Chapter Four: Mawat
Obi-Wan had traveled for nearly the whole day to get to Mawat's rebel base. It wasn't a secret, for Melida/Daan was a democracy and alternate parties were allowed. It was their right to be wrong, Nield had told him with a shrug.
He didn't doubt that he would get in to see Mawat. He was Jedi Knight sent by the Republic, and if that didn't allow him access, he was an old friend as well.
Mawat had tried a takeover many years before, when the government of Melida/Daan was still very new. He had almost caused another civil war, and because of him, Cerasi, a close friend of both Obi-Wan and Nield, had died. Obi-Wan had thought Mawat had learned his lesson about war, but it seemed he had found another cause to fight a senseless battle for.
Mawat hadn't changed much. He'd grown older, of course, and taller, and the beard he'd grown gave him a distinguished look. But the leader that strode up to meet him was very much the same man who had cost Cerasi her life and almost her dream of peace twenty-six years before.
"Master Kenobi. It's an honor to see you again."
"Mawat," he greeted, bowing.
"I take it you're here to investigate the rumor of my involvement in the recent attempt on Nield's life."
"The Senate sent me to investigate all possibilities."
Mawat smiled. "Ah, how very diplomatic. I forgot, the Jedi never say what they think. One wonders why you went back to such a restricted life, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan swallowed. "My past had nothing to do with this mission, and may I assure you that I, and the Senate, have made no definite conclusions as to the identity of the perpetrator of this heinousness."
Mawat nodded, and began to walk, Obi-Wan following. "I know what you must think of the ideals of the Separatists, Obi-Wan."
"Do you?"
"The Senate is corrupt, Kenobi. It is controlled by a darker power. The Jedi must sense this."
"The Republic is the only thing that holds together hundreds of worlds. It keeps trade secure and law just. If something is flawed, the solution is to fix it, not to disband and plunge the galaxy into chaos."
"Obi-Wan, the corruption in the Republic runs to its very core. The justice of which you speak no longer active in our worlds. The security which you claim the Republic protects hasn't existed in years. The galaxy is already in chaos."
"Still, the solution cannot be to destroy everything good and honest people have worked towards for generations."
Mawat sighed. "You are blind, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Let me enlighten you. I had nothing to do with the attempt on Nield's life. I run an honest campaign to bring about what I believe- what I know- to be the correct move for our planet- and the galaxy."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I respect your beliefs, old friend- and I do hope you are telling me the truth." Mawat looked ready to reply when Obi-Wan's comlink buzzed. "Excuse me." He moved a few feet off. "Kenobi," he said into the speaker.
Anakin's voice came through, an edgy tone to his voice that wasn't usually there. "Master, another attempt was made on Nield's life."
Obi-Wan glanced over at Mawat, who was speaking quietly to a young man. He didn't seem concerned about anything, nor nervous at all. "I trust you took care of it."
"Master… Something happened."
There was no mistaking the panic and confusion in his apprentice's voice. Obi-Wan was immediately concerned- not for Nield, but for the young man he considered his son. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, Master. But the assassin… I have reason to believe the Sith were involved in the most recent attempt."
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. "This is most puzzling, Padawan. Are you certain?"
"I felt something… dark, Master. And… I would rather tell you the rest in person."
"I will leave for Zehava immediately. Be careful, Anakin."
"I will, my master. May the Force be with you."
"And you, Anakin." He shut off his comlink and moved toward Mawat. "I'm afraid I have to leave at once. A situation has come up."
Mawat nodded. "I understand, Obi-Wan. But please, remember what I said. The Republic is in strife. There's nothing you can do to save it."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I will keep your words in mind, Mawat. But I cannot believe them."
"Then you are doomed."
Obi-Wan had traveled for nearly the whole day to get to Mawat's rebel base. It wasn't a secret, for Melida/Daan was a democracy and alternate parties were allowed. It was their right to be wrong, Nield had told him with a shrug.
He didn't doubt that he would get in to see Mawat. He was Jedi Knight sent by the Republic, and if that didn't allow him access, he was an old friend as well.
Mawat had tried a takeover many years before, when the government of Melida/Daan was still very new. He had almost caused another civil war, and because of him, Cerasi, a close friend of both Obi-Wan and Nield, had died. Obi-Wan had thought Mawat had learned his lesson about war, but it seemed he had found another cause to fight a senseless battle for.
Mawat hadn't changed much. He'd grown older, of course, and taller, and the beard he'd grown gave him a distinguished look. But the leader that strode up to meet him was very much the same man who had cost Cerasi her life and almost her dream of peace twenty-six years before.
"Master Kenobi. It's an honor to see you again."
"Mawat," he greeted, bowing.
"I take it you're here to investigate the rumor of my involvement in the recent attempt on Nield's life."
"The Senate sent me to investigate all possibilities."
Mawat smiled. "Ah, how very diplomatic. I forgot, the Jedi never say what they think. One wonders why you went back to such a restricted life, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan swallowed. "My past had nothing to do with this mission, and may I assure you that I, and the Senate, have made no definite conclusions as to the identity of the perpetrator of this heinousness."
Mawat nodded, and began to walk, Obi-Wan following. "I know what you must think of the ideals of the Separatists, Obi-Wan."
"Do you?"
"The Senate is corrupt, Kenobi. It is controlled by a darker power. The Jedi must sense this."
"The Republic is the only thing that holds together hundreds of worlds. It keeps trade secure and law just. If something is flawed, the solution is to fix it, not to disband and plunge the galaxy into chaos."
"Obi-Wan, the corruption in the Republic runs to its very core. The justice of which you speak no longer active in our worlds. The security which you claim the Republic protects hasn't existed in years. The galaxy is already in chaos."
"Still, the solution cannot be to destroy everything good and honest people have worked towards for generations."
Mawat sighed. "You are blind, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Let me enlighten you. I had nothing to do with the attempt on Nield's life. I run an honest campaign to bring about what I believe- what I know- to be the correct move for our planet- and the galaxy."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I respect your beliefs, old friend- and I do hope you are telling me the truth." Mawat looked ready to reply when Obi-Wan's comlink buzzed. "Excuse me." He moved a few feet off. "Kenobi," he said into the speaker.
Anakin's voice came through, an edgy tone to his voice that wasn't usually there. "Master, another attempt was made on Nield's life."
Obi-Wan glanced over at Mawat, who was speaking quietly to a young man. He didn't seem concerned about anything, nor nervous at all. "I trust you took care of it."
"Master… Something happened."
There was no mistaking the panic and confusion in his apprentice's voice. Obi-Wan was immediately concerned- not for Nield, but for the young man he considered his son. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, Master. But the assassin… I have reason to believe the Sith were involved in the most recent attempt."
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. "This is most puzzling, Padawan. Are you certain?"
"I felt something… dark, Master. And… I would rather tell you the rest in person."
"I will leave for Zehava immediately. Be careful, Anakin."
"I will, my master. May the Force be with you."
"And you, Anakin." He shut off his comlink and moved toward Mawat. "I'm afraid I have to leave at once. A situation has come up."
Mawat nodded. "I understand, Obi-Wan. But please, remember what I said. The Republic is in strife. There's nothing you can do to save it."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I will keep your words in mind, Mawat. But I cannot believe them."
"Then you are doomed."