Shaken by what Gunray had told him, Obi-Wan took a moment to calm himself. He knew, though, that he had to press onwards, that Gunray might have other answer to his puzzle.
"Are you sure that he said he was a Sith?" he asked.
The Neimoidian only nodded.
Silence followed as Obi-Wan tried to fit this clue into the puzzle. If Sidious was a Sith, that would explain how he had blackmailed King Renon into framing Obi-Wan... but for what purpose? Obi-Wan had only been a Jedi Padawan, holding very little interest to a Sith...
Whatever the reasons, Obi-Wan was still very anxious to find his answers. "May we bring Gunray with us? We may still have use for him." questioned Obi-Wan to Lt. T'Hia.
Qui-Gon's face flashed a quick emotion of surprise, but it was quickly suppressed. T'Hia exchanged looks with Morjet, silently considering Obi-Wan's request.
"I don't think that it would pose too much of a problem..." started T'Hia, "But I would have to accompany you, as Gunray is a prisoner of the state. Also, you would have to have him returned to Corellia within one standard week."
Obi-Wan nodded his agreement. This part had gone exceptionally well, as he had not expected the release of Gunray to be this simple. Now, if only the answers would come so simply.
He turned to face the Neimoidian once more. "Do you know where this Sidious was? Which planet?"
Gunray looked pensive a moment, quite a feat for a species without noses. After a moment's pause, he responded: "Ilum, I think. I'd never heard of it before."
"Nor should you have." replied Qui-Gon, who had been silent up to this point. "Ilum is a sanctuary of the Jedi. Not many outside of the Temple have heard of it. Its icy mountains harbour the crystals with which we fashion our lightsabers with... Which are in fact, worthless to other cultures." Qui-Gon added upon seeing the Neimoidian's eyes light up with the prospect of profit.
Anakin's young face clouded with confusion. "But, Master," he started, "What would a Sith want with Ilum, aside from the crystals?"
Qui-Gon offered the young boy a warm smile. "Ilum has a very dense Force presence. Visions of the future are common in the Crystal Cave. This may something that the Sith wish to exploit."
As Obi-Wan watched the two talk, he couldn't help but feel the tingle of jealousy crawl up his spine. He remembered when he and Qui-Gon had conversed so easily, with smiles and occasional bursts of humour. A pang resonated in his heart, and he knew that he wished it could be so again.
Unfortunately, even with all the technology in the galaxy, there was no time machine with which Obi-Wan could change the past. He was stuck here in this reality, stuck as a forgotten apprentice who was done such a grave mistake.
He shook his head abruptly. It was not good to dwell on the past, especially in instances such as these. Other things beckoned for his attention, and he had to clear his mind in order to concentrate.
In the meantime, Morjet and T'Hia had rose and checked the restraints on Gunray. Morjet then offered the woman a nod and a quick smile, and left the five of them alone. They started down the hallway to the ship, and to the planet of Ilum.
*__________________________________*
A hiss rang out as lightsaber clashed against lighsaber. Parry, parry, thrust, jab. Steadily, one of the fighters moved backwards, trying in vain to fight of his opponent. A purely evil cackle emanated from the other side of the room, penetrating the otherwise silent battle.
"Good, good." said the voice, amusement evident in the tone. "Now, finish him!"
The command echoed through the air as the defeated opponent realized her fate. Fear was not evident in her features, and this anger her attacker. Peace overtook her, and calm acceptance was present in her face. The attacker sneered, and brought his double bladed lightsaber up and knocked her violet one out of her hands. She jumped backwards, performing a back flip in the process.
It wasn't enough.
A red glow illuminated the tattoos on the Zabrak's face, showing the malicious smile. The blade came up one final time before plunging into the female Jedi's chest. She breathed one more time, emerald eyes flashing, not pain but triumph, then fell to the ground.
"Excellent, my apprentice!" cackled the other presence. "The death of the Jedi was a great accomplishment."
A frown creased the apprentice's face. He couldn't understand why the Jedi had not shown fear, and had felt triumph in her final moments. No matter. He had killed a Jedi, and that was all that mattered.
A shadowed man stood from where he had watched the battle, and seemingly floated over to his student. A dark cloak and hood disguised him from the world, but allowed him to view all. He came to stand next to his apprentice, and looked down at the unmoving body of the female. He beckoned one of the two slaves he owed over and commanded then to dispose of the body, but not before taking a holo-photo of it. That he would send to the Jedi Council, like he had the last two Jedi he had killed.
He smiled, a smile born of evil. Nothing would stand in his way of his domination over the faltering Republic and the weak Jedi Order. There had been only one threat posed to him, but that had been dispatched long ago. Yes, soon he and his apprentice would crush both the Republic and Jedi in one mighty blow, and then the Sith would have control of the galaxy.
And Anakin Skywalker. That young boy had much potential, but the idiotic Jedi Council was under the (false) impression that he was the Chosen One. Stupid Jedi. They never did have any brains, and the one Jedi that ever did was tossed out. Well, actually, that was because of him.
Now his apprentice looked curiously over, wondering silently as to the cause of his master's humorous expression. Sidious waved him off, and started to head to the door of the room. They had much more work to do in the coming days, much more...
*Well, that's the next chapter, not too many to go! Thanks for all the reviews guys, and keep them coming!!!
~Eleia*
