Into the Gloaming
Rating: T+
Summary: In the growing darkness Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn have to deal with a political assassination.
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 The Winding Path
Timeline: 38 BBY
Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics
Chapter Six
Obi-Wan set foot through the door and into what anyone would think of was controlled chaos, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. While waiting for the trial he really couldn't go out into the field, so he was schedule for creche duty for the foreseeable future. Garen always thought it was a punishment, but ironically enough, he didn't. For the little ones before him were the future of the order. Qui-Gon had mentioned that it was their duty to make sure that there would be more Jedi out in the field, and he had come to see the merit in it.
Before him Master Numa, whom he always asked to be assigned to, was corralling her young charges along with the help of her current padawan, into a room that had tables and chairs set up for little bodies. It was arts and crafts time. He had some memories of his time with the Twi'Lek master, but they were fading more and more the older he became.
"Perfect timing Padawan," Numa looked over her shoulder. Her face was graced with a smile.
"Obi," a little girl ran across the room and latched onto his leg. She looked up at him with wide eyes.
Obi-Wan reached down and picked the Mirialan crechling up. "Hello there, Akilza."
She reached a purple hand over and stroked the end of his padawan braid. "Pretty."
"Why, thank you." He propped her dead weight on his hip and followed Numa deeper into the room. "Have you been good for Master Numa?"
Her hand curled around one of his tabards while she looked down. Instead of answering, she rested her head against his shoulder. Looking over to Numa he furrowing his brow. "Is she okay, Master?"
"Oh, she's fine." The Twi'Lek came over and placed a hand on the crechling's back. "Lets get you back to your friends."
"No," Akilza shook her head hard as she tightened her grip on his shoulder.
Numa smiled at him while now rubbing Akilza's back, "She's been asking for you." Taking a step away, she looked over to the other crechlings, "just like you did after the zoo."
Obi-Wan set her down in a chair next to a little Thlothian girl. "Really?" he turned to look to Numa. "I don't remember going to the zoo. And who did I ask for?"
She gave him a knowing look. "It was Master Qui-Gon. Only after the fact, and when you became master and padawan did I realize why you were such a troublesome, in a good way, crechling."
"Which was?"
"You already had a half formed bond with Qui-Gon." Numa put her hands on her hips, "Now lets get started."
After the midday meal Obi-Wan went down to the archives. His reasons for being there was partly because of the diplomacy lecture he listened to, though he also wanted to see what information they held on the kyber crystal within the crown that Marlote viceroys wore. Stepping into the long room, Obi-Wan looked up to the vaulted ceiling and the shelves that held rows upon rows of datafiles. It was said that if you couldn't find the information you were seeking in the archives, then it just wasn't there. Every scrap of information was coded and stored away for reference for any and all Jedi that were out in the field. And if one wasn't at the Temple and needed such information, it was still readily accessible by request. It was also stated that the archives held more information than anywhere else in the galaxy. They even had more information than the Senate's own library. So it wasn't that unusual for Senatorial and Representative's aides to request for information.
"Good afternoon, Padawan."
Obi-Wan turned around to see the head archivist, Jocasta Nu standing behind him. She had recently taken over the role when the previous master had finally retired from the position.
"Master Nu," Obi-Wan moved over to one of the terminals. "To complete my lessons on high diplomacy there are some things I need to access that a padawan does not have the clearance for."
"You're referring to the lecture that Master Plo Koon gave?" she moved over to stand beside him.
"Yes, Master."
Nodding, she sat down and put in her access code. Even though Obi-Wan could see it, he also knew it would be changed shortly thereafter. Accessing the file he needed, she opened it up. As she stood she turned back to Obi-Wan. "If you need access again, you will have to come to me."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded then did a quick bow as she moved away from the terminal. Sitting down, he completed his lessons and then sent the finished product to Master Plo. At least it was one of those that had neither a right nor wrong answer. It was a character builder exercise, he once heard it stated.
Sitting back, he closed the file then accessed the historical database. Eira's comment on that kyber crystal got him to thinking once again. Finding several abstracts that looked promising, he copied down where they were located, then closed out the file and logged off the computer.
As he stood his comm chirped.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. Not now. Pulling it out, he looked at who was calling. "Yes Master?"
"Padawan, I need you to come back to the apartment." Qui-Gon's voice came out somewhat tinny because of the small speaker.
This was not what he was wanting to hear. "Yes, Master." At least his lessons were completed. While still holding the small flimsi, Obi-Wan left the archives and headed back to the residential wing, and the rooms he occupied along with Qui-Gon.
"The lawyers who are representing the government want to meet with you," Qui-Gon spoke the moment the door was closed.
"When?"
"As soon as you can get to the security offices."
Obi-Wan went into his room and put the flimsi on his desk before coming back out. "Any reason why, Master?"
"I suspect it's because of the information you gave the lead detective investigating the Vice Chancellor's murder."
After retrieving his cloak, Obi-Wan left the apartment and headed out of the Temple and back to the security offices. This would be the third time he appeared there in what he felt like was so many days. It was obvious, though, and he knew it. The probation would put a kink in things, but it was something that couldn't be helped. I need a drink. He pushed the thought from his mind. It would not be good to be drunk while speaking with one of the lawyers, although it would be good to get something to eat.
It was mid afternoon when he set foot inside the offices once again. Instead of meeting with Marhon in his office, they went into one of a conference rooms. In the middle of the table was a Force suppressor. Jhon reached towards it and turned it on. "I know you're uncomfortable with this on, but it's needed."
Instead of bemoaning the fact that it felt as if a clear bag was placed around his head, Obi-Wan sat down and prepared himself. He knew there would be times like this, and he had to deal with it with a clear mind, which meant no alcohol. "Will this be a deposition?" he leaned forward while clasping his hands together so he could rest them on the table.
"Not yet," Jhon shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we had to reach out to Master Jinn since we didn't have your personal comm."
"I didn't realize that." Obi-Wan pulled out the small communications device and gave the detective the information he needed. The door opened as Obi-Wan put it back where it belonged.
"Detective?"
Both Jhon and Obi-Wan looked to the door. It was another sentient standing there while keeping the door from closing. "The lead prosecuting attorney has arrived."
Jhon shuffled the flimsi he brought around. It looked as if he were trying to get things organized for the upcoming meeting. "Oh, good. Could you send them in?"
The person nodded and disappeared. When the door opened again, a felinoid entered the room with flowing robes. For a moment Obi-Wan thought that the lawyer was from Rama, but he also knew that there were other planets that had felinoids as the dominant sentient culture. "Padawan Kenobi," he, at least that's what Obi-Wan assumed, hissed out. "I'm glad you were able to make it."
Obi-Wan nodded. Even though Qui-Gon had him come, he soon realized it was better for him to answer the attorney's questions in person, than over a holocall. It was also safer. "Are you from Rama?"
"Yes, but I was on Coruscant when the quake happened. My family, thankfully wasn't harmed." There was a pause, "I did read and listen to the depositions when it comes to how and why we lost Labon, and your ensuing probation."
This time Obi-Wan looked down at his hands. Even though it had been several years ago, he still felt guilty at what happened. "I'm sorry, but I did what I could. He was falling too fast for me to catch him." He looked back up, "Will this be brought up if I'm to testify?" The image of Labon leaning back and arms pinwheeling flashed through his head.
"Yes. I want to cover this first so the defense cannot take advantage of it."
Obi-Wan stepped out of the building with a frown. Even though he wasn't the guilty party in this case, he still had a difficult time answering the questions that were raised. If just a general meeting was difficult, he knew that the actual deposition would be even worse, and the trial beyond that. He had no idea what questions would be asked for either one. What he really wanted at this point was a stiff drink.
Looking out the window of the bus he was currently in, he saw what looked like a new diner. Thinking that the prices might be affordable, especially for a Jedi, he got off at the next stop and worked his way back to standalone building. Stepping inside, Obi-Wan assumed that it hadn't been open for very long for it looked as clean on the inside as the outside.
"Dex, you've got a Jedi customer," someone called out.
"I'll be there," a muffled voice from the kitchen answered.
Taking another step into the somewhat empty establishment, Obi-Wan found a place to sit down, but still have full view of the door. A Besalek appeared from the kitchen wearing an apron that had food stains all over. Either that was a good or bad sign, and at this point Obi-Wan had no idea which one it was.
"So," Dex squeezed himself into the booth, "Who are you apprenticed to, because I might know the Jedi."
"Master Qui-Gon Jinn." Obi-Wan paused, "It's been a long day and I was hoping to get something to eat."
Dex sat up a bit straighter, and his wide mouth smiled, making it look even wider, "How's he doing? He hasn't come around for a while now."
How would he know Master Qui-Gon? Obi-Wan blinked back his surprise. "He's doing fine."
"Good." Instead of continuing, Dex squeezed himself out of the booth and waddled back towards the kitchen.
The server droid reappeared and placed a cup on the table. "Dex wants you to have some jawa juice, and you don't have to worry about the price because he's always a friend to Jedi."
Obi-Wan looked at the cup with at least some trepidation. He had heard about the drink before, but wasn't sure what it was. Some raved about it, while others hated it. Sensing no malice coming from the kitchen, he picked up the cup and took a sip, and found it actually tasted pretty good. Looking up to thank the droid, the words stayed on his tongue when he realized that it had already moved to the next booth that had patrons sitting there either waiting for their own drink or food.
In the end, the food wasn't all that bad. After eating, Obi-Wan left the diner and got onto the next bus that went in the direction of the Temple.
TBC….
Like before, I'll try to keep a weekly update, but there will be times that I cannot do any writing because of overtime (which saps creativity)
Update:
I'll not update until I've finished the story. So it'll probably take a bit. The others were easier because I was rewriting them.