CHAPTER SEVEN
They walked into the building with serenity and their lightsabers already out, their eyes speculating about their surroundings, getting to know their ground. Arms out, they walked cautiously through the darkened window-less main hall. There seemed to be nobody inside, and the noises from the city where somehow diminished by the thick walls of the building. There were chandeliers in the ceiling, the only lighting that helped the two men through the straight line of dusk.
The markings in the walls reminded the two Jedi of the Geonosis Coliseum where they had been held hostage at the very beginning of the Clone Wars. The carvings were precisely replicated and they had a grotesque flamboyant rhythm to them, the brownish color of decay didn't help with the unattractive aura of the place. And there was the smell too. The Jedi knights stopped at the same instant, they had perceived the odor, it was that unmistakable scent that bugged them the time they had been captured not so long ago.
They stopped and looked at each other with a preoccupied look, and then, as if planned, they placed their backs against each other ready for any kind of attack. Their heads turned up and to the sides, seeking any movement. From the far end of the corridor, finally, Obi-Wan distinguished some figures moving towards them, making ghastly noises. After a second, Anakin heard them too, the sounds of their wings and their cracking language was unmistakable. Geos.
The human-sized bugs came in a large pack, armed with sonic blasters. Some flew towards them while others used their bone-thin feet. Some pain-thirsty specie were these, indeed. They wasted no time to begin their attack.
Not being able to deflect the sonic blasters with their lightsabers, both Jedi used the Force for their advantage. Together they force-pushed the walking Geos into the ground knocking off most of their guns. Once they were on the floor, Anakin impatiently jumped towards the closest flying insect using his lightsaber vulgarly cutting its arms off. He continued with the second one by thrusting his saber right into its chest. Without wasting anytime he continued on an on with the reeking beasts.
Obi-Wan intrigued by his friend's violence, insisted on calming him down, however the request never left his throat. The geonosians were quickly on their feet and ready to attack the Jedi Master. He had no choice but to insert his saber at the closest insect, killing him instantly. He then ran towards the second Geo and punched its skull with his elbow, giving him enough time to grab the insect's weapon and recover his lightsaber from the lifeless body that lay on the ground. He put his lightsaber on his belt and with the sonic blaster began shooting mercilessly at the geonosians.
It wasn't long until the two Jedi finished defending themselves. Once they made sure they wouldn't be followed, they ran towards the end of the hall where the creatures had emerged from.
...
Master Plo Koon took the front while Ahsoka watched out from the rear, they were both alert. Once they entered the building they had no guide whatsoever as to where they might be heading or if they would find anything or anyone at all. Their passage had the same trimmings and style than the other side of the building, however, the roof seemed to be never ending. There were no lights on, not a hint of sound or movement, they were guided doubtfully by the Kel Dor's keen senses.
"Master, I don't want to be impertinent, but what exactly are we looking for in here?" Ahsoka kept a close distance between herself and the tall Jedi, but left enough distance for any type of action that would be needed.
The Jedi Master stopped for a second, still with his lightsaber flinging in front of him, "I myself am not sure, padawan, the force tells me there's something near, but I'm not sure what it is exactly." With that last word he kept on walking unhurriedly closing his eyes. "Open your senses young one, you might be impressed by how you can guide yourself, even with no light."
She winced but did not close her eyes, if anything happened she would want to see it herself and be as ready as possible, she decided to leave the control of their location and travel to the more experienced Jedi.
For some time, both maintained quiet, trying to find any type of resonance through the building. They kept on walking in the dark, apparently, after some time, the ground began to descend, but only in the slightest, if it weren't for Plo Koon, not even Ahsoka would've noticed.
Without any warning, a cold breeze rushed by the two hushed Jedi, followed by a silent laugh.
"Well how amusing." None of the two Jedi had spoken, the voice had come out of the dark without prelude, and it echoed for a second. "The young one and this ... where is your Master dear? And Obi-Wan? Where's that negotiator of yours?" Those last words made them pause in their spots and search for the source of the dry female speech. "I was looking to kill him myself, guess I won't have the pleasure now... what a shame." The laugh continued for some moments.
"Show yourself." The Master Jedi spoke with a firm tone, almost commanding.
"Oh sorry stranger, I haven't introduced myself." There was loud high-pitched sound and with that came the light, torches in the walls began to spring fire, presenting for the first time the inside of the building to the Jedi. They stood in the middle of a round room with golden walls, it looked like some type of meeting place. All around them were chairs and tables, in the middle, where they stood, there was nothing but a throne-like chair that gave its back to the guests.
Ahsoka turned to face the chair and Plo Koon maintained position with his lightsaber ready for any necessitated action. "Hello, Master Jedi," said a remarkably secure voice, "What a disappointment it is to meet you." The chair slid around to present a thin white body comfortably sitting down with a grin on her face.
"Ventress." Ahsoka wasn't at all surprised, but also not at the slightest thrilled with the sight of the tattooed acolyte. Every time she encountered the female dark Jedi her abhorrence towards her grew stronger. "What are you doing here?" Plo Koon was caught off-guard by Ahsoka's deep change of tone.
The bald female raised her shaved eyebrows intrigued, by the padawan's question. "That question is kind of stupid, even for a useless individual like you, dear." The insult didn't even change Ahsoka's countenance. "Do you really want to know?" The two Jedi waited for an explanation. "Let's just say I was ordered here to protect some politicians, but as you might imagine I hate the idea of babysitting... Cutting to the chase, you're wasting your time with me young lady." She paused for a moment while standing up. None of the Jedi backed away, but they took a strong hold on their weapons. The slender eyes of the assassin never left the Ahsoka's face, "You might never see your Master again."
This surprised both Plo and Ahsoka. They didn't know how to react to those words, they just stood there immobile, petrified into the floor while Asajj Ventress slowly backed away towards the perimeter of the room, fearing an assault from the young Jedi, never giving her back to her opponents. "I must leave now, the show is about to start." And with those last words she leaped into the air and took hold of one of the torches, hanging there she blew it off and disappeared into the dark ceiling with her usual laugh.
The two Jedi looked at each other, forgetting about the vanishing presence. "Master, we must find them."
"Ahsoka you must not trust that woman's words, she may be trying to deceive us." He spoke more relaxed but his eyes were focusing on the roof, he wasn't at all sure of what was happening.
Ahsoka turned off one of her lightsabers and hung it on her belt, "Master, no offense, but I know her, she may be crazed but she never lies." With those words she scram back towards the main entrance of the building, not waiting for permission, knowing that any request of hers would be negated by the Jedi Master.
"Ahsoka! Ahsoka, wait, you must listen..." Plo Koon was forced to stop before even stepping outside the room, Ventress landed right in front of him with her scarlet lightsabers by her sides, blocking the only way out of the conference room. Her eyes shone of anger and sinister lust.
"Going somewhere? I thought maybe you and I could get to know each other first." She gave the first blow, sliding her lightsaber towards the Jedi's arm. He moved it away quickly, but not before she had vaporized his communicator. "Looks like your staying with me for a while." She made the second move, slicing the air with both of her sabers franticly. Plo blocked every single blow with quick movements of his saber, not seeming to be bothered at all by the assassin. Once she noticed her ineffective method, she quickly caved his lightsaber between both of hers and she immediately somersaulted into the air, kicking her opponent in the chest. She then clicked some buttons on her wrist and left the room running hastily behind Ahsoka.
The elder Jedi was about to chase after the dark apprentice when three droidekas appeared rolling into the room, unhesitant, firing their blasters.
...
Anakin and Obi-Wan opened the only door that was there on the endless-looking hall. They were ready for any type of attack but nothing nor anyone came towards them. They were focused on the newly found room, it was slightly darker than the hallway but vision was not a problem. The odor was gone and so was the irritating noise of wing friction.
The eerie feel was still lingering around them, but between them there was only the sweet sense of shelter. Like always, in their missions and in their resting time, the space that lay between the two men had a taste of relief. To Anakin, it was a bit spooky how, no matter the danger or hostility of the moment, both Jedi always felt some kind of comfort during their missions, as long as they were side by side. He knew he could count on any of his fellow Jedi and troopers, he knew that if he was in danger Rex, Kit Fisto, and even Master Windu would do their best to help Anakin, but he was sure that if it came to life and death the only one who would really do anything to save him would be Obi-Wan. They never doubted each other.
So even though they were inside an unidentified Separatist hide-out, without any near-by reinforcements, even though the riskiness of the mission had multiplied itself and even though they could feel trouble flowing around in the force, Anakin felt protected. He felt the mayor comfort of being inches away from the most important part of his life, the only important part of his life. He tried focusing on the possible dangers, but he could only focus his ear on Obi-Wan's deep breathing, his sight on Obi-Wan's gray tempting eyes, his smell on that familiar aroma that escaped Obi's robes every time he moved. How can he be so perfect without even trying?
Anakin knew he had to stop thinking like that, he knew the importance of the mission they were in, but he couldn't just ignore the fact that Obi was with him right there and then, like he always was. The only bad part was that, with his Master that close to him, he couldn't dare touch him or speak to him or make eye contact with him, because if he did, he would probably lose all self-control.
"Anakin, are you alright?" Obi-Wan came to a halt, he looked way more puzzled than when he got punched by his Padawan in the Republic's battleship. "You seem a bit distracted." Force! He has noticed.
And indeed, he had noticed, he knew that Anakin was looking at him, he knew that his padawan expected protection from him, guide. He knew that Anakin saw him as an older brother, who would be there during any time of trouble. Obi-Wan realized Anakin's inner conflict, he felt alone.
Obi-Wan had been distant for the past months. His feelings for Anakin had changed ever since his padawan and Padme showed up to rescue him in Geonosis, that was the place where Obi-Wan had stopped seeing Anakin as his student or as a friend, he began to think of Ani in a different way that was too hard for even him to understand. It was in that horrible place, in the coliseum, where Obi-Wan realized for the first time. It was the very first time he truly noticed how handsome Anakin really was.
All of his early life he had seen Anakin as his responsibility, he never dared think of him in any other way other than a friend, or even a brother, but he had never thought of him romantically. He didn't know why, maybe it was the pressure, or the hopelessness flooding his soul in the middle of the blood wrenching crowd of bugs, but that moment changed his view on his beloved padawan.
Once they left the battling planet nothing was the same. Every time Obi-Wan looked at Anakin he felt ashamed of his thoughts and feelings, but he felt alive and shivers ran down his veins, excitement and joy. For a long time he continued living secretly like that, living with Anakin's companionship, taking care of him and his injuries, everything seemed perfect. And then, out of nowhere, Anakin came to him one day and confessed that he was married to Padme. When his padawan said the words, it shattered Obi-Wan's heart completely. He went into an emotional state for a week when the Council sent Anakin on his first solo mission.
He felt betrayed and he didn't know why. It wasn't like Anakin had the same feelings towards Obi, it wasn't like there was anything special between them. Obi-Wan had lived, for some time, thinking that maybe there could be something between his padawan and himself. But Anakin's and Padme's marriage killed that dim thought of a chance.
He knew his padawan loved him, but not the way that Obi-Wan loved Anakin. He had known for a long time now, and since accepted the fact that there would never be anything special between them.
"Anakin, let's concentrate on the mission." He looked at his padawan's eyes and it burned, it hurt like nothing that he had ever felt. Heartbreak. Even with the pain, he worked his best deceiving with his talk, "Stop loosing yourself in thought, we have to find the Separatists and get out of this place, it reminds me too much of Geonosis." And it did, it reminded him of the moment that changed his life. And it hurt so so bad.
"I'm... I'm sorry Master..." If only you knew what I am thinking about. Anakin couldn't help but wonder why he had married Padme. How could he use her like that? To try and help him forget about Obi-Wan. She was one of his only true friends and he took advantage of the senator just to help himself forget. And he had done it in vain, he used his friend and it was all in vain. Why couldn't he just forget about Obi-Wan! What did Obi have that Padme Amidala didn't? How come he couldn't fall in love with someone who loved him back? Why couldn't he love Padme the way she loved him? Why?
It had been so difficult to keep it a secret from the Council, to keep a fake romance secret. He put so much energy into hiding it, into trying to make her feel loved, into trying to forget about Obi-Wan. But every night he found himself thinking not about Padme but about Obi-Wan, even when he spent the night with Padme, even when they made love, he thought only about Obi-Wan, always him, his Master. And when he saw Obi in person he acted as if everything was alright. Most of the time, he smiled and laughed and had a good time with his friend, but inside he could only feel guilty. He felt like he was betraying Obi-Wan's trust. When he slept in the Jedi Temple, in the dorms he shared with his Master, that was the worst. Many nights he had plans of going to the man's bedroom and telling him everything, confessing to him what he felt, how he had felt all of the time. But his conscience held him down to his bed and didn't let him stand. How could I do that, just go and tell him the truth? Obi-Wan would be so confused and their friendship would be ruined. He just couldn't risk it. Anakin preferred living a fantasy based a lie every day, but still being able to talk to his beloved, than risking it all to a possible life of never-ending loneliness.
"Master!" The silence was destroyed. "Anakin! Anakin!" Both Jedi looked up and began searching for the screaming.
"Ahsoka? Ahsoka, where are you!" He began to panic, he had never heard his padawan so tense, so frightened. "Ahsoka!"
"Master over here!" They both turned around to see a running Ahsoka rushing towards them at full speed. She stopped her pace some meters before arriving to her Master. "Anakin, are you alright? Are you both alright?" she was not out of breath but she was talking so fast that the Jedi could barely understand. She looked closely at both of the men's eyes.
"Yes, Ahsoka, we're fine. Where is Master Plo?" Obi-Wan walked towards the stunned padawan.
"It's... I ... He's... I don't know. But we... we encountered Ventress, she was on the other side of the building, she seemed to be relaxed, but that's always a bad sign on her, I didn't know what to do, she disappeared and she said that there wasn't much time so I hurried over here and..."
"Ahsoka calm down, what happened exactly." Anakin was now approaching his padawan, and right before he could touch her shoulder a force field appeared in the middle of the hallway, cutting the connection between Ahsoka and the two Jedi. They were bewildered for a moment, confused by both the force field and Ahsoka's dramatic entrance. The two older Jedi looked at each other, this time more preoccupied than ever.
"Ahsoka, tell us what's happening!" Obi-Wan turned to face her through the field and he could see her moving her lips, but no words were tangible. "Ahsoka!" She was talking alright, but no sound came through the field.
Anakin, who was facing the other way, nudged at Obi-Wan's arm "Uhm, Master, you might want to look at this."
Once Obi-Wan turned around, his expression became astonished and it blazed with silent rage. In the place where there seemed to be a festooned russet wall, now stood a giant opening. Inside the hole stood three figures. Poggle the Lesser, the Archduke of Geonosis, Nute Gunray, the minister of the Trade Federation, and Count Dooku, with his malevolent memorable appearance. A sneer escaping his seriousness.
"How fastidious is it to see you both in my newly built base..." Dooku took out a little metal controller and seconds later the walls in the sides of the hall slid open, battle droids came out dime a dozen, every single one of them ready to act upon Dooku's commands. "Gentlemen, take out your sabers."
***(So this was the longest chapter I've written, and also, I think, the most exciting one yet, with both the mission and the relationships. The action was fast but I really do suck at writing it, and I'm not sure if Anakin and Obi's thoughts are clear enough for the readers, so please review me, it would really help)
***(Also, if you hadn't already guessed, the next two chapters will have a plethora of promising bad events... )
