The Hidden Truth
Chapter 29: the point of no return
The Jedi rose before dawn and met in Qui-Gon's shuttle. The last briefing would take place there. But before it began, Garen Muln spoke up.
"Master Jinn, is it possible that I could see Obi-Wan before we depart? I mean he was one of my sparring mates in the temple and also one of my best friends. I'm just worried about him, you know.", the brown haired knight asked shyly.
"Of course you can see him Garen, but don't let the droid catch you," Qui-Gon answered.
Garen smiled and focused on the briefing. Every Jedi wore the typical clothes of the planet's inhabitants, dark pants and boots, white shirts and vests, which were very useful because of being able to hide their light-sabres. Snegrep and Mook were two very young recently knighted Jedi. Ardnas was 24 and a very beautiful tall woman with long blond hair. She still wore the ponytail of a Padawan and refused to cut her hair. She had lost her Master on their last mission and was knighted after his funeral. Because of that, she swore never to take an apprentice of her own. She didn't want to put her student through something like that. When she had to cut her braid, she burnt it almost instantly to wipe out the last reminder of her painful past. Her vivid golden eyes were fixed on Qui-Gon. Nepo Mook was only 22 and very young to be knighted. He was a very compassionate but eccentric person. He had thick black hair, but had dyed some strands blue. It seemed to be a sign of his newly gained independence. Jinn was glad that Obi-Wan had been mature enough not to do something like that. Nepo's violet eyes focused on his datapad which he was holding on his lap. Master Sunstriker was an older Jedi, but very wise and very reasonable. He was a close friend to Yoda and worked rather as a diplomat than in the field. His grey short hair was combed neatly back and he wore specs on his crooked nose, that had been broken more than once. Anakin also sat at the table, but was dressed in his usual tunic. He had to look after the children and was very upset about this particular fact. Mace was the last to enter the ship.
"Sorry for being late, but I had to contact Master Yoda and report our plan.", he told the other Jedi in the room. Then Master Jinn rose and began.
"Good morning. This is our last meeting before we begin with our mission. Are there any questions left or is everything clear?"
"Yes, I have a question," the blond Knight spoke up. "What if the villagers won't join us? What if this plan fails? Do we have any opportunity to escape or is this a suicide mission?" That was a good question. They could try to leave the planet, but with only three spaceships, they wouldn't be able to transport all the supporters to Coruscant or any other planet.
"We won't fail, Knight Snegrep."
"Who can predict that, Master Jinn?" Her voice was a slight mockery of Jinn's.
"Nobody. We shall do what we must and have to trust the Force."
Ardnas shook her head. She never had understood why this Master Jinn was considered to be one of the best Jedi of all times. To her, he was just the most arrogant and self-assured Jedi ever with his blind trust in the Force.
"Did you try to negotiate with the King," Master Arcus Sunstriker demanded to know.
"No, but this would be hopeless. The king is a schemer and quite insane. My apprentice and I would have landed in the dungeon with Kyah Tara and Det Bignis."
"How do you know," the sceptic Master asked once again.
"Because he tortured a 16-year-old almost to death, killed a 22-year-old woman, tried to assassinate Obi-Wan Kenobi and faked an assassination attempt on himself," Qui-Gon said, trying hard not to lose his composure.
"I think this is enough." Mace Windu raised his voice. "We have a mission to fulfill and we should begin." With that they rose from the table and left the room. Only Garen stayed back because he wanted to say hello to his old friend. He snuck into the infirmary and watched for the med-droid. He bit his lip and turned his head around. The robot didn't seem to be anywhere near. So he went to the bed that held Obi-Wan captive. Obi-Wan's eyes opened when he sensed that someone was approaching.
"Garen, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, when your former Master was sent after you, Master Yoda declared that a Jedi team would have to be sent after Master Jinn, because you two together always attract trouble. And Secondly, Master Windu was afraid that you damaged his new spaceliner 2005. We could hardly hold him back from going with Jinn," Garen explained cheerfully.
"So how are you doing, Obi-Wan?"
"Well, how would you feel with a hole in your shoulder," Obi-Wan shot back and gave Garen a small grin. "I don't feel that bad anymore. But the droid and Mas.. Qui-Gon told me that the Healer in the temple would have to work on my shoulder again. I think they will lock me in the bacta-tank for a very long time."
"Better there than in our quarters, my friend. You are so untidy. By the way, where did you put my datapad? I couldn't find it anywhere!" But before Kenobi could answer, a droid flew into the room. Garen didn't trust his eyes.
"Em.. Obi-Wan. Why does this droid have a dent where the face should be?
"Don't ask. It's a long story."
"Alright, I better leave. It seems to be time for your medication." Garen went to the door, but had to say one more thing to the droid.
"You should repair your head! It really looks nasty." Then, he was thrown out of the med-bay by an annoyed
droid.
Outside of the bay stood a distressed Anakin. He was fidgeting and looking very sad.
"Master, I don't want you to go without me. It is very dangerous and I feel so helpless by doing nothing but waiting," Ani told his mentor in a cracking voice. Qui-Gon knelt down and put a hand on Skywalker's trembling shoulder.
"Yes, it is dangerous. But you have an important job to do. You have to protect the children of those people and you will be at Obi-Wan's side. I can look after myself. I promise to be careful." He kissed the boy on his temple and left. He didn't want to make the farewell more difficult.
Outside the ship, the crowd was assembling. Kyah and Det stood next to the group of Jedi and waited silently to fly to the village. They were holding each other's hands and enjoying their last moments together. Mace went to the crowd and told the people to bring their children into Qui-Gon's ship. Then the Jedi would take groups of 20 people and transport them to the outskirts of the village.
Garen and Nepo would accompany the first group and stay with them. Master Sunstriker and Knight Snegrep would accompany the second group and wait for the rest of the people at the clearing next to the small town. Mace and Qui-Gon would be the pilots and transfer the people.
This was the battle that would decide the fate of the whole planet. They couldn't lose it.
Tbc…