Star Wars Disclaimer: Copyright and Trademark belongs to George Lucas and Lucasfilms LTD
Novella: StarWars -Secret of The Red Orchid, written by ChorusGirl/HeKilledYounglings
CHAPTER I
The force was with General Obi-Wan Kenobi as he piloted his Jedi Starfighter eschew of near catastrophe at the center of the Dantooine system. The ship rattled and surged forward, it's fuel burning at high velocity away from the hungry mouth of an event horizon.
Sweat formed on the queasy Jedi Master's forehead as the Starfighter spiraled out of control into the stretches of space. A mishap that saved not only his life, but the mission itself as two pursuing federation ships plummeted to crushing singularity. Outside the viewing window, faraway stars and solar systems whirled as though someone pulled a plug that drained celestials from the Universe.
R-4, an astromech droid, sat in the wing struggling to talk with the computer whose system had gone haywire as a result of intense gravitational pull. The computer resisted at first, with an electrical spark. But the astromech argued back as he opened a side panel and used a laser to seal the severed wire together.
Finding success, the ship righted itself, and the spiraling ceased. Obi-Wan sighed heavily with relief, then turned to R-4.
"That was a close call," he said, looking out the window at his little astro-droid.
R-4 beeped and chirped. A whine that made the Jedi Master cringe.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Fix it or we won't be able to complete our mission," he said with a sense of urgency the droid didn't quite understand.
R-4 chirped and brought out his tools. Fortunately he could reach just far enough to repair the rest of the burnt out wiring.
As they cleared a magnetic field, the starfighter turned at a sharp 45 degree angle, then flattened out. "Good job, we're beginning to stabilize."
R-4 chirped at his master's compliment.
He was elated. Thankfully the mission would be over. These trips were once exciting, but the aging R-4 was worn and willing to lay himself down for scrap metal. Perhaps it was the stress, the ongoing war . . . or perhaps his master's constant irritation.
With the starfighter out of danger, and the imploding super nova long behind them, Obi-Wan set the ship to autopilot, then pressed a control. A flickering three-dimensional hologram of Jedi Master Mace Windu appeared.
The solemn darkly cloaked Master transmitted from a Coruscant control tower, awaiting important data from Obi-Wan's starfighter should the dedicated Jedi meet an untimely demise. But despite the triumph of his friend's safe return, Mace Windu's face bore the unfortunate burden of a permanent scowl.
"Welcome back, General Kenobi. Your report?"
"As assigned, I engaged a federation ship on Geonosis and have secured what appears to be an Encrypted Electronic Data Simulator."
When Obi-Wan spoke, there was hesitation in his voice that made Master Windu uneasy.
"Do you think the device has anything to do with Master Yoda's visions? The council is eagerly awaiting your return."
"I'm certain of its importance, and the success of the mission. Tell the council I will be stopping to refuel on Runei, and will return to the Jedi Temple with a full report not long after."
Using acute Jedi senses, the unabashed elder tried burrowing into his comrades thoughts, but to no avail. The starfighter's fuel level didn't necessitate a trip to Runei. There was something untoward about it all.
"Try not to stay too long..." Mace cautioned.
Not wishing to be held under Mace Windu's scrutiny a moment longer, Obi-Wan severed the connection then piloted his ship towards the small green-red planet.
Runei was a resort planet where Jedi Knights and Masters went to refuel and consort with commoners. Cavorting of this kind was generally frowned upon by the Order, but not barred. Etiquette also dictated these visits were never discussed, and while there, forming an attachment to a commoner was strictly forbidden. A violation of this rule meant certain expulsion from the Jedi Order.
Though many questionable types visited Runei, Obi-Wan's ship landed with nary a problem. All sorts were known to gather here: scoundrels, gamblers, criminals, even those who walked the dark side. Clashes were known to happen, but for the most part, Runei was neutral territory.
Obi-Wan landed then signaled the men at the station to refuel his ship. He looked around. Something was out of place. He wasn't exactly sensing that peace threatened, but who could be sure with so many shady characters lingering around? Perhaps he was only picking up traces of the nature of those who visited there, that they were not so good and generally lead dangerous lives elsewhere in the galaxy. He certainly didn't sense the presence of anyone... except Count Dooku.
Yes...Count Dooku had been here. But the impact of his presence was faint. Which meant he had probably come and gone. Had they arrived at the same time there would have been a battle. What would bring Count Dooku to such a place?
Obi-Wan thought of Christa. Had Count Dooku made a bid to visit her? No. He shook the thought from his head. Obi-Wan had already made contact with Christa,. She wouldn't entertain the likes of Count Dooku...would she?
Obi-Wan left his ship at the base and found himself smiling at the ridiculousness of his suspicions. Count Dooku was a Sith Lord. Sith Lords were treacherous, murderous, and evil. The concept of friendship and loyalty would be foreign to him.
Obi-Wan walked to a nearby cantina where revelers from near and distant planets gathered around a doorway. Obi-Wan ignored their objections and tired looks when he squeezed by, as well as their scoffing when the guard permitted him immediate entry. The guard was big like a Wookie, but round. His canines hung like razor sharp tusks, and with them he dared anyone to cross without consent.
"She's be done shortly," he grunted before moving aside to permit Obi-Wan entrance.
The pair exchanged a knowing glance as he walked inside and found a seat at the bar.
The bar maid seemed to know Obi-Wan's drink of choice and slid it across the counter into his hand. He gulped it easily, then listened to the band as it played a fast paced tune. The minutes seemed to melt like a slow-burning candle before Morve, the sharply tusked security guard sat on a neighboring stool.
"Ah, the Republic is in troubles," he groused. "Got what I tell you 'bout? Ah, believa me now?"
"Never doubted you for a second, friend. What is it? Appears Dooku is using an Encrypted Data Simulator."
"Ah," Morve coughed and wheezed. "Using ancient Nano technology eh?. Has its own hard drive so no equipments needed to stream data but the hard drive keepa you out without the right security code."
"This is very unusual. A simulator with it's own motherboard? But it's so small..."
Morve drew close to Obi-Wan's face, blowing breath that could melt steel into his nostrils. "You needa vera special droid to decode the encryption. Ah. What I saw...scare even me." Morve beat a large fist against his chest.
But the words were inaudible to the Jedi as the lights dimmed and two heavy red curtains with little gold tassels beneath them swept open. Obi-Wan whirled around. His highly attuned senses directed his gaze away from the bar, but failed to prevent his drink from crashing to the floor at the sight of Christa.
A bar maid stole a peek of the Jedi through long fluttering lashes and smiled as she signaled a service droid to vacuum the spillage.
Christa stood on stage before a captive audience - she was breathtaking, a vision of loveliness in a long white strapless dress, and a big red orchid in her silky dark hair. Light from the ceiling beamed upon her, bathing her in deep golden rays.
When she sang, their eyes met across the crowded cantina, and for a moment Obi-Wan imagined her performance was for him alone - he silently pleaded that she wound finish soon so he could speak to her face to face. Perished the thought. Such emotions were not allowed, so he tucked them deep inside and inwardly scolded himself for the foolish indulgence.
"Ah," Morve sounded. "Spectacular performance, eh friend?" came the faint voice.
Obi-Wan nodded and slid from the barstool. "I didn't think she could be anymore beautiful."
"It's been a long time," Morve observed.
Christa left the stage and moved through the audience with a microphone in her hand. Suddenly, an overweight Corellian admirer at a nearby table reached out, and grabbed her at the tail end of her dress. But before he could blink, a hand shot out and smacked him on the back of the head, causing the eyeglasses he wore to splash right into his drink. When he reached to retrieve them, Christa stooped and swiped a wallet from the cusp of one of his open pockets. This incited the audience to raucous laughter, though the dazed man was non-too happy about it. Christa shrugged, a triumphant smile curling the corner of her lips as she returned to the stage.
When the song wrapped, Christa exited the platform to standing ovation. But she only had eyes for one man. He stood near the bar, eyes transfixed on her face as she strutted towards him.
Obi-Wan gave her a look that could melt an iceberg, and Christa dove into his arms.
"What took you so long?" she chided breathlessly, running her fingers through his beard.
Obi-Wan broke free of her grasp, wishing she had minded proper formalities.
"Jedi business," he answered.
Christa, noted the distance he put between them and made a face.
"Jedi business? Listen buddy, it'd be a big mistakes to crossswords with me." She poked a finger in his chest then walked away.
"You'd lose," he answered.
Christa turned and stole a backward glance at Obi-Wan.
"I wouldn't bet on it."
Obi-Wan followed Christa to her suite, but knew better than to start talking to her now. Sometimes, words led to arguments. Some of which he won, some of which he lost. Usually Christa demanded to know where he had been? Why hadn't he seen her in so long? Did he care about her at all? "Who cares about the Jedi rules!" These were things Christa didn't seem to understand and no matter how hard he tried, making the rules understood often proved difficult. In this sense, Christa was difficult, a lot like his former apprentice Anakin Skywalker.
After a ride on an elevator that carried them to the top floor, the doors opened to a palatial suite. Christa's room. The room was white, with a beautiful balcony overlooking the horizon and two large moons in the sky. There was a changing area with various gowns for her on stage performances, a mirror, and vanity with various hair products and hair brushes. There was also a large bed, with white, flowery, chiffon curtains sweeping over it. Everything was still the same. Just as Obi-Wan remembered it.
"Where have you been? You kept me waiting here forever-"
"I can only stay a few hours..."
"A FEW HOURS? This is ridiculous."
"I only have a little time and you know, the Jedi Order is where my loyalties lie. And someday, who knows? You must prepare yourself for any eventualities. I may not return at all."
"Because you might be killed, or because you hate me?"
Obi-Wan laughed at the thought.
"I couldn't never hate you Christa. I told you I would visit as often as possible, but if you should continue to complain, well, I might find visiting you unpleasant."
"You're ego is out of control," she huffed.
Obi-Wan pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "but that's why you like me."
The feel of his hand on the small of her back was electric. Growing serious, he continued..."We only have a few moments together. Let's enjoy the time we have. I promise, I will try to visit you soon. But the war keeps me away. And soon I will be in the Outer Rim and I don't know how long this mission will keep me there, or if... I will return at all. I'm sure you wouldn't want things to end this way."
Christa analyzed the situation, then concluded he might be right.
"I agree..." she admitted reluctantly.
"Well if you agree...try not be upset with me."
CHAPTER II
Across the galaxy in a military control room on Geonosis, the usually composed Darth Tyrannus, formally known to the Jedi as Count Dooku, towered over an insect-like Geonosian creature with a scowl carved into his cool granite features.
"There's little room for error, my Geonosian friend. Especially when it comes to the Jedi. I want the Data simulator in my hands," he thundered. "Make contact with our men on Runei and have them disable Obi-Wan Kenobi's starfighter. I will deal with him when I arrive."
The creature replied in Geonosian tongue, clicking, and popping his words derisively as he rolled his eyes and pointed at his men. Suddenly, a blast of Sith lightening out of Dooku's fingertips silenced the contemptuous creature.
"I too, was a Jedi," Dooku sneered. "It is always in ones best interest not to underestimate our abilities."
The Geonosian's insect-like body crashed into a wall and convulsed as a small electrical current tore tiny fissures in his wings. Like-raced creatures in the control room shrieked in terror, having witness the effortless disposal of their Geonosian leader, then scurried about to carry out Dooku's orders.
"Ready my ship for Runei and man the fleet with battle droids." the Sith Lord finished.
In the darkness under the glow of moonlight, a delicate hand searched tirelessly through Obi-Wan Kenobi's dark brown cloak. For the first time in many moons, Obi-Wan had fallen into a deep, regenerative sleep, having suffered many restless nights on the battlefield in makeshift beds. Though his eyes occasionally found the opportunity to close, his senses were always awake...battle droids never seemed to tire. At long last, he could finally rest.
Christa took advantage of this vulnerability and searched through the cloak to the point of near exhaustion, until she happened upon a small black device – a Data Simulator. Obi-Wan, she noted, had taken great care to hide it. But what exactly is it? She wondered.
Christa hid the device, dropping it into a blue ceramic vase then returned to the cloak to retrieve Obi-Wan's coveted light saber. She grabbed it, then toyed with the buttons until a blue energy beam materialized. She then waved the heavy weapon about, marveling at the energy particles that formed its light. Was Obi-Wan's trust of her was so explicit that he could sleep through her brandishing it around? I could kill him easily, she thought. Christa walked to the bed where the Jedi slept and pointed the weapon at his throat. He didn't awaken at first– not until she climbed over him and brought her lips dangerously close to his own. He opened his eyes, slowly, brazenly unafraid, and intrinsically trusting of his weapon even as particles cracked and sparkled mere inches away from his face.
"Do you love me?"she asked.
Obi-Wan covered her hand with his own and disabled the lightsaber before answering.
"Jedi are taught to feel love and compassion for all beings."
"I don't care about other beings, what about me?" She slid into bed and laid by his side.
"Not again..." he grumbled. "Must we have this conversation today?"
"Is there a better time?"
"Yes, when the war is over and I'm no longer a Jedi."
"When you're no longer a Jedi? And when will that be?" she challenged.
"When we're too old to care. When you're happily married and growing old with your husband, whom I'm sure will be a wonderful man."
"Then it's true. I'll be growing old with you." Christa laid her head on Obi-Wan's shoulder and ran aimless fingers over his scarred arms and chest. "There's no other man for me."
"Christa, you mustn't speak that way. I've told you too many times already, possession and attachment are forbidden--"
"For a Jedi. They may own you, but they don't own me."
"I make my own decisions," he said.
Obi-Wan pushed Christa aside then climbed out of bed. He stood with his back facing her, battle scars and all as he slipped into his shirt and tunic. "I shouldn't have come."
The hurt in her eyes seemed to drain them of their natural spark. It was a vicious cycle. He would go away, only to return months later against his better judgement. Sometimes for only a night, sometimes for weeks at a time.
He would share her bed and hold her in his arms foolishly pretending the war was over and they were husband and wife. His original plan before the battle on Geonosis and the beginning of the Clone War. Perhaps when Anakin was no longer a padawan... But it was a lie. A horrible lie he concocted to make himself feel better when deep inside he knew the war was far from over, and his commitment to being a Jedi was equally firm. What made it even worse was that he seemed to hurt her more with each parting. He wanted to stay away from Runei, for her sake, but couldn't will himself to do it if he tried.
Was this attachment? Had he done the unthinkable? The answer to the problem suddenly became crystal clear.
Obi-Wan looked over his shoulder. He could sense her eyes on his back as they burned incisions into his soul.
"You're not coming back..." she uttered in disbelief.
He gave her a questioning glance, then returned to fastening the blue lightsaber into his robe. The Truth? He couldn't bare to look at her. But Christa came around and forced his eyes to meet her own.
"Why does it always end this way? Can't you...pretend? Just this once?" she pleaded.
"What can I do?" he asked.
"Instead of a sad and bitter goodbye, you can say, 'I'll see you tonight.'"
Obi-Wan slid a hand around her waist and pulled her close. Their eyes locked, and danced with the possibilities of what could never be. Christa savored the clock-stopping moment and took a mental photograph of his face as their lips met. His kiss left her mind in a haze.
"See you tonight," he whispered.
And like a cool summer breeze passing through her bedroom window, he was gone.