Chapter 12: Another Round of Questions

Obi-Wan laid on his back, head pillowed for comfort. He stared up at the bare, empty ceiling, his mind buzzing with fraught thoughts. He was happy to be out of the detention cells and away from Qui-Gon. Funny, he remembered a time he despised the Halls of Healing. As a Jedi youngling, he preferred to hide away and care for himself. But now, he didn't mind laying completely still and just letting Vokara Che poke and prod him with her medical equipment.

She gave her conclusions and prescribed at least a few hours of rest in the Halls of Healing to regain some strength within the Force. Temple Guards were stationed in his room. Silent statues that one would have forgotten they were there until they lit up their lightsaber pikes. Obi-Wan was drifting in the currents of the Force, feeling weightless when he heard the lightsaber pikes ignite and the door sliding open. His eyes fluttered to the door and he saw a Mon Calamari padawan step uneasily into the room, her silver eyes rounding on him.

Obi-Wan's eyes illuminated at seeing Bant. "Hello, old friend."

Bant smiled as she approached the cot. "I'm so sorry, Obi-Wan. I heard what happened," she said, looking over Obi-Wan with a medical eye. "How are you feeling?"

"Considering? Good."

Bant rolled her eyes. "Of course you are. You could be bleeding from your eyes and you'll say that at least you have your other senses." She pulled up a chair and took a seat. "In all serious though—how are you really feeling?"

Obi-Wan rolled his head to the side to look at Bant fully. She looked good, healthy and happy. Quite the opposite for him. "I've been better," he decided, not wanting to worry Bant. There were far greater concerns for both of them. "How's Anakin? Is he all right?"

Bant placed her hands on her knees as she leaned in to speak. "I performed a physical exam and I found him to be healthy for his age. Lacked some vitamins, but overall a healthy boy. He's a bit shy and quiet."

"He can be like that when he's scared," Obi-Wan agreed. "But, once you get him to open up, he's a burst of energy. It's hard to even stay up with him at times."

"I imagine so," Bant said with a fond smile. "He reminds me of you."

"You're mistaken," Obi-Wan brushed off Bant's acknowledgment. "I was never as talented as him."

"That's not what I meant," Bant chastised with a small smile. "Quiet, stubborn, defensive… I could keep going."

Obi-Wan huffed. "I was never so brash as you are making me out to be."

"Says the person who took a promising Jedi Initiate in the middle of the night and disappeared for seven years."

Obi-Wan closed his mouth and turned sharply away. "You blame me then," he said, shortly. "Does everyone here look at me like a villain?"

"Not everyone. I don't see you as a villain," Bant said quietly.

"Then you see a foolish boy."

Bant sighed, tired. "When I look at you, I still see my friend," she confessed, "…and a Jedi."

It was not what Obi-Wan expected to hear. He turned his head back to Bant, looking upon his friend's face and seeing truth in her words. She believed in him. Obi-Wan pulled himself up in a sitting position, causing the Temple Guards to become alert and ready to strike him. But, they didn't charge at him. Only watched.

"You believe me?" Obi-Wan said quietly.

"I… I don't know," Bant admitted, glancing away to hide her confusion. "It's hard to know what to believe. I know you, Obi-Wan! I don't see you ever being so reckless, but when you did this and I… I don't know." She took a deep breath. "But… I still see a Jedi in you."

Obi-Wan tried hard not to cry in front of Bant. Of all the things she could have said, she said the words Obi-Wan never believed he would ever hear again. He turned his hand over, palm up, as a sign of gratitude. Bant looked down at the hand and smiled. She placed her own hand around Obi-Wan's and they rekindled the friendship they lost years ago.

"Thank you, Bant," Obi-Wan said as they broke free. "It's good to know that I have one ally here."

"I have always been your ally, Obi-Wan," Bant assured him. "I like to think our friendship isn't easy to break."

For the first time in what seemed forever, Obi-Wan laughed. It wasn't a hearty, boisterous roar. It was quiet and memorable. A light that poked through his dark thoughts. "Quite right," he said. "I wish I could say the same for all."

"You mean Garen?" Bant said, knowingly. She tipped her head down in sadness. "He was hurt by your departure. There was a lot of backlash from what you did, but I never blamed you."

"I think you're the only one."

"I'm sure if you explain—"

"I tried, but they won't listen," Obi-Wan said and he sunk further into his cot at the memory of his interrogation. "They believe me to be crazy. Too lost."

"Have hope," Bant said, rubbing his hand. "The Council may still see reason."

That caused Obi-Wan to arch his brows in humor. "Yes—and I can travel through time and change it all."

"Obi-Wan…"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, Bant. It's quite all right. I suppose it's time I faced my consequences head on. I only hope no one else gets caught in the crossfire," he said, taking Bant's hand in his own. He squeezed it in reassurance for her. "If you can, Bant, may you please promise me one thing?"

Bant looked nervously. Promises were hard to keep as a Jedi. A promise was a form of an emotional attachment by the Order. To make a promise with an individual meant the possibility of disregarding the oath made to the Order and the Force itself. Jedi are warned to not make promises and Obi-Wan knew Bant was conflicted.

"I don't know, Obi-Wan," Bant murmured.

"It's nothing too bad," Obi-Wan swore. "I… in case it doesn't go well with the Council, I need someone to look after Anakin. Will you promise me? You don't have to take him on as a padawan or anything like that. Just… keep him safe. Promise me?"

Bant looked away, ruffled by Obi-Wan plea. Obi-Wan could see the cogs of her mind moving and her heart judging the options. Then with a slow nod, she accepted. "I'll look after him, Obi-Wan. For you."

With the promise secured, Obi-Wan relaxed. His body eased and his mind was uncluttered of those anxieties. "Thank you, Bant. Thank you."

The door to his healing ward opened and Master Sifo-Dyas returned. He eyed Bant with scrutiny and judgement. Bant quickly got to her feet and made space between herself and Obi-Wan. She bowed respectfully to Master Sifo-Dyas. "Master."

Master Sifo-Dyas stepped closer, face crossed at Bant's appearance. "Kenobi is not to receive visitors."

Bant shifted under Master Sifo-Dyas' critical gaze. "Master Che gave me permission."

Obi-Wan knew she was lying. He didn't need the Force to sense the hesitation in Bant's words. Vokara Che did not give her permission to visit. Master Sifo-Dyas, a well-respected Jedi Shadow, knew it too.

"Please leave padawan," Master Sifo-Dyas pointed to the door. "I'll report to Vokara Che of your insubordination."

Bant's shoulders slouched in defeat. She kept her head down as she departed, but right before leaving, she gave Obi-Wan an apologetic, yet hopeful look. It warmed Obi-Wan's heart to see the effort his friend made to see him.

Master Sifo-Dyas ordered him up. "The Council wishes to see you."

"Again?" Obi-Wan questioned, befuddled by the change of plans. "I thought my sentencing wasn't until tomorrow?"

Master Sifo-Dyas shrugged as he snapped the Force-nulling binders back on Obi-Wan's wrist. His connection to the Force immediately was shut off and his mind filled with fog once more. "Perhaps they came to their decision quicker than expected?"

Obi-Wan was lead through the Temple. He saw a few masters, knights and padawans glimpse in his direction with scowls, indifference and curiosity. All of them imagined him as something entirely different than what he truly was and he couldn't say anything. No one would believe in him anyway. No matter what he said.

They arrived outside the Council Chamber doors. Coruscant's sun setting in the distance, illuminating the metal structures into a fiery glaze that hauntingly reminded Obi-Wan of his visions years ago. He blenched and looked away, focusing on the sealed doors.

Master Sifo-Dyas spoke with the padawan assistant and in a few short minutes, Obi-Wan found himself in the center, ringed by Jedi Masters. Their faces were not kind or compassionate. They all eyed him with conspiracy and suspicion. Obi-Wan looked to Dooku, the Jedi poser. Dooku sat rigid in his seat, agitated, but still hiding well behind his heavy veil. He looked composed like the rest of the circled Jedi Masters, but there was agitation flaring in the man's eye. Something was not going according to his plan.

Once Obi-Wan was situated in the center and the Temple Guards took their place, Master Yoda greeted him. "How feeling are you, hmm? Feeling well we heard from Master Sifo-Dyas that you are not."

"I've had better days," Obi-Wan responded, weary, "but I'll manage."

"If you need more rest, stay in the Halls of Healing, you can."

"I thank you for the offer, but that won't change the circumstances," Obi-Wan said as he raised the binders to demonstrate that his illness was due to the elimination of the Force.

Master Yoda looked sad as he spied the cuffs. His ears turned down, ashamed and disappointed. Master Windu stroked his bare jawline as he examined Obi-Wan. "Master Jinn has made an official request to move you to lesser cells, which we will consider for tomorrow's sentencing," he informed Obi-Wan. "But for now, you will stay in those detention cells."

Qui-Gon certainly busied himself, Obi-Wan thought. He pondered if that was the main reason he was dragged back to the Council Chamber. To inform him that they were sorry for his illness, but decide to do nothing about it. It seemed like an overly dramatic show of power. Something he imagined the Council would never consider.

Master Windu rested his hands on his armchair, looking very significant and respectable in his chosen seat. "Let us continue on with the real reason why we summoned you," he addressed Obi-Wan folding his hands together. "Interesting news has come to our attention this past hour."

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows, indifferent. "Did it?"

Master Yoda twisted his gimer stick in his seat, studying Obi-Wan carefully. "Of a woman on Tatooine Anakin told us."

Obi-Wan suck in his breath. They spoke to Anakin. Already? His eyes looked to all the faces he could see in his line of vision, seeing their curious furrows on the matter. Obi-Wan adjusted his hands, the metal cuffs biting into his inner wrists. Still, he chose not to speak and waited.

Master Windu sat tall in his seat, watching Obi-Wan with those penetrating eyes. "Skywalker claimed she carried a red lightsaber," he added onto Master Yoda's comment. "He also said that you engaged in battle with her."

So that was the reason for Dooku's agitation. His new apprentice had been revealed to the Jedi Council. Obi-Wan hopefully could use this to his advantage and shed light on those slithery shadows Dooku and Qui-Gon casted.

Master Windu eyed him carefully. "Is this true?"

Obi-Wan restrained himself from flickering a look to Dooku. He straightened his shoulders and nodded. "Yes, Anakin speaks the truth."

An intense rumble echoed amongst the masters. They all snuck glances to one another with shock and disapproval. Many whispered to one another in disturbance of the news. It was almost as if Obi-Wan had all struck them with lightening and they were utterly defenseless to know what to do next. They all looked to Master Yoda or Master Windu for guidance.

Master Windu leaned heavily forward in his seat, growling. "And you didn't think to bring this up during your session?"

Obi-Wan half-shrugged. "Cannot command a blind man to see. Cannot command a deaf man to hear," he said, looking from Master Windu to Master Yoda. "I figured you wouldn't believe me if I did."

"Except now we have a witness that says otherwise."

"Who? Anakin? I'm surprise," Obi-Wan professed, rocking slightly on his heels. "You normally don't take the word of a youngling. Truth or not."

That earned him a blast of cold disapproval from all the Councilors. Master Yoda regarded him with tense eyes. "No need for attitude, there is, young Kenobi. To learn we asks questions. From those answers, conclusions, we make," he grunted. "Be bitter, do not. No good to be resentful, it is."

Obi-Wan bowed his head, sorrowfully accepting the reprimand. "My apologies," he said. "I do not mean to be resentful. I'm am only surprise."

"Surprise by your omittance of such a crucial details, like we are, hmm?" Master Yoda returned, ears up and brows close together. Obi-wan regretted his words and kept his head respectfully down. He heard Master Yoda's claw tap on the tip of his gimer stick. "Of the woman tell us. A Sith, was she, hmm?"

Obi-Wan thought back to the memory of his duel with the Dathomirian woman. He shook his head. "No."

"No," repeated Master Windu. "Did she not carry a red lightsaber?"

"She did, but she was not a Sith."

"Because you are a reliable source on defining a Sith?" challenged Master Even Piell.

Obi-Wan grounded his teeth. "I credit that she was trained in the Jedi arts and was well-skilled in dueling," he said. "But she was no Sith. I felt her Force presence. She lacked mastery."

Another round of murmurs fluttered around him. Obi-Wan stayed perfectly still, unswayed by their disbelief. A few sunk into their seats, contemplating the tidbit. Red lightsabers were rare. Only belonging to the Lords of the Sith. No Jedi ever held a red lightsaber. The closest was Master Windu's purple blade. So, to hear the starling news of a Dark Force user carrying a red lightsaber was a rude shock to many, despite the years Obi-Wan warned them of Dooku and Qui-Gon's meddling of the Dark Side.

"Where on Tatooine did the attack occur?" asked Master Plo Koon.

"On the edge of Mos Espa," Obi-Wan answered. "I thought she came to kill the Queen, but after engaging her, I realize the Queen was not the target."

"Who was the target then?" inquired Master Depa Billaba.

Obi-Wan locked his eyes on Master Yoda. "I was the target," he revealed as he turned to address the rest of the Council. "During our duel, she appeared to be familiar with me, recognizing that I was once a member of the Jedi Order. She called me by my name, but that is not terribly surprising since I have been a wanted man for years." He was the poster boy of the Republic's Most Wanted far too long than he desired. "When asked for hers, she refused."

As he relayed the information to the Council, he managed to sneak a look at Dooku. The mercurial shift in Dooku's gaze was disconcerting. Displeasure shrouded his eyes as something much colder entered the Force. It wasn't noticeable from a simple glance, but Obi-Wan recognized that expression. It was the same look Dooku gave him when he attempted to interfere with his and Qui-Gon's missions. It often resulted in Obi-Wan experiencing a sharp prick in his mind before it became a crippling migraine that paralyzed him for the rest of the day.

But, Obi-Wan knew Dooku wouldn't do it in front of the Council. Too many witnesses that would link it back to him. Instead, he settled on warning him through a simple shift of his eyes. If Obi-Wan spoke more, consequences would follow.

Obi-Wan had the upper-hand though. He knew Dooku and Qui-Gon would not hurt Anakin. They needed him and Obi-Wan wasn't afraid for his own life. So, Dooku's warning was empty-handed. He had nothing to hold over Obi-Wan. Those days were long over.

"She possessed a lot of hatred toward me," Obi-Wan continued on, ignoring Dooku. "I've never met her in my life, but she knew me and wanted me dead. She tried very hard to do so. I was fortunate to beat her and escape."

Master Adi Gallia folded her hands into her robes. "Could you describe this woman?"

He would never forget her. Not because she made an impression on him. The fact that she vowed to kill him was the reason for how he pictured her so clearly. "She was Dathomirian. Tall with a slight build," he began describing the woman. "Sharp eyes and a bald head with tattoos."

"And her fighting style?" queried Master Tiin.

Obi-Wan felt the Dark Side drilling into the back side of his head. Dooku's frustrations were heightening. His sedulously planned manipulations were being undone due to his apprentice's failure. Obi-Wan couldn't help but slip a small grin of retribution. Soon, the Council and the rest of the Order would recognize Dooku and Qui-Gon as Sith.

"She carried two, curved lightsabers," he answered Master Tiin, "and I would say her dueling form resembled makashi. Not a perfect style of it, but it was similar to Form II."

The Councilors all exchanged worried glances. Master Windu muttered under his breath as he rubbed a hand over his face. Obi-Wan recognized the faces of grave disquiet as they all absorbed Obi-Wan's descriptions. Eyes flickered from him to Master Yoda, all hoping for some clarification as to what the woman could possibly mean. Obi-Wan felt his heart rising in his chest. Hope kindled the fire within him as he locked his gaze onto Master Yoda. He needed the Grandmaster to know the truth! To see that Dooku and Qui-Gon were false and a great threat to democracy and the Order.

"Mother Talzin."

Every Jedi all turned to Dooku. Obi-Wan pivoted to look at the Sith Lord, surprised to find that Dooku had recomposed himself into a more genteel aristocrat than a maddening master. Dooku didn't even look at Obi-Wan. His gaze was on Master Yoda and Master Windu. "It must be Mother Talzin, the ruler of Dathomir," he explained to the other Councilors. "She practices the use of magicks with her Force-sensitive clans: the Nightsisters and Nightbrothers.

"These Nightsisters and Nightbrothers are highly trained in both the Force and magicks," Dooku debriefed the Council. "Our team of Shadows have investigated Mother Talzin and her clans in connection to Senator Palpatine's assassination and the disappearance of that missing cruise ship. We believe Mother Talzin has been selling the services of the Nightsisters as assassins and mercenaries."

Dooku's dark eyes trailed from Master Yoda to Master Windu before settling comfortably on Obi-Wan. The look he gave to the young man was one of chilling mockery. "This assassin must have been hired by an enemy of yours, young Kenobi," he concluded. "Anyone you can think of?"

Obi-Wan glared in return. "I can name a couple."

Dooku looked to all of his fellow Councilors. "I suggest we send the Shadows to investigate Mother Talzin," he proposed. "She may be willing to reveal the name if she thinks the Jedi will get deeply involve of their daily lives."

Obi-Wan clenches his jaw as he grasps at the binders. His muscles tense, coiling in a readiness to steel himself against Dooku. He cannot let Dooku manipulate the truth again. Not this time. Already, there were a few heads nodding in agreement with his deductions, whispers of a mission to Dathomir floating between Councilors. They were falling right back into Dooku's hands. Again.

Before Obi-Wan could make his argument, the padawan assistant from outside entered the chamber. She quickly bowed, apologetic for her untimely interruption. "I'm sorry to interrupt Masters," came the padawan's unsteady voice. "There is an urgent call from the Chancellor wishing to speak to Master Yoda."

All eyes refocused to Master Yoda. The wizened Jedi breathed deeply. "Possible to wait, is it?"

"He's demanding your audience now."

Master Yoda uttered a long sigh. "Speak to the Chancellor, I will."

The padawan bowed again and exited between the two Temple Guards. Master Yoda took the floor, requesting to post-pone the session for tomorrow. The Councilors agreed and the session ended without Obi-Wan's rebuttal. Master Sifo-Dyas re-entered, taking charge of Obi-Wan. He ordered him out of the chamber, pressing Obi-Wan to follow the Temple Guards out so that the Councilors may leave in peace.

As Obi-Wan was marched out, he caught a glimpse of Dooku's face morphing into a proud smug. There was satisfaction in Dooku's glittering eyes. The Sith Lord managed to deter all of Obi-Wan's efforts and place blame elsewhere, directing all evidence away from him and Qui-Gon. Another savage victory for the Sith!

The Force, it seemed to Obi-Wan, had abandoned him.

Master Yoda sat cross-legged on his ottoman. Eyes lingered out the window, entranced by the busying traffic and the ships flying in and out like stars shooting across the sky. Coruscant. A city of conflictions. A city of the rich and famous. A city of the poor and infamous. A city of wonders to a city of forgotten. A city of hard-workers. A city of crooks. The good. The bad. The beautiful. The ugly. All wrapped up in one city, co-existing in peace.

For now.

Master Yoda felt a vergence. A tilt in the Force that dropped a blind. Yoda saw that the Force darkened a little. The Dark Side was rising, building slowly on the edge and gathering. It was of great concern for Yoda. If the Dark Side smothered, then danger there was for not only the Order, but also the Republic.

His thoughts and worries were brought on by his talk with the Chancellor. The communication lasted for two hours, much longer than Yoda anticipated and it didn't end terribly well. Therefore, he sat himself up on the ottoman and began meditating. An hour later, he came to the only conclusion that he did not agree with, but had to nonetheless.

A knock came to his door. Yoda didn't need to ask for the name. He knew who was behind the door. He waved his claw and the door slid opened. Master Windu's dominating figure took over a portion of Master Yoda's living space. Master Yoda gestured to one of the chairs. Mace took a seat, folding his legs carefully underneath him.

They sat in silence for a long minute or two. Master Yoda kept staring out at the city and Mace watched him. Then, with ears bowing down, Yoda sighed. "To the Chancellor, I spoke."

"And what did he want?" Mace questioned. "Does he have another request?"

Yoda nodded. "Yes. Cause much grief, the request will."

That got Mace sitting up straight, troubled. "What request, Master Yoda?"

Yoda rotated in his seat, looking up at his young friend. "Brought in a compliant to the Chancellor in regards to Kenobi and Skywalker, Queen Amidala has."

Mace Windu dropped his legs to the floor. "Queen Amidala? Why?"

"Unlawfully arrested and threatened, she claims the Republic citizens were."

"Unlawfully arrested and threatened?" Mace repeated, offended. "They are not Republic citizens! This is a Jedi matter."

"Kenobi is a Jedi not," Yoda reminded Mace. "Skywalker, nor is. With the Chancellor already discussed the issue."

Mace bristled, shaking his head in monumental disbelief. "This is a Jedi affair," he insisted. "I don't see why the Senate needs to get involved or why the Queen of Naboo is intruding on matters that are not in her jurisdiction."

Yoda's sleepy eyes closed for a moment. "Members of her security team, she claimed Kenobi and Skywalker were. That, taken against their will, were they," he said and he reopened his eyes to still find a scowl twisting Mace Windu's face. "Requested that Kenobi and Skywalker be released to Queen Amidala, the Chancellor has."

Yoda watched Mace spring to his feet. "We will not allow it!" he declared. "Kenobi and Skywalker are part of the Jedi jurisdiction. Not the Senate. Their fate lies here."

"To him at great lengths about it I spoke," Master Yoda informed Mace, quietly. His voice not once rising at all. "But, threatened to go to the courts, the Chancellor has told me Queen Amidala has."

Mace's eyebrows shot high up his forehead, revolted at the notion. "The Courts?" Mace distanced himself from Master Yoda, his mind brooding. "This is a circus! Kenobi is a shut and closed case. He's guilty for betraying the Order."

"For what, hmm?" Master Yoda raised. "Allowed to leave, padawans are. His vow he never took."

Mace circled back. "Don't tell me you are agreeing. Master Yoda, you of all the Masters have been the most persistent in getting Kenobi back to the Order," he said. "Now you are willing to release him? After seven years of searching?"

Master Yoda let out a heavy and tired sigh. His tiny shoulders drooped as if the galaxy dropped a planet on top of him. "This is easy for me not," he admitted. "I meditated and received only one answer in return."

Mace sat back on the ottoman, intrigued. "Which is?"

Yoda lifted his tired gaze to his old friend. "To speak to young Kenobi first, I need. Only then, my decision clear, will."

"Kenobi?"

"Troubling times, these are. Growing stronger, the Dark Side is," Master Yoda confirmed. "Ignore, the appearance of a possible Sith is a threat we cannot."

Mace withdrawn in a snit, but he did not dare to argue with Yoda's wisdom. "I'll contact Master Sifo-Dyas and let him know of your impending arrival."

"Thank you," Yoda said with a small smile. Despite the old age, Yoda was light on his feet as he dismounted from his seat. "Go and speak to Kenobi, I must."