Futures Past
Chapter 34- Decisions
Reviews:
Magnilla: Yes I do hope to be an author one day, but there are miles to go before I'll be that far I think. Don't worry, after this chapter Anakin will be around more after he's back from Kashyyyk, and hopefully it will have a faster pace and be more interesting, because I think there was a little to much of the politics and transitional chapters without much Obidalaness, so that will be remedied in the last parts of the story I hope. Thanks for reviewing.
REAlbluelightsabre: Many of your wonderings will be answered this chap, but you'll have to read on to find out which. Palpy and Obi Wan will have a little chat in the next chapter so you'll be able to find out all about that when it's posted. I don't want to make Anakin out to be clear cut evil enemy dude, I think its far more interesting to have shades of grey in his character and behaviour than black and white, but don't worry, by the end I'm sure you wont be very fond of him, but that's all I'm saying! Thanks for the review.
KrystalBlazeJerikor: Man, I love you and your sisters writing, and I was thrilled to find you'd reviewed hehe. Did you read the story all at once?! If you like Obidalas I would definitely recommend any of Brown-Eyes' Obidala work and Lady Evenstar's they are both amazing Obidala authors (and better than me in my opinion) so check those ones out with my seal of approval. *blush* I'm very flattered, your review rather made my day. Yes I do frequent theforce.net I use it a lot, very good site that one lol. Thanks for reviewing, I hope ya like the rest!
History: I'm glad that I'm writing the Anakin and Mace storyline just as well as the rest and you're interested in both, I'm glad you told me and it lets me know my subplots aren't totally boring you all, after this chapter will be the end of the Kashyyyk subplot, but I'm sure there will be more as time goes by, especially when we get into all the Clone Wars stuff. I'll have to disappoint you and tell ya that the Palpy/Obi showdown won't be until chapter 35, so you'll have to be patient for another chapter, you'll understand when you've read this chapter why I postponed it for a chapter. Thanks for the support.
Thanks also (as I didn't answer reviews for chapter 32 last time) jedi_sylvar, LuckyPanda13, VTEEN. Heather Wan, Kathryn Riddle and Jada Skye. I'm very grateful for the support.
*
"The attack on Kashyyyk?"
"Just as we planned Master. Such a perfect way of dealing with the Wookiee problem and assuring the Trandoshans' loyalty."
"And Dantooine?"
"In complete turmoil my lord. They quite simply did not know what hit them."
"Excellent. Soon the Republic will be on its knees, the Jedi will be no more, and the Galaxy will be mine for the taking, there is no-one who can stop us now."
"What of the boy Master?"
"His path is clear to me, even Yoda senses it deep inside, he cannot escape his destiny. I have a final card to play, to assure his change. By tomorrow, his fate will be sealed, along with the rest of the Jedi."
*
Obi Wan felt a sudden shift in the Force, the fear of a thousand souls screamed out at him through his bond. He clutched his head for a moment, until it passed.
"Are you alright?" Padmé asked, concerned. The two were walking in the gardens of her home, quite unaware of the events unfurling half a galaxy away.
"I'll…be fine." Obi Wan shook his head and the pain disappeared. "Just a disturbance in the Force."
"Alright." Padmé said, unconvinced.
"Don't worry about me Padmé, I've survived worse than a little headache, as I'm sure you've noticed."
"Aww, you're just a tad accident prone, that's all." She said affectionately, clasping his hand in hers. She felt him tense and pull away, and cursed herself for her forwardness. She knew he wasn't used to displays of affection, and on occasion it made him withdraw back into his prude Jedi self.
"Sorry." He said quietly, ashamed of his shyness. He still had such a hard time letting go of his Jedi training and just being himself.
"Stop thinking about the Jedi in you. Just be Obi Wan."
"I'm not sure if there is an Obi Wan without the Jedi." He said sadly.
"Of course there is. The Jedi part of you is the stuffy rule abiding aloof part. The Obi Wan I know is sweet and caring and loving, with that awful dry wit of yours."
"Only awful because you find it hard to keep up." He stuck out his tongue and the expression it made was just so ridiculous that Padmé burst into peals of laughter.
"Now look, we can't all be beautiful, I don't go laughing at your face because it's all 'pretty' all the time." Obi Wan tutted indignantly.
This caused Padmé to giggle harder and a snort even emerged. She put her hands over her mouth in shock and kept giggling.
"A snort, how ladylike indeed." Obi Wan feigned disbelief.
"Well then you'll find this positively appalling." Padmé smirked and tackled him around the waist in a most unladylike manner, and the two rolled down the grassy embankment they had been walking along and ended up in a rather undignified heap by the riverbank.
Obi Wan landed atop Padmé and pushed himself up on his arms so he could look down on her slightly.
"Well, you are pleased to see me aren't you?" Padmé smirked devilishly.
"That's my lightsabre milady." Obi Wan countered dryly.
"It's quite impressive, must be hard to handle sometimes." The senator grinned.
"Oh it can be, but I think I manage to keep it in check."
"It would be amazing if you could show me some moves with it sometime."
"You'd be dumb with wonderment I can assure you. Though I am a little out of practice, what with that unsightly war and all. Blasters all over the blasted place."
"I'm sure I'd enjoy it immensely, it is such a crime to rob Jedi's of their… lightsabre privileges because of this awful war, it's just very inconsiderate in my view, I shall petition the senate immediately for a re-" She stopped when she noticed him smiling down at her. "What?"
"You look even more beautiful when you smile. It doesn't seem to happen that frequently, so I was just savouring the moment."
Padmé blushed.
"Don't stop on my account, I shall continue gazing dreamily into your face in awe, please continue." He smiled charmingly, and Padmé could not help but grab his tunic and kiss him, he was far too irresistible.
"But of course if you want to pursue a different course of action I'm entirely satisfied either way." He added, before she pulled him down into another kiss.
Obi Wan's comm. link then started bleeping.
"Blast." He cursed, muffled by Padmé's lips.
"Leave it." She mumbled.
"I can't, it's got to be from the Temple." He sighed, pulling away.
"Kenobi." He said, suppressing a heavy sigh.
"Ah, Obi Wan, glad you could join us I am."
"Master Yoda, I apologise, I was… deeply entangled in a political debate."
"Where you were entangled I do not wish to know, why you are not on Dantooine perhaps a more pressing question is."
Blast. He cursed. "You have spoken to Viceroy Organa then."
"Contacted me he did. An attack there was, on Dantooine while you were 'entangled' elsewhere. A crisis he said you had, care to enlighten me would you?"
"Ah… yes, I'm on Naboo Master, there was some… personal business I had to attend to most urgently."
"More important than the Council and the Chancellors orders?" Yoda's voice held a trace of warning, usually elusive until an unsatisfactory answer to his question could lead to serious consequences for the unwitting fool who made the mistake.
"Of course not Master, I was merely-"
"Merely was nothing! Disobeyed direct Council orders you did, did not tell anyone where you were going did you. Personal matters for you belong with the Jedi, nowhere else in the galaxy, especially not in Theed, hmm?"
"Yes Master I understand but-"
"No excuses Obi Wan. Protected your cadets you could have, foreseen the attack coming perhaps, but left your charges unsupervised you did. Wish to know what happened do you?"
"Of course Master."
"Attack the Separatists did, with the Force of a fleet of ships! In ruins half of the base is, thirty cadets dead are at least."
"Master I had no idea, I never would have-"
"But you did, Obi Wan, a grave misjudgement on your part, with serious consequences, while preoccupied you decided to be, dying your cadets were."
Obi Wan had nothing to say to that, and turned away in shame.
Padmé felt horribly guilty, she had torn the man she loved away from his responsibilities, without a thought for the repercussions, and now he was getting a verbal beating from his superiors for her fault.
She grabbed the comm. link from his hand and steeled herself.
"Master Yoda, it was not Master Kenobi's fault, it was mine."
Obi Wan's eyes widened in disbelief and he made a grab for the comm. but Padmé shook her head and batted his hand away.
"Senator Amidala?"
"Yes Master Yoda, I give you my deepest apologies. I had somewhat of a crisis and demanded a Jedi to come, as I could not reach Jedi Skywalker the only person I could think to call was Master Kenobi and I gave no thought to his responsibilities but demanded him come. I had no idea that such a horrifying thing would happen while he was absent but you have my sincerest apologies, I never could have imagined…" Padmé broke off, to sound as if she were almost in tears, and Yoda seemed to believe it.
There was a pause and a sigh, then Yoda responded wearily, "Yes Senator Amidala, understand I do. Know I hope you do, that Jedi are not indispensable problem solvers who arrive at your call, have responsibilities they do, and though not totally to blame, Jedi Kenobi made a great misjudgement in leaving anyway. Your demands or not, grown enough he is to make decisions on his own, and protect him from the consequences of all transgressions on your behalf that he makes, you cannot."
"I understand Master Yoda, and once again I am truly sorry."
"Alright. To speak to Master Kenobi now I would like."
"Of course. Thank you for understanding."
Obi Wan was shaking his head in disbelief and Padmé shushed him and handed the comm. back.
"Master Yoda?"
"A fine friend you have Obi Wan, but forget this I will not and explain yourself personally you will."
"Of course Master, I shall go back to Dantooine immediately."
"No, you shall not. To Coruscant you will return, and there we will discuss this, all the Jedi are returning here to regroup, and the recruits to Alderaan for the time being have escaped. Examine how the Separatists uncovered the base we must, and why an attack on Kashyyyk occurred at the same time, very suspicious it is."
"Yes Master, I understand. I'll return as soon as I can."
"No. Return now you will. No more excuses Obi Wan, entangled in politics you have been for long enough, more important this is. Leave Senator Amidala, and return you will."
"As you wish Master Yoda, I will take the next transport back. I am truly sorry for the troubles I've caused."
"Discuss it later we will. Until then, may the Force be with you."
"And with you Master."
Obi Wan flipped the comm. shut and sighed.
"I'm such a fool."
"No, I am, for ever having put you in the situation. I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble Obi Wan." Padmé kissed his cheek gently.
"It was worth every moment, and at least I know you are safe. Palpatine will have to also return to Coruscant at once because of this attack."
"If the Senate is called into session then so will I. Hopefully it will only need the Council of Security to meet, and that does not involve me."
"I'm sorry I have to leave you sooner than planned. The fates really do seem stacked against us today don't they?"
"We'll see each other again soon, when I return to Coruscant perhaps there will be time. It seems the War has really started, you will be in such danger, I couldn't bear it if-" She was silenced by a finger to her lips, quickly replaced by his mouth, and his arms encircled her like a protective shield, she knew he was as scared as she was, but in that moment, they forgot their fears, at least for a second.
*
"What are we supposed to do Master Windu?" Anakin's voice was panicked as he stared out of Jedi One's windows, watching as the mist swept over Kashyyyk like the tide.
"That blast was to disrupt all signals to the planet and damage all the computers and machines down there, essentially cutting Kashyyyk off from everywhere else. The mist that you see is a disruptive field, it prevents any ships from getting close enough to land or give aid because it will damage the ships computers and cause it to crash, this way no outside food or relief will be able to get there until the mist is gone. The computers on planet will probably be irreparable." Mace said gravely.
"There is no way Trandosha had that firepower on their own, does your Council think it was the Separatists Master Windu?" Senator Yarua growled, still feeling the after-effects of the attack on his planet.
"Until a full investigation can be launched we cannot be sure, but yes, we do suspect that the Separatist leaders lent that power to Trandosha to assure its support, rest assured Senator that this attack on your world will not be allowed to stand, we will do everything we can to bring the Trandoshans and the Separatists to justice, but unfortunately we cannot give help to Kashyyyk until the disruptor field has dissipated."
"But my people! We rely heavily on imports from other planets, and we have little resource to repair the damage from this kind of attack, we weren't aware we should fear it when Trandosha have so little wealth of their own."
"We are aware of that and believe me we will get help to Kashyyyk as soon as it is possible, but at this time it is not, and we will have to be patient."
"Patient?! The Wookiees are dying down there, this is not fair Master Windu, we have to help them. Why don't we strike back on Trandosha, they'll never expect it, we can destroy every last one of the venomous reptiles, why should we show any mercy to them?"
"Anakin! That is not the way of the Jedi, many of the Trandoshans were probably never aware of the attack in the first place."
"So we let them get away with it?" Anakin cried, eyes burning with anger.
"Of course not!" Mace snapped. "We must return to Coruscant and consult the council, the Chancellor will probably be the one to make the decision, and it cannot be made without him. Patience!" Mace's tone was forceful and Anakin closed his mouth and bit back the retort. It was evident Mace wanted no more disagreements. The young Knight simply growled and stormed from the room, kicking a table angrily on the way out.
If he wants me to wait for the Chancellor that's fine, he loves my ideas, I know he'll agree with this one. By tomorrow there'll be no evidence Trandosha ever existed. They deserve death, every last one of them, and by the Force they'll get it.
*
Yoda was waiting in the Jedi Temple's hangar as Obi Wan got off the transport. He saw the wizened Jedi Master tapping his cane in anticipation, and if possible, his face had become more creased with lines than before.
"Master Yoda." Obi Wan stopped before the venerable Master and bowed, Yoda nodded and grunted, before turning and hobbling off down the walking ramp. Obi Wan followed silently, aware he would be in for some serious lecturing when they reached Yoda's office. Obi Wan had always been headstrong and had been a little lax in considering the consequences of his actions even before Qui Gon chose him as a Padawan, and before he was in his Master's care- and even during on occasion- whenever Obi Wan had done something terribly wrong, he was hauled off to answer to Yoda. Although the small but powerful Jedi Master had been there to lecture Obi Wan, he still felt like the greatest father figure in the Knight's life- excepting Qui Gon of course. Obi Wan always felt very guilty whenever he was answering to Yoda, as if his wrongdoings were a failure to Yoda's teaching and a disappointment to the Master himself.
He was expecting to be led into Yoda's office for a berating, but instead Yoda led them past his office and down the corridor towards the training centre.
Obi Wan was filled with dread that maybe Yoda wanted to challenge him to a lightsabre duel, which had happened only once before when Obi Wan was training in the Temple shortly after being chosen to be Qui Gon's Padawan. The Jedi Master had overheard Obi Wan boasting that his skills with a lightsabre were equal only to Master Yoda's, hearing this, the small Master had challenged him to a duel to show everyone how skilled the Padawan really was. Obi Wan remembered taking a lot of Hypnocane that night to ease his worn out body, his pride on the other hand had taken considerably longer to heal. Master Yoda always did have a slightly sadistic sense of humour when he felt like it.
Obi Wan gulped as they entered the training area, but instead of proceeding into the gymnasium style room that was the main floor of the area, they instead went up the stairs onto the viewing deck. Yoda rested on his cane and peered through the glass window, watching as the Padawans sparred with their masters or their friends.
After a long silence, Yoda sighed wistfully.
"Not so long ago it was when you sparred there with Qui Gon and your comrades Obi Wan."
"I know Master, it seems like only yesterday, I remember it so clearly."
"Hate to see them grow up I do. Although wise and powerful Jedi they may someday become, so much more complicated the world is, once a Knight you are. Agree do you?"
"Most certainly."
Yoda turned away from the window and pointed with his cane for Obi Wan to sit on the seats behind him. Obi Wan clasped his hands together so that his hands weren't visible out of his sleeves and sat meekly, realising that now was lecture time.
"Master Yoda I didn't-"
"Know full well what you were doing did I, and advise against it I do."
"What do you mean Master?" Obi Wan said, trying to seem confused. His mental walls were up and his face was a picture of innocence.
"Well you have been trained, but hide it you cannot, known for many days now I have. Lied to me you have."
"Master Yoda I can-"
"No! No more excuses." Yoda said obstinately. "Obi Wan, a good student you have always been. Headstrong- yes, think with your heart and not with your brain -on occasion, and never listen, but listen now you must."
Obi Wan bit back another reply and sighed, hanging his head, ready for Yoda's reprimand.
"Love her, do you?"
Not expecting this question, the Jedi Knight looked up, and stared steadily back into Yoda's unwavering gaze.
"Yes, more than anything."
Yoda sighed and made a noise somewhere between exasperation and complete disapproval. This was obviously the wrong answer.
"Love you, does she?"
"Yes, I think so."
The noise again, Obi Wan winced at Yoda's disappointed expression, it was worse than rage.
"Reasons there are why love is forbidden to the Jedi!" Yoda raised his voice ever so slightly.
"I can't help how I feel Master."
"Jedi should not feel! Push away from your passions Obi Wan, you need them not. Anger, jealousy, love. LEAD YOU TO THE DARK SIDE THEY DO. Wish to fall to darkness do you?" the old Master thundered.
"No Master but-"
"No! No more from you, listen you must, listen for once Obi Wan, owe me that much you do. Turned away from her you could have, left her alone, forgotten her! But persist instead you do, breaking orders, disappearing to her side, seeing her. No thought for the consequences. Already it is happening, defending her you are, disobeying your Council, making excuses when the right way should be clear. You must end it! Afford your fall to the darkness we cannot, need you we do! Strong, intelligent, brave, loyal to your order and your training. Surely felt the darkness in your former Padawan you have, perhaps for the same reasons I am lecturing you."
"There is anger in Anakin yes, confusion, but I thought that with time and proper experience-"
"No, time will not help us now, Skywalker needs stability, he needs to be led away from the temptations, a mistake it was for Qui Gon to ever allow the young Queen to accompany them to free the boy at all. Agree don't you?"
"Truly, he has had feelings for her ever since they first met, but I was not aware of them until it was too late, and now it has become even more complicated. Even if Padmé and I- well I still would not be able to convince him to ever leave her, its just imposs-"
"Obi Wan, lovesick ramblings I want not. End it you must, and convince Anakin to do the same you must too."
"I'm sorry Master, I can't. I love her, and I will not leave her, I would die for her."
"It is that which I am afraid of. Obi Wan, I wish not to do this, but if you leave me no choice… end it you will or send you to the Wars indefinitely I must, no trips, no leave, no letters, probation you may wish to call it, and by the time this War is over moved on the Senator should have, and outgrown this silly obsession you and Anakin will have. Obi Wan, do not force me, wish to do that I do not."
Obi Wan looked at the Jedi Master's set expression, he knew Yoda wasn't joking, but he knew he could never bring himself to leave Padmé, not after everything they had gone through to be together.
"I will not leave her." His voice was an earnest mixture of desperation and resolve. He wished to make Yoda understand, but he knew that was an impossibility.
Yoda's expression was pained. "Then no choice you leave me. Obi Wan Kenobi, on probation you are from any non-Jedi activity. For now you are confined you your room, until a meeting with the rest of the Council I have held. Leave this temple you will not without my consent, and contact with any non-Jedi is prohibited without the Council's permission, leave for the Wars you will as soon as I have confirmation from Viceroy Organa about a new facility, failure to follow these rules will result in removal from the Academy and be sent to the Agricultural Corps you will. Ask you one last time I will, end your relationship with Senator Amidala, then avoid all this you can. Please Obi Wan, always the most practical and intelligent you were, risk your career you must not!"
Obi Wan sighed heavily, closing his eyes and steeling himself. May the Force forgive me. "I will not leave her."
Yoda made a tch noise with his mouth and growled.
"Then nothing else to say there is. Report to your quarters and meditate in the Force, perhaps after consideration, change your mind you will." Yoda's eyes held great sadness, but Obi Wan did not acknowledge it and with head bowed, he went straight to his apartments to begin mediation, and, as he went into his room he heard the door lock with steadfast finality behind him.
*
Wasn't that cruel? Oh how I torture them so! I know I said Palpy and Obi would have a talk, but I lied hehe! I thought that after one long talk with Yoda I shouldn't stick another one in there, and if I had this probably would have been about 20 pages long, so it'll probably be easier to split the chapters a little. The next chapter will be the last in the middle block of the story, and we'll then skip forward a few months and go from there to keep the story going. Because of this, the next chapter may will be damn long depending on how much I try and squeeze in there. This chap was longer than I anticipated, I hope it wasn't too much for ya lol.
Thanks for reading anyway, I hope to see ya next chapter, and I hope to see you even more on the reviews page (hint, hint!)
