Chapter Nine

The Unwanted Truth

Hana snorted as she watched the aftermath of the attack play out. It was just as random and ultimately futile as she'd expected. The Freedom party had soon dispersed with Yuuzhan Vong chasing them. Above she knew that Gungans were smart enough to get out.

"Fools," she breathed. "The Naboo don't need you. They're strong and resilient. By the Force they found a way to free themselves."

If there was one thing, she admired about the Naboo was their ability to endure and survive. They were a strong and resilient people not cowed by anyone not even the Empire in it's prime. They'd hidden Jedi when they'd sought shelter in the opening years and while their government had been brutally put down for that act of defiance, they'd still defied the Empire in their own way. Unbeknownst to most of the galaxy it was them that supplied the Rebellion with the most conscripts and the most medical supplies at the time. In short, the Naboo were of a kindred spirit to those fighting for liberty.

So, the fact they were ignored so thoroughly was an absolute travesty once Bail Organa had perished when the Death Star had blown up Alderaan. Garm Bel-Iblis had more recognition then the noble Naboo Kenaria Berenko that her mother had served under even though it was her that kept the forces alive during several campaigns. It was stories of the Naboo that had eventually brought her here to serve instead of being a Mando. Once she'd landed and gotten accosted to it did, she realized that her mother was right not her blasted traditionalist father that Kari listen to. The Naboo were strong in their own way that didn't encompass martial prowess. From Queen Apailana to Senator Amidala who the galaxy as a whole had been forgotten which was another shame on the galaxy because she was a courageous and caring woman.

She continued to watch as the survivors marshaled themselves together and make their excuses. It went about as well as expected with the Commander ordering the slaughter of the guards and screaming at the governor who miraculously escaped death. Probably threw his subordinate under the speeder most likely.

"Let's go," Jovgarve Panaka a fellow guardsman said. "Nothing to see here at this point."

"Yeah," she agreed as she and the others slide into the shadows awaiting their chance to liberate the planet.

"This is UNBELIEVABLE!" Waraso bellowed as Robin watched him rant and rave along with the rest of the group as the Yuuzhan Vong went to account for their loses. "How could this happen?! Do you know how much thin ice I'm on right now?!"

"No," Sarai retorted. "And I don't care. Just means the job got more complicated."

And she was right, in more ways than one. Robin wasn't expecting this attack neither was anyone else. Now their only idea of a rebellion was crushed which meant that all intents and purposes they needed to start from scratch. What a bothersome thing.

"Well fortunately for you all you have to worry about now are the Handmaidens," the governor wheezed. "They're passive group like most of the Naboo are."

"Ain't you Naboo?" Akiko asked.

"No, my family is off-worlders, we came from Kuat after all what comes from the mud ball of a planet?" Waraso asked. "I care about maintaining the order here and when I was elected, I wanted to make this planet great and the Yuuzhan Vong were a way to do so. Now? We don't have a chance."

"Whatever I don't care for your ambitions. Tell all you know about these Handmaidens," Kari snapped. "And make it quick."

Going to the bongo was easiest thing he'd done planet side. Sneaking through the walkways of Theed were incredibly easy given the fact that the so-called Freedom Party made all the city defenders concentrated their attention. They were quickly joined by Ahmet's back up who were just as shocked as he was that Yaotl surrendered to them and was willing going with them. But there was still a wariness to their walk, and they kept stealing glances at her as if they expected her to attack at any moment. Meanwhile Ahmet answered Obi-Wan's stream of questions namely on the fighters in the back engaging the others.

"The Freedom Party are outlaunders that think theysa know more than usen on how to save wesa planet," Ahmet sighed as he walked ahead giving subtle hand gestures to direct the warriors that Obi-Wan sensed were following them. "Theysa foolish mesa thinks."

"They've not collaborated with you?"

Ahmet's snort was enough to tell Obi-Wan how well that idea worked. "Most outlaunders don't understand usen or the Naboo. Theysa tinking wesa primitive and the Naboo are naive. No wesa no needin' theysa."

"I see," Obi-Wan said although he really didn't understand. He could understand the distaste of the Gungans considering that some foolishly called them primitives. Which was wrong of course but to ignore the Naboo themselves? That was not only foolish but rather shortsighted and arrogant of the so-called liberators. What had happened to Naboo? What had caused them to fall into such ill repute?

"So, what were you doing if not aiding them?"

"Things," he evasively said glancing at the silent Yaotl. "Mesa thinks it's best not said now."

"Agreed," Obi-Wan said looking around him. "Where are we going in the bongo?"

"Yousa see," Ahmet said enigmatically. Obi-Wan had a good idea of where but decided not to pursue the line of questioning anymore. As they walked, he sensed others beginning to follow them. It was then that several Gungans dropped down from the rooftops. So, they'd been observing the battle? That would explain why Ahmet was so relaxed even with Yaotl following them. Yaotl to her credit also looked relaxed although she kept sneaking glances to him as if he would offer some words of advice and wisdom...too bad all he could think of was something along the lines of confused flailing.

He was really hoping that once they reached Otoh Gunga that he'd have a chance to ask what the blazes happened.

"Wesa going in the water okeday?" Ahmet asked as he stretched.

"I don't have an issue with it however," he gestured towards Calliope. "This little one might."

"Then wesa shall surface then yousa go into the bongo," Ahmed agreed after looking at the child. "Tarpal keep an eye on theysa."

"Yes sir," his commander a female Gungan stood stiffly at attention her eyes not moving from watching his so-called protector. Oh, this was incredibly awkward. Obi-Wan hadn't wanted to start a cult at all but evidentially his blood or rather the midi-chlorians in his blood had awakened something in the Yuuzhan Vong blood that allowed them to be one with the Force once more. Oh, dear why him? He at this time was incredibly thankful that Anakin would never let him live it down if he discovered that his Master had been a cult icon...He could almost hear Bant laughing as well.

"Wesa ready," Ahmet said shaking Obi-Wan from his musings. Beside him in the water was a now visible bongo with a pilot a female Gungan ready to go. Obi-Wan gently dipped into the Force and leapt to the bongo landing on the wings and sat in the back with Calliope in his arms. Beside him Ahmet landed and took the copilot seat. Soon the shield was deployed, and they went under.

It was rather surreal being the passenger in a bongo when the last time he'd been on it he'd been trying to get to Theed to warn the Naboo about the Trade Federation plot. Now he was heading to Otoh Gunga for protection and hopefully answers at last. That would be nice since he was fumbling in the dark constantly.

The ride itself was quiet as the each of the crew members did their assigned task with the upmost efficiency. They ran into no beasts unlike his last foray and soon he could see in the distance the light of Otoh Gunga. It looked just as grand as he'd remembered...if oddly run down. He could see several surfaces that were run down. What had happened.

"Yousa seeing Otoh Gunga, in its glory," Ahmet said almost proudly. Obi-Wan stared still more than a little startled.

"What happened there?" He pointed to a particularly run-down section that he could remember distinctly being a gather place when he'd gone down with his Master.

"The Empire," the other Gungan answered. "The Imperial forces attacking usen but wesa survive."

"I-I'm sorry an Empire?!" Obi-Wan blurted out no longer able to keep quiet.

"Ah huh, the Galactic Empire," Ahmet looked at him like he was particularly dull witted.

"Galactic Empire?" Obi-Wan squeaked shocked at the sudden political change. "What about the Republic?!"

"Republic?" Ahmet looked at him startled. "Whaten yousa sayin'? The Empire came from the Republic."

"What," Obi-Wan breathed his wind knocked out from him. How had this happened?! Sure, the Republic was having issues with the newly established Confederation of Separatist Systems but how did it go from possibly secession to a full-fledged Empire? And where was the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in all this? He couldn't see it happening. He was negotiating with the Separatists to keep them from splitting the Republic in two. The Republic which had stood for a thousand years had fallen into tyranny? How this happened? And... the Order...What had happened to the Order? Surely, they wouldn't stand for this?

"Wait," he held up his hand trying to catch his breath. "What happened to the Jedi? Surely the guardians of peace and justice wouldn't allow for this?"

"Theysa didn't but theysa were killed," Ahmet answered still sounding a bit stunned that he was answering this kind of questioning. As it was Obi-Wan felt off kilter like he'd let Anakin drive them through a maelstrom...again. "Theysa were wiped out supposedly. The Queen at the time was assassinated for keeping Jedi refugees. But there be survivors or so the legends say. This was fifty years ago."

Now Obi-Wan leaned back feeling like the world had suddenly been turned upside down. Calliope hugged him hard, but he barely felt any of her comfort or sympathy. They were gone. All of them...Master Windu, Bant Eerin, Master Yoda, Master Sinube, Master Koon all the Masters and Knights...Anakin...The younglings. All of them killed for an Empire. He rested his face in his hands to keep in the tears of pure anguish escaping him. Of all the things he'd expected since waking into this reality this crazy reality he didn't expect to find out that he was not only in the future with the Republic that he'd served obliterated but also...Wait a second.

"Then why do the Yuuzhan Vong hate the Jedi if they were wiped out?" He asked trying to rein in his grief wiping his eyes quickly before the tears could continue to escape. He could grieve later. Now he needed to what happened. And more importantly if the Sith the most likely culprits were involved or if it was a political ploy. One he could deal with. The other...He wasn't sure what he could do with that. Well to be honest there wasn't much he could do especially since it was so long ago...

"Theysa were wiped out but then brought back by Luke Skywalker. Hesa Order supposedly protect the New Republic or what's left of it."

"Skywalker?" Obi-Wan asked. Surely it couldn't be Anakin? It had to be a cousin or someone with the same last name after all attachment of that kind was forbidden and more to the point, he knew that Anakin didn't have relations with women. Oddly he felt something of a shift in the Force from behind him like some schoolchild writhing uncomfortably before a stern schoolmaster's reproachful gaze. It was an odd sensation that was quickly gone though.

"Supposedly the son of Anakin Skywalker," Ahmet said looking at Obi-Wan curiously. Obi-Wan's mind was once again thrown off kilter...Anakin had a son?! With whom? And was it after the Order had fallen or had he left the Order after his disappearance? Perhaps he'd left to be with the mother of the child and then trained his son the ways of the Force when the Order fell? Maybe that explained it. He couldn't see Anakin taking the Order being wiped out lying down or the Republic being turned into to tyranny. He'd probably lead the resistance...Wait there was that odd shuffling feeling again...

"What," he licked his lips hoping beyond hope that Anakin was still alive in this mess. So he could apologize for not being there when he was needed or finished his training...And afterwards lecturing him on the fact there was a very good blasted reason the Jedi didn't allow for relationships like that and then embracing him afterwards it'd been fifty years he owned him...so much. "What happened to Anakin?"

"My no know, some say he died. Others say hesa turned to the Dark Side and became Sith."

"NO!" Obi-Wan yelled before he could stop himself scaring Calliope and everyone else. He just barely managed to choke down the follow up shout of the fact that Anakin would never do that he knew him and wasn't a blasted Sith! He was a handful, but he'd never let him down. And never would. He shined brilliantly within the Light. It was unthinkable. He was Anakin, the Chosen One, the one destined to bring balance not leave the Force hanging in darkness...Why the blazes did he get the feeling there was someone was here that was squirming in shame?!

"That's what rumors say," Ahmet soothed clearly seeing that he'd upset Obi-Wan. Not that he blamed him. He had a lot to contemplate now. His Order was gone with Anakin dead possibly lost to the Dark forever...NO! Anakin wouldn't Fall. He was too kind and gentle for that. This was the same child that tried to save everyone and preserve life. He couldn't do that. He wouldn't.

"But hesa turn back," the second Gungan said softly. "Theysa said hesa turned back."

"What? But that's nearly impossible for a Sith. For once you start down the Dark path forever will it dominate your destiny especially if you follow the Sith Order," Obi-Wan shook his head hardly daring to believe it. That was nearly impossible to do so and yet even as thought this a glimmer of hope began to dawn in him. Could it be so and if so...did that mean Anakin was one with the Cosmic Force redeemed and at peace? Did he fulfill his destiny? Could one be redeemed after going down the dark path so deeply? And perhaps more importantly...Was it his fault that he fell in the first place and did he hate him? He...really didn't know what to think now.

"It's okeday," Ahmet said once they'd reached the docking bay. "Yousa safe here."

"May- May I see a library please?" Obi-Wan asked hesitantly.

"Sure," Ahmet agreed sounding a little curious. "But why do need it? And who are you?"

"Ben Kryze," he replied automatically. "And... I am a Jedi Knight. And I need to see a library. It seems I have some reading to do."

"The Queen and Boss will want to see yousa."

"Well they can find me via the library if you please."

"Alright," Ahmet shrugged. "Pandora can lead yousa there. Mesa hope yousa find the answers yousa seek."

"As do I," Obi-Wan agreed as he carried Calliope out of the bongo and began following the other Gungan, Pandora down the hall leaving a very confused Gungan behind. That was okay. He was confused too and now he was finally getting his answers at last. He would discover the truth of the matter and from there he could do something...