Chapter 6
Anakin's vision swam, he leaned heavy into Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan's face was close to his, searching through their bond for signs of injuries. Anakin had never seen him look so tormented. Anakin wanted to speak, to tell Obi-Wan he was fine but even speaking was strenuous.
I'm…fine.
Are you, really? Was Obi-Wan's quick reply.
Just…need…a moment.
Anakin's projections was barely coherent.
Obi-Wan ran his hands quickly over Anakin's torso, checking for physical injuries. He found none and lowered Anakin back to the ground. Only then he directed his attention to Dooku.
Obi-Wan shrugged off his cloak and stood over Anakin, lightsaber at the ready.
Dooku instructed his magna guards to regenerate the shield protecting the hangar. He started prowling around the two Jedi, his lined face was that of smug indifference. He assessed Skywalker's condition from afar, and was satisfied that the boy was not going to die any time soon. His master had commanded him not to harm Skywalker. Skywalker was to be part of the Sith's Grand Plan.
Kenobi, though could be disposed of.
"How desperate are the Jedi? Sending an invalid and an incompetent to rescue the Republic's precious Chancellor." Dooku articulated in his cultured baritone.
"Enough to handle an elderly such as you." Obi-Wan countered. He had schooled his face into a mask of mock amusement. Dooku's upper lip curled in disdain.
"We shall see." Dooku signaled his magna guards to stand down and ignited his lightsaber. It casted a sinister red light over the Count's maniacal grin.
Obi-Wan powered up his own and fell into his signature Soresu posture. Lightsaber held high beside his temple, his off-hand extended in front of him, three fingers outstretched.
Anakin lifted his gaze to look at Obi-Wan and surged their bond with his Force. Obi-Wan felt electric. He will fight for them both.
Dooku lunged first, Obi-Wan met him half-way, their lightsabers clashing in a fiery flash. Dooku took a step back and jabbed, Obi-Wan parried it with a half turn. Obi-Wan deflected Dooku's quick cuts and thrusts with precision, establishing a rhythm of attack and counter-attacks between them. A deadly dance of equal footing. Dooku played along for a while, testing Obi-Wan.
Nothing new in Soresu, Kenobi.
Dooku retreated suddenly and threw his left hand in front of him. Obi-Wan anticipated the attack and met Dooku's Force-push with one of his own. Both parties skidded backwards, neither was thrown off-balance.
"Well, well. Your powers have grown, Kenobi." Dooku was genuinely surprised. He had never thought Kenobi capable of such precise use of the Force.
You're wrong. Obi-Wan thought. He felt Anakin's Force fueling him. Alone, he would not be capable of it.
Anakin's vision was still out of focus, he was unable to stand. He concentrated instead on helping Obi-Wan rather than wait for himself to regain energy. He could not be sure how long that would take. His head felt so heavy.
But I am still better. Dooku thought, lightsaber poised. He dashed forward, thrusting his lightsaber, using the Force to back his movement.
Obi-Wan held his lightsaber up, absorbing the Count's attack. Obi-Wan did not even budge. Dooku was aghast and quickly retreated.
Jedi and Sith circled each other.
Something is wrong here. Dooku thought. Something is different with Kenobi.
Anakin. Obi-Wan spoke the name like a request through their bond. Anakin understood immediately.
This time, we do it together.
Obi-Wan once more fell into his Soresu stance and lunged. Dooku snarled and met the attack with full force. Their lightsabers clashed violently.
The deadly dance began again but this time, with each swing of his lightsaber, Obi-Wan slowly adopted Djem So in place of his Soresu. He hacked and slashed, his limbs singing with Anakin's Force signature. With each step, Obi-Wan's attacks increased in force and power. He felt Anakin's strength hewn into the hard lines of his shoulders, his lower back, right down to the back of his legs, his ankles. His fingertips burned, in a good way. Obi-Wan felt indomitable.
Obi-Wan's moves was graceful, fluid and relentless. He was gaining the upper hand on Dooku, pushing his foe back, waiting to draw an error.
Impossible. Dooku thought in horror.
He could feel Skywalker within Kenobi. He had heard of Force-synchrony before but it was only myth. In all of the Jedi and Sith Holocrons he ever studied, none had achieved total Force-synchrony and survived.
Dooku glanced at Anakin still kneeling on the floor. It made sense now. Kenobi and Skywalker were fighting together. Two complementary halves forged into one.
Obi-Wan and Dooku eventually ended in a dead-lock. Blue and Red lightsabers crossed close to the hilt. Dooku's arms shuddered with effort. He peered at Obi-Wan over their blades. And he saw, plain as day. Skywalker's hard edge in Kenobi's eyes.
Blue in blue.
Dooku distinctly felt fear growing in him, he was actually losing ground. Suddenly, Death seemed like a real threat. "Guards, kill Skywalker." He yelled, spit flying. Obi-Wan's eyes widened. He could hear electrostaffs crackling.
Anakin, he thought. Desperation bleeding into his tone.
Obi-Wan, now.
He felt, rather than heard Anakin, and moved with Anakin's guidance.
Obi-Wan snarled and side-stepped, throwing Dooku off-balance. The Count stumbled forwards, grazing the entire length of Obi-Wan's right arm with his lightsaber. Obi-Wan roared and swung his lightsaber in a cross upper-cut, beheading his foe.
The Count was no more.
Not missing a beat, Obi-Wan turned and ran, vaulting over the magna guards circling Anakin. He landed on a knee in front of Anakin, and slammed his palms onto the metal floor, creating a Force-shockwave that sent the magna guards flying. Several flew into the hangar shields, obliterating them.
Obi-Wan staggered to his feet, standing protectively over Anakin. His lungs heaved with the effort. He crouched, willing himself to stay upright. Every sinew of muscle in his body screamed in protest.
Anakin closed his eyes, he felt Obi-Wan's pain and blacked out. With Anakin falling unconscious, Obi-Wan felt the energy draining from his body, Anakin's Force ripping away from him. It was pain beyond compare. He was being torn asunder from within.
Obi-Wan was at the edge of exertion but surrender was not an option.
The surviving two magna guards approached Obi-Wan, purple electrostaffs raised. Their red eyes glowed menacingly. Obi-Wan's burnt sleeve dangled off his right arm, trailing at his side. He tore it off and let his lightsaber fall clattering to the floor. Obi-Wan advanced on the magna guards, both his arms outstretched. With a final surge, he called on the Force, lifting the magna guards and threw them into the hangar shields.
Obi-Wan doubled over, his hands fell on his knees. Breathing was so difficult. His arms shook. Shivers wracked his body.
Stay awake, Kenobi. He snapped at himself.
Obi-Wan heard the hangar doors opening again, and dread seeped icy into his veins. He was out of tricks. He could barely stand as it was.
"General, Kenobi." Palpatine's alarmed voice greeted him "What happened, here?"
If one were to look carefully at Palpatine, one would notice the concern in his voice did not reach his eyes. They roved over the scene, cold and calculating. Dooku dead.
No surprise there.
Palpatine's eyes rested on Obi-Wan's bent figure and then on Anakin unconscious on the floor. He made for Anakin, rolled him over and checked for a pulse.
"Chancellor, how?" Obi-Wan breathed.
"I was left unattended, so I escaped." Palpatine shrugged.
Obi-Wan could almost laugh. He staggered towards Palpatine and Anakin. "How is he?"
"He's breathing. I don't think he's at all hurt."
Who had killed the Count? He wondered silently. Palpatine's gaze found Obi-Wan's discarded lightsaber and contemplated doing away with the intrusive Jedi once and for all.
"He's alright." Obi-Wan exhaled and closed his eyes.
Palpatine felt Obi-Wan's relief rolling off him, resonating in The Force. His eyes narrowed, dissecting Obi-Wan.
He feels for Skywalker. Palpatine concluded. Deeply.
The time had finally come to utilizeKenobi to his purposes. He had been waiting for this moment to come. He had forseen it. Palpatine was reminded of the time he realized he could use Kenobi. It was before The Clone Wars began, before even The Battle of Geonosis…
[flashback]
Anakin observed Palpatine from his post by the door. Palpatine wore his usual benign smile, his voice a pleasant tone that mismatched his eyes, which hid an edge that will disappear as soon as one were to pay attention to it.
Some say Palpatine is merely 'sharp', being the intelligent visionary that he was, or at least that is the image the HoloNews had cast him as. Obi-Wan would use less favourable words, like 'cunning', said in a subtle way that only Anakin could interpret as mistrust in his master's part.
Or really, Obi-Wan would flat out call the chancellor a 'politician', which, granted he was, but Anakin disliked Obi-Wan's inflexibility with the term. Obi-Wan even lumped Padme in the same 'species'.
Anakin was not entirely insensitive to what Obi-Wan tries to hide. Anakin knew, anything pertaining to the events that led up to Qui-Gon's death was like touching an open wound with a hot branding iron. It just so happened that Padme brought up bad memories in Obi-Wan's part Anakin supposes. Anakin on the other hand, remember nothing but soft beauty and passion whenever he thought of Padme.
A frown was starting to tug at Anakin's features. He fancied himself looking serene but who was he kidding, he had been standing by the door for three hours. If he glanced at the tinted windows that framed Coruscant's skyline, he would be met with an expression that spelled bored-the-jedi-braid-off-my-head.
Anakin huffed and flexed his back, rolling his shoulders imperceptibly. Not that the chancellor and the two sentients, which looked like moving mounds of mud would notice anyway but Anakin fancied triumph in not giving in to being 'undisciplined' while on duty. Anakin broadcasted that thought to his master, just as an added incentive. Maybe Obi-Wan would spare him a lecture on propriety…for a lecture on shielding. He had not had that lecture in a while. Would be a nice change.
I can give you a lecture right this instant if you don't stop this now. I'm in a council meeting. Obi-Wan projected.
Anakin grinned in spite of himself.
Yes, master. Also, do yourself a favour and just yawn when you have to. Nobody cares. I've seen Master Yoda do it.
Anakin lifted his chin a little as he projected his thought, the customary petulance written all over his face. He could feel Obi-Wan's friendly amusement through their bond.
Alright, Anakin. That is enough. I'll see you later. Focus on your task.
With that, their bond went back to its usual tone, a quiet presence of the other, like a light touch on the shoulder.
Anakin threw his glance at the see-through meeting room again. Palpatine had gotten up and was ushering his guests towards the exit. Anakin straightened his back and walked away from the main far as he was concerned, he was on 'security detail' for the chancellor, not the doorman. It was not uncommon anymore for padawans about his age to occasionally be requested as protection when the chancellor have meetings with parties that are said to indulge in what one would call 'unsavory' business from the outer rims, or even, just the lower levels of Coruscant. Especially given the recent attacks on some senators by hired bounty hunters. Word is that there are opportunists in the senate vying to create unrest for personal gains, strategizing to make way for the separatists, with intention to join them once conditions are favourable.
As Palpatine closed the doors, he smiled at Anakin, this time it matched his eyes.
"Thank you for coming to babysit this old crone, Anakin. I honestly did try to convince them that there is no need to trouble the Jedi this time around." Palpatine wore a look of exasperation and motioned Anakin into the meeting room.
"It's no trouble, chancellor. The assassination of senator Veer-Di last week is a definite threat. The Jedi will do all it can to help." Anakin reeled off automatically as he followed Palpatine.
"Would you like something to drink?" he offered. Anakin nodded and Palpatine poured a glowing green drink into a glass teacup.
"It's warm I'm afraid. This is best be served cold. Try it and you'll see." Anakin took the teacup and sipped. It had a menthol quality and something bitter like dark cocoa.
"If brewed wrong, it will paralyze you within seconds. And if brewed just right, it tastes perfect…" Palpatine trailed off and smiled again. He casted a strange look at the full cup in his hand.
"And?" Anakin offered.
"And?" Palpatine looked at Anakin quizzically.
"Oh, I thought you had more to say, about the tea." Anakin looked away embarrassedly.
Palpatine chuckled, "You're a sharp young man. And, it makes the drinker more apt to tell the truth." Anakin's joy at being praised quickly turned into discomfort.
"But that aspect of the tea does not work on humans. So don't worry, I'm not trying to poison you or coerce you into telling me Jedi secrets." Palpatine reassured.
Relieved, Anakin took another sip. He decided that he liked the drink. The only ups of playing bodyguard for the chancellor is that Anakin always get to talk to him afterwards. He considered Palpatine a trustworthy confidant, a person whom he considers a friend. Somebody who offered him advice from a different point of view, somebody whose thoughts are not shaped by the Jedi code.
"So, tell me, my boy. What troubles you lately? You look like you haven't sleep a wink for a week."
Anakin's shoulders sag a little, "I don't sleep well anymore." At this juncture, he hesitated, then said, "I've been having visions in my sleep. They're- They're not nightmares. They feel different."
Palpatine's eyes took on that hidden edge again. The boy had grown so powerful so soon, he thought.
"I'm sure they are different. You're more attuned to the Force than any living Jedi is it not? That is what I am told. What say Obi-Wan on the matter?"
Anakin threw an irritated glance to his side before meeting Palpatine's eyes with a hard look. "My master keeps saying that dreams pass in time. He doesn't really understand but it's not his fault. I don't think anybody has these visions except me and master Yoda."
Palpatine's grip on his teacup tightened. Obi-Wan you fool, he thought gleefully. As if the boy needed more reason to doubt his master's loyalty.
"I see. Master Yoda is more helpful then?" he offered silkily.
Anakin frowned, "Not really. Master Yoda told me to not concentrate too much on the dreams. He said the future is always in motion and that what I see is only one of the many outcomes of an event."
"Seems like a sound notion. If I may, my dear boy, what do you see in your visions?"
Anakin's eyes adopted a far-away look, "A hooded figure. Shrouded in darkness, with black tendrils like a web spreading all around it. There's hunger and coldness and- It's like, an incarnate of the Dark side."
The hairs on Palpatine's neck stood on end. So attuned to the Force, the boy is. Anakin's confession evoked mixed emotions of desire and fear and Palpatine relished in it. Here was the Jedi's only hope, hopelessly forsaken by them. Typical of the Jedi, to mistake youth with ignorance.
"That does sound worrying. I'm not sure I understand all of the Jedi speak." Palpatine went quiet and observed Anakin's distress. "I can't be of help with your visions but what I do have is good news." Palpatine waited for Anakin to lift his gaze.
"Good news?" Anakin enquired.
"From a mutual friend of ours, a certain senator from Naboo." Palpatine's smirk was nothing short of a leer.
"Padme?" Anakin breathed out.
"Yes." Palpatine drawled, "Senator Amidala, Padme, is coming to Coruscant in two days."
Anakin's cheeks coloured. "Sometimes I dream about her." Anakin said suddenly and regretted it as soon as he did. Now the image of him looking like an absolute child to Palpatine is complete.
"Now those dreams are much more relaxing I presume." Palpatine smoothed away Anakin's worry, "I'm sure she would be delighted to see you."
Anakin cheered up and suddenly looked deep in thought. Emboldened by Palpatine's acceptance of his confessions, Anakin firmly said, "I'm in love with her."
Palpatine was a little surprised by Anakin's immediate trust in him and seized on the opportunity, "Are the Jedi allowed to Love?" Palpatine had been waiting for this moment. There is nothing more perfect than Love as an instrument of passion to destroy a being. Nothing as fiery and consuming as Love. The perfect intoxicant, the deadliest of poisons.
"Attachment is forbidden." Anakin said defensively and said nothing more.
"Can one Love without attachment?" Palpatine countered.
"Obi-Wan says it's not a question of can or cannot but a question of will or will not." Anakin subconsciously pulled up his mental shields tighter.
"And you agree with him?" Palpatine said neutrally.
"He says so but I don't think he agrees with it entirely. I think he does feel love, he does get attached. It's just human." Anakin said confidently.
"Obi-Wan? Love? Who?" Palpatine did not even need to pretend to be scandalized. As if Kenobi, the exemplar of a Jedi could of all the un-Jedi things, love.
"He loves me." Anakin said defiantly. "And I love him. He's the closest thing I have…after my mother." Anakin went from slightly angry to sad in a heartbeat.
Palpatine let Anakin simmer and watched the boy swirl the green liquid in his cup. They were both lost in their own thoughts now. Anakin in his emotions, Palpatine in his plan.
This is perfect, Palpatine thought. Palapatine's mind raced. He had not paid much attention to Kenobi previously. He had only thought to use Kenobi to arouse rebelliousness and jealousy in Anakin, but now it seems, also passion. Now he could use Kenobi as well.
He could already imagine it. Once the war starts, Anakin and Obi-Wan would undoubtedly become the perfect team at the frontlines. He could envision Skywalker and Kenobi, blue lightsabers flashing in a sea of blaster fire, in perfect tandem. The double-image of heroic justice.
Their relationship would flourish. Anakin and Obi-Wan would form an unbroken circle of light and dark. There would be love and disaster. Passions will grow and enflame. Especially with Padme in the picture. In times of war, amidst, suffering, desperation and yearning, this triad of love will be the becoming of darkness. Palpatine smiled once more, and this time, his eyes were clear. Not a glimmer of sharpness, only still joy.
[end flashback]
Palpatine was deep in thought. He could torture Kenobi, break the man and let Anakin find him just before he dies. Then he would do away with Padme as well, along with her unborn child. It would be more than enough to drive Anakin over the edge, into darkness, to his side.
And he will be mine for all eternity. The thought filled Palpatine with mirth.
Kenobi lives. For now.
"Master, Kenobi. Sit down. You'll catch your death. I'm sure someone will come to rescue us soon. That astromech of yours seem to be on top of things."
Obi-Wan complied, he more crumpled to the floor than actually sat down and glanced at the direction of Palpatine's gaze.
R2-D2 beeped in human-like triumph, next to the shield generators. The little astromech was just finished disabling the hangar shields.
Unawares to all the parties present, whilst Obi-Wan battled Dooku, R2-D2 had been quite busy. The little astromech had recorded the happenings up to Palpatine's entrance onto the scene and transmitted a request for back up to any Republic Starfighter within reach.
Seeing that the danger is over, the astromech scooted over to the control panel on the opposite side of the hangar and triggered an emergency lock down in the entire warship. That would prevent anyone else aboard the ship from coming into the hangar. R2 also set off every single ray shields present on the warship.
Done with the task, the trusty astromech skidded to a halt in front of the trio. The red eye on R2 lit up and a blue projection of Plo Koon in his Starfighter flickered on the floor.
"We have received your message. Chancellor Palpatine has been secured. We're coming to get you."
"Good job, R2." Obi-Wan managed weakly. For an astromech with one too many loose wires, the droid sure is handy in tricky situations.
Not long after, three Republic Starfighters landed smoothly into the hangar. By then, Obi-Wan had succumbed to the void of unconsciousness.
Palpatine watched the two Jedi lying on the floor. Anakin and Obi-Wan laid on their sides, knees bent, facing each other. Their bodies curved inwards, almost forming a circle. Their hands too were almost touching. Anakin still had his cloak on. One Dark, one Light. Kenobi's burnt flesh stood out red and peeling. Palpatine saw it as a good omen.
Dark times lay ahead.
A secret smiled pulled at Palpatine's pale lips.