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Tainted Child

Obi-Wan crept down the long, wide hallway. The darkened palace was large, and had few servants; he would not be seen. The darkness of night surrounded the palace, making any sound echo, and the silence seem smothering. The meeting of his brown leather boots with the black marble made no sound. Obi-Wan found himself drawn to the dark beauty of the palace, the way the darkness seemed to be almost hidden in majestic, beautiful lines.

Fitting for a Sith.

But Ana – no, I must not think of him as that, it has been years – Vader, he is not here, Obi-Wan thought. Had he been, Obi-Wan knew, he would, at this very moment, be facing the dark, armored monstrosity. Though perhaps Obi-Wan would have been able to disguise his presence, the ripples his being here created in the Force. But it was better that there was no risk. Obi-Wan was not here for Vader.

He was here for information. Deep within the residence of Darth Vader was a computer system that had much of the information the Rebellion against Palpatine needed – locations of weapons, ships, food – and prisoners. Not that there would be that many of those. And, the thought just a hope in the back of Obi-Wan's mind, perhaps some of the plans the Sith have for the future.

Obi-Wan had agreed to go on the mission for a simple reason – he was closest. By the time another Jedi could arrive, Vader could be back. And only a Jedi could get through Vader's defenses, even designed as they were for such an eventuality. It was no wonder that Vader's security would be so good, so carefully constructed to catch a Jedi Knight. He had killed many Jedi; they were his enemy, though of course the Jedi were in hiding, now. Doing hit and run attacks with the rest of the Rebellion.

Sighing, Obi-Wan pulled his black – to fit in the background, he reminded himself – cloak around himself even tighter. His normal Jedi clothing remained unchanged underneath it. Did Vader have to keep it so cold? Probably didn't notice, in that armor, Obi-Wan decided.

The layout of the palace was simple enough. It was a circle, with layers going from the perimeter to the very core, the core being the most protected, and the most secure. The core was where Obi-Wan wanted to go, and it was also the place he knew the least information about. He knew it existed, and he knew how to get past the defense around it, nothing more. It was dangerous, that lack of knowledge, but the core held the information he needed.

Obi-Wan moved quickly. Vader wasn't here, but that didn't mean Obi-Wan was in no danger of being caught. He slipped past locks with ease, finding it ironic that a Jedi would be so proficient in picking locks. He made it past laser walls – reminiscent of Naboo, and Obi-Wan had to wonder if that was on purpose – and devious traps. All expected, all planned for.

But when he broached the final layer of defense, that was when he found something he had never expected to find.

Rooms. Not just any rooms, but nicely decorated rooms. He could have sworn the place he was in was a living room. Comfortable couches, nice carpeting, wooden walls, children's toys –

Children's toys?

Truly astonished now, knowing his time was running out but his curiosity getting the better of him, he went exploring. It was a comfortable looking home, complete with a dining room, and what appeared to be a kitchen, the pleasant ordinariness of it all marred only by the fact that there were no windows. There wouldn't be, not in the middle of the palace. But there were large viewscreens on the walls – perhaps they served the same purpose?

Moving beyond the living room, he found himself in a hallway. There were three rooms branching off from it, all the doors closed. Slowly, unable to help himself, Obi-Wan approached the first one. He stared at the oak wood for a long second. Then he slowly opened the door.

Immediately he was struck by the artificialness, in total contrast with the rest of the home. It was all black and white and the silver of metal, completely sterile like a hospital room. He soon realized his first impression was more accurate than he had realized. He looked at the breathing apparatus, the medical equipment, and knew that this is where Vader took his mask off, this was where he went to eat, however he ate, this was where he healed. As much as he could be healed.

Slowly, Obi-Wan crept out and shut the door. He moved to the next one. He examined it carefully, and this time, he found what he was expecting to find. A lock. He needed a code of some kind, and from the looks of it, a passkey. Well, the passkey would be simple enough. He let the bag that was slung across his shoulders fall to the ground. He opened it soundlessly – it was designed that way – and took out a black box linked to a card by some wires. He turned the device on, and used the cardkey. The device blinked, and the door hummed. Obi-Wan smiled in satisfaction.

Now for the next part. This would require use of his Force abilities. He concentrated on the keypad, sensing which keys were hit the most often. Quickly, he had the numbers. With a deep breath, he hit the numbers in a random order. The Force told him which ones were hit – not in which order.

A little light next to the door blinked green. The door swung open. Obi-Wan smiled when he saw the room. It was filled by a massive computer system. Not only did it have the information he needed, it controlled the rest of the palace – this would only make his escape easier.

Using the equipment he was given – highly illegal, all of it – he got past the firewalls and began to download all of the information off of the computer. He let out a breath of vexation when the program told him how long it would take. Five minutes. Not too long, but every second Obi-Wan spent in the palace unnerved him. It stank of Vader's dark presence, and that presence was sickening to any Jedi.

His mind wandering for a few moments, he thought of the other door. What could lay behind that door? He frowned, and got up. He would satisfy his curiosity.

He approached the door warily as he had the others, lightsaber in hand. The door was not locked, did not even have a lock on it. He pushed the door open. It was dark in the room, Obi-Wan immediately realized. But not entirely. A soft light came from one corner, casting shadows across the room.

Inside were a desk, toys, a bed, and a sleeping figure. Obi-Wan had immediately realized the slight form was alive. He came closer. The bed was not a large one – suited for a child. What on earth was a child doing in Vader's quarters? Were these Vader's quarters? Then he thought of the room he had found. Vader had never managed to baffle him more.

He stepped even closer, curiosity getting the better of him once again. The figure jerked suddenly, and sat up.

Obi-Wan found he was staring into pale blue eyes, surely just as wide as his own.

"Who are you?" the child stuttered.

Obi-Wan knew who this child was. He didn't know how it was possible, and he didn't know why, but he knew who the boy was. For a boy it was – one with familiar blue eyes and blond hair that shone in the faint light.

Vader. Had. A. Son. His thoughts jerked and started, unable to come to grips with this revelation. The boy's eyes flicked to the lightsaber in Obi-Wan's hand. Without a second thought, Obi-Wan wrapped intensely strong shields around the child's mind.

"Jedi," the boy breathed. Not with awe or wonder. Fear, disgust, and hate. The boy couldn't have been more than five. Then the child tried to bolt. With Jedi reflexes, Obi-Wan grabbed the boy as he tried to push past Obi-Wan, and picked him up effortlessly. The boy kicked and punched, struggling with all his might in Obi-Wan's grip. Distracted by the physical assault and trying not to harm the child, Obi-Wan almost didn't notice in time the energy flung at him.

It was wild, uncontrolled energy, meant to shatter Obi-Wan's shields. And it was powerful. But nonetheless, it came from a child, and Obi-Wan squashed it almost without effort. The boy cried out in frustration, sensing his failure.

Obi-Wan sent a strong impulse into the boy's mind. "Sleep," he commanded. The child fell limp. And Obi-Wan stared at the face of the young boy he was holding. The face was young, and in sleep, innocent. Even young as he was, Obi-Wan could tell the boy had fine, delicate features. Asleep, he looked like any other child, tired from a day of play.

But that was not the truth. The boy was strong in the Force – what else could Obi-Wan expect, with a child of Anakin's? Vader, he reminded himself firmly. Why did he continually let himself fall into that mental trap? Anakin died in that melting pit.

Obi-Wan stared at the child in his arms, undecided. The Force seemed to nudge him, gently. He looked into the sleeping face. So young, he thought, almost a mental sigh. He would take the child back with him.

Decision made, he went back to the control room, the child in his arms. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw that everything had been downloaded, without the computer being alerted to what was happening. He really should not have left the thing unattended, but it didn't matter now.

Laying the child down gently for a moment, he packed his equipment and slung the bag over his back, so that he could carry the child more easily. Finally, he disabled the security systems, setting it for half an hour. Plenty of time for him to get out. Then he picked up the child again – he didn't even know the boy's name, he realized – and left.

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Setting the ship's course for the Rebellion's current hiding place – an asteroid field – he turned back to the sleeping boy. After reaching the ship, he'd put the child in the bunk. The ship he had was very small, designed for stealth and speed, and not much else. It could fit two, or even three, people if they squeezed, and it seemed that would be necessary.

Staring at the child, Obi-Wan began to wonder what he had done. He had taken a Sith Lord's child. A child already told to hate Jedi, a child already touched by the dark side, a child which, according to what the Jedi believed about Sith children and one so exposed to darkness, would turn, and why? Vader's son. Looking at him, making himself think, Obi-Wan knew what the Council would do. The Jedi's numbers were dwindling as they were hunted down. But also, apprentices became knights, and knights took on padawans, and the Jedi lived on.

And yet, the Council would never risk letting a Sith potentially stronger than Darth Vader run loose. And the child was, after all, a potential Sith. In fact, Obi-Wan realized, they probably would consider the child to already be an apprentice Sith. The Council was not as forgiving as they once were – when a Dark Jedi was caught, they were executed. The Council would not let them be turned by the Sith against the Jedi. Would this child suffer the same fate as those fallen Jedi?

He looked into the young face, and resolved not to let it happen.

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When the boy woke up, Obi-Wan knew immediately. The boy projected first confusion, then complete alarm and panic. Obi-Wan casually left the cockpit, where he had been meditating, and stepped right into the area where the boy was. There was no passage; the cockpit and sleeping area were directly connected. It was a very small ship.

The boy was sitting up on the bunk, his faded white sleeping clothes melding with the gray of the blanket he was sitting on. His face was pale, and his blue eyes wide. When he looked at Obi-Wan, the eyes narrowed and Obi-Wan felt hastily constructed mental shields slam up. They weren't very strong, and not very well built – Obi-Wan could break them down easily if the need arose – but they were still well beyond the capabilities of a Force-sensitive his age, trained or not.

The boy stared at him. Obi-Wan could feel him trying to control his fear.

"Hello," Obi-Wan said cautiously. Deliberately, he kept his arms relaxed and his hand away from his lightsaber, which still hung at his belt. He didn't want to alarm the child.

The boy's lower lip seemed to be trembling. He appeared to be trying not to cry.

"I won't hurt you," Obi-Wan ventured, after a few awkward seconds.

The lips were firmly pressed. "You're a Jedi," he said, his tone faintly accusing.

"Yes, I am," Obi-Wan admitted. "But Jedi don't hurt people, especially not one as young as you," he added. Well, hopefully not. He kept that thought carefully shielded.

He looked at Obi-Wan suspiciously. Plainly, he didn't believe him. After a moment, Obi-Wan slowly sat down on the floor, and rested his hands in front of him.

"Will you tell your name?" Obi-Wan asked.

Silence.

"Do you want me to call you Boy? Telling me your name gives me no power over you," Obi-Wan said, keeping his voice calm and unthreatening. Who knew what Vader had been telling the boy about Jedi.

Finally, in a very small voice, the boy said, "Luke."

Obi-Wan blinked, not quite able to hide his startlement. Luke? Of all the names Obi-Wan could have imagined, that was not it. Luke meant 'light'. Of all the things to name a Sith Lord's child . . .

Should he tell the child his own name? Probably not. "My name is Ben." Obi-Wan doubted the boy would be able to detect the lie.

Luke's face scrunched up. "That's a lie," he pronounced, with all the solemnity of a child.

Obi-Wan let out a soft, startled laugh. "That's quite right, Luke. Very good." But there was hesitation, still. "My name is Obi-Wan."

The child frowned, but he seemed not to recognize the name. Obi-Wan studied Luke, and Luke returned the favor. Luke's fear was not gone, but it had abated. So had his hate. He sensed mostly confusion – most likely Luke had been told that Jedi were murderers, or some other nonsense, and now what he had been told was conflicting with reality.

Abruptly, Obi-Wan sensed someone touch the masking shields Obi-Wan had so painstakingly made around the bright presence of Luke. Obi-Wan immediately tightened them, and he felt the being's frustration and anger. It was Vader, it had to be.

Unfortunately, the boy seemed to recognize that too. He bolted to his feet, and started yelling, "Father, Father!" Not only was he doing so out loud, but he was also using the Force, his strength battering against the shields Obi-Wan had created. And Obi-Wan felt Vader react, begin to respond, despite Obi-Wan's shields.

Without thinking, Obi-Wan sent the boy a strong Force compulsion, so strong the child immediately collapsed, unconscious, into Obi-Wan's arms. And Obi-Wan reinforced the shields again and again, layer after layer, not stopping until he was certain even Master Yoda wouldn't be able to find them through the Force.

He looked at the child, and sighed. Much as he wanted to talk to Luke, find out what his life was like, he couldn't take the risk. The child would have to stay unconscious until they were at the Rebel base, where he could be shielded not just by Obi-Wan, but by others. Obi-Wan didn't know how strong the link between father and child was, and he didn't want to find out.

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Obi-Wan maneuvered among the asteroids carefully. Not only did he need to be alert for the asteroids themselves, but there were many booby traps in the asteroid field. When the Empire arrived, they would have some surprises waiting for them. In the mean time, Obi-Wan avoided the traps.

As soon as he neared the base, a tight, directed communication was aimed at his ship. It was a security measure – a directed communication was useless at long distances, but in short ones like these, it ensured that no one but the intended recipient got the communication.

"Who is this?" a gruff voice asked, rudely.

"This is Raven, coming in for landing. My rear thrusters are damaged," Obi-Wan responded. In reality, his thrusters were fine – it was simply a code phrase. He cast a glance back into the sleeping area. Luke still slept, as he had since Obi-Wan had put him in the hibernation trance.

There was a pause on the other end. "Welcome back, General Kenobi. Mission completed?" The voice was no longer gruff, but calm and collected. A different voice, and one he recognized. Bail Organa. What was he doing there?

"Mission completed, but with some . . . complications. I need to speak with the Jedi Council immediately," Obi-Wan replied. How many people could know of Luke's existence? How many should?

"Something wrong, Obi-Wan?" Bail asked.

Obi-Wan sighed. His friend was only concerned about him. "Nothing is the matter. I just need to speak with the Council."

"I'll see to it that they meet you when the land."

"That would be perfect. Thanks."

"Out," Bail said, and connection was severed.

Obi-Wan rubbed his face, and then stroked his beard. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do. He was sure, though, that they would meet him at his ship. They knew Obi-Wan would never request such a thing lightly.

The landing bay was small. The base had been carved out of a large asteroid, and so the design was odd to say the least. Often, there were little twists and turns where there should have been long, straight passageways, and the landing bay was no different. Obi-Wan wasn't worried; while he could never hope to match Anakin's – or Darth Vader's – skill in that area, he was still far beyond simply capable, as any Jedi was. The ship touched down gently. A perfect landing.

Obi-Wan doubted the impromptu meeting with the Council would go the same. After taking one last glance at the boy, checking to see that he was still deeply asleep, he left the ship.

The Jedi Council members waited in the dark bay patiently. More than half of the original members of the Council were gone, killed in some battle or by an assassin. But Master Yoda and Master Windu still remained, and they were still the most important members to convince. Though Obi-Wan wasn't certain himself what he wanted to convince them of, not anymore. Not to harm the child, certainly. Obi-Wan sighed. Why try and fool himself? He saw Anakin in the boy; the Anakin he had known, raised, and loved.

"Master Kenobi," Master Windu said. "Did you find something in the information that required us immediately? Organa said that you had complications."

"I did," Obi-Wan admitted, "have complications, but not with the mission directly." Obi-Wan hesitated. He was uncertain of his words, but he went on anyway. "The mission went exactly as planned until I broached the last wall of security."

Yoda looked at Obi-Wan with a strangely fierce expression on his normally impassive face. "Discovered, you were?"

"No, Master Yoda. I found . . . a child."

"A child? A child training, Darth Vader is?" Yoda asked, tapping the floor with his stick. "Bad news, this is. Strong, was the child?"

"Yes, very strong," Obi-Wan agreed. "That is not all, Master. I took the child with me." Mace looked like he was about to erupt. No doubt Mace was not pleased that Obi-Wan had acted so independently. He had never liked how the Clone Wars had changed Obi-Wan. "I believe that the child is Vader's own."

The Council members looked at each other. Obi-Wan could feel the Force practically hum as they silently spoke with each other.

"In the ship, the child is?" Yoda asked.

"Yes."

Mace quickly stepped forward, to go past Obi-Wan to the ship. Obi-Wan smoothly stepped in front of him. Mace looked at him with dark eyes.

Obi-Wan's voice was soft, but full of warning as much as command. General Kenobi was speaking now, as much as a simple Jedi of the Order. "Don't."

Mace paused, and then bowed his head in acquiescence. For the moment.

"Dangerous, the child is," Yoda whispered, his sad gaze resting on Obi-Wan. "Clouded, his future is. Nothing, I can see."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a second, unwilling to show his pain. The Council reminded him of Anakin in their words, and not too subtly.

"It is good that you brought him," another Council member said softly. She paused, perhaps knowing the reaction her next words would stir. "He is too dangerous to be left with Vader. Here, he can be dealt with, painlessly."

Obi-Wan's throat tightened. There it was, his worst fear being brought to life by that word, painlessly. "You would kill a child? Have we become no better than the Sith?"

"It would be done to save lives," Mace replied. Obi-Wan turned to him. He was stricken, and it must have shown in his eyes, because Mace laid a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder.

"I cannot let this happen," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head, his voice becoming more hoarse, and lower.

Mace drew back. "And what would you do? Try to teach a child not only tainted by the dark side, but born from it as well? Would you take this child as your Padawan, and have a disaster worse than Anakin?"

"The child is not Anakin."

"But you wish he was. Another chance."

Obi-Wan flinched, and turned his head away for a moment. Windu's remark had struck home. When he turned his normally mild blue gaze to Windu again, his face was composed with mask-like stillness. Only his eyes showed the pain the remark had caused. It seemed to soften Windu, for a moment.

When Obi-Wan spoke, his words were very soft, and deceptive – a layer of steel underlined his words. "The child is very powerful. More powerful than Vader is or could be – and more powerful than the Emperor. Perhaps even more so than the both of them combined." They called him that, now – that was what he was, as much as they fought the bitter reality of the title. And the Emperor was powerful – Yoda had fought with him, very briefly, and barely survived.

Windu stared at Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan felt a feather light touch on his shields. Mace Windu was known as a fierce warrior, almost brazen in his confidence. What few knew was the extent of his other Force talents. But Obi-Wan, too, had learned much over the years, and paranoia and pain had caused him to learn how to shield his mind beyond a shadow of a doubt. "What are you suggesting?" Windu finally asked, his mental efforts to pierce Obi-Wan's shields having failed.

"This war is pointless if we cannot take down the Emperor, and even Vader." Blunt words, and words no one wanted to speak. But Obi-Wan dared to do so – he was desperate.

"The child could, you believe?" Yoda asked.

"His power is mostly potential now; but that potential is vast. I have felt it, Master," Obi-Wan said, turning towards the old Master.

Yoda tapped the ground with his stick, grimacing. "Deny you do not that the danger the child represents?"

"I do not deny it, Master. I am merely saying that it is worth the risk."

Yoda's ears flattened, he sighed with deep sadness. He looked up at Obi-Wan. "Much to be done, there is," he said finally.

Obi-Wan let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding.

Windu turned towards the wizened Jedi Master. "You would consider this?"

Another Council member stepped forward. "Obi-Wan has stated what we all wish we could ignore. None of us are strong enough to face the Sith alone, and we could never reach the Sith in a group. Perhaps this child could do what we cannot."

"I do not like this," Windu said darkly, his powerful body tense.

"But you agree," Obi-Wan pressed.

A sigh, and a lowered head. "Yes. I agree."

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The entire Council sat in a circle. The area was reminiscent of the old Council Chamber on Coruscant, but this was a simple room. There were no arching windows with sunlight streaming in. And instead of light and wisdom, the air seemed to tingle with power and desperation. The starkness of the gray and black rock walls seemed to add to that impression.

Obi-Wan looked at all of the Council as he walked in. They seemed calm, composed, and their power through the Force rang steady. The stillness of the Force spoke of many of hours of meditation. What they would do next was tricky, and would require much skill. And even then, they were not certain of success.

A shivering, frightened Luke sat in the middle of the room. Obi-Wan stepped forward, and knelt before the boy. The boy looked up to him with a mixture of hope and fear. His trust of Obi-Wan was little, but his trust of the Council was even less. He had at least known Obi-Wan for a brief time, as someone gentle. The Council he did not know at all.

"Hello, Luke." He gave the boy a warm smile.

The boy shivered harder. "What's happening?"

"We need to ask you some questions," Obi-Wan told him.

The boy seemed to lose some of his fear to innate stubbornness. "No."

Obi-Wan hesitated. "They are simple questions. You will not betray your – father when you answer them."

The boy seemed to consider this nervously, and then nodded.

"What is the earliest thing you remember?"

"Being with Father."

"How are old are you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Four. Almost five."

Obi-Wan thought back. Padme could be the mother, then. Though who knew. Obi-Wan had thought Anakin had loved Padme – at least when she was alive – enough not to cheat on her, but the ravages of the dark side had done much to his soul. "Do you know your mother?"

A frown. "No." From the startled expression, the boy didn't even really think of her. So Vader had probably had the boy since he was born.

Now to the really important part. "Do you feel your father all the time?"

The boy's face scrunched up in thought. "He's in my head all the time," Luke said finally.

As they had feared. Obi-Wan glanced at the Council members. Yoda gave him a slight nod. They were ready. Obi-Wan turned back to Luke, trying to give a reassuring smile. He silently admitted to himself that he did not know much about children. And he should – Anakin had been only nine –

He quickly severed that line of thought. Instead, he opened his arms to Luke. "Come here, Luke."

Luke hesitated, mistrustfully.

"I just want to hold you," Obi-Wan said. Hold you down, he thought. There was a reason they had asked questions of Luke's past before this. After this, he may well not remember, may not be capable of speaking.

Luke crawled into his arms. Obi-Wan held the warm body close. He immediately felt the boy tense as the combined might of the Council went against the helpless boy's shields. They broke them down with ease. But that was not the hard part.

The Council had decided that Obi-Wan should not be directly involved in the proceedings, but he was allowed to watch as they worked. With the skill of a dozen of the best of the Jedi, they went through the boy's mind, layer by layer. They ripped out the little compulsions set within his mind, the compulsions that told him to hate. They ripped out all of them; the ones that guided, the ones that commanded.

Obi-Wan held Luke as he convulsed and screamed. He fought them, but it was as useless as it would be in a physical fight, his nails not even making bloody scratches as he fought. The fact that he resisted made it all the harder, made it more painful. And Obi-Wan knew it was painful; even to simply have one's mind searched and not touched by the Council was painful, as everything was looked at and examined, even the smallest secrets ferreted out. That was what the Council had done to him, after Anakin turned. As is done with the padawans of masters that turn, so is the master searched when the padawan falls, for any trace of the dark side.

Examining the Council's progress, Obi-Wan felt the bloody tatters that were left of compulsions ripped out and shields torn asunder. But the boy's mind felt oddly clean, except for one part.

The Council reached for the bond between father and son with determination. Obi-Wan felt Darth Vader's fury. Vader knew that something painful was being done to his son, though probably not what was being done. And he raged. But what surprised Obi-Wan most of all was that he felt the rage not only through the boy's mind, but through the tatters of a training bond –a mental link all of master's and padawan's share – a bond that he had thought long gone. Firmly, he closed the bond off. Not severing it, even now he could not bear to do that, but he could feel nothing of Vader now.

Then the mental father and son link was severed. The boy arched in Obi-Wan's arms, then fell completely, utterly limp. Even with the bond with the boy's mind gone, Obi-Wan felt Vader's rage and pain and – loss. And from the force of the mental cry, probably most of the Jedi in the galaxy felt it as well.

Obi-Wan realized he was gasping when he felt the Council withdraw from the boy's mind. Physical surroundings suddenly seemed loud, harsh, compared to the grip of the Force they had all been in.

The boy was unconscious. The Council seemed exhausted, the effort of what they had done draining even all their combined powers.

"Establish a training bond with the boy, you must," Yoda said tiredly.

"Me, Master?" Obi-Wan said, surprised.

"Guide and raise him, you will. Brighten his future, you do. You, it must be," Yoda stated. Again, to Obi-Wan's surprise, none of the Council argued. And they would have had the right to do so, considering how Obi-Wan's last padawan had turned out.

Obi-Wan turned his attention back to the boy tucked in his arms, who was almost dead limp. He reached into Luke's mind, and gently touched and soothed the painful spots of his mind, eventually reaching the destroyed bond Luke had had with his father. The boy's mind did not seem to be too badly damaged by what had been done, but the full effects would be unknown until Luke regained consciousness. Obi-Wan felt a twinge of guilt in his chest.

Pushing away memories of the last time he had made a bond with another, he created a connection to his own mind with some of the remnants of the father and son bond, and with other parts of the boy's mind. He also wrapped a protective shield around the boy's mind. The normal shields which would shut out other people's thoughts and emotions were completely gone now, and Obi-Wan would have to replace it until Luke could do it himself. Luke would also have to reach for Obi-Wan's mind, for the training bond to fully complete. But this would do for now. They were connected, and even with the circumstances it was under, and the way the bond was forced, Obi-Wan found he was glad of it.

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The gentle tapping of Yoda's walking stick brought Obi-Wan back to the reality surrounding him. Obi-Wan looked at him, simply gazing at the green, wizened face that showed so much exhaustion. Obi-Wan felt a flicker of sadness. It was strange to see Yoda weak. Not simply to Obi-Wan, but to all of the Jedi, Yoda was a legend, a being strong and unbeatable. Knowing that the truth was otherwise was a hard lesson. "Rest, we all must. Take the child, you will," Yoda said.

Obi-Wan nodded. He glanced around the room, then to the child in his arms. He could not tell how much time had passed. Deep within the currents of the Force as they were, hours or even days could have passed without them realizing it. Obi-Wan was reminded of just how delicate and dangerous what the Council had done was. "How long did it take?" Obi-Wan asked, as the Council rose to leave, their movements slow and tired.

"Passed, have days," Yoda said. Even the Council looked startled at that. Apparently their sense of time was as off as Obi-Wan's was.

Obi-Wan blinked in surprise. "Doing it was so difficult?"

"Strong, Vader's connection was," Yoda said, and Obi-Wan could tell he was just as disturbed by that as Obi-Wan was. If the connection had been so deep, the link could form again.

Mace's face was set with worry. "You'll have to watch the child carefully, Obi-Wan." Then he shook his head regretfully, as if he knew this was all madness and doomed to fail. Mace and the others of the Council looked at each other, seemingly sharing Mace's opinion. Only Yoda kept his gaze on Obi-Wan.

"Fail again, you will not."

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Obi-Wan took Luke back to his quarters. It was small and virtually unfurnished, and composed of a single room. Obi-Wan did not spend much time there, so it had not mattered to him, but he would have a child living with him now.

The gray walls and single, stark bed seemed suddenly forbidding. The room was square, or close enough, and the ceiling was low enough that Obi-Wan could touch it, barely even having to reach up. It was all very claustrophobic. But then, the entire base was that way, and as a child it would all seem very large to Luke. Obi-Wan wondered if Luke would remember the far better living conditions that he had had before.


He doubted it.

Obi-Wan gently placed Luke on his bed. He adjusted the boy's position so he would be more comfortable, and smoothed back a lock of blond hair. Luke's breathing was deep and even.

Obi-Wan walked away from the boy, feeling a twinge as he did so. He wanted to hold Luke in his arms until the boy woke, wanted to give in to the protectiveness that he felt, but he had other responsibilities. He went to his computer, and logged in. It showed that two days had passed.

With a deep sigh, Obi-Wan began looking at the reports that had gone unlooked at since he had been in his room last, before he even met Luke. Most of those for him were what he had expected. Reports of repairs done and needed, of both ships and the base. Obi-Wan's command had been temporarily given to someone else as he went on several solo missions – one of those leading to him finding Luke – and as expected, they had already returned from destroying and raiding an Imperial base.

The Rebellion was slowly gaining strength – but it was just that: slowly. Palpatine had set things up cunningly. The former Republic did not yet realize that it was a dictatorship, and one destined to be cruel to its subjects. Only a few worlds had been wise, and had joined the Rebellion effort. Most of the other worlds that supported the Rebellion did so in reaction to Palpatine's tendency to simply conquer those who did not willingly join, all in the name of 'peace'. It was a preventive effort on their parts so they would have some measure of protection against the Emperor.

But Obi-Wan had no doubt many more would join over the years to come. Palpatine's cruelty would show itself irrevocably soon enough. With this thought, Obi-Wan turned to reports concerning recent Imperial actions. Foremost among these was the behavior of Darth Vader. The report was very recent – had gotten in just hours ago.

Exactly two days ago, Darth Vader had gone on a killing spree, apparently unprovoked. Obi-Wan closed his eyes in horror. People would die for Obi-Wan's rescuing of Luke, it seemed. He opened his eyes with a resoluteness born of years of Jedi training, and of a General who had to know what his actions had caused.

Vader had been in a rage. No doubt with the strong connection he and Luke had possessed, he had felt Luke's pain, which had been simply excruciating. Obi-Wan had not caught the full brunt of that pain, and it had been staggering. It did not surprise him that for the most part, Vader's wrath had been aimed at Jedi and in less than two days – the full number killed would not be known for many more – Vader had hunted down and killed more than three dozen Jedi. It was a horrible loss. And Vader had not simply killed them; he had felt the need to torture them first. Fortunately for the Jedi, Vader's rage could not be contained long and so they did not suffer for as long as they could have.

The other victims had been those unlucky enough to get in Vader's way. Some were civilians, some were friends of the Jedi, but many were Vader's own military. He had strangled them for some imagined incompetence, no doubt. Obi-Wan did not regret their loss.

Obi-Wan heard a moan, in a child's high tone. He turned around. Luke was not yet awake, but he was getting there. Obi-Wan frowned, and approached the child. Luke should have been unconscious for hours more. He touched Luke's mind as the child struggled for consciousness. Obi-Wan debated keeping the child sleeping for a moment, then waited, letting Luke wake.

Blank blue eyes looked up at Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan gave him as much of a reassuring smile as he could manage. "Hello, Luke."

Confusion registered in Luke's eyes. "Is that my name?" Luke asked tremulously.

Obi-Wan felt a flash of pain, as well as one of relief. Luke's memory seemed to be gone. In a way it was a blessing, because it make Luke's training easier, but the sudden loss of identity would be damaging to the boy. Fortunately the boy's higher brain functions seemed all right, even if his memory was gone with the compulsions that had ensnared them.

"Yes, it is. I'm Obi-Wan. I'm your guardian, and your teacher. I'll be taking care of you," Obi-Wan said.

Luke blinked, his eyes bright. A tear rolled down his face, and Obi-Wan's heart nearly broke. He opened his arms in an instinctive move, and was almost startled when the boy threw himself into them.

Luke's slight body shook with sobs. He radiated confusion through the Force, and Obi-Wan had to tighten the shields around the boy's mind. It didn't bother Obi-Wan that Luke was broadcasting so loudly; Luke probably didn't even realize what he was doing.

Obi-Wan let the boy cry himself out, silently thinking even as he murmured meaningless comforts. Holding Luke felt strange. He suddenly seemed so small, and Obi-Wan was reminded that Luke wasn't just a Sith lord's son; he was a child, a frightened one at that. For all that the Council thought Luke to be dangerous, Luke was very vulnerable.

Luke was just starting to settle into sleep when his comm. beeped. Obi-Wan sighed, and Luke started. "It's all right," Obi-Wan told Luke, who was too tired to respond, or get excited.

Not letting go of Luke, Obi-Wan pressed the button that would allow him to talk to the person on the other side of the line. "Yes?" His voice was calm, and he let not a hint of the irritation he felt in his voice.

"General?" Obi-Wan immediately recognized the voice. It was the voice of the person immediately under him, Captain Lyhar. Captain Lyhar commanded the ship of his little fleet that he ordinarily stayed with and commanded. If he were to be killed in combat, she would take control of the battle group.

"Yes, it's me," Obi-Wan said in confirmation. "What is it?"

"We've got another mission." The feminine voice let some irritation into her tone.

Puzzled, as he knew nothing of this, Obi-Wan said, "A mission from whom?"

"Command."

Obi-Wan sighed. Command was a group of Generals and Admirals who decided what military actions to make. They answered to the Committee of the Republic, commonly called just the Committee. Everyone received their orders from Command. Except, generally speaking, Obi-Wan. The Jedi Council was involved with everything from politics to missions, and commonly if the Council wanted a mission done, they would have Obi-Wan do it, as Obi-Wan was one of the highest-ranking Jedi in the military. They kept Obi-Wan very busy, and it left Obi-Wan little time for ordinary missions.

"What is it, then?"

"I don't know the details. Will you be coming aboard, then?" There was a pause. "We've missed your sense of humor, General."

Obi-Wan's lips twisted. He was not known to have much of a sense of humor, ever since he almost demoted a lieutenant for a prank he'd pulled. Not that Obi-Wan didn't have a sense of humor; it was simply inappropriate to let that show during a battle.

"I guess I will be, Captain." He paused, considering. Wherever he was going, he would have to take Luke with him. "And have another bed placed in my quarters. A small one, suitable for a child."

A long pause, filled with puzzled silence. "Yes, sir."

"Kenobi out."

Luke tugged on the corner of Obi-Wan's Jedi tunic. Obi-Wan looked down, startled. He'd forgotten Luke was there.

"I'm going with you?" Luke questioned.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Yes, you are. I'll never leave you, Luke, I promise."

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Obi-Wan stepped aboard Vigilance. The landing bay of Vigilance was sparkling clean, as usual. The hard, white floor shone, and the fighters sat exactly where they should be, repaired and ready for use. Captain Lyhar was a good captain, and she made sure that both her ship and her crew were in top shape. She was also a good and steady person, unshakeable in her dedication to her duty.

Nevertheless, she could not hide her shock nor her misgivings when Obi-Wan walked aboard with Luke in his arms. Obi-Wan had changed out of his Jedi clothing, into his sleek black uniform, which was the same in design as Captain Lyhar's gray.

"General?" she said, her voice trailing off. Her usually impassive dark-skinned face was puzzled, and perhaps a bit disturbed. "Surely you can't mean to take a child along," she said more strongly, no doubt remembering Obi-Wan's strange request. "Who is he?"

"He is . . ." A child in my care? Vader's son? What? "My padawan."

"He's five years old, General," Lyhar said, after giving Obi-Wan a long, hard stare. Five was far too young to be a Padawan, and she knew it.

"Nonetheless, that's what he is. He'll remain with me," Obi-Wan said, his tone brooking no argument.

Lyhar looked unhappy, but Obi-Wan sensed she'd accepted the fact that Luke would go with them. "It's dangerous to take him along, for him, and I know that, but I just can't leave him." He paused, remembering the vulnerability of Luke's mind. "I can't," he repeated, emphasizing the later word, willing Lyhar to understand. Lyhar was not simply a subordinate; she was a friend. Obi-Wan would order obedience if he had to, but he preferred not to have to do so in the first place.

Finally, she said, "It's a Jedi thing, isn't it?"

"Very much so," Obi-Wan admitted.

Lyhar sighed. She still didn't like it, her disapproval radiated to Obi-Wan through the Force as well as in dark blue keen eyes, but she accepted it, as she had long since accepted that Jedi simply did things differently from normal people. Her life and the lives of her crew had been saved by Obi-Wan's apparently illogical decisions too many times for her to do otherwise.

After as second of letting her get used to the idea of having Luke along, he said, "Shall we walk to my quarters? You can brief me on the way."

They left the landing bay silently, and it wasn't until they reached the corridors that they began to talk.

"What we have is an escort mission," Lyhar said.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow in surprise. An escort mission was something very simple, and relatively easy. Far beneath Obi-Wan's skills as a General. Glancing at Lyhar's classically featured face, he saw that she was thinking the same thing. Her trim form seemed tense with displeasure. Being Obi-Wan's captain had downsides, but undoubtedly it also had upsides, one of those being that they always got the more interesting missions.

"Who are we escorting?" Obi-Wan asked. He shifted Luke in his arms a bit. Luke just sighed and snuggled closer. He hadn't said anything, and seemed content to be out of the conversation and center of attention.

"Several people. Their identity is classified."

"What?" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "Even from me?"

She nodded.

"Okay, details then. When will they come aboard?"

"They won't. We'll be escorting a civilian corvette," Lyhar said, unhappy. Obi-Wan shared her feelings.

Obi-Wan commanded a capital ship and several cruisers. His capital ship, Lyhar's ship, while smaller than most capital ships, was a vessel with heavy armor, a medium assortment of weapons, and a ton of speed. It carried a crew of several thousand, and was several kilometers long, with a design similar to that of Naboo military vessels, very sleek and artistic while being deadly in combat. His cruisers were similar, though of a different manufacturer – the Rebellion's sources not being so extensive as the Empire's – and they also had high speed and medium level armament.

Having a group of fast vessels escort a smaller, more vulnerable and most importantly slower ship, was brainless thing to do. Especially when they weren't even escorting something that large, just a few people. It would be far easier and wiser if the people were aboard Obi-Wan's ship, or at least another military vessel. The whole situation would encumber Obi-Wan's ability to maneuver and defend both the corvette and his own ships.

Obi-Wan didn't let his feelings about it show, however. He hid them behind 'that frustrating Jedi implacableness' as Lyhar had once put it. "I assume you've already discussed the situation with Command?"

"Yes, sir," Lyhar responded. "They're being stubborn, and won't change the orders. Perhaps you could have more success."

"No," Obi-Wan said slowly. "I think this whole thing is a matter of security. They don't want anyone to know whom we're escorting. I would bet that we're not escorting the corvette back, are we?"

Lyhar blinked, slowly. "No," she admitted. "I see your point now. Those on the civilian corvette won't be coming back, and so they can't tell anyone either."

"I suppose I should consider it a compliment that they chose me for such an apparently important mission," Obi-Wan said dryly. "I don't think I will, however," he added. He stopped walking.

They stood outside Obi-Wan's door. The sleek ivory and silver corridor was empty. It was not surprising; only those of higher rank were even allowed in this area.

"The rest of the details, such as when and where, I sent to your personal comm.," Lyhar said after a second of silence. "There's also a child's bed in there, as you requested."

"Thank you," Obi-Wan said, with a nod. Lyhar simply nodded back and left, walking away briskly. Neither had much for formality, so while they were respectful of each other, they didn't really use titles, or salute, as they should.

He smiled at Luke and set him down on the floor. Luke looked a bit confused for a second. The left side of his face was marked by Obi-Wan's uniform, giving him a sleepy look, as if he'd just woken up. Obi-Wan opened the door.

As soon as he did so, the Force warned him of danger, like a sharp sudden call in Obi-Wan's mind. In one smooth, automatic and practiced movement, Obi-Wan's lightsaber ignited. Instantly, it moved to block a blaster bolt that came out of the dark quarters.

Normally, Obi-Wan probably would have retreated, at least temporarily, but because of Luke's presence, he no longer had that option. He stepped inside his quarters and slammed the control that would close the door.

More blaster fire, expertly aimed. He blocked it effortlessly, and moved forward. Using the Force, he flipped the lights on.

His quarters were larger than most, as befitting a General, but sparse, as a Jedi would have it. He had little to stumble over.

The assassin's face was covered by a black mask of fabric. He – or she – was wearing a uniform, but Obi-Wan could see no insignia. While still firing at Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan saw the assassin's hand reach for something else.

An electric whip. Normally not very dangerous for a Jedi, but no doubt this one had been carefully modified to short out a lightsaber. Well, this calls for a change of plans, Obi-Wan thought. Obi-Wan ran forward, blocking bolts as the assassin turned on the electricity of the whip. As the assassin lashed out, Obi-Wan felt a strange ripple in the Force. Obi-Wan was too close to dodge the attack. It wrapped around his hands and his lightsaber, simultaneously shorting out his lightsaber and causing excruciating pain. Obi-Wan ignored it; instead, he pushed.

The assassin slammed into the wall two meters away, and Obi-Wan felt his surprise ripple through the Force with surprising strength. The attack had been carefully planned; blaster fire to set him on the defensive, a whip to take the lightsaber out of the fight and disable Obi-Wan, and probably something else to finish him off. The assassin had no way of knowing that after a fight with a Sith Lord, he had been injured and in too much pain to fight again. After that, he was determined not to let pain get in his way, had trained himself to ignore even excruciating amounts of pain, and so he was able to concentrate enough to Force push the assassin into the wall. He then dropped his lightsaber and disentangled himself from the whip by doing so.

Obi-Wan wasted no time in bringing himself closer to the assassin. The assassin took out a vibro-knife, but wisely didn't throw it, probably knowing that Obi-Wan would be able to catch and use it as a weapon against the assassin.

The assassin rose to his feet, and slashed diagonally at Obi-Wan with his right hand. Obi-Wan withdrew slightly to dodge the blow, then stepped forward and took hold of the assassin's wrist. He squeezed with Jedi strength, and the knife dropped to the ground. The assassin lashed out with a kick, his wrist still in Obi-Wan's grip. Obi-Wan took the blow to his thigh, shifting the blow to the side so he wouldn't get the full brunt, and twisted the assassin's arm, forcing him to a kneeling position with the assassin's back to Obi-Wan.

The assassin abruptly went limp. His death reverberated through the Force. Obi-Wan let go, and the body fell to the floor.

Realization struck, seconds after it should have. The assassin had been Force-sensitive. The Sith were not training other Sith – there could be only two – but they were training Force-strong assassins, trained to kill Jedi.

The Council had to know of this. Obi-Wan had had assassins after him before, that was the reason for the high security near his quarters, but none of them had ever been Force-sensitive.

This spelled out a dangerous new plan that the Sith were concocting. Obi-Wan could only hope that the information he had stolen from Vader had included knowledge of this. He realized that information was even more important than he had realized at the time.

Obi-Wan was jerked from his thoughts by terror. Not his own, but Luke's. He had been peripherally aware of it during the brief fight, but had forced it out of his attention. Luke must have felt that something was wrong. Even if he hadn't, what Obi-Wan had done – locking him out of the room – would have hinted at something.

He opened the door and looked out into the corridor. Luke was curled up in a fetal position a few meters down. His footsteps soundless on the carpet, Obi-Wan walked over to him. He sent out soothing thoughts and a subtle touch of the Force to calm the boy.

Luke looked up at him, recognizing his touch. "Obi-Wan?" he sniffled.

Obi-Wan opened his arms, and after a second of hesitation and a barely perceptible glance at the door, he ran into them. Obi-Wan held him tight, and said, over and over again, "It's all right, it's all right."

But his thoughts were on something else.