I find it interesting and fitting that Siri's fight to protect Bren'an falls on Mother's Day. No, I didn't plan that at all.
Taraisilwen - Anakin has more confidence, probably because he is more accepted by the Jedi and actually feels as though he has a place in a family. I have enjoyed the idea of Yoda training him and the idea that he would be incredibly protective of him. It will be very significant that he has been trained by and apprenticed to Yoda. Obi-Wan does not have an easy life in this reality either and more troubles are coming. However, he will not be alone in this reality.
HaywireEagle - And why would that be?
Radical Dreamer 57 - Of course nothing is going to happen in plain view. Sidious would be very unhappy if the knowledge that Jedi and Sith exist got out. Ugh, typos. I think I fixed them all.
The Review Guest - I am innocent. I didn't do anything.
Chapter 58
The corridors of the Senate building were relatively quiet, shocking considering there had just been an explosion large enough to shake the building. Then again, Obi-Wan was winding his way through private areas reserved for senators and staff, and the Senate was in session. He approached the entrance to the arena, wondering if he had even missed anything. It seemed all the legislative body of the Republic could do these days was to argue. Still, there was much to be positive about. Senator Amidala had survived an assassination attempt and would stay safe. Anakin would see to it. Siri was returning home with Bren'an. Satisfied that plans were not too far off track, Obi-Wan took his seat back in the pod reserved for the Yopurgan delegation, shrugging off the glare that Garen sent in his direction. He would no doubt receive another lecture later on how difficult it was to protect someone who habitually wandered off.
"Is everything okay?" Mace asked. "The disturbance?"
Obi-Wan turned to face the dark-skinned man who was his equal on the Senate floor, but his elder within the Jedi Order. "The landing pad was rigged to explode. It was Senator Amidala's ship."
"Is she okay?" Mace asked. While he was concerned for the safety of a valued ally and friend, Padme also played a great role in the current debate in the Senate. Though against the Military Creation Act, Bail Organa and Adi Gallia had distanced themselves from Padme and Obi-Wan, senators and Jedi alike deciding it was best to not appear too closely allied. It was up to Padme and Obi-Wan to lead the charge.
"Her decoy was killed. Anakin had taken her separately in a fighter. She will be arriving soon." Obi-Wan returned his attention to the few pods in the center of the area. "Did I miss much?"
"Same old debate that's been going on for the last hour." Mace shook his head. "The government and courts in the Yopurgan system are much more effective. I do miss it sometimes."
"My esteemed colleagues," Chancellor Palpatine suddenly announced, capturing the attention of all. "I have just received some tragic and disturbing news. Senator Amidala of the Naboo system has been assassinated."
Obi-Wan had never heard the arena so quiet. Even those that were bitter rivals with Amidala paused in agreement that her loss was a tragedy. It would be a surprise and a boost to their cause when she entered the arena in a few moments, her usual fiery self. The thought brought a smile to Obi-Wan's face. But, as the chancellor began to wax eloquently about the 'late' senator, Obi-Wan began to feel a growing unease through the Force. He bowed his head as he tried to focus.
"Are you okay, Obi-Wan?" came Mace Windu's concerned voice.
"Something is wrong. Do you sense it?"
He was vaguely aware of another argument breaking out on the senate floor, unsurprisingly instigated by the esteemed senator from Malastare. Leave it to him to turn Padme's death into the rallying call for something she had devoted so much time into stopping. Orn Free Taa of Ryloth wanted to defer the vote until another time in light of an assassination. That's what the Senate definitely needed more of – avoidance, Obi-Wan thought sarcastically.
A sharp cry of fear shot through the bond that Obi-Wan shared with his son. "It's Bren'an – something's wrong. I'll be right back," he whispered to Mace as he adjourned to the corridor.
"Siri?" he called into his comlink. "Where are you?"
There was a long pause. He was ready to try again when she finally answered.
"We were attacked. I had to set down in the lower levels, near the Temple …"
"I'm on my way," he said, interrupting her.
"No," Siri insisted. "You have to be there for that vote. We both know how important it is – the elders have sensed it, you have sensed it. Padme needs your support. If you leave now, the Sith get what they want."
"Siri …" he began, surprised by the emotion evident in his voice.
"My father and Qui-Gon are on their way," she assured him. He could barely hear the echo of footsteps in the background. "I need to go … I love you."
The transmission cut off leaving Obi-Wan feeling as though his knees were going to buckle under the crushing weight resting on his shoulders. His heart told him that only he could protect them, to run away from the Senate and make sure nothing happened to his wife and child. The Force kept his feet firmly in place.
He could sense Padme's arrival, her presence, determined and brave, gracing the senate arena.
"Senator Kenobi and I have led the opposition to build an army, but there is someone in this body who will stop at nothing to assure its passage," she began.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, releasing his fears and worries about Siri and Bren'an into the Force. War could not be allowed at any cost. He returned to the Senate pod. As Padme neared the end of her speech he moved out to join the Naboo delegation in the middle. "Wake up, Senators... you must wake up!" she cried out before turning to look toward him.
"Do not let fear push you into a disastrous decision. This security measure is nothing less than a declaration of war." Obi-Wan took a deep breath as all eyes focused on him. "Does anyone here want war? I cannot believe they do. It will destroy us."
"My motion to defer the vote must be dealt with first," Senator Taa bellowed. "That is the rule of law."
Chancellor Palpatine bowed his head in surrender, apparently lamenting the fact that another session had gone by without anything being accomplished. "Due to the lateness of the hour and the seriousness of this motion, we will take up these matters tomorrow," he announced. "Until then, the Senate stands adjourned."
Before the sentence was even finished, Obi-Wan was in the corridor. Garen immediately joined him, walking at this side. "Qui-Gon commed me. I have a speeder ready. Master Windu and Byram will take Padme to safety."
The footsteps stopped. Siri felt as though she would drown in the silence and stillness of the moment as she wrestled with fear. Bren'an was running toward safety. She would do whatever was necessary to make sure it stayed that way. The glow rod was gone. She could hear the light sounds of breathing and the rustle of a cloak but felt nothing. The darkness and emptiness of the tunnel echoed what she felt in the Force.
Sith.
The word came to her mind. Without even having to ask, she knew that was who stalked her.
"Show yourself," she commanded. "I know you are there."
A dark figure separated from the shadows as though being birthed into the tunnel from nothingness. A crimson glow bathed the tunnel as a saber was ignited. The figure pulled back its hood, revealing what she had suspected.
"Madame Kenobi," Xanatos said, making a show of offering a polite bow. "You seem to have lost your way. This is no place for a lady to be."
She answered by igniting her own saber, violet mingling with the deep red.
"I should have known that Kenobi would only wed his equal."
Xanatos began to step around her, the usual posturing for sizing up an opponent. Siri stood firm and defensive. Not acting rashly, not attacking, even though it was what she wanted to do with every fiber of her being. She needed time. Delaying this fight would only help her.
"And what exactly would his equal be," Siri asked. "I thought I was only eye candy on his arm."
"A Jedi," the Sith breathed out. His eyes flashed yellow, streaked with the red, turning his handsome face into something evil. "I have waited for a long time to bring pain into your husband's life."
The image of Bren'an growing up without a mother, or worse, dying an early death flitted through her mind. She saw Obi-Wan alone, grieving, blaming himself for whatever happened. Abruptly, she shut out such thoughts. She hadn't lost yet and didn't intend to die any time soon.
"Your thoughts betray you," Xanatos said softly, stepping closer. Gone were the inhuman features, replaced by handsome eyes of midnight blue that could almost entrance. A carefully crafted disguise of concern and compassion covered him. "You love deeply. It makes you weak." Another step closer. "I will not harm him."
"Who?" she said, finding her voice. Alarmed at how close the Sith was, Siri took a few steps back, bringing her saber up.
"Your son." A smile slipped across Xanatos' pale features. "He will have a good life and power beyond his dreams."
Siri felt anger well up inside her at the meaning. Her son trained as a Sith, standing beside the enemy of all she held true. It would never happen. She would die a horrible death before she let the Sith anywhere near Bren'an.
Fire lit up her eyes.
"Ah, the mother kitling has arrived," the Sith hissed. "This might be more fun than I thought."
Siri allowed the Force to wash over her, drawing on the distant presences in the Temple, of those who had gone before and stood against darkness. She felt comfort as thousands of voices urged her on. She lashed out with her saber, her arms jolting as violet met crimson.
The tunnels of Coruscant's lower levels were a treacherous labyrinth. No one who didn't know the area went below, the maze a haven for thieves and those hiding from the law. It was with determination and a fire born of Light that three Jedi entered, two masters and the Force's Chosen One."
"I have their signals," Corrar said, quickening his pace as he looked at a small device he carried in his hand. The elders had decided several months earlier that all Jedi should be chipped. Corrar was glad. "They are separated."
"Bren'an is safe," Anakin assured him, pushing ahead of the group as long-legged strides carried him deeper into the tunnel. Neither master doubted the young man's senses. The Chosen One had been under Master Yoda's direct tutelage for over ten years.
"Only because Siri has put herself between him and danger," Corrar voiced with worry evident in his words.
As they neared her signal, the echo of sabers clashing grew in their ears. Corrar broke out into a full run, his saber already ignited. They could see the streaks of violet and crimson as they approached a juncture in the tunnels, a place that was spread out enough to allow easier movement.
The Sith was aggressively pummeling his opponent, each strike met expertly, but it was clear Siri was tiring and favoring her left shoulder. A strong blow sent her to the ground. Siri kicked out, sweeping Xanatos' feet out from under him. He tucked into a somersault and recovered quickly, bringing his saber down to meet Siri's again. The sabers hissed and crackled as he slowly began to push the violet blade back towards her head. Her arms shook as she struggled against his greater brute strength. Abruptly, Xanatos turned to meet a Corrar's blade slicing through the air. Siri collapsed to the ground.
"More players," Xanatos said with delight as he backed up to survey the new opponents. He glanced toward Anakin, eyes narrowing. "I haven't seen your face before."
"And it will be the last thing you see," Anakin threatened.
"Anakin," Qui-Gon warned. "Let us handle this."
"Yes, go back and play with the other children," Xanatos mocked.
Anakin lunged forward with a lightning-quick strike that sent Xanatos careening into the tunnel wall. The Sith looked up in disgust, wiping blood from a cut on the side of his head before unleashing his own attack. Even Qui-Gon paused for a moment, watching the power of the Chosen One in motion as he aggressively battered the Sith backward, but knew it had to stop. Anakin still lacked experience, and it could very well get him killed.
Before Qui-Gon could find his way into the fight, Xanatos rushed away in a burst of Force-enhanced speed, Anakin following closely behind.
"Take Siri and find Bren'an," Qui-Gon said to Corrar. "I will …" he paused, letting out a frustrated sigh, "I will find Anakin."