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RESOLVE II
6.
Obi-Wan stared at the Holonet report with a detached sense of acceptance. The headline read SENATORIAL AIDE DEAD UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. The article itself was rife with speculation, but it was clear from the tone of the piece that the reporter believed it to be a standard suicide. It didn't matter, apparently, that all his data had been fried and that the forensic report included a detailed list of injuries sustained after death, meaning he was already dead when he'd hit the ground. The Jedi shook his head at the fact that the media had regressed to such baseless fiction. Sensationalism was a rot eating away at the Republic's values.
With a flick of his wrist Obi-Wan deactivated the holo terminal in his living quarters and stood. It didn't matter what the media said. Those who knew Tyro in life would know the truth of the matter. A Jedi's Force-perception wasn't something that could be entered into an official investigation as substantial evidence, regardless of the respect the Order was given, but when he'd spoken to Tyro's brother the day before it seemed he was at least able to give the family some closure.
It was rather coincidental how Obi-Wan ended up running into the killer the way he had. Then again, perhaps there was no such thing as coincidence. Tyro's murder had been solved, but the larger mystery remained. Why had he been killed? What exactly did he uncover that prompted such drastic and immediate action?
It's terrible, Obi-Wan. I've found evidence of a clandestine financial group ca—
The last words Tyro spoke to Obi-Wan bounced around his mind. What was so terrible Tyro?
Clandestine financial groups weren't that uncommon. Smart businessmen and women found all sorts of legal loopholes to keep their profit margins at a peak. But he'd asked Tyro to try and find a money trail that lead to Sifo-Dyas. And if he had. . .
Obi-Wan took the toxic dart out of a pouch in his utility belt. Dex had been certain about this too. Kamino saberdart.
A plot to kill Senator Amidala who opposed the creation of an Army of the Republic. . .
It all seemed to fit together almost too perfectly. The pieces were there, but the cement that bound them together was shrouded in suffocating mystery.
Tyro must have discovered this one, vital truth.
Obi-Wan rubbed a hand over his tired face. He'd barely slept, but that wasn't a new sensation in the least. It was a new day, and if he were fortunate the council would make its decision soon. They already approved his request to investigate Kamino, but the matter of his padawan was still unclear.
In light of the second assassination attempt on Senator Amidala, it was suggested that she go into hiding with a Jedi for the time being. Siri's report would determine how the council would divide the duties.
Having pulled his brown cloak over his shoulders Obi-Wan left his small domicile and headed for the refectory. He'd just set down his full tray to begin eating when Siri plopped down in the seat opposite him, her own tray dropped almost carelessly to the table's surface.
"I take it the morning hasn't run smoothly." Obi-Wan speculated before stuffing a fork full of scrambled egg into his mouth.
"I've just had a bad feeling gnawing at me for a while now," Siri said, picking up her own fork. "With everything that's happened lately I'm starting to wonder if it's all going to explode in our faces."
"There is something elusive that I can't quite grasp," Obi-Wan agreed. "But we shouldn't let it unsettle us. We need to focus on what we know and what we can do."
"You're right," Siri loaded her fork with a piece of muja fruit and began eating.
"I take it you've already reported to the council your observations about Anakin's conduct," Obi-Wan said. "What do you think?"
"He's conducted himself in a manner befitting a Jedi," Siri said. "He took direction with humility, was alert to the task, and didn't appear to be making a competition of it with Ferus. Apart from being overly friendly with the Senator, which could be explained away with their past familiarity I suppose, I saw nothing that would suggest he isn't ready to resume regular duties. I told the council as much, and they said they'll dole out our new orders this afternoon."
Obi-Wan nodded his head, silently wondering if the council truly would allow Anakin to go all the way out past the Rishi Maze with him. Perhaps they would turn the Kamino investigation over to Siri and Ferus. Obi-Wan wanted to take care of that avenue, but if that's what the council decided he would have to simply accept it.
"When are we relieving our padawans?" Obi-Wan asked. "By now they must have exhausted each other."
"Oh I doubt it," Siri smiled. "They seemed to be getting along."
"That's a surprise," Obi-Wan said. When Siri raised a single perfect brow he amended his statement. "For Anakin, I mean. You must have heard what happened in the salle a while back."
"Ferus mentioned it, yes," Siri said. "I don't know what you said to that padawan of yours afterwards, but it obviously struck a chord with him. I've never seen him so agreeable around Ferus before. You're working wonders with him, Obi-Wan."
"I'm not sure how much credit I can take for that," he said. Then, thinking about the dreams Anakin was having about his mother, he added, "He still carries a heavy burden."
"So do you," Siri said, her tone quiet and serious.
Obi-Wan had no counterpoint to her observation, so he said nothing and continued eating his morning meal. He knew that his own burdens would not be lifted until Anakin proved to be what Qui-Gon Jinn had so stoutly believed him to be.
The woodland scents of the arboretum provided a natural comfort to the otherwise rigid staleness of Coruscant's cityscape. It was almost a contradiction that Jedi grew up on a planet where natural wonders had long since become a thing of the past. Then again, the Jedi Temple was unlike any other structure built upon the city planet. It stood apart from everything else, much like the Jedi did from society at large. The boundaries of the temple were like a physical representation of the separation that existed between the Jedi and other sentients.
Obi-Wan considered this as he slowly wove his way through one of the arboretum's winding paths. The Jedi were but a drop in the vast galactic sea. Ten thousand among trillions. They kept to themselves and their ways were closely guarded. For good reason, of course. But Obi-Wan wondered if their separation from society would one day hinder the Jedi. His dealings with the sergeant had been, in hindsight, illuminating. Mystical mumbo-jumbo he'd called it. The man was ignorant of the Force, despite its perpetual flow through his being. A flow that would only cease once he died. Obi-Wan could sense living beings precisely because of that flow. All Jedi could.
The calm spirits of his fellow Jedi shone bright in the Force around him. In the arboretum many found serenity among the nature that bloomed there. Yet today Obi-Wan sensed a few energetic spirits among the subdued tranquillity. No doubt one of the crèche masters brought their band of little brigands to frolic among the greenery. It wasn't long until he visually identified a group of boys and girls crawling under the upturned tree root of a particularly old specimen. The children looked to be about the age of six, their species ranging from human to togruta.
Above him a little beacon shone. Obi-Wan looked up, curious. A little human girl with dark curls looked down at her agemates from the cover of a high branch. Now Obi-Wan understood. The younglings were engaging in the age-old tradition of hide and seek. Perhaps a simple game for Force-deprived children, but for Force-sensitive children it added an extra challenge for both the ones hiding and the ones seeking. The little girl's spirit was dulled by her mischievous need to hide, and her friends did not yet have the necessary perception to detect her.
Obi-Wan grinned. She was good.
He turned his eyes back to the group of children still occupied with their search. Some shrugged their shoulders, as though giving up. A human boy closed his eyes, a small frown appeared between his brows as he concentrated. Obi-Wan could feel the fledgeling senses of the boy reach out around him. But there was too much going on in the arboretum, and Obi-Wan knew the boy would not detect the girl. Behind him, the togruta youngling sniffed the air and turned around in a circle with focused eyes. Now there was a little hunter. All things considered, with his superior sight he probably had the best chance of finding the girl in the tree.
If only he would look up.
Obi-Wan sensed the crèche master before he spoke.
"They put things into perspective, don't they?"
"I suppose that depends on your point of view," Obi-Wan turned to face Master Ali-Alann and gave him a teasing grin. "You grew smaller with the years, master."
"And yet I am still the same size I was when I could pick you up with one hand," Ali-Alann laughed. "But point made, Kenobi. I dare not go against you in a battle of wits. Time and experience would only have sharpened that silver tongue of yours."
"The line between useful and detrimental is quite fine in this instance, master," Obi-Wan said. "But I like to think my caretakers have imparted me the wisdom to know the difference."
"In other words, you've learned when to hold your tongue?" Ali-Alann's chuckle was rich and deep.
"And when not to, master," Obi-Wan said.
"Now you're simply talking in circles," Ali-Alann accused with a compassionate smile and a raised finger. "I suppose that's one childhood tell you still have. What troubles you?"
Obi-Wan shrugged and watched the younglings fan out around the area.
"I await the council's decision on a matter of significance, master," he said. "It has to do with a discovery I made some time ago, and now it's beginning to unravel. The implications are wrought with danger."
"On how large a scale?" Ali-Alann asked.
"I cannot measure it," Obi-Wan said, and with some alarm realised it was true. He had no way of knowing how deep the mystery went. Kamino was only one part of the puzzle, and even that would be shrouded in mystery until a Jedi set foot there to uncover its secrets. But he would be patient. The council would soon call on him and give him his new mandate.
A tiny spark of fear had Obi-Wan raise his eyes to the canopy above and lift an arm towards the small bundle suddenly falling towards the hard ground beneath. He instinctively slowed the youngling's descent with the Force, and she hovered down gracefully. When she was within arm's reach Obi-Wan plucked her out of the air.
"Hello there," he said. The girl giggled. All fear forgotten. Obi-Wan recognised her now. He'd had a brief interaction with the youngling in the Halls of Healing two years previous. "You look familiar. Have we met?"
The girl nodded her head.
Behind them Ali-Alann released a relieved sigh. "This is Talsi Yutal, and she inherited your unconquerable attraction to adventure and mayhem."
Obi-Wan blinked. With the giggling youngling still clutched in his hands he abruptly turned towards Ali-Alann and said, "How would that work?"
"Only the Force knows," the crèche master said, half jesting.
Obi-Wan grinned and placed the youngling on the ground. He crouched down so he was eye-level with her and said, "Now Talsi, you must be more careful. Next time a master might not be around to catch you."
"But it was a good hiding spot, wasn't it?" The girl asked, her green eyes lit up in anticipation of his answer.
"The best! But now everyone knows about it, so you can't use it again. However. . ." Obi-Wan dropped his voice to a whisper and indicated for her to come closer. He glanced around conspiratorially and Talsi quickly leaned her ear towards him. A few younglings cast curious glances their way. "The best hiding spot is behind the waterfall next to the only gimer bush in the arboretum."
"I know the bush!" The girl exclaimed. She threw her arms around a stunned Obi-Wan's neck in a quick hug and then promptly dislodged herself and ran off towards her agemates.
"What did the master say?" One of the younglings asked her as they disappeared around a bend in the path.
Obi-Wan stayed crouched for a while. The worries about Kamino seemed so insignificant in the face of the pure trust and gratitude the girl had just shown him. Behind him Ali-Alann remained, silent, as though he knew what connections Obi-Wan was making within his mind. He probably did. Finally Obi-Wan straightened up to his full height once more.
"They do put things into perspective, master," Obi-Wan said, his voice soft and sincere.
"They have a way of unburdening us. Even if it's just for a moment," Ali-Alann clapped a large hand against Obi-Wan's back and said, "May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan."
The crèche master followed his young charges around the bend then, leaving Obi-Wan standing alone in the middle of the path.
The airshuttle landed at the small, well-maintained visitor's platform of the Jedi Temple. Long ago a small section of the architecture had been set aside to welcome visitors. Its hallways were smaller and less spacious than those found elsewhere in the ziggurat, portraying a simple image of Jedi harmony. A poor imitation of the true splendour of the Jedi Temple, if you asked Siri Tachi.
She led the way into the entrance hall, nodding to anonymous guards as she passed them. Behind her Senator Amidala and Anakin Skywalker conversed quietly. The padawan had not once left the Senator's side since the incident with the deadly pair of Kouhun anthropods.
Skywalker was certainly competent, and his behaviour since the start of the mission had been respectful and agreeable. If the council was looking to find a reason to keep the young man from continuing his studies, there simply wasn't one that she could see. And that was perhaps more worrisome.
Had he truly recovered his balance so quickly, or was he simply doing an outstanding job covering up the cracks?
"I still think this is completely unnecessary," Senator Amidala said with that authoritative politician's voice.
This woman was a queen once, Siri reminded herself. She admired the Senator's bravery, but couldn't help questioning the wisdom of her stubbornness.
"It's not just for your own safety, Senator," Skywalker said. "If something were to happen to you the movement against the Military Creation Act would suffer."
"I'm aware of the big picture, Anakin," the Senator rebutted. "But the opposition could use this to weaken our support."
"I don't see how," Skywalker argued. "Everyone is fully aware of the stand you took for Naboo ten years ago, and of the recent assassination attempts. It is logical and wise to go into hiding until the perpetrators have been found. Anyone who tries to accuse you of being weak will be disregarded by their peers."
"I wish I shared your confidence in this matter, but the Senate isn't what it once was," Senator Amidala said, her voice carefully controlled despite the tension Siri sensed from her. "And I can't fight against its failings from a place of hiding."
They reached the guest lounge and Siri quickly signed the Senator in with the Jedi clerk on duty.
"Senator," Siri said, gaining the attention of the two still conversing behind her. She indicated to the young clerk and said, "This young man will take care of you until your Jedi escort is ready to depart."
"I was under the impression that you were my Jedi escort, Master Tachi," the Senator said.
"That may still be so," Siri said. "But in light of the recent assassination attempt and the evidence discovered, a team will be sent to investigate. Master Kenobi, myself, and our padawans will soon be meeting with the council to receive our updated mandates."
"I see," the Senator said. "I eagerly await the outcome."
"Anakin," Siri turned to the young man standing beside the Senator. "Don't be late." She gave him a meaningful look, telling him with her eyes that he needed to wrap up his socialising with the Senator quickly.
"Understood, master," Anakin bowed.
Siri turned on her heel and headed for the nearest turbolift. She'd already sent Ferus a comlink message to meet her at the council chambers, and she expected him to be there when she arrived. Ferus was always early to everything. A contrast to her occasional tardiness. Well, perhaps more than occasional, but she always had a good reason.
Every Jedi knight was exceedingly busy these days. And when Ferus passed his trials, he would be too.
Siri gave a subtle Force command upon reaching the turbolift, and soon she was travelling along the tubes to the spire that housed the chambers of the High Council. Obi-Wan was already there, seated outside on one of the couches. He held something in his hand and appeared to be deep in thought. Siri took a seat on the empty space next to him and studied the object in his hand.
"A puzzle box?" Siri said by way of greeting.
Obi-Wan glanced at her with a familiar seriousness, an almost brooding aura. He nodded his head and turned his attention back to the puzzle box. He spun its parts, fixing the geometric shapes, then arranged them in disarray again, before fixing them once more.
Siri inclined her head and wondered what he was thinking. "How many times have you shuffled and solved that thing?"
"I've lost count," Obi-Wan said. He kept at it, staring at the box as though he were trying to discover a secret. Perhaps he was.
Siri bit back a teasing response, sensing that it wasn't the time. "What's the significance of the box?" Siri asked instead.
"It belonged to Tyro," Obi-Wan said quietly, still moving the pieces around its slides and hinges to solve the intricate designs. The cube was fixed once more. Obi-Wan shuffled it again in a haphazard way.
Siri sighed softly. The Svivreni had grown on her after Obi-Wan introduced him to her years previous. He'd been a true friend to the Jedi and his death had been unexpected. His funeral wasn't for a few days, but considering the circumstances neither of them would be able to attend. Regardless of their duty it wasn't the Jedi way to wallow in grief.
There is no death, there is the Force.
Yet Obi-Wan was displaying some kind of obsessive behaviour, and Siri wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Maybe it would be a greater challenge if I shuffled it for you," Siri suggested, gauging his reaction.
"The puzzle is not the challenge," Obi-Wan said.
"What do you mean?" Siri asked.
"The challenge is understanding why I felt compelled to take it in the first place," Obi-Wan abandoned his frantic puzzle solving and allowed the cube to simply sit in the palm of his hand. "It's just a toy."
Siri looked at the little cube resting innocently on Obi-Wan's hand. On the surface it looked like just another puzzle box. She did not doubt Obi-Wan's instincts, but still Siri couldn't help but wonder if he'd simply taken the box because of sentiment.
A subtle pull at the edge of her senses prompted Siri to pull her gaze away from the box. She turned and watched as her padawan came walking down the hall. Ferus bowed once he reached them, then sat down on Siri's other side. He looked well-rested and ready.
Obi-Wan closed his hand around the puzzle box and placed it back inside one of his utility belt pockets. He glanced down the hall, and Siri noted his slightly narrowed eyes.
"I did tell him not to be late," Siri said, guessing at his thoughts.
"Hm, I'm not worried. Anakin won't risk the council's ire if it's going to mean being cooped up in the temple while I'm off world," Obi-Wan said, but six minutes later the vertical line appeared between his brows when there was still no sign of Anakin.
"He's cutting it close," Siri said as she took note of the time on her chronometer. Their scheduled meeting with the counsil was in less than two minutes, and the council rarely allowed themselves to fall behind schedule.
The council doors opened then, a Temple Guard beckoning them inside. Siri kept her eyes on Obi-Wan. He seemed to be doing an admirable job holding back a colossal sigh. He turned back around when he was about to cross the threshold into the chamber. The breeze at her back alerted Siri that Skywalker had finally arrived.
"I'm sorry master," he said to Obi-Wan, slightly breathless from his run.
"Later," Obi-Wan whispered back, then walked into the council chambers calmly.
Siri and Obi-Wan stood side by side in the centre of the mandala on the floor. A pace behind them Ferus and Anakin lined up to observe the coming meeting. They would not speak unless called upon by name.
Mace Windu's eyes were on the datapad in front of him when the four Jedi in the middle of the room bowed their greeting. Siri watched him tap away, a frown marring his face as though in deep concentration.
"Your latest intel raises some concerns, Master Kenobi," the Korun council master said. "This can't be coincidence."
"I agree," Obi-Wan said.
"We feel that time is of the essence, so we'll keep this brief," Master Windu said. "In light of the information revealed to us by the assassination of Tyro Caladian, and the attempted assassination of Senator Amidala, we approve your request to investigate the planet of Kamino."
"Guard the Senator your padawans will," Yoda said. "Requested she has to return to Naboo. Leave at once they will, and by public freighter they will travel in order to keep a low profile."
Siri felt a keen sense of discomfort at the assignment, but she needn't have voiced her concerns, because Obi-Wan beat her to it.
"I do not doubt the council's wisdom, but is there a particular reason you are splitting up the masters from their padawans?"
"Practicality, Kenobi," Master Windu said. "The protection detail is anticipated to be low risk, while Kamino is an unknown. We'd rather have two experienced Jedi, who are proven to work well together, face that unknown."
"Padawan Olin will lead the protection detail," Ki-Adi-Mundi said.
Siri noticed the subtle way in which Obi-Wan stiffened next to her. She could only imagine what was running through his head. The council was fully aware of the rocky history between their padawans. Anakin viewed the world in terms of contest, and as a result saw Ferus as some kind of threat. What was the council thinking? Was this another test to see if Skywalker was truly ready? If so, Siri did not appreciate that her padawan was a pawn in their game.
"Padawan Skywalker," Yoda said with an authoritative voice, prompting the young man to step into the space next to his master. "Known it is that not always do you see eye-to-eye with Padawan Olin. Defer to him on this mission you will. How this makes you feel, I would like to know."
"Padawan Olin is more experienced," Anakin said. "In the absence of our masters he is the logical choice to lead the mission. I will defer to him as I would to my master."
Siri noticed how he answered the question without revealing his feelings. But Yoda leaned back in his chair with a nod, seemingly satisfied with his answer. Next to her Obi-Wan's posture hadn't loosened. She couldn't blame him. It was unusual for a master and padawan to be split up like this, and with Anakin's recent history she wasn't comfortable with it either. But circumstances forced it, and they would deal with it.
She was confident that Ferus could handle it.
Anakin stepped back in line with Ferus, and Mace Windu adressed Obi-Wan and Siri once more. "Kenobi and Tachi, you will begin your investigation immediately. Two delta class starfighters, equipped with astromech droids and hyperdrive rings have been assigned to you for the duration of this mission. We expect you to report in to us in intervals no longer than three days standard."
"May the Force be with you," Yoda said.
The four Jedi bowed, then left the council chambers.
Siri took Ferus aside as soon as they were outside. From the corner of her eye she could see that Obi-Wan was speaking with a quiet intensity to his own padawan.
"Ferus," Siri said. "I don't need to tell you that you have a difficult assignment ahead of you."
"I don't think you need to worry, master," Ferus said. "Anakin's familiarity with the Senator seems to tame him."
"All right," Siri sighed. "But I want you to be vigilant. I have the utmost faith in you, Ferus, but I am not as convinced as the council seems to be that Anakin is ready for an assignment without his master. I suspect this is a test for him, and that you're a pawn along for the ride."
"Perhaps it is a test for me too, master," Ferus said, one corner of his mouth quirking up into a little smile.
"Yes," Siri grinned, then teasingly tugged at his long padawan braid. "Succeed in this and they may Knight you."
Ferus smiled in earnest then. He bowed to Siri and said, "May the Force be with you, master."
"And with you, Ferus," Siri said. She watched the padawans leave together. Obi-Wan stood waiting for her a respectful distance away, a troubled look in his eyes. She could not fault him for that, and knew that he would not allow whatever misgivings he had to cloud his judgement in their upcoming mission. He was a Jedi.
So was she.
Steeling herself Siri walked up to Obi-Wan. They left together, and as they stood in the turbolift on their way to the hangerbay, she considered her padawan again. She felt he truly was almost ready to face the trials. Perhaps another year, and then she would recommend him.
Siri pushed all thoughts of the future aside. She had a feeling that if she didn't focus on the present moment, on Kamino and whatever secrets it held, that she would live to regret it.