Chapter 15: The gathering darkness
Part 1
The roiling thunderclouds flowed like cascading smoke over the mountain landscape. Hurrying swiftly towards the now-retreating Jedi, the murk with its random flashes of light and clamor of sharp sound, seemed almost alive. The storm was fast approaching.
Inside the speeder, the invisible tendrils of unsettled Force energy matched the storm without, seemed to flash and sputter around its occupants. But there was no corresponding shout of noise; instead, the vehicle was saturated with unsettled silences.
Atel, her vigilant eyes narrowed in suspicion and deep worry, studied her Master and the rogue carefully. When they left the farm, Qui-Gon Jinn had ignored the Padawan's sharp scrutiny. Instead, he twisted around to drink in the tableau of his grieving wife and child, gazing intently at the scene until his beloved family became lost in the distance and faded from sight. Then he seemed to shrink inward suddenly, closing his eyes, settling back into his seat. She caught a fleeting glimpse of anguish before the visage turned to stone. But the set of his hunched shoulders and bowed head spoke volumes of his misery.
She could almost see his grief in the muted tangles of the Force. And in that moment, she felt sorry for him - not for his well-deserved arrest and eventual conviction but for the love he obviously bore his wife and child. It was very likely that he would never see them again or perhaps only after Ben had grown to manhood. It was such a waste. And it could have been avoided so easily if only he had followed the rules of law. She sighed, heavily. She hoped her Master would realize that as well. Rules were made to be followed, not twisted to suit the moment or one's own desires.
Glancing towards the pilot's seat, trying to make sure that Master Obi-Wan was coping well with the tremendous stresses of this mission, she became concerned as she saw him gently brush Qui-Gon's sleeve for a moment. It appeared that he was almost too aware of the Bendu's misery. She watched as Jinn said nothing but nodded his head imperceptibly, seemingly grateful for his old Padawan's understanding.
But Atel studied them with now-troubled eyes. Obi-Wan was showing compassion and something more - empathy and an unsettling solidarity with Jinn. She had hoped that the arrest would have corrected this problem with her Master. Realizing that he had to bring back the rogue Jedi to Coruscant should have cemented his resolve but it appeared that things were more unbalanced than ever.
Things did not get better once they reached the transport. The speeder seemed to gather an exhaust trail of several individuals who followed them into the port and, once the engine had died, scattered about the area in a wide circle. Atel watched the crowd grow quickly. They did not appear hostile but anxious whispers morphed into fierce questions when it became clear that Jinn was a prisoner. A few had started to move towards the vehicle, intent on getting some answers, when Tov Antilles appeared.
Hurrying to catch the trio before they could escape, slightly out of breath, the Governor walked quickly toward the speeder. Even from a distance, his whole demeanor was that of a very angry man; his face was sharply marked with a deep frown. Antilles began to speak even before reaching Master Obi-Wan's side.
"Jedi Kenobi, may I be of assistance?" His voice was cold and harried, his eyes moving quickly as he took in the sight of the Jinn's glowing manacles, Obi-Wan's stoic facade and the Bendu lightstaff that Atel clutched so fervently.
Obi-Wan glanced at his Padawan, indicating that they should get moving, then stood abruptly. He turned to the impatient Antilles and bowed slightly. The day's events roughened his weary voice in a harsh rasp. "Governor, thank you for your concern. But we are on our way to Coruscant and the transport will be leaving momentarily. Please step aside."
Brushing past the man, Obi-Wan assisted Qui-Gon out of the speeder. Gathering their small packs and the treasure-trove of evidence, Atel moved quickly to flank the rogue, acting as point, hoping to stem any potential trouble. Taking the Bendu's arm, Obi-Wan began to guide the little group up towards the ramp.
But the Governor refused to be dismissed. Ignoring Master Obi-Wan's reply, he moved quickly to stand at the foot of the entry. "You realize, Jedi Kenobi, that if you are here to arrest anyone, you must go through my office." He glanced at the Bendu. "And I'm sure that a Hero of Naboo would need legal council if that were the case." His frown deepened, staring at the blue-hazed shackles entrapping Jinn's wrists. "Do you need legal council, Qui-Gon?"
Shaking his head slightly, it was clear that Jinn was resigned, saddened by this. "Tov, no. I appreciate what you are trying to do but you must let me go."
The Governor's voice grew soft, confidential. "Are you sure, my friend? This doesn't look right to me." His eyes flicked to the Jedi, then off towards the knots of people hovering nearby, before returning to Qui-Gon's solemn face.
"Knight Kenobi is only doing what is required. I am certain, Tov. Be at peace with this."
Antilles glanced again at her Master, staring hard at him for a moment, then nodded slowly towards his old friend. "Very well, Qui-Gon. I will do as you ask." He stepped back, turning towards Obi-Wan, the scowl returning in full force. "Jedi Kenobi, Qui-Gon says that he accepts this and I will honor his request."
He paused, gathering strength. "I have my...doubts. Arresting one of Naboo's citizens without a warrant is highly suspect, Jedi business or not. Be advised that I will be contacting your Order to seek further information in this matter."
With that, the Governor stepped onto the duracrete landing pad, allowing the trio to pass unobstructed up the ramp. As the Bendu moved to the ship's portal, Tov called after him. "Good luck, Qui-Gon."
Jinn did not reply but stopped, his dull eyes flicking to Antilles for a brief moment, and nodded before disappearing into the bowels of the transport. Obi-Wan bowed once more and quickly followed.
Atel paused, looking about the now hectic launch pad. The crowd's distant murmurs had grown louder as several individuals began to argue with the Governor over his apparent inability to stop the arrest. Ignoring the noise, she scanned the area one final time before following her Master inside.
By the time she reached the small quarters, Obi-Wan had already removed Jinn's binders. They were talking in soft whispers at the far end of the cabin, but as she entered the tiny space, the sounds abruptly ceased. She blinked at the unsettling sight. Her gaze flicked uneasily between the two, noticing again how closely they were standing together, almost like old friends or perhaps conspirators in a plot.
Her anxiety began to spike upward as she considered the present scene and the events of the past few days. Staring at her Master, she could feel the silence between the men, the quelled conversation a tangible thing waiting for the right moment to resume - without her presence. She did not like this at all, but for the moment, there was nothing to be done. Jinn could not escape the transport in hyperspace and they had two days to come to terms with all that had happened, all that would happen once they reached Coruscant. It would be over soon enough.
She tamped down her rough worry. She almost lost Master Obi-Wan on Naboo in that terrifying fight with Skywalker; he could have died back there. He could have... died. And it would have been her fault, her idiotic mistake. Thinking Anakin wasn't a serious threat - what a fool she was!
Now, she could still lose him to this Bendu. Well, it would not happen. She still had time to reconnect with her Master, time to reconcile their differences, and time to reestablish their Master/Padawan relationship. She would make time, make sure it was enough. This was too important for her to fail. She wanted her Master back.
Nodding to Obi-Wan, she dropped the packs onto the nearest bed. It would be a tight fit with the three of them. Two narrow sleepers and an overhead bunk crowded the space; a 'fresher unit occupied one small corner. While there was a small transparasteel porthole and a beautifully-designed decor in blues and crème, the cabin seemed almost claustrophobic - no place for meditation and certainly no place for private conversation. Looking about, she found a small cubbyhole just perfect for the evidence pouch and shoved it inside, closing the door with an audible snap.
"Master, I'm sorry that I could not get a larger cabin or two. This was all they had on such short notice."
"It will be fine, Padawan. Besides, we have a window. Luxury indeed..."
"Yes, Master." A brief smile touched her concerned face. She had always loved his dry wit and this meager attempt at humor was a good first start at reconciling the rift in their relationship. She just hoped that it would be enough.
Looking more closely at him, she could see that he was still dusty from the fight, grass and burrs in his hair, and sporting several rents in his tunic and leggings. A few blossoms of blackened blood were clustered on his arms and legs and the ragged score on his cheek was clear evidence of how intense the battle with Anakin had been. No wonder the Governor had been so tenacious about Jinn. How it must have appeared to the bureaucrat - no calm cool Jedi demeanor but blood and dirt and intensity. Master Obi-Wan looked as if he had just fought the demon draigons of old legend.
Digging down into her pack, she quickly pulled out several small bacta patches. Acknowledging the silent Bendu standing by the porthole, she moved past him to Master Obi-Wan's side. Her hand gently touched his torn skin, noticed its trickle of dried blood and dark sweat. She shook her head, chiding him quietly, "Master, you need a healer again."
"Never that, Padawan." But he seemed suddenly tired, all the adrenalin of the past hours leaching away.
"Go clean up, Master. I'll keep... Master Jinn company."
He frowned suspicion at her sudden eagerness to help. "Are you sure?" His grey eyes were somber with hesitation.
She tried to reassure him with a fleeting grin, hoping to stem the morass of failure and wary uncertainty. "Yes, Master. I promise I won't carry him off while you're gone. Besides, the ship is about to leave. Feel the vibrations?"
Obi-Wan nodded unhappily, turning back toward Jinn as if to comfort him. But the Bendu was at the porthole, staring out through the transparasteel, darkened eyes wide and unblinking. The Force seemed to thrum with his anguish.
Through the window, a sudden flash of light crashed and lit Qui-Gon's face in a grim mask. The storm had finally arrived. The intense thunderclap that followed could not be heard through the thick durasteel shell but there was an instant of resonance before the sheets of rain painted the viewport in grey mist. The Bendu closed his eyes for a moment, then straightened, folding his arms tightly across his chest, his leonine face a stoic facade. Quickly raising his shields, he remained by the portal, gazing out into the sullen light of cloud and rain. But the calm pose fooled no one.
The vibrations increased as the ship leapt its way out of Naboo's atmosphere and then settled down as the secondary dampers kicked in. Above the heavy clouds and the rain, the sun stabbed its brilliant light into the window for a brief instant before the transport turned toward Coruscant. A few moments of star-dusted night and the planet disappeared as they entered the streaked luminescence of hyperspace. There was no turning back now.
Atel sighed with relief. "Two days of rest and then home." Obi-Wan frowned at that, concern for what lay ahead clearly marked in his clouded eyes.
She quickly realized her mistake. "Master, you really need to take better care of yourself." Thrusting the bacta patches into his hands, she gestured towards the 'fresher. "It will be all right."
Obi-Wan gazed at her for a moment, his eyes flicking toward his old Master and back again to his Padawan, then nodded. "I won't be long."
As the door closed behind Obi-Wan, Atel glanced again at the tall Bendu. Jinn had said nothing since her arrival. Standing there, intently staring out into hyperspace, it seemed almost as if the random streaks and shimmer of hyperlight were infinitely precious to him - certainly more important than the grim reality of this tiny cell; perhaps the beauty of the moment gave him some fleeting comfort with the devastating loss of his family and his freedom.
After the events of this day, she could well understand his need for quiet contemplation. But if she were to have any chance at regaining her Master's affection and regard, she had to try to understand this rogue and the hold he had on Obi-Wan. Atel knew that, with no privacy in the small space, this was probably the only chance she would have before returning to Coruscant and the Temple.
"Master Jinn," she began. She watched as his back stiffened abruptly. He did not turn to meet her intense gaze, but she could feel that he was listening. "I wish to thank you for helping Master Obi-Wan with Anakin." She paused, trying to gain some sense of what he was thinking and his motivations in helping his Jedi captors. "You were right."
At that, he twisted to stare into her questioning eyes but still he said nothing, caution in his silence.
"You were right to interfere." She hesitated, unsure if this was the right time, but she was determined to finish what she had begun. "Anakin is well-trained and his use of the Force today was astonishing. It could have been much worse without your intervention." When he nodded slightly acknowledging her words, and turned back toward the portal, she pressed the point. "But I want to know why you did it."
At that, perhaps realizing that she would continue to question him until she had the answers she needed, Jinn gave a heavy sigh and moved to face the young apprentice. His low voice was calm, polite, remote. "Did what, Padawan Sl'etah? Interfere?"
"Yes. You could have let Anakin continue the fight, maybe even kill my Master. But you did not. Instead you helped Master Obi-Wan. I want to know why."
He gazed at her, seeming to measure her sincerity as if trying to determine if she were enemy or ally. Finally, his voice still remote, colorless, he replied, "Perhaps I knew that Obi-Wan would win anyway. Perhaps I knew it was a losing cause and could only make matters worse."
Atel moved impatiently. "Master Jinn, I was there. Perhaps... you might try again. Why?"
He looked past her, his face shuttered. "Does it really matter? I am here and under arrest. Imprisonment is likely once we reach the Temple. Why seems to be irrelevant now."
"Not to me."
Qui-Gon sent a penetrating glance in her direction, noting her strained face; staring for a moment, he shrugged again. He said carefully, "I knew that you were here to take me back to Coruscant. Anakin disagreed with my assessment of the situation and disobeyed me, attacking Obi-Wan without provocation. What could I do but stop him?"
"You could have let Anakin continue and yet you tried again and again to prevent his attack." Her voice was insistent, probing.
"I knew that I was going to be arrested and there was little I could do about it." His voice saddened. "I didn't want Anakin implicated. He is young and impudent but he will make a fine Bendu Champion someday. I did not want his future jeopardized for my life choices."
"And yet you had Master Obi-Wan judge his actions." She frowned at this. "I don't understand why you didn't just let him get away. Once he was brought down, you helped us cuff him. You gave him over to the Jedi for judgment. Why?"
"Attacking without provocation is unacceptable, indeed unconscionable, especially for one who should be walking in the Light." His eyes clouded with memory. "There are always consequences to the choices we make. He needed to learn that lesson." He shifted towards the portal for a moment, drinking in the colors of infinity. "But in one thing, you are wrong, Padawan Sl'etah."
Qui-Gon paused then turned back, watching her troubled face, patiently waiting to gain her full attention. When he had it, he said, "I did not give him over to the Jedi for judgment; I gave him to Obi-Wan."
He stood there, staring down at her, apparently waiting for her to understand what he was saying. It didn't take long. He specifically said 'Obi-Wan', which meant he had not given Anakin up to the Jedi, did not believe the Jedi would have dealt with his apprentice fairly. It was bitter enough to accept and she had to admit close to the truth as well.
She looked away, her frustration cutting into her skin. She did not like the path this conversation was taking. "Yes, well... Master Obi-Wan has been very lenient of late." Her eyes sharpened as she gazed again at the rogue, then grew shadowed. "The Council would not be so understanding."
His mouth curled slightly, seemingly amused but the Force swirled sorrow around him. "Just so."
The dichotomy of the man frustrated her more. He seemed at peace with the arrest. Yet was he saying that her Master was Jinn's ally, that he was not going to follow the will of the Council in this matter? It made a frightening type of sense but she did not like it at all.
She snapped back, "Yes, Master Obi-Wan is a very compassionate Jedi. You were lucky that he was the one sent by the Council to investigate your crimes. Another Knight might not have been so sympathetic."
"Yes, I'm sure that the Council was quite deliberate in their choice." His face was a calm mask but the fierce eyes glittered in resentment.
"What does that mean?" Her reply was sharp, unhappy.
"Perhaps they were following the will of the Force in this matter." Qui-Gon turned away from her, looking out again into the ethereal beauty of hyperspace, peace in the ever-changing light.
Atel would not be denied. "Of course they were. Why else would they send us here?" Her eyes hardened, brittle with defensive indignation.
"Why else indeed?" His question echoed in the tiny cabin.
Atel was frustrated. She was no closer to understanding this former Jedi than before. She moved to face him, her back against the chill wall, her body taut as she gazed up at the tall Bendu. "What do you mean by that, Master Jinn?"
"Perhaps they were being kind in allowing my former apprentice to see his old Master once more." The ironic tone in his voice was space-cold in his condemnation of the Jedi Council and their motivations.
"I do not like what you are implying." Her mouth was a thin line. "My Master is well-known for his unflagging devotion to duty as well as his compassion for others. We were the perfect team to investigate your 'life choices'. I believe that Master Obi-Wan has been more than tolerant of the whole situation."
"Indeed he has. I only hope that Obi-Wan will not be punished for his compassion towards a former Jedi."
"Of course not. He has done his duty and we are on our way to Coruscant. Why should he be punished?" Her offended tone belied the swelling of uncertainty that his statement had raised. Is he right? Master defied the Council for this rogue. Will my Master be condemned for his compassion?
For a moment, Jinn stared out into the infinite luminous night; the portal's flickering glow bathed his face in a shadowy half-light as he gazed down at her. "Perhaps you may be able to answer that better than I, Padawan Sl'etah."
She studied his leonine features, trying to gage his sincerity, seeing nothing but calm and stoic acceptance. But as the Bendu looked down at her, she thought she saw his blue eyes darkening in intense pity. The stresses were building as he remained unfailingly polite but he answered none of her concerns. It was almost if he were taunting her. She pressed on, growling out, "I'm sure your assessment of the situation is flawed, sir. But I will not debate you on this issue. I have agreed to help my Master with your defense once we reach the Temple."
When he remained silent, seemingly lost in thought, Atel took a deep breath and tried to release her indignation. This stoic Bendu with his quiet dignity only seemed to infuriate her more. But she needed to understand him and there are a number of questions that remain unanswered.
"Master Jinn…," she began but he interrupted her.
"Is that wise?" His voice was a low rumble but deep concern laced the edge of his question.
"What do you mean?"
"It might be more prudent to distance yourself from my interrogation. The Council might see your assistance in my defense as collaboration. That could be disastrous for Obi-Wan and for you as well, Padawan."
Frustrated and skeptical, Atel pushed off from the cold wall, her clenched hands deeply hidden within the beige folds of her Jedi tunic. "Sir, I don't like your attitude or your implications. The Council is made up of the wisest beings in the Jedi Order. Surely you are not insinuating that they have already decided on your fate without a proper trial."
"Have you?"
She was taken aback; this rogue saw far too much. Blinking furiously, she replied, "I...my opinion has no bearing on this. I promised to help my Master and I will do so, with or without your cooperation."
The silence that followed was short. For the briefest of moments, the Bendu frowned at her fierce declaration before his visage smoothed into a stony facade, his hooded eyes turning towards the mysteries of hyperspace once more.
His question was sorrow soft. "Do you care about your Master?"
"What do you mean? Of course I do." The defensive words rushed, spilled out as she bristled at the question. Why would he ask such a thing? "He is my Master, my closest friend. Yes, I care about him very much."
"So do I, Padawan Sl'etah, and I have for many years." His voice lowered, growing hoarse with weariness. "If you truly want to help your Master, if you have any influence over him at all, convince him to distance himself from my case. I have no wish to see Obi-Wan condemned for my decisions."
She stood there, stunned for a moment. This was not what she had expected. "Master Jinn, I... for once, we agree."
"Agree on what, Padawan?" Obi-Wan leaned against the 'fresher door, his eyes flicking first to Atel, resting for a moment on the too-silent Qui-Gon Jinn and then returned with a sharp, penetrating stare to his apprehensive apprentice.
"Master Jinn and I were merely discussing his case before the Council." She moved quickly to his side, gently touching the small bacta patch on his cheek. An uncertain smile teased across her face as she looked at the clean undertunic, the bare feet, the drying hair. "Master, they have a water shower?"
Their eyes locked, each recognizing that the change in subject was merely a diversionary tactic. Atel was quite relieved when Master Obi-Wan nodded slightly.
"Luxury in truth, my Learner. A choice of sonics or water shower as well as a sonics cleaner. We will have fresh clothing for a change. Even Master Jinn will be able to clean up before arriving at the Temple."
Obi-Wan handed her the remnants of his torn clothes, clean but still with the ragged tears from the intense battle with Anakin. "I believe we will have time to repair these as well. My cloak got the worst of it; I may need to get a new one from stores when we return. We shall see whether the Jedi Order can spare us a few supplies."
"I have the repair kit. Shall I start on this or would you prefer to eat first? They have a dining hall aboard, a good one I hear, but we cn also have it delivered if you want to maintain privacy."
Obi-Wan said in weary resignation, "Food and privacy. We have much to discuss."