Chapter 5 - The Truth Is Out There
Obi-Wan had laid awake through most of the night trying to come up with a plan on how exactly he could prove to Siri that he hadn't lost his mind. There hadn't been many options open to him. The best idea he could come up with was taking her step by step through the events that had led up to him awaking in the Healer's Ward. Once first morning light appeared, he dragged himself from "his" bed and went into the fresher to clean up and get ready to start his day. His morning routine was still pretty much the same. He went through his morning training with his Master, Xanatos then went to the few classes that he still had to help prepare him for one day becoming a Jedi Knight.
By the time the mid-day meal rolled around, he had decided now would be the best time to put operation: "Convince-Siri-that-he-is-not-insane" into action. He took her to the grand hall where the senate's foundation day celebration had been held the previous night, explaining to her the reason why the Jedi had been called in to help with the festivities. From there he led her down the streets that their would-be assassin had taken them until finally the two Padawans arrived at the top of the tall building where Obi-Wan had been pulled over the edge of the railing.
The wind at the top of the sky scraper was blowing strongly, wiping the loose strands of Siri's blonde hair in wild directions. She had remained silent until he was finished relating his tale to her. Obi-Wan watched her carefully. She leaned her forearms agasint the railing and stared out at the tops of the neighboring skyscrapers, her face unreadable. It was a while before she finally spoke. "So, you were pulled over the edge of this railing after the man you were perusing drugged you. Then you blacked out and woke up in the Ward."
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. He had to admit it didn't sound very convincing when said out loud it didn't sound very convincing but that was how he remembered it. "I admit it doesn't sound good–"
She turned her head and looked at him. "Doesn't sound good? Obi-Wan, if you were to tell that story to one of the healers, they'd admit you to the psychiatric ward. I mean how did you survive the fall? And how do you explain the fact that you were found in a completely different district from where this building is."
"I can't explain those things but I'm telling you that everything I say to you is Force honest truth. Reach out with the force, Siri. Do you feel any deception in me when I tell you this?"
Siri shook her head and looked back out over at the city skyline and muttered in soft voice, "I can't even tell wither you lie to me or not anymore..." She pushed back away from the railing and started toward the door that led off the roof. "You said that if I wasn't convinced after this you would drop the subject and we can move on. I'm not convinced." The door to the roof slide open and she went inside. Obi-Wan followed behind her a few moments later.
The two padawans were silent as they began their walk back to the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan glanced over at Siri. He still hadn't given up the idea that he could convince her that everything he was saying is true. He just needed to come up with some kind of proof. He almost laughed out loud at that thought. Like it would be so simple to find proof. Some caught his gaze out of the corner of his eye, a light from some source. He turned his head and looked up. The shimmering light from above wasn't coming from a malfunctioning neon sign nor the off-and-on cycles of Coruscant's underbelly street lights. It was from holovid footage of an incident in progress. He stopped walking and gave his full attention to the screen situated against one of the buildings. A news reporter was rattling on the latest news at the top of the hour. The image of the reporter disappeared and was replaced by a photo. Obi-Wan's eyes widened as he recognized the man in the graphic. It was the man he and Qui-Gon had pursed for attempting to assassinate the senator. An idea began to form in his head. If this man had survived the fall from the roof top too, then perhaps he knew something about what was happening.
Siri had finally noticed that Obi-Wan had stopped walking with her. She turned back and saw he had fallen a good distance behind and his attention was locked onto some holovid footage. She wove her way through the crowd of people to get back to him. Before she could say anything, Obi-Wan grabbed her arm and pointed towards the screen. "That's the man Qui-Gon and I chased to the rooftop of that building." he said.
Siri looked up at the screen at the picture of middle aged man. The news reporter's voice could be heard as the picture remained on the screen. "...Scientist and Paranormal Investigator, Jorund Nabal is wanted for the murder of Senator Rafer of the planet Euzo'tar. Nabal is at large and considered dangerous. A search of his home and office conducted by the Coruscant Security Force turned up no information on Nabal's whereabouts. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their nearest Security Force head quarters. In other news..."
Obi-Wan looked down at Siri for a moment then abruptly let her go and started walking again but the direction he was heading in wasn't towards the Jedi Temple. "Where are you going?" Siri called out after him.
Obi-Wan stopped and turned back to her. "I'm going to find Nabal." He said simply and started walking again. Siri just stood there for a moment at a complete loss at what she should do. In her opinion this was all nonsense and she had better things to do with her time then to feed into Obi-Wan Kenobi's delusions but at the same time in his state of mind perhaps it was not a good idea to let him wander around the city on his own.
"Obi-Wan, wait for me." She called to him as she hurried to catch up.
***
Obi-Wan took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he stood outside the Council Chamber waiting to be summoned in so he could tell the Masters and give him them his account on the events that happened during the Foundation Day Ceremony. He had stayed up half the night going over what he would say to the Council members. Over and over he had repeated his tale of the events until exhaustion pulled him under to sleep. But even after all that he was still nervous. He had lied to Jedi Masters before. He had to if his plan was going to succeed but he had never lied to the Council Members of the Order. This was going to take great skill and he needed to calm himself if he was going to make it through this final obstacle.
The trick to lying was that one had to believe what they were saying was in fact the truth. If he believed that his words were true then the council would be unable to use the force to detect whether or not he was lying. All he had to do was get done with this and his plan was done. He had made if over to the other side, there was no way that his alter could get back here and he could live out the rest of his Padawanship with the man who was suppose to be his Master. The doors to the Council Chamber opened and the padawan was ushered inside. Obi-Wan squared his shoulders and walked inside with all the confidence he could muster.
When Obi-Wan reached the center of the room, he stood perfectly still but not rigid. He had to put on a causal appearance that he was not feeling at all. His stare went from one Council member to another keeping his gaze steady on all of them. "You summoned me, Masters?"
Master Mace Windu nodded, the light in the room gleamed off his bald head. "We did, Padawan Kenobi. We would like to hear what your story on the events that occurred during the Foundation Day celebration are. A report needs to be written up and we have a blank space from the time you were pulled off the roof, to the time you arrived at the temple yesterday afternoon. Would you be so kind as to fill in the blanks for us?"
"Of course, Masters." Obi-Wan replied. He took a breath and silently thought to himself here goes nothing. "When my master and I arrived onto the roof of the building where we had chased the would be assassin, the man had climbed onto the railing. He spread his arms and proceeded to let himself fall back. I darted forward and grasped for the man's wrist as he fell. Unfortunately, the man was not very appreciative of my attempt to save him and struggled. He pulled me over the edge of the railing and we both began plummeting to the ground. I let go of Nabal and reached out towards a passing speeder car. When the speeder car had driven closer to the ground, I let go and jumped down safely to the lower levels of the city."
The council was silent for a long moment after the young man in the center of the room had finished his narration. For an instant Obi-Wan thought perhaps they did not believe him but that thought vanished and relief washed through him as Mace spoke, "It is very fortunate that you survived this experience, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan bowed his head, "Yes Master Windu."
"You're dismissed, Padawan."The council members watched in silence as the padawan straightened and turned toward the exit of the room. Once the door to the chamber shut behind Obi-Wan, Mace turned to look at Adi who was seated in a chair across the room. The dark skinned master had been puzzled as to why Adi had wanted the entire council to be present for this. He would admit that the entire even had been odd but it didn't seem so major as to warrant a Council meeting.
"He is lying." Adi stated simply.
"About what? And why for that matter." Mace inquired.
Adi crossed her legs and entwined her fingers together. "I don't know what he is trying to hide or why he is hiding something but I know he is. He referred to man him and Qui-Gon persuaded as "Nabal". How does he know the man's name?"