Author's note: This is the last full chapter. There will be an epilogue, and a possible sequel. I will make all of my thank yous in the epilogue! :)
Three days later...
Ilum was a cold, mountainous planet. Whatever wasn't ice was covered with snow, and presented a very boring and depressing face to this world. But, appearances can be deceiving. Inside one of these cold caves was a huge concentration of Force energy, a smorgasbord of power. This jackpot of Force energy was precisely the reason why the Jedi came here, that and the crystals that the cave harboured. They were instrumental in the construction of the Jedi lightsaber.
Now, as Anakin Skywalker gazed down, all he could think about was the evil that could be lying down there, right within their grasps. He felt eerily excited, excited that they would finally be able to help Obi-Wan in his quest to find who blackmailed him. But he was oddly also excited about finding the long-extinct Sith. No Jedi had seen one in a thousand years, not since the self-annihilation of themselves. Anakin could be the first one to encounter one, and instead of that fact frightening him, he was anticipating it.
A beckoning call from his master brought him to the cockpit. Obi-Wan was piloting, as usual, while Lt. T'Hia was guarding a very quiet Gunray in the ship's small lounge. Qui-Gon was sitting in the co-pilot's sheet, looking over a data sheet.
His master turned to face him, green eyes meeting blue. "Anakin," he started, a serious expression on his face," I want you to know that the Sith, if they still exist, are very dangerous. You must be able to let other people fight for you if it becomes too much. I will not risk your life by you being too brave. Do you understand?"
Anakin nodded solemnly. Qui-Gon smiled then, and placed a large hand on the young boy's shoulder. Anakin smiled back, his youthful features showing absolute trust in his master.
Out of the corner of his eye, Obi-Wan tried not to be jealous. He also remembered times when Qui-Gon had said practically the same thing to him. He remembered the playful banter, smiles and laughter that was associated with being a Master-Padawan team.
That was all gone for him now though, and he had to move on. But for some inexplicable reason, he found it very difficult to do.
Very difficult.
*_________________________________*
The ship's landing gear extended, and Obi-Wan Kenobi gently set the transport down. They had chosen a landing site two kilometres from the Crystal cave, where they thought to find Sidious. Qui0Gon and Anakin were first to emerge, both donning survival packs and Jedi cloaks. T'Hia was next, bringing the Neimoidian in front of her. She was equipped with two burst-fire model blasters, both fastened into holders at her hips. Obi-Wan was last, also wearing a survival kit, was battle-ready with a vibro-blade and a blaster.
They walked in the same order in which they had disembarked from the ship. Qui-Gon and Anakin set a fast pace, but the only one having troubles keeping up was Gunray. His complaints were the only comments anyone made as they quickly traversed the two kilometres to the mouth of the cave.
A tall cliff rose up before them, as Anakin craned his neck to look up. "Take out your cable launchers." commanded Qui-Gon. He aided T'Hia in safely tethering Gunray to his line, then they both took out their own. A quick climb up and they were at the top.
The mouth of the cave seemed surreal. Ice mixed with multicoloured crystals creating a rainbow of colours. The refracted light shined onto their faces, temporarily blinding Obi-Wan. He quickly averted his eyes, and headed into the cave.
The group of five spilled into the main gallery, gazing about at the Jedi history written on the walls. Names, places, times, stories were all recorded onto these walls, recordings dating back many millennia. Obi-Wan ran his hand over a small section, where a single name was written. He remembered inscribing it here, after he had built his lightsaber. He recalled the pride on Qui-Gon's face when he had emerged from the deep of the cavern, lightsaber in hand.
He quickly brushed the memories away. It did him no good to dwell in the past, no matter how close it was.
"I do not think that they are here." he said out loud, addressing his former Master.
"Neither do I." stated the older man. "But they are on Ilum, I can assure you that. I feel a foreign presence here, almost like a shadow."
"I feel it also." Obi-Wan said. "We are very close."
He closed his eyes, and concentrated only on the Force. He let his feelings guide him, lead him to that foreign presence.
A moment passed, as everyone just stared at him. He abruptly opened his eyes then, blue eyes ablaze.
"I know where they are."
*_________________________________*
They hadn't noticed it before, the small complex hidden inside a narrow canyon. But with Obi-Wan's help, they had pinpointed in on scanners and had left the Crystal Cave immediately.
The feeling of the dark side became stronger the closer they got to the building. Qui-Gon and Anakin had no problem resisting its pull, but to Obi-Wan, a highly talented, but not fully trained Jedi, the constant tug of the dark side wore on his nerves. He had to struggle internally to keep it from corrupting him.
They had already decided to penetrate from the front, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in front. The door would be cut through if needed, and the rest of the group would follow. The rest of the plan was dependant on what they would find inside.
The non-descript complex had a single door, although Obi-Wan could be certain that they were many more hidden escape hatches within the building. He and his master quickly pried the door open, and stepped quietly inside. Gunray was uncharacteristically quiet, obviously frightened.
The lights were almost non-existent inside, and it Obi-Wan a moment to adjust his sight. The throbbing presence of the dark side had reached its pinnacle now, inside this room.
A cackle erupted from the centre of the room, startling the five companions. They quickly assembled themselves into attack position, while also searching out of the source of the voice.
"I had no doubt that you would find me here." continued the voice. "After all, you had Obi-Wan Kenobi with you."
"What is that supposed to mean?" yelled out Obi-Wan, the dark side wearing down on his usually impeccable self control.
A figure was visible at the edge of the room, a hood disguising its face. It laughed once more, obviously enjoying his charade.
"It means whatever you want it mean, young Kenobi." responded it cryptically.
Obi-Wan's face twisted into a grimace of anger. "You were the one who blackmailed me! Why?!"
"Oh, I had my reasons."
"And what might those be?"
A note of amusement creped into the alien voice. "Curious, aren't we now? I'm afraid I can't say them right now, although my apprentice can take care of any other problems you may have."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan swung around to see a tattooed Zabrak, double bladed lightsaber gleaming red in the dimly lit room. Two battle droids were at his side.
"Oh, that's right. I'm quite sorry about this, young Kenobi. It seems that I ordered them to kill you."
A sneer crossed the face of the apprentice Sith, as he and the battle droids advanced on the group of five...
To be continued in Part Two.....
