Lament

  Star Wars

  Jedi Apprentice

  Special Edition #1

  Deceptions

  by Jude Watson

  CHAPTER 1

  The water was cool and green. Light trickled down and made shifting patterns on the bottom. Ripples of gentle waves were formed from the force of the waterfall hitting the surface high above.

  Obi-Wan Kenobi followed the shimmering tunic of his friend Bant, who swam ahead. He was wearing a breathing tube, but she was not. As a Mon Calamari, she could stay underwater for long periods of time. Bant navigated the deep pool with grace and ease.

  There had been a time when he hadn't enjoyed swimming with Bant that much. He had felt clumsy in the water next to her. He hadn't liked that she was better at something. But his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had taught him that to value a friend's better ability was to be a true friend. Once Obi-Wan realized that, he had looked forward to their swims as much as Bant.

  Bant turned and smiled at him, her arms waving softly. It was always amazing to Obi-Wan that Bant could feel so peaceful in this pool.

  It was here that she had almost died, chained to the bottom by the evil Xanatos. Yet here was where she always chose to swim. She wanted to remember, she told Obi-Wan. The day she had felt her life ebb was the day she had felt closest to the Force.

  Bant pointed to the surface, and Obi-Wan nodded. They burst upward into the bright sunlight. They knew the sun was artificial, created by vast illumination banks overhead, but they welcomed its warmth on their cool skin.

  Obi-Wan hauledhimself up on the grassy bank facing the waterfall.

  Although Bant found peace in this place, he did not. Here he had battled the former Jedi student Bruck Chun for Bant's life. Here he had seen Bruck fall to his death. It had not been his fault that Bruck had died, but he still felt responsible.

  "Thank you for coming here," Bant told him. "I know it is hard for you." A glint of mischief lit her eyes. "Maybe I ask you to do it because I know that."

  He nudged her with a shoulder. "Oh, am I your Padawan now?"

  Bant's gaze clouded, and Obi-Wan realized he had made a mistake. He had reminded her of what they had come here to forget.

  "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean-"

  "Don't be silly." Bant hugged her knees. "I have to face my disappointment. Didn't you come here to talk to me about it?"

  Bant had been hoping to be accepted by Jedi Master Tahl as her Padawan. Tahl had seemed to take a special interest in Bant, giving her projects to do and tracking her progress. Yet just yesterday, Tahl had taken off on a mission and told Yoda and the Council that she had decided to take no Padawan at all. Obi-Wan knew that Bant was upset by Tahl's decision.

  "Yes," Obi-Wan admitted. "I know how it feels to be rejected. Even though Qui-Gon took me as Padawan in the end, he said no at first, and it hurt."

  "I don't think there is any hope that Tahl will change her mind,"

  Bant said sadly.

  "There are other Masters," Obi-Wan said gently. "You have done well as a student. You will get the Master you were meant to have."

  Bant brooded as she stared at the green water. "Yes, I know that is Jedi wisdom. But what do you do when you feel it is wrong? I felt so strongly that Tahl was the right Master. Do you know what I mean, Obi-Wan? Didn't you have the same feeling about Qui-Gon?"

  "I did," Obi-Wan admitted. He did not know what to tell Bant. Jedi students were taught to trust their feelings. They were also instructed to be certain that those feelings were pure. That meant that a feeling could have more to do with what you wished could be, rather than what was meant to be. The feeling must rise in you like something that breaks loose from a deep place and floats to the surface, where it touches the sun.

  Was Bant's feeling like that? He couldn't say. He could only trust his friend's judgment.

  "Then maybe it's meant to be," Obi-Wan said.

  "Still, I must not wait for it," Bant said. "I know that much."

  Obi-Wan spied the tall form of his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, approaching along the winding path to the pool. He stood in expectation.

  Bant rose as well. "I have stolen Obi-Wan's time away from you,"

  she said to Qui-Gon as he walked up. "I'm sorry. I needed his counsel."

  Qui-Gon gave Bant the special warm smile he reserved for her. "I'm glad Obi-Wanhas you as a friend, Bant. You may take all the time you wish. But right now, the Council requests Obi-Wan's presence."

  "The Council?"Obi-Wan asked in apprehension. Being summoned by the entire Council was an unusual event. In Obi-Wan's experience, it was never good. Bant gave him a concerned look.

  Qui-Gon nodded. "Dry yourself off, Padawan, and come. They want us immediately."

  Obi-Wan quickly toweled off his hair and buckled his utility belt.

  He wished he had time to change into a fresh tunic. He hadn't done anything wrong ... lately. Why did he suddenly feel as though he had?

  CHAPTER 2

  Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stood in the center of the round Council Room.

  A steady rain beat against the windows that offered a panoramic view of the busy space lanes of Coruscant.

  Qui-Gon had noted Obi-Wan's nervousness and now was proud of the way his Padawan stood, erect and seemingly at ease in front of the scrutiny of so many Council Masters.

  Only Qui-Gon knew how nervous Obi-Wan reallywas . He had faced the Council before. His Padawan had reason to be apprehensive. He knew how firm the Jedi Masters could be.

  As usual, Mace Windu opened the meeting. He always looked grave, but today Qui-Gon sensed an uncharacteristic disquiet. He had hoped that this sudden summons meant that the Council had decided to send them on a special mission. But now he feared there was something wrong.

  "Do not be nervous, Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said, fixing him with an intent gaze. "You are not here to be reprimanded."

  It was unusual for Mace Windu to reassure anyone. Qui-Gon's concern shot up a notch. He glanced at Yoda, but he could never tell what Yoda was thinking. He turned his quick gaze to Adi Gallia. Her bearing was as regal as ever, but her eyes were full of compassion for Obi-Wan.

  Mace Windu placed his hands on the arms of his chair. "We have received a communication from Vox Chun, Bruck Chun's father."

  Obi-Wan gave a start. Qui-Gon was just as surprised.

  "He has recently been pardoned of his crimes against the state on Telos," Mace Windu continued. "Now he wishes to come to theTempleto receive a report on the death of his son. This is his right, and the Council has agreed."

  Obi-Wan nodded. His skin had gone pale. "I must speak with him?" he asked.

  "You must relate the details of the death of his son, yes," Mace Windu said in a voice that held a rare gentle quality.

  "Know we do that this is not easy for you, Obi-Wan," Yoda said.

  "He arrives in two days," Mace Windu said. "Qui-Gon will be by your side. May the Force be withyou. "

  They were dismissed. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed, turned, and walked from the room. As soon as the door slid shut behind them, Obi-Wan's step faltered.

  "Must I do this?" he asked Qui-Gon.

  "You know the answer to that question," Qui-Gon said. "I know this will be hard. But I feel it could be helpful, Padawan. You will have to speak of something you think you cannot, something deep in your heart.

  Perhaps if you see this thing plain and honest in front of you, it will cease to plague your dreams."

  Obi-Wan gave him a startled glance.

  "Yes, I know how much it still troubles you," Qui-Gon said gently.

  "Isn't it time to put an end to it?"

  Obi-Wan's face was still drawn. Qui-Gon put a hand on his shoulder.

  "Find Bant and get some food. It is past time for themiddaymeal." Food always revived Obi-Wa
n somewhat. Qui-Gon did not want the boy to worry too much about the upcoming interview. No doubt it would be rough, but Obi-Wan was in the right, and so he would survive it.

  After Obi-Wan headed for the turbolift, Qui-Gon lingered outside the Council Room. He hoped to have a talk with Yoda. Tahl's decision not to take a Padawan and her sudden disappearance troubled him. It was always helpful to have Yoda's perspective.

  The door slid open noiselessly, and the Council members filed out.

  Yoda spotted him and nodded. Qui-Gon had an idea that Yoda knew exactly why he was waiting.

  "Worried you are, Qui-Gon," Yoda said as he walked toward him, his robe rocking with his sideways gait. "Yet not just aboutyour Padawan, I think."

  "Tahl," Qui-Gon said shortly. "Why did she not take a Padawan? And why did she leave so suddenly?"

  Yoda leaned on his staff. "Should I be the one you ask this?"

  Qui-Gon sighed. "You mean I should ask Tahl. I wanted your opinion first."

  Yoda nodded. "Think I do that Tahl did not want to burden Bant with a blind Master. Afraid she was that it would limit Bant's experience."

  "Burden! Limits!"Qui-Gon exclaimed incredulously. He could not associate those words with Tahl. "That's ridiculous!"

  "Yet not think so, Tahl does. Time she needs, Qui-Gon. Help her with this, you cannot. Her decision, it is." Yoda's wise gaze rested on Qui-Gon. "And time it was she left theTempleto take on wider duties. We sent her to the pilot program on Centax 2."

  Qui-Gon was surprised. Centax 2 was a satellite of Coruscant.

  Transports and spaceliners often docked there in order to ferry goods and passengers to Coruscant on smaller ships. The Jedi had chosen Centax 2 to set up their new pilot program, run by Jedi Knight Clee Rhara.

  "Is there a problem?" Qui-Gon asked.

  "That we do not know," Yoda answered, blinking his large eyes. "We only suspect. Aware you are that this project does not have the full support of the Council. Clee Rhara believes that the Jedi should have a squad of starfighter pilots. Some agree. Some do not."

  Qui-Gon knew the project was controversial. The Council had finally agreed to the operation, but only on a trial basis. Some of the gifted older students, like Obi-Wan's friend Garen Muln, had been chosen for it.

  There were some on the Council who believed that Jedi should continue to take rides on consular ships or haulers, or borrow small transports for short flights. They believed that Jedi pilots would lead to a Jedi fleet, a complex operation that would divert their attention from peacekeeping efforts in the galaxy.

  "Clee Rhara, you know," Yoda said. "Charismatic, she is. A following among the young pilots, she has. Many are delaying their Padawan status. Allow this, the Council does, but many are uneasy."

  Qui-Gon nodded. He had gone throughTempletraining with Clee Rhara.

  She had a bright wit and a fierce will that had attracted followers even then.

  "What is Tahl's mission there?" Qui-Gon asked curiously.

  "A grave problem we have," Yoda said. "Until now, the Senate donated the starfighters for Jedi pilots. Outmoded or damaged, the starfighters are. Clee Rhara has her own shipyard for refitting. Worked well, this system has. But mechanical failures lately there have been.

  One quite serious. A Coruscant air taxi was almost hit. Aboard, an important Senator was."

  "Does Clee Rhara suspect sabotage?" Qui-Gon asked.

  Yoda nodded. "Tahl has gone to investigate. Some there are in the Senate who resent the Jedi. Whispers there are about our taking advantage. Track these whispers, we cannot. Concerned, the Council is.

  Clee Rhara must make the program work, or abandon it we must."

  "I see," Qui-Gon said. "So if Tahl can discover that the ships were sabotaged, the program can continue."

  "Perhaps."Yoda straightened and began to move toward the turbolift.

  "Watching us some in the Senate are. Hoping to see us fail, perhaps. And watching they will be the investigation of Bruck's death. Also, forget we should not that Vox Chun was once in the employ of one who plotted to destroy us."

  "Xanatos," Qui-Gon said. His former Padawan was dead. Yet the evil he spread lived on.

  CHAPTER 3

  Qui-Gon decided that the most courteous thing would be to meet Vox Chun at the landing platform as he arrived. Obi-Wan knew his Master was right, but he wished he could postpone seeing Bruck's father for a while longer.

  "Here he comes." Qui-Gon indicated a silver transport heading toward them. He eyed the sleek lines of the ship. "How does someone who just got out of jail afford a transport like that? Perhaps Vox still has powerful friends."

  Obi-Wanwas too nervous to answer. Moments later, the transport glided to a stop, and the ramp lowered and the exit door slid open. A figure stood at the top. Obi-Wan gasped. It was Bruck.

  He took a step backward, and Qui-Gon put a hand on his arm. "No,"

  Qui-Gon told him in a fierce undertone. "It is not him, Obi-Wan. The boy only looks like Bruck."

  The boy had a shock of white hair, like Bruck. He was dressed in a rough tunic similar to a Jedi's. But as he descended, Obi-Wan began to breathe again. He saw that the boy's features were softer and that he was a few years younger than Obi-Wan.

  "A brother," Qui-Gon murmured. "They wanted to unsettle us. That is why he went first."

  Behind the boy, Vox Chun walked slowly down the ramp, his deep purple cloak swirling around the tops of his boots. The last passenger followed a step or two behind, and Obi-Wan glanced at him curiously. Vox Chun had not indicated that he was bringing anyone with him, and the Jedi had assumed he was coming alone. This man was shorter than Obi-Wan. He could be Qui-Gon's age, or he could be older. It was impossible to tell.

  He had a smooth, unlined face and dark hair cut short. He wore an austere black jacket and trousers.

  Qui-Gon nodded as the three approached. "Welcome to theJediTemple.

  I am Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

  Vox Chun's eyes were the same blue-frost color as Bruck's. They slid over Obi-Wan like a coating of ice over water. He returned Qui-Gon's nod of greeting.

  "I am Vox Chun, and this is my son, Kad Chun. This is a family friend, Sano Sauro. He has come to give us emotional support."

  Obi-Wan glanced at Sano Sauro. His opaque black gaze and severe, expressionless manner gave no hint of his feelings. Obi-Wan couldn't imagine going to him for anything involving emotions.

  "This way," Qui-Gon said, indicating the passage into theTemple.

  "We have refreshments waiting, if you--was "I've come for answers, not for tea," Vox Chun said brusquely.

  "Fine. We have prepared a conference room-"

  "Take me to the place where my son was killed."

  Qui-Gon bristled at his choice of words, but answered carefully.

  "You may see where your son died."

  Obi-Wan trailed after Kad. From behind, the boy's stocky build and stance brought Bruck back to Obi-Wan vividly. Bruck had been a bully who had tormented Obi-Wan during his years at theTemple. For some reason, Obi-Wan had gotten under his skin. He did not have any good memories of the boy.

  Yet Bruck had developed a close core of friends at theTemple. He had inspired loyalty. There had been a side of him that Obi-Wan hadn't seen. That was what tormented Obi-Wan. There must have been good in Bruck.

  They did not speak in the turbolift or during the walk through the corridors to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. Usually, visitors were immediately struck with a peaceful feeling as they entered the vast space filled with fragrant greenery and hidden trickling fountains. The air smelled fresh and cool. Kad stopped for a moment, but Vox pushed him along. Sano Sauro's dour expression did not change.