Chapter Fifteen
Only an hour later, two Jedi came to a high rise of Senatorial quarters. In the lift on the way up, the older one commented, "You seem a little on edge."
The younger, though taller, said in return, "Not at all."
"I haven't felt you this tense since- since we fell into that nest of Gundarks," the older said.
"You fell into that nightmare, Master, and I rescued you. Remember?" the younger said.
"Oh...Yes," the Master said, chuckling. He then glanced over at his apprentice again and said, "You're sweating. Relax. Take a deep breath."
"I haven't seen either of them in ten years, Master," the apprentice said seriously.
The Master looked away, smiling slightly and shaking his head.
Moments later, the lift stopped and the doors opened. In the room beyond, a tall alien with floppy ears awaited them. He wore ceremonial robes, but was as awkward as ever. "Obi? Obi! Mesa so smilin' to seein' yousa!" the alien said eagerly, taking the Master's hand and shaking it vigourously.
"Good to see you again, Jar Jar," Obi-Wan said warmly.
Jar Jar led the two Jedi into the sitting room. Four figures stood on a balcony beside there: a security offier, a woman in an ornate gown, a woman in a less ornate gown, and a very short woman with feline ears wearing much simpler and more practical gown.
"Senator Padme, wesa pal-os here! Looky, looky, Senator. Desa Jedi arrive," Jar Jar said happily.
The three people turned, and all of them smiled at the sight of the Gungan with the two Jedi. The Senator walked over to Obi-Wan and held out her hand to shake. "It's a great pleasure to see you again, My Lady," Obi-Wan said to her.
"It has been far too long, Master Kenobi," she said in return. Then, her eyes flicked to the sight and stopped on the apprentice. "Ani?" she asked uncertainly. "My goodness, you've grown."
"So have you," the apprentice said, stepping forward nervously. "More beautiful, I mean. Well, for a Senator, I mean."
She smiled before saying, "Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine."
She then turned and walked over to a couch. As she did, Obi-Wan said, "Our presence here will be invisibly, My Lady. I can assure you."
The Senator sat with the two other women on one side of her and Jar Jar on the other ,while the other man remained standing. The two jedi sat on the couch facing that one."I'm Captain Typho of her Majesty's security service. Queen Jamila has been informed of your assignment. I am grateful you're here, Master Kenobi. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit."
"I don't need more security. I need answers," the Senator insisted. "I want to know who's trying to kill me."
"We're here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation," Obi-Wan said.
"We'll find out who's trying to kill you, Padme. I promise you," Anakin said. Anakin, you have grown up from a little, eager boy into a love-struck teenager.
"We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner," Obi-Wan said pointedly to Anakin.
"I meant it in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course," Anakin said in return.
"We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin, and you will pay attention to my lead," Obi-Wan said seriously.
"Why?" Anakin asked.
"What?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Why else do you think we were assigned to her if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security, not Jedi. It's overkill, master. Investigation is implied in our mandate," Anakin ranted.
"We will do exactly as the Council has instructed. You will learn your place, Young One," Obi-Wan said.
"Gentlemen, a quarrel is quickly settled when deserted by one party; there is no battle unless there be two," Sarali interrupted, admonishing them both. The two of them were silent following that admonishment. (Seneca)
"Perhaps with merely your presence, the mystery surrounding this threat will be revealed," the Senator suggested hopefully. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I will retire." With that, the Senator, the handmaiden, the Gungan, and the demi-human stood. Only the handmaiden and the senator left.
The remaining people gathered together, and Captain Typho said, "I know I'm happy you're here. I'll have an officer stationed on every floor, and we have a control centre downstairs." The master and the captain left to talk over the details.
Jar Jar then turned to Anakin and said, "Mesa bustin' with happiness seein' you again, Ani!"
"She hardly even recognized me, Jar Jar," Anakin lamented.
"I've thought about her every day since we've parted. She's forgotten me completely," Anakin said sadly.
"Shesa happy, happier dan mesa seein her in a long-o time," Jar Jar said consolingly.
"Anakin, do not feel bad. I hardly recognized you when you entered, so much have you grown," the demi-human woman said, walking over to them.
"Sarali?" he asked disbelievingly, turning to her.
"How many other half-Cathar women do you know, Ani?" she asked, coming over and opening her arms. Just as she predicted, Anakin hugged her.
When he let go, he said, "You've changed, too. You seem older, but younger, too."
"Wisdom always comes at a price, Anakin," she said seriously.
"Anakin, be mindful of your thoughts. She was pleased to see us," Obi-Wan said, walking back over to them. He looked over at Jar Jar and then at Sarali. His eyes locked on her.
"Sarali?" he asked, unsure.
"Yes," she said, nodding.
He smiled and said, "It is good to see you again."
"And you as well, Master Jedi. But, please remember, the wisest mind has something yet to learn," she said seriously to him. (George Santayana)
He was silent for a second, before he said, "I'll go check security." With a nod, he walked away.
"I must go help the Senator," she said, leaving as well.