Aboard the Tantive IV
Obi-Wan Kenobi was meditating. Along side his Master, Yoda. Kenobi was shaken profusely by the changes the Galaxy was undergoing. Calm, Restraint, Serenity. Obi-Wan was different from his apprentice who always wished to see action. Obi-Wan preferred to think, reason and negotiate… the Negotiator, he was known as.
The white walls of the ships covered them, as they dimly lit the room and the two sat upon green cushions on the chairs.
What Organa told Obi-Wan told him about Anakin and Ahsoka struck him the most. After seeing the holograms of:
Anakin slaughtering his Jedi comrades, he had refused to believe it. He had refused to fight Anakin. Yoda persuaded him to do so, and it took all his strength to prepare himself for such action; but realising where Ahsoka, Anakin and Padme were surprised him deeply… Anakin had not harmed Ahsoka. Why? He wondered. If he could slay so many innocents? He isn't that far gone, yet, perhaps.
Give the event some time? Obi-Wan pondered cautiously. No, that can't happen.
I have to involve myself as a Jedi to bring about some reprieve in the evil chaos that has been created, he thought. I no longer wish to kill Anakin, but I do not know still where he is. Anakin was always firm on his mind, his loyalty always unnervingly stationary to those he cared about. He regarded me as his brother and always put himself on the line for me, as I did too for him.
But the Sith can change allegiances so easily. They are always quick to manipulate and are prone to deception. We never saw the potential of Darth Sidious to bend the Republic and the Senate to his Will. To destroy the Jedi Order that had lasted for millennia.
Did Anakin simply take this path out of lust, as Sith did, or because as Organa has informed - to find a way to save Padme. From visions of death; visions that come from the power of foresight some Jedi had. Anakin was unique because he was one of these rare few - she is now carrying his child.
Obviously, Palpatine has no such power. The Sith are an unnatural order. The dark side of the force, they channelise, only has the potential to maim, mutilate and destroy. It has no power to save.
Organa has said Ahsoka she wishes to save Anakin. She always cared for her Master..
The Council did not trust her. We made many mistakes. Obi-Wan thought sadly. She left the Order… to her own path.
Anakin and I spoke to her before she chose to fight Maul on Mandalore.
"Master Yoda." Organa came inside the room. Yoda immediately woke from his deep concentration and turned to the Alderanian politician.
"Senator Organa, what have you to speak?"
"I have heard of a skirmish on Eriadu. A city there in Phellar. The Empire has attacked and occupied the planet. They are arresting and tormenting the citizens.
"They have now captured and held hostage the daughter of Councillor Voax, a member of the City Council.
"I did not know Voax too well, but I have met him a few times… he ran for the position of the Senator for the planet… but his idealistic and liberal vision did not fit in with the vested powerful capitalistic interests of the wealthy there… The Senator elected has chosen wholeheartedly to cheer at the Empire's formation. "
"Admiral Tarkin is from Eriadu too, isn't he?" Obi-Wan asked.
"That man disgusts me." Organa said bitterly. "I've heard that he is now Palpatine's right hand man. Possibly one the most powerful men in the Empire.
"Obi-Wan, I request you to help there. I am glad you have heeded my words. That you aren't rushing to a fight with Skywalker. Padme always cared for you a great deal. Thank you for this.
"I feel a step to assist the Councillor may be a starting point. Mind you, not one that can topple the rise and power of this emerging Empire, but a beacon of hope to those who still care for the ideals the Republic once stood up for."
Yoda nodded. "To Eriadu, you must go, Obi-Wan..." He said.
"Shown us a way, Senator Organa has... patient, we must be, right he is... " He added. "Meditated... I have... much knowledge, I have learnt. Much to learn of the ways of the Force we all have. Dark Side clouds everything. Yet... a path to be found, there always is."
Meditated? Obi-Wan sensed, that Yoda got this insight more than through merely his meditations.
He had never told any of them of his journeys to the unknown planets few months ago… after he was consumed by some unknown power… We tried to hold him, Obi-Wan held back a smile… but Yoda went still… he told us he learnt nothing from his expeditions, but I don't think that is true. Master Yoda is wiser than us all.
"Very Well, Senator. I will leave immediately."
"Thank you, Obi-Wan. Don't attract much attention to yourself. The galaxy, and most of its citizens hold the Jedi in much distrust… fueled further by the Emperor. You must be careful. Fight only when you must, neutralise any opponents only when it is necessary to save lives… as you have always done. You have shown much compassion… even to the Separatists.
"Ironic, isn't it?" He tangentiated. "The remnants of the CIS are now are allies. They were manipulated by the Sith, as you say, by Dooku and Palpatine, and the corrupt corporations… but now they too fight against the tyranny our once beloved Republic is imposing. Perhaps they were right about it, after all." He considered as he pondered, if he and many Senators were wrong before, and thus accessories to the transformations now taking place. I will redeem myself and the galaxy, he thought. Hope is far from us, right now, but it always exists.
'Rebellions are built on hope.'