Daunsearly Light

Rating: T+
Summary: With the backdrop of the blockade of the Trade Federation at Naboo, Obi-Wan Kenobi has to deal with the worst possible thing to ever happen to him.
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to Into the Gloaming
Timeline: 32 BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Seven

The rest of their trip back to Coruscant was quiet. Even with his tight shielding Obi-Wan was bothered more than he wanted to admit, especially when Qui-Gon didn't pay all that much attention to it. Before meeting Anakin Qui-Gon would eventually ask why, but this time it never happened.

Because Tatoonie was even further away from Coruscant than Naboo, it took much longer to get back home. Instead of sleeping, Obi-Wan decided to meditate, hoping that this would help him.

By the time they reached Coruscant Obi-Wan did feel better, but not by much. There was one thing, he did feel pity for Anakin. Apparently he had to leave his family behind whom he had never been separated from. Yet for him, his earliest memories were in the Temple.

They landed after being given permission. Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon down the ramp, remaining close and just a step behind. Before them was one senator, probably the one from Naboo, and Chancellor Valorum himself. To either side were their personal guards. As soon as they drew close they bowed in respect then moved off to the side. Behind them came Queen Amidala surrounded by her handmaidens. That group was surrounded by her own complement of guards.

The senator bowed, while exuding relief, "It is a great relief to see you alive and well, Your Majesty." The worry melted away revealing a smile. With a hand he indicated the Chancellor, "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."

"Welcome to Coruscant, Your Highness," Valorum spoke, his voice along with his eyes, sounded and looked tired. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person. I must let you know how distressed everyone is over Naboo's current situation. I have called a special session of the Senate so you can present your request for relief in person."

Queen Amidala kept her gaze steady. "I'm grateful for your concern, Chancellor."

With a wordless signal the group split up in different directions. Obi-Wan watched as Anakin went with the Naboo group, which was oddly relieving at the same time. "Come, Padawan," Qui-Gon indicated the lift off to the side. Out of the corner of his eye Obi-Wan watched as the other groups climbed into shuttles and were whisked away in different directions while they went down to the closest bus terminal. Eventually it dropped them off near the front entrance to the Temple.

Obi-Wan looked up at the five spires that towered above the massive Temple complex. Just the sight alone made him feel small. Reaching the front doors, they opened revealing a long and wide hallway with statues of notable Jedi from the past. It felt good to be back home. "Master, are we going to report to the Council?"

Qui-Gon paused for a moment, then continued, "Yes."

Obi-Wan turned his full attention on the older Jedi. With a gentle probe, he wanted to see what was going on. Qui-Gon had been acting off ever since Tatoonie. What he found was not what he was expecting. There was both worry, and awe at the same time, which was different from what he found with the boy. That was mostly fear. "Master, Anakin, the boy, is frightened, and lonely."

This time Qui-Gon stopped, which made Obi-Wan stop. "I believe he will get over it."

The answer made Obi-Wan think for a moment. Did he sense the fear? He mentally shook his head. "I don't know about that. My age-mates have little to no memories of their birth families, and I have none. I think he's going to have a difficult time if he stays here."

Qui-Gon's eyes turned compassionate. "Padawan, he was a slave, but not anymore. I tried to get his mother freed, but it turned out it was impossible."

Instead of commenting that his words were completely different from what was happening with the boy, Obi-Wan focused on the Force. At this point there was no way for him to do a walking meditation, or maybe he would at least for the time being. The anchor he had placed to strengthen their training bond was still in place. He used that to keep next to Qui-Gon as they worked their way through the large spaces until they reached the lift that would take them up to the Council chamber.

It didn't take long for the lift to rise up to the top of the center spire. When the doors opened it revealed an anti-chamber of sorts. On one side were large doors that led out to a balcony that was a popular waiting place for people who were waiting to address the council. Surprisingly enough, it was a good place for meditation. On the other side was another set of doors guarded by two members of the Temple Guards armed with staffs. Those staffs weren't just for decoration, they were lightsabers, and the guards knew how to use them effectively.

For a moment they stood in the center of the room watching the guards. It was only when they turned to face each other did both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan know that they were allowed to enter the council chamber.

The two moved past the guards and into the heart of the high council. Obi-Wan had been in this chamber more than enough times so that it didn't unnerve him anymore. Knowing his place, he kept a step behind and to the side of Qui-Gon and let him explain what had happened to them while representing the Chancellor as his personal ambassadors. The Jedi Masters before them were some of the wisest in the Order. It made him wonder if he would ever get the chance to be counted among them. The problem was, there were over ten thousand working to make sure that there was peace among the member worlds.

"The one I encountered while approaching the Nubian vessel before we left Tatoonie was well versed in the Jedi arts, especially with the use of a lightsaber. This was something I had never come across before." He paused, taking a breath, "My conclusion is that the one who attacked me is a Sith Lord."

It felt as if the air was sucked out of the chamber. Obi-Wan had never mentioned 'sith' to his master at any time on the way back to Coruscant. Plus, he only caught glimpses of the humanoid. His eyes strayed to the older Jedi then back to look at Master Yoda. Although the council members shielded their thoughts there was a quiet murmur that rippled through the room.

"A Sith Lord, you say?" Mace leaned forward. It was obvious that he didn't believe what Qui-Gon was saying.

"That can't be," Ki-Adi-Mundi shook his head. "The Sith have been gone for almost a millennium."

"Threatened, the Republic is, if the Sith are involved."

Obi-Wan turned his full attention to Master Yoda. He wasn't the only one. Another quiet murmur rippled through the room.

Mace leaned back in his chair. It was obvious that he was attempting to gather his thoughts. "This is difficult to accept, Qui-Gon. I don't know how the Sith could return without us knowing anything about it."

His words had an unintended consequence for Obi-Wan. There was that priestess from several years ago. All he remembered was that her eyes had turned yellow. It made him realize that anyone who embraced the dark side so fully, they could possibly turn into a sith.

Yoda gave a huff of annoyance. "Hard to see, the dark side is. Discover who this assassin is, we must."

"Perhaps," Ki-Adi-Mundi inclined his head back to Qui-Gon, "this individual will reveal himself again."

"This attack was with purpose," Mace interrupted, "that much is clear. Queen Amidala is his target. If he's failed once, he will most likely try again."

"With the Naboo Queen, you will remain," Yoda pointed hand towards them. "Protect her, you must."

There was another murmur throughout the chamber. This time it was in obvious approval of what the Grand Master and announced.

"We shall uses all our resources to unravel this mystery, and discovery this individual's identity." Mace leaned back in his chair while waiving his hand in an obvious sign of dismissal. "May the Force be with you."

Several other members of the council echoed Mace's pronouncement.

Thinking they were dismissed, Obi-Wan turned to leave, but stopped when he realized that Qui-Gon had not moved from his place in the center of the room.

"More to say, have you?"

At first Obi-Wan thought he was the one being addressed. He stopped and turned to look over at Master Yoda, giving him an unspoken question. The aged Jedi master, though had his attention on Qui-Gon.

"With your permission, my Master," Qui-Gon began, "I believe I have encountered a vergence in the Force."

"Oh?" Yoda sat up a little bit straighter. "A vergence you say?"

Mace spoke up, "Is this at a place, or focused around an individual?"

"A boy," Qui-Gon answered, letting his hands spread out as if in supplication.

It was at that moment Obi-Wan knew what his master was going to say. It was the reason why the boy had come with them from Tatoonie. He also had an odd sense that he was on the verge of something, of what he had no idea. His eyes went back and forth between the ancient grand master and the master he was apprenticed to.

"This boy," Qui-Gon continued, "has the highest midi-chlorian count I have ever come across."

This is what I tested? Why didn't I sense him? The questions weren't lost on Obi-Wan at all. He slammed his shielding up while trying to comprehend what he heard before him. Master Yoda glanced in his direction with a knowing look in his eyes before setting them back on Qui-Gon.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he was conceived by the Force itself."

Obi-Wan felt as if the air was sucked out of the room itself. The sound of his heart beating increased until it blocked out everything except his breathing. He knew about the ancient prophecy, and if it had finally come to fruition then something was coming, something big.

"—to the prophecy?"

Obi-Wan's hearing snapped back and stared openly at Mace.

"Of the one who would bring balance to the Force?" Mace made a motion with his hand, "You think it is this boy?"

Qui-Gon looked down, then back up, drawing out the pause. He spread his hands again, "I do not presume—,"

"But you do," Yoda snapped back, his three finger hand raised in a pointing accusation. "Revealed, your opinion is, Qui-Gon."

"Then I humbly request that the boy be tested."

Even with the silence that settled on the council room it was obvious that the masters before him were deliberating on what to do. It made Obi-Wan wonder if they had some sort of bond that the Jedi before him shared for the discussion.

Yoda's eyes narrowed. "To be trained as a Jedi, you request for him?"

"I believe finding him was the will of the Force." He shook his head, "With everything that happened at the same time, I don't doubt it."

With his words there was an unmistakable shift in the room.

"All right," Mace leaned back in his chair. It almost looked as if he really didn't want to say what he was about to, "Bring him before us."

Yoda's actions mirrored Mace's attitude, "Tested, he will be."

TBC...


Sorry it's taken this long to get the next section up. With working 50 to 60 hours a week and then the Covid-19 mess, it's been rather tiring. All I can say is that I'm very thankful that I am still working, albeit from home.

Stay safe everyone, and wash your hands!