*****
The Jedi stand out among the colorful plumage of the Assembly members. He watches them from the shadows, engaging, charming, soothing. He smiles to himself, amused. His orders are specific: Watch. Do not interfere. But his target is an exception. Someone he would suffer no censure for eliminating. Avoiding the Rangers who guard the exits, as well as the more subtle ones who are disguised amongst the crowd, especially Kenobi, he moves toward a dark-haired woman in conversation with the tall Jedi. He waits patiently. Eventually she walks away. He follows her.
*****
'The reception is a necessary evil,' Obi-Wan thought to himself. 'But that doesn't make it any less tedious.' He wished desperately that he could allow himself to be distracted, but that would betray all that he and the Rangers had worked for.
"Kenobi, sir?"
Obi-Wan turned his head and indicated with a small nod that he was listening. The young man quietly relayed the status report while sharp green eyes never left the activity of the reception. When he finished, the young man stepped back and blended seamlessly into a conversation with a group of politicians.
Satisfied that the situation was under control for a brief moment, Obi-Wan stepped out onto one of the isolated balconies that Lady Telah refused to close off. 'That woman is as stubborn and independent as her husband was,' he thought sadly. Running a hand through his shoulder length ginger hair, he acknowledged his feelings of guilt. 'I should have been here. I knew something was going to happen.'
But the Elders had sent for him. His continued association with the Rangers was barely tolerated as it was, if they knew the true extent of his involvement...he could not fathom the consequences. So he went to avoid their suspicion.
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. It was a tragedy, yes, but the Darkness had shown its hand and would, he felt, do so again tonight. He accepted and embraced his guilt, allowing it to fuel his determination.
'I will *not* let this happen again.' Casting out his senses, he searched for the elusive thread of greed, hatred, and chilling anger he had encountered before leaving Linneth.
There. It was slippery, but when he could grasp it, he knew it was close, and growing in intensity.
A predator.
Quick as thought, he was through the balcony doors. A silent signal to the closest guard and the Rangers had discreetly blocked the exits.
But not before he noticed a tall blond figure in a subdued brown robe slip out.
*****
Anakin knew something was...off.
Yet despite his control and diligence in remaining calm, he couldn't pinpoint what bothered him. He knew *something* was going to happen.
And from the whispers in the Force, he knew it was going to change his life.
Anakin sighed, pushing his anxiety aside and concentrated on the here and now. He was satisfied that his plan was coming along nicely.
Master Gallia was in her element. A dry wit, intelligent eyes, and an elegant presence, she could charm the entire room if she wished. She could also draw the attention of the more extravagant politicians, giving Anakin the opportunity to gather intelligence from people who knew everything about everyone, whether aware of it or not: aides, secretaries, and servants.
Although he was not ignorant of diplomatic small talk, in fact many years with Qui-Gon had practically guaranteed he learned something of it, Anakin knew that Adi completely outshined him in this area. It was pointless and foolish to pretend otherwise. So he had divided their responsibilities, each to their own strength.
Already he had quite a few bits of information gathered from various sources, he just had to figure out how the puzzle fit together. One comment in particular peaked Anakin's curiosity: just before Lord Nier had dropped out of sight, an extensive mining operation in the mountains of Nemagi Province had yielded disastrous results.
Anakin hadn't yet found out what those results were, but his instincts told him this trivial incident was important.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck rose. He turned around to see a young dark haired woman, dressed in a simple and tasteful indigo dress, approaching him, hands clasped in front her and covered by long sleeves. She gave a short nod in greeting.
"Honored Jedi. I expect you are learning many things about our world."
Again the Force whispered to him. "Yes," he replied simply.
She regarded him curiously for a moment. When he remained silent, the corner of her mouth turned up in dark amusement.
"Very good." Her eyes slowly traveled the length of his body, and Anakin suppressed a shudder at her lustful gaze. "You're smarter than you look." A reluctant sigh and her eyes returned to his face. "There are things I must tell you. But not here." With that, she turned and left the hall.
Anakin followed.
*****
'She knows these passageways rather well for a guest,' he noted wryly.
She had led him to a different corner of the palace, well apart from the noise and chatter of the crowd. They walked down a deserted corridor, slipping past the occasional guard. Heading through a narrow set of doors, they stepped onto a balcony with a beautiful view of the forest glistening in the moonlight, offset by mountains in the distance.
Anakin began second-guessing the woman's motives. Their surroundings were more suited to a romantic tryst than meeting an informant. He watched as she strolled to the edge and leaned against the railing, any trace of seductive teasing gone from her face.
"You've heard the rumors?"
He nodded.
"And no one has mentioned the apophylite." This was more statement than question.
"Apophylite?"
"The crystal we were mining." Distractedly, she murmured "Strange. I didn't think I was the first to get out."
"What happened?"
She stared at him for a long moment, and the shadows in her eyes spoke of misery and pain. "We worked."
Abruptly her expression darkened and she advanced on him. "Do you know what it's like to have your freedom stripped from you? To have every movement, every thought, watched? To know you are nothing more than what others can get out of you?" she asked harshly.
Anakin was caught off guard. The bitterness and hatred in her voice sparked something inside of him. Yes, he knew. He could never forget.
She cut him off before he could respond, "Of course not. You're a Jedi. Powerful and emotionless." She turned away and looked blindly at the forest before her.
Her words were like a blow to the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that he did understand, but the words wouldn't come. Defensive and frustrated, he didn't sense the danger until too late.
A blinding light and the shockwave and debris from the blast threw him to the ground. Then Anakin was falling as the balcony gave way.
Warmth.
A strong hand closing around his, stopping his rapid descent. Anakin looked up and the image of fire reflected in emerald green eyes.
Pain shot though his arm as he was lifted to safety, but it was dull and inconsequential compared to the warmth and peace flowing from the arms that held him as he lost consciousness.
*****