Chapter 4
Garen's cloak swirled as he left the communications room of the ship. I am sorry Master, this is something I have to do. I must speak with Anakin again. He walked into the cockpit of the ship where Bruck was checking the controls.
"What is our E.T.A?" Garen asked.
Bruck turned his head to look at Garen as he sat down in the co-pilot's chair. "We will arrive at Naboo in one hour."
Garen nodded. "Good, we are proceeding as scheduled."
"Garen, are you sure it was a good idea to not tell Bant what we're up to?"
"Positive. She'll be able to handle it when we don't come back." Garen responded with confidence in his voice.
Bruck looked out the viewport, his face wearing a frown. "What if this plan of yours fails?"
Garen shrugged his shoulders and checked the controls on his side of the console. "It's not like we aren't already involved in something dangerous."
"If Obi-Wan disagrees with your plan then will you not go through with it?" Bruck asked.
Garen gave Bruck a small smile, "Oh, he'll agree. I know he will."
Bruck narrowed his eyes in suspicion as he refocused his eyes on Garen. "There's something else going on, isn't there?"
Garen's smile faded, as his face became an emotionless mask. "It's nothing you need to concern yourself with."
"On the contrary, I believe I have the right to know." Bruck responded firmly.
At that, Garen stood up and swiftly left the cockpit.
Bruck watched Garen storm out of the cockpit, stunned at the way Garen had reacted and only reaffirming his belief that something more was going on.
Bruck's mind wandered back a few days ago to when he met Garen after the funeral.
Garen stood alone near his former Master's funeral pyre. His gaze was transfixed at the ashes that were the remains of his Master. Bruck heard Garen whisper a few words before he turned around.
"What are you doing here Bruck?" Garen questioned.
Bruck gave Garen a hurt look. "Why shouldn't I be here? I am your friend and you need the support of your friends right now."
Garen turned away from Bruck as he spoke, "I want to be alone right now."
"To let you wallow in your guilt and pain? I don't think so." Bruck responded.
"Leave me alone, Bruck."
Bruck decided to go for a different tactic as he sensed that he wasn't doing any good by being direct. "Have you received any news from Obi-Wan?"
"You know that we are supposed to avoid contacting Jedi teams unless the council permits it." Garen replied as he turned around to look at Bruck.
"I know but he hasn't let that stop him before." Bruck replied.
"Maybe he's busy." Garen suggested.
"And all the other times he was not?" Bruck shook his head. "Honestly Garen, you should know Obi-Wan better then all of us."
"Why do you want to know anyway?" Garen asked, redirecting the subject.
"Kenshin's been having bad dreams."
Garen raised an eyebrow. "And you're concerned about a bad dream?"
"Garen, Kenshin told me what they were and you would be concerned too if you knew what the dreams were about." Buck answered. "Kenshin said that he saw Obi-Wan wielding a red lightsaber and wearing a black cloak."
Garen pressed his lips together firmly in thought. "What was Obi-Wan doing in the dream?"
"He was instructing a nine year old boy on how to fight with a lightsaber." Bruck told him.
"What did the boy look like?" Garen asked, curiosity in his voice.
"The boy had sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes." Bruck described. "Why do you ask?"
Garen shrugged his shoulders, his face passive. "Just curious. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."
Bruck watched Garen walk away and frowned at Garen's behavior, something was up and whatever it was, he would be ready.
That night, Bruck was tucking Kenshin in bed when he sensed that Garen was making his move.
"Bruck," Kenshin said in a low voice. "Are you leaving too?"
Bruck ruffled Kenshin's hair and managed a smile. "Why do you say that?"
Kenshin's blue eyes searched Bruck's face as he answered. "I saw your bag behind the door."
Bruck sat down at the side of Kenshin's bed, wondering how he was going to explain himself to a very perceptive seven year old. "A friend of mine lost his Master a few days ago and he needs some time away from the Temple. Bant will be taking care of you while I'm gone."
Kenshin sat up and reached out to hug Bruck. "I don't want you to go." He cried. "I don't want to be alone."
"You won't be alone Kenshin. Bant will be here, so will Reeft, Master Yoda, Siri, and---" his voice trailed off as he felt Kenshin's tears on his neck. Bruck rubbed Kenshin's back and hummed a soothing song as he tried to calm Kenshin. Ten minutes later Kenshin had fallen asleep and Bruck retucked Kenshin back into bed. Standing up, Bruck looked one last time at Kenshin before leaving the bedroom.
Bruck reached the hanger just in time to spot Garen begin to board a ship.
"Where do you think you're going?" Bruck yelled as he hurried to catch up to Garen.
"I am going to Naboo," Garen stated flat out.
Bruck's eyes widened, "Without permission? You know that you are not supposed to make contact with other Jedi teams unless…"
"I know that," Garen interrupted Bruck. "You know that too but it's not like we haven't done this before."
"There is a difference between contacting a Jedi team and meeting up with a Jedi team. Don't try to twist things to fit what you're planning."
Garen continued up the ship and closed the ramp as soon as Bruck was on the ship.
"Why?" Bruck asked, "You have friends here at the
Temple, too."
Garen smirked as he settled into the pilot's seat and began to warm up the engines. "You have absolutely no idea what I'm up to."
"Of course not and whatever it is, I'm not about to let you do it alone."
Garen chuckled as he lifted the ship off the ground and flew it out of the hanger. "Very well, if you insist. I'm going to infiltrate the Sith temple and find Anakin."
Bruck stumbled backwards in surprise at this revelation. His mouth opened and closed but no words came out as he tried to overcome this unexpected answer.
"You better get strapped in." Garen informed Bruck as he began to make calculations for hyperspace as they left the planet's atmosphere.
Bruck numbly sat down in the copilot's seat and strapped himself in. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
Garen didn't reply as they jumped into hyperspace.
A thought suddenly occurred to Bruck as he brought himself back to the present. How am I to explain to my Master why I'm on Naboo without exposing Garen's plan?
A loud rapping on the door awakened Anakin from his slumber and he got out of bed, rubbing his red, swollen eyes. "Will you just hang on a minute?" he yelled as the harsh knocking continued. He washed and dried his face as he made himself presentable and then changed into a pair of fresh clothes he found lying on a chair. The harsh rapping on the door began again as Anakin headed to open the door. Opening the door, Anakin was almost knocked in the head by Maul's fist.
"Finally; come on, the council commands our presence," Darth Maul told Anakin gruffly.
Anakin didn't say anything as he followed Darth Maul to the council chambers, annoyed that he had been woken up so rudely.
In the shadows a lone figure followed them cautiously and quietly.
"The votes have been cast and tallied and I hereby announce the new queen of Naboo. May I present, Queen Amidala." Governor Sio Bibble told the crowd as he gestured his hand to Padme.
"Long Live the Queen! May her reign bring prosperity and peace to our world." Governor Sio Bibble shouted as he thrust his right arm into the air with his fist clenched.
The crowed shouted in unison as the new queen stepped forward and soon steady clapping filled the air.
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Xanatos joined in with the clapping as they moved out of the crowd and headed back to their ship.
"We should approach Queen Amidala soon; we are running out of time," Xanatos began when they were far away from the crowd.
Qui-Gon nodded his head, "That seems advisable, however – "
"Master, we are being followed," Obi-Wan interrupted as he ignited his lightsaber.
Qui-Gon and Xanatos followed in unison and stood back to back with Obi-Wan, forming a triangle.
Thirty armed guards emerged from the dense shrubbery and trees with their blasters drawn and pointed at the Jedi.
A dark-skinned man stepped out from behind the guards and held a blaster at the Jedi. "I am Captain Panaka, the Queen's chief of security. You will come with us," he told them in a strong, commanding tone.
Obi-Wan took a glance at his Master before disengaging his lightsaber. The hiss of the other lightsabers being disengaged followed in succession.
The guards surrounded the Jedi and led them into the palace.
Darth Sidious stood in the middle of the Council room, waiting for his apprentice to show up with Anakin. From what I have been told it is likely that the Jedi are planting a trap. Why then do they send Anakin with us unless they are going to use this mission to test him?
His train of thought was broken as the door hissed open and Darth Maul came into the Council room with Anakin trailing right behind him.
Darth Maul bowed to the council and then a smaller, but no less respectful, bow to his Master as he stepped up to his rightful place at his Master's side. Anakin repeated what Maul did and stood beside Maul, putting Maul in the middle.
Darth Bane eyed the trio from underneath his hood for a few minutes before he began. "You are to go to Naboo and transport a group of renegade Jedi to the Temple and bring them before us. Their leader calls himself Darth Seront, you must be cautious and look for any deception. Your transport has been prepared for you."
"Anakin, wait outside the chambers while we speak to Darth Sidious and Darth Maul alone!" Darth Fraunel commanded.
Anakin gave a quick bow and left the chamber. As soon as he left the room he found a bench to sit on while he waited. I'm glad to be out of there, they really seem dark and menacing. He shivered as he felt a coldness creep up his spine. All I want is revenge and to do that I must be strong. I must learn to stand in front of powerful beings and not to let them make me cower inwardly in their presence.
A voice broke him out of his thoughts and Anakin looked up to see a young woman looking at him. "Hi," he said quickly, Covering the fact that he had not heard her the first time.
She sat down beside him, her dark green eyes staring at him as he turned to look at her. "You are Anakin, correct?" she asked in a toneless voice.
Anakin nodded his head yes; he looked into her eyes that seemed to have small flames of fire dancing in them. Swallowing hard he redirected his gaze somewhere else.
"I am Nemiraa, apprentice to Darth Milter. I have heard some interesting things about you," she told him.
Anakin bit his lip. I may as well be back on Tatooine. Here everyone, including apprentices, make me feel small and weak.. "You have?" he managed to say.
A tiny smile appeared on her face but quickly disappeared. "Of course. My Master is on the Council so I get to know things that other apprentices may find out later."
"I see," Anakin said as he began to relax a bit.
"Have you seen the whole temple yet?"
"No, I haven't," Anakin replied.
"Do you want me to show you around?"
Anakin shook his head no. "I can't; I'm going on a mission with Darth Sidious and Darth Maul."
"Oh, I see. So where are you going on this mission?" Nemiraa asked.
"Naboo," Anakin told her as he felt his uneasiness slipped away.
"Well, have a successful mission then."
Anakin gave a weak smile. "Thanks."
Nemiraa stood up. "Remember, if you need a friend, I'm here for you," she told him and left swiftly.
Anakin watched her stride away from him, her long flaming red hair bouncing as she sharply turned into another corridor. She doesn't seem too bad.
"Anakin, come!" Darth Maul said sharply as he passed Anakin.
Anakin winced as he heard Darth Maul's irritated tone as he stood up and followed quickly after him.
Darth Sidious watched Maul storm down the hallway after Maul had told Anakin to follow him. That didn't go well at all. He better shape up if he is ever going to make a decent Sith Master. He shook his head as he walked down the corridor. He's lucky that the Jedi have returned or he would be dead already.
/Master, I have done as you have requested./
/And/
/I should have no problems in gaining Anakin's trust./
/You have done well Nemiraa, you are a worthy apprentice./
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Xanatos were led inside the palace to a small chamber. The room was simple but elegant. Two windows opposite of the door let in a steady stream of sunlight. Light purple silk curtains bordered the two windows; its frilled edges fell just two inches above the polished, brown stone floor. In the middle of the room was a cushioned chair with an ornate back. In front of it was a polished wooden desk with a few datapads stacked neatly on top of each other along with a communication device at one end.
The trio stood a couple feet from the desk and waited. Two guards stood watch inside and outside the door. Soon the door opened once again and four handmaidens in crimson robes with hoods covering their faces entered the room. Two of them went to the right and the other two went to the left till they stood at either side of the chair. Then, in came Queen Amidala, who walked gracefully to the seat and sat down.
Her brown eyes examined the Jedi closely before she spoke. "You were ordered to leave Naboo," she began firmly. "However, as the new ruler of Naboo, I will hear what you have to say before I make my decision," she finished as she picked up a data pad and placed it in front of herself on the table.
/She's testing us; she knows./
/How does she know Master/
/We'll find out soon enough./
"We are here to gain support from your planet in order that we may have allies to aid the Jedi in defeating the Sith," Qui-Gon stated in a clear, calm voice.
"I see; what do you require from us if we became your allies?" Queen Amidala asked.
"We just ask for shelter, information and supplies," Xanatos answered.
"What do we get in return? As you should know the Sith don't take kindly to rebels."
Qui-Gon nodded his head. "The Jedi will offer you and your people protection from the Sith."
Amidala narrowed her eyes at Qui-Gon, "You brought the Trade Federation to Naboo to announce your presence to the Sith; I do not call that protection."
Obi-Wan inwardly grimaced. She does have a point there, he admitted, but we knew that the Sith would focus their energy on the Jedi and not the people of Naboo. This doesn't look good.
"We took every precaution that the Sith would focus on us and not on the people of Naboo. The Sith will be concentrating more on getting rid of the Jedi than dealing with anyone aiding us," Xanatos replied easily.
"You can't be sure of that," Amidala commented.
"No, we can't, that is why we offer you and your people protection." Qui-Gon replied.
"How can you protect all your allies if you plan on fighting the Sith? In case the Jedi have forgotten, the Sith defeated you more then a millennia ago. What makes you think that you'll win this time? As I recall the Jedi are peacekeepers not soldiers; for the Sith that is just the opposite. How many worlds have joined you? What will happen if you fail? I'll tell you, they will distrust the Jedi and will not help you if the Jedi requests their help again. This is not a decision to take lightly and you must know this."
As Amidala continued to talk, Obi-Wan felt a familiar presence appear then disappear for a brief second but long enough for him to tell who it was. What is Garen doing here?
"We understand your concerns, if you wish I can give you a brief summary of what we have planned and you can base your decision on that," Xanatos offered.
/Xanatos./ Qui-Gon began over the remnants of their old training bond. /What do you think your doing/
/I'm doing what I believe should be done./
/You know as well as I do that are plans cannot be revealed to those who haven't decided to help us./
/Trust me, I know that she will help us./
/I may not be your Master anymore but I am older and more experienced then you are./
/That may be, however I feel that this is right./
"That is acceptable. Be back here tomorrow at 0900 and we'll continue this meeting then." With that, the young queen stood up and left with her handmaidens' right behind her.
"Well, that went well. Master, I was thinking. Is it possible that one of the Neimodians had let the little piece of information about the Sith slip?" Obi-Wan stated as the guards led them out of the palace.
"That is an interesting theory, Obi-Wan, however, dwelling on the past is not going to help if we can't focus on the present. Remember, keep your concentration on the here and now where it belongs.
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan answered.
