Chapter 17

He carefully watched the screen that showed the two men as they walked down the dark corridor. So far, they had not spotted the surveillance cameras, but Daruc knew that couldn't last long.

As if in response to that thought, the Jedi, the one that Darth Sidious had called Kenobi, seemed to look right at him. The look on the man's face was intense, and in a brief moment a bright light flashed across the screen when he brought his arm up. Then that screen turned to static.

Well, now they know we're here, Daruc thought, not at all worried. He turned his seat around to face the wide-eyed men who were sitting in the room with him.

"You just saw that little display, boys. They know we're here. I say we don't disappoint them." He smiled wildly, and his men soon gained confidence. They ran from the room whooping for everyone to get their weapons and get ready.

They were moving out.

* * *

Obi-Wan kicked the small camera that he had just cut from the wall. Great, he thought sarcastically. Just great.

"It looks like they might find us before we find them, doesn't it Ben?" Cort asked somewhat grimly.

Obi-Wan just nodded, his mouth set in a straight line. He looked at Cort and pointed to the weapon on the younger man's belt. "You might want to get that ready."

The prince snapped the ornate lightsaber off his belt and held it ready in his hand. He stared at the weapon for a moment and then began to speak.

"We can't turn back. This is it. Even if we weren't down here right now, they were going to attack anyway tonight. Weren't they?"

"I think you're right. Come on. Let's keep going. I don't want to give them a chance to win."

The pair walked silently down the tunnel until Cort spoke again.

"Ben, what are we going to do if they out number us? You can't possibly fight forever. And me . . . well, I haven't been consistently training. Plus, I've barely slept four hours in almost as many days."

"Well," came Obi-Wan's voice from up ahead, "we'll just have to hope they don't out number us then."

* * *

Back on Coruscant, the recently appointed Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was attempting to plead his case to the Jedi Council.

"I was under the impression that Jedi Kenobi is a very capable person. He certainly performed his duties with the late Qui-Gon Jinn well when Naboo needed their help."

"Yes, Chancellor," Mace Windu said. "He is a very capable Jedi. However, as we said before, he is currently on a mission that we would prefer not to take him away from."

Palpatine tilted his head and clasped his hands behind his back. "This trade dispute over by the Corellian sector is something that I think he should serve as an ambassador for, though. This dispute has the potential of erupting in a situation similar to the one on Naboo two years ago. I do not wish for that to happen again, which is why I believe you should send him as the peaceful delegate. He has the most recent experience of any of your disciples."

"Already our answer we have given," Yoda interjected.

The Chancellor slowly scanned the room. "I have heard that Jedi Kenobi is on this mission because the request for help came from an old friend of his."

"Yes, this is true," sounded from the direction of Ki-Adi Mundi.

"So is it right for the council to put Kenobi's duties to a friend above his duties to the Republic?"

"Chancellor, you are twisting our words," Mace Windu intoned, becoming slightly annoyed.

Palpatine spread out his arms innocently. "I only speak the truth, Master Windu."

The dark-skinned Jedi was about to protest again when Yoda solemnly held up his hand. "Chancellor Palpatine made clear his point, he has."

"Yes, Master Yoda, but Obi-Wan must complete his current mission before we send him elsewhere."

"May I remind you," Palpatine broke in, "that the situation with the trade dispute worsens by the moment."

"Help you he will," Yoda commanded, putting a small amount of power behind his words, "but not until we say so."

Mace Windu looked sternly at the Chancellor. "We will give Jedi Kenobi six more hours, and then we will contact him and tell him to return to Coruscant."

Palpatine bowed reverently to the Jedi Council. "Thank you very much. Your judgment on the situation is wise indeed." Then he turned and exited the stately room. Not until he was in the turbolift and returning to his office did he allow himself a smug smile.