Part 2- The Demands
"I love creamed ice. Why do they call it creamed ice? I don't get it. Who would come up with that name? Yoda?" Marla put a hand over her mouth. "Oops, I'm babbling." Obi-Wan laughed.
"Yes, you are. But that's okay. It is good cream." Marla looked at her chrono between bites.
"Oops! I have class in thirty seconds!" She cried.
"Which class?" Obi-Wan asked lazily, taking a spoonful of the frozen cream. It wasn't particularly good to be late. But the Masters were usually gracious. Except for that one Master, a Master by the name of.
"History class, with Master Sifo-Dyas." Obi-Wan nearly choked on his cream.
"Sith!"
"Obi-Wan!" Marla cried in disbelief.
"What? Oh, sorry," he had forgotten how initiates were taught to disapprove the improper use of words. "You should never be late for that one. If you are, everyone takes a three-essay quiz on the ancient kings of Coruscant. Come on! I'll help you get there."
***
The darkness was laughing in intoxicated glee. Something was about to happen. Something that would shift the balance of Good and Evil.
Yoda blinked as he awoke from his trance. The Dark Side was stirring. His grasp on the Force became slick with uncertainty. His visions became clouded.
In all his years, he had never felt such disturbances. It was as if the Sith themselves were rising from their graves to make a final, crushing assault on the Jedi they hated so much.
"What is it, Yoda?" Mace Windu asked, sitting down next to the diminutive Master. Yoda turned to him, his eyes grim.
"A great disturbance in the Force."
"I feel it also. It feels as if the Siths have returned. Since that is not possible, what is it?"
"Peace it is, Master Windu. End, it shall"
***
"Padawan Kenobi, what a pleasant surprise," Master Sifo-Dyas said in his usual monotonous tone. Obi-Wan bowed politely. Long ago, when he had been an initiate, he had compared Sifo-Dyas to his own Master. Looking at the old Jedi, now, he wondered how he ever found a similar aspect in the two Masters. Qui-Gon was warm and humorous, while Sifo-Dyas was cold and boring.
"I see you have brought in our missing student," he said, eyeing Marla coldly. Obi-Wan stepped in front of her protectively.
"Actually, it was I who detained Marla. It was not her fault. I had not seen her in such a long time. I wanted to catch up." Sifo-Dyas raised an eyebrow.
"Very well. No in-class essays." There was a collective sigh of relief.
"You saved me, Obi," Marla said happily. "Thanks."
***
"Well, Master Jinn, what do we do now?" Tahl asked playfully. Qui-Gon returned the smile.
"I guess we start to plan for the wedding. We only need a few witnesses, so only invite a few people."
"Uh, Qui-Gon, I think we have overlooked something. Or someone actually."
"Who?" Qui-Gon asked, confused.
"That little guy you like to call your Padawan," Tahl said, punching him lightly in the shoulder.
"Oh, Sith!" Qui-Gon said, kicking himself. He had forgotten about Obi-Wan. How would the boy take the news? And where was he?
"Didn't he run into that little girl, uh, Marla?" Tahl asked, answering Qui- Gon's unspoken question.
"Yes. I think she was going to either the healer's wing or her quarters." Tahl looked slyly at him.
"Your memory's getting rusty, Qui," she teased.
"Must be that woman I'm going to marry," He responded, not missing a beat. "You go to her quarters; I'll go to the healer's wing. Do you know how to get there?" Qui-Gon asked, realizing that Tahl had probably never seen Marla's room.
"Qui, I might be blind, but I'm not ignorant. I know where the initiates' quarters are."
"Good. If he's not there, call me. He'll be in the cafeteria then."
***
"Settle down, class," Sifo-Dyas began. "Today we will be studying the first Sith War." Everyone's face lit up. The wars between the Jedi and the Sith were as exciting as they were intense.
"The first war began in the year 15678 and ended 15943, so as you can see, it lasted nearly three hundred years. In those years, a great many Jedi were born. Yibble, one of Master Yoda's predecessors, became the head of the Council at this time. However, Yibble did not participate much in the Sith War; he spent his time training you initiates like yourselves. The real power on the Council in the last years of the war was Master Nurron, a fearsome Jedi from the Hoth system. He is considered one of the greatest Jedi Masters. Can anyone tell me why?" the room fell silent. Marla cautiously raised her hand.
"Yes, Initiate Kint?"
"He battled Darth Tonus, and killed him," Marla answered. Sifo-Dyas smiled ever so slightly.
"That is correct, Marla. Darth Tonus was a powerful Sith warrior, with an extremely high midi-chlorian count, or so they believe. He commanded the Sith army with cold calculation. He used horrific tactics-"
"Master?" a voice called from the back of the room. Sifo-Dyas looked up, obviously annoyed. Obi-Wan recalled from when he was taking the class that Sifo-Dyas and Garen Muln, a good friend of his, had never gotten along. Garen was too curious, just like this initiate.
"Yes, Initiate Quos?" the Master asked, irritation edged his voice.
"What kind of tactics did they use?"
"The worst kind," a deep voice growled from the room's entrance. Sifo-Dyas, who had just been about to answer, turned to face the newcomer. He was a tall, sandy-haired, pale-skinned humanoid with disturbing blood-red eyes. His huge muscles could be clearly defined through the black unisuit he was wearing. Obi-Wan recognized him immediately.
It was the Ramming Stone.
***
"Obi-Wan? Marla?" Qui-Gon called out. The entire healer's wing was silent. He had tried to contact Obi-Wan through their bond, but had found a strange gray wall in the boy's mind.
Qui-Gon's comlink buzzed. It was Tahl.
"Qui-Gon, they're not in the quarters. I have also looked in the cafeteria. There was some melted ice cream, but nothing else."
"They're not here either- holy Sith!"
"What is it, Qui?"
"Get Mace up here now! There's a dead healer!"
***
"The Sith lords kidnapped Jedi younglings, either turning them to the Dark side, or brutally murdering them," the Ramming Stone said. He obviously knew his history. Suddenly another man jumped down from the shaft. His skin was dark and his eyes yellow. His mouth stuck out from his face and he had high cheekbones, looking quite similar to a Keynesian skull-monkey. Obi-Wan realized it was a Clawdite, a species that could change their appearance.
"It was the best tactic to use against the Jedi, as it greatly discouraged them," the Ramming Stone continued, as the Clawdite drew his blaster, grinning wickedly.
"Who are you?" Sifo-Dyas demanded, beginning to draw his lightsaber against the men clad in black. But he was old, and was long out of practice with the fighting arts. The Clawdite squeezed the trigger even before the old Jedi could activate his lightsaber. The blaster made no sound. Neither did Sifo-Dyas.
The students watched in horror as the orange bolt slammed into the Master's chest. He crumpled to the ground.
At that moment, the ventilation shaft's emergency door opened, and nine other creatures leapt out. They were all like the Ramming Stone except for the one who had shot Sifo-Dyas.
"May I introduce you to your captors. This is Tod, my communications expert. Belev, my explosives expert," and he went down the line, introducing each creature, telling the frightened students their occupations. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was desperately trying to contact his Master, but he couldn't seem to amplify his cry.
"And last, but not least, my good friend, Talon Wessel. He is my killing expert," he said, indicating the Clawdite. He turned to a shorter humanoid. "Ula, secure the room." Ula responded with a crisp "sir." The Ramming Stone waited patiently until the man was finished.
"Now, all of you are now my prisoners. If you behave like good little Jedi, most of you will not be harmed. If you try to escape, you and ten others will be killed." Obi-Wan looked around the room. There were about forty children in there, and he was the only one who was older than the age of ten.
"You will obey every command and answer every question immediately. Here's the first: who is the eldest?" Obi-Wan began to rise, and felt Marla tense beside him.
Don't go, her eyes begged. She grabbed his hand. He shook his head and smiled. He had no choice to go. He was the eldest by far, and could not let ten children die for him.
Obi-Wan, grasping Marla's hand for a moment more, rose. The Ramming Stone smiled cruelly.
"Good. Follow his example, little ones. It might save your life. Come here, you," he said pointing with his blaster towards Obi-Wan. The Padawan obeyed immediately.
Obi-Wan had never seen the Ramming Stone up close. His red eyes were like a lightsaber, fiery and menacing. The Jedi saw insanity in those eyes.
"What's your name, boy?" The Ramming Stone asked Obi-Wan. He was so close that the boy could smell the terrorist's rancid breath.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, sir," he answered firmly, looking the Ramming Stone straight in the face. He refused to show his fear.
"And how old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Who is your Master?"
"Qui-Gon Jinn."
"Is he on the Council?"
"No, sir."
"Is he close to those on the Council?" Obi-Wan hesitated. He did not like the way the conversation was going. He had a feeling that the terrorist would use him to incite a rash move from Qui-Gon.
"Yes, sir." However, Obi-Wan knew that if he lied, the Ramming Stone would know. And that might have bitter consequences.
"Good." Without warning, the Ramming Stone struck the side of Obi-Wan's head with his blaster. A white-hot pain exploded inside the Padawan's head. It took all his strength not to collapse.
Before he could recover from the blow, the Ramming Stone delivered a left cross into his mouth. Blood dripped from his mouth as he sank to the floor.
Then Talon stepped up and kicked him hard in the ribs. Obi-Wan gasped as the breath left his lungs.
"That's enough, Talon. Tod, do you have the frequency?"
"Yep," came the reply. The Ramming Stone roughly picked Obi-Wan up by his tunic. The terrorist was immensely strong, as was Talon. Obi-Wan had taking beatings before, but never had he been so passive, and never had he taken a beating from such from such strong creatures. The apprentice tried to sink into the Force as he was taught, but he couldn't find it. It was as if the Force itself had fled in the presence the Ramming Stone.
"Contact Qui-Gon Jinn."
***
"What?" Tahl asked, startled. Qui-Gon did not reply. He bent over the body, probing it for wounds. The boy could have been no more than sixteen.
"Qui? Qui-Gon, answer me!" Tahl demanded sharply.
"He was injected with something," the Master murmured, fingering a lump on the boy's cold neck. He looked around trying to figure out how the murderer had entered the room. Then he saw the partially ajar air vent and knew that he had found the answer.
"Qui-Gon, I've contacted Mace. He's on his way." He still did not respond. "Sith, Qui, answer me!"
Qui-Gon snapped out of his stupor. "Did you feel that?" he asked.
"Thank the Force! Feel what?" Tahl asked, relieved.
"It's as if. Tahl, try to contact me with your mind," Qui-Gon ordered. There was silence over the comlink.
"I can't Qui-Gon. I can't connect to the Force!"
"Neither can I. Tahl, a moment ago, I heard a scream in my head and then all went silent. Someone, or something, has cut off our connection to the Force."
"But who could do such a thing?"
"I don't know. Tahl, go to the Council room. It's safer there."
At that moment, Mace Windu appeared at the door. He knelt beside Qui-Gon.
"Holy Sith. How did this happen?" Was all Mace could say.
"Whatever it entered through the ventilation shaft and then killed the boy. The question is, how did they get in without being detected?" Qui-Gon pondered aloud.
"Something is blocking our connection to the Force. I believe that whoever is doing this is also responsible for this infiltration," Mace answered. "The real question is, where did they go?"
Qui-Gon's comlink signaled. Hoping it was Obi-Wan, activated it.
Suddenly, his world shattered.
***
"Master? It's me," Obi-Wan said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I know, Padawan. I need you to contact Master Yoda-" Qui-Gon began.
"I can't, Master," he said, his voice beginning to shake.
"Why not?" Qui-Gon asked, sounding both annoyed and worried.
"Because I won't let him," a deeper voice answered. Qui-Gon's heart skipped a beat. That voice was so familiar, so dreadfully familiar.
"Who is this?" Qui-Gon demanded.
"The redeemer of the galaxy," he replied. "The Ramming Stone." Qui-Gon's eyes widened.
"No," he whispered. It was not possible. The Ramming Stone had shown no sign of corporeal revolution. He hadn't been ready.
Now he was.
Qui-Gon's comlink fell from nerveless fingers, only to be rescued by Mace Windu's hand. Mace, his visage undisturbed by the news, began to speak.
"What do you want?" Mace asked calmly. The Ramming Stone cackled hysterically.
"I want all Force-users to die. I want this Temple destroyed. I want the Force to cease to exist. It's that simple."
"What do you want me to do?" Mace asked. He acted almost as if the maniac on the comlink was speaking of an important assignment due for the next class.
"Get Yoda and the other Council members on holo. Oh, and Master Qui-Gon can come too. When you've done that, contact me. Then we'll start negotiating," the last word came slowly and maliciously.
"Alright."
"Say goodbye to your Master, Obi-Wan," the Ramming Stone taunted. There was a moment of silence. Then a loud smack, as if something had been struck.
"Goodbye, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan mumbled. Then the comlink went dead.
***
As soon as the Ramming Stone cut off the communication, he punched Obi-Wan hard in the mouth. Obi-Wan cried out this time, falling to the ground. Without the Force, the Padawan had no shield. He was vulnerable to the terrorists' physical attacks.
"I thought you knew already, boy," the terrorist growled. "I demand instant obedience. Talon!" Talon stepped forward and kicked Obi-Wan in the mouth. Blood exploded from his mouth. Talon smiled, then stepped back, nodding at his leader.
"See? Instant obedience." The Ramming Stone kicked the apprentice in the head again, this time right above his eye. Obi-Wan cried out once more.
"Listen up, kids. I want four groups of ten. Each group of ten will go to a separate corner. Move it," the terrorist said, pointing at the Padawans. The children obeyed immediately. Through his now rapidly swelling eye, Obi- Wan could see Marla staring at him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears and her jaw was trembling. Her visage was mirrored by the rest of the children. Obi-Wan wished he could soothe them with the Force, but it was unfeasible.
"Don't move from now on unless I tell you. Obi-Wan, get on your knees." Obi- Wan obeyed. But in his mind, he began to plan a way of escape.
Assaulting the Ramming Stone and his men was out of the question. If he were to do it, he would be cut down before he had a chance to kill them all. He knew that it meant the lives of ten children.
But if I took the Ramming Stone hostage, Obi-Wan realized. That was it! He was fairly sure that none of the thugs, including Talon, would attempt to kill the children if their boss was at blaster point.
Looking at the Ramming Stone, the teenager realized that overpowering the man would be difficult without the Force. Obi-Wan was already hurt and he lacked the strength required to overwhelm the terrorist.
"Good! They have finally assembled! Tod, make sure it can get the whole room," the Ramming Stone cried in delight, activating his comlink.
"We're ready," came Mace Windu's voice.
"Excellent, Master Windu," the Ramming Stone said motioning to Tod to set up a device. Obi-Wan recognized it as a holo-projector.
"You may begin." A three dimensional image of the Council appeared, hued in blue. Obi-Wan saw his Master among them. And even though the image of Qui- Gon was blurry, he could still make out his Master's grimace when he saw the teenager.
"Greetings, Jedi of the Council. I will be brief. Here are my demands. I want every single active Jedi in the universe to be called back to Coruscant for starters. Do that, and I shall free ten children. Next, I want all the children under age twenty, except for those who are still in my care, to be sent back to their homeworlds. Ten more children will be freed. Now, I am being a reasonable man. I do not wish the children to be harmed. They are still young and the damage you have caused might be reversible." The Ramming Stone paused for a moment, daring the Masters to speak out against his terminology, damage being the term, but not one of the Masters spoke. Obi-Wan could not believe the terrorist's words. It was both foolish and insane! The Masters would never agree to the terms.
"After that, every single adult Jedi alive today will be gathered in this Temple. You will give me free passage with the remaining children. You will not attempt to escape. After the children are a safe distance away, I and my colleagues shall detonate several bombs in the Temple and you, shall we say, will pass away," the terrorist smiled cruelly. Obi-Wan's blood chilled.
"Do all that, and you shall save the lives of many children." There was a long pause. Then Yoda, in a defeated tone, spoke.
"We must discuss your demands privately first." The Ramming Stone smiled. He knew he had won.
"You have two minutes."
***
"We must agree to his terms," Ki-Adi-Mundi said woefully. Mace's head shot up sharply.
"Are you deaf?" Mace asked coolly. "You would sacrifice every single Jedi alive for-"
"For thirty children?" Ki-Adi-Mundi interrupted. "And innocent Coruscant civilians? Yes."
"What do you say, Master Yoda?" Plo Koon inquired. Yoda closed his eyes and looked down. He sighed heavily.
"Sacrifice as little life as possible, we must. Rescue the children, we must try to. Evacuate this area of Coruscant."
Silence once again fell across the Council Room. Tahl watched Qui-Gon's face. It was pale, but otherwise unreadable. She wished she could comfort him, but in such a predicament, comfort would be meaningless.
"Master Yoda," Qui-Gon called quietly. His voice seemed to break the trance that most of the Masters seemed to be trapped in.
"I would like to lead the rescue party if you are to have one." Yoda blinked his eyes.
"Lead, you will not. Come, you will." Tahl stepped forward.
"Allow me to come also." Qui-Gon grabbed her arm.
"No, Tahl. I could not bear losing both you and Obi-Wan." His words were soft and full of pain. She nodded.
"Master Tahl, help evacuate the other initiates not being held hostage, you will. Master Windu will lead the rescue operation. Master Di Uni, Koon, Jinn, and Gallia will be under his command."
"Our two minutes are up, Master," Mace warned.
"Contact them." Moments later, the Ramming Stone's holo image appeared again.
"You nearly killed five children with your near lateness," the terrorist growled. "Have you consented to my terms?" Yoda let out a sigh of defeat.
"We have." The Ramming Stone smiled chillingly.
"Excellent! Begin carrying out my terms." He seemed about to deactivate his communicator, but stopped cold. Qui-Gon felt a pang of fear stab his gut, as if the Ramming Stone might sense what the Jedi were planning.
"One more thing," the terrorist began. "You may evacuate the Temple initiates. Ramming Stone out."
As soon as the communication was cut off, Yoda turned to face his fellow Masters.
"Master Tin, together with Miro Daroon, send false messages to the Jedi Knights in the galaxy, you will. Master Windu, go, and may the Force be with you."
"I love creamed ice. Why do they call it creamed ice? I don't get it. Who would come up with that name? Yoda?" Marla put a hand over her mouth. "Oops, I'm babbling." Obi-Wan laughed.
"Yes, you are. But that's okay. It is good cream." Marla looked at her chrono between bites.
"Oops! I have class in thirty seconds!" She cried.
"Which class?" Obi-Wan asked lazily, taking a spoonful of the frozen cream. It wasn't particularly good to be late. But the Masters were usually gracious. Except for that one Master, a Master by the name of.
"History class, with Master Sifo-Dyas." Obi-Wan nearly choked on his cream.
"Sith!"
"Obi-Wan!" Marla cried in disbelief.
"What? Oh, sorry," he had forgotten how initiates were taught to disapprove the improper use of words. "You should never be late for that one. If you are, everyone takes a three-essay quiz on the ancient kings of Coruscant. Come on! I'll help you get there."
***
The darkness was laughing in intoxicated glee. Something was about to happen. Something that would shift the balance of Good and Evil.
Yoda blinked as he awoke from his trance. The Dark Side was stirring. His grasp on the Force became slick with uncertainty. His visions became clouded.
In all his years, he had never felt such disturbances. It was as if the Sith themselves were rising from their graves to make a final, crushing assault on the Jedi they hated so much.
"What is it, Yoda?" Mace Windu asked, sitting down next to the diminutive Master. Yoda turned to him, his eyes grim.
"A great disturbance in the Force."
"I feel it also. It feels as if the Siths have returned. Since that is not possible, what is it?"
"Peace it is, Master Windu. End, it shall"
***
"Padawan Kenobi, what a pleasant surprise," Master Sifo-Dyas said in his usual monotonous tone. Obi-Wan bowed politely. Long ago, when he had been an initiate, he had compared Sifo-Dyas to his own Master. Looking at the old Jedi, now, he wondered how he ever found a similar aspect in the two Masters. Qui-Gon was warm and humorous, while Sifo-Dyas was cold and boring.
"I see you have brought in our missing student," he said, eyeing Marla coldly. Obi-Wan stepped in front of her protectively.
"Actually, it was I who detained Marla. It was not her fault. I had not seen her in such a long time. I wanted to catch up." Sifo-Dyas raised an eyebrow.
"Very well. No in-class essays." There was a collective sigh of relief.
"You saved me, Obi," Marla said happily. "Thanks."
***
"Well, Master Jinn, what do we do now?" Tahl asked playfully. Qui-Gon returned the smile.
"I guess we start to plan for the wedding. We only need a few witnesses, so only invite a few people."
"Uh, Qui-Gon, I think we have overlooked something. Or someone actually."
"Who?" Qui-Gon asked, confused.
"That little guy you like to call your Padawan," Tahl said, punching him lightly in the shoulder.
"Oh, Sith!" Qui-Gon said, kicking himself. He had forgotten about Obi-Wan. How would the boy take the news? And where was he?
"Didn't he run into that little girl, uh, Marla?" Tahl asked, answering Qui- Gon's unspoken question.
"Yes. I think she was going to either the healer's wing or her quarters." Tahl looked slyly at him.
"Your memory's getting rusty, Qui," she teased.
"Must be that woman I'm going to marry," He responded, not missing a beat. "You go to her quarters; I'll go to the healer's wing. Do you know how to get there?" Qui-Gon asked, realizing that Tahl had probably never seen Marla's room.
"Qui, I might be blind, but I'm not ignorant. I know where the initiates' quarters are."
"Good. If he's not there, call me. He'll be in the cafeteria then."
***
"Settle down, class," Sifo-Dyas began. "Today we will be studying the first Sith War." Everyone's face lit up. The wars between the Jedi and the Sith were as exciting as they were intense.
"The first war began in the year 15678 and ended 15943, so as you can see, it lasted nearly three hundred years. In those years, a great many Jedi were born. Yibble, one of Master Yoda's predecessors, became the head of the Council at this time. However, Yibble did not participate much in the Sith War; he spent his time training you initiates like yourselves. The real power on the Council in the last years of the war was Master Nurron, a fearsome Jedi from the Hoth system. He is considered one of the greatest Jedi Masters. Can anyone tell me why?" the room fell silent. Marla cautiously raised her hand.
"Yes, Initiate Kint?"
"He battled Darth Tonus, and killed him," Marla answered. Sifo-Dyas smiled ever so slightly.
"That is correct, Marla. Darth Tonus was a powerful Sith warrior, with an extremely high midi-chlorian count, or so they believe. He commanded the Sith army with cold calculation. He used horrific tactics-"
"Master?" a voice called from the back of the room. Sifo-Dyas looked up, obviously annoyed. Obi-Wan recalled from when he was taking the class that Sifo-Dyas and Garen Muln, a good friend of his, had never gotten along. Garen was too curious, just like this initiate.
"Yes, Initiate Quos?" the Master asked, irritation edged his voice.
"What kind of tactics did they use?"
"The worst kind," a deep voice growled from the room's entrance. Sifo-Dyas, who had just been about to answer, turned to face the newcomer. He was a tall, sandy-haired, pale-skinned humanoid with disturbing blood-red eyes. His huge muscles could be clearly defined through the black unisuit he was wearing. Obi-Wan recognized him immediately.
It was the Ramming Stone.
***
"Obi-Wan? Marla?" Qui-Gon called out. The entire healer's wing was silent. He had tried to contact Obi-Wan through their bond, but had found a strange gray wall in the boy's mind.
Qui-Gon's comlink buzzed. It was Tahl.
"Qui-Gon, they're not in the quarters. I have also looked in the cafeteria. There was some melted ice cream, but nothing else."
"They're not here either- holy Sith!"
"What is it, Qui?"
"Get Mace up here now! There's a dead healer!"
***
"The Sith lords kidnapped Jedi younglings, either turning them to the Dark side, or brutally murdering them," the Ramming Stone said. He obviously knew his history. Suddenly another man jumped down from the shaft. His skin was dark and his eyes yellow. His mouth stuck out from his face and he had high cheekbones, looking quite similar to a Keynesian skull-monkey. Obi-Wan realized it was a Clawdite, a species that could change their appearance.
"It was the best tactic to use against the Jedi, as it greatly discouraged them," the Ramming Stone continued, as the Clawdite drew his blaster, grinning wickedly.
"Who are you?" Sifo-Dyas demanded, beginning to draw his lightsaber against the men clad in black. But he was old, and was long out of practice with the fighting arts. The Clawdite squeezed the trigger even before the old Jedi could activate his lightsaber. The blaster made no sound. Neither did Sifo-Dyas.
The students watched in horror as the orange bolt slammed into the Master's chest. He crumpled to the ground.
At that moment, the ventilation shaft's emergency door opened, and nine other creatures leapt out. They were all like the Ramming Stone except for the one who had shot Sifo-Dyas.
"May I introduce you to your captors. This is Tod, my communications expert. Belev, my explosives expert," and he went down the line, introducing each creature, telling the frightened students their occupations. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was desperately trying to contact his Master, but he couldn't seem to amplify his cry.
"And last, but not least, my good friend, Talon Wessel. He is my killing expert," he said, indicating the Clawdite. He turned to a shorter humanoid. "Ula, secure the room." Ula responded with a crisp "sir." The Ramming Stone waited patiently until the man was finished.
"Now, all of you are now my prisoners. If you behave like good little Jedi, most of you will not be harmed. If you try to escape, you and ten others will be killed." Obi-Wan looked around the room. There were about forty children in there, and he was the only one who was older than the age of ten.
"You will obey every command and answer every question immediately. Here's the first: who is the eldest?" Obi-Wan began to rise, and felt Marla tense beside him.
Don't go, her eyes begged. She grabbed his hand. He shook his head and smiled. He had no choice to go. He was the eldest by far, and could not let ten children die for him.
Obi-Wan, grasping Marla's hand for a moment more, rose. The Ramming Stone smiled cruelly.
"Good. Follow his example, little ones. It might save your life. Come here, you," he said pointing with his blaster towards Obi-Wan. The Padawan obeyed immediately.
Obi-Wan had never seen the Ramming Stone up close. His red eyes were like a lightsaber, fiery and menacing. The Jedi saw insanity in those eyes.
"What's your name, boy?" The Ramming Stone asked Obi-Wan. He was so close that the boy could smell the terrorist's rancid breath.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, sir," he answered firmly, looking the Ramming Stone straight in the face. He refused to show his fear.
"And how old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Who is your Master?"
"Qui-Gon Jinn."
"Is he on the Council?"
"No, sir."
"Is he close to those on the Council?" Obi-Wan hesitated. He did not like the way the conversation was going. He had a feeling that the terrorist would use him to incite a rash move from Qui-Gon.
"Yes, sir." However, Obi-Wan knew that if he lied, the Ramming Stone would know. And that might have bitter consequences.
"Good." Without warning, the Ramming Stone struck the side of Obi-Wan's head with his blaster. A white-hot pain exploded inside the Padawan's head. It took all his strength not to collapse.
Before he could recover from the blow, the Ramming Stone delivered a left cross into his mouth. Blood dripped from his mouth as he sank to the floor.
Then Talon stepped up and kicked him hard in the ribs. Obi-Wan gasped as the breath left his lungs.
"That's enough, Talon. Tod, do you have the frequency?"
"Yep," came the reply. The Ramming Stone roughly picked Obi-Wan up by his tunic. The terrorist was immensely strong, as was Talon. Obi-Wan had taking beatings before, but never had he been so passive, and never had he taken a beating from such from such strong creatures. The apprentice tried to sink into the Force as he was taught, but he couldn't find it. It was as if the Force itself had fled in the presence the Ramming Stone.
"Contact Qui-Gon Jinn."
***
"What?" Tahl asked, startled. Qui-Gon did not reply. He bent over the body, probing it for wounds. The boy could have been no more than sixteen.
"Qui? Qui-Gon, answer me!" Tahl demanded sharply.
"He was injected with something," the Master murmured, fingering a lump on the boy's cold neck. He looked around trying to figure out how the murderer had entered the room. Then he saw the partially ajar air vent and knew that he had found the answer.
"Qui-Gon, I've contacted Mace. He's on his way." He still did not respond. "Sith, Qui, answer me!"
Qui-Gon snapped out of his stupor. "Did you feel that?" he asked.
"Thank the Force! Feel what?" Tahl asked, relieved.
"It's as if. Tahl, try to contact me with your mind," Qui-Gon ordered. There was silence over the comlink.
"I can't Qui-Gon. I can't connect to the Force!"
"Neither can I. Tahl, a moment ago, I heard a scream in my head and then all went silent. Someone, or something, has cut off our connection to the Force."
"But who could do such a thing?"
"I don't know. Tahl, go to the Council room. It's safer there."
At that moment, Mace Windu appeared at the door. He knelt beside Qui-Gon.
"Holy Sith. How did this happen?" Was all Mace could say.
"Whatever it entered through the ventilation shaft and then killed the boy. The question is, how did they get in without being detected?" Qui-Gon pondered aloud.
"Something is blocking our connection to the Force. I believe that whoever is doing this is also responsible for this infiltration," Mace answered. "The real question is, where did they go?"
Qui-Gon's comlink signaled. Hoping it was Obi-Wan, activated it.
Suddenly, his world shattered.
***
"Master? It's me," Obi-Wan said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I know, Padawan. I need you to contact Master Yoda-" Qui-Gon began.
"I can't, Master," he said, his voice beginning to shake.
"Why not?" Qui-Gon asked, sounding both annoyed and worried.
"Because I won't let him," a deeper voice answered. Qui-Gon's heart skipped a beat. That voice was so familiar, so dreadfully familiar.
"Who is this?" Qui-Gon demanded.
"The redeemer of the galaxy," he replied. "The Ramming Stone." Qui-Gon's eyes widened.
"No," he whispered. It was not possible. The Ramming Stone had shown no sign of corporeal revolution. He hadn't been ready.
Now he was.
Qui-Gon's comlink fell from nerveless fingers, only to be rescued by Mace Windu's hand. Mace, his visage undisturbed by the news, began to speak.
"What do you want?" Mace asked calmly. The Ramming Stone cackled hysterically.
"I want all Force-users to die. I want this Temple destroyed. I want the Force to cease to exist. It's that simple."
"What do you want me to do?" Mace asked. He acted almost as if the maniac on the comlink was speaking of an important assignment due for the next class.
"Get Yoda and the other Council members on holo. Oh, and Master Qui-Gon can come too. When you've done that, contact me. Then we'll start negotiating," the last word came slowly and maliciously.
"Alright."
"Say goodbye to your Master, Obi-Wan," the Ramming Stone taunted. There was a moment of silence. Then a loud smack, as if something had been struck.
"Goodbye, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan mumbled. Then the comlink went dead.
***
As soon as the Ramming Stone cut off the communication, he punched Obi-Wan hard in the mouth. Obi-Wan cried out this time, falling to the ground. Without the Force, the Padawan had no shield. He was vulnerable to the terrorists' physical attacks.
"I thought you knew already, boy," the terrorist growled. "I demand instant obedience. Talon!" Talon stepped forward and kicked Obi-Wan in the mouth. Blood exploded from his mouth. Talon smiled, then stepped back, nodding at his leader.
"See? Instant obedience." The Ramming Stone kicked the apprentice in the head again, this time right above his eye. Obi-Wan cried out once more.
"Listen up, kids. I want four groups of ten. Each group of ten will go to a separate corner. Move it," the terrorist said, pointing at the Padawans. The children obeyed immediately. Through his now rapidly swelling eye, Obi- Wan could see Marla staring at him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears and her jaw was trembling. Her visage was mirrored by the rest of the children. Obi-Wan wished he could soothe them with the Force, but it was unfeasible.
"Don't move from now on unless I tell you. Obi-Wan, get on your knees." Obi- Wan obeyed. But in his mind, he began to plan a way of escape.
Assaulting the Ramming Stone and his men was out of the question. If he were to do it, he would be cut down before he had a chance to kill them all. He knew that it meant the lives of ten children.
But if I took the Ramming Stone hostage, Obi-Wan realized. That was it! He was fairly sure that none of the thugs, including Talon, would attempt to kill the children if their boss was at blaster point.
Looking at the Ramming Stone, the teenager realized that overpowering the man would be difficult without the Force. Obi-Wan was already hurt and he lacked the strength required to overwhelm the terrorist.
"Good! They have finally assembled! Tod, make sure it can get the whole room," the Ramming Stone cried in delight, activating his comlink.
"We're ready," came Mace Windu's voice.
"Excellent, Master Windu," the Ramming Stone said motioning to Tod to set up a device. Obi-Wan recognized it as a holo-projector.
"You may begin." A three dimensional image of the Council appeared, hued in blue. Obi-Wan saw his Master among them. And even though the image of Qui- Gon was blurry, he could still make out his Master's grimace when he saw the teenager.
"Greetings, Jedi of the Council. I will be brief. Here are my demands. I want every single active Jedi in the universe to be called back to Coruscant for starters. Do that, and I shall free ten children. Next, I want all the children under age twenty, except for those who are still in my care, to be sent back to their homeworlds. Ten more children will be freed. Now, I am being a reasonable man. I do not wish the children to be harmed. They are still young and the damage you have caused might be reversible." The Ramming Stone paused for a moment, daring the Masters to speak out against his terminology, damage being the term, but not one of the Masters spoke. Obi-Wan could not believe the terrorist's words. It was both foolish and insane! The Masters would never agree to the terms.
"After that, every single adult Jedi alive today will be gathered in this Temple. You will give me free passage with the remaining children. You will not attempt to escape. After the children are a safe distance away, I and my colleagues shall detonate several bombs in the Temple and you, shall we say, will pass away," the terrorist smiled cruelly. Obi-Wan's blood chilled.
"Do all that, and you shall save the lives of many children." There was a long pause. Then Yoda, in a defeated tone, spoke.
"We must discuss your demands privately first." The Ramming Stone smiled. He knew he had won.
"You have two minutes."
***
"We must agree to his terms," Ki-Adi-Mundi said woefully. Mace's head shot up sharply.
"Are you deaf?" Mace asked coolly. "You would sacrifice every single Jedi alive for-"
"For thirty children?" Ki-Adi-Mundi interrupted. "And innocent Coruscant civilians? Yes."
"What do you say, Master Yoda?" Plo Koon inquired. Yoda closed his eyes and looked down. He sighed heavily.
"Sacrifice as little life as possible, we must. Rescue the children, we must try to. Evacuate this area of Coruscant."
Silence once again fell across the Council Room. Tahl watched Qui-Gon's face. It was pale, but otherwise unreadable. She wished she could comfort him, but in such a predicament, comfort would be meaningless.
"Master Yoda," Qui-Gon called quietly. His voice seemed to break the trance that most of the Masters seemed to be trapped in.
"I would like to lead the rescue party if you are to have one." Yoda blinked his eyes.
"Lead, you will not. Come, you will." Tahl stepped forward.
"Allow me to come also." Qui-Gon grabbed her arm.
"No, Tahl. I could not bear losing both you and Obi-Wan." His words were soft and full of pain. She nodded.
"Master Tahl, help evacuate the other initiates not being held hostage, you will. Master Windu will lead the rescue operation. Master Di Uni, Koon, Jinn, and Gallia will be under his command."
"Our two minutes are up, Master," Mace warned.
"Contact them." Moments later, the Ramming Stone's holo image appeared again.
"You nearly killed five children with your near lateness," the terrorist growled. "Have you consented to my terms?" Yoda let out a sigh of defeat.
"We have." The Ramming Stone smiled chillingly.
"Excellent! Begin carrying out my terms." He seemed about to deactivate his communicator, but stopped cold. Qui-Gon felt a pang of fear stab his gut, as if the Ramming Stone might sense what the Jedi were planning.
"One more thing," the terrorist began. "You may evacuate the Temple initiates. Ramming Stone out."
As soon as the communication was cut off, Yoda turned to face his fellow Masters.
"Master Tin, together with Miro Daroon, send false messages to the Jedi Knights in the galaxy, you will. Master Windu, go, and may the Force be with you."