Stars in the Darkness - Part Thirty-Five
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Onara slowly opened her eyes. She looked over at Obi-Wan and smiled.
"Obi-Wan," she whispered.
He leaned over and took her hand, squeezing it gently.
"How do you feel?"
"Sore, a little sleepy. Where am I?"
"In the hospital. But, don't worry. You're going to be fine."
Onara nodded, then her eyes widened when she saw the clothes he was wearing.
"What are you doing in Dalan's clothes?" Then she smiled, her dark eyes sparkling. "You look very handsome in them. Is Dalan here?"
"No, love, he's at the apartment."
"Is Ben with him?"
Obi-Wan swallowed, his heart kicking in his chest. He leaned closer to Onara, his grip on her hand tightening. Onara was still smiling at him, but as he continued to remain silent, his eyes boring deeply into hers, her smile slowly slipped away. He could feel her pulling her hand away, but he held it tighter.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head.
"Onara, oh my dear sweet love..." he began, but he stopped when Onara shook her head harder.
"No," she repeated. "I saw him running. I told him to run. And he did." She looked up at Obi-Wan, her dark eyes shining with pride. "You should have seen him. My darling ran so fast. And I gave him enough time to get away. I know I did. And he's so smart. He would have found a good place to hide until....until you found him," Onara finished softly.
"Onara---"
"No, he got away!" she said firmly. "I know he did. And you found him. I know you found him." She gazed up at him, her eyes imploring him. "Please, Obi-Wan, tell me you found him"
A lump formed in Obi-Wan's throat. "I did, Onara. I did find him."
"Then where is he?" she cried. "If you found him, where is he?"
Obi-Wan took both her hands. They were cold and trembled in his. He pulled them to his chest, pressing them against his heart.
"He's gone, Onara," he said, his throat closing around the terrible words.
"Gone? No, I don't believe you. You're lying!"
"No, my love, I swear to you I'm not lying. Though the Ancients know I wish I were."
"How?"
"Onara, please, it's best you not know---"
"How?" she repeated dully, her eyes locked onto his.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes for moment. "He was shot," he finally said.
The blood drained from Onara's face. Her hands shuddered in his, her body quaking.
"Shot?" she repeated, shaking her head as if the concept of someone shooting her child was beyond all comprehension, all reason.
"The physicians did all they could, Onara," Obi-Wan went on. "But---"
He stopped because she was staring up at him with a wild, hopeful look in her eyes, and the moment he had feared and dreaded had finally come.
"You brought him back, Obi-Wan. The same way you brought me back. I know you did. Tell me you did!"
She gazed up at him, her face shining with this last desperate hope, a hope he was about to shatter. He swallowed thickly, a cold fist closing over his heart.
"No, Onara, I did not."
Onara stared at him. "You didn't? But, I don't understand. You did it before. You brought me back. I know you would have done no less for our child."
Obi-Wan lowered his head, his body stiffening with agony. That is true, he thought, I should have done no less for our child. He raised his head. Onara's face was a blur through his tears.
"I know you brought him back, Obi-Wan," she moaned, her eyes darkening with pain. "I know you did."
He leaned closer, needing to see her face, even as the tears welled in his eyes and flowed down his cheeks. He could no longer torture her like this. The truth, as horrific and painful as it was, was what she deserved, because it was all he had left to give her.
"I did not bring him back, Onara. I could not."
"You could not?" she whispered. "Why?"
"Because I am a Jedi!" he cried out in a strangled, tortured voice, the words like ashes in his mouth. "I would have had to turn to the dark side of the Force to bring him back. And he would have borne that horror and that blasphemy with me."
Onara stared at Obi-Wan for a stunned moment. Then she snatched her hands away, her face twisting with rage and grief.
"Dark side of the Force? I don't care about the dark side of the Force! I just want my baby! I want my baby!" she screamed.
Obi-Wan tried to take Onara's arms, but she twisted away from him. She got up from the bed, but, as her feet touched the floor, she was too weak to stand. Obi-Wan grabbed her as she fell, but she screamed at him.
"Let me go! I have to find Ben! Gods, oh, gods!" she shrieked. "Why didn't you bring him back? Why didn't you bring him back?"
Obi-Wan tried to take her in his arms, but she lashed out at him, beating his chest with her fists, her body twisting against his, but Obi-Wan was finally able to get his arms around her. He held her as tightly as he could, his tears mingling with hers.
"Ben, Ben," Onara wailed. "Oh, my baby, my sweet little baby!"
Then, with a final, heart-rending scream, Onara collapsed against Obi-Wan. He swept her up in his arms, laying her gently on the bed.
He turned when he heard the door to the room open. Dr. Manu, Onara's physician, ran in. He went over to her, his face tentacles waving agitatedly. Onara was weeping hysterically. A nurse was with Dr. Manu and he quickly handed the physician a med-patch, which he applied to the side of Onara's neck.
Obi-Wan watched, a dull, empty ache in his soul, as Onara quieted, the sedative the physician had given her taking effect. Her body stilled, and he heard her voice fading away as her eyes slowly closed.
"Ben, darling, don't be afraid. Mama's here. Mama's here."
Dr. Manu, once he was assured Onara was unconscious, looked over at Obi- Wan.
"She'll rest now," he told him.
"I had to tell her," Obi-Wan said, his voice like iron and stone, dead and cold. "I didn't want to. But she had to know. I would have spared her that, if I could. I should have spared her."
Dr. Manu reached over and put one of his suctioned-fingered hands on Obi- Wan's shoulder.
"You should get some rest, too, Master Jedi. She'll sleep for the rest of the night. Come back in the morning."
"I shouldn't leave her," Obi-Wan said. "I left her once before, you see. And I shouldn't have. None of this would have happened if I had been less of a Jedi and more of a man, a father, a husband."
Dr. Manu and the nurse exchanged a worried glance. "Please, Master Jedi," Dr. Manu said. "Go home. Get some rest. There's nothing more you can do for her tonight. When she awakens, she will need your strength for what lies ahead."
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. He went over to the bed and, leaning down, kissed Onara's forehead.
"I'll return tomorrow, my love," he whispered, knowing she couldn't hear him, but needing to say the words.
He moved back from the bed. She will hate you, the dark, cold voice had said to him, just before Obi-Wan had made his choice and Ben's spirit had vanished into the Abyss.
And I will love her, Obi-Wan replied to the echo of that voice. I will love her forever.
Obi-Wan turned. He picked up his jacket and drew it on, but his movements were slow and mechanical, as if he were nothing more than some droid, all metal and circuits and wiring. He went towards the door, then looked back. Dr. Manu was conferring with the nurse, showing him something on a medpad attached to Onara's bed.
Obi-Wan hesitated. He didn't want to leave her, but the physician was right. He should rest. Onara would need all his strength tomorrow, even if she no longer wanted it. But, he would offer it to her anyway. He would give her everything he had. Though that, he knew, would never be enough to compensate her for her loss. For his loss.
He stumbled through the door, blinded by anguish and overcome by the weight of his pain and guilt. Then he felt someone grab his arm and steady him. He stopped and looked up into Anakin's blue eyes.
"Anakin? I told you to go back to the Temple. What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you, Master," Anakin said softly. "Waiting to take you home."
He put his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulder and, at that moment, the crushing deluge of grief Obi-Wan had been holding back since that moment in the _Hall of Worlds_ was unleashed, and the Jedi Knight wept, tears unending, grief unceasing, pain unyielding. And Anakin held him as he cried.
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Senator Gillom paced angrily across the room, his scarlet-red robe flapping behind him.
"And you're absolutely certain there's no way we can get to him?" he snarled, his lipless mouth twisting with frustration.
"No, Senator. He's being held at the Hall of Judgment. That place is as difficult to get in as the Jedi Temple."
Gillom fisted his three-clawed hands. "The fool! The bloodthirsty fool! I told him not to harm the child. What kind of a monster would kill a child?"
Ericc, Gillom's Bith aide, only shrugged his small shoulders, his lidless black eyes regarding the Senator with the same impassivity he'd displayed all morning. Gillom turned from him in disgust. He strode over to the window of his penthouse apartment, his four eyes blinking at the morning light streaming through it.
"If he talks..." Gillom said, his back to Ericc.
"He could implicate you, Senator."
Gillom whirled around. "Exactly. And what do you think would happen to me if it's discovered that not only was I involved in this attack upon Senator Lenor, but that I had something to do with the murder of her son?"
"It would mean the end of your career and, perhaps, prison," Ericc said in his low, even voice.
"Exactly. Prison. And I have no wish to go to prison, Ericc. There must be a way we can get to him."
Ericc shook his elongated, bald head. "There is no way. But, I did speak to my sources within the Hall of Judgment. Although Lursan has been arrested, it was based solely on Jedi Kenobi's allegation that Lursan was responsible for the deaths of the boy, the amusement complex attendant and the attack on Senator Lenor."
Gillom's four eyes narrowed and he walked over to Ericc. "What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying, Senator, is that Lursan's advocate, the one you so kindly hired for him---"
"And the one you're certain can't be traced back to me?" Gillom interrupted.
Erric nodded. "Have no fear, Senator. She can not be traced back to you. As I was saying, Lursan's advocate is arguing that there is no physical evidence nor witnesses linking Lursan to these attacks."
"Go on."
"Without any physical evidence or witnesses, the only person tying you to Lursan, and Lursan to his attack on Senator Lenor and her son is her husband. Dynast Lenor."
"What of Onara? She's still alive. She's a witness. She could say Lursan attacked her."
"She is currently in no condition to speak to anyone, Senator, and from what I was able to find out from the hospital, will remain like that for quite some time. At least long enough for Lursan to be freed and leave Coruscant."
"Has Dynast Lenor spoken to the authorities yet?"
Ericc shook his large head. "He was under sedation all day yesterday. However, he is up and about and is scheduled to go to the Judicial Department later today."
Gillom frowned as he stroked his chin with one clawed finger. "Blast it! How was I supposed to know he was Onara's husband. I thought he was one of Lursan's associates. We have to get to him before he can go to the Judicial Department."
"Indeed, Senator."
"What do you suggest?"
"I'm having him watched, anticipating just such a need for action on our part. He's at the hospital now, visiting his wife. But, it would be possible to arrange for him to have, shall we say, an unfortunate accident."
Gillom shook his head. "I don't want any more innocents harmed."
"Not at the hospital. But, he will have to leave it at some point. An accident could be arranged then."
Gillom stared at Ericc, then smiled. "Before he goes and speaks to the authorities?"
"Most certainly, Senator."
"Do it. But that's the last death I want on my hands, Ericc. After my term as Senator is up, I'm retiring and returning to my homeworld. I have enough money to live on comfortably for the rest of my life. And, with all that's happening, the Republic will not last long." Gillom stopped and gave Ericc a pointed look. "You would do well to think of your own future."
Ericc's large eyes stared up at the Senator, as black and impassive as they'd been all the years he had served Gillom. "Oh, I have, Senator. I have."
"What will happen to Lursan without the Dynast's statement?"
"The charges against him will, most likely, be dismissed. Especially since the judge before which Lursan is scheduled to appear for his arraignment is one of your creatures."
Gillom grinned, his wide, lipless mouth sliding up and over his sharp teeth, a sly look on his reptilian features.
"Indeed he is, Ericc. Indeed he is."
Gillom then released a breath, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "However, I suppose I shall have one more death on my hands. Can't have Lursan running about. He might talk."
"That is quite possible, but perhaps you should clear that with Count Dooku. He was the one who recommended Lursan to you. Perhaps he has further use for him and would not appreciate your interference in his plans."
Gillom swallowed heavily at the mention of Count Dooku. Ericc was right. Dooku was not a man one wanted to cross.
"You're right. I'll contact him. Meanwhile, you start working on arranging that little accident for Dynast Lenor. And, please, make sure any collateral damage is minor."
"I will, Senator."
The Bith bowed and left the penthouse. Gillom went over to his comm unit and quickly punched in the heavily shielded code that Dooku had given him if he ever needed to contact him. It took some minutes for the transmission to go through, but, finally, Dooku's aristocratic features formed before him.
"What is it, Gillom?" Dooku said, his accented voice cold.
Gillom cleared his throat nervously. "You've heard what happened."
"Of course."
"I didn't want the child harmed. I swear. I tried to contact Lursan, tell him not to go through with it because I'd decided I didn't want Senator Lenor dead."
"And as a result played your hand. Now the attack on Senator Lenor and the murder of her son can be traced back to you. Pity."
Gillom leaned forward. "Not if Dynast Lenor is killed before he can reveal to the authorities it was me he spoke to."
Dooku arched a heavy, white brow. "But from what I've learned, Master Kenobi knows you were involved, Senator. He was too distraught to reveal that information to the authorities as of yet, but will soon enough. Are you going to have him killed too?"
Gillom shook his head. The last thing he needed was to try and have a Jedi killed.
"Without Dynast Lenor's statement, anything Kenobi says can be discredited," he told Dooku.
"Jedi do not lie, Senator Gillom. Or at least that is the myth the Jedi Order seeks to perpetuate. No one will believe that Master Kenobi made up a story about your involvement."
"They will if it's revealed he broke one of the Jedi Order's tenets. That he had a child with a woman who was not his wife. And a married woman at that.
"The child was conceived before Onara married Dynast Lenor."
"Ah, but my aide did some checking. Onara was married at the time of the conception. To her husband's uncle."
"The ceremony Kenobi engaged in with her that brought about the conception was fully sanctioned by Ahjane law."
Gillom smiled. "But that's not what people here on Coruscant will hear once I leak that information to the news. I have people at the Holonet who owe me favors. Once I'm done, all that people will know is Master Kenobi had an affair with a married woman. That out of that affair a child was conceived, in violation of his oath to the Jedi Order. That it is only his grief over that child's death, committed by some yet to be found madman, that is compelling him to make such wild and clearly unsubstantiated statements regarding Lursan's involvement. And, if Lursan is absolved, I am safe. Really, Count Dooku, don't you think most reasonable beings would find it quite easy to believe that a man who sleeps with another's man wife is also capable of lying. Even if he is a Jedi."
Dooku stared at Gillom for a long moment, those dark, penetrating eyes seeming to peer into his soul. Gillom stirred uncomfortably under that dark gaze.
"Kenobi's statement regarding your involvement with Lursan will be unsubstantiated." Dooku finally said.
Gillom nodded eagerly, "Because Dynast Lenor will be no longer be around to substantiate it."
"It appears you have this all worked out, Gillom. What do you want of me?"
"Lursan. Once he's free, I want to get rid of him too."
"No."
Gillom's four eyes widened. "No? Why not? He's a liability to me too. He could talk."
"I still may have use for him."
Gillom frowned. "I won't let him destroy my career, or have me sent to prison."
"Don't worry, Senator. If it should come to that, I will take care of him myself. But for now, do nothing concerning Lursan."
"As you wish."
Dooku nodded, then cut the transmission. Gillom released a heavy breath. His senatorial term was up next year, and he would be glad when it was. Politics had gotten much too complicated of late.
To be continued....
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Onara slowly opened her eyes. She looked over at Obi-Wan and smiled.
"Obi-Wan," she whispered.
He leaned over and took her hand, squeezing it gently.
"How do you feel?"
"Sore, a little sleepy. Where am I?"
"In the hospital. But, don't worry. You're going to be fine."
Onara nodded, then her eyes widened when she saw the clothes he was wearing.
"What are you doing in Dalan's clothes?" Then she smiled, her dark eyes sparkling. "You look very handsome in them. Is Dalan here?"
"No, love, he's at the apartment."
"Is Ben with him?"
Obi-Wan swallowed, his heart kicking in his chest. He leaned closer to Onara, his grip on her hand tightening. Onara was still smiling at him, but as he continued to remain silent, his eyes boring deeply into hers, her smile slowly slipped away. He could feel her pulling her hand away, but he held it tighter.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head.
"Onara, oh my dear sweet love..." he began, but he stopped when Onara shook her head harder.
"No," she repeated. "I saw him running. I told him to run. And he did." She looked up at Obi-Wan, her dark eyes shining with pride. "You should have seen him. My darling ran so fast. And I gave him enough time to get away. I know I did. And he's so smart. He would have found a good place to hide until....until you found him," Onara finished softly.
"Onara---"
"No, he got away!" she said firmly. "I know he did. And you found him. I know you found him." She gazed up at him, her eyes imploring him. "Please, Obi-Wan, tell me you found him"
A lump formed in Obi-Wan's throat. "I did, Onara. I did find him."
"Then where is he?" she cried. "If you found him, where is he?"
Obi-Wan took both her hands. They were cold and trembled in his. He pulled them to his chest, pressing them against his heart.
"He's gone, Onara," he said, his throat closing around the terrible words.
"Gone? No, I don't believe you. You're lying!"
"No, my love, I swear to you I'm not lying. Though the Ancients know I wish I were."
"How?"
"Onara, please, it's best you not know---"
"How?" she repeated dully, her eyes locked onto his.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes for moment. "He was shot," he finally said.
The blood drained from Onara's face. Her hands shuddered in his, her body quaking.
"Shot?" she repeated, shaking her head as if the concept of someone shooting her child was beyond all comprehension, all reason.
"The physicians did all they could, Onara," Obi-Wan went on. "But---"
He stopped because she was staring up at him with a wild, hopeful look in her eyes, and the moment he had feared and dreaded had finally come.
"You brought him back, Obi-Wan. The same way you brought me back. I know you did. Tell me you did!"
She gazed up at him, her face shining with this last desperate hope, a hope he was about to shatter. He swallowed thickly, a cold fist closing over his heart.
"No, Onara, I did not."
Onara stared at him. "You didn't? But, I don't understand. You did it before. You brought me back. I know you would have done no less for our child."
Obi-Wan lowered his head, his body stiffening with agony. That is true, he thought, I should have done no less for our child. He raised his head. Onara's face was a blur through his tears.
"I know you brought him back, Obi-Wan," she moaned, her eyes darkening with pain. "I know you did."
He leaned closer, needing to see her face, even as the tears welled in his eyes and flowed down his cheeks. He could no longer torture her like this. The truth, as horrific and painful as it was, was what she deserved, because it was all he had left to give her.
"I did not bring him back, Onara. I could not."
"You could not?" she whispered. "Why?"
"Because I am a Jedi!" he cried out in a strangled, tortured voice, the words like ashes in his mouth. "I would have had to turn to the dark side of the Force to bring him back. And he would have borne that horror and that blasphemy with me."
Onara stared at Obi-Wan for a stunned moment. Then she snatched her hands away, her face twisting with rage and grief.
"Dark side of the Force? I don't care about the dark side of the Force! I just want my baby! I want my baby!" she screamed.
Obi-Wan tried to take Onara's arms, but she twisted away from him. She got up from the bed, but, as her feet touched the floor, she was too weak to stand. Obi-Wan grabbed her as she fell, but she screamed at him.
"Let me go! I have to find Ben! Gods, oh, gods!" she shrieked. "Why didn't you bring him back? Why didn't you bring him back?"
Obi-Wan tried to take her in his arms, but she lashed out at him, beating his chest with her fists, her body twisting against his, but Obi-Wan was finally able to get his arms around her. He held her as tightly as he could, his tears mingling with hers.
"Ben, Ben," Onara wailed. "Oh, my baby, my sweet little baby!"
Then, with a final, heart-rending scream, Onara collapsed against Obi-Wan. He swept her up in his arms, laying her gently on the bed.
He turned when he heard the door to the room open. Dr. Manu, Onara's physician, ran in. He went over to her, his face tentacles waving agitatedly. Onara was weeping hysterically. A nurse was with Dr. Manu and he quickly handed the physician a med-patch, which he applied to the side of Onara's neck.
Obi-Wan watched, a dull, empty ache in his soul, as Onara quieted, the sedative the physician had given her taking effect. Her body stilled, and he heard her voice fading away as her eyes slowly closed.
"Ben, darling, don't be afraid. Mama's here. Mama's here."
Dr. Manu, once he was assured Onara was unconscious, looked over at Obi- Wan.
"She'll rest now," he told him.
"I had to tell her," Obi-Wan said, his voice like iron and stone, dead and cold. "I didn't want to. But she had to know. I would have spared her that, if I could. I should have spared her."
Dr. Manu reached over and put one of his suctioned-fingered hands on Obi- Wan's shoulder.
"You should get some rest, too, Master Jedi. She'll sleep for the rest of the night. Come back in the morning."
"I shouldn't leave her," Obi-Wan said. "I left her once before, you see. And I shouldn't have. None of this would have happened if I had been less of a Jedi and more of a man, a father, a husband."
Dr. Manu and the nurse exchanged a worried glance. "Please, Master Jedi," Dr. Manu said. "Go home. Get some rest. There's nothing more you can do for her tonight. When she awakens, she will need your strength for what lies ahead."
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. He went over to the bed and, leaning down, kissed Onara's forehead.
"I'll return tomorrow, my love," he whispered, knowing she couldn't hear him, but needing to say the words.
He moved back from the bed. She will hate you, the dark, cold voice had said to him, just before Obi-Wan had made his choice and Ben's spirit had vanished into the Abyss.
And I will love her, Obi-Wan replied to the echo of that voice. I will love her forever.
Obi-Wan turned. He picked up his jacket and drew it on, but his movements were slow and mechanical, as if he were nothing more than some droid, all metal and circuits and wiring. He went towards the door, then looked back. Dr. Manu was conferring with the nurse, showing him something on a medpad attached to Onara's bed.
Obi-Wan hesitated. He didn't want to leave her, but the physician was right. He should rest. Onara would need all his strength tomorrow, even if she no longer wanted it. But, he would offer it to her anyway. He would give her everything he had. Though that, he knew, would never be enough to compensate her for her loss. For his loss.
He stumbled through the door, blinded by anguish and overcome by the weight of his pain and guilt. Then he felt someone grab his arm and steady him. He stopped and looked up into Anakin's blue eyes.
"Anakin? I told you to go back to the Temple. What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you, Master," Anakin said softly. "Waiting to take you home."
He put his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulder and, at that moment, the crushing deluge of grief Obi-Wan had been holding back since that moment in the _Hall of Worlds_ was unleashed, and the Jedi Knight wept, tears unending, grief unceasing, pain unyielding. And Anakin held him as he cried.
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Senator Gillom paced angrily across the room, his scarlet-red robe flapping behind him.
"And you're absolutely certain there's no way we can get to him?" he snarled, his lipless mouth twisting with frustration.
"No, Senator. He's being held at the Hall of Judgment. That place is as difficult to get in as the Jedi Temple."
Gillom fisted his three-clawed hands. "The fool! The bloodthirsty fool! I told him not to harm the child. What kind of a monster would kill a child?"
Ericc, Gillom's Bith aide, only shrugged his small shoulders, his lidless black eyes regarding the Senator with the same impassivity he'd displayed all morning. Gillom turned from him in disgust. He strode over to the window of his penthouse apartment, his four eyes blinking at the morning light streaming through it.
"If he talks..." Gillom said, his back to Ericc.
"He could implicate you, Senator."
Gillom whirled around. "Exactly. And what do you think would happen to me if it's discovered that not only was I involved in this attack upon Senator Lenor, but that I had something to do with the murder of her son?"
"It would mean the end of your career and, perhaps, prison," Ericc said in his low, even voice.
"Exactly. Prison. And I have no wish to go to prison, Ericc. There must be a way we can get to him."
Ericc shook his elongated, bald head. "There is no way. But, I did speak to my sources within the Hall of Judgment. Although Lursan has been arrested, it was based solely on Jedi Kenobi's allegation that Lursan was responsible for the deaths of the boy, the amusement complex attendant and the attack on Senator Lenor."
Gillom's four eyes narrowed and he walked over to Ericc. "What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying, Senator, is that Lursan's advocate, the one you so kindly hired for him---"
"And the one you're certain can't be traced back to me?" Gillom interrupted.
Erric nodded. "Have no fear, Senator. She can not be traced back to you. As I was saying, Lursan's advocate is arguing that there is no physical evidence nor witnesses linking Lursan to these attacks."
"Go on."
"Without any physical evidence or witnesses, the only person tying you to Lursan, and Lursan to his attack on Senator Lenor and her son is her husband. Dynast Lenor."
"What of Onara? She's still alive. She's a witness. She could say Lursan attacked her."
"She is currently in no condition to speak to anyone, Senator, and from what I was able to find out from the hospital, will remain like that for quite some time. At least long enough for Lursan to be freed and leave Coruscant."
"Has Dynast Lenor spoken to the authorities yet?"
Ericc shook his large head. "He was under sedation all day yesterday. However, he is up and about and is scheduled to go to the Judicial Department later today."
Gillom frowned as he stroked his chin with one clawed finger. "Blast it! How was I supposed to know he was Onara's husband. I thought he was one of Lursan's associates. We have to get to him before he can go to the Judicial Department."
"Indeed, Senator."
"What do you suggest?"
"I'm having him watched, anticipating just such a need for action on our part. He's at the hospital now, visiting his wife. But, it would be possible to arrange for him to have, shall we say, an unfortunate accident."
Gillom shook his head. "I don't want any more innocents harmed."
"Not at the hospital. But, he will have to leave it at some point. An accident could be arranged then."
Gillom stared at Ericc, then smiled. "Before he goes and speaks to the authorities?"
"Most certainly, Senator."
"Do it. But that's the last death I want on my hands, Ericc. After my term as Senator is up, I'm retiring and returning to my homeworld. I have enough money to live on comfortably for the rest of my life. And, with all that's happening, the Republic will not last long." Gillom stopped and gave Ericc a pointed look. "You would do well to think of your own future."
Ericc's large eyes stared up at the Senator, as black and impassive as they'd been all the years he had served Gillom. "Oh, I have, Senator. I have."
"What will happen to Lursan without the Dynast's statement?"
"The charges against him will, most likely, be dismissed. Especially since the judge before which Lursan is scheduled to appear for his arraignment is one of your creatures."
Gillom grinned, his wide, lipless mouth sliding up and over his sharp teeth, a sly look on his reptilian features.
"Indeed he is, Ericc. Indeed he is."
Gillom then released a breath, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "However, I suppose I shall have one more death on my hands. Can't have Lursan running about. He might talk."
"That is quite possible, but perhaps you should clear that with Count Dooku. He was the one who recommended Lursan to you. Perhaps he has further use for him and would not appreciate your interference in his plans."
Gillom swallowed heavily at the mention of Count Dooku. Ericc was right. Dooku was not a man one wanted to cross.
"You're right. I'll contact him. Meanwhile, you start working on arranging that little accident for Dynast Lenor. And, please, make sure any collateral damage is minor."
"I will, Senator."
The Bith bowed and left the penthouse. Gillom went over to his comm unit and quickly punched in the heavily shielded code that Dooku had given him if he ever needed to contact him. It took some minutes for the transmission to go through, but, finally, Dooku's aristocratic features formed before him.
"What is it, Gillom?" Dooku said, his accented voice cold.
Gillom cleared his throat nervously. "You've heard what happened."
"Of course."
"I didn't want the child harmed. I swear. I tried to contact Lursan, tell him not to go through with it because I'd decided I didn't want Senator Lenor dead."
"And as a result played your hand. Now the attack on Senator Lenor and the murder of her son can be traced back to you. Pity."
Gillom leaned forward. "Not if Dynast Lenor is killed before he can reveal to the authorities it was me he spoke to."
Dooku arched a heavy, white brow. "But from what I've learned, Master Kenobi knows you were involved, Senator. He was too distraught to reveal that information to the authorities as of yet, but will soon enough. Are you going to have him killed too?"
Gillom shook his head. The last thing he needed was to try and have a Jedi killed.
"Without Dynast Lenor's statement, anything Kenobi says can be discredited," he told Dooku.
"Jedi do not lie, Senator Gillom. Or at least that is the myth the Jedi Order seeks to perpetuate. No one will believe that Master Kenobi made up a story about your involvement."
"They will if it's revealed he broke one of the Jedi Order's tenets. That he had a child with a woman who was not his wife. And a married woman at that.
"The child was conceived before Onara married Dynast Lenor."
"Ah, but my aide did some checking. Onara was married at the time of the conception. To her husband's uncle."
"The ceremony Kenobi engaged in with her that brought about the conception was fully sanctioned by Ahjane law."
Gillom smiled. "But that's not what people here on Coruscant will hear once I leak that information to the news. I have people at the Holonet who owe me favors. Once I'm done, all that people will know is Master Kenobi had an affair with a married woman. That out of that affair a child was conceived, in violation of his oath to the Jedi Order. That it is only his grief over that child's death, committed by some yet to be found madman, that is compelling him to make such wild and clearly unsubstantiated statements regarding Lursan's involvement. And, if Lursan is absolved, I am safe. Really, Count Dooku, don't you think most reasonable beings would find it quite easy to believe that a man who sleeps with another's man wife is also capable of lying. Even if he is a Jedi."
Dooku stared at Gillom for a long moment, those dark, penetrating eyes seeming to peer into his soul. Gillom stirred uncomfortably under that dark gaze.
"Kenobi's statement regarding your involvement with Lursan will be unsubstantiated." Dooku finally said.
Gillom nodded eagerly, "Because Dynast Lenor will be no longer be around to substantiate it."
"It appears you have this all worked out, Gillom. What do you want of me?"
"Lursan. Once he's free, I want to get rid of him too."
"No."
Gillom's four eyes widened. "No? Why not? He's a liability to me too. He could talk."
"I still may have use for him."
Gillom frowned. "I won't let him destroy my career, or have me sent to prison."
"Don't worry, Senator. If it should come to that, I will take care of him myself. But for now, do nothing concerning Lursan."
"As you wish."
Dooku nodded, then cut the transmission. Gillom released a heavy breath. His senatorial term was up next year, and he would be glad when it was. Politics had gotten much too complicated of late.
To be continued....