Betrayal - Chapter 7

Stumbling in the dark

The silence in the landspeeder was absolute. The uneasy quiet between Master and apprentice had grown as their vehicle arrowed toward the soft haze of the distant spaceport. It deepened even as the night's second moon rose over the dappled hills and painted the far, jagged-toothed mountains in a silver light. The breathtaking scene, a doubled-vision of black and white, did not relieve the tense stillness within.

Atel's face was its own landscape, sketched in lines of moonsglow and black and green, the instrument panel's reflected light patterning across her brow. Eyes hooded, mouth hard, her stress-cramped hands were stark with ivory outrage as she drove towards the port. Battling his own turmoil behind duracrete shields, Obi-Wan didn't really see her there. Instead, he stared down at his own hands, the fingers outlined in chalk and charcoal, and then away, gazing into the vastness of space.

Finally, he moved to ease his cramped shoulders. Glancing at his silent apprentice, what he saw there worried him. Obi-Wan had needed this time for reflection, to try and unknot the twisted threads of conversation and nuance, to determine what had happened and what must happen next. He had thought that Atel was merely respecting his wish for quiet but it was now apparent that more was going on. Her unease pulsed through the Force. He leaned forward, touching her arm, acknowledging that he was ready to listen to her concerns but she sharply shrugged him off.

"Padawan?" Her piercing glance warned him to tread very lightly. He was weary from the constant barrage of guilt and turmoil that had blackened his day so far but he knew this was important to her. "What is wrong?"

"I need to meditate first, Master, before I can speak clearly on this issue." Her tone was flat, almost angry.

"On what issue? If this pertains to the mission, I need to know before we reach the port."

She growled, "Permission to speak frankly, Master?"

He realized that this was serious. "Yes, Atel, say what you must."

She pulled sharply on the speeder stick. The stuttering white-noise of the repulsor fields indicated that they were no longer on the road and safely out of the way of passing vehicles. As she powered down the speeder, the engine's whine was replaced by the rustling of leaves and echo of night creatures in the nearby wood.

For a moment, the stillness remained and then his Padawan exploded with outrage. "What were you thinking back there endangering the mission like that?"

"What?"  Taken aback, his voice rose in bewilderment.

"Telling Jinn about the Temple. It's a clear violation of the Standards for Jedi Behavior."

"That's Master Jinn to you."

"No. Not Master Jinn." She looked at him, hard frown deepening, voice steely and quick. "No, not to me and definitely not to you. Master Jinn was ten years ago. This man is Jinn who is under investigation, Jinn who is a potential enemy, Jinn who may be a rogue."

"Atel, enough."

"No, Master, it's not enough." Her voice hardened further. "What is going on? I've never seen you like this. You have never gone against the rules of the Temple while on a mission before. Ever. Even when you thought that they were wrong, you have always obeyed the Council and the Code. Why now? What makes this mission so different that you would throw away everything for that man?"

"I haven't thrown away anything."

Atel looked at him as if she were unable to understand why her Master did not comprehend the potential for disaster.

"Master Obi-Wan, please listen to me. The Standards are very clear, uncompromisingly clear on what can and cannot be said outside the Temple. You told Jinn about the Jedi's relationship with the Senate, about the codified behavior, about the monitoring, all things that are not his concern. And he is under investigation. The Council might think that you are consorting with the suspect, an accessory. You should not have told him anything."

She shook her head and then stared at him, directly, pointedly. "Master, you have put me in a very difficult position."

"What? Why?"

"The Standards state that a Jedi, be they Master, Knight or Padawan, must inform the Council as soon as they are aware that a violation has taken place. If I don't report you and they find out, I could be punished or dismissed, depending on the level of offense. With or without your consent. If I do report you, you will be dismissed or worse." She shook her head sharply, voice catching as she said, "What am I going to do?"

"Padawan, calm yourself. I know that I may have overstepped the letter of the Standards, but potential threat or not, Qui-Gon deserved to know what was and is happening at the Temple. It is my responsibility and mine alone. I will make sure that all my actions will be included in the mission report."

Her brown eyes flashed green in the reflected light as she blinked back unwanted tears. "But, Master, is that enough? The rules demand that the offense is to be reported immediately."

"Are you sure? I don't recall anything about that in the Standards. I read them very carefully when they were issued at the beginning of the year."

"Yes, I am sure. They revised the rules just as we returned from Septemus Five. The mandated class was held...." Her breath drew in sharply. "While you were in the Healer's wing."

"Padawan, it was my error, not yours. Ill or not, I should have made sure that I was current with any change in Temple directives." Obi-Wan sighed heavily and rubbed his hand over his eyes, trying to ease the headache just beginning to build there. "Atel, I am not sorry that I told Master Qui-Gon what I did and I would not have changed anything had I known about the revisions. I am sorry that you are caught in the middle. It was certainly not my intention." He sighed again. "I've been less than mindful lately. The missions have been exhausting. Still, it is no excuse."

Atel repeated, "What am I going to do?"

"Before any decision, you must calm your mind, Padawan. Worry, fear and doubt will only cloud your thoughts and lead you astray."

"Yes, Master."

"Much as I might wish to, I cannot dictate your course in this matter. You must do what you feel is right." He shrugged dejectedly and turned his face towards the spaceport. "We are almost there. When we reach our lodgings, I want you to go to the room and meditate on this. You will need some time alone to deal with the issues at hand. I will scout out the area. When I will return, we will discuss this further." Clearly unhappy, she nodded and turned away, unable to meet his eyes.

"Atel, it will be all right. I trust your judgment."  He squeezed her shoulder slightly, hoping to soothe her troubled mind. "You might do me a favor and see if you can pull out the revised Standards on your datapad. I will need to review them tonight so that there will be no further problems." His voice softened, "Padawan, it will be all right. You'll see."

"Yes, Master."

"Good. Now, let's get going."

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The spaceport was a small town, a village really. There was one road straight through the center with a series of side streets leading off towards the outlying farms. There was little traffic around the port; in the high season of summer, it would be bustling but now the harvests were in and the pleasure-seekers of Naboo's mountain and lake districts had gone home.

The hostelry was cheap and cramped, a small place tilting precariously towards the street. It was too near the spaceport for quiet and the walls were paper-thin. But it was clean and friendly to the Jedi, an increasingly important point, and Obi-Wan had no complaints. He dropped Atel off at the front entrance, parked the speeder and then set off on foot towards the sound of nightly amusements.

He knew that tomorrow he would visit the officials of the community, but tonight cantinas were his goal. Rumors, stories and hostility towards Qui-Gon Jinn might just show up in those seedy establishments. Resentment towards a successful farmer, even one as generous as his former Master, could lead to valuable information gleaned nowhere else.

He picked a likely place, the Screaming Mynock. It was hard to tell at night, even with the twinned light of the Naboo moons peering over his shoulder, but the tavern did seem a bit rundown - perfect for his first foray.

The noise assaulted his senses as soon as he entered the place. For a moment, he seemed frozen in the light at the entrance, an obvious ploy to blind newcomers to the darkened space while letting the denizens within look them over. He moved down the steps towards the bar counter. The place quieted a bit and more than one being glanced in his direction. As he sat down, snatches of conversation could be heard.

"Who's that? .... dressed like a beggar .... a Jedi here? .... why .... do the Bendu know he's .... two-to-one odds on him .... Windu won't like .... I'm leaving now .... what's a Jedi Knight doing .... training centers ....  does Jinn .... Jedi .... death .... wearing a lightsaber .... Jedi ....watch .... mind tricks .... say nothing."

The bartender, an overweight, rather grubby human of some stature, growled at him, "What's your pleasure, Jedi?" He then began to chuckle as if making a very obvious crude joke.

Obi-Wan looked at him and said distinctly, "Blue Corellian and information."

The man sniffed at this. "Sure you can handle it? Corellian ale packs a mean wallop." At Obi-Wan's continued stare, he just shrugged, poured glowing blue liquid into a semi-cleaned glass and shoved it in the Jedi's direction.

"Two credits for the drink. Information may be free or cost a great deal, depending."

"I'm looking for someone. Been at the port a long time?" He placed the credits down on the counter and began to sip his ale, all the while glancing around the room. The crowd of humans and aliens seemed to quiet slightly while trying to avoid the Jedi's attention. It fooled no one.

"Yeah, so what?"

"Notice anyone lately who has had a very good run of luck? Maybe too good. Someone who may have become rich a little too quickly?"

Glancing towards the rear of the cantina where noises of sabaac play indicated that gambling might just be taking place, the man shrugged. "Sometimes, people get lucky. 'Course, then they take one extra spin of the randomizer and lose everything. Gambling is a matter of luck and a bit of skill. What's it to you, Jedi or is wagering illegal in the Republic these days?"

"Not as far as I know. No, I'm more interested in someone who may have moved here over the past ten years or so and gotten lucky with business ventures. Picking just the right time to buy or sell and making a huge profit. That type of luck."

"Can you be more specific? That describes a lot of someones." The human rubbed his neck as though thinking, surreptitiously nodding to a tall figure lurking in the shadows near the rear entrance, just out of Obi-Wan's line of sight.

"Some beings are pretty adept at making deals, using their skills as negotiators to get others to agree to things that they might not ordinarily do. Or have great timing to take advantage of situations that come up quickly. Maybe even using mind tricks or wizardry to get their way. Anyone complained about that recently? "

"No, Jedi. Why don't you stop dancing around and get to the point? I have other customers."

"That farmer towards the west of town, Qui-Gon Jinn, seems to have made quite a name for himself. Owns a number of businesses and yet he started with nothing. He's quite lucky."

The man abruptly frowned, eyes narrowing, and leaned forward, staring at Obi-Wan. The tavern quieted suddenly. "Look, Jedi snoop. Here's a bit of free information. Leave Jinn and his friends alone."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. He's done more for this town and this world than any dozen Jedi conjurers. Was there during the Blockade, been helping out ever since. Didn't see any of your kind helping us out. Then or now. You Jedi were too busy fetching and carrying for the rich and famous to pay any attention to a poor world in trouble. So leave him alone. Leave them alone and go bother someone else." The bartender straightened up and glared at Obi-Wan. "I'm sure there's a war somewhere that you can go play in. So go play... elsewhere." With that, he turned his back on the Jedi and walked away.

The whispers and glances told Obi-Wan that he would get no help here. He noted, too, that the tall shadow was gone, probably to spread word that a Jedi was investigating Jinn. Shrugging, he left his drink at the counter and strode out of the cantina.

Still, the information had been more helpful than the barkeeper had intended.

It confirmed the datapad information; Master Jinn had help, allies. The man had lumped them together, indicating that either there were more than a couple of force-sensitives in the area or that his friends were willing to help Qui-Gon deal with any Jedi investigation. But more importantly, Obi-Wan realized that, if he had to take his Master back to Coruscant, it might be quite difficult to do so, more so than from the expected resistance of a single Jedi. That uncomfortable and unwelcome thought stayed with him as he began to hunt for the next likely spot to ask questions.

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Over the next few hours, Obi-Wan had widened his search to five additional taverns ranging in status from elegant to downright dangerous, three restaurants and a couple of clubs. In each, he had been treated politely but firmly.

Told in no uncertain terms to leave Jinn alone by all and sundry, Kenobi was growing oddly indignant by absurdity of it all. It was just so blasted ironic because he did want to leave Jinn alone. But he couldn't, not yet.

He had gleaned quite a bit of information. It was definite that there were other force-sensitives in the area, more than just at the Jinn residence; certain whispers and veiled threats confirmed his earlier suspicions. It was clear that Qui-Gon was quite generous with his time, his abilities and his money in aiding the less fortunate. That came as no surprise; Obi-Wan had always known his Master to help when he could - when the Jedi had been allowed to help.

It also appeared that the rumors of the investigation had run like wildfire through the community. By the time he had entered the last establishment, he didn't even have to say anything. The owner had gone to him immediately and began berating him before telling him to get out.

Still, he was satisfied with the evening's work. Rumors could be very helpful. They would alert the more shady beings that Obi-Wan was here gathering information; some of those individuals might want to meet in less conspicuous surroundings. Kenobi would likely be approached fairly soon, probably tomorrow or the day after.

And now by the Screaming Mynock, he waited for his tall shadow to appear. It didn't take long.

"Hello, Anakin."

The young man bowed his head slightly, a frown settling on his troubled face. Voice clipped and anxious, he acknowledged that the chase was over. "Kenobi. Been waiting long?"

"No. Well, have you alerted the whole town or should I let you get a little further ahead?" Obi-Wan let a wry smile loose for just a moment before the stoic Jedi visage returned.

Anakin seemed to tire of the game. "Why are you asking questions about Master Qui-Gon? I thought you were his friend."

"I am. Believe me, Anakin, I am."

"But you are asking about his powers, about his money and how he got it. It sounds more like he is being accused of crimes against the Republic, or maybe against the Jedi and their little kingdom. Is that what a friend does?"

"I am a Jedi, required by the Council to investigate certain allegations...."

Skywalker interrupted him, his voice fierce and low, "Trumped up charges. Your blasted Council cannot control him so they are going to shut him up." He moved forward, growling. "You're going to take him back with you, aren't you? Imprison him because he is no longer one of yours."

"I hope not."

Sadness, regret seeped into those three words and Obi-Wan was suddenly very tired. He had meant to keep Anakin talking for duty's sake but now he just wanted to get away. He desperately needed to meditate, to see his way clear of this dilemma.

"Then don't. Please, just leave him alone. Please." The young man sounded urgent, almost pleading.

"I wish I could." Obi-Wan's regret grew deeper. He sighed and moved close to the young apprentice, murmuring quietly, rapidly, "But maybe, if you could help me, Anakin. Help me to prove that he is innocent, that he had done nothing wrong. I would soon be on my way and Qui-Gon could be left in peace. It's what we both want, for Qui-Gon to be happy and well. Help me make that a reality."

Anakin instantly drew back from him, his eyes wide,staring at Obi-Wan as if he were a ravening nexu or venomous adder. Mouth grimacing, he hissed back. "Stay away from me, Jedi. You are unbelievable." His voice rose in fury. "You expect me to betray my Master!! You obscene fraud." He looked as if he was going to throttle the Jedi, then he abruptly turned and stalked away, muttering.

"No, Anakin, that's not what I...." Obi-Wan called after him, sorrow thickening his throat, "meant."

He slumped back against the wall, shaking his head, muttering. "Kenobi, you are an idiot. A muck-brained inept idiot." Pulling himself up and slowly walking back towards his meager lodgings, he thought again of this last conversation.

He had been a negotiator and Republic representative for ten years now, more if the Padawan experiences were tallied in. When, in the last few minutes, had he completely lost all sense of reason, of tact?

He was a complete fool. Even when people were trying to blast him out of existence, he had kept a clear head, could parley his way out of war and disputes of all kinds - except this. This one had him stumped. Now, Anakin wrongly thought that betrayal was his goal and he would certainly tell Qui-Gon.

Damn. His old Master would think....damn.

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It was a very weary Obi-Wan who made his way back to their rooms. He hesitated outside his door, realizing that there was still the matter of Atel's dilemma to be handled. Sighing, he closed his eyes briefly, centering himself and made his way in. His Padawan was not waiting for him inside. Looking to see if she was still meditating in the adjoining room, he peered around the corner.

Atel was quietly snoring, sprawled as always across her bed. As much as he should have awakened her and cleared the air, he could not. He had had enough emotional entanglement in the last few hours to last him a lifetime.

He closed the door quietly. Tossing his cloak onto the single chair, he made his way back to his bed. Moving to pull his boots off, he stopped a moment, hunching down, the heels of his hands pressing into his eyes, trying to wipe away the roiling emotions that had stained his day in darkness. They kept clouding his thoughts, buzzing like quarrel gnats, distracting him. Meditation called him, beckoned him to find his calm center but he had one more task to do before he could relax into that quiet.

As promised, Atel had left her datapad on his pillow. After changing for bed, Obi-Wan leaned back and began to read. The revisions in the Standards in Jedi Behavior were extensive; some items were merely wording changes with subtle distinctions but others had been totally obliterated, remolded to mean something entirely different.

By the time he had scrolled to the section on mission directives and perused the files, he was fuming and indignant.

His Padawan had been quite correct. She was expected to divulge his error to the Council or their staff, as soon as he had made it. But it was more than that. The Standards had changed to such an extent that any slight error in judgment, deliberate or accidentally, was met with harsh discipline, punishment far more severe than the error would merit.

Obi-Wan leaned his head against the thin wall, frowning. When had the Order become so twisted? Compassion and justice were the pillars on which the Jedi Order was founded. Now it seemed that the members of the Temple were compelled to turn on their fellow Jedi at the first sign of trouble.

No, it was more than that. It was treachery that was expected, pure and simple. The Council wanted to foster a system where betrayal of trust was anticipated, condoned and for...what? Expediency? Control? He wasn't sure but he didn't like it, not at all.

The door creaked opened and a very sleepy Atel peered into the tiny room. "Master, is there something wrong?  I felt that you were upset."

"It's been a trying day. I'm in sore need of meditation and I need to think about a few things first. I'm sorry that I woke you." He gestured for her to sit but instead she walked over and knelt before him.

"That's all right." She bowed her head, looking away shyly. "I waited as long as I could."

"Padawan, it is late and I understand the need for sleep." He tried to make his voice light, to give her space to say what she must. "Have you decided what to do?"

"Yes, Master. I have." Atel hesitated, head bent. "I am still upset about your decisions regarding Master Jinn. However, I cannot destroy your life over this. It doesn't feel right."

She looked up, unsure, but then she seemed to gather courage and said steadfastly, "But I must warn you, Master Obi-Wan. I cannot continue to ignore any further infractions. I must obey the Code and the Standards. I'm sorry." Her eyes pleaded for understanding.

"Atel, you must do what you think is right. I must do that as well. Let's hope that the two rights are on the same path next time." She nodded, unhappy but obviously reconciled to her decision.

He glanced at her, kneeling so small and forlorn on the floor. He knew that it hurt her to ignore the rules but she had a kind heart. Someday soon, she would make a great Knight. Filled with a sudden sadness for his lonely future without her, he reached down and pulled her up to sit next to him. He looked for a moment at her disheveled appearance, then began to grin.

She leaned away, disconcerted. "What?"

"You need a haircut, Padawan. It's getting a bit...well, messy. And it's sticking straight up in the back."

She just glared at him and said slowly, distinctly, "I was asleep." She tried to push her hair into order but failed miserably. "Besides, you don't look so good yourself. You need to rest, my Master."

"Yes, I do." He nodded. "You know that, although we may not always agree, I will miss you very much when you become a knight, Atel."

"That's a long time from now, Master."

"Not so long. Some knights are nearly your age. Before you know it, you will be off on your own missions."

She just rolled her eyes at him, then snorted. "Okay, when you start getting this maudlin, I know it's time for you to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow." Shaking her head, she strode to the door, stepped into her room and, closing her door, said, "Good night".

Obi-Wan just stared after her, muttering. "I already miss the gangling knobby-kneed girl."  Shrugging, he moved into the classic meditation position and began to search for calm in this cauldron of emotion.

It was a very long time in coming.   

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