One Wrong Step
Disclaimer: I don't own.
Chapter 25: Grievous Again
Rey and Obi-Wan were practicing their Force-abilities when a padawan rushed in and told them that Obi-Wan was needed by the Council to view a holomessage from General Grievous. The two exchanged a glance before rushing to the room where Yoda, Adi Gallia, Mace Windu, and Anakin waited with holograms of Ki-Adi Mundi, Luminara Unduli, Kit Fisto, and Plo Koon. "Obi-Wan," Mace greeted with an undercurrent of tension in his voice.
"What's this about, Mace?" he asked.
"We haven't watched the message yet."
Rey bit her lip. "May I stay, Master Windu, or is this a matter for Knights only?"
He actually gave her a small smile. "Thank you for asking, and, yes, you may stay." At that, they began the recording. The cyborg general began, "Greetings, Jedi, it would seem, once again, one of your order has lost his way and even better, a leading member of your Jedi Council." He indicated the limp and groaning Master Eeth Koth, gripped in one metal fist. "Listen to me, Jedi, I do not care about your politics. I do not care about your Republic. I only live to see you die." A magnaguard entered the frame, striking Master Koth in the back. "But death will not come so easily for Master Koth. I will make him suffer endlessly because I know that is more painful for you all."
Master Yoda turned toward Ahsoka and Barriss, who had walked through the room with a group of initiates. "Away with the younglings. Much there is to discuss."
"It's time somebody finally put an end to that monster," Anakin growled.
"On that, agreed we are. How to find him, the question remains."
"After engaging Grievous, we lost contact with Master Koth. He could be anywhere," Obi-Wan said.
Master Plo cut in, "Commander Wolffe has found a message in the holo transmission. Play back the message."
"Look. Hand signals," Anakin exclaimed. Rey looked closer, and, sure enough, Master Koth's hands were obviously tapping out a pattern of some kind.
Obi-Wan's brows furrowed in concentration. "I admit my skills are rusty, but Saleucami system, sector J-19. Zero-eight, zero-five, two-nine."
"Saleucami? But intelligence reported Grievous has no ships near that sector," Master Gallia argued.
"But so often inaccurate our intelligence is," Master Yoda reminded them.
"I shall go," Obi-Wan volunteered.
"So will I," Anakin added.
"And I," said Master Gallia.
Rey raised her eyebrows. "Since Master Kenobi is going, I'll assume it's understood that I am, too?"
They departed within the hour.
Just before they jumped into hyperspace, Obi-Wan and Rey in the main attack ship contacted Anakin and Master Gallia in another nearby ship. "Are you ready?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Ready and waiting," was Anakin's cocky reply.
"I shall engage the Separatist fleet and send you the coordinates of Grievous' command ship."
"Just make sure you get it right."
"I always do."
"How do you plan on getting Grievous aboard your ship?" Master Gallia asked.
"Not to worry. The good General and I have a history. I'm sure he'll want to even the score face-to-face."
"Meanwhile, we'll jump in undetected and board the command ship," Anakin continued.
Master Gallia added confidently, "If Master Koth is still alive, we will find him."
"Hopefully, by the end of this mission, we will have saved Master Koth and captured General Grievous," Obi-Wan said before he cut the transmission.
*O*W*S*
Soon enough, they had exited hyperspace, and Obi-Wan gave the order to hail the looming Separatist ship. Once the transmission had gone through, he said, "General, I knew one day I'd catch up to you."
"Kenobi! What a surprise. I assume you are here to bring me to justice," Grievous responded mockingly.
"You know me too well."
"Indeed, I do."
Not two minutes later, the storm of fire approaching the Republic craft prompted Obi-Wan to wryly comment, "We certainly have his attention. Admiral Yularen, keep Grievous' fleet occupied so Anakin's arrival is undetected."
"Yes, General," he responded. "Commence attack. All ships fire at will."
"Commander Cody, do you have the exact coordinates of the command ship yet?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We're patching them through now, sir."
The ship shook, and Cody relayed the cause, "Tractor beam has us, sir. Shall we fire on the source?"
"No, Cody. Let them think they have us. We need a diversion for Anakin."
Rey huffed. "Remind me again why we get to be the diversion?"
As Obi-Wan, Rey, and three troops walked to meet the inevitable boarding party, Obi-Wan gave some last minute instructions. "Remember, we need to keep Grievous on this ship until General Skywalker is clear."
Several more clones stood near the doorway where they knew Grievous would come in. Sure enough, four lightsaber blades pierced it simultaneously, cutting a hole and flinging the metal inward. A group of commando droids entered, followed by two magnaguards and Grievous himself. "Kenobi," the latter greeted. The cyborg and his guards began pushing the two Jedi back. They stumbled into a room behind them, and Grievous continued his taunting, "So, Kenobi, is everything going as planned?"
"That depends on your point of view, General," Obi-Wan snapped. He and Rey quickly engaged the magnaguards and dispatched them.
"You wouldn't come here without a plan, and you wouldn't come alone. Tell me, do you think Skywalker has rescued Master Koth yet?" the Separatist general asked.
Both their mouths dropped open. "Well, that's just perfect," Rey muttered.
Then Grievous finally engaged them. With two lightsabers on two, the fight seemed rather even, so Rey ignited the other side of her saber, swinging it down toward Grievous's legs, trying to knock him over. "Your plans have come to ruination, Jedi."
"I hear a lot of talking, General, but in the final accounting, what does all the talk get you? A futile quest for power, a mutilated body, and your place as Dooku's errand boy," Obi-Wan snapped.
"Yes, quite a wonderful package," Rey added.
"I'm no errand boy," Grievous growled. "I am not in this war for Dooku's politics. I am the leader of the most powerful droid army the galaxy has ever seen."
"An army with no loyalty, no spirit, just programming. Why do you need to show all your power? What have you to gain?" Obi-Wan yelled.
"The future, a future where there are no Jedi!" He withdrew two more lightsabers, and Obi-Wan summoned one of the magnaguards' electrostaffs into his hand. Unfortunately, Grievous managed to cut it in half. With the swipe of his right foot and lower right hand, both Jedi went sprawling. "The story of Obi-Wan Kenobi ends here."
They raised their lightsabers simultaneously, flipping backward onto their feet. A slice of Rey's lightsaber drove the cyborg off.
"Your friends shall die, Kenobi, and you shall soon follow."
The flurry of blades continued, and Obi-Wan flung one of the magnaguards at Grievous, flinging him into the pilot's seat, and both of the Jedi stuck their blades into his face. "Surrender, General."
"Never!" He leaped over them, scrabbling away on six legs like an insect.
Obi-Wan activated his wrist comm. "Anakin, I hope you've rescued Master Koth, because Grievous is headed back to his ship." They ran through the halls, chasing their adversary, and met a group of clones. "Get back to the bridge," he ordered. "We need to detach before Grievous jumps ship." He lifted his comm again, this time contacting the commander of the 212th. "Cody, come in."
"Yes, sir."
"Grievous is heading your way."
They ran toward Cody's position, where they managed to intercept Grievous again. The ship tilted again, and the power flickered, red light filling the chamber. They engaged him, but he threw the two to the ground, escaping onto his own ship, tossing over his shoulder, "Until we meet again, Kenobi." However, from behind him, Master Gallia leaped toward him, her blade catching his two. Rey sighed in relief as she got her footing. Just as they stood, however, the ship lurched one last time, and it disconnected from Grievous's. They were violently yanked off their feet and pulled toward space. Cody, who had the best grip, managed to get a hold of Obi-Wan, who grabbed Rey. A rope from Master Gallia fell beside them, and they all grabbed it and began climbing up. Once they were safely inside, Master Gallia closed the blast doors, and the vacuum of space finally disappeared. "Hurry. We can still catch him," Obi-Wan said, preparing to rush after him.
"Obi-Wan, Anakin's leaving. We'll be trapped on the ship," Master Gallia reminded him.
"She's right. We have to go."
He sighed and activated his wrist comm (again). "Anakin, come in. We're in a bit of a spot, and we need a way off of Grievous' ship."
"There's a large hangar near your position," he answered. "Make your way there, and I'll pick you up."
They quickly ran in that direction. The hangar was empty when they entered, but Anakin soon arrived, and they scurried onto the ship. "Here we go," he announced, burning debris flying around them.
After several minutes, once they were closer to safety, Obi-Wan said, "Anakin, get me Admiral Yularen."
"Several craft detached from Grievous' ship and attempted to land on Saleucami."
"Then we'll have to land and follow them. Prepare the tanks."
"Yes, sir."
"There must be several landing sites. It may be hard to locate the good General," Anakin put in bitterly.
"You'll have to command the space battle while Rex, Cody, and I head to the surface," Obi-Wan answered. "Rey can stay with you, if she wants. I know she's been itching to fly lately."
She grinned broadly. "Thanks."
"You sure you can handle this on your own?" Anakin asked.
"I think I can manage."
"I'll get Master Koth to a medical frigate," Master Gallia said once they were safely in the Republic cruiser.
"You all took a great risk rescuing me," the Zabrak Jedi added.
"You're welcome, Master Koth," Obi-Wan answered with a smile.
"Since you divided your forces, Grievous is still at large. I would have gladly given my life if it meant bringing that monster to justice!"
"Well, at least we all lived to fight another day," Anakin replied.