Chapter Three

Capture

Making a fire was actually easier then he anticipated. Calliope had been quiet the entire time while shaking slight as she sat on the other side of Obi-Wan. That was to be expected given she'd been through.

"Hello," a voice called to him. Looking up from his work of making a soup for both himself and the girl he saw Calliope looking at him. Then she said again hesitantly like she was still getting the feel of the language which given her age wasn't too surprising: "Hello. Brother?"

"Ah so you can speak," Obi-Wan smiled gently at her. He reached to her and rubbed her head to calm her since she was trembling. Probably due to the cold. "Yes I am brother. Mama gave you to me so you could stay safe."

"Safe?"

"Yes I will keep you safe." Obi-Wan promised. I swore I will and I intend to keep that promise.

The young Twi'lek looked hesitant but she nodded and began to wobbly make her way towards him confirming that she was old enough to at least eat solid food...or so he hoped. Finally she all but fell into his arms and hugged him hard. He allowed it due to her experience and the fact that it brought her comfort even though he wasn't that much of a hugging person. She was scared, the least he could do was comfort her, his discomfort be damned.

"Now its time to eat," he said gently moving her to his left side. "Come little one let's have some soup."

She nodded and sat down beside him. He served her first in one of the bowls that he'd found in the store that he'd found the carrier. She looked at him making him realize that he was going to be the one to feed her. He hoped that he was adequate for the task considering this was going to be his first time since he wasn't a caretaker at the Temple so he only had a rudimentary idea of what he was doing at this point. He grabbed the spoon and started feeding her. Unlike what he feared she was remarkably docile during the feeding. In fact they were almost finished with the meal...

"Bah!" With a inexperience thrust buoyed by the Force she flung some of the food back to Obi-Wan's face with a mischievous grin. Fortunately it didn't hit eyes but it did splatter in his beard much to his chagrin. He mock glared at her making her giggle as he began cleaning himself.

"Scapegrace," he chided her gently as he wiped off his beard listening to her giggles. "Cheeky brat, I'll have you for that."

She giggled again in response and stuck out her tongue at him with partially eaten food in her mouth coming out.

"Disgusting," he commented lightly as he wiped off the food. She squirmed slightly but ultimately didn't resist as he cleaned her up. Finally once she was clean to his satisfaction he finished feeding her. This time she didn't pull a prank although she did pout somewhat. He smiled at her as she finished up and began cleaning up the bowls. Looking over he saw her playing with a few smaller stones that littered the ground.

Perhaps I should get her a toy, he contemplated as he finished up the cleaning and readied himself for sleep. It'll entertain her while I do busywork. At least then she wouldn't accidentally hurt herself. I really need to get off this planet and find a way to Coruscant. She needs a teacher and Anakin needs caring for and guidance...well I just need to get back.

"Calliope," he called to her gaining her attention. "Come here it's almost bedtime."

"Don't wanna go," she said childishly crossing her arms. Ah so it was going to be like this? Well he had and still will have if he had say so the most stubborn apprentice known to the Order. No one could beat him in stubbornness. He'd won many arguments with Anakin so Calliope would not be the victor in this contest.

"I see," he sighed as melodramatically as possible sat back down on the ground. "I suppose that means you don't want a story then?"

"Story?!"

"Well you don't want to go to sleep so..."

"Please?!" Calliope shouted jumping into his lap Once she'd gotten his attention she began bouncing on his lap. "Wanna a story!"

"Oh do you now?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow secretly relieved that she'd fallen for the ruse. "Very well how about the tale of the first Jedi when he confronted the dragon."

"A dragon?"

"A dragon," Obi-Wan confirmed much to the the child's delight.

"Once there was a dragon that terrorized a village on the planet of Jedhu. The villages cowered at the sight of it. It took their livestock, their crops and sometimes if it felt extra mean it took children. Eventually they decided to offer children to save what they had. The dragon obliged and so a pact was made so then the dragon only took those children offered."

"Children like me?"

"Yes like you," he confirmed making her gasp. "But one day a man came through the village on his way to local crystal cave. The villagers shunned him for they had little to feed him and the feared what might happen should they help. But one old grandmother did not. She bid her granddaughter to call to the man to invite him to a meal. He accepted and eat as much as she provided. He told her he was traveling to seek a crystal he needed.

She listened and told him he was on the right path for the crystal. But her heart was heavy because she knew that because of her kindness the villagers would punish her and her family. Sensing her distress he asked what was the matter. She told him about the struggles of the village and he agreed to help as best as he could. That night the villagers grabbed the girl hoping to offer her up much to the grandmother's distress."

" 'Please,' she begged the man. 'She is my joy and light. Save her.' "

" 'I shall,' the man said. 'I will protect her with my life.' "

"So the First Jedi went out and confronted the villagers for their cowardice. They didn't listen and instead tied him up as well and with the girl offered them up for sacrifice."

"But the First Jedi wasn't afraid for the Force was his ally. He looked at the girl and said: 'Do not be afraid. The Force will provide.' "

"The girl listened and tried not to be scared. Eventually the dragon came and carried them off. Landing in his lair the dragon turned to feed upon them. The First Jedi called out in a loud voice: 'You don't want to eat us.' The dragon unused to people not begging for their lives paused. The girl then spotted a crystal. It was the very crystal that the First Jedi sought. Heartened he used the Force to grab the crystal and constructed a blade of light which he used to slay the dragon and freed himself and the girl."

"Did she get home?"

"He took her back but the girl asked to be trained by him. So they headed back and soon gained the grandmother's permission so she became one of the first disciples of the First Jedi."

"He's a hero, I like him. I wanna be a hero too."

"I'm sure you will be a great one in time."

As he said this he noticed that her eyelids were drooping. Chuckling he quickly tucked her into his cloak and laid her down to sleep while he mediated for a bit to make sure there were no threats at the time. Once he was sure the area was secure he too went to sleep.

As they slept a presence came into their midst. He had a blue sheen to his figure but removing that one would see a tall dirty blonde man dressed in dark robes and leather boots with piercing blue eyes and an scar going down the right side of his face. It'd been too long since he'd been on the mortal plane. But for this man, he'd move the multiverse for him even if he was from one of the many other different realities in place.

This was a promise kept and of kinship returned after being neglected for so long. His grandchildren for he was of this realm were beyond his reach much to his sadness. They'd stopped listening to the whispers of advice and wisdom long ago and instead focused on the roar and power of ocean that was the power of the Force rather then gaze into the tranquility and guidance of the Cosmic Force or as it was called here the Unifying Force or spread the compassion and kindness of the Living Force to others through healing and diplomacy. No they wanted to be warriors ironically they were ignoring the central teaching of Yoda by doing so.

Long ago there'd been warnings and admonishments to change their ways...all ignored in the end and castled aside for the power that the Force contained. A pity since his son and his wife had almost gotten the warnings at first only to loss sight after a few years. He personally blamed the tediousness of life and him taking on too many apprentices at once. There was a reason the Jedi limited the amount and it wasn't the Council being arbitrary for once. And speaking of apprentices...

Now his grandson that was still in the mortal realm was heading into the domain of the Dark Side, touching upon it's essence soon to fall if not stopped he'd tumble in full kilter in way that even he hadn't done. His other brother named after himself of all people was at peace and one with the Force.

Anakin Solo was unable to act upon the mortal plane having not been taught or in his case listened to the Force in the way that allowed him to maintain his consciousness after death so his older brother was on his own. He'd seen the outcome of this ordeal in many other planes of existence with others such as himself. It all lead to folly and destruction of so many lives. Yet here it could be prevented. Not completely but perhaps here would the mistakes of the past not taint the future of those yet to come.

And save what he cares for, he thought as he watched over his Master. Yes you can save him, Master. You will save him. No Mustafar for him to burn. And Obi-Wan unlike Palpatine would save Padmé.

"Stay safe Master," he whispered placing his hand on his shoulder as he would have had he been there in the flesh as he did so long ago. "Save them, be the Jedi that I know you are. Learn from them and they from you. I knew you can endure it."

"Since when did you get poetic?" A familiar voice echoed in the Force. The specter smiled and turned back to see his Master, Master Yoda and Master Qui-Gon Jinn before him both smiling at him. "We'll all keep watch until the morning. Don't worry he'll be safe Anakin."

"Good," Anakin nodded as he and the others began to stand vigil. He would watch over him and make sure that he was safe since his other half was away and therefore unable to keep him safe...Besides Obi-Wan was a danger magnet he'd be in trouble before he knew it. The ghost chuckled at the thought. Obi-Wan was such a damsel so he wouldn't be surprised if something happened to him...

Obi-Wan woke up to the Force prodding him for danger. It was in the form of sentients coming to the front of the shop. They were having a loud argument about shelter. Making sure that Calliope was still tucked in and out of sight he quietly shuffled forward and went to the blown out window to see who it was.

It was a group of humans all in various states of disarray and shabby attire. They looked very angry and one was nearly screaming at a young girl. Oh no this wouldn't do.

"Hello there," he called out gaining their attention. All of them froze once he came into view. "Is there something I can help you with?"

The humans gaped for a few seconds and probably would've gaped more had the Force not warned him of oncoming danger. In a blink of an eye he activated his lightsaber and slashed through a projectile. It landed bisected at his feet. A distance away he espied two other beings that looked like the ones he'd encounter the previous day. So he supposed this was their world then. That would explain it. Would that mean they were the invaders?

"TAKE HIM!" The lead human screeched pointing to Obi-Wan as the others tried to run only to be stopped by another set of guards they hadn't noticed before. This was getting more dire considering this development meant that he had very little room to work with now. The man gestured to him frantically. "KILL HIM! HE'S A JEDI!"

"I take it that's a no for the help," Obi-Wan blithely commented as the being ran up with a sword towards him along with another. "I suppose talking this situation out is out of the question?"

"Die Jeedai!"

"Well that answers that," Obi-Wan sighed as he readied himself for a fight and run with his charge...

"Brother!" Calliope's voice called out. Looking behind himself he saw one of the beings had grabbed her while he was concentrating on the ones before him a big mistake considering that the being was threatening her with a knife to her neck. Now if he had back-up he would have considered doing something but this was an unwinnable situation and he knew it. If he attacked she'd die or suffer grievous injury. Given he was already in dire straights for food this would result in her death either by stabbing or dying from the resulting wound. Unacceptable as far as he was concerned.

"I have a bad feeling about this," he commented as he held up his hands in surrender dropping his lightsaber. Much to his relief the beings let Calliope go and she tried to run to him only to be prevented by the burly guards. Obi-Wan gave them a cold glare that made one of the beings flinch. Quickly the being's commander recovered and the seeming male barked a command: "Take him to pits with the others. When the time of sacrifice comes we can sacrifice him to Yun-Yuuzhan with the Prophet leading the sacrifice."

"I obey," the being said as they directed several others that rounded up the group taking their eyes off of Obi-Wan for a split second allowing him to summon and hide his lightsaber in his also summoned cloak as they began leading them off. One of the warriors looked for his weapon so Obi-Wan gently nudged his attention away and soon it was forgotten in the shuffle.

"KRIFFING JEDI THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" The lead man screamed looking rather crazed as they were dragged along. Obi-Wan staunchly ignored him and his ramblings and the other mutterings of the group. Instead he focused on Calliope who looked scared out of her wits her lekku trembling. The sacrifice part did sound disconcerting but it was best to focus on the here and now rather then the nebulous future. That sacrifice bit could wait for now.

"Remember the First Jedi?" He asked her making her look at him. "Remember what he said to the little girl that helped with the dragon?"

"Do not fear," she whispered holding her head up. She still looked scared but now resolute. "The Force provides."

"It does indeed provide," Obi-Wan nodded smiling at her. She was a brave one. Obi-Wan would help her and others escape whether the others liked him or even thanked him was immaterial at this point. The remaining warriors hadn't noticed his lightsaber missing and it was as of now deep in his cloak. Well at least I've got one way of getting us out of this mess. One way or another they were going to get out of this mess.