Master Apprentice
Archive
|
|
|||
Chapter III: The Plot Thickens
The Theed Royal Palace on Naboo rested atop a plunging cliff-face, surrounded by beautiful waterfalls and the most breath-taking of views. And Theed, the capitol city of Naboo, radiated around the majestic, ancient building. It was the home to Naboo's elected sovereign and meeting place of the Royal Guard. A mighty, imposing structure by all accounts, the Theed Royal Palace wasn't without it's gentle side. Many of it's parts were decorated with art of all kinds, fountains, waterfalls, flowers of the most beautiful variety. A powerful, protective paradise fit for a Queen. Obi-Wan had already met with the Queen only an hour earlier, but was asked to stay by the guards who protected the Queen. Quietly, he sat with the sovereign in one of the many dining rooms of the palace, sipping at a cup of tea that had been offered to him by a servant.
"Your presence is greatly appreciated, Master Jedi. But where is your apprentice?" asked the Queen, dressed in a dark red ceremonial beaded dress. Obi-Wan shifted, and came to cross his legs. He gently settled his cup on the glass table. Then, he cleared his throat, trying to choke back the pain of not having Anakin by his side like he had hoped.
"Thank you, your Highness. My Padawan is currently undertaking a mission of protecting Senator Amidala and as a result, he was unable to accompany me. But I can assure you, I tend to see this investigation through."
"I am confident in your skills, Master Kenobi." replied the Queen. Just then, in stormed two Royal Guards, panting for breath as if they had been running.
"Your Highness, Senator Amidala's assassin has been spotted! Combat ensued, and we were forced to run."
Both Obi-Wan and the Queen rose to their feet and approached the guards. The Queen had her hand over her mouth as if she were fretful. "Let us delay no longer. Master Kenobi...." Obi-Wan turned his attention to her as the guards caught their breath and composed themselves. He bowed in silent acknowledgment and was on his way to find and get some answers and maybe, even put an end to this dispute once and for all.
Venturing into the capitol city as his last destination, Obi-Wan treaded lightly around the bustling atmosphere, knowing the assassin could be anywhere, or anyone. He had to be extra careful. One false move, and it would be the end of him, the end of his relationship with Anakin. And knowing that was reason enough for him to augment his senses. Carefully, he swam through the sea of patrons looking at the many merchant stands that were scattered about, and through the rivulet of people coming from the shops and bazaars that peppered the cobblestone promenade. Relatively peaceful people, the Naboo couldn't help but give Obi-Wan funny and suspicious looks, clearly not remembering what he and his Master, Qui Gon-Jinn, had done for them some eight years ago. The young Jedi Master soon came to a crossroads, more stands and shops awaiting him on either end. A patron was standing next to a bazaar that sold spices and flowers.
"Excuse me, my friend. But, I'm looking for someone." said Obi-Wan kindly.
"Well, you found someone. Now what do you want?" scolded the humanoid, rather cocky in his tone of voice.
"Yes, quite. I'm looking for a suspicious fellow said to have attempted an assassination of a senator.. But, for the life of me, I have no clue what he - or she - looks like."
The humanoid briefly glanced down at the weapon hanging from Obi- Wan's belt. His red eyes bolted open, his expression turned sour with hate. "A Jedi? You are a Jedi, you scum! I FOUND A JEDI!" screamed the humanoid, the gills on his neck waving about at the loudness of his call. Obi-Wan stepped back, his eyes looked up, down, left and right, but nobody was there. "I FOUND HIM! I FOUND A JEDI!" screamed the scaled humanoid again, and this time, feverishly pulled a blaster from the holster hidden on his left hip. The innocent bystanders peacefully walking about their business quickly scattered as hysteria filled the normally quiet town market.
Obi-Wan quickly brandished his lightsaber in defense and carefully deflected with both his weapon and his mind, the blaster bolt screaming towards him so that it would not injury one of the many beings running for their lives, away from the market turned battlefield. Another shot rang out from the rifle, and then another, and yet another, forming a deadly chain of daggers ready to slice into their target. Master Kenobi twirled his lightsaber with exceptional skill as he deflected the assault. His attacker then fled down the street. Shutting down his lightsaber, Kenobi quickly followed suit.
Obi-Wan had cornered his target at hand after he foolishly ran down a street with a dead end. There, his attacker stood, his back turned to the Jedi Master, his head and eyes looking for a way out of possibly being killed. Then, he slowly turned around to confront Obi- Wan. Still, he clutched at his seemingly pathetic weapon. It would take more than a clumsy blaster rifle to take someone of Obi-Wan's skill down. "You don't scare me Jedi. And your fancy mind tricks don't impress me none either!" coughed the humanoid with a mocking grin. Kenobi outstretched his palm faster than a blink of an eye and pulled the blaster rifle from the slimy grasp of the now-shocked attacker in front of him. Holding it in his hand, Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber and casually sliced the pitiful weapon on half, rendering it useless. Then, he dropped it to the floor and kicked it aside with his boot.
"Who are you?"
"I tell you nothing, Jedi scum."
Obi-Wan inched closer as his attacker stepped back against the wall, his back digging painfully into the jagged stone behind him. Kenobi narrowed his eyes, a chunk of his light brown hair fell limply in front of one eye. The grip around his weapon tightened, the power of the weapon hummed against his hand. He then came to raise one hand and wave it in the air. "You will tell me." he said, the Force flowing through his hand.
"I will tell you." repeated the humanoid imp, his eyes glazed over, mindless.
"Who are you?" Obi-Wan repeated, his tone more controlled, but still gentle.
"I am Zan. I'm just a man trying to support his family. I work for a very powerful...accomplice, one I'm sure you're familiar with.' he confessed. Kenobi sheathed his weapon, having gotten the answer his wanted.
"Are you a bounty hunter?" he asked., coming to a knee with the humanoid having collapsed to the floor.
"I am. It's the only way I know how to live. I fail at everything else." Obi-Wan looked hard into the bounty hunter's red eyes.
"Are you responsible for the assassination attempt on Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo?" Kenobi asked; The bounty hunter took a deep, painful breath.
"...I am merely a pawn, brainwashed by my superior's ways. He...told me the senator was becoming...a threat to him, and said she should be killed. I...do not wish to harm you, Jedi. I was merely following orders. So...what are you going to do with me now that I've told you everything, Jedi? Kill me?" It was then Obi-Wan realized his control over the feeble mind had ceased and the man was now, indeed, confiding in him. But for what reason?
"I'm a keeper of the peace. I don't kill. I will leave you. Now, get back to your family, rethink your life. Do not lead your children down the same bloody path you have taken." Zan nodded, truthfully accepting the words spoken by the Jedi he misunderstood, and watched as his cloak again returned him to the phantom he was, and left him.
Mace Windu and Yoda sat in their private meditation room with their legs crossed, a holoprojector in front of them. Obi-Wan. They began to listen keenly with interest. "I managed to uncover Padme's possible assassin. His name is Zan and he says he works for somebody powerful, someone we know. Master?" Mace rubbed at his chin in thought, with Yoda mulling over the matter in his mind.
"Unclear, it is. The darkness the future clouds."
"Master Yoda is right. Obi-Wan, you must return to Coruscant and relay what you have found. We will get down to the bottom of this. It would also be a good idea to access the Archives. May the Force be with you."
"What could this mean, Yoda?" Mace asked, the hologram of Obi-Wan having disappeared.
"Difficult to see. Meditate on this, we must."
Obi-Wan sat in the cockpit of his Jedi Starfighter en route to Coruscant, feeling more confused about this puzzle than before. True, he had found someone who might have been apart of the assassination attempt on Padme's life, but the meeting with Zan also opened up a whole new arena of questions yet to be solved. And then there was Anakin. Earlier, Obi-Wan had sensed a disturbance in the Force. He sensed pain, Anakin was suffering some terrible pain. Master Kenobi gripped the controls of his fighter tightly, the thrusters bursted with a temporary boost in power, rocketing the starfighter faster through space. He had to hurry.
"What the blazes? A starfighter...out here?" The radar had picked up an unidentifiable fighter heading toward him and coming fast. "R4, see if you can bring up identification." Obi-Wan said to his astromech droid. A flurry of bleeps echoed through the cockpit, then, a bright blue screen flickered to life from the control panel. "It says it's from Coruscant...the Temple... Anakin!" Master Kenobi nearly hurled his starfighter into a corkscrew at the surprise of seeing that Anakin had came, but at the cost of disobedience. He would ultimately be disciplined by the Council for such acts. "Anakin? Anakin, this is Obi-Wan. Do you copy?"
"Master? Yes, I copy. Where are you going?" Anakin asked, a little concerned.
"Never mind that. Where are you going?" Obi-Wan replied in his usual serious, accented voice. But a part of him couldn't help but smile a little at hearing Anakin's voice again.
"I was heading for Naboo to help you, Master." he confessed, feeling nervous about what his Master would scold him for this time around. After all, he had detested a mission given to him by his Master. Anakin knew Obi-Wan would have a field day with his brazenness. With their ships closing the distance between each other, Anakin hung a tight left and boomeranged around Obi-Wan's fighter, and came to join him on his right side. In a way, they could both sense the meaningfulness behind the move. Their ships converging, symbolizing their bodies set to collide with one another. Anakin's longing to be at his Master's side once more reflected in the maneuver he had so gracefully pulled. Together, the bits of symbolism formed the bond that had been broken when they separated. With balance fully restored to both Master and apprentice, the two made the jump to lightspeed.
Anakin and Obi-Wan had landed safely inside of the Temple hangar, never so glad to be home and together once more. To celebrate, they shared a tender moment of embracing behind Anakin's heavily modified Jedi Starfighter so nobody could spot them from afar. Obi-Wan kissed the side of Anakin's neck and inhaled his familiar scent, the warmth of his Padawan's embrace smothering him. "Master. I didn't mean to defy you but...I couldn't take it anymore." Anakin whispered against Kenobi's chin, his beard bit at his skin, but it was a mere nuisance to the Padawan. Deep down inside, he actually liked feeling his Master's beard against his face because it would always rouse him into a fit of laughing and a wide, pearly-white smile from Obi-Wan, who had obviously enjoyed being the playful one for once.
"Don't worry Anakin. The Council doesn't have to know. It would be the end of us."
"I love you." Anakin followed his pledge with a kiss to Obi-Wan's lips and lingered there for a minute to remember the strong taste of his mouth.
"I love you too...my Ani." As they broke away, Anakin gently took hold of Obi-Wan's hand to squeeze it in a harmless gesture of proclaiming the bond that would never cease. Then, they proceeded to head to the Council.
As they stood before the Council, before Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda, Anakin suddenly felt uneasy as if something was creeping around him, waiting to knock him off his feet. His eyes looked at the Council members while Obi-Wan gave his testimony of his findings on Naboo. And they were all looking at him, just as he was looking at them. Sensing his fear, Anakin took a deep breath and eased his mind in accordance to the Jedi Relaxation Technique his Master taught him way back when he was just a boy. Come on Anakin. Remember what Obi- Wan taught you. Don't give yourself away. Be still... Skywalker said to himself, his palms sweating under his cloak.
"Padawan Skywalker, step forward." came Mace's powerful and calm voice. A pair of equally powerful eyes to match.
"You have committed an act of disobedience - namely, abandoning the mission given to you by Master Kenobi. The Code strictly forbids such acts. You will be disciplined for your truancy, and violation of the Jedi Code. The Jedi Code states that the Master instructing his Apprentice must carry out an act of discipline. The Council has decided - Master Kenobi, your judgment is requested."
"Master Windu, if I may, if you allow it, I come to my Padawan's defense with an explanation."
There was a cry of objection coming from Obi-Wan's left side. One of the Council members, raising his hand in protest. "Overruled, Master Koon. Granted, Master Kenobi."
This was it. If Obi-Wan wanted to save Anakin from an act of betrayal for forbidden love, he would have to piece everything together in one sensible, fluid explanation. "While the Code does state that, upon an act of mission betrayal committed by a Padawan, he be disciplined for his actions. However, it does not state that, in the act of a mission to be undertaken by both Master and Apprentice - and should the two parties be separated during a mission - that the Apprentice be disciplined merely because of his willingness to serve under his Master while abandoning any prior commitment. You must understand that. My Padawan and I were given an investigation mission - this was before Anakin's new mission of protecting the senator, whom had requested his protection, had occurred. Clearly, he should not be held accountable for disobedience. "
Yoda grumbled in his throat. "A point he has, Master Windu."
"You are correct in your account of proclamation 7 of the Jedi Code, Master Kenobi. In all respect, are you saying that your Padawan should be acquitted of the charge against him?"
"I am."
The Council suddenly erupted with indecipherable dialect as the members talked over the matter at hand. And as quickly as the noises started did it end and return the chamber to a silent atmosphere. Anakin and Obi-Wan watched as each of the Council members had one hand outstretched. Then, taking note of their decision, Mace and Yoda began to ponder the wishes of the Council. "Decided, the Council has."
"Master Kenobi, the Council finds your apprentice acquitted of the charge against him, and shall not be disciplined. He will resume his training immediately."
While on their way to the Jedi Archives, Obi-Wan and his apprentice discussed much about Anakin's trial by fire by the Council. Anakin nearly had to wipe the sweat from his brow, even now, as his continued to walk the halls next to Master Kenobi. Not because of his accusations of mission betrayal, but because of the fact that the Council knew of it without any prior notification. Which could only mean one thing...did the Council also secretly know of their love? Anakin swallowed hard and came to a halt. Obi-Wan noticed the worried, contemplative look on his Padawan's face. "Your tense. What is it?" he asked. Seeing Anakin chewing at his lower lip was never a good sign. It usually meant the boy was nervous.
"Master...it's about the Council. They knew about what I did, without anyone even telling them first. Does that mean...they know about our love?"
"Breathe, my young apprentice. Your thoughts betray you. Stay in control. Think. It is dangerous for a Jedi to assume anything without first inspecting it." Kenobi instructed with a hand on Anakin's shoulder. He heard the sound of Anakin drawing a deep breath, and sensed his mind beginning to ease as the fog clouding his judgment began to clear. "Good." encouraged the handsome Jedi Master. But as they resumed their trek to the Archives, the growing suspicion that the Council knew about a certain Master and his apprentice still gnawed at Anakin's brain. And he could only hope. Hope that his anxiety and suspicions were nothing but a hoax.
Obi-Wan Kenobi sat amongst databank, his immediate work area was surrounded by many smaller computers and control panels used for other forms of research. Anakin kept his boredom to a minimum by browsing the many levels of the Jedi Temple Archives, which contained possibly the most information on and about the galaxy. Most of it was contained within holobooks or computer cards made for use in the central databank terminal. A student could find nearly anything to suit their taste and Anakin was no exception. While surveying a holobook shelf on the 2nd level of the Archives, his eyes caught sight of a holobook on Naboo and its ecosystem, people and history.
Inside, nothing was revealed to him that he didn't already know about the planet from his studies...except for one thing in particular that caught his interest. `Naboo Lake Retreat' huh? It's beautiful, and no sand for miles. Strange...I feel like I've been there before..but only in my dreams. Anakin sighed to himself with the mental remark. Dreams. They had been with him since he was a little boy. His mother always told him dreams remained as such if not for motivation and determination. But if it hadn't been for Qui-Gon, Anakin would still be a dreamer, a slave. Turning the book off, Anakin returned it to its rightful place and headed downstairs to check up on Obi-Wan, but still kept the pictures of the surreal location in his mind as if it were a dream. A dream he wanted to make a reality.
So he was telling the truth without me controlling his mind in the later stage of our meeting. He's in fact a bounty hunter, but only out of desperation. Strange, his prior history is unknown. Surely, a bounty hunter should have some kind of record. But he has nothing. No family? No relatives? Alone since birth? No wonder he's so desperate to make a living for his family, if he even has that. But this still doesn't bring me any closer to finding out who he works for. Blast. Obi-Wan's eyes burned as he looked at the bright screen of information about Zan in front of him. As he looked away from his place of work for a minute to rub his eyes, he felt a familiar tap against his shoulder. A surprised gasp escaped him as he looked to find Anakin sitting down next to him. "Sith, Anakin. You know I don't like it when you do that." Kenobi scolded, lowering his hands to the chair's arm rests.
Anakin raised his arms over his head, crossed them, and rested his head against them, a grin on his face. "Sorry, Master. I forgot. So, were you able to find anything?" he asked. Obi-Wan stood up and fetched his cloak from behind the chair, and put it on. He then shook his head with disappointment.
"Well, nothing I'd call important. What I read was basically a sympathy case if you ask me. Kind of sad though, really." His apprentice came to a standing position, eclipsing him in height by only a fraction.
"Great. Nothing like the both of us being confused. You and that bounty hunter and me with the Council. Master, I still have much on my mind. Like something isn't right." Anakin stressed and slumped over, disgruntled by his lack of vision.
"Patience, my young one. Another solution will present itself in time. But till that time comes...how about we head over to the training room? I never did get to teach you your saber lesson for the day." Anakin could feel the competitor in Obi-Wan finally starting to present himself to the brash and somewhat over confident Padawan Learner, and only snickered at his Master's remark.
While Obi-Wan looked at training with his apprentice to be an exercise of body, mind, and skill with a lightsaber, his headstrong and unpredictable apprentice seen his saber lessons as a way of getting his aggressions out, the brash and rambunctious side of him. Every time they dueled, Obi-Wan noticed Anakin's skills in saber dueling had grown, but at the cost of control. And often times, he would get caught up in reflections of the past - namely, remembering what it was like the first time he and Obi-Wan held their first lightsaber duel.
As their sabers clashed quickly then broke away, Anakin decided to show off just a little and effortlessly twirled his lightsaber in his right hand a few times as Obi-Wan circled him. "Never lower your defenses for the mere thrill of exhibition - such stupidity will get you killed. Concentrate, my apprentice." To prove his point more clearly, Obi-Wan moved like the wind and launched a surprise attack on his occupied Padawan Learner, who caught his Master's display of offense just in time and parried the blow, only to launch a counterattack of his own. But as Obi-Wan had told him many times before, he could not win on skills alone, and was caught off guard by a fierce slash by Obi-Wan, sending the young man to a crash landing on his back. "Control, Anakin. Watch your opponent."
A few hours had passed, almost swiftly, both Master and apprentice spent and sweating from their exercise and the rays of the late afternoon sun shining down from above them through the sunroof. Anakin's eyes burned, his scalp damp with his perspiration. His arms, legs and hands ached, his body could give no more; in the middle of a duel, he ended up having to stop and fell to his knees with exhaustion. "Master..." he panted and wiped away the sweat that dripped in his eyes. "Let's...call it...a day." Obi-Wan heeded the suggestion of his Padawan as he knelt next to him, equally tired.
"You make a good point...Padawan. Come to my quarters. There, we will review today's lesson." Summoning what strength he had left, Obi-Wan took hold of Anakin's hand and helped the teenager to his feet. They walked out of the training center, hands bound.
Obi-Wan and Anakin had gone over all they had practiced well into the night. And while there were the occasional bumps here and there, the review lecture came off with few mishaps, surprising to Obi-Wan, who seemed to argue with his apprentice every time he gave him a lecture. Anakin believed in the "knowing by doing" concept he heard from other students in the Temple, and tried on numerous accounts to kick the book from his Master's hands. Lazily, the teenager laid sprawled out on Obi-Wan's bunk, his eyes growing heavy with sleep. The lights dimmed overhead as Obi-Wan approached his tired apprentice whom he now towered over and looked down upon. Obi-Wan drew a breath, sighed, arms crossed. "Ahem. Due forgive me for interrupting your beauty sleep but don't you have your own room to go to?" he asked softly, kneeling at bedside. Anakin flopped over and snuggled against his Master's arm on his bed and purred like a pleased kitten against it.
"Just a little longer..." Their eyes met - diamond-like toughness against the bottled-up power of the bluest of seas. Anakin cupped Obi- Wan's cheek in his palm. Then, slowly, and still looking deeply into his eyes, Anakin lowered Kenobi's mouth to meet with his in a kiss he had been wanting ever since they returned to the Temple. The kiss intensified and exploded into a wildfire, Anakin pulled at Obi-Wan's robes, eagerly, wanting him to join him in the place where the seed of their love had been planted.
The forbidden fruit had been planted here, in the very bed Obi-Wan slept in every night, alone, like Anakin. Obi-Wan considered himself to be an orthodox Jedi Master, strictly playing by the rules of the Jedi Code he vowed to uphold and follow. The Code had been memorized by his brain, and in it, one such rule all Jedi had to follow was that they shall not fall in love with another, nor should they know of attachment or possession. And yet, here he was, this orthodox Jedi Master, knowing much of attachment and possession and love with Anakin Skywalker, his Padawan Learner. And he could not bring himself to stop, allowing himself to delve deeper and deeper into this forbidden love...until Anakin's question of past somehow managed to find its way into Obi-Wan's mind.
Does that mean...they know about our love?
Obi-Wan pushed himself away from Anakin's chest and sighed heavily as he came to sit at bedside. Anakin, wondering why Obi-Wan had stopped kissing him, also sat up, next to his Master. "What is it Master?" he asked. One of his hands came to brush against Obi-Wan's cheek and through his hair that had suddenly became tussled and in loose strands. Obi-Wan came to look upon his concerned Padawan Learner and gently took hold of one of his hands, squeezing. Kissed at the teenager's strong and limber fingers and knuckles scarred by mechanical burns and other scars.
"Anakin," Kenobi whispered as if the very Jedi Council both he and his apprentice served was secretly listening in on their tender moment. Anakin scooted closer, his arms finding their way around Obi- Wan. "Anakin, I love you. But I do not want this to compromise our commitment to the Jedi Order. So we must conceal this as best as possible...at least until you become a Jedi Knight."
"Until I become a Jedi? But Master, I am ready for the trials, you must see that." Obi-Wan looked up at Anakin as he stood up and towered over his Master.
"I am not denying your skill, young one. But you are still in your Padawan stage of training - it is required that a Master train his apprentice for ten years. It has only been eight. You still have much to learn and unlearn, do you not?" Master Kenobi crossed his arms, his lips pressed together in a cold stare. Anakin, knowing his Master was right, plopped down next to him and rested his head against his shoulder. With confusion at every turn for both Master and Apprentice, both Obi-Wan and Anakin had made a secret bond with each other through the joining of their hands. A symbolism of the bond they had created. A bond of both Master and Padawan and lovers, determined to continue to love one another with concealed restraint. It was a bond, they hoped, would not come to mean the downfall of them as they knew it.
Go on to next chapter