All Along ~ Chapter Three
My Padawan was not easy to locate. Since having become a Knight, our training bond had been eliminated. I was forced to use some old investigative tactics I'd learned in order to find him. I went straight to his secretary.
Having been inundated by calls and requests from public officials and Holonet stations, the Jedi Council had decided to assign the boy his own personal assistant. She was the one I was going to speak with. I only hoped she was going to be cooperative this time. I had a feeling the young woman assigned to the position may be a bit star-struck herself.
"Padawan Relka," I announced upon entering. This particular space used to be a cloak closet and now it housed two desks and a communications array, as well as a few chairs.
"Master Kenobi!" she replied with a brilliant smile. "How may I be of assistance today?"
I'd learned there were two ways of dealing with this particular Padawan: duplicity or honesty. Today, I would try honesty.
"I need to find my Padawan," I informed her. "In regards to a personal matter."
"Let's see," she said, her large green eyes scanning the data screen before her. "You're in luck. He's currently not involved in anything classified. Today, he's on planet and has been invited to take part in the Galactic Laser Ball Championship presentation."
Since this ridiculous situation had begun, I'd learned how to appear pleasant and agreeable, regardless of the insanity surrounding me. I had even learned to stop my eyeballs from rolling into the back of my head.
Weren't there better things for a Jedi to do than participate in publicity stunts? Even though there was peace throughout the galaxy, there were still missions to tend to! There were still rescues to be made, treaties to be negotiated, and sentients to protect! I had brought all of this up to the council, and was promptly silenced by a Master Windu.
"The Jedi have been tainted for too long with a bad reputation. We are too mysterious and aloof. The members of the Republic don't trust us. It's high time the public understood who we are and what we stand for. This is the perfect opportunity," Windu explained. "The galaxy needs a hero, and we can deliver one to them."
I didn't know about all that. I still believed a Jedi's purpose was to protect and serve, not attend parties and social events.
"What time is this presentation?" I asked her. I might as well take advantage of her good mood and get as much out of her as I could.
"He should already be there, but the actual ceremony begins at 1400 hours."
After thanking the girl, I headed to the Galactic City Even Center; a large domed structure just inside the Business District. The building was overly crowded, even two hours early and I had to search for someone who looked official. Finally, a young man wearing a name badge pointed me in the direction of a hallway and told me to knock on the third door, where there was a pre-event party occurring.
I did as he had suggested, despite the fact he'd warned me I wouldn't be allowed entry since it was a private gathering.
After knocking, a tall, muscular Trandoshan opened the door; most likely part of the security detail. I always got the feeling from them that they'd rather slit my throat than talk to me.
"I need to speak with Jedi Anakin Skywalker," I told him in a friendly manner. "Tell him Obi-Wan Kenobi is here."
Before I could get any sort of response, a recognizable voice shouted out my name.
"Obi-Wan! Let him in, Br'Tak!"
I still wasn't used to him using my first name, but shook it off, only to be rather shocked to step inside a room that could only be described as a brothel. There were a few scantily-dressed Twi-Lek present, and two of them were sitting as close to Anakin as they possibly could.
"Master!" the boy shouted at me. "What are you doing here?"
After a quick survey, I determined there was an abundance of alcohol as well as spice on a nearby table. There were also several members of the championship team here, who individually outweighed me by at least one-hundred pounds in muscle. Thankfully, Anakin didn't appear to be intoxicated, although I didn't think Padme would appreciate his current location or behavior.
"I would like a word with you. In private," I made clear.
"Wouldn't you care for a drink first? I believe they have some Jawa Juice over there."
His nod indicated a bar where there were bottles of all different types of liquor. I wasn't interested in any of them.
"No thank you," I told the boy. "If you two wouldn't mind…"
The Twi-Lek's mouths pouted as Anakin deserted them, I noted.
"Hey fellas, I'll be right back. Just gonna step outside and have a talk with my old Master."
Old? Since when had I gotten old?
The door closed behind him and immediately the boy's attention was on me. It had been a while since I'd seen him and during that time, he'd relaxed. This type of life seemed to suit him, which was a shame of course since his pregnant wife was sitting at home alone.
"Listen, Anakin. I stopped by your apartment last night to check on things and Padme…" I wasn't exactly sure how to say this. Should I just ask him if he's having an affair? Perhaps I should be minding my own business.
"What about Padme?" he asked me, his concern raising the pitch of his voice. "Is she all right?"
It was good to know he still seemed concerned. "She's fine. Just worried about you."
"Oh, okay. That's good. You had me worried there for a second."
"Anakin," I paused while trying to find the words. "Do you think it's a good idea to be here celebrating while she's at home alone?"
"She isn't alone. Dorme's with her. The two of them are thick as thieves!" he told me with a short laugh.
"You know that isn't the same. She misses you."
The boy's head hung, almost as if he could possibly be feeling guilty. Perhaps there was hope for the two of them after all.
"Master, you of all people know part of a Jedi's oath is to obey the High Council. I'm the new face of the Jedi! They told me so themselves. This is part of it! When I'm invited to something, I have to go. I don't have a choice."
"I know, but…"
"Listen," he replied, his mouth curling into that little smirk he'd always revealed when he thought he'd bested me during a duel. "I know I'm the envy of most Jedi. In fact, you probably wish you would've been offered the same thing after you killed that Sith, whatshisname."
"Maul," I informed him flatly and with some disappointment. I actually had never wanted anything of the sort and he should've realized that.
"Yeah, that's the one. I guess killing a Sith Lord holds more merit with the Council. What can I say, Master? I'm simply doing my duty."
How could I possibly argue with that? On the other hand, how could I condone it?
"Anakin," I tried once again, using my most fatherly tone. "The Jedi aren't the only ones you swore an oath to. You have a wife and Padme needs you just as much as the Jedi."
"Skywalker! Get back in here!" came a loud, masculine voice through the closed door.
"Gotta go, Master. Don't worry about Padme. I trust her. We're good."
With a smile, the boy stepped back into the scene I was more than ready to escape from.
"Oh, Anakin," I groaned to myself as I exited the building. You trusting her isn't the issue."
