46Edited: 03/07/2020
CHAPTER 1
I NEGOTIATED
"Master, are you sure this is going to go our way?" Obi-Wan just knew the answer he would get. Qui-Gon was many things, maverick, impulsive and oft-times reckless with an admirable ability to quickly adapt to shifting situations.
The latter had never managed to not scare him due to his fear that the day would come when his Master's ability to adapt would no longer be enough to stave off mortal injury. It didn't help that Qui-Gon's age was catching up to him and his chosen style of lightsaber combat tended to tire him out far too quickly.
But, as usual, Qui-Gon was far too relaxed regarding their current mission. "Everything will work out, Obi-Wan. Trust the Force."
Obi-Wan sighed. "Could we not, for a moment, consider that these people have initiated the blockade of a planet for tax concessions? Our Jedi status is not going to stop a Turbolaser from shredding our ship." And us went unsaid.
Qui-Gon just gave his ever-confident smile. "Obi-Wan, we are here as envoys. Firing at us would only weaken their position in the Senate and cause their faction to fracture under the pressure that would be brought against them."
Obi-Wan winced. "That's only if this mission was officially sanctioned by the Senate." The High Council had authorized the mission as a personal favor to the Chancellor in an attempt to bring a peaceful resolution to the entire event. But it would turn out poorly for all involved if the Jedi were seen as interfering in matters they were not tasked with by the Senate.
If he was being entirely truthful with himself, Obi-Wan believed this mission had little to no chance of success. The Trade Federation and their allied cartels benefitted immensely from their control over the Free Trade Zones and the sheer depth of their influence would prevent major backlash against them as long their hands were clean and their actions clear of any evidence to the contrary. "Could the Order not have placed a request to the Senate to send in some of our own?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Not when in a time when the Order are being seen as a faction that interferes in matters outside our concern. After the disaster at Galidraan and the Yinchorri Uprising, the Order is seen in a less than favorable light and cannot afford to alienate the various factions of the Senate."
"But we stopped the Yinchorri." Obi-Wan was quite confused by the mention of the Yinchorri Uprising. The mission to Galidraan had been a failure due to deceit and betrayal but the Yinchorri had murdered several Jedi and were planning to launch a bloody invasion of the nearby sectors.
Qui-Gon sighed. "That's not how it is perceived, my young Padawan." He raised his hand to stall any further argument on the matter. "Politics on this level is always fraught with too much subtext. It's why I choose to never involve myself in these matters." As you well know.
Obi-Wan could perceived the unsaid words and was exasperated by them. The only reason Qui-Gon had yet to elevated to the councils was due to his ability to always be contrary to the Order.
"We are about to exit hyperspace." Qui-Gon announced as he started to initiate the various systems necessary for travel through realspace.
Obi-Wan watched the neon blue lines of hyperspace recede as the ship translated to realspace. If their calculations were correct, they would have arrived a couple of million miles from the hyperspace shadow of their destination.
Just as expected, the ship had entered just short of the verdant green planet. The ship's sensors went to work and a couple of minutes, they had a full map of the region around Naboo and the multiple Droid Control ships in orbit around the world. Strangely, the frigate and fighter squadrons that were the usual guards of such a fleet composition were strangely absent.
Before Obi-Wan could ponder on the mystery, the communications panel lit up with an incoming request. He accepted it to find the hologram of a droid coalescing on the panel.
"Warning: You are trespassing in the territory of Naboo. Identify yourself or you will be repelled with prejudice."
Obi-Wan withheld a sigh at the confirmation of his fears.
Qui-Gon simply smiled at the droid with his usual quiet confidence. "Greetings. I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. We were sent by the Jedi Order to negotiate for the cessation of the blockade of Naboo."
"Hold." The droid was quiet was a long moment before it spoke again, this time in a voice tinged with joy. "Apologies for our rude welcome!"
Obi-Wan blinked in surprise at the sudden change in tone.
The droid was positively gushing. "Please accept my sincere apologies for delaying grand welcome of your august personage. Let me know how this lowly trash bin may aid you in your hallowed endeavor."
Obi-Wan discretely pinched himself to ensure himself that this was not a dream and flushed in embarrassment when Qui-Gon gave him an amused look.
"We wish to speak to the leaders o-" Qui-Gon was interrupted by the droid with a tone that went past gushing into a sweet laced tone that almost grated on Obi-Wan's ears.
"Once again, I apologize for my wrong. I should have known your purpose the moment deigned to acknowledge this lowly droid with your names. I beg for forgiveness a thousand times over."
Just to ensure his sanity was not cracking, Obi-Wan made a quick detour through his memories but could not find a single instance of a droid that acted in a manner consistent with a holo-ad for soft drinks and less than reputable establishments.
"My Mistress has been waiting for your arrival. I have forwarded the coordinates to your system and a procession will be waiting for you with a full honor guard."
"…Your Mistress?" Obi-Wan just knew the question he had unwittingly asked was only going to get him an answer that would be quite… uncomfortable.
The droid seemed to become, if possible, ever more effervescent. "Yes, Young Master Padawan. The Mistress of Pain has been awaiting your arrival with inconsiderable glee. She has asked me to tell you that all of your requests have been arranged, including Young Master Padawan's request for an exhibition before a live audience."
Obi-Wan, for reasons he did not understand, felt utterly violated by the words, especially when the droid uttered them in that overly sweet tone.
"Mistress hastens to assure Young Master Padawan that while an open amphitheatre in front of ten thousand people had been quite difficult to arrange, the citizens of Naboo proved to be quite enthusiastic in their patronage. In point of fact, she received requests from some of the more… distinguished ladies to participate in the session with Young Master Padawan."
Qui-Gon seemed to understand what was happening as his lips took on an amused tilt. "And what will these exhibitions consist of?"
"Why, the hot, sweaty, steamy, bathtub copulations requested by your personages with the Mistress of Pain as she unleashes all of your pent up tensions in multiple giant spurts even as you are ravished by the eyes and luscious lips and nethers of many of Naboo's… distinguished ladies. And gentlemen. She has even procured the Rancor requested for some private time in a mudbath."
Obi-Wan's mouth had continued to drop as the words flowed until his jaw threatened to unhinge itself from his face as the droid spoke of the most embarrassing, lewd and perverted acts in a manner akin to the holo-ads selling sweets to children.
He cringed at the last thought, realizing that he would never be able to look at holo-ads the same way ever again.
Qui-Gon was amused. Of course, he was. Insanity like this was usually his forte thanks to his utterly insane adaptive time to shifting situations. "Let's meet this Mistress, shall we?"
Obi-Wan knew he was going to regret this.
XXXXXXXXXX
Obi-Wan had encountered multi-faceted reactions to his status as a Jedi through the over the past twelve years as a Padawan under Master Qui-Gon Jinn. From relief to hatred, anger to grudging respect, joy to scorn, he had seen it all.
Or, at the very least, he believed he had until they had landed on the Droid Control Ship indicated by the coordinates to be met by a welcoming committee consisting of over three score droids in military parade style salute complete with a colorful banner depicting their manners even as the droid that greeted them on the hologram stepped forward to obsequiously bow and introducing itself as OOM-9 before it requested the honor of escorting them to the ship's Command Center.
As they passed through the many corridors flanked by droids with OOM-9 leading the way, Obi-wan was quite unsure of the manner in which their mission was proceeding. He certainly had no expectations of a lewd joking droid, an honor guard or the nearly obsequious manner of the droids if he so much as uttered a question towards them.
Qui-Gon, as always, had taken it in stride and was merely examining the ship with the eye of a hobbyist.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath and just hoped this mission was not going to be a repeat of Galidraan, or worse, Melida/Daan.
When the doors to the Command Center slid open with the usual hiss, he was nearly relieved by the thought of facing the challenge lying in wait for them, no matter their penchant for lewd and inappropriate jokes.
Obi-Wan stepped into the Command Center of the ship and promptly froze at the sight of the woman who had risen to greet him.
To be specific, he froze when the realization of standing in the same room as the living legend of the Jedi Order hit him with all the force of a speeder.
Master Fay, THE MASTER FAY, stood less than twenty feet from him and he could do nothing but stare at the form of his oldest idol as her presence in the Force washed over him.
There was an air about her, a sign that told any Force-sensitive she was far removed from the concerns of the average sentient but her smile… her smile was brilliant in its compassion and her entire stance radiating quiet dignity and confidence.
No wonder she was called the 'The Diplomat.' Obi-Wan could see her bringing peace to a warzone on the strength of words alone.
"Don't you know that it's impolite to stare?"
Obi-Wan flinched at the rebuke in her tone and found Master Fay's smile to be quite sardonic. There was something wrong about seeing that expression on her. "Apologies, Master Fay."
Master Fay merely shook her head and approached Qui-Gon. "Master Jinn, a pleasure."
Qui-Gon gave a respectful nod. "The pleasure is all mine, Master Fay."
Master's Fay lips twitched. "There was no notification of the Senate authorizing an envoy, Master Jinn."
Obi-Wan could not quite grasp the tone of her words, though he wondered why he believed it to be cynical.
If Qui-Gon thought differently, he displayed nothing outwardly. "A personal favor to the Chancellor."
Master Fay pinched the bridge of her nose in apparent frustration. "When will they…" She shook her head. "Never mind. As you can see, the Trade Federation has ceased their illegal activities. The Order, and the Senate, can rest easy."
"So we see." Qui-Gon replied with a smile. "Does that mean the Mistress of Pain is busy at the moment?"
Obi-Wan wanted to give his Master a firm smack over the head, focusing on the Jedi Code to give him the mental strength to not embarrass himself before his inspiration.
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no emotion, there is peace.
"Mistress of Pain?"
Fortunately, Master Fay appeared bewilderment rather than insulted. Though, she must be quite accustomed to such comments since people would be unable to resists her beau-
Obi-Wan almost gave into the urge to throw himself out the nearest airlock. Never had he been more thankful to the Force for Master Fay's inability to read his thoughts.
Qui-Gon's smile widened. "I believe OOM-9 promised us quite the show. Obi-Wan would be quite disappointed if the amphitheater was-"
"Master!" Obi-Wan lunged to close the man's mouth only for his Master to adroitly step aside. "Stop saying that. Clearly, Master Fay doesn't-" He was interrupted by the one of the most wonderful sounds he had ever heard in his life.
Master Fay's laughter. Her utterly unrestrained, joy-filled laughter. Even the Force sang in tune with her and Obi-Wan just knew he was smiling at the moment. Just like Qui-Gon beside him.
It took a couple of seconds for Master Fay to regain her composure but her smile was no less bright. "Did the prank cause you any stress?"
Obi-Wan just sighed the moment he noticed Qui-Gon opening his mouth.
"My Padawan was disap-"
"Finish that thought and you will be spending the next three months in the infirmary." Obi-Wan had to cut this off she took offence. Besides, Qui-Gon needed a visit to the infirmary since he kept putting off his appointments for the last three weeks.
Master Fay's looked concerned. "Infirmary? How is he, Padawan Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan did not let Qui-Gon placate her with a half-truth. Based on her tone and the way she directed the query towards him, he realized even she knew his Master would be evasive on the matter. "He really needs to take a break, Master Fay, and I keep insisting." A sigh left his lips at the antics of his stubborn Master. "Yet he refuses to." Maybe The Diplomat will have better results.
"Master Jinn." Master Fay took a chiding tone that had Qui-Gon smiling in that way Obi-Wan knew he was attempting not to cringe. "A visit to the healers can ensure problems are identified before they become critical."
Obi-Wan was quite happy to watch Qui-Gon – his stubborn, maverick of a Master – cringe at the words. The man deserved it after all the stress he put Obi-Wan through.
"Even if you wish to avoid the matter because you believe it would not help, you could do it to put your Padawan, who clearly cares for you, at ease." Master Fay's tone was one that brooked no argument.
So naturally, Qui-Gon attempted to argue. "My Padawan was simply-"
"Jinn." Master Fay's sharp tone made the usually unflappable Qui-Gon flinch. To be fair, even Obi-wan could not stop himself from flinching at the rebuke in the tone. "You either take yourself to the infirmary or I can drag you to it."
Qui-Gon, as usual, tried to argue her over. "Is that the Mistress of Pain talking?"
It was moments like these Obi-Wan wondered if asking this maverick to take him on as a student was worth all the trouble.
"Would you like her to?" Master's Fay tone and expression was all polite dignity but for some reason, Obi-Wan wanted to crawl into the biggest bunker he could.
Qui-Gon chuckled. "Very well, Master Fay. You win this round."
"I've faced far more stubborn opposition." Master Fay waved off the compliment.
Obi-wan decided to chip in. "You have my thanks, Master Fay."
Qui-Gon squeezed Obi-Wan's shoulder. "We are going to have a talk about bullying me, Padawan."
Obi-wan rolled his eyes. "Wonderful."
Qui-Gon turned back to Master Fay. "So, may we know how you persuaded the Trade Federation to cease their blockade and hand over their ships and droids?"
Obi-Wan imagined it would be the quite the story.
Master Fay chose to be concise. "I negotiated."
Of all the answers he had expected, the non-answer was not quite what he had in mind
Qui-Gon blinked in confusion. "Negotiated?"
"After the Republic dithered on the situation, as always, and the Order waited for instructions, as always, I decided intervention was a good idea."
Obi-Wan was unsure if it was the disappointment in her voice or the idea that she had expected inaction that stung more. To be fair, the Order had dispatched him and Qui-Gon as soon as they could.
On the other hand, they were sent here not by official request but by the Chancellor's. Even with that under consideration, it hurt to see Master Fay's disappointment and the idea that she expected the Order to waver on saving lives was...
He was wondering if Master Fay was wavering on the Jedi path though her actions here suggested otherwise.
Qui-Gon seemed to read more into the situation, though he kept those thoughts to himself. "And the Trade Federation?"
Master Fay gave an amused smile. "I laid out terms the Viceroy considered quite reasonable and agreed to cease the blockade and turn himself over to the Republic."
Qui-Gon blinked but, as usual, his ability to adapt to changing circumstances overcame his surprise quickly. "I believe I missed quite the interesting conference."
Master Fay's grin was conspiratorial. "You have no idea, Master Jinn."
Obi-Wan wanted to ask further questions on the matter but was interrupted by the hiss of the doors parting.
A woman stepped into the room with a datapad in hand, only to freeze when her eyes lay on them. Her appearance indicated she had lived a hard life. "Oh! I didn't mean to interrupt you, Miss Fay."
"It was of no issue." Master Fay stepped past Obi-Wan and towards the woman. "Can I be of any assistance this time?" Her tone turned quite mocking towards at the end
Even as she winced, the woman chuckled at the internal joke between them. "Yes." The datapad changed hands between them. "Ani found the full manifest for everything onboard the ships. All of them. He asked you to meet him in Cargo Bay Seven to go over the assets which can be sold."
"Asked?" Master Fay looked quite amused.
The woman returned a contrite smile. "He's always been independent."
Master Fay placed a hand on the woman's shoulder in a gesture of reassurance. "Children always look to push boundaries." Her gaze and smile were full of empathy. "Has he taken a break?"
The woman sighed. "He told me he would after we got things sorted."
Master Fay sighed, turned to face Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and gestured towards the woman. "Master Jinn. Padawan Kenobi. Meet Shmi Skywalker."
The woman, Shmi, smiled and gave a low nod. "It is nice to meet you."
Obi-wan and Qui-Gon returned the greeting even as questions danced on the tip of his tongue as to why an obviously untrained woman was aboard a military vessel.
Master Fay turned to head out of the Command Center, Shmi following in her wake. "Please follow me. I'd prefer to not leave Anakin to his own devices." A bemused smile rose on her lips. "He should have taken apart the entire bay by now."
Obi-Wan matched his pace to Master Fay's long stride. "Whose Anakin?"
Master Fay's reply was all the more shattering for the blasé tone it was delivered in. "My student."
XXXXXXXXXX
There were many truths one learned as a member of the Jedi Order.
Kit Fisto will never fail to show off his chest during a fight.
Younglings will always listen to Luminara Unduli.
Tera Sinube will never fail to rile Jocasta Nu.
These were few of the many, many idiosyncrasies a Jedi learned over the course of a long, long career but there was one that never failed to bring a sigh to the Order's entire Diplomatic Corps.
Master Fay will never take a student.
The Order had many brilliant diplomats over the course of its illustrious history. There were people with years of experience capable of bringing ceasefire and, at times, even peace to worlds, with several of the senior members leading efforts to ensure the numerous members of the Republic did not fall to war as a first or even last resort.
Yet all of them paled in comparison to Master Fay. She was called The Diplomat, the one by which all other diplomats were measured. Granted she had centuries over them all but the years only magnified the depths of her achievements and the peace she had brought to dozens of worlds had only served to solidify her legends in the eyes of her admirers.
To hear she had taken a student under her wing, after centuries of refusing to teach, would have sent the Masters of the Order into a tizzy. Hell, Obi-Wan was still trying to come to terms with the fact.
It had not stopped him from querying Master Fay on her student during their journey to the cargo bay. Qui-Gon did pitch in with an observation or two but otherwise, seemed perfectly content with her laconic answers that only served to confuse Obi-Wan.
Thus far, Obi-Wan had managed to learn the name of Master Fay's Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, and his favorite color, red. He had tried to gain answers from Shmi Skywalker but Master Fay shut down that line of query, insisting that a meeting in person would let him take his own assessment.
At that point, Obi-Wan suspected Master Fay was setting him up for a surprise.
Qui-Gon's not-so-hidden mirth and Master's Fay lip twitch might have had something to do with that opinion.
When their arrival to Cargo Bay Seven was followed by the hiss of the doors parting to reveal the room, Obi-Wan had an expectation or two or three of what he would find.
Instead, the sight which greeted his eyes so brought all of his thoughts to a standstill.
Before the rows and rows of stacked containers and the dozen terminals responsible for monitoring the bay and its contents sat a human child facing away from them.
The part of the scene which fascinated Obi-Wan were the dozens of circuits, mechanical limbs, tools, glowing crystals and datapads hovering around and above the boy with nary a twitch. He watched the boy perform a careless gesture to retrieve one of the floating tools.
It was a display of immense control and laser-sharp focus that Obi-Wan would have comfortably expected from a Master of the Jedi Order.
Not a boy who looked barely past ten years of age.
"Remarkable." Qui-Gon's voice was light but Obi-Wan knew his Master and thus, could feel the surprise and growing interest underlying the calm he projected.
Shmi Skywalker sighed in despair at the wondrous sight and raised her voice. "Anakin!"
The boy's head whipped around and Obi-Wan's gaze was drawn to impossibly sharp green eyes that seemed to see through them all.
Before Obi-Wan could even ruminate about the unusual sight, the gaze lightened to a warm green as a wide smile bloomed on those lips. "You're here!"
The boy dropped the tools without a thought and ran into Master Fay, arms thrown around her in a hug. "Took you long enough!"
Obi-Wan watched Master Fay smile warmly towards the boy who echoed her with a bright one. She gently gripped his shoulder with a gesture of support and comfort. "Only thirty minutes, Anakin."
The moment the name was uttered, Obi-Wan abruptly focused on the boy, the apparent – first – student of Master Fay.
Anakin looked just as weathered as his mother, dressed in a set of clothes that had seen quite a bit of use. Blonde hair, though there was a hint of silver to the strands. He looked to be no more than ten standard years of age, perhaps less. Overall, there was nothing in the boy's manner or bearing to indicate something to draw the attention of Master Fay.
A glance at the objects that continued to hover reminded Obi-Wan of the old adage: Do not judge potential by appearance.
At Master Fay's words, Anakin stepped back with confusion etched over his face. "Really?"
Shmi Skywalker, his mother, sighed in resignation. "Ani… What have I told you?"
Master Fay merely smiled in amused exasperation. "He will learn one day, Shmi." Turning towards Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, she spoke with a quiet warmth in her voice. "Master Jinn. Padawan Kenobi. Anakin Skywalker, my-"
"Her husband."
Obi-Wan choked at Anakin's pronouncement.
Qui-Gon seemed to be enjoying the situation. The bastard.
Master Fay's features shifted to mock surprise. "Oh! When did our marriage occur, dear?"
The boy had the temerity to look at her scowl. "I told you. As soon as I turn eighteen. Stupid laws." He grumbled towards the end.
"That's not how marriage works, Ani." Shmi attempted to scold him. Attempted, since none could miss the humor in her voice.
"I doubt the boy really cares for traditional courting, Madam." Qui-Gon interjected.
Anakin frowned at Qui-Gon. Though at his age, it resembled a pout. "I like her. She likes me. My mother likes us both. That's what we need but Fay argued that I need to be eighteen before that."
Obi-Wan winced when he imagined how Satine would reacted if he had employed such an argument with her. "That is not how marriage works, Anakin."
Anakin's lips parted when he stopped, stared at Obi-Wan before a flicker of recognition passed through his eyes. "Hey! You're the one that ran away from Sahsa!"
Obi-Wan was utterly bewildered by the accusation, not to mention the hand jabbing towards him with an implement that looked very similar to a lightsaber. "Uh…Who?"
"Really?" Anakin pulled off a very effective sneer. "If you're going to be a freaking liar, have the decency to-"
Before Obi-Wan could correct this case of misidentification, Shmi corralled her son and his anger. "Anakin, this is Padawan Kenobi. A Jedi. Like Master Fay."
Anakin blinked at her answer, looked at Obi-Wan for a few seconds when a realization seemed to strike him. "Oh! Anyway, Fay, you got a look at the manifest?"
Shmi sighed. "Anakin, that is rude. Apologise to the man."
"That wasn't rude." Anakin exclaimed, like there were a line below which all insults could be shrugged away without an apology. "I didn't even start on the rest of it."
Master Fay gripped Anakin's shoulder, drawing his attention. "We talk about this, Anakin. Perception matters."
Anakin's attempt at a scowl was a cute pout. He held Master Fay's calm gaze for several seconds before huffing in displeasure and turning towards Obi-Wan. "I'm sorry."
Obi-Wan decided that the apology – wrenched from between clenched teeth – was the best he was going to get. "Just be careful next time, alright?"
Anakin turned back towards Master Fay with a bright look, as thought to say he had accomplished quite the difficult task. "Now, did you go over the manifests or were you still looking for clues? I know we found that the Sith guy ran this thing but do-"
Oui-Gon interjected before Obi-Wan could even attempt to. "Wait. Did you just say 'Sith'?"
Obi-Wan could scarely believe it. The Sith were a legend and while the Rule of Two was rumored to exists, it was just that. A rumor.
Anakin frowned. "I thought you told them already, Fay."
"I wanted to introduce my student first." Master Fay turned away from Anakin, Obi-Wan dreading her next words would be changing his life forever. "There is a Sith on Coruscant."
For the first time in his life, Obi-Wan cursed for a long minute. Because the galaxy seemed far too determined to ensure he had early onset heart failure.
XXXXXXXXXX
Hello, readers. For those finding this fic again, I apologize for taking it down without notice. But I had to take it down.
Now, I decided to change the idea behind the fic thanks to a friend I would love to strangle but it has given me new ideas and a proper direction to move this story towards.
So, Buckle up and enjoy the ride as the galaxy experiences conquests, robots and shiny lightsabers