Chapter 2 of A Lost Hope
Jabba the Hutt's corporate headquarters, for lack of a better
description, was a nondescript building on the outskirts of Mos
Eisley. Obi-Wan stared at it, then shook his head. Jabba had denied
their request for an audience for a week--then suddenly changed
his mind. He wasn't happy about that or her choice of disguise.
He was dressed as a moisture farmer--clothing that reminded him
of that visit ten years earlier. A visit that had lead to tragedy.
"Rather shabby," Baryl said with a shrug. "Rumor
has it that he wants to build something more interesting. But
that's been the rumor now for fifteen years."
"I see." She seemed at ease in her clothing. "Is
it his way to make us feel important by keeping us waiting for
a week?"
"Nah, he probably doesn't feel we're significant at all.
He's just curious at why we were so persistent." She looked
down at the droid as it whistled. "The Artoo unit will have
to wait out here. Jabba isn't known for his kind treatment of
droids." Artoo whimpered. "You'll be safe...I think."
The droid's long stream of whistles and whimpers didn't stop her
from tapping on the metal door.
A Gamorrean opened it with a growl. Baryl stepped in, dragging
Obi-Wan with her. "Jabba is expecting us." The guard
grunted, but motioned for them to pass. "See?"
"See what?" A shriek from below them caused them both
to jump. "I'm not sure this is a good idea..."
"Got a bad feeling?" Baryl asked.
"Actually no. I just don't know what Jabba can tell us."
"We hope he has his aunt's records somewhere--or someone
remembers something." She stopped when two other Gamorrean
guards crossed their ugly weapons in front of them. "Jabba
is expecting us."
Another voice sounded, speaking in Huttese. The Gamorreans came
quickly to attention. The Twi-lek speaker stepped forward. "His
eminence is expecting these two visitors." He eyed Obi-Wan
suspiciously. Despite wearing the clothing of a moisture farmer,
he knew he didn't look the part. "But be advised, he is not
interested in your petty wars or helping the Independent Alliance."
Baryl's only reaction to the mention of the Alliance was a slight
raising of her eyebrows. Obi-Wan tried to look casual as he followed
her and the Twi-lek.
What the exterior lacked, was more than compensated for by the
luxuries of Jabba's throne room. It was full of opulent tapestries,
exotic female dancers, and several creatures Obi-Wan didn't recognize.
Jabba lay on a chaise his hand petting one of the several small
animals in an aquarium beside him. He ogled Baryl, then did the
equivalent of a Hutt shrug. With a loud chortle, he grabbed one
of the screeching eight-egged creatures he'd been petting and
bit off its head as he spoke in Huttese. His droid translated
his welcome.
"We are seekers of information," Baryl said with the
barest of bows. "We seek information on a slave that once
belonged to Gardulla..." The Hutt bellowed and smacked the
plump, but tall droid that stood beside him. The droid stumbled
as it spoke.
"His preeminent eminence is unhappy that you bring disrespect
for his recently deceased aunt. Her death at Mos Espa has yet
to be avenged."
"We apologize, but the information is very important. We
need information about a slave she owned about fifteen years ago."
Baryl asked with a quick glance at Obi-Wan that he ignored.
Jabba laughed--at least Obi-Wan thought it was a laugh. The droid
waited until the Hutt had finished before translating. "A
slave she owned fifteen years ago? His eminence finds it very
amusing that you would believe there would even be records. A
Hutt's word is his honor."
"We would like to look or talk..." Jabba's snarled angrily
as he again hit the droid, sending it rolling down the platform.
His tail wagged angrily as his beaten droid stood slowly and limped
forward. "His most esteemed eminence, Jabba is willing to
discuss trade for this information."
"I see." Obi-Wan moved his hand in a semi-circle. "We
need the information..."
Jabba hooted in laughter, then spoke. When he'd finished, the
droid translated, "Jedi mind-tricks! I'm a Hutt. The price
just went up to twenty thousand credits. And not Republic ones.
Those are worthless. So is whatever your Independent Alliance
is using. When the Alliance fails..."
"If the Alliance fails, you may find what the Republic becomes
not as willing to let the Hutts continue to operate." Arasta
took a step forward. "Corporate Sector is poised to take
over Hutt operations. They support the Republic and Supreme Chancellor
Palpatine."
Jabba's snort was enough, but the droid again translated. "You
are not from the Galactic Republic. What can this Independent
Alliance offer? You are losing."
Obi-Wan sighed. They didn't have that kind of money. Baryl was
reluctant to try to break into Jabba's offices. They'd tried the
public records and had even looked for other slaves who had known
the Skywalkers. He knew there wouldn't be records--the Force had
guided him to Tatooine for other reasons.
"The Independent Alliance would let you be," Arasta
said. "That's more than I can say for the Republic."
"I'll take my chances," Jabba said through his droid.
"By helping the Alliance I perhaps make more enemies. Anyway,
the Alliance is too weak to be a threat."
Two Gamorrean guards approached, signaling an end to the interview.
Arasta took Obi-Wan's hand. "We should go." He nodded
sadly.
Jabba's laughter followed them out of the building. "He doesn't
understand," Obi-Wan said as the door closed behind them.
Artoo whined sympathetically as he rolled over to greet them.
"Yes, he does. Too much: he's probably been in contact with...Sidious.
He knew we were coming. And he'll be sending someone after us."
She freed her blaster.
"Sidious will know what we are looking for." Obi-Wan
sensed her sudden nervousness. He should have realized, he thought
as she spoke.
"He probably already knew. We need to be careful." She
looked around the crowded Mos Eisley street. "My guess is
that Jabba has had someone following us."
Obi-Wan stopped and closed his eyes. "Yes," he said
quietly. "There is someone out there very interested..."
He pushed her down and ignited his lightsaber in one fluid movement.
The phaser bolt bounced off the blade and harmlessly hit a building.
The confusion and panic of the evening traffic blocked any chance
of finding their attacker. Arasta stood slowly, blaster in her
hand.
"I see," she said. "We should have been more careful.
Jabba probably now expects us to try to break in." She holstered
her weapon, but kept her hand near it. Artoo whistled and a small
scanner appeared. He surveyed the area, then whistled again.
She grumbled something, the spoke to him. "Jabba's aunt,
Gardulla sold Shmi to Wattoo."
"Lost her in a bet..."
Baryl shook her head, "Such records are privately kept, if
they even exist. And with Gardulla dead." She looked at him
expectantly, her green eyes glittered with questions. "What
happened at Mos Espa anyway?"
"What makes you think I know?" He didn't want to admit
to his failure because it would lead to why he was worried.
"Let me make this easier," she touched his hand, then
pulled hers back quickly. "Three months ago, Mos Espa was
destroyed; your apprentice, Anakin Skywalker--who was from Mos
Espa--disappeared...And--" There was a long pause. "--Has
recently aligned himself with the Supreme Chancellor. You are
afraid--worried--that Anakin has gone over to this darkside?"
"You are too clever." He started walking faster, so
she had to jog to keep up. "And yes," he started off
angrily, but quickly spoke with the same calmness he always seemed
to use. "Yes, we were there. Yes, Amidala and I are worried
he's gone over to the darkside. And, this I don't think you know,
she's carrying his children."
Baryl grabbed his shoulder. "Her life then is in grave danger.
Palpatine will know this soon enough." She forced him to
stop walking. "I don't know much about Sidious or the Sith,
but I have asked around. Halycon was most helpful. After the last
Sith war, it was believed they'd been killed off, but secretly
the order survived. Only two at a time: a master and an apprentice.
You suspect Anakin is the new apprentice. But I know about human
nature, It's been my life's work. No one is totally good or bad...At
least not in my experience. This darkside may drive the good away--I
wouldn't know about that--but the most hardened, psychotic killer
has some good--even if it's feeding stray bonkas. Palpatine will
need to break that last link...It's her, don't you see--and possibly
even you." She gripped his shoulder harder. "Where the
Skywalkers came from is now less important than Amidala's and
your own safety."
He took her hand and squeezed it. "There is one thing, one
very dark thing...Anakin is very strong in the Force--much stronger
than any known Jedi. There is no record of the Skywalker family--and
his mother claimed there was no father."
"How is that...I mean..." She frowned. "She was
raped and embarrassed at being a victim?"
"Drugged or...or something. And it's that something that
worries me. Anakin has dreamed very dark dreams from a very young
age...almost as if someone was controlling those dreams before
we even knew him."
Her eyes opened wide. "And...Oh Kiffle..." She glanced
at their still joined hands, then back at his face, before letting
go. They started to walk again. "The Tatooine slave trade
usually goes through Kessel, but I'm too well known there. We
need to prove that Sidious and Palpatine are..." She glanced
around quickly. Mos Eisley was too used to sudden blaster fire
to have even bothered to pay attention at whom was involved. The
panic and excitement of just a few seconds ago had waned; and
it was again business as usual. "Are the same person. We
need concrete proof, we won't find it this way. Anyway--"
She tapped his chest once. "Your instincts tell you that
somehow Palpatine was involved in Anakin's conception--natural
or otherwise?" His nod was her answer.
"Perhaps," she continued, "we are doing this the
wrong way. Maybe we need to ask who is Palpatine? What do we know
about him?"
"He was the senator from Naboo. Ten years ago, he became
Supreme-Chancellor--but you know all this."
"So does everyone else--but when did he train as a Sith Lord?
Why didn't the Jedi know of him as a child? Just who is he--and..."
Obi-Wan stared at her as he stopped so quickly she walked three
steps before turning. "There was a family of Jedi from Naboo--the
last, Kia pa ti'E, died about sixty years ago. I was in the Y'mala
library when the planet was attacked. The Jedi Council keep archived
records there--kept them there."
"There were no descendants?" She was relentless and
ruthless, a trait that was more than a little disconcerting he
decided.
"No--at least none were mentioned in the records."
"Interesting...At age sixteen Palpatine, an orphan raised
by a maiden aunt, was admitted to the Coruscant University as
a Political Science major with a minor in Biotechnology."
She shrugged. "I did my research when my suspicions were
first forming. He graduated with honors, then vanished. At least
there is no record of him for six years. He was supposedly an
intern in the Corellian colonial governor's office on Mandarsat."
"Supposedly?"
"There was a fire that destroyed the colonial government
records twenty four years ago."
"Convenient."
"We have a very strong circumstantial case--but he has covered
his tracks well. Did you know that three years after he graduated,
a flood destroyed many of the records at the university?"
"I remember hearing about that flood. There was extensive
damage in the temple. They were still repairing it when I first
arrived."
"A good judge might authorize a communications tap based
upon such circumstantial evidence--but we wouldn't get an conviction.
Bad luck does not make one guilty..." She sighed as they
turned the corner. The ship was only a couple of blocks away.
"And there are those who would only be too happy to believe
the worst about the Republic about now. True or not..."
"And he could turn it." He cocked his head slightly
at the sight of a crowd gathered around a holo-net kiosk across
the street. "The news from Coruscant?" He could barely
make out the top of the holo-bulletin board.
Someone cheered while several others booed. "Damn Jedi, serves
them right."
"You wouldn't say that if they'd ever helped you."
"They couldn't help themselves." The debate over the
news became louder.
Obi-Wan listened in growing horror as the newscaster finished
his discourse about the destruction of the Jedi Temple days earlier.
"I grew up there," he whispered. "Why would anyone
want to destroy the Jedi Temple?" She forced him to move
at a jog, despite his wish to find out more, he followed. Artoo
whined, but, surprisingly, was able to roll along at the faster
speed.
"They believe the anti-Jedi propaganda. In a moment of passion,
anger..." She said as they stopped outside their docking
bay. "I'm sorry."
"I hadn't realized just how much that propaganda was believed.
I guess I should have."
"No, you shouldn't have. They shouldn't believe it."
She looked over at him. "You still look like a Jedi, and
Obi-Wan is too obviously a Jedi name."
"That's who I am."
"I know, but right now I don't think is a good time to advertise
that fact."
"Ben," he said softly as she unlocked the heavy docking
bay gate. "That's what my parents called me."
"I like that. Now, we will find your brother." There
was a loud grinding noise as the ship's loading ramp lowered to
the ground.
"It's not important now." He said as he followed her
in, his eyes glazed over. "I grew up there." His voice
faded away.
"There was nothing you could have done. I don't claim to
understand this Force stuff, but I've come to believe in you..."
He looked up at her. "So many..."
"I know." She sat in the pilot's seat. "Your brother's
farm is near the Jundland Wastes. It shouldn't be too hard to
find. Not many settlers out that way."
"It's not important now."
She reached over and shook his shoulders. "Yes, it is important.
You told me it was important." He didn't move as she fired
the engines.
Bail glanced at the three others before continuing. "This
will be a unilateral decision, if I have to. We need to convince
the others that minimizing our communications with those still
in the Republic and no longer co-ordinating our attacks is in
our best interest." They all knew that they couldn't survive
another loss like fifteen days earlier.
Mon Mothma tapped her datapad. "I agree, but there are too
many who hope to retain some ties with the Republic just in case..."
"Come," Garm added, "Even our own governments have
voiced concerns. Even Corellia, though for the moment, they are
still listening to me. But I agree. If the leak is coming from
the Republic high command, we are better off not advising them
of our plans. I say just do it, win a few victories..."
"This will mean keeping others in the dark. We can't stop
them from sending information from their own ships." Mon
Mothma cut in. She obviously didn't like this plan. Bail could
understand: the Alliance had been built on trust and equality.
He took a deep breath. He didn't like this plan, but they had
to do something. And they'd waited long enough. "We'll do
it. Garm?"
The Corellian senator stood as he flicked a button. A holo-image
appeared. "Since the battle in the Neimodia sector, things
have been quiet." Bail concentrated his attention on the
image as it shifted. "The clone fleet is split. The larger
group has disappeared. They are the ones we need to worry about,
but the two smaller fleets are prime targets." He pointed
at the one approaching the planet of Kashyyyk. "The Wookies
have remained with the Republic, but are basically neutral during
this war. By preventing the clones from destroying their planet,
we can perhaps convince them to leave the Republic."
"And the other fleet?" Mon Mothma asked. "The Bilbringi
ship yards are a major prize."
"The Republic fleet is closer--and the Bilbringi are more
than prepared to defend themselves." Garm shifted his weight.
"It's not a perfect plan, but we need to win a victory, or..."
He didn't need to finish.
Amidala shook her head as she turned her attention from the image
to Garm. "And the third fleet, the larger one?"
"Probably at their secret base."
"We hope. It worries me though."
"That secret base," Bail asked. "Still no luck
finding it?"
"The Republic hasn't anything either." Garm smiled slightly.
"I still have sources."
Amidala glanced back at the image. "I just...That missing
fleet worries me."
Bail quietly agreed to the plan, despite his own worry about the
missing ships. "I believe the simplest way to avoid a leak
is to tell them we are heading toward Bilbringi. At the rendezvous
point, we'll change our destination." They stood to leave.
"Senator Naberrie," Bail said softly. "Wait."
Amidala nodded as they waited for Garm and Mon Mothma to leave.
"You're friends with the Jedi, Kenobi?"
She nodded once. "Why?"
"He was here a couple of weeks ago, and I had wanted to talk
to him. He then disappeared. So did Garm's intelligence chief."
"They are looking for something." Obi-Wan had left soon
after their conversation. She hadn't been surprised. The information
they were looking for was all that stood between them and a dictatorship.
"I had hoped he would serve on our general staff. And a Jedi
in a position of power like that would have sent a message to
the rest of the galaxy that the Jedi are to be trusted."
"Trust me," Amidala said. "It's important. Perhaps
you should appoint Halycon instead?"
Bail thought a second then nodded. "What is so important
to pull our Intelligence officer away from her duties?"
Amidala thought for several seconds, almost as if trying to decide
how much to tell. "Darth Sidious." He barely heard her
answer.
"A mysterious Sith Lord is more important than good intelligence
for the upcoming battle?"
"More than you know." She turned and left. Bail pondered
her last sentence. The words meant nothing. He looked up when
the door slid open again.
"Hello dear."
"Bail," Kalla said as sat down on the table beside him.
"Did you decide?"
He nodded. "We are cutting off contact with the Republic."
He paused. "You've become friends with Naberrie. She wouldn't
tell me where Arasta and Kenobi went except they are after Darth
Sidious."
"I thought so." Kalla took his hand and squeezed it.
"You must trust her. It is probably the most important duty
anyone is doing."
"Darth Sidious is a phantom."
"A very real one. And it's not where is Sidious--it's who,
that is important--and he is closer than we imagine." She
trembled slightly.
"Who?"
"I think Amidala knows--but she is afraid of accusing him
with no evidence..." Bail's eyes clouded with worry as his
brow furrowed.
"I gather she told you?"
"No, dear, I think I guessed correctly, though I fervently
hope I'm wrong.."
"The Jedi with all that Force and power--they can't just
sense him?"
Kalla shrugged. "I never claimed to understand the mysteries
of the Force...I have enough problems with you. She's pregnant
by the way."
"Who? Naberrie? Oh." That explained why she'd looked
so pale and tired these past few weeks. "You all right with
this?" He ran a finger along her cheek.
Kalla closed her blue eyes. "I wish it was me...I guess.
I'm sorry. It's not your fault...Just one of those things."
She leaned her forehead against his chest. "Her husband is
a Jedi, and she fears that cha...that Sidious will come after
her and the children."
Bail smiled as he stroked his wife's thick blonde hair. "I
can take care of that. I'll assign extra security to her. She'll
never know."
"Thank you." She slid of the table. He watched her leave.
Was it really possible that a Sith Lord could remain hidden from
the Jedi?
Obi-Wan looked around the sand then back down at the buildings.
Such a life--he wondered what had prompted his brother to settle
here of all places. He pulled at his outfit. Baryl was convinced
that he still managed to look like a Jedi, despite wearing the
outfit of a moisture farmer. He had to agree. He closed his eyes
as he remembered a Jedi dressed in similar clothes. Just how much
had Qui-Gon realized all those years ago when he found Anakin?
Obi-Wan didn't have time to ponder. He straightened when a woman
appeared in the courtyard below.
"Hello," he called out. She jumped as she turned.
"Hello," she replied. She used her hands to shield her
eyes from the pounding midday suns. "You must have taken
a wrong turn somewhere."
"Is this the Lars farm?"
She looked at him strangely, then motioned him toward the steps
that would bring him down to the lower level. "Yes...You
are?"
"I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said. She stiffened, but otherwise
didn't acknowledge anything. "My companion here is Baryl
Arasta. Is Owen here?" Baryl smiled as she waved.
"Yes, he's just returned from Anchorhead." She cupped
her hands and shouted, "Hey, Owen, visitors." Obi-Wan
felt his brother's presence before he saw him. Owen stood at the
building entrance and stared at him. Kenobi felt a flicker of
recognition.
"He says he's Obi-Wan Kenobi..." The woman moved away,
obviously aware of the undercurrents between the two men. Obi-Wan
stopped and studied his brother--the desert had aged him considerably.
Baryl stopped on the third step and waited for him to continue
moving.
"Why are you here?" Owen asked suspiciously. He barely
noted Baryl's presence. "We haven't heard from you for well
over twenty years."
"I..." Why was here, Obi-Wan wondered. Except for a
brief visit when he was 15, he'd not had any contact with any
of his family. He glanced toward the building the woman had disappeared
into.
"Beru is my wife. We've been married a year." Owen said,
his eyes not leaving his brother's.
"Congratulations..." Obi-Wan stumbled for something
to say. He stretched out with the Force, and noticed the pervasive
sadness of the place.
Owen looked uncomfortable too. "There's no need to be here,"
he said slightly sarcastically. "We lost the baby."
Obi-Wan stopped again, half-way down the stairs, wondering about
the tone of Owen's voice, before realizing.
"I didn't know. I'm not here like that." Obi-Wan frowned
slightly. It was a common misconception that the Jedi took a child
even if a family wasn't willing. Sometime the families seemed
to forget that they had been willing. Lars started speaking.
"I grew up seeing the results of them taking you. Mom and
Dad never forgave themselves or the Jedi. Beru and I fled here,
thinking you wouldn't find us." He kicked at the sand. "As
if it matters now. Just forget you know where we are..."
He wiped his eyes. "It doesn't matter..."
"I'm sorry."
"We even changed our name to hers." Owen went on. "The
Jedi would certainly find Kenobi--though I guess your being here
is proof that they could find us anyway." Owen crossed his
arms and stared at Obi-Wan. "Why are you here?"
How did one explain to someone who wasn't trained as a Jedi, that
the Force drew him here for an as-of-yet-unexplained reason. "I
wanted to see how you were doing?"
Owen looked skeptical, but shrugged as he glanced upwards. "It's
too late for you to return to where ever you came from. The afternoon
suns can be absolute murder. Even the Jawas know to stay inside."
He motioned, a bit reluctantly, for Obi-Wan to come over, but
Obi-Wan was disinclined to stay: there was just too much to do--and
their ship wasn't that far away.
"No, We need to be going. Be well." Owen started to
reply but stopped when Beru appeared. She whispered something
to her husband. He glanced at the two visitors, seemed to argue,
then shrugged his shoulders.
"Wait," Owen called out. "My wife wants you to
stay...We don't get much company..."
"I--" Obi-Wan glanced at Baryl who nodded her head.
"We should..." She whispered. "You seemed to feel
it was important." She then spoke to Owen. "We'd be
delighted. Thank-you." She motioned for Obi-Wan to follow.
He did so reluctantly.
Owen pulled Baryl aside at the foot of the steps. "What do
you want here?" She realized he thought she was a Jedi--that
idea almost made her laugh.
"We came to Tatooine for information..." She smiled
at him, trying to help him relax. "He wanted to visit his
family."
Owen's eyes narrowed--the man was still suspicious. "Look,"
she said. "I'm not Jedi. I'm CorSec. Obi-Wan is helping me
with a case." Now Owen looked confused.
"I didn't know Jedi did such things."
"Now and again. My superior's partner on Corellia is a Jedi."
"I see. Smuggling?"
"Something like that." Baryl watched his expression
as he relaxed slightly.
"I'm sorry about what I said back there," Owen said
as he watched his wife with his brother. "I've been afraid
they would come for our child, and then she...we...lost the baby."
"I understand." Baryl placed a comforting hand on Owen's
arm. "It's just a coincidence that we arrived here so soon
after."
"A month ago," Owen said. "I nearly lost her too..."
His voice faded off when Beru smiled at him.
Baryl nodded sympathetically. "She's alive..." Consoling
victims was probably the hardest part of her job. It was something
she did too often--and she recognized the need here to slip into
that familiar role.
He smiled. "Yes..." His frown returned when Beru joined
them.
"Fascinating. Did she tell you she's a cop?" Beru asked.
"I hope you're here to bring Jabba down."
Baryl laughed--it was good to hear someone from Tatooine want
that. "I wish. Someday we'll get him." The interior
of the Lars home was dark, and surprisingly cool. Baryl remembered
something about the sands absorbing the heat--making underground
dwellings a favorite place of desert dwellers.
Beru took her hand. "And Obi-Wan," she winked. "He's
even cuter than my Owen..."
Baryl found herself blushing. "We're just partners."
She stammered, then realized Beru expected that answer.
Beru continued to laugh--it sounded a bit forced to Baryl--as
she entered what was probably the kitchen. "We usually only
have a light afternoon meal, I hope that's acceptable?"
"That's fine," Obi-Wan said. The two men stared at each
other for several seconds before Owen left to help his wife.
"This was a mistake," Obi-Wan said when they were alone.
"Owen doesn't trust me."
"He's worried." She took his hand. "They lost their
baby a month ago. And Beru nearly died too." She glanced
toward the kitchen quickly. "You are the one who told me
the Force brought you here. So here is where we need to be..."
She really didn't understand this, but he had believed it was
important.
"He's worried the Jedi will take any children they have..."
His voice trailed off as he examined his surroundings. "I
wonder..." His voice was so soft she barely heard him. But
his eyes showed renewed life--he'd been in shock the past 24 hours
while she had hunted for this moisture farm.
Her own eyes opened wide in amazement, even as she realized he
hadn't voiced his idea. "You can't--not without her permission."
"Amidala's already thinking along similar lines..."
He ran his hand along the back of a chair. "Remote, barely
noticed by the Republic..."
"The home of your apprentice, their father..." Obi-Wan's
closed his eyes. His face showed the same look of pain and fear
she saw whenever Skywalker was mentioned. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's a good point. And you are correct: I've not
talked to Amidala--I just know she is thinking about this too."
The Force again. She shook her head. It was something she just
didn't understand. Of course she knew Nejaa Halycon was a Jedi--but
she tended to think of him as a cop first. Obi-Wan had a similar
knack of sensing things--but for the first time she truly realized
that this Force set him off from other people.
Beru entered, followed by Owen. Both were carrying medium-sized
bowls filled with vegetables of some sort. "It looks delicious,"
Baryl said. After the greasy foods they'd endured in Mos Eisley--it
actually looked more than delicious.
Owen pulled a couple of extra stools from another room while Beru
left and returned with a pitcher of blue liquid. Beru smiled as
she motioned for everyone to sit down.
The first few minutes of the meal were uncomfortable and silent.
Finally Beru asked Obi-Wan what it was like to be a Jedi. "It's
a difficult life," he began. "Far more difficult and
painful than I think most people understand..."
Baryl interrupted. "The Jedi temple was bombed. Over a thousand
Jedi were killed...His friends and," she paused, "his
family."
"I'm sorry." Beru stared at her plate. "So many...I
didn't know. We don't hear much out here. We know about the war
with the clones of course. And that the Galactic Republic Armies
under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine have been
very successful."
Baryl was convinced she hadn't reacted to the glowing tones used
to describe Palpatine--but Owen still looked at her strangely,
his fork frozen half-way to his mouth. She wondered if Owen also
had a connection to the Force.
Owen spoke first after another long silence, the fork with the
uneaten salad back on the plate. "I wish to apologize for
what I said earlier."
Obi-Wan smiled at him. "I understand. Our timing wasn't very
good--" He looked at Baryl, then at his brother. "It's
becoming dangerous to be a Jedi...or related to a Jedi."
Owen snorted. "No one knows of the connection. They've never
heard of Kenobi here."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I know that...But the children of Jedi are
in danger too. The events on Coruscant are just the beginning."
Both Lars looked at Baryl, then back at Obi-Wan. Beru said, "I
see." She wiped her eyes. "I can't have anymore children,
but--" A brief glimmer of horror appeared on Owen's face,
then vanished, as she continued. "--Tatooine is as safe as
anywhere to raise a child. Especially one who needs to be hidden."
She looked at her husband and pleaded silently with him.
Baryl picked up the thread. "There's no way of knowing if
the child will be Jedi or not, but there are enough people who
won't care."
Beru smiled as she patted Baryl's hand. "I understand...Owen
here worried that our..." She bit her lip and fought back
the tears. "He was worried that our child would be Jedi...Now
we'll never know." Beru took several sips from her glass.
Owen started to stand. "No, I'm fine." She smiled weakly.
"It's been hard, this past month. Especially when the doctor
said I wouldn't be able to..." She burst into tears. Owen,
who had remained in a half-seated position, quickly moved to her
side. Baryl watched the couple leave.
"We should be going..." Obi-Wan said. Baryl agreed with
him, but first they could do one thing to ease the burden their
visit caused. She started to gather up the few dishes.
When Owen found them in the kitchen a few minutes later, Obi-Wan
was carefully pouring the water they'd used into the cleanser.
"Please excuse my wife..."
"I understand," Baryl said. "Our visit must have
been hard on her."
"No...wait. This child..." Owen hesitated. "Is
there a child?"
Baryl glanced at Obi-Wan who nodded. "Yes," she said.
"The father was a Jedi and the mother is very concerned about
her unborn child's safety."
"I see..." Owen looked very thoughtful as he ran his
hand through his bleached brown hair. "Beru...I mean we would...well...The
Jedi won't come for the child?"
"No," Obi-Wan said, with a tinge of sadness. "The
Jedi will not."
"Then, we would be interested." Owen said.
"Thank-you," Obi-Wan said. He took his brother's hand.
"We thank-you."
They said their good-byes and then returned to the outside. It
was still hot, and Baryl wondered how anyone could stand this
for more than a couple of weeks. "Why just one child?"
She asked at the top of the stairs.
"They can't be raised together. It would be too easy for
Palpatine or Anakin to find them. They are the future. One or
both must grow up untainted by the darkness that is consuming
their father." She wanted more explanation, but she'd come
to recognize those times when Obi-Wan withdrew into himself. She
smiled. Ben, she reminded herself. She had to remember to call
him Ben.
Palpatine fingered his broach as he waited for Merlyk to finish.
It was getting harder to listen to his intelligence chief. He
knew everything anyway--but he had to play the game. His ultimate
goal was in sight, and patience was even more important than ever.
"There has been no contact with the Alliance fleet?"
"No official word. I have heard that they are preparing to
attack the clone fleet at Bilbringi." Palpatine nodded. It
was a logical plan. The Alliance was short on supplies, and after
four disastrous losses, needed the supplies they would find there.
Merlyk continued. "You asked me about Senator Naberrie. Apparently
there are some concerns about her health."
Palpatine hid his irritation. Unless that assassin was poisoning
her, he had failed. Palpatine wanted her dead and dead now. "She's
probably feeling the strain of the situation." This was to
placate the Bothan. "And the Jedi?"
"The Alliance has several in key positions. Senator Organa
had wanted to place one, an Obi-Wan Kenobi, on his general staff--but
he's disappeared. I understand he ran off with the Alliance's
Chief of Intelligence." The Bothan laughed. "My source
says it was an elopement."
Palpatine tightened his hands into fists. Merlyk should have told
him that information when it first happened. "When?"
"A couple of weeks ago. Humans seem to have no control over
their hormones." Palpatine considered killing him now, but
it was not Merlyk's fault alone. The Bothan didn't know his plans
or what information he needed. Anyway, he knew where the pair
had gone. He had other contacts--contacts that would be more than
willing to earn a few extra credits. The information they sought,
no longer existed. He'd seen to that years ago. But that lack
of information might worry a Jedi knight. He waved the Bothan
out and opened a communication link. "Admiral Brandel."
The admiral sounded startled. "Good evening, Chancellor Palpatine."
"Prepare your fleet for battle at Bilbringi. The ship yards
must be protected from the clones at any cost."
"I understand, sir. Sir, that young man you assigned to my
fleet."
Palpatine smiled slightly. "Commander Skywalker? Is there
a problem?" There was just a hint of menace in his voice.
He knew that Skywalker had been successful in his first battles.
"No, no, sir. No problem." Brandel sounded irritated.
"He's just too inexperienced and young to be in command of
anything."
Palpatine's eyes narrowed slightly. Brandel was worried--the man
disliked brilliance--that's why Palpatine had picked him as Skywalker's
commanding officer. "Should he fail, we'll continue this
discussion..." He cut off communication.
Obi-Wan stared at the streaks of starlight and yawned. While Baryl's
little ship was well built, it was definitely not going to break
any speed records. The trip to Coruscant would take more than
twice as long as it had ten years ago...
"Don't tell me you're bored?" Baryl said from behind
him. She struggled to get in her seat.
"Jedi don't get bored, we meditate." He said with a
straight face.
"Is that what you call it." She glanced at the console.
"Two more days until we arrive at Coruscant. That's a lot
of meditating. Leaving me to my continuing boredom."
Obi-Wan smiled at her. "Can't have that. So?"
"Tell me about yourself?"
He was surprised at her question. "Well...I was raised by
the Jedi--it's really the only life I've ever known..." Sort-of,
he realized. There was that one time he'd left, but even then
he'd remained Jedi. "My mentor, master, friend was Qui-Gon
Jinn." He stared away. "He introduced me to Anakin ten
years ago."
"And you blame him for what is happening now?" She asked
very gently.
"No," he answered harshly. "I blame myself. I shouldn't
have taken the task--I wasn't ready. Yoda was right."
She sighed. "You cannot be held accountable for Skywalker's
actions. What would have happened if he hadn't been trained?"
Obi-Wan thought for several seconds. "I don't know. Qui-Gon
would have found a way..."
"You aren't Qui-Gon," she patted his shoulder. "Could
you have returned him to Tatooine--where he would have become
a slave again? Placed him in an orphanage?"
"Those might have been preferable to this."
"Stop wallowing," she snapped. "Whatever you might
have done, Palpatine would have found him." He glared at
her, then nodded. "See, I am right. Just acknowledge that
rightness." She emphasized her point by rolling her hands.
He chuckled. "OK. You are right...Now tell me about yourself."
"Not much to tell. I was born on Corellia, my parents were
from elsewhere. I joined CorSec after graduating from the university.
No where near as interesting as your life."
"That depends. I haven't heard it before--while I know the
details of my life quite well. You've met the surviving members
of my family. Yours?"
"My parents died in a shuttle accident eleven years ago.
There was no one else."
"Oh..." He wouldn't have mentioned it if he had known.
"It was a long time ago." She stared down at the console.
"I tried to find other relatives then. No luck." She
laughed. "Considering I was a member of CorSec--it was more
than a little embarrassing to learn that one's parents had changed
their names more than once to remain hidden. I couldn't even find
where they were originally from."
"Two orphans out to save the galaxy...Less bored?" He
looked up at her.
"Yep. We only have forty-seven-and-a-half hours to go. Now
how do you plan to entertain me?" She leaned back, arms crossed
and smiled. "I'm waiting..."
"I'm Jedi, small talk is not part of the training..."
She started to laugh hard.
"Reconnaissance has confirmed that the second Clone fleet
is heading toward Kashyyyk," Garm pointed toward the holoprojection.
"There is still no trace of the larger fleet."
"And the Republic?" Mon Mothma asked as she carefully
studied the image.
"They are preparing to defend Bilbringi against the third
fleet. This is our chance. If we can maintain secrecy, we have
a real opportunity. We'll divide the fleet and attack in two waves."
He flicked a switch and a simulation of his plan appeared. "The
important thing is timing."
"And not telling our allies," Amidala whispered. "Aren't
we just showing we don't trust them..."
"Unfortunately, yes. But it is the Republic we don't trust,"
Bail looked suddenly thoughtful. "I...No..." He glanced
around quickly. "Sorry, just thinking about something my
wife said." He motioned for Garm to continue.
The holoprojection flickered and changed. "We'll rendezvous
outside the Alderaan system in four days." There was knock.
The image vanished as the door opened.
"Sir," the young man said. "We've just received
word from CorSec. The Corellian assembly is meeting now to discuss
rejoining the Republic."
Garm hit his fist on the table. "Get me a channel to Coronet
City." He had several more choice words to describe certain
members of the assembly, but stopped after a couple. Amidala started
to follow him, then looked at Bail. Bail motioned for her to leave.
"Go. It's more important that he goes to Corellia. And...You
and Kalla should go too. He needs to talk sense into those people."
Amidala nodded, then marched out the room.
"We're here," Baryl snapped at her companion. She winced
as she broke the silence. Neither had spoken for the past several
hours. She had been pondering the journey that had brought her
here. And how it was that somehow she had gotten involved in events
that would decide the fate of a galaxy. She had no idea what thoughts
were going through her companion's inscrutable brain. He just
calmly opened his eyes as he glanced toward the brilliant planet
below. "We'll be landing--" she continued, "--in
ten minutes."
"Good." He stretched out his legs. "First up is
finding the Jedi survivors..."
She shook her head. "First we get a place to stay, then a
research permit to use the University library. That won't take
long...Then we will start at the library. Artoo will be very useful,
but two people will make our job more efficient."
"I must go to the temple...See for myself." She started
to say something in retort--but stopped herself. Yes, their time
was limited, but she could do the research herself. The same forces
that had brought her here, had also brought him.
"Very well." She had, for the most part, had a very
enjoyable trip. Obi-Wan had managed to keep his end of the conversation
going after all. And it turned out he was pretty good at word
games, once she'd taught him a few. In fact their last few sentences
had involved such a puzzle. He hadn't figured it out either. She
started to smile, but was interrupted by Coruscant Control. She
responded to a voice on the communication link as the last instructions
were given before landing.
"By the way--," he said as she shut down the ship. A
routine landing, she thought. She just hoped that Palpatine wasn't
expecting them. "--the answer is ice."
She looked up quickly. "What?" He'd already unlocked
the door.
"Your last puzzle--it's ice. I'll see you later." He
waved as he stepped off the ship.
"Ice???" The little droid whined softly, reminding her
she had places to go. "Kiffle--come on..."
Lieutenant Loman thumped his food tray on the table as he sat
down next to Commander Skywalker. "You know, you are taking
this command isolation thing too far..." He pointed toward
the rest of the squadron eating at another table.
Skywalker shrugged. "I thought they would be relieved I wasn't
around. They are getting tired of all those training exercises."
Nidet Loman smiled. "Considering our kill ratio in the other
day, I don't think they mind. You're an excellent pilot. I don't
think I've ever seen anyone fly a ship like you can."
"I've been flying for years..."
"It's more than experience, you have the gift, as my father
said." Loman grimaced as he took a bite of food. "The
crew has noticed too. Several are bound and determined to surpass
you. Ensign Faol in particular. He'd been our best pilot until
you took command."
Skywalker smiled. "He still is then...I don't count."
He glanced at his squadron, several raised their glasses in a
toast before returning to their meal. He'd been with them for
almost three weeks and two battles and a few skirmishes.
"So, what's your secret?" Loman asked.
"To flying?" Skywalker ate for a while as he contemplated
what to say. He knew to mention that he was a Jedi would not be
wise. Loman's dislike of the Jedi was fairly well known--almost
as well known as Brandel's dislike of Skywalker. "Practice,"
he finally said as he finished the vegetables.
"If that was all, I'd spend more time in the simulators."
Loman looked skeptical. "So, where you from?"
"A wasteland," Anakin said between bites. "Nothing
as interesting as Coruscant."
"Boy, they must breed good pilots there...Nothing else to
do?"
"Something like that." Anakin concentrated on the food
as he sent a gentle probe with the Force to hint that Loman should
go away. The other man excused himself and left. Anakin stabbed
at the bryash fruit, tearing it to shreds, before he took a mouthful.
"Strange man," he heard Loman say as the lieutenant
joined the rest of the squadron.
Amidala glanced at the shorter man and avoided the urge to scream
in frustration. He continued speaking in something slightly better
than a monotone. "--it is with a heavy heart that we plan
to reconsider our present association with the Alliance."
"A heavy heart indeed," she said. "But don't you
worry about the extreme measures the senate has taken. The loss
of control of your military..."
Woar Stym shrugged. "This is war: such losses are expected
and temporary. After this emergency is over, we have every assurance
from the Senate that these extreme measures--as you call them--will
be revoked."
"Are you so sure?" Amidala asked quietly as they continued
past a row of food vendors.
"Of course I am. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is an honorable
man." Stym stopped to buy a steaming drink she didn't recognize.
She declined his offer to get her one. "What I don't understand
is why you are so adamant about this?" They stopped walking.
"I...I am worried that once this crisis is over, these emergency
measures will remain. There is too much power being gathered in
Coruscant."
He took several sips before continuing walking. "Like there
is too much power being gathered in your Alliance. What guarantees
do we have that you will return power to the various governments?"
"Because we have never taken away your control in the first
place."
"So?" Stym tossed his empty cup away. The breeze blew
it off toward the buildings. "The Republic is winning this
war. And what little loss of freedoms and rights is more than
made up for by being victorious. I know the Alliance record. And
this business about a betrayal within the Republic. Mynock dung.
You're just covering up your own incompetence." He walked
faster.
"But...You've seen the evidence..." Stym waved her off.
And that was that, she realized. She didn't follow him as she
turned back. "What can I say to change your mind?" She
muttered to herself. "Palpatine created this situation just
so he could grab power? You wouldn't believe me if I did."
She glanced around, barely noticing the shoppers and peddlers.
Her ever present bodyguard was still studying the crowd. Both
Bail and Obi-Wan were behind Halycon's presence. She knew his
Caamasi partner would be nearby. He started moving swiftly toward
her as she swung around. Someone in the crowd screamed and a knife
swooshed by her neck. She fell to the ground, grasping her own
blaster. A man in a blue jumpsuit had his blaster out and was
pointing it at her, before he suddenly turned and ran. She fired
and missed. There was more screaming. She stood and started to
chase after him.
He had a half block head start, but she continued chasing after
him anyway. He sprinted toward an alley and disappeared into the
shadows. Nejaa Halycon was right behind her, shouting at her not
to follow.
She hesitated at the corner, then took one step into the dark.
She was shoved behind a crate just as two laser bolts hit the
wall behind her. She aimed at the source and fired. A quiet yelp,
then silence.
She waited until she heard voices behind her. A tall, lean man,
with his weapon drawn motioned for her to lower her weapon. Several
others had scurried over to where her assailant lay.
"CorSec, Ma'am," the man said. "Please put the
weapon down." She complied as he showed his identification.
Nejaa smiled as he helped her up.
"Certainly. I need to tell my companions..."
The man smiled. "Senator Bel Iblis has been informed."
He holstered his weapon and held out his hand. "Rostek Horn.
We heard there might be an attempt on your life, Senator. My partner
here," he pointed at Halycon, "informed me that someone
was following you. Sorry about arriving too late."
"Oh," Amidala said with a glance at the Jedi Master.
Her head was swimming.
"You all right?" Nejaa asked. He reached out to steady
her.
"Fine," she whispered. "Fine..." She followed
Horn and Halycon over to the corpse. One of the CorSec officers
searching the body shook her head.
"Looks professional, sir: no identification."
Rostek frowned as he took the knife out of his pocket. "Nothing
distinguishing about this either." He knelt by the body and
picked up an arm. "Extensive scarring over the face and arms.
Looks like he had some sort of pox-disease in his youth. Have
you seen him before?" Amidala shook her head. He stood and
handed the weapon to the other officer. "Anything?"
"No, sir," the officer said as she glanced at the weapon.
"The lab may have better luck."
"Now, Senator, who would want you dead?" Rostek Horn
asked as they started to walk back toward the main street.
"I don't know." Even as she spoke, she realized she
did know. Rostek seemed to comprehend that she wasn't going to
talk. Nejaa studied her carefully, with much the same look Obi-Wan
had given her when she'd first refused to tell him of her suspicions.
"I see." Horn took a last look in the alley. "We
will continue to provide protection during your stay on Corellia,
but Senator, who ever is behind this will not stop..."
"I know. There's just nothing you or I can do about this."
"If we knew who, we might be able to find a connection between--"
She shook her head sadly. "That's just it. You won't find
a connection. One of your officers has been looking for several
months, and Halycon might be able to tell you more."
Rostek Horn's head shot up and he stopped. "Darth Sidious?"
He started walking again. "I don't understand why he..."
He shrugged. Amidala silently continued to walk beside him.
She had feared that Palpatine would try to kill her. If he ever
found out about the twins, he would try again before she was ready.
Right now his patience was on her side. She had time: time she
desperately needed to make the decisions she had been avoiding
and put her tentative plan into action.
"Senator?" Rostek said as he gently touched her arm.
"We're at the hotel."
"Oh, thanks." Amidala looked around, the incident had
left her feeling wary.
"If you change your mind, I can be reached through CorSec.
Halycon knows how to contact me." Both men departed as a
blonde woman at the entrance waved at them. Amidala saw the look
of concern on her friend's face.
"You all right?" Kalla Organa asked.
"I'm fine," she answered, hoping that there would be
no further questions.
Kalla took Amidala's arm and guided her into the building. "We
heard of course. What happened?"
Amidala took a deep breath. "Later...I need to think."
"As long as you're all right." Kalla lowered her voice.
"Garm thinks the Diktat is reconsidering...but..."
Amidala was unsatisfied, yet pleased with that news. The Corellians
did not see the danger. All they saw were the victories, the prestige.
The Corellian government was not alone in their blindness.
She wanted to shout her suspicions from the highest tower. Ring
the bells, reveal the evil...
But they would not believe her.
Chapter 4 of A Lost
of Hope
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