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Ch23
The trip to the temple is shortened by the speeder the locals lent me. They have no need of it with so many of their workers out of commission. The darkness began dissipating as I approach the temple. Here in the midst of the corrupted planet stands a beacon of light, a promise for a better future. I am met by Lanius Qel-Bertuk at the steps of the temple. With his ice-blue eyes, raven-black hair and a dark beard he could pass for an older version of Kenobi. The roguish maverick has a new burn on his left cheek to sport but his smile is ever welcoming.
"I saw you coming in the force." His lilting voice sang still the envy of both orator's and bards alike. Bows were exchanged and when his eyes met my own they froze and began shifting. Lanius's abilities to peer into the future were rivaled only by master Yoda himself. Disconcerting as it was on occasion Lanius was still good company.
"I see you have an apprentice..." He muttered. "Wait! No too many roads, wait another one? Who's the boy? Wait, no that's not right no…"
"Master!" A young green Twi'llek female chirped emerging from the confines of the temple Pulling Lanius from his reverie.
"Oh Gwen? Just a second…Yes I was just! Ah Mace sorry…" His eyes darkened as they flickered back to Mace's own. "I see a looming darkness; I still can't find its source. Your padawan he was part of the vision, everything was blurred keep a close eye on him."
"I will. I believe you called?" Part of a darker future? This news was troubling.
"Yes," Lanius frowned. "As per the council's permission I sent a group of masters to the temple…they returned…different. Gwen what is it?"
"It's Jason he's gotten worse!"
"I see, come I will show you what I mean." Mace followed Lanius in a fast pace. Whatever was going on, on this planet, it was definitely the result of a Sith's actions. Xanatos, was he here? Or was it one of his new apprentices? The questions plagued his mind as he made his way into the spacious but simple interior of the temple.
Two flights of stairs up and three halls down are two huge double doors leading to a common room I know see has been turned into an infirmary. The room is different from the rest of the temple; it permeates with the lack of light. I can feel the Jedi masters, yet I cannot feel them. A paradox, they are like empty shells, husks of what they once were. I follow Lanius to the master's bedside. He is no younger then my own padawan and he is dying. I can sense what little force he has left fading fast.
Lanius bustles as he places another compress on the boy's forehead. He does not wear a mask or gloves unlike the locals. As we Jedi know that darkness cannot be contained by such simple barriers. My eyes inspect the boy and rest on the bite marks which litter his left arm. The bruises are purple and I can see the veins of his hand as they are tinted a sickly black. As if instead of blood his arm now contains tar.
Lanius and I share a look of understanding. This boy is too far gone. Gwen seems to have realized this as well. I can sense her attempting to release acceptance into the force. But she is not my concern she is Lanius's so I will allow him to mentor her through the loss of her friend. I have seen all I needed. The darkness that was once sealed has now come loose. I find my own way out of the temple noting the various initiates and masters scuttling about. I can sense their worry, and their confusion at the malady that has surfaced. I too am worried; taming the darkness is no small feat. The darkness hits me full force as I drive toward the settlement. I grasp it and bend it, it still moans and whispers. It is stronger this time around or perhaps the shift is more defined as originally the darkness descended slowly upon my shields and now it slams full force. No matter I ignore its false promises and find my padawan who has already made an inspection of the settlement and was repairing a low grav speeder.
"Their primary mechanic is out of commission," he offered as explanation.
I bow my head in understanding and wait, a few more tweaks and he is done with the repairs, meanwhile I inform him of the Jedi that were sent into the swamps prior to ourselves. He does not seem too eager to venture into the heart of darkness, and I do not blame him.
"It appears the dark side is trying to break free. Our primary objective will be to infiltrate the fortress and destroy the relics." My eyes find his blue ones I search for any trace of the dark side and sense none. But Lanius's warning rings in my mind. Is it on this planet the brush will occur? Or has my padawan already touched the dark side without my knowledge? I release my doubts into the force until there is proof nothing can be done, though force or no force I will watch him like a Krayte dragon.
"Master, a few well-placed explosives could do the trick." I can sense him already calculating the numbers and positions needed for demolition.
We obtain the grade AA detonators from the locals. Force only knows why the villagers are in possession of any but that is not my business.
We leave the confines of the wooden walls and a toxic aroma instantly assails us.
"So uncivilized." Kenobi's eyes slide to my own his voice slightly distorted by his rebreather.
My eyes slide to his but I cannot let this comment slide by without adding my own valuable insight, age has its benefits after all. "This is an upgrade from Hutta unless of course you wish to make a formal complaint to the council for permanent relocation; I can assure you it would benefit your training."
He doesn't skip a beat. "Tempting but I believe the council would sorely miss your presence as would you theirs after all Hutt's are not sophisticated conversationalists."
"Who said anything about my accompanying you?"
"Jedi are known for their compassion master you wouldn't threaten the well-being of sentient beings deserving as they may be by unleashing my person upon them."
I can't suppress a chuckle at that though the thought of such a thing is amusing I am suddenly assailed by an image of an enraged obi wan cold bloodedly murdering whatever man decided to give him that whipping. The thought is chilling. Could this innocent looking almost a man do such a thing? Perhaps that was his brush with the dark side.
"Is something amiss?" Strangely enough he has somehow already attuned to myself yet his own feelings remain elusive though to be fair the darkness is oppressive and I am concentrating more at keeping it out then my thoughts in. I tighten my shield a notch and glance sideways at my younger associate. Force1 how is he still keeping up? One of the side reasons the council selected me for the mission was to test Obi Wan's connection to the dark side however perhaps this was not the best course of action. Any initiate or beginner padawan would be keeling over by now. My eyes narrow at his neutral and indifferent façade. Something is off.
A sharp warning in the force interrupts my musings. This will be saved for scrutiny in the council chamber the moment I get back. His light saber activates only moments after my own and I cut through the vortexes of danger, he follows suit. Hssiss! The bodies materialize, six in all. Kenobi bends over to inspect one. I run my own finger over the skin of one. It is smooth and although dead the skin begins to shift to match my own. Firefek! I can sense one moving again! A few clean strokes from Kenobi's blade and the abominations are mutilated beyond recognizability.
"Perhaps we should burn the forest down master?"
"And risk the fire spreading to the settlement? Besides some of the sent Jedi are still missing and forest covers most of the planet's surface."
"Why not resettle the population in the first place?" The question sounds rhetorical as it is coming from a former Naboo citizen.
He senses my thoughts on the matter. "I understand the hesitance but could the Jedi simply not bypass the senate and paperwork and assign these settlers to the Agri corps of another world?"
The thought is intriguing but unfeasible as most of the settlers would be loath to move. I can sense their rooted connection to their only known home. "Initiates seldom wish to leave the temple. These people as well don't wish for change. "
"Yet many initiates still do. Sometimes what is best is not what one wants." My eyes narrow at this dogma as it is a reminiscence of Dooku's own cynical views yet the vaspari blade hits home sliding painfully under my ribcage. Perhaps the council should have been more adamant at requesting the people to resettle.
I change the topic for we had blundered into sensitive territory. "Focus on the present moment what do you sense?"
"Other than the chill from the east and a dire need for a prolonged vacation to the Naboo summer palace not much."
His added humor causes me to grin. But his astute observation has me frowning. I too sense something weak in the east but I am a council member and he only a month a padawan. Amid the sea of darkness no ordinary Jedi can sense the shift.
We continue making our way through the swamp. Foliage begins to thicken and we are forced to carve our way through with our lightsabers. Several times we are attacked by the lizard like creatures and we make quick work of them.
We emerge from the forest into an open courtyard. It is colder here darker.
"Master!" My younger ward yells. The distraction of thought is dangerous here where one must always be in the present moment. I dodge another lizard. These have feet and are more human like then the others. They scratch and bite. My lightsaber invites the beast, enthralls it and traps it in its own darkness. A blade of light amidst the darkness.
I can see Kenobi's saber also dancing. He is using Ataru and bits of Shii Cho and is that traces of Juyo? Perhaps it was my eyes as I am aware that Kenobi does not know that form yet. Perhaps however Master Drallig has been teaching it to him. I have no more time for this as I am back in the center of darkness. Pulling coaxing punishing, the darkness sings to me stronger on this world. I tune it out and concentrate on the beating of my heart and circulation of my blood.
Suddenly I hear a scream in the force and pain. Firefek! Kenobi! I use a powerful force blast and rush to his side pulling him into a half sitting position. An angry deep wound blossoms from his shoulder to his elbow. It reminiscence a scratch from an edan tiger but the blood is turning black. I turn to face the Hssiss which are closing in. Kenobi attempts to rise but his forehead is already beading in heavy sweat, Firefek! Bringing him here was a mistake! There is too much darkness and now it is attempting to eat him from the inside as well!
"Breath!" He is going into shock. I ready my saber to deal with the present moment my padawan will have to wait.
