For the second time in as many nights he awoke sensing a disturbance in the Force. He had felt the presence before and knew what it was. It was the same feeling he had when Qui-Gon was killed, when he battled Darth Maul. The mystery was revealed, the being Amira dreamed about was a Sith.
He reached out trying to sense her but there was nothing, just her words echoing in his head, "I have failed; forgive me." His blood ran cold. He was in her room within seconds his weapon drawn; the glow from his lightsaber illuminated the empty room.
Her bed was vacant, the covers thrown back. The doors leading to the veranda were wide open, the sheer curtains blowing gently in the breeze. He stepped through them.
There was no sign of her. He moved to the patio's edge and looked down onto the moonlit beach. He saw something in the sand near the water. In an instant he was jumping from the veranda to the beach below and racing barefoot down the sand to the water his lightsaber in hand ready to engage.
When he reached the waters edge he knew he was too late. There were the ominous signs of her struggle; her discarded robe, her singed lightsaber and the movements from the battle marked in the sand.
Fear gripped his heart. He had sensed too late that she was in danger. He picked up her weapon and closed his fist around it. Why hadn't she called to him earlier? She didn't try to touch his mind, or had she and he just wasn't listening? He reached out trying to locate any trace of her, "Amira!"
Obi-Wan strode into the sacred hall. The representatives had all been awoken and hastily called there. Obi-Wan wanted answers. He had his emotions in check but his eyes betrayed his mood.
He stood in the center of the hall where he had given his speech that first day and placed his hand deliberately on the hilt of his weapon and spoke, "Jedi Amira Organa was taken by force this night on the beach outside our quarters."
The people gasped and began whispering amongst each other, they were mouthing the word "JEDI". He continued, "I have no choice but to suspend these negotiations so that I can look for her. I will be talking to all of you to ascertain if anyone has knowledge as to her whereabouts or why she was taken."
"There is someone here not of this world interfering with these negotiations possibly forcing all or some of you to deliberately deceive us." He looked directly at Dumaas. "I do not know yet why he has taken her but make no mistake…I will discover the assailant and his agenda."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "A word of caution to all of you…I do not think that the dark one on this planet is here to harm you but he is extremely powerful and dangerous. He is merely using you and this situation as a convenient way to distract us from his presence. Since our arrival we sensed fear and deception in many of you. If any of you know something that will help me find her I would greatly appreciate your assistance."
At first no one came forward but many were openly expressing their fear. Obi-Wan stood stoically in the center of the floor. After several minutes of conferring among each other the leader from the East came forward he said hesitantly, "Jedi…Kenobi, it is with great regret that we perpetrated our deception on you. I am speaking for all the provinces when I tell you that several of our people have been killed as examples of what would happen if we did not cooperate."
He looked around nervously at the others, "We were too afraid to fight back even though we easily outnumber this dark one. His power was great and we were frightened. I hope that no harm has come to Jedi Organa. I wish that I knew where he has taken her but I do not. We have discussed what we can do and all the provinces have agreed to monitor their prospective lands to assist you in your search."
Obi-Wan moved to take Dumaas' outstretched hand. He shook it gratefully and said, "You are all very brave to offer your help. He is exceptionally dangerous, as you have unfortunately experienced first hand. I am very concerned for my friend and my sole purpose now is to find her as quickly as possible."
Before he turned to leave he addressed everyone. "I regret that I cannot continue with our talks, but your courage and willingness to set aside your differences to assist me makes me confident that peace is possible for your people."