Anakin shook his head. “I don’t want your brand of freedom.”
“Why not? I can do anything I want. Let me tell you, power is a good thing to have. It’s even fun. You could do anything you want. With my help, you could raise an army. You could return to the miserable planet of your birth and free your mother. Isn’t that your deepest wish? Why are the Jedi holding you back from it?”
Startled, Anakin remembered his vision. He had touched the cuffs on Shmi’s hands and they had fallen to the floor. It hadn’t been a vision of what would happen, he realized suddenly. It had been a vision of what could be.
What could be…
The thought flared up, searing him with promise. He thought of how he’d felt in the dream. So powerful, so sure. Closing his hands over the remembered texture of Shmi’s skin, seeing the light in her eyes when she saw him.
“Yes, Anakin Skywalker,” Omega said softly. “I can give you the means to do it. We could leave here tomorrow if that’s what you wished.”
“No,” Anakin said. I am not listening to this. I am not hearing this.
Omega pushed himself off the table. Anakin heard the slap of his boots on the floor, but he didn’t look at his face. “Well, think about it. You don’t have to leave the Jedi forever. You could give me a trial run. See how you like real freedom. You can always return to the Jedi. They’re pretty desperate these days. They’ll take you back.”
“I will never give you anything,” Anakin said.
“How about a deal? Something I want for something you want? I know the Jedi want me off-planet. I’m not sure if I’m ready to go, but if the Senate is going to get tangled up in Mawan politics, I’d be a fool to stay. Nevertheless, I have some demands. If you’ll contact Yaddle and get her to come to a meeting here, I’ll guarantee her safety.”
“Who will guarantee yours?” Anakin shot back.
Omega chuckled. “You will. The fact that I’m holding a Jedi means that whoever is in charge up there won’t send an army after me to `negotiate.’ I may be somewhat greedy, but I’m practical. I’m willing to move my operation. But Yaddle is the only one who can authorize my conditions. Set up the meeting. Then, while I make preparations to depart, you can decide whether you want to come with me.”
“I don’t have to make a decision. I know what I am. I know what I want.”
Omega sighed. “You Jedi. Always so resolute.” He shuddered. “All that self-righteousness gives me the spooks. Let me know if you’ll set up the meeting. I’ll arrange to bring your comlink to you.”
He accessed the door and strode out into the busy substation. Anakin turned and watched him move across the room. He noticed how Omega quickly checked and conferred with his assistants as he walked. He made decisions quickly and moved on. The room hummed with activity. For the first time he saw how this man had amassed such a fortune.
How did Omega know such things about the Temple? Had he corrupted a Jedi? Had he infiltrated the Temple? Such things were unthinkable, but there had to be an explanation.
Omega’s invitation for him to join his operation was laughable. Yet it had brought the vision freshly into his mind, and Anakin still felt the ache of it.
We could leave here tomorrow….
He could see her again. He could free her, and make sure she was well and safe. And then he could return to the Jedi. Omega said he could do that.
But the Jedi would not take him back if he did such a thing. Anakin knew that. Most likely Omega did, too.
His offer was hollow at the core.
But was there truth there, too? Were the Jedi holding him back from his deepest wish?
And was he strong enough to face the answer?
CHAPTER TEN
Yaddle looked around the tunnel with distaste. “Too much time underground, I have spent,” she murmured lightly. “Glad I will be to see the sky again.”
Obi-Wan smiled at her humorous tone, but he knew there was truth behind Yaddle’s words. He remembered the words from Anakin’s vision: The One Below remains below. Yoda had interpreted it as a warning, and Obi-Wan agreed. Now Yaddle was belowground. What if the attack on the substation failed and something happened to Yaddle?
“I can handle this,” he told her. “You should go back.”
Yaddle shook her head at him. “Know what you are thinking, I do, Obi-Wan. Worried about your Padawan’s vision, I am not. Think you that I should run away?”
“That’s not what I meant, Master Yaddle,” Obi-Wan said respectfully. “I was just suggesting that - “
“That run away I should,” Yaddle interrupted. “Wasting time, we are.”