Chapter 12 Panic Switch

Cana Tamcul sighed and used her chair to spin in semi-circles, her black hair tucked into the standard orange engineer helmet. It was the start of another boring day for her at the Coruscant Power Distribution Grid. But someone had to keep track of the droids that maintained the generators and living on Coruscant wasn't cheap.

Cana leaned back in her chair and decided for what felt like the hundredth time to keep her job. She started to count the bolts that held the ceiling together as a red warning light flashed on her display. Cana brought up the security camera feed and was shocked to discover that several intruders were in the middle of taking the generator apart. Cana press several buttons before the computer asked if she would like to activate emergency protocols. She indicated yes and several red lights began to flash as a shrill siren sounded.

"Why did you trip the panic switch?" a green-skinned man with small hexagonal shapes tattooed along his cheekbones asked from a window that appeared on the screen.

"Because there are intruders taking apart the generator, Jax—I mean Mr. Uthem."

The Mirialan nodded as he typed commands into his computer."I see that on the camera feed. I'll alert the authorities. Do you know if they are anywhere else in your section?"

Cana shook her head, then said,"I really need to get to someplace safer if they're that close, though." Just as she was about to get up, the door to her left exploded inward and landed on the floor next to her chair. The Cybermen marched toward her as Cana tripped over her chair in an effort to escape. The last thing she saw before the lights went out was the cold, emotionless expression of the Cyberman that reached for her.

"Can I talk to you for a moment, Master Kenobi?" the Doctor asked as he walked up to Obi-Wan outside of the main temple hanger bay.

"Of course, I have a few minutes before I have to bring my findings to the counsel."

The Doctor nodded and said,"From what I can tell, Rose has become Force-sensitive." Obi-Wan's eyebrows raised in interest.

"How so?"

"Rose has been suffering from nightmares for a while now, and asked me to help her get to the root of the problem. From what I gathered, the dreams seem to be prophetic."

"Well, I would suggest you monitor Rose to see if her ability gets more intense, or if she manifests any other abilities."

The Doctor nodded and said,"I'll make sure to keep an eye on her. Thanks you, Master Kenobi."

Obi-Wan frowned when the Doctor grimaced.

"Is something wrong, Doctor?"

The Doctor smiled and said,"It's nothing, I just have to get used to calling someone Master and not having to worry about thwarting plans for galactic domination," the Doctor paused when he saw Obi-Wan's confused expression."It's a long story."

Before Obi-Wan could respond, the lights flickered before completely going out. The Doctor exchanged a worried look with Obi-Wan as he pondered the implications for the outage.

"What has you so troubled?" Rose looked up at Anakin.

"How could you tell?" She asked as they made their way to the Refectory.

Anakin gave a slight smile."Being trained in the ways of the Force has it's perks and the look on your face is rather telling."

Rose raised an eyebrow and asked,"Am I that obvious?"

She sighed and tried to find where to start."I've been having these nightmares lately. At first, they didn't bother me that much, but now they're really getting to me."

"I've been suffering from nightmares as well. Have you told anyone else about your nightmares? The Healers may be able to help."

Rose nodded."I talked to the Doctor about it earlier today."

"What did he have to say?"

"He said that my nightmares were connected with time, like I was seeing the future."

Anakin stopped suddenly, then smiled."It sounds like you've become force-sensitive."

Rose looked startled as she said,"So I've become like you then."

Anakin shook his head but didn't stop smiling."Not exactly like me. You have a connection to the Force, as I do, but you wouldn't be able to do all the things I can do."

Rose smirked when a thought occurred to her before she asked,"Since I'm Force-sensitive, does that me I'll be able to move things with my mind?"

Anakin laughed as they resumed their walk."You would have to receive training to do that."

"Can you teach me?"

"It would be against the Jedi Code."

Rose looked a little disappointed as they rounded a corner. Anakin sighed and looked as if he were preparing himself for a stressful situation as they continued in silence.

"Rose, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you," Anakin paused and took a deep breath then continued,"If the Doctor were to fix the TARDIS, would you stay with me instead of going back?"

"What—" Before Rose could finish, an explosion rocked the Temple. They fell to the ground as smoke poured out of the end of the corridor.

Rose picked herself up as Anakin quickly got to his feet and raced towards what was left of the dining hall.

"NO! Anakin, stay here." Anakin stopped in mid-stride and turned back to Rose.

"I have to go help."

Rose shook her head and said,"It's not safe. I know what's going to happen next. The Cybermen are behind this, they're coming."

Anakin turned to the smoke cloud and ignited his lightsaber.

"Wait here," he said before he charged forward.

"Please," Rose said as an acute sense of panic and dread washed over her.