The trip back to Naboo was a silent, mournful affair, despite the successful rescue of over fifteen Jedi Knights and the former handmaiden Sabé.  Medical treatment was administered and rations handed out, all with a silence more befitting a funeral than the completion of a victorious mission.  The baby, Leia, was tended to by one of the Knights who had received less of the Empire's "hospitality" as Bant and N'erak worked to keep the remaining guests of Emperor Palpatine alive for the trip from Coruscant to Naboo.

A message had been sent to what remained of the Jedi Council, but the need for security prevented Knights Bant and N'erak from making all but the briefest of reports.  In fact, Master Yoda, who had answered the call, seemed only interested in the most inane of all things.  "Wearing what, Obi-Wan was?"  "His beard, did he wear?"

Though confused, Bant had answered all of the venerable Master's questions, as they revealed nothing of any importance to any unexpected listeners.  At the end of the brief and determinably odd interview Master Yoda had merely nodded his head and signed off.  It was the strange gleam within his eye that had the two Knights wondering if perhaps all was not quite as it seemed.

~~~

The Force-inhibiting collar was not comfortable in the least, but its effects were quite familiar.  If nothing else, the long years of his isolation on Tatooine without even the Force as a companion had taught Obi-Wan to rely on his own inherent strengths first and foremost.  Though he had found it necessary to conceal his identity as a Jedi, the older Obi-Wan had still managed to continue a regiment of physical and weapons training despite his inability to call on the Force.  It had been a difficult and grueling task, but Obi-Wan was never more grateful for it than he was now.  For despite being once again within his younger self, the memory of those many hours of conventional training stayed with him, making a more formidable adversary than ever the Emperor could have imagined.

~~~~

Upon their arrival at the underground base on Naboo, Bant and N'erak were immediately escorted to the current meeting of the Council.  With the dangers posed by Imperial spies, the Council never announced their meeting place, nor held sessions in the same area more than once.  As a result, the two Knights were led to a section of the base that neither had cause to visit previously.  Waiting outside of the blast-shielded doors, the two Jedi spoke quietly as they studied the rough rock-hewn walls.

"Why isn't the Council more worried that Obi-Wan remained behind?" Bant questioned, as a slight frown marred her usually pleasant expression.  "I know that they were upset with him over Anakin, but that really does not seem like enough for them to just dismiss this."

Nodding, N'erak began to pace.  Recognizing the mannerism as one that her friend always enacted when he was thinking deeply, Bant remained silent until he spoke.  "Did you notice that, not once, did Yoda refer to Obi-Wan as "Master" Obi-Wan?"  N'erak questioned, continuing on before he allowed the Mon Calamarian a chance to speak.  "Not only that, but Yoda's questions… they seemed to be more cryptic than usual, even for him."

As the Healer opened her mouth to speak, N'erak abruptly stopped pacing and turned on his heel to face her, interrupting her before she could begin.  "And where was Obi-Wan's lightsaber?  I know he was told not to bring it," he stated, again before she could get a word in edgewise, "but where is it?  He didn't give it to me, and I know he didn't give it to you…"

This time as N'erak fell silent in his ruminations, Bant didn't even attempt to speak.  Instead, her own mind whirled with the implications of what her friend had just suggested.

~~~

From his position at the Emperor's side, Obi-Wan found himself privy to a level of depravity that he had never before witnessed, even during some of his more horrendous missions as a Jedi Knight.  Sidious's complete lack of empathy and compassion, coupled with his immense cruelty led to methods of torture and conviction that was beyond that of even the Hutts.  The Emperor's own men cowered when called before him, despite the successful completion of their missions.  For his own part, Obi-Wan schooled his features to neutrality, affecting a disinterested façade, despite the part of his soul that cried out in shame and horror. 

The solid gold chain that connected the former Jedi to his "Master's" throne ensured his physical presence, but not even the Force-collar could keep Obi-Wan from turning his mind away from the scenes that played out before him.  It was only his escape to another mental plane that kept his mind from shattering as the Emperor inflicted his tender care on two recently taken captives.  As a Jedi, he had been conditioned to the horrors of war, and the consequences thereof, but no amount of training could prepare him for Palpatine.  The Emperor had ordered the execution of all of the soldiers onboard the captured Rebel ship, but had demanded that any and all civilians be brought before him.  As the ship had been involved in a raid, the civilian complement was low, with only the Captain's children in residence aboard the cruiser.

Despite his vow to remain silent and bide his time, Obi-Wan could not help but speak out as the two bedraggled children were led into the Emperor's throne room.  The youngest, a human girl of only a few years, had looked at him with the most startling of blue eyes, her gaze begging him for help as if she had realized that he was her only hope.  The other child, a girl only a few years older, had kept her gaze fixed on the Emperor, though the shudders that ran throughout her body belied her calm appearance.

"These children were captured onboard the Liberty," he Imperial Commander announced, his voice ringing out harshly in the space-chilled room.  "They attempted to escape, and two of my men were injured during the subsequent chase."

"Your men were incompetent," Sidious hissed, after a prolonged silence.  "If you cannot control them better, I will have to find another Commander."

Knowing better than to make a reply, the Commander bowed quickly, before turning and leaving the throne room.  As the large doors clicked shut in his wake, the two children seemed to huddle even closer to one another.

~~~

When Knights Bant and N'erak were finally admitted before the Council, both were practically thrumming with unanswered questions and unexpected hope.  The doors had barely shut before N'erak spoke.  "Obi-Wan has a way out, doesn't he?" he demanded to know, ignoring the Council protocol that had been practically embedded in his mind since his time as an Initiate.

"Patience you lack," Yoda admonished.  "Give your report first you will, then ask questions you may."

Nodding his head curtly, N'erak began his report, beginning with the launch from Naboo and ending with the moments just before the Council doors had opened.  Bant offered her own insights throughout, or when N'erak seemed to have had a different perspective on something.  As they wrapped up their report, the two Jedi watched the Councilor's closely, both of them concealing a hope that was as unexpected as it was cherished.

"And what exactly did General Kenobi say to the Emperor?" Master Windu asked, his dry tones doing little to conceal his anticipation of the answer as he leaned forward in his chair.

"He told Palpatine, 'On my word as a Jedi, I am yours,'" Bant replied, repeating what Knight N'erak had already reported.

"You are certain?" Mace stressed, his dark eyes studying her closely.

"Absolutely," Bant answered, as N'erak nodded in confirmation.

Sharing a look with Master Yoda and the other Councilors, Master Windu offered N'erak a slight smile.  "You are quite correct, Knight N'erak," he stated, "Obi-Wan does not intend to stay with the Emperor any longer than necessary."

"But how can he betray his word?" Bant interrupted.  "He gave his word as a Jedi.  Obi-Wan would not lie like that."

"But give his word as a Jedi, he cannot," Master Yoda declared, his ears perking up as a slightly devious light shone in his aged eyes.  "Resigned from the Order, Obi-Wan Kenobi did.  Turned in his lightsaber and given up his status as a Jedi Master, Obi-Wan has."  Reaching behind his chair, the elderly Master removed the familiar hilt of Obi-Wan's lightsaber, holding it balanced within his gnarled green hands.  "Given his word to the Emperor, he has not.  A free man, Obi-Wan Kenobi is."