Chapter 10 – Qui Gon?!

Panting, Obi-Wan came to a halt in front of the Council chamber. He'd run all the way because if another meeting was called, apart from the normal ones, it had to be something important. He quickly smoothed his gear and wiped individual beads of sweat from his face. Then he entered the hall. Mace Windu was already sitting there, as well as Kit Fisto, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi Mundi and Shaak Ti. Master Tiin and Agen Kolar were only present as holograms. I'm not the last. Master Yoda was not present. Master Yoda is never the last, a small voice whispered in his head. Obi-Wan bowed briefly, then quickly took his place.

Oddly enough, Windu was already beginning. "Since Master Yoda is unavailable on Ilum , I'll start now," Mace explained, as if reading Obi- Wan's mind. Make an effort, Kenobi. Are your thoughts so easy to see through? That voice again, whispering caution to him. He was careful. Cautious enough to know something was fishy here. "I have called this meeting in response to recent events. Senator Amidala and Jedi Skywalker. A great team, I have to admit. And very daring, from what I've heard."

Obi-Wan gasped. Damn it! What has Anakin done? Mace looked around the room searchingly, until his gaze finally settled on Obi-Wan. "Master Kenobi. Is everything all right?" Not only Mace, but also Master Koon had noticed his inner conflict. "Of course, Master Koon. Everything's fine. Thanks for asking."

He hadn't maintained his protective wall for too long. It's time for you to find your way back to reality. The galaxy is at war! Palpatine is Emperor of the new galactic empire! You can't stand idly in the farthest corner crawl away. What would Qui-Gon do in your position? Qui -Gon would go against the Council and bail out his friend. And so would Obi-Wan. At least that's what he thought at the moment.

Mace nodded, satisfied, and continued, "Senator Amidala was taken to the prison block and locked in a cell under video surveillance." He paused briefly to get the attention of everyone present. "This allowed me to witness firsthand how Skywalker freed Senator Amidala." The words struck. Windu's last words were drowned out by a loud coughing fit of from Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan struggled to control himself, to no avail suspicious looks. "I saw more than just the escape. In fact, I didn't see anything at all."

The rest of the Council members looked around in surprise. What did that mean? "Master Windu, you just told us that you witnessed the escape. But then how is it that you didn't see anything?" Shaak Ti's voice sounded cautious. As if afraid of a tantrum from Windu.

But no matter how cautious Shaak Ti had been, in Windu's ears it sounded like criticism. "Don't you understand, Master Ti? I saw Skywalker's escape because I couldn't see it! And do you know why?" The Togruta shook her head and sighed in resignation. "He kneecapped the video network. Otherwise I would have seen Amidala's cell. And because I couldn't see her, I have to assume that she was freed. Or at least that an attempt was made to free her."

Obi-Wan had to swallow. He didn't like Mace's theory at all. But now Ki -Adi Mundi also took part in the conversation: "Couldn't that be due to a technical defect? "

Mace Windu shook his head vigorously. "No, never. Also, oddly enough, this defect only appeared in Amidala's cell." Now it was quiet in the room. Most members understood what was going on and agreed with Windu.

How could you be so foolish, Kenobi? It was to be expected that Anakin would not leave Padmé alone in these difficult times. Obi-Wan was beginning to despair. The conversation had gone the wrong way completely! After gathering his thoughts, Obi-Wan dared to ask his question aloud, "And what did you do about it? Or did you just sit by and watched a black screen?"

That seemed to genuinely hurt Mace Windu. He was actually a good person. He would do anything for the Order. Nothing was more important to him than preserving the Jedi's rituals and traditions. That's why he saw danger around every corner. Actually, he was just a very cautious man who often came across as wrong or arrogant. Nobody knew him better than Yoda. He saw great potential in Mace. He wasn't wrong. "Had I done nothing, Master Kenobi, I would have violated the Code. Through harmony, I have made my decision. Skywalker has defied the Council often enough. Now he has crossed a line. He has, without the permission of any member of the High Council, freed a prisoner. In other words, he kidnapped her. Even if it sounds bad to you. I'm sorry, Master Kenobi, but in that regard, Anakin betrayed the Jedi and sided with the Senate. And the Senate belongs to the Galactic Empire."

Now there was murmuring. Many disagreed with Windu, but there were those who shared his opinion. Now Shaak Ti spoke up again: "But Senator Amidala has sided with the Jedi and with the rebels. I don't agree with you, Master Windu!" She shook her head vigorously, her lekkus swinging back and forth.

Mace looked sadly into the big eyes of the Togruta. "I thought so too. Until the truth came out."

"Did you hear that, Obi-Wan? From the looks of it, he has informants." Startled, Obi-Wan jumped up.

"Qui -Gon?!"

-

What do you think?