Chapter 2 Unwilling Accomplices

Present Time

Mace left the Healers' Ward and headed back toward the Council Chamber; the youngling, Lida, was expected shortly, and he wanted to consult with the other Masters concerning what he had learned from Galyn. With the revelation that the intruders were matching images to faces, the motive pointed more and more toward Obi-Wan's Belaridian theory. More disturbing, however, was the knowledge that the intruders had managed to gain access to the Jedi records, the only source for the images Galyn told him they had in their possession.

"Master Windu?"

Mace turned to see the Master Horan's assistant, who had taken over care of the younglings following that master's death; accompanying her was a Zabrak youngling. Mace smiled at the youngling and squatted down in front of him, "Are you Fiel?" He asked.

The youngling nodded, "I…I didn't want to help them." The child began.

"Did they make you bring Zak to the dormitory?" Mace asked.

Again the youngling nodded, his eyes growing wide as he remembered, "They said they would kill everyone if I didn't." He answered.

Mace smiled and gripped both arms tightly, "Then you had no choice." He assured him, "Did they tell you to bring Ferri as well?"

"No, but…well, Ferri was with Zak, and…and he wouldn't…" Fiel trailed off and tears welled up.

"Did they hurt Ferri?" Mace asked.

Fiel closed his eyes and nodded, "It's alright; that was not your fault." Mace said, "Do you understand?"

The youngling rubbed a hand across his cheeks, sniffed and then nodded, "Why did they do it?" He asked.

"I don't know, young one; not yet." Mace answered, "You go along with Master Rega now."

"Yes, Master." Fiel replied.

Mace stood up and patted the boy on the head, "Be sure that all of the younglings understand that what happened was not their fault, Rega." He instructed; he would have liked to question the youngling further, but he could sense the child's distress.

"Yes, Master Windu." Rega confirmed and put her arm around her charge, "Come, Fiel."

Mace watched as the pair continued on down the hallway, smiling again as Fiel turned around once more to look at him. Later, when a little more time had passed, he would question him again and the other younglings; they were, as Ki-Adi Mundi stated, the only living witnesses to what had happened.

12 Hours Earlier

Fiel raced down the deserted corridor toward the hallway where the Padawans were quartered. He didn't know why the intruders had come; he only knew that if he did not do what the leader ordered, the other younglings would die. He stopped when he reached Zak's door and triggered it without taking the time to announce himself. Ferri was sitting on the worktable facing Zak, who was perched on the edge of his bed, "What's happened?" Zak asked.

Fiel took a deep breath, "Trouble." He answered and pointed toward the dormitory, "In our room; you have to come, Zak."

Without another word, both apprentices were up, "No, Zak can do it." Fiel protested.

"If there's trouble, it would be better if we both go." Ferri replied.

Zak nodded in agreement and Fiel sighed as he realized two senior Padawans were not going to listen to the advice of an 8-year-old youngling. Without another word, he led the way as they raced toward the dormitory.

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Galyn sensed the sudden fear as she meditated in her own quarters, midway between the Initiate/Padawan sector and the youngling dormitories; puzzled, and concerned, she rushed toward the source of it: the youngling dormitories. The door was open as she approached and she slowed with caution as she heard harsh voices issuing orders; one thing was clear, they were not Jedi. Drawing her weapon she moved closer, knowing she would need to get into the room where the alarm trigger was located; although she was fairly certain that a contingent of Jedi were already on there way, having sensed the same fear she had, she felt triggering the alarm would confuse the intruders. Carefully, she stepped into the room.

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The tranquility of evening meditation was shattered as the horror felt by the younglings at the death of their master reverberated throughout the Temple and the deserted corridors became crowded as Masters and Knights converged, all heading for the same destination; as Obi-Wan joined them, he reached out to connect with his apprentice, "Zak?" "There is trouble in the dormitory, Master." "Yes, we can feel it and are coming." "I think it's bad." "Alright; help is on the way."

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Anakin was sitting with his youngest child in his lap as he read aloud when the data pad slipped from his hand, "Daddy?" Livie said, prompting Padme to look from her work at the nearby desk.

Her husband put one hand to his forehead as his eyes glazed over, "What is it, Annie?" Padme asked.

"I…" Anakin began, trying to focus, "Something's not right."

Luke appeared from down the hallway with the other children at his heels, "There's trouble, Daddy." He announced solemnly.

"Trouble? Annie, what's happened?" Padme wondered.

"I don't know; but Luke's right, there's trouble. I have to go." Anakin answered as gently moved Livie onto the seat next to him and stood up.

"Trouble where?" Padme asked.

"The Temple; I sense fear, it's the younglings." Anakin told her, moving toward the closet where his cloak was stored.

"I should come with you, Daddy." Luke stated firmly.

"No, you should stay right here; if there is trouble, I don't want to have to worry about you too." Anakin ordered.

"But…" Luke started to protest.

"No buts, you stay." Anakin cut him off sternly, "Go get my lightsaber."

Luke huffed, but did not protest again as he turned back down the hallway.

"What kind of trouble could there be, Anakin? No one would dare attack the Temple, would they?" Padme asked.

"I don't know; all I know is that the younglings are terrified." Anakin replied and then closed his eyes, "Ferri?"

"Anakin?"

Anakin blinked and looked at her, "Ferri and Zak are on their way to see what's happened; and Obi-Wan says everyone is heading down there." He explained as he continued to receive information from both of them.

"Just be careful, love." Padme replied as Luke returned, holding Anakin's weapon up to him.

"I'm always careful." Anakin assured her with a cocky smile as he closed his hand over the lightsaber and bent to kiss her.

"No, you're not; let me know what has happened as soon as you find out." Padme instructed as she walked to the door with him.

"I will." He promised.

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The two Padawans had just reached the dormitory when the alarm began to blare; instinctively both drew there weapons and powered them up, pushing Fiel behind them as they moved into the doorway. Galyn glanced at them with relief just before a blaster bolt struck her and she crumpled to the floor. Several bolts fired in their direction were easily deflected until the apparent leader called a halt to it and stepped forward holding his own blaster to the head of a youngling, "Put those laser swords down." He commanded.

Present Time

Anakin stood out on the Council Spire's observation platform, feet spread apart, eyes closed and hands clasped behind his back; he had tried meditating inside, but it had proven too claustrophobic, the atmosphere still too permeated with the emotions surrounding the sudden, inconceivable assault against the Jedi. And for Anakin, who had seen himself participating in a similar attack in an alternate future, the events of the past day were all too eerily familiar. His former master watched him from a short distance, granting Anakin the privacy he thought the young man needed; not only was the attack a shadow of what he might have been a part of, but Anakin's apprentice had been injured in the fray, and was now missing. While Obi-Wan's own apprentice was also among those unaccounted for, he was almost certain the boy had only been stunned into unconsciousness, unlike Ferri, whose pain Anakin had felt so keenly before his connection had been severed.

"You don't have to stand back there." Anakin said without turning around, sensing the presence of his brother behind him.

"I sensed you wanted to be alone." Obi-Wan replied and turned to leave, "I will meet you in the Council chamber."

"Don't go….please." Anakin requested, still unmoving.

Obi-Wan nodded and joined Anakin on the platform, "It's going to be alright." He assured the younger man, placing one hand on his shoulder.

"You don't know that for sure; you lack Zak's foresight." Anakin answered with a shake of his head.

"No, but we must not give up hope for them, Anakin; we have trained them well." Obi-Wan told him.

"I'm not giving up." Anakin replied with a sigh, "But Ferri was injured; all the training in the galaxy won't help him if he cannot defend himself."

"You don't even know how badly he was hurt; he is very strong, you know that." Obi-Wan said.

"I know; but I can't connect with him, and that worries me." Anakin admitted.

"As am I at not connecting with Zak; in any case, we must put that aside if we are to find them and the missing younglings." Obi-Wan advised.

"I know that too." Anakin conceded with a sigh and then quickly shifted the discussion, "So, what did you discover about the missing younglings?"

"It is as I thought; all of them were from Belarid, including the missing Initiate." Obi-Wan answered.

"Then it must be Belaridian extremists behind this; but Belarid is still under martial law, where would they take them?" Anakin wondered.

"I don't know; surely not back to Belarid." Obi-Wan replied, "It's about time for the Council to reconvene, perhaps one of them will have an idea about that."

Anakin nodded and followed Obi-Wan back inside, "I am still confused as to why they took Ferri; although I was angry at first, Master Koth had a point about taking him instead of just killing him, they certainly did not hesitate to kill Master Horan and Khyber." Anakin said as they made their way to the Council room.

"I don't know; Ferri really has no connection to Belarid, so taking him makes no sense." Obi-Wan agreed, "Perhaps the reason will present itself when we discover who is behind it."

"Maybe; but I just keep getting the feeling that we're missing something here. Something important." Anakin replied just as they reached the lift to take them up to the Council Chamber.

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"I have spoken with Galyn, and although she saw Perrin and Cortis, she was shot and lost consciousness and could not tell me what happened to them. She did tell me that our intruders had hard copy images and were searching for specific younglings; and she also said the boys were in the company of one of the younglings when they came to the dormitory. I have spoken with this youngling, and he admitted that he was sent by the intruders to find Zak and bring him to the dormitory and that Ferri was with Zak when he did. The youngling even tried to persuade Ferri not to come with them, but Ferri insisted, sensing the fear from the younglings. He also confirmed that Ferri was injured by the intruders; because I did not wish to traumatize the youngling any further, I cannot tell you how badly." Mace explained when the session had begun.

"And what did you learn, Master Kenobi?" Stass Allie asked.

"That all the missing younglings and the Initiate were from Belarid." Obi-Wan answered, "Zak and I brought the younger of them here two and three years ago. The older ones, along with the Initiate were among those rescued from the laboratory."

"Then Belarid is the connection between them; but where does young Cortis fit into this?" Eeth Koth wondered.

"Thatis a puzzle; the intruders should have killed him along with Khyber and Master Horan, but instead, they took him along with the others. That makes no sense." Shaak Ti said and then looked to Anakin, "I am sorry, Anakin."

"No, you're right; Ferri's kidnapping is pointless, and as much as I hate to think about it, he should be dead." Anakin answered.

"Then we must question the other younglings; perhaps they can shed some light on who is behind this abominable madness." Plo Koon suggested.

"Agreed." Mace concurred, "Has young Lida arrived yet?"

"I believe she is waiting in the anti-chamber; should I have her sent in?" Depa Billaba asked.

Mace glanced around, reaching to touch each mind present, "Yes, I think we are ready for her." He decided.

Depa Billaba nodded and signaled for the youngling to be brought before them. Moments later, the girl stood with her foster father in the center of the Council circle. Fear emanated from her and Mace smiled, "There is no need to be frightened, little one; you are not here to be punished." He assured her.

"It…it was my fault, wasn't it." She began.

"Did you tell them how to get in?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked.

Tears welled up in Lida's eyes and began to spill down her cheeks, "I…I didn't want to." She sobbed.

Her step father put a protective hand around her and pulled her next to him, "Is this really necessary?" He asked, clearly concerned for her.

"Lida, blame you we do not; but know we must what you told them." Yoda said.

"What did they threaten to do if you did not help them, little one?" Eeth Koth asked gently.

Lida looked up at her foster father and put her arm around his legs, "They said….they said they would kill my family." She answered.

Stass Allie shook her head, "We must catch these monsters; not only do they invade our home and steal children, but they coerce an innocent youngling into helping them by threatening her family." She declared.

"Poor dear; you must not blame yourself for this." Depa Billaba assured her.

"But I…I should have…I could have…I could have told you." She cried, sobbing almost uncontrollably.

"Yes, you could have; so why did you not?" Mace asked…and answered, "Because they threatened your family."

Lida nodded and buried her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking as she continued to weep.

Anakin stood up and knelt down in front of her, "Be calm, Lida." He ordered Forcefully, sending a soothing wave of Force love through her.

Lida sighed and began to relax, and then nodded, "Better?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, Master Skywalker." Lida whispered tentatively.

"Are you ready to go on?" Obi-Wan asked as Anakin returned to his seat.

"Yes, Master Kenobi." Lida answered, but she continued to cling to her foster father for reassurance.

"What did they tell you to do, Lida?" Adi Gallia asked, after giving the child a moment to compose herself again.

Lida knitted her forehead, "They wanted to know how to turn off the alarm so they could get in, and then how to dis…dis…umm…" She stammered as she tried to think of the right word.

"Disengage?" Plo Koon offered.

"Yes, that's it; how to disengage the holo-cams….and then they wanted to know how they could stop anyone from getting into the dormitory." Lida continued and then appealed to Yoda, "I really didn't want to tell them…."

"Understand we do, young one; continue." Yoda urged.

"Then they made me tell them about the secret door." Lida went on.

"How would they know to ask about that?" Luminara Unduli asked.

Lida looked down at the floor, "Lida?" Her father prompted.

"I…I didn't mean to tell them." Lida blurted, "They…they wanted to know if there was any other way out….and…I was so scared….I'm so sorry."

"We know you are; it's alright." Obi-Wan told her reassuringly, "Did they let you go then, after you told them what they wanted to know?"

Again Lida looked down at the floor but she nodded slightly, "They told me to tell everyone that I had gotten away."

"So you could steal records from the archives?" Shaak Ti asked.

Lida nodded, "Only certain ones; I was scared not to do it." She told them, "I…I didn't know what else to do; they said if I told anyone, they would know, and then they would kill Mother and Father."

"It is unfortunate you were forced to make such terrible choice; no one here faults your actions." Ki-Adi Mundi said, "Did they specifically say they wanted the ones from Belarid?"

"Yes; and an image of Zak Perrin." Lida confirmed and added.

"They mentioned him by name?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes, Master Kenobi." Lida replied.

"Lida, did any of them say anything about why they wanted those images?" Anakin asked.

Lida thought for a moment, "Well, they kept talking about…abom…abom…"

"Abominations?" Obi-Wan guessed.

"Yes, that; they said the law had to be served, and the abominations had to be…turned out." Lida answered.

"Turned out where? Did they say where, Lida?" Mace asked hopefully.

But Lida shook her head, "I don't think so." She answered, "I can't remember."

"Would you mind if we allowed Master Skywalker to probe her mind, Lord Arnel?" Mace requested of Lida's father.

"That depends on what it will do to her; she's been traumatized enough." Darvin Arnel answered.

"I will not hurt her; in fact, it might even help her." Anakin assured the anxious father.

"Lida, what do you want to do?" Darvin asked.

"I want to help, Father; go ahead, Master Skywalker." Lida consented.