Chapter 11. Crossroads
The Senate had a vast new clone army but not enough commanding officers. Seasoned soldiers and new recruits alike were pouring into Coruscant daily from around the Galaxy for processing and training. But the war did not wait and commanders had to be found for the interim. Until the new cadre of career officers could be qualified and put into action, the Jedi Council faced regular demands that Jedi Masters be taken from their duties and given temporary command positions. It was a source of great displeasure to the Council. Only three days before Master Andros had been pulled away from an important training mission to command a fleet in the Naboo Sector.
With Tec Andros in command, it was a simple matter for Obi-Wan Kenobi to obtain permission to board the Galactic Cruiser even as it faced off against the D'laians. Making his way from the vast docking bay to the command center along identical, brightly lit corridors filled with identical, unnaturally quiet troopers he had the eerie feeling that he was the only living thing inside of a vast machine. Robbed of their individuality and their will, the clone troopers left odd Force signatures that had more in common with those of plants than of sentient beings. Even animals had more individuality.
Of course, Obi-Wan thought, sifting through his impressions. The Force does not love a machine. He pulled his cloak around him more tightly as though it could ward off the deep inner chill he felt in those surroundings.
It came as a profound relief to find Tec, who with his lopsided face, rough Jedi robes and powerful Force signature was a warm and vibrant presence in an otherwise sinister place.
"What is it about this Sector?" Tec Andros asked his friend as they embraced. "First me, now you. I didn't think the Council could spare us. These D'laians really don't look like that much of a threat to me. They have hesitated to engage us so far." But for the robes, the brawny Corellian who was now Supreme Commander of the Fleet looked more like a pirate than a Jedi Master but he was a legendary fighter and strategist.
"I'm really here as a visitor," Obi-Wan said. "I was on my way to Naboo to meet my Padawan, when I heard about this little confrontation."
Tec raised his eyebrows. "And you paused in your journey to join us in our battle? That was kind of you, but I think we can manage." He gazed out the view screen and then checked the computer array. "In fact, there may not be one. There was a clear shift in their intentions around the time our fighters picked up the Yacht."
Obi-Wan smiled. That was something no computer array could have told him.
"My Padawan is on the Queen's Yacht."
"Skywalker? That Padawan?" Tec looked at him doubtfully. He didn't envy Obi-Wan his responsibility for the so-called Chosen One. Skywalker, he remembered from a few training missions, was a handful. Given only two options the boy always created a third and a fourth, usually with some kind of mishap attached….
"The very one. Why?"
"Well, there is certainly a strong Jedi presence on board. They lost their communications but we managed all right." He looked down at data readout. "We have just brought the Yacht on board, in fact. Do you want to go down?"
"No," Obi-Wan said. "Not now."
Tec looked up from his screen.
Obi-Wan felt called upon to explain.
"This is actually his mission. He doesn't know I'm here."
Tec grinned. "The old stalking Master trick. Well done. How are you going to keep him from sensing your presence?"
Quite easily, actually, Obi-Wan thought with some pain. "I have my ways."
"I imagine you do," Tec remarked sympathetically. "It can't be easy to have that one as a Padawan."
"Oh," said Obi-Wan neutrally. "We have our ups and downs."
Tec heard and felt his way through the comment.
"Well," he said, hoping to cheer his friend up, "He seems to have done his job on this one. The Senator is safe. The Nubians lost a few, and so did the D'laians. They're bringing in the rest as prisoners for us to deal with."
"Then if you're bringing Senator Amidala back to Naboo, my Padawan's mission is finished."
"Actually," Tec said, "I heard the Senator wants to continue on to Naboo on the Yacht with just a fighter escort."
Obi-Wan became very thoughtful. This was a perfect opportunity to retrieve Anakin. Then why did it feel so important to avoid confronting him right now? Anakin was his Padawan; it was his duty to come where and when he was told. By all his rights and duties as Master he should march to the docking bay, reclaim the boy, and go back home. But powerful feelings told him to wait. Wait. He had long since learned to trust them. The reason he needed to wait became obvious once he accepted it.
If he confronted Anakin now, he would lose.
In a lifetime in the Jedi Temple Obi-Wan had never seen an attachment like Anakin had with Senator Amidala. If he was honest with himself, as he always tried to be, he didn't understand it. For Obi-Wan the Order had always met all of his needs. Like Tec, for example. They had not seen one another for more than a year, yet they were completely attuned: brothers in the truest sense of the word. As different as they were, they were deeply aligned on the values and goals of a life of service. It was fulfilling and enriching and any other existence was beyond imagining. They could entrust their lives to one another without a second thought.
But Anakin had always struggled to find his place in the Order. He tried so hard. Obi-Wan's heart wrenched at the memory of the little boy he inherited from his own Master making desperate efforts to fit in, to obey, to be like everyone else. But there had always seemed to be a contrary set of forces inside of him that made everything more difficult. He was temperamental, mercurial. He questioned everything. He always seemed to be seeking and longing for things outside of himself and outside of the world he inhabited.
Somehow the Senator had reached something in the boy that the Order could not. The resulting conflict within him was devastating not only to Anakin but to everyone connected with him.
To make matters worse, his divided loyalties were making him untrustworthy. It was beginning to be clear that, if it came down to a choice between the Senator and one of Anakin's Jedi brethren, his Padawan would choose the Senator. And that alone made the attachment very problematic indeed.
No. If he went down to the docking bay and demanded that Anakin return with him, and if the boy refused, it would widen the rift between them. If his Padawan bolted and fled the Order now he would be set loose on the Galaxy with all of his devastating skills and equally destructive lack of control.
The dark dread that haunted him was becoming stronger and stronger as he came closer to his Padawan. All he could think of was to find a way of reaching Anakin's heart and mind, and to persuade him to come back to the Temple. No matter how much he struggled against it, Obi-Wan was certain that with the strength of the Jedi Order behind him, Anakin could be made safe.
Safe from what?
The Jedi Knight didn't know. He just sensed that there was danger around his Padawan. And it was his job to help him.
Obi-Wan had been silent so long that Tec Andros went back to what he was doing. He was content to allow his comrade and brother to take all the time he wanted to mull things over.
"Tec," Obi-Wan finally said to the Corellian's back, "I'm not going to interfere. I'll let my Padawan complete his mission. But I would like to talk to you for a while. I have a number of questions…."
Master Andros turned around and smiled slightly. "Don't we all. There are a lot of things here that don't make sense. Have you heard about the defense force that's planned for Naboo?"
* * * * *
All the Naboo aboard the Queen's Yacht were relieved when the last of the D'laians was transferred to the Galactic Cruiser, but none more than Padmé. She badly wanted them off her ship and out of her life – not least because they were a constant reminder of her poor decision-making. But there was something else about the whole incident that disturbed her – something she could not put her finger on.
"I'm tired," she thought, still suffering from a nagging ache that refused to get better. "I need time to rest and think this through."
No sooner did the Senator from Naboo feel as though she could breathe again then a message arrived from Coruscant and she once again found herself facing the Chancellor's image.
"I am so grateful to find you safe, Senator," the image began.
"Thank you for your prompt assistance, Chancellor," she replied. It was fortunate that such a large force was available on short notice."
"Fortunate indeed, Senator, but good fortune cannot be repeated at will. We must take steps to safeguard Naboo."
"For obvious reasons we have not yet had the time to analyze fully the D'laian threat." Padmé replied. "But we are give to understand that they have not engaged our fleet, and may not at all. I suspect that they are merely bullies, Chancellor. I'm not sure that we will require further protection."
"I disagree quite strongly, Senator. It is not merely a question of the D'laians, but of their associations. If they are indeed allied with the Separatists, Naboo is in great danger and will be until this conflict has been resolved in our favor."
Padmé was beginning to get a headache. It began in her temples and was rapidly spreading, making it difficult to think.
"What kind of protection are you talking about, Chancellor?"
"I have allocated a substantial fighting force to take up permanent residence on Naboo, effective immediately."
"What?" It felt as though there was a vise around Padmé's temples. "That's absurd. We can take care of ourselves for the time being. If the war should move into this Sector, we can call upon you for assistance again, like every other system. We don't need to be singled out like this. I honestly don't believe the D'laians pose that much of a threat."
"You must be very tired from your recent ordeal, Senator. I suggest we discuss this at another time, when you are feeling more yourself."
Padmé wanted to fight his suggestion, but the pain was interfering with her ability to formulate her thoughts.
"Chancellor, I do not agree with this action. This conversation is not finished."
"Be well, Senator," the image said distantly, and then flickered off.
Padmé collapsed forward into the table in the small conference room where she had been working, and cradled her head in her hands.
Suddenly the pain began to ebb away. Even the ache disappeared.
Better?
She raised her head to see Anakin leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed.
The silent flood of gratitude he received in return made him smile.
Captain Typho pushed past him into the room. Anakin ambled in after him.
"I think you were too efficient in re-establishing our external communications, Captain," Padmé said to her Security Chief as he sat down. She gave him a brief summary of her disturbing conversation with the Chancellor.
"I think it's a good idea," Anakin ventured. "The Chancellor is just trying to keep Naboo – and you – safe."
Padmé had a great deal to say on the subject but didn't want to get into it right now. All she wanted was to rest. And think.
Typho was thoughtful. "Perhaps we should take the Commander up on his offer to bring us back to Naboo."
"No." Padmé was firm on this point. "That would mean waiting until this thing is resolved. I want to get home. We will be fine. The Fleet stands between us and the D'laians." She looked from Typho to Anakin. "Where is Sabé? I haven't seen her all day."
"She's talking to all the civilians on board, "Typho said. "Bringing them up to date. Calming them down."
Padmé sighed deeply. "I don't know what I would do without all of you." She looked pointedly at Anakin to make certain he understood that he was included in that remark. He smiled slightly. He knew, all right.
Pushing back her chair, Padmé announced, "I'm going to retire. Let me know when we are underway. I will communicate our thanks to the Fleet Commander from the stateroom."
Captain Typho stood as well. "I'll make the arrangements." He looked at Anakin, who still lounged in his chair.
"I have to see someone," Anakin said.
It was Padmé's turn to smile. She was sure she knew whom he meant.
* * * * *
It wasn't long before Anakin brought a much happier Balé to Padmé and transferred the little girl to her arms. She went willingly but never took her eyes off of her rescuer.
"Balé would like to stay with you."
Reaching for the child, Padmé realized with surprise that Anakin sounded as weary as she felt. It was easy to take his strength for granted and to forget that he ever suffered from tiredness, or hunger or any of those other all-too-human weaknesses.
He actually sat down in a chair rather than standing or prowling the room as usual. Rubbing his hands over his face, he said, "Captain Typho said to tell you that the internal COM links will not be back up before we get to Naboo. The D'laians didn't just disconnect them, they smashed the junctions. But the ship is secure and we expect to arrive on Naboo in a few hours."
He yawned. "I think I need to sleep for a little while."
"Can I put him to bed?" asked Balé, afraid that he was going to disappear from her sight.
Padmé thought for a minute and then whispered to Balé. The little girl nodded and ran into the bedroom only to emerge again dragging Dormé behind her.
"Can you make up a pallet for Anakin in here?" Padmé asked. "Balé won't let him out of her sight."
Dormé raised her eyebrows, but nodded and did as she was bidden. Padmé in the meantime pushed Anakin into the fresher, handing him a garment of some kind as she did so.
When he emerged damp and wearing a voluminous robe that could only have come from Naboo a low bed had been made for him in the corner of the sitting room. Balé went to take him by the hand and encountered the artificial fingers that peeked out from under one of the long, full sleeves. It was the first time she had seen him without gloves. She stopped and stared.
Anakin watched her to gauge her reaction, but said nothing.
"Do they hurt?" Balé breathed.
"No," said Anakin.
She kept staring at them. "Why do you have them?" She finally asked.
"I couldn't play tumble sticks or juggle without them," Anakin said, sinking down into the pallet.
Padmé, watching, bit her lip.
"Or fight," Balé said.
"Or fight," Anakin agreed.
Balé had a lot of other questions but her Jedi seemed to be fading away. Deciding that if he didn't seem bothered she wouldn't be, either, she pulled the covers over him and tucked him in as best she could.
"Mmrph," said Anakin by way of thanks, and then he was silent.
Padmé dimmed the room lights and returned to her chair, pulling Balé on to her lap. Over the child's head she said to Dormé, "I'll keep her here with me." Dormé nodded and slipped out.
"I'm good at putting people to bed," Balé said, satisfied with her effort.
"You're good at a lot of things," Padmé said, as the child snuggled onto her shoulder. "You were very brave today, and I am proud of you."
"I thought everybody was going to die, like my Mommy and Daddy," she said after a while.
"I know," said Padmé. She had thought so, too.
She could feel Balé getting heavy in her arms as the child sank toward sleep. "If the Jedi had been there, he could have saved them," Balé whispered. She was talking about her parents.
Padmé said nothing, but stroked the child's hair. She feels so safe with him, she thought. And so do I.
After a while Balé was asleep, too.
Miraculously no longer tired, Padmé kept watch over both of them all the way home.