Chapter 6 (32 BBY Naboo Crisis)
Siri felt irritation, hurt, and a touch of bitterness flow through her bond with Obi-Wan as she was walking down the hallways of the Temple, just having finished a class with Master Drallig. She hadn't even realized that he'd returned to the Temple, having left five days ago for Naboo, but if something had upset him to the degree that he wasn't shielding from her, then she needed to find him and make sure that he was alright.
Knowing exactly where he went after a fight with Qui-Gon, she made her way to the roof of the Temple, and found him sitting on a bench, gazing out at the city as the sun went down and the lights started to turn on. His expression was a mixture of sad and frustrated. His blue-grey eyes expressively told her that this definitely was because of a fight with Qui-Gon.
She made her way over to him and, not waiting to see if he wanted company or not, she took a seat next to him and then let her gaze wander about the city, enjoying the evening.
"So, do you want to talk about it?" Siri asked after a moment.
"It's a long story," Obi-Wan responded gruffly.
"I've got nowhere to be at the moment," Siri said idly, with a shrug. "All of our other friends are out of the Temple currently, and I'm done with my lessons for the day. Besides, I think you need to talk, and I will sit here no matter how long it takes for you to tell me what's bothering you. Though, you know patience isn't my strong suit, so if you're smart, you'll hurry up."
Obi-Wan's expression softened slightly as she felt gratitude flow their bond and she smiled at him, waiting patiently, contrary to her words. Eventually, Obi-Wan started telling her about the mission to Naboo, which had gone completely astray.
She was surprised as he told her how their ship had been destroyed and how they had to hide aboard the Trade Federation boarding craft as they invaded Naboo, he and Qui-Gon unable to do anything about it. He gave a quick runthrough of the events leading up to them breaking through the blockade only to get stranded on Tatooine and then how Qui-Gon found a boy while they were there. She was shocked when he mentioned the events that followed including Qui-Gon's battle with the mysterious assassin that he believed was a Sith Lord.
"Siri, I'm not sure what's going to happen. The Council obviously thinks the boy is dangerous, but Qui-Gon is determined. He believes the boy is the Chosen One, and it's hard to disagree, what with his insane midichlorian count and the mother's story, but this is another one of those times where he is determined to follow the Living Force, and everything and everyone else be damned. He all but renounced me as his Padawan to the Council, so intent to claim Skywalker as his new Padawan."
Obi-Wan sighed.
"Capable . . . thirteen years together, and that's his assessment before saying that I'm ready for the trials. Headstrong and still has much to learn, but is capable," Obi-Wan's head lowered as he muttered those words dejectedly.
Siri's own irritation had spiked as Obi-Wan told her about Qui-Gon's words and actions in the Council chambers. She liked Qui-Gon, she really did, but things like this were common around the maverick Jedi. He followed his interpretations of the Living Force and everything else would be damned, just as Obi-Wan said. He didn't care, or at least never seemed to appear to care about the repercussions of those actions, as long as he believed he was following the will of the Force. When he was found to be mistaken, he would apologize, but those were few and far between when you considered he was a Master that had been studying the Force for nearly fifty years.
She knew Qui-Gon cared for Obi-Wan, quite a bit more than most Masters would be comfortable admitting, and she was sure that he truly did believe that Obi-Wan was ready, but it was still wrong of him to bring up the Trials so flippantly. Being declared ready to face the Trials was one of the biggest moments of any Padawan's life, and to have it relegated to an excuse for Qui-Gon to take this boy they found as his Padawan didn't sit well with her.
"Add in that the Council doesn't think I'm ready, and I'm not sure if I'm going to make it to Knighthood," Obi-Wan said sadly. "It's going to be Bandomeer all over again."
"Obi-Wan, I'm sure that you will make it to Knighthood," Siri said confidently. "The Council said it would withhold its verdict until later, and I'm sure they think you're ready. Qui-Gon's words might not have sounded like a ringing endorsement, but you know him. Compliments are few and far between. He must believe that you are ready, and I'm sure the Council will at least agree with him on that."
Obi-Wan smiled weakly at her, appreciating her words, but still a bit hurt about his Master's abrupt decision to take a new Padawan and move on from him.
"Have you eaten yet?" she asked, knowing that he probably hadn't.
"No, but I'm not really hungry," Obi-Wan admitted. "Honestly, I was thinking about trying to get a hold of Kastor. I want to get his opinion on the possible Sith Lord."
"He always did say that they were still out there," Siri agreed. "That's a good idea. How about we grab a meal from the Dining Hall and then return to Adi's and my quarters to contact Kastor?"
She knew he was terrible at taking care of himself, especially if things weren't going well, and she was determined to make sure he ate something other than some field ration bars.
He smiled at her, obviously seeing through her offer, but nodded in agreement, and she could feel appreciation flowing through their bond.
"That sounds good," Obi-Wan replied. "I'm sleeping on the couch in the common area tonight anyway, so no reason for me to return early," he muttered.
"Why are you sleeping on the couch?" she asked with a frown.
"I gave my bed to Skywalker for the night," Obi-Wan replied. "None of this is his fault, and Qui-Gon's his ward for the time being, so it made sense to me that he should have a proper bed for the night."
Siri nodded, but inside she beamed at his kindness, especially towards someone others might only feel bitter at. While Jedi were known for their kindness and were supposed to be above petty and darker feelings, she definitely knew some of their fellow Padawans would not be nearly as kind if they were in the same situation.
Grabbing a meal was a simple affair. Obi-Wan asked how she had fared over the past few days that he had been gone, though since she hadn't left the temple and had been present before he left, there was little for them to catch up on, so it wasn't long before they made their way to Siri and Adi's quarters where Siri retrieved the encrypted communicator that she used if she needed to contact Kastor.
She initiated the call and they waited patiently and were rewarded when he answered on the third signal.
Siri and Obi-Wan were both a little surprised to see him looking the way he was. He was obviously still in the guise of Calo Jurgens. His long hair was greasy and unkempt, a mask covering the bottom part of his face. He was wearing a leather jacket with a blaster slung on his chest, a cruel look in his eyes, very unlike the Jedi Master they knew.
"Calo, it's been a while," Obi-Wan greeted with a smile.
The cruel look faded, he took off the mask, and smiled back at them.
"No need for code names this time. I'm alone, and around nobody who will do me any harm," he said.
"Still investigating the Trade Federation through your smuggling contacts?" Siri asked.
"Well . . . it's gone a bit farther than that," Kastor replied. "Honestly, I'm pleasantly surprised that I could even receive your communications. The Trade Federation must have relaxed its blockade."
"Blockade?" Siri and Obi-Wan both replied in shock and concern.
"Yes. Bit of a long story, but I'm currently on a small planet in the Midrim called Naboo," Kastor replied to their surprise. "Until recently, it was under a Trade Federation blockade."
"I know," Obi-Wan replied grimly. "Qui-Gon and I just escaped Naboo not three days ago with Queen Amidala."
Kastor frowned thoughtfully. "So the Force has brought us both into this crisis, even if only to compliment each other's actions."
"How did you come to be on that planet?" Siri asked. "Have you been there since the start of the blockade and through the invasion?"
"No, I recently, with some help, broke through the blockade. Currently, I'm assisting the resistance to fight off the Federation, though acting within my cover of course. Honestly, they don't need my presence as a Jedi anyway, just as a pilot."
"You must have some serious firepower to break through that blockade," Obi-Wan said with a frown. "We barely got out. How did you come to get involved with the Resistance?"
Kastor sighed. "Like you both know, I've been making a name for myself as a smuggler and mercenary when needed. A few days ago, a mercenary friend of mine, Vana Sage called for assistance. She'd intercepted a call from Bravo Flight after less reputable mercenaries tried to kidnap Queen Amidala, before the invasion. At the time, she was working for the Trade Federation and they tried to kill her when she intercepted the message."
"Long story short, she managed to locate a secret Federation factory on Eos, and requested my assistance with its destruction. Our crew involved her, a member of Bravo Flight who was nearly killed before the invasion and thus was offworld at the time, a scavenger, and the leader of the Lok Revenants, a pirate crew that also has a bone to pick with the Trade Federation, so he brought some of his men with him."
"You destroyed their factory and then went to Naboo to see what could be done," Siri said, seeing the path ahead.
"Exactly," Kastor agreed. "We breached the blockade, delivered some munitions to the Resistance, defended their base from an attack and have assisted the Resistance with breaking out their people from the processing camps. Since all that, we're just providing air support where needed. The Trade Federation army certainly hasn't left, even if the vast majority of the Federation cruisers have. Now, tell me your side of the story?"
It wasn't long through Obi-Wan's tale that Kastor's face grew grim.
"This Force user. Is Qui-Gon sure that it is a Sith Lord?" Kastor asked urgently.
"It's the conclusion he has drawn, and I will admit it makes sense," Obi-Wan admitted. "Whoever it was took Qui-Gon to the brink of exhaustion, and the Dark Side has been clouding this whole affair."
"The Sith would not be revealing themselves at this time if it wasn't very important," Kastor muttered. "Two Lords for sure, but how many assassins and acolytes? Enough to start another Dark War?" he continued to mutter to himself.
"Master?" Siri asked, worried to see the ancient Jedi this concerned with the dark assassin.
"As a Shadow, my original mandate was to hunt down Sith and Sith relics, wherever they may be found. This eventually spread to going undercover, doing that which normal Jedi could not do, even if it sometimes causes Shadows to flirt with the Dark Side," Kastor explained. "Since I was awakened by you, I have spent what time I wasn't undercover or recovering at the Temple looking into the Sith's disappearance a thousand years ago. Through my investigation, I believe the Jedi were mistaken when they declared the Sith defeated after the death of Darth Bane, the last known surviving Sith Lord and the creator of the Rule of Two. His death was confirmed, but not by who, and they killed a boy who they mistakenly believed was the apprentice when he attacked several Jedi, out of his mind. I believe Sith Sorcery made him do it, thus making the Order, that wanted to believe the Sith were gone, declare them destroyed. I think this is proof that Bane's real apprentice survived and passed on his teachings. I'm not even sure that Bane himself was killed, at least not by Jedi. I believe he might have survived as well, to continue passing on his teachings."
"So, that would imply that there are likely two Sith Lords," Siri said quietly. "But who attacked Qui-Gon, the Master or the apprentice? And was it even a Sith Lord or just an acolyte?"
"A very good question," Kastor said gravely, while Obi-Wan shivered at the concept that the assassin might have only been the apprentice, knowing how tired Qui-Gon had been after the duel. "What has the Council decided to do?" Kastor asked with a frown.
"Qui-Gon and I are to continue to provide protection for the queen, who has decided to return to Naboo to fight for her people. We'll be returning tomorrow morning. The Council is hoping that this will draw out her attacker and possibly reveal the mystery of the Sith."
"Well, I will likely see you when you return," Kastor replied with a frown. "We can talk more about that when I see you then. Kastor paused, and then he glanced at Obi-Wan in concern. "Is there something else bothering you?"
Obi-Wan felt his mood drop a little bit at the idea that he was so readable that Kastor could tell he was in a foul mood through a hologram when his mind was occupied, even if he did really appreciate the concern, and appreciate that Kastor was taking up time he could be resting to ask after him.
"It's noth-'' he started to say when Siri glared at him and elbowed his side, interrupting him.
Kastor grinned at her, before turning back to look at him with kind concern.
"Siri seems to disagree. If you don't want to talk to me, I'm certainly not going to force you, but if you would like to unburden yourself, I'd like to hear and see if I can help at all," he said.
So, Obi-Wan did. He told him about his fight with Qui-Gon and the news concerning the Skywalker boy.
Kastor sighed, his face betraying some unhappiness.
"I consider Qui-Gon a good friend, but sometimes he has all the tact and interpersonal skill of a proton torpedo," he muttered, and Obi-Wan's lips twitched towards a grin as Siri giggled. "First, I do know that Qui-Gon does consider you ready for the Trials, and he has been planning this to occur as he's mentioned it to me. I'm sure he will talk to you very soon to try and make up for his words in the Council, since I'm sure it is weighing down on him as well. Second, I have faith that the council will consider you ready, and that you will be a Jedi Knight," Kastor continued firmly. "However, do not worry. Should Qui-Gon drop you as his Padawan, if the Council doesn't consider you ready, you will not be going off to Bandomeer or leaving the Order. I will complete your training if it comes to that, though I suspect I will have to fight off Master Windu among others to become your new Master," Kastor finished with a grin and Obi-Wan stared at him, a mixture of relief, thankfulness, and disbelief.
"I . . . thank you, Master," Obi-Wan finally said, deciding to just take the compliment and promise, even if he thought Kastor was overdoing it by claiming that Windu among others would want to become his Master.
"Of course, Obi-Wan," Kastor replied kindly. "Now, there's no reason for you to sleep on a couch tonight when there's a bed available. My room obviously is free, so just let Qui-Gon know you'll be in my quarters tonight."
"Are you sure?" Obi-Wan asked, grateful, but starting to feel like he was starting to become a bother.
"Of course I'm sure," Kastor replied with a roll of his eyes. "In case you haven't figured it out, I'm rather fond of you, you stubborn gundark."
Obi-Wan grinned at the familiar insult.
"Now, my only rule is that if Siri stays the night, I never want to hear about it," Kastor said, a mischievous grin on his face as Siri and Obi-Wan both blanched before he blushed and she glared.
"Master that's not go-" Obi-Wan was saying as Siri retorted, "You stay out of this you-"
Kastor started laughing, which cut off their retorts.
"It's time for me to go, so I think this is where we part ways. May the Force be with you both," he said with a smirk on his face
"And you," Obi-Wan and Siri both replied a little sullenly, and then the communication was cut.
"Sometimes I just want to strangle him," Siri muttered with a shake of her head, as Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Someday we'll find something that we can use against him, and then we'll get him back," Obi-Wan said.
"Look at you, Kenobi, thinking about petty revenge," Siri said, astonished. "I'm very impressed."
"You and Kastor are rubbing off on me, and it's definitely for the worse," he replied dryly.
"Oh please, you'd be hopelessly lost and completely boorish without us," Siri replied flippantly.
"Probably," Obi-Wan replied seriously.
Siri smiled before her smile faded.
"I feel like I should be going with you," Siri said. "If Kastor is worried, then I feel like we should send more Jedi to help."
"Politics won't allow it," Obi-Wan said with a sigh. "It's why we can't even testify about the invasion, since we shouldn't have even been there for negotiations."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," she said glumly. "You be careful," she said softly. "I'm not done with you yet."
Obi-Wan smiled and then approached her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close, a much more intimate embrace than they'd shared since they renewed their friendship.
"Don't worry," he said softly, looking into her blue eyes. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm not done with you yet either."