The Review Guest - I know it was shorter than other posts, but nothing seemed right to add. It was as it was supposed to be.
Radical Dreamer 57 - I think Xanatos is toying with him and feeling out his enemy here. He meant what he said by thinking it was time for them to meet, even if Sidious might not agree.
Quiyes - The Jedi will be looking around Xanatos now that they have confirmed he is a Sith. Sidious has a plan, but as a good Sith, he is patient. The Jedi are going to have to break out of their comfort zone a bit. It is sort of like being told for 1000 years the Sith may come back and you are the lucky ones who get to deal with it. In reality, many of them will be reluctant to give up the comfort and safety of the lives they have. I will keep you guessing about what the Holocron meant.
Phantom-jedi1 - Of course he'll live, lol. Attachments will be both a help and a hindrance, but hopefully more of a help.
Chapter 50
Obi-Wan was almost certain that he would rather be back fighting the Sith than in the position he found himself at the moment. He was lying on his bed, trying his best to keep his eyes focused on the ceiling. On one side, his injured arm was propped up over sterile sheets. It was numb from his shoulder down as Jun Windu worked intently on cleaning and closing the lightsaber wound he had received in his fight. On his other side, Jedi elders Mace Windu and Corrar Tachi stood studying him with displeased expressions. His wife, aide, and one very pissed-off Chief of Security were somewhere behind them content to allow the two elders in the room thoroughly scold him.
"I understand what happened," Mace began calmly. "I am still having difficulty understanding why you went to the Jedi Temple when we know the Sith have been there in the past," Mace continued with his usual somber expression. "It was foolish."
"After the vision ended, I felt drawn, or rather pushed, there through the Force," Obi-Wan murmured. He still needed to speak to Master Yoda about the vision. Usually, when he saw the aged master as his guide, the vision was shared, and he wondered what Yoda's thoughts were on what he had seen. "I couldn't ignore it … I knew I had to go."
"An answer worthy of the one who trained you," Corrar said wearily with a deep sigh.
"You could have lost an arm," Mace chided, concern breaking through his steely facade.
"The wound is hardly that bad," Jun interjected without looking up from her work.
Obi-Wan thought to point out that Xanatos' wounds were worse than his, and that he had ultimately driven him to jump from a balcony, but decided it was best to not talk at the moment.
"Or worse, been killed," Mace continued, directing a pointed stare at his wife. He bowed his head and reached up to rub his temples. "You are fortunate we have a Jedi healer here because this is not the sort of injury you can just treat with a bacta patch." Obi-Wan suppressed a laugh as Jun glanced up and gave a defiant roll of her eyes.
"I saw that," Mace said.
"At least we have gleaned some useful information," Corrar offered.
"Now that we have confirmed one of the Sith's identities, I believe we should go ahead with approaching a couple of potential allies," Mace said.
"I agree," Corrar said. "I am going to step up my investigation on Xanatos Marojni. Any contacts he has may potentially lead us to his master."
"All done," Jun announced before beginning to pack up her instruments.
"I'll be back later," Mace began only to be cut off as the slight-framed healer stood and planted her hands on her hips. Her gaze seemed to bore into the dark-skinned man.
"I think you both have asked enough questions for the night. It's the middle of the night and my patient needs some rest if he is going to be in the Senate arena tomorrow."
To Obi-Wan's surprise, Mace Windu, Jedi Elder, Justice of the High Court, seemed to squirm. It shouldn't have been a shock. Both Mace and Jun Windu were known for their stubbornness, and living under the same roof had to be filled with such stand-offs.
"Our first session begins at 0900 tomorrow. I think we should meet at 0800 to prepare for the proceedings, which gives us both about three more hours of sleep," Mace said to Obi-Wan before turning to Jun. "Does the master healer find that acceptable for her patient?"
"That's fine," she said.
The three Jedi masters shuffled out of the room. Garen and Byram approached next.
"I always figured Uncle Qui-Gon would run off and do something like this - not you," Byram said, yawning. "I'm glad you're not dead."
"I will be here first thing in the morning to escort you to the Senate," Garen said. "I do expect you to stay with your security detail this time."
Obi-Wan waited as heard a host of goodbyes before the front door opened and finally shut. Slight footsteps made their way back down the hall until Siri was standing at the entrance to his room, leaning just inside the door frame. The expression on her face rivaled the one Jun had just used to silence the esteemed Mace Windu.
"You are upset with me," he finally said, acknowledging the obvious.
"Why would you think that?" she bit back sarcastically. "Do you have any idea what it was like to wake up sensing you were in danger, feeling the disturbance in the Force, and not find you anywhere?"
"My intention was to not be in danger when I left," he offered.
"I came to Coruscant to help defend against the Sith, and I married you assuming I would be a partner. I can't do that if you run off on your own."
"I sensed I was to go alone," Obi-Wan explained. "Besides, I don't want you anywhere near Xanatos Marojni. He seems to have developed an unhealthy obsession toward you."
"I am a Jedi," she stated firmly. "Should I remind you that I have managed to wipe the floor a few times with you? I am not something you have to protect."
"I know that, but I … never mind."
Siri inclined her head to the side, a slight smile twisting her features as she walked over and sat down on the sleep couch beside Obi-Wan. "Your concern is sweet," she said as she reached out and brushed a few stray hairs off his forehead before leaning in and gently kissing him. Then she pulled back the covers and began to settle down beside him.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Staying close, so you don't run off on me again."
"Trust me. I can't feel my arm so I am not going anywhere."
"I'd rather not take any chances," she said, lifting her head up enough to look at him before reaching out to turn off the bedside lamp. "Goodnight."
The Force hummed excitedly as Obi-Wan entered the Yopurgan delegation's pod, returning from a brief recess. It wasn't exactly a warning, just an announcement that something of great significance was about to happen. Obi-Wan scanned the arena, his eyes meeting those of Xanatos. A smug smile spread across the Sith lord's face as he nodded his head and settled back in his seat. Obi-Wan didn't miss the tensing of facial features at the movement. From the blow Obi-Wan knew his saber had dealt, he imagined the Sith was in much more pain than he was at the moment.
Mace Windu arrived a few moments later. So far the Jedi master was adjusting very slowly to political life. He found the inefficiencies of the system baffling and the corruption appalling. The former justice tended to be resolute concerning the rules, and still had much to learn about political finesse and bending those same rules. Obi-Wan had been required to step in and smooth out more than a few ruffled feathers since Master Windu had joined the team.
"Did you set up the appointment?" Mace whispered.
"Yes, for later this evening after Senator Charay leaves for the day."
Obi-Wan felt bad about excluding Charay but reminded himself it was not Senate business. It concerned the Jedi Order.
Chancellor Palpatine called the Senate to order, and the pod from Telos immediately made its way to the center. Xanatos stood. "Your Excellency … fellow senators … it is with a heavy heart that I approach you today. Our great Republic has stood for a thousand years and will continue, but it is my sad duty to inform this body that it will not continue with Telos among its members."
It took a few moments for the meaning of the senator's words to sink in, and then the roar of outraged voices began. It was unheard of for a system to leave the Republic. Mas Amedda called for order, and when the uproar had settled enough, Chancellor Palpatine calmly addressed the Telosian senator, a pained expression stretching his face. "Might I ask what has led your governor to this make this decision?"
"The actions of this body over the last year have made the governor I serve lose faith in the Republic. We have seen the taxation of trade routes that raised the cost of living for our constituents and directly led to conflict on Naboo. A vote of no confidence in a Chancellor is a sure sign of a system in turmoil. Then, let's discuss the state of the courts." Eyebrows raised, Xanatos shook his head. "The trial being conducted in our courts at this very moment is nothing short of an utter debacle. It has become clear that it is in the best interest of our constituents to withdraw our membership from this body."
Palpatine hung his head low. "I would like to cut today's session short and speak to you alone concerning this decision if I may."
"I would be happy for a conference, though I doubt there is anything that will sway my governor at this point in time."
"We are adjourned then," Palpatine said.
For the Yopurgan delegation, the late afternoon was spent with impromptu conferences as ebbs of panic worked their way through the Senate. Senators and their aides scurried to assure there were no changes to alliances and trade agreements and to make sure loyalties had not shifted on key bills out on the floor in the frenzy.
After Senator Charay had left for the evening, Obi-Wan and Mace finally adjourned to the Jedi master's office. "If it was panic the Sith wanted, it is what they achieved," Mace said as he sat down.
"This is why he revealed himself to me last night," Obi-Wan said. "He knew he was leaving Coruscant."
"The question is - Is he being sent away or summoned?"
"His father is the governor of Telos," Obi-Wan supplied.
"The master, you think?"
"I believe the master is in the Senate," Obi-Wan replied. "I sense a deeper darkness there and it would make no sense for both master and apprentice to be off of Coruscant."
"A puppet then," Mace murmured. "We need to watch what Telos does."
A knock on the door had both of them looking up. "She's here." Obi-Wan opened the door.
"Senator Gallia," Mace said. "Please come in."
"I assume your afternoon has been as trying as mine." She took a deep breath. "Since you made this appointment before the announcement, I have to wonder if you had previous knowledge of Senator Marojni's plans, or am I here for another reason?"
"We had suspicions," Obi-Wan said. "Please have a seat."
Adi Gallia slumped down into the chair offered. "Something is wrong about this - terribly, terribly wrong. I haven't been able to shake the feeling all day long. Panic like this could rip the Senate apart."
Obi-Wan knew she had sensed the same warning in the Force that they had. He looked to Mace and received a nod of the head.
"It speaks to you, doesn't it?" Obi-Wan asked softly.
"What speaks to me?"
"We call it the Force."
The formidable woman's confidence wavered ever so slightly as she studied her fellow senators. Obi-Wan felt her reach out tentatively with her mind the way a Jedi youngling would and lowered his shields enough for her to sense him in the Force, trusting Mace would shield them both. Bright blue eyes widened before she looked down to the floor.
"It speaks to us as well," Obi-Wan continued.
"An ancestor of mine was a Jedi padawan at the time of Ruusan," Adi whispered softly. "She was young - fourteen years old - and returned to her family after the Jedi order was dissolved. She married, had children, and taught them what she knew. What little knowledge she could share was passed down, though some has been lost over time. I have a sense about some things and some people." She looked up. "I have always sensed something about you, Obi-Wan, but I never realized how bright you really are. Do you have a similar story?"
"We are Jedi," Mace answered. "We are members of an order that went into hiding with the intent of continuing to protect the Republic."
She remained silent for what seemed like an eternity to Obi-Wan as she processed what she had just been told. Finally, she said, "Do the Sith still exist as well?"
"Yes. I destroyed one on Naboo. Queen Amidala can confirm that," Obi-Wan answered. "Xanatos Marojni is also a Sith. We know he has a master, but the identity of that individual is unknown."
"Then what I have sensed in the Force is true." Adi sighed sadly as she shook her head. "His intent is to bring panic and doubt into the Senate. They want to tear the Republic apart."
"Yes, I believe so," Mace said.
Obi-Wan felt her study him intently in the Force. He was unaccustomed to being so unshielded except when on Dantooine, but resisted the urge to reinforce his shields. Mace was still hiding them.
"I wish to learn more of your order, but if your purpose is truly to defend the Republic, you have my support."
"Thank you for your trust," Obi-Wan replied.
"If I might ask," she began hesitantly, "Is there someone who could teach me more about the Force?"
"We would be glad to help you learn," Mace replied.