Chapter 3 of A Lost Hope
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine sat in his box waiting for Lady d'Aryl
to finish her 'return to this august body' speech. Everything
about him exuded confidence, power, and understanding. Little
did they know, but now was not the time to explain. He remained
still through-out her whole speech, using the Force to sense the
mood of the many Senators. He didn't even smile as he noted their
enthusiasm. Their shallowness pleased him, a few victories and
they were happy. Their applause indicated she had finally finished.
He stood slowly and regally while a thunderous round of cheers
filled the hall. He let them continue for a minute before he raised
his hand for silence.
"Nothing is more difficult to initiate, more perilous to
manage, or more uncertain in its ultimate success, than to take
the lead in the introduction of a new order of things." He
waited two minutes for the cheers to die down.
"We stand at the portals of that New Order. A New Order that
can only be created by our strength. Together, our armies and
ships have brought victory after victory in our fight against
the clones. Together, we shall win that war and end this destructive
conflict once and for all. Together, we can maintain a peace for
our children and their children." There was another round
of applause, he could sense them waiting. "We must do this
together. Once again I ask that our friends in the Independent
Alliance return to Coruscant. There is no difference in our cause,
no sanctions if you return..."
The ship's holo-imager hissed as Amidala turned it off. Threepio
started to say something, but Amidala motioned for him to go.
He muttered something about human behavior as he left. Finally,
she turned to face at Kalla. "Corellia?"
"They've postponed the decision, for now. Garm is still with
them. He'll be rejoining the fleet in a few days. Palpatine's
speech was timed for the Diktat." She took Amidala's hand.
"Yesterday?"
"My worst nightmare." She had made her decision. "In
the best interest of my children, I think it would be best if
someone else raised them..." Amidala spoke very fast. She
wanted to say it before she changed her mind, again. "You."
Kalla sat down on the bench, stunned. "Me? Why?"
"Why you or why do I think this is best?" Amidala took
several deep breaths. Kalla waited. "The truth is hard to
believe, hard to explain, and dangerous to know. Darth Sidious
will try again and again to kill me. I'm a threat to his plans.
My children are a greater threat. If they are raised by someone
else, they will not be connected to me, and thus be safe."
Kalla stood quietly and moved to the window. "You are offering
me what I want more than almost anything." She continued
to stare at the stars. "I...I would accept, but I must talk
to Bail. The deception is one he'll have to be in on." She
turned. "And a deception it will have to be. No one must
know you are pregnant and in about six months they must believe
I was..."
"I know..." Amidala glanced at her own waist. She'd
had to adjust her clothes recently. Soon her growing waistline
would be too difficult to hide.
"I'll talk to him, then return to Alderaan." Kalla smiled
wistfully. "You will have to disappear..."
Amidala nodded. "I had thought about returning to Naboo...But
I can't leave now. Not with so many defecting and returning to
the Republic."
She smiled as Kalla again sat down beside her. "Hard to believe
that anything so beautiful can be so dangerous," Kalla said,
indicating the stars outside.
"I think I prefer the stars from the ground," Amidala
said wistfully. "My own world is very beautiful..."
"So's Alderaan. But I suppose everybody says that about their
home."
"Possibly." She hesitated before continuing. "This
was not an easy decision...But I can't offer them the kind of
life they deserve."
No, she couldn't do that. A life in hiding, always wondering if
you could trust your neighbors, being suspicious of strangers,
moving constantly...No, this was for the best. It still hurt.
A pain settled in her heart and soul. She tried to hide what she
felt, but the way Kalla studied her, suggested she wasn't successful.
Ylenic It'kla had spent many years studying the many different
species that inhabited the galaxy. He'd long ago decided that
humans were amongst the most complex, unpredictable, kindest,
and wickedest. As he stared at his partner, he wondered about
his conclusions.
"He will try again," Halycon said. "CorSec identified
her assailant. Debro Dergo. He's probably responsible for several
political assassinations recently. Rumor says he has a powerful
employer."
Ylenic nodded. "Darth Sidious."
"Most likely. Horn is trying to track down Dergo's finances
and backtrail him." Halycon sat on the table and stared at
the flowing stars. "Kenobi knows who this mysterious Sith
Lord is."
Ylenic grimaced. "Knows or suspects?"
"Knows. They lack proof."
"They?"
"He's not alone. Colonel Arasta is with him--and I suspect
Senator Naberrie knows too."
"That is why her life has been threatened?" Ylenic had
wondered why Kenobi had worried enough about her safety to ask
them to protect her.
"No." Halycon said quietly. "I sense it has more
to do with her children."
"The Jedi twins. But the why is missing."
Halycon only nodded. Ylenic stood silently as he too watched the
stars stream by. The mythology of the Caamasi and many other species
had many legends about twins who saved their respective worlds.
He wondered at the symbolism.
Bail stood in the center of the bridge of his cruiser, the Moons
of Alderaan, and waited for the countdown to finish. The sudden,
but short lurch of the ship told him they had returned to realspace.
He glanced at the viewscreen as he ordered the attack. The Clone
fleet was spread out, in preparation for their own attack on the
homeworld of the Wookies. Immediately the 20 ships assigned to
his first fleet broke and began their attack. The Clone ships
reacted quickly and within seconds had positioned themselves to
defend against the onslaught. Bail smiled grimly as his ships
pressed the attack. It looked liked their plans for complete surprise
had worked, he thought, as two of the medium sized clone cruisers
exploded. The Moons of Alderaan pulled starboard to avoid a crashing
fighter. The damaged fighter exploded away from any ship.
"Send the order for the second fleet," he said in clipped
tones, then waited.
"Sir, the second fleet is entering realspace," the young
ensign at the comm-station said. Bail just nodded. Wasted words,
he could see their arrival.
Two of the larger clone ships managed to break out of the trap
as second Alliance fleet began their attack run: one exploded
as it made the jump to hyperspace. Bail ordered the others not
to pursue the lone escaping ship. They had succeeded in their
primary goal: this clone fleet had been torn to shreds.
"The captain of the Kary's Pleasure wishes to report
they have taken prisoners."
Bail raised his hand slightly. "Excellent. Inform Captain
Kary that I still think he should change his ship's name, but
congratulations on mission well done. Inform all commanders well
done, and that we will finish here and rendezvous in two days
at Endor.
"Sir," the ensign acknowledged. Bail continued to stare
at the remains of the clone ships. They'd done it. The clone fleet
had not suspected a thing. This was the first of many such victories,
he hoped. He took a deep breath and pushed down the nagging thought
that he knew better--that this was just a holding action now.
"Sir," the ensign said. "We're receiving a message
for you from the Princess Organa."
Bail smiled. "I'll take it in my briefing room."
"Hi dear," Kalla's image said after he'd closed the
door and activated the holo-imager. "Corellia is staying
for the moment."
Good, he thought. Something else right happened. "We defeated
the clones at Kashyyyk. Our sources say the Republic will be engaging
the other fleet at Bilbringi."
She smiled. "Good, I...well..." Her smile turned to
a frown. "We need to talk. There was an attempt on Amidala's
life. She won't talk about it."
He frowned as he sat down in his padded chair. "I see. You
suspect this Darth..."
She quickly motioned for him not to finish. "Yes." There
was a long silence, then she continued. "Our decision was
the right one, I'm even more convinced now. There is too much
coincidence."
Bail puzzled over her words a second, then wished her well as
she cut the connection. That Darth Sidious was behind the clones,
he could accept. Yet, something was missing. He felt like that
kid given an apparently simple math problem: knowing exactly how
to solve it, but still ending up with 2 + 2 = 5.
Baryl stared at the computer screen and sighed. "There's
really nothing about him in here," she muttered to herself
as she started to close the screen, but Artoo's quiet, but gleeful
whistle, changed her mind. "What?" She had been pleased
when the Coruscant University had granted her permission to use
the droid--even if the bureaucracy had dragged the process out
several days. She just wished Obi-Wan...Ben was here. A second
person would have been useful.
Artoo whistled again, then a file appeared on her screen. "Well,
well." She read quickly. She'd decided this morning to start
checking news holo-net reports. At the time she'd had no idea
what she would find. "We know he went to Coruscant University,"
she started to remind the little droid, but stopped. "Oh!
This is more interesting." She read two paragraphs before
whistling in amazement at Artoo's discovery. The librarian's eyes
glanced over in their direction, before passing on to a minor
disturbance in the stairwell.
"The university's leading geneticist vanished soon after
the flood: his research and notes destroyed by the floods,"
Baryl summarized with a hum. She read more. "Save this--and
search for any similar records." She reached over and patted
the little droid. He chirped. "DNA replication--" she
said. "--and cloning technology." She glanced around
quickly. No one seemed even remotely interested in her research.
There was a high-pitched noise from the droid, then another stream
of data appeared on her screen. "Hey there, slow down,"
she whispered. It was a list of six missing scientists from core
world systems: scientists who had vanished in the past forty years.
Their research specialties ranged, from cloning to shield design.
"I am definitely convinced," she whispered. "Artoo,"
she said as she finished reading. "How far back do these
records go?"
It was Lieutenant Loman who broke the stunned silence first. "Sir?"
Commander Anakin Skywalker took a deep breath as he thumped his
hand on his fighter's console. "The orders are correct. We
are to wait at the rear and prevent any of the clone ships from
escaping." He closed his eyes as he spoke quickly, trying
to keep his ire at Admiral Brandel and the man's extreme pettiness
out of his voice.
"I see. Sir, may I ask why?"
Anakin had no idea, and had actually asked the Admiral the exact
same question. Brandel had been furious, Anakin could still feel
the Admiral's anger at him--even here in space. "Orders,"
he finally answered. He understood their disappointment. The squadron
was well on their way to becoming the best in the fleet--but if
all went as planned, they would see no enemy ships today. He turned
his attention to the battle for the Bilbringi Shipyards playing
out in the distance, ignoring the anger he felt from the squadron.
This was not how he wanted to find his redemption. He wanted to
be in the action--where his skills and abilities could save lives.
Sitting here, doing nothing...
A jolt ran through him. "Heads-up. We have company."
Two clone destroyers had actually managed to escape Brandel's
fleet. It would be up to them. "Beta group take out the ship
on the starboard. Alpha group, you're with me." This was
better he thought, as he pitched his small ship into a steep dive.
The five ships of alpha group split as they approached the larger
ship. "Take the power generators," Anakin ordered as
he rolled his fighter to avoid phaser fire. He fingered the weapons
control. A bright light on his right nearly overwhelmed him. Faol's
ship exploded--he bit his lip and closed his eyes as he felt Faol's
pain--then nothingness as the light and Ensign Faol's presence
faded away. He pulled at the Force, willing himself to open up
more to it. There was the uncomfortable sense of being near clones,
the distance to his target, his ship, his crew.
When he opened his eyes, all he could see was the blackness of
space. "Great shooting boss!"
Anakin glanced at his screen. The ship he'd been attacking was
in pieces, the other in flames. "Well done," he said
quietly as another voice cut in.
"Commander Skywalker. Your squadron was not to engage any
ships unless they were escaping," Admiral Brandel snarled
over his intercom. Anakin debated shutting it off.
"Admiral, my mistake. It really looked like they were escaping.
Should we let the next ones we find leave to avoid any further
misunderstandings?"
He smiled as he felt the Admiral's furor at their success, then
shut off his intercom. "It was a dumb conversation anyway."
Obi-Wan knelt next to the rubble and ran his fingers through the
remains of what had once been the only home he'd ever known. The
ash blackened his hands as he studied the destruction. He'd been
coming here every day since their arrival on Coruscant. Maybe
if he saw it enough times, he would finally be able to believe
it was true. Baryl had come once. She seemed to understand his
need to be here, even when he'd just said, 'the Force guides me.'
"Hello," a female voice said from behind. "Can
you help me?" Obi-Wan stood and looked at the grief-stricken
older woman. "My two sons, do you know if they survived?"
He shook his head. "Oh..." She said, as she bit her
lip. "I thought you were Jedi..." Her voiced trembled
slightly.
"I am...I wasn't here." Obi-Wan brushed his hands against
his short robe before taking one of hers. "I'm sorry. I don't
know."
"No one seems to know or care." She reached up to wipe
her eyes. "I've asked everywhere, but all anyone seems to
think about is the new building. I've seen you here everyday for
a week, and I had hoped you were Jedi. Did they all died?"
He could feel her retreat into her memories.
"No..." He reached out with the Force to soothe her
troubled mind. "There were survivors, but I can't tell if..."
I understand." She pulled her hand away as she crouched down.
He sensed her sliver of renewed hope. She picked up a small charred
remnant and clenched it in her fist. "My sons were proud
of what they had done here. The oldest was ten..." She trembled
as she stood. "I just wanted to know...Thank-you." She
walked away proudly as she stuffed the piece of charcoal in her
pocket.
Obi-Wan stared after her, tensing slightly as he sensed another,
less friendly, person approach. "Hey, Jedi! What did you
do to that poor woman?" He turned to face the construction
worker. The man stood a meter away, feet spread. He used his right
hand to punch the palm of his left hand.
"She asked if I knew what happened to her sons."
"All the Jedi do is bring grief to the galaxy." The
dark-haired man glared at Obi-Wan as he continued. "Did you
enjoy making her cry?"
"I'm not the one responsible for this." He spread his
hands, motioning toward the empty space where the once proud Jedi
Temple had stood.
"And good riddance. With the Jedi gone, perhaps the galaxy
will find peace under the leadership of Chancellor Palpatine and
the Senate. Don't you think we deserve peace?"
"I'd be very surprised if you find it that way," he
said evenly.
"Always talking in circles. Was that a threat? The Jedi cannot
be allowed to continue with their oppressive practices."
The man took a step forward. Obi-Wan shook his head sadly.
"Speaking of circles, perhaps you should listen to yourself."
He didn't really care that he was deliberately provoking the man.
He wouldn't stand here and let that kind of talk continue. He
ducked before the man swung at him. "Fighting is not the
Jedi way, and it shouldn't be the way of anyone who truly believes
in peace." He stood and grabbed the man's fist. "Think
carefully of what you want. You may find it worse than anything
you can possibly imagine." He pushed gently with the Force,
the man landed on his rump. "The Jedi are the representatives
of the truth, and I hope you realize that before it is too late."
Sadly he walked past the man. "Though I fear it may already
be too late." He continued toward the dark man who stood
at the far edge of the rubble.
"Hello Obi-Wan," Mace said. "I'm not sure that
was wise."
"It wasn't, Master Windu, but I have seen too much and can't
do enough...I couldn't let him say such things without making
him think about what he was saying."
"And did it do any good?"
Obi-Wan bowed his head. "No, Master it did not. He will continue
to believe as he did. You survived."
"I almost wish I hadn't. The dreams of that night still haunt
me. I can hear their voices screaming before total silence. I
have been trying to find you. Yoda wishes you to come to Dagobah."
"I have been..." Obi-Wan looked around warily. "I
have been looking for Darth Sidious." Mace flinched at the
name.
"You have looked in the wrong places until now."
"You know?" Obi-Wan didn't know whether to be angry
that Mace hadn't told him or to be relieved someone would believe
him.
"That Sidious is a member of the senate. Yes, Yoda and I
knew...And so I gather do you."
"Yes," Obi-Wan's voice lowered to a bare whisper. "We
know that Palpatine and Sidious are one..."
"Palpatine?" Mace looked at the younger Jedi incredulously.
"Yes." He studied Windu as the man pondered the information.
"Master Yoda knew, but then Master Yoda knows much and says
less. Your apprentice is with the Republic Forces." Mace
stared at the senate building in the distance.
"I know. The prophecy--what does it say, exactly?" All
he knew was what had been discussed ten years earlier. He was
beginning to suspect that there was more to that prophecy than
Yoda or others on the council had mentioned.
"That one so chosen will bring balance to the Force. We?
Who else knows?" Mace motioned for them to start walking.
"Baryl...Colonel Arasta. She's from CorSec. And Amidala."
He stopped. "She's carrying Anakin's children."
Mace thought for several seconds before he spoke. "I had
a vision of the destruction of the temple--without understanding
what I was dreaming. I have also seen two children in that dream.
They must be protected from Palpatine and Skywalker. They are
the future. Promise me that, whatever happens, you'll protect
them."
He eyed Mace. There was more to the dream, he could sense it;
but respect for the senior Jedi Master kept him from asking more.
"Yes, Master. I shall."
Coruscant
Day 39
Palpatine stared at his clasped fingers and fumed. Senator Naberrie
was still alive and the assassin dead. He gripped his hands tighter.
He wondered if to make sure the job was done properly, he'd have
to do it himself. It was a dangerous option, and one that he would
rather avoid except as a last resort. He pulled his hood tighter
and activated the holo-imager. "Senator..." He hissed.
"My lord." The man trembled as he knelt.
"I need a name..."
"My lord," the senator whined. "You promised."
"Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly." He'd
raised his hand slightly and watched with a malevolent smile as
the senator clawed at his neck. "This time I want the best."
"Ada Basta," the man muttered. Palpatine lowered his
hand. The man took several deep breaths. "He comes with the
highest references." Palpatine closed the connection, not
wanting anything else to do with the weak minded idiot. Except
for his connections to the assassin's guild, the man was useless.
There was a chirp from his communications board. He motioned with
his hand and the link activated. "Sir," the voice said.
"Admiral Brandel. An excellent victory. I have asked that
the Senate offer you their thanks as well."
"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor. There is a grave matter I
wish to report. Commander Skywalker deliberately disobeyed orders
at the battle."
"I have read the report, and I must disagree with you."
"Understood, sir." Palpatine smiled. Brandel was now
more than irritated with Skywalker. The young man was slowly continuing
down his path to the darkside.
"Ben..." Baryl smiled as she entered her small ship.
"Artoo found..." She looked at Obi-Wan, then at the
man behind him.
"Master Windu, this is Colonel Arasta of CorSec."
"The one you said knew?" Mace smiled as he glanced at
Arasta then Kenobi.
"Yes, I know. No thanks to the closed-mouthed nature of the
Jedi." She ordered Artoo to plug into the computer. "Unfortunately
this is not the proof we need--but it may be worse."
Both men gathered around the computer and watched the display.
"I see..." Mace said. "But..."
"We know," Obi-Wan said. "We have no proof."
"No. But you are correct. The Force tells me you are, unfortunately,
correct." Mace continued to stare at the data. "He has
planned this well."
"Perhaps his own master helped," Baryl said. "This
has been in the works for years--even decades."
"The events of the past fit into this pattern. The Trade
Federation attack," Mace said, "never made sense before.
Qui-Gon hinted at that, but we failed to see his implications."
"That's where the name of Darth Sidious first appears,"
Obi-Wan said. "Was it just misfortune that the Neimodian
Viceroy died at the beginning of his trial?"
"Brain hemorrhage," Baryl said. "At least that's
what the press said."
"Perhaps," Obi-Wan said. "We should find the original
report."
"Or better, the writer of the report: Dr. Trich," Baryl
said after consulting her notes. "He performed the autopsy."
"I suggest a visit to the good doctor would be in order."
Mace looked at Obi-Wan. Artoo had tapped into the Coruscant computer,
while Baryl quickly scrolled through the incoming data.
"Damn," she muttered. "He's not here...oh wait.
Kiffle. He's on vacation...Back in two days."
Kalla took her husband's hand and gripped it lightly. "Amidala
wishes for us to raise her twins." He raised his eyebrows
as he glanced at both women.
"I see...Why?"
Amidala continued pacing. "Because I can't offer them the
life they deserve. Because a certain Sith Lord wants me dead..."
"Why?" He repeated. "Why does Sidious want you
dead?"
She took a deep breath and released it before speaking. "Because
my children are Jedi. Because of many things."
"The twins' father?" Kalla said. Amidala understood
the look the couple exchange: one of enthusiasm yet tempered with
an element of fear.
"He's a good man...Really. Wonderful...Kind. Sidious will
use my children and myself if he knew."
Bail stood and walked to the far side of the ship's briefing room.
"I see...And does the father know?"
Amidala glanced at Bail, then quickly hid the apprehension in
her eyes. "No. I've not seen him since...for over three months.
I fear he is dead."
Bail stared into the darkness of space. "And why us?"
"You can offer my children safety, protection, and love."
"I understand." He turned to look at Amidala. "There
is much you aren't telling us."
"Yes," Amidala took Kalla's hand, "There is, but
I know you and trust you and you will have to trust me on this.
To tell you more could place you at greater risk."
"My wife wants children," Bail said with a sad smile.
"Unfortunately I am...unable to..." He coughed to cover
his embarrassment. Kalla's returning smile almost made Amidala
cry. She remembered too well smiling at someone like that.
"I shall return to Alderaan in three weeks," Kalla said
then held up her hand to ward off her husband's questions. "We
discussed this on our trip from Corellia and decided it is best
if the galaxy sees the children as truly ours. I will announce
I'm pregnant from the palace, then go into seclusion. I'll leave
it to Doctor Ettyk to suggest a good reason."
"And Amidala?" Bail said as he returned his wife's smile.
"I'll remain here for another month or two while we plan
an accident. Then I'll make my way to Alderaan..." Amidala
glanced at Kalla. They'd never discussed what would happen after
the children were born. Fortunately Bail didn't pursue that question.
She wasn't sure herself what she would do afterwards.
The woman barely lifted her eyes, before returning her attention
to the computer terminal. "Doctor Trich is not seeing anyone.
I can make an appointment for you later in the week, if you wish."
"No," Baryl said in an equally monotonic voice. "It
is very important that we see him now."
"I'm sure it is," the shorter woman said. "People
are just dying to get in here. Doctor Trich is extremely busy
and asked that..."
"That he was expecting us," Obi-Wan said calmly. Baryl
started to speak, but the receptionist agreed with him. The woman
motioned them through the security door. Obi-Wan waited for Baryl
to follow him then ducked around the corner of the white hallway
of the Coruscant Coroner's Department.
"What happened?"
"She let us in," Obi-Wan responded. "His office
is at the end of the hall." He pointed past a group of five
orderlies having an animated discussion.
"Ah ha. And no one will see us?" She stared as the five
moved away.
"No one. Come on." He jogged down the hall.
Dr. Ermvin Trich glanced at them as they stepped into his lab
before returning his attention to his computer. "I said I
wasn't seeing anyone."
Obi-Wan simply smiled as he waved his hand gently in a semi-circle.
"We are here on important matters of state."
"You are here on important matters of state." Trich
turned back to face them. "How may I help you." His
dark face stared passed Obi-Wan.
"We need the original autopsy report on the death of the
Neimodian Viceroy, Nute Gunray." Again he waved his hand.
Baryl watched both men, fascinated and curious at what was happening.
"The original report has probably been archived," Trich
responded as he entered something into the computer. "It
will take me several minutes to access it."
Baryl looked at him questioningly, but Obi-Wan shook his head.
She understood, explanations would wait, right now they needed
that report. He again moved his hand in a semi-circle. "You
performed the autopsy?"
"Yes, I did. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage."
"That's what you put in the official report. But there was
no sign of ruptured blood vessels, was there?" Arasta spoke
softly. Trich looked back at Kenobi, then at Arasta before he
answered.
"I'm not an expert on Neimodian anatomy. There was no other
reason to explain how he died." Trich looked rather embarrassed.
"And there was pressure to find a satisfactory answer?"
Arasta had taken charge of the interrogation. Trich was now more
than willing to cooperate. The pathologist nodded. Arasta continued.
"What anomalies did you find?"
Trich sighed. "It was almost ten years ago, how do you expect
me to remember." He was getting defensive, but a beep from
the computer stopped him from arguing. "File has been deleted."
Trich stared at the screen, as Kenobi and Arasta joined him. "Very
unusual." He shrugged. "Oh well."
"Strange," Arasta said with a whistle at the end. Obi-Wan
placed his hand on her elbow as he gestured with his left hand.
"What do you remember about the Neimodian?"
"His throat was constricted, but there were no external signs
of strangulation."
Arasta started to ask a question, but Obi-Wan grabbed her arm.
"Thank-you for your time. You have been very helpful. You
will be rewarded for your cooperation."
"I will be rewarded," Trich said as he stood, but the
pair had left the lab seconds earlier.
"What the Kiffle was that about," Arasta said when they
were in the hallway. "He knew more..."
"I know how the Viceroy died," Obi-Wan said quietly.
"And it wasn't natural..." He started walking quickly.
"Not here. And that file..."
"Official files have a tendency to disappear, but I know
what you mean."
"This way. The guards are making their rounds." He took
his lightsaber and carefully sliced the lock off the window. Baryl
leaned out the second floor window.
"You're kidding?" She gasped as he climbed out. "I
guess not." She followed him out and balanced on the ledge.
"Have a plan?"
"Jump," Obi-Wan leapt from the ledge and floated down
to the floor. He smiled as he looked up. "You'll be fine.
Just jump." She took three deep breaths, closed her eyes,
and stepped off.
When she opened her eyes, she was being held by Obi-Wan. He ran
his hand over her brow and along her cheek, then let her go. "We'd
better be going." She took two deep breaths and followed.
Lieutenant Loman knocked on his commanding officer's door. There
was something about Skywalker he couldn't quite grasp. The commander
could make his fighter do things that no man had a right to do.
Loman shook his head. The gift, his father had called it. Loman
didn't know what that was.
The door opened. "Lieutenant?" Skywalker asked.
He snapped to attention. "Sir. I've been asked by the rest
of the squadron to thank you for standing up to Brandel."
"All I did was make him angrier. Tell the men they have forty-eight
hours off. No training for the next two days."
"They'll appreciate it. Sir, Ensign Faol was from Corellia.
We'd like to give him a good Corellian farewell...No alcohol of
course."
"Granted. He was a good man."
"Yes, sir, he was. Sir, be careful. Brandel has a reputation
for being vindictive. He'll find a way..."
"He can try." Skywalker stared at the components on
his desk.
"Sir?" Loman said as he tried to figure out what Skywalker
was building. "Ensign Toma may be able to help you with your
project."
"I doubt it," Skywalker said cryptically. "It's
something I must do myself."
"Sir, if I may ask. What are you doing?"
Skywalker smiled as he moved his hand in a circular motion. "I'm
constructing a lightsaber of course..."
Loman laughed as he left, no one needed a lightsaber. He scratched
his forehead. Now, why was he thinking about lightsabers?
"Okay, now explain to me what that was all about," Arasta
said after their ship entered hyperspace. She turned to face Obi-Wan,
barely noticing the other man in the hold.
"Do you trust me?"
"Should I?" She placed her hands on her hips and glared
at him. "After what I saw..."
He smiled slightly then raised his hand. "As I said, I know
how the Viceroy died." She gasped then grabbed her throat
with her hands.
"What?" She said a second after he'd lowered his hand.
She took several deep breaths.
"You wanted a Jedi along, don't be surprised at what you
learn. The Sith use the darkside--anger and fear--to control the
Force. They use the Force for power. And that," he reached
out to touch her throat. "Is just another Jedi trick. One
we don't use too often..."
She pushed his hand away. "I see. And the Force can also
let you control someone's mind?" Obi-Wan nodded.
"Would you have believed me without the demonstration?"
He was too damn composed she decided as she shook her head. Mace
was standing there calmly watching the display.
"It's not all that useful." Mace said in a voice that
was even calmer than Obi-Wan's. "There are many species who
are resistant, Hutts for one--and very strong willed individuals
can resist too." Obi-Wan grinned at her. Mace's eyes darted
between the pair.
"Damn Jedi." She rubbed her throat again. "Now
what? We still have no evidence..."
"I don't know." Obi-Wan closed his eyes hard and was
silent.
"You've heard that there are calls to create a stronger central
government," Baryl said quietly. "We've got to stop
him. They don't know."
"I'm not sure the truth can be believed," Mace said.
"Would you believe it?"
"Of course...No," she said sadly. "It is too incredible.
But are you willing to do nothing, just because no one will believe
you?"
"No." Mace paused. "But, we're not going to stop
him. Anakin will, with help...In the far future..."
"Not more Jedi mysticism. Seeing the future may be useful,
but I'm not willing to wait for Amidala's children...It will be
years, years of suffering on a scale I don't--can't--comprehend.
Are you willing for that to happen?"
Obi-Wan took her hand. "I know how you feel. But if we tell
what we know, they'll say it's just more Jedi propaganda."
It was her turn to close her eyes. "I hate it when I can't
close a case satisfactory." She leaned against him and he
wrapped his other arm around her. "Someone has to believe
us."
"They will..." Mace said quietly as he moved away. "But,
by then it will be too late." He smiled at the couple. "Our
only hope is patience and perseverance...and the Force."
Garm smiled broadly as he clenched his fist. The clone fleet was
breaking off the attack and fleeing. It was their second decisive
victory in two weeks. Maybe now the others would understand that
silence was their best chance for victory. "Sir," his
attache said. "We're receiving a message from The Moons of
Alderaan."
"Let's hear it."
Bail's voice spoke. "Congratulations Garm. Well done."
"Thank you sir. I have a fine crew."
"That you do." There was something bothering Bail. Garm
started to ask, then changed his mind. "Lieutenant. Transfer
the rest of the message to the command room."
"Sorry about the delay," Garm said. "What is it?"
He activated the small holo-screen. Bail's face was worried.
"Commenor passed a resolution to ask for greater centralization
of authority in the Galactic Senate."
"They moved fast," Garm said; he'd heard rumors. "The
others?"
"There seems to be a movement that wants to offer the Chancellor
near total power."
"I see. And Palpatine?"
"A few weeks ago I would have said he wouldn't," Bail
said. "But now...There's something...Not over an open channel.
I'll talk to you when you return."
Garm stared at the blank screen. Did Bail really think that Palpatine
was out to consolidate power like that? Taking advantage of the
situation. He looked toward the ceiling then shook his head. There
was no way the Chancellor could have created the situation...
Was there?
Anakin stared at his desk: the components of his second attempt
at a lightsaber lay strewn about. His first one had fizzled. The
crystal hadn't been properly aligned. The bluish white light had
ignited, sparked and died. Disappointment had driven him to try
this second one. His command duties had dragged the process out
longer than usual. He leaned back as he remembered how proud he'd
felt that day when Obi-Wan had helped find the parts to make his
first saber. It had taken him one try. It was frustrating this
time. There were too many outside distractions. Brandel for one.
He was tired. He closed his eyes.
Images twirled and tantalized him. Qui-Gon's face, Obi-Wan's,
Amidala's...His mother's...A dark, cloaked face...Confused he
looked around. Qui-Gon reached out and touched his shoulder. "Wake-up
Anakin. Was it another bad dream?"
"Yes, my master. I was remembering that day when your other
apprentice turned. Was it my fault?"
Qui-Gon patted the ten-year-old boy on the head. "No it wasn't.
The hardest lesson you will ever learn is that we cannot control
everything--do not underestimate the power of light." His
eyes grew distant and misty. Anakin's smile grew when his mother
appeared.
"Mother!" He ran over to hug her. She grabbed him and
pulled him tight to her.
Qui-Gon grinned. "I was able to persuade Wattoo to free her.
Remember the darkside can be a very powerful ally..."
Anakin screamed as she vanished and he found himself standing
in the desert. He turned and saw his mother's body--Obi-Wan standing
over her, his lightsaber ignited. "I've been waiting for
you..."
Anakin leapt, his hands clawing at Obi-Wan...Another presence
reached out and took his hand. "My son, come with me..."
He was in darkness again. The voice hadn't been a woman's: no
one had called him that except his mother. "Where are you?"
He asked quietly.
"I am here, like I've always been here. Your anger is making
you powerful. More powerful than I have ever dreamed."
"Who are you?"
Anakin's fingers gripped something and he opened his eyes.
The handle to his unfinished lightsaber. He rubbed his eyes and
warily looked about. Another dream...So much like the others.
Yet different. The presence he'd felt in his dreams had finally
spoken to him. He picked up the power cell and concentrated on
it.
It spoke to him through the Force and he reached for another piece.
Then another.
"Bombad Senator Amidala," Jar-Jar said as he saluted
her. His hand nearly missing the books on a shelf above his head.
"Ooopsa."
"Hello, Jar-Jar." Amidala smiled at him. "You wanted
to see me?"
"Yes, meesa wanted to see yousa. The Mon Calamari are bombad
mad. So are the Sullusti. Themsa believe that humans want to kill
bombad dead all the non-humans."
"You mentioned something about this earlier. Bail was surprised
anybody could think such a thing. This is categorically untrue.
Our mission is equality and peace for everyone."
"Meesa tells themsa that. But themsa ask why are over seventy
percent of the bombad clone attacks on non-humans?" It was
perhaps the first time she'd ever seen Jar-Jar manage to look
serious.
It made his statement that much scarier. She hadn't seen that
analysis, but realized that there was probably some truth behind
it. Her mind raced through the list of the most devastating attacks.
The most decimated worlds had indeed been those populated by non-humans.
She stared at the Gungan as she thought. "I'd never noticed
it like that...I've been concentrating on winning this war, and
I failed to see something so horribly obvious."
"Meesa understand. Meesa knows it is bombad easy to forget
what else is happening. But Meesa thinks yousa should know this."
"Thank-you, Jar-Jar." He smiled.
"Howsa babies?" Her eyes opened wide.
"How did you know?" He tapped his nose, while his grin
grew. "They're fine. Jar-Jar, no one is to know...OK?"
"Okaysies. Please, yousa think about bombad statistics?"
"I will..."
"And gets some sleep." She sighed as Jar-Jar twirled
about and tripped over his feet.
Anakin spun his lightsaber and blocked the phaser bolt from the
blast droid he'd secretly modified. It was an ineffective practice--but
it did give him a chance to handle his new saber. The dining hall
was now empty, the few late diners had felt a need to be elsewhere,
and had quietly left. He held the hilt with both hands and admired
his handiwork. The red blade cast an eerie light in the darkened
room. He jumped, twisted to his right, the bolt from the droid
bounced off his blade and hit the ceiling. He smiled slightly.
Brandel would have a fit when he saw that, but Anakin didn't care.
With this blade, he felt ready to claim his heritage.
His anger wasn't the problem. His anger could be made to serve
him. The clones were the problem. By carefully controlling his
anger, he could become powerful enough to stop them once and for
all.
The mysterious presence in his dreams had told him as much.
#
Darth Sidious smiled as he opened his eyes. "Excellent my
young apprentice. You have made much progress. Now to unleash
that anger..."
Amidala waited impatiently outside the docking bay. Obi-Wan had
been very reluctant to say anything outside of a problem with
the hyperdrive had delayed them; but she wondered if perhaps they'd
learned something that could prove that Palpatine was Sidious,
and that his goal was galactic domination. She prayed quickly
as the lights over the door blinked green then slid open. Three
people exited followed by the little Artoo unit. Threepio hastily
walked over and patted it. "Did you have an exciting trip?"
She smiled, then turned her attention to the humans. "Obi-Wan."
She hugged him "It's been a while. Hello Colonel Arasta."
She looked at the tall dark man with them.
Mace watched her with a steady gaze as Obi-Wan quickly made the
introductions.
"Well?" Amidala asked even as she dreaded hearing what
they would say.
Obi-Wan looked at his companions then shook his head. "No...But
what we found is..." She wondered why he didn't finish.
"I've made a decision about..." She placed a hand on
her stomach. Obi-Wan seemed alert, so did Mace. She stiffened,
then relaxed as Kalla Organa appeared.
"I thought so." Kalla studied the group. "You found
nothing that will help us? I was afraid of that. Amidala won't
tell you, so I will. While we were on Corellia, there was an attempt
on her life."
"You worry them needlessly," Amidala said. She hadn't
planned on telling.
"No she doesn't," Obi-Wan said. "I feared this
would happen."
"The briefing room is swept everyday. Bail won't mind if
we talk in there." Kalla said. "She worries it will
happen again."
Obi-Wan whispered so Amidala was the only one who could hear him.
"What does she know?"
"I'm not sure...She knows about the twins and Sidious...and
maybe the other." The rest of the trip to the briefing room
was silent--except for Threepio and Artoo's conversation.
Kalla took her husband's chair and motioned for the others to
sit. "I think Amidala should tell you about what happened
on Corellia and her plans."
Amidala did, quickly and undramatically describing why she wanted
the Organa family to raise her children. Obi-Wan sat there, unsurprised
by what she was saying.
"It is a sign that times are this bad that I must agree.
If he learns of their existence, Sidious will not rest until he
has them in his power..." Obi-Wan glanced around the table,
and stared at Amidala. "However, the children should be raised
separately..."
Kalla gasped, and Amidala took her hand. Her friend had been delighted
with the original solution. It was Kalla who spoke. "I guess
I must agree." She squeezed Amidala's hand. "If something
happened..."
"Are you sure this is wise?" Amidala asked, even though
she saw the logic.
"Yes," Mace said. "Darth Sidious is very powerful..."
Obi-Wan agreed. "My brother and his wife are willing to adopt
the child."
Kalla shook her head sadly, but Amidala realized the future of
her twins was now set. Kalla spoke, quietly changing the subject.
"Then perhaps you can explain to me how he remained hidden...In
plain sight?"
"The darkside is hard to see," Mace said after careful
consideration. "The Force does not give the user omnipotent
powers. We can feel his presence in the Force, but what we can't
tell is who he is or what he is..."
"We feel him more now," Obi-Wan added, "because
he is using his powers more." He motioned for Artoo to plug
into the computer. "Even without using the Force, Sidious
has controlled events for many years. Even before the events on
Naboo." Amidala's eyes opened wide, but she didn't speak.
Arasta stood. "We started on Tatooine." She glanced
at Kalla. "I need to know how much you know?" She asked
with an exasperated sigh.
"Enough," Kalla said simply. "Enough." Amidala
nodded her head to confirm that statement even as Kalla stood.
"Almost four months ago the planet of Y'mala was attacked."
She glanced at Baryl. "For various reasons that investigation
was not concluded?"
"Because of the sanctions, I was denied permission to go
to Neimodia."
Kalla nodded. "I read the file. Interesting at how often
the Trade Federation appears. Darth Sidious must have a powerful
hold over them."
"Blackmail..." Baryl said. "Sidious knew something
that he could have used against the Viceroy?"
"He was ideally placed to learn secrets," Obi-Wan said
as he leaned forward. "And with the Force..." He let
the comment slide.
Amidala shook her head. "The Neimodians were in it for power...Sidious
just gave them the easiest way to start their power climb..."
"Or that power attempt was their dirty secret. Sidious learned
about it and manipulated it," Baryl added, then smiled wickedly.
"And I remembered something from when I first joined CorSec.
There were rumors that the Trade Federation was involved in the
slave trade--nothing was ever proved, and eventually the investigation
was dropped."
Obi-Wan's eyes opened wide. "Curious indeed." Amidala
nodded. The Trade Federation had been ruthless, cruel, and guilty
of a great many crimes, but they had always avoided any involvement
in the slave trade.
Baryl stared at the princess. "I'm not sure what we can find
there though. So far all we have found are more riddles."
"When the Viceroy died, his officers were quietly released
and sent back to Neimodia. I believe most are dead now."
Amidala stiffened at this comment. "The Naboo government
appealed that decision, but the court said something about a lack
of evidence." Kalla glanced at her audience. "Maybe
Neimodia does hold the answer. Alderaan Intelligence provided
me with some information. Apparently, ten years ago, a senior
member of the Viceroy's staff fell out of favor and returned to
Neimodia in disgrace. According to them, he's still there."
Baryl studied the younger Jedi, then glanced at Amidala. "Perhaps
we can pick up the trail of..." She let the name slide when
Amidala shook her head. So far there had been no inclination to
mention of Anakin. "Since there were no records to be found
on Tatooine. And we so far can't connect him to Sidious...Maybe
there is a loose end on Neimodia." Baryl swore. "I should
have disobeyed orders..."
"But..." Amidala said bringing Baryl back to the here
and now. The CorSec officer signaled to Artoo. A file appeared
on their datapads. Amidala stared at the list of missing scientists.
Kalla shut hers off. "And we can't use this for anything."
She stood at the head of the table. "Is there anything we
can do?"
"No," Baryl said. "Unless we want to hire someone
to assassinate him?"
No one would agree to that solution.
Bail hugged his wife and kissed her on the cheek. "Good luck.
Have a safe flight." Kalla smiled at him, then the others.
"Congratulations, Your Highness," Garm said with a formal
bow. Then he hugged her. "Take care Kalla. We'll miss you
here."
"Thanks Garm. Thanks everybody. I'll miss you too. But it
is for the best." She shook hands with her staff, then hugged
her husband again. "A little girl," she whispered into
his ear. The Organa Royal House was based on a matriarchal lineage.
Amidala had been willing to let them adopt the girl. They had
already put together a list of names. She waved again, then entered
her ship.
Obi-Wan watched the scene from a distance. It was such a juxtapositioning
of emotions. He could sense Amidala's strong grief at the happy
scene that had just played out before them.
"I'll be fine," the young woman said beside him. "Really..."
He turned to look at her. "Do you ever get the feeling this
is a dream and wish that all one had to do was wake up?"
"All the time," he replied as he took her hands. "Your
children will be fine. I promise that I'll be there for them."
"Thank-you, Obi-Wan. I mean that. Please find a way to stop
this madness."
'Do or do not, there is no try.' Growing up he'd come to wonder
if that had been Master Yoda's favorite mantra, but as he assured
her they would do their best, he understood the importance of
those words. 'There is no try'--they had to do it or all was lost.
They watched silently as Kalla's shuttle departed, then Obi-Wan
squeezed his companion's hands and released them.
"May the Force be with you," she whispered as he turned
to leave.
"And you," he replied with a smile that belied how pessimistic
he was feeling. She didn't follow him. Mace and Baryl were busy
onboard their small ship making final preparations for departure.
He waved to Amidala from the ramp. This was their last, almost
desperate, attempt to find the information they needed to prove
that Palpatine had been manipulating events: that he sought galactic
domination.
"Sir," Doriana said as he started his morning briefing.
"The Independent Alliance has been victorious over the clones
at Dantooine. Their success rate is bringing out some dissatisfaction
with our current situation. Several governments, like the Colar
Planetary Government, have decided to join with the Alliance."
Palpatine leaned back in his chair. "They are free to do
so. But please advise them that the Independent Alliance is not
equipped to protect systems under their command."
"Yes, sir. I'm meeting with their senator this afternoon.
He does seem willing to listen."
"Good. And the Alliance?"
"They have once again refused to cooperate with us. It's
almost like they suspect that we are in league with the clones."
Palpatine chuckled, while Doriana continued speaking. "The
general feeling in the Senate is that they are trying to blame
their former bad luck on someone else besides themselves."
"And the other?"
"All going according to plan."
Palpatine smirked. All going according to plan. It certainly was.
Garm slammed his fists against Bail's desk. "Damn it anyway,
Bail. The Colar Planetary Government had just signed on with us..."
Bail glanced up, the alarm plainly showing in his expression.
"What happened?"
"We just learned that Colar was devastated by a clone fleet
yesterday. Their representative wants to know why we weren't there."
Garm sat down with a thud. "And now there's talk that we
weren't willing to help them because they aren't human. Naberrie
warned us about that."
"Send a fleet to assist them. Have them bring supplies, food.
clothing..."
"Too late. The Republic fleet should be there about now."
Garm swore loudly as he stood. "Damn Bail, where did we go
wrong?"
Chapter 5 of A Lost
Hope
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