Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Ok guys, I'm sorry this chapter took longer, real life got in the way. I thank you all for the wonderful reviews!
/ = bond speech
// = memories
Chapter 8:
// "Master?" A young voice awoke the tired young master from his slumber. The 27 year old blinked against the intruding light and noticed he had fallen asleep with his data pad on his lap; he looked over to the source of the voice and saw his 11 year old apprentice standing in front of him with a look of concern on his face.
"Anakin?" Obi Wan asked as he rubbed the last sleep from his eyes. "What are you doing out of bed?"
"I had that dream again." Anakin confessed.
Obi Wan sighed, and sifted his body to make room for Anakin next to him on the large chair. "Padawan, I already explained that it is only a dream." Obi Wan put an arm around the boy's shoulder. "What have I told you?"
"Dreams pass in time." Anakin answered him. "But master, what if it really does happen? I mean, Master Qui Gon died before you were made a knight." The boy sincerely stated, his incredible blue eyes began to water.
Obi Wan smiled. "If for some reason that does happen then it is the will of the Force." Anakin turned away at this, and Obi Wan put a strong finger under the young boy's chin lifting him to meet his gaze. "I promise you padawan; I will live to be almost as old as Master Yoda." He smiled and Anakin giggled at this prospect. "And you want to know why I believe this?" Obi Wan asked, and the boy nodded. "Because my young apprentice, the Force has a sense of humor and someone will have to be around to keep you in line."
Anakin frowned. "Very funny master."//
Obi Wan gasped for air and began to cough up huge amounts of sea water. He suddenly realized he was on solid ground; he opened his eyes and searched his surroundings.
"He's breathing!" He heard a voice call. He then felt a familiar presence next to him; he slowly turned his head and stared into the eyes of the greatest Jedi ever to live.
"Master Yoda?" Obi Wan coughed, and spit out more sea water. "Your timing is impeccable."
Yoda nodded and placed a clawed hand over Obi Wan's eyes. "Hmmm. Rest." He commanded.
Obi Wan closed his eyes, and then remembered why he was in the water in the first place. "Where's Siri?" He snapped to attention and searched the transport.
"Safe she is." Yoda motioned to the other body lying on the floor of the ship. "Very ill she is." Yoda stated.
Obi Wan nodded. "I sense that as well." He crawled over to his friend and lifted her head onto his lap. "I have to get her to Ohma-D'un." Yoda said nothing but gave him a curious look. "I found the antidote, I believe she has fallen ill to the same chemicals, but there isn't enough of the antidote to help more than one person, so I will take it and her to the healers on Ohma-D'un."
Yoda nodded. "Count Dooku?" He asked.
Obi Wan hung his head. "Escaped."
"Hmmm, grave this news is." Yoda looked out the transport window.
"He had a cloning facility." Obi Wan said after a moment. "It is destroyed now, but they were creating a clone army of their own."
Yoda looked at Obi Wan with a look of shock, then a look of sorrow. "Saw this coming we did not." He responded. "Blind we are."
Obi Wan slowly nodded. "I think a meeting with the Prime minister of Kamino is in order."
***************************
Padme looked away from the intense stare of the Jedi master. "Well. . ." she began. "I have come here as a diplomat to help ease the suffering of the locals in this system." She stated, still not looking at the man standing before her.
Mace pondered this for a moment. "Then where are all the supplies that are usually sent with a diplomat?"
Padme bit her lip and contemplated a solution. "It's on its way." She said, feeling more confident. "I decided to come first, to assess the situation."
Mace stared at the senator, and Padme knew she couldn't fool a Jedi Council member. Before Mace could answer he was distracted by another presence.
"Master Windu." Ferus cleared his throat after a moment.
Mace gave the senator one more look then turned his attention to the apprentice. "Padawan Olin?"
"Master, we didn't find any trace of an antidote." Ferus reported, hanging his head. "But I have ordered the troops to keep searching."
Mace noticed the look of defeat in the young man's eyes; he clapped the padawan on the shoulder. "We must keep faith." He told Ferus. "The Force will guide us to a solution."
Ferus nodded and headed back to the base, leaving Mace and Padme alone. Mace looked back at the politician.
"Well milady, it was a foolish and dangerous decision to come here without notifying us first." He stated, folding his arms across his chest. Padme looked to the ground again. "Thank you." Mace then added with a warm smile.
"Anytime Master Windu." Padme returned the smile.
Thunder broke the awkward silence and rain began to fall all around them. "Well senator, perhaps we should head indoors." Mace suggested and Padme nodded.
************************
"How, how could they be such traitors to the Republic?" Bail Organa was forced to nearly shout over the sound of rain and engines.
Obi Wan was finishing securing Siri in a transport, trying to ignore the angered politician. "Calm down Viceroy." Obi Wan commanded, placing a hand on Siri's forehead and sensing her fever.
"If the Kaminoians are in league with the Separatists then we are done for." Bail continued to rant.
Obi Wan sighed and walked up to the Viceroy. "The only thing Kamino is in league with is money." He explained. "They never said that they would be faithful to the Republic, and how can we expect them to be when they are not even a part of the Republic?" Obi Wan ran a hand through his soaked hair.
"So what are we to do? What if Dooku has more cloning facilities?" Bail asked.
"This is why I am grateful that I am a Jedi and I don't have to figure that out." Obi Wan put a hand on Organa's shoulder. "That is up to the Senate; perhaps an arrangement can be made with the Prime Minister of Kamino."
"A deal like that could put the Republic in economic devastation." Bail hung his head. "It could tear us apart."
"Hmmm, hide from this we can not." Yoda interjected. "Talk further we will Viceroy Organa, go Master Obi Wan must."
Obi Wan nodded and then shook hands with Organa. "It's been a pleasure serving with you General." Organa stated as Obi Wan climbed into his transport.
"And you Viceroy." He bowed to the politician. "I will be in contact Master Yoda."
Yoda nodded. "May the Force be with you."
*****************************************
Padme Amidala placed the medical mask over her mouth and stepped inside the large hospital tent. She searched the room for the person she had traveled half way around the galaxy to see and noticed the rows upon rows of sick clones. She shuddered as she heard moans of pain and sickness. The stench was almost unbearable, even with the mask and the sight was grotesque.
She suddenly found herself remembering walking through the huge medical facility on Naboo shortly after the invasion and visiting every single wounded person there. She remembered the looks on their faces, the pain, and the fear of death. It had broken her heart and this time it was worse.
In the back of the room, she finally found who she was looking for. Her heart caught in her throat at the sight of her husband in the medical bed. She quickly rushed over to his side and stared at his motionless body.
"Ani?" Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. She felt her eyes begin to water as she reached out to caress his face. His usually tanned skin was incredibly pale, and dark circles had formed under his eyes. She ran her thumb over his dry, chapped lips, making sure not to disturb the tube sticking out of his mouth. "Oh Ani." She hung her head and felt tears running down her cheeks.
She sat down next to him on the bed and composed herself. "Don't you give up on me Skywalker." She stated, clasping his hand in hers. She then felt more tears threatening to spill. "Hold on Anakin. . .please."
She sat in silence for hours, just holding his hand. She wasn't sure what to do; she only knew that her presence was needed. She began to notice healers running excitedly past the tent. She slowly rose to her feet and gave Anakin one last glance. She ran a hand through his hair. "I'll be right back." She told him.
She exited the tent and had to quickly jump out of the way of several healers. She then found her way outside and found Mace Windu in the communications tent, ordering troops to various tasks.
"What's happening?" She asked him as she came out of the rain.
Mace had a look of relief on his face. "We just came in contact with Master Kenobi." Mace answered the politician. Padme felt a wave of relief hit her, she had also been afraid for her friend's welfare.
"What is it?" She asked.
"He believes that he has found an antidote to the chemical weapon." Mace said, his face stern as ever, but a glimmer was in his eyes. "He will be here shortly."
**************************************
Obi Wan carefully landed his ship in the mud; he then cut the engine and ran to the back of the ship. He found Siri right where he had left her, still wrapped inside his dark brown cloak. He carefully lifted her into his arms and exited the ship.
Mace and Padme along with several healers ran to meet him as he walked down the ramp of the transport. Padme stopped short when she saw the limp form in his arms and also the look on his face. She suddenly realized that it may have been a bad idea in rushing to see her husband. She knew that Obi Wan suspected their feelings for one another, and she was afraid how he would react to her being there. She quickly went the opposite way of the transport, deciding that it wasn't the opportune moment to talk with her old friend.
Mace met Obi Wan partway up the transport and offered to take Siri out of his arms. As exhausted as the Jedi was, he wasn't about to let Siri out of his sight. Mace gave him a curious look.
"Obi Wan?" Mace inquired about his well being.
"I have the antidote right here master." Obi Wan ignored the inquiry and handed the vile to the council member. "At least I hope it's the antidote." He added.
Mace handed the vile to one of the healers who ran with it back to the medical tent. He then followed Obi Wan to his quarters. Obi Wan carefully laid Siri down on his sleep couch and covered her with a blanket. Obi Wan then stepped back as a healer looked her over.
"Has she been unconscious the entire time?" Mace asked, watching the doctor work on Siri.
Obi Wan nodded. "I found her that way." He revealed. "She was chained to a wall."
Mace slowly nodded. "And Count Dooku?"
Obi Wan turned his gaze to the ground. "He escaped master." He then looked back at Siri. "I apologize master."
Mace looked at Obi Wan. "You have no need to apologize Master Kenobi. You accomplished more on your mission to Kamino then you were assigned."
"Yes master." Obi Wan replied. He watched the healer work on Siri for a moment longer then turned to face the Jedi master. "Master, if you would please keep me informed on her condition, I have some other business to attend to."
Mace nodded. "Of course Master Kenobi I will." He said and watched the knight turn towards the door. "Obi Wan!" Mace called after him, Obi Wan turned and looked at the older man. "You saved many lives today, let that be some consolation to you."
"Yes master." Obi Wan said with a bow. "But I wonder, if I had not let personal feelings interfere if I would've saved more."
"Do not live in the past Obi Wan; the choices we make are made for a reason, nothing happens by accident with the Force." Mace stated, returning his attention to the ill knight.
Obi Wan contemplated this and exited his quarters.
**************************************
Padme slowly approached the two men that she held in her heart above any other. She quietly made her way towards the bed that held her husband, trying not to disturb his mentor from his meditation or sleep, she wasn't sure which. She glanced down at Anakin and noticed that some of the color had returned to his features since the antidote had been given to him. He also was breathing on his own, so the tube was removed from his throat.
She sighed a sigh of relief as she continued to take in the image of her husband, she then turned to look at her old friend and noticed he hadn't moved an inch, but two intense blue/grey eyes were staring at her.
"He looks better already." She lamely said, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Don't you think?"
Obi Wan continued to stare at her. "Yes he does."
She began to feel uncomfortable under his stare. "Obi Wan you must understand."
Obi Wan ignored her and rose to his feet. "I understand." He said under his breath, and walked out of the tent.
Padme followed Obi Wan out into the rain. "Really? Do you?" She asked. "So you understand why I came?"
"Why did you come senator?"
"Because I couldn't let my husband die without me by his side." She almost shouted, then quickly cursed herself for saying it.
Obi Wan stopped. He turned and looked at Padme, shaking his head. "I'd expect this from him, running off and acting on emotions, but you."
"What about me?" She asked him, feeling offended at his tone. "I'm not the one with a code that forces me to be an emotionless robot! Why am I expected to not do something that makes me happy?" She put her hands on her hips; he never tore his gaze from her. "Not all of us are content to live a life void of any happiness."
"Happiness means different things to different people." Obi Wan argued.
"Exactly, so why do you expect the things that make you happy will also make your apprentice happy?" She challenged. "And then to place the blame on me! Well you know what Master Kenobi, maybe if you had spent more time getting to know Anakin instead of trying to turn him into you, this wouldn't have happened."
Obi Wan nodded, and turned away from her.
"Obi Wan, I'm sorry. . .I"
"Senator Amidala, I hope your diplomatic mission proves useful to the Republic." Obi Wan began to walk away. "Now if you'll excuse me."
Padme watched him leave and she felt very sorry. She suddenly wondered if she had made the right choice in rushing to marry Anakin; this wasn't the first time she had wondered this, and it wouldn't be the last time.
TBC: I hope that chapter was ok, I know there wasn't any action in this one (sorry padawan), but I hope it was ok none the less.
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Ok guys, I'm sorry this chapter took longer, real life got in the way. I thank you all for the wonderful reviews!
/ = bond speech
// = memories
Chapter 8:
// "Master?" A young voice awoke the tired young master from his slumber. The 27 year old blinked against the intruding light and noticed he had fallen asleep with his data pad on his lap; he looked over to the source of the voice and saw his 11 year old apprentice standing in front of him with a look of concern on his face.
"Anakin?" Obi Wan asked as he rubbed the last sleep from his eyes. "What are you doing out of bed?"
"I had that dream again." Anakin confessed.
Obi Wan sighed, and sifted his body to make room for Anakin next to him on the large chair. "Padawan, I already explained that it is only a dream." Obi Wan put an arm around the boy's shoulder. "What have I told you?"
"Dreams pass in time." Anakin answered him. "But master, what if it really does happen? I mean, Master Qui Gon died before you were made a knight." The boy sincerely stated, his incredible blue eyes began to water.
Obi Wan smiled. "If for some reason that does happen then it is the will of the Force." Anakin turned away at this, and Obi Wan put a strong finger under the young boy's chin lifting him to meet his gaze. "I promise you padawan; I will live to be almost as old as Master Yoda." He smiled and Anakin giggled at this prospect. "And you want to know why I believe this?" Obi Wan asked, and the boy nodded. "Because my young apprentice, the Force has a sense of humor and someone will have to be around to keep you in line."
Anakin frowned. "Very funny master."//
Obi Wan gasped for air and began to cough up huge amounts of sea water. He suddenly realized he was on solid ground; he opened his eyes and searched his surroundings.
"He's breathing!" He heard a voice call. He then felt a familiar presence next to him; he slowly turned his head and stared into the eyes of the greatest Jedi ever to live.
"Master Yoda?" Obi Wan coughed, and spit out more sea water. "Your timing is impeccable."
Yoda nodded and placed a clawed hand over Obi Wan's eyes. "Hmmm. Rest." He commanded.
Obi Wan closed his eyes, and then remembered why he was in the water in the first place. "Where's Siri?" He snapped to attention and searched the transport.
"Safe she is." Yoda motioned to the other body lying on the floor of the ship. "Very ill she is." Yoda stated.
Obi Wan nodded. "I sense that as well." He crawled over to his friend and lifted her head onto his lap. "I have to get her to Ohma-D'un." Yoda said nothing but gave him a curious look. "I found the antidote, I believe she has fallen ill to the same chemicals, but there isn't enough of the antidote to help more than one person, so I will take it and her to the healers on Ohma-D'un."
Yoda nodded. "Count Dooku?" He asked.
Obi Wan hung his head. "Escaped."
"Hmmm, grave this news is." Yoda looked out the transport window.
"He had a cloning facility." Obi Wan said after a moment. "It is destroyed now, but they were creating a clone army of their own."
Yoda looked at Obi Wan with a look of shock, then a look of sorrow. "Saw this coming we did not." He responded. "Blind we are."
Obi Wan slowly nodded. "I think a meeting with the Prime minister of Kamino is in order."
***************************
Padme looked away from the intense stare of the Jedi master. "Well. . ." she began. "I have come here as a diplomat to help ease the suffering of the locals in this system." She stated, still not looking at the man standing before her.
Mace pondered this for a moment. "Then where are all the supplies that are usually sent with a diplomat?"
Padme bit her lip and contemplated a solution. "It's on its way." She said, feeling more confident. "I decided to come first, to assess the situation."
Mace stared at the senator, and Padme knew she couldn't fool a Jedi Council member. Before Mace could answer he was distracted by another presence.
"Master Windu." Ferus cleared his throat after a moment.
Mace gave the senator one more look then turned his attention to the apprentice. "Padawan Olin?"
"Master, we didn't find any trace of an antidote." Ferus reported, hanging his head. "But I have ordered the troops to keep searching."
Mace noticed the look of defeat in the young man's eyes; he clapped the padawan on the shoulder. "We must keep faith." He told Ferus. "The Force will guide us to a solution."
Ferus nodded and headed back to the base, leaving Mace and Padme alone. Mace looked back at the politician.
"Well milady, it was a foolish and dangerous decision to come here without notifying us first." He stated, folding his arms across his chest. Padme looked to the ground again. "Thank you." Mace then added with a warm smile.
"Anytime Master Windu." Padme returned the smile.
Thunder broke the awkward silence and rain began to fall all around them. "Well senator, perhaps we should head indoors." Mace suggested and Padme nodded.
************************
"How, how could they be such traitors to the Republic?" Bail Organa was forced to nearly shout over the sound of rain and engines.
Obi Wan was finishing securing Siri in a transport, trying to ignore the angered politician. "Calm down Viceroy." Obi Wan commanded, placing a hand on Siri's forehead and sensing her fever.
"If the Kaminoians are in league with the Separatists then we are done for." Bail continued to rant.
Obi Wan sighed and walked up to the Viceroy. "The only thing Kamino is in league with is money." He explained. "They never said that they would be faithful to the Republic, and how can we expect them to be when they are not even a part of the Republic?" Obi Wan ran a hand through his soaked hair.
"So what are we to do? What if Dooku has more cloning facilities?" Bail asked.
"This is why I am grateful that I am a Jedi and I don't have to figure that out." Obi Wan put a hand on Organa's shoulder. "That is up to the Senate; perhaps an arrangement can be made with the Prime Minister of Kamino."
"A deal like that could put the Republic in economic devastation." Bail hung his head. "It could tear us apart."
"Hmmm, hide from this we can not." Yoda interjected. "Talk further we will Viceroy Organa, go Master Obi Wan must."
Obi Wan nodded and then shook hands with Organa. "It's been a pleasure serving with you General." Organa stated as Obi Wan climbed into his transport.
"And you Viceroy." He bowed to the politician. "I will be in contact Master Yoda."
Yoda nodded. "May the Force be with you."
*****************************************
Padme Amidala placed the medical mask over her mouth and stepped inside the large hospital tent. She searched the room for the person she had traveled half way around the galaxy to see and noticed the rows upon rows of sick clones. She shuddered as she heard moans of pain and sickness. The stench was almost unbearable, even with the mask and the sight was grotesque.
She suddenly found herself remembering walking through the huge medical facility on Naboo shortly after the invasion and visiting every single wounded person there. She remembered the looks on their faces, the pain, and the fear of death. It had broken her heart and this time it was worse.
In the back of the room, she finally found who she was looking for. Her heart caught in her throat at the sight of her husband in the medical bed. She quickly rushed over to his side and stared at his motionless body.
"Ani?" Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. She felt her eyes begin to water as she reached out to caress his face. His usually tanned skin was incredibly pale, and dark circles had formed under his eyes. She ran her thumb over his dry, chapped lips, making sure not to disturb the tube sticking out of his mouth. "Oh Ani." She hung her head and felt tears running down her cheeks.
She sat down next to him on the bed and composed herself. "Don't you give up on me Skywalker." She stated, clasping his hand in hers. She then felt more tears threatening to spill. "Hold on Anakin. . .please."
She sat in silence for hours, just holding his hand. She wasn't sure what to do; she only knew that her presence was needed. She began to notice healers running excitedly past the tent. She slowly rose to her feet and gave Anakin one last glance. She ran a hand through his hair. "I'll be right back." She told him.
She exited the tent and had to quickly jump out of the way of several healers. She then found her way outside and found Mace Windu in the communications tent, ordering troops to various tasks.
"What's happening?" She asked him as she came out of the rain.
Mace had a look of relief on his face. "We just came in contact with Master Kenobi." Mace answered the politician. Padme felt a wave of relief hit her, she had also been afraid for her friend's welfare.
"What is it?" She asked.
"He believes that he has found an antidote to the chemical weapon." Mace said, his face stern as ever, but a glimmer was in his eyes. "He will be here shortly."
**************************************
Obi Wan carefully landed his ship in the mud; he then cut the engine and ran to the back of the ship. He found Siri right where he had left her, still wrapped inside his dark brown cloak. He carefully lifted her into his arms and exited the ship.
Mace and Padme along with several healers ran to meet him as he walked down the ramp of the transport. Padme stopped short when she saw the limp form in his arms and also the look on his face. She suddenly realized that it may have been a bad idea in rushing to see her husband. She knew that Obi Wan suspected their feelings for one another, and she was afraid how he would react to her being there. She quickly went the opposite way of the transport, deciding that it wasn't the opportune moment to talk with her old friend.
Mace met Obi Wan partway up the transport and offered to take Siri out of his arms. As exhausted as the Jedi was, he wasn't about to let Siri out of his sight. Mace gave him a curious look.
"Obi Wan?" Mace inquired about his well being.
"I have the antidote right here master." Obi Wan ignored the inquiry and handed the vile to the council member. "At least I hope it's the antidote." He added.
Mace handed the vile to one of the healers who ran with it back to the medical tent. He then followed Obi Wan to his quarters. Obi Wan carefully laid Siri down on his sleep couch and covered her with a blanket. Obi Wan then stepped back as a healer looked her over.
"Has she been unconscious the entire time?" Mace asked, watching the doctor work on Siri.
Obi Wan nodded. "I found her that way." He revealed. "She was chained to a wall."
Mace slowly nodded. "And Count Dooku?"
Obi Wan turned his gaze to the ground. "He escaped master." He then looked back at Siri. "I apologize master."
Mace looked at Obi Wan. "You have no need to apologize Master Kenobi. You accomplished more on your mission to Kamino then you were assigned."
"Yes master." Obi Wan replied. He watched the healer work on Siri for a moment longer then turned to face the Jedi master. "Master, if you would please keep me informed on her condition, I have some other business to attend to."
Mace nodded. "Of course Master Kenobi I will." He said and watched the knight turn towards the door. "Obi Wan!" Mace called after him, Obi Wan turned and looked at the older man. "You saved many lives today, let that be some consolation to you."
"Yes master." Obi Wan said with a bow. "But I wonder, if I had not let personal feelings interfere if I would've saved more."
"Do not live in the past Obi Wan; the choices we make are made for a reason, nothing happens by accident with the Force." Mace stated, returning his attention to the ill knight.
Obi Wan contemplated this and exited his quarters.
**************************************
Padme slowly approached the two men that she held in her heart above any other. She quietly made her way towards the bed that held her husband, trying not to disturb his mentor from his meditation or sleep, she wasn't sure which. She glanced down at Anakin and noticed that some of the color had returned to his features since the antidote had been given to him. He also was breathing on his own, so the tube was removed from his throat.
She sighed a sigh of relief as she continued to take in the image of her husband, she then turned to look at her old friend and noticed he hadn't moved an inch, but two intense blue/grey eyes were staring at her.
"He looks better already." She lamely said, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Don't you think?"
Obi Wan continued to stare at her. "Yes he does."
She began to feel uncomfortable under his stare. "Obi Wan you must understand."
Obi Wan ignored her and rose to his feet. "I understand." He said under his breath, and walked out of the tent.
Padme followed Obi Wan out into the rain. "Really? Do you?" She asked. "So you understand why I came?"
"Why did you come senator?"
"Because I couldn't let my husband die without me by his side." She almost shouted, then quickly cursed herself for saying it.
Obi Wan stopped. He turned and looked at Padme, shaking his head. "I'd expect this from him, running off and acting on emotions, but you."
"What about me?" She asked him, feeling offended at his tone. "I'm not the one with a code that forces me to be an emotionless robot! Why am I expected to not do something that makes me happy?" She put her hands on her hips; he never tore his gaze from her. "Not all of us are content to live a life void of any happiness."
"Happiness means different things to different people." Obi Wan argued.
"Exactly, so why do you expect the things that make you happy will also make your apprentice happy?" She challenged. "And then to place the blame on me! Well you know what Master Kenobi, maybe if you had spent more time getting to know Anakin instead of trying to turn him into you, this wouldn't have happened."
Obi Wan nodded, and turned away from her.
"Obi Wan, I'm sorry. . .I"
"Senator Amidala, I hope your diplomatic mission proves useful to the Republic." Obi Wan began to walk away. "Now if you'll excuse me."
Padme watched him leave and she felt very sorry. She suddenly wondered if she had made the right choice in rushing to marry Anakin; this wasn't the first time she had wondered this, and it wouldn't be the last time.
TBC: I hope that chapter was ok, I know there wasn't any action in this one (sorry padawan), but I hope it was ok none the less.