Chapter 2
The First Stains
Chandra sensed the Jedi's. She knew that if she remained in the tunnel they would sense her presence. She knew that if she fled they would pursue her. Anyone not force sensitive would assume her dead after leaping into an unknown service tunnel, but the Jedi could feel her life force. A quick thought crossed her mind and she caught hold of the dark side and thought of herself as a void, remembering the sensation she had while walking out of the temple. She let herself become that void, holding her breath and closing her eyes, in the process commanding all of her senses to focus on the void.
'We know which direction Chandra went, but there's no telling how far she's gotten.'
'Can you sense nothing Qui-Gon?'
'No, Master Windu. Her life force stops here.'
Chandra's heart quickened as she struggled to keep her concentration. She missed the rest of the conversation and almost lost her hold on the Dark Side. Silence. Slowly, she sensed the two Jedi turn and leave. Chandra waited, listened, and reached out with the Force. There was nothing.
She breathed a sigh of relief and slumped against the ancient ladder. Somewhere in the back of her mind she found it odd that Qui-Gon had not pursued her any further. Then again, the Jedi Master had been acting strangely since the death of his friend Tahl. Thoughts raced through and ricocheted off of Chandra's skull with dizzying speed. She had lost the robbers but she had never really been after them. But how had they gotten down so fast? Overwhelmed, she rested her head on a metallic rung and closed her eyes. She was suddenly exhausted. She had no supplies, food or water, it was late, and she longed for nothing than to just curl up on her sleep-couch and not move. She wanted to weep and scream all at once but was too tired to do either. Too tired to move. Too tired...
*****
A young man knelt before a hooded figure. The young man appeared, from a distance, to be a black figure. Up close he was cloaked in black robes and tattooed in black and red. The hooded figure was humanoid, concealed behind a deep cowl and cloaked in black as well.
The figure, the Dark Lord Sidious, spoke in a low, sinister voice that commanded the young man's undivided attention.
'You encountered Jedi today, Lord Maul,' Sidious said knowingly.
Maul knew better than to deny. 'Yes, my master.'
'I trust you kept yourself hidden.' It was not a question.
Maul chose to keep the incident with the hawk bats to himself. 'Yes, master.'
'And what of the rogue Padawan?'
'She vanished.'
'Vanished?' Sidious thought about this. He knew his apprentice did not have the capacity for being vague. If Maul said the Padawan had vanished, she indeed had. He put the information just behind the more pressing matter.
Sidious looked carelessly at his kneeling apprentice. 'There is a growing interest in our creed among some of the youth of Coruscant. They are beginning to search for the holocron. They must not find it, Lord Maul. Go to Korriban and plant a decoy. If anyone sees you remove him.'
'Yes, my master.' Maul responded, bowing his head.
'That is all,' Sidious snapped. Maul rose quietly and left his master's presence. He proceeded immediately to the docking port where his master's ship waited; he needed no preparation for this mission. He quickly keyed in the code his master had given him for times when his missions required traveling. As he broke the light barrier part of his mind brooded about the lack of challenge. All his life he had been trained to kill Jedi and now he was sent to distract some overly curious students. Maul quietly cautioned himself and reassured himself that this was important to his master and he would do his best. It was the only way he knew.
Meanwhile Sidious stood where he had been for the interview with his apprentice. Knowing Maul would take care of the problem on Korriban, Sidious brought the rogue Padawan back to his thoughts. For a while he contemplated the rule by two policy.
*****
The room of a thousand fountains. This was Obi-Wan's favourite place. The spectacular sunset was coming to a close and the stars were starting to shine through the pale sky. Obi-wan had to consciously remind himself that it was not real. He did not care; it was still beautiful. Obi-wan reached down inside himself, searching for his calm. He could not find it.
He saw Chandra glare at him, he heard her voice and he sensed something. Anger, yes, but there was something else. Something buried below the anger.
Fear. She was afraid. Not of Qui-Gon. Something else. Obi-wan thought about that for a few minutes. He searched his memory for the events leading up to her flight. Sullust. She was sent to Sullust. His mind jumped to another event without completing his previous thought.
He had felt Qui-Gon approach from behind, heard people talking out on the main street, saw Chandra leap into the service tunnel, then he felt nothing. He sensed nothing. Her presence was gone but he never felt it leave. Qui-Gon had said noting about it while talking to Master Windu.
Obi-Wan's heart sank. Qui-Gon had not been the same since Tahl died. He was distracted, depressed if that was possible.
Obi-Wan's attention was jerked back to the present by the shuffling of small feet and the steady 'thunk' of a gimmer stick cane. He gave a slight smile as Yoda approached the bridge.
'Something disturbs you, Obi-Wan,' the ancient Jedi Master rasped, reaching the bridge Obi-Wan stood on.
'It's Chandra, Master Yoda. I'm not certain she's dead.' Obi-Wan willingly explained. He loved his conversations with Master Yoda. The ancient Jedi was so full of wisdom and calm and always seemed to help him make sense of things.
'Ahh, wish to speak with you about this, the council does,' the Jedi Master said pensively, the tips of his ears rotating slowly in a way that told his close friends that he was deep in thought. 'How feel you about Master Qui-Gon?'
Obi-Wan paused a beat before answering. 'I can appreciate where Master Qui-Gon is coming from. He's lost a good friend. I think he should be able to mourn in his own way. But I don't believe he can be...relied upon to make sound decisions.'
Yoda nodded quietly. After a nervous moment for Obi-Wan, Yoda spoke. 'Come, young Obi-Wan.' The small Master shuffled away wit Obi-Wan close behind.
*****
Chandra woke to find hands from all kinds of different creatures grabbing onto her and pulling at her. One began to reach for her lightsabre. Disoriented and confused, Chandra reached out for the Force and looked for her master. The Force eluded her and there were no friendly faces among the creatures around her. Her split-second panic turned quickly into anger and brought her in contact with the Dark Side. Immediately her lightsabre was in her hands, activated, and several limbs flopped to the ground. Everything came back to her as the creatures fled. She was free, no longer under the shadow of the Temple. So why did her mind trouble her?
Chandra felt a disturbance in the Force behind her. She spun, lightsabre already moving, just in time to sever a hand holding a vibroblade. The Rodian it belonged to howled and leapt aside as a huge Trandoshan bulldozed his way past. He struck Chandra as a human came in from behind. Her lightsabre flew into a heap of trash and grime. Chandra quickly balanced herself as the Trandoshan and human both swung at her. The human had just procured a vibroblade. Chandra jumped and back-flipped over the human, sending his blade flying with a well-placed kick and sending out a Force-blast that left the boy only partially conscious.
The Trandoshan charged again as Chandra landed. It was too late. Chandra's lightsabre leapt back into her hand and she swung a graceful, Force-powered arc, instantly killing the creature. She was so enraged within the Dark Side that she would have killed any creature within her reach. In her mind she heard Yoda's reprimanding voice. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense - never for attack. She did not care.
Meanwhile, the Rodian was desperately trying to rouse the Human. He darted away as Chandra approached, lightsabre still activated. In the short distance between herself and the now-conscious, terrified human, Chandra's rage cooled and she released her hold on the Force. The boy scrambled to his feet and looked ready to bolt as Chandra deactivated her weapon and clipped it back onto her belt. She stopped her advance.
'What are you?' the boy asked, his voice quivering slightly.
Chandra said nothing, not quite certain how to answer. Sure her Jedi robes, lightsabre, and Padawan braid were quite obvious, but she was no longer a Jedi. In a sickening moment Chandra realized what her Master had feared. She had joined the list of the fallen, the Dark Jedi. Chandra staggered forward and reached out to hold onto something. Nothing was there. She fell onto her knees and dropped her head, completely forgetting about the boy.
She was a fallen, a Dark Jedi, and she could not go back. The Trandoshan's head lay within arm's reach, it's blank eyes staring at her, accusing her. She heard Depa's kind, strong voice. 'Once you start down the path to the Dark Side it will forever control your destiny.'
Chandra was crushed. She had fled from the temple, threatened a Jedi Master, and killed an unarmed creature. Her list of crimes combined with her used of the Dark Side was enough to ensure that she would never be accepted back at the Temple. This was her home now. Chandra looked above her. Darkness, filth, and fog. It was not what she expected, it was not what she had hoped, but somehow it was fitting. Chandra blocked out her regret and brought her focus back to the moment, determined to make the best of her situation.
The boy was trying to sneak away.
'Stop.'
The boy froze. Chandra had not looked up. He had not seen the changing emotions on her face, behind her eyes. All he saw was a Jedi who had maimed and scared off a half a dozen ruffians wounded his best friend, and killed a Trandoshan without breaking a sweat. Now she knelt on the ground, motionless. The overall effect on him was terrifying. For the leader of the Raptors, someone unaccustomed to people fighting back, this was a strange, unexpected situation.
Chandra stood to her feet in one graceful movement, quickly closing the gap between her and the boy. As she neared the boy a blaster sang out a stun bolt, barely missing her. The boy tried to escape but Chandra held him forcefully by the arm, holding her lightsabre near his neck.
'I thought Jedi didn't take hostages,' the boy said, wetting his lips with a dry tongue.
'I'm not a Jedi,' Chandra said with a dark glare. The boy squirmed in her grip. 'And you're not a hostage.'
'Listen, I'll make you a deal,' the boy said quietly, reasoning that if she was not a Jedi than she could be bargained with. 'I'll call off my men if you let men if you let me go.'
'Don't think I can't kill you and your friend at any time,' Chandra threatened.
'Then why haven't...'
The boy was cut off by a blaster bolt, again on stun. Chandra's lightsabre deflected the bolt. From the ensuing groan she assumed she'd hit her target.
'Stop!' the boy cried out as soon as the lightsabre flashed. The Rodian whimpered.
'Alright, you win!' he cried, panicking and raising his hands in surrender. Another shot rang out, this one set to kill. Chandra dodged and the bolt struck the boy who collapsed in a heap. The Rodian cried out and dashed into the open, one arm limp at his side, looking for the hidden attacker. He hit the ground as another two bolts zipped past him and were deflected by Chandra's lightsabre. After a moment of silence the Rodian scrambled to his feet nursing a wounded, numb arm. He didn't even glance at Chandra as he dropped to his knees next to the human boy. Chandra breathed easier knowing that the boy was alive.
Chandra reached into her utility belt and, pulling out her minimal emergency supplies that she always kept with her, dropped next to the boy to bandage the wound.
*****
Obi-Wan knew the way to the Council Chamber - he had been there many times, but he was surprised when Yoda veered off toward a smaller chamber around the back of the main Council room. Inside the room were Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Depa Billaba. Both looked tired, their brows creased in concern.
Obi-Wan stood respectfully two steps from the entrance and bowed as Yoda shuffle to his seat. Mace turned to regard the young Padawan. Obi-Wan had to consciously stop himself from squirming under the piercing gaze of Master Windu. Instead of returning his gaze, Obi-Wan turned his eyes left to Chandra's master. Her countenance was serene as usual but her eyes held burning questions. Obi-Wan longed to shout out everything. Fortunately Master Windu spoke.
'Tell us exactly what occurred after you found Padawan Chandra.'
Normally Padawan's were formally referred to by their surnames. Once again part of Obi-Wan's mind mused over this as he answered. He explained everything, from Chandra's threat and the strange feeling of a third presence, to the sense that Chandra just disappeared. The Masters sat quietly and did not move. Master Windu gestured that Obi-Wan should wait outside.
Once the door shut Depa spoke. 'Master Windu, let me go and search for her.'
'No, Depa, not this time,' Mace answered, exercising his authority as Senior Council Member.
Depa was about to object when Yoda interrupted her. 'Agree with Master Windu on this, I do. Too raw are your feelings. Dangerous this is, both for you and your Padawan.'
Depa wanted to scream inside but she would not allow herself even that. She knew what Yoda had said was true, but she could not make herself back down.
There is no emotion - there is peace
There is not passion - there is serenity
Depa retained control and nodded her head. Mace addressed the two together. 'I would like to send Adi Gallia and her Padawan on the search. They just returned from Duros last night.'
Depa nodded. She trusted Adi. Yoda also nodded. Mace looked satisfied. 'I'm sending Obi-Wan with them as a guide and an extra set of senses.' Mace looked tenderly at Depa who returned a sad smile.
In less than ten minutes the team of a Jedi Master and two Padawans set out.
*****
Chandra suddenly felt a familiar presence coming toward the cramped alleyway. In a panic she stuffed the supplies back into her belt and reached out to the Dark Side. Her eyes flashed.
'Come, we can't help him here,' she commanded the nervous Rodian while she picked up the large human boy.
The Rodian stood confused for a moment. Chandra set him in motion with a dark glare and one word. 'Move.'
She imagined the void again as they set off at a quick pace and was amazed at how much easier use of the Dark Side became each time she tried. She sensed the presence of the Jedi like bright beacons coming closer and closer. Without hesitating Chandra nudged the Rodian ahead of her into a quicker pace. They ducked into a broken down shell of a building and Chandra barely paid attention as he cleaned and bandaged the boy's shoulder wound.
*****
Upon arriving at the service tunnel Obi-Wan described, again, everything that had happened. Master Gallia looked down the tunnel.
'This leads into the Crimson Corridor,' she announced. Obi-Wan swallowed hard and Siri, Aid Gallia's usually strong-willed and arrogant Padawan paled. 'Stay alert you two, and don't say anything to anyone. Got that?'
The two Padawans nodded in unison. Obi-Wan's gaze drifted to where he had briefly sensed that extra presence. He quickly wondered why it kept bothering him.
'There is a ladder a few feet down. Be careful and follow me.'
Master Gallia went first, followed by Siri then Obi-Wan.
Adi stopped after a moment. Someone had been here. The presence was too faint to make out but whoever had come this way had stayed only briefly and had left a while ago. They continued down, staying in the service tunnel until it emptied out into the lowest level of the planetary city. Adi activated a glowstick as she made way for Siri to exit the tunnel. Instantly Siri's hand flew to her lightsabre and Obi-Wan looked ready to do the same. Adi held her hand out to calm the two Padawans.
'Be still, the danger is past,' she said calmly. Siri hesitantly let go of her lightsabre.
'Master Gallia,' Obi-Wan called, choking down the bile that rose in his throat.
Adi followed his stare to a disembodied head just inside the ring of light. She knelt down and examined it. Part of her did not want to believe it. The look in Obi-Wan's eyes told her that he already knew.
*****
Chandra paused. She reached out to find the Jedi search party again. Three individuals, two untrained, one very disciplined, a master. Only one she recognized as Qui-Gon Jinn's Padawan. She looked back down at the pale boy. The wound was not fatal but it would take time and medication to heal. Near her the Rodian whimpered, using his remaining hand to keep a hold of the boy and rocking slightly. Chandra felt a pang of remorse looking at him. She knew she could have disarmed him without wounding him so badly.
I don't have to give up all decency. These two will never survive down here like this. Perhaps...
'Do you speak basic?'
The Rodian jerked his head up at her.
Chandra repeated her question. The Rodian shook his head. Chandra let out a frustrated growl. These two aren't going anywhere soon. Quickly, Chandra stood to her feet and left. The Rodian ignored her, still whimpering.
Chandra retraced their steps, following her Force sense back to where the Jedi were. She wrapped herself in the Dark Side and tried to think of the void, but her grip was weak and she could barely hold it.
Compassion. It won't let me use the Dark Side. Chandra let go, determined to face the Jedi alone. She approached them from the shadows. Master Gallia sensed her first by the expression on her faced, and based on the haunted look in the girl Padawan's, Siri she recalled, eyes Chandra knew that the events had been pieced together. Chandra slipped into a deep shadow and swallowed her fear. Obi-Wan turned and took a small step toward her.
'Master Gallia.'
Adi Gallia had already seen Chandra and had started approaching slowly.
'There are two wounded boys down this alley,' Chandra gestured behind her. 'They need medical attention.'
Chandra's announcement both startled and angered Siri and she spun, lightsabre in hand. Before Gallia had gotten a word out Siri charged in a fit of rage over the carnage Chandra had caused. Chandra's lightsabre leapt into her hands and she struggled to ward off Siri's Force-powered blows. From somewhere Chandra heard Adi call out to her Padawan. Angry, Chandra opened herself up and let the Dark Side pour into her. Fighting at equal power Chandra was no match for Siri, but as Siri was fighting both Chandra and her own urge to use the Dark Side, Chandra quickly overpowered the younger girl.
