Chapter Three
The ship's corridors had been long and cold. The dull colored walls gave an austere feeling to everything and made the young man uncomfortable. The conference room where they were in now did little to lift the prickly feeling at the back of his neck. It had been there hours before they had arrived and stepping into the Trade Federation ship had done nothing but make it worse.
"I have a bad feeling about this." The brown-haired youth said as he removed his hood and looked to his taller companion who'd done the same.
Striking blue eyes looked back into his. "I don't sense anything." The tall man answered the querying look the boy was giving him as the two walked toward the window at the end of the room.
"It's not about the mission, Master." The brown-haired youth clasped his hands in front of him, lowering his head and inwardly admitting to himself that what he had said wasn't entirely true. Their mission did contribute to his unease, but there was also something else, something seemingly far away, trying to bring itself to his attention. "It's something… elsewhere… elusive…"
The tall man crossed his arms beneath his robes as they made their way to the window. "Don't center on your anxiety, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs."
The youth opted to defend himself, replying with advice given to him by one of his other elders. "But Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future."
"But not at the expense of the moment." The older man gave his younger companion a reassuring nod. "Be mindful of the living Force, my young Padawan."
"Yes, Master Qui-Gon." But he couldn't seem to bring himself to ignore the feeling.
Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn stood in front of the window and looked down upon the planet Naboo. It was a beautiful sight to behold and Obi-Wan felt pleased with himself for knowing a lot more about the planet before coming here.
He'd gone to the Jedi Archives to research, knowing that Qui-Gon would've done the same. Except that the old Jedi Master already spent most of his time either there or at the holo-planetarium quenching his curiosity for knowledge. He was proud to be the apprentice of such a Master.
Naboo was a huge world covered with green and blue, rolling plains and vast bodies of water covering its surface. Deep within the planet, a water core could be found amidst the myriads of underwater tunnel networks. What has kept it together and flourishing with life eludes even the greatest researchers of the galaxy. It was a scientific wonder in itself and a work of art in the terms of the universe. Among planets in the galaxy, it was ancient, and its culture was just as old and diverse.
"How do you think the Trade Viceroy will deal with the Chancellor's demands?" Obi-Wan inquired as he stared transfixed at the beauty of the planet's surface.
"These Federation types are cowards." Qui-Gon replied bluntly, annoyed that their view of Naboo was being mottled by several grey Federation starships. They would put an end to this blockade. "The negotiations will be short."
Obi-Wan had heard the response but half his mind was elsewhere. There had been a tingling. It was strange feeling but he could not describe it, or place a reason for it.
Qui-Gon motioned for them to take a seat and they both went back to the head of the table by the entrance.
"Something troubles you?" The elder Jedi looked to his companion.
"Nothing really, it was just a strange feeling." Obi-Wan waited for his Master to sit before taking his own. "I feel that things will not go as planned. They never do, Master."
Qui-Gon smiled. The boy was right; only on a few occasions had their missions gone smoothly. "But there is something else…"
"Yes, Master." His Master had noticed, and he conceded to admit. "It felt like a nagging. Like something wanted me to know that something has happened somewhere, elsewhere."
"Center yourself, young one." The Jedi Master observed the face of his pupil. "Set aside these thoughts so that you may concentrate on the present. The reason for this strange nagging will come to you in time. You will see."
"It is the will of the Force?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow and asked skeptically, and Qui-Gon gave once again, his reassuring nod.
The young Jedi smiled and looked around. "Is it their nature to make us wait this long?" As if on cue, the door to the conference room slid open and TC-14, the silver plated protocol droid that had escorted them here, entered, carrying a tray of drinks and food in his hands.
"No." Qui-Gon paused. "I sense an unusual amount of fear for something as trivial as this trade dispute."
Obi-Wan took a drink from TC-14 and had a sip.
- - -
Two Neimoidians stood in front of a holoprojector on the bridge of the Trade Federation's flagship. A dark, robed figure stood before them in the hologram. "This scheme of yours has failed, Lord Sidious." One of the Neimoidians, a pathetic looking grub in blue said to the robed figure. "The blockade is finished. We dare not go against these Jedi."
"You seem more worried about the Jedi than you are of me, Dofine." A sly smile crept onto the dark figure's face. "I am amused. Viceroy!" The smile left and became a disgusted frown as Darth Sidious snapped at the other Neimoidian. "I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again." The Trade Federation Viceroy, Nute Gunray, sent his subordinate a stern look and watched him skitter away. "This turn of events is unfortunate." Darth Sidious face and tone seemed unaffected by what seemed to be dreadful news for the leaders of the Trade Federation. "We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops."
Gunray seemed uncertain with this new order. "My Lord, is that legal?"
"I will make it legal." Darth Sidious stated with conviction and it seemed to regain the Viceroy's confidence in his power.
"And the Jedi?"
"The Chancellor should never have brought them into this." There was trace of annoyance in his tone. "Kill them immediately."
- - -
Outside in the docking bay, a gun turret lowered itself and swung around. The bewildered pilot immediately tried to get his captain's attention. "Captain, look!" He pointed as they both watched as the turret aimed itself at their cockpit.
"Shields up!" The captain had screamed but it was too late. They had been shot and the ship slowly exploded piece by piece, metal shrapnels of its hull flying everywhere.
- - -
A rumble went through the Trade Federation's ship and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan jumped to their feet, opening their lightsabers as they did so. The startled TC-14 dropped his tray. "Sorry," was all the droid could utter. A hissing sound slowly made itself heard as green gas crept into the room from the lower air vents.
"Dioxis." Qui-Gon stated and the two Jedi shut off their sabers as they took a deep breath.
- - -
The squad of droids stopped before the doors of the conference room where the Jedi were.
A hologram of Nute Gunray appeared before them and they awaited their orders. "They must be dead by now." He said haughtily. "Destroy what's left of them." With that the blue figure faded away.
The droid commander looked to his troops and was issuing orders when the conference room doors suddenly opened, the green cloud of dioxis seeping out. Surprised, they readied their weapons as they waited for the smoke to clear.
Something caught the droids' sensors, but it was only the silver TC-14, stumbling out of the room with the drinks tray in its hands.
The droids lowered their guards slightly, but this proved to be a fatal mistake on their part as the two Jedi flew out of the room, igniting their sabers and taking down most of the droid squad before any of them could react.
- - -
Nute Gunray and Rune Haako watched from the bridge as the Jedi cut down the droid commander, their view screen going black as it happened.
The Viceroy looked to Tey How, the ship's master pilot. "What is going on down there?"
"We lost the transmission, sir." The ship controller's reply sounded calm because of his mouthpiece modulator, but the entire bridge was in a state of alarm.
"Have you ever encountered a Jedi Knight before, sir?" Rune inquired anxiously as he and Nute turned to walk toward the bridge doors.
Nute stuttered as he replied. "Well, no, but I don't…" He choked in panic before he could finish his sentence. "Seal off the bridge!"
"That won't be enough, sir." Rune followed up, his voice shaky as his mind raced through all the stories about Jedi he'd heard in his life.
Nute snapped at Tey How, his finger pointing unsteadily as he gave the order. "I want droidekas up here at once!"
Rune wiped his face in resignation with the back of his hand. "We will not survive this."
In a few moments, a green light stabbed through the bridge doors, melting the steel around it.
"They're already here?" Rune jumped in fright and turned around to look at the view screen. Tey How had switched it to the view of the cameras outside, and they all watched fearfully as one Jedi calmly worked on the door while his companion watched his back, effortlessly taking down any droid that came near them or shot at them. "Close the blast doors!" He shouted and another thick layer of metal enclosed the bridge doors, the saber blocked from sight behind it. "That will hold them." Nute said, more to assure himself than his subordinates, as he glanced again at the view screen behind him, watching triumphantly as the older looking Jedi, obviously the Master, pulled out his lightsaber. However, the grin on his face melted away as he watched the Jedi Master stab his sword back into the metal.
He turned to find Rune pointing frantically at the red spot glowing in the center of the doors. "They're still coming through!"
"This is impossible!" The Neimoidian leader shouted in disbelief as a chunk of metal melted off.
"Where are those droidekas?" Rune had evidently lost all his nerve. He turned to the view screen and his heart jumped with hope. Nute followed his gaze and grew just as hopeful as he watched a squad of their droidekas, five from each corridor, roll into view.
The fifteen droids deployed themselves into their battle modes, set up their shields and released a barrage of blaster fire on the two Jedi. They made a valiant effort to deflect the blaster fire but the shields made the droids virtually invincible. Smoke gathered from the continuous shooting, and when it cleared, the crew and the droids found that their enemies were no longer there, not a trace.
Tey How immediately switched through the many hallway cameras as the droidekas adjusted their sensors, and for a while they all caught a glimpse of the Jedi speeding by like blurs.
Rune watched as the Jedi fled the destroyer droids, waving his hand triumphantly at the view screen. "They're no match for droidekas."
But letting a Jedi run was just a dangerous as fighting one head on. "Sir," Tey How caught both his superiors' attention, "They've gone up the ventilation shaft."
- - -
Qui-Gon watched as his apprentice jumped out of the vent and motioned for him to hide himself behind some crates across him. The Jedi Master took in the surprising scene before him. "Battle droids." He whispered to Obi-Wan.
"It's an invasion army." The Padawan watched as droid soldier upon droid soldier filed ranks, folding themselves up to be loaded into their transports.
It was a bold move for the cowardly Neimoidians. "This is an odd play for the Trade Federation." It was evident that they had been planning this for quite some time. "We got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum." He caught his apprentice's attention, noting the calmness in the boy's eyes. He had matured very much from the time he'd accepted him as his Padawan learner. It made him proud to have an apprentice like him. "Stow aboard separate ships and meet down on the planet."
The boy grinned at his teacher, breaking the seriousness of the atmosphere. "You were right about one thing, Master." Qui-Gon gave him a curious look. "The negotiations were short."
But above all the things he valued in Ob-Wan was that the boy always had a knack for making things seem brighter.
- - -
The light from the flames of the burning warehouse could be seen from above the rooftops of Nar Shaddaa. It painted the night sky with an eerie red and orange. Many curious citizens had come out to the streets or poked their heads out of their windows to see what was happening, while others had chosen to go to the scene and see for themselves.
But as everyone's attention was focused at the calamity, a lone, robed figure walked slowly in the direction away from it. The wind fluttered through his feet as he held his coat close to himself. An indescribable chill was running through his body. It wasn't the biting night air of Nar Shaddaa or an unnerving feeling that something wrong was going to happen. It was just cold.
A gloom had seemed to cast itself over him. It always did during times like this. He watched from under his hood as people took brief glances of him before returning to gaze at the destruction he had caused. They would never know. Never know who caused it or why. Never know the brutality of the Jedi. The only people who would were the ones who were meant to know it. The Jedi Order wanted it that way.
He had been wandering aimlessly around the city's streets for hours. It was as if he was searching for something but he didn't know what it was. Maybe it was himself. Maybe it was answers to the many questions he had. All he knew was he felt lost.
It wasn't the first time that this had happened. After every mission like this that he'd gone on since he was fourteen, he found himself drifting right after. There had been times he had shambled around like a drunkard; he had looked nothing like a Jedi, it was disgraceful. But as he grew accustomed to it, he simply found himself walking, searching. None of the Council ever questioned this, they just understood; it was the least they could give him after putting him through hell time and again.
All he needed was time.
Time to himself.
Time to think things through.
- - -
It had been a rough night. Alana breathed in the night air of Nar Shaddaa. She rubbed her wrist and hoped that a bruise wouldn't settle where she had been violently grabbed by one of their customers that evening. Usually their clientele were a bit more civilized. But a couple of thugs had been at the bar that evening. Nothing Sedo and Kovin couldn't handle, though it was always better when there wasn't any trouble at their cantina. She'd been with her Bith boss and their Weequay bouncer for as long as she could remember. It was a good thing too, since she was luckier than the rest of her people.
She breathed in the night air of Nar Shaddaa, it wasn't the sweetest smell in the universe, but it was the smell of home. She'd grown up on Ryloth but had lived most of her life on Nar Shaddaa when she'd been bought as a slave by Sedo.
She had felt the explosion like everybody on the moon but had no interest in going to see the place like the other residents of Nar Shaddaa. Seeing it on the view screen at the bar was enough, it was just a giant mass of flame somewhere in the old industry sector.
It didn't matter much to her; it was far from any residential areas so no civilians could've been hurt. But if the explosion had any major implication, it would be on this evening. With Nar Shaddaa's security forces trying to keep the situation in check, they wouldn't have enough people to monitor the streets. It was bad enough that they couldn't, or didn't do much good when they were around, but with them scattered this evening, some of the seedier elements would get bolder.
She was right.
"Excuse me, ma'am." She felt a hand on her shoulder as she heard the voice come from behind her. Alana jerked around to see who it was and saw a couple of rough looking humans grinning maliciously at her.
There were three of them, and as the one who touched her gave her a once over, the other two flanked her. She had put a coat over herself, but underneath she still wore her gown from the bar. "Nice dress," the man smirked.
"What do you want?" The Twi'lek snapped as she gave them a look of disgust.
"No need to be feisty girl." The first man grinned. "We just want a little fun." One of the other men grabbed her from behind and felt her up.
"Let go of me!" She screamed and tried to elbow her way out of the man's grasp.
The first man grinned and took a step towards her. "Hold her down, boys."
"You don't want to do that." A voice spoke and it seemed to come from all around. The startled men looked around but the second man who had a hold of Alana held her tighter and dug his face into the girl's neck.
"I said," the voice spoke again and a cold feeling fell about the air around them, "you don't want to do that." The second man winced as his right hand, which had been exploring about, twisted itself beyond its capacity. He let go of Alana and dropped to his knees as he grasped his hand which was now in great pain.
A shadowy figure slowly made itself visible in the faint light of the street. It wore a robe and had a hood that covered his face. "Who the hell are you?" asked the third who had lost all interest in their would-be prey.
"You don't need to know who I am." The voice had clearly come from the dark figure. "I don't need to know who you are." The first thug watched in panic as his companion repeated the words as if he were in a trance.
"You will go home and re-think your life." The voice was calm yet commanding. "I will go home and re-think my life." The man rubbed his head and lumbered away.
The dark figure turned to face the first man who stood transfixed at what was happening. "You will do the same." After repeating the order, he went on his way as if nothing had happened.
Alana, having regained her composure, took a few steps back from the ruffian who had assaulted her. He was still on his knees grasping his hand and trying to scream with no success. The pain had obviously detached him from his surroundings. She looked again at the dark robed figure who now made his way towards the kneeling man, his cloak brushed against hers and she felt a chill follow him.
He waved his hand in front of him and the man's other hand twist itself. The man looked in even more pain. He waved his hand again and the thug seemed to waver, as if he were feeling a great dizziness, as if a bottle had been broken on his head.
He pulled the man by his hair and made him face him, made him stare into his eyes. "Your fate will be the same as your friends. But I will leave you a little gift." The robed figure said flatly as he waved his hand and returned the man's hands back to normal. The thug's eyes were glazed, but fear was apparent in them. "Every time you think of doing harm to another, you will remember my eyes." The thug tried to look away but his gaze was painfully jerked back by the hand still caught in his hair. "And if you harm anyone…" there was a pause, "you will see more than that."
The dark figure threw the man to the ground and stared down at him, and the thug was left trembling in a huddled heap on the street. He turned towards Alana, and paused for a moment, the Twi'lek looking back at him, examining his face under his hood. The man then waved his hand and spoke. "You will remember—"
"Nothing?" Alana queried, tilting her head to get a better look at her rescuer, "I'm sorry, but I don't think that will work on me." She looked into his eyes and gave him a wry smile. "I know your eyes."
A moment passed where nothing was said, then the robed figure turned around to leave. But before he could take a step away, a pair of arms embraced him from behind and held him back. Alana rested her face on the man's back. "Thank you." She whispered softly.
Everything had seemed so cold awhile ago, but she felt none of the coldness from the man she held now. He had a warmth about him; a warmth that seemed weak and dying. But it comforted her, and something within her wanted to keep it alive.
There was a comforting silence around them as the noise of Nar Shaddaa seemed to go quiet; the moon and everything on it seeming so far away.
"Let me go." The voice spoke.
"You don't want me to." Alana snuggled her face into the neck of his hood and held him tighter. "You're shaking, is something wrong?" She asked as she felt him tremble and his knees give way. Moving to his front, she knelt down and cupped his cheek. He was shivering and his eyes seemed detached from everything.
"Leave me alone." The voice whispered as he looked into her eyes. "Leave me alone, please."
Alana felt like she'd lose herself in his eyes. They were so deep and so many things seemed to be hidden within them. Never had she seen anything so mesmerizing, so captivating. They seemed so wizened, filled with thoughts she couldn't fathom, with emotions she couldn't describe. Yet something seemed wrong. It was as if they weren't ready, weren't ready for the horrors of life. They seemed so innocent, so young. She couldn't resist the urge any longer. Her longing to see his face, coupled with her urge to help this man who suddenly seemed so weak and tiny, made her hand push back the hood he wore.
The youth had looked away from her as she had removed his hood but he gave in when she slowly led his gaze back to hers with her caring fingers. Not a tear had trickled from his eyes but she felt there were a thousand waters behind his calm facade.
A pang of grief, and of love, overcame her. She knew now what was wrong, and it was painful to behold. It was a mere boy kneeling before her, a lad who looked as if he wasn't a day older than sixteen.
How could one so young possess eyes that seemed to have fought a war?
Alana cupped his face in both her hands and kissed the boy on his forehead. She didn't know what else to do. The boy just seemed to need someone right now, anyone. She cradled his head in her arms and as she did so she felt him tremble and his tears wet her leg.
Author's Note:
I saw it fit to change a few things in the canon since I thought they either didn't make sense or were just plain disappointing.
Some of the added text was taken from the screenplay of Episode1 I'm using as a supplement.
This note also applies for all following chapters.