Master Apprentice
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(Continued from part 1)
Palpatine checked the time as he sat in his main reception lounge. It was a room that radiated quiet efficiency and good taste. It usually impressed visitors and put them into more receptive frame of mind. He had about an hour before Anakin was due and he had much to do in that time, plans to refine, ideas to plant, but first there was a detail that needed attention. The door chimed.
"Sathin, my boy, do come in," Palpatine said.
Palpatine smiled as Sathin entered followed by a man in a butler's uniform. The boy was nearly seventeen and a very petite and pretty adolescent who had an expression better suited to a much older face. He was Palpatine's current favourite, and had been with him much longer than was usual. Palpatine sighed inwardly, he would have kept him longer but Sathin was in danger of becoming a liability. The boy had begun to realise Palpatine's position and, secure in his status, had started to make demands on it.
"Sathin, my dear. I have a surprise for you," Palpatine said as he stood to greet his visitor. "You've often said that you wanted to visit the pleasure planet of Tebour; well at last I have been able to arrange a trip."
The boy's face lit up and he walked up to Palpatine, put his arms around the much older man and buried his face in the Chancellor's robes.
"Oh uncle that is wonderful, when are we going?" Sathin said excitedly.
A frown crossed Palpatine's face. "I'm afraid," he said as he stroked the boy's hair. "As much as I want to go, the Senate keeps me here for now. However, Jarvis here will go with you and ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy yourself."
Sathin stretched up and kissed the Chancellor demurely on the lips.
"Will you miss me?" he asked and smiled slyly when Palpatine nodded. "I shall miss you too, but you won't regret sending me. I will show you my appreciation of the trip when I get back."
Palpatine smiled indulgently and kissed the boy again. Such a talented mouth. He would miss this one, but it just couldn't be helped. "Now go and pack, your ship leaves tonight."
Sathin laughed, turned and quickly headed to his quarters. He had obviously already started making holiday plans before he had even left the room.
"Jarvis," Palpatine said.
"Yes Chancellor."
"Make the accident look convincing, but I want it to be quick. I wouldn't want him to suffer."
"Yes, Chancellor," Jarvis said and he exited to make his own plans for Sathin's trip.
Palpatine sat back down at his desk, he knew that his apprentice would be annoyed to miss out on this, but it was the type of job that Jarvis had carried out before and he could be trusted to carry it out quietly. Palpatine wasn't going to risk exposing his apprentice on such a trifling matter. But the incident irritated him, he didn't like mess and he certainly didn't like anything that could be traced back to him. He had wanted to place Sathin in a good position with opportunity for public office with only a vague memory of a benevolent guardian giving a lonely orphan a start in life. This was what he normally did with his 'special' boys, but Sathin had proved resistant to mind techniques and he was having to resort to a less elegant solution.
Palpatine sighed; there would be others, he told himself.
An hour later Palpatine was still in his reception lounge but the room was not having a calming effect on his new visitor. Anakin was pacing furiously as he told the Chancellor his problem. Palpatine had to use all his abilities not to laugh with joy at Anakin's misery. This could be the opening he had been waiting for.
"And is your Master correct? Are you having difficulties in your training?" Palpatine said apparently very concerned.
"My Master is a great Jedi," Anakin said feelingly. "But he has never got over Master Qui-Gon's death. Sometimes that comes between us."
Palpatine pondered the problem.
"I agree that Obi-Wan is a great man indeed. He led the fight in the Clone Wars and without him, and his leadership, victory would have been much harder if not impossible. However no man should spend his life in mourning. Hmmm." Palpatine paused. "You know him so much better than I, what is it that is preventing him from accepting the past?"
Anakin stopped pacing and looked at the Chancellor. Palpatine willed him to take that step and tell him what he already knew.
Anakin looked down at the floor but answered. "I think it is because my Master delayed the physical side of their relationship, wanting to wait until the Code allowed it, but by the time he was a Knight Qui-Gon was already dead."
"You think that somehow consummating that relationship might allow him to move on?" Palpatine suggested. "That it would free him from his life of sadness and solve the current problem that you have with your training? Hmm, to help two such fine Jedi in one action would be a noble endeavour indeed."
"Well, I suppose so, but it's just not possible!"
"Nothing is impossible for those with sufficient determination and will, my boy. I know of something that might work but it is not an easy solution."
"Please tell me, Chancellor. I am a Jedi Padawan, not easily deterred and truly desperate."
Palpatine patted the seat on the sofa beside him and Anakin sat down.
"I know of a drug," Palpatine said quietly. "That is capable of making even a Jedi see his heart's desires, but alone it will not give him what he needs. Someone will have to stand in for Qui-Gon Jinn, someone would have to pretend to be him, give Obi-Wan Kenobi what he needs and thereby help your Master to heal."
Palpatine saw the hope and desire flare in Anakin's eyes.
"I would do anything to help my master," Anakin said.
"That is a wonderful sacrifice for you to make my boy," Palpatine said offering Anakin a genuine smile.
"But," Anakin said, doubt suddenly assaying him. "Chancellor, wouldn't all this be deceiving him."
Palpatine took Anakin's hand in his. "We live a world of difficult choices," Palpatine said sadly. "Whether to leave your master undeceived but unfulfilled, or use a little subterfuge to give him what he has always wanted." Palpatine paused and appeared to consider the problem deeply. "What to do? What to do? I think I should send you the drug and you must decide what is for the best."
"Thank you Chancellor, once again you put others first."
"There is no need for thanks. It is my purpose to shape this place we live in for the greater good and that is done in small ways as well as large. A little happiness, or unhappiness, goes a long way. We must always remember that."
Anakin nodded at these words and Palpatine decided that the time was right.
"Anakin my boy, do you trust me?"
Anakin looked at him sharply.
"Chancellor! You are one of the most selfless people I know. You have devoted your life to the service of the Republic. I can talk to you when I can't speak to anyone else. Of course I trust you."
"Then if I asked you to do something a little unusual you would?"
Anakin nodded.
"You and your Master are due to go to Tamasha 3 to take part in the Festival there. Before the Festival's closing ceremony I need you to go to a certain office and take two items from a safe. I have gathered all the information you will need but you must not mention this to anyone. Not even Obi-Wan."
Anakin's head shot up. "Not mention it to my Master?" Anakin was about to say that there were no secrets between him and Obi-Wan but that was blatantly untrue.
"Your Master, although a very fine man, has always been unduly influenced by the rules. He would be unable to take on a mission from me without consulting the Council and I fear that would deliver us into the hands of our enemies."
"You suspect the Council?"
"That is precisely what this information will prove. Word has reached me that the Council has been infiltrated by someone who would do the Republic great harm. I need to know the truth. I need you to bring the truth to me."
Anakin stood and bowed to Palpatine.
"You can trust me to do what you ask. I will bring you the truth." he said earnestly.
Palpatine looked up at him and smiled.
"And the man in black with the feathers, he represents the spirit of the dance," Minister Terril said to Obi-Wan pointing at the stage.
"Ah yes, and if I am correct he is the one who gathers all the stories to form the Tinagle Saga," Obi-Wan replied eager to prove to the minister that he wasn't completely ignorant of Tamasha 3's culture.
Minister Terril smiled and appeared highly pleased by Obi-Wan's comment and Obi-Wan turned his attention back to the inaugural ceremony of the Spring Festival. It was a glittering, lively event, full of acrobats, dancing and drama. Anakin, sitting on his other side, was merrily joining in with the audience's cheering of the performers.
The Minister seemed to have taken it upon himself to ensure that the Jedi were properly looked after. He had met them at the spaceport on their arrival at Tamasha 3 and had guided them everywhere since, taking care to explain anything that he thought the Jedi might be unfamiliar with.
Obi-Wan had been impressed with the welcome and liked the Minister but he was still uncomfortable. It had taken a month of study for him and Anakin to prepare for this week long ceremony, and now that he was here he couldn't understand why it had been necessary. The Spring Festival was certainly complex, and they would have to perform an important part of it, but Obi-Wan had found a sense of humour in the officials here. He was sure they wouldn't be mortified by any mistake on his part. In fact, they had already reassured him that their part of the ceremony was due to be explained to them in detail later. In addition great surprise, and pleasure, had been expressed every time he or Anakin demonstrated any knowledge of Tamasha 3's culture at all.
So why the obsessive instructions that he spend so long preparing? Why had this mission been accepted at all? There were many, much more desperate, planets being refused Jedi assistance every day. Even with the refusals there were more accepted missions than there were Jedi to perform them, so why waste a month preparing when a week would have been more than sufficient? True, it wouldn't be the first time that the information on a planet was inaccurate and a mission was accepted in error, at least this time it erred on the side of safety, but Obi-Wan felt that there was more to it than that. From somewhere in the Force Obi-Wan sensed that he had been manipulated. Someone or something had kept them on Coruscant to ensure that they were chosen to come here. The Festival had also been delayed once, as if something had had to happen first. Despite his unease Obi-Wan could not divine the reason behind it. It could be the Council up to some arcane test or it could be something more sinister. Whatever it was Obi-Wan didn't like it and the pomp and ceremony was ruined for him.
Anakin examined his glass of wine at yet another reception and appeared to pay attention to the group he was standing with. It wasn't easy, he and his Master had been here for over three days and he was no nearer fulfilling his promise to the Supreme Chancellor. Worse, he was becoming edgy and Obi-Wan had started to notice. He wanted to get the job over and done with. This could be their last mission together and he didn't want distractions, he wanted to savour every detail. He had to find an opportunity soon. Otherwise he would have to force the issue and that could lead to discovery and a lot of questions he really didn't want to answer.
Obi-Wan was becoming tired. But he was undeterred and determined to uphold the reputation of the Jedi so he jumped, somersaulted and directed a killing blow at Anakin's head. Anakin caught by surprise, realised with horror that there was no way he was going to be able to block the lightsabre in time. He took one last look into his Master's eyes and saw the disappointment and sadness there.
Then with a flourish Obi-Wan altered the path of the blade to hit the feeble parry that Anakin had managed to muster. The audience loved it and cheered loudly. Perversely Anakin found that the noise helped him to concentrate and he summoned the Force to hurl a chair at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan dodged it easily and together they finished the last moves of the display and turned to bow to the appreciative crowd.
Minister Terril walked towards them clapping loudly. He stood between them and put a friendly hand on each of their shoulders. Anakin tried not to flinch.
"Your Excellency and distinguished guests," Terril said addressing the audience. "I think I speak for all of us when I say how impressed and honoured that our Jedi guests have put on such a wonderful display for us." Terril gazed fondly at the Jedi. "Rarely do we see such convincing fighting; I was truly frightened. I'm sure everyone here will now endeavour to avoid your wrath at all costs."
Terril grinned broadly and the crowd laughed at his joke.
"We are honoured by your appreciation," Obi-Wan replied as he bowed to the Minister, the various important guests and finally to the rest of the audience and lead Anakin off the stage to more applause.
Anakin followed him, wishing fervently that there was somewhere else he could go instead. Right now anywhere was preferable to his Master's side and the rebuke he was bound to receive. Anakin was proved correct, Obi-Wan waited only until they were alone in the dressing room before he turned to face him.
"That was the most embarrassing show of poor concentration that I have ever witnessed. Somehow rather than my Padawan I seem to have brought a dithering child with me," Obi-Wan said.
"I'm sorry Master," Anakin said with genuine remorse. "But you know how I've never liked showing off our abilities to others. It takes away an element of surprise that we might need at another time."
"I'm so glad you don't let your personal feelings interfere with your duty as a Jedi, Anakin," Obi-Wan said levelly looking more displeased by the moment. "Perhaps you should have mentioned your reservations to the Council, I'm sure they would have found your view interesting. After all, Tamasha 3 is only a staunch supporter of the Republic and obviously not to be trusted."
"I didn't mean it that way, Master," Anakin said trying to salvage the conversation. "It's just that I've felt so constricted by our time here. We've been here almost week and we have yet to leave the main citadel. I had hoped to visit some of the city."
"I apologise Anakin," Obi-Wan said crossing his arms. "I thought we were here on a diplomatic mission. I didn't realise you had come to see the sights. I'm aware that you consider such missions to be a waste of time but I had hoped you would be able to withhold your contempt."
Anakin hung his head in shame, this was going worse than he had imagined. Once again he marvelled how his Master managed to make him feel so small despite being several inches shorter. He hated how he was behaving but he had to get out and find his target soon. After he'd fulfilled his promise he'd show Obi-Wan how attentive he could be. Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak again but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Anakin, glad for the distraction, scurried to open it.
"That was truly marvellous," Minister Terril enthused as he entered. "Everybody is so impressed. Several people have said that they will definitely come to the closing ceremony just to see you two again."
"We are honoured," Obi-Wan replied politely, bowed in the fashion of a Tamasha 3 courtier and Minster Terril grinned broadly.
"Now is there anything that you are missing, anything I can do to thank you for your participation in our Festival?"
"My Padawan has expressed a desire to see more of your city," Obi-Wan said in his politest tones. "Perhaps you can organise a tour for him?" Anakin almost opened his mouth to protest but wisely decided against it.
"It would be my pleasure," Terril said happily. "I shall organise it for tomorrow. Your guide could meet you before noon."
"I thank you for your consideration Minister but I have things I must attend to tomorrow," Obi-Wan said as he looked pointedly at Anakin. "My Padawan will go alone and I will look forward to a detailed description of everything he sees."
Anakin suppressed a sigh. The explanation would indubitably turn into one of his most hated meditative sessions. Something that would stretch both his patience and concentration.
"Good, then that's settled," Terril said unaware of the tension between the two Jedi. "Come, let me introduce you to some interesting people."
A few days later and in a tree in the inner garden of a well guarded building near the citadel, Anakin Skywalker relaxed into the Force. He would need calm and all the skill he had been taught to complete this mission. Even though he had hated every minute of that cursed tour, it had got him what he'd needed. Soon he would fulfil his promise to Palpatine and be free to concentrate and getting Obi-Wan to forgive him for his earlier behaviour. It wouldn't be difficult, his Master never stayed angry with him for long, but every moment in Obi-Wan's disfavour weighed heavily on Anakin. He wished that his Master knew of this mission, but he trusted Palpatine and if Palpatine had said that it had to be this way then Anakin believed him.
Dropping down to the ground Anakin approached the garden door to his target. He crouched and checked the lock. It opened easily as he wielded the Force as he'd been told to in Palpatine's information, and he slipped through the door like a shadow. It was dark inside but Anakin knew exactly where the safe was hidden and moved silently through the lounge towards it. Pulling back the wall coverings he prepared to open it. This type of safe was considered impregnable and to a non Force user it certainly was. So, following his instructions, Anakin again summoned the Force and the safe opened before him.
Inside it was large, more like a hidden room than a safe. Anakin set to work at once and quickly located the first data chip, but the second was missing. This was a potential disaster. The safe was full of papers and data chips, it would take him hours to search it and the next routine check was due in fifteen minutes!
Intent on his task, Anakin almost missed the sound of the lounge door opening behind him. Alarmed, he whirled and ran quickly for the garden. But he only got halfway before the lights were turned on and exposed him to the new arrival. Anakin looked up and almost panicked. Stood in the doorway was a tall, middle aged man. Worse, the man was opening his mouth to raise the alarm. Anakin leapt across the room onto the intruder and knocked him to the floor. Desperate to keep him quiet Anakin fastened his hand over the man's mouth.
"Silence and nothing will happen," Anakin hissed at him. He would have to use the Force to wipe the memory of this moment from the man's mind. Anakin prepared himself as he looked through the open door for any more unexpected guests.
But the man must have sensed Anakin's distraction and he tore away from Anakin with all his strength. Caught off guard Anakin couldn't hold him and the man raced towards the door. Still off balance, Anakin stumbled after him but the intruder was almost through the door!
Determined to prevent his escape and desperate beyond thought Anakin dived and grabbed his opponent's legs. The dive sent them tumbling into the fireplace, and the fire irons flew sideways to hit an ornamental gong which, predictably, rang out loudly.
Anakin swore. He would have to wipe the man's memory and get out fast. There was now no time to search for the missing item. Altering memories was difficult and if rushed it could get messy and cause permanent damage, but the was no other option. Fortunately the man beneath him had stopped struggling and Anakin turned him over.
Suddenly Anakin's fears about harming the man's mind were irrelevant. The man had hit his head on the fire grate and Anakin could feel no life force from him at all. He was dead.
Swearing again, Anakin stood and ran to close the safe. He had to leave this instant and return to his quarters. Without even bothering to check for security droids or guards he slipped out the garden door, locked it quickly behind him and left over the rooftops. He headed for the citadel, slipping silently through the night. His thoughts, however, remained steadfastly focused on the mess he'd left behind him.
Obi-Wan was already awake and half-dressed when they summoned him. His dreams had been filled with images of foreboding and doom but, while they had been very effective at disturbing his sleep, they had actually contained no useful information. Sometimes his sense of the future did little more than make him jump at shadows and toss and turn in the night, and, irritatingly enough, tonight had been one of those times.
"Jedi Kenobi, please you must come at once," Minister Terril cried as he hammered on the door to Obi-Wan's quarters.
Obi-Wan opened the door. Minister Terril looked very pale, as did the aides standing behind him.
"What is it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Something dreadful that only you can deal with. Please come."
"Why, what has happened?"
"Please Jedi Kenobi, it is a matter of great urgency!" Minister Terril begged.
Obi-Wan, more curious than alarmed, decided to follow the minister. Terril led him to an aircar with Anakin already aboard. Obi-Wan considered asking him what he knew, but as he was still displeased with his Padawan he merely nodded in recognition. Terril joined them and they set off away from the citadel.
However, they didn't go far and the aircar dropped them at a nearby building. Terril led them quickly to the doorway of a large ornate room. Obi-Wan looked inside and decided that it would have been significantly more pleasing without the dead body in the fireplace.
"Minister, I don't understand why you have brought us here, this looks like a matter for the local authorities," Obi-Wan said to the Minister behind him.
Minister Terril's fidgeting increased. "Normally, Jedi Kenobi, I would agree but this matter is very delicate," he paused nervously then continued. "These rooms belong to Telmani Eulian, a very successful business man who has made his home here, and are actually under the Republic's jurisdiction."
Obi-Wan looked startled. Areas of planets that were Republic territory were very unusual.
Terril looked even more uncomfortable. "He needed to set up a base, we were interested in doing business with him and this was one of the conditions. We have no complaints with his methods," Terril said defensively. "He's been perfectly honest in all his dealings with us and he has benefited our economy."
"I still don't understand why we are here," Obi-Wan said again. He firmly believed that it wasn't his business how a law abiding planet chose to run its internal affairs.
"The Ruling Council would like this cleared up as soon as possible and without involving the Republican Guards," Minister Terril said quickly. "You and your Padawan are here as Republican officials and have the right to investigate. We have long respected the Jedi and have been impressed by your behaviour and trust you to investigate this matter fairly."
Obi-Wan repressed the urge to sigh. This would not be the first time that he had been asked to investigate instead of the Guards. The Guards had a well deserved reputation for heavy handed behaviour, they often got results but rarely made friends. Strangely, they seemed to find this antipathy irritating, often complaining that no one liked dealing with them. That did not bother Obi-Wan particularly, it was the rumours that they were open to bribery to conclude investigations in a certain way that made him give them a wide berth.
"Very well, we will do as you request. Has the man been identified?" Obi-Wan asked as he entered the room and knelt beside the dead man, Anakin followed at a slight distance.
"Yes, he is Eugine Onegin, Telmani Eulian's secretary."
"Has Telmani Eulian been informed?" Obi-Wan asked as he examined the area around the fireplace.
"Unfortunately not," Terril said as he hovered by the doorway. "He has gone to Coruscant on a business deal and we have been unable to contact him."
"He's missing the Festival?"
"Yes that is odd. I spoke to him before he went but and he was sorry to miss it but he'd apparently had a business opportunity of a lifetime."
Obi-Wan looked up from the body. It was obvious that the man had died in a struggle so this was unlikely to be an assassination. So it was either an argument or the unfortunate secretary had disturbed someone. Obi-Wan liked the feel of the second idea better, but what had he disturbed?
"Minster Terril," Obi-Wan said as he stood. "I thank you for your confidence in us but we will need some privacy to investigate. However, I would be grateful if you would try to discover what the terms of Telmani Eulian's will were."
"Oh yes, I'll look into it immediately." Minister Terril backed out the door, obviously glad to have passed on the responsibility, and closed the door behind him. Obi-Wan turned to Anakin.
"Anakin, check the garden, see if you can see signs of how the murderer got in or out. Keep looking until I call you back."
Anakin looked confused for a moment then tried the door to the garden. It was locked.
"I'll find another route," he said and then he too left.
Alone in the room with the body, Obi-Wan forced himself to relax and let the Force flow through him. At first he could sense little but then his mind suddenly seized on something. There in the Force was a disturbance. It was centred around one of the walls. Intrigued, he investigated the area and found, beneath the embroidered wall coverings, a well-hidden safe. Obi-Wan breathed slowly and again let the Force tell him whatever it wished without him trying to influence it. His eyes flew open at what he felt. The Force had been used to open this safe not twelve hours earlier! That could only mean a Sith or a rogue Jedi. Obi-Wan had to know what had interested them so much, perhaps the secretary had disturbed the thief before they had completed their task.
Obi-Wan let the Force remember how it had been used before and the safe swung open. It was huge and full. There was no time to look through it so he would have to trust the Force to point him to where he needed to look. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and relaxed and let the Force flow. This passivity in the Force was something he had learned after Qui-Gon had died and the only good thing to have come from his sorrow. He opened his eyes and looked behind some files to find a smaller safe set in the side wall. It opened before his fingers and Obi-Wan removed the item that called to him most. It was a data chip.
The Force was now silent, having said and guided Obi-Wan as much as it intended to tonight. Obi-Wan accepted this, closed the smaller safe, exited the large one, closed that as well and then returned to the side of the murdered man.
Obi-Wan was exhausted. Hours had passed since he'd agreed to help Minister Terril. The dead man had been removed to the nearest mortuary and a strangely subdued Anakin had found evidence of someone leaving the garden over the roof tops. Obi-Wan had informed Minister Terril about the safe and that he suspected a robbery. He had also asked that a record be kept of all transports that had left that night and checks done on all who were aboard. Minister Terril had agreed but it was a mammoth task unlikely to reveal much. The Festival was the busiest time of Tamasha 3's year.
Telmani Eulian had remained uncontactable, and Obi-Wan suspected that would remain so. Telmani Eulian's lawyers were not so convinced though. Eventually they had revealed that they had strict instructions what to do if their client went missing for more than two days, but they had refused to divulge what they were. As they were from races known to be resilient to persuasion, Obi-Wan hadn't tried to influence them. However, he was sure that whatever these instructions were they would intimately involve the contents of the safe.
Tired though he was, Obi-Wan put the data chip into his datapad and settled down to read. He had yet to tell Anakin about the chip as he was still very displeased with his Padawan's behaviour on this mission, and his sulkiness investigating the murder had been almost inexcusable.
However, Obi-Wan put such thoughts from his mind and concentrated on the matter in hand. The information in the chip spoke of movements of large numbers of men and equipment, possibly troops. It could be referring to the army that he was so concerned about. There were also irritating references to a second chip, which contained information on the identity of the person who was building this army.
This would have been useful and interesting, but the details were giving him an increasingly bad feeling. The places the men and equipment were moving to were almost at opposite ends of the Republic from the places suggested in the information Bruck had discovered. In fact manpower had been removed from the planets mentioned here to investigate Bruck's information. Obi-Wan paused. One set of documents had to be a forgery sent to mislead but which?
This chip could easily be a plant to discredit the earlier data. Then again it might be genuine and Bruck's information a plant. Perhaps both were plants, intended to confuse the Jedi completely and make them mistrustful of any new tip-offs.
He had to work out was what was expected of the Jedi? Had Bruck been sent into a trap or was this the trap? Either way, it had to be the Sith behind this. Either trap was subtle and relied on the Jedi using their abilities well. Bruck had been skilled to discover the hidden cave...
Bruck.
Obi-Wan paused, distracted by the thought. Bruck had been special, his second chance. To think that he had been killed just to plant false information made Obi-Wan's wounded heart ache further.
"Shed no tears for that man, Anakin," the holo of Palpatine said. "He was well known, in the wrong circles, as being a man who would do anything for a price. I have reason to believe that Telmani Eulian hired him to get the information from the original owner. An honest man who gathered it in an effort to serve the Republic and was found mutilated and tortured to death."
Anakin nodded absently. Palpatine's words gave him some comfort, but he was still reeling from the events of the past twelve hours. To have to go back to the room and have his Master see his terrible mistake! It had been truly awful. Then, to have to search for evidence of his own crime! Fortunately, he had been careful in his escape and although his trail was visible nothing pointed to him specifically.
Even so he knew he was acting oddly but the death of the secretary was preying on him. He just had to speak to Palpatine. Palpatine would help him, tell him that he had done the right thing. Desperate for such reassurance Anakin had only waited until his Master had retired before he had gone to the communications centre on the pretext of an errand for Obi-Wan. Palpatine had answered his emergency call and, as hoped, had eased his troubles.
"If he was known for such things," Anakin asked. "Why was he never apprehended?"
Palpatine smiled sadly. "He was clever as well as ruthless. He chose his jobs carefully and always made sure there was never more than circumstantial evidence against him." Palpatine shook his head. "Such is our legal system. Believe me my boy, you have done the Republic a favour by ridding it of that scum. I wish I could do the same to others who wreak havoc unchecked."
"What of Telmani Eulian?"
"I believe he is trying to blackmail those whom the information would damage. I fear he will find that a very dangerous course indeed."
"You think the Council would do him harm?"
"If the Council has been infiltrated, yes. I need the data chips to know if certain members of the Jedi Council are plotting against the Republic. If that is the case then we are in for a difficult time ahead my boy."
Anakin lowered his head to stare at his feet. "I only got one chip, the other one wasn't where it was supposed to be and then Eugine Onegin ..." Anakin's voice trailed off.
Palpatine looked startled but recovered quickly. "I understand, my boy, but which chip have you got?"
"The first one."
Palpatine looked relieved. "I'm glad to say that was the most important one. I'm sorry that this has been so hard for you Anakin, but you must remember that there are so very few who I could have entrusted this mission to. I have great hopes for your future, my boy."
"Can I tell my Master what I have done?"
Palpatine shook his head. "I'm afraid not yet. He will need a great deal of proof before he believes any ill of the Jedi Council and I am still gathering the evidence. However," Palpatine looked suddenly cheerful. "I have located the drug we spoke of when last we met. I have had it sent to your quarters in the temple."
Anakin looked up, Eugine Onegin momentarily forgotten. This mission had put nothing but distance between him and his Master but this drug could change everything. If it made Obi-Wan believe that Anakin was Qui-Gon it could exorcise Obi-Wan's ghosts and solve both their problems. Suddenly the future looked very hopeful indeed.
"Thank you, Chancellor," Anakin said. "I will ensure that the chip is sent to you as soon as I arrive on Coruscant."
"Telmani Eulian was found dead in one of the less salubrious areas of Coruscant. Apparently he had gone to meet a contact over his business deal there," Obi-Wan Kenobi informed the Council as he stood before them, Anakin at his side.
"Odd that he should agree to a meeting in such a dangerous place. Unless he thought himself protected in some way," Depa Bilba said.
"Apparently upon his death," Obi-Wan said. "Certain items from his safe were to be delivered into the hands of the Republican Guards. Unfortunately several of those items appear to be missing. I assume whoever had Telmani Eulian murdered also sent the thief to Tamasha 3 to retrieve whatever Telmani Eulian was trying to sell, or was using for blackmail."
"Apart from this incident being an object lesson in the perils of a life of crime I don't see how this is a matter for the Council," Yarael Poof said petulantly.
"Nor would I," Obi-Wan replied calmly. "Except for how the safe was opened and the data on the chip I found." Obi-Wan held up the chip in question and Anakin started and stared at it. "I believe it was one of the items the thief was prevented from acquiring. It documents movements of men and equipment that directly contradicts the information that Knight Chun discovered."
Yoda leaned forward to take the chip. Obi-Wan handed it to him as Anakin watched intently.
"So one a forgery must be," Yoda said. "Investigate this matter the Council will. The rest of your mission a success it was, hmm?"
"Yes Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said as he returned to his place in the middle of the room. "Minister Terril was very sad to see us leave. The Festival was a success and our participation in it highly applauded."
"Then I believe you have other duties to attend to," Mace Windu said. "Preparation for Anakin's sabbatical on Naboo?"
Obi-Wan looked to his apprentice and Anakin spoke up at last. "Yes Masters, I leave tomorrow morning."
"Then may the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan and Anakin walked away from the Council chamber. Anakin could bear the silence between them no longer.
"Master, please don't send me to Naboo," Anakin said finally. "There is so much to do here. The Senate is debating the proposed state of emergency, the people in the lower levels are threatening to riot. I could help."
Obi-Wan stopped and turned to Anakin. "Anakin, I would consider your request if you hadn't made it abundantly clear on Tamasha 3 how seriously I have failed to train you. You were frequently inattentive and seemed to have no interest in the mission."
"Please Master, give me another chance and I'll prove myself to you."
Obi-Wan shook his head and continued walking down the corridor. Anakin trailed after him. "Anakin, you don't have to prove yourself to me. I have always believed in you. However you seem to have lost your focus of late. This trip to Naboo can only help."
"Then grant me one last request."
"This isn't an execution, Anakin."
"Please, Master."
"Very well, what would you wish?" Obi-Wan sighed.
"I'd like to spend my last evening here with you, dinner in our quarters, just us. So I can say goodbye properly."
"You are only going to Naboo for six months, Anakin, and I will be joining you there fairly soon. Wouldn't you rather see your friends? I know that Padawan Vax Hosler is in the Temple at the moment."
"Please Master?" Anakin pleaded.
Obi-Wan stopped again to look at his apprentice.
"If that is what you want then I agree. However Anakin, this does mean that you will have to speak to me. It will be dull indeed if you choose to spend yet another evening in silence."
"I promise Master that the evening will be anything but dull."
Anakin brought the dessert to the table. The dinner had gone very well. Anakin had put a great deal of effort into the menu and, despite his nervousness, he had managed to be good company. Chatting happily with his Master, Anakin found it poignant that this evening should remind him of how it had been between them before Bruck had come along.
Anakin had made one of Obi-Wan's favourite desserts, one that he didn't care for and so had an excuse to make a second dish for himself. Naturally, Anakin had laced Obi-Wan's favourite with Palpatine's drug.
Obi-Wan's eyes lit up as the Cascadian Meringue was placed in front of him.
"Oh, Anakin what an excellent choice. The Temple kitchen doesn't make it anymore and I always get it wrong when I try to make it."
Anakin sat, his own dessert as yet untouched, and watched Obi-Wan eagerly cut a piece of the meringue and raise it to his mouth.
"Master..." Anakin said as he put out a hand to stop Obi-Wan taking a bite.
"What's the matter Anakin?" Obi-Wan said happily. "You're not going to stop me eating this are you?"
Anakin paused looking at his happy Master.
"No Master, I just want you to be happy. I wouldn't deny you something you needed," he said and dropped his hand to his side and let Obi-Wan continue. Obi-Wan took a large bite and smiled.
"Excellent, Padawan," he said. "Just as good as I remember."
Anakin finished his own dessert in silence, his mixed feelings no longer allowing him to maintain his previously cheery demeanour. Fortunately Obi-Wan was too happily absorbed in devouring the treat before him to notice.
Suddenly Obi-Wan put his spoon down. He'd gone a little pale.
"Suddenly I don't feel very well," Obi-Wan said. "I think I must have overdone the meringue."
Anakin stood alarmed. The drug wasn't supposed to make his Master ill!
"Here Master," Anakin said. "Let me help you to lie down."
Anakin helped a very groggy Obi-Wan into his bedroom. He hovered nervously as Obi-Wan took off his boots and tunics and watched his Master stumble as he got into bed. Anakin tucked the covers around the now shivering Obi-Wan. Satisfied that Obi-Wan was warm, Anakin knelt next to the head of the bed and gazed down on his Master. Obi-Wan's eyes looked heavy but he seemed to be fighting the urge to sleep.
"I'm sorry Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "I wanted to stay up and talk for longer. I don't know what's come over me."
"Rest now, Master."
Obi-Wan looked up at Anakin and lifted a hand to cup his apprentice's face. Anakin leant into the palm that was pressed to his cheek.
"I will miss you, Anakin," Obi-Wan said sleepily. "It will be lonely without you. But you will be a Knight soon so I must get used to not having you around me."
"I will always want to be by your side, Master," Anakin protested.
"Padawans always say that," Obi-Wan said, his voice becoming slurred. "But you will find that after your trials you will have so many new opportunities that staying around your old Master will seem dull by comparison. Especially as you will be able to spend more time with your lovely wife."
Obi-Wan's hand at Anakin cheek was becoming unsteady so Anakin raised his own hand to keep it there. Through the contact Anakin could almost feel the drug taking hold despite Obi-Wan's resistance. Fortunately, Obi-Wan now seemed to be responding normally to the drug.
"You have always made me proud, Anakin," Obi-Wan said and he smiled, his eyes shining. "You would have made Qui-Gon so proud as well. My only regret at your Knighting will be that he won't be there to see it."
"I love you, Master," Anakin said suddenly but Obi-Wan had succumbed and was already deeply asleep. Anakin kissed the palm of his Master's hand, then carefully laid it down on the bed and pulled the covers up around Obi-Wan once more. Then, unwilling to leave his Master's bedside, Anakin remained kneeling and stroking Obi-Wan's forehead.
"So beautiful," he said wistfully. "All I ever wanted was for you to be mine."
Eventually he stood and went to finish his packing.
"Anakin, are you there?" Obi-Wan asked plaintively as he stumbled out of his room and leant against the door post.
Anakin looked up confused, the lights were dimmed but there was still easily enough for Obi-Wan to see him.
"Obi-Wan?" he said. Anakin was surprised at himself, he never used Obi-Wan's name.
Obi-Wan started at the words, straightened and looked directly at Anakin with wonder in his eyes.
"Master!" he said joyfully.
Involuntary Anakin stepped back. The drug has worked and Obi-Wan saw the long dead Qui-Gon, but Anakin felt strangely reluctant. He had wanted Obi-Wan for so long that the prospect of actually having him was frightening. He wasn't sure if reality would live up to all his years of fantasies. Perhaps it wasn't too late to stop this and keep his dreams intact. What if this turned out to be a terrible mistake?
Anakin stepped back again but Obi-Wan did not share his doubts and launched himself across the room and into Anakin's arms and kissed him with a passion that washed away all Anakin's fears.
Anakin had waited for this moment for so long and its sweetness defied description. All he was sure of was that once tasted Obi-Wan could never be forgotten.
"Oh, my love," Anakin said dreamily.
"My beloved," Obi-Wan answered.
Anakin stood holding Obi-Wan in his arms, almost unable to take in what was happening. His mind and heart felt that they were about to overflow and the world was suddenly strange and confusing. However, despite his disorientation there was one thing he knew he still had to have. Anakin picked Obi-Wan up in his arms and carried him back to the bedroom. He was taller than his Master and found that Obi-Wan fit perfectly into his arms. But he was heavy, so much muscle, and Anakin had to use a touch of the Force to help carry him.
Such a romantic action hadn't come naturally, but it had struck Anakin as something that Qui-Gon would have done. And the look of adoration that Obi-Wan aimed up him and the feel of his Master pliant in his arms was reward in itself. Anakin felt that such things were worth any effort; indeed they were well worth killing for.
Anakin lowered Obi-Wan onto his bed and in the dim light kissed him. The touch seemed to awaken Obi-Wan and he suddenly pulled Anakin roughly on top of him. Anakin jumped, startled, at the contact between them and the passion that burned him through the interfering layers of clothing. The barrier between them was suddenly unbearable and Anakin had to feel Obi-Wan's skin against his own. The need was mutual and they tore at each other's clothing like animals. Anakin felt pain where Obi-Wan's nails tore at his skin whenever he missed the cloth and Anakin gloried in it, knowing that he was marking Obi-Wan in the same way.
They were still partially dressed but Anakin could wait no longer and had to taste his Master now. Hungrily he leant forward and bit Obi-Wan deeply on his neck, marking him and tasting his blood. Obi-Wan cried out and arched his body up to follow the contours of Anakin's above him and Anakin nearly fainted from the pleasure of the full body contact. But it was only the start, and they both wanted so much more.
Suddenly, amidst their passion Anakin felt a hand searching for long hair that wasn't there, alarmed he looked down to see Obi-Wan looking at him strangely.
"How can you be here? How can this be happening?" Obi-Wan said, his eyes glinting. "I watched you die. You died in my arms."
Anakin cursed, Obi-Wan was fighting the drug. 'Let yourself believe' Anakin pushed, 'Don't fight it.' The confusion in Obi-Wan's face suddenly cleared and he pushed Anakin off him. Anakin staggered to his feet, only to be knocked to the ground by the Force. Anakin collided with a table in his fall and the glass on it smashed beneath him. Suddenly Anakin was very afraid. It seemed that Palpatine had been wrong about the effects of the drug or Obi-Wan had proven horribly immune to it.
"I did it for you...," Anakin spluttered as he tried to explain.
"For me?" Obi-Wan spat, interrupting him. "You left me alone for thirteen years and you did it for me!"
Anakin tried to get up but Obi-Wan slapped him hard and his head hit the floor as it rebounded from the blow. Dizzily Anakin realised that the drug was still working.
"Where have you been?" Obi-Wan said as he straddled Anakin, kneeling in the broken glass that surrounded them. "I've needed you so much, Qui-Gon, and you weren't here," he continued angrily, almost sobbing. "How could you leave me so alone?"
Anakin could feel the anger, confusion and lust pouring off his Master. It was an heady, intoxicating mix. He felt the glass dig into his back as his Master entered his unprepared body. Pleasure and pain met and he could no longer tell the difference and he lay suspended in ecstasy. This was what he had wanted for so long and he saw that it was good, very good. But Obi-Wan was not the only injured party here, Anakin had suffered too and he needed his injuries acknowledged as well.
Gathering his scattered wits Anakin used the Force to push his Master off him. Obi-Wan flew backwards and tumbled into the bedside table, knocking it over. Instantly Anakin was upon Obi-Wan, pining him down and reversing their positions.
"You are not the only one who has suffered. For years I have waited for you, for years you have been denied to me," Anakin snarled, his face inches away from his Master's. "But not any longer, now you are mine, mine to do with as I please."
Obi-Wan growled in response and Anakin took that as assent and pounded into the body beneath him, delighting in the howls of pleasure that he evinced from his Master, but his victory was short lived. Barely had he finished than the tables were turned once again and Obi-Wan, shoving and clawing like a wild beast, forced Anakin to submit just as he had.
Through the night they slaked their revenge on each other. Showing how much misery they had both borne in the intervening years by their lust and their desire. Scratches and bites were used to show depth of feeling. Love was spoken of in snarls and threats. Years of pent up passion danced in the roughness of the act until bodies, driven beyond exhaustion, collapsed on the ruined bed.
Anakin lay in Obi-Wan arms and grinned broadly. His body ached in so many ways, and places, from their coupling and he felt wonderful. After all these years it had finally happened and it had been as good as, if not better than, he'd always dreamed. Twenty-five years of combined longing between them had made it an intense experience indeed. Anakin burrowed deeper into Obi-Wan's arms and enjoyed the sated, exhausted feeling.
Obi-Wan was deeply asleep and Anakin's warm glow got hotter at the thought that it was him who had exhausted his Master so. Tired as he was Anakin couldn't help thinking about the morning. There was no point in his leaving for Naboo now. He would call Amidala and explain the situation. Amidala would be upset, but Anakin was sure she would understand and most of her anguish would come from the fact that it was he, and not her, who now had Obi-Wan.
The morning would be wonderful they would wake up, maybe make love again. This time it would be gentle, not the mad rutting of the night before, and then Anakin would tell Obi-Wan everything. How he had asked Palpatine to send Bruck away, the incident on Tamasha 3, his jealousy, everything. He was sure Obi-Wan would forgive him, after all he hadn't wanted Bruck dead that had been an accident, just like the death of the secretary. The conversation would be difficult but worth it to hold onto this bliss.
Happy in the future Anakin settled down to sleep and was just drifting off when a stray thought made him sit up in shock. Had he lost his mind? What was he thinking? There would be no loving discussion in the morning, no calls to Amidala. Obi-Wan was sleeping the sleep of the drugged not the exhausted. He had to get away before Obi-Wan woke and found Anakin Skywalker not Qui-Gon Jinn in bed with him.
Horrified into action Anakin jumped from the bed and searched around the floor for the remains of his clothes. He'd gathered most of them when he happened to glance towards the bed and the vision there caused him to drop everything to the floor again.
Still wrapped in sleep Obi-Wan looked more beautiful than ever and the temptation to hold him, touch him while he still could was overwhelming. Anakin had to have what was ordinarily denied him one last time and he moved to kneel beside the bed. Slowly, gently he reached out to touch the face he loved. Then he traced the bites and scratches on his Master's neck and shoulders.
"I made these," he murmured.
Anakin pulled the bedclothes away and Obi-Wan was completely revealed in his nakedness. Anakin drew in a deep breath, it was the first time he had had the chance just to look at his Master's body and now he could not look away.
For in the sound and fury of last night there had been no time for observation, merely action, reaction and the fulfillment of primal urges. Now he used his fingertips to gently traced the body that had haunted his thoughts for years, noting every scar, bite and scratch, and finally fondled the lax genitals. Somehow rather than sating his desire last night had only made it more intense.
"Oh my Master," he said. "I love you so much. I did this for you. Now maybe you can move on and we can be together at last."
Anakin had no idea how long he remained there but eventually the light through the window made him realise that his transport was due to leave soon and he had to be on it. Tucking the bedclothes back up to his Master's chin Anakin regretfully stood, gathered his clothes again, and, walking backwards so he need not take his eyes from the bed, left the room.
Obi-Wan made his way towards consciousness. It was a slow process, his mind felt woolly but awareness eventually returned. At first he felt nothing, as though he was floating, then the realisation came that he was very happy about something. But what?
"Qui-Gon!" Obi-Wan shouted as he sat up, but he moved too fast and his head exploded in pain forcing him to sink back down to the pillow. Then, when the pain was under control, he turned to look for his beloved Master only to be confronted by the empty other half of his bed.
"No," Obi-Wan howled in pain. A dream, another dream, but this one had been so real. Never before had he been so angry and never before had it been so pleasurable. Unable to stay where false memories insisted he had taken pleasure in his Master's body Obi-Wan stood and instantly had to clutch at the upturned bedside table for support as his knees gave out.
In his despair he managed to find that odd, he remembered falling against it and knocking it over in his dream. Forcing his eyes to focus Obi-Wan looked around his room. It was a mess, clothes and broken glass and pottery lay scattered on the floor.
Slowly, carefully, his body protesting at the movement, he knelt to pick up a piece of glass. It had blood on it. In his dream he had pushed Qui-Gon to the floor just here, he had pushed him to the floor and had taken him as he lay on broken glass.
Dazed and confused and barely able to walk, Obi-Wan stumbled to the bathroom. Bracing himself against the sink he looked into the mirror above it. The shock of his reflection caused his knees to give way again and he dropped to the floor, banging his head on the sink on the way down. Blinding pain shot through his skull and he curled into a ball as he hit the floor.
Slowly he controlled the pain and made a catalogue of the injuries to his body. He could feel the scratches and bites he had seen in the mirror, scratches and bites he could remember Qui-Gon giving him. Wounds that had caused him such pleasure. He could smell the reek of sex and sweat that came from every part of his body. Further mental investigation also revealed some internal damage.
Last night had been no dream, or if it were he had yet to wake from it, but what had happened? Force ghosts existed. Had Qui-Gon, after all these years visited him in such a guise? If so why had he waited so long? Why had he been so angry?
From his foetal position on the floor Obi-Wan reached out with the Force. Force Ghosts left a distinctive pattern. A pattern that was quite absent from the room. In fact the only presences that had been in these quarters for the last day was his own and Anakin's.
Obi-Wan curled up upon himself even tighter. This could only mean one thing. Slowly and painfully Obi-Wan uncurled and dragged himself to his feet and once again stood before the mirror. Carefully he lifted one hand to touch the reflection.
He had done this to himself. He had used the Force to create the bites, scratches and other damage. Obi-Wan hung his head. It sickened him that he could have abused the Force in this way. After spending so many years worrying that his grief would destroy his mind he had finally taken the first steps towards insanity. Obi-Wan forced his protesting body to walk back into the bedroom, ignoring the broken glass as it dug into his bare feet. He had to get to the healers, they would help him, they would clean his mind somehow.
Then Obi-Wan thought of Anakin. What if the healers couldn't heal him, or declared him incompetent to have a Padawan? Who would finish Anakin's training? Obi-Wan knew of no other Knight or Master who would take Anakin on with his history and current problems. This madness could cost Anakin his Knighthood! And that was completely unacceptable.
'I'll just have to hold it together until I can get Anakin's Trials brought forward again,' Obi-Wan thought to himself. After that his mind could do as it pleased.
And what of his concerns of this invisible massing army? Was that another product of his developing madness? Most likely it was and the fuss he was causing was drawing attention to himself. Attention he now desperately needed to avoid.
"Until Anakin is Knighted I shall be the perfect Jedi," Obi-Wan vowed his hand curling into a fist. "I'll obey the Council in everything. I won't let anyone see the fragile hold I have on sanity. I won't let them see until Anakin is a Jedi and it no longer matters."
On another part of Coruscant the Supreme Chancellor woke and rang for a servant to bring him breakfast. For some reason he was feeling incredibly pleased with himself.