The Book of the Little Friend
"Why are you being so difficult?" Bali grumbled as he took the tiny droid brain cavity apart for the third time. Removing the mechanical brain with a delicate touch, the apprentice studied it. Everything seemed fine. There was no scoring on it; the electrical surge had not damaged the processor.
His gaze sought out the myriad pieces that were systematically laid out across his desk. Until he got Warbler back together there wouldn't be any studying there wasn't room. "Do not make the last couple years of my life a waste. I worked very hard to learn your anatomy and scavenged for replacement parts. You do not know how hard it is to find PodBot parts. It seems your model was universally hated and was almost entirely recycled."
Inserting the tiny brain back into the inner frame, he made sure it was properly secured then with a heavy sigh laid it back down on the desk and sank deeper into his seat. Rubbing his brow, he decided to give it a rest as concentrating to hard made his head ache.
"It is not this hard," he said straightening again. "I can do this, I know what I am doing." Taking a deep breath he released his growing frustration to the Force and allowed his thoughts to gently turn back to the little droid that lay in pieces before him.
His attention quickly drifted over to the small green outer shell. Picking it up, he studied it. Someone had tried to clean the dented casing but still the more severe scorch marks remained. He felt bad about not getting the little droid repaired earlier but things happened in those months after he awaken from his own injuries and unfortunately Warbler became a casualty.
Or maybe, and this was the big what if, he was afraid the little droid's brain was fried beyond repair. Warbler had tried to help him only to be slammed with a powerful Sith lightning attack. The droid was so tiny. Even with its shielded brain it did not respond when he turned it on back in the healing ward so many years ago.
His master needed him worse back then. At the time, he had feared that his master also was damaged beyond repair but with time Obi-Wan had improved. So maybe Warbler had the same chance.
Not particularly focusing on any problem in particular, Bali allowed the Force to guide his hands and he quickly picked up a tool that allowed him to access a damaged area near the power source. Guiding the Force into the capillaries, Bali could sense where the flow of power to the processor was obstructed. Quickly working to replace the damaged wiring, Bali burst into a grin as the little processor went into an idle but functioning mode.
The padawan quickly reassembled the dinged casing of the little droid and held it there in the palm of his hand. Momentarily pensive he paused, afraid the nothing would happen when he activated it. Gathering his courage, he took a fine pick and inserted it into a tiny hole on the PodBot's belly. Carefully poking around, he found the activation switch.
An awkward click sounded, then several and Bali was happy to feel the droid begin to hum as its antenna perked up. Suddenly the droid shot out of the youth's hand and flew wildly around the room.
"Warbler!"
Rude whistles rippled from the PodBot as it flew from Bali's room into the common area. It began to chirp as if searching for something.
"Warbler, come back!" Bali called as he raced to the front door that Warbler was trying to activate. "Master will be very grumpy with us both if you escape."
An indignant beep was the droid's response as it spun around and headed for the rooms again.
Calmly reaching out, Bali grasped the droid with the Force and drew it back to his hand. The droid plaintively called out but could not break free of his hold. Taking the little droid in hand, he turned it around to face the sensors. "What is the matter with you, Warbler? It is me."
Another series of rude chirps and whistles ripped from the little droid as it struggled to pull free.
"You silly little beast. I just fixed you." Sighing, Bali let go and Warbler began its search for an escape again. Bali paced across the room and sank to the couch, watching Warbler fly madly about the rooms. "Did you dream?" the padawan asked softly. When the droid flew close, he asked, "Do you not remember me? I am Bali. I look different but it has been six years."
Warbler rudely chirped in passing.
"I doubt master has changed so much…at least not in appearance." At the thought Bali grasped his flame tipped padawan braid and held up the ginger end. "Remember this?"
The PodBot flew up to the boy and extended a small arm from behind a small panel. The tarnished silver pincers grasped the ginger hair and pulled.
"Ow! Hey, that is attached!"
Another stream of rude sounds filled the air as the droid continued to search for escape.
"Warbler, come back!"
The Book of Temple Ghosts Part III
"No, no, he should not have pulled me from—"
That all too brief instant of clarity came to an immediate end the instant liquid fire raced through Obi-Wan's veins. His voice cracked as he began to scream again. "Fire! Everything is burning! Someone help me! Burning! Help!" The young knight howled as arms reached up through the flames grabbing tight to his burning skin in a fierce bid to drag him deeper into the unholy fire.
"Help!" White-hot pain laced through his brain rendering him unable to grasp the Force, yet in madness he kept reaching desperate for the solace it could provide. Wildly he tried to shove away the burning figures that were dragging him deeper into the flames. Through the smoky haze in his mind he occasionally heard a startled cry causing the fear to take a greater hold. A spike of terror momentarily overwhelmed the pain, fear that this torment would never end.
His words muffled and interrupted as he twisted free of the grips that were holding him in the blaze. He was burning. Not just the flesh but the bones, his blood was boiling in his veins. He kept screaming but received no help as the fiery demons held him down.
"Fire! Stop the fire! Help!" No one came as he continued to fight those that would destroy him. He could hear their voices but did not understand their words. The pain was too great for his mind to focus. He bucked against the restraints.
"Help me! Mistake! Help!" Managing to pull his right arm free of its imprisonment, Obi-Wan tried to Force shove his captors away.
Another cry bled into his agony filled mind.
Bucking against the pain that had insinuated itself deep in his nervous system, he howled. Kicking violently, the young Jedi managed to free his legs of the hands that restrained him. No matter how hard he fought; he could not pull his left arm free. Between nerve shattering bursts of liquid fire, the young knight was able to finally firmly grasp the conduit of light and energy. Although he could not focus his mind to soothe that fire in his body, he could use it against his captors. Lunging forward he nearly pulled his last appendage free, but that was not his intent. Another surge of liquid fire was about to be pumped into his veins and he had to react.
Drawing the Force close to him, he directed a shove in all directions. It was not as effective as a single, directed push but it freed him of his captors. The instant he was released, manically searching hands went to the source of his pain buried deep in his chest. Fingers clawed at the wound, desperate to remove the foreign object that remained.
His captors laid siege to him, prying his blood covered hands free of the wound.
"No! No!" he cried out jerking and howling.
Voices rose up
around him but he would not listen to them. They were trying to drag him deeper
into the fire.
"No!"
Lashing out, Obi-Wan threw his fist forward connecting squarely with something firm yet strangely soft. A familiar grunt filed his senses and through the smoke in his mind, the young knight saw stunned silver eyes just before Bant toppled backward.
"Grab him!" Master Healer Dirad called out as stepped over the very unconscious Bant.
Obi-Wan howled the instant several large knights and padawans pounced upon him pinning the wounded Jedi to the exam table. Other healers and helpers raced around picking up the broken items strewn about the floor.
"Someone drag her out of the way before she gets stepped on," Dirad said motioning to Bant. A medic named Winn helped a padawan that had been thrown to the floor to her feet before racing over to pull Bant free of the danger zone. Dirad added, "I want her checked for a concussion and give her a sedative to keep her quiet when she wakes up." The yellow skinned healer jumped out of the way of a dangerously aimed boot heel. "And get me the Malfalox!"
When he was certain Winn was after the Force suppressing drug the Oscian moved around the struggling Jedi to Obi-Wan's thrashing head.
The young man was howling. Wild blue eyes stared up at the healer. "Help me! No. No!"
"We are trying," was the gentle reply.
"Burning! Fire!" Obi-Wan screamed until his voice was shattered and raw still bucking against the pain. He jerked, Force tossing a large humanoid padawan across the room.
Reaching past several arms that pinned Obi-Wan to the table, Dirad examined the wound. He did not believe the wound to be immediately life threatening but if they did not get the device, some sort of submission dart, out of the young man soon there could be serious neurological damage. Then the healer pressed his long yellow finger to Obi-Wan's forehead. He tried to offer calming energies but the young man's shields were still powerful even in the maddened state.
"Here!" Winn called out over the cries, offering a loaded syringe of bright green liquid.
Taking it up, Dirad paused, having hoped not to have to use this extreme but the young knight was not only a danger to himself but everyone around him. If he didn't bring this to an end, half his staff would need medical treatment. "This will help, I promise," he said softly driving the needle deep through the layers of Obi-Wan's tunic into the warm flesh of his arm before slamming the plunger down.
It took only moments for the heavy sedative to begin to take affect. The straining hands that held the young knight in place began to relax as Obi-Wan's fight grew sluggish.
"Fire," Obi-Wan rasped still struggling. "Help." Panicked blue eyes widened and Dirad knew from experience that the knight was discovering the Force suppressant's effect.
"It will be all right," the healer said gently resting a hand on the knight's still pinned arm. Turning to the waiting team, he began barking orders, "Prep him for surgery, the faster we get the neural scrambler out of him, the better."
The Book of Messages
Bali's bright green eyes followed the little droid as it raced circles through his room. "You are making me very dizzy."
A sharp beweep ripped from the tiny green PodBot.
Sighing, the youth flopped down on his sleep couch, still watching as Warbler flew circles in the closed room. Closing his eyes, he tuned out the soft hum of the manic droid and gently cast out into the Force. His efforts were immediately rewarded with his master's warm but agitated signature. The apprentice wondered what master had upset Obi-Wan so. He could think of several meddling Jedi, all of which seemed to have plans for his master.
More than that, Bali sensed his master's weariness through the bond. Retreating slightly, the apprentice allowed Obi-Wan the peace and quiet to meditate and regain his strength.
He was glad that his master was settling back into the temple all right. There had been fear that when the knowledge of Master Jinn's arrival reached Obi-Wan, the Jedi would deem it fit to leave on another mission. Instead he took the news well and returned the discussion back to Bali's studies.
Allowing his thoughts to drift a little farther, but never leave sight of his master, the padawan acknowledged the things only he was capable of seeing. Bali could see through the mask that his master wore to hide the ever-growing frustration that he was not as capable as he used to be. The Force healing that had saved Bali's life had taken much from his master and it showed in the quiet ways when the mask faltered. A bit of unsteadiness, a tremble here and there, the slower pace. His master hid it well from those who could not get past image he created on the surface.
Yet it seemed to take more deep healing meditation and rest to maintain the façade with every passing day. The image his master projected was a great thing to behold.
Beyond that the apprentice was awed by the sharp mind, that not even illness could dull. Even if the flesh grew weak, the Jedi's spirit was as strong and deeply entwined with the Force as ever.
Bali knew that if he could be half the Jedi his master was, he would be content. He also knew that as long a he did his best, his master was proud of him. Obi-Wan had always been very clear on that.
The chime of the communication unit in the common room snapped Bali from his reveries. Bounding to his feet he raced passed the circling Warbler. Quickly gathering himself, he activated the small console. "Padawan Tiro speaking," he formally said as his gaze settled on the holo of the emblem of the Jedi High Council that flashed over the viewing area.
The image of an elderly gray skinned Miasaar female appeared. "Where is your master?" the councillor gruffly demanded.
"He is meditating elsewhere." Bali tried to remain calm yet determined that his master was not going to be disturbed. Serinka was one of the recent additions to the Jedi Council and he knew from experience, she questioned everything in his master's weekly reports from Itheria. He always had the feeling she did not like Obi-Wan. And she was the one who was pushing to send them back out into the field before he had a chance to take his test. That it wasn't important to complete his knowledge trials. Without that behind him, it would hold up other parts of his training and make getting to knighthood more difficult. He could not remain a padawan forever.
"You will rouse him," she said suspiciously, her dark eyes sharply watching through the viewer, "and inform him a special guest of the council is waiting at the primary entrance. He will escort her to the council chambers with time for a long journey."
In other words, confuse her, Bali thought dully, knowing this was an outsider to the temple that was waiting.
"Are you paying attention, young Tiro?" she snapped.
"Yes, Master."
"I prefer to be addressed as Madame."
"Yes, Madame Serinka," Bali corrected. "Who may I asked is to be—"
The transmission was abruptly ended.
The dark haired youth sighed. Grabbing the small writing board from next to the comm unit, he keyed the erase button clearing the last message and quickly wrote out a short note. Replacing the stylus in the board holder, he placed it on the table.
Then racing to his room, he slipped his cloak on and adjusted it, remembering that his master always advised him to look presentable even in the temple. Then he pulled his marker-laden braid free and allowed it to cascade down over his chest.
Drawing on the Force, he reached out and captured the still circling Warbler. The small droid angrily chirped as he snatched it out of the air. "I'm not going to hurt you," the apprentice said. "Just putting you into idle mode. Master would not be pleased to return and find you flying around."
After pocketing the PodBot, he raced from the apartment to find whoever awaited escort to the council chambers.
The Book of Things of Importance
Swimming in the healing energies of the Force it was easy for Obi-Wan to want to stay there. For in moments of true meditative peace there was no cold, no ache and no lingering illness from healing wounds that should not have been healed.
It would be easy to stay in the dream. Floating along the currents of cosmic energy, one with all those that had gone before.
Yet, there was still much to be done.
Bali needed him.
Slowly bringing himself to full consciousness from the depths of a powerful healing meditation, Obi-Wan exhaled deeply. Pale blue eyes opened to the quiet meditation garden that surrounded him and the sheltering yawen tree that he had often found peace beneath since his childhood. A gentle breeze shifted the golden leaves drawing the Jedi's attention. He offered the gnarled old tree a little smile. He was glad for the tree's stability, it offered him the security that not everything changed.
He would have sought rest in the apartment, but something about it bothered him. When inside the rooms he felt that at any moment, Qui-Gon would come bursting in but that never happened. It just left him with a sense of limbo caught until that elusive something happened. At the same time, a small part of him was ultimately grateful that never occurred. Yet, he could not erase the residue of the Force signatures that mingled in the rooms. They were something to be expected, as the ghosts of the past remained all throughout the temple as reminders of those who have walked the corridors.
Although, it was not the memory of his former master's presence or that of anyone else who had occupied the apartment Bali now seemed so fond of. It was the fact that when his mind was calm and the Force moved easily through his weary form that he could sense his own Force signature as bright and shining as it was in the years before Tatooine. He had difficulty accepting that had once been him.
It was not him, he firmly told himself, at least not anymore. That Obi-Wan was dead, having closed some unknown path and forced to walk another treacherous road. Sometimes, he wondered if the other path would have been easier, marked with less mental scarring.
Like all frivolous thoughts, such speculation was a waste of energies. What was could not be changed and in the end, he could imagine no life outside of being Bali's master.
Leaving the peacefulness of his meditation, he smoothly rose and tugged lightly at his cloak. Making his way to the rough stone path that snaked through the garden, he paused to look back at the sheltering tree.
A slow walk took him passed the many ancient trees from all over the galaxy that grew all over the peaceful garden. The occasional sparks of color drew the Jedi's attention. It seemed that no matter when he visited the garden the tuka flowers were always in bloom. Their blue and red pedals brought a whimsical sense to the gold and greens of the garden.
At the arching doorway, Obi-Wan paused, knowing whatever peace he had found would quickly be robbed of him.
Waiting in the small intersecting corridors was Qui-Gon Jinn. The tall master brought his hands together in a warm, yet pleased action. He offered the younger man a gentle smile but remained silent.
"Master Jinn," Obi-Wan cordially said then stepped around the other Jedi that remained in his path. A hand grasped his cloaked arm and pale blue eyes turned to face his former master again.
"Please, do not walk away from me." It was not a demand, but held all the power of longing and need.
"I have things to—"
"Please," the white haired man said softly.
Sighing, Obi-Wan relented but said nothing. As the silence drew out, he tugged at the edges of his cloak. Studying his former master, he noted the more intense lines around his midnight blue eyes. The white of his usually tied back hair. Outside that, Qui-Gon looked little changed from the days of his apprenticeship.
When the older man still said nothing, Obi-Wan accepted that as his opportunity to leave. He gave a shallow nod then turned to leave. He only made a few steps.
"Wait," Qui-Gon called.
Closing his eyes, the younger man drew in a short breath to calm his quickly unsettling emotions. Wrapping his feelings behind layers of shielding, he turned. Speaking in a low tone, "So we can stare at each other a little longer?" Drawing close to the tall man. "What will that accomplish?"
"Lately I have been thinking that—"
All of Obi-Wan's Jedi calm was not enough the hide the brief look of incredulity that crossed his features.
Qui-Gon shifted slightly as if suddenly uncomfortable. It surprised the younger man.
"Obi-Wan," the tall master said, "I know that I have not always been accessible—"
"I am planning on meeting my padawan soon." He wished that his former master would get to the point of this painful exercise. He did not intend to revisit a past that he worked so hard to put behind him.
"I do not mean to keep you," the elder said. "I just wanted to speak with you. It has been so long. I saw Bali the other day and was shocked at how he has grown."
"He is nineteen."
An unhappy look fluttered across Qui-Gon's face. "He appears to be a very accomplished young man. You must be proud. I see that he will be a great Jedi knight."
"He will be the best that he can be. That is all I expect of him." Obi-Wan had spoken with a cool firmness. He did not like it when others placed a burden of greatness on the boy.
An unsettled silence grew up between the two men.
As if sensing Obi-Wan's thoughts, the older man sighed. "I suppose in that statement was my mistake. I expected too much of my padawans."
"Yes, I suppose it is difficult when your apprentices do not always agree with you. Or when they fail you."
Qui-Gon frowned. "I will not argue with you about Anakin." He folded his arms across his chest. "Our feelings about him are different and we will have to agree to disagree on it."
"Who said I was speaking of Anakin?"
"Obi-Wan."
The younger man laughed softly as he twisted about, eyeing the passersby in the corridor. No one seemed to notice the conversation. Or at least they politely pretended not to notice. "You say my name like I am a disobedient padawan. It has been a long time since I have been called down like that."
"I miss those days when there were no complications. When we were master and padawan and nothing came between us but the mission and your training."
"Do you really believe that?"
Qui-Gon arched a brow.
Shaking his ginger head, Obi-Wan grimaced and retreated a step. "No, I do not want to talk to you, Master."
"Obi-Wan, please." The tall master reached out and gently brushed his fingers against his former padawan's rust colored cloak.
The younger man's shoulders sank slightly, showing the weight he carried. "I am tired. I have no interest in things that cannot be undone. All that matters to me now is Bali's training." With that, Obi-Wan turned and walked away.
The Book of Busy Corridors
It would have been better had he known who was waiting for his master to escort them to the council chambers. It was obviously someone that he knew otherwise they would have just sent a council page to do it. And if the person were important enough a councillor would have preformed the task. In the end, the lack of knowledge did little slow Bali as he walked briskly through the corridor leading to the grand corridor.
He had always been a fast walker; he had to be to keep caught up with his master in the early days of his apprenticeship. It was too easy to get left behind if he dallied or did not work hard to stay behind his master. Along the way, though, things had changed and now he was the one struggling not to leave his master behind.
It wasn't like that all the time. From experience, Bali knew that Obi-Wan's exaggeratedly slow pace was an effort to conserve energy. In the temple there was no rush to do anything and his master's attempts to well strength bothered him. Obi-Wan only did that when he knew a time for action was on the horizon and he would need all the strength he could muster.
The apprentice was never entirely certain if his master was aware that he was doing it or not. In the last several years he had seen Obi-Wan's caution and care to preserve his strength and knew without question that was going on now. Yet Obi-Wan offered no hint that he was expecting a mission. They were in the temple to stay for several months at least.
That was what he hoped.
Bali's stream of thought was shattered when a voice called out to him. "Do my eyes deceive me?"
Twisting about, Bali searched the faces of passing Jedi and smiled at the sight of a very tall red headed padawan working his way toward him. "Awar?"
"In the flesh!" the tall apprentice laughed as he gave his long time friend a warm hug. "I did not think you were ever coming back," he excitedly said.
"We could not stay away forever," Bali replied.
"You sure had me fooled. So how long are you staying?"
"Awhile, I think. I am trying to prepare for my class completion test."
"Oh good luck, I did mine about a year ago and it was hard. Remind me later, and I'll help prep you for it."
"And probably give me all the wrong answers," Bali teased.
The red haired boy laughed. "Who, me?"
"As if you have never done that before."
"I had it on good authority that they were right." Awar grinned. "Hey, a bunch of us are getting together later tonight, want to join in? I'm sure there's going to be a lot of stupid padawan tricks."
"I will try."
Awar frowned. "Why doesn't that give me a lot of faith?" After a short pause and in a lower tone he asked, "So how is your master?"
"Better. Much better." Bali smiled, desperately trying to stifle any worry from his face.
"That is good." The taller padawan grinned. "I need to be on my way, Master Anya is getting impatient for me to show up at practice. You'll have to come over to the apartment sometime and meet her. You would like her."
"Sure."
"See you," Awar said offering a gentle wave of his hand before walking away.
Bali waited until his friend was on his way before returning to his journey. Across the grand corridor, which actually was a bridge connecting what once had been two towers of an older addition to the temple but now was part of a massive open area filled with stairs, levels and lots of place for Jedi to congregate and discuss whatever topic suited them.
Halfway over the bridge, he stopped and stared up at the vaulted ceiling far above him. The bridge was aligned with the highest current level of the city planet. It was the invisible line within the temple where all above it was a visible part of the Coruscant skyline and all that was below was buried by the many levels of the ever-growing city.
Passing through the high arch of the interior Tower of Knowledge, the apprentice picked his pace up again and raced toward the grand staircase that once cascaded down into a courtyard but in recent decades had been turned into a protected entryway into the temple.
Pausing at the top of the expansive marble staircase, Bali stared down at the large round information desk that divided the entrance. To one side was just a lounge area and to the other was a small garden. He could see into the lounge and noted several figures milling about but could not tell specifically which one would be waiting for his master. A small part of him had hoped it was the four-armed Besalisk, Dexter Jettser. He wished that his master might make a short journey into the city's CoCo district to see the creature of many talents. He had always liked Dex.
Not that he actually expected the Besalisk wanted to talk to the high and mighty Jedi Council.
The rich brown of his boots, glided over the blood red veins in the white stone stair steps quickly carrying the nineteen-year-old to the expansive landing. As he approached the desk, a Neopek knight motioned him toward a lone figure in a flowing green cloak with the hood pulled low. Bali nodded, as he quietly approached the waiting figure and noted the material was of some fine import but it carried no embroidery or edging that made it stand out. He cast out in an attempt to glean any information and was surprised to be faced with low level mental shielding. Retracting the mental probe he came to a stop before the still form and bowed.
"Master Kenobi," a woman's voice uncertainly intoned as she pulled her hood away revealing Padmé Amidala.
Bali straightened, noting the flutter of uneasiness that moved through him at the sight of the glowing senator. For the briefest of moments, he heard whispers of a long dead Jedi master who once could see the future. Quickly finding his composure, he promptly corrected her, "No, Milady, I am Bali Tiro, Master Kenobi's apprentice."
Padmé looked at him curiously before recognition fired behind her brown eyes. "Bali? Forgive me, Padawan Tiro. I did not realize you are so tall."
Offering a lopsided grin, he responded, "I have always thought myself to be rather short, Milady." Taking a step back and to her side, he announced, "I am here to escort you to the council chambers."
"Where is Master Kenobi?" she quickly asked, holding steadfast to her place.
"He is unable to attend and I am here in his place."
"He is well?"
"Yes, Milady."
"Good." She smiled then reluctantly accepted Bali's guidance to a lift that quietly waited at the far edge of the staircase.
The Book of Healing Part III
Smelling of soap, the freshly showered Bali Tiro walked into the healing center. He smiled at the healers and medics in the halls as he ran his fingers through his still damp hair causing it to stand up in the familiar padawan spikes.
The thirteen-year-old grinned at an older, pretty padawan. She smirked and turned back to her report. It didn't phase Bali a bit as he always smiled at Padawan Hakata. He had heard once that she thought he was cute for a kid. A small part of him had been offended at being called a kid but the larger part had been deliriously happy.
All of his muscles ached from the rough workout he had just been through. Well, it felt rough but any other time it would have been considered a light workout. Master Mace, who hade been watching over him during his master's recovery had felt he needed to get back into shape.
He was getting soft, was Mace's exact words, too much lazing around the healing center. It had been a hard month trying to get back to a somewhat normal schedule when all he wanted to do was stay at his master's side.
Turning another corner to the hall with private recovery rooms, Bali had to admit that it did feel good to get back out on the training floor even if everyone stared at him like he had grown a second head. He had not decided if it was awe or fear yet. Mace had told him not to be too concerned, like everything else they would forget when something new and interesting came along. Certainly that happened everyday, right?
The apprentice slowed his pace slightly as he came upon his master's room. His first instinct was to brace himself, fearful of what he might see, but the Force soothed him in the knowledge nothing had changed since he was there a few hours earlier. Taking on a warm smile, the boy entered the quiet room. "Master Mace put me through a light work out." Frowning a little, he continued, "He wiped the floor with me. Half the padawan's in the temple were watching." His breath held tight in his throat, waiting ever so patiently for some wise remark from his master but none came.
Every day for two months, Obi-Wan spent his time sitting in a chair. In the beginning he stared out, answering a few questions then as time went on grew silent but his eyes still spoke. They had the training bond and Bali could sense emotion from his master. Then even the link grew still and Obi-Wan's eye remained closed most of the time.
As he often did, Bali sent a gentle probe out through the bond. He met nothing. No barrier, no jagged edge of a severed link, nothing. It was as if the bond was there but no one to grasp the other end.
Master Mace had inquired the day before exactly what he sensed from his master. He didn't want to lie and in the end could not and told the councillor that he felt nothing.
The healers in all their wisdom could not help his master; they didn't know what was wrong with him. Healer Dirad had said it had been centuries since another Jedi had healed a mortal wound saving the patient but it killed the Jedi. They could not explain it the first time his master did it years ago and now they had even less ability to explain how Obi-Wan had saved Bali and still survived the trauma.
If this state of waking coma was considered surviving.
Obi-Wan was strong, stronger than any Jedi Bali knew of and he would come through this fine. At least that was what the apprentice told himself, it made going to sleep easier offering him hope that the next day would be better.
"The Festival of Light is coming up, Master." The boy silently waited, hoping that the mention of the holiday would spark some sort of reaction. It would be the third festival they would celebrate as master and padawan but it would only be special if his master awoke.
Pressing a hand to Obi-Wan's shoulder, Bali said softly, "It is okay, Master, if you are not ready." He stared into the closed eyes and noted the flecks of gray that streaked the older Jedi's hair and beard. "Do you dream?"
The Book of Need
Padmé adjusted her stance as the lift she and Bali rode in rocketed skyward through the High Council spire. She had never been in the Jedi temple but got an excellent tour as the young man next to her had led her in a twisting, turning, backtracking manner that had thoroughly confused her but eventually brought her to this place.
As a member of the Loyalist committee she had been in the presence of Masters Yoda, Windu and Mundi on a few occasions but it was always within the chancellor's office or some other official place. She had never faced the full Jedi High Council and certainly not on their own turf.
Glancing across at the padawan next to her, she gave a soft smile then quickly looked away the moment to youth turned his head. They handsome padawan had been strangely quiet. Friendly and managed to answer most of her questions but she could sense there was something that bothered him.
He also reminded her of—
She stole another glance.
"Milady?" Bali asked curiously but was careful to stay within protocol.
The senator stifled a startled smile and stared straight ahead at her reflection in the brushed silver doors. "I was just thinking how many years have passed. I don't necessarily see it in myself or in my husband." She paused. "Time does not appear in Coruscant as none of the buildings have changed in the last several years. But I see it in your face. I remember the smiling, giggling little boy who turned so brave that size and age had nothing on other Jedi when he pulled me to safety from that Sith beast's lightning attack. I know you are he and yet I see in your face a wise Jedi. One who would inspire trust wherever you went."
"I am merely a padawan," Bali humbly replied as the lift door opened and he ushered her out into the corridor.
Padmé frowned but allowed herself to be guided on the short walk to the council antechamber. "They are waiting?" she asked softly allowing her nervousness to show through.
"Yes, Milady, that is my understanding."
It was silly, Padmé decided. She never had a problem addressing her fellow Naboo as queen or even standing before a hostile senate, but something made her a little hesitant about facing the Jedi.
At the massive wooden doors that separated them from the council chamber itself, Bali stopped and waited. It took all of Padmé's strength not to glance around curiously, or more appropriately in awe. What she had seen of the temple interior reminded her of the grandest houses of worship in Naboo. Except that this also served as a monastery to the Jedi. It was a religious center and she swore she could almost touch the elusive power they called the Force.
The grand doors glided toward the waiting senator and padawan and a young humanoid female stepped out into the antechamber. Her large black eyes glanced about the empty room before settling on Bali and Padmé. "Where is Master Kenobi?"
"Master could not attend," Bali said quickly stepping forward.
Padmé watched the young man sensing the concern in his voice but quickly dismissing it at the Council attendant turned to her.
"The Council is waiting, Milady."
The senator nodded and marched forward and into the chamber. Her breath was immediately taken away at the view of the city planet from where she stood. She had not realized they had traveled so high above Coruscant. In the background, she barely noticed the chamber attendant softly speaking to Bali. It took only a moment before she sensed the young man approach but kept her attention focused on the silent circle of twelve. She had met some of these Jedi before through her political dealings but to have them sitting there at that moment surrounding her, she thought them so different.
So cold.
"Senator Amidala," Mace said with a slight nod of his head.
Padmé returned the nod but saw that the councillor's attention fell to Bali. The youth shifted slightly.
"Where is your Master?"
"Meditating I believe."
"I summoned him," Madame Serinka said sharply.
The slightest shift of Mace's gaze silenced the older woman. "Did he not take the communication?"
"Master Obi-Wan was not about when the call came in and I took it." There was a slight paused as the green eyed padawan glanced about the room. "I chose to handle it rather than to disturb him."
Padmé tried not to look too interested in the conversation but she knew that they were well aware of her curiosity. Glancing to the expansive windows, she noted Yoda's large eyes were focused on her.
Mace sighed. "This will be discussed at a more appropriate time, Padawan Tiro."
"Yes, Master," Bali said before bowing and retreating to the door.
"Padawan Tiro!" Mace raised his voice. "I did not dismiss you."
Bali turned and waited at the doors but did not make any further attempt to disrupt the meaning of this journey to the council chambers.
Instead of further reprimanding the youth, Mace turned back to Padmé. "Senator."
She was quiet for a moment, then took a small step forward as she spoke, "I come before you to ask for help."
"We cannot involve ourselves in your political matters," Ki-Adi Mundi said softly at her left.
The sunlight from the bright day cascaded across the patterned floor in the center of the circle of twelve. It highlighted the bronze strands of hair mixed in with her rich brown giving a soft glow around her face. She kept herself covered in the deep green cloak, but as she moved it revealed a simple, equally green outfit dressed for mobility and ease of not standing out in a crowd.
"I understand that. Truly I do and while politics weigh heavily on my mind, there is something else that is of greater concern to me. My husband, as you know is Anakin Skywalker a former member of your Order." She paused seeking to gage how they were reacting but their stoned-face expressions told her nothing.
"He is no longer our concern," Depa Bilaba said evenly.
Padmé spun to face the councillor. "So you will not hear my concerns?"
Yoda lightly tapped his gimer stick on the floor. "Listen we will."
"Thank you." She paused to gather herself, wanting to convey all her fears as clearly as possible. "Anakin is serving the Chancellor in some capacity that I do not understand. I believe though he might be behind the putting down of rebel factions. To what degree I do not know. I am quite aware of the deaths of many senators and social leaders of late." She had little doubt that the Jedi already were aware of the chancellor's war on traitors, especially now that he was pushing his army in favor of the Order. That was not why she was there. "He always seems angry. Always struggling with something. The smallest things set him off. I fear he is losing whatever battle rages inside. He is so wrapped up in Palpatine's cause that he cannot see the stars for the sky. Please, if there is anything you could do to help—
"I don't want to lose my husband anymore than I already have and if something isn't done soon I fear I will not know him."
The Book of Darkness
Exhaustion overcame Anakin Skywalker and he finally allowed sleep to take him. The gentle hum of the engines—that seriously needed recalibrated—lulled him into an uncertain peace hoping memories of the day's carnage would leave him.
It had been awful. This mission ended worse than any had for the chancellor. Banor was a peaceful world at the edge of Uagi asteroid field one of the largest of its kind in the Republic. The Banor mined kitanium from the larger asteroids. The ore was refined into a metal that could withstand the stresses of a Kuat designed super hyperdrive engine.
He and the Praetorian Guard had marched on the Banor senator's home office, more like a palace, where she lived when the Senate was not in session on Coruscant. Her loyal guards refused to let them through. They had official documentation with the chancellor's seal demanding that Senator Ziat be arrested for her past support of the Murid Peace Coalition. A group of environmentalists who believed that Kuat Industries was poisoning the galaxy with their new line of warships and high powered engines.
Senator Ziat refused to turn herself in and her guard steadfastly protected her.
The fools.
The memory of himself cutting down the blue figures flashed through his dreaming mind. They had been ordered to stand down. They should have obeyed. They didn't and they paid the ultimate price. Those who survived the short blaster fight were quickly rounded up and executed for wantonly obstructing justice and thereby betraying the Republic.
The soldiers had begged, wishing only for their lives but he never listened to them. He could still feel their terror rising as he aimed a blaster at the back of each man's head.
Anakin should have been horrified at the ease in killing the traitors but when he got to the last man he had wished for more.
Swimming in the turmoil of the fading memories, he vaguely noticed the dark tendrils of the Force reaching for him. The darkness silently became more enmeshed in his mind and spirit.
He decided who lived and who died.
So caught up in the blood lust, he had raced into the senator's office where two of his men held the small woman. She had tried to flee but was now bound and on her knees waiting of pronouncement of her guilt. His Excellency, Chancellor Palpatine had empowered him to take whatever action necessary to put an end to the traitorous atmosphere on Banor. Ziat was fundamental to the cause, without her and the power she wielded the dissenters would lose their protection and center.
"This is criminal!" The blue skinned woman barked. "I demand to be brought up on charges before the Senate."
"Judgement has already been passed and you are guilty of being a traitor to the Republic."
"I am no such—"
She was never offered the chance to finish her sentence as Anakin fired a single, deadly shot that struck her second heart killing her. Ziat slumped forward until her limp body tumbled to the floor.
The sickening thud that accompanied her fall snapped Anakin from his daze. He had looked at her, then to the blaster in his hand.
Now hours later and weary from the many back to back missions, he was still revisiting the image of the dead senator. He wondered who had passed judgement on her.
Dragging himself from the edges of sleep, the young man sat up on his cot secure in his private cabin. Making the whole of two steps across the room to the station on the wall, he keyed up the documents on the Ziat investigation.
He found no senate seal anywhere on the documentation, even more curious there was no seal of the chancellor's office. In fact, the more he read of the file the less it was an arrest warrant. It was nothing more than an investigation of suspicious activities and the senator was his contact, not the target.
He had read it! The chancellor had said—
He had read it before their arrival to Banor. He was certain it had been an arrest warrant. She was a traitor.
Scrolling through the document he saw that Ziat had been instrumental in bringing charges against the Murid Peace Coalition in the first place.
Opening a small safe next to the fold down desk he pulled out the sealed envelope he had prepared for return to the chancellor. Taking a small knife in hand from his boot, he sliced through the material of the pouch and yanked out the hard copy of the report and warrant. Studying the flimsies his heart raced as they reflected the same information that the info station did.
Ziat was his contact and the warrant was for Kikleen Euguot, leader of the Murid.
Weakness seized Anakin's legs and he tumbled to the floor. His breaths came short and shallow as he struggled to reconcile what he had done.
He, with his own hand and blaster, executed innocent men for doing their job in protecting an innocent senator he was sent to meet with.
It had been so easy to kill them. He wanted them dead.
But why?
"What have I done?" he whispered as he began to weep. "No. No!" Grief and anger mingled within him as he struggled against the haunting image of the dead senator and that of her guard falling after he so casually murdered them. As he cried and rocked trying to find some sort of solace for the crimes he had committed, the anger cut a little deeper into his soul, the pain a little more welcomed as a tiny, unacknowledged piece of him fed upon the thrill of wielding such power.
He wanted more.
And the dark side grew a little stronger.
The Book of Errors
"What did he do this time?" Obi-Wan drolly asked the instant Mace Windu appeared in the doorway of the lounge.
"You know him well," Mace said with a small laugh.
"Better than I know my own self." Obi-Wan twisted in his seat to study the suddenly solemn councillor.
"Did you know you had been summoned by the council earlier?"
"What?" The younger man set his data pad down on the tiled table next to him. For a short time his gaze remained fixed to the uneven surface but then pale blue eyes sought the tall master out. "When?"
"A couple hours ago."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sighed. He was about to yell at the youth through the training but he sensed Bali's frantic emotions on a speedy approach and chose to wait until the youth stuck his head in the lounge.
"Master!" Bali called out but froze two steps inside the room when he spied both Obi-Wan and Mace staring at him. Instantly he began to retreat.
"Do not leave," Obi-Wan said evenly.
"Forgive me, Master," the youth said quickly even as he seemed to shrink a little. "You were off meditating. I did not want to disturb you."
Obi-Wan folded his arms across his chest, but never allowed his gaze to falter. Mace withdrew a few steps and found a bench seat to watch the action.
Bali frowned, and allowed his shoulders to slump slightly. "It was just a simple escort mission. I figured you did not need to be disturbed."
"Ordered by whom?" Obi-Wan inquired as the youth nervously shifted.
"Madame Serinka, I mean there was the Council emblem. It was just a simple escort."
"Ordered by the High Council. You should have informed me immediately."
"Master—"
"Do not argue with me, Padawan."
Mace calmly interrupted as he turned to face Obi-Wan. "There was no harm done, I do not believe Senator Amidala was upset by the change."
Arching a ginger brow, Obi-Wan shot the councillor a sharp look, daring him to interrupt again. Then gravely turning his full attention back to his apprentice, he spoke with all the authority of his position, "It is not your place to make those decisions for me."
"Master—"
Obi-Wan was instantly on his feet. The rust colored cloak flowed in the slight breeze from his quick pace as he closed the space between them. Grasping Bali's tunic in a tight fist, he nearly ripped the youth off his feet when he jerked him forward. Speaking in a warning tone, "I have no patience for an apprentice who cannot follow simple protocol. You will always defer to me."
Bali opened his mouth to argue but wisely remained silent as bright green eyes searched his master's face.
"How many more times do we have to go over this, my very young padawan learner?"
"No more, Master. I will not error again," Bali replied softly, his cheeks burning red as he tried to twist free of Obi-Wan's grip.
Frustration bled into the older Jedi's voice, "That is what you always say."
"Master, I just," the words just slipped away and Bali closed his eyes.
"You have studies to tend to," the master said coarsely releasing his hold. "I suggest you do that." But when Bali hesitated, he barked, "Now!"
Nodding curtly, Bali quickly bowed to the quietly watching Mace and briskly left the room.
The older master studied Obi-Wan as he slowly returned to his seat at the table.
"You would react the same in a similar scene," Obi-Wan said softly picking up the data pad again, but the simple action highlighted the weariness in his moves.
"Perhaps." Standing, the dark skinned master made his way across the lounge to the table Obi-Wan occupied and promptly sat down at one of the free chairs. "He made a mistake—"
"He does this far to often for comfort."
"Does he have a reason too?"
"No," was the firm answer.
There was a pause before Mace nodded.
"It is not his place to protect me," Obi-Wan continued. "He is the padawan."
"It is not unheard of having padawans try to protect their masters. In a fight we depend on them to watch our backs. Sometimes we need their innocence to keep us grounded when we become too jaded and cynical. I remember a certain padawan who always felt it was his place to urge his master not to go against the council."
"That was different."
"Is it?" Mace smiled as he drew a long finger around one of the designs on the table. "Granted the display was not something that should have been allowed in front of Senator Amidala but it is not a crisis and frankly we could have sent anyone. As per usual procedure any senior padawan would have sufficed. Master Serinka should have given the escort to Bali once she learned you were indisposed. As it is, I believe you are doomed to suffer that woman's wrath as long as you live."
"If she has her way it will not be very long."
"Well, she will have to account for her breach of protocol when we reconvene later today. I am sure it will go far to add to the love she has for you."
Obi-Wan looked up from the reader, seeming to have relaxed some. "What is it, exactly, did I do to inspire her so?"
"I have no idea," Mace said with a laugh. "No idea." Sobering, the councillor added, "You might want to talk to Bali about what he saw in the meeting. He has my permission to repeat it." There was a slight pause. "Things are turning bad out there. We have been keeping tabs on the senator hoping she would clue us in to what is going on with her husband and the chancellor. Unfortunately, she seems to be just as in the dark as we are. The Loyalist committee is our greatest ally right now, but I fear if they continue the path they are on, they will be destroyed and with them, we go." Standing the councillor folded his cloak about himself and added, "Palpatine has some powerful allies. If these allies are Sith, we cannot get to them without going through him. As long as he and his political machine are in the public favor anything we do could be devastating to the Order."
The Book of Awareness
Yoda sighed loudly but there was no one in the council chamber to hear him. The little master hobbled to the center of the tiled floor design allowing the warm sunlight that cascaded in through the windows to bathe him in the golden glow. He often dreamed that the surrounding warmth would be like swimming in the gentle currents of the Force. Leaning heavily against his gimer stick, the little master shook his head.
He had lived too long.
It was not a new conclusion but one he had been steadily becoming more certain of over the last few months. The ancient one knew that time was quickly running out for the besieged Jedi Order. Their supporters in the senate and the Republic as a whole were quickly diminishing. Even their numbers were fading as so many had been murdered for the colors they wore and yet, the need for protectors of the peace was at its height in ages. Sympathetic worlds called with increasing need for their help but it was too much for the overwhelmed Jedi.
While the temple was not empty, it had the least amount of occupation in millennia. Few knights came back between missions for there was little time before the next calling.
They were so busy defending, protecting and hunting for the remaining Sith that the Jedi were forgetting what they were. They were rapidly losing their sense of place becoming little more than galactic police. Soon, Yoda feared, they would lose their way completely and when that happened the Order and all it had been would be lost and the darkness would win.
Closing his large eyes, the small Jedi cast out with the Force, touching every stone in the great temple, brushing lightly against the myriad beings that inhabited the great stone structure. Reaching farther, Yoda's mind delved into the lower levels of the temple, below the sun swathed levels of Coruscant. His thoughts moved along the stones that formed the great root, anchoring the structure to the planet. His thoughts raced out over the various levels that sheltered the natural planet from the warm life giving light of its single star.
Through the Force, Yoda felt the fragility of all the constructions and the strength of the planet below. For a moment, his thoughts alighted on the great Bendu temple that was sheltered by massive fortifications and supports at the very root and core of the modern temple. If his mind remained still long enough, he could almost sense the Force move within the great hall under the translucent ceiling.
The disturbance had been growing for days, even though he had sensed its beginning years ago. He could feel the swirling energies being channelled up through the Bendu temple. He could sense the lonely and forgotten part of the ancient Jedi past pressing to assert itself once more. It was as if it were—
No, the little master thought, shaking his head.
Great catastrophe was on the horizon, this he knew, an upheaval that would herald in a new order.
Sighing, the master turned and hobbled slowly back to his seat. The darkness was moving and there was nothing the Jedi could do to stop its rise.