Posted 22/12/2018
RESOLVE II
13.
The wide, circular lobby preceding the office of the Chancellor held many seats and few distractions. Set casually, it was where larger meetings were often conducted. The blood red wall paint was not something that Obi-Wan appreciated. The colour was too straining to look at and made him feel like a cornered animal. Which was a little ironic since the room was round and very spacious. Obi-Wan grinned despite himself.
"Something funny?" Mace Windu asked. He was seated opposite Obi-Wan in the large room. His arms were crossed, fingers drumming against his bicep. It was the only sign that the Korun master was beginning to lose his patience.
They'd been sitting there for well over an hour already.
"I was just considering the colour of the walls, master," Obi-Wan said.
That drew an unexpected laugh from Mace Windu. "It's horrendous," he said.
Obi-Wan shrugged. "It's a politician's colour, I suppose. All passion and drama."
"Hm," Mace nodded.
"Is it common for the Chancellor to make you wait so long?" Obi-Wan asked, brows furrowing in curiosity. The Master of the Order often found himself in meetings with the Chancellor.
"No, it's not," Mace said. "I expect he has a bit more on his plate than usual."
It was a fair assessment, but Obi-Wan could see that Mace was unimpressed by the delay. Still, the Korun master was known for his control over himself.
The door to the Chancellor's office opened abruptly, revealing a dishevelled Palpatine.
"Master Windu, please forgive my lack of punctuality," Palpatine said. "As you can imagine it's a most trying time right now."
"Indeed," Mace Windu said, standing and greeting the Chancellor with a respectful bow. Obi-Wan mimicked his movements.
"Please, step into my office," Palpatine turned on his heel and walked back towards the wide window overlooking Coruscant. "I see you've brought Obi-Wan Kenobi with you. It's been some time since I've had the pleasure. How is young Anakin doing?"
Obi-Wan followed Mace inside the Chancellor's office. He was vaguely piqued, but not surprised, to see the same red colour donning the walls there as well. The Chancellor took a seat behind his large desk, while Mace sat down in the right-side visitor's chair. Obi-Wan took a seat on the left, and noticed the strangely curious look Palpatine gave him.
"Rough dealings all around, I'm afraid," Obi-Wan said non-committally. He never did like the interest Palpatine showed in Anakin, and he wasn't about to tell the man of the turn Anakin had recently taken. Not when he hadn't yet fully dealt with it himself.
"Ah yes," Palpatine nodded. "Such are the times. What can I do for you today, Master Windu? I assure you the Republic is doing everything within its power to find those responsible for the attack on the Jedi Order."
"Yes, and we thank you for that, Chancellor," Mace said. "We've actually come to you today to share information we discovered recently. Master Kenobi here was in a debriefing with the High Council regarding it when the droids began their attack."
"And what information is this?" Palpatine asked. He set down the stylus he'd been fiddling with and interlocked his fingers.
Mace then explained, in explicit detail, the discovery of Master Sifo-Dyas' personal mission, and how it resulted in the clones on Kamino. He left nothing out. Obi-Wan kept his focus on the Chancellor, watching his reactions as a means of interest, of gauging the man's feelings. Palpatine was strangely adept at keeping whatever surprise he may have felt under wraps. In fact, Obi-Wan could sense little from the Chancellor at all. It was almost as if the man were Force-bereft. Not unheard of, for a human. But certainly strange.
"That solves an immediate problem," the Chancellor said once Mace finished relaying what the Jedi knew.
"I don't quite understand your meaning, Chancellor," Mace said.
"The Republic needs an army, and it seems these cloners are ready to provide one."
Mace sat a little straighter in his chair. Obi-Wan frowned. He did not like the idea of employing clones commissioned by the Sith. It seemed a dangerous move, and yet they couldn't simply do nothing either. Mace had not discussed this with Obi-Wan beforehand. He didn't know what the High Council's opinion was on the matter.
"They may be ready to provide an army, but we must consider the source," Mace said. "The fact is the Republic did not commission the creation of these clones."
"No," Palpatine said. "But the Kaminoans think we did. And that's all we need to lay claim to them."
"That and trillions of credits," Obi-Wan said. "The Kaminoan records showed that the money to begin production was routed through the Banking Clan. If we can discover where the money came from originally we can prepare more fully to intercept and take over future transactions."
"Hm, I don't think that will be necessary, Master Kenobi," Palpatine said. "You see, after the Militray Creation Act passed the floor the Banking Clan graciously offered to fund the operation by releasing their claim on the funds of Damask Holdings. They too wish to bring this simmering conflict to an end before it can truly begin."
"Chancellor, discovering the identity of those responsible for commissioning the clones is not a matter of idle curiosity," Mace said, his voice imploring. "They represent a threat to the Republic itself, and should not remain unknown to us."
"I agree, Master Windu," Palpatine said. "But the more pressing concern, I believe, is getting that army under our control."
"It doesn't add up," Obi-Wan said. "If I recall correctly, Damask Holdings aimed to keep the outer systems in discontent to turn greater profits, through exploitation, among other less than upstanding methods. The Banking Clan has been accused of similar dealings. Why would profiteers who care nothing for the welfare of other planets and systems now suddenly wish to lend a hand?"
"The Damask Clan was wiped out ten years ago," Palpatine said. "Their fortune has been tied up with the Banking Clan since. It was only within recent weeks that the legalities were resolved, and I must admit, the timing is quite fortuitous."
Ten years. Obi-Wan frowned. A lot happened ten years ago and it seemed like more than mere coincidence to Obi-Wan. His instincts screamed at him that something was very wrong with the picture presented by Palpatine.
His comlink beeped.
Obi-Wan took it from his belt and noticed that it was Jordi Milos from decryption. "I'm afraid this can't wait," Obi-Wan said. "Please excuse me."
He stood and quickly made his way outside the office, back into the garish lobby room.
"Kenobi," he answered once he was certain there were no eavesdroppers nearby.
"Master, I've cracked it," the young man said. His voice sounded exhausted. "I hope you can make heads or tails of it, master. It looks quite ordinary to me."
"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked, wondering if his instincts had been wrong.
"Well, as far as I can tell it's a simple reading list," Jordi said.
"A reading list?" Obi-Wan rubbed a hand across his face.
"Yes master, of poetry I believe," Jordi sounded apologetic. "All of the titles listed were written by Samsi Plurosh."
Obi-Wan sighed. A star forsaken reading list.
"Please send me the file," Obi-Wan said. "I truly hope I didn't just waste your time and energy, Jordi. If I did you have my sincerest apologies."
"There's no need for apology, master," Jordi said. "If there is something more to discover I'm sure you'll do so."
Obi-Wan took out his datapad and linked it to his comlink. The file sprang open on the screen a moment later. "I've got it, thank you Jordi."
"It was my pleasure, master."
With the conversation ended Obi-Wan stowed his comlink back in his belt. He held the datapad in one hand and scrolled though the reading list. He'd always known about Tyro's fascination with Samsi Plurosh. The poet had oddly succinct commentary on the progression of political decay. Obi-Wan had read a few of her pieces, at Tyro's behest, and would readily admit that the woman had a way with words.
As he scrolled through the list he realised he recognised every single title. They'd all been in the small volume Tyro had once given him to read. All except the last two. But he recognised those as well.
They were lines from two separate poems. Not titles of poems like the rest of the list.
Obi-Wan read them. Then read them again.
Death, against my armoured soul kicks
Beware, the old man and his tricks
Obi-Wan read through those two lines again, and suddenly the answer sprang out at him like a vivid colour would.
Death, against my armoured soul kicks
Damask.
"Stars," Obi-Wan whispered into the empty room.
Beware, the old man and his tricks
Obi-Wan glanced at the door leading to Palpatine. Was it really that simple? Is this what Tyro was murdered for? Is this what he discovered? Did he discover a link between Palpatine and Damask? Or was Obi-Wan simply seeing what he wanted to see?
No, he thought, It can't be coincidence.
Palpatine had come to power precisely because of the invasion of Naboo. An event in which the Sith revealed themselves to the Jedi for the first time in a thousand years. That's where their plans began. But no, their plans certainly must have gone back further than that. Naboo was simply the earliest point of the Sith plot that the Jedi were aware of. The thought sent a chill running down Obi-Wan's spine. What other plans could they have laid in place?
Damask. Palpatine had access to the Damask fortune. The Damask clan must have been involved with the Sith. With Palpatine's political power he could easily have swept under the rug anything that would lead to suspicion.
If the Sith could murder a Jedi Master and a high profile political aid, with the crime going unseen for a decade, then certainly they would have been able to twist politics to their whims as well. The Senate was rife with corruption. The Republic's ideals were becoming more smeared and scattered with each passing day. Political decay had been festering in the Senate before Palpatine, but objectively Obi-Wan knew Palpatine's reign had done nothing to eliminate it. In fact, his own discontent with politics was based purely in the fact that the Senate allowed deception, mistrust, and greed to run rampant. The voices of those who stood firm in the Republic's ideals were lost in the cacophony of clever words and promises made by those who stood to gain from an immoral society.
The Sith were playing a very long and patient game, and until now the Jedi had been blind and oblivious to it. A thousand years of peace had driven them to complacency. Obi-Wan saw everything piece together before his mind's eye, clear as day. He did not for a moment doubt that the Sith would seize the advantage they had managed to create for themselves.
What was most troubling to Obi-Wan was that if he was right about Palpatine, it meant that they had just revealed their entire hand to the lord of the Sith.
Obi-Wan took a calming breath. He needed to go back in there and pretend that nothing was amiss. If Palpatine got even an inkling that Obi-Wan had discovered his identity he and Mace may not leave the room alive.
Palpatine had been hiding under their noses all this time. There was no telling what powers the man possessed. They would need to be cautious.
Obi-Wan clipped his comlink to his belt and placed his datapad back in its pouch. He took another calming breath to focus his control, then turned back towards Palpatine's office.
Mace was still discussing Kamino and the Banking Clan when Obi-Wan returned to his seat. The words did not penetrate through to Obi-Wan's ears. It was as though he'd entered a void without clear sound. He could see Palpatine's lips moving, but the sound of his voice was drowned out by Obi-Wan's own heartbeat.
Calm down, he commanded himself, forcing his tense muscles to relax. He kept his eyes focussed on Palpatine. The man was looking at him with an expression of concern. It seemed so genuine, and for a moment Obi-Wan doubted himself, but then he ignored what his eyes saw and looked instead through the Force. Palpatine's presence was a tight coil of control. It was so controlled that Obi-Wan barely felt the man at all. It wasn't proof, exactly, but it was far from normal in a being who wasn't Force-sensitive.
Obi-Wan wondered why no Jedi had ever picked up on the subtlety of the anomaly before.
"Are you quite all right, Master Kenobi?" Palpatine asked. Concern still displayed on his face.
Obi-Wan straightened in his seat. "Yes," Obi-Wan said, purposefully meeting the man's eyes. "Forgive me, Chancellor. My distraction was due to the news I received a moment ago, but I assure you, you have my full attention again."
"I was saying that we ought not waste time in securing these clones for the Republic," Palpatine said. "If it's true that the Separatists are behind their creation we must act swiftly."
So, Obi-Wan thought, Either Palpatine gets control of the clone army, or Dooku does.
"We're treading down a very slippery slope here, Chancellor," Obi-Wan said. "I sense a great deal of deception regarding both the clones, and the recent attack on the Jedi Temple."
Mace slowly turned towards Obi-Wan and gave him a stern, yet curious look.
"I do not know much about Jedi senses," Palpatine said. Obi-Wan saw the lie for what it was, and was unsurprised to feel a minor fluctuation on Palpatine's presence. "It's true that we haven't yet discovered the organisation behind the attack, but surely it was a Separatist plot. Don't you agree, Master Kenobi?"
"I certainly believe that Separatist involvement is a possibility," Obi-Wan said. "But my instincts tell me that the origin is a bit closer to home."
And there it was. A sharp spike of agitation emanated through the Force. Palpatine's face remained set in the mask of the calm politician, but Obi-Wan was convinced now.
"We're getting a little off topic here," Mace said. "Chancellor, we've relayed all the information the Jedi have gathered, and now we must return to our duties at the Temple. There is much to be done."
"Certainly, Master Windu" Palpatine said. He stood and walked with them to the outer door of his office. "I wish the Jedi a speedy recovery from this ordeal. And have heart; it will not be long until we discover the driving force behind the plot."
Obi-Wan found Palpatine's efforts at reassuring the Jedi both unnecessary and interesting. It was something a kind-hearted soul would do, and the old man played the part with such perfection that the Jedi Master fully understood why Palpatine had managed to fool them for so long.
The two Jedi entered a turbolift. Obi-Wan watched as Palpatine's retreating back disappeared behind the closing doors. Mace set the lift into motion with a simple command.
"Your earlier distraction was completely out of character," Mace remarked. He stood with his hands clutched behind his back, and stared at the door.
"Yes, master," Obi-Wan said, taking a deep breath. "I'm afraid I may have made yet another terrible discovery."
"Which is?" Mace turned to fully face Obi-Wan.
"Not here, master," Obi-Wan shook his head.
"The speeder, then," Mace said, turning back to face the door and conceding the point.
Once safely sealed inside the confines of the Jedi speeder, Mace turned his demanding expression on the younger Jedi Master. Obi-Wan slowly pulled at his beard, head tilted down ever so slight as he gathered his thoughts.
"I think Palpatine is the Sith lord we've been searching for."
At first, Mace showed no reaction to the statement. Then he shifted in his seat, the corners of his mouth pulling down a fraction.
"Palpatine?" He asked, tone even, as though the conversation was of no more consequence than the weather forecast. "What makes you think that?"
"Do you remember Tyro Caladian?"
"The senatorial aide who committed suicide?"
For a moment Obi-Wan sat completely still. His mouth suddenly felt like he'd tried to swallow cotton.
"He did not commit suicide," Obi-Wan calmly stated.
Mace glanced at Obi-Wan out of the corner of his eye, sensing the younger man's carefully controlled emotions.
"You knew him?" Mace asked.
"Yes, very well," Obi-Wan said. "He would never have taken his own life. It wasn't relevant at the time, because I didn't yet know what the link was, but the bounty hunter who was after Senator Amidala was the one who killed Tyro."
"Why wasn't this reported in the media?"
"Neither law enforcement nor the courts deem a Jedi's Force-perception as admissible evidence," Obi-Wan said as he started the speeder's engines.
"How does this link back to Palpatine?" Mace crossed his arms.
"Before Tyro died he had the presence of mind to hide information in a datacard," Obi-Wan pulled out of the Senatorial parking arcade and came to a stop in the middle of mid morning Coruscanti traffic. "I don't imagine he had much time to hide the details of his investigation—I had asked him to look into any money trails Master Sifo-Dyas might have left—and I think he found far more than that. The clue Tyro left spelled out Damask, and also warned against an old man and his tricks."
"That is rather vague," Mace sighed.
"You have to admit that it adds up, master," Obi-Wan frowned at the slow-moving traffic of the skylanes. It wasn't usually quite so congested. "Palpatine even mentioned Damask in today's meeting. He came to power after his home planet was invaded by a corporate entity known to be in league with the Separatists, despite the Nemoidian Senator's adamant denial of the fact. The Sith revealed themselves to us in that very invasion, and shortly after that Master Sifo-Dyas goes missing."
"You think this was all part of the Sith's plot, and that Palpatine is behind it all?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan craned his neck to try and see what was causing the delay. "I think Master Sifo-Dyas unintentionally presented the Sith with an opportunity. From what I know of Sifo-Dyas he would never have aided the Sith willingly ."
"No, he wouldn't have," Mace leaned his elbow on the door frame and brought his index finger to his upper lip. He looked troubled now. "Why didn't you mention this before? If you're right we just put the entire Jedi Order in a very precarious position."
"Tyro's datacard was encrypted," Obi-Wan said. "The decrypted files only came through during the meeting with the Chancellor. I didn't make the connection until then."
"Then you did well to guard your thoughts while in Palpatine's presence," Mace narrowed his eyes as he also tried to see what was causing the hold-up.
"My minor accomplishment aside, master, the Jedi Order is in jeopardy," Obi-Wan said as the vehicles in front of them finally started moving. "He was very keen on securing the Kaminoan clones for the Republic, and we have no idea what the extent of his plans are. If he gains control over them I fear he may use them to attack the Order before we can find the proof we need to bring this matter to the Senate."
"And how would he spin an attack on the Jedi to the Senate?" Mace asked, his stoic mask finally cracking to reveal a sliver of incredulity.
"He's been very clever so far," Obi-Wan reasoned. "No doubt he will have something prepared. For all we know his plans could already be in motion."
"Speculation will only cause panic," Mace said.
Traffic came to a stand-still once again. In a rare display of impatience Obi-Wan hit the steering console with his open palm. Mace said nothing. The impatience was creeping up on him too.
"I have a bad feeling," Obi-Wan said, his voice calm, yet his brow-line betrayed his unsettled thoughts.
"So do I," Mace said.
And it was the Master of the Order's admission, more than his own feelings, that spurred Obi-Wan on to break the traffic laws.
Jedi enjoyed certain liberties when there were emergencies, and while a bad feeling didn't constitute an emergency under Republic law, Obi-Wan still felt perfectly justified as he swerved the Jedi speeder out of its lane and above the skylanes. The hold-up became immediately apparent.
"What in the blazes is going on there?" Obi-Wan said as they caught sight of several large ships cutting across the lanes ahead of them. The identical ships sped by one after the other in a seemingly endless stream.
"Those ships are military grade," Mace said after spotting the turrets protruding from the hulls.
Obi-Wan shared a surprised look with Mace Windu, before hitting the accelerator and shooting up above the buildings to get a clearer view of the scene.
"They're heading for the Temple," Obi-Wan said. Dread settled uneasily in his gut. They had just begun to speculate what Palpatine might do, yet already it seemed that the danger had found them. The Sith were truly ten steps ahead of them.
Mace moved quickly as he took out his comlink and keyed in a signal. The seconds it took for Master Yoda to answer felt like an eternity.
"Give the evacuation order," Mace said, not bothering to greet the ancient master. "There are gunships heading towards the Temple. They're travelling on the lower routes so as not to be seen. If they plan to attack we have a matter of minutes."
Yoda was silent for but a heartbeat, then he asked, "Too many to defend against, are they?"
"Judging by how many ships have passed us, yes," Mace said. A beat of silence, then, "Master Yoda, we have not recovered, and this will be worse than the droid attack."
"Understood, Master Windu," Yoda said. The comlink did nothing to dull the sound of the ancient master's dismay.
Obi-Wan navigated the Jedi speeder out above the structures and made a beeline for the Jedi Temple. There was a risk in drawing attention to themselves this way, and a few eager traffic officer droids did see them fly by, but the ones who set chase after them quickly gave up once they scanned and registered the vehicle's Jedi affiliation.
Breaking every speed restriction in existence they arrived in Jedi Temple airspace before the first gunship rose from the cityscape below. As they entered the hangar Obi-Wan mentally prepared himself for the moments to come. He was relieved to see Jedi pilots already seated within their delta class starfighters, the engines whirring at deafening volume within the confined space of the hangar bays. None had taken off yet, and from the apprehensive expressions of the pilots and the Temple workers alike, it was clear that all present hoped that it was merely a false alarm. Still, they stood ready.
Whatever lay ahead, Obi-Wan knew that the Jedi were ready to defend themselves. To the last, if necessary.
On the far end of the vast space Obi-Wan spotted several larger transport ships. The fighters would have to secure safe passage before any of them could take off. It was a task made more difficult by the gunships' turrets.
And they might have rocket launchers, Obi-Wan mused as he climbed out of the speeder.
"Nice piloting," Mace said. His tone suggested something between approval and amazement.
"You have Qui-Gon and Anakin to thank for that," Obi-Wan allowed a small grin to pass over his face.
"I thought you disliked flying," Mace said as they ran towards one of the auditoriums to brief the High Council and other Jedi.
"Dislike and competency are two entirely different things, master," Obi-Wan said.
They reached the auditorium to find a scene of subdued alarm. Many knights and masters sat and stood around the auditorium, staring at the holoprojector in the centre of the large room. It showed a wide view of the Jedi Temple, and tracked the gunships as they entered Temple airspace one after another. Some stayed in the air, but most of the ships landed and unloaded troops in white armour. They marched towards the Jedi Temple's entrances in formation, their blaster rifles held at the ready.
"They are ignoring our attempts to communicate with them, master," a young knight said from his position at the holoprojector.
"Activate the rayshields. It should buy us some time," Mace Windu said as he walked up to the gathering of council masters. Obi-Wan stayed back and watched from the doorway.
"Master Windu," Yoda said, leaning on his gimer stick. He gestured to the scene unfolding on the holoprojector. "Know the meaning of this, do you?"
"Master Kenobi," Mace said, gesturing for the younger master to explain.
Obi-Wan stepped forward, surprised to have been called upon, but not unprepared. "If assumptions may be made, I'd say that the Sith have seized control of the Kaminoan clone army, and are attacking us. Recent information suggests that there is a high probability that Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith we've been looking for. Since the Jedi have started to uncover his plot, it stands to reason that he will accelerate his plans before we can form a counter strategy."
"Hence the army on our doorstep," Mace added.
"And so quickly after the droid attack," Ki-Adi-Mundi shook his head. "I fear we do not fully understand the extent of the deception at work here."
"No time to uncover it, have we," Yoda said, addressing the room at large. "Survival, our priority is now. Know your duties, you do."
The holoprojector lit up with the first explosions as gunships lined up and fired volleys into the main entrance of the Jedi Temple.
"Master Rhara, launch the starfighters," Yoda said. "Safeguard the evacuation the rest of us will."
The Jedi quickly filtered out of the auditorium. As Obi-Wan left the room behind a Teevan master, he heard Mace say, "Many will die."
"Live, many will as well," Yoda responded.
Obi-Wan's determination rose. He would do whatever he could to ensure that more lives were saved than lost that day.
The brash actions of the Sith seemed unwise. Obi-Wan felt he could sense desperation in their sudden impatience, and suspected that he had gotten too close to the truth in too short a time. Perhaps they now regretted taking Anakin captive on Korriban.
Obi-Wan shuddered to think what would have been the outcome if Anakin's capture never set him on the path to discovering their plot.
And yet, he thought, The day is not yet won.
Mace Windu was right. Many Jedi were about to die.