Chapter 6

New Threats, Old Flames

"And then he what?"

"He accidentally inhaled glitterstim from the spider's web. I could barely keep up with him as we got out of there."

Sifo-Dyas laughed heartily.

"That's a hell of a story, Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan will have to tell me his side when he gets back here…provided he's still able to form coherent sentences."

"He's an excellent apprentice, Sifo-Dyas. He'll recover, faster than even I can realize."

"Glad to hear that. So, what did you two find?"

"Another Sith holocron, in a crate with a distinctive marking on it."

Sifo-Dyas' face went cold, and even so far from Coruscant Qui-Gon could feel the threat of the dark side tugging at him.

"What was the marking?"

"I made a drawing of it that I'll copy and transmit to you, but it consists of two pickaxes superimposed on a circle, with the letters 'L.M.C.' beneath it."

"Hmm. Never seen that insignia before, but I'll go through the Archives to see what it is. If it's even in the Archives at all."

"I'm confident it will be, Sifo-Dyas."

"You really think this 'LMC' entity is part of the artifact smuggling operation?"

"Well, the holocron was in a crate with the marking on it. Based on what we could see, it looked like someone had tried to smuggle it in with packets of glitterstim. Possibly for 'LMC' to hide the holocron."

"Or for the Hutts to. Just because 'LMC' is on the crates doesn't mean that 'LMC' procured the artifact in the first place. Again, we don't even know who or what 'LMC' is right now."

"That's why we have you, Sifo-Dyas."

"Then I will see that this 'LMC' is revealed to us. I'll call you on this channel once I find out what it means. Tell Obi-Wan I wish him a safe recovery."

"I will."

"May the Force be with you, Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon uploaded the drawing of the crate marking as the hololink went dead, and then headed to the medical bay to check on his Padawan. He walked in to see Obi-Wan still on his cot, groaning in pain. The medical droid busily ran its arms across various parts of his body, collecting data on his vitals. "Master…" "Be still, Obi-Wan. You performed excellently in there."

"Doesn't…feel…like it."

"You'll recover. In a few days, you'll feel good as new. Once the medical staff have cleared you to fly, we'll head back to Coruscant and see what Master Sifo-Dyas has managed to discover with the evidence we gave him."

"I…hear…you…Master."

Better let him sleep this off. He'll have plenty to do once we get back to Coruscant and check in with Sifo-Dyas. I can feel it.

Obi-Wan shut down his Delta-6's engines and opened the canopy. He climbed out of the fighter's cockpit and onto the walkway leading into the Jedi Temple, glad to be home. His recovery had taken almost a week, and he could still feel the side effects of the glitterstim. Qui-Gon had told him to see the healers once the two had returned to Coruscant, to ensure that he hadn't suffered permanent injury as a result of the mission on Kessel. I won't look forward to more treatment…but at least I'll see Bant again. Then again, after her doting on me for days on end, I don't think I'll be so glad to see her anymore! Qui-Gon had already landed, and waited for his apprentice at the door. With him was Sifo-Dyas, a grave expression on his face. "Master Sifo-Dyas! It's good to see you again!" "You won't feel so happy once we get down to business, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan approached his Master and Sifo-Dyas, and spoke quietly to the two.

"What happened, Masters?"

"It's about the marking we saw on the crate, Obi-Wan," said Qui-Gon.

"We don't have to time discuss it here, Obi-Wan. You and Qui-Gon will get a day's rest, and then report to the Jedi Council Chamber tomorrow morning."

"I understand, Master Sifo-Dyas."

Obi-Wan sat on the edge of the cot, various instruments scanning his vital signs. Across from him, his longtime friend Bant Eerin watched the readouts on a screen. "Well, it looks like your vitals check out, Obi-Wan. No odd brain activity or anything of that nature." "I still have a headache, Bant." "That's no problem. I can get you painkillers for that. Still, from what I heard you got a good dose of that glitterstim spice. You're lucky. That stuff can be lethal." "Well, it was an accident. Sprinting down a pitch-black mine shaft with a horde of hungry spiders in pursuit might make even you lose situational awareness."

"That's why I became a healer, Obi-Wan. I get to leave the running around and getting injured to you."

"Well, you won't lack for work anytime soon."

"Be careful what you wish for, Obi-Wan. Knowing you, you'd go crazy having to spend more than a few hours in here. Even with me."

The two broke into laughter, glad to be back in each other's presence.

"You've got a clean bill of health, Obi-Wan. Head on out."

"With pleasure, Bant."

Obi-Wan stood back up and walked to the door. I'll just idle around; see if I can chat with any other old friends. Then, I'll spend a VERY long time meditating in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. From what Master Sifo-Dyas said, tomorrow is going to be a long day.

Obi-Wan sat in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, taking in his surroundings and letting the Force flow through him, purging what was left of the glitterstim dose from his body. I feel several measures improved already. After a few more hours of this, I'll be more than ready to face whatever Sifo-Dyas has to say in the Council Chamber. Then, Obi-Wan felt a sudden, unexpected Force presence coming towards him. It surprised him initially, but he could feel that it meant no harm. In fact, it was warm, friendly, loving…and familiar.

Where have I felt that before? Who is that?

Then, Obi-Wan remembered the last time he had felt this presence, five years earlier, in this very room. Still, he couldn't remember whom it belonged to. As it came closer, Obi-Wan felt its effects more intensely. Five years ago…this room…what was I doing then? Then, the memories slowly came back to him.

Is it…it can't be. We haven't seen each other in…

"Oh! I'm sorry; I didn't know you were meditating in here. Wait, there's something familiar about your Force sig…Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan recognized the voice immediately, a voice that a part of his mind had hoped to never hear again.

"Siri?"

Obi-Wan stood up and turned around, and there she was. Siri Tachi, his old love from his teenage years, now all grown up. She looked just as astonished to see him, and the two stood there, staring at each other in amazement for several seconds. "Obi-Wan! You…I haven't seen you in forever!" "Siri, what…what are you doing here?" "Trying to do the same thing you are. I thought I would have the place all to myself, until I ran into you."

"Care to join me?"

"Why not?"

Siri nervously sat down next to Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan once again reentered his meditative trance.

That was a gutsy move, Kenobi. You haven't seen her in five years, and you remember what the two of you said to each other the last time you saw each other. In this very room, no less. Obi-Wan could already feel his old romantic feelings coming back, and he tried to push them out of his mind.

Don't. The two of you agreed that the Jedi Code was more important than your feelings for each other, on the floor of this room. You discussed the matter with your own Master as well as Master Yoda. You sat at your Master's side as he watched the woman he loved die, and you saw him nearly fall to the dark side once he found her murderer. What you did in here five years ago…what both you AND Siri did in here five years ago…it was all for the best.

Try as he might, Obi-Wan felt his old desires linger.

Obi-Wan tumbled out of his cot, groggily opening his eyes. After spending much of the rest of the previous day in meditation, Obi-Wan had made a point of getting to bed as soon as possible, to avoid having to spend any more time around Siri. He could hear Qui-Gon's voice in his head as he drifted to sleep. Always be mindful of the here and now, young Padawan. He showered and put his best, cleanest robes on, all the while wondering what the Council had to say about the ongoing investigation.

Do they know who "LMC" is? If so, who? Why are they making such a big deal out of this? Is it just the gravity of the investigation itself, or is there something more sinister to do with "LMC" that Master Sifo-Dyas and the Council knows that we don't? Obi-Wan sat down, meditating for as long as he could, until a pounding on his door brought him back to reality.

"Obi-Wan? Are you awake?"

"Yes, Master. I'm coming."

Obi-Wan walked out the door, where Qui-Gon awaited him. Much to his surprise, he was not alone. Behind him, Master Adi Gallia stood, with Siri by her side.

They're coming with us as well, Obi-Wan.

Are they part of the investigation now, Master?

Just wait, Obi-Wan. All will be revealed in time.

Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon over to Adi and Siri, who joined them on the walk to the turbolift that led to the Council Chamber. As they entered the lift, Obi-Wan could sense Siri stealing glances at him. He glanced back, once. She nervously smiled and looked away. Obi-Wan felt himself suppressing the urge to glance back at her again. Once again, his old affections came into his mind.

And I thought this investigation would be difficult…now it's worse.

The members of the Council had already taken their seats, except for Master Gallia, and Master Sifo-Dyas, who stood in the center of the room with a large holoprojector on a wheeled carriage. Obi-Wan could sense the grave mood in the room, radiating from all the Council members. Even Sifo-Dyas gave off an aura of tension.

What has the Council so riled up? What did we find that caused them to call us all up here and assign a Council member and her Padawan to us? Who is "LMC?"

"Ah. Masters, Padawans…you're here." "If I may ask, Master Sifo-Dyas, why are we being called here?" "All will be explained soon, Qui-Gon." Sifo-Dyas then turned and addressed the rest of the Council. "Masters of the Council, is there anything you wish to say to preface this briefing?"

A few seconds of silence followed.

"Then let us begin."

Sifo-Dyas threw a switch on the large holoprojector, and an image of the symbol from the mines came up. Again came the crossed pickaxes, the backing circle, and the mysterious letters LMC. "Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan. Is this the symbol you saw on Kessel?" Both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon could sense the nervousness in Sifo-Dyas' voice. Why? Why is this "LMC" such a grave matter?

"Yes, it is."

"Yes, Master Sifo-Dyas."

Sifo-Dyas shuddered, clearly unable to speak. Master Mace Windu broke the silence. "Then it is as we feared."

"Feared what, Master Windu?" Mace took a deep breath, and Obi-Wan could sense him clearing his mind. "This symbol is the emblem of Lok'ayy Mining Corporation."

LMC! Lok'ayy Mining Corporation! So THAT'S what LMC means! But what's so important about Lok'ayy Mining Corporation?

"Lok'ayy Mining Corporation? What is that?"

"It's one of the largest mining firms in the Republic, Qui-Gon," said Sifo-Dyas. "It's run by a Bothan named Sull Lok'ayy. He's spent years buying out smaller mining firms, and he's made quite a name for himself with a presence on countless worlds thanks to these mergers and acquisitions. This wide reach has also given him clout in the Senate: his operations employ thousands on individual worlds alone, and as you can imagine, the Senators representing those worlds need his business to keep large numbers of their constituents employed. To say nothing of possible backroom dealing and profiteering, although we can't prove that, of course."

"Is there anything suspicious in his past? Anything to indicate why he would possibly be smuggling Sith artifacts?"

"Qui-Gon, I'm sure you understand that these powerful corporate types are very often unsavory characters that will do all sorts of things to turn a profit. He's been suspected of crooked business dealings, maybe even mob connections. Many of his competitors that he has since bought out suffered unexplained vandalism to their property or suspicious break-ins at their facilities prior to his acquiring them. Lok'ayy has managed to dodge prosecution for these, but this smacks of corporate espionage and sabotage. There have been some investigations into his past and his business affairs, and we have unearthed some equally unsettling things. He has contacts in various criminal organizations and warlord regimes in the Outer Rim, and some of his mining operations suspiciously happen in places where such entities and the danger they pose normally preclude major business activity of any sort. He has long been suspected of having Hutt connections as well, including none other than Ni'Pa on Kessel."

For a moment, Obi-Wan's mind went back to the hellish tunnel on Kessel, and he could see the dozens of spiders coming towards him through the green of his night vision goggles. He tried to kill us…now I know why.

"On top of all this, we've heard more than a few complaints from his workers in the mines. As you can infer from what I just said, though, disregard for the welfare of his workers seems to be the least of Lok'ayy's sins. Still, smuggling Sith artifacts is something we've never suspected. Until now, of course."

"But you can't take him to court for any of this."

"Exactly, Qui-Gon. Lok'ayy's wealth and political connections protect him from prosecution. He's skilled at covering his tracks, and at currying favor with the right beings when he can't. But, he took things a step too far with this Sith artifact business. Now, he faces the Jedi Order."

"Do you think he ordered the murder of Master Leet?"

"He very well could have. We don't know. That's why we're sending you, Master Gallia, and your Padawans to investigate Lok'ayy."

"What are we supposed to do, then? Break into his office and search it? Go to LMC headquarters and interview him?"

"None of those things. We don't want him realizing that the Jedi are on to him. On top of that, LMC's prominent status precludes any sort of major action, at least until we have more evidence. The four of you will meet him in disguise; at a lavish charity ball he's throwing tomorrow night. He's rented out an entire wing of the Galactic Museum and brought in everything from food to a band; cost him a fortune to do it. You and Master Gallia will be posing as the representatives of an Alderraanean banking firm. Obi-Wan, Siri, you'll be posing as their personal secretaries. Once you're in there, get to know him. Get whatever information you can out of him, and report back to the Council. Any questions?"

Sifo-Dyas paused.

"Good. Then you are dismissed."

Obi-Wan looked in the mirror; surprised to see himself dressed the way he was. Given the nature of their undercover assignment, the Jedi had to don eveningwear rather than their standard robes. Obi-Wan had on a black dinner jacket and black trousers, with a white shirt and black waistcoat underneath.

Flashy clothes indeed…then again, that is what this mission requires.

Then, the door opened, revealing Qui-Gon. He had opted for a closed, dark blue thigh-length tunic with dark blue trousers, boots, and a cape.

I can sense your bemusement, Obi-Wan.

Well, Master, Jedi don't usually run around dressed like this. Both Master and Apprentice chuckled at the odd sight of each other in civilian eveningwear, and then Qui-Gon broke the silence. "You look good, Obi-Wan."

"As do you, Master."

"Come, the women are waiting for us. Or, at least, I think they are. They might still be busy with their hair and makeup."

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon walked into the hallway, waiting for their companions. Within roughly a minute, Adi came into sight. She had on a long, light blue gown and her characteristic headdress. "Ah, Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan. You both look the part."

"And you as well, Master Gallia. Where's Siri?"

"She's delayed for a moment, fixing her makeup. She should be with us at any moment."

Several seconds later, Siri appeared at the end of the hallway. She wore a light blue evening dress similar to Adi's, with one strap over her left shoulder. Her blonde hair was curled, draped over her right shoulder with the rest pinned up on the left side by a silver clasp. Obi-Wan stood dumbstruck next to Qui-Gon, trying not to stare.

Wow…she looks beautiful. I've never seen her like this before. Then again, she's not the dress type. It probably took Adi… "Obi-Wan?"

"Yes…yes, Master."

"We're all together, let's go to the landing pad. The Temple's provided a speeder for us." The Masters started off towards the landing pad, while Obi-Wan regained his senses as Siri walked by him. She stopped for a moment and, in a playfully annoyed tone, whispered to him. "Stop staring, Kenobi." Obi-Wan could see the slightest hint of a grin on her face as she walked on.

This is going to be an…interesting night.