"Resolve"
*In this storyline, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Capitan Rex spent months on Kadavo, not days. During that time, torture of the slaves in Kenobi's name continued under the direction of Keeper Agruss. With the above exception, the story of Obi-Wan's time on Kadavo is unchanged. (Season 4 episodes12 "Slaves of the Republic" and 13 "Escape from Kadavo")
**This story picks up immediately after Darth Maul has murdered Satine, Duchess of Mandalore, and had commanded that Master Kenobi be taken to his cell. Instead of escaping with the help of the Bo-Katan and her Nite Owls alone, this story has Master Skywalker and Padawan Tano assist in the rescue. From this departure, the story below takes place. (Season 5 episode 16 "The Lawless")
"You should have chosen the dark side, Master Jedi," Darth Maul said, a sneer creeping across his tattooed lips. He lifted his hand and Satine was hoisted by the invisible hand of the Force into the air. She was gasping, but Maul wasn't completely suffocating her, at least not yet. He moved slowly towards his prize. Maul had Kenobi right where he wanted him and now he was simply playing with him. "Your emotions betray you. Your fear and... yes, your anger... Let your anger deepen your hatred."
"Don't listen to him, Obi," Satine managed before Maul tightened his grasp.
"Quiet," growled Savage, but his brother raised a hand silencing him as well. Kenobi took in a calming breath, choosing to focus on the floor rather than a choking Satine.
"You can kill me," Kenobi started, "but you will never destroy me." Obi-Wan raised his eyes and looked directly at Darth Maul. "It takes strength to resist the dark side. Only the weak embrace it."
"It is more powerful than you know."
"And those who oppose it are more powerful than you'll ever be," snapped Kenobi. Maul growled. "I know where you're from," Kenobi continued, "I've been to your village. I know the decision to join the dark side wasn't yours. The Nightsisters made it for you,"
"Silence!" hissed Maul his anger growing with his every breath. "You think you know me! It was I who languished for years thinking of nothing but YOU! Nothing, but this moment! And now...," he continued, his voice suddenly and eerily calm, "the perfect tool for my vengeance is in front of us. I never planned on killing you, but I will make you share my pain, Kenobi..."
It happened so fast. Too fast. A guard slammed the back of Kenobi's knee with the butt of his blaster knocking Kenobi to the ground. He looked up and reached out for Satine, but the other guard butted him in the head sending his gaze to the floor. It was only a moment, but it was enough. Kenobi looked up only to see Maul's hand move slightly and Satine lurch forward. Maul lifted his saber and... it was done. Satine's body fell to the floor and, in an instant, Kenobi was by her side, his face awash with more emotion, more pain than he thought one being could ever feel. Such was the agony of holding her and yet watching her slip away from him.
"Satine," he whispered. At that moment, Kenobi was forced to admit to himself exactly how much he did love her. He had tried, struggled so hard not to form an attachment, but now, knowing that he had only deluded himself into thinking he had succeeded, his regret and remorse bore into him like a dagger in his heart. He looked upon her, that face which he had loved for so long; that face he would have, should have left the Order for... He looked upon her now and was helpless. Satine's ragged breathing steadied as she settled upon his gaze. Her eyes softened and her hand reached up to touch his face.
"Remember, my dear Obi-Wan... I've loved you always... I always will..." she whispered and then she was gone. Obi-Wan held her close, tucking her hand to his heart and kissing her fingers. Darth Maul sat back on his throne, a satisfying smile playing across his face.
"Do we kill him now, brother?" Savage asked.
"No," Maul replied, "imprison him below. Let him drown in his misery. Take him to his cell... to rot."
Kenobi gently laid Satine's body on the floor. He felt the rough hands of the Death Watch Mandalorians upon him and allowed himself to be taken. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. Everything that had mattered now grew cold on the floor.
Kenobi offered no resistance when they led him on to the chariot speeder to escort him to his new prison home. Why fight? What was worth fighting for anymore? His mission was to rescue the Duchess, to save Satine... and at that he had failed, miserably. Satine... He had failed her... failed...
One of the Mandalorian guards pushed into Kenobi's shoulder indicating that he should get off his knees and on to the landing platform. Kenobi stepped on to the platform followed by all four guards. Anakin lowered his scopes and turned to Ahsoka and Bo-Katan.
"There are four guards with him, but I suspect there are more nearby," Anakin said. "Remember, our priority is to get Master Kenobi."
Ahsoka, Bo-Katan and the renegade Mandalorians, now called Nite Owls, all nodded. Anakin turned his attention back to the speeder platform.
"Go!" he yelled and soon the entire rescue party was descending onto the platform. Immediately, a fire fight erupted and, just as expected, more Death Watch guards flew in from hidden positions above the dock. Anakin scanned the fight looking for Obi-Wan and was surprised to find him kneeling in the same spot. Anakin could not tell whether it was his bonds or some injury that kept Obi-Wan from either assisting in his rescue or taking cover, but it worried him greatly. Kenobi simply kneeled there seemingly without a care for the fight around him.
"Snips, get Obi-Wan out of here!" Anakin yelled as he deflected several shots from Mandalorian blasters. Ahsoka leapt and landed where Kenobi was kneeling. She put her arm around him and forced him to his feet.
"Time to go, Master," she said. After she got him standing, she strapped a jet pack to his back. Ahsoka was putting on her own pack when Anakin knocked out the last of the guards.
"You okay?"
Kenobi said nothing, just nodded quietly. Anakin was about to ask again, but was interrupted by Bo-Katan.
` "There are more on the way," she said pointing to incoming Death Watch commandos. "We must hurry!" and with that she took the skies. All three Jedi followed straight behind her. The fire fight continued in the sky their pursuers gaining on them bit by bit. The rescue party finally reached their destination, several commandos still on their trail. The team landed and continued their fight on the ground. Everyone was blasting or blocking except Kenobi. He remained beside Ahsoka, but he did not have his lightsaber out. Ahsoka continued to protect him, but soon she found herself overwhelmed. Anakin saw it too. Two Death Watch commandos had out flanked her position.
"Ahsoka, behind you!" he yelled. She turned around and managed to block several shots from one of the incoming commando's blasts, but the second made it through. He let loose a volley of shots toward Kenobi, three of which found their mark. Kenobi let out a sharp gasp as the shots ripped through his armor. He hit the ground in a crumpled heap.
"On to the ship!" Anakin yelled. He and Bo-Katan covered Ahsoka as she struggled to carry Obi-Wan up the ramp. Once they were on board Anakin jumped on to the ramp himself.
"Go back to your Republic and tell them what has happened."
"I will," Anakin said. He gave Bo-Katan a quick parting nod before running into the ship.
"Snips, get us out of here," he said.
"Way ahead of you, Master," Ahsoka replied as the ship launched forward, deftly avoiding several blasts from the ground. Once clear of the atmosphere, Ahsoka plotted the jump to hyperspace and soon the three of them were on their way to Coruscant. Ahsoka hopped out of the pilot seat and raced to the back of the shuttle where Anakin was securing his former Master on a stretcher. Kenobi grimaced and muttered softly.
"What is he saying?" Ahsoka asked. Anakin leaned in closer to Obi-Wan. He sat back up and looked at his Padawan.
"He said, 'Jedi only make things worse.'"
"What... What does that mean? Is he going to be ok?" she asked, stepping closer.
"I don't know, Snips," Anakin said shaking his head. "Something has been... different about Obi-Wan for awhile..."
"I know, ever since he went undercover with those bounty hunters," Ahsoka offered. Anakin shook his head.
"No, it started before that... like with the Zygerrians. Yes," Anakin said more sure of himself, "it started with Kadavo."
Anakin injected Obi-Wan with a painkiller and tranquilizer combination. Obi-Wan's face relaxed as he lapsed into unconsciousness.
"Something must have happened there. Something we missed," Anakin said to his Padawan, but even as he said it, part of him of didn't believe it. That something could have gotten to Obi-Wan, affected him somehow seemed impossible. His former Master had always seemed all but invincible to him. Ahsoka frowned.
"If that's true and Master Kenobi has been compromised, shouldn't we tell the Council?"
"We can't report what we don't know, Snips. Right now, our job is to get Obi-Wan to the Jedi Temple before it's too late."
"Satine...?"
"Master, it's me, Anakin. You're safe now. You're in the Jedi Temple medical facility."
"Anakin?" a groggy Kenobi muttered as he struggled to focus on his surroundings.
"Yes, it's me. Looks like I had to save you again old man," Anakin answered a smile spreading across his face.
"I... was on Mandalore," Kenobi continued still trying to sort his thoughts out. Anakin's smile faded and a far more serious expression took its place.
"Yes. You went to rescue the Duchess, but..."
"Satine... she's dead...," he whispered closing his eyes. "Darth Maul..."
"We know," Anakin said softly. "You just rest now, there will be plenty of time to talk later," Anakin said as he stood up to leave. Obi-Wan suddenly grabbed his wrist. The act was full of intent, but his grip lacked any strength. He began to push himself up into a seated position.
"I must speak with the Council," he said. Anakin tried to gently push him back down to the bed.
"You can later. You are in no condition to,"
"No," Kenobi said, his voice strained from the effort of compelling his complaining body into action. "Now, Anakin. I will speak to the Council now."
At this point, Kenobi was half way out of the medical bed and preparing to stand up. Anakin mentally kicked himself for what he was about to do, but he resigned himself to do it. He placed Obi-Wan's arm over his shoulders and put his own arm around Obi-Wan's waist to give him the support he needed.
"Obi-Wan, are you sure this can't wait?"
"Please, Anakin, I need your help," was Kenobi's only reply. Anakin nodded.
"Of course," he answered. Anakin tapped his Jedi communicator. "Ahsoka, I need you to ask the Council to gather. Master Obi-Wan needs to speak with them."
"Master, I don't understand. Isn't Master Kenobi,"
"Snips, just do it!"
"Yes, Master," Ahsoka replied reluctantly. Anakin could hear the retreat in her voice and instantly he regretted snapping at her. He would apologize later, after this was done; whatever this was. Slowly, Anakin helped his former Master hobble down the long corridors of the Temple. By the time they reached the Council chambers, the members had assembled either in person or by holo-transmission. Even Ahsoka was there standing by the door trying her best to be invisible. Anakin walked Obi-Wan to the center of the floor. Once there Obi-Wan took his arm off of Anakin's shoulders and forced himself to stand on his own. Anakin prepared to stay by his side, but Kenobi waved him off. He wanted to stand there alone. Anakin understood that. He didn't like it, but he understood it. He backed away and joined his Padawan by the door. It was Master Yoda who spoke first.
"Resting you should be, Master Kenobi. What you have to tell the Council important it is," the old Jedi posited. Kenobi nodded, wincing ever so slightly.
"Masters, you know I have done my best to follow the ways of the Jedi, to serve the Republic, to keep the peace in the galaxy..."
"Yes," interrupted Master Windu, "you have served the Order with wisdom and distinction, but I sense... in these matters you feel differently."
"We understand that your mission to Mandalore did not go as you had hoped," Master Plo Koon continued. "But failure is what we all risk by acting. To not risk failure is to never take action."
"Oh, I understand failure, Master Plo," Kenobi answered a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Master Yoda shook his head and closed his eyes.
"Deep conflict in you I sense. Anger, doubt... despair... into these things you must not give or lose yourself you will," Yoda finished. Obi-Wan sighed, his head falling and his eyes closing.
"I fear it is already too late," he said then he raised his head again and looked at Master Yoda directly. "That is why I am resigning from the Jedi Order."
"No! You can't accept it!" Anakin yelled from the back of the room, but Master Yoda raised his hand silencing the young Skywalker.
"Sure of this you are, Obi-Wan?"
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan answered. Yoda looked to the Masters at his left and his right. He then turned back to Kenobi.
"Accept it we can. Accept it we will."
"Thank you, Masters," Kenobi said as he managed a small bow. With his bow, every member of the Council rose from their chairs and bowed to him.
"May the Force be with you, Master Kenobi," said Windu.
"Goodbye, my friends," Obi-Wan replied. He turned around and before he could take his first step, Anakin was by his side. Together, and at Obi-Wan's direction, the duo limped to the front of the Temple to the speeder platform where a summoned taxi speeder was waiting. Ahsoka, who had been quietly following behind, finally spoke as Anakin and Obi-Wan approached the edge of the platform.
"Master Kenobi, where will you go?" she asked. Kenobi looked back at the young Togruta.
"I have always kept a place here in the city," Kenobi said, his breath a bit labored. "I suppose I will stay there for awhile."
"And then what?" Anakin demanded as he helped Obi-Wan into the taxi. "Master," he said his voice softening, "don't do this."
Obi-Wan could see the plaintive plea in his former Padawan's eyes. He felt it tug at the special bond shared between Masters and their Padawan learners, but Obi-Wan simply shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Anakin, but I must," he replied. Anakin backed away and allowed the taxi's door to close. Even as the speeder pulled away he tried to hold Kenobi's gaze, but Obi-Wan just turned away. In moments, the speeder was gone. Ahsoka reached out for her Master's hand, but as she watched it clench into a fist, she found herself stopping short. Even inexperienced as she was with the depth of the Force she could sense the rolling anger stirring deep within her Master. Anakin, feeling his anger and frustration taking hold, steadied himself. He focused on his breathing and began to settle his mind as he had been trained to do by Kenobi himself. Once the initial wave of frustration passed, Anakin felt he had calmed enough to speak to his learner.
"Something is not right, Ahsoka. Something had to have happened on Kadavo or Mandalore."
"We know what happened on Mandalore. He failed a mission, but... Master Kenobi has failed missions before," Ahsoka said in obvious confusion.
"That wasn't a mission from the Council. It was... personal," Anakin answered finally. He felt he couldn't say more; luckily Ahsoka seemed to understand enough to let it go. Anakin shook his head still frustrated. "There must be something. Something happened... something I missed... something I don't know..." Anakin stopped and looked straight at Ahsoka. "I need to talk to Rex."
No longer a Jedi. He was no longer a Jedi. Not a Jedi. Obi-Wan wasn't sure he understood what that meant even as he thought it. He had always been a Jedi. For as long as he had memory... He had been a youngling, a Padawan learner, a Master, but always a Jedi. Even during that misguided time on Melida/Daan he still considered himself a Jedi... Always he was a Jedi... always making things worse.
"No," Obi-Wan said aloud to himself. "I must not allow myself to," he stopped, stood still and took in a deep breath. He exhaled slowly then entered the access code to his tiny apartment. The room was dark and stale from being uninhabited for so long. Obi-Wan didn't care. His singular thought was one of rest. From his shoulder to his ribcage to his thigh, all along his right side throbbed with agonizing pain as he continued to slowly limp his way to the bedroom. The sheets were old, but clean not that it mattered. He staggered to the side of the bed and, resisting the urge to collapse entirely, slowly lowered himself to a seated position on its edge.
"I must not give in to these feelings," he whispered. He lay back onto the bed, wincing as his muscles settled into a comfortable position. "Satine..." he whispered breathlessly and then Kenobi did something he hadn't done since he was a Padawan. Not since he watched his Master fall. He cried.