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 Eight
It was said that the courts ran agonizingly slow. Not this time. It was probably because the government was going after the sentient they believed that killed the Vice Chancellor. Within days of the assassination the position was filled. Soon enough, though there would be an official election for the position.
With his time in the Creche and his continued studies, Obi-Wan would fall into bed in the evening and be instantly asleep until the alarm went off the next morning. He didn't even hear the morning cantor that echoed down the corridors. At least once a month he needed to go over to Marhon's office and speak with the prosecutors. Some thought it boring, he felt it was a relief from watching the little ones run around. His respect for the Creche Masters rose tenfold each time he was there. He'd never be able to do this for the rest of his natural life.
It was mid morning when Obi-Wan stepped into the foyer of the security offices. It was finally time for him to make a formal deposition, something he was not looking forward to since it meant that he would have to deal being without the Force for an extended period of time. But it was what it was. If time permitted, he thought he could go out with his friends to one of the museums. Coming up to the information desk he let the droid know who he was and why he was there then went over to the benches to sit down. With a sigh he closed his eyes and focused on the bond he had with Eira. For a moment he wondered if it had changed. They still talked through physical devices, but it would be nice to actually hear her voice in his mind. He gave a gentle push through the Force, but nothing happened. It was solid.
He felt someone through the Force come near him, and then, "Padawan Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked up to who it was. It was someone he didn't recognize, which was unusual. Beyond the unknown individual was the information droid. "Yes?"
"Detective Marhon is waiting for you in the conference room."
"Thank you." Obi-Wan stood up. And so it begins. He followed his guide through one of the doors and eventually found himself in the same conference room he had been before. Cameras were set up in the corners to record everything that took place, and in the center of the table was a Force suppressor. Jhon was already there along with the lead defense attorney, along with at least two others there to record his answers. Next to the last two was another holocamera that was off at the moment.
"Thank you for coming, Padawan Kenobi," Jhon looked up from his datapad, then stood to his feet and formally nodded. He indicated the corners of the room, "As you can see everything will be recorded for the trial."
"I understand, Detective." Obi-Wan looked to the chairs, "Where do you want me to sit?"
"Opposite of the main camera, Padawan." One of the beings controlling a camera spoke for the first time. "We want to make sure that there will be no questions on your reactions."
This made Obi-Wan frown. "Of course," he moved over to the chair in question and sat down.
As soon as he was settled the camera flicked on and was angled down enough to show the Force suppressor, which was currently off, and then back up to him. One of the two extra people that were seated at the table looked at him and had him take an oath of truthfulness then went back to what he was doing. "Even though everything is recorded visually, Padawan, we require you to speak clearly and answer every question, whether it be a 'yes' or a 'no.' Plus, the court imposed a gag order. You cannot talk about any issues dealing with the Vice Chancellor's assassination at all until you are being formally questioned while in court."
"I understand."
"I am Detective Jhon Marhon, lead detective in the case of the Republic vs Veetz Alas in the assassination of Vice Chancellor Bentha Lorennion. Before me is Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Padawan, or apprentice in the Jedi Order, and the second human on scene. Lady Eira Pedar, the main witness to the assassination will be deposed as soon as she arrives on Coruscant." Jhon paused as he pushed across the table a smallish object, "Padawan Kenobi, to show that the Force suppressor will be operating correctly, I want you to levitate this object."
For a moment Obi-Wan thought to call out that it wasn't on, but decided not to. He raised his hand and levitated the object above the table and waited for the inevitable. When it happened, he lost his grip and it fell back to the table.
"How does it feel, Padawan?"
"Muffled. It's as if a clear bag has been placed around my head."
"Good." Jhon turned to the attorney who sat beside him.
"Padawan Kenobi, how long have you been in the Jedi Order?"
"My whole life."
"And who are you apprenticed to?"
"Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
The felinoid shuffled the flimsi before him then looked up when he looked satisfied. "Padawan, Detective Marhon stated that you were at the Opera Gala. Any reason why an apprentice would be invited to the gathering?"
"Master Qui-Gon Jinn was part of the security team. Wherever he goes, I go." He raised a hand as a smile spread across the attorney's face, "Although I do recall that my name was placed on the list to attend."
The smile was replaced by a frown. At that point Obi-Wan tried to make sure that he was as truthful as possible, though the attorney tried to make him lie. It was hard for him to tell if the defense attorneys had any ulterior motives since he didn't have access to the Force. Is this what non Force wielders have to deal with, the question floated through his mind as he left the security offices and worked his way back to the Temple. At least that part of the trial was over with. Now he had to deal with the trial itself, which hopefully wouldn't be as difficult.
Stepping off the bus Obi-Wan walked up the steps to the main entrance into the Temple. Off to the side he sensed awe. He glanced in the direction and saw what looked like two adults with several small children who were jumping up and down while pointing at him. It took a moment for him to realized that the children's reactions were probably because of him. While still moving, he turned in their direction and smiled as he waved then turned back to the Temple. Awe turned into excitement as Obi-Wan smiled to himself. It was so easy to deal with little ones. It was the adults that he had problems with.
The doors to the Temple closed to the outside world. "There you are," Reeft called from somewhere off to the side. The Dressellian came up beside him. "Where've you been?"
"Giving a deposition at the security offices." Obi-Wan began moving once again down the large corridor.
Reeft took several large strides to catch up to Obi-Wan. "Garen and I were thinking of going out and getting something to eat. You want to come?"
Obi-Wan opened his mouth just as his stomach rumbled.
"Good." Reeft grabbed Obi-Wan's arm and pulled him in the direction of the hanger.
"Wait, where are we going?" Obi-Wan pulled his arm back which forced Reeft to let go. He then quickened his pace to catch up with his old friend.
"It's a surprise."
"Oh really?" Obi-Wan paused while folding his arms.
When Reeft realized that he wasn't being followed anymore, he turned to look at him. "I promise you the place doesn't serve poisonous food to humans."
"You know," Obi-Wan took a step forward, and then another, "That's not very comforting." As soon as he came within arms length, Reeft moved to the side to let Obi-Wan pass, then joined him. Turning into another corridor Garen and Siri stood there, apparently waiting for the two of them. At the sight of the younger Padawan, Obi-Wan tightened his shields and dove behind them. It was difficult at best to be around Siri at this point. He liked her only as a friend, and he worried that she was of a different mindset. "I asked Bant to come, but she was busy studying," Garen explained why the younger padawan was there.
Siri paused, for a moment she had that far away look, the same look Obi-Wan knew he had when he reached out to Qui-Gon. Thinking it would be good, he called out to his Master, letting him know that he would be out with his friends to get something to eat.
Instead of the hanger, they left through a side entrance and caught the nearest bus that happened to head to CoCo Town. The nearer their destination the more Obi-Wan had a feeling he knew where they were headed. Eventually they stepped off and walked a fair distance until he saw a very familiar stand alone building.
In the window to the side of the door was a neon sign blinking Dex's Diner. "Here?"
"Yes." Reeft reached the entrance, letting it open for them, and stepped inside. "Siri and Master Adi ate here several days ago."
The first lunch rush had left and about half the booths were empty. Reaching the first one, they squeezed into it. Obi-Wan made it a point to sit catty corner to Siri, any closer and he would feel more uncomfortable than he already was.
A droid on a single wheel came up and set for glasses before them. "Jawa juice is on the house for Jedi," it stated then rolled away.
Garen, who hadn't eaten there before gave the contents a dubious look. With a smile Obi-Wan reached for his and drank about a third of it before setting the glass back down. The three looked at him, eyes wide.
"Force Obi," Reeft shook his head, "You've been holding out on us. We," he indicated the other two with a wave of his hand, "thought this was a new place."
"It is," Obi-Wan drummed his fingers on the table, "Though I came here a bit ago after speaking with the lead detective."
"The assassination case?" Garen asked.
Obi-Wan reached for the glass again. "Yes. I just got out of a deposition. And no, I cannot talk about it because of the —"
"Gag order, yes we all heard about it," Reeft indicated the other three with his head.
When the server came back, it carried four plates of steaming food that was edible for all of them. "This is what I like about this place," Garen commented with his mouth full while waving a fork around, "You don't need to worry about getting the wrong food."
The other three ignored Garen as they ate the food placed in front of them. When finished, they paid for lunch and headed back to the bus station, now debating on whether to see a holovid or one of the museums. It wasn't that unusual to see Jedi going to some of the cultural areas within a relatively short distance from the Temple.
"I know," Siri brushed her braid so that it now hung down her back, "There's an art exhibit going on in one of the main museums in the Federal District."
"Do you know what it's about?"
"Not sure," Siri shrugged, "Only that it's tangentially connected with the Jedi."
They all looked at each other and nodded. "Where is it?" Reeft asked.
"This way," Siri pointed in the direction they should go. The building they came to was imposing in its own right. With double doors in the middle there were columns spaced in regular intervals on either side all the way to the edge of the building. Between the columns hung long white banners, and on those were two insignias. One was the familiar one of Marlote, while the other looked somewhat familiar. Berland? This is for Vasda? Obi-Wan blinked, trying to keep from broadcasting his surprise to his friends.
"Hey Obi, Didn't you go there?"
Only when he felt that he could speak without showing his shock, he answered, "Yes, but I couldn't do much of anything for I was still on probation."
Stepping inside, they paid their admission fee then began wandering around the bright, and and sometimes gaudy artwork. Most, though, was not.
"I wonder who she is?" Garen took a step towards one of the images. Below it was a small sign.
Picking up on his friend's reaction, Obi-Wan turned to see what it was. The large image made him do a double-take. It was of Eira when she became heir. Beside her was a small table with a crown placed on it. In its center was a milky white crystal that looked like it was glowing.
Garen was now focusing his attention on the sign, then took a step back. "It looks like there are two political entities on Vasda. She's the heir of one of them."
Siri came up and pointed to the crystal. "Look at that. I wonder what kind of crystal it is?"
Leaving the two to their conversation, Obi-Wan went into another room and was surprised to find one of the heavy tapestries that hung from the wall in the room he was granted.
"What did you find?" Siri's voice came from behind him.
Obi-Wan whirled around, more shocked than surprised that he wasn't paying any attention. I need to be mindful of what's around me. He took a deep breath to calm himself, then turned back to the tapestry. "I believe this was on the wall in the room I stayed in while there."
Siri took a long look at the images on it. "Did you ever find out what it represents?"
"No." Obi-Wan shook his head.
A few minutes later both Garen and Reeft appeared. From there the four of them wandered through the rest of the somewhat large exhibit. There were a few new things that Obi-Wan saw that included Jedi, but they weren't enough for him to really think on what they meant. The last image was of one of the ancient leaders wearing the same crown that was placed beside Eira. This time instead of the crystal being clear, it had a blue glow to it.
TBC….