Disclaimer: I don't own Obi-Wan, Siri, or Star Wars. Sad, right?

A New Beginning

Chapter 24

Siri couldn't help the feeling of dread and fear that filled her heart knowing that it was Vader himself who took it upon himself to face the Jedi initiates. Those younglings were full of such promise and were a shining beacon of the future of the Jedi Order and of course the Sith weren't having any of that. Their cruelty knew no bounds and Siri couldn't help but feel even more terrified for Riyan's life.

"Riyan," she gasped. "Do you think-?" Siri couldn't finish her thought, but Obi-Wan picked up on it right away.

"No, I don't think he will kill him. If Riyan is so full of the Force like you say, then it would be in Vader's best interests to try and raise him as a dark apprentice," Obi-Wan said softly. "Unless of course the Emperor doesn't agree."

Siri swallowed hard. "That's almost a worse fate for him, please help me rescue him."

Obi-Wan hesitated and looked torn.

"I think it is wonderful that you are looking after Anakin's son," Siri said then. "But Riyan shouldn't be subjected to such a fate, and I can't save him by myself."

Obi-Wan shook his head sadly. "I don't wish to encounter Darth Vader," he said. "But I will help you Siri if it is the last thing I do."

Siri smiled, a true smile that she hadn't worn in a very long time. "Well let's get going then, oh wise Jedi Master."

Obi-Wan sighed, and then chuckled softly. "You never change Siri."

"Would you really want me to?" Siri asked.

"Never," Obi-Wan swore and then looked down at his chrono. "Well then we best be getting down to the spaceport."

"I thought you'd never ask."

Ferus winced as he felt his wrists growing sorer by the minute as he wore some incredibly tight stun cuffs. As he tried to ignore his discomfort, Ferus couldn't help but be curious about his surroundings. He was on a ship that much was true, but he had no idea where he was going or even what his punishment would be. Certainly Vader was out to get him, but he couldn't help but wonder why he wasn't dead already.

He seriously hoped that Siri made it safely off Valinor, but he honestly had no clue since he was ushered away from the site of the battle so quickly. It was true that the odds of her escaping were incredibly bad, but he also knew his former Master had a knack for getting herself out of jams. After all she had survived the Jedi purge when most were murdered, and that really had to count for something.

The other thing that was worrying Ferus was that he knew that Riyan was onboard the ship. This meant that the boy was either separated from Siri, they were both captured, or she was killed, because Siri would never give up her son willingly. And if they were in fact separated then he knew that Siri would be furious and would be plotting her best move to rescue him.

Ferus knew that Riyan was here because he heard the baby crying all through the night in a cell adjoining his own, and every time he heard it he wanted to comfort the boy, but of course he couldn't. He wasn't even sure if he really wanted Siri to plan a rescue mission because of how dangerous it would be, yet Ferus had no idea what the Empire's plans for the toddler would be.

Suddenly Ferus heard the sounds of heavy footsteps leading to his cell, and almost as soon as they started they stopped. And then the door opened.

Darth Vader walked in just then, and Ferus could once more feel the Dark Side coming off the Sith Lord in waves. It was enough to nearly make him nauseated.

"Come with me, Ferus Olin," Vader said in a commanding voice, as he turned and waited for him to follow. Ferus stood and tried to fight back his apprehension as he followed, not at all feeling any better by the contingent of troopers at his side. They were all silent on the way, but before long they stopped and walked into a room at the end of a long corridor. The clonetroopers waited outside as Ferus and Vader walked in.

"Sit," Vader said as he pointed at a chair located directly in the center of the room.

Ferus did as he was told, and watched as Vader walked over to a console and turned on a comlink. Seconds later the hideous image of the Emperor covered the huge screen in front of him. Ferus felt a shudder go through him as he looked at the image of Darth Sidious.

"Ferus Olin," Sidious said in a sinister tone. "I've been wanted to speak with you for a long time."

Ferus didn't trust himself to speak, so he waiting.

"I need you to help me," Sidious explained.