Return to Chapter 1 Of Building of Empires
The black uniformed soldiers, hidden in the shadows of the night,
entered the buildings and homes of the Y'mala citizens killing
and destroying everyone and thing they found. The soldiers didn't
flinch at the horror and destruction they were causing. Only death,
flames, and rubble were left in their wake.
Obi-Wan watched the fleeing refugees from the doorway of a building
and shook his head sadly. "We must help them, Master,"
Anakin said as he fingered his lightsaber.
"I know," Obi-Wan again shook his head. "But two
Jedi against..." He paused. "Something's not right."
He reached out with the Force. The sense was scrambled, familiar
yet not, similar yet different.
"Master, this is not the time for philosophy. We must fight
to save them." They both dove to the ground a split second
before the building across the street erupted into flames.
"I don't think here is a safe spot," Obi-Wan said just
before the two men sprinted down the street, ducking every few
steps to avoid the weapons fire that was now directed in their
general direction. The screams of the fleeing Y'mala filled the
air, but that was soon drowned out by an ominous dull roar.
"Master!"
Obi-Wan slid to a stop and turned. Anakin had stopped to pick-up
a young Y'mala child. He ran over to help the younger man place
her on his back, then they continued toward the main gate. As
they neared the wall that marked the edge of the city, they found
themselves dodging increased blaster fire. Their lightsabers worked
in unison to block shots. Obi-Wan managed to notice as they sprinted
behind a gutted building, that even with the disadvantage of the
child draped over him, Anakin was still effective with his saber.
His lightsaber hissed as he cut a hole in the outer wall. There
was no time for precision, he just sliced his way through the
dark stone. It took only minutes to open a hole big enough for
a single person. He took the child while Anakin slipped through
the hole, avoiding the still hot edges. He carefully placed her
in Anakin's waiting arms before following. He barely had time
to notice that the Force had guided them well, before they quickly
slid down into a narrow ravine and made their way beyond the unknown
troops.
Massive explosions occurred behind them as the bolted toward the
forest. Obi-Wan could feel the horror of those still trapped in
the city. He hooked his lightsaber on his belt while he took one
look at the burning city. "How is she?" He sensed his
apprentice's many emotions as Anakin placed the child on the ground.
"Not good," Anakin looked down at his young patient.
Severe burns covered her body. "I don't think she will survive."
Obi-Wan placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder in comfort. "I
don't understand this. There is no reason to destroy the Y'mala..."
He looked around, his unease growing. "And the attackers,
there's something not right here."
Anakin bent down to examine the child, then stood. "She's
dead." He took his lightsaber off his utility belt. "There
is definitely something not right. They are killing everybody
for no reason."
"We need to find out what's happening..." Obi-Wan spun
around quickly, his lightsaber in hand, as a dozen of the unknown
soldiers spotted them. Anakin's white lightsaber had ignited a
split-second ahead of his own. He parried the blaster fire effectively,
but was surprised at how easily Anakin was handling their first
truly life-and-death battle. "No!" Obi-Wan shouted.
He sliced through the abdomen of the last soldier and grabbed
his friend. "Anger leads to the darkside. Remember that."
"So everyone says." Anakin waved his still lit saber
around. "They deserved it. All of them."
"The Force is to be used only in defense..."
"The best defense is a good offense. You told me that."
Anakin continued to stare at the dead soldier. "Perhaps they
can tell us where they came from." He knelt beside the body
and pulled the black helmet off. "Human."
"So's this one." Obi-Wan studied both bodies. "I
have a bad feeling about this."
"Clones." Anakin stepped away, suddenly horrified by
the thought. Obi-Wan bit his lip, then removed the helmets on
the nearby corpses.
They were all identical. And unlike his one other encounter years
earlier, they were fighting as a unit, without the sudden flare-ups
of insanity.
"We need to tell the council," Obi-Wan said. "But
first, I think we'd better leave." He could sense more soldiers
approaching. He took one step. "Anakin?" The boy had
run in the opposite direction: toward the approaching clone soldiers.
Panaka fingered one of the leaves of the strange tree then shrugged.
"It's very interesting." Amidala laughed as he jumped
back. That had been her first reaction to the rings of red lights
that swept up the trunk.
"It's a ch'hala tree," she said with a smile before
glancing down the newly tree-lined Grand Corridor. She imagined
how the building would look thirty years later when the trees
reached maturity. The new trees were definitely attracting a lot
of attention. Some of the senators or their aides were talking
to the small trees just to watch them light up. Others had already
grown tired of the novelty and were quietly discussing other topics.
Amidala sat down on one of the benches by the tree. The little
blue droid with them whistled. "That's correct," Amidala
said as she patted Artoo. "The trees react to minuscule changes
in air pressure." She whispered something. A pale pink ring
went half-way up the trunk. "See," she said in a louder
than normal voice. A bright red ring scurried up the tree and
out into the branches. "It's perfectly harmless."
"Senator," Colonel Panaka said, returning to their earlier
conversation. "You look tired." She smiled at his concern.
Panaka had retained his position with Naboo security even when
she'd selected him to become her Chief of Staff.
"I'm worried. What do you know about clones?"
Panaka raised an eyebrow, but otherwise didn't seem particularly
surprised at the question. "They are an unlimited, but expensive
source of soldiers. And from what I've heard, not very reliable."
"Don't believe everything you hear." The Bothan Senator,
Drey'lya, bowed slightly as he apologized for interrupting. "Chancellor
Palpatine is correct, this clone army is a great threat to the
Galactic Republic. Palpatine has the heart of a Bothan...but not
our spy network." His voice lowered, becoming even softer.
"My personal agent was to meet my aide, Dorfsk Sal'yor, in
three days. But Sal'yor has been detained by an unexpected emergency."
He glanced at Panaka before returning his gaze to Amidala. "Senator
Naberrie, I have watched you this week, and believe you are ignorant
to the true nature of the clone army."
She bristled slightly at being called ignorant, but he was correct,
all she knew was what little she had read in the Senate bulletins.
The Bothans knew more than anybody. "And you believe you
can rectify that?" She barely noticed the lights sweep up
the tree as they spoke.
The Bothan smirked as he bowed again. "I need someone to
meet my agent. This would give you the information without worrying
about anyone tampering with it." He looked around warily,
then handed Panaka a datacard. "My agent has been to Spaarti.
He can provide us with the secret location of the factories. This
contains all the information you need to contact him." He
bowed again and quickly left. Panaka fingered the datacard.
"I don't like it," he said.
"And why would the Bothan senator lead us into a trap?"
Panaka shrugged. "I have no idea, besides the fact he is
a Bothan."
"Bothans manipulate situations, they aren't known for murdering
anyone. I'll go." She reached for the card
Panaka pocketed the datacard. "No, I'll go." He stared
as a pale red ring of light pursued the previous one up the tree.
"Interesting." Artoo whistled then chirped before following
them down the hall.
Anakin's eyes scoured the meadow as he gripped his lightsaber
tighter. They were all dead, he observed with a growing sense
of satisfaction. The ground was littered with the bodies of over
three dozen clone soldiers. The seven Y'mala prisoners they'd
freed were talking with Obi-Wan.
But it wasn't enough. All around him he could sense the deaths
of thousands, maybe even millions. He sliced the empty air with
his lightsaber, then let the mental barriers slide into place.
There were just too many of them for two Jedi to take on. He took
several deep breaths before turning off his lightsaber. The acrid
smell of smoke filled the air. He knew that the coming dawn would
bring a dim light that would barely reveal the horrors that surrounded
them. The flames would provide most of the light for many days.
He glared at the brightening horizon. He just wanted to do something...Anything.
"Anakin?" A voice behind him said. He whirled about.
It was one of the Y'mala prisoners they'd freed.
"Yes?" He felt a sense of calm return. He knew he couldn't
let it stay too long; there were still battles to fight.
"I wish to thank you. Master Obi-Wan says this was your doing."
Anakin wasn't sure just how Obi-Wan meant that, but he accepted
the Y'mala's thanks anyway. "I only wish I could do more."
The young male bowed his head. "We shall remember what you
have done here today. We want to save more of our people...But
it is equally important that the galaxy be told or many other
worlds will meet the same fate." Shoyal checked the charge
on the blaster he was holding. "They mean to destroy our
beautiful planet and make it forever uninhabitable." Anakin
nodded in agreement with the last statement. "We ask that
you and Master Obi-Wan return to Coruscant..."
"No!" Anakin shouted, allowing whatever calm he'd felt
to flee. "We must stay here to help...Two Jedi are better
than none."
"And no Jedi?" Shoyal stared at the horizon, his anguish
clearly showing. "Only ones such as yourself have any hope
of escaping the destroyers up there. I have shown Master Obi-Wan
where their transport ships landed." Anakin watched him carefully
and realized Shoyal knew all too well that he and the other Y'mala
would probably be killed. The Y'mala seemed to sense the direction
of his thoughts. "The soldiers are human. Perhaps other humans
can escape to tell what happened here tonight." He bowed
his head. "Remember us well. The Y'mala are teachers and
learners now, but we still know how to fight. We shall not die
alone."
Obi-Wan waited for him by a tree while the Y'mala gathered up
the discarded weapons. Before they slipped into the woods, Anakin
shook hands with each of the Y'mala and wished them well. He started
to follow them, but a gentle mental prod from his master brought
him back to the moment--and the future. He followed Obi-Wan silently.
The Clone Admiral knelt as the hologram appeared before him. "My
Lord, our troops have met only pockets of resistance."
"Excellent," the hooded figure growled. "Proceed
with the sterilization of the planet."
"Yes, my Lord." The admiral glanced beyond the hologram
and wondered what the commotion was about, but he didn't dare
risk the wrath of Darth Sidious to find out.
He waited until the hologram vanished before standing and barking
out an order.
"Admiral, sir," the lieutenant said standing straighter.
"One of our transports has made an unauthorized departure."
The admiral glanced at the screen.
"Have they responded to our hails?"
"No, sir. Scans indicate only two humans on board."
No Y'mala. The admiral knew that there were many species on the
planet--but his orders had been specific. No one, of any species,
was to leave the planet alive. "Pursue them and destroy them."
#
Anakin felt a familiar surge of adrenaline as the ship's speed
increased. This was what he enjoyed most, flying at high speeds.
He banked the ship to the starboard. Two of the larger destroyers
were approaching. He quickly pulled the ship into a steep climb
to avoid a phaser blast. "Company," he said.
"They don't seem to want us to leave," Obi-Wan responded
as Anakin throttled the ship.
"We can make the jump to hyperspace as soon as we clear the
large destroyers."
"I've entered the co-ordinates for Coruscant." Obi-Wan
grabbed the console as the nearest triangular ship fired at them
again. "Shields are holding."
Anakin ignored him, instead concentrating on the Force, he turned
the ship so they were flying straight toward the attacking destroyer.
He inched his fingers toward the firing mechanism.
"No," Obi-Wan said as he placed his hand over Anakin's.
"But I can take it!"
"And they will destroy us. We made a promise to the Y'mala."
Anakin briefly wondered how Obi-Wan managed to remain so damn
calm, as he pulled his hand back slowly and steered the ship away
from the clone fleet. The new course was an erratic, Force-guided
one away from the destroyers, toward the wide expanse of space.
Minutes later the stars blurred as they made the jump.
Amidala stopped suddenly and turned to her companion. "I
know we've discussed this before..." She started to reach
out to take the Bothan datacard.
Panaka's dark face broke into a grin. "Yes we have. But Senator,
there are two Coruscants. What you and the galaxy know. And a
darker side: a world of thieves, smugglers and other unsavory
characters."
"I've been to Tatooine..." She held her hand, palm upward
waiting for that datacard, knowing he wouldn't give it to her.
"And I objected to that too. But Tatooine is nothing compared
to the underworld of Coruscant." He glanced at her open hand,
then pocketed the datacard.
"I should see it. Perhaps if it is out in the open, we can
fix it."
"A very noble idea, but not today. This mission is too important."
He tensed as he glanced around.
"Something wrong?" Amidala asked as she followed his
lead and studied their surroundings. She dropped her hand as her
eyes sought to find the shadows in the darkness.
"No..." Panaka hesitated. "I thought I...It was
nothing."
She frowned. "You too have felt we are being followed?"
He nodded. "I've thought we've had a shadow for several days."
She could find no reason for that feeling. They'd seen no one
suspicious--and she knew of no one who would want to follow them,
except maybe a Bothan agent...But that made no sense either.
He fingered his blaster as he glanced around again. "I shall
have another bodyguard assigned to you."
She started to argue and stopped. He was right. There was something
going on...Something that wasn't quite right. "What do you
think of Chancellor Palpatine?" She asked instead.
"The chancellor? He's ambitious, but also loyal to Naboo."
During Palpatine's tenure as chancellor, Naboo had flourished.
"Why?"
"I don't know." She froze at the sound of approaching
footsteps, then relaxed at the sight of the two approaching Jedi.
Amidala watched them.
"Padme?" One of them asked before turning. She gasped.
"Annie?" It had been almost a year since she'd last
seen him and his mentor. The two Jedi removed their hoods.
"Your Highness," Obi-Wan said.
"Not anymore. I'm the new senator from Naboo." Anakin
smiled at her as she spoke. She grinned back. "I was hoping
we'd meet. I tried to find you," she said, her eyes narrowing
slightly. The two Jedi seemed tense and worried. She started to
speak as Obi-Wan glanced around quickly. She too looked around
without saying anything. If the Jedi had noticed something, maybe
it was more than her imagination.
"I'm on my way to the council." Anakin bowed his head
as Obi-Wan continued. "I will speak to them alone."
She watched as the older Jedi walked away. Panaka quickly studied
their surroundings again, before speaking. "I need to be..."
"I'll see you later." She silently studied Anakin. He'd
grown a couple of centimeters since she'd last seen him. He was
now about five centimeters taller than she was. His long blond
hair was tied in a neat pony tail while a small braid dangled
in front of his right ear. Everything he did seem to exude confidence
and power. His eyes and expression were serious--there was almost
a far-away look about him. Amidala smiled at him again. "How
you been?"
"I've been better." They started walking.
#
The cloaked figure watched the young senator and her escort until
she'd sensed the Jedis' approach. Darth Murthyr slipped into the
shadows. She did not understand her master's concern. The tall
dark man, at the moment, posed a greater threat, or so their intelligence
source said. If the Bothan spy truly did have the information
her master feared he did, then he needed to be stopped. She pulled
out a vibro-blade. For tonight's work a lightsaber was too obvious.
#
The night breezes whispered over the Coruscant rooftops, blowing
through Amidala's dark hair as she leaned over the wrought-iron
railing and laughed. The roof of the Senate apartments offered
a spectacular view of the city-planet. "This is my favorite
spot. It's the one place that reminds me of the canyons of home."
She turned. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Everything." Anakin kicked at an imaginary
stone. "I want to return to Tatooine and free the slaves...Then
there is what happened at Y'mala."
She studied his haggard look, and mentally reprimanded herself
for not noticing he seemed to be in shock. "What happened?"
He pushed his braid behind his ear. "It has been destroyed.
You didn't know?"
"No one does." She felt her stomach sink. "Destroyed?"
"We were there..." He closed his eyes. "Rancors
don't destroy anything like this army did. Men, women, children,
all killed with no reason or mercy."
"Oh..." She reached for his hand. "We must tell
someone. I'm sure someone will still be at the Senate." They
both turned when the access door opened behind him. She shouted
as a figure stumbled in. "Panaka?" She grabbed him just
as he collapsed. "What happened?"
"I..." Blood dripped out of his mouth and the wound
in his right shoulder. Anakin knelt beside them. "Waylen...You
must...tell..." He stuttered something else, then went silent.
Anakin reached over and closed the dead man's eyes. "Waylen?
Padme?"
"He's my friend, Annie. And he's dead because of me."
He reached for her hand.
"What is it?"
"The Bothans..." Her face was grim. "He was to
meet their agent. Some new information about the clones."
Anakin sat back on his heels and stared off into the distance.
"Clones."
"Annie?"
He shuddered slightly then stood pulling her up after him. "Perhaps
you are right. Shoyal entrusted us to tell the galaxy."
Obi-Wan stood in the center of the council chambers and stared
at Master Yoda. The other members of the council had listened
silently while he'd told what had happened on Y'mala. Yoda raised
his head, and Obi-Wan realized that the Jedi Master had aged a
great deal in the past few years. "The Force surrounds us,
binds us...But life from nothing is an anathema to all life."
Yoda glanced around. "All things must end and begin again."
He looked sadly at Obi-Wan. "It is the way of things."
#
Jar-jar stood so quickly when he saw Amidala and Annie enter the
Naboo Senatorial Offices, that the chair he'd been sitting on
fell over with a loud crash. "Meesa so glad to see Massa
Skywalker." He grabbed the kid and hugged him. "Yousa
two belongs together, meesa think."
Anakin pulled away. "It's good to see you too, Jar-Jar."
He glanced at Amidala for help.
"Jar-Jar, we're here because..."
"Meesa watch you at the bombad festival every year."
Binks' grin grew even bigger. The Festival of Peace was the Naboo
and Gungan celebration of their liberation from the Trade Federation,
and of the new unity that existed between their two peoples. Amidala
shook her head as she placed a calming hand on the Gungan's shoulder.
It was also the only time she saw the two Jedi heroes.
"Jar-Jar, there's been trouble."
Jar-Jar's face fell. "The Gungan and the Naboo at war?"
"No," Anakin said with the first sign of irritation
that Amidala had seen from him that evening. "The planet
of Y'mala has been destroyed."
"Oh." There was a moment of silence. "Meesa think
this is bombad bad."
She leaned over and entered her access code into the senatorial
communication network. "Chancellor Palpatine is in his office."
She barely heard the Gungan's statement as she and Anakin left.
"Meesa no lika the bombad Chancellor."
Amidala hadn't asked why Palpatine was in his office that late,
but decided luck or Annie's mysterious Force was responsible.
The Chancellor had listened to Anakin, then arranged for the Senate
to convene within two hours. She knew there had been a lot of
grumbling: but at the appointed time, over two-thirds of the Senators
had arrived and were seated within the massive hall.
She smiled sadly at Anakin who stood with her on the Naboo box.
The Y'mala senator was also with them. He had been silent since
learning of the destruction of his world. She knew the shock would
soon be replaced with anger and hatred.
Palpatine motioned for silence. "Disturbing news has reached
me tonight. I have been informed that a clone army has destroyed
the Y'mala homeworld." There was a collective gasp. "We
have been unable to establish communications, but we do have an
eyewitness. This is outside normal protocol for our esteemed body,
but considering the circumstances..." He let his voice fade
as he motioned for Amidala to bring her box forward.
The Naboo box rose until it was directly in front of the chancellor.
Anakin took a deep breath and told his story. Amidala held his
right hand while Jar-Jar held her other hand.
Anakin finished his unembellished narrative, then stepped back.
The Chandrila box rose. "Supreme Chancellor, esteemed senators,
honored guest," Mon Mothma said. "We must send help
to Y'mala and assist the survivors. Then we must find the source
for these clones and destroy them once and for all."
There were sporadic cheers. Senator Varynk Drey'lya brought his
box and stopped it so it was almost a meter higher than Mon Mothma's
before he spoke. "The Bothan government will not mention
that we have spoken of this threat for years. There is a greater
force at work than a clone army. Someone is responsible for their
creation. My agent died this evening bringing us new information.
Unfortunately that information was lost." He glanced at Amidala
then at Palpatine. "With the chancellor's permission, I shall
assign my aide to head the Bothan investigation." Palpatine
motioned his agreement with his hand.
"The motion has been made that we send help to Y'mala."
Palpatine glanced at the terminal. The voting was all done through
the computer. "The ayes have it. The committee on the clones
will accompany the mission. Myself and Senator Naberrie from Naboo
shall also go. I have sent a message to the Jedi Council requesting
that two Jedi accompany us."
#
Obi-Wan waited patiently in the center of the council chamber
until the others had left. He knew he needed to talk to Yoda.
"Master Yoda?"
Yoda's ears perked slightly, then fell. "There is much you
didn't tell us."
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "It's Anakin. He fought well..."
Yoda didn't speak, he just sat there expectantly. "Master,
he is troubled and angry." Again Yoda waited. "When
we fought the clones, he lashed out, drawing upon his anger at
what they had done."
Yoda sighed. "Feared this, I did." His eyes held a far-away,
somber expression. "Too much anger in the boy."
"I don't understand, Master. Anakin had done so well with
his exercises on controlling his anger..."
Yoda seemed to drift away for several seconds as if in deep thought.
"The darkside rises again. An outlet it has found."
He stood slowly and leaned on his staff. "You and Skywalker
to Y'mala must go, to learn if the Sith Lord ready be."
"Ready?" Obi-Wan gazed at the Master as Yoda silently
stared out the window. Ten years ago Darth Sidious had used the
Trade Federation to invade Naboo. Events hadn't made sense then,
and still didn't now: not if Sidious wanted Galactic domination.
Obi-Wan realized Yoda was now watching him, a curious expression
on his face. "Ready for what?" He shivered at the direction
his own thoughts were heading.
"For the future." Obi-Wan stared at the Jedi Master
as understanding swept over him. Darth Sidious had used the Trade
Federation siege of Naboo as the first step in a bid for ultimate
power, not as the first step in a war of conquest. Yoda nodded
ever so slightly. "Begin you to understand. Now patient must
you be." Before Obi-Wan could ask any further questions,
Yoda had left the room. He stood there for another couple of minutes.
A vague terror hung over him as another motive for the destruction
of Y'mala danced about in his mind.
Obi-Wan shook his head. Such an act would require a level of evil
he had never come across in his lifetime--not even in his Master's
former student, Xanatos. He let his eyes drift to the window and
the view of the Galactic Senate Building beyond.
#
Darth Sidious didn't look at his apprentice as they strolled the
darkened streets. The criminal element of the lower levels would
not come near them. He almost smiled. If anyone from above had
ever bothered to pay attention to the Coruscant underworld, they
might have heard stories of a dark presence.
"We are ready, my Master," she said softly. "Our
armies are in place. The galaxy is ours." She laughed.
"The time for our revenge is upon us. But patience and vigilance
are still important. It has taken us many years to reach this
moment--a false step could hinder us."
"We control the finest army in the galaxy, Master."
"Never make the mistake of assuming you are better than your
enemies. It has taken decades for the clonemasters to perfect
the cloning process. Their achievement makes this moment possible."
Their achievement and his unique motivational abilities, he amended
to himself.
She bowed her head. "Yes, Master." She stopped. "We
are ready for the next step in our plan?"
"Yes," he hissed. "But first there are two things
I need you to take care of." They continued their stroll.
"The Bothan."
"And this." He handed her a brown robe and a heavy pouch.
"You are to go to Tatooine."
"It is time then?"
"The Sith have waited many centuries for this moment. Soon
our revenge will be complete." He flicked his hand, and a
hidden door opened. His apprentice would complete her task, and
the future he had so long planned for would come to pass.
Dorfsk waited impatiently in the chancellor's office. He didn't
want to be here, but when he'd asked for an extended leave, Drey'lya
had informed him that he was to head the Bothan investigation
into events on Y'mala. He had barely flinched. Drey'lya had added
that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had agreed to the Bothans leading
the multi-planetary team that was being sent to Y'mala to investigate.
None of this was what he had foreseen, or what he wanted.
But, he realized, this did provide an unexpected opportunity:
as head of the investigation, it would be easier to arrange a
cover-up. He shivered slightly. Lord Sidious had promised that
he would not seek their help again, but Dorfsk now feared otherwise.
Sidious had complete control over them--they were at his mercy
and discretion. Whatever he asked, Dorfsk and his companions would
have to do, exposure was not an option.
The outer door opened and the chancellor entered. Dorfsk stood
and bowed. "Senator Drey'lya has explained to you what is
expected?" Palpatine asked after greeting the Bothan.
Dorfsk nodded reluctantly. "Yes, sir." Maybe this wasn't
such a good idea. "A detailed analysis of what happened on
Y'mala. A truly tragic event, Chancellor."
"Yes it is." The Chancellor stared out the window. "A
great tragedy. But I fear the enemy had help."
Dorfsk shivered. "Help sir?"
"It was my understanding that Y'mala had a formidable planetary
shield." His face was grim as he focused his attention back
on the Bothan. "Someone must have destroyed the power generators."
It took a lot of effort, but Dorfsk was convinced that he'd not
shown any emotion. "I shall do my best to discover whom."
"I'm sure you will," Palpatine said with the barest
of smiles.
Dorfsk felt his heart rate climb. There was no way anyone could
know. With a bowed head, he spoke quietly, "I appreciate
your voice of confidence." He waited for a signal of dismissal.
There were many things to take care of before he left. He would
join Drey'lya on Y'mala in two days.
#
A hooded Obi-Wan stood, waiting on the docking platform; his thoughts
far away. Several planets were sending their military personnel
to Y'mala, since the Republic only had a symbolic military presence.
There was, even before the destruction of Y'mala, a movement to
change that: the senate had recently proposed that they assume
command of all military forces of member planets. He shook his
head. Tonight, he wondered if the Jedi were too out of touch with
the rest of the galaxy to truly represent peace and justice.
He returned his attention to the young woman with Anakin. She
had filled them in on what was happening in the Senate and the
Galaxy at large. There was so much he didn't know. Qui-Gon would
have known what was going on--but then Qui-Gon had had an unique
ability to live in the present. Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He'd
often thought that ability had been a waste of time, but at this
moment he promised himself that he would live in the present.
What affected the citizens of the galaxy affected him and the
Jedi.
Suddenly his eyes opened wide as icy fingers gripped at his brain,
then vanished as suddenly as they'd appeared. Anakin was staring
at him.
"Did you feel it too, Master?"
Obi-Wan nodded. A very powerful, dark presence had deliberately
sought them out as if it was daring them to find him. Amidala
glanced quickly between both Jedi, then past Obi-Wan as an entourage
of senators and their aides exited from the lift. Chancellor Palpatine
stopped his conversation with Organa and approached the Jedi.
"We greatly appreciate your help," Palpatine said.
"A great darkness is coming if we don't stop the clone army,"
Obi-Wan said with a bow. "My apprentice, Anakin Skywalker,
will also be accompanying us." Amidala and Anakin walked
over to stand by the older Jedi. He studied each senator as they
continued toward their ship.
Palpatine greeted the pair. "We meet again. I wish to thank
you again for your efforts on behalf of the Y'mala."
Anakin smiled briefly, as Palpatine introduced the others. Obi-Wan
knew only Bail Organa well. Organa had been willing several years
earlier to ask the Jedi for help in a political dispute on his
home world of Alderaan. The others he knew only by reputation.
He shivered. Was it possible that one of them was the dark presence
he'd felt just seconds earlier?
Go to Chapter 3 Of Building of Empires
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