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

5. 5

Anakin had never felt such excruciating pain before in his life. It tore through his mind, echoing and reverberating until he was certain that he would die from it. The physical pain was intense, but the emotional pain was far worse. The Padawan would never have thought his Master capable of hurting him, but his current agony was a direct result of Obi-Wan's actions. And it was all at the bidding of the now revealed Sith.

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

"How do you know for sure where they are going?" Narissa asked, aware that it was next to impossible to track a ship in hyperspace, even with a homing device.

"Well, see, that's the thing," Solo grinned. "I know where they're going, 'cause I'm the one that's directing them."

Glancing down at the datapad that was interfaced with the navigational console, Narissa tried to decipher the information scrolling across its screen. "Won't they know that you are directing their trajectory?" she asked, raising her gaze to meet the ex-smugglers.

"No, since all of their instruments are giving off false readings. The only way they could know that something was amiss, was if we had followed too closely behind them. This way, we're still close enough to track them if the link gives out, yet far enough away that they can't detect us," Solo explained, as he gestured to the still busy datapad. "The link is pretty stable, but if too much distance grows between the two ships, it can falter. This way, if it does give out, or they do discover it, we can still track the ship."

"If you're directing their trajectory, then where are we going?" Narissa questioned, as she gave Solo an appraising stare. She found herself more and more intrigued by the man as time went on. When she had first met him, she was sure he was noting but a no-account scoundrel. And yet, the more she learned about him, the more she realized that he was much more than he seemed.

"Well, as much as I admire your skill," Solo joked, "I felt it best that we secure some backup before attempting to rescue Obi-Wan and Anakin."

Narissa stared at Solo blankly for a moment, and Solo just grinned back. Then, almost as if a switch had flipped in her mind, she offered a smile of her own. "Of course, Coruscant."

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

"Is it done?" the Sith asked, as his new apprentice struggled up from where he had collapsed at Anakin's feet.

"Yes, my Master. I have severed the training bond. The boy is no longer a threat to us," Obi-Wan answered, his voice husky with some unidentified emotion.

"Very good," Dooku responded, as he dropped the limp form of the Padawan onto the med bed. "He will remain with us until I am assured of your loyalty." Extinguishing his lightsaber, and hanging it back on his belt, Dooku reached down and grabbed the still-kneeling Knight's chin. Forcing Obi-Wan to meet his gaze, he glared down at his young apprentice. "Remember, you are mine now. Disobey me, and Anakin will die."

"Yes, my Master," Obi-Wan answered, his dull gaze locked with Dooku's. "I am yours to command."

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

Ravenna, N'erak and Bant returned to the Council laboratory to work on deciphering the pilfered data, but Mace headed for the Council Chambers instead. He felt bad for leaving his former apprentice in her time of grief, and needed to assure himself that she was okay. The other three had agreed that there wasn't much he could do to help with the data, and that it was best he go to his former Padawan.

As he took the turbolift up the Council spire, he found himself reflecting back on the events of the past few days. \This all revolves around Obi-Wan Kenobi somehow. Bilt's death, Corde's death, Master Yoda, the resignation and disappearance of Dooku, the actions of the Chancellor. somehow all of this is tied into Knight Kenobi. But how?\

As he stepped out of the lift and made his way to the Council chambers, Mace passed by one of the secured data terminals. Glancing at the closed chamber doors, and then back at the terminal, Mace decided he had a few moments to spare. Turning on the terminal, and inputting his Council code, Master Windu began a search for all records relating to Obi-Wan Kenobi. He had planned to download the files earlier, to send to Anakin, but the death of Depa's Padawan had delayed him.

\Perhaps it is time we took a closer look at what Obi-Wan has been up to these past few years. Something tells me, it's going to prove rather important.\

Anakin awoke to find himself alone and locked into the medical bay. At first he was confused as to what had happened and why his head hurt so badly, but then all at once the images and memories of the past few days crashed down on him. \I am not going to lose my Master like this. We made it through the Caradonians, we made it through Ellana, and we are going to get through this\

Climbing down off of the med bed, Anakin made a quick search of the room, before settling down in the middle of the floor in a meditative position. He knew that if he were to face Dooku and his Master, he would need to be fully centered in the Force. \I never thought I might have to actually fight Obi-Wan.\ Anakin thought as he began the first phase of the calming ritual. \Hopefully he is just playing along until an opportunity for escape occurs. Otherwise I don't want to even think about what I might have to do.\

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

Once Master Windu had the terminal set to download all of Obi-Wan's files onto his datapad, he made his way into the Council Chambers. When the transfer was complete, his 'pad would chime, alerting him so he could call a recess. Judging by the size of the files he had pulled up, the Council would be able to have a lengthy discussion before the download would complete.

Entering through the massive, archaic doors, Mace was somewhat surprised to find all of the Councilors present, even Master Yoda. Pausing briefly on the threshold to take a Force reading of the emotions prevalent in the room, Master Windu was surprised to find a strong sense of anticipation permeating the environment. \That's odd. What could they possibly be looking forward to?\ Mace wondered as he entered the room and took his place in the only empty seat.

"Call this meeting to order, I do," Yoda spoke. "Much to discuss we have."

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

Dooku stared intently at the young man who sat across from him. The blue- green eyes were glazed, and the emotion behind them impossible to detect. The young Knight sat almost primly, with his shoulders back and his spine straight. The posture gave away nothing of Obi-Wan's thoughts or emotions.

\Well if I cannot read him physically, I will just have to do so mentally\ Dooku decided as he reached out through the thin link that connected him with the soon to be ex-Jedi. As he searched through the bond, he was surprised to find the Knight's mental shields down. Even the most basic of shields, those that should always have been in place, were gone, as if shattered by a heavy blow. \Well that will certainly make this easy\ the Sith thought almost gleefully.

Stretching deep into Obi-Wan's mind until he had reached the very essence that made the Knight who he was, Dooku paused and reached out with Dark Force tendrils, trying to take a reading on the young Jedi's mental status. As the results filtered back through the link, the Sith's eyes snapped open, focusing intently on Obi-Wan once more.

"My young apprentice, it appears that there is not as much work to do as I feared," Dooku said as a pleased smile crossed his face. "Who would've thought that the Jedi's own poster child, Obi-Wan Kenobi, had already partially succumbed to the Darkside?"

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

"Have you been able to decode any of the data yet?" Bant asked, as she and Ravenna continued transferring the information off of the datapads and onto the terminal N'erak was working at.

"Not yet," N'erak answered distractedly. "It's much more complicated than I would have thought. There are multiple layers of coding here, and underneath it all is an embedded command. If I make a mistake, it's entirely possible that all of this data will simply be erased before we even get a look at it."

"Perhaps we should leave some of the data on the 'pads then?" Ravenna asked. "That way, if the files do become corrupt, some information will still be safe."

"That's a good idea," N'erak replied, for the first time looking up from the screen in front of him. "Don't download anything else just yet, I'll let you know when it's safe to transfer the rest of the information."

"Is there anything Bant and I can do to help? Or would it be better if we leave you undisturbed for awhile?" Ravenna questioned as she and Bant ceased in their efforts to transfer the data.

When N'erak didn't answer, Ravenna quirked an eyebrow at her former Padawan. "Don't worry, he gets like this sometimes," Bant assured. "Let's leave him for awhile; I'm sure there's work we can be doing in the Healer's ward."

Glancing down at her wrist chrono, Ravenna nodded. "The Senate medics have probably released the body of Senator Amidala's decoy now. Perhaps we can get a copy of the report and see if it yields any information."

"All right," Bant said as she stepped over to where N'erak was still enraptured with the information on the datascreen. Tapping the Knight on the shoulder until he finally looked up at her, Bant spoke. "I'm going to go with Master Ravenna to the Healer's ward. If you need me, I'll have my comm. link on."

When N'erak didn't respond and simply went back to studying the terminal, Bant huffed and turned, following Ravenna out the door. Just before she stepped through the seal, she paused and gave N'erak an evil grin. "By the way, you might want to get that spider out of your hair before it chooses to make a permanent home."

Anakin rose up from his light meditation with a clear set of actions in mind. He first needed to get out of the med bay, then he needed to find his and Obi-Wan's lightsabers. After that, it was time to go find his Master.

Studying the door mechanism that had him locked in the bay, Anakin realized it was impossible to override from the inside. On top of that, there was also a Force seal on it, keeping him trapped even if he did take out the mechanical lock. \Well, I guess it's a good thing I'm the Chosen One then, isn't it?\ Anakin thought to himself as he brought the Force to bear on the seal. He knew that once that was down, he could use the knife from Obi-Wan to escape the bay and rescue his Master.

The seal was incredibly solid, more so than any Anakin had ever encountered. Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he called on the Force more and more. \Hopefully, my Master and Dooku are occupied and don't realize what I am doing.\ Stretching himself to the limit, and beyond, the Padawan finally felt the seal began to falter. \Just a little bit more. I can do this, I WILL DO THIS\

With an audible pop, the Force seal finally gave way. Closing his eyes briefly and offering a silent thanks to the Force, Anakin took a few moments to gather his strength. The Darkside seal had taken more out of him than he had expected, and he wanted to be fully charged when it came time to face down Dooku. \And possibly my Master.\ The last thought brought Anakin's attention back to the task at hand. The more time he wasted, the further Obi-Wan would become enmeshed in the Darkside.

Kneeling in front of the door lock, Anakin reached down into his boot for the knife. \I need to get out of here, and find those lightsabers\ the Padawan repeated in his head over and over, as if the mantra would lend him extra strength. As his hand came in contact with the hidden sheath within his boot, Anakin drew in a sudden intake of breath. Turning his gaze down to the boot in horror, the Padawan confirmed that the knife was missing.

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

"Ahh, little one, when was it? When did you first taste the Darkside, and realize you had an affinity for it?" Dooku asked, as he leaned forward and rested his hand on Obi-Wan's knee.

"I." the Knight began, before hesitating, his gaze falling downward.

"You will answer me," the Sith hissed in a tone laced with vehemence, as he tightened his grasp on the Knight's leg until it was of bruising strength. "I am your Master, and you will keep no secrets from me. If I ask, you will answer."

"Yes Master," Obi-Wan answered through teeth gritted in pain from the Force- enhanced grip. "I called on the Darkside only once, and it was only for a moment."

"Continue," Dooku said, his hand tightening even further as added incentive.

"It was when Master Qui-Gon was killed. I couldn't control the grief and the anger, and I allowed it to rule me," Obi-Wan sighed, his desperation at Qui-Gon's death replaying across his features. "I reached for the Darkside, and allowed it to guide me. But then my opponent felt me opening up to the Darkside, and used it against me, pushing me into the reactor pit."

Loosening his grip somewhat, the Sith offered a dark smile. "It is a wonder Qui-Gon didn't turn to the Darkside himself, as often as he pushed his apprentices towards it."

"Yes Master," the Knight answered, in the same dead tones. Leaning forward, he began to massage where the Sith's hand had dug into his flesh.

Tightening his grasp once more, and drawing a pained gasp from the Jedi, Dooku leaned forward even farther. "You will take whatever I give to you, be it pain or otherwise, and you will accept it as the greatest gift. Never turn away something I have bestowed upon you little one."

Letting his hand drop from where it had been on his knee, Obi-Wan answered yet again, the only way he could. "Yes, my Master."

"Good," Dooku stated simply, leaning back again into his chair. "I have much to teach you young one, and then it will be time to face Sidious."

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

Moving his hand surreptitiously towards the knife he had secreted in his boot, Obi-Wan fought the urge to truly turn to the Darkside. Nothing and no one in his life had ever enraged him as much as the Sith Lord in front of him. Luckily, though, Dooku suffered from an incredible excess of confidence, and the Knight was using it fully to his advantage.

\It didn't take much to get him to center on that one dark moment on Naboo\ Obi-Wan thought. It had been a great risk to drop all of his shields, but he trusted that the Sith would be too intrigued by that one dark memory to cause any damage. \Plus it gave him the idea that I am in Psychic Shock.Which will only make this all the more unexpected\

Raising his dead gaze from where it had fallen to the floor, the Jedi caught the Sith's eyes. "Master?" he questioned, hesitantly, as if he was truly afraid of the man.

"Yes, my young apprentice?" Dooku asked, his tone one of bemusement.

"Can I ask you something?" Obi-Wan asked, his voice almost too soft to hear.

"Yes," the Sith said, leaning forward to better hear what it was the apprentice wished to ask.

Reaching out with lightning quick movements, Obi-Wan grabbed Dooku around the back of the neck and yanked him off balance out of the chair. Bringing the knife up and out of his boot in one swift move, he held it tightly against the Sith's throat. Using the Force, he called Dooku's lightsaber to him, effectively disarming the Sith Lord.

"Do you have any idea what I will do to you if you ever call me 'little one' again?"

"I would ask that we hold off discussing anything pertaining to Knight Obi- Wan Kenobi until I have had the opportunity to review and present some pertinent information," Master Windu began, speaking almost before Yoda had finished.

"New information you have found?" Master Yoda asked, looking oddly out of place without his ever-present gimmer stick.

"Yes," Mace hedged. The data was not entirely new, but he doubted that anyone had actually taken the time to review it in the past.

"If you have new information, perhaps you should offer it to the entire Council," Plo Koon said sagely.

"Once I have had a chance to review it, I will," Master Windu responded, leveling a cold gaze at his fellow Councilor. "For now, I believe we have other important matters to discuss, such as the death of one of our own," Mace continued, offering Depa an apologetic glance.

"Very well, hold off the discussion on Obi-Wan we will," Yoda finally said, breaking the silence that had fallen over the group of twelve. "Other matters to discuss we have, including the choice of a new Council Member."

"We're choosing a new Councilor?" Mace echoed, surprised when none of the other members reacted. "Who are we replacing?"

Closing his eyes briefly, and allowing his ears to droop, Master Yoda sat in silence for several minutes. None of the other Masters appeared to be willing to answer Master Windu's hastily spoken question; leaving the revelation to Yoda. After several interminable moments had passed, during which Mace began to wonder if perhaps he should be worried about his own position, the eldest member of the Council finally answered.

"Seeking to replace me, we are."

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

Anakin had just gotten over his shock at finding his knife missing, when he heard the door lock pop open. Hastily climbing to his feet, he backed farther into the medical bay, grabbing for something he could use as a weapon. As his hand closed over the discarded tray he and Obi-Wan had used when healing Dooku, Anakin took a moment to snort at the ridiculous thought. \Coruscant headlines: Thirteen-year old Jedi Padawan defeats Sith with only a metal tray. Says the Padawan "It's just like fighting a rancor; aim for its nose."\

Before the Padawan could search for a more suitable tool, even though he was certain there wasn't anything better, the door began to slide open. Taking a deep breath, Anakin moved until he stood to the side of the opening door, his body cocked in a battle ready stance. \I'm only going to have one shot at this, so I'm going to have to just swing with everything I've got. If it's my Master. well, maybe someday he'll forgive me\

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

If the situation weren't so serious, the look of shock on Dooku's face would have been almost comical. As it was, Obi-Wan found himself hard- pressed not to laugh at the Sith's open-mouthed gape. \In all the years I've known him, I don't think I've ever seen Dooku speechless\

"We're going to do this very simply," Obi-Wan said, setting aside his irrelevant thoughts so that he could plan his next move. "You are going to slowly stand up and turn until you are facing the hallway. If you try anything, and I do mean anything, I will use your own lightsaber to dissuade you. Whether that means I will kill you, or just simply remove one of your body parts, I will leave to your imagination."

Still speechless, the Sith obeyed freezing once more when he had reached his full height. Obi-Wan still held the knife firmly to his throat, with the unignited lightsaber resting securely in his other hand. "Now, we are going to make our way slowly down the hall to the medical bay, and you are going to key open the door," the Knight continued, none-too-gently giving Dooku a push.

Keeping the majority of his attention on the Sith, Obi-Wan allowed only a fraction of his focus to shift, trying to detect potential hazards or weapons Dooku could use to his advantage. Sensing nothing the Sith could use, the Knight turned his full attention back to monitoring him. As they reached the medical bay door, Obi-Wan found himself silently cursing the lack of the training bond. \Hopefully Anakin will not take any drastic action.\

Seeing that the Sith had keyed the door lock off, Obi-Wan nudged him again. "Open the door and go in." As Dooku stepped over the threshold, Obi-Wan searched the bay for his Padawan. "Anak." the Knight began, only to be interrupted by a warning from the Force as the Sith suddenly twisted and ducked in his grasp. Trying to retain his hold on Dooku, Obi-Wan didn't even notice the flying sheet of metal until it was too late.

Taking the brunt of the impact with his forehead, the Knight found cause to celebrate his short stature for the first time in his life. \If I'd have been any taller, I'd have ended up with a nose to rival Qui-Gon's\ he thought, as he staggered and tried to regain his balance. Using the opportunity to the utmost, Dooku elbowed Obi-Wan in the stomach and dashed past him out the open doorway. Trying to reconcile the three different images of his Padawan into one solid Anakin he could yell at, Obi-Wan could do nothing as the Sith slipped down the hall.

Sighing heavily, and leaning back against the bulkhead to support his weakening knees, the Knight decided to focus his gaze on the middle Padawan. Of the three, Obi-Wan was sure the middle one looked the most horrified. "Well, Anakin. At least you know if you can't make it as a Jedi Knight, you could always make a career with a professional baseball league."

Making his way down the hallway of the small ship at Force-enhanced speed, Dooku cursed his overconfidence every step of the way. \I thought I had him; I was certain that he was under my control. How did one so young fool me so completely?\

Bursting through the door of the cockpit and startling the droid monitoring the flight, Dooku made a quick check of the instruments to be sure they were still heading to his home planet. Assured that their course was still set, he turned his attention to the droid, reaching out with the Force to trigger a button embedded within the casing of the unit. With a brief hydraulic hiss, a hidden compartment opened on the side of the droid, revealing the two lightsabers concealed within.

Securing the larger 'saber to his belt, Dooku hefted the other one, trying to get a feel for it. \I don't believe I have even attempted to use a straight 'saber since I was a Padawan\ the Sith thought, regretting the lapse in his training regiment. \Although, I doubt Obi-Wan has ever attempted to use anything but a straight 'saber\

Leaving the cockpit and moving back towards the medical bay with the intention of meeting the two Jedi in a more open field, the Sith smiled slightly. \This should prove interesting.\

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

Dropping the now-bent tray and rushing to his Master's side, Anakin couldn't conceal the horror radiating off of him. \I can't believe I did something so stupid\ the Padawan berated himself, as he watched Obi-Wan brace himself upright against the wall. \I saw Dooku, and the anger just clouded my vision. I didn't even realize he'd moved until I'd already hit my Master\

"Anakin, I know you are sorry, and I can see that you are understandably upset, but if you don't stop shouting at me, I cannot control my reaction," Obi-Wan warned as he raised a hand up to his throbbing temples. "I'd really hate to have to go before the Council and explain why my apprentice has been rendered Force-mute."

"I'm sorry Master," Anakin said, knowing that any further explanation would have to wait until the Sith was captured once more. "Here, let me help," the Padawan offered, as he placed his hand over Obi-Wan's and brought the Force to bear on the Knight's blossoming concussion.

"Thank you Padawan," Obi-Wan sighed, as the pain began to lessen. When it had reached the point that his vision was no longer foggy, and his balance was assured, he broke the contact. "Anakin, I want you to stay here while I go after Dooku. I can't risk having him use you as bait again."

"Yes Master," the Padawan replied, as he stepped back from the Knight, his expression of horror having faded into one of chagrin.

"And this time," Obi-Wan began, offering Anakin a sly grin, "when you hear someone about to enter the bay, do make sure you know who it is before you try to take their head off, ok?"

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

N'erak had plenty of experience hacking into computer systems, but he had never encountered one so heavily encrypted. \This is what I get for accusing Dooku of being stupid\ the Knight sighed to himself, as the terminal flashed an "Access denied" screen yet again.

Normally, N'erak found it easy to hack into systems by simply using the Force. He could take a reading of the last person or people to have accessed the system, and use that to help him determine the passcode. In this case, even attempting to bring the Force to bear on the data lead to the "blue screen of death," as he had come to call the denial message.

\If I was Dooku, and I wanted to keep the data secure, how would I go about doing it?\ N'erak asked himself, as he leaned back from the terminal and took a break from his hacking attempts. \I wouldn't want to use just one passcode, since that could possibly be discovered, but I wouldn't want to risk using too many either. Plus, I'd probably use decoy information too, just to throw off whoever was trying to break their way in\

As he continued to contemplate the blue screen in front of him, N'erak found the word "decoy" repeating over and over in his head. "But what does it mean?" the Knight asked out loud, his frustration finally getting the better of his silence. "How would he incorporate a decoy into his files?"

Growling under his breath, N'erak leaned forward once more and cleared the "Access denied" screen, returning to the passcode prompt. "If I wanted to prevent someone from possibly guessing my code, how would I do it?" Glaring at the blinking cursor, N'erak fought the urge to simply pick up the terminal and toss it across the room. It wasn't often that a system got the better of him, and yet, he knew that if he entered the wrong code too many more times, the fail safes would kick in and the data would be lost.

Closing his eyes, and reaching out to the Force for serenity, N'erak found himself still contemplating the idea of a decoy. \If I wanted to protect my system, and block even the slightest chance that anyone could make an accurate guess, I'd.\

Snapping his eyes open and offering a silent commendation to the devious Sith, N'erak reached out and simply hit the "enter" key without bothering to hit any other key first. As the terminal hesitated, then went straight to a menu screen, the Knight couldn't resist the urge to laugh out loud. \.I'd use a decoy passcode prompt\

Handing Anakin the knife, Obi-Wan turned to leave the medical bay. "Master? Shouldn't you hold on to this? You might need it," the Padawan said, as he offered the knife back to the Knight.

Turning and favoring his Padawan with a slight smile, Obi-Wan shook his head. "No Padawan, I don't think I will have a use for it now. If I fail with the lightsaber, I won't have the opportunity to use your knife."

Nodding his head slightly, and trying and failing to maintain the stoic Jedi façade, Anakin took another step back from his Master. As Obi-Wan turned once more and began to cross the threshold, the Padawan spoke again. "Master?" he asked, and when Obi-Wan turned to face him he launched himself into the startled Knight's embrace. "Be careful Master, and may the Force be with you."

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

Studying the menu before him with undisguised glee, N'erak worked to decipher what different options were available to him. The information appeared to be rather straightforward and expected, with the exception of one folder, simply labeled "Naboo."

\What possible interest could Dooku have in such a small backwater planet?\ N'erak wondered as he clicked on the file. He was fairly certain that there would be at least one more password prompt, but he was too intrigued by the filename to care. \We know that the Sith have been on Naboo. is it possible that Dooku has joined forces with them?\ Shivering slightly, despite the warmer air of the laboratory, N'erak set to work on the newest password prompt. \I think we've accepted that Dooku has fallen to the Darkside, but if he's in league with the Sith.\ Switching midway to verbal communication, N'erak finished his premonition. "I have a bad feeling about this."

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

"This is Master Healer Ravenna at the Jedi Temple," Ravenna said, speaking into her personal comm. link. "Have you finished the preliminary report on Senator Amidala?"

Tuning out her former Master as she spoke to the medics at the Senate building, Bant tried to comprehend everything she had discovered over the past few days. \Only Obi-Wan Kenobi could cause such a stir\ the Mon Calamarian thought as she remembered sitting with Anakin and him in their apartment only a few days ago. \With him and his "Kenobi Specials," I shouldn't be surprised at the trouble he can get involved in\ she finished, as she paced Ravenna's small office.

\It seems like weeks ago that I was pacing here and Master Ravenna was trying to calm me down. It's hard to believe that so short a time has passed, and yet my entire world has been turned upside down\ From the revelation that Yoda was under the control of the Sith Master, to the discovery that Master Dooku had fallen to the Darkside, Bant had found her faith in the Jedi shaken.

"Is there anyone I can trust in the Order anymore?" Bant sighed, not even realizing she had spoken aloud until Ravenna startled her by placing a hand on her shoulder and answering.

"It is distressing to find out that much that we have come to trust and believe in is false. The very people we depend on to guide us in the path of the Light have been shown to have their own shortcomings. It is a difficult lesson, but perhaps one that was long in coming?" Ravenna offered, as she switched off her comm. link.

"But Master Yoda?" Bant asked, almost on the verge of tears. "He has been on the Council longer than I have been alive. I trusted him to guide us and protect us, and yet he was under the control of the Sith!"

"Padawan," Ravenna began, reverting to the comforting title that had become a term of endearment, "I know this is difficult for you, as it is for the rest of us. Master Yoda has guided the entire Order over the past several hundred years, and he is the last person I would ever expect to stray from the path of the Light. But remember, it is not something he chose to do, and it wasn't something he had control over. We must not blame him, but instead use this as a lesson."

"A lesson?" Bant asked, as she turned to face her Master.

"Yes Padawan, a lesson. Perhaps this is the Force's way of showing us that we cannot rely solely on the Council to guide us. The entire Jedi Order has become too isolated, and too sure of itself. This lesson has been a long time in coming, but we are lucky that we learned it now. Although it has come as a great shock, and somewhat of a tragedy, it could've been much worse. What if we had not seen the rising Darkness until it was too late?" At the last, Ravenna's tones became more ominous, almost as if she was speaking Prophecy.

Shivering slightly, and wrapping her arms around herself as a chill seemed to settle over the room, Bant softly spoke. "I guess we have Obi-Wan to thank for showing us this. If it wasn't for him, we never would have known."

As he made his way through the ship to where he could feel Dooku's signature, Obi-Wan tightened his grip on the lightsaber he had taken from the fallen Jedi. \I'm beginning to think this is a pattern. Every time I have to facedown a Sith, I end up doing it with someone else's lightsaber\

Hefting the strangely shaped hilt in his hand, the Knight shifted his focus long enough to give the lightsaber a disgruntled look. \Perhaps I should just have mine permanently attached to my hand.\ Obi-Wan had briefly considered taking the time to search for either his or Anakin's lightsaber, but had decided that Dooku probably already had both in his possession. \At least he is going to have to fight with a 'saber other than his own too\ the Knight thought, with no small satisfaction at the thought of the Sith's inconvenience.

Approaching the open mid-ship lounge, Obi-Wan could feel the Darkside gathering and pulsing, emanating strongly from the open area. \Well as far as places for a lightsaber battle, I guess this is better than a reactor pit\ he thought as he studied the open room, looking specifically for obstacles and objects that could be used in the coming battle. Eyeing the thin parasteel wall that separated the observation lounge from the vacuum of space, Obi-Wan changed his estimate. \Actually, this is probably not the best place to do this.One misplaced block or stroke, and it's going to be rather difficult to breathe\

The sound of the snap hiss as Dooku ignited Anakin's lightsaber drew the Knight from his observations. \I guess we'll just have to be careful not to miss\ he thought as he ignited the crimson 'saber just in time to block a strike from the Sith. As the two blades met and sparks flew, Obi-Wan found it difficult to keep a hold on Dooku's 'saber. The angled end of it made it almost impossible for him to use his typical two-handed grip.

\I wonder if he'd consider trading?\ Obi-Wan wondered, as he blocked yet another strike from the Sith. Until he became more comfortable with the oddly shaped 'saber, he wasn't willing to take the offensive. \I guess I'll just have to let Dooku lead this round\ the Knight thought as he blocked an overhead strike. Catching site of the familiar 'saber dangling off of the Sith's belt, Obi-Wan changed his strategy. \On second thought, maybe I'll let Dooku "win" this round\

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

Listening to the sounds of the lightsaber battle he could hear echoing down the empty hallway, Anakin fought an internal battle. \My Master told me to stay here, he ordered me to obey him. But he might need my help, and I don't want him to die\

As the fervor of the battle increased, and the raging tides of Light and Dark energy increased in their ebb and flow, Anakin made his decision. Climbing down off of the med bed, he made his way out into the corridor. Whispering softly, but allowing the barest traces of it to echo down the remnants of the bond, Anakin sought out Obi-Wan. "I will help you Master, and this time I won't fail."

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

"Obi-Wan, this really isn't necessary," Dooku stated, as the two 'sabers locked and hissed yet again. "In fact, we really shouldn't be fighting at all, as we really are on the same side."

"I neither have been, nor ever will be, on "your side,"" Obi-Wan growled, breaking the crimson blade free and taking a step back. "I serve the Light, which is something you apparently abandoned years ago."

"Ahh, but don't you want to see the Sith Lord pay after what he did to your Master?" Dooku asked, as he feigned to the Knight's right, before offering a swift jab to the left. "And you don't even know what he has planned for your apprentice," the Sith continued, trying to bait the Jedi into losing his focus.

"Your Master will never have a chance to get anywhere near Anakin," Obi-Wan said, his voice calm and even despite the furor of the battle. "And he will pay for what he has done, I assure you of that."

Backing the Knight steadily into a corner, Dooku continued. "But how will you make him pay when you don't even know who he is? And how do you know he doesn't have access to your Padawan already?"

Taking a moment to catch his breath from the steadily increasing attack, Obi-Wan finally answered. "Anakin is purely of the Light, and I would know if the Sith had been near him," the Knight stated, though his voice sounded far from assured. Still backing up under the Sith's attack, Obi-Wan stood only a few steps from the wall. "I will not allow you to question my apprentice's dedication to serving the Light."

"Anakin is of the light you say?" Dooku echoed, as he continued to press his attack. \Just a few more steps, little one. Just a few more, and I will have you once again\ "Then how do you think Ellana was able to form a link with him? What do you think those images of Alderaan that you saw were? Don't tell me you didn't recognize your own apprentice?" the Sith asked in feigned shock.

"That was nothing more than your own sick imaginings Dooku," the Knight answered, as he worked desperately to block the Sith's blows. Despite the disadvantage the straight hilt gave him, Dooku still fought with a skill and control rarely seen, even amongst the Jedi order.

Taking the final step forward, and pressing until Obi-Wan was sandwiched up against the bulkhead, Dooku laughed. "Unfortunately for you and the rest of the Jedi, that was a true seeing little one. Your apprentice will fall, and my Master will be the one to train him." Reaching out with the Darkside of the Force and wrenching the 'saber hilt from the Knight's uncertain grip, the Sith spoke again. "The question is, will you be alive to see it happen?"

After giving Bant's shoulder a sympathetic squeeze, Ravenna turned and moved to sit behind her desk. Activating the monitor, she answered Bant's questioning look. "The Senate medics finished the preliminary autopsy on "Senator Amidala" and have agreed to send the results to me. I gave them the link to my terminal so I didn't have to wait for the data transfer."

"They still haven't figured out it isn't Senator Amidala?" Bant asked, incredulous. "And we are going to trust the results they pulled from the autopsy?"

Laughing lightly, Ravenna took in her former Padawan's disgusted expression. "The medic in charge knows that it is not actually Padme Amidala's body that he autopsied, but it has been decided to keep the ruse going until more information is forthcoming." Swiveling her chair until it faced the datascreen, Ravenna shot Bant a look over her shoulder. "The Senate Medics aren't that incompetent."

"Well, it's good that someone, somewhere, in the Senate building doesn't suffer from incompetence," Bant said, offering her own smile, though it was still somewhat uneven after the previous discussion.

Glad to see her former Padawan's mood improving, Ravenna gave only a slight chastisement. "Now, now Padawan. Is that any way to speak of the leaders of the Republic?"

"You're right," Bant answered, "but if I actually said how I really felt about them, I would probably find myself with a mouthful of soap, even if I'm not a Padawan any longer."

Seeing the mischievous look in the Mon Calamarian's eyes, Ravenna chose to let the discussion drop. Turning her attention back to the datascreen, she scanned the preliminary notations of the still-downloading file. As her eyes skimmed the page, one word jumped out to her.

"Now this is interesting." the Master Healer mumbled, inciting Bant to move behind her and read the report as well.

"Interesting doesn't begin to describe it," Bant exclaimed as she too took in the preliminary toxicology results. "Where and why would a Senator's assistant have ever come in contact with Narsicsis?"

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

Entering the mid-ship observation lounge, Anakin was stunned and frightened to see his Master pinned up against the wall, defenseless against the Sith. Searching the room for a weapon he could use against Dooku, Anakin fought to control his anger and fear. He knew that the Sith was guaranteed to notice him if he was radiating such Darkside emotions.

Attempting to release his emotions into the Force, Anakin was surprised when he suddenly heard Obi-Wan's voice in his head. Without the training bond, his Master should not have been able to speak to him. Setting aside his surprise, the Padawan tried to speak to the Knight.

\\Master? Is that you?\\ Anakin asked

\\Yes. I need you to listen carefully to me. I want you to focus on your anger and fear and broadcast them as loudly as you can\\ The voice and accent were distinctly Obi-Wan Kenobi's, even if the connection seemed to be impossible. Deciding to believe in his Master's abilities, Anakin began to project his emotions.

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

"You will join me, little one, and together we will defeat Lord Sidious," Dooku hissed, bringing his face within inches of the trapped Knight's.

"I will never join you," Obi-Wan answered, locking his gaze with the enraged Sith's.

"Then you will die," Dooku answered simply as he ignited the crimson lightsaber he now held. Taking a step back and preparing to strike down the Jedi, Dooku was distracted by a sudden welling of the Darkside behind him. Momentarily dropping his guard, the Sith turned to focus on the figure behind him. Using the opportunity provided, Obi-Wan gathered the Force to him, using it to vault over Dooku's head, as he called his lightsaber to him from the Sith's belt.

As the familiar hilt slid into his grip, Obi-Wan paused only long enough to ignite the 'saber before plunging it through Dooku's chest. As the Sith's stunned gaze fell upon the determined visage of the Knight, Obi-Wan offered a grim smile. "I believe I warned you about calling me 'little one' again."

After multiple failed attempts, and an equal, if not substantially greater, number of curses, N'erak finally succeeded in opening the Naboo file. The encoding on the information had been unlike anything he had ever seen, and it was only through a combination of skill, and a rather obvious prompting from the Force, that the Knight had managed to retrieve the data. \Apparently there is something in this file that the Force wants me to see.\ N'erak thought as the passcode screen flickered and faded, bringing forth the encoded document.

As his eyes skimmed over the assorted information, N'erak's attention was caught by a phrase halfway through the data. It was a simple phrase, just six small words altogether, but it was a phrase that would change his life as he knew it. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Chosen One."

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

This time Sidious wasn't expecting it, and the pain almost brought Palpatine to his knees. The Supreme Chancellor had to cancel his meeting and retreat to his private office, drawing questioning stares from the members of the Finance Committee. Fortunately for the Senators involved, the Sith Lord was in too much pain to notice or care.

Entering his private office, Sidious collapsed to his knees. The Dark Force swirled around him, only increasing the agony of the shattered bond. The ragged edges of the snapped link writhed and twisted in the Force storm; fostering a torture greater than any the Sith had ever faced, even greater than when his last apprentice had died. \At least when I sent Darth Maul off, I knew to expect this.\ Sidious hissed. When the Zabrakian had left for Naboo, the Sith Lord had begun unraveling the bond and placing dampeners along the link. This time, Sidious had had no warning.

As the pain finally began to lessen enough that the Sith could regulate it, Sidious reached out tentatively to the Dark Force. Although the agony was astonishing, the Sith Lord managed to erect a Force seal over his office door. Once the seal was in place, Sidious allowed his conscious mind to delve deeply into the Darkside, releasing his pain and drawing on its power. As the Darkside surrounded him, the Sith allowed only one thought to dominate his "meditation."

"Obi-Wan Kenobi - you are mine."

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

Standing up from where he had crouched over the Sith's dead body, Obi-Wan turned to his frozen apprentice. "It's all right Anakin. He can't hurt either one of us now," the Knight said, seeking to reassure the Padawan. When Anakin made no move to approach him, even when Obi-Wan held out the apprentice's lightsaber, he sighed and turned his attention back to the fallen Jedi.

Removing Dooku's dark cloak and draping it over the body, Obi-Wan then grasped the crimson lightsaber and attached it next to his own on his belt. He actually had no desire to touch the Darkened hilt ever again, but he wasn't comfortable leaving it anywhere near the Sith. \And Qui-Gon said all of those "Revenge of the Living Dead" holos were worthless\ Obi-Wan snorted out loud at the ridiculous thought.

\Well at least that got a reaction from Anakin\ he thought as the Padawan broke from his stupor to shoot him an incredulous look.

"No Padawan, I have not gone mad," Obi-Wan retorted, unaware that he was once again answering Anakin's private thoughts. "I was merely thinking of a lesson I once learned from a rather unorthodox place."

Turning his back on the Sith's body, and dismissing it from his concern, Obi-Wan moved to kneel in front of his apprentice. "I know that you are upset Anakin, but you really must learn to control your shielding. You have been broadcasting almost continuously since I woke up in the cargo bay."

"Master," Anakin said, his concern evident in his eyes, "my shields are up tight. I haven't broadcasted anything other than when you told me to project my emotions."

Furrowing his brow as he reached up to place his hands on the Padawan's shoulders, Obi-Wan shook his head. "Anakin, I broke our training bond. It would have been impossible for me to tell you to do anything."

"But Master," the Padawan argued, "I'm positive it was you. You told me to broadcast my emotions so I would distract Dooku."

Closing his eyes and reaching out to the Force for answers, the Knight brushed softly against his Padawan's mind. When the gentle Force probe slid through the apprentice's shields as if they weren't even there, Obi-Wan reopened his eyes and focused his shocked expression on the apprentice. "We need to get back to Coruscant as soon as possible. I have much to discuss with the Jedi Council."

"Bant here," the Healer answered distractedly as her comm. link chirped.

"Bant, it's N'erak. I need you and Ravenna to get down here now." The Knight's voice, though distorted by the comm. signal, sounded agitated. Throwing a glance at Ravenna, to make sure the older Healer had overheard, the Mon Calamarian answered.

"We'll be right there."

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

"Anakin, can you go take over piloting the ship?" Obi-Wan asked, cutting off any questions the Padawan had before he could ask.

"Of course Master," Anakin answered, as he stepped away from where Obi-Wan still knelt in front of him. "You want me to set course for Coruscant, right?"

"Yes Padawan. I will take care of our. passenger. while you do so," the Knight answered, with a rather disgusted look on his face.

Nodding his head, Anakin left the observation lounge to report to the cockpit. Once the Padawan was out of sight, Obi-Wan brought his hands up and rubbed vigorously at his face. \This is just too much. Isn't there somewhere I can signup for a vacation or something?\ Allowing his frustrations to flow off into the Force, the Knight climbed to his feet and turned to his distasteful task. \At least I don't have to worry about him calling me 'little one'\ Obi-Wan thought sarcastically as he went to work preparing the Sith's body for stasis.

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

"Master Yoda, I don't think this is necessary," Mace Windu erupted, as the eldest Councilor finished his declaration. "We need you on this Council. Your guidance has led the Jedi for centuries, and we can't just allow you to leave."

"Allow it you will. Passed, my time with the Jedi has. New leadership we need," Yoda sighed, his ears drooping even farther.

"Master Yoda, it was not your fault what happened," Depa said quietly, her luminous eyes reflecting a deep sorrow. "We all have been blind to the rising Darkness, and we all share fault in the recent deaths."

"None of us are attuned enough to the Darkside to have felt its rising tremors," Ki-Adi Mundi added. "We all serve the light, and the Darkside has shadowed it effectively."

"But participate in the rising you did not!" Yoda stated, annunciating each word in place of the usual gimmer stick raps.

"And neither did you!" Master Windu interjected. "You had no way of knowing you were under the influence of the Sith Lord! How were you to know you were infected with Narsicsis, especially with the power of the Darkside working against you!"

As a shocked silence descended over the Council Chambers, Mace turned his attention from where it had been focused on the small green Councilor. Gazing about the room, and taking in the shocked expressions of his fellow Masters, Mace realized that not all had been privy to the information he had discovered.

"It looks like we have much to discuss," Plo Koon finally said, as the silence stretched uncomfortably. "And it appears you have some information you should share with us, Master Windu."

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

Obi-Wan had just finished placing Dooku's body in stasis when Anakin rushed into the med bay. "Master, I can't control the ship! Someone else has remote control of it," the Padawan shouted in one rushed breath.

"You disengaged the droid?" the Master asked, even though he was certain Anakin wouldn't have made such a foolish mistake.

"Yes Master. I turned the droid off, since it didn't want to relinquish control, and then tried to take a sensor reading. All of the gauges and monitors are giving off false readings," the Padawan said, as he followed Obi-Wan out of the medical bay and back to the bridge.

"How do you know the sensors are off?" Obi-Wan asked as he entered the cockpit, almost tripping over the pilot droid. Taking in the charred and cindered state of the unit, the Knight merely cocked an eyebrow at his apprentice.

Blushing slightly, Anakin answered the unspoken question first. "I told you, it really didn't want to relinquish control."

"So you used your lightsaber?" the Knight finished.

Clearing his throat and unconsciously reaching down to tap the hilt that now hung from his belt, Anakin chose to ignore the question. "I knew the sensors were off when they said we were heading towards the outer rim. I can tell we are headed towards the Galactic core."

"And how do you know that?" Obi-Wan asked, as he gave the Padawan a look to assure that the previous discussion was far from over.

"I can feel that we are moving away from Tatooine," the apprentice answered simply.

"Your senses aren't that attuned my young apprentice," Obi-Wan admonished. "There is no way you can "feel" where Tatooine is."

"Well, I might not be able to feel the planet," Anakin argued, "but I can sure feel my Mom. Her life force is a powerful beacon, and I know we are moving away from it."

Sighing, Obi-Wan reached out to the Force and trained his senses on his Padawan's mind. As before, his probe entered Anakin's mind without any hesitation. Ignoring his apprentice's more private thoughts, the Knight focused on the most active area of Anakin's mind. The Padawan, sensing his Master's intent, brought the information to the very surface of his thoughts.

Reaching out to the bright spot in Anakin's thoughts, Obi-Wan was startled to feel the presence of another in his Padawan's mind. Carefully reaching out, the Knight was able to discover the identity at the other end of the bond.

Pulling out of the Padawan's mind, Obi-Wan returned his attention to the physical realm. Giving Anakin a harsh stare, the Master telegraphed his displeasure in both facial expression and posture. "What else have you been hiding from me, Padawan?"

The Republic Cruiser soared through hyperspace, tailing the other ship, but remaining out of its sensor range. Inside, Solo and Narissa found themselves with nothing to do but talk.

"And so I decided to leave and explore the galaxy," Narissa said, continuing her ongoing tale. Solo had asked how she had ended up as Governor of Navira, and she had chosen to backtrack and tell him not only how she ended up leading the planet, but how she had come to be on the planet in the first place.

"So you left Dan'eria to explore, and ended up not only crashing on, but becoming the leader of, a planet on the far side of the galaxy," Solo summarized. At Narissa's nod, he grinned. "And here I thought I was the only one who left their home planet to see the galaxy and ended up as a permanent resident of some other planet!"

"Your home planet is Correllia?" Narissa guessed, taking in the familiar features and irrepressible personality of the man beside her.

"Yep, Correllian born and bred," Solo approved. "And like most Correllians, I got bored after only a couple decades on the planet and decided to go explore. Smuggling seemed like the best option, and it worked well for a few years. Until, of course, the Jedi caught up with me. Luckily I impressed the guy so much; he suggested I come to work for the Temple. And to make a long story short, here I am."

"Hmm," Narissa said nonchalantly as she turned to watch the stars streak past. "How will we know if they've detected us?" she asked abruptly. Turning to face the pilot once more, she laughed out loud at the look of confusion followed by dawning comprehension that flitted across his features. "Sorry, that was a bit abrupt, wasn't it?" she apologized, still snickering.

"No problem," Solo answered, trying to cover for his lack of understanding. "I guess I'll just have to get used to your jumping conversations. Something tells me that you speak before you actually completely process your thoughts," he said, and smiled at Narissa's blush.

"Anyway, we will know if they've detected the link when they try to sever it. They'll have to reroute their navcomp to do so, and that'll notify us that we've been detected," Solo explained, in answer to Narissa's question.

"And the datapad will chirp then?" Narissa guessed. When Solo nodded, she turned back to the viewport. A few moments passed in silence before she suddenly spoke again. "So what kind of smuggling did you do?"

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

Anakin blanched at the vehemence in Obi-Wan's tone. "Master, I'm not hiding anything from you, I swear! I really didn't think it was that important." he finished lamely.

"Not important!" Obi-Wan bellowed before closing his eyes and taking a calming breath. Releasing his anger into the Force, he reopened steel gray eyes that demanded his apprentice's attention. "Anakin, what you have done. do you know what you have risked! Do you even realize what could have happened to you?!"

"Master, I. I had to. I didn't want to lose her. It was the only way I could be sure that she was alright!" Anakin yelled, his voice cracking and reminding Obi-Wan of the Padawan's young age.

"Padawan," Obi-Wan began, but stopped and sighed. Bringing his hand up to rub his creased forehead, the Knight took a deep breath. When he finally spoke again, his voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Anakin, why didn't you tell me?"

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

Allowing Ravenna to lead the way through the portal into the laboratory, Bant took a moment to release her anxieties before following. \I need to be calm and in control for this. I don't know what N'erak called us for, but if it's anything like what Ravenna and I uncovered, I am going to need my serenity intact\

"What have you found?" Ravenna asked, in a no-nonsense tone of voice. Coming to a stop behind the still seated Knight, the Master Healer rested her hand on his shoulder and studied the datascreen in front of him.

"I found a filename that intrigued me, so I worked to open it," N'erak began, turning to face the silent Bant as she leaned against a lab table. "It was labeled Naboo, and I wanted to know what interest Dooku had in it. It took a lot of work, but I finally got it open and began to read it. I'd only skimmed about halfway down, when I contacted you."

"You didn't finish reading it first?" Bant asked, as Ravenna continued to study the terminal screen.

"No," N'erak answered honestly. Meeting the young Healer's silvery eyes with his own blue gaze, the Knight sighed. "I didn't feel right reading more of it on my own. It seemed like something you should be here for, Bant."

"Me?" Bant asked, as she flicked her gaze over to the still silent Ravenna. "Why would you want me to look at it? I only became a full Healer a little while ago, and I really don't know anything more about Naboo than the lowliest initiate. What possible reason could you have for wanting me here?"

"I think he wanted you here," Ravenna replied, straightening and turning to face her former apprentice, "because it concerns Obi-Wan."

Giving a grateful nod to the Master Healer for answering the awkward question, N'erak continued where she had left off. "Bant, there's something about Obi-Wan that he never told us. and it's rather important."

"Well?" Bant asked, when N'erak hesitated, and Ravenna merely turned and walked to the other side of the laboratory, giving the two privacy.

Sighing again, N'erak answered in a completely flat tone. "Obi-Wan killed Garen."

"Master, I didn't hide it from you on purpose! I just didn't think about it. It all happened so fast, and I didn't want to worry Master Qui-Gon with it, so I just did it and then we left," Anakin said quietly, refusing to make eye contact with Obi-Wan. "I honestly didn't think it mattered enough to tell you."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan began, waiting for the Padawan to raise his gaze from the decking. When the beseeching blue eyes finally met his own, the Knight continued. "I understand why you did what you did. I'm not angry with you for trying to form a bond with your Mother, in fact I'm surprised Qui-Gon didn't offer to help you." At the last, Obi-Wan gave a small smile, remembering his former Master's penchant for "pathetic life forms."

"Then you're not mad at me," Anakin questioned, trying and failing to hold his Master's gaze. Before Obi-Wan could answer, the Padawan looked away again.

"Padawan," the Master demanded, using his full authority and Force presence to force Anakin to keep eye contact. "You are thirteen years old. Yes, you are a Jedi, but you are allowed to make mistakes. I am not mad at you, nor would I ever be upset that you had made an error. But," Obi-Wan paused, his tone taking on a harsher note when he continued, "if you ever lie to me, or try to conceal something from me, you will find I will not allow it to go unpunished."

Blinking, and clasping his jaw a few times, Anakin finally managed to make an answer. "Yes Master."

Allowing his gaze to soften once more, the Knight finished. "Now that you know I am not upset, would you please explain to me just what you did Padawan?"

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

"Are you nuts?" Bant blurted, giving N'erak a skeptical look. "Obi-Wan didn't kill Garen. Garen was killed on a mission for the Senate."

"Bant, I really think you should read this before you jump to any conclusions, or base your reaction on false information," N'erak responded patiently. "I know it is a shock, but you really need to look at this."

"Are you honestly asking me to believe some lying, devious Sith over my best friend?" Bant yelled. "Because if you are, let me tell you; Obi-Wan would never have lied to me and he wouldn't have concealed something like that from me."

From across the laboratory, Ravenna spoke up. "Padawan, perhaps you should review the information before you get upset with Knight N'erak. I'm sure that he wouldn't lie to you or make such accusations unless he had proof."

Standing up from where he still sat in front of the terminal, N'erak offered his seat to the Mon Calamarian. "Bant, please. I love Obi just as much as you do. He's the closest thing to a brother I have or could ever wish for. But he has concealed some things from us, and you need to know about it."

Huffing, Bant dropped down on the stool. "I will read this, but I assure you, I am not ever going to believe that Obi-Wan killed Garen. Obi wouldn't do that."

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

"I tried to form a bond with her," Anakin began, "but since she wasn't Force-sensitive, it didn't work."

"And so you opened up a portion of your mind to your Mother, trying to anchor her life force to your own?" the Master finished, sighing as the Padawan nodded. "But you didn't do anything to "seal" off the gap in your shielding."

"I didn't know how to," Anakin admitted. "I didn't think it would really matter, since it's only a little opening. I was going to talk to Master Qui- Gon about it, but."

"Why didn't you ask me?" Obi-Wan asked, the hurt evident in his tone, though he tried valiantly to conceal it.

"I didn't want to bug you. I knew you didn't want me, and I was determined to not be a burden to you. By the time we really started to get along, I sorta forgot about it," the Padawan explained. "I mean, I remembered whenever I reached out and felt Mom, but I didn't think to mention it to you."

"Because you were afraid I would order you to break the connection," Obi- Wan surmised, and at the flush that crept up Anakin's collar, the Knight knew he was right. "Padawan, I would not have tried to break your connection to your Mother. I know you miss her, and I'm glad you can keep contact with her. But I would have insisted that the hole in your shielding be repaired. There are techniques I can teach you to keep the link with your Mother, without making your mind vulnerable to suggestion and attack."

"Is that how Ellana was able to connect to me?" Anakin asked, flushing even more crimson at the Master's nod. "So I put both of us at risk since I didn't tell you the truth."

"There are always consequences for our actions, Padawan," Obi-Wan explained. "And sometimes it is hard to know what the consequences are without the experience to guide us."

"I'm sorry Master," Anakin offered. "I didn't know."

Smiling as he reached out to tug gently on the small Padawan braid trailing down the apprentice's neck, Obi-Wan answered. "And that, my young apprentice, is why Jedi strive everyday to learn and discover more. Someday, you will have the experience and skill to make accurate evaluations, but until then, I'll try to help you as much as I can."

Releasing the braid and turning back to the cockpit controls, Obi-Wan broke the heavy silence that had fallen. "Now we just need to figure out who's flying the ship, and where exactly we are going."

Almost an hour passed before Bant made a movement other than that necessary to scroll down the terminal screen; and it was a movement entirely unexpected of the usually sedate Healer. With a snarl and an almost frightening manifestation of the Force, the Mon Calamarian shattered the terminal screen, sending a hail of glass and metal all the way across the laboratory to where Master Healer Ravenna stood.

Startled, not only by the suddenness of the reaction, but also due to the ferocity of it, N'erak jumped up from where he had reclined against the lab table. Carefully stepping over the deformed and twisted pieces of metal, the Knight approached the Healer as one would approach an injured predator, slowly and cautiously. When his proximity drew no reaction from the strangely silent Healer, N'erak dared to gently rest a hand on her shuddering shoulder. Before he could utter a word, or even mount an offense, the Knight found himself in an ironclad embrace.

"How could he do that? How could he lie to me like that?" The words were strangely muffled and muted by the fabric of N'erak's cloak, but he heard enough to be able to reply.

"I don't know Bant, I honestly don't know," he uttered softly, as he slowly rocked the distraught Healer. "I never thought Obi-Wan could do something like that, let alone lie about it."

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

Mace found himself at a loss for words. He had assumed that the Council knew of Master Yoda's exposure to the Narsicsis, and the consequent revelation of the Sith's involvement when Master Yoda admitted to having a hand in the rising darkness. The dark-skinned Councilor had been startled at Yoda's knowledge of the dark deeds, but had attributed it to the elder Master's skill with reading the Force. He hadn't suspected that the Council was unaware of the mitigating factors.

\What do they know? And how do they know it?\ Mace asked himself, as he tried to formulate a reply to Koon's admonishment. He suddenly felt uncomfortable revealing all he knew to his fellow Masters, even as just yesterday he would have trusted them implicitly. \Has my faith in the Jedi been shaken so utterly?\

"I do have information that is rather relevant to this topic," Mace said, finally having decided on a course of action. "But first I insist that the Council reveal what transpired during the meeting in my absence. I do not know where to start, or what I need to cover without some background to work with."

"Have much time to discuss we did not," Yoda answered, when no other Master spoke. "Come from my meditation, I did, only moments before you arrived."

"And you discussed the revelations you uncovered during your meditations," Master Windu surmised.

"Announced my decision to leave the Council, I did. And explained my dealings with the Darkside I have."

"But you don't know why you assisted in the rise of the Dark Side?" Mace guessed.

"Reason for it, I do not need. Enough it is that I assisted, excuses I need not," Yoda harrumphed.

"We are all quite curious about what you have discovered Master Windu," Adi Gallia interrupted. "Especially if it helps to explain what Master Yoda has told us about Knight Kenobi."

"Obi-Wan?" Mace questioned, "What does this have to do with him?"

Fixing the Councilor with an expression of barely disguised shock, Ki-Adi Mundi answered for the entire body. "Master Yoda explained about the discussion he held with Knight Kenobi regarding Padawan Skywalker, and the missions that followed it."

"We now understand that, although his goal was to remove the danger Skywalker presented, Master Yoda inadvertently assisted in the downfall of Knight Kenobi," Master Koth added.

"I'm sorry," Mace interjected yet again, "but you are going to have to go back to the beginning and explain all of this. The Council was in session from my summons, and then Master Yoda and I left to continue our discussion. I returned, before being called away once more."

"I left with Depa briefly to handle personal matters," Adi added, the consoling glance she gave to the other Master making it clear what the "personal matters" entailed. "We had just entered the Chambers when Master Yoda returned. He called the Council to session, and informed us of the news regarding Knight Kenobi."

"The news regarding Knight Kenobi." Master Windu prompted yet again as the Masters fell silent.

"Tragic it is," Yoda sighed, after a pregnant silence. "Fallen to the Darkside Obi-Wan Kenobi has."

"Whoever is guiding the ship must also be tailing us through Hyperspace," Anakin declared as he crawled out from under the navcomp console.

"What makes you think that?" Obi-Wan asked from where he was trying to run a sensor sweep.

"The other ship is guiding by remote signal, since there isn't any kind of extra-ordinary wiring or circuitry here. They'd have to stay pretty close to keep the signal open, and probably to keep a lock on us in case we try to retake the ship," the Padawan answered, as he wiped the accumulation of dust off of his tunic. Both Obi-Wan and Anakin's clothing were beginning to show signs of the past day's battles, and both Master and Padawan were anxious to return to the Temple.

"Can we interrupt their signal?" Obi-Wan questioned, before interrupting Anakin's answer with a fervent curse. Rubbing his hand where he had received a shock from the impromptu re-wiring attempt, the Knight turned to regard his slack-jawed apprentice. Grinning ruefully, he acknowledged his use of one of the "forbidden words" he had forced Anakin to give up. \Well my Master always said that if the Padawan taught something to the Master, it was a good pairing. I wonder if fluent cursing counts?\

"Uh, well," Anakin began, stuttering a bit before regaining his train of thought, "we can, but they'll know right away. I think that first we should figure out who is guiding the ship before we try to break their control."

"Very well. Perhaps you would care to take a look at the sensor array?" Obi- Wan suggested, gesturing to the still smoking console. "I don't think I have quite the technical aptitude necessary."

"Of course Master," Anakin said, his deference an obvious cover for the laughter that was threatening to bubble up. The Padawan turned to work at the sensor array before adding one last comment sotto voice. "I'd hate to have to explain to the Jedi Council how my Master survived an encounter with two Sith only to be electrocuted by a sensor console."

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

Several moments passed with N'erak slowly rocking the distressed Mon Calamarain, before Bant finally straightened and pulled away. "I just don't understand," she finally admitted, her voice sounding strangled with the tears her species couldn't produce.

"I know, I don't either. That's why I wanted you to look over the information too," N'erak consoled softly. Taking a step back and looking up into the Knight's eyes, Bant was reminded that not only she had been deceived by a close friend.

"Do you think that Dooku is lying?" Bant asked, the lack of hope in her tone betraying her opinion.

"I don't see why he would have," N'erak said. "He obviously did not intend for those files to be seen by anyone else, and the information makes too much sense for it to all be a lie." Turning to the lab table behind him, the Knight watched silently as Healer Ravenna worked to transfer the open file to another terminal. With his back still turned to Bant, he continued. "I just don't understand why Garen would have turned to the Darkside, or why Obi-Wan would've killed him and then lied about it."

Taking a deep breath, the Healer plunged ahead into the theory that was only just forming in her mind. "Perhaps that's why Obi lied about it. Maybe he was trying to protect Garen."

"Protect him?" N'erak whirled around to face the Healer with an incredulous expression. "He killed him Bant! Our friend - the boy we've known since we were all in the crèche together. How is that protecting Garen?"

Closing her eyes against the accusing blue stare, Bant continued softly. "If Garen turned to the Darkside, he wasn't the friend we knew anymore. And if Obi couldn't turn him back, then perhaps he was right to kill him."

Staring in complete and utter shock, N'erak could only blink as Bant turned and began to walk to the laboratory door. "I think I need to go meditate a bit," the Mon Calamarian explained, in the same soft tones. "I need to try to understand this, and I can't do that when my emotions are so out of control."

"Before you leave," Ravenna called, interrupting the Healer's escape, "I think you should finish reading this file. There is other information here that I believe you may want to meditate on." Turning from where she stood in front of the other terminal screen, the raven-haired healer gave her apprentice a consoling gaze. "I know this is hard, but I think you need to read the rest of this."

"What else could I possibly need to see?" Bant asked sarcastically as she moved to stand in front of the terminal screen. "Don't tell me, my best friend is actually a Sith in disguise right? 'Cause even that probably wouldn't surprise me right now."

"I wouldn't be so certain," N'erak suggested, as he suddenly realized what Ravenna was referring to. He had opened the second half of the file for the Healer, but she had not had a chance to study the first. "There is apparently a lot that Obi-Wan has failed to tell us."

"Uh huh," Bant murmured as she skimmed the screen. She was only part of the way down the first page when she suddenly gasped. Turning wild eyes to the Knight behind her, she could only ask in a strangled voice: "Obi-Wan's the Chosen One?"

"How could you possibly know that Obi-Wan has fallen to the Darkside?" Mace shouted, before pausing to rein his temper in. When his emotions were once again under control, he continued. "We don't even know what is happening on Navira, how could you possibly know Knight Kenobi has fallen?"

When Master Yoda merely closed his eyes and sighed, Adi took it upon herself to continue the explanation. "Master Yoda felt a disturbance in the Force while he was meditating. He was able to trace it to Anakin, and through an opening in Skywalker's shielding, he entered the Padawan's mind. He was able to rouse Skywalker but once Anakin was fully conscious, he couldn't communicate with him any longer, only watch." When Master Gallia hesitated, Plo Koon took over the narrative.

"During his observations, Master Yoda was witness to the revelation that Master Dooku has been working with the Sith. It appears that Dooku fell to the Darkside some time ago, and has been acting as an informant," Master Koon stated, as his gaze traveled the room before finally resting on Master Windu. "Master Dooku took Anakin Skywalker hostage, demanding that Kenobi submit to him."

"And?" Mace asked, unable to restrain his rising tension.

"Obi-Wan agreed," Adi answered simply. "He kneeled before Dooku and accepted the Sith's offer."

"That doesn't mean he turned," Master Windu argued. "He very well could have just been pretending to spare Anakin's life. We all know the extremes he will go to for his Padawan."

"And that is exactly how we know he turned to the Darkside," Plo insisted. "Knight Kenobi has proven again and again that he will do almost anything for his Padawan. It is simply unthinkable that he would purposely hurt Skywalker."

"And yet, hurt him he did," Master Yoda added. "Destroyed the training bond was, by none other than Obi-Wan."

"Obi-Wan severed his link with Anakin?" Mace asked incredulously.

"Not just severed, savagely shattered it was," Yoda corrected. "Thrown out of Skywalker's mind I was, by the brutality of Knight Kenobi. Fallen he has, assured of it I am."

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

"The sensor relay is fried Master, there's nothing I can do here," Anakin reported as he turned away from the damaged console. "I guess we have no way of finding out who is trailing us."

"Padawan, have I really taught you so little?" Obi-Wan asked, his grin removing the sting of the comment. "Tell me Anakin, what are we?"

"Master?" Anakin questioned, but at the mock-severe look he received, he attempted to answer. "Umm. humans Master?"

"And?" the Knight prompted.

"Jedi?" Anakin tried again, wondering whether or not Obi-Wan had finally cracked under the continuous pressure.

"Correct Padawan. Now tell me, what differentiates us as Jedi, and not just humans?" Obi-Wan continued, trying and failing to control his smile.

"Our ability to use the Force, Master," Anakin dutifully replied, his face a mask of confusion. Suddenly, the impact of his words hit Anakin and his dawning look of comprehension finally drew the laughter from Obi-Wan.

"You want me to try to reach out to the Force to figure out who is in control of the ship," the Padawan surmised, when the Knight finally stopped laughing.

"Yes Padawan," Obi-Wan responded, the mirth still evident in his blue-gray eyes. "See if you can determine the type of ship pursuing us. That should give us enough information to decide if they are a danger."

"Yes Master," Anakin answered, as he gathered the Force to him. Once he had amassed and harnessed enough energy, the Padawan sent it out in one giant burst towards the hyperwake of Dooku's ship. As the results came flowing back to the young apprentice, Anakin smiled brilliantly at his Master.

"I think we're safe Master," the Padawan said with a slight laugh, "though I'm not sure whether or not I should classify Captain Solo as a danger."

Solo and Narissa were enjoying a companionable silence aboard the small Republic Transport when the comm. link began to chime. Raising an eyebrow at the Navirian Governor, Solo motioned for her to follow him back to the comm. unit. Waiting until Narissa had selected a vantage point where she could see without being seen, Solo then opened the link.

"Solo here," the pilot answered after realizing the party on the other end had chosen not to use the holographic interface. Without the "face to face" contact a hologram provided, the ex-smuggler had no idea who he was speaking with.

"Captain Solo," the voice on the comm. link acknowledged. "I wonder if you'd consider releasing our ship from your control, or at the very least telling us where we are going," the cultured accent continued.

"Obi-Wan!" Narissa interrupted before Solo could respond. "Are you alright? Are you in control of the ship? Do you need us to do anything?"

Cutting Narissa off before she could inundate the Knight with more questions, Solo spoke. "It's good to hear from ya kid. We're going to Coruscant, but I can release your ship if you need me to."

"It's good to hear from you both, too," Obi-Wan answered. "Anakin and I are fine, but are anxious to return to the Temple." Pausing, Narissa and Solo could hear the sounds of a hushed conversation carried about between Master and Padawan. After a few moments had passed, the voice of Anakin came over the link.

"Thank you very much for your assistance Governor Narissa and Captain Solo," the Padawan said, and though his speech was formal, an overflow of gratitude and emotion were carried through. "Without your help, it would have been rather difficult to subdue Ellana and escape, not to mention your efforts in thwarting Master Dooku. I. We, really appreciate it," Anakin finished.

"Your welcome Anakin," Narissa replied sincerely. "Captain Solo and I were glad to be able to help," she continued, while flashing a smile at the silent pilot.

"Nevertheless, thanks," the Padawan insisted, before lowering his voice to speak once more. "Governor Narissa, could you maybe send those files to me that the Temple transmitted? I can give you my personal link code back at the Temple."

"Of course," she answered deftly, "but do you want me to transmit them along with Navira's request for acceptance to the Galactic Senate? It might provide an. explanation. for the transmission should questions arise."

Smiling gratefully, though the governor could not see him, Anakin gave an affirmative. "I would appreciate that very much."

"Do you want me to release your navcomp from the link?" Solo questioned, once Anakin and Narissa had finished.

"Yes, please. Master Obi-Wan went up to the cockpit to prepare for the transfer, so whenever you are ready, we will be too," Anakin said, his voice level back to normal now that the previous discussion was over. "Will you be escorting us back to Coruscant?"

Sharing a look with Narissa, Solo hesitated only briefly before answering. "Actually I think I'm going to head back to Navira for awhile, as long as you guys are all right."

Correctly interpreting Solo's hesitation as the silent communiqué it was, the Padawan gave a small laugh. \Well at least his taste in women is improving. though I'm not sure he could do much worse than a Sith\ "Very well Captain Solo, my Master and I will notify the Temple of your leave of absence. Thank you again for your assistance, and good luck with your future. endeavors," Anakin stated with his laughter still coloring the formal tones. "We'll await your signal to retake command. May the Force be with you."

As Solo and Narissa offered their acknowledgements, Anakin transmitted his secure code at the Temple, as well as notifying Solo of the signal the two Jedi would be expecting. Once both transmissions had reached the other transport, the Padawan shut down the comm. unit and made his way to the cockpit. \Let's just hope that nothing else goes wrong, now that we are almost home\ Anakin thought as he entered and took the co-pilot's seat. \If we can get back to the Temple without a problem, everything will be just fine.\

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

Ravenna continued to study the data file as N'erak and Bant both took the opportunity to seek some much-needed meditation. Unlike the two younger Jedi, the Master Healer had the ability to rest and release her emotions while still working and functioning. It was a skill she had perfected while working many hours of overtime in the Healer's ward.

As she scrolled through the file, Ravenna couldn't help but begin to reminisce about everything that had happened in just the past few weeks. From the death of Valone to the corruption of Yoda and the death of the Senator's aide, the Master Healer had been trying to find a connection. And now as she studied the data in front of her, it all began to fall into place. \So Garen, sometime while assigned to the Senate, fell to the Darkside. He then joined forces with the Sith, carrying out a mission for them on Naboo. Judging by the timeframe, it appears that Knight Muln would have been on Naboo just after Obi-Wan and Anakin left there\

Leaning forward and resting her chin where her arms lay crossed on the terminal desk, Ravenna continued her musings. \And it was right after Obi and Ani left that Corde was visited and trained by a Jedi. Corde, who was not only strongly Force-Sensitive and influenced by Narsicsis, but also a prime advisor to then-Queen Amidala. And it was Queen Amidala's vote that ousted Supreme Chancellor Valorum, and made way for.\

Sitting up suddenly as all of her outrageous thoughts suddenly clicked into one frightening picture, Ravenna knocked her stool over in her rush to leave the laboratory. Muttering to herself as she tripped over the fallen furniture, the Master Healer then continued in her rush to get to the Council Chambers. \Something tells me I need to get this information to someone else as quickly as possible.\



"N'erak here," the Knight growled, when the insistent chime of his comm. link interrupted his meditation yet again. He had tried to ignore it, but his caller was annoyingly persistent.

"N'erak, it's Ravenna. Get to the Council Chambers as quickly as you can. I'll meet you and Bant there," Ravenna shouted sounding out of breath.

"Do you want me to contact Bant?" N'erak asked, but his only response was the click of the closing comm. line.

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

"So, you have much demand for transport pilots on Navira?" Solo asked off- handedly when the silence in the cockpit began to unnerve him.

"Well, to be honest, no. But I believe that when Navira joins the Republic, the demand will increase," Narissa teased. Seeing the uncomfortable look on the pilot's face, she amended her statement. "Solo, if you aren't comfortable staying on Navira, you don't have to."

"You'd leave?" he asked, his skepticism evident.

"I have to finish my term as governor," Narissa began, "but it is only a temporary position until the permanent elections are held in a year." Leaning back in the co-pilot's seat and stretching her arms above her head, she continued. "I really hadn't decided about running for election again, and I suppose, if I had incentive, and a ship. it might be nice to travel again."

Marveling at Narissa's catlike fluidity, Solo didn't respond immediately. It was only when she finished her stretch and turned her piercing gaze on him that he realized what she was implying. Trying to form his mouth around the words he really wanted to say, the ex-smuggler found himself falling back to sarcasm. "Gee, too bad you don't know anyone who has a ship."

Smiling slyly, Narissa was not willing to let Solo go so easily. "Well, there is this one guy, but he's a bit of a scoundrel."

"I'm not a scoundrel! A smuggler, yes. Arrogant, possibly. But a soundrel? Never!" Solo responded, obviously insulted.

"Actually, I wasn't talking about you," Narissa answered smugly, her eyes twinkling. "But if you're offering." Finishing her sentence with actions instead of words, the Dan'erian leaned forward and passionately kissed the suddenly silent pilot.

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

"Bant here," the Mon Calamarian answered as her comm. link chirped. She had been meditating, but as a Healer, she was conditioned to respond to her comm., even when in a meditative state.

"Bant, it's N'erak. Ravenna just commed and ordered me to tell you we are to meet her in the Council Chambers as quickly as possible," the Knight said, all in one long slurred sentence. Judging by the harsh breaths afterwards, the Healer surmised that he was running somewhere.

"I'll be right there," Bant answered as she rose fluidly from her kneeling position and began to jog towards the Central Spire.

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

At Yoda's declaration, Master Windu merely leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers and closing his eyes as he searched the Force for answers. A few silent moments passed before the dark-skinned Master opened his eyes and addressed Master Yoda.

"I don't believe you," Mace said simply, ignoring the shocked gasps of the other Masters. "I think you are still under the influence of the Narsicsis and are unable to clearly read the Force, but as I can no more prove my opinion than you can yours, I suggest we reserve our judgment until Knight Kenobi appears before us."

"Believe I am lying, you do?" Yoda asked, his sleepy eyes suddenly wide and alert.

"I did not say you were lying," Mace responded calmly. "I merely stated that I don't believe you read the Force correctly. I think you allowed your eyes, or rather your Force sense to deceive you. Obi-Wan may very well have broken his bond with Anakin, but perhaps he did it only as part of the ruse. Or perhaps he merely pretended to do it. Either way, Knight Kenobi has the skills and the ability to pull it off convincingly."

"This is not the first time you've mentioned Master Yoda being under the influence of some substance or other externality," Depa asked, effectively breaking the subtle bonds of tension that ran between the two Masters. "What exactly are you talking about?"

Turning his gaze away from where it had been locked with the elder Councilor, Master Windu turned to face his former Padawan. "Master Yoda's gimmer stick was found to be coated with a substance called Narsicsis. It is a compound very close to Devronex, but with one small difference: only a Sith can manufacture it, and only the Sith know how to use it."

"What does it do?" Knight Mundi asked.

"In a high enough concentration, it kills," Mace stated matter-of-factly. "But in a lower concentration, such as that present on the gimmer stick, it only provides a means for control and influence."

"Are you implying that Master Yoda is under the control of the Sith?" Master Koon questioned, his incredulity apparent to all.

Before Mace could answer, the Council doors swung open and a young Padawan entered the room. Bowing deeply, she waited to be acknowledged, then spoke. "I am sorry to interrupt Masters, but I was told this message must be delivered right away," the young apprentice said, her gaze never rising above the tiled floor. "Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has made contact with the Temple. He and Padawan Skywalker are on their way home."

"How long until we enter orbit?" Obi-Wan asked as he watched Anakin deftly pilot the shuttle, while deflating the hyperspace foils.

"It should only be a few minutes," Anakin replied. "Of course, this is Coruscant. We could very well be in orbit for the next cycle or two."

"Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that," Obi-Wan stated, as he leaned back in the co-pilot's seat and closed his weary eyes. "I just want to get back to the Temple and finally get some rest. I don't think I can handle this pace much longer."

With a worried glance out of the corner of his eye, the Padawan took in his Master's pallor and fatigue. "Maybe we could just land at the Senate platform and take a transport to the Temple," Anakin suggested.

"Why would we want to do that?" Obi-Wan asked, not even bothering to open his eyes.

"Well. that way the Council won't know that we're back yet," Anakin began, before rushing to finish his statement as the Knight's eyes flew open. "I know we shouldn't deceive the Council Master, but, technically, we were on a mission for the Galactic Senate, so it would make sense for us to stop there first."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan groaned, "as much as I would like to avoid the Council and actually get some rest, we can't do that. It would be unethical." Pausing, and once again allowing his eyelids to droop, the Knight sighed softly before continuing. "Plus I already told the Council we were on our way."

"But Master," Anakin tried one last time, "how can we report to the Council when we haven't finished our mission?"

"Padawan, our mission is finished," the Master replied patiently, while bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. Fatigue was weighing heavily on Obi-Wan and Anakin's suggestion was beginning to appeal to him, regardless of his duty as a Jedi.

Inwardly rejoicing, knowing he had just won, Anakin finished his argument. "Actually Master, it's not. We have to deliver a copy of the Caradonian treaty to the Senate, and we have to take Navira's request to the Senate Entrance Committee. Until we do that, we actually haven't completed our mission."

Cracking open his one eye to give his apprentice a baleful look, Obi-Wan sighed heavily again. "Very well, Anakin, set course for the Senate landing platform. We should finish our mission first. and it would be nice to take a shower and change clothes before facing the Council."

As Anakin grinned and nodded, immediately entering the course correction, Obi-Wan allowed himself a small smile. "Padawan, I think you are beginning to corrupt me."

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

As the turbo-lift doors opened, Bant was not surprised to see N'erak already waiting inside. "Do we know what is going on?" the Healer asked as she stepped into the small compartment, allowing the doors to swish shut and the lift to begin its ascent.

"Nope," N'erak answered as he leaned casually back against the back wall.

"Is Master Ravenna going to go in front of the Council?" Bant tried again.

"Don't know," the Knight answered, crossing his arms across his chest and tilting his head back.

Sighing exasperatedly, the Mon Calamarian found her tenuous grip on her calm center evaporating. "Is there anything you do know?" She growled.

"Yep," N'erak responded as the lift chimed, signaling their arrival at the top of the spire. Motioning for Bant to exit before him, the Knight continued. "I know that the day I actually have a clue about what is going on in the Temple will be the day Tatooine freezes over."

Laughing softly, Bant exited the lift and waited for the chestnut-haired Jedi to catch up with her. "Thanks N'erak, I needed that," she whispered as they began the walk to the Council Chamber doors.

"No problem," he smiled back. "I needed it too. And something tells me that we are both going to have to be fully centered by the time we reach the Council Chambers."

"A warning from the Force?" the Healer asked as they rounded the corner and saw Ravenna waiting for them.

"No, something more illusive than that," N'erak admitted, as they drew up to the pacing Master Healer. Nodding a greeting to Ravenna, the Knight continued just loudly enough that the two women could hear. "Whatever it is, I know this: the Council is hiding something. There is an elaborate deception going on here, and we can't afford to be distracted by it. Remember what we have discovered, and trust your instincts."

Nodding at the Knight's warnings, the two Healers turned to acknowledge the rapidly approaching Council Padawan. Bowing in return to the young boy's gesture, the three Jedi straightened and awaited his message. Rising from his own bow, the Padawan spoke. "The Council will see you now."

Rising up out of his dark meditations, Sidious allowed the Force to flow through him for several moments before opening his eyes and returning to the physical plain. The edges of the ravaged bond were still painful, but it was a pain the Sith could use, drawing on it to enhance his connection to the dark energies of the Force.

His awareness fully in the physical realm once more, Sidious rose swiftly to his feet. Pausing only long enough to remove the Force seal from the door, the Dark Lord hastened through his outer office. Reaching the door to the outer hallway, he hesitated again, garbing himself in the guise of Chancellor Palpatine. Once assured he was fully disguised, the Sith exited his office and made his way towards the landing platform. The beckoning light in his mind was unmistakable; Obi-Wan Kenobi had arrived.

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

The announcement to the entire Senatorial body had been the hardest part, but Senator Amidala had found the entire ruse trying. \Why must I continue to 'play dead?'\ She wondered as she worked to pack her traveling case. She understood the need for increased security, but it seemed almost profane to allow Corde to continue to impersonate her, even in death. \When we get back to Naboo, I am going to have a lot of explaining to do\

A chime at her door interrupted the Senator's private musings, acting to annoy her even further. \It would be nice if I could be left alone for just a few moments. I haven't even had the chance to really think. \ Biting back a sob as she found her thoughts dwelling on the young woman who had died in her place; Padme stormed over to the door, slamming her hand on the activator. As the door swished open, she worked to control her raging emotions. \Remember, you are a Senator. act like one\ she reminded herself.

"Lieutenant Typho," Padme greeted amicably as the dark-skinned guard offered a slight bow of his head.

"Milady," he acknowledged. "Are you ready to depart? The transport is waiting, and the sooner we leave, the better."

"I will be in just a moment," the Senator answered, as she turned back to her partially packed case. Staring at it blankly a moment, she simply reached out and shut it, deciding to forego her usual extensive wardrobe. \It's not like I'm going to need it, considering I am traveling as Padme Naberrie, and not Senator Amidala\

Turning to the hovering guard, she forced a slight smile. "I am ready Lieutenant."

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

As the repulsorlifts shut down, gently setting the transport on the landing platform, Obi-Wan stirred from his light slumber. "Anakin?" he asked, as he surveyed their surroundings. Instead of the expected view of the Senate building and the nearby offices, the Knight was surprised to see walls surrounding their landing zone.

"We're in one of the Senatorial hangers," the Padawan answered. "The Senate air control ordered us to put down here."

"Did they say why?" Obi-Wan questioned, as he silently cursed himself for falling asleep. He had not intended to, but his exhaustion had apparently caught up with him.

"No Master, but." Anakin hesitated, unsure of whether or not to voice his suspicions.

"Go ahead Padawan, your guess is probably as good as mine," the young Master said, in a lame attempt at levity.

Biting his lip, as if still unsure, Anakin finally offered his opinion. "I think they recognized the ship, and think that we are Master Dooku."

"Why would the Senate air control recognize Master Dooku's ship?" Obi-Wan wondered. "Why would he have any reason to visit the Senate with such regularity he would be known?"

"Maybe he was telling the truth, from his own twisted point of view," Anakin suggested. "Perhaps the Sith really are in control of the Senate."

"Perhaps so," Obi-Wan allowed. "And that is definitely something we should bring to the attention of the Jedi Council when we make our report. For now though, I suggest we complete our mission as expediently as possible so we can get back to the Temple."

"Yes Master," the Padawan agreed, standing and following as the Knight led the way to the ship's ramp.

"Do you have the Navirian acceptance documents Padawan?" Obi-Wan asked as he lowered the ramp.

"Yes Master, but I need to get to a terminal so I can download and print a hard copy," Anakin replied. "Do you want me to take care of printing and delivering that while you drop off the Caradonian treaty?"

Giving his apprentice a grateful smile, Obi-Wan nodded. "That sounds like a good idea Padawan, though it might take me longer to deliver the treaty than it will for you to print and submit the Navirian files. Why don't you take care of that, and then I'll meet you back at the Temple."

"Yes Master, I'll see you back at the Temple then," Anakin said as he and Obi-Wan reached the bottom of the ramp. Parting and heading their separate ways, the Padawan couldn't help but throw one last glance over his shoulder at the departing Knight. Shivering from a sliver of foreboding, the Padawan pulled his cloak tighter. Deciding not to bother his overly exhausted Master with such a vague apprehension, Anakin turned and made his way to the nearest terminal.

The somber silence within the Council Chambers was broken by the soft sound of a datapad chiming. It was several moments before Master Windu realized that it was his 'pad, notifying him that the files on Obi-Wan Kenobi had finally downloaded. Deciding that his time was better spent studying the information and awaiting the actual arrival of Knight Kenobi than sitting in on a routine mission debriefing, Mace excused himself from the Council.

As he exited through the far door reserved for the use of Councilors only, Master Windu drowned out the voice of the Council page announcing the arriving Jedi, and instead focused on his own thoughts. \Is it possible that Obi-Wan really did turn? We know that he will do almost anything for Anakin. but would he actually turn to the Darkside for his apprentice?\ Troubled by the conclusions his overwrought mind was arriving at, Mace never even noticed as Ravenna, N'erak and Bant entered the Chambers he had just exited.

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

"Wished to see the Council you did?" Master Yoda asked, his sleepy eyes fixated on where Master Ravenna stood just over the great seal in the floor.

"Yes Master. Knight N'erak, Healer Bant and I have uncovered some information of most dire import," Ravenna answered formally, as she straightened from her bow. She could feel the reassuring presence of her former Padawan and N'erak at her sides, but as the Master Jedi among the three, the task of addressing the Council fell to her.

"While I am sure your information is of "dire import" to you, Master Ravenna, the Jedi Council has other important business to discuss. Perhaps you could hold your revelations until another time?" Plo Koon asked, his annoyance at the interruption of the Council's previous discussion obvious.

"Actually, Master Koon, the information is of "dire import" to every Jedi, even those few that serve on the High Council," the Master Healer corrected, not even attempting to cover her disdain. "I should think that data regarding the reemergence of the Sith and the treachery of one of our own would be worth the time of the Jedi Council. Apparently I was mistaken," she finished furiously, sketching a quick bow before spinning on her heel and moving to exit the Chamber.

"Master Ravenna, there is no need for such dramatic antics," Plo Koon admonished, a hint of censure in his tone.

"Actually, Master Koon, there is," Bant interjected, momentarily forgetting her place, as she stepped forward to address the Council. Pausing briefly, and covering her smile as she felt Ravenna send a burst of pride over the remains of their training bond, Bant sent a quick plea to the Force for serenity. "Master Ravenna, Knight N'erak and I have come before the Council in an attempt to reveal important information we have discovered. We understand that the Council has much to do, but that does not excuse your poorly concealed attempt to inform us of our "inferiority" when it comes to matters only such an exalted body of Masters could possibly comprehend," she continued, her sarcasm prevalent.

"Healer Bant," Master Koth began, only to be cut off as the Mon Calamarian continued her tirade.

"You are the members of the Jedi Council, the body that governs and administers the Order of the Jedi. You have gained your positions through your skills in the Force and your records of service, but that does not make you any better than one of the thousands of Knights in the field," the Healer declared, her gaze focused solely on Master Koon. "You may lead the Jedi Order, but you also serve the Order. Although you seem to have forgotten that as of late," she finished, the last part said almost under her breath, but clearly loud enough for the Force enhanced hearing of a Jedi.

Stepping up behind Bant and resting her hands on her shoulders, Ravenna continued the Mon Calamarian's argument before a Councilor could interrupt again. "We do not mean to disrespect the members of the High Council," she stated in clear, calm tones, "but it is clearly apparent that there is something amiss when three Jedi come to address the Council and are turned away without even a hearing of their business."

As Ravenna's voice echoed and faded from the Chamber, the members of the Council remained in silence, as if weighing the truth of the two Healers' plea. When a few uncomfortable moments had passed, Master Adi Gallia finally spoke.

"Perhaps you would care to enlighten us regarding this information you have uncovered," she said softly, offering no comment on the accusations leveled at the Council. That she also did not offer a censure spoke eloquently of her opinion on the subject.

Offering a brief bow of her head to Adi, Bant stepped back, allowing Master Ravenna to address the Council. "As I said before, we have uncovered information concerning the Sith as well as information regarding Knight Kenobi," the Master Healer stated, unaware of how her statement could be misconstrued, especially with the statement she, herself, had made earlier.

"Bring this information to us, you will," Master Yoda demanded, his sleepy eyes now alert and almost predatory. "Study it we will."

"Yes Master Yoda," Ravenna answered, bowing before turning to leave the Chamber. As Bant and N'erak followed her out into the anteroom, the Master Healer hesitated as the big doors swung shut. Turning to regard her two companions, Ravenna quirked an eyebrow. "That did not go at all as I expected," she murmured.

"Unfortunately," N'erak sighed, running a hand through his chestnut hair, "that went exactly as I expected."

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

As the massive wooden doors sealed with a slight hiss, Master Yoda spoke. "Send a contingent of Knights to the Landing platform we must. Arrest Knight Kenobi we should."

"Is that really necessary?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked, almost regretting it as the elderly Master's stern gaze came to rest on him.

"Heard Master Ravenna you did not?" Yoda asked, imperiously. "Said information she had, on the treachery of one of our own. Named Knight Kenobi she did." Not waiting for Mundi's response, Master Yoda signaled for the Council page. As he waited for the young Padawan to arrive, the Master settled back in his chair with a heavy sigh. "Do this we must, for the good of all the Jedi. Dangerous Obi-Wan has become."

After leaving the Council Chambers, Master Windu stopped at a terminal long enough to make sure he had downloaded the entire file on Obi-Wan Kenobi, before continuing on to the Council Laboratory. Although the information was technically only for those with Council Access or above, Mace found he simply did not care. Ravenna, N'erak and Bant had already discovered and had access to more information than they should have, and the files on Obi- Wan shouldn't have been that high of a security access anyway. \Besides, what's the worst that can happen if the Council finds out? They'll demote me?\ Master Windu barely contained the snort that surged through his mind at the idea of Master Yoda and the rest of the Council trying to pry him from his Council seat.

\That would definitely be a site to see\ he mused as he arrived at the doorway of the laboratory. Keying in his code, he stepped through the door seal and entered the lab. Taking in the site of the destroyed monitor, as well as the absence of his colleagues, Master Windu found his thoughts focusing in only one direction. "I have a bad feeling about this."

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

As Anakin made his way through the strangely silent Senate Halls, the Padawan found himself becoming paranoid. \I know it's been awhile since I've been here, but I don't remember it being this quiet.\

Rounding a corner, Anakin found himself in yet another empty hallway. Even for such a large, cavernous building, the chance of being alone in one of the main hallways was normally astronomical. \Something is very, very wrong here\ Pulling his shields tightly around himself, the Padawan cloaked himself in the Force, becoming invisible to all but the most powerful Force- sensitives. \I don't know what's going on here, but I don't want to become involved in anything else. My Master and I have had enough adventures for one week\

Mentally berating himself for thinking such unJedi-like thoughts, Anakin continued softly on his way, passing by one of the entrances to the great hall. Hearing voices, the Padawan paused, and snuck into one of the smaller alcoves, trying to overhear what was being said. From his vantage point, he could not see the speaker, but the voice was familiar enough. After having served as Supreme Chancellor Valorum's Vicechair, and continuing the position well into Chancellor Palpatine's office, almost everyone in the Galactic Republic knew Mas Amedda.

"Senators please, I have an announcement to make," the Vice Chancellor stated, demanding the attention of the murmuring crowd. "I know that this assassination comes as a shock, and it has been a tragic day for the Galactic Republic indeed, but there is much to discuss."

Intrigued, Anakin found himself drawn forward, trying to find a position where he could view the assemblage without being seen. His Force cloaking was still active, but with so many churning emotions, he wasn't sure he could sustain it. Slipping behind one of the curtains separating the main Senatorial hallways from the vast Chamber, the Padawan was finally able to view Mas Amedda as he made his announcement.

\Curious, why isn't Supreme Chancellor Palpatine here?\ Anakin wondered as he found his gaze straying towards the familiar senatorial box of the Naboo delegation. He had never actually been in the floating platform, but he could easily pick it out among the thousands of others. \And why isn't Padme here?\ Before the Padawan could try to form an answer, his attention was drawn back to the Vice Chancellor. The assembly had finally quieted and calmed enough for Amedda to speak.

"Senators, though the assassination of Senator Amidala was tragic, and we all will mourn the passing of such a noble leader, the investigation into her death has uncovered information regarding a threat to the security of the entire Galactic Republic," Amedda declared, pausing again as the cries of outrage rose from the hundreds of differing species present. On one of the balconies high above, Anakin slumped against the wall, trying desperately to rein his emotions in. Fear, anger and shock warred in his mind, causing his Force cloak to fluctuate before finally failing. Though he was still partially concealed behind the curtain, he no longer had the extra security the Force cloak provided. \Padme is dead?\ The thought repeated and echoed through the apprentice's mind, but even it was not loud enough to drown out the rest of Amedda's declaration.

"Senators, it has been discovered that the assassination of Senator Amidala was just the beginning of an insidious plot hatched to bring dissent to the Senate and chaos to the Galactic Republic. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine himself has become a target in this reprehensible plot, and it is only for the security of the Senate infrastructure that he is not here himself to make this most distressing announcement."

As he paused to take a breath before continuing, the entire Senate waited with a hushed silence for Amedda's pronouncement. In the balcony above, Anakin tried to calm the rapid thumping of his heart, certain that what was about to be said would come with grave consequences. And as Amedda spoke once more, the Padawan could not contain the small cry that came to his lips. "Senators, the inception of this sinister plan to gain power and control comes from none other than those we have charged to protect the Galactic Republic itself: the Jedi Order."

Exhaustion dogging him every step of the way, Obi-Wan Kenobi made his way as swiftly as possible through the Senate corridors. Though he had spent much time unconscious over the previous days, he had also expended a great deal of Force energy, which had drained his mental resources. \I swear, I am going to find the biggest, fluffiest bed in the Temple, and I am not ever going to crawl out of it again\ he grumbled as he tried valiantly to maintain his stoic Jedi façade, regardless of the fact that the halls surrounding him were empty.

Arriving at the Senatorial office where he would drop off the Caradonian treaty and give his report, Obi-Wan was surprised to see that the chamber was empty. \That's odd. but it's probably some kind of Galactic holiday created by the Senate to allow them yet another vacation day\ he thought cynically, dismissing the oddity of the situation with nary a second thought. Studying the empty receptionist's desk, the Knight decided just to leave the datapad in the "IN" bin and trust that it would be dealt with.

\At least I have Solo to thank for remembering to forward the treaty to me before he cut the connection between the two ships\ Setting the datapad down on the pile of other work waiting for the absent secretary, Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief. \Well that was easier than I thought it would be. Now all I have to do is get back to the Temple and face the Council\

Shuddering slightly at the last thought, the Knight turned and made to exit the small office. As he stepped out into the corridor, he was surprised to come face to face with a familiar figure.

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

"So what do we do now?" Bant asked, as she collapsed into the empty chair across from Ravenna's desk.

"I guess we give the information to the Council," Ravenna sighed, as she leaned back in her desk chair, closing her eyes and grasping desperately for her slipping serenity. "I don't think we should give them everything we have uncovered, but I think we are safe giving them the information about Garen and Dooku."

"What other information is there?" N'erak questioned from where he sat in the only other chair in the office. "I'm sure the Council already knows that Obi-Wan is the Chosen One, and even if they don't, I don't see where it is important we conceal it from them."

Sitting up as she suddenly realized that in the furor of the past half cycle she had forgotten to tell N'erak and Bant about her discovery, Ravenna opened her mouth in preparation to speak. Before a single syllable could make it past her lips, her comm. link went off. Closing her mouth, she released her pent-up breath and reached for her comm. unit. "Master Ravenna here."

"Ravenna, it's Mace. Where are you?" the agitated voice came over the comm. link.

Turning a startled glance to the two equally curious Jedi across her desk, Ravenna answered. "Bant, N'erak and I are in my office, Master Windu. Is there something you needed from us?"

"No, I'll be right there," the Master replied curtly, before silencing the link.

Switching off her comm. unit and reattaching it to her belt, Ravenna turned to regard her two companions. "Well I guess I will just hold off on my explanation until Master Windu gets here as well," she said with an air of resignation. "Hopefully he gets here before anything else decides to happen."

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

As she followed Lieutenant Typho and the contingent of Naboo guards through the halls of the Senate, Padme couldn't contain her displeasure. "This is ridiculous," she declared, her tone one of barely concealed hostility. "I was not elected as a Senator so that I can play dead and hide whenever some small threat occurs."

"Senator," Typho assuaged, "You know that this is necessary for your security. Chancellor Palpatine, himself, requested it of you. You know he would not ask you to take such drastic measures unless he truly believed it was necessary."

"I know," Padme sighed, suddenly realizing how petulant she had sounded. "I just wish it did not have to be this way. There must be another way to uncover my attacker, rather than trying to continue this ruse."

"I'm sure if there was Chancellor Palpatine would have suggested it," Typho said, as the procession rounded one of the final corners leading to the small Senatorial hanger where the Nubian class starship awaited them. "You know that he has your best interests at heart milady."

"Sometimes I wonder," Padme began, but was cut off as she spied a familiar figure ahead. Almost forgetting her gloomy mood in seeing such a missed face, the Senator stepped out of the contingent of guards and approached the silent figure.

Smiling with true joy, she took in the face of the young Jedi she had not seen in over four years. "Anakin? Is that really you?"

"Chancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan greeted while offering a deferential bow.

"Master Kenobi, it is good to see you," the Chancellor answered coming to a halt just in front of the Jedi. "I had been hoping to get in contact with you, but it appears that you are almost always away on a mission."

"I'm sorry Chancellor, but the life of a Jedi does tend to be rather busy, especially as of late," Obi-Wan stated dryly. He had never cared for the Chancellor, and found it somewhat difficult to keep his disdain to himself.

"Ahh, yes, I supposed the Jedi have found themselves quite busy as of late," Palpatine agreed. "It is a pity that so many of the more demeaning tasks of the Galactic Republic have fallen to the Jedi Order. It seems that too often the Jedi are used in situations where other forces could serve just as well, if not perhaps better."

"Chancellor?" Obi-Wan asked, wondering if it was his lack of sleep that was making the politician so unclear, or if Palpatine was purposely being vague.

"Perhaps, Master Kenobi, now that I have you here, you would consent to having a talk with me," the Chancellor offered, placing his hand gently on the Knight's back and leading him back towards his offices. "I have become concerned, as of late, with some issues and I believe you could offer some much-needed insight."

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

Entering Master Ravenna's office, Master Windu only paused long enough to assure himself that all three Jedi were present before ordering them to follow him. Sharing a glance, the trio rose to their feet and followed the silent Councilor through the teeming halls of the Temple.

As they finally came to a bank of turbolifts and stood waiting for one to arrive, Master Ravenna finally broke the silence. "Master Windu," she began before being cut off harshly by the Councilor.

"We have much to discuss, and not much time to do it in, but this is not the place to have such a conversation," Mace interrupted in a terse tone of voice. "Keep your silence until we can be assured that we are alone."

"Yes Master," the three Jedi answered, after such a forceful reminder of the Councilor's position. Offering no comment, Master Windu stepped into the arriving turbolift, ordering it to halt on the nearest floor with access to a maintenance turbolift.

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

\I've cracked\ Staring open-mouthed at the apparition that had appeared before him, the Padawan found himself turning to the Jedi Code in hopes of solace. \There is no death, there is the Force. but somehow I never thought it would be so.real\

"Anakin? Are you all right?" the phantom-Padme asked, her concern seeming genuine, even as she was dead.

"P-Padme?" the Padawan stuttered, trying to find some rational explanation for her appearance before him.

"Senator Amidala, we don't have time for this," Typho interrupted in a harsh whisper obviously not meant for Anakin's ears.

Ignoring the promptings of her Lieutenant, the Senator stepped even closer to the frozen Jedi and laid her hand upon his check. "Ani?" she questioned again, her brow furrowed with worry.

"But, you're dead," Anakin stammered, drawing back from her touch.

"No, Ani, I'm not dead," Padme assured, letting her hand drop back to her side. "It's a long story, but I promise you, I'm really here."

"Senator, we really need to get moving. Chancellor Palpatine gave us a time window to take off in, and we are cutting it close as it is," Typho hissed once more.

Finally acknowledging the Lieutenant, Padme sighed. "Anakin, I need to leave, but will you walk with us to the hanger bay? I've missed you," she finished with a small smile.

"Uh sure," Anakin answered, still in shock over all that had transpired. \If Padme is alive, than who has been assassinated? And what do the Jedi have to do with it?\ Mulling his thoughts over in his mind, the Padawan did not even notice as the Senator attempted to engage him in conversation. It was only when Padme reached over and snagged the sleeve of his tunic that he realized she had been talking to him.

"I'm sorry milady, I am somewhat distracted by the rumors of your demise," Anakin apologized rather bluntly. "It appears that you are quite well, and yet the Senate is preparing to lay the blame of your assassination at the feet of the Jedi Order."

"What?" Padme blurted, as she came to a sudden stop just outside of the Senatorial hanger bay doors. "The Senate is holding the Jedi responsible?"

"Yes milady. Mas Amedda just made the announcement in the General Hall," the Padawan affirmed. "He stated that your assassination had been tied inexorably to the Jedi Order, as there are no others who would have been capable of carrying out the execution in such a manner."

"Milady," Lieutenant Typho interjected yet again, this time with real urgency. "We must leave now. Chancellor Palpatine was only able to clear a short take-off window for us that would assure your continued protection. That window will close in just a few minutes."

"Lieutenant, I am not leaving," the Senator declared, before turning her full attention back to the Padawan. "But Anakin, that makes no sense. Chancellor Palpatine was only allowing the deception to continue until I could get safely off planet and away from whoever is trying to kill me. Why would he allow the Vice Chancellor to blame the Jedi for my death when I am still alive?"

"I don't know," Anakin answered truthfully, before his expression suddenly turned intense, "but I intend to find out."

As he led the young Jedi back to his offices, Palpatine could barely contain the rage that simmered within him. \So young one, you are as powerful as I had hoped\ Sidious noted as he recognized the 'saber that hung so casually beside the Knight's own on the Jedi's utility belt. \Perhaps you are even more powerful.\ the Sith corrected as he made a surreptitious scan of the Knight. No marks or burns showed on the fair skin, which truly impressed the Sith Lord as his apprentice had been trained exceptionally well in the art of swordplay.

"Chancellor Palpatine, forgive me, but could we perhaps do this another day?" The cultured accent interrupted his private thoughts, and Sidious found himself reverting once more to the calm platitudes of politics.

"Master Kenobi, I truly regret requesting more of you on behalf of the Galactic Republic, as it is apparent that too much has already been asked," Palpatine sighed, "however, this is of utmost importance, and I'm afraid it cannot wait for another day."

"Very well," Obi-Wan acquiesced as he followed the politician into his private offices. "What exactly can I do for you, Chancellor?" he questioned, watching as Palpatine closed then locked the door.

Allowing his impenetrable shields to slip just enough to reach out and trigger a Force seal over the doorway, Sidious reveled in the Knight's oblivion. \Just like Master Windu, completely unaware.\

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

Allowing his three companions to precede him, Master Windu stepped through the seal into the Council Laboratory, adding an additional override lock to the doorway before turning to regard the silent trio. "Would someone like to tell me what happened here?" the Councilor questioned as he gestured to the shattered monitor.

"Forgive me, Master Windu," Bant began, only to be cut off before she could finish her apology.

"No," N'erak stated bluntly. "There is not time for it, nor is any explanation necessary. Since the Jedi Council sees fit to conceal so much from the rest of the Order on an everyday basis, I am sure they can see to covering the costs of one monitor with no questions asked and no explanations given," the Knight finished acerbically.

"Very well," Mace accepted, realizing that time was too limited to waste. "Perhaps, than, you can use the time to explain to me what it is that you have discovered. and why it has you so upset?"

"What we have discovered," N'erak declared, his piercing blue gaze fixated on the now silent-Councilor, "is that one of our fellow Jedi, and a good friend to Bant and I, was not killed on a mission as we were told. Instead, we discovered that our best friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi murdered him!" Beginning to pace, but still keeping the compelling eye contact, the Knight continued. "We have also discovered that Knight Kenobi kept another rather large secret from us, even going so far as to deliberately deceive us into thinking Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One. On top of that, it has become increasingly apparent to us that the Jedi High Council had to know of both of these facts, yet never bothered to reveal them."

"Knight N'erak, you are making dangerous assumptions based on unconfirmed evidence," Master Windu admonished, after having silently regarded the pacing man for several minutes.

"Then tell us where we are wrong," Bant challenged. "The evidence may be "unconfirmed" but there is very little chance that it is completely false. The files were taken from a highly secure system that Dooku never expected another to see. There is no reason to believe that the files and the information contained therein are anything but fact."

Turning his unfathomable gaze to the Mon Calamarian, Mace again allowed a hesitation before carefully choosing his answer. "The evidence may have some element of truth to it, but it comes from a point of view much different than our own. To the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi's actions four years ago on Naboo would have been considered murder. To us, he is a hero for killing such a dangerous figure before it could cause anymore harm."

"Are you implying that Obi-Wan is a hero for killing Garen?" N'erak interrupted, stopping his pacing to glare furiously at the Council Member.

"A hero: no. But he did what he had to to prevent a greater harm," Master Windu answered evenly. "Garen turned to the Darkside, and although we do not know of all of his actions, we know enough to be assured that Obi-Wan was given little choice in the matter."

"Master Windu is right," Ravenna added, "Garen was working for the Sith."

"And how exactly do you know that?" N'erak snapped, as he turned to regard the Healer.

"Because Knight N'erak, I looked beyond the information and used my own faculties to decipher the greater meaning," Master Ravenna replied succinctly. "It is obvious that Garen was working for the Sith Lord himself," the Master Healer elaborated, before turning to regard Master Windu. "Though it was actually the actions of the Council that put him in such peril of the Darkside."

"Master?" Bant questioned, as both N'erak and Mace looked on in shocked silence.

Not allowing her gaze to falter from where it remained fixated on Master Windu, Ravenna answered. "It was the Jedi Council that assigned Garen Muln to work in Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's office, wasn't it, Councilor Windu?"

"I need to get in contact with my Master," Anakin declared, as he began to lead Padme away from the hanger bay doors. "Master Obi-Wan will have a better idea of what we should do about this."

"Does he know about the announcement in the Senate?" Padme asked as she steadfastly ignored Lieutenant Typho's complaints.

"I'm not sure," the Padawan admitted, "but he is also here in the Senate building, so I'm sure he'll find out eventually."

"Hopefully we can get to him first," the Senator amended. "Otherwise he might find out in a rather unpleasant manner."

"Senator?" Anakin questioned, stopping in the middle of the still empty hallway and turning to face his companion.

Looking distinctly uncomfortable, Padme hesitated, inadvertently allowing Lieutenant Typho an opening. "It seems that everyone, but the Jedi Order, is aware of the rising tide of anti-Jedi sentiment. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if there wasn't an attempt or two of vigilante justice after such a shocking announcement," Typho stated brusquely, before segueing forcefully into his persuasions again. "Senator, we must leave now. This is for your safety," he ordered, reaching out to grasp her elbow. "Chancellor Palpatine would not have ordered you to leave unless he had reason to believe you were in serious danger."

Wrenching her arm from the Lieutenant's grasp, the Senator turned on him vehemently. "Despite what you may think, Lieutenant, Chancellor Palpatine does not have the right to order me to do anything," she stated, her voice slipping into the more familiar commanding tones she had used as the ruler of Naboo. "I am not leaving Coruscant until this is straightened out. The Jedi Order does not deserve to be held accountable for this heinous crime."

"The Jedi are more than capable of taking care of themselves, as they have proven over and over," Typho argued bitterly, refusing to back down. "The Jedi are not in need of your assistance in protecting their insular Order."

Ignoring the shocked expression on the Senator's face, the Lieutenant once again grasped her elbow like a recalcitrant child and turned her back toward the hanger bay. "My job is to protect you Senator, and I will not fail in this. The Supreme Chancellor feared enough for your safety to secure you an unregistered transport and a take-off window that would prevent your flight being detected. Although we have missed that window and should be in hyperspace already, I am not going to allow you to risk yourself any longer. We are leaving now."

"Lieutenant, need I remind you that you work for me?" Padme finally demanded as she recovered from her shock at Typho's bitterness regarding the Jedi Order. Planting her feet and once again slipping from the officer's grasp, the Senator placed her hands on her hips and glared at Typho.

"Actually, milady, I work for the people of." Typho began before he was cut off by Anakin's frantic shout.

"Everyone, get down!" the Padawan yelled as he threw himself at the Senator, using his own body to cover her as the halls of the Senate suddenly became a blazing inferno.

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

"You forget your place, Master Ravenna," Master Windu growled, his fathomless dark gaze locked on the Healer. "The Jedi Council is charged with a tremendous task, and it is not a simple matter to choose which Jedi is assigned to what assignment. With the Republic falling to chaos, the Council has had to take more and more upon itself as the Senate is bogged further down in committees and paperwork. Our task is not an easy one, and I suggest you consider the sacrifices we Councilors give in service to the Order before you start tossing out accusations."

Turning his furious gaze to the tiled floor, Master Windu continued in a subdued tone, much unlike the calm façade he was noted for. "Do you honestly think I have not had the same thoughts every single time we lose one of our Brethren? Don't you think I find it difficult to sleep at night, knowing that I have the blood of hundreds on my hands? I regret every time we lose one of our own, whether to death or to the Darkside." Mace paused, and released a deep sigh, before continuing uninterrupted. "I have many regrets, but now is not the time to bring them forward. We are running out of time, and we need to find a way to contact Obi-Wan before he lands at the Temple."

Shocked out of her silence after the seemingly unflappable Master's confession, Ravenna took a step forward and rested her hand gently on Mace's arm. "I'm sorry," she said simply, before turning the discussion back to the more urgent matter. "You have received word from Obi-Wan and Anakin?" she asked.

"Yes. Kenobi contacted the Temple just long enough to let them know he was on his way back before he signed off. He gave no indication of what had happened, or what his ETA might be," Mace answered, his face once more schooled in its usual emotionless mask.

"That's great!" Bant cheered, her exhaustion and disillusionment lifting at the thought of her friend soon returning to the safety of the Temple.

"Actually, it's not," Master Windu corrected. "Earlier in the Council meeting, Master Yoda announced some information he had uncovered regarding Obi-Wan. He insisted that he had witnessed Obi-Wan turn to the Darkside, and that Knight Kenobi is now a danger to the Order."

"But that's impossible," N'erak argued, forgetting his earlier anger at his friend. "Obi-Wan is the last person who would turn."

"That's exactly what I explained to the Council, and I was just barely able to get them to hold off on any action until Obi-Wan could be brought before us and allowed to defend himself," Mace explained. "I thought the situation was settled, since the Council page announced the presence of several Jedi waiting outside for a hearing. Not wanting to waste what little reprieve I had been able to grant Obi-wan on a mission debriefing, I left the meeting to gather what information I could that could help his case."

Oblivious to the increasing pallor of the trio before him, Mace continued. "On my way to the laboratory to meet with you three, I overheard a call being placed for several Knights to assist in subduing a Rogue Jedi. When I saw the destroyed monitor, I feared the three of you had come to some harm."

"Oh no." Bant moaned as realization dawned. "And we went before the Council. and what they must have thought." Turning her stricken gaze to the dark-skinned Master, the Mon Calamarian tried to gather her rambling thoughts into coherence. "We were the Jedi waiting in the hall to address the Council. Master Ravenna called N'erak and I to the meeting, but it didn't go at all as we intended." Stopping to take a shuddering breath, N'erak interrupted before she could continue.

"And now we know why it went so badly," he sighed, his blue eyes darkened with the realization of what they had just done. "The Council was looking for an excuse to go after Obi-Wan. and we just gave it to them."

Obi-Wan had just taken a seat in the chair facing the Chancellor's desk when the warning came through the Force, followed almost immediately by an explosion that shook the very foundation of the cavernous structure. Reacting without thought, the Knight was on his feet and using the Force to throw open the locked door as he drew his lightsaber from his belt.

Pausing only long enough to yell at the Chancellor to stay put, Obi-Wan charged out into the main offices of the Chancellor and from there into the hallway. Following the source of the Force warning, the young Master never noticed the shocked expression that covered Palpatine's face, nor did he note the slow, evil grin that soon replaced it.

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

From the Central spire of the Jedi Temple, the fireball that consumed the wing of the Senate complex took on an almost ethereal beauty in its pure destructiveness. The eleven Councilors watched in a mixture of horror, shock and grief as the fiery bloom forged into being, consuming a wing of the Senate before fading into only memory and the gray wisps of burning embers.

Mobilizing almost before the last of the tremors had faded, the Jedi Council went to work locking down the Temple. Once assured that the Campus was safe, the Masters began assigning teams of Knights and Healers to assist in what was sure to be an elaborate rescue effort.

As the last of the readily available Knights and Healers were assigned and sent out, the remaining Masters gathered once more in the overlooking spire. Gathering the Force to them, the group that had expanded to include not only Councilors, but also those Masters unable to physically aide in the rescue efforts focused their attentions on the buildings immediately surrounding the Senate complex. With a concentrated effort, the Jedi were able to use the Force to stabilize the surrounding structures, preventing further damage.

As the hours passed, the small gathering in the Central spire remained focused, their weariness dissipated almost immediately into the Force. Using the amassed energy to strengthen the supports of each of the surrounding buildings, the Jedi were unable to spare more than a thought or two for their brethren working so diligently within the Senate complex itself. With their focus solely on the reconstruction efforts, the most powerful of the Jedi Order never felt the pall as the Darkside emerged victorious within the ruins of the Galactic Senate.

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

"Padme?" Anakin croaked, as the sooty ash filled his mouth, burning and searing his lungs with every breath. "Padme, are you all right?"

When no answer was forthcoming, the Padawan tried to push himself up off of the inert body below him only to find that he was trapped securely by one of the blast doors that had previously been attached to the hanger bay. Trying to harness the Force to lift the weight off of him, Anakin found his concentration wavering, as his injured body cried out in torment. Releasing a breath that quickly turned to a sharp gasp of pain, the Padawan found he could not access the energy field that had been a part of him as long as he could remember. It was almost as if someone was blocking him, though the apprentice attributed it to the injuries he had sustained.

When all else fails you, trust in the Force. If ever you cannot reach it, then trust in me my Padawan, as I will never fail you either

As the words of one of the first lessons his Master had ever instilled in him echoed through his mind, Anakin found himself crying out desperately for that warm presence in his mind that had so brutally been taken from him. \Master! Please help me, please, please. I need you\ As the thoughts echoed uselessly down the ravaged bond, the Padawan felt the tears of defeat dripping from his stinging eyes. Giving up his fight to suppress them, Anakin laid his head down gently on the warm chest beneath him. Only mildly comforted by the strong heartbeat of the unconscious Padme, Anakin allowed his tears to fall and his sobs to echo softly in the devastating silence. \Where are you Master?\

Sidious approached the doorway almost reverently, stretching out a hand as if to caress a sacred shrine. As his outstretched hand came in contact with the rippling field of Darkside energy, an expression of awe covered the Dark Lord's visage. "Impossible," he murmured, as the solid energy of the Force seal revealed its unaltered state.

Resisting the urge to actually try to touch the seal, knowing that it would kill him to attempt it, Sidious simply closed and locked the door, retreating once more to his private office. As he stood looking out the one- way transparasteel, the Sith Lord found his gaze distracted by the smoking embers of what had been the hanger bay. \So she defied me yet again.\ A wave of rage surged within Sidious, but it was quickly overshadowed by the triumph.

"Perhaps.perhaps this can work to my advantage," he acknowledged as the ramifications of the Senator's defiance were replaced in his mind by the knowledge of his Chosen One's unparalleled feat. Turning once again to face the doorway the Jedi had so easily escaped through, passing beyond the powerful Force seal as if it wasn't even there, Sidious allowed a deep chuckle to pass his usually guarded lips. "Yes, this can definitely work to my advantage."

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

Deep within the bowels of the Jedi Temple, locked within the shielded Council Laboratory, Master Windu ignored the insistent shrill of his comm. link, focusing his attention instead on the drama unfolding before him. "You three went before the Jedi Council?" he demanded, his thunderous expression preventing Master Ravenna from answering her comm. unit as it also released a series of chirps. "What were you thinking!?!"

"I discovered something that I felt they needed to know," Ravenna defended, reaching down to switch off the annoying unit. "I didn't realize that the Council was on a 'witch hunt'!"

"Well you should have contacted me first," Mace argued, as he reached down to switch off his own persistent comm. link. "This could have been prevented, but instead, the Council is preparing to apprehend Obi-Wan."

"Apprehend him, and force a mind-probe on him," N'erak corrected, ending the escalating argument with his own terrible conclusion.

"They wouldn't!" Bant exclaimed. "That's. that's barbaric! The Jedi Council wouldn't possibly do that to a fellow Jedi."

"No, they wouldn't do it to a fellow Jedi," Mace admitted, "but they can and will do it to a fallen Jedi - which is exactly what they think Obi-Wan is."

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

As he raced through the suddenly teeming Senate hallways, Obi-Wan tried to shield out the thoughts of the confused and frightened politicians. The Senators stampeded through the halls, making it almost impossible for the Jedi to reach his destination, and the rampant emotions only added to his difficulty.

\I am not going to get to the hanger bay like this\ he realized, as he stopped and turned to survey the nearest intersection. The cross-hallway was also full of Senators and aides flailing wildly in their attempts to escape the undefined peril. Discarding the halls as a means of travel, the Knight found his attention drawn to the airshafts that ran along the walls. The spacing would be tight, as he was no longer the twelve-year old Padawan who had been known for his ventilation journeys, but it would provide unimpeded access to the hanger bay.

Drawing the Force to him, Obi-Wan reached out and tore the nearest ventilation cover from its fastenings, tossing it to the floor and unintentionally startling the surrounding politicians. As he tensed to make the jump into the open recess, a sudden and unexpected swelling of emotion distracted the Knight. Where before had been fear and terror, there was now a fierce undercurrent of rage, almost visibly black in its malevolence.

Hesitating and reaching out with his senses to discern what new threat could possibly have caused such a surge, Obi-Wan suddenly found himself under attack. The Senators and aides immediately surrounding him had witnessed his use of the Force, and spying the lightsaber in his hand, their identification was complete. As the enraged mob turned on him, venting their frustrations and fears on the representative Jedi, Obi-Wan found himself defending against those he would have died to protect.

Unwilling to injure his attackers, the Knight soon found himself overwhelmed. As he began to falter under the constant barrage of kicks and punches, Obi-Wan tried one last time to call the Force and escape. As he reached out to the ever-present energy field, he felt a dark shade fall; severing the connection he had known all his life.

As the angered mob continued its assault, and the Knight began to buckle to the floor, Obi-Wan reached out to Anakin, desperate to reach his Padawan. As the severed ends of the bond throbbed mockingly in his mind, Obi-Wan bit back a cry of distress. \I should not have destroyed the link, I should have found another way. I shouldn't have done that to Anakin.\

With the useless remorse and misplaced guilt crippling him even further, the Knight's defense faltered entirely. As if sensing his surrender, the crowd surged forward, and the Jedi Knight was soon lost in the maelstrom of anger and hate.