The next morning came and no one had come up with a better idea. So after making Planet Fall They spilt up. Qui-gon left with the decoy to head into the main parts of the palace and Obi-wan with Padme and a small continent of guards though the back ways. Neither Qui-gon or Obi-wan could quite make themselves say good bye. That would be admitting that one of them might like make it. But Obi-wan sent a tendril of the force through the long closed bond between them. //Good-bye Master// And then closed the link off. He also put up as many shields and walls between them as he could. He knew there was a good chance that he would die, and he didn't want Qui-gon to be hurt by that if at all possible.

Qui-gon heard the message but they had split up and he had no way to communicate. Obi-wan had thrown up too many barriers between them. Qui-gon wondered why in blazes Obi-wan would send him a message and then close the link. Then it dawned on him. ** He thinks he is going to die!** Qui-gon got angry at that. **Damn the boy anyway! If he dies I'll kill him my self!** He knew that wasn't logical but he couldn't stand the though of his padawan getting himself killed. Though he knew that Obi-wan would not make the choice lightly. He would do what he had to as a Jedi. And in that moment Qui-gon was more proud of Obi-wan than he had been of anyone in his life. That moment passed in a flash and he was back to being angry at Obi-wan for allowing this to happen. As he walked with the decoy to the palace he kept up a running litany of curses at Obi-wan and his sith damned nobility.

Obi-wan walked next to Padme as they entered the catacombs that ran beneath the palace. He had to groan mentally at the cliche. These castles always had hidden catacombs! But he had to admit they were perfect for what they needed. The carvings on the wall were not just random graffiti they were directions to the center of the maze. And from the center they could sneak into the hangers and from there into the main section of the palace. According to the plan, by that point in time Qui-gon's group would have been taken prisoner. And with the Nemoidians concentrating on them Obi-wan and Padme should be able to seize the throne room and therefore control the rest of the palace. A fact that they hoped the Nemoidians did not know.

They continued creeping through the catacombs. As of yet they had not met anyone. Obi-wan had been sweeping the area with the force constantly. And while he hadn't sensed anyone in the area, it would not do to make excess noise. As they reached the center they saw the hidden staircase that would take him up to the hanger. As they neared the top Obi-wan felt something. Sending out a force probe he stifled a gasp. The Sith he had felt in his vision was up there. Waiting.

The Queen and he guards did not notice his distraction and continued climbing. Once at the to they burst into the hanger. They started to walk to the catwalks that would take them through the energy core of the palace and to the throne room. But as they approached the door A hooded being walked forward.

He was dressed in a parody of Obi-wan's Jedi robes. But where Obi-wan wore cream and brown this creature dressed in unrelieved black. He pulled his hood back. Mocking the Jedi tradition of unveiling oneself to others. He had horns on the top of his bald head, and he was tattooed allover his face in red and black patterns. Yellow eyes glared at Obi-wan with an all consuming hatred. The Sith then ignited his light saber. And then much to the startlement of the group he ignited the other end. His Saber was now a staff.

Obi-wan walked forward and said the words that would change the rest of his life. "I'll handle this." The Queen nodded. "Well will go another way." They swiftly left. And then both Obi-wan and the Sith tossed their over robes off to the side. They paused for a moment. Then they both moved at once. Their light sabers hummed. The battle between light and dark had begun.

***********