Once the ship was tunneling through hyperspace, Anakin's hand began to
hurt.painfully hurt, as the adrenaline from the narrow escape wore off.
He had met the Sith from his dreams, and was saved only by Padme's quick thinking. The sight of the cloaked figure stepping out from the shadows, red eyes glowing with malice, refused to leave his thoughts. However, Anakin had a far more pressing problem which needed his attention. He unstrapped himself from the pilot's seat with his good hand.
"Keep an eye on things," he told Padme, "I'm going to check on my Master."
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi lay unconscious on the cabin table where Typho had placed him, now stripped to the waist and lying on his back with several bacta strips applied to various bruises and cuts which tattooed his torso. He was currently attended by two of Padme's handmaidens and Disre, Typho's platoon medic.
"How is he?" Anakin asked the medic, not bothering with pleasantries.
The young soldier, sensing Anakin demanded a straightforward answer, began to report.
"His condition is quite serious, and I haven't the proper facilities or experience that he needs. Most of the external wounds are superficial, but he is suffering from shock, internal bleeding, and dehydration. I've managed to administer intravenous fluids and sedate him, but if we don't get him to a capable facility on Coruscant in the next few hours.it doesn't look good."
"Damn!" Anakin yelled angrily, spearing the young medic with a venomous gaze, "It will take us at least six more hours in hyperspace!"
The young corporal blanched at Anakin's fury. The Jedi took a deep breath and seemed to relax slightly.
"He has to make it." Anakin said, simply. Not with anger or frustration, but stating a fact. "He has to."
Anakin approached his unconscious master slowly and rested his left hand - the good one - on Obi-Wan Kenobi's forehead.
Sabe and Disre looked at him, perplexed.
"I'm no healer," Anakin replied, "but perhaps I can help him."
Indeed, Anakin was far from a trained Jedi healer, although his sheer power in the Force would perhaps be sufficient.
He decided to concentrate on transferring energy to his Master rather than relieving pain or attempting to repair the damage - instead, he hoped that if he were to supply his Master with strength, his body would begin to repair itself somewhat. Drawing on his own power and the Living Force around him, he allowed himself to act as a conduit transferring energy to Obi-Wan. However, he was soon exhausted enough to interfere with his concentration, and he was forced to rest. Yet he had felt his Master's strength increase slightly, which was a good sign.
"I'll take a look at your hand," Disre offered.
"Thanks," Anakin replied. "It hurts like hell, but lightsaber wounds cauterize tissue and prevent blood loss." He looked down at his blackened, blistered skin. "But they tend to leave nasty burns."
"Do you think you helped him?" the corporal asked, gesturing to the Jedi Master.
"I think so," Anakin replied. "I better have."
**
"I have failed you, my Master," the kneeling Darth Raptor admitted to his Master's hologram.
"It is a mere setback, my apprentice. There shall be plenty more opportunities for Skywalker."
"Then I am not to be punished, Master?"
"Not now. Not because I am merciful, but because there are more pressing matters we must attend to. Your punishment shall be dealt with after our operations are complete. For now, you are to go to the fleet and proceed as planned."
**
Obi-Wan was glad to be out of the bacta tank, and out of the all-too- watchful eyes of the Temple Healers. Even better was the hot meal he had just eaten, and the exquisitely lengthy shower which removed the sticky bacta from his skin.
He was told that the healers had used some of the nearly pure bacta obtained directly from Thyferra, which was over twice as efficient as the usual grade sold on the market. As a result, his recovery took only thirty- six hours instead of the seventy-two which would have normally been required.
A swirl of rapidly moving robes and a familiar presence in the Force marked Anakin's entry into Obi-Wan's room.
"You're looking good, Master. You'll be turning the Senator's handmaidens' heads again shortly, I think."
Obi-Wan merely rolled his eyes.
"Well," Anakin replied, still grinning, "you didn't see the rather thorough attention Sabe was giving your bare torso on the ride back to Coruscant."
Obi-Wan made no reply, although he did admit at times that the Senator's delectable handmaidens caused him to frown upon a certain portion of the Jedi Code.after all, Jedi or no, he was still male.
"It's good to have you back," Anakin said, more seriously this time.
While immersed in the bacta fluid, Obi-Wan found himself plagued by recurring flashbacks to his last encounter with the Sith. However, this time it was not Qui-Gon Jinn he was unable to save, but Anakin. His encounter with Lord Raptor brought up too many memories he would rather altogether have forgotten.
"Listen, Anakin," he began. "I want to thank you for what you did back there, and also to apologize."
His apprentice looked perplexed. "Apologize, Master? For what?"
"For your having to face the Sith alone. I was in no condition to protect you as I should have. And I should not have drawn you into a trap."
"I would still have come for you, Master. And don't forget, it was Padme's quick thinking that saved me."
"That woman would have made a fine Jedi," he mused aloud. He stopped for a moment and placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "And you will make a fine Jedi too, Anakin. I am sure of it. Now come on, we are to appear before the Council and recount our story."
**
After Anakin and Obi-Wan departed, the Council began deliberation.
"The Sith have returned," stated Master Windu.
"And it appears that they are behind the attack on Naboo, as well as the assassination of the Malastarian Senator," added Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"Faced the Sith for the second time, Kenobi has," said Yoda gravely. "Puzzling and disturbing, this is. And young Skywalker.reckless is he. Vulnerable to the Dark Side, he remains."
Master Gallia spoke in his defense. "Yet had he not rushed in to save his Master, Knight Kenobi would not have survived. Reckless he may have been, but his intentions were in accordance with his duty."
"The matter of Anakin Skywalker is an important issue, but not germane with what we must present to the Supreme Chancellor," Mundi interjected.
"We will merely tell him what we know," Windu replied. "The initiative now lies with the Sith, like it or not. Kenobi and Skywalker reported they are in possession of a huge army in process of deploying, but have learned nothing about the intended target. As we suspected, the assault on Naboo was merely a raiding action. In any case, the Fleet cannot act without authority of the Senate. Senator Naberrie has said she will try to do what she can, but the Senate is slow to act, and we have no hard, objective evidence, only conjecture and eyewitnesses. I do not feel they would give the Chancellor the authority to move against Wayland, and it is unwise to proceed without knowing the intentions of our enemies, lest we fall into a trap."
"Clouded is the Dark Side," Yoda said. "And formidable, our enemies. Grave danger, I sense."
** The two blue-uniformed Guards stood aside as the door to the Supreme Chancellor's office slid open. Anakin Skywalker stepped inside, unsure why the Supreme Chancellor had wished to speak with him alone.
Behind the massive, ornate desk, the sculpted black chair of the Republic's Chief Executive turned away from the view of Coruscant through the massive windows, revealing the man who had summoned Anakin.
Palpatine rose and moved to shake Anakin's hand. The Jedi bowed awkwardly, uncomfortable in the presence of politicians. However, the Chancellor's affable smile and warm tone in the distinguished, familiar voice, served to mollify his anxiety somewhat. "Ahh, young Skywalker," Palpatine greeted him. "Once again, the Republic is indebted to your heroism."
Anakin was still nervous. "I merely did my duty, Sir. No more."
The Chancellor allowed himself a small chuckle. "Modesty - the sign of the true hero. Nonsense. You acted on your own initiative.a trait I feel is somewhat lacking in Jedi these days. You took on a powerful enemy and thanks to you, I have obtained vital information." HE paused for a moment and steepled his hands, and when he looked Anakin in the eye, the Jedi thought he sensed a predatory edge to the intense, searching eyes. And still more odd, the Chancellor seemed to give very little of his emotions away through the Force. However, Anakin passed it off as either a trick of the light, or a vagary of the Chancellor's personality. In truth, he respected the Supreme Chancellor, who seemed as if he wanted to bring leadership to the Republic, but struggled against impossible odds.
"I have been watching you for quite some time," the Chancellor continued. "Over the years I have seen a great many Jedi. And while I am no Force- sensitive, I sense greatness in your destiny."
"You are too kind, Sir," Anakin said, embarrassed, though a small part of him was beaming at such high praise.
"Again, the modesty." Palpatine allowed himself another chuckle, and Anakin wondered what was so amusing. "You may go, Anakin. I trust one of my aides has informed you that you and your Master are to brief the Senate tomorrow?"
"Yes, Sir," Anakin replied.
"Don't be so nervous," the Chancellor admonished. "Just tell them what you saw, keep it simple, and you'll do fine."
**
The huge battle fleet stretched for kilometers. Hundreds of warships, large and small, along with transports, supply ships, and patrolling fighters filled the vacuum of space in a panorama of military might. The vessels' scarlet coloring only added to the menace of their angular designs. A smaller number of vessels stood apart from the formation, but the vast majority were arrayed one after another with parade-like precision.
On the titanic battleship Lord Bane, Darth Raptor stood next to General Jango Fett in the massive armored bridge.
"My Master has ordered us to proceed," the Sith informed the mercenary. "Set course for Alderaan."
**
He had met the Sith from his dreams, and was saved only by Padme's quick thinking. The sight of the cloaked figure stepping out from the shadows, red eyes glowing with malice, refused to leave his thoughts. However, Anakin had a far more pressing problem which needed his attention. He unstrapped himself from the pilot's seat with his good hand.
"Keep an eye on things," he told Padme, "I'm going to check on my Master."
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi lay unconscious on the cabin table where Typho had placed him, now stripped to the waist and lying on his back with several bacta strips applied to various bruises and cuts which tattooed his torso. He was currently attended by two of Padme's handmaidens and Disre, Typho's platoon medic.
"How is he?" Anakin asked the medic, not bothering with pleasantries.
The young soldier, sensing Anakin demanded a straightforward answer, began to report.
"His condition is quite serious, and I haven't the proper facilities or experience that he needs. Most of the external wounds are superficial, but he is suffering from shock, internal bleeding, and dehydration. I've managed to administer intravenous fluids and sedate him, but if we don't get him to a capable facility on Coruscant in the next few hours.it doesn't look good."
"Damn!" Anakin yelled angrily, spearing the young medic with a venomous gaze, "It will take us at least six more hours in hyperspace!"
The young corporal blanched at Anakin's fury. The Jedi took a deep breath and seemed to relax slightly.
"He has to make it." Anakin said, simply. Not with anger or frustration, but stating a fact. "He has to."
Anakin approached his unconscious master slowly and rested his left hand - the good one - on Obi-Wan Kenobi's forehead.
Sabe and Disre looked at him, perplexed.
"I'm no healer," Anakin replied, "but perhaps I can help him."
Indeed, Anakin was far from a trained Jedi healer, although his sheer power in the Force would perhaps be sufficient.
He decided to concentrate on transferring energy to his Master rather than relieving pain or attempting to repair the damage - instead, he hoped that if he were to supply his Master with strength, his body would begin to repair itself somewhat. Drawing on his own power and the Living Force around him, he allowed himself to act as a conduit transferring energy to Obi-Wan. However, he was soon exhausted enough to interfere with his concentration, and he was forced to rest. Yet he had felt his Master's strength increase slightly, which was a good sign.
"I'll take a look at your hand," Disre offered.
"Thanks," Anakin replied. "It hurts like hell, but lightsaber wounds cauterize tissue and prevent blood loss." He looked down at his blackened, blistered skin. "But they tend to leave nasty burns."
"Do you think you helped him?" the corporal asked, gesturing to the Jedi Master.
"I think so," Anakin replied. "I better have."
**
"I have failed you, my Master," the kneeling Darth Raptor admitted to his Master's hologram.
"It is a mere setback, my apprentice. There shall be plenty more opportunities for Skywalker."
"Then I am not to be punished, Master?"
"Not now. Not because I am merciful, but because there are more pressing matters we must attend to. Your punishment shall be dealt with after our operations are complete. For now, you are to go to the fleet and proceed as planned."
**
Obi-Wan was glad to be out of the bacta tank, and out of the all-too- watchful eyes of the Temple Healers. Even better was the hot meal he had just eaten, and the exquisitely lengthy shower which removed the sticky bacta from his skin.
He was told that the healers had used some of the nearly pure bacta obtained directly from Thyferra, which was over twice as efficient as the usual grade sold on the market. As a result, his recovery took only thirty- six hours instead of the seventy-two which would have normally been required.
A swirl of rapidly moving robes and a familiar presence in the Force marked Anakin's entry into Obi-Wan's room.
"You're looking good, Master. You'll be turning the Senator's handmaidens' heads again shortly, I think."
Obi-Wan merely rolled his eyes.
"Well," Anakin replied, still grinning, "you didn't see the rather thorough attention Sabe was giving your bare torso on the ride back to Coruscant."
Obi-Wan made no reply, although he did admit at times that the Senator's delectable handmaidens caused him to frown upon a certain portion of the Jedi Code.after all, Jedi or no, he was still male.
"It's good to have you back," Anakin said, more seriously this time.
While immersed in the bacta fluid, Obi-Wan found himself plagued by recurring flashbacks to his last encounter with the Sith. However, this time it was not Qui-Gon Jinn he was unable to save, but Anakin. His encounter with Lord Raptor brought up too many memories he would rather altogether have forgotten.
"Listen, Anakin," he began. "I want to thank you for what you did back there, and also to apologize."
His apprentice looked perplexed. "Apologize, Master? For what?"
"For your having to face the Sith alone. I was in no condition to protect you as I should have. And I should not have drawn you into a trap."
"I would still have come for you, Master. And don't forget, it was Padme's quick thinking that saved me."
"That woman would have made a fine Jedi," he mused aloud. He stopped for a moment and placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "And you will make a fine Jedi too, Anakin. I am sure of it. Now come on, we are to appear before the Council and recount our story."
**
After Anakin and Obi-Wan departed, the Council began deliberation.
"The Sith have returned," stated Master Windu.
"And it appears that they are behind the attack on Naboo, as well as the assassination of the Malastarian Senator," added Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"Faced the Sith for the second time, Kenobi has," said Yoda gravely. "Puzzling and disturbing, this is. And young Skywalker.reckless is he. Vulnerable to the Dark Side, he remains."
Master Gallia spoke in his defense. "Yet had he not rushed in to save his Master, Knight Kenobi would not have survived. Reckless he may have been, but his intentions were in accordance with his duty."
"The matter of Anakin Skywalker is an important issue, but not germane with what we must present to the Supreme Chancellor," Mundi interjected.
"We will merely tell him what we know," Windu replied. "The initiative now lies with the Sith, like it or not. Kenobi and Skywalker reported they are in possession of a huge army in process of deploying, but have learned nothing about the intended target. As we suspected, the assault on Naboo was merely a raiding action. In any case, the Fleet cannot act without authority of the Senate. Senator Naberrie has said she will try to do what she can, but the Senate is slow to act, and we have no hard, objective evidence, only conjecture and eyewitnesses. I do not feel they would give the Chancellor the authority to move against Wayland, and it is unwise to proceed without knowing the intentions of our enemies, lest we fall into a trap."
"Clouded is the Dark Side," Yoda said. "And formidable, our enemies. Grave danger, I sense."
** The two blue-uniformed Guards stood aside as the door to the Supreme Chancellor's office slid open. Anakin Skywalker stepped inside, unsure why the Supreme Chancellor had wished to speak with him alone.
Behind the massive, ornate desk, the sculpted black chair of the Republic's Chief Executive turned away from the view of Coruscant through the massive windows, revealing the man who had summoned Anakin.
Palpatine rose and moved to shake Anakin's hand. The Jedi bowed awkwardly, uncomfortable in the presence of politicians. However, the Chancellor's affable smile and warm tone in the distinguished, familiar voice, served to mollify his anxiety somewhat. "Ahh, young Skywalker," Palpatine greeted him. "Once again, the Republic is indebted to your heroism."
Anakin was still nervous. "I merely did my duty, Sir. No more."
The Chancellor allowed himself a small chuckle. "Modesty - the sign of the true hero. Nonsense. You acted on your own initiative.a trait I feel is somewhat lacking in Jedi these days. You took on a powerful enemy and thanks to you, I have obtained vital information." HE paused for a moment and steepled his hands, and when he looked Anakin in the eye, the Jedi thought he sensed a predatory edge to the intense, searching eyes. And still more odd, the Chancellor seemed to give very little of his emotions away through the Force. However, Anakin passed it off as either a trick of the light, or a vagary of the Chancellor's personality. In truth, he respected the Supreme Chancellor, who seemed as if he wanted to bring leadership to the Republic, but struggled against impossible odds.
"I have been watching you for quite some time," the Chancellor continued. "Over the years I have seen a great many Jedi. And while I am no Force- sensitive, I sense greatness in your destiny."
"You are too kind, Sir," Anakin said, embarrassed, though a small part of him was beaming at such high praise.
"Again, the modesty." Palpatine allowed himself another chuckle, and Anakin wondered what was so amusing. "You may go, Anakin. I trust one of my aides has informed you that you and your Master are to brief the Senate tomorrow?"
"Yes, Sir," Anakin replied.
"Don't be so nervous," the Chancellor admonished. "Just tell them what you saw, keep it simple, and you'll do fine."
**
The huge battle fleet stretched for kilometers. Hundreds of warships, large and small, along with transports, supply ships, and patrolling fighters filled the vacuum of space in a panorama of military might. The vessels' scarlet coloring only added to the menace of their angular designs. A smaller number of vessels stood apart from the formation, but the vast majority were arrayed one after another with parade-like precision.
On the titanic battleship Lord Bane, Darth Raptor stood next to General Jango Fett in the massive armored bridge.
"My Master has ordered us to proceed," the Sith informed the mercenary. "Set course for Alderaan."
**
