Chapter XV – Unexpected
Guests – Part II
Late morning
“Cela, what do you mean ‘he ordered her to’?”
The girl looked directly at Sakoya and answered her
question. “She had a ‘connection’ to him, through
the Force… I don’t understand it but she ‘talked’ to
him several times and without using a comm system.”
“And he instructed her to murder Anakin and Luke?”
Obi-Wan inquired. He could hardly believe what he
was hearing.
“Well, um, I don’t know their names. She only told
me of her ‘mission’ to avenge the Emperor.”
“Cela,” Padmé paused, “when did she speak to you
about this?”
Cela turned to face the viewscreen and replied, “She
mentions it all the time. She just hasn’t had the
chance because Karrde has kept her busy. She is
known as The Emperor’s Hand after all.”
Sakoya remained quiet, stung by the truth that
tumbled from the teenagers lips.
Padmé considered the situation and maintained her
calm. In times like this, her diplomatic training
proved more fortuitous than ever. “Indeed. And a
Force user, possibly even a Sith. Obi-Wan, what of
the bodies of those two men – have they been found?”
The two Jedi exchanged uneasy glances.
Sakoya spoke up first. “We should have alerted the
authorities immediately and I feel the blame is mine
that we haven’t.”
“No,” Obi-Wan said, looking at his wife, his voice
low, “it isn’t your fault. Our minds were diverted
and have been at a fever pitch since. I sincerely
apologize Madame Chancellor for our error. As Jedi,
we know such behavior is inexcusable. In truth we
haven’t seen the recent HoloNetNews so I can’t
answer your question.”
“I
can,” Cela exclaimed as she activated the computer
and scanned the latest local news reports.
“You’re fast and resourceful!” Sakoya complimented
the girl, which produced a wide smile on the
teenager’s face.
“Thank you,” Cela blushed. “Here,” she pointed to
the screen and then read outloud, “Lunar
Beach: It would seem that the ‘Festival of
Fools’ has taken a deadly turn. The bodies of two
men were discovered today in one of the many caves
on Lunar Beach by some teens. Investigators have the
area quarantined off but the area has drawn several
curious spectators. The identity of the men is
unknown at this time and the cause of death has not
been released. All that is known is that an
altercation took place judging by the blaster
markings on the cave walls. We will bring you
further details as they come in.”
“Thank
you, Cela.” Padmé recognized the girl’s efforts and
then turned her attention toward the Jedi. “It
appears you both have been on a very emotional
journey of late and I fully understand how one trail
could be confused with another. However, considering
how well I know each of you I can personally vouch
that this is not typical behavior for either of you.
Please consider that before you cast such harsh
judgments upon yourselves. Now, inquire the local
authorities, see if they have an affirmative cause
of death. Mara may have finally committed her last
assassination.”
Sakoya
rested her head on her chest, assuaged minutely of
her guilt by her dear friend. Although it was
difficult, she knew her daughter – if she was indeed
her daughter – would have to make reparations for
her crimes, but it didn’t make the heartache lessen.
“I will contact them.”
Obi-Wan
looked over at his wife, he could feel her conflict
and pain but her expression said more than words or
thoughts ever could. “Perhaps I should –”
Sakoya
stopped him by placing her hand gently on his mouth.
She gazed up into his eyes and said, “No, beloved, I
will attend to this matter.”
“I’m so
sorry, Sakoya,” Padmé sadly stated.
“Yes, I
am too,” she sorrowfully replied.
“Good
luck to each of you and may the Force be with you.
Please keep me posted.”
“We will,
Padmé.” Obi-Wan gave a slight nod. “Good night. Our
regards to everyone.”
“Good
night, Obi-Wan. Sakoya…please take care of yourself.
I’ll be here if you need me. My love to you both.
And Cela,” Padmé looked at the girl, “it was nice to
meet you. You’re in good hands with these two Jedi.”
“Thank
you, Supreme Chancellor.” Cela ended the
conversation and the image disappeared. Suddenly it
was very quiet in the ship and her eyes darted back
and forth, unsure of what to do. Finally she said,
“Um, Mara is still somewhere outside this ship. She
could also return at any moment.”
“Yes,
that is true. Do you feel safe staying here, Cela?
You could come back to the resort with me and wait
for Sakoya.”
“Thank
you, Master Jedi, but I think I’ll stay here, in
case Mara returns. I should actually go look for
her.”
“Do you
believe she won’t harm you?” he further inquired.
“I-I
don’t know. I hope not.”
“She’s a
danger to everyone right now,” the Jedi Master
reminded the girl.
“A better
reason for you to go with Obi-Wan,” Sakoya said with
a sad smile.
Cela
considered their words but decided to stay with the
ship.
“I’ll
stay with you,” Obi-Wan assured her.
Cela
didn’t think arguing would do much good and the
relaxing company would be a nice change from Mara’s
dark moods. “Thank you, Master Jedi.”
“Call me
Obi-Wan or Ben.” He grinned.
“Ben?”
Cela looked puzzled over the name.
Obi-Wan
laughed. “Suffice it to say it’s an alternate name
given to me a long time ago.”
Cela gave
him a wide smile. “Ben it is.”
Sakoya
felt relief that her husband would watch over Cela
and hugged them both. “Why don’t the two of you stay
out of trouble by looking up information on those
brothers? See what kind of trail they’ve managed to
leave behind.”
“An
excellent suggestion, my dear. Here,” Obi-Wan handed
his wife the comlink Cela had given him. ‘You’ll
need this.”
“I’ll let
you know what I find out.” She kissed him on the
cheek and turned to leave.
“As will
we,” he replied.
Cela
turned to the ship’s controls and activated the
hatch. She watched as Mara Jade’s mother walked away
and whispered to herself, “May the Force be with
you.”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
Sakoya
stepped outside the ship and into a downpour of
rain. Above her head lightning sizzled through the
dark clouds and thunder rumbled mightily.
“Ah, a
perfect setting for my mood,” she commented
sarcastically and began the trek back to town.
Sakoya
strode up toward the Security Headquarters metallic
doors that would open automatically – all she had to
do was take the last few strides. Unfortunately, she
couldn’t seem to take them and stood out in the
pouring rain. Ever since she had left Mara’s ship, a
numbing sensation had accompanied her walk. She
attributed the ailment to the foul weather as it
penetrated her arms and legs, chilling her entire
body. “Of course, my sense of peace is shattered.
That combined with this dismal weather has left me
akin to an open wound,” she commented, her voice
sounding exhausted. She reached up and lightly
touched her forehead, her fingers gingerly rubbing a
small area.
Rest.
You need rest.
Sakoya
slowly looked around but saw no one.
Sleep.
Go sleep.
Again the
Jedi looked around, her eyes darting every which way
to find the source of the voice she heard.
Tranquility awaits. Go now.
Sakoya
rubbed her temples. The hidden voice was persistent,
yet not over-bearing, almost soothing. It beckoned
her to do what she had been told and it reminded her
of bedtime with Mara when the girl was small. How
Mara always wanted to stay up a little bit longer…
The memories of that time, the joy she felt with her
little girl, of a time so long ago…
“But my
precious little girl…isn’t so precious anymore, is
she?” Sakoya whimsically questioned.
Tranquility awaits, the mysterious voice called
out to her again.
The Jedi
quickly turned around but she was the only one
standing in the cold rainstorm. “Who are you?” she
shouted into the air. “What do you want?”
Silence.
The hold had been broken. The voice retreated to
whence it came and left the Jedi…alone.
Sakoya
gasped as if she couldn’t breathe. She fought to
bring air into her lungs and doubled over in pain.
The rain continued its relentless pounding on her
back as she tried to regain her breath. “What is
happening to me?” she cried out.
“Are you
alright, Miss?”
Sakoya
looked up through bleary eyes and could barely
discern the security person hovering over her. “No,
y-yes…I…think so.”
He took
her by one arm and helped her stand. “Are you lost?”
he asked.
“No –
no,” she replied. “I came here to inquire about
something…but…” She hesitated, seemingly confused.
“You
don’t look well, Miss. Why don’t you come out of
this rain and I’ll get you a cup of caf?” the
officer offered.
The Jedi nodded and the officer escorted her the
last few strides into the Security Headquarters that
had eluded her before.
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