Author's Note: This chapter is somewhat short and for that I apologize. I would also like to thank everyone for their reviews and comments. They are most appreciated.
.....................................................................................Chapter 4
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"It certainly is quiet here today," Senator Jan'zed commented to Obi-Wan as he met her at the entrance to the third floor of the Temple. The Senator had arrived for one final meeting before departing for her own homeworld once again.
"Yes, training has been stepped up lately; the Younglings and Padawans need to be kept busy and they are progressing well," Obi-Wan replied civilly, his hands folded behind his back.
"I want to thank you, Obi-Wan. The Council's advice and guidance has been most beneficial, and I am sure that my government will prosper because of it. The Republic is indeed blessed to have such wise compatriots at its disposal."
Obi-Wan nodded politely. "Thank you, Senator."
Jameh was talking with Pilae nearby when Obi-Wan hailed her.
"Yes, Master Kenobi?" she asked, bowing.
Obi-Wan turned to the Senator. "Would you care for a tour of the Temple, Senator, since you are quite early for your meeting?"
Senator Jan'zed smiled graciously. "That would be wonderful, thank you!"
The next thing Jameh knew, she was leading the Senator through the halls of the Jedi Temple, allowing her to poke her nose in just about every nook and cranny; the young lady was seemingly enamored of Jedi architecture and constantly babbled about having her quarters on her homeworld remodeled with the likeness of several of the Temple chambers.
Though she tried to shake the feeling, Jameh felt a bit uncomfortable with the regally-dressed young woman of a Senator. She wasn't like the Lady Amidala, Senator of Naboo, whom Jameh had heard was very mature and decorous. Instead, away from the older Jedi Knights and Masters, Senator Jan'zed seemed quite like a child seeing a new star system for the first time. In fact, she was getting quite a bit on Jameh's nerves but, concealing her annoyance, Jameh was polite and obliging to the Senator.
"Jameh, I hear that there are old grottos beneath the Temple that are quite amazing," Lady Jan'zed questioned.
"Yes, Senator. There are," Jameh replied, quite sure that she knew what was coming next.
"Well, then. What are we waiting for?" the Senator said, a mischievous gleam in her eye.
........................................................................................................As the day began to wane, Anakin and Master Zeklar found Obi-Wan sitting on the sill of a large window with his chin in his hand, obviously deep in thought.
"Master, are you all right?" young Skywalker asked.
"Something isn't right, something I can't put my finger on. But what?" Obi-Wan spoke distractedly.
Anakin looked at his Master closely, recognizing the concerned look on his face. Yes, something was indeed troubling Obi-Wan, perhaps the very thing that had changed the atmosphere of the Temple.
"Masters, please, tell me what is happening. I can feel it but I do not know what it is." Anakin requested.
Obi-Wan did not move so Master Zeklar supplied the information to the intelligent young Padawan. "There is a Sith on Coruscant. We have been searching for him but have been unable to locate him. He is hiding himself from us in the Force."
Anakin was taken quite aback; he had not heard of the Sith since he had been brought to the Temple at ten years old. And now they were telling him that one was among them on Coruscant?
"He's close, Newan. But where I cannot tell. The Sith is coming," Obi-Wan murmured, still half in his meditative state.
Just then, Master Zeklar glanced around. "Where is Jameh? I have not seen her since noon." Something in him told him that he needed to find his student.
Obi-Wan looked up, finally broken from his reverie. "I sent her to give Senator Jan'zed a tour of the Temple before her meeting with the Council."
Just then, Pilae joined the fray. "The Council wishes to know where Senator Jan'zed is," she said breathlessly, jogging up to the three men.
"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan quickly stood to his feet.
"The Senator never arrived at the Council chamber for her meeting. Did something happen?" Pilae asked.
This news sent chills down both Master Zeklar and Obi-Wan's spines!
"We must find her and Jameh! Quickly!" Master Zeklar then hurried down the corridor with Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Pilae in hot pursuit. Something boded ill within the Jedi Temple.
....................................................................................................Meanwhile, Jameh stood against a stone wall while the Senator wandered through the brilliant grotto deep beneath the Temple's foundation, seeming to admire the ancient structure.
"Perhaps we should go, Senator. Your meeting is surely to start soon," Jameh suggested, moving towards the cavern passage.
Miyaie Jan'zed just laughed, the sound ringing off the walls; there was something in the laugh that alerted Jameh's senses and, automatically, she half-reached for the lightsaber at her belt.
"What are you afraid of, young Jedi? That I'm a spy?" the Senator asked lowly. "Or perhaps…you're afraid I'm something far worse?"
The Senator turned to face a deep crevice, pulling off her long, encumbering robe and tossing it aside. Beneath it, she wore a tunic and pants similar to Jameh's Jedi uniform, except they were an inky black. And on her belt--no, it couldn't be. But, yes, it was indeed a lightsaber that the Senator wore!
Jameh felt a swell of energy--an evil energy. In her mind, the darkness that had been steadily growing finally overflowed, tensing every nerve in her body as she took her own lightsaber in hand.
Just then, Senator Jan'zed turned towards Jameh, and her countenance was utterly changed. Her pretty, innocent-looking face was now twisted with hatred and anger and the dark energy seemed to burn with a rage-filled light in her eyes.
"Perhaps you're afraid that I'm something you cannot combat, Jedi. Something that has been searching for you for many years, and has finally come. Perhaps you're afraid that I am your reckoning!" Jan'zed snarled as she held up her lightsaber, a blood-red beam emitting from the hilt; the weapon of a Sith!