CHAPTER TWO
Obi-Wan stepped onto the platform of the Palace landing bay and looked around the beautiful city of Sclien. In some ways it reminded him of Coruscant, mostly because of the concentration of buildings. However, Coruscant was in no way this nice. Since the people who lived here were very wealthy they could afford to keep the hired help they needed to keep the city looking beautiful.
There were many parks scattered through out, adding the illusion that the city had wildlife and nature in it. Obi-Wan could see it didn't though. The trees looked out of place and strange in front of the white buildings, but it worked as far as feeling like they were breathing more fresh air. Coruscant didn't have such things. It was a city-planet and didn't try to be anything else. But this planet was decorated with sculptures and paintings on the side of the dazzling buildings.
The palace wasn't like anything Obi-Wan had ever seen either. It was just out in the middle of the city. Most palaces had tall walls around it and sometimes even a moat, but the palace blended well into the city and didn't look any different from the other buildings except for the sculptural design.
Obi-Wan could see down one street and saw many people walking down it with bags from shopping. They all were well dressed of course, and seemed to be happy. He did not sense anything amiss here.
"Padawan." Qui-Gon put a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder and the boy looked up at him. "We will have a chance to look around a bit later. We must meet the King and have him explain to us what we are to do." Qui-Gon started into the palace doors, which were not guarded, nor was locked. They walked right in and started up the stairs to the second level. It was there that Obi-Wan saw the Palace's guards who only checked their ID to make sure they were who they said they were. They were then guided into a large room were the King was sitting in his throne. He smiled when the Jedi stepped in and stood to greet them.
"Thank you, Jedi, for coming to our aid." He said. His crown was small and white sat upon his head. His robes were white as well with blue trimming. He seemed to fit in with the city. "We are honored to have you here."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed to him. "We are at your service."
The King smiled. "My name is Aram. That is what you may call me. I do not care for Your Highness or a title like that."
Obi-Wan looked at the King, surprised. Most royalty wanted to be called something that distinguished themselves from the rest of the commoners. Obi-Wan was impressed by him until he made another comment. "I prefer Aram better for it means high above. Much more personalized." Obi-Wan tried not to make a face as this and glanced at Qui-Gon who showed no emotion at all but Obi-Wan could tell he was annoyed.
"So what is it that you are have us to do?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Oh yes…I'm sure your Council as told you of my dilemma here." Aram said as he headed over to the side of the throne room. He was relatively young, only in his thirties with dark blonde hair that was kept long.
"Yes, they have." Qui-Gon said in a tone that urged the King to go on.
"Our peace trade is supposed to happen on the border of the city and the start of the reservation. It is to keep the Tribe, Nokuma, from declaring war on us. You might wonder why I would care if this happened. My planet is extremely wealthy. Well, wealthy inhabitants do not make an army, Jedi. These tribes are primitive. They do not indulge themselves in the pleasures my people do. They train their people to fight, and they fight well. We do not have the capability to win this war."
"Naturally I know war is the last thing you would wish on your society, but why would you not equip your city with some sort of defense?" Qui-Gon asked.
"My people come here for peace. Only the highly wealthy can live and stay here. They respect each other's privacy. That is why they come here, to live with privacy and peace. If I installed an army that would bring in more disruption to their lives, and up until now there hasn't been a problem. The Nokuma have traded us land for goods. We have supplied them with food, clothing, shelter, livestock, anything they asked for. That is how we secured the land we have, which is now half of the planet. But our city is expanding and we need more room. I have attempted to make a trade with the Nokuma, but they refused."
"It sounds like to me that it is their land and they have the right to trade it to those they please." Qui-Gon commented.
"Yes, but they feel threatened and have threatened us with war. That is why I will present them with a peace offering. To make sure they know our intentions are pure and that of peace." Aram said. "That is why I called for the Jedi's help. Just in case we come under attack."
"We are not soldiers. We will help keep the peace, but that is it. We do not choose sides in war and you must realize that if it comes to that, we will not fight for your cause." Qui-Gon said.
"I am sure it will not come to that." Aram smiled.
"Aram, may I ask you something?" Obi-Wan spoke up. "What is the peace offering?"
The King smiled. "Curious, aren't you?" He motioned the Jedi to follow him to a table in the middle of the room. A sheet covered a large object on the table and the King pulled it off revealing a white bird.
"A bird?" Obi-Wan asked, stepping closer to it.
"So simple. The Nokuma revere birds as a sign of calmness and peace, especially this species. They are rare." He looked Obi-Wan over carefully. "You seem awfully familiar. What is your name?"
"Obi-Wan." He said turning back to the King. "I'm sure we have never met before. This is my first trip to this planet."
The King looked skeptical, but nodded. "Yes." He said slowly. "We have many with your features living here. It must have been another child." He pulled the sheet back over the bird's cage and started ushering the Jedi towards the exit. "I have arranged quarters for you right outside the palace. The trade will not happen for another two days, so I urge you to enjoy yourself. You will not find a more beautiful city."
"I am sure of that and we would be honored to stay, but we must also meet with the Nokuma's leader." Qui-Gon said.
The King frowned. "I encourage you not to. He does not take well to visitors."
"We know this, but we must meet with him to discuss peace." Qui-Gon replied.
"Then I will supply a transport to take you there," The King said. "With my best guide."
Qui-Gon took in a deep breath as he traded glances with the King and nodded. "We are leaving in a few hours."
"I will have him at your quarters waiting for you."
Qui-Gon just nodded in response. He and Obi-Wan bowed again before turning out of the throne room. They left the palace and started down one of the streets that led to palace, observing the life here. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Everything seemed to fit just right and have a certain place. Nothing was in disarray.
"King Aram doesn't want us going there alone," Obi-Wan spoke up after they had gotten out of the view of the palace and Qui-Gon nodded.
"I sensed apprehension. For someone who asked for our help he doesn't seem to want us to be here," Qui-Gon said. "Or it could be he doesn't want us going where he doesn't wish us to go. There is something off here."
"I sensed it to," Obi-Wan said. There was a small ping through the Force and Obi-Wan frowned then glanced up at Qui-Gon. He had felt it before Obi-Wan. They were being followed.
The Jedi casually strolled the streets, still observing, well aware that there was a being just steps behind them, watching and listening. They talked, to give the appearance that they had no idea the being was there. They discussed the city and some about the planet itself.
They kept going until they were far from the palace and the Jedi started leading their stalker down a series of streets and alleys. They could sense he was having trouble keeping up. This was what they wanted. If they could make him feel apprehensive about losing them he was more likely to make a mistake, then they could talk to him.
As the Jedi continued going down unknown streets they could feel the man almost running to keep up. They disappeared into an empty alley and the being ran after them, fearing losing his target. When he got there though, the Jedi were nowhere to be found.
Cursing in another language the being turned to leave when the Jedi jumped in front of him from a fire escape ladder, blocking his only exit out of the alley.
Qui-Gon stepped forward, his presence overtaking the man who stood up straight, not afraid, or pretending not to be. They could not see his face because a hood from a black cloak covered it, but the Jedi could sense his fear, and it wasn't just of them.
"Why are you following us?" Qui-Gon asked calmly.
The man did not answer.
"Who sent you?" Qui-Gon continued, but still there was no answer. "We aren't going to hurt you or wish to turn you in, we only want to know why you are following us."
"I was sent to make sure you stayed where you were supposed to be," The man answered finally.
"And where are we supposed to be?"
"Away from us," He said in a raspy voice.
"And who are you?" Obi-Wan spoke up.
"The Nokuma," He said.
"Why would the Nokuma be interested in keeping us here?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Because we do not want you on our land. You are enemies of us. You support the King of this city."
Qui-Gon frowned. "We were called by him to help keep peace on this planet, not to take sides."
"It seems you have though. You are meeting with an enemy that seeks to destroy us."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan shared a look. "King Aram wants to destroy you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"He and the others on this planet. They take our land, our food, our goods, our children. They take everything and give us back what is already ours in return for the land they want. But that is only to keep us at bay. Every day they destroy more of our land, taking it to expand their city."
"We do not wish for that to happen. We want for both of your societies to live in peace, this is why we are here," Qui-Gon said.
"It does not seem that way." He said bitterly.
"Then let us prove it to you. Can you take us to your tribe?" Qui-Gon asked. "We wish to meet with your leader."
"He does not want to meet with any Jedi," He replied.
"But it will give you a chance to have your voice. The Republic can stop this city from destroying your tribe. But we must see that this is actually what they are doing to you. This will give you a chance to present your case to me."
The man was silent for a moment in thought. "I will take you to my tribe. But it will but up to you then."
Qui-Gon smiled and nodded. "I must speak with my apprentice for one moment," He said and drew Obi-Wan aside. "Stay here and keep an eye out on the events here. Investigate who it is that is expanding the city and where they are getting their support. I have a feeling there is more to this then we realized."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes Master. I will contact you if I find anything."
"Be careful Padawan, and may the Force be with you," Qui-Gon said before turning to the man. "Lead the way."
Qui-Gon and the Nokumain disappeared from the alley and Obi-Wan stood there for several minutes, waiting for them to get far enough away from him so it would not look suspicious.
Feeling through the Force that his Master was well ahead of him, Obi-Wan stepped out from the alley and proceeded to walk back towards the Palace. On the way there, he contacted the King's aide to find out where he and Qui-Gon were to be staying. After receiving the coordinates, he started in that direction. He would have to do research to see if he could find out anything before exploring the planet.
As he got closer, he found himself being stopped on the sidewalk by a group of people out on the street who seemed to be having some kind of event. Not wishing to interfere or to be seen, Obi-Wan slipped behind the buildings using the back alleys to get around the people.
Even the alleys were strangely nice and well put together. Normally they were using as dumping grounds for trash and unwanted items but there was none of that here. Obi-Wan had to wonder how they kept a city this clean. Even the rich had to be messy once in a while.
There was a small warning in the Force and Obi-Wan paused. He stopped and opened himself to the Force, trying to figure out where it was coming from. It was illusive though, and Obi-Wan didn't know where it was coming from until he heard the sound of seeker droids.
Obi-Wan had his lightsaber out in an instant as he turned to face the droids. There were twelve, all coming towards him from above. As they got closer, they opened fire on Obi-Wan and he swung his lightsaber, deflecting the shots at him as he backed up, trying to get away from the blasts.
The droids continued to fire at him, getting closer until they had circled him. Obi-Wan deflected a shot and it bounced off his lightsaber, hitting the droid, which collided with another one, taking both of them out.
Getting closer, the droids poured blaster fire on Obi-Wan and the apprentice took this as an opportunity. He leapt into the air, taking five droids out at one time as he leaped to avoid the other five that were still shooting at him with all the fire power they had. Obi-Wan hit one of them with another shot of their own blaster fire, and destroyed one as it got too close him, which took out its neighbor.
With only two left, Obi-Wan kept deflecting their fire, backing up as they shot at him, only feet from the street that intersected the alley. Obi-Wan grit his teeth and leapt into the air, propelling himself at the droids as they tried to back away. Obi-Wan slashed one with his lightsaber, and took the last one out with one quick swipe of his lightsaber before landing back on the ground.
Obi-Wan stood up and looked down the alley at the droids scattered throughout the alley. It wasn't perfect anymore.
As Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber a frown came to Obi-Wan's face. Who had sent the droids? It was obviously meant for both him and Qui-Gon, but whoever sent them either was completely ignorant that the Jedi could beat the droids, or just wanted to send them a message. Either way Obi-Wan knew they were not welcome here.
As Obi-Wan turned he felt another warning and he jumped to avoid a blaster fire from a single droid. As soon as he landed, he once again felt a warning and turned, seeing a speeder coming right for him. He tried to jump out of the way, but it was too late. The speeder hit him and Obi-Wan flew across the street, landed against the curb, and he hit his head, hard. Obi-Wan's eyes closed as everything turned to black as he went unconscious.