The Hidden Truth
Chapter 28: a step towards freedom
** Hi guys! I'm sorry that my chapters are so short, but the last two will be longer, I promise!!! Thank you for reviewing my story. You all are the best!**
Qui-Gon Jinn peeked outside. 112 people were waiting outside. Children, women, and men came together to listen to his plan and to discuss it. Among these people were scientists, former politicians and former servants of King Bronco. Curiously they regarded the spacecraft. They weren't afraid of it, though they hadn't seen something like this before. Some of the older men even neared the ship and touched the surface. The Master stepped outside, but stopped on the ramp in order to allow the crowd to catch a glimpse of Kyah and Det. A murmur went through the crowd. All eyes were directed at him. It was quite noticeable that he wasn't from this planet because of his outlandish wardrobe. He had to change that- as soon as possible. The future queen and her friend joined the Jedi on the small platform and Kyah raised her hand. The whispering ceased and she opened her mouth.
"My friends, this is Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master from Coruscant. He is here to help us. He came to free the planet from the cruel rule of King Draju." She turned her head, which was a signal for the Master to raise his voice. Qui-Gon cursed himself, for he had never been spontaneous. He wasn't a politician, just a negotiator, a diplomat, not trained to speak in front of more than 20 people. He swallowed and tried to structure his train of thoughts.
"I have a plan to accomplish your, our aim. But first of all, I wish to tell you why you are in such a great danger." He licked his dry lips.
"Draju is afraid of you. He fears you all, but there is one among you that he fears more than anything or anyone else." He took a step back and laid a hand on Kyah's shoulder.
"This is the person, Kyah Tara, the rightful heir of Dakona V." A hissing sound went through the assembly. Even Det stood speechless next to his beloved friend. His chin dropped and his brown eyes became enormous, and he didn't seem to understand.
"King Draju has always been full of greed. But the fire of this dark feeling flared up when he found out that his brother wanted to see his daughter on the throne, instead of his younger brother. So Draju killed his own flesh and blood and made it look like an accident. But the evidence, which legalised a female ruler of the planet, broke the tradition of male regents and made Kyah the rightful heir of the throne of Dakona V, already existed. Draju took it and kept it secret so that nobody would ever know. Then Kyah found out that Draju killed her father and she had to flee in order to save her life." Here he paused, allowing the moment of silence to speak more earnestly than any words which he might have said. Finally, he went on.
"You know the rest of this tragic story. My former Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, found this document and "borrowed" it from the king. Draju fears that he will lose his power. That is why he wanted to kill his own niece and her loyal friends. He is frightened by the fact that Kyah could one day possess more supporters than he would!"
His voice trailed off. The crowd was silent and it seemed that they were hanging on every single word he was telling them. Kyah blushed slightly. Now Det took her hand to tell her that he would walk through hell for her. He would fight for her rights.
Suddenly, a familiar noise roared above their heads. A red spaceship landed next to Qui-Gon's. The supporters watched the event through the eyes of little excited children. The door opened and a dark-skinned Jedi strode to Jinn. Mace Windu cocked an eyebrow and made a desperate face.
"Hey Jinn, this isn't my ship! Where is my ship? Don't tell me Obi-Wan crashed it somewhere, because then….!" His threat was cut off by Qui-Gon's attempt to calm his best friend down.
"No, Obi-Wan didn't do anything to your shuttle. It is still at the palace." he said the last word with a wince.
"Oh great, Jinn, now you are telling me that my new spaceliner 2005 is still at the palace, with this insane guy who calls himself king?" Windu spoke in a high-pitched voice.
"Mace, let me please finish my speech and then I'm going to explain everything to you and your companions. By the way, who are they," The bearded master asked.
"Garen Muln, Nepo Mook, Ardnas Snegrep and last but not least Master Arcus Sunstriker," Mace announced proudly.
"Alright, Mace. Tell them to mingle with these people and to dress like them. Same goes for you and me." Qui-Gon turned to face the crowd again.
"I do not expect you to fight, but I expect you to participate in a little trick that we will play on the king. You do not even have to touch a weapon. You just have to follow us." And so Qui-Gon told the audience his thoughts. He explained how the Jedi would pretend to be supporters of Kyah and how he hoped that this mass of people would attract the attention of the villagers. If the villagers would join their demonstration they would be the majority and king Draju's worst nightmare would come true. If they would attract any fighting, only the Jedi would have to participate in the battle and would protect the supporters with their lives.
"I know that this is a dangerous plan, but you have to stand up for your right for freedom and justice. My apprentice will take care of your children in the meantime, so don't worry. So who is going to join us? Please take a step to the front," Jinn asked hesitantly.
A few moments later, all of the people in front of him stepped closer and the Master smiled relieved.
"We will start tomorrow morning. We will transport small groups with our shuttles to the outskirts of the village. The Jedi will go first and await you there. May the force be with you."
Tbc….