PART TWELVE: SAFE HERE, WE ARE NOT
Hours passed.
With a soft groan, Obi-Wan opened his tired eyes. The room was dimmed, but still enough to make out the other figures in the room. He was wrapped, warmly with several blankets to warm his cold body, stripped from the torso up of his wet garments. Someone gently padded a warm towel to his head.
"You're awake." the figure said gently, yet soothingly.
He turned toward the sound of the voice. It was that of Padmé. Yoda was at the lip of the bed, in deep thought, his head hovering over his gimmer stick. In the corner of the room, he could make out the image of two other Jedi, Plo Koon and Ki-Adi Mundi. Jar Jar was asleep in a chair across the room. Bail paced the room, also in deep thought. Then the song-like dialect by the beeps of R2-D2, and an annoyed protocol droid telling him to pipe down, was heard in the distance.
"What happened? He sat up slowly.
"Cold you were," Yoda spoke, before looking at the young Jedi. "Hypothermia, you were suffering. Bruises we found on your entire body, but healed you we did."
Obi-Wan looked at the other two other Jedi in the room. They only nodded, and returned to their meditation. Obi-Wan looked at the pacing Bail, and looked away, sighing. "How long have I been out?"
"For awhile now. Hours." Padmé replied.
Bail looked up, and took a seat next to the healing Jedi. "Hey, glad you all right, Ben. Wouldn't want to lose you to something as a low temperature. We don't need that right now."
"Well, I'm still breathing and moving, Bail." He stated.
"That you are. And it's a good thing. After I heard about the Temple, I feared the worse. Luckily, Master Yoda, Master Plo and Master Ki-Adi were here when it happened. Yet, it was you I was worried about. Yoda had told me where you went. I'd hate to lose one of the best generals in this galaxy."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "But, Mas–"
"No. Talk of the past you will not, Obi-Wan. Only the present needs to be attended to. Guide us the past is left to do." Yoda shot back.
Obi-Wan looked down, nodding. "Yes, Master. But, what happened?"
"Yoda issued a Code Fourteen two days after you left to find your apprentice, Obi-Wan," Ki-Adi came from beyond the shadows. "Luckily, he was here with Padmé at the time. Master Koon and myself managed to get a transport out here an hour before the battle began. But we have not been permitted back into the area since the battle. As far as I could tell, the damage isn't looking too good."
Code Fourteen was never met to be used. But there were always drills running through it. Code Fourteen was an alarm to warn all Jedi, near and far, that the Temple was in attack and would fall into defensive mode against anything that posed a threat to the preservation of the Temple and its affiliates. And only the highest Jedi masters were permitted to issue it in times of danger. When the Jedi Temple was in grave danger.
"Been there you have, Obi-Wan." Yoda noted.
Obi-Wan looked at the Jedi around him, nodding again. "I was, Master. Reports are still not in about the casualties. But there are concerns for our safety, Master Yoda. The Republic has just gotten reports that the corruption started with the Jedi. We are considered a threat, and we cannot stay here any longer."
"We understand that, but we must not precede without setting a course for Padmé's safety," Plo peered from beyond the shadows.
"They are right," Bail said. "I can still provide a safe haven for Padmé, but other than that, I can't be much help."
"You've all done more than enough for me," Padmé spoke up. "I am forever in your debt, my Jedi friends."
Obi-Wan searched the room, and saw his cloak laying atop the dresser. Two lightsaber sat atop of it. He called the Force, to retrieve Anakin's lightsaber.
Everyone took a step in, looking at it as it fell into Obi-Wan's hands, all except Padmé. Obi-Wan sensed her uneasiness and clasped her shoulder, gently. Their eyes met, never to leave the other as they saw the memories they shared with Anakin from the years that had come to pass.
Obi-Wan took her hand, and placed the lightsaber into it, closing her grasp around it. "Anakin's lightsaber." he spoke, quietly.
She studied the weapon in her hand, then looked back at Obi-Wan. "Thank you," her voice reached above a whisper.
She gave him a smile. He returned it with a weak one.
"A true Jedi you will always be, Obi-Wan." Yoda broke the silence falling into the room.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan doubled over in pain. The pain! Aahh! There's a terrible tremor in the Force.
Ki-Adi and Plo exchanged looks before looking over at the old green Jedi Master.
Obi-Wan caught his breath. "There is a tremor in the Force."
"We sense it, too," Ki-Adi said firmly.
"Sense it, I do," Yoda nodded. "Evil and painful. Terrible pain. Safe here we are not. Precede to Code One we must."
Code One was a way for all the Jedi to go into hiding, until there was a call to reappear again. It was only permitted by one Jedi only – Yoda. He was the highest power in the Order and everyone had to respect his request–no matter what.
Days later.
Hour. After hour. After hour.
The lava pit had been still for far too long. But now, it shook to life again. Lava spewed into the air in a violent array of color and anger, raining down on the land around it. The other pits shook up, spewing its content on the land as well.
Then a hand, suffering from severe burns, bursted out.
Droids retrieved the disembodied man, with the looming figures of two dark Jedi in the distance.
The room was dark, except for the only light in the center. Medical droids rushed to the aid of the patient. The body had suffered severe burns from head to toe, but appeared to still be alive. The droids questioned whether the man was alive or not, seeing he was gasping for air like a fish out of water. One leg was lost up to the knee, the other burned down to the bone and muscle. The left arm hung loosely on its limb, and the bionic arm was functioning fine. The chest was crushed, several ribs broken. The face was scarred under the eyes, and most of the head was severed.
The droids took the man into the other room, just as two shadowed figures followed.
Tests were run, quickly to test the man's conditions. He was placed into a bacta tank to preserve what was left of his body, but the droids would have to find other ways to save him. Manufacture droids worked to create a life support suit, the only means for the man to stay alive.
Hours passed.
The man was removed from the bacta tank and placed into the suit. Surgical droids worked to put the finally touches to the suit, to ensure it was working properly.
Then the Emperor, Darth Sidious, and Count Dooku (Lord Tyranus) stepped from beyond the shadows. The Emperor handed the young dark Jedi the finally touch to his suit–his helmet. He took it, and placed it firmly on his head.
For the first time, the dark Jedi breathed, heavily into his protective body suit, and studied his new body. He was reborn.
"Rise, my young apprentice," Sidious croaked.
The man did so, and turned to greet the two other Sith in the room, breathing slowly.
"You have done well. All is going according to plan," Sidious smiled.
The man retreated to the balcony seeing the city, with the other dark Jedi following.
"The Jedi have yet to be destroyed," Dooku stated.
"Be patient, Lord Tyranus. They will fall as the Republic will," Sidious said.
"They will pay for what they did to me," the man in the suit spoke for the first time. "If I must, I will find each and every breathing Jedi in this galaxy and destroy them myself with an iron fist. I will get my revenge."
"Patience, my apprentice." the Emperor proclaimed. "You still have much to learn about the Dark Powers."
The suited man turned to look at the Empeor and growled softly, then turned away. "I will find you myself, Obi-Wan Kenobi and kill you for what you did to me. Anakin Skywalker no longer exists, and never will again. I will make sure of that. This galaxy will fall to my power and this new Empire will rise. You will fear me. All of you. You will now know me as Darth Vader. I am the new power and authority in this galaxy. And no one will stop me!" He hled up his hands, grasping the new power.
Darth Sidious laughed evilly.
Tyranus stood by, just as tall.
Obi-Wan groaned again, falling to the ground. Bail pulled him back to his feet.
"Hey. Don't do this now, Obi-Wan. Come on," Bail slapped him gently.
Obi-Wan didn't say anything, fighting the pain.
Plo and Ki-Adi hovered over the fallen Jedi, calling on the Force to calm him. Obi-Wan took in deep breaths, as he settled back on the bed. Yoda placed his hand on Obi-Wan's head, and saw a distant future flash through his eyes. Both Yoda and Obi-Wan saw every detail of what appeared to be a distant future. Destruction. Death. Planet by planet. And finally leading into the destruction of one peaceful planet and its people. Blown up to nothing.
Obi-Wan coughed, vigorously and exchanged looks with the little green master.
"Go, we must. Safe here it is not," Yoda stated again.
Obi-Wan nodded, hearing the voice of pure evil ring in his head. I will find you myself, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and kill you for what you did to me.
To be continued....
Hours passed.
With a soft groan, Obi-Wan opened his tired eyes. The room was dimmed, but still enough to make out the other figures in the room. He was wrapped, warmly with several blankets to warm his cold body, stripped from the torso up of his wet garments. Someone gently padded a warm towel to his head.
"You're awake." the figure said gently, yet soothingly.
He turned toward the sound of the voice. It was that of Padmé. Yoda was at the lip of the bed, in deep thought, his head hovering over his gimmer stick. In the corner of the room, he could make out the image of two other Jedi, Plo Koon and Ki-Adi Mundi. Jar Jar was asleep in a chair across the room. Bail paced the room, also in deep thought. Then the song-like dialect by the beeps of R2-D2, and an annoyed protocol droid telling him to pipe down, was heard in the distance.
"What happened? He sat up slowly.
"Cold you were," Yoda spoke, before looking at the young Jedi. "Hypothermia, you were suffering. Bruises we found on your entire body, but healed you we did."
Obi-Wan looked at the other two other Jedi in the room. They only nodded, and returned to their meditation. Obi-Wan looked at the pacing Bail, and looked away, sighing. "How long have I been out?"
"For awhile now. Hours." Padmé replied.
Bail looked up, and took a seat next to the healing Jedi. "Hey, glad you all right, Ben. Wouldn't want to lose you to something as a low temperature. We don't need that right now."
"Well, I'm still breathing and moving, Bail." He stated.
"That you are. And it's a good thing. After I heard about the Temple, I feared the worse. Luckily, Master Yoda, Master Plo and Master Ki-Adi were here when it happened. Yet, it was you I was worried about. Yoda had told me where you went. I'd hate to lose one of the best generals in this galaxy."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "But, Mas–"
"No. Talk of the past you will not, Obi-Wan. Only the present needs to be attended to. Guide us the past is left to do." Yoda shot back.
Obi-Wan looked down, nodding. "Yes, Master. But, what happened?"
"Yoda issued a Code Fourteen two days after you left to find your apprentice, Obi-Wan," Ki-Adi came from beyond the shadows. "Luckily, he was here with Padmé at the time. Master Koon and myself managed to get a transport out here an hour before the battle began. But we have not been permitted back into the area since the battle. As far as I could tell, the damage isn't looking too good."
Code Fourteen was never met to be used. But there were always drills running through it. Code Fourteen was an alarm to warn all Jedi, near and far, that the Temple was in attack and would fall into defensive mode against anything that posed a threat to the preservation of the Temple and its affiliates. And only the highest Jedi masters were permitted to issue it in times of danger. When the Jedi Temple was in grave danger.
"Been there you have, Obi-Wan." Yoda noted.
Obi-Wan looked at the Jedi around him, nodding again. "I was, Master. Reports are still not in about the casualties. But there are concerns for our safety, Master Yoda. The Republic has just gotten reports that the corruption started with the Jedi. We are considered a threat, and we cannot stay here any longer."
"We understand that, but we must not precede without setting a course for Padmé's safety," Plo peered from beyond the shadows.
"They are right," Bail said. "I can still provide a safe haven for Padmé, but other than that, I can't be much help."
"You've all done more than enough for me," Padmé spoke up. "I am forever in your debt, my Jedi friends."
Obi-Wan searched the room, and saw his cloak laying atop the dresser. Two lightsaber sat atop of it. He called the Force, to retrieve Anakin's lightsaber.
Everyone took a step in, looking at it as it fell into Obi-Wan's hands, all except Padmé. Obi-Wan sensed her uneasiness and clasped her shoulder, gently. Their eyes met, never to leave the other as they saw the memories they shared with Anakin from the years that had come to pass.
Obi-Wan took her hand, and placed the lightsaber into it, closing her grasp around it. "Anakin's lightsaber." he spoke, quietly.
She studied the weapon in her hand, then looked back at Obi-Wan. "Thank you," her voice reached above a whisper.
She gave him a smile. He returned it with a weak one.
"A true Jedi you will always be, Obi-Wan." Yoda broke the silence falling into the room.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan doubled over in pain. The pain! Aahh! There's a terrible tremor in the Force.
Ki-Adi and Plo exchanged looks before looking over at the old green Jedi Master.
Obi-Wan caught his breath. "There is a tremor in the Force."
"We sense it, too," Ki-Adi said firmly.
"Sense it, I do," Yoda nodded. "Evil and painful. Terrible pain. Safe here we are not. Precede to Code One we must."
Code One was a way for all the Jedi to go into hiding, until there was a call to reappear again. It was only permitted by one Jedi only – Yoda. He was the highest power in the Order and everyone had to respect his request–no matter what.
Days later.
Hour. After hour. After hour.
The lava pit had been still for far too long. But now, it shook to life again. Lava spewed into the air in a violent array of color and anger, raining down on the land around it. The other pits shook up, spewing its content on the land as well.
Then a hand, suffering from severe burns, bursted out.
Droids retrieved the disembodied man, with the looming figures of two dark Jedi in the distance.
The room was dark, except for the only light in the center. Medical droids rushed to the aid of the patient. The body had suffered severe burns from head to toe, but appeared to still be alive. The droids questioned whether the man was alive or not, seeing he was gasping for air like a fish out of water. One leg was lost up to the knee, the other burned down to the bone and muscle. The left arm hung loosely on its limb, and the bionic arm was functioning fine. The chest was crushed, several ribs broken. The face was scarred under the eyes, and most of the head was severed.
The droids took the man into the other room, just as two shadowed figures followed.
Tests were run, quickly to test the man's conditions. He was placed into a bacta tank to preserve what was left of his body, but the droids would have to find other ways to save him. Manufacture droids worked to create a life support suit, the only means for the man to stay alive.
Hours passed.
The man was removed from the bacta tank and placed into the suit. Surgical droids worked to put the finally touches to the suit, to ensure it was working properly.
Then the Emperor, Darth Sidious, and Count Dooku (Lord Tyranus) stepped from beyond the shadows. The Emperor handed the young dark Jedi the finally touch to his suit–his helmet. He took it, and placed it firmly on his head.
For the first time, the dark Jedi breathed, heavily into his protective body suit, and studied his new body. He was reborn.
"Rise, my young apprentice," Sidious croaked.
The man did so, and turned to greet the two other Sith in the room, breathing slowly.
"You have done well. All is going according to plan," Sidious smiled.
The man retreated to the balcony seeing the city, with the other dark Jedi following.
"The Jedi have yet to be destroyed," Dooku stated.
"Be patient, Lord Tyranus. They will fall as the Republic will," Sidious said.
"They will pay for what they did to me," the man in the suit spoke for the first time. "If I must, I will find each and every breathing Jedi in this galaxy and destroy them myself with an iron fist. I will get my revenge."
"Patience, my apprentice." the Emperor proclaimed. "You still have much to learn about the Dark Powers."
The suited man turned to look at the Empeor and growled softly, then turned away. "I will find you myself, Obi-Wan Kenobi and kill you for what you did to me. Anakin Skywalker no longer exists, and never will again. I will make sure of that. This galaxy will fall to my power and this new Empire will rise. You will fear me. All of you. You will now know me as Darth Vader. I am the new power and authority in this galaxy. And no one will stop me!" He hled up his hands, grasping the new power.
Darth Sidious laughed evilly.
Tyranus stood by, just as tall.
Obi-Wan groaned again, falling to the ground. Bail pulled him back to his feet.
"Hey. Don't do this now, Obi-Wan. Come on," Bail slapped him gently.
Obi-Wan didn't say anything, fighting the pain.
Plo and Ki-Adi hovered over the fallen Jedi, calling on the Force to calm him. Obi-Wan took in deep breaths, as he settled back on the bed. Yoda placed his hand on Obi-Wan's head, and saw a distant future flash through his eyes. Both Yoda and Obi-Wan saw every detail of what appeared to be a distant future. Destruction. Death. Planet by planet. And finally leading into the destruction of one peaceful planet and its people. Blown up to nothing.
Obi-Wan coughed, vigorously and exchanged looks with the little green master.
"Go, we must. Safe here it is not," Yoda stated again.
Obi-Wan nodded, hearing the voice of pure evil ring in his head. I will find you myself, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and kill you for what you did to me.
To be continued....
