I'm walking into hell… voluntarily… and I didn't even bring my lightsaber.
The black walls glimmered with a hungry iridescence, and the white of the Storm Troopers only made the hallway seem darker. The click of the Storm Trooper's boots echoed distinctly differently from the soft claps of the three Jedi's boots, providing a distraction for Obi-Wan to focus his mind on as he was marched swiftly toward what he was sure would be his execution. Knights Bant and N'erak flanked him, their lightsabers held firmly within their hands. Out of the platoon of soldiers and the Jedi Knights, only Obi-Wan Kenobi was defenseless… and somehow that was a distinction he was only peripherally aware of. Even had he had his lightsaber with him, he knew that he would never be given the chance to use it. Leia's life was simply too precious to risk.
The silent procession continued through the hall of the Imperial Center, drawing closer and closer toward the center chamber where the Emperor resided. Although they were Jedi Knights, and well trained, Obi-Wan could sense as the tension within his friends ratcheted up as the Dark presence of Sidious became more and more commanding the closer they got to him. Keeping his own hands crossed firmly within the sleeves of his robe, Obi-Wan wore his hood up, concealing his facial features. Bant and N'erak wore their hoods down, constantly surveying the hallways and the troopers, but Obi-Wan preferred the solitude that the hood provided.
"The Emperor is ready to see you now," the Storm Trooper closest to the Jedi trio announced as the procession came to a stop before a set of heavy ebony doors. Making no further comment, the platoon of troopers broke formation and split into two groups, marching swiftly away from the three Knights.
"So, do you suppose we should knock?" N'erak asked, breaking the silence.
Offering a tremulous smile, Bant shook her head. "I'm sure there's a bell around here somewhere," she responded, trying to recapture the usual sarcastic environment that abounded when the three were together.
With his head still lowered, and the hood concealing his always-readable eyes, Obi-Wan spoke. "I appreciate all you two have done for me. I could not have asked for better friends, nor would I want to."
"Oh, Obi…" Bant began, only to be cut off as a shudder ran through the massive doors. A deep rumbling rang through the air as the large doors swung on their axes, opening to reveal the Emperor's inner chambers.
"I have waited a long time for this day, Obi-Wan Kenobi," the raspy tones of the Sith Lord rang out from the darkened room. Apparently Sidious' words had acted as a signal, as a single spotlight illuminated the large throne, and the dark cloaked figure upon it as the harsh tones faded into echoes. To the side of the mammoth throne, a black cradle rocked slowly. Soft cooing noises came from within, but nothing could be seen but the dark blankets that hung limply over the edge.
"I demand to see the baby, before we will make any concessions or agreements," Bant declared, as she and N'erak stood at either side of Obi-Wan.
"Very well then," Sidious croaked. "Come forward and see her then."
Exchanging a glance with N'erak, Bant tightened her hold on the hilt of her 'saber, before stepping forward to glance within the cradle. As she neared the throne, Obi-Wan spoke for the first time. "If you hurt her, I will not cooperate."
At first Bant thought that he was speaking of the baby Leia, but as she glanced toward the Sith, she noticed that his hands had begun to move toward the arm of his throne. "I have no intention of hurting anyone," Sidious answered, his voice slipping into the calm platitudes he had used to gain his seat as Chancellor of the former Republic. His dark gaze was focused solely on the hooded figure before him, paying no attention to the Jedi at his side.
Keeping her attention on Sidious, Bant moved closer until she could peer into the cradle. As she leaned forward, she could see bright blue eyes regarding her solemnly from under a tuft of brown curly hair. Leia seemed to recognize the presence of the Lightside of Force within Knight Bant, as she reached her arms out toward the unfamiliar face, begging silently to be picked up. Glancing again at N'erak and Obi-Wan, Bant reached out and lifted Leia, holding her gently against her shoulder.
"Now that you have seen that the Skywalker child is unharmed, I believe we have things to discuss," Sidious declared, watching silently as Bant backed slowly away from the throne, still cradling the baby to her.
"What do you want?" Obi-Wan asked directly, as he finally reached out to lower his hood. Bant and N'erak each had to prevent a gasp of surprise as they took in the freshly-shaven face of their usually bearded friend. The lack of facial hair made Obi-Wan look years younger than his actual age, adding a sense of innocence to him that had been lacking since the death of his Master so many years before.
"It is not so much what I want, as what you owe to me," the Sith answered. "You have taken three of my apprentices from me, it is only fitting that you make reparation for them."
"I will not turn to the Darkside, and I will not serve you," Obi-Wan replied, a determined certainty in his voice.
A dark chuckle answered him. "I would never expect the darling of the Jedi Order, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, to ever turn."
"Then what do you want?" Knight N'erak questioned, as he watched Bant complete a quick medical checkup of Leia. At her nod that the baby was unharmed, he continued. "If you know that Obi-Wan will not become your apprentice, what do you want of him?"
In answer, the Sith Lord again reached toward the arm of his throne. Depressing an inset button, Sidious revealed a hidden chamber within the arm, much like the one that had decorated the throne of Queen Amidala during the Trade Federation Invasion. As Sidious reached into the concealed space, both Bant and N'erak tensed, with Bant switching Leia to her other arm so she could more easily wield her lightsaber.
With a smile that was closer to a grimace than an expression of joy, the Sith revealed the item he had pulled from within the compartment. "I know you will never serve me, and that you will never turn to the Darkside. I could ask for your death in return for the Skywalker's life, but that would be too simple."
Taking in the Force-suppression collar that now rested so menacingly on the Emperor's withered hand, Obi-Wan nodded. "You don't want my death; you want my suffering," he surmised.
"Obi-Wan, you can't!" Bant exclaimed, echoing a similar sentiment from Knight N'erak.
Ignoring the outburst of the two other Jedi, Sidious focused solely on his prey. "I will allow your friends to leave with the child. They will be able to return to Naboo or Alderaan with no resistance."
"And I am to trust in your word?" Obi-Wan questioned dryly, as he also ignored the other Jedi.
"You will remain with me, on your word as a Jedi. Once they are safely outside the reaches of the palace, and only when you are assured of their safety, will I require your complete commitment," the Emperor declared, slightly moving the collar as he annunciated the last two words.
"I will give you my 'complete commitment' now," Obi-Wan countered, "if you allow the rest of the Jedi held within this complex to leave as well."
Chuckling darkly, Sidious hesitated, before agreeing. "I will permit them to leave," he declared.
Releasing a pent breath, Obi-Wan turned to his fellow Knights and friends as they stood silently watching him. Bant's silvery eyes shone with her horror at the situation, and N'erak's jaw was clenched tightly. "Make certain that you have all of the Jedi before you leave," Obi-Wan ordered, slipping easily into 'General-mode' for what he realized would be the last time. "Do not leave anyone behind, no matter how badly injured they may be. Even if there is no chance of their survival, do no leave them in the Imperial's hands."
"We can't just leave you," N'erak growled. "There has to be another way."
"There is no other way, and you will do as you are told Knight N'erak," Obi-Wan responded, stressing the other Jedi's title. Dropping to a softer tone, he continued. "So many lives can be spared today, don't ask me to give this opportunity up, because I won't."
"We know that you won't," Bant answered solemnly, after a slight pause. "If you did, you wouldn't be our Obi-Wan." Handing Leia to N'erak, Bant threw her arms around Obi-Wan and hugged him soundly, ignoring their audience. "You are the first person I ever truly loved, and no matter what happens, no matter what you have to do to survive, know that I will always love you."
Removing the baby from N'erak's grasp, Bant stepped back away from the circle of light that surrounded the throne. "Take care, Obi," N'erak said as he too grasped his friend in an embrace. "Come back to us, we'll be waiting for you."
Releasing N'erak, Obi-Wan swallowed convulsively a few times before he again found his voice. "Be careful, and may the Force be with you," he finished, his voice hitching just slightly as he bade farewell to his friends. Backing away from his friends, Obi-Wan took a deep breath and composed his expression back into a mask of neutrality before turning to face the Emperor on his throne. Removing his robe, and dropping it to pool on the ebony floor, he took the final few steps forward until he stood just before the two steps leading up to the throne.
Without a last glance at his friends and his former life, Obi-Wan Kenobi dropped to his knees at the Emperor's feet, taking the proffered collar with steady hands and hooking it tightly around his own throat. "On my word as a Jedi, I am yours."
