Chapter 4. Warnings
Tensions throughout the ship were high, made higher by the fact that all of the parties strove to maintain the appearance of trust and goodwill. Meetings continued with a veneer of civility. Nubians and D'laians greeted one another politely in corridors and in the Salon.
Yet everyone was watching everyone else.
The D'laians believed they had all the areas of concern covered. No one from the Naboo delegation could move without it being noted. They could not speak to one another without a D'laian joining in the conversation. The D'laians made their presence felt everywhere on the ship. They had only one problem.
The Jedi.
That was the one unknown factor in the plan – Jedi presence on this journey had not been announced, and indicated that the Naboo might not be quite as vulnerable as the D'laians had surmised. Jedi presence meant Senate attention, and that would not do at all. But the D'laian's objection to the Jedi went much deeper than that. To them the Jedi were magicians and sorcerers, the darkest and most evil of all enemies.
The D'laians outlawed sorcery and magic of any kind. Their culture was deeply materialistic, believing only in the knowledge they could gain through their observation and their senses. They trained their bodies and their minds to the limits of their physical prowess, but anything they could not manipulate themselves, see with their own eyes, or prove with their scientific laws was not tolerated. They feared what they could not control.
People accused of using magic were put to death on D'lai.
They knew of the Jedi, of course – who in the Galaxy did not? But they avoided any contact with them. No Jedi had set foot on D'lai for hundreds of years.
And now there was one on this ship, presumably using his evil powers on the Naboo. Wolan was certain that the Senator was under his influence; otherwise how could she continue to hold out against the inevitable?
Wolan made a particular effort to make certain that he always knew where the Jedi was. But it was a problem. Sometimes he seemed to simply disappear. And then he was suddenly there again. Quiet. In the background. But there. If Wolan were prone to admitting such things, he would have acknowledged that it made him nervous.
Somehow the Jedi had to be gotten rid of. His influence had to be ended.
* * * * *
As soon as the young Knight appeared before him Yoda knew why he was there.
"You are concerned about your Padawan," he observed gently.
"He is gone," Obi-Wan said simply.
"On assignment, your Padawan is, taking Senator Amidala back to Naboo. Has he done so?"
"Yes, Master Yoda. As far as I know he is carrying out that mission." He looked up and the ancient Master saw that his eyes reflected the pain in the deepest part of his being. "You know I had reservations about allowing him to take that assignment."
"Aware of your objections, the Council was."
Obi-Wan took a deep calming breath. "Anakin has severed his link with me."
Yoda nodded gravely. "Painful, this is. My heart is saddened for your loss."
"You don't seem surprised, Master."
"With a future as clouded as your Padawan's, unwise it is to have expectations."
"Are you saying that I should just let him go?" Obi-Wan protested, shocked. "Without even trying to do something about it?" His voice rose a bit. "Is that the view of the Council?"
Yoda sent out a wave of love and peace to help support the young Knight, and said, "A Jedi does not do his duty because he is told to. Infused with the desire to serve, a Jedi's entire being is. He performs his duty out of the deepest, sincerest acceptance of his higher purpose."
"He is still young, Master Yoda. He still has much to learn. He can become a great Jedi, he just isn't ready for this kind of responsibility yet."
"Not ready?" Yoda repeated. "How will he know his own readiness if forever you hold him close?"
Realization dawned. "This is a test!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "The Council is testing him!"
Yoda pressed his lips together, nodding. "A trial this is not. Prepare one can, for a trial. But a test of character comes unannounced at any time in a life. Tells us, it does, who we are." With each of the last three words the Jedi Master banged the tiled floor with his stick. The sound echoed, and then the room returned to silence.
There was an unquiet silence. Yoda waited patiently.
"I would like to go to Naboo to find my Padawan, Master," Obi-Wan said finally.
"Hmph." The Jedi Master was not pleased. "What then will you do when found him, you have?"
"I need to speak with him, Master Yoda. I can't just let him go. I have to see what is in his heart."
The ancient Master looked intently at the floor, as though he had never seen it before.
"Blame yourself, you do."
Obi-Wan did not respond.
Yoda looked up again. "Ask this of you, I do. Think longer on this. Meditate. If then of the same mind are you, go to find your Padawan you may."
"I will do as you ask, Master Yoda. I promise I will not be rash."
The Ancient One nodded and waved the young Knight away with a heavy heart.
* * * * *
On his way back to the quarters he had shared with Anakin for almost ten years, Obi-Wan's thoughts returned to the emotional impressions Anakin had left behind in the small, spare rooms. The boy had only been allowed into the Jedi Order under protest and had been carefully scrutinized ever since. For the first time Obi-Wan found himself wondering what it must be like to live one's life under a kind of cloud, being constantly watched for signs of – what? Unsuitability? Inadequacy? Darkness? Anakin was not perfect by any means, but Obi-Wan did not presume to know anyone who was.
No wonder the boy yearned for love.
* * * * *
Sabé was good, but she wasn't that good.
She hadn't gone far down the corridor that led from the Salon when a hand was clapped over her mouth and she found herself inside an adjoining room within the space of two heartbeats. It happened so fast she couldn't even struggle. Then she was released again just as quickly, and turned around to find herself looking straight up into two very blue eyes.
"You could have asked," she said. "I'm really very friendly, even when it comes to sorcerer scum."
Evidently Anakin was not in the mood for jokes. "Sorry," he said shortly, securing the door of the small conference room. "I'm not taking any chances."
The glowlamps came on, illuminating a pretty room with a highly polished table. The walls were covered in tapestries depicting scenes from Theed. Sabé leaned against the table and regarded her captor with amusement.
"You're just the person I was hoping to find. I have a message for you."
"Where is she?" His voice was very, very soft.
Gods, Sabé thought. They both have it bad.
"You'll have to be patient a little longer. They are watching every move she makes."
"I know." Anakin scowled. "The D'laians are not to be trusted. They are afraid and they're hiding something." His intensity filled up the small room. "She isn't safe."
"Well, "Sabé said, "They are certainly afraid of you."
"It seems to me," he said, carefully, "that their… discomfort… with my presence here might offer an way to encourage them to reveal their true motives."
Sabé gave him a hard look.
"What exactly do you have in mind?"
"It's time I made my presence felt. They spend all their time watching me, anyway."
Sabé had been thinking along the same lines herself. She was tempted, but cautious. "The Senator won't approve of any actions that might damage the credibility of the negotiations."
"We are on the same side," Anakin reminded her.
Sabé looked at him thoughtfully. It seemed to her that he might be their last, best resource at this point, but she was concerned about his diplomatic skills. It was one thing to be a brilliant fighter and bodyguard, and quite another to manipulate a situation with subtlety and discretion.
"I ask you again, Anakin," Sabé persisted. "What do you intend to do?"
Anakin looked distinctly annoyed.
"A little provocation," he said with exaggerated patience. "Some goading. It shouldn't take much to make them overplay their hand."
"Whatever takes place has to stay within the boundaries of Naboo's political and diplomatic needs. Nothing personal, do you hear me? Our ideal outcome is to find a way out of this mess with the least amount of damage done."
"I am offering you my help," he said shortly. "As a courtesy."
There was a long silence while Sabé made up her mind.
Something clearly needed to be done. And it sounded as though Anakin would take matters into his own hands with or without her approval. Better to work with him, she thought.
"All right," she said, "I suggest you meet me for dinner in the dining salon to raise your profile. All the best people will be there." She paused. "Except for our favorite Senator, who flatly refuses to lay eyes on the D'laians unless she absolutely has to."
"A wise choice," said Anakin, unlocking the conference room door.
"I have to see Captain Typho," Sabé said quickly, but I will join you as soon as I can."
"Invite him to join us," Anakin said with some irony, implying very clearly that he expected the Captain to disapprove.
Sabé laughed, and disappeared down the corridor.
* * * * *
Anakin felt himself bumping up against the outside boundaries of his patience. Why did he have to prove himself over and over again? He scowled at the D'laian soldier who suddenly happened to be lurking at the end of the corridor, as though it was all his fault, and then walked deliberately in the other direction.
* * * * *
The dining salon was noisy and busy. Anakin kept his mental shielding in place as he entered the room and memorized its layout and occupants as he made his way leisurely to the heavily laden sideboard. The D'laian's chief negotiator was there with two others from the delegation but Wolan and his inevitable entourage had not yet arrived.
Anakin suddenly realized that he was hungry – he couldn't remember when he had last eaten. He might as well take advantage of the opportunity. He helped himself sparingly to the simplest of the many elaborate dishes that were displayed, and then found a table in the corner furthest from the room's entrance. Seating himself so that he could survey the entire space, he began his meal.
It wasn't long before the gang of warriors announced their arrival with loud voices from the hallway. They swaggered into the dining salon and took quick note of all its occupants, just as Anakin had done. They spotted him right away but he didn't appear to be looking in their direction.
Of course they occupied a table at the very center of the room, where other diners had to walk around them to get to their seats. They did not sit with the other D'laians. They seemed to occupy a place in the world unto themselves. Wolan sat so that he could watch the far corner.
Anakin ate slowly, but had still finished his modest meal before Sabé arrived. He was surprised that she had the one-eyed Captain of Security with her after all. Typho must be very uneasy if he agreed to be part of Sabé's scheme. Particularly if it relied on Anakin.
Unless of course he was here to put a stop to it.
Anakin smiled to himself as he watched Sabé wend her way through the room toward his table. She must have brushed against at least three of the D'laians at the center of the room, ensuring their full attention. She was an extremely lovely woman. Typho followed her stolidly with a scowl on his face.
Anakin stood courteously as Sabé seated herself at the table. He could feel Wolan's eyes on him.
Typho nodded gruffly to him.
"I don't like this," Typho growled without preamble. Although they were visible to all, the noisy room gave the three a useful opportunity to speak without being overheard. "But I need a diversion. Their fighters are supposed to join us at midday tomorrow. I think that's when they'll make their move."
So he had the Captain's trust after all. Anakin was oddly pleased.
"Kidnapping?" Sabé asked quietly.
"Probably. I have to plan for it in any case." Typho looked at the young Jedi, wondering just what his capabilities were. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"I don't know yet," Anakin said easily. "We'll let them think they are making all the moves. They have to be allowed to reveal themselves."
Typho was an orderly man whose career had been based on thoroughness and careful planning. He clearly didn't like the sound of this at all. Anakin felt his resistance but ignored it. The good Captain could not know that his awareness had been extended throughout the ship, and it seemed to him that an opportunity to make a move was just coming down the corridor toward the dining salon.
He waited.
Balé came into the room with a somewhat disconcerted Vespé in tow. The little girl searched the room carefully, and when she saw Anakin she came straight toward him as though he had been her destination all along. In her child's mind he was her friend already because they had met twice before and he had played with her. None of the other grownups on this ship had time to play tumble sticks.
Anakin smiled at her. She came close and leaned against his leg.
"Hello, Jedi," she said, happily.
"Hello again, Balé," he said. "I thought you said you had to go to bed?"
Vespé looked miserable. "I tried," she said, "but she wouldn't settle down. I said we could come here for a snack if she goes to bed straight after." She looked meaningfully at the little girl. Balé ignored her and focused her attention on her new friend.
"Do you want to play tumble sticks?" she asked. She was nothing if not goal-oriented.
Anakin smiled and looked around the room, checking the D'laians in the process. They were watching, all right.
"There isn't much room here," he said.
"We could go into the big room," the little girl persisted.
"Balé!" Vespé protested. "You mustn't impose on people like that!"
"It's all right," Anakin said. "I don't mind at all." He looked around the table. "In fact, why don't we all go into the Salon?" He looked at Balé. "Would you like to learn how to juggle?"
"Yes!" Her eyes were huge. "Can you teach me?"
"I would be delighted," said Anakin gallantly.
Suddenly he felt wave after wave of disapproval and anger wash over him from Sabé and Typho. He knew what they were thinking, but would not be deterred.
"Why don't you go over to the sideboard and choose six nice round fruits," he suggested to Balé, "and then we can go into the big room and juggle them."
Delighted, the child was off like a shot, with Vespé tagging along behind.
Anakin turned around to face the glares of his co-conspirators. He could read their feelings as clearly as if they had spoken. How dare you use the child? their looks said. How dare you get her involved in this?
"What makes you think," Anakin said to them evenly, just managing to keep his temper in check, "that I would ever let anything happen to her?"
"How could you?" Typho snarled, deep in his throat.
"And you?" Anakin shot back. "You brought her on board. She shouldn't be on a mission like this in the first place. If we do nothing and the ship is taken hostage tomorrow as you fear, how safe will she be then?" He got up to leave. "I am going to the Salon to teach Balé how to juggle," he said. "And then she is going safely to bed. You can join me or not. I really don't care."
He moved away from the table to join the little girl and her minder, who were already carrying the requested fruit. Picking up the delighted child into his arms he carried her out of the dining salon without a glance at his companions or at the D'laians.
On his way out he reflected bitterly that no matter what he did, or however good his intentions, people seemed to fear and mistrust him. Even the Jedi. Even his Master.