Chapter 27
"What do you mean we aren't going home, Master!?" Anakin yelled as he paced. "This was supposed to be a one and done."
Reeft couldn't help but smile at his padawan. While he paced like a caged rancor and yelled about unfairness, there was no real anger in his words, just the same extreme frustration at the situation that plagued them all.
"Chancellor Palpatine personally contacted the Jedi Temple and asked that you and I be assigned to Jabiim," Reeft explained in a calm voice. "A human by the name of Alto Stratus has gained support as a Separatist leader on planet. Apparently he has been calling for, and recently achieved the goal of having Jabiim secede from the Republic. He's been giving rather anti-Republic and anti-Jedi speeches. Our task is to arrest him and hold him for treason."
"Treason?"
"Yes, treason," Reeft confirmed. "Seems that the planetary government, the Jabiim Congress approved the secession. Stratus staged a coup and had the loyalist members of the congress killed for speaking out against him."
Anakin sighed and slumped into a nearby chair. "Just us?"
Reeft sat as well. "No, the Republic is sending a task force. You and I are to lead the mission to arrest Stratus. The rest of the task force has been ordered to retake the planet by force."
Anakin shook his head. "That's why we keep losing planets and star systems to the Separatists. We want the people to see us as saviors, as the ones who are going to bring freedom back to the galaxy, yet we go storming onto these worlds and retake them with force. It's no wonder so many beings see the Confederacy as the way to true freedom and not the Republic."
Reeft tilted his head. "Is that the way you see it?"
Anakin leaned forward and rested his arms on his thighs and clasped his hands together. "Sometimes, I wonder if we're doing the right thing. I wonder if fighting fire with fire is right. I understand that we've gone past the point of diplomacy, but I'm just not always certain that storming in and demanding that everyone see that we're the ones in the right is the best approach to achieving peace."
Reeft couldn't argue with him. "For the most part, I feel the same way."
"For the most part?"
Reeft smiled. "What else do we have, but war, Anakin? You said yourself that the time for diplomacy has gone. If we're past the talking stage, what is left but fighting fire with fire? If we stand by and let the Confederacy run rampant all over the galaxy, then we've already lost."
Anakin nodded. "I know that. It just doesn't make it right. Gaining peace through superior firepower? Isn't that what the Separatists are trying to do? What we've lost sight of is the fact that public opinion favors them as the freedom fighters and the Republic and the Jedi as the oppressors. We're not making friends doing things the way Chancellor Palpatine is running this war."
"Perhaps not, but in the end, as I said, what else do we have? Reeft repeated. "Do you think we should surrender and give the galaxy to the Separatists?"
Anakin chuckled. "Of course not. I didn't mean to sound like I think we should give up the fight. I do understand that sometimes two sides meet in the middle and the only option available is battle. That's the situation we're in; I just don't have to like it."
Reeft laughed with him. "No, you don't. Neither do I."
/
Coruscant—Several Months Later
Late Evening
Obi-Wan had been dismissed for the evening. Palpatine had told him he was finished and heading for his personal residence. He watched as the older man gathered his things and left his office. Obi-Wan walked with him until he had reached his residence and stepped inside.
"Good night, Your Excellency," Obi-Wan said with a respectful bow of his head.
Palpatine smiled. "Good night, young Kenobi. I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning."
After the door slid shut, Obi-Wan looked at the two members of the Red Guard that would stand watch through the night. Both of them were hard-working and dedicated. They had been handpicked out of the Senate Guard by Obi-Wan himself. He chose them not for their unswerving loyalty to the Chancellor, but rather their unswerving loyalty to the Republic and the Jedi.
The first man, twenty-three year-old Kyan Tiro was tall and muscular. After speaking with him for many hours over several weeks, Obi-Wan knew he was right for the job.
Kyan Tiro was the youngest of four children. While not Force-sensitive himself, his two elder brothers had both been given to the Jedi before Kyan was born. Through the stories of his elder sister and their parents, he felt as if he knew the brothers he'd never met. He and his sister had been raised to respect the Jedi as a peacekeeping organization and to have pride in the fact that their brothers had both been allowed to become Jedi.
Kyan had taken to Obi-Wan immediately and respected him for following his feelings despite the cost.
The second man was Force-sensitive himself, and when Obi-Wan discovered that, he got to know thirty-five year-old Nyko Durron. It turned out to be a prudent maneuver.
Durron had been a member of the Senate Guard for a few years after serving a stint in the Republic Navy. He was married to Analysa and they had three children, sons Jarred and Jathan and a daughter, Aria. From Nyko, Obi-Wan learned that all three of his children were also Force-sensitive and had been tested as infants, but none of them possessed a midichlorian count high enough to gain admittance to the Jedi Order. Nonetheless, Nyko and his wife held a great respect for the Jedi Order. A Jedi Master and his Padawan Learner years before had saved their lives and they'd never forgotten the act of bravery that resulted in their survival.
Together, Kyan and Nyko had become trusted friends for Obi-Wan in what he called the rancor's den. For Nyko and Kyan, Obi-Wan was a man they held in high esteem. They admired the way he went about his duties without complaint and they implicitly trusted him because he was a Jedi, expulsion notwithstanding.
Anakin had once mentioned to Obi-Wan that he sensed deception within Palpatine. Whether or not that was due to a Sith Lord controlling Palpatine was not known. What Obi-Wan had sensed in his months working for the man was extreme skill in mental shielding. Palpatine did not let stray thoughts escape. His mastery of the task was equal to any Jedi Master. That fact worried Obi-Wan. He knew there was a strong possibility that if Palpatine were in any way connected to the Sith, Obi-Wan would never know it.
Not until it was too late. With that in mind, he motioned Nyko and Kyan away from the door.
"I want the two of you to contact me if he leaves tonight," he instructed them.
Both men responded. "Yes, Sir."
Obi-Wan nodded his thanks and headed home to speak with his wife.
/
Same Time-Jabiim
Anakin was getting angry at how slippery Alto Stratus had become. The man moved like a shadow, first he was there and then he was gone just as quickly.
Currently, he and Reeft were situated behind a Republic supply speeder, waiting for Stratus to make an appearance. He'd taken to planting explosives on shipments of supplies in an effort to both aide the Confederacy and derail the efforts of the Republic to take back the planet.
"We're not going to win this one," Anakin whispered to Reeft. "These people are some of the most hard-fighting I've encountered in the war so far. They won't give up until we're gone and Stratus is using that to his advantage."
Reeft sighed. "I know. I told the Council as much in my communiqué this morning. Our orders are still to capture Alto Stratus."
Anakin shook his head, but remained silent. Suddenly his head shot up as he realized where he was. Jabiim, his vision about Zakk; it all flashed in his eyes as an explosion was heard in the distance.
"That's our man," Reeft said. "Move out."
Anakin pushed his thoughts aide and followed Reeft. But a small amount of concern lingered.
/
Siri was still awake when Obi-Wan arrived home. He sat down beside her on the couch and pulled her into his arms. He placed a soft kiss on her temple and sighed.
"Another long day of guarding the Supreme Chancellor?" she asked teasingly.
Obi-Wan nodded. "I left instructions with Nyko and Kyan to alert me if he leaves tonight."
Siri rested her head on his shoulder. "Are you certain trying to spy on him is wise? What if you're discovered?"
He shrugged. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. There's no sense in worrying over what might happen."
"Zakk asked when you were coming home," she told him.
Obi-Wan smiled. He'd never imagined that being expelled from the Jedi Order could be the best thing to happen to him, but in truth, that was exactly the case. He was finally allowed to be the husband and father he wanted to be. His son meant everything to him and the two were now as close as Zakk was to Siri.
"I'll check in on him before I go to bed," he told her.
Siri kissed his cheek and stood. "I'm going now. I'll see you in the morning. Don't stay up too late, and please wake me if you trudge out after Palpatine again."
He promised as he switched on the HoloNet. He watched the news for a while and was just about to go to join his wife in bed when his comlink chirped.
"Kenobi," he answered.
"Sir, it's Durron," came Nyko's soft voice. "He left several moments ago, said he was going back to his office."
"Acknowledged, and thanks," he replied before shutting off his comlink.
He stood and walked down the hallway and into the bedroom. Siri was sound asleep and he hated to wake her. He shook her gently awake.
"I'm going out," he said, knowing she'd understand his meaning.
She nodded and kissed him once. "Be safe."
He changed quickly into all black and clipped his lightsaber to his belt. Knowing he was no longer an official Jedi, he felt odd carrying the weapon, especially since it had been Palpatine that had gotten Yoda's express permission for him to do so. But, he was also grateful to have the weapon at his side. Something told him he just might need it.
With a deep breath, he left the apartment.
/
Across The Galaxy
Ferus was tired of fighting. He was tired of losing friends in battle. He was tired of being under the iron thumb of Adi Gallia. He was tired of constantly being watched and scrutinized for signs of what she called Siri's "bad habits".
"Master, enough!" Ferus finally screamed.
Adi Gallia looked at her apprentice as if he'd grown a second head. "What is the meaning of this, Padawan Olin?"
Ferus could not remember the last time he'd been so angry. "I'm so sick of this, Master Gallia. You're constantly criticizing everything I do. You obviously think everything Siri taught me was wrong. I've about had enough of you treating me as a second-class citizen."
Adi was stunned. She'd never expected an outburst from the calm, soft-spoken young Jedi. "You will restrain yourself, Padawan Olin."
Ferus shook his head. "No. No, I will not restrain myself any longer. I want to be a Jedi Knight but not if it means I have to continue to listen to you berate Siri at every turn. I will not tolerate it any longer."
"You would leave the Jedi Order over this?" Adi asked the young man.
Ferus made his decision then. He unclipped his lightsaber from his belt and held it out in front of him towards Master Gallia.
"Yes, I would," he said. "I don't want to leave the Jedi Order. I've worked my entire life to become a Knight, but there are limits to my desire. There are limits to my tolerance. There are limits to my listening to you constantly criticize Siri."
Then, to Ferus' unyielding surprise, Jedi Master Adi Gallia smiled.
"Why are you smiling?" Ferus questioned.
"I wondered how long you would put up with it," Adi commented. "You have remarkable patience, Ferus."
"You were testing me?"
With a simple nod of her head, Ferus had his answer.
"Why?"
"I needed to know what you are made of, Padawan Olin," she told him. "I needed to know if Siri had taught you all you needed to know to be elevated to the level of Jedi Knight."
Ferus' jaw dropped. "Me?"
Again, Adi smiled. "Yes, upon our return to the Temple, it is my intention to recommend you for the Trials. I am certain you will pass easily."
The young man felt compelled to sit down, which he did. "I don't…I don't understand."
Master Gallia sat next to her pupil and took a deep breath. "There are many things between Siri and I that will more than likely be resolved. There is too much…resentment between us now. She has made decisions that I will never agree with or support."
"Like being married and having a child?" he asked abruptly.
"Yes," she answered plainly. "However, in the time you have been my student, I have seen how well you have been trained by my former apprentice. I will give credit where credit is due, Padawan Olin. You are deserving of your spot in the Trials."
Despite her honesty and openness, Ferus couldn't bring himself to thank his new teacher. He gave her a terse nod and then stood.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to return to my quarters, Master."
She excused him and then sat quietly in meditation for the next several hours, listening to the Force; hoping her decision was the right one.
/
Obi-Wan watched from a distance as Palpatine walked slowly from his private residence within the Senate Building back towards his office. So far the only thing Obi-Wan had noticed was Palpatine's manner of dress. The Chancellor was clad from head to toe in black; much like Obi-Wan himself was dressed. He entered his office but left the large doors open which the former Jedi found curious.
He didn't have to wait long until he discovered why.
"Ah, General Grievous, how are things coming along in Jabiim?"
Obi-Wan watched as the mechanical menace that had killed Garen came into view.
"Not well, Lord Sidious," the droid remarked. "Anakin Skywalker continues to thwart our plans at every turn."
Palpatine, his eyes now having gone yellow, snarled. "We'll deal with him later. Right now my concern is young Kenobi and his wife and son."
If Obi-Wan weren't already reeling from the first proof of Palpatine being the Sith Lord, he was now at the mention of Siri and Zakk. He couldn't stop the pounding of his heart, or the momentary lowering of his shields.
Palpatine turned to face the open doors. "We're being watched."
Grievous looked around and saw nothing. "There is no one there, Milord."
Palpatine's face transformed as he reached out with the Force. "Kenobi."
It was a whisper, but Obi-Wan heard it anyway, as did Grievous. Without direction, the droid practically leapt from the room, his red eyes focused on Obi-Wan, who had moved from his position, having now revealed himself.
"Very brave of you, Kenobi," Palpatine commented as he also stepped into the hallway. "Also very stupid."
Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber then, the gleaming blue blade casting shadows on the darkened walls of the dimly lit hallway.
"Anakin was right, you are the Sith Lord," he said, almost to himself more than Palpatine or Grievous.
Palpatine laughed evilly. "You may address me as Lord Sidious, and in time, as Master."
Obi-Wan didn't have time to be shocked. Grievous, his own lightsabers blazing, leapt at Obi-Wan and the two immediately engaged in battle.
"I want him alive," Palpatine instructed. "With him, all the easier it becomes to capture his wife, son and young Skywalker."
It was all the distraction Grievous needed. His orange-bladed saber, taken from Garen Muln after he'd been killed, came in a high arc and severed Obi-Wan's left hand.
Obi-Wan screamed as he collapsed to the ground and cradled his injury to his chest. Before he could react, Grievous had him in a vice-grip with the lightsaber at his neck.
"Good, good," Palpatine. "Take him to the cell in my office and then go to his home and bring his wife and son to me."
/
Jabiim-Same Time
Anakin had new cuts and bruises to add to his collection, but he, Reeft and their clone troopers had somehow managed to capture Stratus.
"Something isn't right," Anakin told Reeft once they were back aboard the Reliant.
"What do you mean?" Reeft asked as he dived into his dinner.
Anakin sat down next to him and shook his head. "I don't know, exactly. About an hour ago, I felt…I thought I felt Obi-Wan. The bond…it…crackled."
"Crackled?" Reeft asked.
Anakin shrugged. "I can't explain it any better than that. It was like…"
He didn't finish. Instead, Anakin had collapsed to the floor of the mess hall, his hands cradling his head.
Reeft knelt beside his student and lifted Anakin's head into his lap. "What is it, Anakin?"
"Obi-Wan."
/
Obi-Wan watched as Siri and Zakk were led into the custom-built cell hidden in Palpatine's office. He immediately saw Force-suppression collars on them both. His only reaction to the terror on their faces was to scream.
A scream so loud in the Force, Anakin heard it on Jabiim.