Pawn of Darkness

Chapter 6

General Obi-Wan Kenobi shifted restlessly in his chair aboard the battle cruiser, Justice. He stared out the huge view screen in front of him and absently stroked the beard the covered the cleft in his chin. He looked to the crew around him. Tired, haggard faces looked back at him, waiting for him to tell them what needed to be done. Waiting for him to lead them.
By the Force, they all needed a break.
They had been in space for more months than he could remember. They had seen more fighting than any other Republic cruiser. They had had more causalities too. That was the part that bothered him most. These people relied on him to keep them alive and unharmed. He felt like he had failed at that more times than he cared to think about. Maybe his critics were right. Perhaps he was much too young and inexperienced to commanded an entire battle cruiser. Maybe this was more responsibility than he could handle. The thought that his inability was the reason for so many dying was almost more than he could handle.
Yet in every one of his communications with the Temple, Master Yoda and Master Windu both had been nothing but encouraging. Telling him that war meant death and although it was sad it was a simple fact of life. They told him with as much fighting as the Justice has seen they are pleased that more have not died. It was little comfort. Even one crewman dying under his command was more than he could stomach.
Right now the mighty ship set still in space, badly in need of repairs. Several systems were down including long range communication. It was all up to him now to find them a Republic friendly outpost on the edges of the outer rim where they might be able to repair and rest a bit. Resting was almost as important as repairing at this point. The healers on board were running themselves ragged trying to keep so many people healthy. The crew had been confined to the ship for far to long a span of time without leave. They were getting stir crazy. He had even had to reprimand crew for fighting amongst themselves.
He scanned the data pad in his hand that held the list of all the near by planets and star ports. As he ran a long finger down the list, he was aware of several pairs of eyes staring at him as he tried to make a decision. Finally, one name jumped out at him. It seemed somehow familiar. Something in his unconscious whispered of some part of his past. He couldn't place the name or remember it's significance but it felt right to him and more importantly it was only a few hours away.
He raised his head and looked at the faces again. They seemed somehow even more drawn and tired now than they had a few moments before. Decision made, he cleared his throat and gave them the course to set.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Arianna watched as the thick, blue curtains closed once again. She gave a heavy sigh and made her way quickly back stage. She wondered briefly whether Talius would be waiting for her upstairs. A large part of her hoped not. It seemed that part grew bigger every day. She couldn't believe that after living away from everyone she knew and loved for sixteen years she had finally decided to begin a relationship and it turned out to be such a total disaster.
Well, it wasn't a total disaster, she smiled to herself, the sex was okay.
Her loneliness and need for human contact had lead her to Talius Yews. He was attractive enough she supposed. Not especially muscular but not completely unfit. He was just a plain ordinary guy. Nothing really stood out. His hair and eyes were a dull brown color. He was just a guy. If she hadn't been so lonely the night they met and he hadn't been so nice to her she probably wouldn't even have noticed him.
That night had been a real low point for her. She still remembered it like it was yesay. ay. She had been thinking of him. She had found herself doing that a lot since the two Jedi had left the planet. Twelve years later and she still thought of Obi-Wan quite often. Even after Talius had started coming by her apartment at night. She laid awake long after he had gone to sleep and remembered another man who had once laid where he was now. She remembered the feel of his force sense surrounding her, his lips against hers. She hadn't felt safe or protected since he left.
She still didn't know how that had happened. One minute she was lying in his arms, the next Qui-Gon Jinn was apologizing for Obi-Wan's behavior and ushering them to their ship. She remembered Qui-Gon being very strict with his Padawan's but that had been a bit ridiculous. She had tried to insist that they stay but Qui-Gon wouldn't hear of it. She guessed he thought Obi-Wan had taken advantage of her. It was closer to the truth that she had taken advantage of him. Once the Jedi left she realized it was probably for the best. If they hadn't gone when they did they might have talked her into returning to the temple and she knew now that was not what the force had in store for her.
Now, she had found her purpose. She knew were she was going. It felt good to be useful.
She gathered herself and brushed off all thoughts of the past with a heavy sigh and a shake of her head. She moved through the door that lead out of the backstage area. If Talius was upstairs she needed a drink before dealing with him.
She made her way as inconspicuously as possible to the bar. She was definitely not in the mood for the usual rambles pinching and grabbing tonight. Her mind was on getting to the bar, getting a drink and going home.
That was when she heard it. It was a sound so familiar she might have heard it yesterday. It was a voice like a melody, one she had heard over and over in the last twelve years.
" I'll be here as long as nee need me. " it had said to her once.
She turned towards the voice, scanning the crowd. She had heard earlier that several officers and crewmen on shore leave from a Republic cruiser were to be in the audience. Could one of them be him ? Was it possible he had abandoned the Order and joined the army ? She looked across the sea of faces trying to find the one she sought.
Then as one of the crewmen moved away from a table in the back she saw him. His hair was longer than last time, no longer cut in Padawan style. It was secured at the nape of his neck with an unadorned black binder. A beard covered the lower part of his face. But she knew. It was his eyes that gave him away, the same bluish gray color, like the sky before a storm, deep, soulful, penetrating. She She made her way to the table where he sat and stopped suddenly once again. It had been a long time since she had last been on a Republic planet but she could swear he wore the uniform of a General. It was a royal blue jacket and black pants, yet there was a lightsaber clipped to his belt. Since when had the Republic used Jedi in their army ?
" Good evening Gentleman. " she said, sliding up to the table and making herself comfortable. She concentrated on not staring at the man sitting across from her. " I hope you all enjoyed the show. "
A short, not entirely unattractive man with dark hair and green eyes and just a few less pips on his collar than Obi-Wan smiled at her. " We actually only just arrived. We were hoping to make it for the music but I guess we missed out. "
" That's all right. If you are still in port tomorrow, you can catch it then. I'm here every night. " she answered with one of her best smiles.
She glanced at Obi-Wan and thought she saw a look of recognition cross his face. She could have sworn she saw his breathing falter for a moment.
" We'll be here. If you're in the show we just might be here every night this week. " the man said, drawing her attention again.
" I am the show, Sweetheart. " she told the man in her best sultry voice. " I look forward to tomorrow. "
Then she stood and continued on her way to the bar then looked back over her shoulder before passing through the archway. Obi-Wan was gone.
She quickly got her drink and waited for a few minutes in the vain hope that he would find her. Apparently, he either didn't see her in the throng of people or didn't care to look for her.
With a defeated breath she pushed away from the bar and made her way upstairs.