Maul has Anakin.

Obi-Wan collapsed against the wall, breath coming out in short pants.

Maul has Anakin. Maul has Anakin. Maul has Anakin.

Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut as he gripped his tunic. His chest felt constricted and with each second that passed he felt less and less capable of breathing. A cold sweat broke out over his body as he tried desperately to calm himself. To still his hammering heart.

Oh Force, Maul is going to kill Anakin.

Well, it was going to be worse than that, wasn't it? If Maul was going to kill Anakin, he would have done it right then and there while Obi-Wan lay gasping on the ground. What could be a more perfect revenge than killing his Padawan in front of him before running Obi-Wan himself through with a lightsaber? But no, that wouldn't be penance enough for sawing a man in half. Maul would torture Obi-Wan by keeping Anakin away from him, doing Force knows what to his Padawan. Then, there was no doubt he'd kill them both.

A thousand images of Anakin maimed, Anakin screaming, Anakin dead flashed through his mind. Maul's going to take him from me, thought Obi-Wan desperately, Just like Qui-Gon. A fresh wave of nausea hit him as he remembered cradling his own Master in his arms, the man's last words whispering about the boy he now needed to save.

Obi-Wan felt a sob escape him. He and Qui-Gon had not parted on the best of terms. They'd been angry with each other, his stubborn master frustrated and Obi-Wan resentful. Was this going to happen again? Was Anakin going to die thinking Obi-Wan didn't like him or that he didn't care about him? Were Anakin's last memories of Obi-Wan going to be of him falling dead from a rooftop?

How could he have failed Anakin so badly? It didn't matter that the boy was no longer his apprentice. Anakin was his Padawan. The Council, the Code, common sense all dictated that he was no longer in charge of protecting him, but Obi-Wan knew better, even if he didn't always allow himself acknowledge it. He would always protect Anakin. That would always be his job. More than a job, because Anakin was his brother. And I'm going to make damn sure that Anakin knows that.

Resolve hardening, Obi-Wan allowed his training to kick in, slowly calming his heartbeat and easing his breathing. He was going to save Anakin. He wouldn't let Maul win.

Pulling himself to his feet, Obi-Wan summoned his fallen lightsaber to his hand. He began to make his way to the exit before hesitating. Turning back to the corner, he carefully picked up Anakin's cybernetic arm, the smallest whispers of an idea tickling his mind.

Obi-Wan sighed as he started walking back to the ship. R2 was definitely going to shock him this time.

Everything hurt.

That was the first conclusion Anakin reached upon regaining consciousness. What Savage lacked in finesse, he certainly made up for in freakishly brute strength. The beating he had taken from Maul's brother had left him feeling like he'd been in least a dozen podracer crashes. He could feel a painful bruise forming on the left side of his face where Savage had punched him. The sharp pain in his chest suggested that he'd also broken a least a couple of ribs after being tossed across the room like a rag doll. Oh, and there was the small matter of his kriffing arm. Namely, that he no longer had one.

Looking around for his lightsaber, Anakin quickly concluded that he had been unarmed twice over.

The young Jedi shifted uncomfortably. He was sitting on the floor in what looked to be some kind of old lab. There were broken monitors and strange machines filling the room, which had only a few working lights illuminating it. He hands (well, hand) was restrained behind his back along with his waist, keeping him pinned to some kind of thick pole jutting from the middle of a platform that occupied the center of the room.

Call me crazy, but I have bad feeling about this.

A cold dread settled over his heart as he concluded his inspection. Where is Obi-Wan? He stretched out nervously with the Force and then swore viciously as he failed to feel its usual strength curling around him. This room must have some kind of Force dampener, he groaned. Still, he wasn't called the Chosen One for nothing. Concentrating as much as he could with the pain attacking his body, he managed to vaguely sense two Force signatures nearby. One throbbed with blackness, strong enough to make Anakin recoil even through his tenuous connection with the Force. I wonder who that could be, thought Anakin, rolling his eyes.

The other signature… it was also dark, too dark to be anything like Obi-Wan's pure light. But unlike Maul's signature, which seemed to pump darkness into the Force, this signature seemed to encircle the blackness, not generate it. It must be Savage, mused Anakin. Huh. He doesn't feel like Maul, or even Dooku though…

Squirming, Anakin tried to decide if his failure to locate Obi-Wan was good or bad. He'd seemed winded the last time Anakin saw him but not seriously injured. Did he manage to escape somehow? Why would Maul let him go? A lump rose in his throat. Would… would Obi-Wan have left me?

Then Anakin's treacherous mind offered an even worse thought. Did Maul finally kill Obi-Wan?

A loud slam interrupted his thoughts. Looking up sharply, Anakin saw Maul walking into his room. It was strange to see the Sith again. He'd only been nine the first time he had glimpsed at the silent creature, though the image had remained burned in his mind. Anakin felt a sharp stab in the gut. This is the creature that had killed Qui-Gon, ripping Obi-Wan away from his master and launching Anakin towards an unsteady future.

Anakin snarled at the Sith. "What do you want?"

Maul ignored him, turning instead to a console near the platform Anakin was on. Anakin shifted. "Whatever you're planning to do it won't work. If you're working for Dooku, I'll never tell you anything. Neither would Obi-Wan."

Maul looked up from the console, eyes flashing gold. "I work for no one but myself," he hissed. "And as for Kenobi… it's not information I want from him. Or you, for that matter."

Anakin frowned. "Then why I am here? Where is Obi-Wan?"

"Arriving at Coruscant, I hope," said Maul smiling grimly. He placed a hand on a lever jutting out of the console before him. "Why don't we say hello?"

"Where is Anakin?"

Obi-Wan felt his heart clench as he walked down the ramp of his ship. He had hoped to have a little time after arriving at the Temple to compose himself, but it appeared that Ahsoka had anticipated his arrival and had been waiting on the arrival pad.

R2 pushed angrily past Obi-Wan, emitting a series of angry beeps.

Ahsoka frowned and turned to Obi-Wan sharply. "What does R2 mean 'you lost Anakin?'"

Obi-Wan sighed, trying to calm himself. "Ahsoka-"

"Did you find Maul? Did you fight? Is Anakin-" Ahsoka swallowed, eyes wide. "Is he…dead? Is that why he's not with you?"

"No," said Obi-Wan firmly. He truly believed Anakin was still alive. To think otherwise- he couldn't bear it. "Ahsoka. We did find Maul but things became…complicated."

"What do you mean 'complicated?'" snarled Ahsoka.

"I mean Anakin is not dead. I know that," said Obi-Wan. "However, you're right. I did lose him." He took another breath. "Maul took Anakin," he said as steadily as he could, "and I don't know where he is."

Ahsoka's eyes widened and Obi-Wan couldn't tell if she was about to cry or punch him. Likely both. She was Anakin's student after all.

"Listen, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan said intently, "I'm going to find him. We will get Anakin back," he said nodding down at the bundle of cloth that was in his arms, "and I think I know how to locate him."

Ahsoka looked at him curiously. "What are you thinking?"

Relieved that Ahsoka seemed willing to listen to him, Obi-Wan began to walk purposefully toward the Temple. "I'm going to report the Council now. We'll need their help to find Anakin. Come with me."

Together, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka made their way to Council chambers, where they were admitted immediately. Obi-Wan tensed as he entered the chambers and saw the grim faces before him. Though the Council members were hardly all smiles when it came to war briefings, he couldn't help but pick up a feeling of… pity? Ahsoka's presence in particular seemed to concern several Council members.

"Masters," said Obi-Wan bowing, adjusting the bundle in his arms slightly, "We have an emergency. Anakin and I reached Raydonia where we found the villagers slaughtered. Maul and his brother Savage Oppress were waiting for us. We were drawn to engage them," he continued, steadying his voice, "but during the battle I was rendered unconscious. When I awoke, Anakin was gone and all I could find was this." Obi-Wan lifted bundle in his arms, avoiding Ahsoka's gaze as he gently pulled the cloth back to reveal Anakin's cybernetic arm.

Mace Windu looked at the prosthetic arm and cleared his throat. "Thank you for your report Obi-Wan. I am relieved that you were able to make it back to us. I know this must be… troubling for you both," he said, nodding to Ahsoka. "We, however, did already know of Skywalker's captivity. Maul sent us a message shortly before you arrived."

"A message?" said Obi-Wan quizzically. "What kind of message?"

"It may be better for Padawan Tano to leave the room for a moment," said Eeth Koth looking at Ahsoka.

"No," said Ahsoka firmly. "Anakin is my master. If he's in trouble, I need to know about it."

"I concur," said Obi-Wan, ignoring the surprise emanating from both the Council members and Ahsoka. "She has the right to know what is happening to her master." He warmed at the small burst of gratitude that Ahsoka sent him through the Force.

Mace studied the pair before him before nodding. "Very well then," he said and projected Maul's message.

Anakin was sitting on the floor, restrained to thick pole. He seemed to be breathing heavily, his eyes unfocused. Behind him, Maul stood, lightsaber ignited. "Kenobi," said the Sith, "I hope you've awoken from your nap by now. Many years ago, you took something from me, nearly costing me my life and my sanity." He stepped forward and pressed his lightsaber against Anakin's collarbone slowly, eliciting a pained scream from the young Jedi. Pulling back he continued, "I want to return the favor, Kenobi. I will take your apprentice from you, slowly and painfully. You will not find him until I allow you. I assure he will be in excellent hands until then," he smiled stepping away from Anakin. Anakin looked around for a moment, confused, before bolts of electricity shot the pole he was restrained to. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka looked on in horror as Anakin screamed in agony, electricity coursing through him. After what seemed like an eternity the message cut.

The room was silent for a moment as Obi-Wan and Ahsoka stood stunned, still staring at where the message had played. Mace interrupted the silence first. "We've done our best to track the message, pull any clues we can from it, but it was expertly scrambled. I'm afraid we just don't have any leads." He looked sadly at Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. "We'll have to wait and see if Maul makes a mistake that will lead us to him."

Recovering, Obi-Wan shook his head. "We don't have time to wait. There's no telling what Maul will do to Anakin. We have to find him now. If I may, Masters, I believe I have another idea."

Obi-Wan carefully covered up Anakin's cybernetic arm again. "Maul or Savage would have been the ones to cut off Anakin's arm. It means that they were last ones to have contact with it." He looked squarely at Mace. "We need to call Quinlan Vos."

"Absolutely not," retorted Master Kolar. "It would be far too dangerous."

"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan" said Adi Gallia, "But I think Master Kolar is right."

Ahsoka stepped forward, confused. "I'm sorry, but how could Master Vos help? And why would calling him be dangerous?"

Obi-Wan turned to Ahsoka. "Quinlan Vos has a unique Force ability called psychometry. It allows a user to touch an object and view events as if they were there, including things like sights, sounds, and feelings that those with the object experienced. Since Maul or Savage were the last ones in contact with Anakin's arm, Vos may be able to gain insight into what they were thinking at the time."

"Including a next location," said Ahsoka excitedly.

"Precisely," said Obi-Wan smiling proudly at the Padawan.

"However," interrupted Master Kolar, "What Master Kenobi fails to mention is that if the object in question has been touched by a user of the Dark Side, the psychometric may be tainted by the Dark Side as well. And I, for one, would never trust Vos of all people with it."

"Despite his lapses, Quinlan Vos has always served the Jedi faithfully," argued Obi-Wan. "He knows better than anyone how to navigate the temptations of the Dark Side. He may be a bit… unorthodox but he would never Fall."

"Debatable," snarled Kolar. "There is no 'navigating.' Once touched by the Dark Side, a Jedi like that cannot be fully trusted."

"Master Kolar," said Mace, "That's enough. We are not debating Vos's integrity today." Turning to Obi-Wan, he seemed to steel himself. "However, I do agree. I do not believe that consulting Vos would be wise. We simply cannot control what will happen."

"Master Windu, please," said Obi-Wan. "It's the only lead we have. Maul will kill Anakin if we don't find him."

"Even if we wanted, Vos is on a mission for the Senate. We cannot interrupt him."

"It would hardly be an interruption," argued Obi-Wan. "The Senate only calls for trackers when they feel one of their financial assets may be threatened. Would I be correct in assuming there are hardly any lives at stake in Quinlan's current mission?"

"Obi-Wan, that's enough," said Mace. "You are tired and upset and any plan you come up with now may lead to reckless actions. You will wait for further orders from the Council in this matter. Understood?"

Obi-Wan opened his mouth before stopping, seeming to reconsider. "I apologize for my hasty words, Masters," he said bowing. "You are correct- this has been a trying time. I will meditate with Padawan Tano and await further instructions."

"But Master!" began Ahsoka, outraged.

"Ahsoka, we will speak of this later," said Obi-Wan sharply. "Let's go." With that he bowed again and left the chambers.

To her credit, Ahsoka restrained herself until she and Obi-Wan reached his quarters. "What the kriff, Master? How could you just sit back and do nothing?"

"Ahsoka-"

"Do you really not care what happens to Anakin? Are you just going to leave him to rot?"

"Ahsoka, calm yourself!" said Obi-Wan. He shot the Padawan a firm glare before continuing. "The Temple hangar will hardly let you take out a ship in such a state."

Ahsoka looked at him, confused. "Why do I need to go get ship?"

"Because, while you do that, I will use my Council master codes to figure out where Quinlan Vos is stationed," said Obi-Wan calmly. "Then I think it would be nice if you and I paid him visit."

Ahsoka gawked. She stared at Obi-Wan's serene expression, sensing the fierce protectiveness that simmered beneath. Oh, Anakin. You can be so very wrong about this man sometimes. She suddenly felt the very un-padawan-like urge to giggle.

"Master Obi-Wan, are you going rogue?"

Obi-Wan smiled, but it wasn't one of his gentle smiles, the ones he reserved for Anakin and her. This was a predator's smile. "Desperate times call for desperate measures after all."

Ahsoka grinned and sprinted toward the hangar. She almost felt sorry for Maul.