As Anakin stepped onto the landing ramp of their transport, he took note of his surroundings with some surprise. A warm breeze drifted across his face and he wondered how it was possible for a society to remain so isolated from the rest of the galaxy. The information in his briefing pad was scant at best, but even the description of a non-technological society hadn't prepared him for what he saw.
There were no speeders, swoops, or shuttles: no sign of advanced mechanics, electronics, information terminals or droids anywhere. Most everyone he saw was walking to their destination, while a few rode equaras on unpaved roads. The buildings were made with clean lines and geometrical shapes, though none were raised above four stories, with the exception of the Governor's Palace. And everywhere there were signs of nature. Trees, bushes, plants, flowers, gardens overflowed and yet complemented the bustling city instead of taking it over. The spaceport and its occupants were an anomaly within the rustic atmosphere.
He felt rather than heard Master Gallia's presence at his shoulder, but her whispered, "Padawan?" reminded him that he did not have the luxury of standing around like an awe-struck initiate. /Time to show her what I can do,/ he thought.
Grounding himself, he reached for his center, reflexively seeking the Force to aid him. The dark tremors he felt heightened his suspicion that this investigation was far from routine; the sense of danger wasn't immediate, but the threat was enough to put him on guard.
Anakin turned to his companion, "I believe the acting governor is expecting us. Shall we?"
"By all means. Lead on," Adi replied.
*****
Standing in the richly furnished offices of the Provincial Governor, Anakin and Adi watched as the acting governor gracefully stepped around the huge marble desk and pulled the overstuffed leather chair out. The handsome older woman looked at the two Jedi with sadness and determination.
"My husband, my nyaro, was a prominent activist in the move for Republic membership, honored Jedi. The whole of Ria'Antes Province grieves his passing. Until new elections can be held, I will stand in his place."
Lady Telah Gayor bowed her head, allowing midnight black hair streaked with silver to shield her face as the depth of her loss overcame her. Anakin watched her carefully and noted the genuine grief in her voice as she spoke.
"Ranuk was a good man. He left early that morning to make sure everything was running smoothly at Linneth. That evening was to be his greatest achievement, a historical moment for Siesna." She paused and gathered herself. "He was elected by the largest majority in the history of Ria'Antes, and organized the Assembly into a functioning body of government. Always doing whatever he could to improve life for his people. ~He~ is the reason you are here." With a brittle smile and determined eyes, she turned to the Jedi and motioned for them to sit.
"What can you tell us about the attack?" Anakin asked gently.
Lady Telah sighed. "Only that facts are very few, and rumors are abundant. The Assembly was to be convened at Linneth. With its size and grandeur, we hoped to make a good first impression. I am told, however, that it was definitely not chosen for potential security. Access to the Hall was restricted, but its design was filled with hidden passages and entrances that were never properly mapped out."
"The explosives?" Anakin prompted.
"From what we can tell, there were several highly concentrated charges planted throughout the building. We haven't been able to determine exactly what was used, but as you've probably noticed our technological development leaves us at a disadvantage."
Adi leaned forward, "You mentioned rumors?"
"Yes. You will more than likely hear them from numerous sources, so I will only tell you what we know for certain. Of the seventeen Provinces, sixteen voted unanimously for Republic membership. Officially Nemagi Province abstained from the vote, but they, or more specifically Lord Nier, continually ignored the summons. In addition, they have cut off all trade agreements and have intensified guardianship of their borders." She paused and Anakin could see she was choosing her words very carefully. "Each Province is essentially an independent entity and Nemagi Province is currently abiding by all of our planetary laws. But taking into account that region's history, Lord Nier is certainly acting out of character."
Anakin lifted an eyebrow at this and silently urged her to continue.
"Lord Nier has been re-elected four times, an extremely unusual occurrence, but considering how well loved he was by his people, no one thought anything of it. He couldn't be classed as liberal-minded by any means, but his ideas and innovations were progressive, foremost among them, his desire for interplanetary trade. Siesna has only one active spaceport; Lord Nier campaigned for the construction of another."
Her narrative stopped abruptly and her gaze became unfocused. After a few moments, Anakin looked at Adi, but she shook her head and waited patiently for Lady Telah to return to the present. Anakin firmly took hold of his impatience and squashed it. /You'd think that after spending so much time with Master Qui-Gon, I'd have mastered patience by now,/ he thought ruefully.
Just then something flickered at the edge of his awareness, but before he could pursue it, Lady Telah slowly resumed speaking.
"Eight years ago, he stopped attending political functions. Relations with bordering provinces became strained and he cut off all communication not directly related to the office of governor. No one outside of Nemagi Province has seen him in six years."
At this, Telah stood wearily and regarded the pair with tired warmth. "There is little more I can tell you. Ranuk would probably have had words of wisdom and strength. But I am not him," she finished softly.
Anakin's voice was filled with compassion. "Strength comes in many forms, my Lady. We are sorry for your loss." She looked at him, then nodded.
"There will be a reception this evening to welcome the Jedi and introduce you to the delegates from each Province. Tomorrow will be devoted to showing you our world, and answering any questions you have for us. I will have someone show you to your quarters so you may rest before this evening." Recognizing the dismissal, the Jedi bowed and took their leave.
As Anakin left the chamber, he tried to grasp the itch in the back of his mind. For a brief second he felt the disturbance again, but just as he was aware of it, it was gone. Pushing aside his frustration, he looked to Master Gallia to see if she had noticed it. But either she was ignoring it until they could discuss it openly, or she hadn't felt it. Anakin suspected the latter. He forced himself to relax and expanded his awareness. He would be alert and attentive. They were being watched.
*****
Four
*****
The Jedi stand out among the colorful plumage of the Assembly members. He watches them from the shadows, engaging, charming, soothing. He smiles to himself, amused. His orders are specific: Watch. Do not interfere. But his target is an exception. Someone he would suffer no censure for eliminating. Avoiding the Rangers who guard the exits, as well as the more subtle ones who are disguised amongst the crowd, especially Kenobi, he moves toward a dark-haired woman in conversation with the tall Jedi. He waits patiently. Eventually she walks away. He follows her.
*****
'The reception is a necessary evil,' Obi-Wan thought to himself. 'But that doesn't make it any less tedious.' He wished desperately that he could allow himself to be distracted, but that would betray all that he and the Rangers had worked for.
"Kenobi, sir?"
Obi-Wan turned his head and indicated with a small nod that he was listening. The young man quietly relayed the status report while sharp green eyes never left the activity of the reception. When he finished, the young man stepped back and blended seamlessly into a conversation with a group of politicians.
Satisfied that the situation was under control for a brief moment, Obi-Wan stepped out onto one of the isolated balconies that Lady Telah refused to close off. 'That woman is as stubborn and independent as her husband was,' he thought sadly. Running a hand through his shoulder length ginger hair, he acknowledged his feelings of guilt. 'I should have been here. I knew something was going to happen.'
But the Elders had sent for him. His continued association with the Rangers was barely tolerated as it was, if they knew the true extent of his involvement...he could not fathom the consequences. So he went to avoid their suspicion.
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. It was a tragedy, yes, but the Darkness had shown its hand and would, he felt, do so again tonight. He accepted and embraced his guilt, allowing it to fuel his determination.
'I will *not* let this happen again.' Casting out his senses, he searched for the elusive thread of greed, hatred, and chilling anger he had encountered before leaving Linneth.
There. It was slippery, but when he could grasp it, he knew it was close, and growing in intensity.
A predator.
Quick as thought, he was through the balcony doors. A silent signal to the closest guard and the Rangers had discreetly blocked the exits.
But not before he noticed a tall blond figure in a subdued brown robe slip out.
*****
Anakin knew something was...off.
Yet despite his control and diligence in remaining calm, he couldn't pinpoint what bothered him. He knew *something* was going to happen.
And from the whispers in the Force, he knew it was going to change his life.
Anakin sighed, pushing his anxiety aside and concentrated on the here and now. He was satisfied that his plan was coming along nicely.
Master Gallia was in her element. A dry wit, intelligent eyes, and an elegant presence, she could charm the entire room if she wished. She could also draw the attention of the more extravagant politicians, giving Anakin the opportunity to gather intelligence from people who knew everything about everyone, whether aware of it or not: aides, secretaries, and servants.
Although he was not ignorant of diplomatic small talk, in fact many years with Qui-Gon had practically guaranteed he learned something of it, Anakin knew that Adi completely outshined him in this area. It was pointless and foolish to pretend otherwise. So he had divided their responsibilities, each to their own strength.
Already he had quite a few bits of information gathered from various sources, he just had to figure out how the puzzle fit together. One comment in particular peaked Anakin's curiosity: just before Lord Nier had dropped out of sight, an extensive mining operation in the mountains of Nemagi Province had yielded disastrous results.
Anakin hadn't yet found out what those results were, but his instincts told him this trivial incident was important.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck rose. He turned around to see a young dark haired woman, dressed in a simple and tasteful indigo dress, approaching him, hands clasped in front her and covered by long sleeves. She gave a short nod in greeting.
"Honored Jedi. I expect you are learning many things about our world."
Again the Force whispered to him. "Yes," he replied simply.
She regarded him curiously for a moment. When he remained silent, the corner of her mouth turned up in dark amusement.
"Very good." Her eyes slowly traveled the length of his body, and Anakin suppressed a shudder at her lustful gaze. "You're smarter than you look." A reluctant sigh and her eyes returned to his face. "There are things I must tell you. But not here." With that, she turned and left the hall.
Anakin followed.
*****
'She knows these passageways rather well for a guest,' he noted wryly.
She had led him to a different corner of the palace, well apart from the noise and chatter of the crowd. They walked down a deserted corridor, slipping past the occasional guard. Heading through a narrow set of doors, they stepped onto a balcony with a beautiful view of the forest glistening in the moonlight, offset by mountains in the distance.
Anakin began second-guessing the woman's motives. Their surroundings were more suited to a romantic tryst than meeting an informant. He watched as she strolled to the edge and leaned against the railing, any trace of seductive teasing gone from her face.
"You've heard the rumors?"
He nodded.
"And no one has mentioned the apophylite." This was more statement
than question.
"Apophylite?"
"The crystal we were mining." Distractedly, she murmured "Strange. I didn't think I was the first to get out."
"What happened?"
She stared at him for a long moment, and the shadows in her eyes spoke of misery and pain. "We worked."
Abruptly her expression darkened and she advanced on him. "Do you know what it's like to have your freedom stripped from you? To have every movement, every thought, watched? To know you are nothing more than what others can get out of you?" she asked harshly.
Anakin was caught off guard. The bitterness and hatred in her voice sparked something inside of him. Yes, he knew. He could never forget.
She cut him off before he could respond, "Of course not. You're a Jedi. Powerful and emotionless." She turned away and looked blindly at the forest before her.
Her words were like a blow to the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that he did understand, but the words wouldn't come. Defensive and frustrated, he didn't sense the danger until too late.
A blinding light and the shockwave and debris from the blast threw him to the ground. Then Anakin was falling as the balcony gave way.
Warmth.
A strong hand closing around his, stopping his rapid descent. Anakin looked up and the image of fire reflected in emerald green eyes.
Pain shot though his arm as he was lifted to safety, but it was dull and inconsequential compared to the warmth and peace flowing from the arms that held him as he lost consciousness.
*****
There were no speeders, swoops, or shuttles: no sign of advanced mechanics, electronics, information terminals or droids anywhere. Most everyone he saw was walking to their destination, while a few rode equaras on unpaved roads. The buildings were made with clean lines and geometrical shapes, though none were raised above four stories, with the exception of the Governor's Palace. And everywhere there were signs of nature. Trees, bushes, plants, flowers, gardens overflowed and yet complemented the bustling city instead of taking it over. The spaceport and its occupants were an anomaly within the rustic atmosphere.
He felt rather than heard Master Gallia's presence at his shoulder, but her whispered, "Padawan?" reminded him that he did not have the luxury of standing around like an awe-struck initiate. /Time to show her what I can do,/ he thought.
Grounding himself, he reached for his center, reflexively seeking the Force to aid him. The dark tremors he felt heightened his suspicion that this investigation was far from routine; the sense of danger wasn't immediate, but the threat was enough to put him on guard.
Anakin turned to his companion, "I believe the acting governor is expecting us. Shall we?"
"By all means. Lead on," Adi replied.
*****
Standing in the richly furnished offices of the Provincial Governor, Anakin and Adi watched as the acting governor gracefully stepped around the huge marble desk and pulled the overstuffed leather chair out. The handsome older woman looked at the two Jedi with sadness and determination.
"My husband, my nyaro, was a prominent activist in the move for Republic membership, honored Jedi. The whole of Ria'Antes Province grieves his passing. Until new elections can be held, I will stand in his place."
Lady Telah Gayor bowed her head, allowing midnight black hair streaked with silver to shield her face as the depth of her loss overcame her. Anakin watched her carefully and noted the genuine grief in her voice as she spoke.
"Ranuk was a good man. He left early that morning to make sure everything was running smoothly at Linneth. That evening was to be his greatest achievement, a historical moment for Siesna." She paused and gathered herself. "He was elected by the largest majority in the history of Ria'Antes, and organized the Assembly into a functioning body of government. Always doing whatever he could to improve life for his people. ~He~ is the reason you are here." With a brittle smile and determined eyes, she turned to the Jedi and motioned for them to sit.
"What can you tell us about the attack?" Anakin asked gently.
Lady Telah sighed. "Only that facts are very few, and rumors are abundant. The Assembly was to be convened at Linneth. With its size and grandeur, we hoped to make a good first impression. I am told, however, that it was definitely not chosen for potential security. Access to the Hall was restricted, but its design was filled with hidden passages and entrances that were never properly mapped out."
"The explosives?" Anakin prompted.
"From what we can tell, there were several highly concentrated charges planted throughout the building. We haven't been able to determine exactly what was used, but as you've probably noticed our technological development leaves us at a disadvantage."
Adi leaned forward, "You mentioned rumors?"
"Yes. You will more than likely hear them from numerous sources, so I will only tell you what we know for certain. Of the seventeen Provinces, sixteen voted unanimously for Republic membership. Officially Nemagi Province abstained from the vote, but they, or more specifically Lord Nier, continually ignored the summons. In addition, they have cut off all trade agreements and have intensified guardianship of their borders." She paused and Anakin could see she was choosing her words very carefully. "Each Province is essentially an independent entity and Nemagi Province is currently abiding by all of our planetary laws. But taking into account that region's history, Lord Nier is certainly acting out of character."
Anakin lifted an eyebrow at this and silently urged her to continue.
"Lord Nier has been re-elected four times, an extremely unusual occurrence, but considering how well loved he was by his people, no one thought anything of it. He couldn't be classed as liberal-minded by any means, but his ideas and innovations were progressive, foremost among them, his desire for interplanetary trade. Siesna has only one active spaceport; Lord Nier campaigned for the construction of another."
Her narrative stopped abruptly and her gaze became unfocused. After a few moments, Anakin looked at Adi, but she shook her head and waited patiently for Lady Telah to return to the present. Anakin firmly took hold of his impatience and squashed it. /You'd think that after spending so much time with Master Qui-Gon, I'd have mastered patience by now,/ he thought ruefully.
Just then something flickered at the edge of his awareness, but before he could pursue it, Lady Telah slowly resumed speaking.
"Eight years ago, he stopped attending political functions. Relations with bordering provinces became strained and he cut off all communication not directly related to the office of governor. No one outside of Nemagi Province has seen him in six years."
At this, Telah stood wearily and regarded the pair with tired warmth. "There is little more I can tell you. Ranuk would probably have had words of wisdom and strength. But I am not him," she finished softly.
Anakin's voice was filled with compassion. "Strength comes in many forms, my Lady. We are sorry for your loss." She looked at him, then nodded.
"There will be a reception this evening to welcome the Jedi and introduce you to the delegates from each Province. Tomorrow will be devoted to showing you our world, and answering any questions you have for us. I will have someone show you to your quarters so you may rest before this evening." Recognizing the dismissal, the Jedi bowed and took their leave.
As Anakin left the chamber, he tried to grasp the itch in the back of his mind. For a brief second he felt the disturbance again, but just as he was aware of it, it was gone. Pushing aside his frustration, he looked to Master Gallia to see if she had noticed it. But either she was ignoring it until they could discuss it openly, or she hadn't felt it. Anakin suspected the latter. He forced himself to relax and expanded his awareness. He would be alert and attentive. They were being watched.
*****
Four
*****
The Jedi stand out among the colorful plumage of the Assembly members. He watches them from the shadows, engaging, charming, soothing. He smiles to himself, amused. His orders are specific: Watch. Do not interfere. But his target is an exception. Someone he would suffer no censure for eliminating. Avoiding the Rangers who guard the exits, as well as the more subtle ones who are disguised amongst the crowd, especially Kenobi, he moves toward a dark-haired woman in conversation with the tall Jedi. He waits patiently. Eventually she walks away. He follows her.
*****
'The reception is a necessary evil,' Obi-Wan thought to himself. 'But that doesn't make it any less tedious.' He wished desperately that he could allow himself to be distracted, but that would betray all that he and the Rangers had worked for.
"Kenobi, sir?"
Obi-Wan turned his head and indicated with a small nod that he was listening. The young man quietly relayed the status report while sharp green eyes never left the activity of the reception. When he finished, the young man stepped back and blended seamlessly into a conversation with a group of politicians.
Satisfied that the situation was under control for a brief moment, Obi-Wan stepped out onto one of the isolated balconies that Lady Telah refused to close off. 'That woman is as stubborn and independent as her husband was,' he thought sadly. Running a hand through his shoulder length ginger hair, he acknowledged his feelings of guilt. 'I should have been here. I knew something was going to happen.'
But the Elders had sent for him. His continued association with the Rangers was barely tolerated as it was, if they knew the true extent of his involvement...he could not fathom the consequences. So he went to avoid their suspicion.
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. It was a tragedy, yes, but the Darkness had shown its hand and would, he felt, do so again tonight. He accepted and embraced his guilt, allowing it to fuel his determination.
'I will *not* let this happen again.' Casting out his senses, he searched for the elusive thread of greed, hatred, and chilling anger he had encountered before leaving Linneth.
There. It was slippery, but when he could grasp it, he knew it was close, and growing in intensity.
A predator.
Quick as thought, he was through the balcony doors. A silent signal to the closest guard and the Rangers had discreetly blocked the exits.
But not before he noticed a tall blond figure in a subdued brown robe slip out.
*****
Anakin knew something was...off.
Yet despite his control and diligence in remaining calm, he couldn't pinpoint what bothered him. He knew *something* was going to happen.
And from the whispers in the Force, he knew it was going to change his life.
Anakin sighed, pushing his anxiety aside and concentrated on the here and now. He was satisfied that his plan was coming along nicely.
Master Gallia was in her element. A dry wit, intelligent eyes, and an elegant presence, she could charm the entire room if she wished. She could also draw the attention of the more extravagant politicians, giving Anakin the opportunity to gather intelligence from people who knew everything about everyone, whether aware of it or not: aides, secretaries, and servants.
Although he was not ignorant of diplomatic small talk, in fact many years with Qui-Gon had practically guaranteed he learned something of it, Anakin knew that Adi completely outshined him in this area. It was pointless and foolish to pretend otherwise. So he had divided their responsibilities, each to their own strength.
Already he had quite a few bits of information gathered from various sources, he just had to figure out how the puzzle fit together. One comment in particular peaked Anakin's curiosity: just before Lord Nier had dropped out of sight, an extensive mining operation in the mountains of Nemagi Province had yielded disastrous results.
Anakin hadn't yet found out what those results were, but his instincts told him this trivial incident was important.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck rose. He turned around to see a young dark haired woman, dressed in a simple and tasteful indigo dress, approaching him, hands clasped in front her and covered by long sleeves. She gave a short nod in greeting.
"Honored Jedi. I expect you are learning many things about our world."
Again the Force whispered to him. "Yes," he replied simply.
She regarded him curiously for a moment. When he remained silent, the corner of her mouth turned up in dark amusement.
"Very good." Her eyes slowly traveled the length of his body, and Anakin suppressed a shudder at her lustful gaze. "You're smarter than you look." A reluctant sigh and her eyes returned to his face. "There are things I must tell you. But not here." With that, she turned and left the hall.
Anakin followed.
*****
'She knows these passageways rather well for a guest,' he noted wryly.
She had led him to a different corner of the palace, well apart from the noise and chatter of the crowd. They walked down a deserted corridor, slipping past the occasional guard. Heading through a narrow set of doors, they stepped onto a balcony with a beautiful view of the forest glistening in the moonlight, offset by mountains in the distance.
Anakin began second-guessing the woman's motives. Their surroundings were more suited to a romantic tryst than meeting an informant. He watched as she strolled to the edge and leaned against the railing, any trace of seductive teasing gone from her face.
"You've heard the rumors?"
He nodded.
"And no one has mentioned the apophylite." This was more statement
than question.
"Apophylite?"
"The crystal we were mining." Distractedly, she murmured "Strange. I didn't think I was the first to get out."
"What happened?"
She stared at him for a long moment, and the shadows in her eyes spoke of misery and pain. "We worked."
Abruptly her expression darkened and she advanced on him. "Do you know what it's like to have your freedom stripped from you? To have every movement, every thought, watched? To know you are nothing more than what others can get out of you?" she asked harshly.
Anakin was caught off guard. The bitterness and hatred in her voice sparked something inside of him. Yes, he knew. He could never forget.
She cut him off before he could respond, "Of course not. You're a Jedi. Powerful and emotionless." She turned away and looked blindly at the forest before her.
Her words were like a blow to the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that he did understand, but the words wouldn't come. Defensive and frustrated, he didn't sense the danger until too late.
A blinding light and the shockwave and debris from the blast threw him to the ground. Then Anakin was falling as the balcony gave way.
Warmth.
A strong hand closing around his, stopping his rapid descent. Anakin looked up and the image of fire reflected in emerald green eyes.
Pain shot though his arm as he was lifted to safety, but it was dull and inconsequential compared to the warmth and peace flowing from the arms that held him as he lost consciousness.
*****