Chapter 15

Before the Storm

Obi Wan

"Anakin," Obi Wan said gently as his friends departed from the lounge, "You don't seem yourself, what bothers you?"

"What do you mean?" Anakin asked without meeting his gaze.

"Anakin," Obi Wan tipped his head pointedly. His apprentice was continuing his hour long routine of staring blankly at the floor, and Obi Wan could sense nothing but confusion and concern from his former Padawan, "I can tell there is something on your mind, and you haven't been yourself since we left Mortis."

"It's nothing really," Anakin said unconvincingly, "It's just..."

"Just what?" Obi Wan prompted gently as his friend's voice trailed off.

"On Mortis, when the Son took me," Anakin began, his facing contorting into a frown as he locked an unfortunate section of floor in a death stare, "He...He showed me some things...A lot of different things. And it was all really confusing and I couldn't tell what was fiction and what was real, if any of it was. Maybe it was my imagination or the Son's trickery, or maybe it was a vision of the future, or multiple futures?... I don't know."

"I would not pretend to know the Son's true intentions for taking you to his fortress," Obi Wan began, "But you were not the only one on Mortis to have visions. I had a conversation with the ghost of my old Master. He told me many things about the present and what is to be. Details were lacking, but he gave generalities. And Padawan Offee had a vision as well. I cannot betray her trust, but I can say it was a vision of a possible future. Can you tell me what you saw?"

"I..." Anakin paused, staring at the ground and the feelings Obi Wan sensed from the younger man intensified. Whatever the Son had shown him must have really gotten to him, and Obi Wan worried for his former pupil's well being. Eventually Anakin said slowly, "He showed me two possible futures I believe. One light and one dark."

"Did you see any details?" Obi Wan pressed on, though his voice remained gentle. He did not want to put too much pressure on his clearly fractured ex apprentice.

"I..." Anakin finally looked up and met Obi Wan's eyes, "Master, there's something I have to tell you."

"Anything," Obi Wan said immediately. He could tell Anakin needed him at the moment, as a friend and as a mentor as he struggled with whatever he was dealing with, "Anakin, you're my brother. I love you like a brother. Whatever is on your mind, whatever darkness the Son has shown you, you can tell me. And if you have other things to tell me, I'll listen without judgement. I'm here for you, Anakin."

"Master, I..." Anakin's voice trailed off again and Obi Wan could sense emotion like rolling thunder within the young man. Anakin scrunched his eyes tightly closed and in a strained voice said very quickly, "MasterI'minlovewithPadmeandsheandIgotmarriedafterGeonosisandIlovehermorethananything."

"What?" Obi Wan asked, failing to comprehend a word Anakin had just said.

"Master..." Anakin said more slowly. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his eyes back to the floor and said in a strained, worried voice, "I-I'm in-...I'm in-...I'm in love...with Padme," Anakin finally forced his sentence out with a hard breath.

Anakin looked extremely concerned as his face flushed red and he lowered his gaze even farther, when Obi Wan inhaled to speak, the younger man even flinched, and Obi Wan paused. Anakin sensed his hesitation and quickly said, "I'm so sorry, Master. I know it's stupid and wrong and against the Jedi Code but I can't help it! I'm sorry, Master, but I love her. I can't help loving her, and-"

"Anakin," Obi Wan said gently, as Anakin flushed an even deeper shade of red and hung his head in shame, "It's alright, I'm not angry...I knew, Anakin, I knew for a long time. You really think I never noticed your midnight adventures away from the Temple, or your secret conversations, locked away in the juggernaut after every battle? I'm happy for you, Anakin, happy that you found someone that truly makes you happy."

"What?" Anakin asked, shocked into meeting Obi Wan's eyes looking extremely confused.

"I'm not mad, Anakin," Obi Wan smiled, "I'm a little disappointed that you didn't trust me enough to tell me, but I'm happy for you. If Senator Amidala makes you happy, then I am happy for you."

"I'm sorry, Master," Anakin said slowly, though his concern and shame seemed to have begun dissipating, "I know I should have told you. But I was afraid! I was scared that you might report me to the Council, or give me a lecture about attachment and make me stop seeing her. And I couldn't tolerate that idea. I can't be without her, Master. I have loved her since the first time I saw her, back in Watto's machine shop on Tatooine. And I tried to resist it. We both did, I promise, but we couldn't. It's one of those things, Master, we couldn't help loving each other. And so after the First Battle of Geonosis...well after the battle we went back to Naboo and got married."

"What?!" now it was Obi Wan's turn to be shocked, as his jaw dropped to the floor in surprise. He had long suspected something between Padme and Anakin and Qui Gon's words had confirmed it, but this was new to him.

"I'm sorry!" Anakin said quickly, his face going red once again, "I'm sure you must be angry. I'm sorry, Master! But we couldn't not. That doesn't make sense. We couldn't be around each other and be in love with each other without...without having each other. We tried, Master, I promise! We tried to resist, Padme especially, but we couldn't help it. We can't help being in love, Master. The Council doesn't understand! They don't know what it's like to love someone, and they enforce their stupid rules expecting everyone to be like them!" Anakin ended that sentence with an exasperated shout before taking a long breath and continuing in a calmer voice, "I know I should have told you. I'm sorry, Master. You must be so angry."

Anakin hung his head in shame once again, staring at the ground, face red with embarrassment and shame and it took a moment for Obi Wan to fully comprehend what Anakin had just said. Anakin was a married man. A foolhardy choice to be sure, but in retrospect, it did not seem out of character for his apprentice to marry someone behind his back without his or the Council's approval. It was a risky choice, to be sure, but not necessarily an unexpected one. And Obi Wan knew what he had to do.

Obi Wan started off in a stern voice, "That was most certainly an unwise and foolish decision. The Council would kick you out of the Jedi Order if they ever found out, you do realize this, do you not?" Anakin closed his eyes and slowly nodded his head, shame and guilt palpable in the Force. Obi Wan went on in a much lighter voice, "But I cannot fault you for falling in love and acting on those feelings. I'm happy for you, Anakin. I am. I know what it is like to love someone. You're of course aware of my affair with the Duchess of Mandalore, and I cannot fault you for your choices. Fear not, Anakin, I have no intention of betraying you to the Council."

"What?" Anakin was once again shocked by Obi Wan's words, "You're not mad? Not at all?"

"No," Obi Wan shook his head, "Perhaps the Code is mistaken about the nature of love and attachment in relation to the Force. When I spoke to Qui Gon on Mortis, he was strongly opposed to the Council regarding such things."

Anakin's concern finally evaporated and his face broke into a nervous smile, "Thanks, Master, your support, it really means a lot to me."

"I'm always here for you, Anakin," Obi Wan returned his smile, glad that his Padawan had finally expressed himself and entrusted him with his secret, "I meant what I said earlier. You're like a brother to me, Anakin, and I love you like a brother."

"Thanks, Master," Anakin smiled back, letting out a long breath, "What else did Qui Gon say about it?"

"About love?" Obi Wan said, "He mentioned that love is a complicated thing, neither light or dark, and that it can be the strongest force of light there is. And he mentioned some other things. He told me you're in love, and that Valar was too. And he said there's someone who has been in love with me. In any case-"

"Who's the lucky lady?" Anakin interrupted immediately, a delighted smile on his face.

Obi Wan let out a sigh, wondering if he would regret sharing that tidbit of information, "I don't know. Qui Gon only said that she's loved me since we were children, but she's never been courageous enough to express her true feelings."

"Ah," Anakin grinned, then asked more seriously, "Are you going to do anything about it?"

"What do you mean?" Obi Wan asked, wondering what Anakin was implying.

"When you find out who she is, are you going to take it anywhere?" Anakin clarified.

"I don't know," Obi Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully, "I haven't given it much thought, to be honest, what with all that's happened since then. Who knows? I suppose I'll have to speak to her about it, but at the moment, I really don't know."

"It'll work itself out," Anakin smiled reassuringly, "The secret admirer of Obi Wan Kenobi. Not something I expected to hear today. I wonder who she is."

"Indeed," Obi Wan nodded, "It seems she has done an excellent job keeping her feelings secret. As did you, much to my surprise. I admit that while I suspected that you might have something with Senator Amidala, I never would have guessed you were married. And you were my apprentice at the time! And I thought I knew you...perhaps the other lovers aboard this transport could take a lesson from you and the Senator."

"Yeah," Anakin laughed, "Master Starke and Unduli have not exactly kept their feelings for each other hidden."

"No they haven't," Obi Wan agreed with a smile, "I only hope my old friends can sort themselves out before we make our return."

"I'm not too worried about that," Anakin said, his voice suddenly grave, "Now that you know about Padme and I, let me finish telling you what I saw in my vision."

"I'm listening," Obi Wan said, noticing the instant change in Anakin's tone and feeling concern reenter his soul. Not much made Anakin this serious, "What did you see?"

"I know who the Sith Lord is," Anakin frowned, meeting Obi Wan's surprised gaze, "The one we've been looking for. I know who he is."

"Are you sure?" Obi Wan asked after a moment.

"No," Anakin grimaced, "It was in the vision. I saw two visions, they seemed like alternate realities or futures. One of them was light, and in that vision, I saw me and Padme raising a happy family. Everything seemed happy and light, as if nothing could ever go wrong. The other one...the other one was much darker. I heard voices, some that I know, some I don't. All of them in pain, and there was so much screaming. The whole time, screaming in pain and terror. And then another voice, a voice I knew. It wasn't until the end that I saw under Darth Sidious's cowl, and Obi Wan, it was Palpatine!"

"Palpatine?" Obi Wan asked, yet again finding himself in a state of total shock, "Chancellor Palpatine? Palpatine the benevolent Supreme Chancellor of the Republic? That Palpatine?"

"Yes," Anakin said gravely, "It might have just been a vision. The Son messing with my mind. But it felt really real. Really real. I saw the Jedi, all of them dead or tortured into becoming Sith monsters. And Master, he made me do things. He called me Darth Vader, and he made me...he made me murder all the Jedi and all the people I care about! HE MADE ME KILL MY WIFE!"

Obi Wan was still standing in a shocked stupor, turning everything over in his head. After a moment he said, "In the event that this is indeed real, we are in a very grave situation. I think we should take this to the Council immediately. If the Supreme Chancellor is indeed a Sith, the Jedi, and the galaxy as a whole is in grave danger."

"I agree," Anakin nodded solemnly, "And Master, it felt really real. I'm not sure I trust it, but my instincts tell me it's true."

"Instincts are often right," Obi Wan agreed, "And are best heeded, but I think it would be wise to inform the others on this transport. Master Starke and Unduli at least. Perhaps they could offer more opinions or new ideas?"

"I agree," Anakin turned towards the door, "The Padawans as well. They deserve to know, and I don't like lying or misleading Ahsoka. And she'll be safer if she knows. Trust me, Master."

"Let's go find the others," Obi Wan nodded. He was glad Anakin cared about Ahsoka as much as he did. While their relationship had been rocky at first, by the end, they were extremely close, as if Anakin were Ahsoka's older brother. Their bond made Obi Wan quite happy, and he could tell Anakin was rubbing off on her. Like him, she could be quite loud and impulsive, but nevertheless, Obi Wan loved her like a niece, and would do anything for her. Whatever was going to happen involving the Dark Lord of the Sith, Obi Wan knew that between himself, Anakin, Ahsoka, Barriss, Valar, and Luminara, he had a good group.

Ahsoka

Barriss.

The name flashed through the young Togruta's head as it had many times she reawakened. Ahsoka had awakened to find herself aboard a Republic transport and learned that she and the others had been cured of their Dark Side infections and the Son had been killed by Master Starke. Ahsoka was relieved to know it was all over and glad everyone was alright.

But as she had listened to her Master and Obi Wan tell her about what had happened on Mortis while she had been possessed, her memories had returned. Ahsoka remembered being bound up in what she guessed was the Son's Dark Side fortress. She was alone and worried until Barriss had entered the room. At first, Ahsoka was relieved to see her friend, until she noticed that Barriss was different.

Barriss had said a number of crazed things to Ahsoka in a strange, twisted voice before proclaiming several times that she thought Ahsoka was quite cute. Then she had seized Barriss's face in her hands and kissed her passionately. That had been how she was infected. What had happened after disturbed disturbed her, but Barriss's kiss was sticking with her much more than the other memories. Her Master and Obi Wan had assured her that her actions and words were harmless and that it was not her fault. After much convincing, Ahsoka believed them and let it go.

But she couldn't get over what Barriss had done to her. Of course, Barriss had been infected by the Son's magic and the Dark Side at the time and Ahsoka could not fault Barriss for her actions, but Ahsoka could not help but wonder if Barriss wanted to be more than friends. Ahsoka had never put too much thought to her sexuality, and especially with her apprenticeship and the war, hardly had the time. She had had fleeting feelings for Lux Bonteri but that was short lived and Ahsoka was over him.

But Barriss wasn't Lux. She wasn't even a boy. Perhaps it really was nothing, and that was just how the Son's spell passed. Perhaps the Son had kissed Barriss and Valar to pass it into them, but Barriss doubted that. Knowing Valar, she had a feeling he would have reacted pretty strongly to being kissed without consent and infected, and guessed it would have been mentioned. No, Ahsoka had a feeling Barriss might have kissed her by choice, not necessity.

But if that were the case, then that meant...what? That Barriss wanted to be more than friends? That Barriss was attracted to her romantically? Or sexually? Ahsoka was not sure how she felt about that. Barriss was one of the few people her own age that Ahsoka had the pleasure of calling her friend. But romance? Ahsoka was not so sure. She knew she would have to confront Barriss about it directly, but for her introverted friend, Ahsoka knew she would be asking a lot.

But she would have to. So Ahsoka stood and opened the door to her quarters and slipped into the hallway, making her way towards Barriss's quarters. Along the way, Ahsoka wondered what she would say. How could she approach her introverted friend without scaring her or making her uncomfortable? Ahsoka was not angry, and had no intention of ending her friendship with Barriss, so she would have to find the right way to approach her.

As Ahsoka thought through different scenarios in her head, Ahsoka found herself outside Barriss's room. Ahsoka was about to knock when she instead reached out with the Force, sensing the world around her. Her intention with this action was to determine whether her Mirialan friend was alone, as she did not want to barge in on Barriss and Luminara.

Ahsoka learned she was alone, but she also learned something else. Barriss seemed to be daydreaming, and Ahsoka could see what was going through her head from outside the door. Ahsoka was surprised to discover that her friend was fantasizing about her, and she felt herself turn a bright shade of red.

Ahsoka was about to enter when, at the last second, she stopped herself. She felt more confused than anything and did not know where her feelings were on the matter, and she realized she ought to sort her feelings out before confronting her friend about it.

And Barriss seemed to be happy, so at peace at that moment. Ahsoka had never felt Barriss that way before. Barriss always seemed frightened, tense, or at least on edge, and Ahsoka thought maybe it was good for the Mirialan to relax her guard a little, even if that meant fantasizing about Ahsoka. In the end, Barriss's fantasies were harmless, and Ahsoka decided to leave her alone. She herself didn't know what to say to her, nor did she know how she felt about it. Ahsoka didn't want to say the wrong things or hurt her friend, so she decided she needed to talk to someone.

But who? Ahsoka wasn't sure. Ahsoka left Barriss to her fantasies and wandered aimlessly through the empty halls of the transport, trying to sort herself out. She needed to talk to someone, needed to ask for help. But she wasn't sure who. Anakin? Her Master was the first person into her mind, but she was not entirely sure he would be the wisest choice in this matter. While she had long suspected her Master had been in a relationship with Senator Amidala, she wasn't sure he could talk about this seriously and without jokes or judgement. Obi Wan? The cool and level headed Jedi Master might be a better choice. She had heard from her Master that Obi Wan had been in a relationship with the Duchess of Mandalore, Satine, she remembered. Obi Wan might be a better option. But what about Master Starke and Master Unduli? Ahsoka was certain they had gotten together, and Luminara was Barriss's Master, but she also didn't know them as well as Obi Wan and Anakin. She had a great amount of respect for both of them, and Master Starke's rescue attempt when the Father had tested Anakin came to mind, but still, she did not know them as well as the other two.

In the end, familiarity was the deciding factor as Ahsoka sought out her own Master to talk to him. Anakin might laugh and joke at first, but Ahsoka was confident if she pressed him, her Master would pull through and help her sort herself out.

Ahsoka wandered through the ship in search of her Master. Sensing a presence, Ahsoka turned a corner and saw Anakin walking quickly towards her, a serious look on his face. Ahsoka started, "Anakin! There's something we need to talk about,its-"

"Not now, Snips," Anakin cut her off in an urgent tone, "Come with me, there's something you need to know."

Valar

Valar leaned against the wall, waiting patiently for Luminara to emerge from her Padawan's room, having just delivered her meal to her. While Valar placed Barriss's need for Luminara well above his own desires for her, he would be lying if he said he wasn't eager to have her all to himself.

At long last, Luminara finally emerged from her Padawan's room. Once the door had closed behind her, Luminara gave a mischievous smile and beckoned Valar to follow her with a wag of one of her elegant fingers. He did not need to be told twice as he fell in stride beside her. Luminara took his hand within her own and led him up the hallway in the direction of her quarters, and he felt a jolt of electricity run down his spine at her touch.

There were no words spoken between them as they hurried along but none were needed. Valar could feel Luminara's love in the Force and in the warm, soft hand he clasped within his own. As she led him purposely up the hallway, he once again found himself unable to believe that such a beautiful person could possibly be in love with him. But somehow she was, and Valar's heart raced in his chest as he wondered what Luminara had in mind.

Valar himself was thinking thoughts and feeling emotions that he knew Jedi were forbidden from having. Valar had always felt different around Luminara. More alive. When Luminara was around, Valar found his breath hitch, and his heart raced faster. Even though she had confirmed many times that she was in love with him, he still felt the butterflies racing about inside whenever she spoke to him. Whenever she looked at him. And the butterflies were racing the Boonta Eve Classic at that moment as Luminara led him along. When Luminara had kissed him on Mortis and in the kitchens he had felt more alive than he ever had before. And he wanted more. The ideas Valar was getting were definitely things the Jedi would disapprove of, but he didn't care. He yearned to feel her touch once more. To caress her body with his hands and run his fingers through her gorgeous flowing hair.

The hair. Valar hadn't known she had that. Valar had been more than taken by her beauty when he had assumed her to be bald. Her eyes, her face, her figure, her voice, her personality...it was more than enough to ensnare his heart. But when she had revealed her hair to him for the first time in the shuttle on Mortis, to say he was dumbstruck would be a vast understatement. When Luminara had shown him her long locks of gently curled jet black hair, he had almost fainted. It simply didn't seem possible for someone so beautiful to ever exist, or to ever love someone like him, but she did. And when she had shown her hair for the first time, instead of passing out, he had gone stupid. Unable to form a sentence in his voice or in his head as the fuses in his brain all short circuited, unable to compute what lay before his eyes.

Valar was brought back to reality as Luminara opened the door to her quarters and tugged him inside. Valar stood and looked around while Luminara shut the door, but he scarcely had time to take in any of his surroundings before Luminara seized him in her arms and he found himself looking into her wide violet eyes.

"Lumi..." Valar whispered slowly.

Caressing his face gently with her hand, Luminara gave a smile and whispered back, "I love it when you call me that."

"You like your nickname?" Valar smiled back, his voice teasing as he held Luminara gently in his arms.

"Of course," Luminara tipped her head, making a very cute expression. Valar could not resist the temptation and gave her a short kiss on the cheek. Luminara giggled and added, "No one ever came up with a nickname for you."

"Valar Starke," Valar shrugged, running a hand down Luminara's back, "Not much to do with those names, I'm afraid."

"Nonsense," Luminara said, then adopted a thoughtful expression before suggesting, "V? No, I don't like that...Star? I don't like that either. Starke flows better...Ooooh, how about Val?"

"Val?" Valar shrugged again, "I've never heard that one. Most of the time nicknames don't stick, I guess Valar is just easy. But you, my little angel, can call me whatever you want."

"I think for now I'll just stick with Valar," Luminara smiled sweetly, "I like the way your name flows off my tongue."

"I like the way you say it too," Valar grinned, intoxicated by the beauty of the being before him, "Lumi, I know I say it every time, do you have any idea how much I-"

Valar was interrupted as Luminara abruptly cupped his face in her hands and pulled it down towards herself, closing her purple eyes and kissing him passionately. It seemed Luminara had been unable to resist any longer, but Valar was more than willing to accommodate her romantic desires. Luminara's hands soon slipped off his face and began undoing her headdress as she continued kissing him, pressing her body up against him and pressing him against the wall. As she finished undoing her headdress, she finally separated her lips from Valar's and let her hair fall free.

Valar's breath fell away with Luminara's headdress as he once again caught sight of her flawless black hair falling gently on her shoulders, chest, and back. Even though he had seen it once before, Valar was again dazed by Luminara's beauty, and he stared at her for a moment before saying slowly and breathily, "Luminara..."

"I'm sure you can see why Mirialan women keep our hair hidden," Luminara smiled widely, clearly pleased with the reaction she had gotten out of him.

"Yea...there's no way any other Mirialan could possibly be as pretty as you. Lumi, you're the epitome of flawless beauty," Valar grinned back, feeling giddy. He was sure his expression was ridiculous but he didn't care as he pulled Luminara closer to himself and ran his fingers through her flowing hair.

"Oh Valar," Luminara whispered in a loving voice upon hearing his words. She did not wait for his response as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and neck and again kissed him, somehow even more passionately before. Valar responded in kind, leaning down into her to continue the loving embrace. Valar's hand slid from the center of her back to the back of her head, pulling her even closer to himself as he kissed her, and an involuntary moan of pleasure escaped Luminara's lips.

As Valar leaned into Luminara's arms more, kissing her cheek and neck, she felt her hands undoing his tunic. Moments later, it fell away, revealing the upper half of his body. Valar prided himself on his appearance and exercised frequently, not only to remain in peak shape for combat but also to ensure he kept his body toned, though he had shown to no one. No one before Luminara, that is. Valar felt pride and satisfaction in his efforts as Luminara took notice. He could sense her delight and excitement in the Force as her hands caressed his bare chest and abs as he continued kissing her neck.

Valar ceased kissing Luminara's neck and stood straight again, smiling down at the gorgeous woman in his arms as Luminara smiled back. Looking into each other's eyes, one pair brown, the other purple, they both laughed breathlessly. Valar said breathily, "Oh Lumi, I love you so much."

"I love you too," Luminara smiled gently, planting a kiss on Valar's chest, directly above his rapidly beating heart, "I didn't know you were hiding all this under there."

Valar laughed and replied happily, "And I didn't know you had such beautiful hair under your headdress. I guess we're both full of surprises."

"Indeed," Luminara said sweetly. Valar grinned lovingly at her as they stared into each other's eyes for a moment, each basking in the love and beauty of the other. After a moment, Luminara said in a desperate voice, barely more than a whisper, "I want to make love to you."

Valar was surprised by her tone. It was almost a plea, her beautiful voice so soft and desperate, and Valar was more than happy to oblige. In truth, this was a moment Valar had dreamed and fantasized more times than he could count. Valar stroked Luminara's head and back with his hand and replied, "I'd love to."

Luminara's face broke into another delighted smile as she turned him towards her bed and shoved him down so he lay on his back on her bed. Valar was pleasantly surprised by her energy as he sat up and Luminara climbed on top of him. Sitting on top of him, Valar had to look up to meet her eyes before leaning forward to kiss her neck and chest. Luminara moaned softly as he wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her close all the while kissing her. Valar's hand slid to the zipper on the back of her dress and he began to unzip it.

Suddenly, Valar and Luminara both froze as they heard a knock at the door, "Luminara? Are you in there? It's Obi Wan. There have been some new developments that we have to discuss right away."

"Oh fuck," Valar swore, annoyed and hugely disappointed that they were being interrupted, but also glad Obi Wan had had the foresight to knock and not simply barge in. If that had occurred the situation could have grown much more complicated.

"I'll be right there," Luminara called, as she picked her headscarf and headdress up off the ground, hurrying to hide her angelic hair once more as Valar hurriedly put his Jedi tunic back on, covering his exposed chest.

Valar tried to fix his ruffled hair, but knew it would be a lost cause as Luminara opened the door. Obi Wan looked from Luminara to Valar. His eyes rested on Valar for a moment before asking, "Was I interrupting?"

"No," Valar shrugged, "We just talked some different things out, that's all."

Obi Wan tipped his head and gave Valar a disbelieving look before saying, "The lipstick all over your face would say otherwise. I'm quite sorry for interrupting the two of you, but I promise the discovery we have made is of utmost importance. I would, however, advise that you clean that off before seeing the others."

Valar tried to wipe his face off on his tunic, but clearly that was not very effective as Luminara gave a frustrated snort and licked her hand before rubbing it off his face as if he were a small child that had messily consumed a meal. Luminara, confident her efforts were successful, turned back to Obi Wan and said, "I'm sure Valar and I can find another time. What has happened?"

Obi Wan adopted a grave expression and said, "Anakin believes to have uncovered the identity of the Sith Lord."

There was a shocked pause before Luminara asked, "The one we've been looking for?"

"The very same," Obi Wan replied gravely as he stood in the doorway to Luminara's room.

"Well, who is it?" Valar asked, feeling a prickle of darkness and dread run down his spine. It took a lot to shake Obi Wan Kenobi.

"The identity of Darth Sidious is none other than Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine."