The Book of Disturbing News
"Disturbing news this is," Yoda's gravelly voice dominated the brightly lit council chamber. Large eyes sought out the blue holographic image of a female Jedi that hovered in the center of the chamber. "Knight Keemli, proof you have?"
"Yes." The small Jedi's image fluctuated and threatened to fail but then briefly stabilized. "I am en route to Coruscant. Will be there in three hours with the information. I can transmit—"
"No," Mace interrupted. "This is highly classified. There will be no transmissions. Deliver us the data crystal, Keemli."
"Yes, Master," the knight bowed and her image faded out.
"As prized as this information is, should we not see it sooner?" Plo Koon asked as he turned his attentions toward Mace.
"No." Mace leaned forward in his seat. "I am sure everyone is well aware that our communications have been compromised in the last several weeks. We cannot allow the dark forces any edge against us. That is why we are sparing every Jedi we can on a fact finding mission. We need that hard proof that Palpatine has political assassination squads taking care of anyone who threatens his position. "
Depa Billaba shook her head. "The Republican Guard and now this. How can one man pull so many strings?"
Folding his fingers together, Mace saw in quiet contemplation for a moment. "Chancellor Palpatine has some very powerful benefactors. We must endeavor to find them and expose them. Until we take out his Sith associates we cannot touch him. Our position is desperate and precarious. The tide in the Senate is turning more against us every day."
The Book of Revealing Information
"You do not need them," Anakin said in a low tone for his wife's ears only as he knelt before the pale visage of Padmé Amidala. Reaching out with a gentle touch, the young man wrapped his large hands over her delicate ones. "I am here for you. I am your protection."
Padmé's deep brown eyes studied her husband even as she struggled not to show the well of emotions inside. Offering him a gentle smile, the senator spoke the sour truth. "You are only my protection when it pleases the chancellor."
"That is not true," her husband quickly corrected. For the first time in years of marriage, she saw fear and desperation in his eyes. She also saw the bright blue of Anakin's eyes shift slightly in acknowledgement of the Jedi visitors quietly at the back of the room. For a time she never took her gaze from him, searching the blues for the some hint of…anything.
Did he know that she was pregnant? Something told her he did not.
"Anakin—"
No, she wouldn't tell him. He should know. Things she had read about the Jedi had led her to believe they were so attuned to life that they would sense a pregnancy. Daring to briefly avert her gaze, she stared across the room to where Obi-Wan and Bali stood quietly with Captain Lanat.
Did they know? If they could, why couldn't Anakin?
"I know you are upset and frightened," Anakin said softly, purposely drawing her attention back to him. "I realize enemies are showing up everywhere but we are working to put them down," Anakin continued to speak, carefully directing his words toward Padmé alone. "This Sith has scared you but through the Chancellor's aid, we are taking care of it."
Padmé struggled to hide her frustration but she knew by the subtle shift in his eyes that he sensed or worse, saw it. Everything was always about the chancellor. Fighting to keep the waver out of her voice, she inquired, "I thought you were putting down rebellion not Sith."
Her husband frowned and withdrew slightly.
"I am protecting the Republic. The Sith are no different that those who are working to bring it down through traitorous activities," he raised his voice so everyone could hear, "unlike the Jedi who allow the Sith to continue to run free and unpunished."
That was uncalled for, Padmé growled to herself but defending the Jedi aloud would only cause more trouble. Padmé reached out and pressed a hand to his flushed cheek, smiling softly. "I know, my love, my protector." She paused, staring into his handsome face, so many thoughts lingering. A frown drew across her lightly painted lips. Where did his loyalties lie, the senator wondered. "I just had a call from the Chancellor. He wanted to offer his sympathies and promise that this will be taken care of."
"He is a good man." Pride rang out in Anakin's voice.
She hesitated for only a moment before finishing her statement. "He said that when it is convenient, he needs to speak with you."
The gentleness in Anakin's eyes hardened slightly. "Riané is here for you now. I am sure Captain Lanat has reinforced his guards not willing to make the same mistake twice. This is a secure building and I will leave some of my men on guard. No one can get to you to hurt you again."
Padmé silently stared at him.
Rising to his feet, the personae of the Praetorian Commander returned. "I will escort the Jedi out and leave you to rest, my love."
"The Jedi will stay as I have requested," Padmé calmly replied as she stared up at the figure towering.
"You don't—"
She silenced him with a sharp look. She would have stood but felt Riane's gently placed hand fall to her shoulder. "I am the Senator of Naboo. I can and will make decisions for myself and my office."
"I just don't think—"
"I will speak with them," she said evenly.
Anakin shifted his gaze away, staring at an empty wall. "Of course, I am sure you know what you are doing."
"Do you doubt me?"
Anakin sighed loudly before looking down at his beautiful wife. "Never, my love." He paused in deep consideration and hope burned bright within Padmé but it was quickly dashed. "I must speak to the Chancellor immediately."
Before Padmé could say another word, he turned sharply and stormed to the apartment's front door. He paused next to Obi-Wan and said coarsely, "If anything happens to my wife, I promise you and your Order will pay for this failure."
Obi-Wan gave no visible response and Anakin marched out of the apartment.
For a time an awkward pall hung over the room. Knowing she had to break it, she shrugged off Riane's protective hand and rose slowly from her seat. "Master Kenobi," she said brightly appearing to have more strength than moments before.
Obi-Wan moved quickly across the green carpet with Bali a step behind. The older Jedi greeted the senator so she did not have to travel too far. "Milady."
Padmé smiled as the two bowed before her. "It has been a long time, Master Jedi." Her gaze remained focused on Obi-wan hoping to see if he saw what her husband could not. Motioning to her pitifully empty common room, she sighed. "It seems I am in need of a fresh start."
"Sometimes we must start again," Obi-Wan said glancing across to Bali and offering up a fond smile. It did not take Force sense to see the great affection shared by the two Jedi. Both Obi-Wan and Bali knelt to one knee before her as she sank to her seat again. The ginger haired Jedi spoke with the gentle formality she remembered from years ago. "It is a small mercy you were not further injured considering your condition."
A blush danced over Padmé's cheeks.
"At least you and your children are safe," the elder Jedi added.
"Children?" Padmé asked as a chill raced over her spine. "I am having twins?" Her hands went protectively toward her abdomen. "When the healer said I was pregnant I just assumed one." She stopped and looked out, searching Obi-Wan's pale blue eyes, where for a moment she thought she sensed sadness. Feeling as if she was treading somewhere she should not, she moved her attentions to the green-eyed apprentice at his side and nodded warmly to Bali. She just looked at him for a moment, surprised. He was child the last time she had seen him. Although she had been just a year older than he during the invasion of Naboo, she still saw him as so young. Though he was not a child.
Closing her eyes, she worked to place her thoughts into a coherent sentence before facing Obi-Wan again. "May I ask, Master Kenobi, when did you notice my condition?"
Obi-Wan was briefly silent. "The moment you walked out of your private chamber."
She focused on Bali again and noticed the youth seemed to be studying the room. It made her wonder what he sensed. "Did you know?"
"Yes, Milady, in the Temple when you visited." Bali smiled and blushed slightly. "You glow."
The news should have made her happy but instead it only made her fearful. "Anakin still has the Force. Why did he not notice?"
She felt Riané shift behind her but for a time that was all the sound and movement in the large common room.
Obi-Wan met her gaze with an even stare. He spoke carefully, "He could be distracted or blocked by outside forces."
"Why would he be blocked?"
Obi-Wan's expression turned solemn, as if revisiting an unhappy memory. "To prevent his knowledge of the pregnancy."
"It can be done?"
"Yes." There was a slight pause. "Of course, Milady, his duties to the chancellor may be a stress that is causing a blockage."
"Do you believe that?"
"I have no opinion as I am outside the situation."
Padmé's expression fell. She would not get the answers she desperately needed. She spoke, merely because she had someone to speak to. "He was so interested in protecting me until I mentioned that the chancellor needed him. The slightest thing that he perceives as a challenge to Palpatine makes him explode in anger. You will have to forgive his threats. He was—is always—angry." The sadness faded in her expression and hardened into the senatorial mask she depended on. "He is trying to push Palpatine's agenda on me. Palpatine has grown distrustful of the Jedi and I don't know why but now Anakin is adamant that I keep my distance. Going so far as to try to choose who I shall meet with."
The senator studied Obi-Wan for a time. "This may be terrible but truthfully, I am glad that he had to leave. I have not been honest about my attacker."
Both Obi-Wan and Bali listened intently.
"It was not a black dressed figure with a red lightsaber. We destroyed the security recordings and no one outside me lived who saw her. She was dressed as a Jedi, carrying a blue weapon. I lied so Anakin wouldn't blame the Jedi. She wasn't one." Padmé searched both Jedi's faces for any hint of expression but found only the same serene masks.
"What did she look like?" Obi-Wan asked softly.
"Wild green eyes. Dark brown hair tied back in intricate braids. I told her I knew she wasn't a Jedi." The image of the collected senator faded as she withdrew slightly into herself.
Riané protectively moved around Padmé but was waved off. The handmaiden looked to the Jedi worriedly but returned to her place behind Padmé's chair.
Looking up again, Padmé focused on Obi-Wan. "She said was what her master told her to be. Do you know what she meant?"
The older Jedi shook his head. "Did she have any facial scars?"
Padmé paused at the strange urgency in his voice. "No."
Obi-Wan's shoulders sank as he rose to his feet. "Senator, I must contact the council with this information."
"You can use my comm—"
"No, Senator."
"Master Jedi could use the secured communication station on the primary entrance level," Riané spoke up. "It can be secured."
"Thank you but I fear it would be best that I speak with the Council in person." Obi-Wan turned to Bali who also had risen to his feet. "You will remain here at the senator's service." He turned back to Padmé. "I will leave you to rest, Milady. My padawan will remain here and I shall return shortly."
"Thank you," Padmé said with a nod.
Obi-Wan bowed and retreated.
Bali followed him back to the doors. "Master," the youth said very softly.
"Yes, Padawan. I too noted it."
Padmé strained to hear but they did not elaborate on what "it" was.
"Yes, Master." Bali nodded obediently as Obi-Wan left.
When Padmé stood with Riané close to her side, she glanced over at the padawan that quietly studied the room then struck up a conversation on security measures with Captain Lanat.
Riané laughed softly and leaned close to Padmé's ear. "He's cute."
Padmé smiled. "I suggest then, as my personal protection, you might want to discuss security with him."
The Book of Political Binds
"Talks? What talks?" Senator Koto of the Lyak Commonwealth screamed over the din in the massive senate chambers. His six arms flailed dramatically about in further attempt to gain the attention of the arguing senate. "It has nearly descended into war. Both factions are battling. I insist on Jedi mediation."
The room boiled with tension as cries and catcalls were heard from the various pods.
"Do not deny me this right!" Koto howled. He turned about and the structures of the senate chamber reflected in his large black eyes. He looked to the Alderaani delegation for help but Bail Organa remained silent, studying the scene. Certain he wasn't going to get help, Koto turned back toward the chancellor's station. "There is much bloodshed and we need peaceful intervention."
Palpatine hammered the gavel on the floating pod's podium. "Please! Please everyone, we must have order!"
The roar dulled.
"We have repeatedly requested for Jedi mediation and you," Koto pointed several damning fingers at the chancellor, "have stalled us. The Lyak are faithful members of the Republic. We served in the civil war when you asked us but now that we need help you ignore us. I demand reparation now!"
"I have repeatedly offered the services of the Republic's peacekeepers," Palpatine said calmly.
"We don't need soldiers. We need mediators to settle the dispute."
Palpatine stared down at the hovering pod of the agitated Lyak Senator with his six arms flailing about like some out of control machination. Maintaining the mask of the collected politician, his velvet words reached every end of the massive chamber. "Will the Jedi fight your war for you when you and the Ustok go to full aggression over the Cremin trade route? The Ustok are not members of the Republic and will not receive our support."
"But—"
"These are curious times and we must protect our own. The Jedi will work out a compromise best for both sides. Do you really want to aid the Ustok? Give up some of your territories for peace? Territories your people fought and died for."
"Well," Koto said softly, his gaze firmly fixed on the Supreme Chancellor.
"You could reclaim lost territories if you so choose."
"We have asked—"
Palpatine spoke smoothly, "If you would rather, we can petition the very busy Jedi Council to see if they can spare someone—a young, inexperienced knight, perhaps—to help you."
Koto's arms hung limply at his sides. "Well, now that you put it that way, maybe the peacekeepers are a good solution."
The Book of Temple Ghosts Part V
"Go! Go now!" Obi-Wan barked and ducked the orange blaster bolts that ripped passed his shoulder. Stumbling over the rough terrain the young knight caught sight of the large Bantu, Knight Ju'kir, half carrying the Reig Senator's wife and young son toward the waiting ship at the edge of a clearing.
Obi-Wan twisted about and deflected several of the shots, protecting Ju'kir's exposed back.
The green scaled Jedi twisted about. "Stay close!" he yelled to Obi-Wan. "No one will be left behind—"
"Then get to running!" Obi-Wan yelled back as he blocked a few more shots before racing toward the ship again. "Get them on the ship, I'll be right behind you."
The ship's engines were a welcomed sound to Obi-Wan as he pushed his tired body over the rocky ground with large tree roots reaching across the soil and grabbing at his boots. The roots threatened to trip him with every step.
Among the deadly bolts that raced passed a new sound entered Obi-Wan's realm of attention. It was a strange buzzing, as small but quite solid objects barely missed the young knight.
Bounding over a stone, the Jedi twisted about and deflected several bolts. He struck one of the buzzing objects but it disintegrated upon impact with the pale glowing blade of his lightsaber.
"Come, Obi-Wan!" Ju'kir called out over the roar of the engines.
Seeing the other Jedi and his cargo had made it to safety, he began to retreat toward the ship that was rising off of the ground. With the woman and child safely inside, Ju'kir leaned out on the edge of the lowered ramp. One clawed hand wrapped around the support, the knight reached out to catch Obi-Wan.
Pushing just a little harder, it was all he needed. Using the Force, the young Jedi leapt up but missed the ramp as blaster fire rained all around him. Ju'kir's scaled hand gripped the younger Jedi's as he struggled to pull him up high enough to grasp the ramp. Obi-Wan twisted about by his arm as he struggled to get a good hold with his free arm.
Light cannon fire rocked the ship and nearly shook Obi-Wan free of Ju'kir's grip. White-hot pain slammed into the twisting knight's chest and fire laced through him. He opened his mouth to cry out but found the sound captured in his throat as his hold of the other Jedi slipped.
"Obi-Wan!" Ju'kir called out at the ship lurched under the intensifying fire.
The ginger haired Jedi slammed into the ground and rolled over the rocky surface with a groan. Fire laced through a chest wound and he pressed his hand to it expecting to find a smoldering blaster wound. What he felt was solid deep in his flesh and sent a wave of pain through him at the slightest touch. Rolling to his knees, too sluggish for comfort, he spied his fallen saber. Reaching out to call the weapon back to him, but the pain that was racing through his nervous system made it difficult to concentrate.
The blaster fire intensified on the knight as he raced over the ground and scooped up the silver cylinder.
Cannon fire from approaching tanks converged on the transport and the ship was pushed away from the fallen knight.
"Go!" Obi-Wan called out to Ju'kir. His nervous system was rebelling causing muscles not to respond as he tried to deflect blaster bolts that raced toward him. The saber moved about slowly defending against the attack as best as he could while pain like liquid fire rushed through his veins. The edges of his mind blurred as he became solely focused on the tall Doygan soldiers converging around him.
"Got Jedi!" one of the huge naturally armored creatures hissed.
Obi-Wan held up his saber but his legs wobbled and gave out sending him to his knees. His fingers refused to tighten around the saber hilt as it slid from his hand.
Fingers dug over the sandy soil reaching for his dropped weapon even as he struggled not to topple over.
His brain was telling his body to moved but muscles remained dormant. Pale blue eyes stared out at the beastly soldiers that had surrounded him. Their faces the mask of nightmares as their yellow eyes glared down at him.
Closing his eyes, Obi-Wan desperately tried to focus. He could not let them take him alive.
A Jedi must not be taken hostage. A Jedi must not allow himself to be used as a bargaining chip.
The Doyga would use his life for trade just as they had used Senator Zok of the Reig Federation. Zok's family watched him be tortured to death. His government saw his slow and pain-filled death because they would not turn over a hundred tons of Dangii Cubes to the Doyga.
Fingers found and tightened around the silver hilt.
"Hurt, Jedi?" the Doygan commander hissed as he stepped close to the knight. "Not hurt enough."
Ignoring the leader's taunts, Obi-Wan remained focused on making his fingers and then his hands work as he twisted the emitter end around so it aimed toward his chest. It took all of his mental will to keep the pain at bay and do what he must. Fingers sought out the activator switch.
Trembling fingers wrapped around the saber hilt as he fought to hold it in place. He would not endanger the mission or be captured. That was the nature of the assignment.
Just before he depressed the button, heavy fire rained down around him killing and driving away the Doygan soldiers. The moment of startle ended with the rise of liquid fire that flooded through him. His mind barely registered the heavy footsteps of the Bantu Jedi approaching as he toppled backward.
A large hand pulled the precariously pointed saber hilt from his numb hands while a powerful arm scooped him up off the ground. "At least give me the chance to do some heroics first," Ju'kir said as he turned and raced the wounded Jedi toward the waiting ship.
"Should of left," Obi-Wan half mumbled as he was unceremoniously tossed to the ship floor as the other knight sealed up the hatch and the ship's engines drove them high into the atmosphere. He rolled onto his side and curled into a fetal position helpless against the pain that was growing in his nervous system.
Ju'kir had a small medpack out and was kneeling next to the wounded Jedi. "Sorry, but I am not in the habit of leaving anyone behind."
Through tear glazed vision, Obi-Wan noted the silent figure of Zok's wife, holding desperate to her son. The woman's haunted eyes stared at him in horror when Ju'kir rolled him about revealing the wound's entrance point. A low groan through gritted teeth escaped the Jedi.
"Not a blaster hit," the Bantu said softly as he searched the medpack.
"Doygan submission dart," Abla Zok said softly. She brought her arm up, purposely blocking her son's sight of the wounded Jedi. "They killed my husband with it."
The Book of Friendly Conversation
Moving silently through the large common room as the delivery droids brought in newly purchased furniture Bali studied all of the incoming objects. Captain Lanat's security was going over every piece with state of the art equipment to check for even the slightest hint of suspicion.
Folding his arms across his chest in the same worn fashion of his master made the nineteen-year-old looked so much older. Turning his bright green gaze to the expansive window. Bright oranges and yellows spread across the evening sky. He watched for a time in silence as dark shadows cast across the skyscrapers and deep reds crept into the sky.
He wondered how his master's meeting was going with the Council. Frowning, youth was forced to sidestep an agitated mover that chattered in some mechanized tongue that he was certain was not polite.
Casting out, the youth noted that the darkness had retreated from the apartment. Not faded exactly, just left, but it had not left when Anakin left either. It had lingered, as if listening in on the conversation between the senator and he and his master.
Stepping a little further out of the mover's way, Bali sought out the large storage pouch on the side of his utility belt. Reaching under the flap, he felt cool metal casing and hit the activation switch.
A muffled chirrup and the tiny PodBot zipped out from beneath the folds of the apprentice's cloak. Warbler whipped about the room immediately raising the ire of the movers. Rude chirps were exchanged and the green shape flew up to its boy.
"We are at Senator Amidala's new apartment. You be good."
A dutiful chirp sounded and Warbler took off and immediately vanished into the corridor that led to the senator's private chambers.
Riané's shrill cry startled Bali as he rushed toward the chambers. "You indecent little beast!" The handmaiden met the apprentice in the corridor with her cloak wadded up in her arms. Deep brown eyes softened at the sight of the Jedi. "Does this belong to you?" She motioned to her cloak that was wiggling.
"Sorry," Bali said softly digging through the deep green material for the tiny droid. "It still has a few bugs to work out."
"That is all right," Riané said with a smile.
Getting a good hold on Warbler, Bali pulled the droid free. "I told you to be good."
Warbler purred.
A mover droid barked behind the Jedi and the handmaiden before plowing into them with furniture for the sleeping chamber. Riané was pushed back into the private quarters and Bali was made to return to the main room.
He released Warbler but made sure the tiny droid stayed close. Pacing for a time, Bali sank to a bench against the wall and out of the way. Closing his eyes, the padawan allowed his Force sense to come to dominance. The apartment was so new that no one's presence was in the room. Not even Anakin's Force signature had enmeshed itself in the walls.
"You are just too cute."
Bali opened an eye, spying the senator standing in the center of the room facing the tiny PodBot. Warbler's gold and black antenna shifted about as the droid studied Padmé.
"I am sorry if it caused any problems."
"No, Riané was just surprised is all."
Peeking around the corner, Riané peered into the common room as if searching for an errant child. "It flew up under my dress." She blushed at the sight of Bali but quickly found her composure as she spied Padmé. "You should be resting—"
"I am not a child or an invalid in need of constant tending." Padmé straightened, pausing to study the rich blues of her clothing. The light ensemble was designed for comfort and movement just in case her attacker chose to take on the new security measures. Short of mild stiffness in her movements, she seemed to have recovered greatly after a short rest.
Twisting about the large common room where worker droids were busy placing the furniture, Padmé spied her lone Jedi protection. She nodded when Bali quickly leapt to his feet and silently admitted to herself that Obi-Wan's abrupt departure had frightened her.
"Master is still within the temple," Bali said softly as a mild look of preoccupation glazed his eyes before he became focused again. "He should be returning soon."
She smiled wondering just how much Jedi could read into one's private thoughts. Walking silently across the deep green carpet, around the multitude of misplaced items, the senator went to the windows. "In many ways, this apartment reminds me of my old one. Similar layout except it is more spacious and the view is different."
"Safer as well," Bali said as he joined her. "As I understand, the Izen is not only protected by Kinperton Security, they also base their offices below the primary entrance level. It would not look good if security failed at headquarters."
"An excellent point."
"Besides, Milady, you have a good security team. They were not trained in handling a Sith. The dark siders are a test for any Jedi, let alone someone with no background in their kind. Your husband's Praetorian Guard remains on hand as well."
"I suspect the Praetors with be called away soon to join my husband. I seek not safety in their watch." She paused, wondering how much she truly wanted to reveal. "I fear them."
"They are experts in intimidation as well as highly trained soldiers."
"Yes." She offered a small grin. "You forgot something, Jedi Tiro. I have Jedi protection."
"We will see that the Sith does not harm you under our watch."
"I trust that." Still a touch of doubt remained even as she tried to convince herself otherwise. Certainly any apprentice of Obi-Wan Kenobi's was more than capable of handling anything that came his way.
"Senator," Bali said softly turning bright green eyes on her. "It might not be—"
"Please," Padmé half sighed. "I all ready have one nursemaid."
The young Jedi drew up to his full height, which really wasn't very tall, not compared to her husband. "Milady, if I am to offer protection, you should at least hear me out."
"Very well then."
"The doors are wide open and while these droids appear busy, anyone of them could be something entirely different. Even the best of security scans can miss something." He motioned to the wide view before them. "Standing at this window makes you equally a target to anyone on the outside. A disrupter and a high intensity rifle could easily penetrate the outer security levels. You are not performing a duty of your office at the moment, no one would think any less of you if you remained in a more protected area of the apartment."
Padmé looked at the youth—the Jedi—curiously for a time. "I appreciate your concerns, but if you have not been told, I am a difficult assignment. I will not hide like a prisoner of my own security."
At Bali's surprised look, Padmé strode toward an enclosed day room where the sky's colors seemed even more brilliant. The deep reds of the sky reached ominously over them. She paused at the entrance and looked back at the Jedi. "Are you coming?"
Bali quickly shot the preoccupied Warbler a warning look before joining the senator in the naturally lit room.
Padmé was grateful for the company as she didn't want to be alone and Riané would just insist she needed more rest. The handmaiden was worse than a mother orrbi.
Upon the young Jedi's approach, Padmé quickly wrapped herself around his offered arm for support. Yet, she guided the apprentice toward a small lounge with a couple pieces of simple furniture in it. Once Padmé was comfortable in a stuffed chair, Bali paced about the room.
She watched him and was relieved when his expression eased ever so slightly. "It is safe," he said.
"I suspect no one is watching us, save Riané."
"She doesn't count. I love her dearly but sometimes she is a little too much to deal with. She would have me cowering behind my bed while she stood there waiting to the blow the head off the first person to walk into the room."
"She does what she feels most necessary for your protection."
The senator studied the calm youth. For years she had quietly listened to Anakin's cruel epithets toward Obi-Wan Kenobi. While Anakin never spoke the words, she surmised he had done Masters Jinn and Kenobi a great disservice. Although she doubted no one was entirely innocent in the matter.
A part of her aware of what had once been mere anger in her husband had now turned into an intense hatred. On the occasions it showed itself, it made her fearful of the man she loved.
Over the years she had grown accustomed to Anakin's attacks on Obi-Wan, attacks he used to try and color her opinion of the Jedi. If she had allowed it, he might have even persuaded her to his beliefs but it was the unjust attacks on the little padawan that had saved her from the Sith's lightning attack that kept her head clear. Such vile hatred was undeserved of a child, Jedi or not.
At the thought, her hand fell to her abdomen again. So much had happened this day that she had not had much time to consider what was happening within her. Glancing up, she noticed Bali's attention was focused on one of the apartment buildings in the distance.
"Is your master a good master?" she asked softly almost surprising herself with the question.
Bright green eyes flashed and focused on her. "Oh, yes," Bali answered quickly as if caught. "I could not have asked for a better, more understanding master."
The Book of Watching
A soft hum was the only sound as the macrobinoculars zoomed in on the figure of a very animated nineteen-year-old as he reenacted some scene from his apprenticeship to Padmé Amidala's delight. The senator smiled, then laughed, throwing all hints of injury and weariness to the wind.
Tightening her grip on the macrobinoculars, Halla Keizian paced wildly about a viewing deck of one of the business towers the Trade Federation called home on Coruscant. Her wild green eyes glared at the Izen rising in the distance.
Stopping again and focusing the macrobinoculars, her gaze remained on the image of Bali Tiro. Her heart lurched as the boy brought his hands together as if wielding an invisible lightsaber.
"He's beautiful," she whispered.
While watching the young Jedi, the madness inside calmed. She shifted slightly to better keep an eye on Bali. Fingers wrapped around the flame tipped padawan braid and lightly tugged on it in the way she had in her own youth.
The last six years of her life, she had imagined what Obi-Wan's padawan would look like. Her mind had never truly shaken the image of the boy that she had kidnapped and beaten into submission. Her maddened brain had been so clouded it took years of solitary confinement to make sense of the tidal wave of emotions that the boy had brought up in her.
She knew now that all her pain and longing had been for nothing.
A lost child had been found.
And everyone would pay for their treachery.
The padawan—her padawan—moved to where a support stood between them. Halla raced along the deck to the far end where she had a clear view of the boy. Pausing, she turned the macrobinoculars toward the rest of the apartment. Earlier, she her watch had revealed Obi-Wan there as well but through the shielded transparisteel she was only able to get a fuzzy glimpse but it was more than enough to ascertain the Jedi's life.
Her attentions again returned to Bali who jumped up and playfully acted out some heroic scene all to Padmé's delight. The way Bali moved and twisted reminded her of another nineteen-year-old padawan she had loved once.
Brushing fingers over the intricate braids and knots that kept her hair out of her face. Her hand trembled slightly and in shock brought it down. Blue veins traced over her ivory flesh.
Retreating from the edge of the deck, Halla cowered in a shadowed corner. Amidala had proved smarter than believed. The Jedi had not been accused in the attack.
She would have to try again and soon if she wanted an injection of the temporary antidote. The only thing was she did not entirely believe that she would get the antidote even if she succeeded. Her master's anger knew no bounds and he was still punishing her for her failure in killing Kenobi years ago.
When the initial wave had passed, Halla slowly stood. Her eyes fell to the creamy colors of the clothing she had been given. Not only had Sidious stripped her of the dark colors to hide in the shadows with, he had stripped her of her title of Darth Vengier. She was nothing now, save his pet.
A smile rose to her red painted lips as she felt the weight at her hip. Pressing a hand to the silver cylinder, she detached the weapon and studied it.
Sidious had been so bold to believe he had taken her mind but some of her memories remained and rose to the surface in those ever so brief moments when the madness calmed.
Twisting the lightsaber hilt about, she knew nothing the dark lord could do would rob her of the pleasure she had in taking the weapon from Obi-Wan. Or the rage that had followed when her master had stolen it from her.
She beamed with insane pride tightening her grip over the hilt. It was hers once more and she would never allow anyone to take it from her again.
The Book of Healing V
A few short missions were all that the Jedi Council had allowed Qui-Gon Jinn in the last couple months. All of which kept him close to Coruscant and the temple. All of which inspired only frustration in the manner they were treating him.
Everyone acted as if he was a nervous breakdown in the making. That was not going to happen, he had no reason for it. Everything was fine.
Qui-Gon had spent weeks petitioning the council and finally secured a single mission that would take him to Manata for better than half a year, longer if things went well. It would do him well to spend time away from the temple. The mission had pleased him greatly and gave him a renewed sense of serving again.
He needed it.
War had come to the Republic and he, like so many other Jedi, knew it would not end quickly and before it was over many lives would be lost. A massive wound had opened up, slicing deep into the galaxy and dividing the Republic. Allied nations now turned against each other and blood flowed.
Colonies along the rift had been wiped out leaving hundreds of thousands dead and even more homeless. Manata was a way station for the refugees, he would go there and aid in what way he could.
Unfortunately, before he was authorized to go, he had to submit to a mental and physical check-up to make certain he could handle the work and strain of a refugee camp. Once that was complete all he had left was a series of immunizations. He swore it was for every known disease and then some. His arm would ache for the next year. He rubbed the aching muscles through the layers of tunic and cloak where the multiple injections had been made.
The tall, graying Jedi master paused in the corridor of the healing center. Mercifully he would not have to return here for a while. Turning towards the hall that would lead him to the main entrance and away from there he only made a few steps before stopping.
He should be going. After all, the sooner he informed the council of his readiness, the sooner he could be bound for Manata.
Still, he stood there.
There were things to do. He needed to gather his travelling kit, close out his apartment and make sure he had the most up-to-date information on the situation at the refuge station.
Yet, he could not bring himself to leave.
Glancing about, Qui-Gon saw that no one was in the immediate vicinity. With a heavy sigh, he turned and marched toward the recovery ward. Not wanting to draw excess attention to himself, he did not waste time searching the occupant information by each door, instead he allowed the Force to guide him and sought the familiar signature of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Stopping before a simple room, he stared into the open door. Minus the few trappings of the healers, the room was little more than a single knight's apartment.
Stepping softly into the room, the master quickly found the quiet figure of his former apprentice in a chair facing the window. The sun was high in the sky and little of its warmth reached the heavily cloaked ginger haired Jedi.
Folding his arms into his sleeves, Qui-Gon approached cautiously but found the Jedi's eyes closed in contemplation. With a gently sent tendril of Force, he reached out to the quiet Jedi. Then quickly withdrew the probe and studied the silent figure. He had sensed what at first felt like nothingness, then equated the strangeness of his former padawan's aura to some sort of deep healing meditation.
It would have been easy to turn around and walk away and he knew he probably should do that but he just could not.
"It seems that we are switching places," the elder master began. "Once, I was a part of the Temple and you remained away. Now I am leaving while you remain." He paused and studied the lashes that gave character to closed eyes. Wisps of gray frosted Obi-Wan's ginger locks giving an unnatural appearance of age to a man that was too young to be so old.
"The Force guides me to help elsewhere," the tall Jedi added.
For a time he just stood there in silence, half expecting Obi-Wan to open his eyes and say something. A part of him did not even care if it was to tell him to go away as long as the younger Jedi deemed it fit to say anything to him. It seemed important to hear before he embarked on his long mission.
The moments passed and Qui-Gon accepted no answer would come. He frowned and started to retreat but something made him pause. Turning back at the silent figure of his former apprentice the master spoke once more. "I always did what I thought best, what the Force wills me to do. The Force brought us to Tatooine so I could find the boy. I still believe that. I know that Anakin will return to us when he is ready. This is his destiny." After a few moments of silence, he sighed heavily and started for the door.
"Don't care about destiny," a slurred voice answered, "nor prophesy. Means nothing." Obi-Wan continued to stare out the window, never allowing his newly opened eyes to fall upon the graying master. "We chose our paths."
Qui-Gon just stood there.
"Care only," there was a moment of drawn out silence before Obi-Wan continued, "that I keep a promise made."
The older Jedi took a step closer to hear the softly spoken words.
"My oath does not change." The exhaustion and strain all too heavy in Obi-Wan's voice. "All costs. Be here for Bali. Knighted. Nothing else matters."
Silence fell over the room when Obi-Wan closed his eyes again.
The Book of Warnings
Obi-Wan paced about the small meeting room as he had for the last hour waiting for the council session to end. He paused to shrug into the warm layers of his cloak before beginning his circling again.
Reaching out with the Force, he sought his apprentice's familiar presence. Great relief came to him at the mental touch with his padawan who had settled in and felt no immediate signs of danger.
It had bothered him to leave Bali behind, but he needed to inform the council of the news Senator Amidala had imparted to them and beg the council to remove he and Bali from the assignment. He was not going to place his padawan in the same deadly situations as before. While Bali might be a brave youth he did not need to face the insane woman that had kidnapped and beat him or face any Sith again. There were other ways they could serve.
The council had not seen it his way and refused. No matter what he had said the words had fallen on deaf ears. All he could do was request a private council with Master Yoda.
The door swooshed open behind the ginger haired Jedi. He did not turn to face grunting, hobbling figure of Yoda.
"We will gladly serve in any other capacity. Just not this mission," Obi-Wan said evenly.
Silence filled the room as the Jedi twisted about and waited for a reply.
Slowly, the little master looked up at the Jedi that towered over him. His ears drooped a little. "Know that the girl still lived, we did not."
"Halla has already kidnapped Bali once. And the other—"
Yoda raised a clawed hand silencing the younger man. With the slightest motion of green fingers, he bid the Jedi to kneel so he would not have to strain so to look up at him. Understand I do, Senator Amidala lied. Protecting much, she is."
Obi-Wan exhaled heavily and obeyed. "Master, Anakin cannot sense his wife's pregnancy."
Yoda closed his eyes.
"There was a dark side energy in the new apartment. It remained even after he left." The younger master paused as he thought of the best way to voice his observations."
"Lightsaber, carrying he was," Yoda said knowingly.
"Yes."
"Troublesome this is."
Pleading with his eyes, Obi-Wan spoke. "This is far above our capabilities. More capable Jedi are needed to protect her."
"Afraid you are?" Yoda asked with a little smile.
Upset that maybe his emotions were getting the best of him and allowing them to come to the surface, Obi-Wan reared back slightly. "Master—"
"Times uncertain, they are." The ancient one's gaze wilted with the weight of such a long life. "On this mission, needed you and your apprentice are."
"I do not understand." He searched the little master's large eyes but found no answer in them. "Master, you know—"
"Surrounding us, the darkness is." Yoda's gravelly tone was low, intended only for the man before him. "Swallowing us it is. Devour everything around us."
"Do not put us in this position. Let us serve elsewhere." He would serve if he had too, but silently prayed that he would not be put in a position to face Halla once more. Or worse, place his padawan in such a position. He would not risk Bali.
The diminutive Jedi leaned heavily against his gimer stick as he shook his head. "This I cannot change." When Obi-Wan frowned, he added, "Your concerns, understand I do." He paused to watch as Obi-Wan tugged at the edges of his cloak. Speaking slowly and with wonder in his gravelly voice, "My ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. All of life feeds it and makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we…not this crude matter." The little master reached out and grasped the cloak and flesh beneath of Obi-Wan's arm knowing he could say little to the young Jedi that Obi-Wan did not already know. "Feel it you must. Feel the flow. Feel the Force around you...feel the darkness encroaching, you must."
"Yes," Obi-Wan answered simply still lost in confusion.
Yoda frowned. "Elusive, its source is. Know this I do, great danger is approaching. Sent away all available Jedi on missions to protect against it. Quieter the Temple is than ever remembered." He studied Obi-Wan carefully. "Much has changed. Need you in the field, we do. Do not return unless summoned."
The last words spoken unsettled Obi-Wan but he managed to nod before rising this feet. Pulling the cloak tight around him, he quietly bowed and stepped toward the door.
"Difficult this journey is," Yoda added. Understand I sense you still do not. Trust this. Trust in the Force. Return to the Senator you will and protect her. Depends on this much does."
"Obi-Wan offered up another small nod. "May the Force be with you, Master."
The little master whispered, "May the Force be with us all."
The Book of Fluttering Darkness
"But to live among the Itherians for more than a year is amazing." Padmé smiled and allowed a hint of jealousy to flicker in her warm gaze.
"Most of the time it was very boring. The entire place is clear or at best white," Bali said as he escorted her into the newly completed common room of the new apartment. He quickly cast out seeking anything that could pose a threat to the senator but all remained calm. The mover droids had completed their job under Riané's direction and had left. All the remained were to unpack the private belongings.
"Isn't all their structures made of a liquid crystal?" Padmé asked but then became temporarily distracted by Warbler's entrance from the private chambers. "I would imagine it to refract light just beautifully."
"Only at certain times of the day," Bali answered as he carefully guided Padmé to a large comfortable chair. As soon as she was settled and he had found the chair across from her, he continued. "Usually just after sunrise and just before sunset the entire place becomes a giant prism as color explode through the crystals." Reaching out, he captured the droid with the Force and took it in his hands.
Warbler purred.
"Oh, to see that everyday." Padmé smiled at the silly little droid Bali rolled over in his hands.
"Only for a few minutes each time; shorter during the winter months, longer in the summer. That is about the only plus as far as I can see for the crystal structures. At night you bump into things because you cannot see your way around. In the dark it all becomes invisible a least to anyone who is not an Itherian. They have some form of higher vision and can make everything out."
"You are a Jedi, would not you be able to sense your way around without bumping into things?"
Bali giggled as his cheeks turned bright red. "Master often says it would help if I were awake when I walk."
The senator laughed. "Yes, that would be helpful." She was about to say something but was startled into the silence the instant Bal leapt his feet with an ignited lightsaber in hand.
The main door chimed. Riané rushed into the room and nearly retreated at the light of the armed Jedi.
With a slight wave of her hand, Padmé spoke in a low tone to the handmaiden. "See who it is."
"Yes, Milady." Fearful eyes steeled into determination as she promptly obeyed. Followed by a curious Warbler, the handmaiden marched to the sealed doors and brought up the holoimage of who waited in the secured corridor. "Hello?" she asked into the comm unit.
"This is Lanat," the captain replied in a monotone. "Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has come to pay the senator a personal visit."
Riané turned to meet Padmé's equally surprised look. "Milady?"
"Are you expecting him?" Bali asked as he searched the room. Whatever it had been that sent him to alert was gone now.
"No," was Padmé's the flat reply. She stared silently at the sealed door for a long time. When she finally spoke again, her words were filled with suspicion. "We spoke via a communication unit just a few hours ago. The only time we speak face to face is to discuss politics. Anakin must have said something." She huffed and looked up at the padawan. "Why did you react like that?"
"I sensed danger."
"From the Chancellor?"
"I do not know," he replied carefully. "It was just for a moment, like darkness fluttering all about and then it was gone the instant I reacted. Master would say what I felt was the chancellor's deception because he is the ultimate politician and they say only what you want to hear while cultivating other plans in secret."
Padmé studied the youth and smiled the moment Bali's eyes widened in realization of his error. "It is all right. I understand where your master is coming from. Even as one, I often do not trust politicians either because I know how easy it is to be swept up in certain agendas." She drew a more formal image. "Do not be afraid to speak your mind around me, Jedi Tiro. I like honest people. But you might relax a little, we wouldn't want the chancellor to think he is being threatened by a Jedi."
Bali quickly obeyed, deactivating the green blade and clipped the weapon back to his utility belt. He eyes the green PodBot that hovered close to Riané and wondered if he should put it to sleep while the chancellor was there.
"Let him in," Padmé announced.
The Book of Menacing Conversations
"Go away," Riané said as she waved the bothersome droid away from her. The instant Warbler took to flying about the room she unsealed the door and retreated a few steps.
A soft whoosh was all the trumpet that Palpatine received as he stepped into the chamber surrounded by four towering Senate Guards in their red flowing robes.
"Senator Amidala," he said offering her a grandfatherly smile as he approached the still seated Padmé.
"Chancellor Palpatine," she said in her most formal tone but did not offer to stand up, instead she slipped a small glance over at Bali who had retreated a few steps to remain as unobtrusive as possible. "What brings you here after so recent a call?"
"I felt bad about pulling Anakin away on another mission so soon after your attack. I know the Praetorian's were also called away and I know you as well as your husband, you would feel better with the extra security. I am here to offer the services of my private guard until your husband and his men can return."
"As you can see," Padmé motioned to the padawan, "I already have adequate protection."
Something about the older man was insanely disturbing to the apprentice and it took all of his skill to remain the image of Jedi serenity.
The Chancellor glanced over at the quietly waiting Bali and gave a thin smile. "I see. He is just a boy and my guard are the finest in the galaxy."
Warbler zipped around the outer edges of the large room, stopping to study Riané briefly before flying off again. Its gold and black antenna swiveling about as its circles grew tighter and drew it closer to the gathered politicians.
"I thank you for the offer, but I shall keep my own security. Yours would only appear as favoritism in an already tense senate."
The PodBot swooped close to Palpatine and politician eyed it darkly. The little droid burbled and beeped a few times as it spun about and raced to its boy. It spewed a series of beeps before ramming the padawan as if trying to push him back.
Surprised and frustrated by the droid's unexplainable reaction, Bali tried to push it back as it rammed him again. Suddenly the beeps began to get warbled into unfamiliarity and the little droid sank toward the floor.
Just before it hit, Bali reached out, bending the Force to his command wrapping the bot in a protective shield and drew it back to his hands. "Forgive me for the interruption," Bali said quickly, humbly. Turning the droid around in his hands he studied it before looking back at Padmé's worried look and Palpatine's irritated expression. "Forgive its intrusion. It was recently repaired and obviously not everything was taken care of."
"What a curious little droid," Palpatine said as his dark look eased into a weathered weariness. "I don't think I have ever seen such a little droid." He smiled but it was hollow.
"It is just a little maintenance bot that had been damaged," Bali said still studying the droid pretending not to notice the dark look offered by the Chancellor.
Padmé immediately spoke up. "It seems this trip was wasted for you, Chancellor."
"Hardly, my dear Padmé. It seems as of late we have stood on opposite ends of the political spectrum." Palpatine offered her a thin but friendly smile. "I often forget that we are friends."
Bali withdrew a little farther from the two politicians so not to be anymore intrusive. While on the surface his attention remained totally focused on the damaged Warbler, he sent a small tendril through the Force. Searching the room carefully for any signs of disturbance all the while maintaining a small Force bubble around Warbler for protection. Obviously the little droid was trying to warn him of something but what he did not know. Expanding his search he brushed against the red figures standing threateningly close behind the Chancellor. Although Padmé did not show it, he sensed that she was very intimidated by them.
"Of course, I wish we could see eye to eye. What great things we could accomplish working together and not against one another?" Palpatine's smooth tone continued, never allowing Padmé a chance to argue. "You must see that martial law is the only way to restore order to the Republic and your verbal attacks on my authority creates instability in an already tense state."
"I do not agree with your methods," Padmé dully replied. "And I will do what I must to protect the civil rights of all beings within the Republic. Just because you do not see it as important, does not mean that is the consensus of the Senate."
Palpatine smiled and stepped close to the seated senator. Pressing a withered hand to her shoulder and staring in her brown eyes he spoke so soft that only Padmé could hear, "You will stop fighting me. You are only endangering yourself and your children by this needless bickering. Join me and we will crush the rebelling worlds and restore true peace and prosperity to the Republic."
Confusion laced Padmé's eyes as she looked up into Palpatine's kindly face.
"You will not trouble me anymore," the Chancellor continued tightening his grip on her shoulder until the pain entered her brown eyes. "Like your husband, you will serve me."
"Yes. No." Padmé closed her eyes and shook her head.
"I know you want what is best for the Republic. With you at my side we shall pass sweeping legislation to protect the interests of the right."
Bali glanced up from his study of Warbler, surprised that the conversation had turned so without his notice. He reached out with the Force to survey the scene again.
"You will be my greatest supporter," Palpatine nearly purred.
"Yes, Chancellor," Padmé said softly.
"We have much to discuss." Palpatine remained entirely focused on the young woman before him. "You will name your traitorous collaborators."
Padmé struggled, but then her gaze solidified on the chancellor again.
"Who is heading up the Kamino investigation for the Loyalists?"
"Senator Makt of Dinaab, Jedi Knight Keemli—"
To the padawan's surprise he could not sense anything abnormal but the image before him looked and sounded like the chancellor was using a Force suggestion on the senator but no one was speaking. Concern flooded the young apprentice because he knew something was happening but couldn't sense it. Quickly surveying the room, he reached out to Riané who stood quietly oblivious to what was happening in the room.
He Force pushed at the back of one of her knees. The elegantly dressed handmaiden lost her balance with a startled cry that seemed to break the spell on the room and drew the collected attention of everyone.
Padmé was instantly on her feet and free of Palpatine's hold. "Riané!" She called out as she rushed to the fallen woman's aid. "Are you all right?"
"Forgive me, Milady," the handmaiden said softly as she struggled to draw herself up into a less embarrassing position. "I must be…it was a long trip."
"And you are tired from aiding me."
The instant Palpatine started toward the two women, Bali moved quickly to keep the chancellor back. "Allow me," the dark haired youth said as he scooped the handmaiden up, cradling her in his strong arms.''
Offering both the padawan and her friend a grateful smile, Padmé turned back to Palpatine, seemingly oblivious to what had been happening moments earlier. "It has been a trying day, not only for myself but for Riané as she rushed here to my aid from Naboo. I still have much recovery and to see to the return of Dormé's body to Naboo for a traditional pyre. This is not a good time to discuss politics." She stepped passed the surprised older man and activated the door controls. Outside Lanat was quietly standing guard.
"Milady?" Lanat asked then took on a startled look at the sight of Palpatine standing in the apartment.
"Please escort the Chancellor to his waiting transport." Padmé turned and nodded curtly to Palpatine and marched back toward the private side of her apartment.
Bali would have bowed but with Riané in his arms he nodded as well and followed after Padmé's lead.