The death of Anakin had nearly been his undoing, but as in all things, Obi-Wan Kenobi was a survivor. The unwavering support of his fellow Jedi and the increasing threat of the Empire conspired to keep him from becoming engulfed in the despair he felt at his apprentice's death, instead forcing him to focus on life. Despite his knowledge of Emperor Palpatine's tactics and goals, Obi-Wan found that the Empire was still a powerful enemy. Sidious seemed to take some not insubstantial joy from his constant engagement with the dwindling Jedi forces, though it was apparent that the Sith Lord was rather unhappy at the loss of his prized pupil.
As the months passed and the war continued unabated the number of Jedi Knights continued to decrease. Not only was the Empire a very real threat with the scores of bounty hunters on its payroll, but the Knights also found themselves in peril from the individuals they had once bled and even died for. Planets where the Jedi had served as peacekeepers and mediators for centuries were now firmly in the thrall of Emperor Palpatine, taking a vicious thrill from the capture and execution of any and all Force-sensitives. Throughout the Galaxy, the Temples of the Jedi that had stood for millennia were destroyed by angry mobs, and those Jedi who chose to remain in defense of the structures and the vast stores of knowledge within, were summarily tortured to death.
Only a few places within the known universe remained safe for Force-sensitives, and these two planets became among the best guarded in the Galaxy. Although both planets were heavily fortified and defended, their natural beauty was still apparent. Both planets sang strongly of the Lightside of the Force, and the native splendor of their environments was only surpassed by the beauty within the hearts and souls of their inhabitants. The remaining Jedi and other Force-sensitives equally populated both Naboo and Alderaan, but it was Naboo that harbored the remaining few of the Jedi Council, as well as the most powerful and talented Knights of the Order. For it was Naboo that held the two most precious lives in the Galaxy: Luke and Leia Skywalker.
The birth of Anakin's children had been a carefully concealed event, but the resulting flare in the Light from the appearance of two such gifted children could not be disguised. Even Master Yoda could not completely shelter the twins, and it was not long before Emperor Palpatine became aware of their existence. Although Obi-Wan was grateful that Anakin Skywalker had returned to the Light before he had fallen to his death, the resulting decrease in the power of the Darkside had made the births too obvious. Every bounty hunter and fortune-seeker in the universe was after the two children, and it was only a matter of time before one such individual succeeded.
The Jedi Council had met with both the ruling families of Naboo and Alderaan, and it was decided that neither planet would serve as a safe enough place to conceal the twins. After much discussion, and much dissension, it was decided that the children would be taken to a small, uninhabited planet near the Outer Rim. Although the planet was inhospitable at best, its powerful presence within the Living Force would help to disguise the signatures of the Skywalker heirs. An escort of ten of the most powerful and experienced Jedi would be sent along with the children, their nannies, and Padmé Amidala Skywalker. A small, nondescript shuttle had been appropriated for the mission, which was to be carried out with the utmost secrecy.
Although Obi-Wan agreed with the Council's precautions and decision, he did not agree with their refusal to allow him to accompany Luke and Leia. The Council held that he was too important, and too visible of a figure, to allow him to slip away on the mission. It would be difficult enough to explain the absence of the former Senator, even with her continued illness; it would be simply impossible to disguise the absence of the famous Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Even Master Yoda was prevented from leaving immediately with the children, though he would eventually follow in order to facilitate their training. Though Obi-Wan intellectually understood their arguments, something within the Force told him that he needed to be with the twins. Unfortunately, the Jedi Council did not feel that same "something," and denied all of his requests to accompany the mission. Finally accepting that he would not be able to sway the Council, Obi-Wan instead worked with the group of Knights that would be accompanying the Skywalker family, making certain that each of the Jedi knew just how important the two children were to the future of the Galaxy.
Though he had only a few weeks before the mission left, Obi-Wan used that time to personally work with each of the chosen Knights, showing them every move he had ever developed in his years of experience against the Imperials. Although the Jedi were obviously surprised at his unexpected knowledge, each of the ten took the lessons to heart, incorporating the new techniques into their own, unique, fighting styles. Despite the brevity of the training, Obi-Wan was quite pleased with the Council's choice of Knights. Each of the Jedi was well trained, and a Master in his or her own right, though none had a current Padawan. The extermination of Force-sensitives throughout the Galaxy had led to a lack of initiates, even when the Temples had still been standing. Although instructors were working rapidly to train the Force-sensitives that had fled to Naboo and Alderaan, none of the children or young adults were yet ready to take on the role of Jedi Padawan. This lack of available Padawans would have, in the past, signified a real concern within the Jedi Order. After the rise of the Empire, however, the fact that any parents were willing to allow their children to train with the Jedi was considered a sign of real hope. Though the Order may have suffered many losses at the hands of the Empire and its Sith Leader, the Jedi were still persevering despite the odds.
On the night that the Skywalkers were to leave Naboo, Obi-Wan, along with several other Jedi, led a raid on the nearby Imperial center on Dantooine. The raid was to serve as a distraction, allowing the transport to slip off Naboo undetected. Another transport, carrying the former handmaiden Sabé and two other children, was scheduled to leave from the planet at the same time; only it was headed for Tatooine. Although there were those on the Council that suggested that the decoy was unnecessary, Obi-Wan and Master Yoda had succeeded in convincing them that such deception was necessary to protect the twins. Unbeknownst to any of the Jedi, Padmé Amidala Skywalker had even gone one step further, convincing her former handmaiden and friend to take one of the twins with her. Though it hurt the young mother to separate her children, she knew that it was a necessity to insure their protection. Slipping a Force inhibiting bracelet on the ankle of her young daughter, and a gentle kiss on her forehead, Padmé placed Leia in the trustworthy arms of Sabé before gathering Luke and the other child and boarding her transport. Accepting the young child as the precious and priceless treasure that she was, Sabé gathered Leia to her chest as she boarded her own transport.
The raid was successfully distracting, and the launches took place undetected. Although two Jedi were seriously wounded in the raid, it was deemed a success. The Jedi forces had even managed to capture Imperial documents outlining the Emperor's plans to create a new superweapon that would be capable of destroying entire planets. Obi-Wan had, of course, been aware that the Death Star would soon be built, but he had not known when or where the Empire would begin construction. The captured documents provided specifics, even detailing where some of the components would be built. Raids were immediately scheduled for the new targets, and the Jedi were soon so engulfed by the planning that the lack of communication from the decoy shuttle was either totally ignored or just simply dismissed.
~~~~~~
Despite the number of people, and the amount of activity that was taking place, the hanger bay of the former Theed Palace was surprisingly quiet. Talk was confined to giving or receiving orders, and for those few pilots who were not Jedi, the silence was almost disconcerting. Used to the idle conversation and boasts that normally occurred before a mission, the non-Jedi instead found themselves keeping the silence that pervaded the large structure.
The unnatural quiet became even more pronounced as a sentry guard entered the hanger bearing a small package. All of the Force-sensitives within the bay immediately halted their work and instead watched as the package was borne across the dark concrete floor toward the familiar figure of General Obi-Wan Kenobi. The General visibly shuddered as he accepted the package from the guard, quickly scribbling his name to the proffered datapad before turning and leaving the hanger bay with the package held firmly in his grip. As the solid steel door shut behind the General, the many Force-sensitives within the room let out an almost audible breath of relief before returning to their abandoned work. Confused by the strange occurrence, the non-sensitive pilots waited to see if any explanation was forthcoming. When none came, they too returned to their work, wondering just what had been in that package to so visibly upset the usually unflappable General Kenobi.
~~~~
"Received this package just now, did you?" Master Yoda questioned as he eyed the small brown parcel that sat on the table before the four Council Members.
"Yes, a sentry guard brought it to me while I was overseeing the mission preparations in the hanger bay," Obi-Wan answered solemnly.
"And there was no explanation as to where it came from?" Master Windu asked as he stretched out a hand toward the package, withdrawing it almost immediately before it had even made contact.
"None was given, though it seems that there is really no question as to who it is from," Obi-Wan replied dryly, as he watched Mace recoil from contact with the package.
"From the Emperor, it is," Yoda stated, as his ears lowered in dismay. "No other Force user could such a powerful Darkside imprint leave."
"Have you had it scanned?" Master Gallia asked, her sightless brown eyes looking unfocusedly in the general direction of the package. The explosion that had taken her vision had also killed several of the other Councilors, but it had done nothing to diminish her power within the Force.
"It appears to contain a datapad and some sort of bracelet," Obi-Wan offered by way of an answer. "With your permission, I would like to open it."
Receiving nods from the Council, the General carefully drew the package to him, trying not to show a reaction to the powerful waves of Dark energy that emanated from it. Opening the edge of the parcel, he then tilted it, allowing the contents to spill out on the table. As the scan had suggested, only a datapad and a very small, metallic bracelet were within. Reaching first for the bracelet, Obi-Wan cradled it within his hand as he picked up the datapad. Activating the screen, he quickly read the short message contained on the pad.
It seems odd that a non-Force-sensitive child would need a Force-inhibiting bracelet, now doesn't it? Perhaps I would be amenable to a trade. You may bring two other Jedi with you, though you are not to be armed. Imperial City: 3 cycles.
Replacing the datapad on the table with exceeding care, as all he really wanted to do was slam it into a million pieces, Obi-Wan paused to regain his center before speaking. Allowing him the few moments of silence, the Council waited until the stormy blue gaze again rose from the tabletop. "We need to contact Padmé immediately. I think there is something she needs to tell us."
