Chapter II
"The Council deeply appreciates your eagerness to continue with further missions, Master Kenobi," Mace Windu walked alongside Obi-Wan as the two Jedi Masters paced down the Temple's winding corridors. On the right, they approached a youngling training room, taking a moment to watch the children wave their training lightsabers in all directions. Mace let his thoughts wander to Obi-Wan; there had been much speculation about his mental health since the end of the war, but Mace was wise enough to know it was not his place to intervene.
Finally, Obi-Wan nodded in respect, "It is my duty, Master."
Still, he could not help but worry about Obi-Wan. He had been a fantastic general during the war (a commander that anyone would have wished to have on their side), but the rumors regarding his use of stimulants were difficult to ignore. He recounted on the time on Devaron when all the soldiers tired themselves from fighting, but Obi-Wan had found the will to stay awake all night - buzzing with peculiar energy - strategizing their attack for the following morning.
It made him feel ashamed that he had even considered the gossip to be true as he knew better than to trust local chitchat. It was a pity that some of the younger members of the Jedi Order lusted for hearsay, and he fell victim to it. Besides, Master Kenobi was one of the most honorable Jedi he had ever known…
"Indeed, but if you are not ready… -"
Everyone seemed to treat Obi-Wan as if he was a fragile child which he had not been for quite some time. It was borderline offensive that people assumed he could not cope with the aftermath of the war, regardless if it was true or not. Granted, he knew that some of the rumors about him were factual, but it was not for anyone else to know; it was private information that he could not sleep and the meditation seemed to not be working.
"Master Windu, I do appreciate your concern, but I assure you I am beyond ready to get back to missions," In fact, he presumed that it would be the perfect distraction from his persistent anxiety. Besides, hours of hyperspace travel would be a great time for him to catch up on much needed sleep.
"Very well," Mace stopped in front of one of the large windows that overlooked the busy city outside. The light that radiated from the afternoon sunshine warmed their skin, casting a calm sensation throughout the Temple. As they glanced at the view, groups of different Jedi passed by, each lost in their own conversations, but all together sharing the exhilaration of living in a time without war. When he looked at Obi-Wan out of his peripheral, lost in a trance, he figured that it was best not to press the issue of his mental stability and proceed as normal. It's what Obi-Wan wanted, apparently.
"We have received transmission from one of the leaders of Christophsis that pirates have infiltrated their mines. It's important that we keep Christophsis in our highest regard. Besides, it would also be a good time to… check or any dark presences on the planet."
"I could not agree more," Obi-Wan stated, bringing his eyes back toward Mace, in contrast to his personal belief that the crusade was… dramatic for the Order. He would follow, though, for he was not one to publicly disagree with mandate (he was blessed with being less vocal than some of his… counterparts).
"I suppose that it would be appropriate to send Master Skywalker along with you. As you know, we are all… concerned about… - It wouldn't be any trouble for you to make sure he is following orders, would it?" Mace took a deep breath. Fallen Jedi were a tragedy, and he did not wish such a fate for young Skywalker. When Anakin had testified before the Council, he had not been surprised that the Sith Lord would choose him as bait. Since Qui-Gon Jinn had brought Anakin to Coruscant, the Council had been weary of his future. While they were grateful that Anakin had discovered the mysterious Sith Master, they were still displeased with his secrecy; it was important for an inspiring Jedi Master discuss such matters with the Council before undergoing secret missions.
Obi-Wan turned his face, a knot forming in his throat as he tried to fight the sudden wave of feelings that washed over him; the last thing he wanted was to give off the impression that he could not control himself. He looked out toward the corridor, taking in the sight of Masters and their Padawans walking past, excited for what the future would bring. He missed the days before the war, when Anakin was a young boy eager to learn the ways of the Force. He missed being a teacher; he missed having a purpose.
It dawned on him this would be the first mission he would share with Anakin since before the incident that occurred on Mustafar. It was a pity, however, that the concerns of the Jedi Council had resorted to babysitting Anakin.
"Of course it is not a problem, Master," Obi-Wan bit his lip, then ran his fingers thru his hair, hoping that Mace did not notice his slight wince. "However, I would like to ask if any of the members of the Council have come to a decision regarding Master Skywalker."
Mace rolled his shoulders, uncomfortable with the topic. The subject of Anakin's place on the Jedi Council remained a heavy topic between the Masters. Though they did not know the true extent of his misconduct, the nearly overwhelming concern of the conservative members demanded his removal from the Council, but the sympathetic voice was still one to be heard.
He exhaled slowly, his once cheerful mood draining, "There is still much debate regarding Master Skywalker; we do not take treachery lightly, as you know. However, I trust we will ultimately decide what is best for all of us. Have you thought about your vote?"
The thought had been one that Obi-Wan wished to avoid. He knew that if it were anyone else, he would vote alongside his fellow Masters in removing a disloyal member from the Council, but he knew he could not bear publicly speaking against his former Padawan. Anakin had deserved better, and when he had been put on the Council but not given the title of Master, he knew that it weakened him; it was embarrassing. On the other hand, Anakin had gone against the Code; who knew what he would have become if things did not end the way they did.
Obi-Wan sighed, "To be honest, Master, I am unsure of my decision."
"Whichever side you choose, you will be supported. We all know the influence that Master Skywalker has had in your life, and we do not wish to demean you. With that being said, do not rush your decision; I know that I will meditate on the subject for the days to come."
"I appreciate your kindness," his body ached with guilt at the thought of how oblivious the Jedi Council was to what Anakin had done. They were unaware of Palpatine's influence over him and his secret marriage. He thought about the night on Mustafar and wondered what Mace would say if he had told the truth.
The two Jedi remained in silence for a moment, listening to the chatter that hummed throughout the corridor. Searching for a way to end the conversation, Mace spoke first, "I am glad you have accepted this mission, Obi-Wan. Your transport will be waiting for you at the east docking station tomorrow morning. May the Force be with you, Master Kenobi."
In respect, he bowed his head, "As with you."
"Is this necessary?" Padmé lifted Leia from her crib, hoping to silence her soft cries. The twins' nursery was fantastic; it was painted green, with two golden cribs, and decorated with an array of cultural art pieces from Naboo. Though her children would grow up on Coruscant, she wanted her home planet to be important in their lives. She longed for the day when they were old enough to travel so that her family could meet the twins. She wanted to show them the places from her childhood: her mountain village, the lakeside, the capital.
However, what she wished for the most was her husband to be a part of her children's lives. When they had wed, Padmé knew that she would never have the relationship she had fantasized when she was a young girl. But, she was willing to make the sacrifices, all in the name of love. She knew that Anakin would be busy on missions and meetings, and a part of her, deep inside, questioned if she had made the right decision. Is this the life she wanted for her children?
She cradled her daughter in her arms, lightly shushing her under her breath. She eyed the crib beside her, hoping that the cries and hushed whispers didn't wake her son. She turned her attention back to Anakin, a scowl stretched across her face, "The war has just ended; I can't believe the Council would send you off on more missions with no time to unwind. Have they forgotten that you are human?"
Anakin rolled his shoulders as he leaned down to adjust the silky yellow lining of the empty bassinet. He glanced at the mobile hanging from the ceiling, watching as cluster of glittering synthetic stars spun above the crib. "There's no need to worry; Obi-Wan and I will be just fine. It's only Christophsis, you know."
"Obi-Wan is who I'm worried about," she gestured with her eyes as she delicately bounced her daughter, "I don't think that he should put himself through any more missions until he's consulted someone first."
Anakin made a face, narrowing his eyes, "What do you mean? He's fine."
"You cannot tell me you truly believe that, do you?" He widened her eyes and shook her head. Before she continued, she pushed past him, placing Leia in the bassinet, smiling at the sleeping baby. She loved both of her children equally, but it was beginning to seem as if Luke would be the easier baby. She turned back to Anakin, "That man has put his mind and body through so much that I am surprised he is still standing."
He had desperately tried to ignore the feelings that radiated from Obi-Wan. He knew that his former master was struggling far much more than he would ever let on, but he didn't know how to help. Besides, he had caused much of his distress, anyway. Instead of worrying, he turned his attention back to his wife, taking in her worried expression, "He's tougher than he looks... And, no worries for your husband?" He smiled as he tried to lighten the mood; the truth was, he was concerned about the mission, too.
She rolled her eyes, shooing Anakin out of the nursery. The last thing she wanted was to wake her sleeping children, especially after all the effort it had taken to quiet them. She closed the door behind her, hesitating before turning around, "You're the father of my children, of course I will be worried," tears swelled in her eyes, and she looked away, shameful of her behavior, "I wish you could spend more time with them," There, she said it.
He felt a twinge of guilt as he wrapped his arms around his wife, "Hey, don't cry," he whispered into her hair as he brought her body closer into his. In the protection of his embrace, she allowed herself to cry; she needed the excuse to release the stress that labor and the end of the war had brought her. She was a strong woman, everyone knew that, but the thoughts that raced through her mind made her feel weak, like a child. She could hear Anakin mumbling something, but the pounding of her heart beat in her eyes made it impossible to decipher. At the end, she heard him say, "We always knew it would be this way."
Her body tensed. When she had first discovered she was pregnant, while Anakin was away on a mission, she had the same conversation with herself. When she let her hand fall to the invisible swell of her belly, she knew that it would never be the same. The secret marriage was no longer a romantic fantasy, but a persistent worry that would hinder their child's life forever.
"I know," she sniffled, pulling herself away from Anakin's chest. Her tears had left a small stain on the neckline of his over tunic, and, if she hadn't been so distraught, she might have brought herself to laugh at the silliness of it all. "But it was much easier to feel that way before."
Anakin slid his hand behind Padmé, stroking the back of her hair as he attempted to calm her down. He hated seeing his wife this way; she deserved much more happiness than he could ever give her. "Don't worry; I will always find time for you and the twins. You are the only things that matter to me," He leaned down to kiss the top of her head, feeling her sadness dissolve through the Force.
She took a step back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. When she looked at him, she was surprised to find a glint in his eyes. She twitched her face, attempting to keep her tears at bay for the moment. She was tired, and she knew that it was better not to focus on the fact that this would be his first mission since the birth of their children. It would be the first time he would truly be away…
"Promise me you will take good care of yourself. And, stay out of trouble, alright?"
Anakin chuckled to himself as he stepped forward, pressing his palms to the sides of her face, "I promise you I will."
The sunrise flooded the cities of Coruscant, casting a glistening orange-pink haze as the citizens buzzed about in their transports. The hum of the vehicles echoed throughout, beginning the day with the familiar melodic tune. The hangar bay at the Jedi Temple was nearly empty, except for the red-tinted T-6 shuttle stationed in the center.
Obi-Wan arrived to the docking station early. The time between his arrival and Anakin's would serve as just enough time to inspect the interior of the starship before the journey to Christophsis. There was a part of him that dreaded the mission, and that was an unfamiliar sensation. He knew that he should have been relieved about the chance to reconnect with Anakin and have a sense of normalcy back in his life, but there was nothing he longed for more than his return to Coruscant.
However, he presumed that it would be healthy for him. Since the end of the war, he had spent most of his time isolated from the other Jedi, and when he was around his peers, he seldom spoke. He had always been a reserved man, but the war had changed something inside of him. He was beginning to feel as if he did not deserve the high praise he often received (though, he had always been humble, anyway).
The mission would help him; the trip to the Outer Rim would force him into social diplomatic situations he could not shy away from. He could find himself through his words once again. Besides, he had not become known as 'The Negotiator' during the war for no due reason.
He had lost himself in thought - something he knew better than to do, but seemed to be doing quite too often - and had not heard Anakin's footsteps marching down the main corridor toward the cockpit.
"Good morning, Master," his voice echoed throughout the compartment, startling Obi-Wan as he barely avoided hitting his head on the ceiling of the shuttle. "I see you've already inspected the ship," he gestured toward the blinking lights on the control panel.
He gave his head a brief shake, bringing himself back into reality. He swallowed, wondering if Anakin had yet to pick up on his odd behavior. It seemed as if every other member of the Jedi Order had. He looked back toward him, plastering a forced smile across his face, "Oh, yes. I believe that everything is good for hyperspace travel. We should have no problems on our journey."
"Master," Anakin took a step toward Obi-Wan, extending his arm to place his hand on his shoulder. The gesture felt strange to Obi-Wan, as he struggled to remember the last time he had felt such physical contact. He felt his body tense underneath the touch and looked away to compose himself. Anakin tilted his head to the side, biting his lip, while he examined him, "You look exhausted. Are you sure you're up for this mission?"
Obi-Wan chuckled, trying his best to get in touch with his usual self, "I appreciate your concern, Anakin, but I assure you I am perfectly fine. Besides, we have about a four day's journey ahead of us, and I plan on getting plenty of rest."
Anakin parted his lips, but before he spoke, he decided against it. He had tried to convince himself nothing was wrong with Obi-Wan, but the way he was acting as if he was trying to hide his stress was concerning. He thought of his conversation with Padmé the night before and wished that he could gather the courage to speak about what had happened on Mustafar. He could feel the rift between them, and he hated that he was the reason for the break in their bond.
With a silent nod, Obi-Wan excused himself from the cockpit to the small quarters toward the back of the transport. He made his way down the corridor and thru the hull, going over in his mind what he could do to unwind; he trusted that Anakin would not need his help for the jump to hyperspace.
At the back of the ship, he located the quaint refresher and prepared himself for a shower. The room was a comfortable size, just a bit smaller than the one in his own compartment at the Temple. The steam from the shower filled the room, and the warmth relaxed his tense muscles. He assumed that the solitude of hyperspace and the heated water would help him unwind for sleep. Perhaps it also wouldn't be harmful if he took a doze tablet before he got into bed, either.
When he stepped in front of the mirror, he noticed that the dark circles under his eyes were not as deep as he had expected. He looked tired, there was no doubting that, but at least he didn't look like the lethargic mess he pictured. With a relieved sigh, he stepped into the shower, listening to the calming patter of the droplets ricocheting off the tiled floor. He tilted his head back, letting the water beat against his chest as his body temperature rose. His eyes fluttered for a moment, and he dared to let himself smile; this was what he needed.
After his shower, he slipped into a fresh set of robes, letting the clean smell fill his nostrils as he headed to the sleeping quarters. In his mind, he was back in his own compartment, going about his normal routine, just the way he liked it.
The bed in the shuttle was smaller than his own at the Temple, which was expected, but his eyes lusted for it as if it were the most comfortable bunk the galaxy (and, in this moment, perhaps it was). He pressed his back against the mattress, adjusting the thin blankets atop him. When he finally let his head rest against the feathery pillow, he sighed; he had missed this feeling.
Before he knew it, he could feel his eyelids grow heavy, thus meaning his sedative had kicked in. His breathing slowed, and the world faded away as he drifted into his first real sleep in quite some time.
On Coruscant, Mace wandered about the Temple's corridors with a heavy thought in mind. It had been far too long since the last transmission was sent from the two Jedi stationed in Lothal. Perhaps he had just missed the signal, or the transmissions operator had forgotten to release a statement, but yet… something in the Force felt wrong.
In the distance, he spotted Master Yoda floating toward him on his hover panel. When he approached the Grand Master, Mace frowned, "Master, have you heard anything regarding Yula Jade or her Padawan?"
"The Jedi on Lothal?" He asked, furrowing his brow as he placed a finger on his chin. Mace responded with a slight hum, and Yoda could sense his concern through the Force, "Heard from them, I have not. Ask the command center immediately, I will."
Mace exhaled, shifting his weight onto his other leg, "I am worried that something may have occurred on Lothal that we are unaware of. It is unlikely for Yula to keep us in the dark."
Yoda nodded, agreeing with the other Master; he had, in fact, felt a slight tremor in the Force himself, "Worried for your former Padawan, you are. Fear not, Master Jedi. Figure this out soon, we will."
"I agree, thank you, Master," Mace bowed his head in respect, continuing in way down the winding corridor. As he headed toward his compartment, he wondered if the mission to Lothal had been too much for the young Jedi. However, he knew that Yula was strong, and he trusted her instinct.
Besides, he had other things to busy himself with. There was still the impending debate regarding Master Skywalker's removal from the Council. Throughout Anakin's training, he had been weary of him, despite what Qui-Gon Jinn had once believed, and he was not entirely surprised that he had betrayed the Council. They were grateful that he had discovered the true identity of the Chancellor, but what he did was dangerous; it could have resulted in the loss of many innocent lives and a dark future for Anakin.
But, innocent lives were not lost, and Anakin had not turned to the dark side. Perhaps he did what a true Jedi would have…
Obi-Wan gasped as he tore himself from his deep slumber. When he came to, he realized he was drenched in sweat, his heart racing inside his chest. The temperature in the room had tripled since he got into bed. What his childhood self had once thought had been disproven: Jedi could have nightmares.
It was the first one he had yet to have, and he desperately wished for it to be the last. In his sleep, he was a much older man, tired and alone. He had lived through something that would have killed most, but he was a survivor. There was another man, covered from head-to-toe in black, and when Obi-Wan looked into his mask, he saw the glare of his red sword reflecting in his eyes.
He pushed the blankets off of his body, taking the time to make the bed to distract him from his thoughts. When he finished, he padded his way into the refresher, and turned the knob on the sink, letting the water cool before he dipped his hands into it. In the mirror, he noticed that he bags under his eyes had lightened, and he gave his reflection an approving nod before splashing the chilled water on his face.
He knocked on the door of the cockpit, letting Anakin know that he was there. When he entered the small room, he gave him a groggy nod of the head, slumping into the co-pilot's chair with a slight grunt, "The beds are quite comfortable for a starship."
Anakin chuckled, keeping his eyes focus on the flashing view before him, "I assume so… You've been asleep for three days."
Obi-Wan snapped his head in Anakin's direction, straightening his posture, "Three days? You have got to be joking…"
"I thought maybe you'd gone into a coma or something; it would have really been a shame to start the mission with a trip to a Christophsis medical bay," he paused for a moment to shoot a sideways glance at Obi-Wan, "But I'm glad you got your sleep; you needed it."
Obi-Wan nodded, grateful for the chance to rest as well, "And, how about you? Have you been able to sleep? You should have woke me…"
"Yeah, I have. Don't worry about me, Obi-Wan; I do know how to take care of myself, you know."
He felt laughter bubble up inside of him, "Oh, yes, quite like that time on Serenno when you coudn't build a shelter for yourself," he chuckled as he reflected on the memory of teenage Anakin, bumbling about in frustration, with an ensemble of sticks in his arms.
"Hey, that was one time," Anakin furrowed his brow in playful frustration as he flipped a few buttons on the control panel. He smiled to himself, thankful for the brief moment he could banter with his former master, just like old times.
There was a comfortable silence that filled the compartment, the only noise coming from the gentle vibrations of the ship's engine. Obi-Wan finally spoke, "Do you think we will be traveling much longer?"
Anakin shook his head, glancing toward the clock beside him, "I actually think we're ahead of schedule. The new hyperdrives they put in these transports get us there faster and smoother. I'd say a bit over half a day's travel and we'll be walking the streets of Chaleydonia."
"Oh, such a joy," he grunted, rolling his eyes.
Anakin laughed, "I forgot that you don't like Christophsians, Master."
"It's not that I don't like them," he began, pondering on the thought, "I just think that they could be more…-"
"Like you?" Anakin smirked.
"You are getting awfully close to upsetting me," he returned the grin, "It would be a shame after things were starting off so well."
The Crystal City was one of the most interesting places in the Outer Rim. Its architecture resembled the buildings and layout of Coruscant (presumably so as its founders originated from the Core Worlds). The entire planet had a teal-green tint that reflected from the crystalline deposits that poked out of the ground. When the sun rose each morning, the crystals would glisten in the light, completing the glorious ambiance of the planet.
Upon their arrival, the two Jedi directed their transport toward the city's main hangar bay, requesting permission to land from the command center. When they received their transmission, Anakin stationed the ship on the docking bay, flipping a few buttons on the control panel before shutting the engine down. He raised his eyebrows toward Obi-Wan, embracing himself for the mission, as they made their way down the main corridor and out the boarding ramp.
"I've been informed that an escort will meet us here to take us to one of the chiefs," Anakin explained as they stood outside of the ship, a slight breeze swirling around them.
"Well, I do hope they hurry," Obi-Wan frowned as he folded his arms across his chest, "It's a bit cold out here."
Standing at the edge of the hangar bay offered a grand view of the Crystal City. The crystalline skyscrapers and buildings proved to be more magnificent than Obi-Wan had remembered. In his memories, Christophsis had a more... gloomy ambiance.
"Welcome to the Crystal City," A cheery voice came from behind the Jedi. When the men turned around, a young, smiling woman stood before them in teal-colored attire. Her dark hair was curled at the bottom, curving upward in a style that must have taken quite a while to perfect. Her teeth glistened as she tilted her head to the side, "Chief Arrik Holst has been awaiting your arrival."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan began, nodding his head in respect, "Will we be seeing the Chief immediately?"
The escort's smile remained, "Chief Holst is busy at the moment, but he will be ready for the both of you in no time. Until then, could I interest you in a tour of the city? If you were not aware, we are known for our exquisite crystalline formations and artwork - the absolute best in the galaxy."
Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, lowering his voice so that the escort would not hear, "I think I am beginning to understand your dislike for Christophsians."
Obi-Wan sighed, slightly rolling his eyes, "Oh, I fear it runs much deeper than you will ever understand."
So, I'm not too thrilled about this chapter, but the next chapter introduces a new character that I'm super excited about! Thanks to those of you that have read so far, and your thoughts are always appreciated! :-)