7 Mercenary (2/2)
”I flirt and struggle with the Dark side every day. It is a part of my existence. A never ending conflict and I am stronger for it. To fall to the Dark side is not so simple as using it and reveling in it in combat. It means being lost to her and becoming the raging beast you Jedi believe all Sith to be. The danger is that it's always there, whispering to you. She is the sweetest seductress that there is. She promises ultimate power. A chance to sate all your passions. You just have to let go and let yourself be under its sway. Well, you know what happens then. I believe that most of the scary tales you are whispering about the Sith come from people that lost that struggle. In fact most did.”
Obi-Wan contemplated my words. I believe he was comparing them to what he thought he knew about the Sith. And this time actually thinking.
”How do you do it? How do you stand it?”
I sit back and give him a long look.
”It requires iron will and unwavering discipline. But neither of those are the true secret.” I leaned forward and whispered. ”I know that all the promises of the Dark side are lies. The way to power through it lays in subjugating it to your will and never letting it control you. For that way lies madness.”
”That's not what I expected.”
”Do you want me to talk about the glories of the Dark side? About how it's stronger? Heh. Neither side is stronger, Kenobi. The Dark side simply makes it easier to progress in different fields then that of the Light. Where you excel in mediation, defense and healing, the Sith are masters of warfare and destruction. It is not only our philosophies, but what natural aptitudes the different sides of the Force are more suited for. I can as easily kill as heal with my powers but with me being Dark if you will, I simply find it more draining to mend wounds than a Jedi would.”
”Hmm. You've given me a lot of food for thought. I'll think about it.”
”That is all I am asking. I have no intention, or need even, to turn you into a Sith. We should continue this conversation at some other time. So, pray tell what are you going to do about Skywalker?”
”That boy will be the death of me!” Kenobi groaned.
”Obi-Wan, as things are now, it does not take a genius to figure out what your Council will do with such information. They will force Skywalker to choose between his Queen and the Jedi. And let me tell you something. I've seen a lot of young men and women just like him. Both Jedi and Sith. His primary loyalties are to people, not organizations. If he is forced to choose between her and the Order, there is no contest. He'll always go to Amidala. I think that, in his mind, the loyalty to whatever Jedi friends he has is what makes him loyal to the Order. So thread carefully. He is probably the Jedi with greatest potential of this era. Do not make something happen that you'll later regret.”
There was another stretch of silence as the Jedi Master digested my words. When he spoke it was with resignation in his voice.
”I've always suspected that this may be the case but hoped that he'll change as he grows older.”
”What about you, Obi-Wan? What would you do? You have to choose between someone that you obviously see as your little brother and the Council. Will you betray him? Because make no mistake, if you are the one to tell them about his feelings for Amidala that's how he'll see it.”
”Bastard! You planned that all along!” His right hand fell over the hilt of his lightsaber.
I gave him a cheerful smile.
”That's correct. Just not for the reasons you think. Skywalker is one of the keys for the future of both the Republic and the Jedi. With the current dumb policies of the Order, he is forced to hide his relationship with the Senator, no matter what it is. That is not something that inspires trust. In that regard, he has to see the Jedi as adversaries. What do you think will happen if the Sith Lord behind the CIS finds out about it? He'll use the feelings of those two against them. Instead of a source of great strength, as it should be, their relationship will be turned into a deadly weakness. Because Skywalker would have no one to whom he turn to for help. Don't look at me like that. Depending on how long their relationship has been going on, he might be so wary of the Jedi Council that he'll not confide in you either. Only disaster lies that way.”
I stood up.
”You've a lot to think about. See you around, Obi-Wan.”
=RK=
The next morning I was awoken by a grumpy Jedi Master who looked like he has not slept (or meditated) well last night.
”What did you do this time?!” That was his greeting.
”Mmm... Nothing untoward as far as I know. My gambit for galactic domination is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Why?” I quipped, and wondered what that was about.
”Very funny.” he deadpanned. ”We just received message from the Chancellor's office. Apparently words of your exploits on the Malevolence had reached his ears. He has requested your services for a mission.”
Well, well. The plot thickens. Palpy had sniffed something. The question was how much he knew, what he suspected and what he thought he knew.
”Palpatine is concerned for the safety of his former queen. As you may know, he was the senator from Naboo.” Obi-Wan said.
”And if the rumors I heard are true then Amidala has a knack for getting into trouble.” I finished for him.
The whole thing was obviously meant to be some kind of test. Despite his ”wounds” Grievous may not have been believed. Nothing like blaming a boogey man to cover your ass. And the loss of the dreadnought had to be a major sore point for the Separatists. Besides, while on the Malevolence, I did a lot to downplay my skills with the Force. Liberally using the weapons I usually carried as backups should have helped sell that deception.
”So let me get this straight. The Chancellor wants me to do what? Babysit the senator?” I asked incredilously.
”In a manner of speaking. She'll be visiting the Rodian's home world before the week's end. The Chancellor wants her to either travel on board of a Republic cruiser or get herself a bodyguard.”
”What I am? The new rage amongst the politicians on Coruscant?!” I chuckled. ”I hope the pay will be decent.”
Kenobi's only answer was an amused smirk.
”So I'll have to keep Skywalker's girlfriend in one piece. If what I saw on the Malevolence is anything to go by, I'll have my hands full. I'll want additional hazard pay for this...” I muttered, playing up my fake freelancer persona.
My mind was busy calculating and discarding plans. Keeping such a high profile politician in one piece would do wonders for my reputation. With the war going on if I wanted my own command from the ranks of the GAR (one of my primary plans for dealing with the mess counted on such a developments) that was something I'll need. Especially considering the fact that as things stood the Jedi would do their damned best to block such an idea. I needed friends in high places both within the Senate and the GAR high command.
If this was during a peace time I would not have considered such a course of action. Sidious would have the deck totally stacked against me. But there was no peace to be found. And I had the knowledge of a good Sith general. This conflict presented a lot of opportunities.
This was the opening move of the great game between me and Sidious. I felt a shiver of anticipation run down my spine. After all the prize was nothing less than the galaxy itself.