Four Weeks Later
The Temple Archives only held so much information on the Sith, and that knowledge was reserved for the Masters only and only with the express permission of not just Madam Nu, but the Jedi Council, as well. Obi-Wan had been frustrated when Jocosta Nu had turned him down flat and denied him access to the files he sought. There had been no orders from the Council that dictated the young Knight was allowed to view them, and therefore Madam Nu was obligated to refuse the request.
Obi-Wan needed those files, but he couldn't ask the Council for the permission he required. No, the Council would ask too many questions and that blasted green troll would see right through him, in any case. Obi-Wan's frustration grew to immense proportions and had given way to anger. The anger merely fuelled the need to possess those files to the point where he was prepared to hurt the Archivist just to circumvent her and get at what he wanted.
But he was too refined for that.
Instead, he took his anger under control, looked Madam Nu in the eye and said simply, "You know, you really do want to let me see those files. A beautiful, intelligent woman such as yourself would enjoy having someone like me look at them, so she could share the power held within the knowledge one would gain by reading them." His voice lowered to a whisper, and he added, "We'd be great together, you know. No one would stop us."
It was inspired, really. Had he been in his right mind, it would never have worked. The anger fuelled the gently spoken Force-command so that it carried more power behind it than a Jedi's usual mind trick.
Madam Nu had merely smiled and handed him the access codes.
Obi-Wan was positive that, had you asked Jocosta Nu what had happened after she had refused Obi-Wan, she wouldn't remember.
His triumph was short-lived, as he quickly realized how little there was in the way of useful knowledge on the Sith and their teachings. Only basic histories, biographies on the more famous of the Sith Lords and the rumoured wording of the Sith Code were seemingly all the Jedi had in the way of information on the Sith.
He had left the Archives with an annoyed swish of his robes and had sulked for most of the night. The next day brought a turn-around in his investigation, as he overheard something at Dex's during lunch.
"It seems," the spacer sitting in the booth behind Obi-Wan said to his companion, "That the late, great Xanatos of Offworld had acquired one of those holocron thingies. Those close to him said it radiated evil like the suns on Tatooine radiate heat. He couldn't figure out how to use it, though, even though it's said that he was an ex-Jedi. I bet a full Jedi could open that baby up and destroy it."
No! Destroy such a priceless piece of knowledge! Obi-Wan's thoughts reeled. He now needed to get to Telos, yet once more he needed to get around the Council. Chances were, if this spacer knew of the holocron, then so did the Jedi.
He was willing to bet that the Force had thrown events into motion that would require a Jedi-presence on the planet, as the Temple gossip-vine exploded with news about a huge diplomatic gathering on Xanatos' home planet. Obi-Wan was the first Knight in line to request that he and Anakin be assigned to the mission.
He was also the first one turned down by the Council, who believed that Anakin wasn't ready for a mission like this yet.
Damn that boy! Now he's holding me back, tethering me to the one place I cannot stay if I wish to continue my search!
(There's a way, Obi-Wan. You discovered it in the Archives, when Madam Nu denied you the object of your desire. Now it is the Council who is keeping you from your destination.)
Use a mind trick on the Council? Are you mad? They're too powerful.
(Ah! Together, yes, you'd stand no chance against them. But should you sway one, the right one, then you will dominate them from the inside out...)
But which one? Masters Yoda and Windu would resist, as well as know my heart.
(Eeth Koth knows well the place that young Skywalker is in. He was accepted into the Order at an age deemed 'too old'.)
Yes, I see now. Appeal to that child within and he would fight the Council to the death to send Anakin off on his first mission.
And so, at first opportunity and after much practice in calling and using that anger born of frustration effectively, he had confronted Master Koth.
He had fallen into step beside the Master, saying only, "Master, I am concerned for Anakin's self-esteem. Since you experienced something similar when you were first brought into the Jedi, I thought that maybe you could help me."
Master Koth, bless him, glanced quickly at Obi-Wan, then pulled him into a secluded alcove. "In what way, Master Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan sighed dramatically, looking forlorn. "Well, Master, all of his age-mates have already gone on their first missions and I'm afraid that he's feeling a bit left out. When I heard of this one, I thought it would be perfect for us to cut our teeth on."
"And you want me to convince the Council to let you go, is that it?" Master Koth was already shaking his head. "Obi-Wan, I'm sorry, I feel for you and your Padawan, but I agree with the Counc–"
"But you want to help me, Master Koth." Obi-Wan's eyes arrowed as he stared down the Council member, letting an inkling of the mind trick seep to the other man. "It would ease your conscience about how the Council treated Anakin when he was first brought before you; it would also soothe the rejection you felt when you were in Anakin's place long ago."
Master Koth returned the stare, and crosses his arms over his chest. "This won't work, Obi-Wan. The past has left me, and I am content with my beginnings. And the fact that you would resort to a simple mind trick is –"
Obi-Wan's expression softened and turned to one more befitting a repentant lover caught in the act of adultery. He let a hidden tendril of coercion seep into his words, "Master Koth, I would never do such a thing. The very fact that you would accuse me of trying to manipulate a Council member is hurtful." A sad smile curled Obi-Wan's lips. "You do remember how the false accusations of others can be hurtful, don't you?"
Master Koth drew himself up to his full height and huffed. "I have never suffered false accusations from anyone."
"Oh, but you have! When the Council told you that they wouldn't accept you because you were too old." Obi-Wan's smile began to bend cruelly. "You do still feel the pain of standing before the Council and being told you weren't good enough, smart enough, sensitive enough to keep up with your peers, don't you?" He took a step towards the Council member. "Of course you do!" he whispered, letting the power wrap around Eeth Koth's mind. "You know you do."
Master Koth looked at Obi-Wan for a long moment. His breathing slowed and deepened, the words percolating through his mind. Finally, with a sigh, Master Koth nodded.
"I will see what I can do, Obi-Wan. But I promise nothing."
Eeth Koth may not have promised anything out loud, but he had been bound by Obi-Wan's request to fight tooth and nail to get the Master-Padawan Team of Kenobi-Skywalker chosen for the Telos mission, and he had succeeded.
Not a single being on the Council said anything to the sudden change in Master Koth's position, so Obi-Wan decided to take it as a sign that he had once more completed his mind-bending trick without leaving any lasting, detectable effects, save for the implanted suggestion.