The Price of Sacrifice

by CalaisKenobi

From the time he was an initiate, Obi-Wan's life was difficult. Now, as a Master, it's even worse. Is there more to it than just fate and the Force? COMPLETE

4. 4

Bant returned to the laboratory to find both Master Ravenna and Knight N'erak yelling into the comm. link. Trying to fathom what was going on, Bant tried to focus on just one voice. The clearest and most commanding of them all came not from the Master Healer, nor the Jedi Knight, nor even the Navirian Governor she could hear on the other end of the line. The most commanding voice came from the thirteen-year old whose tone spoke of such desperation and conviction, that she could not have tuned it out had she tried.

"I am going now. I am not going to let whoever is impersonating N'erak touch my Master. Narissa will stay here and keep the line open so that you can transmit the information, but I am leaving now. I suggest you send me some backup, but if you don't hear from me within the next few hours, I guess you can assume its no longer necessary."

Shocked by Anakin's words, Bant inadvertently allowed the other voices to filter back in. "Anakin, I'm going with.." Came Narissa's insistent tones.

"Padawan Skywalker, I forbid." Ravenna shouted, trying to use Force persuasion.

And perhaps the most astonishing of all came from N'erak. "Ok Anakin, but be careful. You don't know what you are facing, so rely on the Force to guide you." The advice, admonishments and pleadings continued unabated until Narissa's voice broke through once more.

"He's gone."

*********************************************

The Council Members responded exactly how Mace expected them to, with one exception. Outright disbelief, horror, shock, anger and perhaps even guilt were expected. The distinctive pulse of joy, however, was disturbing. Retreating quickly into the Force to try to identify the source of such an emotion, Mace was interrupted almost immediately by the unmistakable sound of a comm. chirp.

Reaching down to his utility belt to retrieve his comm. link, Mace was surprised to find his wasn't the one activated. Normally the Council Members turned off their comm. links while in session, as a courtesy to the other Masters. Master Windu had left his on in case Ravenna, N'erak or Bant needed him. None of the other Masters should have been receiving a comm.

The blush on Master Billaba's face was enough to tell him who had left their link on. "I'm sorry, Master Windu, but I need to take this. I allowed my Padawan to go into the marketplace today unattended, and told him to contact me if something came up. Bilt wouldn't be comming me unless something has happened."

At the nod from Mace, Depa left her seat and stepped out into the anteroom to take the call. Using the small reprieve to search out the source of the unabashed joy, Mace was disappointed to see that the emotion had already been suppressed. \Well, I guess that means I'll just have to dig a bit deeper to find out who had such an odd reaction, and why\

Rising up out of his light meditative trance, Mace was surprised to see Depa reenter the chambers visibly upset. The younger Master paused long enough to survey the room before her gaze fell on her old Master. Approaching Master Windu, she only got half way to him when the tears began to fall.

Responding with instincts honed during the decade he had spent as a Master to the Chalactan, Mace crossed the distance between them and took her into his arms, regardless of the presence of the nine other Masters.

"Depa, what's wrong?" Mace asked, as he led her to his own Council chair. The other Councilors took his not so subtle hint, and silently left the chambers. Crouching down in front of her, he gently took the comm. link from her hand, fearing she might crush it with the grip she had on it.

"That wasn't Bilt," Depa began, finally calming down enough to speak. "It was the Healer's ward. Bilt was attacked on his way back from the marketplace."

"Will he be ok?" Mace asked, wondering why Depa had come back into the Council chambers instead of going to the ward.

"No," she sobbed, her voice breaking. "He's dead."

"Obi-Wan, I know that you are upset, and you have a right to be. But you are a Jedi and you need to act like one." Before Qui-Gon could finish his statement, Obi-Wan had crossed the small distance that separated them and dropped to his knees directly in front of Qui-Gon.

" Act like a Jedi? I wouldn't know how to do anything else! I don't remember being anything but a Jedi, whether it was as an initiate in training, or as a Padawan to you. For once, just once in my life, I want to be something other than a Jedi. I want to be a human being, not some emotionless automaton," Obi-Wan cried, holding Qui-Gon's gaze with his own.

"Do you even understand what I have been through since you left? I love Anakin, he is closer than any brother I could ever hope to have, but he has cost me so much. I don't even remember the last time I returned to the Temple without spending time in the Healer's ward. I have only had about three months of collective downtime in the four YEARS since you left me. I wouldn't mind so much, but every mission I have been sent on has been the closest to a suicide mission as it could be without actually qualifying as one. The entire Jedi Council is trying to kill me, and I find myself wondering why?"

As his tirade continued, Obi-Wan was trembling visibly from the onslaught of emotions. The shock and grief of the past few days, on top of the agony he had carried with him daily for four years were finally taking their toll. Qui-Gon wanted desperately to reach out to his apprentice, to pull him into a hug and never let go. But duty called, and Obi-Wan needed to see that.

"Obi-Wan, the Council is not trying to kill you. And I know your missions have been tough, did you truly think I would or could abandon you so entirely? I have been with you, even if you didn't know it. The life of a Jedi is hard, but it has its rewards. My greatest reward was seeing you grow into such a fine young Knight. You are stronger than this my Padawan, you need only fight."

"I don't know if I can anymore," Obi-Wan said, his tone entirely flat. "And more than that, I am not sure I want to fight anymore."

*********************************************

"I need to go with him," Narissa argued, knowing that none of the Jedi would be able to stop her if she chose to leave.

"I agree, you do need to help Anakin, BUT he needs this information. It will only take a few minutes to transmit it all," Ravenna argued, as N'erak and Bant went about setting up the data link.

"Anakin may not have a few minutes. I don't know how you Jedi treat your children, but that boy is only thirteen-years old. He should not have to face a situation like this alone." Narissa was determined to go help Anakin, but she also understood the need to get the information. With the storm sweeping in from the mountains, it was uncertain how much longer the comm. link could stay open. If Narissa left, it would be hours before the link to Coruscant could be reconnected.

"Alright," Bant agreed, as she took the comm. link back from Ravenna. "I am sending you the most important data now. The rest of it will just have to be sent later. Make sure that Anakin gets this."

Once Narissa's comm. unit chimed, indicating the successful transfer, she disconnected the link. \Now, to find Anakin\

*********************************************

Pulling the datachip out of the uplink, N'erak studied it a moment before turning to face Bant. "What exactly did you just send to Anakin?"

"The information most likely to help him help Obi-Wan," Bant replied nonchalantly. She even managed a slight grin at the horrified look Ravenna shot her after taking a closer study of the chip.

"You do realize that Obi-Wan is going to kill you?" N'erak asked, handing the datachip of Obi-Wan's personal journal back to the Mon Calamarian.

"Yup," Bant giggled, "but first he's gotta catch me."

*********************************************

Solo was checking over the rest of the hyperdrive equipment when Narissa burst into the maintenance bay. He was pretty sure that the blown dampener had affected nothing else, but he wasn't willing take the risk when a simple inspection could answer the question decisively.

Turning from where the spanner coil assembly was spread before him, Solo smiled at Narissa as she came to a skidding stop. "Miss me that much, huh?"

"I need your help. Anakin went to help Obi-Wan and he's going to need our assistance, whether he admits it or not," Narissa said, slightly out of breath from her quick sprint.

"Oh, you just miss my company, admit it. Otherwise you could've just called your Navirian guards to help you," Solo said, rising from his position on the floor.

"Actually, no I couldn't. Navira hasn't been united all that long, and our guard isn't really all that big." Narissa said hesitantly as she followed Solo out of the maintenance bay.

"And.?" Solo prompted.

"And they are all currently engaged taking down that rebel base. We are on our own."

Leaving Depa in the confident hands of Master Gallia, Mace left the Council Chambers and took the turbo-lift down to the Healer's ward. During the short trip, he commed Master Ravenna and asked her to meet him there.

\There is no way a Jedi Padawan, even if he was only eight, could be killed so easily on the streets of Coruscant. There is something going on here, and I bet it's related to the Sith\ Mace was so lost in his thoughts that he almost stepped off the lift when it came to a stop even though it was the wrong floor. Catching himself just in time, he covered the slip by moving to the side of the car to let the waiting passengers in.

When the doors began to close without anyone entering, Master Windu returned to his thoughts. \But why would the Sith go after a Padawan? It makes no.\ His train of thought was interrupted as the doors stopped closing, and slammed open once more. Once again, there were no passengers waiting.

Curious, Mace stepped out of the lift car and into the hallway. Looking left and then right, he still didn't see anyone. \I am definitely going to have to call maintenance on this. That was just weird\ Stepping back into the lift and signaling for the Healer's ward once more, Mace leaned against the back wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

The doors began to close again, but right before they would've sealed, they snapped open once more. Sighing in exasperation, Master Windu prepared to exit the lift and transfer to another one. Stepping out of the lift, he nearly ran into the waiting passenger.

"Master Windu, what a surprise. I was hoping to run into you," smiled Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.

*********************************************

Anakin ran with Force-enhanced speed all the way from the transport to the med center. He only slowed when he reached the entrance to the building. Unholstering his 'saber, he cautiously entered through the wide glass doorway.

\\ Obi-Wan?\\ he called through the bond, remembering the reaction he got when he called him "Master." He knew that use of the training bond had caused Obi-Wan to seize before, but he felt it was worth the risk. Even if it did cause the Master to convulse, it would act to slow down his kidnapper.

With no response forthcoming, Anakin made his way to the stairway. He could take a lift, but with the aide of the Force, he could reach the upper floors faster by the stairs. He could feel his Master in the Force; the sheer energy radiating off him still blatantly obvious. Obi-Wan was still in the room where Anakin had left him, and the Padawan couldn't sense the presence of anyone else in the vicinity.

\Let's hope it stays that way\ Anakin thought as he charged up the staircase. \I'd rather not have to duel someone in the middle of a Medical Center, with my Master defenseless between us\

*********************************************

Ravenna was both amazed and appalled at the actions of her former Padawan. It made perfect sense to send the journals to Anakin, but it was a gross violation of the Master's privacy. Bant was Obi-Wan's best friend, but even that allowed her only so much leeway.

Choosing to simply avoid any mention of her Padawan's less than ethical act, Ravenna addressed N'erak. "Are you two still going to take a transport to Navira?"

"I don't know. Anakin needs backup, but if Master Windu is right and we are being set-up, it might be better if others went on the rescue mission. We might just provide more incentive for an attack," N'erak said obviously pained by his own suggestion.

"I know that neither of you want to abandon Obi-Wan, but I think you have a valid point N'erak. At the least, we should wait until Mace gets back from his meeting with the Council Members. He may have more of an insight," Ravenna added, already wondering why the Councilor had not yet contacted her. \It's incredible how quickly I find myself not only trusting, but also dependent on a man I didn't even really know a week ago\

So much had happened in so short of a time for all involved. Within the span of a few days, Master Healer Ravenna found herself not only distrusting the institution she had dedicated her life too; she also found herself seriously considering the possibility that the Sith were in control of the Jedi Council.

\I almost wish I could go back to that blissful ignorance I enjoyed so unwittingly\ she thought, as she watched Bant and N'erak argue about whether or not they should be the ones to go to Navira. It had only been a few hours since Mace Windu had sought her out, asking her assistance with a special project. At the time, she had been too distracted trying to figure out what her ex-Padawan was doing with the patient files, that she had agreed without even really listening to the Councilor.

\And with that one simple "yes," I find myself in the most secretive section of the Jedi Temple, preparing to prove that Master Yoda is under the influence of a Sith, all while trying to save Obi-Wan Kenobi from becoming a Sith\ Suppressing the urge to sigh, Ravenna simply sat back on her chair and watched the continuing bickering between the two younger Jedi.

Just as she was preparing to intervene, her comm. link went off. "Ravenna here."

"Ravenna, its Mace. Meet me in the Healer's ward as quickly as you can get there. Tell N'erak and Bant to remain where they are."

Offering an affirmative, Ravenna made her way to the exit. N'erak and Bant had overheard the comm. signal, and had stopped arguing long enough to overhear the conversation. Giving Ravenna a concerned look, Bant said something Ravenna had never thought to hear within the walls of the Jedi Temple. "Be careful."

"Chancellor Palpatine," Master Windu acknowledged, with a slight bow. "What brings you to the Jedi Temple?"

"My aide informed me that Master Yoda has fallen ill. I wanted to offer him my sympathies and see if there was anything I could do," Palpatine answered, the sympathetic tones practically dripping off his tongue.

"Actually I had not heard anything of Master Yoda being ill," Mace hedged, a warning ringing through his mind.

"Perhaps my aide was mistaken. It is difficult to get good help these days," the Chancellor offered, with a mirthless smile.

"So I have heard. Would you like me to escort you back to the entrance Chancellor? It is quite easy to become lost in the Temple, usually our guests are assigned a guide," Mace said, his expression unreadable.

"That won't be necessary Master Windu. Please give Master Yoda my regards, and accept my apologies on behalf of my aide's error." Palpatine stepped back from the lift doors, allowing them to close.

"It really isn't a problem," Mace insisted, reaching out to keep the doors from shutting. "In fact, I was on my way down to the front desk anyway, I'd be happy to escort you." Stepping back farther into the lift so that the Chancellor could join him, Mace continued. "We wouldn't want to take you away from important Republic business any longer than necessary, now would we?"

With a sick looking smile, Palpatine entered the lift with the Jedi Master. "How could I refuse such a kind offer?"

*********************************************

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are a Jedi Knight - you are better than this. Quit whining like a child, and get to work. I did not spend thirteen years of my life training you so that you could give up so easily!" Qui-Gon had to force himself not to wince at his own harsh words. He knew that it was the only way to get Obi-Wan back on his feet, but he didn't have to like it.

"A child? You call ME a child? You have no idea what I have been through. I KILLED Garen! He was my best friend and I had to kill him. And that was only the first horrible thing I had to do in order to keep my promise to you. For four years, the Council has owned me. You sold me into slavery when you rescued your Chosen One from his bonds!" Obi-Wan jumped back to his feet and began to pace wildly.

"Obi-Wan, you must calm down. You know that Anakin is the Chosen One, and you know that he must be trained. Your anger is gaining you nothing, but is bringing you dangerously close to the Dark Side," Qui-Gon yelled, jumping to his feet as well and moving so that he could keep eye contact with his apprentice, whether Obi-Wan wished it or not.

When Obi-Wan said nothing, and continued his frenetic movements, Qui-Gon tried another approach. "Padawan, I know it hasn't been easy, and I know you're hurting. I wish I could've been there for you as something other than an observer, but the Force simply wouldn't allow it. You don't know how many times I wished I could take back my request, or how many times I wished we had never taken that assignment to Naboo. But, Padawan, this is the life of a Jedi. It is what we do, what Jedi have always done."

Qui-Gon was preparing to continue, when Obi-Wan came to a sudden halt. Remaining silent, Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan turned on his heel and raised his gaze until he looked his former Master in the eyes. Taking a deep breath, the young Master seemed to come to a sudden decision. "I know. The Jedi life is a life of sacrifice and pain. And maybe that's why I don't want to be a Jedi any longer."

*********************************************

Dooku could feel the power radiating off of the Jedi's body, long before he could see it. Obi-Wan shone so brightly through the Force that even the Dark side was affected by it. \Truly amazing. the most powerful Jedi ever, and treated like day old garbage by both his Master and the Jedi Council\

Taking a moment to check on Obi-Wan's "progress" through the link, Dooku was surprised to see the young Knight on what appeared to be the verge of a breakdown. \Can it really be so easy?\ The Sith asked himself, as he paused to listen in on the conversation between his former Padawan and the trapped Knight.

"And maybe that's why I don't want to be a Jedi any longer." Chuckling darkly, Dooku pushed through the swinging doors to collect his prize. \Ahh, Qui-Gon, I should've known you would be the ticket to turning him. You certainly were quite helpful when it came to Xanatos.\

Before Qui-Gon could say a word, Obi-Wan suddenly grabbed his temples and collapsed to the ground. "Obi-Wan!" the Master shouted as he dropped to his former apprentice's side. He reached out a hand to assist, or perhaps simply comfort, but stopped short of touching the Knight as he began to convulse.

Qui-Gon could only watch in horrified silence as the younger Master suffered through the seizures. His grip on the Force was still uncertain, but Qui-Gon could feel the massive pain radiating off of Obi-Wan. The seizure continued unabated for what seemed an eternity. When Obi-Wan finally stopped, Qui-Gon reached out and pulled his former Padawan into his embrace.

"Oh my Obi-Wan, why do you always have to suffer?" Not truly expecting a response, the Jedi Master simply held onto his apprentice, rocking him gently.

*********************************************

Dooku had just walked through the swinging doors when the Knight began to convulse violently on the table. Reaching out immediately to the Dark side of the Force, the fallen Jedi realized there was nothing he could do. He would simply have to wait until the seizure stopped before he could move the Jedi.

Stepping to one side as medical personnel came flooding into the room, Dooku enhanced the cloaking Force around him until not even a Jedi would notice him. He watched in silence as the medics tried to get a droid close enough to the still glowing Obi-Wan to inject him with something to stop the seizures. The attempt was unsuccessful, however, as the droid was rendered useless the instant it came in contact with the energy field.

Temporarily stymied, the medics were left to simply watch as their patient suffered through yet another severe seizure.

*********************************************

Reaching the level where he could feel the presence of his Master the strongest, Anakin left the stairwell and made his way to the examination room. It was the same room that Obi-Wan had been in when Anakin left, but something about it seemed different. Reaching out to the Force, Anakin sensed nothing. Chalking it up to nothing but nerves, Anakin burst into the small room, adding to the already crowded atmosphere.

"Padawan Skywalker," began the same medic that had spoken with him earlier. "We need to stop this seizure before it causes permanent damage. Can you reach your Master again and give him this?" she asked holding up a syringe filled with a bluish liquid.

"What is it?" Anakin asked, before either agreeing or refusing to give it to Obi-Wan.

"It will act as a suppressant. It will force his mind into a state resembling that of a deep coma. We don't have a Force suppressant available, but maybe this will serve the same purpose."

Reaching out to the Force for guidance, Anakin felt it urging him to refuse. Before he could speak, however, he felt another nudge from the Force. It felt different, colder and closer somehow, but it was clearly telling him to proceed. Confused by the conflicting responses, Anakin found himself once again relying on his own judgment.

"Give it to me, I'll try to reach him again."

*********************************************

As Mace watched Chancellor Palpatine exit through the front gates of the Jedi Temple, he couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that had accompanied him since meeting up with the politician. \There is no way he could know that something was wrong with Yoda, unless.\

Startling the Padawan at the front-desk, Master Windu turned and raced at Force-enhanced speed to the turbo-lifts. \This is not good.\

As Sidious exited the Jedi Temple, he had to work to suppress the dark laughter welling inside. \Fools, every last one of them\

He had initially thought that his "mission" would be somewhat difficult: infiltrating the Temple and trying to discover who all knew of the Sith influence. Instead the task had been almost comically simple.

His success had surpassed his wildest expectations. Not only had he determined that only four actually knew for certain of the influence, but he had also managed to make Master Windu suspicious of him. He hadn't expected the Master to detect the light mind probe, and had been unexpectedly thrilled when the Jedi did seem to recognize that something was wrong.

\Perhaps this will be even easier than I thought.\

*********************************************

Holding the syringe firmly in hand, Anakin slowly approached the field surrounding his Master. The first time he had attempted to reach Obi-Wan, he had been pulled into the Master's mind without having any semblance of control. This time he hoped that he could exert some influence over the situation.

As he entered the field of energy, Anakin felt the same strange tingling he had felt before, but it seemed much stronger. Curious, Anakin paused and reached out to the Force. A familiar presence washed over him, one he had not felt in over four years. "Master Qui-Gon?" the Padawan managed, before he felt the inexorable and irresistible pull reach out for him again.

Trying to resist long enough to inject the syringe, Anakin found that he simply wasn't powerful enough. It was almost as if the power he had felt before was being supplemented by the essence he recognized as Master Qui- Gon. \Why is Master Qui-Gon trying to pull me in?\ Anakin wondered, just as his world faded to black.

*********************************************

As he burst out of the turbo-lift on the Healer's floor, Mace went immediately in search of Ravenna. He knew that she was there, as he could feel her presence in the Force, but without a more direct connection, such as a Master/Padawan bond, he couldn't get an exact location of her.

Rushing through the hallway, he glanced quickly into each of the open rooms, searching for the familiar dark-haired figure. It was only when he had nearly reached the end of the hall that he saw her. Rushing into the room, he was surprised to see her working to prepare a travel med-kit.

"Ravenna?" Mace asked, as he entered the room to stand behind her. He had wanted to ask her to check on the autopsy results of the Padawan, to see if any DNA evidence had been found. He was hoping he could match it to Palpatine and finally unmask the Sith Lord. Ravenna, apparently, had other tasks in mind.

"Master Windu," Ravenna greeted, as she continued to gather the supplies. "I will be ready to go in just a minute. I wanted to make sure I have everything I need to do a full examination."

"Go?" Mace asked, thoroughly confused. He had expected that Ravenna might find out about the Padawan and assume that was what he had called her for, but she shouldn't need to travel anywhere to check on the results or complete her own study.

"To the Senate," Ravenna said, stopping her movements and turning to face the befuddled Councilor. "That is what you called me for right?"

"For Palpatine?" Mace asked, wondering how the Healer could possibly have found out about his suspicions.

"Was he injured too?" Ravenna asked, her features betraying her horror at the thought.

"Ravenna, what are you talking about?" the Master finally exploded, tired of being confused.

"The Dark Side attack at the Senate?" Ravenna asked, clearly expecting Mace to know what she was talking about. "I'm assuming that's what you called me for, though I must admit I am curious to know how you knew it was going to happen."

"Attack on the Senate?" Mace echoed, his mind automatically lowering the shields he had raised during the encounter with Chancellor Palpatine and reaching out to the Force. He was surprised to feel the resonance of fear and pain clearly clouding it.

"Yes, didn't you feel it? I don't think there's a Force Sensitive in the Galactic Core who didn't pick up on such a vicious attack. I had no idea Senator Amidala was Force-Sensitive, let alone able to project so well."

This time, when Anakin Skywalker opened his eyes, he found himself standing in the middle of a verdant green field, a flawless blue sky above him. Surprised at the change from the swirling gray mists, the Padawan almost didn't notice the two figures hunched together in the distance.

\Is Master Qui-Gon really here? Or is just another illusion?\ Anakin asked himself as he jogged to where the two sat.

"I am really here, Anakin," Qui-Gon said, looking up from where he still cradled Obi-Wan. "It's good to see you Ani," he added with a small smile.

Too stunned to speak, Anakin simply dropped to his knees beside Qui-Gon and reached a hand out to his still-unconscious Master. "Will he be alright?" the Padawan asked, foregoing any greeting to the man he had missed almost nightly for four years.

"I don't know Ani, I really don't. Obi-Wan is a fighter, and he is stronger than we give him credit for. This, however, might just prove to be too much."

"What do you mean by 'this'?" Anakin asked, finding and holding the older Jedi's gaze. The look in the Master's eyes was almost enough to make the apprentice regret his question. Almost, but not enough. Anakin Skywalker was worried about his Master, and he was tired of only finding more questions each time he looked for answers. He wasn't sure how Qui-Gon had managed to appear to him or his Master, but he wasn't going to let the opportunity go.

"Anakin, I will never regret freeing you, nor will I regret asking that you be trained. However, there are many things I regret about the way I went about assuring you would become a Jedi Knight." Qui-Gon's eyes took on a hazy look, almost as if he were truly looking back into the past, and feeling remorse for much of what he saw.

When the Master's hesitation had stretched to almost a half-minute, Anakin found he could not contain his patience. "What do you mean, there were things you regret? What things? Is this why my Master is always so tired and sad?" Anakin found his anger at the situation and the many, many unanswered questions boiling over into his tone of voice. The Padawan wasn't necessarily mad at Qui-Gon, but he felt that the older Master had much to answer for.

"Anakin," Qui-Gon said soothingly, trying to calm the furious young Jedi. "You need to calm down. Your anger is justified, but you need to release it to the Force. This is neither the time nor the place to indulge in such a show of emotion."

"You did this didn't you?" Anakin asked, as the pieces began to fall together. "This is your fault isn't it?"

"Anakin," Qui-Gon began, but he was stopped by a moan from Obi-Wan. The younger Master was awake, and had overheard both Qui-Gon and Anakin. Sitting up rather shakily, Obi-Wan looked first to his Master and then to his apprentice. "Please, don't do this. I haven't asked for much in my life, but please, please don't do this."

*********************************************

"Do we know what happened?" Mace asked as he helped Ravenna carry the medical supplies to the small Coruscanti transport.

"Reports are still coming in, and we haven't really been able to determine much through the Force, but it appears that the Sith made his move during Senator Amidala's address to the Loyalist committee. Luckily, only a few members of the Senate were in attendance, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been." Ravenna finished loading the last bag and pulled out her comm. link. "Excuse me a minute," the Healer said. "I'm going to comm. Bant and N'erak and tell them to meet us at the Senate. I could use Bant's help, and I'm sure N'erak could be of use as well."

"Of course," Mace said automatically, as he climbed into the transport and started the engines. He wasn't entirely comfortable having Bant and N'erak involved in the investigation. Not because he didn't trust them, but because it left them more vulnerable to attack. The Temple may not have been exactly safe as of late, but it was still better than anywhere else. Having the only four that knew of the Sith infiltration of the Jedi Council in the same place seemed rather foolhardy.

As he heard the comm. link go through, Mace motioned to Ravenna. Excusing herself from the comm., Ravenna turned to Master Windu. "Ravenna, I don't think you should ask Bant or N'erak to come. I think it makes better sense for them to remain at the Temple where they can set up the lab for the incoming samples. That way we won't waste as much time." Ravenna seemed about to say something when she caught the look on Mace's face. Suddenly realizing what he was trying to tell her, the Healer nodded and took up the comm. line again.

Satisfied that Ravenna would assure her former apprentice's safety, Mace turned his thoughts back to the Senate. \If Palpatine was with me when the attack occurred, he couldn't have done it. And it must have been a powerful Force-wielder to generate such a ripple through the Force. We know one of the Sith was killed on Naboo four years ago, and surely not enough time has passed for the Master to have trained another apprentice so well, or for the apprentice to have taken on another so highly trained. That means that whoever was behind that attack had to have been the remaining Sith from the Naboo incident\

Sighing heavily, Mace leaned back in his seat, a scowl covering his features. \And since it is highly unlikely that a Sith Lord would choose someone as dominant and as old as Palpatine for an apprentice, it appears that the Chancellor isn't a Sith, let alone a Darksider. Which means we are back to square one\

When Ravenna ended the comm. link and stepped into the transport, she noticed the disgusted look on Master Windu's face. "What's wrong?" she asked, as she adjusted the remaining medical packs on her lap.

"Nothing," Mace practically growled. "I just thought I had something there for a minute, and now I realize that I was wrong."

"Is it something you want to go over with me?" Ravenna asked as Mace jockeyed the transport into the continuous stream of Coruscant traffic. "Maybe I can provide some insight, or at least act as a sounding board."

"No," the Councilor sighed. "It was nothing, just my suspicions getting the best of me."

Shooting the Master a concerned look, Ravenna chose to not comment on his remarks. After a brief hesitation, she continued briefing him on the information gathered from the Senate attack.

"No one actually saw the Sith, but he must have been close by. His timing was impeccable. Amidala had just begun to wrap up her speech, stressing the need for continued emphasis on Democracy when the Sith struck. The other Senator's are quite upset, understandably, but from what we've been able to ascertain, it appears that the Senator was able to fight off the attack for at least a few minutes."

"Fight it off?" Mace asked, turning his attention from the traffic around him to face the Healer. "How could she possibly have fought off an attack from a Sith Lord?"

"We're not entirely sure. That's part of what we need to determine. None of the Jedi assigned to the Senate even knew Amidala was Force-sensitive, let alone as strong as she obviously was."

"Was?" Master Windu questioned, his gaze returning to the snarling Coruscanti traffic.

Ravenna sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, the Senator did not survive the attack."

"Well that was odd," Bant said, turning to face where N'erak sat studying the data terminal Ravenna had been using.

"What's that?" N'erak asked, distracted by the information flashing across the screen.

"Didn't you hear any of the conversation I just had with Master Ravenna?" Bant asked, amusement warring with frustration in her voice.

"Master Ravenna called?" N'erak asked, still staring at the terminal.

"Yes, she just called and told me that she's decided to join the Sith and not to expect her back until she has received full training in the use of the Dark Side," Bant said, curious as to whether or not the Knight was listening to her at all.

"Oh, ok." N'erak answered distractedly.

Not one to give up without a fight, Bant pressed on. "And she said to tell you to expect to be her first victim. She says she plans on tying you naked to one of the Temple spires and dousing you in Alderaani fire ants."

"WHAT?" N'erak yelled, as Bant's words finally sunk in.

"I was beginning to wonder if I would have to brandish my lightsaber just to get your attention," Bant joked as N'erak finally turned to face her.

"I'm sorry. There is just something about this data here, it's reminding me of something, or maybe the Force is trying to tell me something. I'm not sure, I just get this odd vibe from it," N'erak said standing up from the data terminal and absentmindedly beginning to pace. "I don't know what it is, but something is telling me that there is more here than what we are seeing."

"N'erak, don't you think there is already enough here to worry about without delving any deeper?" Bant suggested, only partially in jest.

In the blink of an eye, N'erak crossed the room and grabbed the Mon Calamarian up in a giant bear hug. Unsure of whether to defend herself, or offer an embrace in return, Bant simply stood patiently and waited for the Knight to speak.

The wait was not long. Releasing the Healer as quickly as he had grabbed her, N'erak laughed aloud. "Congratulations Master Bant, I think you may have just solved this entire puzzle."

"N'erak?" Bant asked, still unsure of whether or not to prepare for another 'attack.'

"When my Master began training me in undercover operations, he stressed one thing above all others." N'erak began, quickly moving away from the Healer and back to the data terminal. "If it appears that no matter how deep you dig, there's always another layer, you are digging in the wrong spot."

"Uh huh," Bant mumbled, as she moved to stand over N'erak's shoulder.

"In other words, we are focusing on the wrong thing. There is simply too much information here to find anything useful. We need to 'dig in another spot.'" N'erak grinned as he pulled out his comm. link. Upon reaching the front desk, N'erak winked at Bant as he spoke to the Padawan answering the call.

"This is Knight N'erak. I have a meeting with Master Yoda, and can't seem to find him. Could you possibly check the internal Temple sensors and tell me where I could locate him?"

*********************************************

Dooku remained cloaked in the corner as the Jedi Padawan entered the room. For a moment, the Sith was certain the apprentice had sensed him, but then the young Jedi continued into the room without even glancing towards the corner.

\This one might bear watching\ Dooku thought, as he found himself impressed by the level of Force skill the young one was wielding.

As he watched the medic try to convince the apprentice to use the syringe of suppressant on his Master, Dooku reached out to the Dark side of the Force. \\Yes, use it young one. It will help your Master\\

If the Padawan could get the seizures to stop, than Dooku would be able to take his prize to his ship. The suppressant may delay his plans for Obi-Wan somewhat, but it would be worth it if it meant getting him to the transport and off planet sooner.

The apprentice seemed to hesitate briefly, before coming to a decision. Dooku watched as the Padawan approached the blue field and crossed through it without a problem. \Good. Than chances are I can do the same thing\ The Sith hadn't really been worried about the field, but it was good to see the young Jedi cross it so easily.

As the Padawan reached out to touch his Master, Dooku was surprised to feel a shudder in the Force. He was even more startled, however, when the apprentice collapsed at his Master's side. When several minutes passed with no change in the Padawan's unconscious condition, Dooku decided to make his move.

Bringing the Force to bear on the minds of the medics, convincing them to leave the room and forget they had ever been there, Dooku left his cloaked corner. Easily crossing into the field, he made sure not to make contact with either of the unconscious Jedi. Using the toe of his boot to nudge the syringe out of the Padawan's hand, Dooku felt an urge to chuckle.

\Can it really be this easy?\ The Sith wondered, as he injected the contents of the entire syringe into the Jedi Padawan.

As Mace and Ravenna entered the teeming hall of the Senate, they were intercepted by one of the Senator's personal security guards. "Master Windu?" The guard questioned. At Mace's affirmative nod, the guard motioned for the two Jedi to follow him. "I have someone here that needs to speak to you."

Sharing a glance, Mace and Ravenna followed as the guard led them away from the main Senate floor and into a small turbo-lift. "Where exactly are we going?" Ravenna asked, as the lift began its rapid ascent.

"To Senator Amidala's private offices." The dark skinned guard answered, offering nothing in his posture, expression, or surface thoughts that gave either Jedi an indication of what was going on. As the lift came to a stop, Mace placed a hand on the small of Ravenna's back, appearing to guide her off of the lift. In actuality, the Master was using it to facilitate mental communication.

\\I sense a disturbance in the Force here. It appears that something important is being concealed from us\\ Mace sent.

\\I have a feeling that we might be rather surprised with who exactly is so anxious to see us\\ Ravenna answered, turning slightly and flashing a small smile at the Councilor.

As the two Jedi followed the guard to the sealed entryway of the Senator's offices, Mace kept in physical contact with Healer Ravenna. He wasn't sure what the Force was trying to tell him, but he wanted every advantage he could get in such an unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation.

\\Surprised doesn't began to explain it\\ Mace replied, as the doors slid open to reveal the former Queen of Naboo waiting to greet them.

*********************************************

"I have not asked for that much from either of you two, but this time I am asking, no, I am demanding that you stop this nonsense," Obi-Wan said, his voice growing stronger with the force of his conviction. "Now is not the time for this," the younger Master said, in an unconscious parody of the conversation he had just held with Qui-Gon.

"You are absolutely correct Obi-Wan. I apologize for my distraction," Qui- Gon said, his diplomatic background making an appearance. While Obi-Wan tended to offer sarcastic remarks at the oddest of times, Qui-Gon tended to turn to diplomacy in seemingly unnecessary situations. \Some things never change.\ the younger Master thought, as he offered a small smile to his former Master.

"I'm sorry Master," Anakin spoke up, feeling ashamed of his display of temper. The Padawan still harbored suspicions about Qui-Gon's actions four years ago, but he would keep them to himself for the time being.

Offering a fond smile to his apprentice, Obi-Wan rose shakily to his feet. "I think we should concentrate on figuring out how to get out of here," he said, gesturing to the plain before him. "As pleasant as this is, I would prefer to be in control of my own mind."

Rising to his feet to offer support to his Master if necessary, Anakin offered a suggestion. "When I tried to contact you through the training bond before, you started to convulse and I had to pull the energy back. The force I used to retract it seemed to almost throw me out. Maybe you should try to reach me through the training bond and see if it has the same effect."

"I don't want to risk hurting you Padawan," Obi-Wan said, leaning on Anakin and accepting the support he offered. "If it really was your attempt to contact me that caused the convulsions, than I cannot risk doing the same thing to you. I am still not fully recovered from it, and it wouldn't do us any good to cripple you as well."

"Perhaps you could try to contact me," Qui-Gon offered, feeling oddly bereft as he watched his Padawan turn to another for support. Qui-Gon had always been the one to support Obi-Wan before, and it was somewhat distressing to see another in his position. He was glad that Obi-Wan and Anakin had formed such a close bond, but it only served to emphasize his continued absence in their lives.

"Do you think that would work?" Obi-Wan asked, turning to give a skeptical look to his former Master. "Is our bond even intact any longer?"

"There's only one way to find out," Qui-Gon said with a soft smile.

"Do you really think that Master Yoda is going to agree to speak with us in front of the Council?" Bant asked as she trailed N'erak out of the turbo- lift.

"Who says we are going to try to talk to Master Yoda in front of the Council?" N'erak responded, as he led the way down the corridor.

"Well, considering the fact we just took the turbo-lift all the way up the central spire, and the only thing that is all the way up the central spire is the Council Chambers, I pretty much figured it out," Bant said sarcastically.

"You know, it's a good thing you are a Healer." N'erak laughed.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Bant growled, grabbing the Knight's arm in an attempt to turn him around to face her.

"Well, if you were a Knight, logic like that would probably get you killed," he said, easily slipping out of her grasp.

"Wha." Realization hit before Bant could even complete her angry retort. As N'erak stopped before the door to the small mediation chamber, the Healer clamped her jaw shut and shot the Knight a nasty look.

Chuckling softy N'erak pressed the door chime. When the door swished open, he bowed mockingly and motioned for Bant to enter ahead of him. "After you, oh great detective," he whispered under his breath.

Luckily Master Yoda was still submerged in meditation, and didn't notice as the Mon Calamarian used her extensive knowledge of humanoid anatomy to elbow N'erak in a most effective spot. "You might want to see a Healer for that," Bant whispered back, as she stepped around the stooped Knight and entered the small room.

*********************************************

"Senator Amidala," Mace greeted, bowing to the supposedly deceased politician. "It is quite a surprise to see you. We had received word that you were.injured. in an attack."

Before the Senator could answer, the guard who had escorted the Jedi spoke up. "Unfortunately, the "Senator" was attacked. It was only because of a simple security test that it was Senator Amidala's decoy that was giving the speech and not the Senator herself."

"Lieutenant Typho, you and I both know it was more than that," Amidala spoke up for the first time. Turning to address the Jedi, both Mace and Ravenna were struck by the distress apparent in the usually calm and collected politician. "Corde had a feeling that something was going to happen. She suggested that we implement our decoy strategy as a test run. She convinced me that it was a good idea to see if she could pass as the "Senator" amongst those who know me well. If I had known that something like this was going to happen, I would have just cancelled the speech. Instead, Corde is dead because of me."

"Senator, there is no way you could've known that something like this was going to happen. Even Corde wasn't sure that her feelings of unease were anything more than just that: feelings. If anyone would've known something was going to happen, it would have been her," Typho said, completely ignoring the two Jedi in his attempt to console the upset Senator.

"Did Corde know she was Force-Sensitive?" Ravenna asked, wondering if the decoy had received some kind of warning through the Force.

"Yes," Amidala said. "She spent some time training with the Jedi that was sent to Naboo after the Trade Federation Invasion. Master Yoda recognized her suppressed ability and had recommended she train with the Jedi and try to increase her potential."

"Corde trained with Knight Kenobi?" Master Windu asked, his confusion evident in his expression.

"No, with the Jedi that arrived after Knight Kenobi and the rest of the Council left," Amidala answered, obviously perplexed at the Councilor's question.

"Senator Amidala, forgive me, but I think you must be mistaken. The Jedi Council did not send anyone to Naboo after Knight Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker left."

Closing his eyes, Obi-Wan focused on the link he could feel thrumming gently between him and Anakin. Once he had the bond visualized, he gently pushed it aside and searched for another, less vibrant bond. The young Master was certain that the link he had shared with Qui-Gon had dissolved at the elder Jedi's death, but he was willing to make the attempt if there was even a slim possibility it could lead to an escape.

Even as he turned most of his focus to searching for the links present in his mind, Obi-Wan kept part of his attention on his "physical" surroundings. He still could not sense his actual body, but he didn't want to lose the connections he had formed to create the plain and conjure up Qui-Gon. \Of course, this is probably a complete waste of time, considering my Master really isn't here, and is only an illusion. But I guess it doesn't hurt to try anyway.\

With his focus split, Obi-Wan could barely hear Anakin's and Qui-Gon's voices, and what he could understand wasn't enough to tell him what they were saying. He could pick up on the emotions present in their tones, but beyond that his attention was too divided to pick-up the actual subject of their conversation.

\Well, what do you know. Maybe Qui-Gon really is here\ he thought, as he suddenly came across a shadowed bond echoing across the void in his mind. Reaching out to it, Obi-Wan was surprised by the feeling of dread that permeated through him as he came in contact with the link. \That's odd. I know that Qui-Gon is dead, but I wouldn't expect a bond with him ever being so. cold\

Before he had a chance to study the link any closer, Obi-Wan was drawn from his mind by the frantic tones he could hear coming from his apprentice. Focusing all of his attention on the "physical" plain he inhabited, Obi-Wan opened his eyes to find only Qui-Gon. "Where's Anakin?" the younger Master asked, as he scanned the surroundings, hoping to see his Padawan.

"I'm not sure." At the tone of Qui-Gon's voice, Obi-Wan immediately stopped his survey and turned to face his former Master.

"What is it?" the younger Jedi asked, as he took in both the Master's tone of voice and facial expression. In all of the years Obi-Wan had spent as Qui-Gon's apprentice, he had never known his Master to show fear.

"Before he disappeared, Anakin managed to connect briefly to both his physical body and the Force," Qui-Gon said before pausing, seemingly to gauge Obi-Wan's reaction.

"And?" Obi-Wan asked, even more disturbed by Qui-Gon's hesitation.

"He managed to say something just before he disappeared completely. Sith."

*********************************************

As Solo and Narissa approached the Navirian Medical center, the ex-smuggler began to feel uneasy. Something about this whole situation seemed strange, and it seemed too risky to attempt to enter the med center without more information.

"Hold up," Solo called out, as he reached over and snagged the jogging Narissa's arm.

"What are you doing? We know Anakin went to the Med center, and we know he's going to need help, so what are we waiting for?" Narissa asked as she stopped and turned to face Solo.

"Something isn't right about this. I don't think we should just rush in there without a better idea of what is going on," Solo said as he released her and automatically reached down to straighten his blaster after the run from the transport.

"Of course something isn't right about this!" Narissa yelled, exasperated. "What could possibly be right about it? The fact that something or someone is trying to kidnap an incapacitated Jedi Knight, a thirteen-year old boy is in the Medical Center brandishing a deadly weapon, or the fact that a governor of a planet is running around and playing commando with an ex- smuggler: which one of these things could you possibly classify as 'right'?"

"Narissa, I realize that you are worried about Obi-Wan and Anakin, but stop to think. What possible good could we do by running up into that building and chasing after Anakin? He may only be a boy, but that boy has powers and abilities we can only dream of. We aren't going to be able to help him like this," Solo said, trying to calm the irate governor.

"Ok, than how are we going to help him?" Narissa asked, understanding that Solo did have a point.

"By finding out where this "N'erak" came from and preventing him from getting back there," Solo said as he turned and began jogging away from the Med Center.

"Where are we going?" Narissa questioned, hurrying to catch up.

"Back to the landing field," Solo called over his shoulder.

Realizing what Solo was up to Narissa ran alongside him as they hurried back to the transport bay. If they could find the ship that "N'erak" had used, they could disable it and prevent him from taking off with Obi-Wan.

As they reached the outskirts of the field, Solo slowed and pulled something that looked vaguely like a comm. link off of his belt. Activating it, he slowly began to turn in a circle, almost as if he was scanning with it. When the device gave off a beep he grinned.

"Gotcha," Solo said as he hooked the device back onto his belt. At Narissa's confused expression he smiled even wider. Tapping where the device was once more hooked securely he explained. "Came across this on Risa Prime. Almost ended my career as a smuggler before it had ever really started. Can't hide nothing from this baby, not even a distortion field will fool it."

Turning to the seemingly empty area Solo had indicated with the scanner, Narissa shared his grin. "And why would anyone have need for a distortion field, unless they were trying to hide something."

"Or someone," Solo added as they cautiously approached the concealed ship.

"Corde would not have lied about something like that," Amidala argued, fervently defending her fallen friend. "There was a Jedi on Naboo, and Corde spent almost a month in training with him."

"Did you meet this Jedi?" Ravenna asked, realizing Master Windu was at a loss for words. It was obviously not the Councilor's intent to infer that Corde had lied, but any continued questioning on his part might foster such an image.

"I did not," Amidala answered honestly. "I am not sure that anyone met him but Corde, as we were all quite busy with the rebuilding and restoration of our planet."

"I met him once," one of the Senator's assistants offered. "He had his cloak raised, so I did not really get to see his face, and he left before I had a chance to speak with him, but I did see him once."

"Where did you see him at?" Ravenna questioned. She wasn't sure if it was important, but something told her that any information, no matter how seemingly irrelevant, would prove useful.

"I had gone looking for Corde when she didn't show up for dinner. I actually had to search for her for quite a bit before I finally came across them. They must have needed privacy for something, considering where they were. I, for one, would never choose to spend any amount of time there," the young woman actually shivered as the memory played out.

Before continuing, the assistant looked to the Senator, as if asking permission. When Amidala gave an almost imperceptible nod, she spoke again. "The Jedi was standing up, but Corde was sitting on the stone slab. I guess she was meditating or something, since she had her eyes closed and all, but the Jedi was standing over her with his hands on her shoulders. His head was bent down, so I couldn't tell if his eyes were open, but he knew the instant I saw him. I knew that Jedi could move fast, but that was creepy the way he just disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Mace prompted when it appeared that she had finished.

"Well, not exactly disappeared. I was standing on the bridge when he noticed I was there. He went through one of the archways and was gone before I had even gotten more than halfway across," the assistant clarified.

"Bridge?" Ravenna asked. "Where exactly were you?"

Before the assistant could answer, the description of the location struck a chord in Master Windu. Turning to the Senator, he realized that she had also recognized where the assistant was describing.

The young woman, oblivious to the horrified looks on both the Senator and Councilor's face, answered the Master Healer's query. "Oh they were in that horrible place - the place where they perform the cremations."

*********************************************

As Chancellor Palpatine made his way through the Senate Halls, he had to pause several times to extend condolences and offer sympathies to the Senators who had been witness to the attack. The Senate had not yet been informed of the decoy ruse, and still believed that Senator Amidala was dead.

\If these men and women are truly the 'best and brightest' of the planets they represent, it is a wonder that the Republic has survived at all\ Palpatine was always amazed at the herd mentality that occurred within the Republic Senate, even as he had used it to secure his ascension to Chancellor.

Once he had made his way through the masses on the Senate floor, the Chancellor entered one of the turbo-lifts and commanded it to take him to the floor where Amidala's offices were located. He knew that the Senator still lived, in fact he was the reason she was alive.

He had briefly entertained the idea of actually killing Padme, but had decided she might still prove useful. \One never knows when it might pay to have such a powerful 'ally'\ Of course, the Senator was not truly his ally, as she did not know about his alternate identity. But she was an ally to Chancellor Palpatine, and had already proven quite useful on a number of issues.

As the lift finished its ascent, and Palpatine stepped into the quiet hallway, he took a moment to enjoy the successes of the day. \Not only has this guaranteed the passage of the Senate Security Bill, eliminated the oft uncontrollable Corde, and taken away any suspicions the Jedi may have harbored about Chancellor Palpatine but it has also given me the opportunity to kill three people\ The Sith Lord usually left the executions to his apprentice and minions. It was not often that Sidious himself felt the visceral thrill that came from sucking the Life Force out of one of his enemies.

As he approached the Senator's office, Palpatine allowed his smile to fade and a look of concerned compassion to take its place. Inside, however, the Sith Lord was still enjoying his many victories. \It has been a great day indeed\

"Did he say anything else?" Obi-Wan asked as his mind automatically went to work trying to decipher what his apprentice meant. \Anakin was obviously trying to tell me something. well, he was either trying to give me a message or he was exercising that less-than-impressive vocabulary of his again\ Early on in Anakin's apprenticeship, Obi-Wan had had to work diligently to rid his Padawan of a great deal of his everyday language. It was not considered good diplomacy when a Jedi referred to a foreign diplomat as a pile of animal dung, even if it was done in Huttesse.

"No, not anything that I was able to understand anyway," Qui-Gon answered, as he tried to draw on the Force to enhance his memory. "Anakin and I were having a discussion while we were waiting for you to determine whether or not there was a link. Anakin became quite upset, and tried to release his emotions into the Force. That's when he realized he couldn't touch or feel it."

"He couldn't feel the Force and he didn't realize it until he tried to release his anger into it?" Obi-Wan didn't even have to question what emotion it was that his Padawan tried to release. Anakin had more in common with Obi-Wan than the Master liked to admit. As a Padawan, Obi-Wan had fought a constant battle with his temper, and Anakin was following right in his footsteps.

"Well, he was rather distracted." Qui-Gon hedged. He didn't want to admit to Obi-Wan that Anakin and he had launched right back into their disagreement the moment the Knight had focused his attention elsewhere. As a Jedi Master, Qui-Gon should have had better control of the situation and not allowed it to degenerate into an argument.

"You were arguing." Obi-Wan stated bluntly. He may once have been Padawan to Qui-Gon Jinn, but now he was a Jedi Master in his own right. Obi-Wan had always greatly respected Master Jinn, even when he was merely an initiate. But now that they were equals, he no longer had to defer to the Master or accept his dissembling.

"We were arguing." Qui-Gon admitted after a brief hesitation. "It had only gone on for a few moments when Anakin realized he had lost his connection to the Force. He was able to regain it briefly, just long enough to connect with his physical body, but then he lost control again and disappeared."

"I'm going to try to reach him through our bond," Obi-Wan proclaimed after mulling over his options. "I know that I risk having another seizure, but I need to know if Anakin's ok."

"Are you sure that that is wise? Perhaps you should continue to try to reach me through our bond, otherwise you risk draining yourself and losing the chance to escape," Qui-Gon said softly. He knew that Obi-Wan wanted to assure himself that Anakin was all right, but he couldn't take the risk. The last seizure had severely affected the Knight, and the next would probably drain all of his remaining energy.

Torn, Obi-Wan did not respond. Instead he tried to arrive at an acceptable compromise. \I can't abandon Anakin, I need to know that he is well, and try to help him. Yet I can't risk convulsing again and losing my only chance for escape\ Unconsciously, Obi-Wan had dropped to his knees on the ground, assuming a meditative posture.

\But, if I reach out to Qui-Gon and fail, I won't have the energy to help Anakin. And, even if I succeed in reaching my Master, I might not be able to return to my physical body anyway\

As the Knight examined his options, Qui-Gon stood silently over him. After several minutes had passed with no response from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon roused him. "Obi-Wan, you must make a choice. We don't have the time for this."

Opening his eyes from where they had fallen closed, Obi-Wan turned his piercing gaze to the older Jedi. Rising swiftly to his feet, he used a phrase he had not had opportunity for in over four years. "Yes Master."

*********************************************

Dooku was amazed at how quickly the Jedi Padawan had succumbed to the sedative. \Apparently he has not yet reached the level of training necessary to fight off such external influences\ Dooku had feared that Anakin would bring the Force to bear immediately on the drug, allowing him to regain consciousness almost instantaneously. Instead, several minutes had passed with no response from either of the unconscious Jedi.

After the Sith was convinced enough time had passed to be assured Anakin was well and truly out of the way, Dooku continued with his plan. Reaching out to the Force, he called a nearby anti-grav stretcher up to the med bed. Being careful not to touch the Knight, Dooku levitated Obi-Wan onto the stretcher. Securing the belts across the Jedi, Dooku then turned and moved to exit the exam room.

Just as he got to the swinging doors, he hesitated and turned back. "Young one, you might just prove useful." Calling another stretcher to him, Dooku levered Anakin up and onto it. Securing the Padawan just as tightly as his Master, Dooku then moved his two "patients" out into the hallway. Bringing the Force to bear on a young medic's mind, the Sith acquired an assistant in guiding the second stretcher.

As the impromptu procession made its way out of the Navirian Medical Center and towards the spaceport, Dooku concealed all four from any curious stares. When the transport was finally in view, the Sith released his hold on the medic and turned her back towards the med center. As the ramp of the ship began to lower Dooku reached out and laid his hand on the defenseless Master's chest. "You see, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I said you would soon be ours, and now. now Knight Kenobi, you are MINE."

Before either Mace or Ravenna could question the assistant any further, the door to the Senator's offices chimed. "I'll find out who it is," Typho offered, seeing the hesitation on the part of the two Jedi. It was not yet time to reveal that the Senator lived, and it wouldn't be until they could find out why she had become a target for the Sith.

"Can we move into one of your more private offices?" Mace asked, as Typho made his way to the door. No matter where she stood in the outer office, Amidala would be visible to the visitor.

"Of course," the Senator answered, as she led the way into her private office. A doorway separated it from the anteroom, and would prevent anyone from discovering that the Senator still lived. Mace, Ravenna, Senator Amidala and two of her guards all crowded into the smaller room. The other assistants remained out in the anteroom, leading credence to the idea that Amidala was dead and they were in mourning.

"You've picked your staff well," Mace commented, as he used a quick Force scan to determine that nothing in the anteroom would give away the ruse. He was impressed to find that all of the assistants had at least rudimentary shielding, preventing their surface thoughts from being read.

"Corde helped to pick most of the assistants," Padme answered, allowing her grief to leech through into her voice. "After Queen Jamillia took office, I had to find an entire new staff. I had planned on simply retiring from politics, but the interim Senator elected after Chancellor Palpatine's ascension begged me to take her place. I couldn't refuse the chance to help represent Naboo in the Galactic Republic, but I also couldn't take any of my staff with me. The new Queen needed their guidance."

"Corde did a commendable job," Master Windu said after an uncomfortable pause. Offering a nod in acknowledgement, Senator Amidala then motioned for all to be quiet. The visitor had entered the anteroom, and she wished to hear who it was.

*********************************************

Bant and N'erak stood respectfully off to one side of the small meditation room as they waited for Master Yoda to return to full consciousness. Yoda did nothing to acknowledge their presence, but they knew that he was aware that they were there. There was very little that happened in the Temple that escaped the notice of the oldest and most powerful of the Councilors.

"Have questions you do," Master Yoda stated abruptly, rising completely from where he had been seated on the cushioned floor.

"Yes," N'erak answered, though he knew that Master Yoda had not intended it as a question.

"Answer what I can, I will. Unfortunate this is, hide from it I cannot." Yoda sighed heavily, all of his eight hundred plus years present in his stooped demeanor.

"Master Yoda," Bant began, but then hesitated, uncertain what to say.

Noticing Bant's discomfort, N'erak went to speak but was interrupted by the venerable Master. "Fear me you should not. Helped raise you in the crèche I did. Changed your diaper too, I did."

"Yes, Master Yoda," Bant said with a slight blush and grin. "Master Yoda.I don't understand," she finally blurted, after yet another hesitation.

Yoda merely closed his eyes and offered a sigh. When no other response was forthcoming, N'erak spoke up.

"Master Yoda, we know that you were infected with the Narsicsis and influenced by the Sith, but how could you allow yourself to be led so far from the light?" N'erak questioned bluntly.

"Choose this I did not," Yoda huffed. "Perhaps my Padawan you should question, if answers about straying from the light you seek." Turning his back on the two Jedi, Master Yoda returned once more to his meditation.

Taking the hint to leave, N'erak and Bant both offered a slight bow before exiting the chambers. Once outside, they paused to contemplate what they had just heard.

"'Perhaps my Padawan you should question?' What the heck does that mean?" Bant grumbled. "Is Master Yoda ever anything but confusing?"

"Yup," N'erak grinned, glad to relieve some of the tension. "Sometimes he's just downright bewildering."

Solo and Narissa had just reached the edge of the distortion field, when Narissa heard the crunch of gravel rapidly approaching. "Solo," Narissa whispered, getting the pilot's attention. "Someone's coming."

Solo, looking up from where he studied the readout on yet another semi- legal device, cocked his head to listen. When the sound of footsteps came again, Solo reacted instantly. Tucking the modified datapad into his belt, he grabbed Narissa and pulled her over behind a nearby transport. As he pulled her down into a crouch, he withdrew a small tracking device from a pocket on his belt.

"Is there anything you don't have on your belt?" Narissa asked quietly, as she watched Solo draw back his arm and prepare to throw the tracker.

As the device attached to the still invisible hull with a barely discernable ping, Solo grinned at Narissa. "Nope."

"Somehow, I don't think you are kidding me at all." Narissa observed as she took in the many-pocketed utility belt. Though bulky, the belt maintained a design that allowed the pilot full movement and flexibility. It was not unlike the utility belt worn by the Jedi Knights, though obviously containing a less-than-legal assortment of electronics and other equipment that a Jedi would never use.

"I'm not," Solo answered, before turning his attention back to the concealed transport. He had planned on being aboard the transport when "N'erak" returned, but had realized that might not be possible. With that eventuality realized, Solo was glad that he had brought the undetectable tracker chip with him when he had left the Jedi Temple. With it attached firmly to the hall of the ship, Solo would be able to track it even if it went to hyperspace.

"I'm glad you are so prepared," Narissa offered, in her first comment to the ex-smuggler that was anything but a criticism. Ignoring the stunned look the pilot shot her, Narissa maneuvered until she had a better view, while still hidden from the approaching figures. Even with the better position, the governor could not clearly make out the identity of any of the four, but she assumed that Obi-Wan and Anakin must be the two on the stretchers.

"We have to do something," Narissa said in a hushed whisper as she watched as one of the figures turned to leave, leaving the two hover-stretchers in the care of the other.

"We can't risk it," Solo muttered back. "If that guy was powerful enough to take down Anakin, we aren't going to stand a chance against him. And we can't rely on anyone here for help, since they can't even see the ship."

With their attention focused solely on the "dead space" where the ship sat concealed, Narissa and Solo had been able to detect the slight shimmering that occurred as the ship's ramp was lowered. The transport was still invisible, however, and drew no attention from the passing mechanics and pilots. In fact, none of the passerby seemed to even notice the three waiting to board the ship. It was as if only Narissa and Solo could see that there was anyone there.

"So we're just going to let him take off with Obi-Wan and Anakin while we hide here?" Narissa asked in disbelief. She may have teased Solo earlier, implying that he was too much of a coward to help her, but she honestly didn't believe that he could just turn his back when someone was in need of help.

"I didn't say that," Solo said, as he withdrew the modified datapad again. Keying in a few commands, he then turned the device and showed the readout to Narissa.

"What did you just do?" Narissa sighed, as she studied the display on the datapad. She did not understand what it said, but she understood enough to know Solo had somehow hacked into the main computer onboard the transport.

"Nothing." Solo grinned. "Well, at least nothing that "N'erak's" gonna notice until it's too late."

*********************************************

Obi-Wan had found the second link easily this time, now that he knew it was there. Hesitating only briefly, he reached out to it gently. \I hope I'm making the right choice here.\ The young Master didn't want to abandon his apprentice, but if this worked, it would be worth the risk.

As he actively connected to the link, Obi-Wan barely repressed the urge to shudder. It was so cold and dark, emitting an aura unlike anything the Knight had ever encountered. \I'm beginning to think that this couldn't possibly be connected to Qui-Gon, even if he is dead\

Steadying himself by reaching out to his center, Obi-Wan activated the link. As the connection went through, the young Master couldn't contain his surprise. Before the entity at the other end of the bond had even felt Obi- Wan's questing tendril, the Jedi retracted it and returned with a start to where Qui-Gon awaited. Opening his eyes and jumping up from where he had kneeled on the ground, he turned to face the startled Jedi Master.

"This is very, very bad."

"Ok, aside from being a cryptic old troll, Master Yoda must have been trying to tell us something," Bant insisted as she and N'erak retreated to the seclusion of her office.

"He told us that if we were interested in someone straying from the light, we should talk to his Padawan. But which Padawan did he mean, he's had over a dozen!" N'erak added as he took a seat opposite Bant's desk.

"Well, we can eliminate those that have passed into the Force, as I doubt they are going to be available to answer a comm. call," Bant suggested as she dropped into her desk chair and turned on the terminal in front of her. It wasn't as secure as the one they had used earlier, but for this search a secure access shouldn't be necessary.

"Ok, that leaves how many then?" N'erak asked, leaning forward in an attempt to study the datascreen with Bant.

"Ummm." Bant paused, waiting for the information to come up. "Eliminating the ones that have entered the Force leaves us five. Only three of which are still on active duty."

"Well, we can eliminate the three on duty, since it is unlikely that they would have turned to the darkside, yet continued to serve. Who's left after that?" N'erak questioned, straining to read the small print on the screen that was partially facing away from him.

"Master Audreyac and." Bant turned from the monitor to make eye contact with N'erak, who was almost stretched across her desk trying to read the screen.

"And?" N'erak asked, frustrated and tempted to climb over the desk and read the screen himself.

". Master Dooku."

*********************************************

"Lieutenant Typho, I am so sorry to hear about Corde," the voice from the doorway called.

Intrigued, yet somewhat alarmed, Master Windu stretched out with his senses, trying to take an unobtrusive Force scan of the visitor. No one was supposed to know that Amidala lived and that Corde had been the one to die. Before he had even initiated the scan, Padme brushed past where he stood and opened the door to the outer office.

"Chancellor Palpatine," the Senator acknowledged, foregoing any greeting. "I'm glad you could make it."

"I came as soon as I heard. I cannot believe that dear Corde is dead, it seems like I spoke to her only yesterday," the Chancellor said with true grief in his voice.

"We need to find out why I was a target," Padme said, as she gestured to the two Jedi. "Masters Windu and Ravenna have come from the Temple to help discover the meaning behind this vicious attack."

"Chancellor," Mace and Ravenna acknowledged, each offering a slight bow.

"I am glad to see you are in charge of this investigation Master Windu. If there is anything I, or any of my officers, can do to help, please let me know. We cannot allow such an attack to go unpunished," Palpatine proclaimed, his determination clear.

"I regret that I must report back to my office - there is much to be done - but if you need anything don't hesitate to contact me." The last was said to Senator Amidala, as the Chancellor made his way back to the hallway door.

"Thank you Chancellor. I appreciate your offer of assistance," Padme acknowledged as she stepped back into her private office where she would be invisible when the hall door opened.

"It is not a problem, Senator Amidala. And please, offer my condolences to Corde's family," the Chancellor responded, waiting until the Senator was hidden once more before activating the door. Offering a nod to Typho, Palpatine stepped out into the hallway and allowed the doors to swish shut behind him.

Once Mace was assured that the Chancellor had left, he turned to speak to Padme. "Senator, how did the Chancellor know about Corde?"

"I left a message for him," Padme answered off-handedly, before noticing the look of consternation on Master Windu's face. "Don't worry, it went only to his private comm. line. Only he has access to it. It is the line I used when I was Queen and needed to contact him from Tatooine."

"You sent Chancellor Palpatine a message from Tatooine? Did Master Qui-Gon or Knight Kenobi know?" Mace asked, his previously dismissed suspicions returning with a vengeance.

"Of course not. It wasn't necessary that they know. I only needed to contact "Senator" Palpatine to let him know I was still on my way. If I hadn't have contacted him, he might have thought my ship was destroyed trying to get past the blockade," the Senator reasoned.

"You're absolutely right Senator Amidala," Mace said, surprising both himself and Ravenna. "If you had not contacted Palpatine, there would have been many things the "Senator" was unaware of."



"There is a bond," Obi-Wan began, after calming himself. He was still disturbed and somewhat frightened by what he had discovered, but he was a Jedi, and he would act like one.

"But?" Qui-Gon asked, finding himself unaccountably impressed with how well his former Padawan was handling the situation. It wasn't unusual for a Jedi to have to function without the Force, in fact there were many training exercises that prepared future Jedi for just that possibility. But to function without the Force in such a stressful and tense situation, and still be able to control his emotion, was truly a great feat.

"But, it does not connect you and I," Obi-Wan said, dropping his gaze briefly before returning it to make contact with his former Master's icy blue eyes. "It connects me to the Sith."

*********************************************

Narissa and Solo remained hunched behind the transport until they were certain that the ramp had closed on the imposter-Jedi and his captives. Once he was sure that they would not be seen or heard, Solo motioned for Narissa to return to his ship. The two moved stealthily throughout the transport field until they were once more safely ensconced on Solo's transport. The pilot wasted no time in moving to the cockpit and preparing the preflight.

"Don't you think we stand a better chance if we force him to stay here on Navira, rather than tailing the ship through hyperspace?" Narissa asked, sliding into the co-pilot's seat. "At least here, we can be assured of back- up from the Navirian guard. In space, we will be on our own."

"Can we be assured of their assistance?" Solo answered, not even pausing in his flight calculations. "That guy made it out of the med center and through the center of the town, without drawing a suspicious glance. Heck, no one even noticed the ship sitting in the middle of the transport field. How do we know that he won't just exert whatever influence he has on your guards as well?"

"My guards may be new, but they are all well-trained. We can trust them," Narissa objected. She had personally selected her primary guards, and then had instructed them to oversee the recruiting of the rest of the small Navirian force.

"I didn't say we couldn't trust them. I'm merely pointing out that this guy is more powerful than two Jedi. Now, granted, one of them was unconscious, but I don't think we should underestimate this "N'erak." I think it is in our best interest, the best interest of the Jedi, and the best interest of Navira that we take this off your planet," Solo argued, as he retrieved the datapad from where he had replaced it on his belt. Hooking it up to the navcomp, he then completed the preflight and swiveled to face Narissa.

"I'll understand if you want to stay here. You are the Governor of this planet after all, and shouldn't expose yourself to such risk. I'm not even sure why I am so intent on rescuing these Jedi. For all intents and purposes, I could just call the Jedi Temple, report what happened and go on my merry way. But for some reason, I am not going to do that," Solo leaned forward until his face was only a few inches from Narissa's.

"I am only a pilot, I'm not a leader of a planet. I don't know what it is like to have so many lives dependant on you. I wouldn't mind the help, if you decided to come along, but I would understand completely if you choose to stay here. Your planet and your people need you, and it is probably best that you do stay here."

All throughout Solo's impromptu speech, Narissa had found herself leaning farther and farther forward until they almost touched. Smiling slightly, as she realized that only millimeters separated them, Narissa answered in the clearest way possible. Before her common sense could tell her to stop, she leaned the rest of the way forward and gently kissed Solo.

"I may be the governor of this planet, and the people of this planet may need me, but not as much as Obi-Wan and Anakin do. I'm coming with you," Narissa said softly before leaning back and turning her chair to face out the front viewport.

Offering a somewhat silly grin, Solo hesitated briefly before swiveling his own chair to face forward again. He wasn't sure how to respond to Narissa's words or her actions, but was saved from having to make a fool of himself by a chime from the datapad.

"Well then, strap in. The imposter's ship just took off."

The meeting with Senator Amidala had ground to an uncomfortable halt after Master Windu's declaration. Once again, Ravenna found herself exercising her limited diplomatic ability to resolve the awkward situation. Promising to assist the Senator in any way possible, Ravenna then offered condolences and farewells for both herself and Mace. Once the two Jedi were safely away from Senator Amidala's offices, the Master Healer rounded on the Councilor.

"Would you like to tell me what that was all about?" Ravenna growled under her breath, alternately pulling and pushing Mace until the two were secluded in one of the unoccupied lobbies. "Because, unless I'm mistaken, you just accused Chancellor Palpatine of being a Sith."

"Ravenna, I understand that you are upset I didn't discuss this with you first. But, now is neither the time nor the place to have this discussion," Master Windu answered in his usual placid tones.

"Very well, Master Windu," Ravenna hissed. "But be assured, Councilor or not, you will tell me what is going on."

*********************************************

"Obi-Wan, how can you know that the link is to a Sith?" Qui-Gon asked, even his legendary calm shaken by the very possibility.

"I touched its mind." Obi-Wan shuddered, unconsciously wrapping his arms around himself. Qui-Gon found himself fighting the urge to wrap his apprentice up in his embrace and cart him off to somewhere safe. Before he could act on the impulse, Obi-Wan seemed to draw himself up and shake off the surge of fear.

"I have never felt anything so dark, or so cold. The Darkside was so prevalent, and so powerful." the younger Master trailed off, apparently unable to find the words to do justice to such a horrifying experience.

"Did the Sith detect you?" Qui-Gon asked, his mind automatically working to comprehend what the connection meant, and what the consequences of it could be. Even if Obi-Wan were purely of the light, which he was, it would be impossible to remain as a Jedi with such a link in his mind. In fact, the danger of such a bond would most likely result in the Knight being rendered Force-blind until the Council could find a way to dissolve the link.

"No, I drew away the instant I realized what it was. I didn't want to risk it discovering that I knew about it." Obi-Wan sighed as he took in the trappings of his mental prison. "And chances are, the Sith is the one responsible for all that I was forced to witness and remember. It must control this place somehow."

"You must leave here," Qui-Gon urged. "If the Sith is in control, and this is really a manifestation of your own mind, than the Sith must be in control of your body as well."

"No," the Knight contradicted. "I think that is the problem. I think neither of us is in control. Maybe that is what is causing the seizures. Since I cannot control my own body, or my own connection to the Force and the Sith can't either, any attempt to touch the Force would result in the equivalent of an overload."

"But it only happens when someone tries to use the Force to reach you," the older Master amended, weighing the evidence in his mind. "And you haven't tried to use the Force to reach someone else yet, have you?"

With a shadow of his usually luminescent grin, Obi-Wan reached out and embraced his former Master. "Master, you're brilliant!"

"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon questioned, inordinately pleased with the show of affection but uncertain as to what had caused it.

"We've figured out that the Sith and I are fighting for control of my body and my Force presence, and that anytime Anakin tries to reach me through the Force, I convulse," Obi-Wan stated, waiting to see if the Master would catch on.

"So, if someone were to reach out to the Sith through the Force." Qui-Gon continued, the beginnings of a smile on his face.

"The Sith would be the one to have a seizure."

*********************************************

"We need to find out where Dooku went," N'erak said, jumping up from where he was practically prone over Bant's desk. Edging around the corner of the desk he leaned over Bant and begin to enter the main Temple computer system.

"Are you sure it would be listed in the Temple system?" Bant asked, doubting that Dooku would make such an obvious mistake.

"Dooku wouldn't be dumb enough to make a mistake like that," N'erak answered, parroting Bant's thoughts. "But, there will be at least some records in the system, since he wanted his departure to look legitimate."

"But won't those records be false?" Bant questioned. "Dooku wouldn't let his actual destination remain in the Jedi databanks. If he really is darkened, he must've known that someday the Jedi would find out about it and search him out."

"You're absolutely correct," N'erak acknowledged, as he finally stopped flipping through the datascreens at his previously furious rate. "But it isn't the falsified records that I am interested in."

"Ok," Bant sighed, taking the bait. "What are you interested in?"

"The terminal Dooku used to plant the falsified records," N'erak grinned, seeing Bant's confusion only grow.

"Why would you be interested in that? The terminal isn't going to tell us anything other than where he was when he falsified the records," the Healer said with yet another sigh.

"Actually, the location of the terminal will tell us a lot." N'erak paused, but at Bant's heated glare, he continued. "The Temple keeps exacting records regarding retired Jedi. Only members of the Council have access to it, and they only have access when there is a quorum of them to provide the necessary security codes."

"So Dooku couldn't have just used any one of the hundreds of Temple terminals," Bant said, comprehension dawning.

"Nope. Master Dooku would've had to use an unassociated terminal to hack into the system. And it would have to be a rather powerful hookup," N'erak clarified.

"And a powerful terminal would be rather large." the Healer realized.

"So large, in fact, that there is no way Dooku managed to remove it before he left. Which means, somewhere in this Temple, there is a rather powerful terminal sitting around just waiting for the right people to hack into it," the Knight finished.

"And I bet we're the right people," Bant laughed, almost covering the sound of the chirp from the terminal.

"You bet we are," N'erak said, as he studied the data on the screen before turning and moving to leave Bant's office. Pausing only long enough to switch off her terminal, thereby removing any traces of the search, the Healer followed behind.

"It's about time we got some answers."

"You have no way of knowing for sure that this is going to work," Qui-Gon said, as he watched his former apprentice lower himself to the ground and assume a meditative posture again.

"No, I don't." Obi-Wan answered, an almost unnatural calm permeating his voice. "But I do know that something happened to Anakin, and that my Padawan made mention of a Sith. There is too much of a coincidence for me to believe that Anakin is not in danger."

Opening his eyes, which had gone flint-gray with determination, the Knight held Qui-Gon's gaze until the older Master had to fight the urge to look away. "I will not abandon my apprentice, and I will not leave him alone to face a Sith."

Qui-Gon barely restrained the wince at his Padawan's words. He had not intentionally left Obi-Wan alone to face a Sith or to face Knighthood, but the fact could not be argued that he had, however inadvertently, abandoned him. "I do not doubt your dedication to Anakin, Obi-Wan. That is not, nor was it ever, the issue. I know that you would gladly give your life for your apprentice, but you must be sure that this action will help Anakin. What happens if it merely incapacitates you all the further?"

"It won't." Obi-Wan stated, before returning once more to his preparations.

"How do you know that?" Qui-Gon shouted, inexplicably exasperated at the self-sacrificial tendencies of his former apprentice.

Opening his eyes once more, and favoring his former Master with a quirked eyebrow and a sly grin, Obi-Wan answered the outburst. "Because I won't allow anything to stop me. I will escape this prison, and I will find my apprentice. There is not a force in this galaxy that will stop me."

Taking in the conviction present in the Knight's demeanor, Qui-Gon found himself believing that Obi-Wan truly could, and would, take on the galaxy and win.

*********************************************

"In the past day, I have been to places in this Temple I never knew existed," Bant commented as she followed N'erak down the dark and dank corridor. It was obvious that the lower level hallway had not seen the light nor life of day in centuries.

"You should get out more," N'erak answered, ducking as Bant took a playful swing at him.

"I wonder if Qui-Gon ever realized where Obi-Wan had developed his odd sense of humor from," Bant commented absentmindedly as they continued their trek.

"I doubt it, otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have let Obi-Wan associate with us any longer," N'erak said, slowing as they approached an intersection and pulling a datapad out of his pocket. He and Bant had swung by his quarters on the way to retrieve the pad, as N'erak insisted it would help. When Bant had caught site of the familiar datapad, she had agreed.

"Especially considering some of the tricks we pulled with that," the Healer reminisced, as she gestured to the datapad. "It's a wonder the Council never managed to find out about it and confiscate it."

"Actually, they tried to once." N'erak offered, as he found the Temple layout file on the datapad and used it to determine which way they needed to turn. "I gave them my datapad from Master Ni'Kaven's ethics class. The way I had it encoded, they had no way of knowing it wasn't the pad they had asked for."

"I'm sure they figured it out though," Bant giggled. "Especially after Obi used it to rewire the Council doors."

Laughing, N'erak replaced the datapad and pulled a glow rod from his utility belt. Breaking it and igniting it, he used it to illuminate the path ahead of them. "Yeah, I thought Master Windu was going to have a coronary. Every time someone said the word "Force" the doors swung open and then slammed shut."

"Except it wasn't Master Windu that ended up at the Healer's," Bant amended. "Remember, it was Master Andrst. He was preparing to leave from his mission briefing when Master Windu added his customary dismissal."

Giggling like the initiates they reminisced about, Bant and N'erak spoke together. "May the Force be with you."

*********************************************

Dooku had just managed to get the ship out of the atmosphere of Navira, and the coordinates programmed into the navcomp when he felt a tingling sensation at the back of his mind. Turning his attention from the console monitors and displays, he focused inwards, tracing the tingling to a localized spot within his mind.

"Fool!" the Sith hissed as he jumped up from the pilot's chair, nearly knocking over the droid who had come to assist him. Ignoring the flailing machine, he stormed back to the cargo hold, where his two "passengers" awaited him. He had only just crossed the threshold to the cockpit when he collapsed.

*********************************************

T6-85 had finally regained its balance when it found itself in danger of falling once more. Trying valiantly to back away from the convulsing man on the floor, the droid barely succeeded in making it a safe distance away. Turning from where its Master remained incoherent, it extended an appendage and connected to the ship's main computer. With a lurch, the ship jumped to hyperspace, sending the still seizing Sith tumbling.

Qui-Gon could only look on in horror as the convulsions once again ripped through his apprentice's body. The Knight had started out in a meditative pose, but was now curled into an almost fetal position on the ground. Qui- Gon wanted to go to Obi-Wan to hold him and offer what little comfort he could, but the Force told him to wait. It was not his place to interfere.

Just as the seizure reached the point where Qui-Gon was sure the young Master would inadvertently injure himself, Obi-Wan's eyes opened. "Obi- Wan?" Qui-Gon called out in surprise. The Knight's jaw was clamped shut and beads of sweat ran down his face, but the determined look in his eyes was unmistakable.

With his focus centered on the battle waging within his former apprentice, the changing panorama around the two figures almost escaped the notice of Qui-Gon. It was only when the ground directly under Obi-Wan faded to a dull gray that the Master allowed his focus to expand and encompass the morphing scenery. Where once had been green fields and cerulean skies, was a plain of endless gray, swirling and clumping in areas.

Turning his attention back to his apprentice, Qui-Gon bent down next to him and gripped one of the Knight's hands. "Obi-Wan, you must fight this. Rely on your instincts and use them to guide you. Don't allow this Sith to take control again, you are capable of so much more than this."

If Obi-Wan heard the measured invective, he showed no sign of it. Instead the Knight's strength seemed to be ebbing away; the determined look fading from the stormy gray eyes. As Qui-Gon tried desperately to rouse his fading apprentice, he realized there was only one way to get the attention of the young Master and convince him to fight once more.

"Obi-Wan, hear me. I must tell you this, as I may never have another chance. I lied to you four years ago, and it is time you learned the truth," Qui-Gon whispered directly into his Padawan's ear.

Obi-Wan's eyes flickered open, and the pain and exhaustion was clearly reflected in the desperate gaze. Qui-Gon was heartened, however, by the fact that Obi-Wan had been able to respond at all.

"I lied to you Padawan, and I am very sorry. Anakin Skywalker is not the chosen one. you are."

*********************************************

He was floating, and it wasn't altogether unpleasant. In fact, it was rather soothing, almost like being cradled by the Force itself. \The Force.reach for the Force\ the hazy thought came. Dismissing the idea almost before it had fully formed, Anakin chose to remain in such a safe and comfortable place. \.don wanna.\ he grumbled, briefly wondering whether it qualified as talking to himself or not.

\\Reach for it you must, help you can give\\ echoed back, causing the young apprentice to finally stir from his hazed existence. \\Master Yoda?\\ Anakin asked, becoming fully aware once more.

\\Wake you must, or lost he will be.\\ Before Anakin could form a response, he felt the connection snap and he was suddenly returned to his body. The young apprentice opened his eyes slowly, carefully taking in his surroundings before revealing his return to consciousness.

He was lying on some kind of cot, with his arms and legs held in restraint by taut straps stretched across his chest and lower body. Turning his head slightly to the side, he could see his Master lying on another cot, restrained similarly. Only the straps holding his Master in place were being severely stressed as the older Jedi convulsed mightily.

With a muttered curse, the young Padawan quickly brought the Force to bear on the straps holding him in place and fought his way upright. Calling on the Force once more, he scanned his surroundings to detect who and where their captor was. When the response came back muddled and unclear, Anakin choose to rely on his other senses instead.

Scanning the room quickly, he determined that he and his Master were being held in what appeared to be the cargo hold of a small ship. The hold was empty, other than the two cots, a few empty crates, and a discarded hydrospanner. Calling the spanner to his hand, Anakin quickly made use of it, jamming it into the door controls and effectively shorting them out. Now no one could enter the hold until the spanner was removed and the wiring restored.

Once he was assured that no one could enter without his knowledge, the Padawan turned back to his Master. "Obi-Wan, you must wake up now. Fight this, I know you can." Being careful not to touch the Knight, Anakin worked to release the straps from where they connected to the underside of the cot. The restraints were keeping his Master from falling, but Anakin could use the Force to do the same thing without the pain the straps would cause.

As he released the last strap, Anakin felt a sudden surge through the Force. Looking up from where the restraint had fallen, the Padawan was surprised to find his curious gaze met and matched by another. As startled blue eyes met resolute gray-green, Anakin took an unconscious step backwards.

"Master?" he questioned softly, wanting to be certain that Obi-Wan was really back.

"Oh, it's Master now is it?" Obi-Wan croaked dryly, a whisper of a smile across his face. "And here I thought we were on a first name basis."

If he'd still been alive, Qui-Gon's heart would have stopped when Obi-Wan disappeared. One minute, the young Knight was still writhing on the ground, and the next he was gone, almost as if dissolving into the Force.

"No," Qui-Gon sighed, not a cry, but rather a whisper of remorse. He had fallen to his knees, regretting all the things left unsaid between him and his former Padawan. It was only when he lifted his head to take a consoling breath that he noticed the scenery had changed once again. The gray mists had receded, and Qui-Gon found himself kneeling in the middle of the Naboo countryside, the waterfalls of Theed a distant symphony.

Accepting the change of scenery as the sign it was meant to be, the Master climbed to his feet once more. Though he knew that Obi-Wan had left the plain to return to the fight, and had not given up his place in the Living Force as Qui-Gon had feared, he still felt some regret that he would be unable to communicate with his Padawan ever again. He understood that Obi- Wan had chosen the Naboo location to let Qui-Gon know that he was safe, but the Master had no way of responding or telling Obi-Wan all the things he had wanted to say. Taking a chance that the Knight might somehow overhear and know that his Master loved him, Qui-Gon spoke to the empty field.

"I'm so proud of you Obi-Wan. I foresaw you would become a great Jedi Knight, but not even I could have imagined the great man you have become. I could not have asked for a better legacy, or a better son."

As the words echoed across the verdant fields, Qui-Gon slowly released the hold he held on the plain. Returning once more to the Force, where he could only watch and listen, the Master held the hope that someday Obi-Wan would know just how special he really was.

*********************************************

Momentarily forgetting his Jedi training, Anakin threw himself into his Master's arms, hugging him tightly. "Master, I am so glad you are back. I was so worried about you, and I didn't know what to do," the Padawan almost sobbed as he embraced Obi-Wan tightly.

Unable to move with the weight of his apprentice stretched across his chest, the Knight contented himself with returning the embrace. As a Master, he probably should have chided his Padawan for having such an emotional reaction, but he found that he could not, as he found himself enjoying the all-to-rare expression of his devotion to Anakin, and Anakin's devotion to him.

"I am glad to see you too Anakin, but we have work to do," Obi-Wan said, the remorse in his voice keeping the Padawan from feeling ashamed.

"Yes Master," Anakin answered, feeling a pulse of pure joy in being able to give the response once more.

Smiling gently, Obi-Wan levered himself up on the cot and paused to take in his surroundings. "We are on a ship?" he asked, already knowing that he could count on his apprentice to have discovered the information.

"Yes Master, though I am not certain how we got here, as the last thing I remember was being in the Navira Medical Center. We are in hyperspace, but I am not sure how long we have been at it. I had only been awake for a short time before you woke," Anakin answered, stepping back to give his Master the room to stand.

Balancing himself with the edge of the cot, Obi-Wan slowly rose. Once he was upright, and was relatively certain he could stand on his own, he released the cot and undertook a more thorough study of the cargo hold. The space was relatively small, with only a few odd crates and the cots to fill it. There appeared to be only the one entrance, but with a lightsaber, it wouldn't be that hard to create another way out.

"Were you able to find our 'sabers?" Obi-Wan asked, turning to face his apprentice again.

"No Master, I'm sorry. I didn't have time to do much of anything other than block the door and try to wake you," Anakin said, his downcast gaze revealing his shame at forgetting to do something so important.

"Padawan," Obi-Wan began, waiting until the blue gaze met his once more. "You have done an incredible job. I left you alone in hostile territory, and yet you managed to not only escape, but also to help me free myself from my own mental prison. I doubt there are many Knights, or Masters even, that could do much better of a job."

As a smile crept across the face of his sandy-haired Padawan, Obi-Wan found himself grinning back. If he'd needed a reason to continue to fight, he'd found it in his young apprentice.

*********************************************

As he returned to his own offices, Chancellor Palpatine kept up the concerned appearance. Once he was inside his office, however, the gentle empathy of Palpatine was replaced with the grim visage of Sidious.

Striding into his private office, he secured the door with a Force seal and then went straight to his personal holo-comm. The unit was secreted inside the elaborately elegant desk he had brought with him from Naboo. What appeared be only the finest of Naboo Appleton carpentry, was actually only a front. The wood only created the outermost appearance of the desk, concealing the actual functionality of the furniture.

Depressing the small button coded only to his DNA, Sidious activated the unit. Waiting for the link to go through, he pulled the hood of his robe up, mostly concealing his face. It was time to check in with his apprentice.

The insistent buzzing of the comm. unit broke through the foggy haze of his mind, but it took several minutes before Dooku became cognizant enough to recognize what the sound was. Reaching a hand up to where he could feel warm blood dripping down his forehead, the Sith tried to remember where he was and what was happening. It was only when his hand made contact with the open wound, causing a sharp sting, that Dooku remembered his duty.

Climbing shakily to his feet, he moved to the still buzzing comm. unit and activated it. He would have preferred to clean up a bit first, but he had made his Master wait long enough. He would be lucky if Lord Sidious did not punish him for the delay as it was.

As the hologram of Sidious formed on the small holopad, Dooku skipped the customary bow, uncertain as to whether he would remain standing if he attempted it. "My Master, what is thy bidding?" he asked, trying to cover the pain he could clearly hear in his own voice. Pain was something the Sith used to become stronger, but Dooku had not yet reached that stage of Darkside enhancement. He hadn't even been that good at it when he was a Jedi.

"Lord Tyranus, what is the meaning of this?" Sidious hissed as he took in the bloody and disheveled appearance of his apprentice.

"A slight complication with the hyperdrive my Master, I shall have it under control imminently," the Sith apprentice answered.

Choosing to ignore the obvious falsity for the time being, Sidious turned the conversation to other concerns. "Do you have Kenobi?" he asked, his eagerness betrayed in his tone.

"Yes my Master. We are on our way to Coruscant now," Dooku lied, knowing his Master would not realize the untruth until it was too late.

"Very good my apprentice. Make sure that you don't have any more "complications" Lord Tyranus. You do not want to experience the consequences of another mistake," Sidious threatened, before disconnecting the comm. call.

"No, my Master, you do not want to experience the consequences of underestimating me. Kenobi will be mine, and together we will defeat you," Dooku growled at the empty holopad, before turning and making his way deeper into the ship. He needed to seek medical attention, but then it would be time to pay a visit to a certain young Jedi.

*********************************************

"N'erak, you are a Jedi Knight, capable of fighting off evil in all forms and places, get over it!" Bant said as she entered through the doorway of the abandoned training room. At one point in the Order's history, it must have been spectacular, with large arched windows, archaic wooden paneling, and a high raftered ceiling. Now, however, it was apparent that the room had been out of use for decades, if not centuries. The windows had been boarded over with parasteel planks, and the wooden paneling had become detached from the wall in several places.

The most obvious sign of the room's abandonment, though, was the prevalence of new "tenants" that had taken over and occupied the majority of the space. It was their presence that prevented N'erak from setting foot in the room.

"Look, Bant, I'll just stay out here and guide you from here, ok?" N'erak asked in a pleading tone, as his eyes scanned the room furtively, as if to be sure none of the tenants had decided to offer him a personalized welcome.

"N'erak, what does Master Yoda and the Jedi Code say about fear?" Bant teased, as she easily navigated the room, despite the intrusion of the current occupants.

"Bant, this isn't funny!" N'erak yelled. "Isn't there another way around this or some thing? There has to be, Dooku obviously didn't cross through here any time recently."

"There may be another way," the Healer agreed. "But we don't have the time to find it. Obi-Wan's very life may depend on the information we uncover, so I suggest you get over your little phobia and get moving."

"Someday I will repay you for this," N'erak threatened as he took a deep breath and stepped into the spider-shrouded room.

*********************************************

"How did you jam the door?" Obi-Wan asked as he moved towards it to make a closer inspection.

"There was a hydrospanner on the floor, and I simply used it to short out the system," Anakin answered, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Good thinking, but how are we going to get out?" the Master asked, quirking an eyebrow at his Padawan.

"Well, umm, couldn't we use the Force or something?" Anakin asked, realizing he wasn't entirely sure how to rewire the damage he had done. With time and the right tools, he could probably repair it, but without them he was at a loss.

"We could," Obi-Wan agreed, "but then we would notify our captor of our current status." Inspecting the damage to the door, the Knight bent down and studied where the hydrospanner was jammed in. "Anakin, do you still have the present I gave you on your naming day?" he asked, without turning from the keypad.

"I sure do Master," the Padawan grinned as he pulled the small knife from its sheath in his boot. "And boy has it ever proved useful."

As he dabbed the bacta ointment into the shallow cut on his forehead, Dooku focused on his reflection in the mirror. \I'm getting too old for this\ he thought, with an audible sigh. Although the Darkside of the Force could be used to extend his lifespan, it couldn't totally prevent the weakness and inflexibility that came with advanced age.

\I need to find a way to rally Obi-Wan Kenobi to my cause, to convince him to help me take down Sidious. I don't necessarily need to turn him just yet; I only need to be able to draw on his Force connection. Perhaps I can convince him that Sidious is a threat, and insure his assistance that way\

As suddenly as the thought appeared, a plan began to coalesce. Wiping off the bacta ointment before it could complete its job, Dooku reached out to the Darkside of the Force, using it to inflict several other small scraps and scratches across his face and arms.

\There now. I look like I've just done battle with a Sith\ Smiling at the irony of his plan; Dooku left the small med bay and made his way down the hall to the cargo hold.

*********************************************

Taking the knife from his apprentice's outstretched hand, Obi-Wan went to work stripping the damaged wires, exposing the inner metals. Once all of the pertinent circuitry had been exposed, the Knight carefully reached out and removed the embedded hydrospanner. Taking a deep breath, he pressed the blade of the knife into the open wiring and pressed the small indentation on the hilt.

As the door hissed open, Obi-Wan released the pent-up breath in a shuddering sigh of relief. Shrewdly eyeing his Master, Anakin smiled, than unable to refrain from comment, spoke. "You didn't think that was going to work, did you Master?"

Turning to hand the knife back to his Padawan, Obi-Wan offered a small smile. "Oh, I knew it would work. The question was whether or not I would get to directly experience the power current."

*********************************************

Narissa watched, without comment, as the imposter's ship jumped to hyperspace. She even refrained from speaking when Solo did nothing more than fiddle with his datapad as the minutes passed. But when the pilot simply leaned back in his seat with a sigh, making no motion to follow the other ship, Narissa could keep quiet no longer.

"What are you doing?" Narissa asked impatiently. "The longer they are in hyperspace, the less likely it is that we will be able to track them, regardless of how good your device is."

"True." Solo stated simply, as he laced his hands behind his head and used them as a pillow.

"Okaaaay." Narissa said, choosing to actually trust the ex-smuggler for once. Leaning back in her own chair, she propped her feet up on the console and turned to wink at him. "If you're not worried, than neither am I."

As Solo's eyes widened in shock, Narissa simply laughed, then turned her attention back to the front viewport. She had forgotten how beautiful space could be, especially when in orbit of a planet as fertile and diverse as Navira. Taking in the sight, Narissa almost found herself regretting her decision to run for governor. It had been many months since she had been in space, and she hadn't realized how much she had missed it.

"Credit for your thoughts," Solo offered, as he took in the look of longing that had appeared on her face.

"Well, I find myself wondering why we are simply sitting here while our imposter escapes with Obi-Wan and Anakin," Narissa began, "But I know that you have things under control, even if you do choose not to tell me."

"I'm glad you finally decided to have some faith in me," Solo joked. "I was more interested in what it is that has you looking like a transport ran over your puppy."

"I just didn't realize how much I missed going from planet to planet, and visiting so many new people and new cultures," Narissa answered, sitting up from her reclined position. "I love being governor of Navira, but I didn't realize how confining it could be, or how much responsibility it would take."

"You traveled a lot before settling on Navira?" Solo surmised, interested in learning more about the woman he found himself surprisingly attracted to. Unlike his fixation with Ellana, he could not blame it all on lust.

"Yes," Narissa began, before a chime from the datapad interrupted her. Looking at Solo curiously, she was surprised when he suddenly bolted upright and reached out to engage the hyperdrive engines.

"Time to go," he said, as the small transport leapt to hyperspace.

Daring to call on the Force, Obi-Wan paused in the open doorway and closed his eyes, reaching for his center. He found that he was almost afraid to call on the power that had been with him as long as he could remember. \You're being silly\ he chided. \The Force is your greatest ally, use it, and trust in it.\ he reminded himself.



When he had finally banished the fear from his mind, Obi-Wan found the Force responding to him almost eagerly. His connection to it seemed to be somewhat altered from what he was used to, but he was simply grateful to be able to command it once more.

Harnessing the ancient energy, he used it to scan the outer hallway; and, upon realizing it was empty, scan the rest of the ship as well. What he found surprised him. Opening his eyes he turned to his silent apprentice in shock.

"Anakin, what do you remember happening before you woke up in the cargo hold?" Obi-Wan asked, his intent gaze telling the Padawan that what he was asking was of great importance.

"Well, we were in the compound with Ellana, and I came to rescue you. I managed to get you to the room where our lightsabers were being held when Ellana caught up with us. I connected to her mind again," Anakin said, pausing as he took in Obi-Wan's horrified expression. When the Master made no comment, the Padawan continued. "The connection was broken when she was hit and killed by a lightning bolt," Anakin continued, omitting the short conversation he had held with the dying Sith.

"After that, I carried you out of the compound where Captain Solo and Governor Narissa were waiting, along with some Navirian guards. Solo, Narissa and I took you to the medical center. You were emitting some kind of Force shield, and managed to almost kill one of the doctors before I was able to make contact with you that first time. After I broke free from our bond, I went with Narissa and Solo to the Transport and contacted Bant at the Temple to tell her where we were."

Taking a short break from his account of the day's events, Anakin couldn't help but notice how Obi-Wan had winced each time he made mention of Narissa. \He is wondering if I know he's been here before\ the Padawan thought, before he returned to his narration.

"I used Captain Solo's personal comm. unit to contact Bant since it was more secure. I left Narissa to continue filling in Master Bant as I went to use the actual comm. system to contact the med center. When I reached the medical center, they said that another Jedi was already with you. The receptionist said that a "Knight N'erak" had just stopped at the desk to ask where you were being treated at."

"N'erak is here?" Obi-Wan asked, obviously confused by the mention of his childhood friend.

"No," Anakin answered. "I knew that N'erak wasn't here, since I had just talked with him and Bant at the Jedi Temple. When I realized someone was impersonating him, I left the transport and sprinted back to the med center to make sure you were okay. I got there, and the nurse gave me a sedative to inject you with. Fortunately, as I tried to press the syringe to your neck, I was pulled back into the plain with you and Qui-Gon. After leaving there, I don't remember anything until Master Yoda contacted me."



"Master Yoda contacted you?" Obi-Wan echoed, trying to digest everything his apprentice had just told him. Apparently a lot more had happened while he was unconscious than he had thought.

"I think so," Anakin replied, his uncertainty clear. "I was kind of floating or something, and then this voice told me to use the Force. I ignored it, but it became persistent. It sounded and spoke like Master Yoda, but since I don't have a bond with him, I don't know how that would be possible."

"I think we will have to sort this all out later," Obi-Wan sighed, resigning himself to confusion for the time being. "You didn't see the Jedi that was trying to impersonate N'erak, did you?"

"No Master. I only spoke to Solo, Narissa, the guards and the medical personnel. I didn't notice or speak to anyone that appeared to be at all Force sensitive, other than Ellana of course," the Padawan answered, wondering what his Master was looking for.

"You are certain that you didn't detect another Force signature?" Obi-Wan pressed.

"Yes Master, I am certain." Suddenly realizing what his Master was asking and why, Anakin reached out to the Force and commenced his own scan of the ship. As the only other sentient presence on the ship registered with him, Anakin blinked up at the Knight. "Master, why is Master Dooku here?"

"I don't know Padawan, but I intend to find out," Obi-Wan answered as he finally turned from his apprentice and stepped out into the hallway. "He definitely has some explaining to do."

*********************************************

As he flipped off the intercom unit that had allowed him to overhear the entire conversation in the cargo hold, Dooku settled back onto the med bed behind him. He had intended to visit his "guests" in the cargo hold, but when he had neared the doorway, he had heard it hiss open. Retreating back to the medical bay, he had used the ship's intercom to eavesdrop on the conversation.

\Skywalker has been rather busy\ the Sith noted. \But perhaps I can use this extra knowledge to convince Kenobi that Sidious truly is a formidable opponent\

Leaning back against the bulkhead, Dooku manipulated his Force presence until it appeared that he was unconscious. With his cover story prepared, the Sith waited patiently for his visitors to find him.

Although the Force scan had assured him that there was no one on the ship other than Dooku, Obi-Wan systematically searched the vessel regardless. He and Anakin started at the cockpit, where they found the droid still monitoring the flight, and made their way back, stopping to check each cabin, nook and cranny.

\\Where is Master Dooku?\\ Anakin asked, attempting to use the bond for the first time since the link had sent Obi-Wan into convulsions.

\\I'm not sure Padawan. I believe I can sense him in the back of the ship, but I want to be certain that there is no one else onboard first.\\ the Knight answered, and though he tried to cover it up, Anakin could sense the pain the training bond was causing.

"Do you think he is the one that took us?" Anakin questioned, reverting to spoken communication.

Offering his apprentice a grateful smile, Obi-Wan never the less answered via the bond. \\I am not sure. Master Dooku helped to train me, as he was Qui-Gon's Master, so I find it hard to believe that he would attempt to injure either you or I. But until we know more, I am not certain of anything\\

Nodding his understanding, Anakin moved to the cabin on his right and palmed open the door. After quickly searching the room, he returned to the hallway where Obi-Wan waited after searching the room on the left. \\Find anything?\\ the Master questioned, even though he was sure the Padawan had not. Obi-Wan was trying to show Anakin that it was all right to use the bond, even if it did bring him discomfort. The Master knew the great pleasure his apprentice had always taken in the level of mental communication the two had accomplished.

"No Master," Anakin replied, displaying a familiar sense of stubbornness in his refusal to use the bond. \I know that some things run in families due to genetics, but is it possible that the same thing happens in the chain of Masters and Padawans?\ Obi-Wan smirked as he remembered not only Qui-Gon's stubborn nature, but also that the trait was so easily espoused by both Master Dooku, and perhaps even more so by Dooku's Master, Yoda.

"Anakin, you can use the training bond," Obi-Wan finally said aloud. "Just don't yell. You are giving me a headache."

"Yell?" Anakin asked, his one eyebrow quirked in yet another familiar gesture.

\\Yes, yell Padawan. I know you are worried about using the bond, but just use it as you always have. There is no need to be any more forceful than you were before\\

"Master," Anakin began, but then hesitated, using the excuse of searching the next set of rooms to decide how exactly he wanted to respond. When both Jedi had returned from their respective searches with nothing to report, Anakin continued. "Master, I didn't use any more Force in the bond than usual. As a matter of fact, I tried to use a considerably lesser amount of power just in case it would hurt you."

\\Padawan? Speak to me through the link\\ Obi-Wan sent, a horrible suspicion beginning to grow in his mind.

\\Yes Master\\ Anakin sent back, in the mental equivalent of a whisper. Watching his Master's expression intently, the Padawan caught the hint of pain that caused the skin around Obi-Wan's eyes to crease and tighten.

"Something tells me this is not good." Obi-Wan whispered, so softly that Anakin wasn't sure if his Master had been speaking to him or not. Deciding not to respond, since he had nothing to say, the Padawan simply went on to check the next room.

\I hope this isn't permanent\ Anakin thought, as he watched his Master check another room.

\\I hope so too.\\ Obi-Wan answered and with his back turned on the hallway, he didn't even notice the look of shocked horror that colored his Padawan's expression.

*********************************************

Dooku had been "unconscious" waiting for the two Jedi for almost fifteen minutes before Obi-Wan finally made his way to the medical bay. Confining his impatient snort to the mental plain, the Sith waited for the Jedi to attempt to "awaken" him.

He had to wait impatiently for several more minutes before the Knight finally moved to reach a hypospray from the medical kit. Dooku was barely able to restrain his curiosity as to what Obi-Wan had done during those interminably long moments. \Perhaps he was simply trying to decide what I'm doing here\ the Sith thought, as he drew the Force to him surreptitiously. He would need to utilize the powers of the Dark Side to fend off the drug that the Jedi would soon be pumping into his system. Had he actually been unconscious, it would have only served to awaken him. But as he was fully aware and awake, it would act as a powerful stimulant.

As he finally felt the hiss as the hypospray depressed against his neck, Dooku feigned his rise from an unconscious stupor. "Obi-Wan?" he slurred, rather convincingly playing the part of a man recovering from a minor head injury.

"Master Dooku," the Knight acknowledged, offering a deferential bow in respect to Dooku's position as Obi-Wan's Master's Master. "It is a surprise to see you."

"No more of a surprise than it was for me to see you, I assure you," Dooku answered as he carefully moved to a more upright seated position. "I had expected to merely visit some friends on Navira when I got a comm. call from Master Windu at the Jedi Temple. Even though I have officially retired from the Jedi, I thought it wise to take the call, in case something had happened," Dooku continued, as he absentmindedly began to rub at the cut on his forehead.

Noticing the gesture, Obi-Wan motioned for Anakin to grab some bacta ointment from the med kit and pass it to him. As the Padawan complied, the young Master waited silently for Dooku to continue.

"Mace told me that you were here, and that you had been injured. He told me where to find you, but said I should use the name "N'erak" instead of my own identity. He seemed to think that it would be better that way, as N'erak is still listed as a full Knight of the Order." Grimacing slightly, as Obi-Wan gently spread the ointment over the open cuts, Dooku sighed and softly resumed his narrative.

"I wish Mace had told me the reason why the medical center might be so cautious about releasing you or your records. I had no idea that there was suspected involvement by the Sith. I thought I was only using N'erak's name as some kind of security test, not because there truly was the expectation that the receptionist would check up on me." Leaning back against the bulkhead once more, the remaining strength seemed to flow out of the older Master. \Or at least that's what it should look like\ the Sith cackled internally. The ruse was almost too much fun to continue.

"Of course, the comm. link was cut short with that horrible storm moving in, so it is possible that Mace planned to tell me, but didn't get the chance. I do find it difficult to believe that he would send me into such a dangerous situation without at least some kind of warning."

"Dangerous situation?" Obi-Wan prompted, in a neutral tone of voice, as it appeared that Dooku had reached the end of his recitation.

"Yes. I was lucky I still had my 'saber with me. I had forgotten to turn it in when I took my leave of the Temple, force of habit I guess. Had I not had it with me, I doubt I would have been able to fend off so many attackers at once," Dooku responded, reaching up to touch where Obi-Wan had gently placed the bacta soaked patch over the cut.

"At first, I thought that they were there to help. But when they shot the syringe of sedative into your apprentice, I knew that something was wrong. I was able to fend them off long enough to get you and Anakin aboard my ship, but I didn't have time to do anything more than make sure you were both strapped securely in before jumping to hyperspace. I didn't want to risk staying in orbit of Navira, especially with the resources available to those who would've captured you. Once I had us under way, I made my way back here in an attempt to heal myself enough that I could check on both of you. Unfortunately, I must have succumbed to the head wound I received."

"Those who would've captured us?" Anakin asked, when Obi-Wan made no move to continue the questioning. Shooting his Master a concerned glance, Anakin continued to work on the cuts that littered the older Master's arms and hands. The Padawan had to resist the urge to tug on their bond just enough to see what his Master was so preoccupied by. It was almost as if Obi-Wan was in a trance of some sort. Of course, considering the way the Master had simply read his thoughts with ease earlier, Obi-Wan probably knew of his apprentice's questions and concerns.

"Yes. I must say, I suspected that there was corruption in the Senate, and in fact chose to retire from the Jedi for that very reason. But I would never have guessed the true meaning behind the increased fraud that plagues the very Republic itself, nor would I have guessed it would ever extend so far as to threaten the lives of two of the Order's most important Jedi," Dooku said with a heavy sigh, as he turned to focus his gaze on Obi-Wan. The frustration, shock and horror were clearly telegraphed in his expression.

"I knew that the Senate was faltering, but I had no idea it was happening as the direct consequence of a Sith infiltration."

As they stood in front of the door leading to where the terminal link had originated from, Bant hesitated, then turned to speak to the Knight that was following more slowly behind her.

"This seems too easy," she said, as she gestured to the metal doorway. Every other door and wall in the lower level of the Temple had been rust- stained and obviously out of everyday use. This door looked like it had just been polished and shined, so much so that the Mon Calamarian could see her reflection in it. Even if they had not had an exact location of Dooku's terminal, the door would have been a dead give-away.

"Easy?" N'erak squeaked as he continued to work fervently, removing the cobwebs that clung to his chestnut hair. "If crossing that 'no-man's land' was your idea of easy, I'd hate to see your definition of difficult."

Reaching out to remove a web that still had its maker attached, Bant sighed. "I know you hate spiders, but you need to focus here. Why would Dooku go to the trouble of replacing the door? It would make better sense to simply repair the original door while leaving the decrepit appearance intact."

Finally satisfied that he had removed the worst of the clinging webs, N'erak focused his attention on the doorway. "Chances are, he had to replace the door. It might have been possible to repair the original to a reduced state of functionality, but that wouldn't have served his purposes. He would have needed the extra security functions and durability that a more modern door provides."

"But why wouldn't he have at least taken the time to conceal the door? Surely it couldn't have been that difficult to Force-grow some rust on the outer surface?" Bant asked as she stepped aside to allow N'erak access to the keypad.

"Maybe because he was overconfident," N'erak answered with a smile as he interfaced his datapad to the keypad. When the datapad sounded a chime, and the door began to slide open, N'erak dared another comment. "Or maybe he was just stupid."

*********************************************

"How did you come to the conclusion that the Sith are in charge of the Senate?" Anakin asked, his concern growing as Obi-Wan did not even offer a reaction to Master Dooku's outrageous claim.

"Well I had my suspicions, especially after what happened during the Naboo incident," Dooku began, and the Padawan had to suppress a shudder at the man's casual reference to the mission that had killed Qui-Gon Jinn and nearly destroyed Obi-Wan. "My suspicions only grew when I came into contact with the head of the Trade Federation. He had sought me out, in an attempt to reveal some startling information to the Jedi. I had worked on a previous mission with Viceroy Gunray, and he knew he could trust me."

Offering a nod of thanks to the Padawan as Anakin finished bandaging the last cut on his arm, Dooku settled back into a more comfortable position. "I found what the Viceroy told me hard to believe, and set out to research his claims and gather as much information as possible. I had uncovered enough to know that something was definitely amiss with the Galactic Senate, when the Jedi Council approached me. I was told that I either needed to return to active duty, or accept a teaching position at the Temple, as my current activities were not of a benefit to the Jedi Order. When I refused either option, I was told that it was not a request, and that I would make a choice or I would be stripped of my title and rejected from the Order."

At the gasp that Anakin couldn't quite keep from escaping, Dooku offered a small, sad smile. "Yes, I felt much the same way, young Padawan. I thought that the Jedi Order was supposed to follow the will of the Force, first and foremost. Instead, it is apparent that the Jedi have become nothing more than the enforcers of the Senate's will, regardless of whether or not the Senate's bidding follows the will of the Force."

"At first I stalled in giving the Council a decision, but finally the time came that I had to make a choice. I decided that I needed to continue my investigation of the Senate, regardless of whether or not the Council approved. With that decision made, the next part came easy. I resigned from the Jedi Order and prepared to return to my home planet, where I could continue my research in earnest. It was on the way to Dantooine, that I remembered the rumors I had heard about a Sith on Navira. I decided that it might be worth my time to make the stop and investigate," Dooku said as his gaze flicked between Obi-Wan and Anakin.

The young Padawan was watching and listening intently, but the Knight appeared to be listening to something other than the Sith. It was almost as if Obi-Wan could hear something the other two could not. \Very well, little one. If I cannot gain your attention, I will capture your apprentice's and lead you through him\

"I had just landed, intent on searching out the source of the rumors, when Mace contacted me. At that point, I gave up on investigating the Sith and set out to find you, Obi-Wan. Little did I know, that in approaching you I would also find the answers to the riddle of the Sith."

*********************************************

He wasn't sure how he knew, but Obi-Wan Kenobi was certain that Master Dooku was hiding something. From the moment he had entered the Medical bay, he had become convinced that Dooku was not what he seemed. His conviction was only enhanced when he began to pick up on the stray thoughts of the supposedly unconscious man.

As he and his Padawan worked to patch the many wounds on the older Master's arms and face, Obi-Wan found himself tuning out the verbal messages Dooku gave, and focused instead on the telepathic communication. It was obvious that the man had no idea he was broadcasting so loudly, yet Obi-Wan did wonder why Anakin did not seem to pick up on it. \Perhaps he is too enthralled in this wonderful bedtime story Master Dooku is spinning. Could he possibly portray himself as a more tragic and reluctant hero?\

Just as Obi-Wan and Anakin had finished treating Dooku's wounds, Obi-Wan picked up on a thought that made him stiffen, and reach automatically to where his lightsaber should have hung. As his hand encountered only empty air, he had to fight to keep himself from visibly reacting. Luckily, Dooku had not noticed his movement, as the man's gaze was intently focused on the Padawan. Trying to calm his raging emotions, Obi-Wan found his sense of humor rising to counter the whirlwind of chaotic thoughts. \Well at least I know why "the Voice" sounded so familiar. Even when I was little, I hated it when Master Dooku called me "little one"\

Dooku was becoming frustrated at the Jedi Knight's lack of response to anything he was saying. \Is it possible that he knows more than he is letting on?\ the Sith paused to ponder as he took a break from his verbal dissembling.

Deciding that it was worth the risk to find out, the Sith reached out to the rudimentary bond he had formed with the Knight with the assistance of a certain Jedi Master. The bond had not become active until Ellana had used the Force enhancement device on the young Jedi, but the foundations of the bond had been in Obi-Wan's mind for almost four years. \I will give my Master credit for that - using Master Yoda was brilliant\

Covering his mental actions by getting up from the med bed and moving to get a glass of water from the nearby sink, Dooku prepared to access the link. The distraction of the physical movements allowed him to reach out to the bond without risk of interruption from Anakin. As he filled the glass, he accessed the link and reached out to Obi-Wan's mind.

Almost before Anakin could process the movement, even with his Jedi reflexes, Dooku dropped the glass and grabbed onto the apprentice. Before the Padawan could form a word of protest, he heard the unmistakable sound of a lightsaber activating. The slight burning he felt across his throat told him exactly what the lightsaber was being used for.

"Well Master Kenobi, it appears you are smarter than you appear," Dooku hissed, as the blood red 'saber threw dancing flicks of crimson across his suddenly furious visage, "but the question is, are you also as dedicated to your apprentice as it seems?"

*********************************************

Before Bant could make a sound, N'erak threw her to the ground while drawing and activating his 'saber. Even for a Knight as well trained as N'erak, the blaster bolts were almost too much for him to defend against. Only the warning from the Force as the door had slid open had enabled him to stand a chance.

Keeping his concentration on the remote activated blaster barrage that was flowing from the partially opened doorway, N'erak was almost startled when he heard the sound of someone moving behind him. It was only the soft reassurance of the Force that let him know that the motion came not from a threat, but rather from a friend.

As Master Windu activated his purple blade and moved beside N'erak to parry the shots back to the blaster board, Bant joined Ravenna at a safe distance down the hall. "How did you find us?" Bant asked, as she watched N'erak and Mace work together to remove Dooku's defense array.

Motioning to the comm. link Bant still wore on her belt, Ravenna smiled. "If you did not wish to be found, perhaps you should not have been carrying your personal comm. unit with you. It was only a matter of a quick check at the front desk and Mace and I knew exactly where to find you and N'erak."

"Oh, I'm not regretting that you found us," Bant yelled, raising her voice to be heard over the steadily declining volley of blaster bolts. "I was just wondering how you managed to find us so easily. It took N'erak and I quite a while to get down to this level of the Temple."

"It took you a long time to get down here?" Ravenna questioned, and at the affirmative nod from Bant, she laughed. "Why didn't you just take the maintenance lift? It opens right down the hall from here?"

At that moment, the blaster fire tapered off and N'erak overheard Ravenna's statement. With a loud groan, he turned to Bant. "I told you there was an easier way."

As the uncontrollable laughter escaped the Mon Calamarian, Mace shared a confused look with Ravenna. "As intrigued as I am by what has you so amused, I would suggest we get to work disabling the rest of this security system. And then perhaps you can explain just what is so funny," the Councilor said dryly.

"It's nothing," N'erak growled as he went to work with his datapad trying to remove the security protocols, now that he knew they were in place.

When the Knight indicated that it was safe to enter the room, Mace stepped over the doorway threshold, followed swiftly by N'erak. Hesitating only long enough to give her former Padawan a look that assured the young Healer that she wanted to hear all of the details, Ravenna followed. Still giggling softly, Bant followed directly on the heels of her former Master.

"What do you want from me Dooku?" Obi-Wan spat, as he eyed the room looking for any possible weapon.

"I don't want anything from you little one. All I want is you," the Sith hissed back, watching as the Knight considered and discarded the items in the room as weapons. Finally admitting that there wasn't anything in the medical bay that he could use against Dooku, Obi-Wan brought his gaze up to meet the dark eyes of the man he had once almost considered as a grandfather.

"Well I hate to inform you, but you are not exactly my type," Obi-Wan answered drolly, trying to bait the Sith into attacking him and releasing Anakin.

"You will submit to me, fully and completely," Dooku stated, completely ignoring the Knight's comment.

"Or?" Obi-Wan prompted as he steadfastly refused to make eye contact with his apprentice. Anakin was trying desperately to reach him through the bond; trying to tell him to escape while he could and not worry.

"Or I will kill your Apprentice," Dooku smirked, as he drew the crimson blade even tighter against Anakin's neck.

"Master, don't do it! Don't." the Padawan's frantic cries were overcome by the calm yet granite-hard tones of the Master.

"And if I do submit to you, what then?" Obi-Wan asked, completely ignoring Anakin.

"Then your apprentice will be returned to Coruscant unharmed," Dooku replied evenly.

"And how am I to trust you?" Obi-Wan questioned. "You have done nothing but lie to me so far."

"Well Master Kenobi, that doesn't really matter, now does it. You have only one choice, either you submit to me, or Anakin dies." Tightening his grip once more until the flesh at the Padawan's throat began to blister, Dooku made his threat implicit. "Now I ask you again, will you submit to me completely and fully, little one?"

*********************************************

Going immediately to the datascreen that dominated the far wall of the room, N'erak set to work downloading and deciphering the files stored on the system. As the terminal let out a series of shrill beeps, almost as if protesting the cavalier treatment, N'erak motioned for Bant to step up to the other, smaller datascreen.

"I need you to try to download everything you can. Don't worry about sorting it or decoding it, just get all of the information you can retrieve," N'erak ordered. "Master Windu, Master Ravenna, I need you two to keep an eye on the data transfer module. Chances are this is going to be quite the strain for it, so it will need monitoring."

Moving into their positions, none of the other Jedi even questioned N'erak's orders. It was obvious that he was most qualified to be in control of the situation, and not even Master Windu thought about defying N'erak's demands.

As the four worked urgently, yet systematically, to download the database, the hours passed. It was well into the fifth hour before N'erak spoke again. "I think we've gotten all of the data we are going to. Dooku introduced a virus, and everything that remains on the system is simply too corrupted to transfer."

"We got most of it though, didn't we?" Bant asked, unable to conceal her fatigue.

"It looks like we got around half of the information," N'erak sighed. "But that is still more than we had before."

"Yes, it is." Master Windu added. "And at this point, we should be grateful for any information we can get."

*********************************************

Anakin had known his Master to shield before, but never like this. The Padawan could not even make a dent in the titanium shielding, though it did not stop him from trying. \\Master, please don't do this. You can't do this; you are too great of a Jedi to give in to the Darkside. Don't trade your soul for my life!\\

As Anakin uttered the last sentence, a crack appeared in Obi-Wan's shielding creating just enough of an opening that the Padawan's plea got through. Finally glancing down from where he had held Dooku's gaze, the Master gave his apprentice a small smile. It was a smile that chilled Anakin deeply.

Before the Padawan could do more than gasp in a combination of shock and soul-numbing horror, Obi-Wan Kenobi dropped to his knees in front of the Sith Lord. Bowing his head in submission, the Knight said only two words.

"Yes.Master."