CHAPTER THREE
It had been two years and he could still hear the sorrow in their voices, see it on their faces. Not all missions he and his Master were assigned ended up successful, but Obi-Wan considered this one a tragedy.
Even though, as his Master had tried to put it into perspective for him on several occasions, they had not lost countless numbers of sentient beings in a civil war after failed negotiations. Nor had an entire civilization crumbled because of a lack of insight on the their part on what could save their system from disaster – be it natural or political.
No. This mission had not involved consequences of such grand proportions.
Its victim was one single girl. No longer a girl. She is seventeen years old now. A beautiful young lady.
And she is still out there…somewhere.
The delicate gold chain slipped through his fingers, the filigree heart dangling loosely against his palm. Obi-Wan stood in the cockpit of the ship taking them back to the one place he did not want to go. Naboo. Going back there was like opening up a freshly healed wound and pouring salt into it. The last time they had been to this planet was to inform the King and Queen that their only daughter was lost to them.
But worse than that, he and Qui-Gon were now on their way back to that source of failure, to experience even more pain. Now, the pain of not only a palace, but an entire planet.
The King and Queen of Naboo were dead.
The Steward of Naboo, Palpatine, had contacted them on Coruscant to inform the Jedi that the King and Queen had never recovered from the loss of their daughter. Over the years, their health had diminished until they were mere shells of their former selves. They had supposedly died in their sleep.
Qui-Gon had asked permission from the council to attend the funeral proceedings out of respect. It was the first time that his Master had mentioned Naboo, the royal family, or the princess since they had been pulled off the case a little over three years ago.
He slipped the familiar locket and chain back into his tunic at the approach of Qui-Gon.
"We are scheduled to stay two days for the funeral." His Master began. "Then, we must return to the Temple."
Two days. Almost two days too long, Obi-Wan thought to himself. Not that he did not want to pay his respect to the royal family and the city of Theed, but the entire calamatous situation was like a slap in the face. Their failure as Jedi becoming painfully aware to him once more.
Qui-Gon seemed to sense his emotional turmoil and placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder. "I know this is difficult for you Padawan. I requested that we be allowed to return to Naboo to attend the funeral, but I also have an ulterior motive."
"What, Master?" This grabbed Obi-Wan's attention from star gazing and his moody thoughts, and he turned to face his taller mentor.
"If you will remember, when we were on the planet initially investigating the princess' disappearance, there was a slight disturbance in the Force."
"I remember." Obi-Wan recalled when they had entered Princess Padmé's bed chamber and the darkness that seemed to linger there.
"We cannot overlook that. The Force was trying to tell us something, Padawan. And I'm afraid we weren't listening."
Obi-Wan revealed a slight smirk to which Qui-Gon grinned slightly before correcting himself.
"All right, I wasn't listening. When we arrive on-planet, hopefully before the funeral, we will need to consult with the Naboo physicians to see if an autopsy has been performed. Perhaps we can find a connection between their deaths and the princess' disappearance."
"But I thought Palpatine said they died of natural causes."
"Perhaps, but we still have to try. We owe it to them." His master's voice was hushed and in his eyes momentarily was revealed an emotion that Obi-Wan had not seen in years -- not since their dealings with Xanatos. Qui-Gon felt guilty. Guilty and responsible for the King and Queen's deaths.
Obi-Wan watched in amazement as his Master turned and walked back toward the ship's lounge. He then turned back toward the viewport to gaze at the stars shooting by, reached his hand back into his tunic and brought forth the golden chain and locket.
Once again he had been wrong about his Master. Qui-Gon hadn't given up. He did care. And the words his Master had spoken flickered a tiny flame of hope within Obi-Wan's heart that he thought had already died.