Part 12
A hooded figure stood high on the balcony overlooking Coruscant. His concealing dark robes made him seem like a monster in the night. He smiled as he turned to look at the man standing beside him. His companion was young, strong and impatient.
"The plan is going well as planned, my young apprentice" cackled the voice of Darth Sidious.
"Yes Master. They are headed towards Coruscant, but before they reach it, there is a small planet called Zeriaa" said Darth Maul as his yellow eyes glowed with excitement.
"Yes Lord Maul. She will make a great ally for the dark side and the perfect bait" said Sidious with an evil laugh.
"She will be perfect" he responded.
"Go now, and make sure you do not fail me, Lord Maul." said Sidious.
"Yes Master" said Darth Maul as he turned and walked towards his ship, smiling with anticipation.
Qui-Gon sat quietly trying to concentrate, when he looked to see his young padawan approaching him quickly. By the looks of his face, Qui-Gon could tell he was angry. "What is the matter Obi-Wan" he asked.
Obi-Wan walked straight towards the window, looking out in space. "She's impossible" he said.
Now Qui-Gon understood. Once again, Obi-Wan and Kirana had gotten in an argument.
Obi-Wan continued on. "She thinks she's the most noble and intelligent person to walk this planet! She's too proud."
Qui-Gon cleared his throat. "I take it you had an argument with Kirana" he said.
Obi-Wan turned around. "Yes. I just can't stand her presence. Every time I say something to her, she takes it the wrong way. She's so uptight and she calls me arrogant"
"But Obi-Wan, do you mean what you say to her" asked Qui-Gon.
"Well-yes, sometimes. I just want her to admit things and she never does" he replied.
"Well, it doesn't matter because I don't want to have anything to do with her."
Qui-Gon smiled. "I think you like her already, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan stared at him. "Like her? Don't be absurd. I can't possibly like anyone who is so self-righteous all the time."
"Be mindful of your feelings, Obi-Wan" said Qui-Gon as he got up and left the room.
"Yes, Master" said Obi-Wan as he stood motionless.
Kirana sat in a chair, scanning the computer. She had nothing else to do, so she was exploring her surroundings. As she looked at the computer screen, she saw the various numbers of planets that the ship was passing by. She clicked on each planet, to know more about them.
Obi-Wan headed towards the main cabin when he noticed Kirana. He frowned. The passage way was so narrow here that he wondered if he could possibly avoid brushing against her as he passed. No such luck. Their bodies brushed against each other and Kirana turned to look at him.
With mixed feelings, she turned back around. Kirana could feel guilt pass through her, remembering what she had said to him. From looking at his face, she could tell he was not pleased to see her. But when she remembered what he had said to her, that made her upset again, so she tried to push all thoughts about him out of her mind. Little did she know that Obi-Wan was thinking the exact thing she was.
As Obi-Wan passed her, he too felt guilty for what he had said. He didn't like to argue with her. He wanted to apologize, but a stubborn part of him refused to. Oh well, I'll let her say sorry first. But her angry words still echoed through him. "Your pride will be your downfall."
Shmi smiled as Qui-Gon entered the room. He sat down next to her. "So, how are you feeling" he asked, smiling in return.
"Oh, fine. I'm, just worried about Anakin, that's all." she said slowly.
Qui-Gon stared at her eyes. "Yes, I could see that you won't rest until you see him for yourself" he laughed.
"But what about you? You seem preoccupied with something." Shmi pointed out.
Qui-Gon sighed. "Well, it's about Obi-Wan and Kirana. They continue to argue with one another. With them arguing, they cannot work together peacefully and keep their attention focused on what is needed to be done."
Shmi looked at him with sympathy. "But I thought they had feelings for each other. I have never seen them argue."
Qui-Gon smiled. "Yes, it is obvious they do, but they are in many ways very different and yet, very alike. I hope they set aside their disputes and become better friends."
Shmi smiled. "You care for both of them deeply."
"Yes, I do. But I know Obi-Wan better than I know Kirana. I know how stubborn he can be. He's like the son I will never have."
"Anakin thinks you would make a wonderful father. He really looks up to you" said Shmi.
Qui-Gon grinned. "And what about you"
Shmi blushed. "Well, yes, I think so too."
Both of them just stared at each other, not knowing what else to say. Shmi could feel a peaceful kind of warmth spread over both of them.
The darkness swirled around Kirana. It was like a spirit, mocking her. A blazing hot fire. A dark man. There was no escape. Kirana stroked again and again with her lightsaber, keeping her mind with the force. She looked into his yellow eyes, eyes full of hatred and evil. His devilish face with black and red tattoos. His haunting smile. He came closer and closer to her, holding his double sided lightsaber, bringing his face only inches from hers. His hand stroked her face. Her face burned. Kirana jumped high and landed behind him. But he was ready. He twisted and slashed at her with powerful blows, pushing her back. But wait, where had her light saber gone? She had no way to defend herself. She looked at the madman's eyes. She ran as fast as she could, trying to escape him.
She gasped. Mist surrounded her. She found herself staring at the wall. Strangely, it was moist. She had been cornered. She spun around, the man came closer, like a giant panther closing in on his prey. Suddenly, she felt a white hot pain sear through her body as his lightsaber went through her. She felt calm and watched all this happening in slow motion.
Obi-Wan ran towards her. His face was filled with pain. She could hear his screams. "Nooooooooo".
Kirana opened her eyes and gasped as she stared at the face in front of her.
