Author's notes: Hello all, and welcome to Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Edge of Oblivion: Book III, the series finale of the Kenobi Trilogy. If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend you read the two preceding books, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Trail of the Sith followed by Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Realm of the Lost: these books build upon one another and are meant to be read in order as a single, overarching story. Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Edge of Oblivion takes place in 32 BBY, roughly six months after the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Realm of the Lost, in the final few months before the Trade Federation's blockade of Naboo: the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace occur roughly a month after the initial blockade. Obi-Wan is 25, Siri is 23. In terms of the timeline (32 BBY is an incredibly crowded place in the pre-Disney lore) this takes place weeks after the rescue of Adi Gallia in the Episode I Adventures young reader novels, which in turn takes place after the Jin'Ha crisis depicted in the Obi-Wan video game, which in turn takes place after the novel Cloak of Deception. The latter part of Edge of Oblivion roughly corresponds with the early part of Star Wars: Starfighter and its accompanying short story "Single Cell," as well as the events of Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter.
Though this is the end of the Kenobi Trilogy, this is not my final work. I have a new series in the works at the moment, in a fandom yet to be disclosed. It's not Star Wars-related; in fact, it's for a small fandom and an even smaller pairing within that fandom, and will likely surprise many of you. In addition to this, while I'm not going to promise you anything, I may return to my Kenobiverse at some point in the distant future: I've had a few ideas bouncing around in my head for a while about the continuing adventures of Obi-Wan and Siri post-Phantom Menace. Nevertheless, I hope you'll enjoy my upcoming series just as much as the Kenobi Trilogy. The first book of the new series is scheduled for release in mid-December of this year, so stay tuned (and take that release timeframe as a clue as to which fandom my new series is set in.) In any case, it has been a distinct privilege to receive your compliments, and I appreciate all of you that have stuck it through these years. If you're one of those readers that have been along for the whole ride, I hope this is a satisfying conclusion to this saga. If you're reading this later, I hope you find it just as satisfying. As always, please comment and review, and keep it civil. Without further ado, here is the Kenobi Trilogy's end.
Prologue
The Great Game
The area before the balcony resembled a great canyon to the lone figure looking out over it: instead of the inky blackness of the wild, though, it was a garish light show of skyscrapers, endless speeders and starships, and a well-lit drop into an abyss whose dark bottom danced with faint, distinct flashes. All the figure could think of amidst the bustle, though, was his protégé.
Coruscant. Beings, machines, lights…I don't know how he does it, living and thriving here as he does. Still, it's chaos…and WE of all beings know how effective chaos is at achieving what we crave most. Power. Power out of chaos. Through passion, we gain strength, and through strength, we gain power, but chaos is as sure a path to power as strength is. Come to think of it, maybe that's why he does so well here. Power out of chaos…a sure path for any canny politician. And with the way the galaxy is going right now, chaos will prove most effective indeed.
A familiar presence approached; the figure turned to see his protégé approaching from the darkness of the apartment.
"Master," said the approaching figure.
"Ah, Sidious," the man on the balcony replied.
"Were you spotted?"
"I know this building like a high-end call girl, Sidious. I've been here countless times, as you well know. I could go in and out through the front door, let alone the basement, if I wanted to with no one any the wiser."
Sidious looked at his master, his features impossible to read except for an ever-so-slight scowl. The tall Sith Master remained still on the balcony, indifferently looking right back at his apprentice. Then, he stepped forward and began the meeting in earnest.
"So, how go the proceedings in the Senate?"
"Well, so far. We haven't done anything concrete yet, but we're well on our way. Everyone, of course, wants to strike at the Federation's power. I've made sure their various activities in the Outer Rim have been properly documented and shown to the right Senators, as well as my monarch, of course."
"How is she taking all of this?"
"She's a 14-year old girl, Master. She's foolish, ignorant, and headstrong."
"And she's also new. She's not a known quantity: at least Varuna showed his true colors long ago. In addition to this, she's utterly fearless. She may be young and foolish, but don't underestimate her."
"No matter. I have her ear, and I can lead her round like a pet animal. She hangs on my every word, and the worse matters become the more intently she will listen. She supports an aggressive response, and that support will only grow with my counseling."
"If that's your expert opinion, then. Just know that I will hold you to that."
"Yes, Master," Sidious said in a disturbingly icy tone.
"What about the other side? How is Gunray?"
"He's fit to be tied already, Master. I've made sure that between media leaks and Senate discussions, both he and Senator Dodd know just enough of the proceedings to fuel their fury. Whatever we push through the Senate, it will leave him frothing at the mouth. He won't think twice about a violent response."
"Good. That's exactly what we need. What about that business with Drenera?"
"Her forces are in motion, Master: they're preparing for action on Alderaan as we speak. Shall we continue to back them, Plagueis?"
"For now."
Sidious briefly paused, his hand to his chin, before continuing.
"And what of our…mutual acquaintance?"
"Let him have his fun. If anything changes, you will be the first to know. That is all."
"Very well, Master."
Sidious returned to the bowels of his apartment as Plagueis turned to look out over the balcony once again, taking in the Coruscant scenery one last time before departing.
Power from chaos: an excellent lesson indeed. And plenty of chaos we shall have in the days to come!
The next day…
Palpatine thumbed the "ANSWER" button on his wildly ringing holocom unit, and a ghostly image of his sovereign came up: dressed in her elaborate court robes.
"Your Majesty," he said, smiling with practiced ease.
"Senator Palpatine," the Queen said, her image flickering. "How are things proceeding on Coruscant?"
"Quite roughly, I'm afraid, Your Majesty. The Federation doesn't know anything concrete yet, but they already suspect that the Senate will make some sort of drastic move in the coming weeks. They're already quite agitated, and once we formally announce our plans, they will become even more hostile."
"We must do this, Senator; one way or the other. The Federation's aggression cannot go unanswered, especially when our own planet is now potentially threatened."
"And it will not, Your Majesty: we have many Senators who will support us. Your Majesty will have a hand in this matter as well: we can discuss our course of action further when you arrive with the delegation."
"Whatever we do, we will make many enemies: have our trainees arrived yet?"
"They're due by the end of the week, Your Majesty."
"Good. See that they train well: they may not be merely training for much longer."
"Well, I certainly hope it won't come to that, Your Majesty. In any instance, though, they'll have the most thorough training credits can buy. They will be ready for any menace: any at all."
"Good. I'll hold you to that, Senator. That is all."
The hologram faded as Palpatine reclined in his chair, thinking through the ongoing events as Coruscant continued to whirl by through his window.
Good. She's swallowed the entire thing, and now it's merely a matter of making sure she says and does the right things at the right times. Panaka and his lackeys don't concern me: I only wish he and the Queen hadn't insisted on training with the Jedi. Still, beggars can't be choosers: as long as it distracts everyone. In fact, I think I may send…HIM in, just to mix things up a little. Put Panaka and everyone else on edge: they do train for a reason, after all. And now that I'm considering it, those Jedi may yet prove useful to solve my...other ongoing problem.
Palpatine swiveled to look out the window. The traffic flew past, unaware, as he thought of the future.
Whatever happens, our Grand Plan will succeed: when the dust settles, the Sith will once more rule the galaxy!
As his endgame played before his mind's eye, Palpatine couldn't help but smile.