Chapter 16 - Movement among the players
Painted in rain with its rivulets of grey and silver and smeared half-color, the large window let in but little light; the office was clouded in pale, watery shadow. The storm, too, filled the space with sound - stuttering raindrops beating heavily against the transparasteel and the wind's unhappy howl. Occasional flashes of intense light and booming thunder cut the oppressive air with random noise. But for all the weathered chaos, within the space, there was uneasy silence.
Mace Windu leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in contemplation, his hooded eyes blankly watching the scatter of waterdrops flow and merge into puddles at the window's edge. He said nothing, just stared outward, seeming to ignore the other occupant.
The young Bendu apprentice stood silently but it was a stillness of shame and fury and failure. His body rigid with anxiety, Anakin Skywalker waited in the unhappy quiet for Mace's decision.
At long last, with a heavy sigh, the Bendu turned toward his young problem. "Jedi Kenobi did you a favor, Anakin."
"Favor!" Anakin's savage stance argued otherwise; his face tightened with shock. "He arrested Master Qui-Gon and took him away in chains. And he sentenced me to six months in solitary for trying to help my Master. How is that a favor?"
The sarcastic tone was not lost to Mace but he chose to ignore it for the moment. "You attacked him. He was quite within his rights to take you to Coruscant and put you in prison." He hurried on before a scowling Anakin could interrupt. "The Jedi have their own code and the 'Standards of Behavior' demanded nothing less. He did you a great service, allowing you to remain on Naboo. It could have been much worse."
"Worse?! It…." Looking at Mace's face, Anakin hesitated. Still radiating hurt and more than a little angry, he replied sharply, "I agree that Jedi Kenobi was more lenient that I would have thought."
"And he will probably pay a high price for that gift." Mace's voice was quiet as he remembered Obi-Wan's question and the duty that drove him.
"If Kenobi had let my Master go, none of this would have happened." Anakin gathered his strength, his eyes hardening. "Master Qui-Gon is about to be tortured, maybe killed and that Jedi veldt did it to him. How could he? To his own Master!"
"Anakin…." The reproach was sharp.
The boy leaned forward, hands flat on the desk as he stared defiance. "Master Windu, we can talk about this later."
Rocking back on his heels a bit, Anakin began to pace the office. He spat out, "We need to rescue Master Qui-Gon. Now, before it is too late! The ship may not have left yet, and even if it had, we could still beat it to Coruscant. The Serenity has the fastest hyperdrive available. And I could pilot it. I've done it before and..."
"Anakin, enough." His command was cold, clipped and clear. "We are not going to rescue him."
"You can't mean that." Frustration filled the air.
"Qui-Gon has already made his choice. You should honor it." The censure in Mace's voice was unmistakable.
Looking miserable, Anakin turned away. "Master didn't understand. Those demons from the hells of Coruscant... they will hurt him..." The meaty thud of one palm slamming into the thala wood paneling echoed in the space. "Damn."
He twisted again, pushing his body forward, his fingers splaying across the desk as if the effort would hold back his growing anxiety.
"Master Windu, they will torture him for something he did not do. We need to get him back before that happens. Don't let them do this to him. Please!"
Anakin looked very much like a sand-panther, dangerous and unpredictable. The boy had always been wild, emotional and unable to rein in his temper unless someone was there to remind him. It had never been clearer that Anakin needed a strong hand. With Qui-Gon's arrest, it was up to Mace to make sure Anakin's actions didn't end in disaster, for him and for the Bendu.
"It is too late, young one."
Gently said, the quiet words did nothing to placate Anakin. Scowling, he straightened, hands now fisted into stark outlines of whitened bone and sinew. As he stared at an unmoving Mace, he spat out, "No, you are wrong. What kind of a friend would allow this? What Bendu Champion would accept this travesty? How can you be so unfeeling?"
Mace rose to his feet and spoke in flat, unbending tones, "Stop! Apprentice Skywalker, your behavior in this matter is unacceptable."
The young man stepped back, rapidly blinking, obviously surprised at this abrupt turn in conversation. It was likely that he must have thought Mace would fall into his plans of liberating Qui-Gon. If so, Anakin didn't know him very well.
"If you don't rescue him, then I will. Alone, if I have to."
Mace's eyes hardened into stone. "You gave your word to abide by Kenobi's judgment. Your word, Anakin. Or have your forgotten your pledge of obedience to Master Jinn so easily?" Staring pointedly at the boy, he could sense the panicked anxiety and muddied emotions echoing in the Force.
"No, never!" Anakin shook his head rapidly. "I would have come back. I would have…."
"This is not a cloak to be flung aside when you are tired of it." Mace was having none of it.
Anakin's eyes darted frantically between the storm's greyed sky and Mace's frigid glare. "I will keep my word. I will! I just need to rescue…."
He interrupted with a thunderous "Enough!" Quickly, Mace closed the gap between them and stood there, his arms folded, immovable. "If you leave now, you will be forsworn."
"No." Anakin's face paled.
"You will be cast out of the Bendu and hunted as a fugitive. Is that what you want?"
"No!" Horrified, Anakin stepped back, a look of appalled denial on his face. For a few moments, there was only frozen silence. Then shoulders slumping, realizing that any further attempt at persuasion was futile, Anakin tried one final time. His voice desperate, he asked, "But how can I leave him to those gundarks? Tell me, how can I?"
"If you sought the Force's guidance, you would know." Mace softened his tone, and reached to grasp the young man's shoulder. "You must look past your fears, Anakin. What would Qui-Gon do in your place?"
While Mace waited in silence, Anakin's gaze drifted to the droplets splashing across the window and the silver rain misting the gardens beyond into greys and gloom. He mumbled, "He would... he would follow the will of the Force, no matter what the cost."
"And so he has." At the young man's half-hearted shake of his head, Mace said, "When your Master first told me what he was going to do, I argued with him, fought with him several times. But when I meditated on this, truly looked beyond my own petty uncertainties, Qui-Gon was, is right. He needs to return to Coruscant. Something is about to change. I cannot tell if it is for good or ill but he is at the heart of it." Watching Anakin struggle to accept the truth, Mace chided softly, "Let him go, Anakin."
Anakin nodded, his mouth twisting in pain. "What will happen to me now?"
"Qui-Gon has asked me to take over your training. Once your punishment for disobedience and your sentence from Kenobi are complete, we will..."
A soft beeping of a long-range com-unit interrupted him. At first, he grumbled at the disturbance but that quickly turned to relief as Yoda's transmitted form wavered into view. Signaling for Anakin to sit, Mace sank into his own chair, and leaning forward, faced the transparent image.
"Master Yoda, I have been trying to reach you for some time."
The small Master gazed at the Bendu; his gravelly voice was quiet, solemn, almost tired. "Sorry, I am. The trail grew cold. Sought I did, another way to find our quarry. What news have you that is so urgent?"
Mace knew that Yoda would be troubled but not surprised at the news. "A few hours ago, Qui-Gon Jinn was arrested. He is currently on route to Coruscant, to the Jedi Temple." He paused, wearied with the events of the past few days. "Master, it was Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi who took him."
Predictably, Yoda's expressive ears dipped as he contemplated this event, his sorrow clear in the large green eyes and thoughtful frown. "Kenobi, you say. An odd choice, that is. Use him as a tool against us." His mouth flattened as he said, "Humph, perhaps punish him they do, to require this of him."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Mace said bitterly.
The diminutive Master leaned forward, his clawed hands tightly clutching the knob of the ever-present gimer stick, a gesture of deep disapproval at this news. The hardened eyes and unyielding stance gave away Yoda's aching disquiet. "The first of many arrests, this may be. The Jedi have much to protect."
Mace nodded. "I agree. I'll send out word to our operatives to remain alert and stay out of harm's reach, out of their reach." He leaned back, steepling his fingers once more in thought. "The children are still at Otah Gunga on a field trip. I don't believe they would harm the young ones at this time. However, Qui-Gon did inform me that the Republic is making noises about gathering information on all Force-sensitives, including children."
The old Master grew even more rigid, the stark disapproval clear in the wavering transmission. "Disturbing, this news is."
Mace's gaze flicked briefly to the computer 'port and back. "Unfortunately, Kenobi already has our database in his files." His biting tone was leavened with dark humor and the satisfaction of deceit well-hidden. "Well, our public database anyway. I'll bury the rest."
Yoda rested his wizened head on his claws. "Change the routes for our guests, you must."
Mace nodded. "Already done. Kenobi was able to figure out what we were doing with the runaways. I tried to divert him but he's not stupid, that one. He has no proof, however." Mace's voice slowed, the sudden frown cutting into his face as he remembered the alarming events of the previous day, a mere 26 hours ago. "He did search Qui-Gon's office with microscopic precision. He found three lightsabers hidden under the desk."
Yoda's voice was crowded with censure. "Foolish of Master Qui-Gon to hide them there."
Mace shrugged. They both knew that Jinn would do what he thought was right, regardless of other opinions in the matter. "I know. I scolded him myself about that when the Jedi left the Sanctuary. But he told me that it was the will of the Force that they be discovered, that he had to go back to Coruscant with the Jedi representatives. He said that he was going to be the sacrifice."
"Decide that alone, he should not." The old Master's reproach deepened with each breath.
"Master Yoda, I have to agree with Qui-Gon. Something is gathering and Coruscant holds the heart of it."
Closing his eyes, Yoda quieted for a moment, then breathed out his acceptance. "Feel it also, I do. But see the correct path, I cannot. The Darkness hides it well."
"Then I hope that our old friend has chosen wisely." Mace looked away, out towards the misty rain-soaked gardens beyond. Quietly, he recounted the yesterday confessions of one despondent Jedi Knight. "Obi-Wan talked about the Temple quite a bit while he was here. They have twisted the Jedi Order into something almost vile - punishments and paranoia. What have they become?" He turned back towards the old Master, seeking answers that he knew would never come. "We should not have left it to those slimy granite-slugs, those politicians and bureaucrats and creditors."
"The past, we cannot change."
Mace shook his head slowly, tightly grasping his misery-sharpened hands before him in studied discipline, the responsibility of it all eating into his hard-won calm. "But we can regret it. I should have tried harder to remain, to force them to see reason. But I bowed to the will of the Senate, thinking it was for the betterment of the Jedi Order. Foolish, foolish mistake."
Gently, Yoda reminded him of the lost past and the unknown future. "Agreed we did, to their demands; so did many others. As Jedi, it was our duty to follow Republic law. And our mandate." He sighed once more. "Master Windu, regret will not change the past. Know now the will of the Force it was."
Yoda gazed at them both. "From the Jedi, the Bendu grew. To help, give hope. Serenity and compassion - twin paths to the Light."
"Yes, Master." Mace nodded, acquiescing to the subtle reminder of just what they had become. "Talking with Jedi Kenobi brought back old doubts. He is unhappy there. He even asked about joining the Bendu."
Sitting up abruptly, Anakin's voice rose in disbelief. "He did?"
Mace blinked surprise. He knew, they all knew that, in these matters, a mere apprentice kept silent unless he had something of urgent importance to say.
Until now, as the two of them had talked over events, Anakin kept quiet. Radiating misery even in his silences, Mace thought that he was likely dealing with failure and the guilt over Qui-Gon's arrest.
Anakin had watched the discussion without interruption, without interest. But now he seemed shocked, unsettled, deeply disturbed.
Mace nodded, surprised that Skywalker could be so unhappy about the news. "I don't think Obi-Wan wanted to arrest Qui-Gon at all. He seemed genuinely anxious to find a reason to leave his old Master alone. I wonder what changed his mind."
Skywalker's eyes widened, his rising voice quavering in disbelief. "Master Qui-Gon, it had to be Master Qui-Gon! He kept insisting that he go to Coruscant. And yesterday, I interrupted a conversation between them where he told Kenobi to 'accept this'. I never found out what 'this' was. Instead I... I attacked..."
He turned to Mace, his young face changing to stunned remorse as he realized his own crucial blunder. "Could I have been wrong? Is it possible that he was urging Master to run?"
Mace's reply was firm. "Anakin, be at peace. We will discuss this later."
But the boy plowed on, ignoring the gentle reprimand. Shaking his head, blinking rapidly, Anakin swallowed hard, jaw clenching once more in failure. "No, I can't... I don't…." He lifted bleak eyes. "Obi-Wan kept saying that he wasn't my enemy. Blast it all to Ryloth's seventh hells. Was he telling the truth? What have I done?"
"Whatever was said, whatever was done, it is too late now." As the young man moved to interrupt once more, Mace threw him a sharp quelling look, riveting him in place. "No! We will deal with this later, Apprentice Skywalker. For now, be silent."
Anakin sent Mace a scowl of pure unhappy frustration and then nodded. With hunched shoulders and his face half-hidden in shadow, he settled into his chair, and gazed down at the floor. He looked thoroughly lost.
Mace watched him for a long moment before turning back to the wizened Master. "We still don't know what charges were brought against Qui-Gon. Slave trading perhaps, possession of forbidden weaponry certainly, but also Kenobi kept asking me about Telos. He wouldn't say why but there must be more to it."
Yoda nodded, the frown deepening with thought, his large ears twisting slightly in sorrow. "It matters not. Lies, deceit are the Jedi ways now. Excuses, they need not."
Frustrated, his face taut with worry for his life-long friend, Mace agreed. "We won't be able to rescue him for some time. I think we should focus on the needs of the other Bendu for the moment. Once the barriers are in place, we could formulate a plan for getting him out of there."
"Too late, it may be. On his own, Master Qui-Gon is." The old Master's eyes gleamed with resignation. Jinn's rescue would be nearly impossible to implement once he was dragged into the bowels of the Temple and the corrupted clutches of the Jedi and they both knew it.
Anakin jerked upright at Yoda's declaration, glaring at the transmitted form of the ancient Master. Guilt building in his eyes, he looked like he was about to argue for rescue when Mace cut him off.
"Not one word, Skywalker. You are teetering on a knife-edge with your continued disobedience." The razored tones and frozen exasperation in his voice was space-cold.
With an infuriated growl, Anakin subsided but his darkened eyes seethed with inner turmoil, the tempest of desolation and remorse warring with guilt.
Mace could feel his anger but there wasn't time for this. He would have much to discuss with Skywalker once the transmission was complete.
Yoda watched the unsettling byplay with curiosity and concern. "Problem with the young one, you have, Master Windu?'
Watching Anakin for another prolonged moment, his face cut by a troubled frown, Mace turned toward the Master Yoda. Sighing heavily, profound unease in his low voice, he explained, "Anakin attacked Obi-Wan without provocation while Jedi Kenobi was arresting Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan was exceptionally generous in setting his punishment. Frankly, I'm surprised that he allowed him to remain on Naboo at all."
"Humph..." Yoda's claws tightened around his gimer stick as he sank into meditation.
Mace could see that Master Yoda was testing the swirls and eddies of the Unifying Force, soaring through the infinite possibilities of the future. The old Master's face was crabbed in concentration.
A moment later, Yoda rasped a tired reply. "Wise decision it was. Young Skywalker is needed there."
"Why? What did you see?"
Yoda shrugged, a cryptic reply in the set of his shoulders and taut flattened mouth. "On Naboo, Skywalker must remain. The future comes fast and the paths are clouded. No more can I tell you."
"Yes, Master." Mace nodded. The hazy mists of the Force seemed to veil the future more and more as the Darkness spread. Perhaps, the way would be revealed in time; he must be patient. There was one final concern in this morass of failure and misfortune. "For the moment, the Jinn family is without protection. I will be going to the farm periodically but I don't have anyone to spare. Once some of the Bendu have returned, I may be able to station someone there more permanently."
Qui-Gon Jinn's family was vulnerable without the presence of an adept Force-user, especially with the added complications of Le'orath's pregnancy and Ben's age.
"I agree. Keep watch on them, you should," Yoda said.
Glancing at Anakin for a moment, Mace saw the young man flinch when the boy realized that his rash actions had left the Jinn family alone and defenseless. He said nothing. Anakin would need to recognize how his choices affected others; the bitter lesson was best understood if it came from within.
Mace moved on to other, more pressing issues. "Master Yoda, how is your mission going? Will you be returning soon?"
Yoda shook his head, a curiously unsettled look on his wizened face. The eyes grew shadowed, half-hooded in contemplation. "Return, I cannot. The killer takes many paths but Force-sensitive it is. Difficult it has been to track."
"This is not good news." Mace shook his head, his face betraying his unease. "Not unexpected, considering his kill rate of former Jedi."
The old Master's mouth tightened unhappily. "A black-cloaked being, they say. A face of death in red and black. Coincidence, it is not." Yoda looked past Windu's shoulder, looking at the silvered gardens beyond. "To Geonosis, the trail may lead. Go there next, I will."
"The droid factories? There is no Bendu on that desolate planet that I am aware of or Jedi either."
Yoda turned back toward Mace, the old one's wide green eyes heavy with concern and increasing worry. "Rumors of Separatist meeting, there is. Of Count Dooku and darkness and dead Jedi. The Force flows towards that place. So to it, I will go."
"I will not keep you. Let me know if you need back-up or if there are any problems. With the present situation, I will be stationed at the Sanctuary for some time." Mace knew better than to protest or question the old Master's wisdom. Yoda had had several lifetimes to comprehend the eddies and shoals of the Force's tangled currents. That knowledge had served them well in the past and would again.
"Keep you informed, I will. May the Force be with you." And with a wave of his clawed hand, the image vanished into the mist.
Mace bowed his head for a moment in quiet acknowledgement. "May the Force be with us all."
Silence reigned and lengthened as Mace Windu gathered his thoughts. Finally, his eyes flashed toward the huddled form of the morose apprentice, sitting quite still in the uncomfortable chair. Standing up, his arms crossed in frustration, Mace towered over the young man as he contemplated his next challenge.
"And now, Apprentice Skywalker, we will discuss your punishment for disobedience." Anakin winced, sinking deeper into the seat, trying desperately to avoid the incensed eyes of Master Windu. This would not be pleasant for either of them.
