Futures Past
Chapter 35- Part 1
A.N: This chapter may well be a bit fractured due to the fast pace I'm employing to get through all that needs to be got through in this chapter, so if it's a little fragmented and jumps around a bit, please forgive me, it's just important to get the necessary stuff into this chapter so we can move onto the last part of the story. I'm considering splitting the story after this chapter and putting it into a separate story so it is less daunting for new readers and can separate it out a bit so it's not like 100 chapters long or something lol. Do you think that's a good idea or should I just continue under the Futures Past name in this story? I've split this chapter into two parts so that it isn't so long to read and you can take a break in between lol, but they have been posted at the same time so think of it as a double helping. I will be using some of the battles and missions from the Clone Wars in the story, and making up some of my own, so that we have some realistic missions that are based on fact, though they mind be shuffled around a bit and changed to suit the story, just go with it, it's fan fiction remember!
*
Anakin stormed through the halls of the Jedi temple in a fury. The Jedi were just willing to stand by and watch as innocent Wookiees suffered and died because they couldn't get off their high and mighty butts? Well he wouldn't stand for that. He hadn't been in such a blind rage since he thought that Padmé had been cheating on him with Obi Wan that night in the Medi-bay after their mission to Rishi.
If the Jedi won't do anything I know someone who will. But first I'll give Master Yoda a chance to sort this out. His anger was burning in him like a brutal fire, and in his haste he almost tripped over the aforementioned diminutive Master on his way to his office.
"Master Yoda, I didn't see you." He said, wincing at the reprimand he knew was coming.
"Hmph, all you Knights, have time for nothing except your own problems you do. You are back from Kashyyyk I see."
"Yes Master and I have a big problem with something."
Yoda studied him silently for a moment, and frowned. "Much anger I sense in you, young Skywalker, a dangerous emotion that is. If solve this only I can, then step into my office you may." Yoda pointed with his stick at his office door and it slid open so the two could enter. Anakin ducked and quickly sat, Yoda's low ceilinged quarters always held the chance of a nasty bump on the head.
Yoda sighed and lowered himself laboriously to his own seat. "What trouble does there seem to be Young Skywalker, a trifle I hope it is not, a busy Master I am hmm? Not your constant agony aunt."
"Master the Trandoshans attacked Kashyyyk I'm sure you know, and Master Windu doesn't want us to do anything! He expects us to sit and wait while the Wookiees are sitting ducks with all their machines and computers disrupted by the Ion blast!"
"And right he is! Understand this you do not seem to. Impossible it is to reach Kashyyyk until the disrupter field disappeared has, no physical way for us to reach it there is!"
"But he doesn't want to do anything to bring the Trandoshans to justice, they are obviously in league with the Separatists, you just wanna let them get away with it?"
Yoda sighed again, pointedly. "Anakin. How many times must this be said? Peacekeepers Jedi are! Not soldiers for the Chancellors wars! Involve ourselves in these battles we do not unless instructed to by the Chancellor or unless the targets we are, we have no the capabilities or the firepower to other peoples disputes involve ourselves in. On the brink of War the Republic is, and worried you are about Wookiees not being able to land their ships? Dying people are! On many worlds, random attacks have occurred across the galaxy for three days now, but aware of it we were not until Viceroy Organa called us about Dantooine, kept this from us someone has, and now more grave priorities we have, we cannot waste supplies on those who have no need of us! Fine the Wookiees will be in a day or so, Dantooine, Yavin, Corellia, Yaga Minor, Muunilinst, Rodia and Duro not so lucky are, refugees from all ends of the galaxy are fleeing here and to Alderaan, so you young Skywalker find and tell them that help they cannot have because all the Jedi too busy attacking Trandosha are hmm?! Priorities you need to have, the greater picture you must consider. There is no more to be said!" He finished, cutting off Anakin as he opened his mouth. "Now leave young Skywalker, perhaps train or meditate you should, and visit your former Master."
"Why, what's wrong with Obi Wan?" Anakin turned back from the door to frown at the wizened Master.
"Ask him yourself you should, knock when you arrive, and unlock the door for you I shall." Anakin thought this statement rather odd, but knew not to argue with Master Yoda, and, slightly confused, he went to find his Master in his apartments.
Knocking on the door, he heard it unlock from the auto mechanism on the outside, which was indeed odd. He stepped through the door, expecting to find it overrun with space-rats or something- as if it were in quarantine.
Instead he found Obi Wan sitting on the floor of his bedroom, deep in meditation, a deep frown on his face- and not just from concentration. Anakin knew from previous experience he shouldn't interrupt Obi Wan while he was meditating, but as Yoda had instructed him to go and talk to him he simply cleared his throat.
Obi Wan's stormy eyes snapped open and it took a moment for them to focus on Anakin, who stood in a slightly defensive position-arms crossed- in front of him.
"Anakin, you're back from Kashyyyk." It was a statement not a question. "Informative I trust?"
"No, stupid Council refuses to help the Wookiees, I'm pretty mad about it. They're such a gentle people y'know, and they've always been picked on and hunted by the Trandoshans, but no-one seems to want to do anything about it. It's just wrong." Anakin plopped himself down on the floor in front of his former Master and arched an eyebrow in questioning.
"So, what're you doing in here, with the door locked from the outside I notice? Did you blow up some of our troops or lose some cadets or something on Dantooine?"
"You underestimate me Anakin, do you really think I'd be that irresponsible while on a mission for the army?"
"You tell me." Anakin leaned forward as if it were some great conspiracy.
Obi Wan sighed inwardly, Anakin was so eager for him to dish the dirt, but the disgraced Knight knew that the truth would crush the boy. He felt like even more of a failure now, with Anakin sitting before him. He didn't have any idea what to tell his enthusiastic protégé.
"I…left Dantooine without permission." It wasn't the truth, but it was close enough.
"Cool! And you got busted. I never thought you had it in you to beak rules Obi Wan."
"Believe me Anakin I have broken plenty in my time, but it is wrong and I know I shouldn't have. Master Yoda suspended me from duty for my own good, he wants to teach me a lesson, but I fear it won't do me any good."
"So what, you're not allowed to do anything but sit in here and meditate all day?"
"That's basically it, yes."
"That sucks, and I thought you and me could go and destroy those Separatists in the Wars together, like old times." Anakin's eyes were shining in anticipation.
"Oh I shall be sent back to the Wars when Viceroy Organa calls for me, but until then nothing. So you are one of those who have been chosen to be sent to the Wars in the next battalion are you? I had a feeling that sooner or later you'd be called to go."
"Yeah, and it sounds like a blast. I'm sick of being stuck here all the time with nothing to do but meetings, I want to make a difference to this galaxy and be famous, and I can't do that stuck in this stuffy temple with nothing to hone my skills."
"Quite…" Obi Wan frowned. "No-one should be eager to rush to War Anakin, it will be a fierce battle and many planets are already suffering from hidden strikes from the Separatists. If we had been made aware of it then perhaps the damage would not have been quite so severe."
"I know, I know, but I want to help, and if I can't help the Wookiees then I'll go blow up some droids."
"There are other races besides droids with the Separatist armies now Anakin, all those who have left the Republic and joined the Confederacy of Independent Systems have donated troops I would imagine, you could be harming real people too."
"If they are stupid enough to go against the Chancellor and the Senate then they deserve it." Anakin's expression had darkened and Obi Wan felt ripples of anger through their bond.
"Anakin, don't be so quick to anger, I'm sure many of them have their reasons and not all of them are as questionable as Dooku's, the Republic has been known to fail many systems in their times of need before, some of them may need a way out. Don't be so quick to judge, my young friend, and do not be so hasty to attack. It is not the way of the Force."
"Well, has the Force ever failed you Obi Wan? Seems like something's up today."
"No, the Force cannot fail, it is we who fail the Force. The Force is a balance of the Universe Anakin, sometimes the balance can be upset, or we do things that are against the will of the Force. Patience and serenity are what the Force stands for, but we both know that we have both been lacking in that area on several occasions. I have done things that are not the in the way of the Jedi, and I although I am a Jedi I am still human, and we all do and will make mistakes- no matter how cavalier the Council seems to be on those matters- I would do them again, because they help me learn and grow as a person and as a Jedi. Some mistakes will make us better people in the long run, while others can destroy us and lead us to ruin and darkness. It is up to us, as Jedi and as people to judge which is right, even if it means going against the will of the Council. I'm starting to see that now."
Anakin was taken aback, he had never heard his former Master talk in this way before, he had always been so rigid in the ways of the Force and the wisdom of the Council when Anakin was his Padawan, but now he seemed so different, more…free. Though a lot more world weary.
"Do you believe that love is a mistake that Jedi should not make Obi Wan?" Anakin said, rather out of the blue, it took Obi Wan rather by surprise. After a pause Obi Wan answered,
"No. No, I don't think it is Anakin." And left it at that. Anakin had a great desire to press Obi Wan for an expansion on that idea, but something prevented him from voicing it.
"You've changed Obi Wan." Anakin commented almost flippantly.
"Oh really?" Obi Wan arched a brow.
"Yeah, you're a lot cooler now, like you've got rid of the lightsabre up your-"
"Alright, that's quite enough from you my very young ex-Padawan." Obi Wan quipped, knowing how much it irritated Anakin referring to him as young and inexperienced.
"Well you seem a lot more relaxed is what I mean, like you're seeing things differently."
"I am, and I'm thankful for it, Qui Gon always did like to disagree with the Council in favour of following his feelings and the Living Force, and I never understood it until now, but sometimes the Jedi Council are wrong, it just took a suspension to make me see that I suppose. The Force works in mysterious ways."
"I guess there are a lot of things I don't know about you Obi Wan, but I hope I find them all out someday."
"Perhaps you will, though some things about me you probably wouldn't want to find out about me. Anakin, if anything does happen to either of us, in the Wars or here, I want you to remember that you are the closest thing I have to a son, and the nearest person I have to a friend, and I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. Never forget that I am very proud of you, and I'm sure you will be a very great Jedi someday if you put your mind to it." Obi Wan smiled thinly at Anakin's puzzled expression.
"Are you dying or something?"
The elder Knight laughed bitterly, "No, of course not, but things may not necessarily take a turn for the better in these Wars, and I don't want anything to happen without you knowing that I am proud of you, and I'm sure Qui Gon is too."
Anakin grinned at this, but knew the pain of losing his Master had never really diminished from Obi Wan, so was rather touched at this little speech.
"That means a lot to me Obi Wan, and so do you." He said simply, and with a last smile he pushed himself up.
"I'll leave you in solitary, as you've been such a bad Jedi. Thanks Obi Wan, it hasn't always been easy, but we made it."
"Yes, we did. I just hope we make the rest. Bye Anakin."
"Bye Master."
*
"Master Yoda!" Yoda groaned, he didn't think he would ever get to the Council meeting at this rate, he had barely stepped out of the door to his office before he was accosted by a young Jedi Knight.
"Master Yoda, you turned your commlink off, the droids have been trying to reach you for about ten minutes. Senator Amidala wants to speak with you, she's been trying to holo-message you for some time." Yoda frowned up at the slightly worn-out Knight, wondering if he'd been dashing madly round the temple for a good few minutes without thinking to check Yoda's office in the first place.
"Know you what the honourable Senator requires from a busy old Master?" Yoda sighed, rubbing his wrinkled temple with a clawed hand.
"No Master, she said it was of some importance that she speak with you though."
"Have someone tell the Senator that extremely busy I am, and holo-message her I will when adjourned the Jedi Council meeting is. Time I do not have to be pandering the needs of impetuous Knights and excitable Senators!"
"Very well Master…do you want me to tell her all of that?" The Knight frowned. Yoda growled and scrunched his already creased face into a look of utter aggravation.
The Knight looked rather terrified and quickly bobbing his head he scurried off back down the corridor, feet slapping loudly on the marble floor.
Yoda sighed despairingly and hobbled off to finally attend his Council meeting.
*
"It's very odd Dormé," Padmé frowned, looking at the now empty holo-display. "Master Obi Wan always answers his comm. link or holo-messenger, and I asked the ship to check in with me when they arrived back, it's not like a Jedi to forget something like that. I really wish Master Yoda wasn't so busy so he could've shed some light onto his mysterious disappearance."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about milady, Master Kenobi seems quite capable of handling himself." The handmaiden gave the Senator a knowing half smile. "Do you not think him capable of being flown to Coruscant safely? In any case, we must leave soon ourselves, so I'm sure when we arrive you can ascertain his location and his condition be it not 110% as usual."
"I suppose you are right Dormé, forever the level-headed one, what would I do without you to reassure me?"
"Probably have to talk about such things with the ever accommodating Sabé milady." Dormé grinned as a sing-song voice from the other room cooed,
"Should my ears be burning milady?"
"They will be if you eavesdrop Sabé, remember the tale about the servant who eavesdropped on the King of Corellia's conversation with his wife?" Padmé called back.
"Yes Milady, his ears were indeed burnt because of the rare firestones the King used to construct the doors to his inner chambers with." Sabé called back with an over exaggerated groan.
"Indeed." Padmé said solemnly as she yanked open the door to her bedroom and uncovered Sabé and Versé standing guiltily by it, innocent grins on their faces. "And I think I will reconsider not using his methods in my interior design, if I too have such nosey guards!"
"We were cleaning the door milady, of course." Versé explained with a smirk.
"We would never eavesdrop milady, how could you think that?" Sabé asked in feigned disbelief.
"Yes, we didn't even hear that much anyway." Versé shrugged, and received a hasty slap on the arm from an exasperated Sabé.
Padmé and Dormé laughed and Dormé hefted Padmé's bags from where they were resting on the Senator's bed.
"The transport is here for us anyway, we don't want to miss the starliner so I would be quick about it if I were you Sabé." Dormé said, motioning to the intricately designed dress hanging on Padmé's door, which Sabé had got to get herself into before they set off for Coruscant. Padmé rolled her eyes as she looked at the dress in distaste.
"There is very little danger Sabé, you know I disagree with our changing places, there is no reason-"
"There is every reason milady." Versé shook her head. "With so many systems joining the Separatist movement and leaving the Republic, our enemies are numerous and the chance to further injure the remaining Senate will not be missed."
"Very well." Padmé sighed in irritation. "At least these uniforms are comfortable which is more than can be said for my usual attire." She looked down at her crimson flight uniform which her handmaidens wore when they travelled offworld.
"I could really get used to this high-life milady." Sabé grinned, taking full advantage of her costume. "Now, take my bags!" The four giggled as they made their way to the transport, preparing themselves for a full nights travel to reach Coruscant for the Senatorial meeting tomorrow.
*
With the sun came a new day on Coruscant, but it brought no new hope for Obi Wan Kenobi, still confined to his apartments in the Temple. Master Yoda had informed him that he would be seeking audience with other members of the Jedi Council to discuss Obi Wan's case, but he had heard no more from the wizened Jedi Master to expand on that information.
Obi Wan had been meditating since the break of dawn, but could not stop his thoughts from wandering to Padmé. He could not help but fear that he would never see her again, and the thought terrified him to his core.
I never knew what love was until Padmé came along, but now I fear I cannot live without it. I am starting to see why the Council forbid love, it is the most dangerous of all passions, as many would give their lives for the cause. Sighing and wincing at the intrusion of the merciless sun that spilled down on him from the nearby window, the Knight stood up and turned on the holo-projector to watch the HoloNetNews, the only way he could keep up with the happenings of the Galaxy while he was forbidden to engage in it.
"The Galactic Senate is currently in session on Coruscant this morning with the delegates discussing the growing threat from the Confederacy of Independent Systems as the identities of the newest victims from the latest Separatist attacks emerge today. It is now known that Yaga Minor, Yavin, Muunilinst, and Duro are the latest systems left reeling from highly organised and calculated attacks from the Separatist Armies. Hundreds of Jedi Knights have been dispatched in the last few days to try and combat the growing threats but the Jedi Council are staying tight lipped as to why these attacks were not dealt with by the Jedi before they took place. It leaves many wondering whether the Jedi or the Chancellor were even aware of these threats before, and if they weren't it seems to be anyone's guess where the next attacks are going to take place, which leaves the Republic in a very vulnerable position. With more and more planets seceding from the Republic, the question that must be asked is 'is it safer to side with the Separatists and is the Senate really capable of accomplishing anything?'. Even the hidden training base for the Grand Army of the Republic- now revealed to be on Dantooine- was left demolished in a swift and unprecedented strike just two days ago. Jedi Knights and Republic tacticians had no idea the attack was coming until it was too late, and the Republics armies have been forced to flee to an undisclosed location to regroup. It must be asked that if the Jedi can't prevent these devastating attacks, then who can? That's all for the HoloNetNews now, our next update is in one standard hour when we'll have the fallout from the Senatorial meeting, and the thoughts of some of the Galaxies representatives on the current Galactic situation. Goodbye for now." Obi Wan switched off the displayer, frowning in disbelief.
"Fools." He shook his head in disgust. "Spreading panic and concern when there is chaos enough, this will not help the Jedi's position if our abilities continue to be called into question. They have no idea of the damage they are causing."
He heard the door to his quarters unlock and turned to face the door, expecting Master Yoda, he was mildly surprised when Mace Windu strode in and dipped his head slightly in greeting.
"Obi Wan." His deep voice was stern but his eyes held pity.
"Master Windu, to what do I owe the honour?" Obi Wan asked in slight uncertainty, motioning to a chair for the Master to sit on.
"Thank you." Mace said as he sat, then waited patiently for Obi Wan to take another seat opposite him.
"Obi Wan." Mace sighed out of his nose and paused, thinking how to approach his subject.
"Master, if you are here to lecture me on what is acceptable to the Jedi, don't waste your breath. Master Yoda has already quite exhausted the subject."
"And yet you remain in here. Which leads me to believe you have no intention of ever changing your mind." The powerful Jedi Master regarded him with an unwavering gaze, his emotions indecipherable.
"Recite for me, if you would Obi Wan, the Jedi Code?"
Obi Wan thought this was a rather odd question but was certainly not going to defy the solemn Jedi.
"There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no death, there is the Force." He said, without even thinking, the values of the code had been instilled in him since infancy.
"And what about that is so hard to live by Obi Wan? Even under Qui Gon Jinn's tutelage, he was the headstrong one, and you were ever the cautious, practical one. His death left a great mark on you, that is not disputed, and over time you grew ever more quiet, withdrawn perhaps, but there was wisdom in your serenity Obi Wan, and great patience. Now you seem to lash out at your training, your ideals, everything you have believed and been taught, why?"
"Maybe they were never my ideals Master Windu, perhaps I was just led to believe they were. There is a lot to be said for the way Qui Gon worked through the living Force, he never cared for the rules and regulations of the Council. It did not make him any less of a powerful and respected Jedi, and it made him more human than some of the rest of the Jedi are."
"Some of the Jedi aren't human Obi Wan." Mace said wryly, but there was a twinkle in his eye and the hint of a smirk at his mouth. "We are not disputing your skills as a Jedi, but there is a lot to be said for obeying the Council, especially in such hard times. We need all the help we can get. You know that Master Yoda is very proud of the Jedi you have become, as we all are, but an example must be made, to show that your ideas and disobeying the Council's orders are wrong. I have no doubt that you are a fine Knight, and I do not doubt your skill, but this is for the best. Do you understand?"
"Of course Master, that doesn't mean I agree. There is very little I can do to change it in any case, so I will accept your judgement quietly enough."
"Will you obey it?"
"I don't seem to have much choice."
Mace smiled thinly. "Must you make things so difficult for yourself and for us Obi Wan? You are becoming more like Qui Gon every day. It may not necessarily be a good thing!" He added, seeing Obi Wan's smile.
"In any case, enough cadets are ready and soldiers from many planets have joined the Grand Army, so Viceroy Organa has need of many of our Knights. For some reason he thinks you are a worthy leader and Jedi to be entrusted with a very important mission, so I hope you don't disappoint him." Mace smiled roguishly- a look that surprisingly didn't seem too out of place on his normally emotionless face. "And while I warned him of your newfound spontaneity and disregard for rules, he seems to trust you."
"I won't let him down Master."
"Good. However that is not what I am here for, your popularity seems to have increased with this rule-breaking streak. Now Chancellor Palpatine requests an audience with you. These politicians rather have taken a shine to you have they not?"
"I fear not Master." Obi Wan's expression darkened as he heard Palpatine's name. "Did the 'honourable' Chancellor give a reason?"
"Something about the Grand Army I believe, we do not usually pry into the Chancellor's private matters, I am under the impression he would dislike that rather much. Master Yoda informed him that you were indisposed, but said that you would take time to visit him. You have no problem with that do you?" Obi Wan's change of mood had not escaped the Jedi Master.
"Of course not Master Windu, I'm…honoured." Obi Wan tried to smile, but the attempt slightly fell short of one.
"Very well. Midday is the scheduled time, prepare yourself suitably and at the time you will be escorted to a transport to the Senate. Why don't you carry on with your meditations while you wait."
"Of course Master. Midday." Obi Wan nodded and bowed to the Master as he left. The thought of talking to Palpatine was not a pleasant one and it made Obi Wan quite wary, as previous confrontations between the two had been less than amiable. Unfortunately for the Knight, there was no way out of it, and he certainly had nothing better to do. Sighing, he sank to the floor once more, for yet more meditation.
*
The next chap will be up tomorrow night or the day after at the most, so you don't have to wait very long! Tell me what you think, was it okay?
xXx
