By Christina (fmlyhntr@yahoo.com)
Return to Year 2
Disclaimers in Year 1. I'd like to thank Cybermom for her help with the poem, Chaos and my editors, Rocky and Janet (who's tickled pink that her screenname will be a character in Episode 2!)
Extreme angst alert!
The Darkness (all dates from beginning of year)
Palpatine concentrated on focusing his internal anger into a tight ball as he stared at the scene playing out on his screen. He maintained an even expression as he looked up into the face of Armand Isard once more.
"My agents have already arrested the alien and have confiscated the holovid. Sire, I promise..."
"Promise?" Palpatine snarled. "One Mon Calamari stood for a full five minutes on the Senate steps and announced to the citizens of Coruscant that the 'power of freedom is greater than the force of any dictator'? And the Coruscant Hourly News was allowed to broadcast this?"
"Your Majesty, I'm working now to tighten security here on Coruscant."
"An excellent idea, if not a little late." Palpatine waved his new intelligence chief out of his office. "Do not disappoint me, Isard," he muttered as the door closed. He turned to face his silent apprentice. "Lord Vader?"
"The man is a fool," Vader said.
"He will do better in the future. However, the Mon Calamari may be a greater nuisance than I'd imagined."
"They are insignificant."
"For the moment, that is true, but--" He hesitated. "They will one day belong to the Empire. Leave me."
"Yes, my master," Vader said with a slight bow.
Palpatine watched the black-armored man leave, then stared at the frozen picture of the Mon Calamari. He flicked his hand and the screen darkened. Once more he picked up the datachip that Isard had given him.
There was no further word on Amidala. She seemed to have vanished without a trace. Her two Jedi protectors on Naboo must have been involved, as well as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Three Jedi and not one clue. Now, one was dead and the other two had disappeared. Amidala was a problem that needed to be solved immediately. His dark manipulations of the Force had heightened his awareness of past, present and future. He knew that she was destined to play a role in his downfall.
He would find her through her friends. They were her weakness.
It was a dangerous and carefully crafted game he played. It was still too early to show his true power; otherwise he would arrange for Senator and Princess Organa to vanish. The Force was a powerful ally--especially when turned against those unprotected against its full potential.
He would continue to be patient.
Baryl stared at the medical droid, wishing she had pulled out all his internal wirings as soon as he'd announced his diagnosis.
"I heard you the first time," she said, still stunned. She glanced around the otherwise empty room. "Are you sure?" She knew it was true, yet she still resisted the idea.
"Yes, Miss Arasta, my diagnosis is accurate. You are three-and-a-half months pregnant." She shook her head in disbelief at her own denial. For two months she'd ignored the faint whisperings of the Force, hoping against hope it was a figment of her imagination.
"I can't be," she tried one last time to deny everything. She'd taken precautions.
The droid gave a reasonable approximation of shrug then said, "These things happen."
Only when Jedi are involved, she thought. Ben would attribute this to the Force. Damn him anyway, she hadn't heard a word from him.since that last night on Tatooine.
"I guess they do," she said, more calmly than she felt, as she carefully slid off the examining table. The droid opened the door for her. She walked slowly out to the waiting room.
Rostek Horn stood as soon as he saw her. "Well?"
"Not here," she said, and beckoned him toward the door. Ben should be told first, she thought, but unless she could find a contact she actually trusted, she had no way of even finding him.
"I thought so," Rostek said as they exited the building.
"You suspected?" she said in disbelief.
Rostek Horn chuckled. "Scerra did, actually. She has some experience in these matters." He glanced sideways at her. "You might want to talk to her."
Baryl agreed. There was another reason to talk to Rostek's wife. Her child was Jedi--even as the medical droid was telling her she was pregnant, Baryl had realized that she'd known. She also recognized that some sort of bond existed between her and the unborn child. She could sense her child's Force potential. And, she finally admitted to herself, had recognized it much earlier. The thought of bringing a child--especially a Jedi child--into the Empire's galaxy terrified her.
"What will you do?" Horn asked as the approached CorSec headquarters.
"I'm not sure." She didn't want to voice her fears. "I'll stay on the job, of course--for a while anyway. " She cut off his beginning protest. "And before I do anything else, I need to get in touch with Ben."
"Except through Alderaan, there is no safe way of contacting him."
"Kiffle," she muttered. "I know that all too well."
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Baryl, it will all work out. You'll see."
She shook her head. She didn't know that at all. Not anymore. "Tatooine becomes a more attractive prospect."
"People *do* raise children there," he said.
She nodded as she thought of Luke and the Lars family. "I know. This was just not what I planned for right now."
"You'll do fine," Horn reassured her. "Scerra wants you to come over for dinner tonight and keep her company. Hal and I are going to the Zoneball finals."
"I'd be delighted," Baryl said, planning the message she'd send to Princess Kalla. She expected to meet Ben on Alderaan during the Festival of the Moons--but she hoped she'd see him sooner.
Rostek Horn grinned. "Scerra's looking forward to it." He paused. "Baryl, in light of your 'news', I'm going to limit your field assignments."
Baryl didn't argue. He was right, she did need to avoid strenuous activities--like chasing crooks through Treasure Row.
Rostek picked up his morning deliveries from his aide and entered his office. She started to walk over to her desk, but stopped when Horn called out her name. She took the proffered datareader.
"I see," was all she said until they entered his office and closed the door. "An Imperial Garrison?"
"Are you surprised?"
"No," she admitted. "I just didn't expect him to move so fast. I suppose there'll be an Imperial Liaison Officer as well?"
"Eventually." Rostek placed the reader on his desk. "The Diktat is negotiating for the Emperor to visit Coruscant during his good will tour."
"That should be exciting," she said sarcastically.
"The security problems will probably tie-up most of CorSec's resources. But you'll be getting your excitement elsewhere." It took her a second to realize that she would most likely be on Tatooine by that time.
"Have you seen the Emperor's full itinerary?"
"Yes. Alderaan is his first stop."
It took an incredible amount of effort to not react to that news. The Emperor and Amidala on the same planet--she could only hope that Amidala had the sense to be somewhere else.
Amidala's frown deepened as she stared blankly at the numbers before her. The screams of delight coming from Leia and her two young friends was just too enticing. She turned and burst out laughing at the sight of Lady Brasa taking her paint-covered hand and placing it flat on the piece of paper.
"Red," Leia said as she reached over and placed her hand in the paint. Tyro and Betatia joined in, only they weren't inclined to wash their hands before touching anything else. It took seconds for the table to become a puddle of gray, with hints of other colors.
Amidala decided now was probably a good time to rescue her assistant--and to end the painting lesson. "Yes, and a lovely red it is, too. Tell me about your picture?"
Leia grinned as she held up the paper, paint dripping off the bottom edge onto the table below. "It's the fire in fireplace!"
Amidala nodded, then complimented the other paintings before announcing, "Clean-up time!"
"No!" Tyro, said with a scowl. He was a few months older than Leia and blonder than the young princess.
His sister Betatia stuck her thumb in her mouth, decided she didn't like the taste of the paint, and said, "I don't wanna clean up!
"First we'll get this mess cleaned up--" Amidala said firmly as she gathered up some sponges. "--and then we'll play a game of hide and go seek." The protests stopped and her young charges began to help. Amidala exchanged glances with Lady Brasa and strove to keep a straight face. The children's attempts at cleaning, while quite exuberant, were not very effective.
"Hide and seek now! I wanna be 'it'!" Leia shouted as Amidala rinsed out the sponges.
"Princess Leia," Amidala said sharply. Leia sat down and pouted. Tyro and Betatia grinned at the young princess's discomfort.
"I'm 'it'," Tyro said.
Lady Brasa spoke before the two girls could respond. "We'll do this fairly." She tapped each of the kids's heads as she chanted a nonsensical rhyme. "Yir, tir, mir, and you are it." Her hand was on Leia's head. "You're it, princess." She then took the hands of the other two children. "I know some great hiding places." They swiftly left the room.
"I'll help you count," Amidala said, "But first you need to close your eyes."
"One, two, five..." Amidala smiled as Leia continued counting. Her smile turned quickly into a frown as the roar of a transport shuttle flew low over the palace.
Palpatine had arrived. He would land and be escorted through the capital, then meet with Kalla and Bail.
"Auntie Ami? Twenty yet?"
She shook her head, then glanced down at her daughter. "Yes, it is."
"Goody." Leia ran over to the large wicker trunk in the corner and opened the lid. "Hide in here!"
"No,sweetheart, you don't hide--you have to find the other children."
"Hide!" Leia giggled as she crawled over the edge. "You too! We hide together."
Amidala ducked quickly as Leia tossed a ball out of the trunk as she started to empty it.
Her thoughts again wandered to the parade outside. It was not as low-key as Kalla had wished. The assembly had voted in favor of a military band and honor guard to accompany the Emperor. Amidala closed her eyes and envisioned Palpatine stepping off his shuttle and greeting the government dignitaries. He would be treated as a hero, not the dictator he was becoming.
"Auntie?" Leia had emptied the trunk and was yanking on Amidala's light brown tunic. "Hide!"
"Sure, sweetheart." She stepped into the trunk and knelt down, pulling Leia close. The Emperor could not learn who Leia was.
"What's wrong?" Leia said as the lid closed.
"Nothing," Amidala said as she hugged the girl. Except for the shifting of the rules in this game of hide and seek, she silently amended.
She jumped when the trunk opened a few seconds later. "Lady Ami? Princess Leia?" Lady Brasa said with a smile.
"You see, Princess, the game doesn't work very well if the person who's supposed to be searching decides to hide, too," said Amidala.
"It's all right," Lady Brasa replied. "The others have run off to watch the parade." Amidala caught the slight bitterness on the last word, but Leia squirmed out of Amidala's arms and climbed out of the trunk.
"I wanna see!" She ran out the door toward the large window facing the public square. The two women quickly followed.
Leia had joined some of the other court children who had climbed up on the sill so they could see what was happening below. Amidala stopped, suddenly shivering.
"Lady Ami, are you all right?" Lady Brasa asked.
"Yes," Amidala lied, wondering at the sudden sensation of cold.
"There he is," one of the older children shouted.
Amidala turned her attention back to the scene as six blue-robed guards moved through the crowds below, opening a pathway. She shivered again, then glanced at the raised platform where Kalla and Bail waited. In the abrupt stillness she felt her attention drawn back to the man who now climbed the steps leading to the platform. The Emperor himself. She'd wondered at his willingness to allow Kalla and Bail the dominant role, but as she watched, she understood: it was all a sham.
She wasn't sure what caused her to turn her head and look beyond the fringes of the crowd. A lone figure all in black armor hovered in the shadows, aloof and wary. No one else paid this figure any attention, their cheers were for the Emperor and the Organas. Yet it was the black figure who held her spellbound. Even this far away, she could feel the power of the man. The pervasive sense of cold filled her again. Even the children's chatter had ceased.
And there was something else.
She stopped breathing as his glance moved randomly through the crowd. Suddenly, he looked straight up at her window. She jumped back.
"Anakin!" she whispered.
"Ami, are you all right?" She barely heard Lady Brasa or noticed the other children staring at her.
"I'm fine." She stood frozen in place, unable to take her eyes off him. The blankness of the armored faceshield seemed to bore right through her. It wasn't until he looked away that she allowed herself to breathe.
Before she could fully relax, however, she was gripped by a sudden terrifying thought. If she had recognized him, had he somehow been able to sense her?
More cautiously now, she glanced at the platform once more. The Emperor seemed unaware of what had just transpired. Anakin was nowhere in sight.
If Anakin *had* recognized her, what would he do? Tell Palpatine? And if he didn't, could it be that there was still some good in him? A spark of light that she could use as the basis to free him from the Emperor's clutches?
"Mommy?" Leia pointed out the window.
"Yes, dear," Amidala whispered. "You need to take your nap now." She focused her attention on her daughter. Leia looked flustered. Amidala remembered Ylenic's warning about a bond between her and her husband and possibly the children. She shivered at the notion that Leia might have also sensed Anakin. "Come." She controlled the overwhelming desire to flee with her daughter, as she took Leia's hand.
"I'll take her," Lady Brasa said, stepping forward. Amidala just nodded, her thoughts far from the palace and the protests of her daughter being led away from the window.
She resisted the urge to look out the window, and turned away. "My dad--" said an older boy boastfully, as he gazed out, "--says that Emperor Palpatine will bring peace and understanding back to the Galactic Senate..."
She couldn't stand to hear anymore. Uppermost in her thoughts was that somehow she had to get Anakin away from that man. The children's shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" rang in her ears as she rounded the corner.
She leaned against the doorjam to the princess's room. "Oh, Anakin--do you remember any of our time together? What happened to you? To us? How did Palpatine make you stop loving me?" She closed her eyes and recalled the image of the last time she'd seen her sandy haired husband, the haunted look in his eyes. "Is it too late for us to recapture what we once had?"
She stared at her clasped hands. "I never understood your Force, but I know the person that you once were, your basic goodness. It wasn't that long ago. I can't believe the Force did this to you." She could feel the tears start to well up in her eyes.
"Ami," Lady Brasa said. "It's Leia. She's just thrown up." Amidala bolted over to the bathroom. Leia started to cry as Amidala wrapped her arms around her.
"I not feel good," Leia whispered, then retched again. Amidala frowned--her daughter felt feverish.
"Right after I call the doctor, I'll send a message to Princess Kalla..."
Amidala shook her head violently. "No. This meeting with the Emperor is extremely important." And it was possible, however remote, that either Palpatine or Anakin might come, too. Lady Brasa gave her a strange look, then hurried out into the hall. Amidala hugged her daughter close to her, whispering comforting words.
#
Amidala clasped her hands as she watched Kalla talk to Doctor Ettyk. The princess's face darkened at the news, then she motioned for Amidala to approach. Ettyk bowed as he departed.
"What happened? Did Leia give any indication earlier that she wasn't feeling well?" Kalla asked when they were alone.
"Not that I could tell. One minute she was fine, and the next she was throwing up." She couldn't help but wonder at the timing of Leia's illness, despite Ettyk's announcement that he had a number of patients sick with the Yefa Flu "How is Leia now?"
"The doctor is pretty sure it's the flu. She has a fever and is delirious. They're running tests now."
Amidala glanced at her daughter through the door. "Will she..."
"He doesn't know. Ami--was it something to do with the Emperor?"
"I don't know," she said, then reluctantly added, "It's possible."
"He sensed her?"
"Or she sensed him." Amidala turned away and wiped the tears streaming down her face. She knew she wasn't referring to the Emperor.
"I've sent for Master Elegos. Perhaps he can help," Kalla said quietly. Tears were running down her cheeks as well. "Now that Palpatine and his entourage are gone, perhaps she'll feel better?"
"I don't know," Amidala whispered. Was this event a coincidence or Force-related? "They're truly gone?"
"Yes, fifteen minutes ago. As I predicted, he's agreed to not station a garrison of Imperial troops here. For the moment," Kalla added softly. "He will eventually, though." They both looked at the sleeping child. "There must be something we can do for her."
"There is," a new voice said. Ylenic Elegos moved closer to the girl. "I, too, sensed the darkness." He glanced at the two women. "Be here for her," was his simple advice.
Kalla stepped forward. "It wasn't anything done by the Emperor?"
Ylenic shook his head. "No, not the Emperor." He glanced at Amidala, and she felt her panic begin again. Had Anakin sensed Leia?
Kalla bent down next to Leia. She took the girl's hand in hers and started singing.
Ylenic motioned Amidala away from the bed. "You recognized him, too? The mysterious man in black?"
"Yes," Amidala said quietly.
"He is known as Lord Vader. No one knows who he is, or his exact function. But he appears to be a member of Palpatine's inner circle."
"Can he be saved?"
Ylenic looked thoughtful. "There are legends about Sith Lords being pulled back to the light--but they are only myth. And the lord usually dies soon afterward. Amidala, you need to concentrate on the here and now--not on the 'might bes'."
"That's all I have," she whispered. She brushed her hand over her eyes. "Thank you for coming."
"You are welcome," Ylenic said with bow. "Be careful. If Vader recognized you..."
"I understand." She concentrated on his words as she returned to her daughter's side.
Ben leaned against the shovel as he wiped his brow. His Jedi training had included little about architecture and building, but Ben was pleased with the results. The cave was progressing. It was still only a hollowed out depression in the ground, but he had started the steps to the lower level. As he wiped the back of his neck, he decided that it was definitely more pleasant working inside than out under the blazing suns.
He lifted the shovel, then dropped it quickly and turned away from the cave. He could sense someone approaching. His hand reached for his saber as he stretched out with the Force, and then he relaxed.
After a few seconds, the drone of an approaching speeder filled the air.
He waited quietly until Owen Lars pulled up beside the 'house'. "Hello," Ben said with a smile.
Owen scowled at him. "Why are you here?" He didn't exit his speeder.
"I'm working on my house."
"I can see that. Obi-Wan, I repeat, why are you here?"
"Because I promised Luke's mother that I would watch out for him," Ben replied quietly.
"We can do the job without your help. Or are you planning on taking the boy away?"
"I promised that would not happen. But he needs to be trained."
"So you say," Owen said softly. Ben could hear a touch of anger and worry in his brother's voice. "He won't be needing any of that for a life on Tatooine."
Ben just shook his head. "His destiny lies elsewhere. The Force is strong in his family."
"Even on Tatooine we hear what is happening with the old republic--or rather Empire. The new Emperor doesn't like the Jedi. Luke's better off not knowing any of that 'black magic'."
"All you do is delay the inevitable. Luke will one day realize his power--with or without your permission."
"But not from you. I want you to stay far away from us, Obi-Wan. The Jedi only bring trouble."
"Then you should call me Ben," he said softly.
"Very well, Ben. Just stay away from Luke Skywalker."
"If you promise to keep him safe from the Emperor."
"Tatooine is controlled by the Hutts," Owen asserted. "The Emperor has no power out here."
"He has far more than you will ever understand. When the empire comes to Tatooine, you will need to keep Luke hidden."
Owen's scowl deepened. "Why? Why would the Emperor concern himself about a little boy?"
"Because he's Skywalker's son. And Anakin Skywalker once lived on Tatooine."
Owen glared at him for several seconds, before responding, "Who the Hell is this Anakin Skywalker?"
Ben answered his question, leaving out nothing. Owen's face paled even further as he finished. Neither spoke for several minutes.
"Hell," Owen snarled, "Anakin should have stayed on Tatooine. This is what happens when idealistic fools get involved in damn stupid crusades. And now you've put my family at risk." The speeder roared back to life. "Just stay away from us." Ben ignored the blowing sand as his brother sped away.
"The Force will have its way," Ben whispered. "Luke and Leia will one day face Anakin and the Emperor: that is their destiny." There was no reply from the empty sands that lay glittering under the relentless suns.
Ben kicked at the sand, then bent down to pick up his shovel. His destiny, for the moment, involved finishing carving a home out of the red sandstone rock.
"I'm not staying in bed another day," Kalla snarled hoarsely at Doctor Ettyk. "How's Leia?"
"The Princess has made a complete recovery," Ettyk said, "I don't expect any complications. Now, if you will excuse me, I do have other patients. Ones that are more willing to cooperate, I might add." He smiled as Kalla tried to stand.
Amidala shook her head as Kalla didn't get any further than just sitting up a bit more. "Maybe I can do some work from here?" She glanced over at Amidala hopefully.
"I would rather you remained in bed and rested," the doctor said. "But it beats having you try to stand. Lady Ami," he turned to face Amidala. "Keep her schedule light--with frequent breaks. She's been very ill."
"Get out of here, then," Kalla said with a wan smile. "And thanks."
"Well," Amidala said, "It's about time you starting feeling better. A week is enough vacation."
"This was my vacation? And I had to spend it sick in bed? Now, if my head will only stop swimming, I'd like to look at the recent figures on the epidemic."
Amidala handed Kalla a datareader. "The last such epidemic was fifteen years ago."
"I remember it well." Kalla attempted to focus on the data in front of her and then winced.
Amidala placed her hand on the princess's forehead. "Perhaps it is time to rest again?"
"Nonsense." Kalla closed her eyes. Amidala reached over and took the datareader and pulled the covers over her.
"Sleep, I'll return in an hour or two."
"I'm not tired," Kalla replied with a big yawn.
"Of course not. I'll return soon." She didn't give Kalla a chance to argue. She turned out the lights as she left the room.
"How is she?" Bail asked in the hallway.
"She's sleeping now. The doctor says she can do some work, but only if she promises to rest frequently."
"Good," Bail said as they walked down the hall to his office. "I have to return to Coruscant tomorrow." He flicked a switch on his console, then muted the sound. "The Emperor's 'goodwill tour' has been a remarkable success." He sat down and motioned her to the other chair by his desk. "My intelligence chief informed me this morning that Palpatine's security is very effective at quietly taking care of any would-be agitators."
"I see." She glanced at the screen. "The Emperor's at Chandrila today?"
"Yes, Mon Mothma had a great deal to say about that. Garm's reaction was unrepeatable." They both watched the Coruscant Hourly News broadcast. "Notice how they no longer report anything negative?"
"The Palpatine Propaganda News," she said sarcastically. "Speaking of agitators, any word on that Mon Calamari protester?"
Bail shook his head. "The Mon Calamari ambassador was told the prisoner had no rights since they don't belong to the Empire."
"That's pushing it." Amidala responded. Odds were the protester was dead.
"Somewhat. The Mon Calamari have never been officially recognized as being independent of the Empire." Bail turned up the sound just as a Twi-lek lunged at the Emperor. A figure in black quickly stepped forward, blocking the attack. Amidala watched in horror as Lord Vader whipped out a red lightsaber and sliced the Twi-lek's head off. A crowd of security personnel surrounded the Emperor and hastily moved him away. The screen went blank.
Amidala continued to stare at the screen, remembering the day she'd somehow recognized her husband beneath the armor.
"That's a lightsaber!" Bail said. "Lord Vader is a Jedi?" He gave her a puzzled look.
"Palpatine's apprentice." Amidala worked to maintain a neutral expression.
"A Sith, then." Bail drew in a sharp breath. He silently stared at the screen for several seconds. "Amidala, Kalla is worried that you're planning on leaving us."
"Bail, I have to." Her mind was filled with images of a black mask that would fade away to reveal the face of her husband. "My presence here is jeopardizing everything."
"We can protect you here. Palpatine wouldn't dare..."
"That's just it--he would." Amidala took a deep breath. "The man sees no limits in his bid for total power."
"I'm not sure I see your reasoning. But let me help you. I have many useful contacts."
"I've already made arrangements, but thank you anyway."
"When will you go?"
"During the festival. The flu epidemic offers a good cover." She'd started planning her second death soon after the epidemic hit the palace. This funeral would be less of a show than her first.
"We'll all miss you. Especially Leia."
"And I'll miss you, but it's better this way." She stood. She wasn't really sure if she wanted Bail to convince her to remain--or to honor her choice, and let her leave.
The recent illness had slowed the preparations for the Festival of the Moons, but not dampened the spirit. She left Bail's office and wandered around aimlessly, feeling more than a bit at loose ends. Unbidden, her thoughts returned to her own palace and the life she'd once led.
"Really, Baryl," Rostek said as she sat down. "We can finish this tomorrow."
"Don't put anything off on my account." She glanced at her belly, then at the pile of work on his desk. "You're sure that all of this paperwork is really necessary?"
"Unfortunately, yes." He glanced at the holonet news screen. "Have you heard the latest?"
"Palpatine is expected to make a complete recovery." She growled. "I'll lay odds the whole thing was staged."
"Most likely. Lord Vader was a surprise, though. Considering Palpatine's hatred of the Jedi..."
Baryl closed her eyes, as she wondered just what to explain to Rostek about Ben's former apprentice. "Do you remember the Naboo invasion?"
Rostek laughed. "How could I forget. The Diktat was absolutely paranoid about an invasion for months afterward. We were ordered to arrest every Neimodian on the planet."
"That was definitely staged." She took a deep breath.
He shook his head in disbelief. "Then those rumors"
"The ones about a Sith Lord? Absolutely true."
"And Vader is a Sith, too?"
"Now he is. Once he was Ben's apprentice." Rostek's eyes opened wide in shock and understanding. She could see him process the piece of information she didn't mention.
"Kiffle," he snarled. "That means Palpatine..."
Baryl didn't respond. A chirp sounded just then. They both glanced at the screen. Another news flash. Horn ordered the volume raised.
Baryl listened, horrified, at the lies spewing from the Sullusti telecaster, yet she couldn't turn away as he announced the Twi-Lek would-be assassin was in the pay of the Jedi. She noticed Rostek shaking his head--she too wondered just how they could have made the connection that quickly. Her eyes froze on the screen when a picture of a beardless Obi-Wan Kenobi appeared.
Possibly the one thing the newscaster got right--Ben was against the Emperor and was involved in a conspiracy of sorts--but there was no way he had been involved in an outright assassination attempt. "Surely they must know the Jedi wouldn't act like that?"
"There's no way of knowing what the galaxy is willing to believe, anymore. The Jedi are a mysterious group with special abilities. It's easy to turn them into *an evil force.* How many out there have even met a Jedi?" She grimaced as he ordered the sound muted once more. "You may be in grave danger."
She placed a protective hand on her belly. "We have no way of knowing if they're even aware of my involvement with Ben."
"And we have no way of knowing they don't. I'm worried; my usual contacts have been very quiet recently." He sighed. "At least we've come up with a plausible cover story for your pregnancy."
"A plausible lie." She groaned as she shifted her position. They'd invented a married lover for her, who couldn't afford the scandal if his identity became known. For the hundredth time she wondered how Amidala had managed in this same situation. She picked up the data reader angrily. "I can't afford..."
"You can sell your ship," Rostek whispered. "It will bring a good price. Unfortunately, your leaving CorSec now prevents you from getting any retirement benefits. But I'll see what I can do about getting you at least a partial payment."
She groaned again at the thought of selling her ship. Not that she used it a lot--especially recently. But she had become attached to it. She closed her eyes and nodded, before she could change her mind.
"I'll see to it." Rostek smiled sadly as he glanced at the screen. "Is there anyway we can warn the galaxy?"
"And tell them what? Ben and I have been trying for three years to find that one piece of evidence that would connect Palpatine and the Sith. He's been too careful."
"So he blames the Jedi for exactly what he is doing."
"Yes," Baryl answered simply. The Jedi were not the evil the galaxy needed to fear.
Amidala crossed her arms as she watched Princess Kalla put the finishing touches on her make-up. She didn't bother to hide her disapproval of Kalla's recent forays into the city. The princess's pale face was a very good sign that she was doing too much. The doctor had warned Amidala to keep Kalla from overdoing it, but Amidala recognized the princess's stubbornness.
"Stop it," Kalla croaked as she turned around. "You're looking concerned again."
"You are overdoing it, again."
Kalla's eyes narrowed. "I've been sick for almost two months. I'm bored, I'm tired of people taking care of me--and I have a festival to oversee."
"Kalla, we're just concerned."
"Ami..." Kalla's face filled with concern. "What are your plans?"
"I...Kalla, the fewer people who know, the better." Ami smiled to reassure her friend. "Master Yoda has made arrangements for me to vanish again."
"It's not necessary. We can protect you."
"For the moment, but my presence here is also a danger to Alderaan."
"Maybe someday you will tell me why Palpatine wants you dead."
"I don't think he really needs a reason, but..." She didn't finish as she remembered her husband.
"Ami, tell me something. Who is Leia's father?"
"Anakin Skywalker. He was Obi-Wan's apprentice."
"What happened to him?"
She hesitated. "He died." Kalla didn't pursue the subject, but there was something in the way she looked at Amidala that suggested she saw more to the story. Amidala swiftly changed the subject.
"And the Festival of the Moons?" Amidala asked quickly to change the subject. She didn't want to explain any more to Kalla than she absolutely had to.
Kalla coughed as she answered. "Behind schedule, but we'll be ready."
Amidala handed Kalla her shawl. She knew Doctor Ettyk was worried about the princess's slow recovery from the flu, but Kalla had determined it was better for her to do something than lie around all day.
Amidala felt guilty about her plans. She did not want to leave, nor did she want to give up on her dreams. It couldn't be coincidence that Palpatine would be visiting Naboo at the moment she was planning to leave. Ben would say there were no coincidences. She fervently hoped that it was a propitious sign.
"Ami?" Kalla's face was full of concern. "What are your plans? Bail mentioned that Master Yoda has arranged sanctuary. Is this wise?"
"Yes." The conversation ended when a dark-haired man entered and bowed politely. Kalla introduced the Director of the Festival to Amidala, who then made a quiet exit.
Bail was waiting for her in the corridor. With a quick shake of his head, he closed the door. "She does too much."
"I know, but outside of locking her in her room, there is nothing we can do. She may be right--she is looking a little better. The exercise may actually be good for her."
"I hope so." He sighed. "I'm thinking of resigning..."
"No! I mean, you are a voice against the Emperor."
"Garm and Mon Mothma are perfectly capable..."
"Bail, first of all, I don't think Kalla would let you. Second, if you do, Palpatine has won."
"I'm worried about her. You're leaving soon." He paused then motioned her to follow him. They were silent until he'd closed the door to his office.
"My sources say Palpatine is looking for a ghost," he said quietly. "I debated telling you this."
She glanced at the floor for several seconds. "Then I do need to leave. You promise to carry through with my wishes?" Bail hesitated before nodding.
"He fears you."
"He fears me because of my children. He can never know they exist." She stood before, eyes meeting his. "Lady Brasa will be my replacement in the nursery. Her niece is the right age to be a playmate for Leia." As she spoke her daughter's name, she felt her eyes start to tear up. "Just promise me you will love her."
"We shall."
Ben stared, puzzled, at the apartment door. It was all wrong. He couldn't sense Baryl and there were strangers in her apartment, yet he could detect no sign of danger. Warily, he reached over and knocked. The bald man who answered didn't look threatening.
"I'm looking for Baryl Arasta, the woman who used to live here," Ben said as he gently used the Force to read the man.
"Sorry, don't know her." The man started to turn away, then stopped. "We moved in just a few weeks ago. The landlady said something about the former tenant getting herself into a spot of trouble."
Ben managed to remain calm as he thanked the man. He'd spent the past months on the Rim, moving Jedi as well as others hiding from bounty hunters. There had been one cryptic message waiting for him on Tatooine. He'd rushed to Corellia only to not find her. Hundreds of dreadful troubles had filled his mind by the time he'd reached the ground floor of her building. He took several deep breaths as he forced himself to regain control of his emotions.
Logic returned with his calm.
#
Ben smiled at the woman who answered the door. "Scerra Horn, I'm Ben Kenobi. Is your husband home?"
The woman laughed. "Ben Kenobi. I know someone who's going to very glad to see you alive and in one piece."
"Where is she?" There was no sign of her within the small house.
"She's not here, but don't worry. Baryl's fine, as well as can be expected. A bit grumpy that you weren't here earlier." She turned, but the sound of running footsteps told both of them that her son had recognized the Jedi.
"Hello, Hal," Ben said with another smile. Apparently Baryl was all right, but he was beginning to think that Scerra knew more than she was telling.
"Hal will take you to Baryl."
Hal grabbed his jacket from a chair and practically leapt out the door. "She'll be glad to see you." Ben had to jog to keep up with boy for the first block.
"Why? What's up?" Ben was suspicious. They slowed to a walk at the second corner.
"Horn said that we weren't to tell you. He'll talk to you later--about your trip to Alderaan."
"I'll be by." Ben knew he would get no more information from Hal, so changed the subject. "What are you doing with yourself these days?"
"I've spent the past week studying for the CorSec Exams."
"I'm sure you'll do fine."
"I should. Both da...well, Rostek has been helping me." The boy looked up at Ben, and Ben realized that during the few years since his father's death, Hal had grown up. "It's hard sometimes to remember. I've been practicing." Hal smiled shyly. Ben was impressed. The young man had nearly perfected his ability to hide his connection to the Force.
"Excellent." It was also tragic. With more training Hal would have developed into a strong Jedi. Hal turned down a small side street.
"If I can't be a Jedi, I can at least still serve the people," Hal said quietly. "The Halycons were never much good with the mind reading bit, but we can read body language. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
"Yes," Ben said as they turned a corner. The hundreds of dreadful troubles that had plagued him at the apartment returned, but none of them could stand up to the cheerful demeanor of the Horn family.
"She's fine," Hal said. "Horn just worried that she would be linked to you, so he put her into a safe house." They were heading toward the space port. "We'll take our speeder, it will be faster."
#
Baryl stood slowly at the familiar twinge in the Force. She was past wondering where he'd disappeared to. Somehow she'd known he wasn't dead, but having not heard from him for six months had been annoying. She didn't turn the light on as she moved to the door. At the second knock, she opened the door.
"Hello, Ben." She smiled despite wanting to chew him out. "I've missed you."
"Baryl." He kissed her quickly as he passed. "Now, would you please tell me what is going on?"
She reached out and took his hand. "My love, here's a puzzle for your Force abilities." She placed his hand on her abdomen. "It should make life on Tatooine very interesting."
"I..." His eyes narrowed in concentration, then he looked up at her in complete surprise. "Oh."
She laughed. "Oh? Ben Kenobi, I think you can do better than that. Meet your daughter, Aryana." She watched as he closed his eyes. She felt his presence envelop her as he met his still unborn child.
"I...Baryl...Aryana?"
"The name came to me a few months ago."
"It's beautiful. " He frowned at her. "You should have contacted me earlier."
"There are too many unfriendly eyes across the galaxy. I didn't want this to become public knowledge."
"I received the message you sent to Tatooine. I'm not sure the cave will be big enough. At any rate, we should move closer to the settlement. Aryana will need friends."
"Don't start playing matchmaker for your daughter." She grinned at his blush. "They're both too young."
"Owen wouldn't approve. He doesn't want me anywhere near Luke." She placed her hand on his arm.
"Maybe having Aryana with us will change his mind." She ran her hand up his arm, over his shoulder to his face. "What did you learn about her?"
"She's strong in the Force." He wrapped his arms around her. "I love you."
"I love you, too." She kissed him, having remembered the moment he walked through the door just how much she missed him.
Kalla threw her arms around Ben, then Baryl, and took two steps back. "Well, well. Congratulations," Kalla said with a raspy voice. "I'm so glad you could make it."
Baryl had to admit coming here was already worth it. The brilliant decorations throughout the capital and palace were wonderful. "Where's Amidala?"
"We've already said our farewells." Kalla took her husband's hand as she started cough.
Bail continued with the explanation. "She's meeting with friends of Master Yoda's at the height of the eclipse." Bail motioned for them to walk. "It's been hard. The epidemic and Palpatine's visit..."
Ben stopped. "The Emperor was here?" Baryl shook her head, and wondered just how Ben had missed this piece of news.
"A good will tour. Alderaan was one of his first stops."
"And Sky...And Vader? Was he with the Emperor?" Ben's voice was low.
"Yes," Bail looked puzzled--but Baryl was stunned at the flicker of horror and recognition on Kalla's face. Amidala must have told her part of the story. Kalla didn't ask any questions, but Baryl continued to study her. "The others will join us in time for the eclipse."
"Others?" Baryl asked.
"Mom Mothma and Garm. Did you know he's engaged?" Both Ben and Baryl shook their heads. Baryl made a mental note to remind Rostek that she wanted to be kept abreast of Corellian news. Her former partner hadn't been happy that she was going to Alderaan with Ben, but she'd wanted to say farewell to Amidala. She took Ben's hand and squeezed it.
"*Amidala?*"
"I don't know." His frown alarmed her.
"What?" she whispered.
"Something's not right," he replied.
Bail motioned them inside. "Kalla and I have to put in a brief public appearance. Feel free to wander around in the meantime. The best viewing will be in an hour."
Baryl was glad to sit down. Her feet and back hurt, as was more often the case than not these days. "Now," she said when they were alone. "Tell me--what's not right?"
"I'm not sure," Ben said. "There's something familiar, yet not so familiar."
Baryl clenched her fists. "Vader?"
"No. It's like something from the past." He sat across from her. "Perhaps Horn was right, maybe we shouldn't have come."
"No way," Baryl said. "When we settle on Tatooine, we'll never get another opportunity to see the double eclipse. It happens only once every twenty years. Anyway, what better time to seek renewal as we start our new lives." She held out her left hand. Ben took it and kissed it. "And I wanted to say farewell to Amidala. Am I the only the one who feels I'll never see her again?"
Ben dropped her hand and stood quickly. She watched him for several silent minutes. "Ben?"
"It's nothing." She'd just started to protest when the door opened. She attempted to stand, but decided that Senator Mom Mothma would not mind her lapse of protocol.
"Hello," the senator said. "Where's everyone?"
"Princess Kalla and Senator Organa are outside."
Mom Mothma hesitated. "And Amidala? I'm guessing you know she's alive." Baryl nodded. "Where is she?"
Ben took three steps toward the senator. "Why? What's going on?"
"My contact on Admiral Tarkin's staff finally sent a message. Tarkin and one of his spies have been poking around on Naboo. Palpatine is due to arrive there tomorrow. They also know she is alive."
"Kiffle," Baryl said as she stood. "Why didn't he report earlier?"
Mom Mothma shook her head. "He didn't think it was important, so didn't try to send it earlier. Does it matter?"
Ben closed his eyes. "Water. Falling water."
"Water? Hello, Senator," Kalla said as she entered. "It's time. What's wrong?"
"Everything," Ben said. "Where is there falling water?"
"The falls? Why?" Kalla repeated, then started to walk. "I'll show you." Baryl and Mom Mothma started to follow.
"Find Amidala," Ben ordered. Baryl nodded. She and the senator headed toward the residential section of the palace.
#
Ben slid to a stop at the sight of the gray cloaked figure in front of him. She turned slowly to face him. "Amidala is not here?"
"Jabithia?" Ben said, very surprised at her presence. "Master Yoda sent you?"
"In a way, yes." She stared past him and sighed. "She is not coming. I feared this when I made our offer of sanctuary. The call of her family is too strong."
"But why?" Ben asked.
"As you and Anakin once helped us, we wanted to help her. Yes, I know--that is also why we wished to help." She held out her hands, which Ben took. "I will wait for the eclipse, but then I can wait no more."
"Where will you go?"
"Away," Jabithia said as she pulled her hood tighter. "Where the Emperor cannot find us." Ben turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Hello," Princess Kalla said. The other woman inclined her head but didn't respond. Kalla started to ask Ben a question, but he motioned her toward a tree.
"Her name is Jabithia," Ben whispered. "She and her people are very strong in the Force."
"Jedi?"
"No. She's here to take Amidala away..." He shivered.
"Yoda's friend?"
Ben shook his head, even as he noticed the smaller moon dip behind the other. "We once helped her people."
"We?" Kalla hesitated then asked, "What was your apprentice like?"
Ben hesitated. "He was a bright and kind kid."
"What went wrong?"
Ben closed his eyes. He didn't know what went wrong--only that he should have prevented it.
"What did Amidala tell you?"
"Not much. Only that they married--and he died before he knew about the twins. But, Ben Kenobi, I also know of her fear of Palpatine and Lord Vader. So, I ask again, what went wrong?"
"Everything," Ben whispered. "I wasn't a good enough teacher, I tried too hard--or maybe I didn't try hard enough."
Kalla took his hand. "It isn't your fault. You can only fail if you don't try."
"If I hadn't tried, then none of this would have happened."
"You don't know that. Palpatine would have found a way...or another tool."
Jabithia faded into the forest at the sound of the approaching motor, but Ben and Kalla waited expectantly.
"She's gone," Baryl said from the small speeder. "The senator is trying to find Bail. Apparently she left a few hours ago."
"Naboo," Ben said. "She's gone to Naboo." He started to run.
"Ben," Baryl shouted after him. "You can't do this alone. Take Ylenic with you!" She barely noticed Kalla get in and join her on the cramped seat.
"Ylenic's at the Caamas village. We'll find him."
Amidala stared at her former palace and wanted to cry. It was just a dark hulking mass against the darkening sky, no longer the great and beautiful building she'd once called hers.
Intellectually, she understood why Theed had been abandoned. There wasn't enough money to make repairs to the rest of the planet and also rebuild Theed. Perhaps someday. Regardless, she'd wanted to visit her former home one last time, before confronting Palpatine in the new government hall. It was about time someone did.
She froze at the sound of someone whistling. A man carrying a bundle of logs on his back stopped. "Hello, miss. You lost?"
"No. I'm just looking."
"Tragic, isn't it. My father worked there when Queen Amidala ruled us. He fought the Trade Federation."
"I remember those days."
"So do I. And the parade. He brought me to see the parade. The Queen was so radiant and proud of us." He glanced around. "My family are living in the old water plant."
"I thought Theed had been abandoned."
"Yes, miss, it has been. But we can't afford to rebuild our farm. And we aren't alone. They say a thousand squatters reside there."
"I thought rebuilding homes had been a top priority."
"It is. King Marlasa tries, but there's no money. The Republic...or rather Empire," he spat the word, "have forgotten us. And the Emperor is one of us."
"That's not all he is."
"He's a politician. Bigger and more important places than Naboo need help, too." He sighed and then looked at her more closely. "It's late. Come join us for dinner. My daughter won't mind. It's too late for anyone to be traveling."
She politely declined the offer. "Thank you, but I'm going to look around some more."
"The water tower is over..." He started to point to his right.
"Yes, I know."
The man glanced at her in surprise. "You're from Theed?" She just nodded.
"I understand. Though maybe you shouldn't remain. Remember her for what she was..."
"Maybe you're right." The palace seemed to leer at her as she stared at it.
"Scary place, isn't it? They say it's haunted. No one lives there anymore."
"It used to be so beautiful." She wiped her hand across her eyes.
"That it did, miss, that it did." He took three steps. "Don't let it upset you. It's much better looking in the daylight." He started whistling again as he left.
Amidala bent down and picked up her pack. She turned to leave--she'd landed her small ship about half a mile away--then changed her mind.
#
Amidala swept the dark room with her light, then cautiously took three steps further into the throne room. She found the lack of repairs on the capital city depressing and the decision to simply abandon the area haunted her. This was where it all began, thirteen years earlier. She flashed her light around, remembering how they'd tricked the Trade Federation viceroy; communicating with then Senator Palpatine. Above all, she remembered how she, like the others, had not realized his true nature until it was too late.
Her beautiful cityher homeall destroyed by the Emperor's clones. The new capital was a boring city, whose architecture was functional, but not esthetically pleasing. Yet, she had been drawn to Theed; somehow she knew that her husband was hidden in the darkness.
"Hello," a voice hissed. "I've been expecting you." She aimed the light at the speaker just as it shattered, plunging the room into total darkness.
Palpatine laughed. "I knew you could not resist this place, or the pull of the Force." There was a crackle and a small faint red fire started burning to her right. She could barely make out the shape of Emperor Palpatine in front of her.
"I want to see Anakin," she said loud and clear, making sure her voice filled the once proud throne room.
"I want to see Anakin," he mimicked. "How pathetic."
She hesitated. "Let me talk to him." Her voice remained regal.
"Talk to him? My dear child, there isn't anything to talk about." Again he laughed, this time it was a lower, more sinister laugh. "You want to save your husband? Yes, I know you were married. But have you considered that maybe he doesn't need saving?"
"You've corrupted him. Annie is a good man--he would never sink to your level of evil on his own."
The Emperor again mocked her words, then laughed. She flinched, suddenly unsure of herself. Even as she concentrated on her love for Anakin, the sound of heavy breathing echoed in the near darkness.
"Annie?" Again, she said, "Annie? Are you there?" Palpatine's menacing laugh was her only reply.
"Don't worry, my dear. Lord Vader is here." A dark shadow slipped into the flickering light and approached the Emperor. She watched the menacing shape come closer, all the while whispering softly that she loved him--and if he would only return to her, things would be all right.
"My master," Vader said. The voice seemed octaves deeper than she remembered. "I have the information on the woman, Baryl Arasta."
"Excellent, my apprentice," Palpatine said as he cast a glance her way. She cringed at the hatred she saw there. "We'll deal with her in due time."
"Annie!" she called out, suddenly panicked. "It's me. Annie?" She bit her lip to keep from crying. Baryl would lead them to Ben, who would then lead them to her precious children.
"Yes, my master," Vader said. Without a single glance in her direction, he stepped back into the shadows. She strained her ears, but all she could hear was the slow, labored mechanical breathing--she suddenly wondered just what Annie had become under that impenetrable black armor.
"What have you done to him?" she cried out.
"Me? I've done nothing. Except show him the power of the darkside." Palpatine's voice was soft and threatening. "The Force has shown me that you are a danger to be negated." He raised a hand, then put it down. "It's so convenient that you're dead already. No one will miss you--except your friends on Alderaan. I'll deal with them too."
"You can't," she whispered.
"Can't I?" He smiled. She took a step back. "You will find that you are mistaken, about a great many things. Like your desire to have *Annie* returned to you. You want a family, the children you dream of. I can see right through you."
She stared at him, horrified. How could he know of her family? She tried to block the almost overwhelming emotions the sudden vision of her son serving Vader brought.
"You will see that I know of a great many things: like the CorSec woman, Baryl Arasta, is carrying Kenobi's child. Through her, will I find him." He took a step closer. "I can feel your hatred. Good. Your hatred of me, of your husband."
She started to reach for the blaster in her belt, but it went flying across the room. She jumped at the loudness of the crash as it shattered against the distant wall.
"You are no match for the Force," he whispered. "The Force has brought you to me, and soon your Jedi friend and his mistress will meet their demise."
"No," she whispered. "They are of no importance." Palpatine's smile sent shivers down her back.
"Obi-Wan is Jedi, his child would be Jedi," Palpatine snarled. "The Jedi will be wiped out."
"Let me speak to Anakin," she said as tried to control her increasing panic. "I know..."
"He's still here. He just not inclined to listen to you." Palpatine raised his right hand. "Now, I grow weary of this conversation." She jumped back at the sight of the blue light flashing from his fingers. He chuckled at her growing fear. The small fire started to crackle and grow larger. She took another step back, then another, hoping she could flee this place and warn the others.
Another bolt of light tore through her arm. She screamed in pain. "Anakin!" There was no answer, only the echoing silence which was rapidly swallowed up by the roar of the approaching flames. She turned to run, and tripped over some debris. She screamed as she felt the floor collapse under her.
Palpatine's laughter filled the ruined throne room as he heard her last scream fade away. The fire flared brighter as he and his servant departed. Theed would burn for days, completing the destruction begun long ago. And as an added benefit, there would be no body to be found afterward
His apprentice followed silently as they departed the flaming building. Vader had not tried to help the woman, but nor had he killed her--as Palpatine had wanted.
Vader had learned his lessons in self discipline well. The Force offered no clues to what his apprentice was thinking or feeling. He would send Vader out to help with the elimination of the last few thousand Jedi. It would also allow Palpatine to assess his apprentice's emotional response to her death--from a safe distance.
It would not be long before the final steps in the revenge the Sith had dreamed of for so many centuries became a reality.
He stopped at the waiting transport and watched the mounting flames. "We have much to do, my apprentice."
"Yes, my master," Vader said. "I wish to seek Master Kenobi."
"Patience. You will have your chance. His woman will bring him to you." Even as he spoke, another idea developed. An idea of such delicious irony that he smiled. "The child, on the other hand, might be useful." The two entered the transport as Palpatine described what he wanted.
Ben stared at the flames and rubble that marked where the former capital of Naboo had once stood.
"Tragic," King Marlasa said. Ben and Ylenic nodded. The two Jedi looked at each other, then Ylenic turned to face the king.
"What happened?"
"Master It'kla, we don't know. It started two days ago. The investigators suspect one of the campfires, but..."
"No," Ben said, "an ordinary fire could not have resulted in such total destruction."
"Or been so devastating," Marlasa added sadly. "We've discovered the remains of over three-hundred bodies. Most were farmers whose lands had been sterilized by the clones. This time their losses are even greater."
Ben knelt down and picked up a piece of charcoal and turned it in his hand. "How are the Naboo coping?"
"We'll survive, despite the lack of help from the Empire," Marlasa said bitterly. "Emperor Palpatine promises to try to find the funds...But we are not the only world struggling."
"No," Ben said quietly. Ylenic just stared out at the ruins. The Caamas and others had lost their worlds entirely. The Naboo, at least, still had a planet of their own.
"Senator Organa has been most generous with offers of equipment to help rebuild. Please convey to him our sincere thanks," Marlasa continued. Ben nodded. They were ostensibly here as a representatives from Alderaan. "Though all things considered, I'm surprised he sent a Jedi."
"Not everyone believes the stories that are so widespread these days," Ylenic said softly. "My own world was destroyed; perhaps I can help save others."
Marlasa smiled sadly. "A noble cause in an increasingly ignoble time. The Naboo remember when two Jedi once saved us from an earlier threat. Now they are too busy saving themselves to be able to help anyone else." Ben's face remained impassive. So far, no one had recognized him as Jedi.
"Emperor Palpatine was here when the fire started?" Ylenic asked.
"Not in Theed," Marlasa said quickly. "But he was on the planet. The senate is unwilling to commit more money to planet restoration. It's like they just want to forget the Clone Wars ever happened. He did offer a company of Imperial troops to assist. They're fighting the fire at the waterworks."
Ylenic and Ben exchanged a quick look. Ben took the piece of charcoal he was holding and tossed it into the smoldering embers. "What about the Palace?"
"Completely gone," Marlasa said. "Just a few stones remain. Those who continued to live here say a fire demon screamed from the throne room just as the fire began."
"Fire demon?" Ylenic asked.
"Superstition," Marlasa said quietly. "A fire demon screams as a fire begins. When evil is around, the scream can be quite loud."
Evil had certainly been here that night, Ben thought, then returned his attention to the king.
"We are alone in the galaxy. We are all alone. Naboo has been devastated twice before. We can take no more." He pointed toward a smoldering building. "If the galaxy wishes to ignore us, we'll ignore them. We will manage on our own. Princess Kalla and her husband have been most generous, but I can't expect their help to continue indefinitely."
"Your Majesty, the Naboo have the continued support of Alderaan," Ben said. "Senator Organa was most insistent on that point."
"And we'll continue to accept their help for as long as it is available." Marlasa stared at his city. "We'd hoped someday to rebuild--as a symbolic gesture mostly. There are times I think it best that Naboo remains hidden from the galaxy. There is an evil out there that does not like us."
Ben silently agreed, but did not tell the king that evil was originally from Naboo. The three men stared at burning city for several minutes before Marlasa spoke.
"I have a memorial service to prepare for." The two Jedi bowed.
"Was she here?" Ylenic asked after Marlasa had disappeared into the growing night.
"If she was, Palpatine has murdered her," Ben said angrily. He was convinced the fire was the work of the Emperor--or his tools.
"And Vader?"
Ben closed his eyes. He'd seen what Palpatine was capable of. Mass destruction and murder on a scale that a few years ago he would have thought impossible. But Amidala had been Anakin's wife. Was it even possible the man could have participated in her death? His stomach twisted at the thought.
"Master Kenobi," Ylenic said softly. "The good man you once knew as Anakin Skywalker died on Spaarti. Something else occupies his body and soul now."
"I had hoped there was still some good in him."
"Perhaps there is." Ylenic glanced around. "It will be dark soon. We should return to the ship."
"We don't know if she was here," Ben said, as if to reassure himself.
"No, we do not. But there are other things we do know. Like you, she wanted to save Anakin. I should have recognized her intentions," Ylenic said softly.
"No," Ben said angrily. "Anakin was my student, my responsibility." Ylenic placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You are not alone in the blame. She underestimated the Emperor. We all did." Ylenic motioned toward the brown fields where they'd landed their ship.
"In the chaos, darkness reigns.
In the shadows, terror lies.
To seek, to find, to lose,
All is futile, all that dies.
Future ends in hidden sight.
Surrounded by death's cries,
The blackness encloses,
All sunlit skies."
Ylenic spoke softly, yet his voice cut through the dusky sky. Ben closed his eyes in response to the poem as he remembered its roots.
"I've been studying Alderaan literature. It's an ancient prophecy," Ylenic said. "The words haunt me."
"They speak truly." He opened his eyes. "Too truly. I must find Vader and end this misery."
Ylenic didn't answer until they'd arrived at the ship. "Beware the darkside, my friend."
Ben took a deep breath. Ylenic was correct; to search for Vader would only lead to further darkness.
"You have much to look forward to as well," Ylenic said. "A child."
"A girl," Ben said with a quiet smile. Thoughts of Baryl and the still unborn girl managed to push aside his darker impulses. "It won't be easy raising a child on Tatooine."
"It's not easy anywhere, if my sister is correct." Ylenic leaned against the ship. Ben remembered that Ylenic had decided to settle on Alderaan, apart from the rest of his family. Ben turned to look at Theed one last time.
"That scream?" he asked. He turned his head away. Visions of fire and death still followed him. He'd seen too much of both.
Ylenic nodded as he glanced around warily. "I too think so. We should leave; the Emperor must know you would follow her." Ben stood there a moment longer, but a hand on his shoulder reminded him that Ylenic probably had an excellent point. They should leave now.
"May you find what you sought," he whispered, hoping that perhaps Amidala was finally at peace.
Ben closed his eyes as he reflected on his life, especially the past couple of years. He and Ylenic had left Naboo almost two months ago. Kalla had quietly accepted Amidala's death. In a galaxy filled with so much death and evil, it seemed almost selfish to grieve for the former Queen and senator.
Together, they'd stood up to Palpatine.
And failed. Now, the galaxy would suffer because of their lack of success. The Organas, Senator Bel Iblis, and Senator Mon Mothma were marked. Eventually Palpatine would move against them. Once again the galaxy would be ripped apart by violence.
He gripped the edge of his chair as he opened his eyes. Baryl and his child deserved better than this. He jumped at the sound of a timid knock, then swore quietly (a habit picked up from Baryl, he realized) at his lack of concentration on the here and now.
"Hello?" Beru Lars' voice said. "Ben, are you here?"
He stood quickly, very surprised at her visit. "Yes, come in." She opened the door cautiously.
"Not bad," she said with a quick glance around his cave home. "Owen said he saw you in Anchorhead last week."
Ben nodded. Owen hadn't been happy to see him and somehow managed to be even unhappier that Baryl would be coming to Tatooine. He wondered what Owen had told Beru.
"I know you two don't get along. I wish you could work it out--for Luke's sake. By the way, congratulations."
He hesitated. "Baryl will be coming soon. After the baby is born."
Beru glanced away and smiled to cover her embarrassment. "I know Owen would rather you were elsewhere, but I'm glad you're here. I know no one's supposed to know you are a Jedi or anything...I have something for you." She motioned him outside. "Luke's outgrown it, and well...we'll never use it." She shrugged as she lifted the blanket off the lump in the speeder. He smiled at the sight of the crib.
"Japar wood?" He remembered the necklace Amidala had given him--and this brought another rush of memories of a happier time.
"Yes." She looked surprised that he'd recognized it. "I want you to have it. It needs to be used."
"Thank you, but won't Owen mind?"
"That's his problem. The desert is too unfriendly a place for us to be unfriendly to each other. When is the baby due?"
"Soon," Ben said. He ran his hand over the cradle and smiled. Very soon.
He froze. Maybe even sooner. He again thanked her as he took the cradle into the still unfinished cave. The cave would at least provide a rudimentary shelter until he could dig out more rooms. His original plans had not included a family.
"Would you care for a drink?" Ben said as he started to pour a glass. He'd finally gotten the moisture condensers working the other day.
"No, I really need to be going, but thanks anyway." She waved as she drove away. Ben watched her beyond the point where she vanished into the heat eddies. He turned slowly and stared at the cradle.
It was time.
Baryl smiled as stood slowly at the sound of the Aryana's whimpering. Her pregnancy had been a mixture of emotional highs and lows, but the moment of delivery just a week ago had been almost magical. "Hello, Aryana." The baby gurgled happily. "I can sense you, but can you sense me?" she asked as she picked up her child. There was something comforting about the bond she had with her daughter. She wondered if parents of non-Force-sensitive children had a similar connection.
She froze. A shimmering in the Force. She felt her smile grow. "Well, my love, your father is here." Princess Kalla had sent a quick message. The princess had also invited her to Alderaan. She would leave with Ben soon. Then they would go to Tatooine.
"Hello," she said as she turned to face Ben. "Meet your daughter." She was amazed at the look of enchantment on his face. She moved toward him and after a quick kiss, handed him Aryana. Ben took her gingerly. Aryana cooed as he pulled her close. "Aren't you going to say something?"
"I...She's incredible." He continued to stare at the baby in his arms. "She's strong in the Force. Your family," he whispered to his daughter, "has an incredible history. Full of great joy and great sadness." He glanced at Baryl. "She has your eyes."
Baryl laughed. "That's what everyone says. How are you doing?" She motioned for him to sit down.
He shrugged. "I don't know. Everything is in a state of change..." He stopped speaking, reluctant to ruin the moment with bad news.
Baryl looked at him sharply. "What, what is it?"
"I don't know. All I see is darkness. The Force is in such turmoil." She didn't push for more. "Are you sure you want to go to Tatooine--it's no place to raise---"
"Kiffle, Ben, we've been through this before." She crossed her arms, and lowered her voice. "We're probably in greater danger anywhere else in the galaxy."
"I...Baryl, I don't know."
She frowned. "Is the Force telling you we shouldn't go?"
He shook his head. "No, it's not telling me anything." He leaned over and kissed Aryana's forehead. "My beautiful little girl. Life in the desert won't be easy..."
"You are not going to spoil her," Baryl said as she sat down beside him.
"I think I'm looking forward to spoiling both of you." He sighed. "I just wish I could." Aryana whimpered slightly, so Ben handed her back to her mother. "Baryl..."
"Ben Kenobi, we'll do fine." She stood and put Aryana in her crib. "I sold my ship. Rostek got a pretty good price for it." She then opened a dresser drawer and tossed Ben a small sack. She smiled as he reflexively reached out and caught it. "We'll do just fine."
"Jedi training didn't include how to raise a daughter..." His voice grew distant. "My success rate with children isn't very good."
She closed her eyes. Anakin. Everything always came back to the young man who had destroyed himself and those around him. "It'll be different this time."
"If I could only believe that."
"You must believe. Do or do not..." She smiled as she spoke, "Isn't that what Master Yoda says?"
Ben nodded. "I failed as a teacher, can I succeed as a father?"
"Ben Kenobi, what happened to you?" She gripped his arm. His feeling of hopelessness disturbed her.
"Do you know what he has become? He was there when Palpatine killed Amidala. He may even have helped."
She sat there silently. Her mind was desperately trying to come up with something to say, but all she could think of was Anakin...A man she'd never met, but who was an incredible force in her life.
"I'm sorry," Ben said. "This should be a happy time."
"I understand." Everything they'd both valued: truth, justice, freedom was vanishing in front of their eyes.
A knock stopped any further melancholy thoughts. She jumped up quickly to open it. "Hal!"
The young man entered. "Hello Master...Ben."
"Hal, how are---" He caught sight of the expression on the other man's face. "What is it?"
"Bounty hunter. Horn's delaying him, but he's got all the paperwork." Hal tried, and failed, to produce a reassuring smile. "He's after Ben."
"What about Baryl?" Ben asked quickly. Baryl moved protectively nearer to their daughter.
"There's no mention of her. I'm not very good at the mind reading stuff, but..." Hal pulled out a chip. "He knows there's a woman involved. Ben, you need to leave. Immediately. Don't worry--we'll get Baryl out of here."
"Alderaan," she said. "Senator Organa has connections. Go," she turned to Ben as she spoke. "We'll meet you on Alderaan in a month." She kissed him quickly, then pushed him toward the door. "Don't worry about us.We'll be fine."
"I still think you should wait," Kalla said, her arms crossed. "You shouldn't travel alone." Baryl frowned at the raspy quality of the princess's voice. The princess was most insistent that she was fine. It was a losing argument to tell her to take it easy.
Baryl hugged Aryana closer to her and shook her head. "I said a month. He's been delayed. The sooner we go to Tatooine, the sooner I can start setting up our home." She laughed. "That's probably something else Ben wasn't trained to do." She glanced at the other refugees waiting nearby. The availability of land on Tatooine, despite its harsh climate, had been too tempting for a number of families who had lost everything during the last Clone Wars.
"He'll do fine. And you'll do better if you wait."
"For how long?" She glanced around the busy port as Aryana started to cry louder. Aryana had been crying a lot more than usual these past few days. Baryl knew she and her daughter could easily have fit into the extended royal family. Kalla had constantly hinted at that. Even Princess Leia had taken an interest in the baby.
"For as long as you want...I know." the princess said with an exasperated sigh. "Ben promised Ami and you promised Ben. So, do me a favor?"
"Sure. What?" Baryl started to sing to quiet her baby.
"Take a security guard with you. As it happens, Major Drel is packed and ready to go." The blonde princess glanced toward the far wall, and the burly man leaning against it a little too casually. "Bail arranged it, and I agreed."
"Very well," she said distractedly. Aryana's crying was beginning to attract attention from the other travelers.
Kalla reached over and stroked the baby's cheek. "She's probably picking up on your emotions. Leia does that too, sometimes." Kalla looked away. "She misses Ami."
"Did she know?"
"I don't know," Kalla responded sadly. "but I think she somehow realized Amidala was her real mother. She still calls out for her."
Baryl nodded, and tried to concentrate on soothing her own emotions. She was excited about starting a new life with Ben, yet cautious. Starting life on the desert was one thing--having a baby along would add some interesting problems. She also worried that perhaps there were too many problems. She knew that her options were extremely limited if she was going to live with Ben.
"Promise me," Kalla said, "that you will let us know if you need anything. Even if it's a vacation." Baryl smiled at that thought.
"It'll be better if we remain on Tatooine. It's far from Imperial eyes." Baryl's thoughts shifted, as she remembered who was driving them into the desert.
"For the moment," Kalla said. Baryl silently agreed. Palpatine's ambitions would not end at the Republic's boundaries. "And good luck. May the Force be with you."
"And you." Baryl whispered, surprised at the change in Aryana. The baby was still fussing, but now they weren't attracting attention. Drel walked over carrying a small bag.
"Your Highness," he said to Kalla.
"This is Larasta, You are to accompany her to Tatooine." Baryl frowned at the mention of the name she was traveling under.
"Yes, Your Highness. Senator Organa has given me complete instructions."
"Farewell." She noticed the other families were heading toward the shuttle. "And please, don't worry about us." Baryl was surprised when Kalla kissed her cheek.
"Take care." Kalla smiled sadly. Baryl began moving forward. At the gate, she turned and waved.
"Well, Aryana. I hope you like sand, because there's certainly going to be plenty of it where we're headed." Her escort smiled as he glanced around.
"Everything has been taken care of," Drel said.
"I hope so." She wondered about the home Ben had created in the middle of the desert. She didn't worry about finding it, just what she would find waiting for her.
Coruscant
The image flickered, then stabilized. Palpatine waited quietly for Isard to speak. "Your Majesty, we tracked the woman to Alderaan." He noticed that the intelligence officer was holding a small spherical search droid. "She and the infant boarded a refugee ship to Tatooine."
Palpatine nodded. "And the Jedi?"
"No sign. My agent lost him on Corellia."
"I see," Palpatine clasped his hands in thought. "Lord Vader will join you. He will be in command of the operation. I expect to hear that this was understood."
"Completely, Your Majesty." Palpatine ignored the annoyed tone. "What are we..."
"Lord Vader will inform you, when he arrives. Do nothing until then."
Isard's frown deepened as he bowed, but Palpatine was convinced the man would do as he was told. The screen went blank.
Palpatine leaned back in his chair. Tatooine. An interesting choice, all things considered, but there was a certain logic to it as well. From that distant desert wasteland, it would be easy to vanish to one of the rimworlds: to places where the Empire and the Sith had no hold. Yet.
Alderaan: 7 months 2 weeks
Ben smiled mechanically at the senator and princess as they ushered him into the office. He glanced around as he clenched his fists.
"We have something important to discuss with you," Bail said, then glanced at his wife and let her continue.
"There aren't many privileges left to the Royal family," Kalla said. "But I can reward those who have helped Alderaan--and the cause of freedom. My husband had wanted to offer you a position in the Alderaan military during the war."
Ben shook his head and began to pace about the room. He could feel the Organas watching him, but the last few days had brought a new level of excitement and anticipation. A sudden thought made him stop. Like it or not, the Jedi had become more involved in galactic events in the past few years than traditionally allowed. Kalla continued to speak.
"So, as Princess of Alderaan, I am promoting you to general--complete with back pay." She smiled as Bail handed him two small bags. He opened his mouth to decline, but Kalla wasn't finished. "And I expect *all* of my officers to comply with my wishes."
"Imperial credits aren't worth much on Tatooine--so it's in platinum," Bail said.
"I can't..."
"Yes, you can," Kalla said as she studied him carefully. "You have a family to think of. They will need things a lone hermit wouldn't. You will find the credits to be useful."
"Baryl has some funds of her own..."
"Ben Kenobi," Kalla said with a grin. "You are too stubborn. Well, I hate to tell you this, but I am going to be even more stubborn. You have no choice--this time."
Ben hesitated, then took one of the heavy bags. "You really shouldn't."
"Like you should never have gotten involved? It's too late."
He nodded toward the other bag. "Give that to the Caamas settlement." She glanced at her husband, then nodded.
"Very well."
Ben attached the single bag to his belt, then the feeling of restlessness settled in again. The Organas shouldn't have, but they were correct. He might just be able to spoil his family--even if just a little bit. "Thank you."
"How are you getting there?"
"I still have my ship." Ben had debated selling it, but a spaceworthy vessel could be very useful.
Kalla placed her hand on his shoulder. "What is it?"
He stood still. "I don't know. The last day or two, I've been feeling anxious for some reason..."
"Because you're starting a new life?" Kalla asked. Ben frowned. He could see that his mood had transferred to the Organas. Both now looked worried.
"I..." He hoped so. That's how he had explained it to himself, but it was becoming harder to suppress. If anything, the feeling of foreboding was growing stronger.
"Can we contact Drel?" Kalla asked her husband.
"Not directly. They should have arrived on Tatooine by now." Bail hugged his wife and left the room hurriedly.
"We'll find out," Kalla said with a reassuring manner, but her voice lacked conviction.
Ben closed his eyes and stretched out with the Force. All he sensed was a chaotic nothingness. He fought to find a calm center as the door opened.
Bail spoke quietly. "I've contacted CorSec. They have more people on Tatooine than Alderaan Security. Apparently there's been an increase in pirate activity this past week." Ben sensed the senator spoke with more confidence than he felt.
"I'm sure everything will be fine," Kalla said. Ben nodded, even as the unfocused anxiety he'd felt coalesced into a dark ball. "Won't it?" She stared at him.
"I don't know." A light started blinking on Bail's desk. Ben moved to see the transmission.
"Senator Organa," Rostek Horn said as his image appeared. "You're interested in knowing about a ship?"
"Yes," Bail said. "A refugee transport. It should have arrived two days ago on Tatooine."
"From Alderaan?" Bail nodded in response. "There's been a lot of pirate activity in that sector. The Imperial Fleet became involved days..." Ben stopped paying attention at that point. Kalla sat down quickly. "Oh no. Ben?" Rostek looked worried.
Ben shook his head in an effort to focus his attention. "The Imperial Fleet?"
"Our agents there say Admiral Tarkin is the flag officer, but Lord Vader is in overall command. I didn't know she was on her way." Horn's face was twisted in grief and anger. "I'll send out a request for more information." The image vanished. No one spoke for several minutes.
"Lord Vader?" Kalla said softly as she stood.
"Once you start down..." Ben said. He instinctively reached for his saber.
"Don't, Ben," Kalla said. "We don't know for sure."
"We know," He closed his eyes, but the tears didn't come.
#
Bail left Ben alone as Rostek's image again appeared. Ben waited, knowing better, but still hoping against hope. Rostek's first sentences destroyed that hope.
"The refugee ship was attacked by *pirates* five days ago. The few survivors were rescued by an Imperial warship. I'm so sorry, Baryl wasn't one of them."
"And the pirates?"
Rostek bit his lip. "They were destroyed by the Imperials. No survivors."
"I see."
"She told me before she left. Be careful--you're the one they really want. The one survivor my agents found told a pretty amazing story. It was definitely more than a pirate attack. It was too well planned." Rostek sighed. "We'll continue to hunt for her."
Ben blindly whispered his thanks and shut the screen off. A gentle knock caught his attention. Princess Kalla poked her head in.
"Bail has assigned several Alderaan Security agents to investigate Baryl'sdisappearance." She hesitated.
"You wish to know something, Your Highness?"
"Ben, please...Was Lord Vader also involved in Ami's death?"
He nodded.
"What can make one do that...I mean, he was..." Ben didn't respond to the unasked question. He didn't want to confirm the princess's fears or add any new ones. Their position as the parents of Vader's daughter would become dangerous if the Emperor found out.
"When Ami died, Leia called out for her. She still does sometimes. I always knew that somehow Leia knew the truth. Will she need to learn this other truth?"
"That I cannot say," Ben whispered. The future was dark to him. Perhaps Yoda knew.
"You're also planning on looking for her, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Don't let your anger control you," she said. "I know that anger is bad for Jedi--but it's also bad for the rest of us. It can cloud our judgment and destroy our reason."
"Once you start down a dark path, forever will it dominate your life."
"Please, Ben. Be careful. I don't want to lose any more friends." She bravely held back the tears.
He kissed her cheek, then departed silently.
"Damn," Rostek said angrily. "You shouldn't be here." He crossed his arms and glared at Ben Kenobi.
Ben sat down. "I haven't found her." He knew Horn had a valid point. Half the bounty hunters in the galaxy were looking for him, but he still held out hope that perhaps CorSec had discovered a new lead.
"I would have found a way to let you know if we'd learned *anything.*" Rostek's voice softened. "It's been difficult, with security for the Emperor's visit..."
"The Emperor's coming here?" Ben said sharply.
Rostek grimaced as he spoke. "Yes, unfortunately. That's why I want you out of Corellian space as soon as possible." The CorSec agent swiveled about in his chair so he could reach his safe. Ben watched, his mind pondering this new piece of information. When Rostek turned around he was holding a small box. He handed it to Ben. "Hal and I went through her effects, and we thought you would like these. Ben, I'm so sorry."
Ben stared at the box, then opened it. Inside was the small translucent green case he'd once admired, the letters from Qui-Gon to his sister, and some holoimages of Baryl and Aryana. He closed his eyes to block the tears. "Thanks," he said softly. "I can't believe all this."
"We'll keep looking, but..."
"You won't find anything." He closed the box with an air of resignation.
"We'll keep looking, anyway. I promise." Ben tried to smile in thanks, but instead leaned back further in his chair.
"I warned her..." His voice faded away. This had happened because they wanted Ben Kenobi--well, he would give them Ben. Just not the way they expected. He stood.
"I want you out of Corellian airspace by this evening," Rostek said quickly.
"Yes, I know," Ben said. He didn't feel anything as he exited Horn's office. He just focused on his plan.
#
Ben glanced around several times and nodded to himself. The two blue robed royal guards blocking the restaurant's entrance stared straight ahead. A quick movement of his hand, and the balcony across the street dropped, fragmenting as it crashed. Confusion reigned and the guards scurried away from their station toward the crowds. He'd been very careful with the timing of the 'accident', to provide maximum chaos and yet not cause any fatalities or injuries. He didn't remain to watch as the guards shoved by-standers out of the way.
"Sloppy," Ben muttered as he slipped in behind them. He traversed a long deserted corridor and did not trip any alarms, nor encounter any other guards. He burst into the small but imposing room which was occupied by a lone figure. Emperor Palpatine remained seated at the table as the Jedi approached.
"Emperor," Ben said mockingly as he sat down across from Palpatine. "It's been a while," his grin grew, "hasn't it. Done any more tricks lately?" Ben's hand gripped his lightsaber tightly under the cloak. "Like kidnapping women and children?"
Palpatine leaned back. "I see I have to hire some new guards."
"And here I thought you had only the best." Ben's grin turned darker. "Where are they?"
Palpatine's face remained devoid of any emotion. "Where are who?" The man casually reached over to pour himself a glass of wine. "That was a clever diversion, by the way."
"The balcony? Just convenient."
"You know," Palpatine said as he sipped his wine. "I could very easily summon someone to have you arrested. Those guards are not the only ones protecting me."
"I noticed, but that would require some explanation. I would also have a chance to speak."
"The Imperial guards would not believe anything you say."
"It's not them I want to believe me." Ben clenched his fist around the saber hilt. "Where did you take my family?"
Palpatine shrugged. "I don't know. Lord Vader handled the details--you've met my apprentice?"
Ben gritted his teeth. He could feel Palpatine's attempts to probe him with the Force, but his blocks were well in place. He didn't answer the question; they both knew the answer to that.
"He's a very adept student. You trained him well." Palpatine leaned forward quickly. "And his poor wife. Such loyalty and devotion. Palpatine grinned. "Your child is strong with the Force, she shall be very useful to me...As no doubt Amidala's secret shall as well?" Ben felt his anger willing him to ignite his saber and run the man through. The Emperor's sudden cold laugh chilled him. "Stubborn pride, as if you would know something I don't. Amidala is dead. Her foolish pride was her downfall."
"I am a Jedi," Ben said as he struggled to find his calm center. "We are protectors of peace and justice. And justice will find you." He had his saber out, but hadn't ignited it.
"The Sith have waited one thousand years for this moment," Palpatine said with a low chuckle, "to see the Jedi wallow in their own cliches."
"Do not underestimate the power of the lightside,"
"Do not underestimate the power of the darkside." Palpatine's chuckle irritated him to the point where he lit his saber. Ben started to swing his blade downward. He stopped as he realized just what he was doing, then twirled about and dove to the ground. Blaster fire raked over him.
"So be it, Jedi," Palpatine growled softly as he stood. "Arrest this Jedi," he called out. "He was going to assassinate me." Six scarlet armored and cloaked figures appeared, their weapons pointing at Ben.
Ben leapt up, not at all surprised at this turn of events. He easily blocked the next three shots with his saber, then bolted out the door. The last thing he heard as he fled down the street was Palpatine's laugh. He dodged one blast, then a second, before turning a corner.
"Master Kenobi," a voice said from the darkness.
"Hal?"
The young man stepped out and shook his head. "That was not a very intelligent move on your part."
"I know," Ben said sadly as he stared at the still lit saber. He turned it off, and replaced it on his belt. "I know."
"I figured you would confront the Emperor." Hal lifted a grate covering the sewer opening. "Follow me. I doubt the Emperor's Imperial Guard will follow us, but CorSec definitely will. I have your ship prepped and ready. Just do me a favor."
"Anything."
"Don't tell Horn I'm helping you. He's furious you didn't leave earlier, and would be even more angry if he learns I helped you to escape."
As he jumped down into the sloppy mess, reason returned, Ben realized just what an idiot he'd been. And idiot was an understatement. He'd failed once more... The sound of blaster fire hitting the wall above them reminded him to focus on the here and now. The recriminations would wait.
"Where?" Ben asked quietly. He could hear voices at sewer opening.
Hal held up a small light and motioned for silence. He then gestured toward the right opening. They walked carefully for several minutes, before Hal turned into a smaller tunnel. Ben could hear the sounds of their pursuers landing in and reacting to the sewage. He and Hal crouched in the corner and waited. Several lights flashed over them, but no one came near.
Ben could sense Hal relax as the last one swept by. Hal then motioned for them to return the way they had come.
An hour later, when they exited, it was dark. Hal took a deep breath of fresh air. "There some hoses over here, and a change of clothes. Don't worry about privacy--the park is closed after sunset."
"You planned this well," Ben said softly. "I'm sorry I was such an idiot..."
"I suspect we all would have done something similar." Ben just nodded, not at all sure how true that was.
The next obstacle was the security check point at the space port. Hal walked up, flashed his badge and the three guards opened the gate. They didn't bother looking at Ben who followed Hal into the secure area.
"I might not be able to move things with the Force," Hal said with more than a bit of pride, "but I can make people see things--or not."
"A useful skill--which I'm sure the Emperor felt." Ben's voice was low.
Hal pointed toward the back, without commenting. Ben hoped the young man would be careful in the future. "Your ship," Hal said. "Here are the new codes. You'll probably run into some trouble leaving--not much I can do there."
"No, you've done enough." Too much, Ben added silently. Hal was placing himself at great risk.
"Don't worry about me. I actually do have a legitimate concern here. I'm investigating a smuggling ring. Horn deliberately kept me off the security detail." The two men glanced around quickly. "May the Force be with you."
"And you. Hal," Ben said quietly. "Be careful."
"And if we find something, I'll let you know." Ben nodded. He knew there would never be anything. So did Hal. The Emperor had been quite thorough.
Ben Kenobi looked back at his ship, then walked into the forest swamp. Even with the Force, he felt blind. He didn't bother pushing the branches out of his way, letting them cut into his clothing.
"Let go of your anger, Obi-Wan," Yoda's voice said several seconds before he hobbled into view. "You must let it go."
"Why?" Ben asked, not bothering to hide his emotions. He faced the older Jedi. "Give me one good reason!"
"Once you..."
"Well, look around you. That dark destiny is dominating our lives. You're living in this hell hole; the Jedi are treated worse than common criminals..." Ben gritted his teeth. "I wanted to kill him." He closed his eyes and the image of how he had started to slash his blade down toward the Emperor's head again filled his mind. Yoda's voice gently pushed that image away. Ben felt a small center of calm return as he reached under his cloak and pulled out his late master's lightsaber. He stared at it for many minutes, his heart filled with sorrow and shame. He then handed it to Yoda. "I can no longer use this honorably." Yoda closed his eyes for several seconds, then took the blade.
"Confront the Emperor, you should not have; yet, to the darkside you did not give in." Ben bowed his head--it would have been so easy to have taken that final step, much too easy. But Yoda was right, he should have avoided the confrontation and faded quietly into the desert. "Patience, my friend," Yoda said. "The children too young are."
"Neither family wants the children trained."
"This I know, but the Force will guide them to you when the time is right." Yoda looked away sadly.
"There is so much I don't understand, yet I understand more than I thought possible."
Yoda nodded three times as he returned his calming gaze to Ben. "I know."
"Baryl and Aryana?"
"Your daughter with him is."
"I have to rescue her. I can't..." Ben's voice cracked. Yoda had not mentioned Baryl.
"You must decide. The Emperor seeks you, but find you he cannot." Yoda leaned on his cane. "Soon, the Jedi all but extinct will be." He refocused his eyes on the swirling swamp mists. "We, the future must protect."
Ben clenched his teeth, even as he understood the master's words. "But my daughter."
Yoda took a deep breath. "Hard her life will be; but leave her, the light will not."
"You want me to stop looking for Aryana?" Ben had known it would be Yoda's request even as he'd flown here, prepared to argue that he must continue. Yoda's didn't answer the question, but pointed toward the mist.
"Find her, others will."
Ben stared at the mist, barely able to discern the shape of a young woman wielding a lightsaber. "Aryana?"
Yoda nodded as the image vanished into the gray background. "Always in motion..."
Ben continued to stare at the mist, hoping another image would appear to offer further reassurance. None was forthcoming. He hesitated to ask the one question left to him. "Baryl?"
Yoda stared at the mist. "Not all do I see." Ben closed his eyes to hide the pain in his heart.
"I can't do this alone," Ben whispered. "Not anymore."
"Give in to despair and anger, and Palpatine has won. Your daughter, Luke, Leia then truly lost will be." Yoda placed a hand on Ben's arm. "The Force will be with you, always."
"Master Yoda, I need more..."
"More I cannot give. It is time." Yoda took two steps back. "To Tatooine must you go." There was more emotion in the wise Jedi's eyes than Ben had remembered ever seeing in his lifetime. He started to bow, but Yoda tapped him with his cane. "Beware the darkside," Yoda whispered. "Hidden and waiting it lies. Your inner balance must you find, for then one with the Force, will you be."
"I don't understand."
"No. Explain I no more. This on your own, must you find." Yoda started to hobble away, then stopped. He pointed his cane at Ben. "Patience. The boy you will train, but wait for the sign."
"Sign?" Ben cursed quietly to himself. "You mentioned to wait for the sign before. But, Master Yoda, how will I know..." He wondered just how reliable the signs truly were. Anakin had not brought a balance to the Force--all he'd brought was death and despair.
"You will know. Now, farewell my friend."
Ben stared at the quickly retreating form. "Master Yoda, I..." He didn't finish his question as the aged Jedi Master had vanished into the mist. He walked slowly to his ship, climbed in, closed the hatch and sat there.
He was tired and drained of all emotions. The past five years had been so full of emotional ups and downs that he wondered if he would ever feel human again.
He'd never felt so alone in his life.
Ben glanced out toward the edge of the desert, then back at the ship dealer. It would be so easy to use the Force and up the price, but the few thousand credits the man offered was enough. Ben didn't care for more. He didn't want more. He nodded as he took the credits. The man seemed surprised at the ease of the transaction, but of course didn't argue that the ship was worth more.
"So, you're settling on Tatooine?" the man asked.
"Jundland wastes."
"But that's over three hundred kilometers from here!"
"Yes, I know." Ben bent down and picked up his pack. What few belongings he had were in it--including the few things of Baryl's he had kept.
"I can have one of my sons fly you to Mos Eisley," the dealer said. Ben shook his head, ignoring the worry in the other man's voice. The dealer shook his head in disbelief. "It wouldn't be an inconvenience. He has to travel there anyway."
"No, thank you," Ben said, hoping this would end the conversation.
"Sir..." The man hesitated. "Why not?"
"Because..." Ben didn't finish. There was no way to explain why he didn't deserve such a luxury. The man didn't continue, but it was obvious that he wondered about Ben's sanity. Ben thanked the man again, and started to walk out into the desert.
"Crazy old man," he heard from behind him.
Palpatine didn't look up as Vader entered the room. There was a long silence, before Vader spoke, "My master, what is thy bidding." Palpatine waited for many seconds as he contemplated his apprentice. Vader was extremely powerful in the Force--possibly too powerful.
"There have been reports of Jedi on Bilbringi. Go there." He sensed the other man's hesitation.
"Yes, my master. And Obi-Wan?" Palpatine grimaced. That Jedi had become more than a nuisance. Somehow he'd escaped from Corellia and the carefully set trap that had been laid to catch him.
"My agents will continue to seek him." Several had not survived the botched attempt on Corellia. "He will continue to seek his family," Palpatine said with more confidence than he felt. The Force was a mysterious ally. On some things it left no doubt as to the future. But, on the Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, it was mute.
"And Alderaan?" Vader asked.
"Leave them for now." Palpatine glanced quickly at the report from Armand Isard. Yet another ambitious and possibly untrustworthy man, but there was no denying his brilliance. For the moment, Palpatine would continue to use the man and reward him.
He motioned quickly with his hand, dismissing his apprentice. Vader bowed deeply and left. Palpatine stared at the small spherical image on his screen and imagined its true dimensions. Admiral Tarkin's plan was complicated, time consuming, with little guarantee of success. But, Palpatine was pleased with the preliminary results. Admiral Tarkin would continue to be in charge of the project.
His smile grew. A suitable punishment, indeed.
Ben stood in the doorway of what had once been the home he had created for his family. He stared with unseeing eyes at the walls. He stepped inside and placed the bundle he was holding on a shelf. He would no longer live here, but would use it to store his memories. He fingered the gray bag, sadly noting the handle of Anakin's saber, the datachips with the stored memories of the droids, the japarwood pendant, and Baryl's jade box. He pulled his hand away, and stepped back.
"I can't do it. I can't go on alone."
A deep voice answered. "I will be with you, always." He whirled about and faced the shimmering blue image of Qui-Gon.
"Master," he said angrily. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Tell them what?" Qui-Gon asked. "That the Sith had arisen? I did. Master Yoda understood my alarm. And understood why we could do no more than increase our vigilance. Why didn't you tell?"
"I had no evidence."
"And I had no name."
"You could have warned me," Ben said. "The Jedi sat around and did nothing, absolutely nothing, while a Sith Lord quietly took control of the galaxy under our very noses."
"We did more than nothing. We hunted for clues."
Ben bowed his head. "As I hunted for clues. And look what good it did. The Sith have their revenge, the Jedi are no more..."
"Remember the twins," Qui-Gon's spirit said calmly.
"Luke and Leia, how can I forget them?"
"It is through them that Anakin will be brought back..."
"So I've been told."
"My young Padawan. The Force will be with you, always." Qui-Gon's voice faded away with the vanishing spirit.
Ben walked out of the cave, closed the door, then used the Force to seal it. He would build another house. A house for a hermit, not a family. He turned to face the twin suns of Tatooine. Another day had begun.
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