Author's Notes: Ohhhhh, I lied… there's one more chapter I need to construct before my unheard-of 'three-chapters-at-once' can be published. Sorry - I just completely overlooked a certain event, and need to get it written before I can go any further. I've still got you another two instalments published ATM anyway, so that should keep you happy for a while longer. Things are getting very dark and are starting to 'change' now, though… don't know whether you've noticed.
I think I've actually reached the story's mid-point! -YAY! I've only been writing this for over a year now… *she says sarcastically* ^_~ Enjoy!
SilverWolf47: LOL - that was a fine show of complete and utter bellyaching! I'm impressed. ^_^ Take these chapters as your well-earned reward. And even I don't know where this story's going sometimes… though I do have an ending in mind now, unlike a year ago, when this was just random warped-ness… ^_~
BoromirDefender: Hey, you're back! ^_^ And you'd want this to be in the movie? o_0 You sure about that…? Heh - no, really, I'm flattered! Thank you for such a kind comment!
Yeth: Hey, don't apologise! I was just curious… I used to have a reviewer called 'Seth' and just wondered. Anyway, thank you for continuing to read my fic!
Dark Poetic: Heh – I thrive on cliffies! ^_^
Cmdr, Gabe E: The pleasure's all mine, believe me – I've been working very hard on this story lately, though I'm soon going to hit a point of 'ermm… now what?' Well, I do know what I want to happen once the next few chapters are done, it's just a case of getting it all written and in a comprehensive and plausible way. Anyway, keep reading! I love enthusiastic reviewers! ^_^
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"ECLIPSE"
Part 24
Obi-Wan stared at the wall, watching condensation drip down it in tiny globules. The cell was stuffy and so far under the ground that he dare not think about it. He and Mace were no longer convicted or even accused of the recent murder of San Hill, yet they were still being held captive like criminals… It was an insurance policy more than anything to make sure that justice was done.
Kenobi laid back on the stone floor with a sigh. Windu was laid on the cot over the other side of the room, though he looked as uneasy as Kenobi felt. The Separatists were now in control here - naturally, they would be; the mayor had had no choice but to side with them, risking accusations of treachery, or worse, he if still - even now - gave the Republic his vote. And Kenobi could see only a rough ride ahead if the Corporate Alliance's magistrate was the one pulling the strings. A lawyer on the case was the last thing they needed…
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan."
Kenobi arched his head in Mace's direction, throwing the Jedi Master a frown; "What?"
"I'm sorry," Windu repeated, shaking his head, "You told me that Anakin shouldn't have been left alone, you warned me of all this… but I didn't listen."
"Master, please… this kind of thing wasn't exactly what I had in mind."
"But you had something of the likes in mind, I wager - I remember how concerned you looked."
Obi sighed, defeated - Mace could read him like a book.
Windu shook his head again, "Why didn't I listen?"
"We cannot undo what has been done," Kenobi whispered, "If it is the will of the Force, so be it…"
Windu made a quiet laugh, reminiscing of times gone by; "Do you remember one of the things Dooku always used to say?"
Obi looked to him, unable to ignore the melancholy in Mace's posture; he shook his head in response, "No, master."
"He used to say 'Nothing happens by accident'," he replied, exchanging glances with Obi, "I bet Qui-Gon would have said it to you, too…"
Kenobi smiled, recalling several incidences where his Master Jinn had indeed eminded him of such.
" 'Nothing happens by accident'," Mace repeated, staring down, "What a thing to say… do things really all happen for a reason? Did Qui-Gon die because he was meant to? Did Serenn turn because the Force wanted him to? Are the murders, rapes and foul deeds that occur in this galaxy every day happening for a reason?"
Kenobi sighed, looking down - he couldn't answer that question. He'd never tried to understand his mentor's words, he'd just accepted them; "I don't know, my master," he finally muttered, "I really don't know."
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Argente was indeed in complete control. The Sullustan mayor proved to be a typical member of his species in that he was shy and submissive - a well-known trait of his kind - and Passel had quickly taken advantage of this trait, getting a treaty signed between Sullust and the Confederacy, and also swaying them to keep the two Jedi ambassadors imprisoned until the Republic had done justice to the dead San Hill… whether San warranted this kind of justice or not.
Meanwhile, Palpatine, a wily politician himself, knew that he in turn faced an uncompromising foe in the magistrate, and had to think deeply about how to deal with Argente. He needed to get the two Jedi off of Sullust quickly, get the unfortunate situation with Anakin sorted, and also continue to uphold the reputation of the Republic, a reputation that was now tainted by the reckless quest of this one, impudent Padawan…
The last thing he needed before he embarked on his verbal battle with Passel, however, was Senator Antilles on his back…
"Let me talk to him, Chancellor," Bail insisted as he trailed Palpatine about the halls of the Senate, "I'm sure I can reason with this 'Argente'."
"My dear Antilles," the Chancellor replied, "I feel that you've already contributed enough to this case as it is - let me finish the affair. I can handle it."
"But Chancellor…"
"No 'buts', please, old friend. You do not know this magistrate - he is not a foe to be easily reckoned with. We have played into his hands, and now, I must play out of them, or face a deterioration in my Republic so rapid that our cause will be over before we even see it coming." He stopped, giving Bail one of his notoriously empty smiles, "Good day to you."
Antilles heaved a large sigh - Palpatine was taking his 'emergency powers' overly seriously for his liking, and doing everything without council. He didn't like it. But it had been ruled by the Senate, and he couldn't overturn it - it just wasn't possible with all the support the Chancellor carried - and, even if he could topple the ruling, it would only weaken the Republic further and lose him immense popularity.
Bail clenched his fists, tightening his lips in frustration as he watched the Supreme Chancellor disappear into a lift shaft alone. He prayed Kenobi and Windu came out of this alive, or else he would have to take the full blame and his influence in the Senate would quickly be gone - and he worried for a senate that was becoming increasingly filled with those who, as one, solely supported the ever-more domineering Palpatine.
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"So you decide to talk to us yourself, Chancellor, rather than send your busybodies to do your work for you?" Argente seethed as soon as he and the Chancellor faced one-another via the holo-proj'.
Palpatine smiled sourly, "My Jedi Knights, I believe you mean - we, the Republic, act as one together - we don't count just one man as our prevailing leader. My Jedi, therefore are me, or are at least as good as. Do not talk of them as though they are of the lowest level of a hierarchy…"
Passel sneered, "But of course… therefore, you give me leave to blame you for the death of my comrade, the illustrious San Hill. If your Jedi are you, as you state so bluntly, then you are as culpable as the murderer who committed this foul deed!"
Point to Passel - Palpatine ground his teeth together, having fallen into his own trap.
"This Jedi," he continued, trying to recover, "Has turned renegade - a renegade is not classified as part of a body, therefore cannot be compared or likened to those in my Republic still loyal and siding with the law. I, nor anyone other of the Jedi Order, is guilty of this crime - none but the murderer himself."
"So bring this murderer to justice - or does this no longer exist in your failing Republic?"
"If you can find him, then bring him to me - he's as good as condemned as soon as we find him… and prove him guilty, of course."
"What do you mean by that, Chancellor?"
"Innocent until proven guilty is the way of things, is it not? Or does the Confederacy's idea of 'justice' differ from ours?"
"The boy, Skywalker, is guilty. We have witnesses and proof. Bring him to justice, or face losing your support base faster than you can say your name."
Palpatine paused, his eyes narrowing onto the magistrate, "We cannot rush these matters, your grace."
"No, we cannot," the reptilian judge returned, "But you do not have time to waste - I have two of your Jedi captive here on Sullust - a world that has signed to Count Dooku's movement - and if Anakin is not found guilty, the only other culprits - these two Knights - will be the ones sentenced on his behalf."
"Justice is a twisted thing in your mind, Magistrate…" Palpatine growled, "You know yourself such misconduct will bring you no support."
"On the contrary, Chancellor, I know of many who'd be pleased to see any two from this corrupt corps put to their deaths. These Jedi are as good - or bad, as the case may be - as any, in the eyes of the majority -"
"What 'majority' is this?" the Chancellor blurted out.
Passel only continued, "And their executions will be just as accepted as that of this 'Anakin Skywalker', one who so many recently spoke of as such a 'godly individual'…"
"What is it that you're saying exactly, your grace?"
Argente clasped his scaly hands together, "We will not release these Jedi until you have brought Anakin Skywalker to justice."
"You are ransoming them for this Padawan's imprisonment?"
"We will accept no more than death - a life for a life."
"That is not how we do things in this institution!"
"Then face losing it!"
"We will not be subject to these kind of threats…" Palpatine snarled, bringing the argument to a close.
"Fine," Argente smirked, "Then come and get them…"
The Chancellor's icy eyes tightened on those of Argente before he nodded stiltedly, "Then so be it.."
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Nute was in a bit of a nervous state - he was partially excited by the prospect of getting his revenge on the Naboo, anticipating a call from the Count at any time to follow his lead and invade the peaceful planet once more, but he was also quaking in fear - word had finally reached him of San Hill's murder.
"Oh, this is awful!" he gasped, fidgeting with the sleeves of his robes.
His aide nodded, looking down in a faint mark of respect to the dead leader of the Banking Clan, "Aye, it is indeed… that poor man…"
"No, not him!" Nute dismissed, "I didn't like the man myself - he had it coming to him - but… my word, what if this crazy Jedi comes after us? What if the Republic are sick of this and are beginning to do things the wrong way?"
The aide looked rather confused and at the same time shocked, " 'The wrong way'?" he eventually asked.
"Yes - fancy murdering one of us like that! I mean, how despicable!"
"But… don't we also murder those in the Republican ranks…?" the aide dithered.
"Yes, but we're allowed to do it! They're not supposed to!"
The aide blinked, certain he'd missed something.
"Oh, I pray that we're safe from this creature…" the Viceroy went on, plodding off the bridge of his starship and out into the hall beyond.
Still the aide blinked, his brow creasing as he strove to comprehend the conversation.
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"Padmé!!" the Naberrie family seemed to chorus as one as they reached her, crowding about her on the patio. They were all lost for words, her visit coming as a complete surprise - they hadn't even known where she'd been once the Battle of Geonosis had elapsed, but never in their wildest dreams had they dared to hope of seeing her back home again!
"My little girl!" Jobal cried, the first to put her hands about Padmé's shoulders and embrace her hard, "Thank the Force you're all right."
Ruwee nodded in concurrence, "It's wonderful to see you again, Padmé…" he said, stroking her head fondly.
"Where have you been?" Sola asked, "We were so worried! And…"
"Not now, Sola," Jobal insisted, before she turned back to Padmé and said, "How about a bath, some clean clothes, and a meal? I think that'd get us off to a great start."
Padmé smiled, "I would like that, mum," she nodded, before she knelt down to Ryoo and Pooja and gave them both a big hug, "I would like that."
It'd been a long time since she'd last had a bath where she could relax - it felt good to be home. And it was sheer bliss when, afterwards, she had a decent wardrobe of clothes to change into. She made a note to herself that, when the time regrettably came for her to go back, she should pack plenty of her things to take with her. She soon emerged refreshed and a little happier from her old bedroom in the house, and then joined her family for dinner.
Ryoo wrinkled her nose up in disgust as a pile of pasta and vegetables was placed before her. Pooja would have laughed, but the same monstrosity was set before her as well. They exchanged glances, looking imploringly to mummy… but Sola just gave them the 'eat it or else' look, and they both picked up their knives and forks (Pooja in the wrong hands) before they began to slowly chomp away. Padmé, in contrast, was most thankful for the dish.
"My word, Padmé," her father chuckled as he watched her eat, "Did they starve you or something?"
Padmé swallowed her current mouthful before she replied, "No… but you don't get good food on the go, and no food like yours, mom."
Jobal smiled, "Thank you, dear."
Sola was still edgy, dying to push on with things, "Where have you been, Padmé?" she asked, twisting her pasta round idly with her fork, "We've been so worried."
"Oh, Sola…" Jobal sighed again.
"No, it's all right, mom," Padmé conceded with a hesitant nod, "I think you all have a right to know…"
Sola smiled empathetically, "The holo-reporters made huge news of it - saying you'd joined these rebels and betrayed your cause…"
Padmé looked down, the truth hurting, "I can imagine," she nodded.
Ruwee sighed, feeling much concern for his youngest daughter.
"So you have joined them…?"
Padmé nodded steadily, "Yes."
"But why?"
"I had to, Sola… please understand."
"But I can't understand - you worked so hard for the Republic, so very hard. It doesn't add up - you know it doesn't."
"I know, Sola, but… well, Count Dooku opened my eyes to something I didn't even know existed in the Republic, something so vile that it threatens to bring the entire constitution down, and is the reason that it was rotting in the first place."
"And what is this 'thing'?" Jobal intervened.
Padmé looked between them both, giving her father a brief glance also; "The Sith Master," she said.
They all looked at her, half confused and half shocked.
"And you believe this 'Dooku', this renegade Jedi?" Sola added.
Padmé gave her an honest look, "Yes… I can't explain why, but -"
"Padmé, do you have any firm evidence of this?"
"Well, no, but -"
"Then what has gotten into you? I think you're hiding something."
Padmé glanced down shamefully, whilst Ruwee gestured his fork toward his eldest child, "Please, Sola, enough."
"It's true, father," she objected, "I don't want Padmé to be suffering in silence because of some threats by these Separatists or something…"
"There's been no threats," Padmé stated, "It's all just very confusing and I can't explain it all - you know how politics is."
Sola nodded, "Yes, though I often wish I didn't…"
"Just tell us how you came to be here, my dear," Ruwee asked calmly, "That'll be enough."
Padmé nodded again, "I suppose you've heard that I signed Naboo away… well, it's to do with that. It's not a decision I made lightly, or even wanted to make, but it was just one that I had to make… Count Dooku and I -"
"He's here? On Naboo?"
Padmé turned a weary eye on Sola again and affirmed her reply, "Yes, he's here."
Sola seemed to mull this over to herself whilst her sister continued; "As I was saying, we've come here to finalise this signing, and have had brief talks with the queen… unfortunately, if the monarchy and delegation decide against Dooku's claim, he's got the Trade Federation in the wing to make them agree…"
The entire family, bar the children, heaved great sighs; "Not another blockade, for Force's sake," Ruwee gasped.
"I'm sorry," Padmé added, quite mortified by it all, "It's not my wish at all, but once you're under Dooku's wing, it takes a lot to have any impact on his mind and his decisions."
"He's a charismatic man, I've heard," Jobal said.
"Yes, he is…"
"With a powerful voice."
"I'd say 'manipulative'."
Sola watched her sister warily before a squeal from Ryoo caught her attention, and she saw that Pooja had flicked a pasta missile into her hair. Sola sighed, "Oh, girls, what have I said about being silly at the table?"
The two swiftly looked most sheepish, and glanced at one-another, trying to expose the guilty party.
Sola got to her feet and took Ryoo by the hand, "Come on, let's get you cleaned up." She walked the girl out and into the 'fresher room. Pooja remained quite alone now, and jabbed at her food jadedly…
They all sat and ate in silence for a while, before Ruwee said, "Now, Padmé, I don't fully understand what you're doing in these political matters, though I know you don't do anything without good reason, but please, just take care - you're messing in things too big for just yourself alone and it doesn't help that you always keep things to yourself. It wouldn't hurt for you to share your matters with someone you trust, you know - it wouldn't hurt to open up."
Padmé dropped her fork into her bowl:
~"It'd do you no harm to –"
" 'Open up' – yes, I've been told a million times! Back off!!"~
"Padmé?" Ruwee asked, startled.
She looked back to her father quickly, coming back to herself; she smiled, "Sorry, dad… it's nothing. And I'm sorry about all this, I really am… But I've fallen into this mess, and I'm just going to have to do my best to get out of it again."
Ruwee gave her the first encouraging smile that she'd had from anyone in a long time, "And I'm sure you will, my little dear - I'm sure you will."
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"Wanted to see me, you did, Supreme Chancellor?" the diminutive Master Yoda asked as he stood before Palpatine in his Senatorial apartment.
"Yes," the Chancellor nodded, a distant look in his eyes, "I want you to gather some of your best Jedi to report to me for service immediately."
"Immediately, excellency?" Yoda asked uncertainly, "For what cause, may I ask?"
Palpatine looked straight into Yoda's eyes, and the small Jedi felt as though an icicle had struck his heart - it was a sensation he'd never had the displeasure to feel before; "We're going to war," the Chancellor replied plainly.
TBC…