9
Deep in the bowels of the Imperial palace, where only the ghosts of the tortured roamed, it was peaceful. The dust that lay on the floor was undisturbed, and had been that way for months. No patrols passed by this spot, and no sound could be heard. A small rodent, perhaps looking for food, scurried across the dust-covered floor. It suddenly reared, hissed, and disappeared into whatever hole it had come from. A minute later, the wall the hungry rodent had been heading toward began to glow. Molten durasteel ran onto the floor, and pooled there. Black-clad figures leapt nimbly out of the hole, and landed soundlessly on the floor.
One, short and slender, turned to a taller companion, "I thought you said we had to hurry. Two months isn't what I call hurrying."
"We had no choice." The companion, who spoke in an accented, masculine voice, answered. "This place is too well protected. We can't just charge in. We can't rescue anyone if we run into a trap."
"You make the assumption that we still have anyone to save."
"I haven't felt them – either of them – die. Now, we have to be silent. We won't exactly be welcomed with open arms if we're seen." The male waved to other unseen companions. "Alright, people. We're going with an oldie but a goody. General Tarpals, take your group and head towards the north wing. Distract them there. While you're doing that, General Panaka and his troops will head toward the east wing, where we suspect Luke is. Act like you are trying to get to where he's being held. Padmé and I will take the underground tunnels and come from behind while they're busy. Should either group take losses that seem to be too heavy, break off your attack. When you decide it's time to leave, don't worry about anything but getting out. Padmé and I must stay and look for Anakin. Any questions?"
"Yeah," a young commando raised his hand, "with all due respect, General Kenobi, wherever Skywalker's being held, it'll be guarded well. Are you sure-"
"That we can get through the guards?" Obi-Wan smiled "No. But life is risk, and I will put no one in that kind of danger that I am not forced to." He looked around, seeing the different expressions of the commandos. Tense, expectant, grave, excited. They're all so young… "Anything else? No? Good. Move out."