Stars in the Darkness - Part Thirty-Eight
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"But he confessed!"
"Yes, Master Oppo, we are all quite aware Obi-Wan confessed to Lursan's murder. As if we could forget it with your constantly reminding us of it."
Oppo glared at Ki-Adi Mundi, but the Cerean only gazed calmly back at him. Yoda, who had been listening quietly to the debate that had been raging in the chamber regarding Obi-Wan's fate, a debate which had split the Council cleanly down the middle, sighed audibly.
Although it was a small sound, it was noted by all the Council members. Each one of them looked over at him, waiting to hear what he had to contribute to the discussion, but Yoda remained silent, only exchanging a glance with Windu who sat next to him.
Oppo adjusted his robe about his serpentine body. "As I was saying, since Master Kenobi confessed to the murder, I demand we cease this pointless discussion and vote."
"For expulsion?" Shaak Ti asked in her low, quiet voice.
Oppo visibly bristled. "Of course. It's clear what needs to be done. Master Kenobi violated one of the Order's most sacred tenets. He took the law into his own hands. He killed, not in the heat of battle, not in self-defense or defense of another, but in cold-blood, and, worst of all, he admitted to killing Lursan as revenge for the death of his son. What more needs to be examined regarding the situation?"
"There's a great deal more that needs to be examined, Master Oppo," Ki-Adi replied. "First, we have to take into consideration that the criminal charges of murder against Obi-Wan have been dropped."
Oppo shook his head. "Irrelevant. He was under Republic jurisdiction then. What they chose to do with him is of no concern to us. Master Kenobi is now under our jurisdiction."
"I don't disagree with you," Ki-Adi said, "but we can not ignore the fact it was at the urging of the Ajhane Assembly and its new Senator that the criminal charges against Obi-Wan were dropped. Having learned the true identity of Lursan, as far as the people of Ahjane are concerned, Obi-Wan is a hero and deserves a medal for having executed a notorious assassin, wanted for the deaths of hundreds on their world."
"I know that," Oppo said testily.
Yoda could see it still rankled the Thisspian Jedi that Obi-Wan had been freed from the Hall of Judgment after Senator Nyzeill, newly arrived from Ahjane to take Onara's place, had vigorously and doggedly demanded his release.
As leader of the Red Tide, Lursan's death had not been mourned on Ahjane, but celebrated, and once it was learned he had also been responsible for the death of Onara's son, the people of Ahjane, who dearly loved her, had expressed their support for Obi-Wan's release through thousands upon thousands of holo-mails and blip-messages. The Judicial Department, caving in to the groundswell of support that was also starting to grow on Coruscant, capitulated and released Obi-Wan.
Although Lursan had been murdered on Coruscant he was, technically, a citizen of Ahjane. Since he had no living relatives who wanted to press charges against Obi-Wan, or at least none who dared show their face, and the Ahjane government had no wish to pursue such charges, Obi-Wan was released.
But, upon his release he was quickly whisked away to the Temple. The Jedi had their own laws when it came to members of their Order, separate from those of the Republic. Obi-Wan had violated one of their most sacred tenets: the taking of a life for revenge. In addition, the Council could not ignore the fact that, upon his arrest, Obi-Wan had immediately confessed to the murder.
"His having been cleared of the criminal charges," Oppo went on, "doesn't change a thing as far as this Council is concerned. Master Kenobi confessed, therefore he's guilty, therefore he should be expelled."
"I'm still very much troubled by this confession of his."
Yoda looked over at Adi Gallia. The beautiful Jedi, the organic tentacles of her Toloth headdress swaying across her shoulders, her exotic blue eyes thoughtful, looked over to where Oppo sat next to her.
"What's so troubling about it?" Oppo asked.
"As you know, before his death, Master Qui-Gon and I often worked together on missions. A number of those missions included Obi-Wan, along with my then padawan, Siri Tachi. I know Obi-Wan. This just doesn't sound like him."
Oppo tilted his head at Adi. "Master Galia, that was back when Obi-Wan was himself still a padawan. Back before he met this woman and developed this clearly unstable passion for her. The Obi-Wan you knew might not have committed this murder, but the man he is today is perfectly capable of it."
"And you're sure of that?"
"Quite sure. Especially since he confessed."
A raspy, filtered voice interrupted Adi and Oppo's conversation. "But what if Master Obi-Wan has confessed to something he didn't do?"
Yoda glanced over at Plo Koon where he sat next to Mace, most of his face hidden behind black goggles and a forked mask, which he wore to protect himself from oxygen-rich atmospheres.
"Confessed to something he didn't do?" Oppo shook his hairy head. "Why would he do such a ridiculous thing?"
Plo Koon shrugged. "To protect someone, perhaps?"
Yoda clenched his hands. He and Mace exchanged a troubled glance.
"To protect whom, Master Plo Koon?" Mace asked in his basso voice.
Again, Plo Koon shrugged, but Yoda suspected the Kel Dor Jedi was thinking the same thing he and Mace had thought the moment the news had reached them that Obi-Wan had been arrested and had quickly confessed to the murder. It was true Obi-Wan had fallen in love with a woman who had bore him a child. A woman who had been viciously attacked and her child brutally murdered by a man who had then been set free, no doubt due to the machinations of the now deceased Senator Gillom.
Yoda grimaced as he recalled the senator. Another murder which, initially, some had thought Obi-Wan had also committed until the investigation into the killing proved it was Lursan who had, upon his release, gone to see the Senator and stabbed him to death.
It was then subsequently revealed, in an interview given on the HoloNet by the Senator's Bith aide, that there had been a connection between Lursan and Gillom. The senator had hired Lursan to assassinate Senator Lenor. The Bith also revealed that Gillom was behind the death of Dynast Lenor and had planned to have Lursan killed. Lursan, apparently, suspecting such duplicity, had killed Gillom before he could carry out his plan.
As for Obi-Wan, the attack on Onara and the murder of Ben in and of itself would be enough to drive any ordinary man to commit murder, Yoda reflected, but Obi-Wan was no ordinary man. He was a Jedi, and he wasn't just any Jedi. He was one of the Order's finest. It was inconceivable, therefore, that he would have taken Lursan's life, no matter how justified he might have been in doing so. But, there was the irrefutable fact he had confessed to the murder. However, if Obi-Wan hadn't killed Lursan, who had?
Anakin had been questioned extensively by Yoda and Windu immediately upon Obi-Wan's arrest, but the two, wanting to discover the truth, had not told Anakin his master had confessed. Initially, the boy had been uncooperative, evading their questions and refusing to answer some of them, but the two Masters had persisted with their questioning until Anakin had finally told them what he'd done.
He had left the hospital and followed his master, having "borrowed" a swoop bike to do so. He arrived, however, just as Obi-Wan was leaving the apartment building. Flying the swoop bike up to Lursan's penthouse, he had looked through the window and saw Lursan's body, his head lying a short distance away.
Windu and Yoda, after their questioning of Anakin, had decided to keep the information he had provided to themselves. The boy had already expressed great anguish at having to give testimony to the Jedi Masters that clearly implicated Obi-Wan in Lursan's murder. He had insisted, however, there was no way Obi-Wan could have killed Lursan, but when asked if not his master then whom, Anakin had been unable to answer the question. He had seen no one else in the vicinity of the apartment building. Not wanting to compound Anakin's anguish, Windu and Yoda had chosen not to share his statements with the Judicial Department or the Council.
And, in truth, there was no need to. The forensic evidence gathered by the Judicial Department indicated that the weapon used to behead Lursan was a lightsaber, and the footage from the scanner-eyes in the apartment building foyer had shown only one person entering and leaving the building at the time of Lursan's death. Obi-Wan.
That evidence, along with Obi-Wan's confession, was enough to convict him, and, if not for the intervention of the Ahjane government, Obi-Wan would now be on his way to a prison planet, his Force powers stripped from him. Instead, he was cloistered in seclusion within the Temple as he awaited the Council's decision.
Yoda closed his eyes, focusing inward. Anakin was not responsible for Lursan's death. That was clear. But Obi-Wan, not having had a chance to speak to Anakin since his arrest had, more than likely, assumed his apprentice had killed Lursan and had quickly confessed in order to protect him.
At least that was the way Yoda saw it. Or, he told himself, perhaps Obi-Wan had indeed killed Lursan. But that was not likely. Therefore the mystery remained, and a very disturbing mystery it was, because if Obi-Wan had not killed Lursan and Anakin had not, then who had? Whoever it was, he or she owned a lightsaber. Which meant he or she was a Jedi, either past or present.
"I don't think Master Obi-Wan is protecting anyone," Oppo asserted, pulling Yoda out of his troubled thoughts. "He killed Lursan because he has clearly lost his way as a Jedi. As I stated back when we voted to send him on the retreat to Bestine, these are troubled times for our Order. We can not afford to have its reputation tarnished by members of our Order running about renegade. Therefore I'm presently calling for, no, I'm demanding his expulsion."
"Has Obi-Wan said anything else regarding Lursan's murder since his arrival at the Temple?" Master Billaba asked, her dark eyes glancing over at Yoda.
"No more has he said," Yoda replied, finally breaking his silence. "Confessed to the murder he has. Stick with that story he continues. Meditates he now does, awaiting the decision of the Council. Whatever the Council decides, accept it he will."
"Then let us decide," Oppo urged. "There's nothing more we need discuss. The sooner we take care of this, the sooner we can move on to matters of greater importance."
"Of great importance this is," Yoda suddenly snapped, his green eyes flaring, his voice cutting through the chamber. "No ordinary Jedi is Master Obi-Wan. Strong with the Force he is. Noble and committed, wise and compassionate. His loss to our Order will be incalculable. Cavalier and rushed about this we must not be."
Half of the Council members nodded in agreement, but they were the ones who, based upon their comments, did not want Obi-Wan expelled. The other half were in support of Obi-Wan's expulsion, and a few, especially Oppo, wanted his Force powers stripped from him, fearing he would be a danger if expelled in full possession of them.
As the discussion wore on, Yoda decided he would abstain from the vote. Without him, there would be no chance of a deadlock. The last time Obi-Wan had come before the Council to be disciplined, both he and Mace had abstained, as was their rights as senior members of the Council. But, this time Yoda knew Mace would not abstain. Obi-Wan's fate would be decided, therefore, once and for all.
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"They won't even let you see him?"
Anakin shook his head. He stood and went back to his pacing across the floor. He and Padmé were in the Jedi Temple, in a section of it reserved for visitors. Padmé had arrived sometime ago and had stayed with Anakin as he awaited the Council's decision regarding Obi-Wan. The meeting had been going on for most of the morning, which, as far as Anakin was concerned was not a good sign.
"He has to remain in seclusion, to meditate," he told Padmé. "More than likely he's supposed to meditate on the fact that in a few hours he'll no longer be a Jedi."
Padmé wrung her hands from where she sat on a low, blue-covered couch. "I just can't imagine Obi-Wan not being a Jedi. It's so much a part of him."
"It is," Anakin said, nodding fiercely. "Very much so. Obi-Wan, more than any Jedi I know, has made his commitment to the Force not just some abstract concept, but a part of his life, of his very being. It's why I admire him so much. It's why I've tried so much to be like him. And why I keep failing."
Padmé rose from the couch and went over to Anakin, stopping his frantic pacing. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Ani. You're still young. You have time to become the Jedi you were meant to be."
"But how will I if Master Obi-Wan is expelled? I'll have to be assigned to another master. And I don't want another master! I want Obi-Wan. I need him." Anakin clenched his hands into fists. "I have such fears that without him I'll...."
"You'll what, Anakin?"
Anakin shook his head. "I don't know. Do something terrible, something horrible."
"Come and sit down," Padmé urged, guiding him back to the couch. "You'll wear yourself out with all this pacing."
Anakin let Padmé lead him over to the couch. The two sat, Padmé slipping her arm through his and leaning against his shoulder.
"I think he wants to be expelled," Anakin said.
"Why would you think that?"
Anakin shrugged. "I know he confessed because he thought I killed Lursan. He was protecting me. But, he knows now that I didn't kill Lursan, yet he refuses to recant his confession."
"How do you know this?"
"Sinja-Bau told me. She's the only one who's been allowed to see him since he arrived at the Temple. He chose her as his advisor for the proceedings."
Padmé frowned. "But, why would Obi-Wan want to be expelled from the Jedi Order?"
"Because he's not the same person anymore. He's not drawing on the Force. I can feel it. I don't think he wants to be a Jedi, but I also don't think he can bring himself to quit either."
Padmé nodded. Then she squeezed Anakin's arm. "This is all just conjecture on your part, Ani. You really don't know what Obi-Wan is thinking. And until you do you shouldn't worry yourself so."
"But, that's not all, Padmé. That's not all that's bothering me."
"What is it? Tell me."
Anakin swallowed and looked down at the toes of his boots. "When I followed Master Obi-Wan to Lursan's, I knew he hadn't gone there to kill Lursan. It's just not in his nature. I think he went to warn Lursan to stay away from Onara. But, Lursan is...was a stone-cold killer, so I wanted to be sure Master Obi-Wan would be all right."
"And?" Padmé asked, and Anakin was touched at how she sensed he was holding something back.
"And," he went on, clearing his throat, "if someone hadn't already killed Lursan, I would have. He killed Ben, Padmé! Ben was only a baby. And as a result, Lursan has broken Onara's heart and mind and destroyed my master's faith in himself and the Force. That Sith-spawn didn't deserve to live!"
Anakin lowered his head into his hands. Padme put her arms around him and held him. He didn't weep, but he couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. Upon learning that Lursan was actually Red Tide and the boy he had killed was his son, although Anakin felt no guilt over Rhad's death, he did feel responsible for what that death had wrought for Obi-Wan and Onara. The death of their child. Sweet little Ben, whom Anakin had rescued when he was just a baby.
Then he felt tears stinging his eyes, especially when he thought of the last time he had seen Ben, sitting with Obi-Wan on the floor in his master's quarters. He thought of the jealousy he had first felt, then the joy when he and Ben had sang together, and of the happiness that had been in Obi-Wan's eyes as he looked upon his son. Happiness that Anakin feared Obi-Wan would never feel again.
Especially with Onara still locked within her _yanol_. She had been released from the hospital and was being cared for her at her apartment by Keria and a full-time nurse. Sinja-Bau was also often with her. She had made arrangements for Onara, along with Ben and Dalan's bodies, to be transported to Ahjane, but Anakin sensed she was waiting to see what happened with Obi-Wan before she finalized those arrangements.
Anakin raised his head. He looked over at Padmé. He loved her so much, now more than ever. She had taken time away from her duties as Senator to be with him as much as she could. She had comforted him, listened to him, and not judged him. If Obi-Wan loved Onara even half as much as Anakin loved Padmé then he could well understand why his master had done all the things he'd done since meeting her.
Padmé, noting him staring at her, smiled, and them, charmingly blushed, lowering her head. Anakin reached over and stroked her cheek, but, just as he did a young Padawan walked into the visitor's lounge. Anakin quickly lowered his hand and stood. The Padawan, a Mon Calamari who looked to be about nine, bowed in front of him.
"Padawan Skywalker?" he said in his high-pitched, but throaty voice.
"Yes?" Anakin said, willing himself not to smile because the Mon Calamari seemed somewhat awed to be in his presence.
"You're needed at the Temple entrance."
"I am?"
The younger padawan nodded, his huge, copper-colored eyes blinking rapidly. "There's a...a...a altercation going on there. You've been asked to see to it."
"An altercation?" Anakin glanced over at Padmé. She rose from the couch, a worried look on her face. "Why do they want me? Why don't they have security handle it?"
The Mon Calamari boy raised his small shoulders. "I don't know, Padawan Skywalker. Master Kaidyn asked me to come and get you."
Anakin adjusted his belt about his waist, and, his cloak flowing behind him, followed the padawan through the halls, Padmé at his side. As they drew nearer to the large entrance doors, Anakin saw that they were open. About six Jedi were inside the Temple, blocking the entrance.
Outside the doors, standing in the brilliant noonday sun stood two beings. One was a tall, golden-furred Whiphid, his hairless face with its two large tusks looking calmly about him. Next to him stood a Codru-Ji female. She was angrily waving all four of her arms, her lovely, elfin face twisted with rage.
"Ya blasted knotheads," she shouted. "I've come halfway across the galaxy, and I wants to see Master Kenobi, and I wants to see him now, or I swear, I'll blast the heads off the lot of ya, ya bathrobe wearing sons of tarls."
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Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes. He had been meditating for the last hour. The room he was sequestered in was one of the Temple's most beautiful meditation chambers, full of incredibly textured tapestries, richly colored paintings, plants and a small fountain which tinkled gently. There was a meditation cushion, a table, a resting couch and a small fresher. All of his needs were seen to while he awaited the Council's decision. That is, all of his needs but one.
His need to see Onara.
He knew she was being well taken care of at her apartment. Sinja-Bau visited her often and, when she came to see him, gave Obi-Wan regular reports on her condition, but he wanted, no, he needed to be near her. To see her, to touch her, to take care of her. His need had become a fever, invading even his dreams.
Even as Onara remained within her _yanol_ thoughts of her had filled Obi- Wan's mind. His arrest, his confession, his release and his subsequent sequestering at the Temple, where he awaited the Council's decision regarding his future as a Jedi, none of that mattered. Only she did.
And Anakin. Obi-Wan had not seen Anakin since his arrest, but his Padawan was never far from his mind. Having learned from Sinja-Bau that Anakin had not killed Lursan, as Obi-Wan had feared, she had urged him to recant his confession, but by then he had no longer cared what happened to him. All he cared about was Onara.
Reaching underneath his tunic, he pulled out the pendant K'lia, Onara's father, had given him when he'd first gone on his search for Sinja-Bau. Inside was a holographic image of Onara holding a newborn Ben. Before he had come to the meditation chamber, he had been allowed to stop off at his quarters and take what personal possessions he desired to have with him. All he had taken, besides a change of clothing, had been the pendant
Obi-Wan pressed the bottom of the pendant and his heart both softened and bled as the image formed. He gazed at Onara, her beautiful face smiling as she looked lovingly down at their baby. His eyes welled with tears. He had lost them both, both of his beloveds, and with that thought he gently closed the pendant and slipped it beneath his tunic..
Sighing heavily, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and prepared himself to mediate again. He still refused to call upon the Force, so his meditations lacked the depth and insightfulness that had been a part of them before, but he just couldn't open himself to the Force. Not yet. The Force had betrayed him, had taken away his son and, as a result, had killed Onara's love for him. But, meditating had proved restful, so, placing his hands upon his thighs, he prepared himself to enter another one.
However, before he could do so, the door to the chamber opened. Two Jedi, the same ones who had escorted him to the chamber, a Duros and a brown- skinned human female stood outside. The blue-skinned Duros, his large red eyes regarding Obi-Wan impassively, gestured towards him. "You must come with us."
Obi-Wan nodded and, rising from the cushion went over to the couch. He put on his robe and clipped his lightsaber to his belt. Then, escorted by the two Jedi, he left the meditation chamber.
Obi-Wan noted the glances of other Jedi in the halls as he passed, but he paid them no mind. Just like him, they would soon know what his fate was. However, it wasn't until he reached the corridor that would take him to the lift to the Council's chamber, that he felt something other than his overwhelming despondency. Standing next to Anakin and Padmé were two faces he thought never to see again.
Zaka bowed solemnly as Obi-Wan approached. Obi-Wan stopped and returned the Whiphid's bow. The other face, which filled his heart with an inexplicable, but much welcome, joy was Auna's.
Not caring if he was breaking protocol, Obi-Wan walked over to them. He sensed the agitation of his two Jedi escorts, but they did not stop him. They stood just a few feet away, however, and Obi-Wan knew they would not tolerate his detour for long.
"Auna" Obi-Wan said, his voice full of warmth. "It's good to see you."
"Master Kenobi," she cried, reaching over with all four hands to take his. "Me and Zaka, we heard what happened to your wee one." Tears filled her large eyes. "We came as soon as could, but when we got here, they tells us we can't see ya. But yar apprentice here," and she nodded over at Anakin, who gave her a small nod and a smile, "he got them knotheads to let us in. We're here for ya, Master Kenobi, me and Zaka. Just wanted ya to know that."
"Thank you, Auna," Obi-Wan said squeezing her hands. Then he turned and looked over at Zaka. The big Whiphid leaned forward.
"Zaka sorry he not be one to take head of beast who kill Je-di's little flower. But Zaka glad to hear killer of little flowers is dead."
Obi-Wan nodded and, reaching over, put his hand over Zaka's big furry one. Then he felt one of his escorts touch his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Knight Kenobi, but we can not linger hear. The Council is waiting."
"Of course."
Obi-Wan moved away and looking over at Anakin and Padmé gave them both a smile. The two returned it, but Obi-Wan could see the worry in Anakin's eyes. He wanted to assure Anakin that everything would be all right, but he could not. He turned and, moving back between his escorts, entered the lift that would take him to the Council chamber.
To be continued...
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"But he confessed!"
"Yes, Master Oppo, we are all quite aware Obi-Wan confessed to Lursan's murder. As if we could forget it with your constantly reminding us of it."
Oppo glared at Ki-Adi Mundi, but the Cerean only gazed calmly back at him. Yoda, who had been listening quietly to the debate that had been raging in the chamber regarding Obi-Wan's fate, a debate which had split the Council cleanly down the middle, sighed audibly.
Although it was a small sound, it was noted by all the Council members. Each one of them looked over at him, waiting to hear what he had to contribute to the discussion, but Yoda remained silent, only exchanging a glance with Windu who sat next to him.
Oppo adjusted his robe about his serpentine body. "As I was saying, since Master Kenobi confessed to the murder, I demand we cease this pointless discussion and vote."
"For expulsion?" Shaak Ti asked in her low, quiet voice.
Oppo visibly bristled. "Of course. It's clear what needs to be done. Master Kenobi violated one of the Order's most sacred tenets. He took the law into his own hands. He killed, not in the heat of battle, not in self-defense or defense of another, but in cold-blood, and, worst of all, he admitted to killing Lursan as revenge for the death of his son. What more needs to be examined regarding the situation?"
"There's a great deal more that needs to be examined, Master Oppo," Ki-Adi replied. "First, we have to take into consideration that the criminal charges of murder against Obi-Wan have been dropped."
Oppo shook his head. "Irrelevant. He was under Republic jurisdiction then. What they chose to do with him is of no concern to us. Master Kenobi is now under our jurisdiction."
"I don't disagree with you," Ki-Adi said, "but we can not ignore the fact it was at the urging of the Ajhane Assembly and its new Senator that the criminal charges against Obi-Wan were dropped. Having learned the true identity of Lursan, as far as the people of Ahjane are concerned, Obi-Wan is a hero and deserves a medal for having executed a notorious assassin, wanted for the deaths of hundreds on their world."
"I know that," Oppo said testily.
Yoda could see it still rankled the Thisspian Jedi that Obi-Wan had been freed from the Hall of Judgment after Senator Nyzeill, newly arrived from Ahjane to take Onara's place, had vigorously and doggedly demanded his release.
As leader of the Red Tide, Lursan's death had not been mourned on Ahjane, but celebrated, and once it was learned he had also been responsible for the death of Onara's son, the people of Ahjane, who dearly loved her, had expressed their support for Obi-Wan's release through thousands upon thousands of holo-mails and blip-messages. The Judicial Department, caving in to the groundswell of support that was also starting to grow on Coruscant, capitulated and released Obi-Wan.
Although Lursan had been murdered on Coruscant he was, technically, a citizen of Ahjane. Since he had no living relatives who wanted to press charges against Obi-Wan, or at least none who dared show their face, and the Ahjane government had no wish to pursue such charges, Obi-Wan was released.
But, upon his release he was quickly whisked away to the Temple. The Jedi had their own laws when it came to members of their Order, separate from those of the Republic. Obi-Wan had violated one of their most sacred tenets: the taking of a life for revenge. In addition, the Council could not ignore the fact that, upon his arrest, Obi-Wan had immediately confessed to the murder.
"His having been cleared of the criminal charges," Oppo went on, "doesn't change a thing as far as this Council is concerned. Master Kenobi confessed, therefore he's guilty, therefore he should be expelled."
"I'm still very much troubled by this confession of his."
Yoda looked over at Adi Gallia. The beautiful Jedi, the organic tentacles of her Toloth headdress swaying across her shoulders, her exotic blue eyes thoughtful, looked over to where Oppo sat next to her.
"What's so troubling about it?" Oppo asked.
"As you know, before his death, Master Qui-Gon and I often worked together on missions. A number of those missions included Obi-Wan, along with my then padawan, Siri Tachi. I know Obi-Wan. This just doesn't sound like him."
Oppo tilted his head at Adi. "Master Galia, that was back when Obi-Wan was himself still a padawan. Back before he met this woman and developed this clearly unstable passion for her. The Obi-Wan you knew might not have committed this murder, but the man he is today is perfectly capable of it."
"And you're sure of that?"
"Quite sure. Especially since he confessed."
A raspy, filtered voice interrupted Adi and Oppo's conversation. "But what if Master Obi-Wan has confessed to something he didn't do?"
Yoda glanced over at Plo Koon where he sat next to Mace, most of his face hidden behind black goggles and a forked mask, which he wore to protect himself from oxygen-rich atmospheres.
"Confessed to something he didn't do?" Oppo shook his hairy head. "Why would he do such a ridiculous thing?"
Plo Koon shrugged. "To protect someone, perhaps?"
Yoda clenched his hands. He and Mace exchanged a troubled glance.
"To protect whom, Master Plo Koon?" Mace asked in his basso voice.
Again, Plo Koon shrugged, but Yoda suspected the Kel Dor Jedi was thinking the same thing he and Mace had thought the moment the news had reached them that Obi-Wan had been arrested and had quickly confessed to the murder. It was true Obi-Wan had fallen in love with a woman who had bore him a child. A woman who had been viciously attacked and her child brutally murdered by a man who had then been set free, no doubt due to the machinations of the now deceased Senator Gillom.
Yoda grimaced as he recalled the senator. Another murder which, initially, some had thought Obi-Wan had also committed until the investigation into the killing proved it was Lursan who had, upon his release, gone to see the Senator and stabbed him to death.
It was then subsequently revealed, in an interview given on the HoloNet by the Senator's Bith aide, that there had been a connection between Lursan and Gillom. The senator had hired Lursan to assassinate Senator Lenor. The Bith also revealed that Gillom was behind the death of Dynast Lenor and had planned to have Lursan killed. Lursan, apparently, suspecting such duplicity, had killed Gillom before he could carry out his plan.
As for Obi-Wan, the attack on Onara and the murder of Ben in and of itself would be enough to drive any ordinary man to commit murder, Yoda reflected, but Obi-Wan was no ordinary man. He was a Jedi, and he wasn't just any Jedi. He was one of the Order's finest. It was inconceivable, therefore, that he would have taken Lursan's life, no matter how justified he might have been in doing so. But, there was the irrefutable fact he had confessed to the murder. However, if Obi-Wan hadn't killed Lursan, who had?
Anakin had been questioned extensively by Yoda and Windu immediately upon Obi-Wan's arrest, but the two, wanting to discover the truth, had not told Anakin his master had confessed. Initially, the boy had been uncooperative, evading their questions and refusing to answer some of them, but the two Masters had persisted with their questioning until Anakin had finally told them what he'd done.
He had left the hospital and followed his master, having "borrowed" a swoop bike to do so. He arrived, however, just as Obi-Wan was leaving the apartment building. Flying the swoop bike up to Lursan's penthouse, he had looked through the window and saw Lursan's body, his head lying a short distance away.
Windu and Yoda, after their questioning of Anakin, had decided to keep the information he had provided to themselves. The boy had already expressed great anguish at having to give testimony to the Jedi Masters that clearly implicated Obi-Wan in Lursan's murder. He had insisted, however, there was no way Obi-Wan could have killed Lursan, but when asked if not his master then whom, Anakin had been unable to answer the question. He had seen no one else in the vicinity of the apartment building. Not wanting to compound Anakin's anguish, Windu and Yoda had chosen not to share his statements with the Judicial Department or the Council.
And, in truth, there was no need to. The forensic evidence gathered by the Judicial Department indicated that the weapon used to behead Lursan was a lightsaber, and the footage from the scanner-eyes in the apartment building foyer had shown only one person entering and leaving the building at the time of Lursan's death. Obi-Wan.
That evidence, along with Obi-Wan's confession, was enough to convict him, and, if not for the intervention of the Ahjane government, Obi-Wan would now be on his way to a prison planet, his Force powers stripped from him. Instead, he was cloistered in seclusion within the Temple as he awaited the Council's decision.
Yoda closed his eyes, focusing inward. Anakin was not responsible for Lursan's death. That was clear. But Obi-Wan, not having had a chance to speak to Anakin since his arrest had, more than likely, assumed his apprentice had killed Lursan and had quickly confessed in order to protect him.
At least that was the way Yoda saw it. Or, he told himself, perhaps Obi-Wan had indeed killed Lursan. But that was not likely. Therefore the mystery remained, and a very disturbing mystery it was, because if Obi-Wan had not killed Lursan and Anakin had not, then who had? Whoever it was, he or she owned a lightsaber. Which meant he or she was a Jedi, either past or present.
"I don't think Master Obi-Wan is protecting anyone," Oppo asserted, pulling Yoda out of his troubled thoughts. "He killed Lursan because he has clearly lost his way as a Jedi. As I stated back when we voted to send him on the retreat to Bestine, these are troubled times for our Order. We can not afford to have its reputation tarnished by members of our Order running about renegade. Therefore I'm presently calling for, no, I'm demanding his expulsion."
"Has Obi-Wan said anything else regarding Lursan's murder since his arrival at the Temple?" Master Billaba asked, her dark eyes glancing over at Yoda.
"No more has he said," Yoda replied, finally breaking his silence. "Confessed to the murder he has. Stick with that story he continues. Meditates he now does, awaiting the decision of the Council. Whatever the Council decides, accept it he will."
"Then let us decide," Oppo urged. "There's nothing more we need discuss. The sooner we take care of this, the sooner we can move on to matters of greater importance."
"Of great importance this is," Yoda suddenly snapped, his green eyes flaring, his voice cutting through the chamber. "No ordinary Jedi is Master Obi-Wan. Strong with the Force he is. Noble and committed, wise and compassionate. His loss to our Order will be incalculable. Cavalier and rushed about this we must not be."
Half of the Council members nodded in agreement, but they were the ones who, based upon their comments, did not want Obi-Wan expelled. The other half were in support of Obi-Wan's expulsion, and a few, especially Oppo, wanted his Force powers stripped from him, fearing he would be a danger if expelled in full possession of them.
As the discussion wore on, Yoda decided he would abstain from the vote. Without him, there would be no chance of a deadlock. The last time Obi-Wan had come before the Council to be disciplined, both he and Mace had abstained, as was their rights as senior members of the Council. But, this time Yoda knew Mace would not abstain. Obi-Wan's fate would be decided, therefore, once and for all.
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"They won't even let you see him?"
Anakin shook his head. He stood and went back to his pacing across the floor. He and Padmé were in the Jedi Temple, in a section of it reserved for visitors. Padmé had arrived sometime ago and had stayed with Anakin as he awaited the Council's decision regarding Obi-Wan. The meeting had been going on for most of the morning, which, as far as Anakin was concerned was not a good sign.
"He has to remain in seclusion, to meditate," he told Padmé. "More than likely he's supposed to meditate on the fact that in a few hours he'll no longer be a Jedi."
Padmé wrung her hands from where she sat on a low, blue-covered couch. "I just can't imagine Obi-Wan not being a Jedi. It's so much a part of him."
"It is," Anakin said, nodding fiercely. "Very much so. Obi-Wan, more than any Jedi I know, has made his commitment to the Force not just some abstract concept, but a part of his life, of his very being. It's why I admire him so much. It's why I've tried so much to be like him. And why I keep failing."
Padmé rose from the couch and went over to Anakin, stopping his frantic pacing. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Ani. You're still young. You have time to become the Jedi you were meant to be."
"But how will I if Master Obi-Wan is expelled? I'll have to be assigned to another master. And I don't want another master! I want Obi-Wan. I need him." Anakin clenched his hands into fists. "I have such fears that without him I'll...."
"You'll what, Anakin?"
Anakin shook his head. "I don't know. Do something terrible, something horrible."
"Come and sit down," Padmé urged, guiding him back to the couch. "You'll wear yourself out with all this pacing."
Anakin let Padmé lead him over to the couch. The two sat, Padmé slipping her arm through his and leaning against his shoulder.
"I think he wants to be expelled," Anakin said.
"Why would you think that?"
Anakin shrugged. "I know he confessed because he thought I killed Lursan. He was protecting me. But, he knows now that I didn't kill Lursan, yet he refuses to recant his confession."
"How do you know this?"
"Sinja-Bau told me. She's the only one who's been allowed to see him since he arrived at the Temple. He chose her as his advisor for the proceedings."
Padmé frowned. "But, why would Obi-Wan want to be expelled from the Jedi Order?"
"Because he's not the same person anymore. He's not drawing on the Force. I can feel it. I don't think he wants to be a Jedi, but I also don't think he can bring himself to quit either."
Padmé nodded. Then she squeezed Anakin's arm. "This is all just conjecture on your part, Ani. You really don't know what Obi-Wan is thinking. And until you do you shouldn't worry yourself so."
"But, that's not all, Padmé. That's not all that's bothering me."
"What is it? Tell me."
Anakin swallowed and looked down at the toes of his boots. "When I followed Master Obi-Wan to Lursan's, I knew he hadn't gone there to kill Lursan. It's just not in his nature. I think he went to warn Lursan to stay away from Onara. But, Lursan is...was a stone-cold killer, so I wanted to be sure Master Obi-Wan would be all right."
"And?" Padmé asked, and Anakin was touched at how she sensed he was holding something back.
"And," he went on, clearing his throat, "if someone hadn't already killed Lursan, I would have. He killed Ben, Padmé! Ben was only a baby. And as a result, Lursan has broken Onara's heart and mind and destroyed my master's faith in himself and the Force. That Sith-spawn didn't deserve to live!"
Anakin lowered his head into his hands. Padme put her arms around him and held him. He didn't weep, but he couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. Upon learning that Lursan was actually Red Tide and the boy he had killed was his son, although Anakin felt no guilt over Rhad's death, he did feel responsible for what that death had wrought for Obi-Wan and Onara. The death of their child. Sweet little Ben, whom Anakin had rescued when he was just a baby.
Then he felt tears stinging his eyes, especially when he thought of the last time he had seen Ben, sitting with Obi-Wan on the floor in his master's quarters. He thought of the jealousy he had first felt, then the joy when he and Ben had sang together, and of the happiness that had been in Obi-Wan's eyes as he looked upon his son. Happiness that Anakin feared Obi-Wan would never feel again.
Especially with Onara still locked within her _yanol_. She had been released from the hospital and was being cared for her at her apartment by Keria and a full-time nurse. Sinja-Bau was also often with her. She had made arrangements for Onara, along with Ben and Dalan's bodies, to be transported to Ahjane, but Anakin sensed she was waiting to see what happened with Obi-Wan before she finalized those arrangements.
Anakin raised his head. He looked over at Padmé. He loved her so much, now more than ever. She had taken time away from her duties as Senator to be with him as much as she could. She had comforted him, listened to him, and not judged him. If Obi-Wan loved Onara even half as much as Anakin loved Padmé then he could well understand why his master had done all the things he'd done since meeting her.
Padmé, noting him staring at her, smiled, and them, charmingly blushed, lowering her head. Anakin reached over and stroked her cheek, but, just as he did a young Padawan walked into the visitor's lounge. Anakin quickly lowered his hand and stood. The Padawan, a Mon Calamari who looked to be about nine, bowed in front of him.
"Padawan Skywalker?" he said in his high-pitched, but throaty voice.
"Yes?" Anakin said, willing himself not to smile because the Mon Calamari seemed somewhat awed to be in his presence.
"You're needed at the Temple entrance."
"I am?"
The younger padawan nodded, his huge, copper-colored eyes blinking rapidly. "There's a...a...a altercation going on there. You've been asked to see to it."
"An altercation?" Anakin glanced over at Padmé. She rose from the couch, a worried look on her face. "Why do they want me? Why don't they have security handle it?"
The Mon Calamari boy raised his small shoulders. "I don't know, Padawan Skywalker. Master Kaidyn asked me to come and get you."
Anakin adjusted his belt about his waist, and, his cloak flowing behind him, followed the padawan through the halls, Padmé at his side. As they drew nearer to the large entrance doors, Anakin saw that they were open. About six Jedi were inside the Temple, blocking the entrance.
Outside the doors, standing in the brilliant noonday sun stood two beings. One was a tall, golden-furred Whiphid, his hairless face with its two large tusks looking calmly about him. Next to him stood a Codru-Ji female. She was angrily waving all four of her arms, her lovely, elfin face twisted with rage.
"Ya blasted knotheads," she shouted. "I've come halfway across the galaxy, and I wants to see Master Kenobi, and I wants to see him now, or I swear, I'll blast the heads off the lot of ya, ya bathrobe wearing sons of tarls."
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Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes. He had been meditating for the last hour. The room he was sequestered in was one of the Temple's most beautiful meditation chambers, full of incredibly textured tapestries, richly colored paintings, plants and a small fountain which tinkled gently. There was a meditation cushion, a table, a resting couch and a small fresher. All of his needs were seen to while he awaited the Council's decision. That is, all of his needs but one.
His need to see Onara.
He knew she was being well taken care of at her apartment. Sinja-Bau visited her often and, when she came to see him, gave Obi-Wan regular reports on her condition, but he wanted, no, he needed to be near her. To see her, to touch her, to take care of her. His need had become a fever, invading even his dreams.
Even as Onara remained within her _yanol_ thoughts of her had filled Obi- Wan's mind. His arrest, his confession, his release and his subsequent sequestering at the Temple, where he awaited the Council's decision regarding his future as a Jedi, none of that mattered. Only she did.
And Anakin. Obi-Wan had not seen Anakin since his arrest, but his Padawan was never far from his mind. Having learned from Sinja-Bau that Anakin had not killed Lursan, as Obi-Wan had feared, she had urged him to recant his confession, but by then he had no longer cared what happened to him. All he cared about was Onara.
Reaching underneath his tunic, he pulled out the pendant K'lia, Onara's father, had given him when he'd first gone on his search for Sinja-Bau. Inside was a holographic image of Onara holding a newborn Ben. Before he had come to the meditation chamber, he had been allowed to stop off at his quarters and take what personal possessions he desired to have with him. All he had taken, besides a change of clothing, had been the pendant
Obi-Wan pressed the bottom of the pendant and his heart both softened and bled as the image formed. He gazed at Onara, her beautiful face smiling as she looked lovingly down at their baby. His eyes welled with tears. He had lost them both, both of his beloveds, and with that thought he gently closed the pendant and slipped it beneath his tunic..
Sighing heavily, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and prepared himself to mediate again. He still refused to call upon the Force, so his meditations lacked the depth and insightfulness that had been a part of them before, but he just couldn't open himself to the Force. Not yet. The Force had betrayed him, had taken away his son and, as a result, had killed Onara's love for him. But, meditating had proved restful, so, placing his hands upon his thighs, he prepared himself to enter another one.
However, before he could do so, the door to the chamber opened. Two Jedi, the same ones who had escorted him to the chamber, a Duros and a brown- skinned human female stood outside. The blue-skinned Duros, his large red eyes regarding Obi-Wan impassively, gestured towards him. "You must come with us."
Obi-Wan nodded and, rising from the cushion went over to the couch. He put on his robe and clipped his lightsaber to his belt. Then, escorted by the two Jedi, he left the meditation chamber.
Obi-Wan noted the glances of other Jedi in the halls as he passed, but he paid them no mind. Just like him, they would soon know what his fate was. However, it wasn't until he reached the corridor that would take him to the lift to the Council's chamber, that he felt something other than his overwhelming despondency. Standing next to Anakin and Padmé were two faces he thought never to see again.
Zaka bowed solemnly as Obi-Wan approached. Obi-Wan stopped and returned the Whiphid's bow. The other face, which filled his heart with an inexplicable, but much welcome, joy was Auna's.
Not caring if he was breaking protocol, Obi-Wan walked over to them. He sensed the agitation of his two Jedi escorts, but they did not stop him. They stood just a few feet away, however, and Obi-Wan knew they would not tolerate his detour for long.
"Auna" Obi-Wan said, his voice full of warmth. "It's good to see you."
"Master Kenobi," she cried, reaching over with all four hands to take his. "Me and Zaka, we heard what happened to your wee one." Tears filled her large eyes. "We came as soon as could, but when we got here, they tells us we can't see ya. But yar apprentice here," and she nodded over at Anakin, who gave her a small nod and a smile, "he got them knotheads to let us in. We're here for ya, Master Kenobi, me and Zaka. Just wanted ya to know that."
"Thank you, Auna," Obi-Wan said squeezing her hands. Then he turned and looked over at Zaka. The big Whiphid leaned forward.
"Zaka sorry he not be one to take head of beast who kill Je-di's little flower. But Zaka glad to hear killer of little flowers is dead."
Obi-Wan nodded and, reaching over, put his hand over Zaka's big furry one. Then he felt one of his escorts touch his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Knight Kenobi, but we can not linger hear. The Council is waiting."
"Of course."
Obi-Wan moved away and looking over at Anakin and Padmé gave them both a smile. The two returned it, but Obi-Wan could see the worry in Anakin's eyes. He wanted to assure Anakin that everything would be all right, but he could not. He turned and, moving back between his escorts, entered the lift that would take him to the Council chamber.
To be continued...