawan. In a situation like this, boring is the best we can hope for."
"I bet you wished for something more exciting when you were my age," the younger man said.
Anakin shook his head. "When I was your age, I was fighting alongside your father during the Clone Wars. Nothing about that time was exciting. I wished for the normalcy and relative calm of doing something as simple as this."
Tristan didn't comment, just went back to combing the crowd with his eyes, watching for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.
"Let's separate," Anakin said moments later. "You take that area over there, and I'll patrol this way."
Tristan nodded. "Yes, Master."
He headed in the direction Anakin had pointed and continued watching the crowd.
/
The hours passed slowly. The Arkanians cast their votes and gathered in the credenza outside the governor's office to wait for the results. The crowds kept themselves entertained with singing, games and an occasional shouting match that didn't last very long when a Jedi or local security would show their faces.
Anakin followed the last voters to the credenza, joining Kit, Barriss and Tristan on the outskirts of the crowds as the acting Governor, his security and Yoda stepped onto the balcony.
Verbeke called for silence before announcing his formal election as Governor. The crowds cheered wildly. Verbeke observed the celebration quietly, a joyous smile on his face. When everyone had quieted down again, he raised his hands, preparing to speak.
"Despite the tragedy in the landing dock a few days ago," he began, looking down at Yoda. "I would like to thank Jedi Master Yoda for his willingness to come to our planet and help deliver the necessary supplies."
The crowd applauded politely. Anakin rested his hand on his lightsaber. The intense feeling of wrongness he'd had since they arrived continued to make the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
"I ask you all to join me as I escort Master Yoda and his fellow Jedi back to the landing dock so we may give them a proper Arkanian farewell."
Anakin exchanged startled glances with Kit, Barriss and Tristan as the crowd turned to face them. The waited awkwardly as Verbeke and Yoda made their way towards them, the crowds parting in cooperation.
No one spoke as Verbeke lead the procession to the lone ship remaining in the landing dock. Verbeke halted at the ramp, quickly dismissing the Arkanian guard before turning to Yoda.
"Master Yoda," he bowed slightly. "On behalf of my people, thank you for your assistance."
He turned to nod at Anakin, Kit, Barriss and Tristan. "Goodbye."
Anakin bit his tongue as his temper flared. After everything the Jedi had done, this was the extent of Verbeke's gratitude? They were practically being thrown off the planet!
"Good riddance," Anakin muttered under his breath.
"Welcome you are," Yoda replied evenly, ignoring Anakin's words that only he had heard. "In peace we go."
Anakin watched in amusement and Yoda proceeded to take his time hobbling up the ramp. Never had he seen the diminutive Master not give a customary bow when greeting or saying goodbye.
Anakin didn't bother to hide his smile as he followed Kit, Barriss and Tristan onto the ship, all ignoring Verbeke.
Everyone gathered in the holding area, sitting quietly as the ship lifted off without incident.
"Master," Anakin called as he moved next to Yoda. "Something more was going on down there."
He frowned, glancing at his fellow Jedi. "We all felt it. Their rude dismissal of us only adds to the feeling."
"Agree with you I do," Yoda nodded, running his clawed hand through his thinning hair. "Tense the entire time the Arkanians were. Keep an eye on this planet we must."
/
Kodai Verbeke entered his office, releasing a sigh of exhaustion. Finally he was rid of those pesky Jedi. He reached under his desk, pushing a hidden button, sitting back in his chair to wait.
A moment later, a holograph of a cloaked face appeared before him.
"Yes."
"Everything went exactly as planned and the Jedi have left," Verbeke announced triumphantly.
"Excellent," a calm voice congratulated. "And the factory?"
"Remains undiscovered," Verbeke answered. "Now that I have the means to get the employees healthy enough to resume work, we will be back on schedule within a month."
He swallowed nervously, hoping his answer would be satisfactory.
"You've done well," the voice replied, clearly pleased. "If you continue to do so, you will be rewarded."
"Thank you," Verbeke breathed in relief as the image faded.