Now - Eight Years After the Invasion of Naboo
As Obi Wan made his way to the council chamber, he passed several groups of knights milling about the hallways, speaking in hushed tones. The news had traveled fast, fast even by the standards of the Jedi Temple.
News of fatalities always did travel fast but this… it was just so senseless and awful. The loss of any being in this way was a tragedy, and to lose a child was all the more awful. And to lose three? To lose three in a single horrible act of violence, at the hand of one vile individual? As much as Obi Wan tried to release his feelings into the force there were some things you just couldn't let go of.
Obi Wan knew that it was his fault. He was the one in charge of the Vader investigation. It was his responsibility, and in nearly two years he had failed to find anything useful. After nearly two years, he had nothing to show for it but vague whispers from the criminal underworld while the bodies of dead Jedi only kept piling up. Sometimes he would see that crimson blade and hear them scream in his nightmares.
Obi Wan had known the instant he'd heard the news exactly who was responsible. Three padawans murdered while out on a training exercise… There were few capable and only one evil enough.
The Jedi Temple at large on the other hand had not known, not at first. But after a few hours, wild speculation seemed to have given way to the truth. The panic that the Jedi Council had wanted to avoid was now in full swing as the whole temple could be heard nervously muttering about a new Sith, one far more dangerous than Darth Maul had been. He had even heard the name "Darth Vader" whispered once or twice.
What they still didn't know, Obi Wan reflected, was that as horrible as the deaths were, they were not all that remarkable in and of themselves. Vader had certainly killed padawans before. He had been known to massacre groups of three, even four fully qualified Jedi. This group of padawans with only one master would not have presented any particular difficulty.
No, the only remarkable thing about this particular massacre also happened to be the reason the entire Jedi Temple knew about it so quickly. The only remarkable thing was that there were survivors.
When Obi Wan reached the door to the council chamber, a Jedi Master he had seen in passing but never actually spoken to before was waiting outside already. Kelleran Beq, he assumed. The Jedi Master who had been chaperoning the group of padawans and one of three survivors of the attack.
Obi Wan really had no idea what to say in such a situation, so he just gave Master Beq a small nod. The Jedi Master gave a brief nod back, his eyes glistening slightly as though he were holding back tears.
At that moment, the doors opened and Master Windu beckoned them inside.
"Master Beq, we are sorry to call you here so soon after such an ordeal," Master Windu began, his voice just a touch softer than usual. "We do have some questions though that we would like to ask while your memory is fresh."
"What would you like to know, master?" Kelleran Beq asked. "I'm afraid I don't really remember anything more than what is in my report."
Master Windu nodded. "That may be. But perhaps you can just walk us through it again. Any detail could be helpful. What happened after he ambushed you? Perhaps you can start there.
Ambushed, Obi Wan thought. Was that the right word? Could a single man really ambush a group of a half dozen?
Master Beq let out a shaky breath and began. "He was just there… like out of nowhere. And I knew then… I'd heard the rumors of course but I hadn't really believed. But this was a Sith. There was no denying it."
"Where was he in reference to you?" Master Windu prompted. "In front? Behind? To the side? How far away?"
Master Beq shook his head. "In front, I suppose. But I didn't see him until he was just there, maybe 10 feet away… He turned on his lightsaber and then I saw him." He let out another shaky breath. "I believed there was no hope. I begged him… I begged him to let the padawans go and just take me, but of course he refused."
Most of the Jedi council nodded. As terrible as it was, it wasn't surprising. Vader had never been known to spare children before.
"Do you remember exactly what he said?" Obi Wan queried, speaking up for the first time. "Sorry to push, Master Beq, but we have so little intel on Vader that knowing any small turn of phrase might be useful. Did he say anything? Laugh? Just attack."
The Jedi master looked thoughtful for a moment then answered, "He said… I think it was, 'No, I can't,' and then something I didn't really hear… something about orders I think."
Obi Wan frowned, his mind racing. Master Beq may not have realized the significance of those words, understandable given what he had just gone through, but that meant that…
Master Yoda was frowning too and seemed to be looking at him. "What think you, Knight Kenobi?"
"He's not the master," Obi Wan blurted out before he could stop himself.
Master Mundi frowned. "That seems a large leap to make from a few words that Master Beq may have misheard."
"Perhaps," Master Windu said. "But even so, the implication is concerning. We ought to see if the two surviving padawans recall Vader's exact wording."
"Cruel it is to ask so much of children who have been through such an ordeal. But necessary, I agree," Yoda added with a nod. "If only the apprentice Vader is, then even more grave than we knew the situation is."
Obi Wan could tell that Yoda, like him, did not believe for a moment that Master Beq had misheard. But aside from that terrifying development, there was something else that stuck in Obi Wan's mind. "I can't," Vader had said. Not "I won't". Meaning that he lacked the ability to spare the padawans, not necessarily the desire. That also implied that Vader had a master, but moreover that he had… some small sense of morality?
Obi Wan shook the thought away. No. It didn't bear thinking of. Vader might have used the word "can't" but he certainly didn't have to kill those children, and he had. There was nothing more to it. He tuned back in as Master Beq was recounting his miraculous escape. In an ingenious if also rather lucky turn, the Jedi master had managed to more or less bring down an avalanche on the Sith Lord which had bought him and the two padawans who were still standing enough time to get away.
"Any possibility he is dead?" Master Ti asked hopefully.
Master Beq shook his head. "No, we saw his ship take off after us, but fortunately we were able to make the jump to hyperspace before he got within range."
And that was it. Obi Wan updated his mental list of everything they knew about Vader which was depressingly short. So now they were looking for a Sith apprentice by the name of Darth Vader who they knew nothing about and a Sith master who they knew somehow even less about. Darth Vader just might kill all of them before they figured out so much as his home planet.
Then - Seven Weeks After the Invasion of Naboo
"I should be going," Obi Wan said for what had to be at least the tenth time.
Quinlan sighed. "We've been over this, Obi Wan. For once, I'm with the council on this one. You need to rest and recover. It isn't going to be all that hard anyway. I know the sector better than you do. If that slaver scum tries to make any trouble then I can deal with him easily enough." The council also didn't want Obi Wan getting his hopes up too much when they hadn't yet decided whether they would allow the boy to be trained, but Quinlan decided not to mention that part.
"I should be there to explain things to Anakin though," Obi Wan argued. "He's probably confused and upset and…"
"And you are just as much a stranger to him as I am," Quinlan pointed out. "I'll explain everything. You know that I'm good with kids."
Obi Wan still frowned. Quinlan sighed. "Look, I know the situation isn't great, but it isn't going to do any good for you to rush out to the outer rim when you are still recovering." Obi Wan opened his mouth to protest, so before he could Quinlan quickly added, "As much as I know you want to, you can't do everything yourself. You'll just have to trust me. Have I ever given you any reason not to?"
Obi Wan sighed then conceded, "No, you haven't." Then with the first trace of a smile Quinlan had seen from Obi Wan since before Naboo he added, "Except for that time we all went swimming in that river on Kashyyyk and you hid all my clothes."
"That was over a decade ago! I can't believe you are still holding that against me!" Quinlan exclaimed in mock indignation.
Obi Wan chuckled just a little. "I know. I trust you." Then softer he added, "It's just… I don't quite know how to explain it, but like this has to work, Quinlan. The council has to accept him. It's the last thing Qui Gon wanted, and I just… I have this terrible feeling like nothing will ever be right if I don't train Anakin."
Quinlan frowned slightly, studying his friend. Perhaps it was just Obi Wan's grief and survivor's guilt talking, but Jedi were also taught never to ignore inexplicable gut feelings. But this was just a simple mission. Go to Tatooine, find Anakin, bring him to the temple. What the council decided after that… well, they would cross that bridge when they come to it.
"I understand," he told Obi Wan. "And when the time comes, I will do everything I can to make sure you get to train the kid."
Obi Wan nodded. "Thanks, Quinlan."
Simple as this mission might be, all Quinlan could think is that he couldn't bear to let Obi Wan down, so he had better get every last small detail right. What kinds of snacks did kids like? He'd have to go ask some of the initiates. And maybe some holo movies? Quinlan would make sure the kid arrived at the temple as happy and well cared for as he had ever been… which come to think of it maybe wasn't actually a very high bar.
Quinlan had been to this particular settlement before as it turned out. Must have been one mission or another. He didn't entirely remember, but it was definitely familiar. Asking around, it didn't take long before he found someone who knew where the junk dealer Watto lived. He tossed the man a wupipui for his trouble and set off in the direction the man had indicated.
He was able to locate the shop with little enough trouble. Stepping inside his eyes met those of a dark haired woman. She instantly looked away, but in that moment Quinlan got the distinct impression of such intense sadness that he didn't know if he'd ever met anyone more defeated looking.
"Hello," he greeted her. "Are you Shmi Skywalker by any chance?"
"Yes," she responded icily, not bothering to look at him.
Quinlan frowned. Of course, he could hardly fault someone who the galaxy had treated so poorly for being bitter and unfriendly to strangers, but Qui Gon Jinn in his report had specifically described both Anakin and Shmi as being warm and welcoming. He could tell something was off, just from this small interaction.
Nothing to do but jump right into it though. "Nice to meet you Ms. Skywalker. My name is Quinlan Vos. I'm a Jedi Knight," he informed her.
She said nothing but did give him a look of something like loathing.
Quinlan refused to let this shake him and went on, "I understand that another Jedi, Qui Gon Jinn, was here a few weeks ago. Jinn believed that your son could have a future with the Jedi Order. I believe you and Jinn had discussed bringing Anakin to the Jedi Temple."
She looked him straight in the eyes. "You're too late," she declared, voice full of venom.
He supposed that was fair. She wasn't aware of the extenuating circumstances. From her perspective, a Jedi had promised to take her son away to a better life and then took the parts Anakin had won for him and disappeared without a trace. Her anger was justified.
"I am really sorry this has taken so long," he said. "Jinn intended to return for Anakin before leaving the planet, but unfortunately he was attacked by a dangerous enemy and forced to flee. I know how this looks, but it was very important to Jinn that we return here for Anakin… It was his dying request actually."
Shmi's gaze softened ever so slightly. "Qui Gon Jinn is dead?"
Quinlan nodded. "He died in battle."
Shmi blinked once. "Well thank you for the explanation. I suppose I can't hate the dead."
That was an odd response, and in spite of her declaration, Quinlan couldn't help noticing that she still seemed angry. But he did seem to be getting somewhere now. "So if it is still your wish, I am here now to see that Anakin makes it safely to the Jedi Temple."
"I already told you. You're too late."
Quinlan's frown deepened. "What do you mean? Why is it too late?"
"I mean," said Shmi, her nostrils flaring angrily, "That someone else got here first." Shmi blinked quickly and Quinlan saw tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "I mean that as of two days ago my son… my baby boy… has been sold and dragged off to who knows where."
Oh fuck. Suddenly all the pieces clicked together. Obi Wan's anxiety about the mission and feelings of dread. The icy reception he'd gotten from Shmi. The poor woman! The poor kid…
"I am so sorry," Quinlan offered, knowing just how useless it was. "We will find Anakin. I promise you. We won't stop looking until we do."
Shmi looked extremely unimpressed at this declaration. "It isn't the first time a Jedi made me a promise he couldn't keep."
Shmi wasn't sure where Watto was, so Quinlan waited at the shop. In the meantime, he wandered around touching various objects to see what memories they might have to offer. Shmi shot him a look that was half curious, half suspicious as he did this.
"Psychometry," he explained. "I can sometimes sense a sort of echo or memories from an object. I'm hoping there might be something here that the guy who took Anakin touched."
Shmi shrugged. "If it might help get my son back then go ahead and try."
So far he wasn't having much luck. Memories of Anakin were all over the shop of course. The kid must have touched every item in the place. He saw a round faced blonde haired boy everywhere. Working mostly. Sometimes laughing and happy, sometimes sad or in pain or hungry, most often just bored. Quinlan started to feel like he knew the kid. But that wasn't of much use to finding him. There was one hydrospanner that when he touched it Quinlan got a glimpse of a stranger in Mandalorian armor who he was sure must be the buyer Shmi had described. That was the most he could come up with though.
It was nearly an hour later by the time Watto arrived.
"And who might you be?" the Toydarian asked, addressing Quinlan with just a touch of suspicion.
"Quinlan Vos," he answered, crossing his arms. "I'm a Jedi Knight here to collect Anakin Skywalker in accordance with the deal you made with Qui Gon Jinn."
"Oh… um…" the Toydarian muttered, looking around anxiously.
Quinlan rolled his eyes. "I already know what you did."
"Er, yeah… Really good deal, you understand… Just couldn't pass it up! But you can take this one instead," Watto said, gesturing frantically at Shmi.
Quinlan glared at the Toydarian. "You will turn over Shmi's transmitter to her right this moment if you don't want me to arrest you for trafficking of sentients."
"You can't arrest me!" Watto exclaimed. "The Hutts won't stand for it!"
Quinlan laughed. "You have a rather over inflated opinion of yourself if you think the Hutts care anything for your sorry ass. They'll be happy to overlook my interference in exchange for a small gift." That might not be entirely true, but Quinlan was sure it wouldn't come to that.
Watto fidgeted nervously. "Um… well, I suppose." He pulled a small device out of a pouch and held it out to Quinlan.
"I said to give it to her," Quinlan snapped.
The Toydarian's nose twitched, but he complied, holding the transmitter out to Shmi who took it with shaking hands, her eyes wide.
"And now we'll talk about Anakin," Quinlan said.
Watto gulped. "Now look, I have no idea where the boy is. Some Mando took him off-world. He's gone. I can't do anything about it. But I've settled my debt. I owed you one slave and that's what you got. Not my fault if you decide to let her go."
"That's not how this is going to work," Quinlan growled. "You gave Shmi her freedom so that I wouldn't arrest you. Now you will give me the money the Mandolorian gave you for Anakin."
"I told the one before you, your Jedi mind tricks don't work on me!" Watto exclaimed indignantly.
"That wasn't a mind trick. It was a threat," Quinlan said, placing a hand on the hilt of his lightsaber to emphasize his point. It was a somewhat empty threat, but this dirtbag wouldn't know it.
"I paid my debt!" Watto insisted stubbornly.
"Not the way I see it," Quinlan responded, staring the Toydarian down in a challenge he would be sure to win. "And I want the actual, physical coins the Mandolorian paid you with, mind you. Not just the amount. And if it came in any bag or pouch I want that too."
Watto narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What does that matter? Money is money."
"I have my reasons. And you're going to do it or we're going to have a big problem."
"Oh alright," Watto said, crossing his arms angrily. "But I already spent some of it, mind you."
"You'll give me whatever you have left then," Quinlan said, simply.
"Oh, okay." He could practically see the Toydarian thinking and calculating. "It's in the back. I have to go get it."
"You're lying," Quinlan said, tapping two fingers on his lightsaber hilt in a not so subtle threat. "You just want to go back there so you can cheat me. Hand it over now."
Watto looked absolutely furious as he handed over a rather heavy bag of coins.
Quinlan nodded to Shmi, and without another word, they stepped outside.
"Can you see anything?" Shmi enquired as soon as they were out of the shop.
Quinlan held the coin bag in his bare hand and closed his eyes. "A bit. His face, a little. Dark hair, dark eyes, kind of middle aged. There's a ship… don't know the model off the top of my head, but it's distinct and I'll recognize it."
Shmi sighed. "I guess it's better than nothing."
Quinlan reached into the bag to see if the coins had any more story to tell, but it didn't seem like the Mandolorian had ever actually touched them. Taking an empty pouch from his belt, he poured the money into there and passed it to Shmi while keeping the original bag. "Here, you should take this. It will be enough to get you started anyway. Do you have anywhere you can go? Anywhere you want me to bring you?"
"There's a family out in the Dune Sea," Shmi said. "The Whitesuns. They have a network and will help people like me. They can help me look for Anakin."
Quinlan nodded. "I'll bring you there then." Then added, "There can't be all that many Mandolorians running around in full armor, and I know what his ship looks like. We have access to surveillance footage throughout much of the galaxy and will know immediately if Anakin turns up on any of it. We're going to find your son."
Shmi let out a long sigh, her immense sadness and weariness palpable. "I hope you are right, Master Jedi, but I fear you are not. There are many people who know how to go unnoticed out here, and somehow I doubt that when you say 'much of the galaxy' you include the outer rim in that."