(magical-sounding poof) Oh, look! The much-anticipated third chapter!
Well, by me, at any rate.
Shoutouts:
Elf with a lightsaber: Yay, cliffies! I have no clue in the slightest as to how long this thing's going to be.
kyer: Happy feelings for you. I'll do my best without making it too cheesy.
NathanPostmark and Freakazoid: Thanks again to both of you! People like you make this worthwhile, as do all my other reviewers…you guys are awesome.
Jedi Nifet: Hmm…maybe you should do a fic on Siri's ghost and Obi's clone. I'd like to see that…just don't make it too much like mine…(lol)
And now for the Third Chapter.
~~~***~~~
A lightyear above Hoth's frigid troposphere, a giant swallowed a shadowmoth.
Mara Jade eased her small ship into the gaping main docking bay of the Executor, still unable to get a clear understanding of Vader's reaction to the news. She'd had some time to think about it as the Super Star Destroyer came to the system to solve this mystery…in this case, like so many others, "solving the mystery" would undoubtedly mean destroying the planetary shield, finding the faction that dared erect it, raze the area from orbit, and kill everyone left after a prolonged period of torture with (if they were the Rebels or anyone else interesting enough) a lot of aggressive questioning.
Everyone…except Kenobi. That was why she was here, after all; if Darth Vader had any complaints about that, she would tell him to redirect them to his master.
With a due amount of grudging respect, of course. He had a substantially better grasp of the Force than she did (literally), and battalions of stormtroopers to back it up.
It was no surprise to her that some of these stormtroopers were present to greet her as she hovered inside and shut down her engines. The lack of any certain Sith lords presented no consternation, either.
Her movements were placid enough when she came onto the deck floor and marched off with the company, though the blaze in her eyes was never extinguished…not even for her master at times.
Mara was led straight to the enormous bridge. On either side of the center walkway, officers, pilots and technicians worked busily at computers in sunken sections. A man she recognized, the pretentious fool Admiral Ozzel, strutted about with his hands clasped at the small of his back, supervising the crews with sweeps of his gaze. To her satisfaction, he was coming around at a point that he had to stop as the company of troopers marched by, saluting.
Mara Jade, however, raised no hand, but stared mordantly at him with a pair of malachite daggers for the barest second as she came by, obviously the centerpoint in more than a circle of stormtroopers.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, having successfully received a portion of her trenchant distaste, and passed on with noticeably quieter steps.
Darth Vader stood at the head of the platform, looking out to the cold expanse beyond. Only when the stormtroopers came to an abrupt halt within two meters of him did he turn to see her. A wave of his gloved hand swept the troopers away like unnaturally ordered leaves blowing about in autumn. Mara Jade thought it a more interesting comparison than just retreat; the thought passed from her mind quickly as she felt him focus on her.
As was usual, he didn't bother wasting time with trivial pleasantries, one trait Mara appreciated. "You told of a planetary shield above Hoth. Did you analyze its strength?"
"It's too strong to penetrate with lasers or a missile barrage, but troop carriers should be able to come through, provided it's weakened with some fire first."
As he digested this information, she wondered what was going on behind that mask, if the hidden eyes had taken on a glazed look in their privacy. "Very well," he said, the mechanical voice carrying across a forbidding resonance. "Hoth will be looked after."
"Not before I take care of my own business."
Anger flared up in Vader then, but he controlled it. This disdainful Hand might have been rubbing him the wrong way, but she answered to his master alone, same as he. He knew who she was after; very well, let her have Kenobi. He would see about claiming someone else while they were down there.
The Emperor's Hand and the lord of the Sith were two of a kind in more ways than one, which might have sparked the extreme distaste between them. Driven by cold logic and an undercurrent of heated anger, they would stretch as far as their leashes allowed them, turning up every rock in their path. Sometimes Mara wondered whose leash was longer. The first answer would undoubtedly be Vader's, of course…but then, she covertly slipped in and out of places that the media would have had a field day with had it have been Darth Vader. Mara had already accomplished many things for the Empire that no one would ever run the risk of recording, as she virtually didn't exist…and so the question remained.
But for now, they were forced to put expressed animosity aside. Something needed to be carried out that could not go underway with petty squabbling; both Vader and Mara Jade considered themselves above trivial disagreements. There was a greater glory to achieve than triumph at word contests.
After all, one could not afford to slip or wander off center; it remained a dark and deadly game. Mara Jade only wondered if Kenobi had realized that.
***
Sparkling blue eyes. Fate has taken hold of you. It was never meant to be…but now it is.
We think you know what needs to be done.
The world whirled turbulently beneath him; he gasped and tightly gripped someone's sleeve that lay under his hand. "K-Korhi…"
"What?" The quiet but puzzled voice worked its way into his perception. The light above cast a golden glow around Luke's hair as blue eyes looked down at him.
Obi-Wan relaxed his death-hold on Luke's sleeve, recognizing the triggered memory. "I…It's…just someone I used to know…" He shuddered, feeling his forehead cool incrementally as beads of sweat evaporated.
Doctor Hadan appeared above him on the other side, and sponged off his brow. "Relax. It's the best thing for stress. Would you like to tell me what you've been experiencing?"
He found the doctor's voice soothing, and let his tightened muscles ease as he released Luke's sleeve. "I had a dream, and…and I know."
Hadan smiled at the expression of astonishment that dawned upon the youth's face. "What do you know? Is it related to your dream?"
"Yes…no…I don't know. Perhaps. My dream was recurring…at least, I think it was…" Obi-Wan frowned. "No. I've never had it before. But he did. My original," he explained before Hadan could ask. "I've been receiving a…an influx of memories from him. I know him, now, and I suppose…well, I suppose he's me."
Luke couldn't help the smile that tugged at his mouth from the familiar phrase. Old Ben had said a little while and so long ago, "Of course, of course I know him…he's me."
Hadan's expression was nothing if not peculiar. "So you have inherited memory from your original?"
"Yes…some. There's pieces that don't fit together…" Obi-Wan frowned again. "But at least I know who I am, now. To a certain extent."
That he was changing was plain enough to the two at his bedside; his vocabulary was starting to reflect it a little, at any rate.
Hadan smiled then. "Well, this is certainly a strange turn of events. I suppose I no longer have the privilege of calling you 'young Obi-Wan', then?"
"I suppose not," murmured Obi-Wan. "Though to be frank, I wouldn't mind."
The doctor nodded amiably. "I would stay, but I must see after packing up in my office. If you need anything, call me over." He looked up at Luke, who nodded in return, then briskly walked out of the room.
"Evacuation?" asked Obi-Wan, knowing that was likely why the doctor was wanting to pack, and in a hurry.
Luke nodded, a look of concern rising. "We're afraid the Imperials have been alerted to our whereabouts, no doubt from that other Imperial ship that was in orbit."
"There was another ship?" he asked, wondering if he had led someone here.
"A small personal ship, sort of halfway between a yacht and a fighter." Luke shrugged. "Don't worry about it. They would have found us sooner or later, anyway."
"I know who it is. I led her here…" He looked up into Luke's face in alarm. "She's going to tell him."
"Who?"
"She's going to tell the Emperor we're here. She's after me, but…" he trailed off miserably. "Vader might come, as well."
"I said not to worry about it." Luke allowed him to sit up. "We'll deal with it when it comes. Are you any good in a…never mind," he said sheepishly. "I guess you know your stuff."
Obi-Wan's hand instinctively moved to his belt. "Oh…I can use a blaster, but I'd much prefer a lightsaber." Then he remembered the crystals, and reached into the small pouch attached to his belt, pulling them out.
Luke's eyes were drawn to the faceted blue stones. "Where'd you get those? Lightsaber crystals are extremely rare."
"Yes, they were even before the Purges. I found them in a weapons room in the Imperial Palace. I was given permission to take what I wanted, and when I saw them, I pocketed them without really knowing what they were." He paused, fingering the crystals. They caught the light, bending and scattering rays across his palm, sending out shimmering patterns that reflected faintly on the walls. "Do you still have your lightsaber?"
"Yeah, I do." Luke unhooked it from his belt, marveling at the memory that had been installed into this youth's mind from a different life. "The one you gave me." He lay it down on the bedside.
Obi-Wan ran his fingers across the hilt, and picked it up to study it. His distorted reflection stared back at him in the immaculately polished surface. Even though Luke wasn't very adept with the blade yet, he kept it in good condition.
He smiled. "This was your father's last lightsaber. He was very proud of it; even though he had been young when he made it, it had the quality of a Master's. It still has."
"How do you know that?"
"Shake it," said Obi-Wan, handing it to Luke, who did so. Obi-Wan smiled. "If nothing rattles, that's a good sign."
Luke grinned back.
"Well, well," came a familiar voice from the doorway. "Welcome back to the land of the living, you two."
Chewbacca yarned a question as he followed Han in, ducking to avoid hitting his head on the lintel.
Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm fine, thank you."
The Wookiee whuffled in surprise; he hadn't expected the young man lying on the bed to understand him.
Han shot a glance to Obi-Wan, who merely shrugged in response. "It's too late, General. Everyone knows."
"Knows what?" asked Luke.
"That he's the clone of old Kenobi," Han answered before Obi-Wan could. "I suppose the secret was let out as soon as you got to the DNA testing, huh?"
Obi-Wan handed the lightsaber back to Luke. "It was bound to emerge at some point."
Han suddenly rounded on Leia, who was just entering the door. "Well, looks like you managed to keep me around a little while longer, your Highness."
She raised her eyebrows in exasperation. She had come to check on Luke and the new recruit, not exchange heated words with Han. But if he wanted to play that game again… "General Rieekan thinks it's dangerous for any ships to exit the system until we've confirmed there's no Imperial presence."
"A good story," he said, grinning. "I just think you can't bear to let a gorgeous guy like me out of your sight."
Obi-Wan blinked. That was one thing he hadn't seen coming. Han and Leia appeared oblivious to their surroundings, eyes boring into one another.
Leia shook her head and smiled evenly. "I don't know where you get your delusions, laser brain."
Amused, Chewbacca tilted his head back a little and quietly guffawed, a distinctly Wookiee sound.
Han seemed to be half annoyed, half enjoying himself, and said smoothly, "Laugh it up, fuzzball. But," he added, crossing to stand beside Leia, "you didn't see us alone in the south passage."
Luke looked in wonder to Leia, whose defenses instantly began to rise along with her color.
"She expressed her true feelings for me," Han finished smugly, wisely pacing back to Chewie.
Her eyes widened in incredulous fury. "Why, you stuck-up…half-witted…scruffy-looking nerf herder!"
Han tilted his head to the side, raising an eyebrow; both Luke and Obi-Wan could see he'd been expecting some sort of outburst. "Who's scruffy-looking?" He sat down on the foot of the bed, his eyes grinning at Luke. "I must have hit her pretty close to the mark to get her all riled up like that, huh, kid?"
Leia's heated temper washed away and her voice returned, even and cool as she nodded. "Well, I guess you don't know everything about women yet."
Obi-Wan immediately sensed her intentions as she took a step forward, and his eyes widened ever so slightly. Oh, no…she doesn't know…not Luke… He gave a gentle, imperceptible suggestion. Don't kiss Luke. You feel more of a fraternal bond toward him… Please don't kiss Luke…
She brushed past Luke, and he sighed in relief…then his breath came in suddenly as her lips unexpectedly locked on his. Evidently he'd forgotten who the alternate option was in this room.
Obi-Wan's eyes were wide open now, and past her head he saw Han's jaw drop. Luke and Chewie were emanating almost as much shock. He sensed the flavor of indignity from both Han and Luke, though Chewie was more amused than anything.
Leia left the room looking as unruffled as she had come, leaving the four behind in dumbstruck silence.
The muffled voice of an announcer came over the loudspeaker: "Headquarters personnel, report to command center." The faint blaring of an alarm could be heard past the door.
Han stared down at Obi-Wan and suggested with a less-than-satisfied look on his face, "Take it easy." He strode out of the room; Obi-Wan might have enjoyed the bizarre look on his face if it had been another time…and Obi-Wan a different person.
Luke rose an eyebrow when Han and Chewbacca had left. "Well, that was…interesting."
"I don't suppose anyone's told her who I am, yet." Or who you two are.
Luke smiled widely, forgetting his twinge of envy for a moment. "No, I don't think so."
***
The small screen gave off the occasional gentle flicker, betraying the transmission's lowered quality as it fed into one of hundreds of computers on the Executor.
Vader slowly paced down the wide bridge, purposefully ignoring the Emperor's Hand that stood by herself near the front; he didn't need the Force to know she was staring into his back as if she was trying to rip it apart. But if she ever tried, she wouldn't get the usual gore, just a bunch of machinery…the thought both entertained and disgusted him, and he had to pull himself out of the small distraction back into his state of meditative focus.
His sensitive hearing picked one conversation over the nearly inaudible murmur of the bridge: "Admiral." It was Captain Piett's voice.
"Yes, Captain?" Ozzel's attention shifted to his subordinate immediately.
Piett responded quietly; Vader barely discerned his words. "I think we've got something, sir. The report is only a fragment from a probe droid in the Hoth system, but it's the best confirmation we've had of the Hand's account."
Ozzel's voice took on an irritated tone. "We have thousands of probe droids searching the galaxy, and there is no way to determine that this is indeed the Rebel base. I want proof, not leads!"
"The visuals indicate life readings," Piett persisted.
Ozzel scowled. "It could mean anything. If we followed every lead…"
Piett was adamant, it seemed. "But sir, the Hoth system is supposed to be devoid of human forms."
Vader's interest had been aroused, and he made his way to the disputing pair. "You found something?"
"Yes, my lord." Piett appeared relieved that the decision had been taken out of Ozzel's hands, but if he was to be proven wrong about his inkling…
Vader studied the image, and he automatically touched that wave in the Force that had been sent out. The beacon was his son, and with his son was the main Alliance group. "That's it. The Rebels are there."
Ozzel adopted a carefully reasoning expression, one he'd had to wear more and more frequently as he had gotten promoted. "My lord, there are so many uncharted settlements. It could be smugglers, it could be…"
Vader rounded on him mercilessly. "That is the base. And I'm sure Skywalker is with them. Set your course for the Hoth system. General Veers, prepare your men."
The Executor was underway.
***
She smiled as her finger traced one of the starlines that trailed outside, the tip of her fingernail lightly caressing the transparisteel that reflected her malicious expression as she imagined the strand of light to be a crimson line upon even skin.
Her hand moved in front of her and she brought her fingers around the snow-whitened planet that loomed ever closer in her view. Vader would flush the Rebels out, and Kenobi, like a wré-fish, would be swiped from the stream with the claws of a Dantooinian sabercat, with which he had already been scratched.
The readings on the computer betrayed the flickering of the shield, which was beginning to bear heavy bombardment, splashes of green energy taking a toll on the planet-based system.
Mara mentally measured the time between flickers; she could get in early if she did this right…though it would be incredibly risky. If her timing was wrong, Kenobi would be the least of her worries.
But she ignored the instantaneous dissection that awaited should she miscalculate. There was the fact that if she got through early, it would be far easier to apprehend Kenobi and carry him off; she focused on that instead.
Her master would be pleased.
The computer's screen blinked on…off-on…off-on…
She gunned the engines.
Off-on.
The shields were behind her as her craft shuddered under the pressure of atmospheric entry…as she shuddered with a surge of exhilaration, something she rarely savored.
***
He walked to the side of the blast door, and looked outside.
He left confusion behind; officers raced around in preparation, pilots donned their gear and checked over the snowspeeders with mechanics, Han's sense escalated into panic as his words echoed from the other end of the bay: "Off…Turn it off!"
It was another while before the Force-signature that was Luke ran up, intent on boarding his snowspeeder.
Obi-Wan turned from his self-posting at the blast doors to send his gaze and a message to Luke.
The young commander looked around in distraction, and finally spotted the clone that housed his mentor standing by the blast doors.
Obi-Wan smiled. May the Force be with you, Luke.
Luke grinned back at him and waved; he didn't yet have enough control of his talents to send the message back any other way, but it was good enough for Obi-Wan.
He had other things to think on at the moment, anyway…
She was coming for him. He could feel her coming through the shield, mind buzzing with calculations and cold logic.
And then there was that heated undercurrent, the molten metal tearing away at more as it hurtled through the core of her existence. It would always be that way, no matter what happened to her.
He lowered his eyes to the dazzling snow as the first speeder exited the bay; the reflected light blinded him for an instant.
***
Mara blinked rapidly to stagger the bursts of light as the ship descended to a mere one hundred meters; the light sparkled as it bounded off the snow into her eyes, dazzling her perception. Unlike adjusting to the dark, the rebounding sunlight was something that a human pair of eyes would never quite get used to. The light pierced her eyelids as she blinked, traveling through blood vessels to finally reach her shrunken pupils, making her see red until she opened her eyes again.
The computer notified her of the proximity of the Rebel Base. She acknowledged the information with the punch of a button, and surveyed the land for the base, eyes narrowed to slits.
It came suddenly, startling her with a calmness she'd never yet known from him: I'm right here.
The free-standing disks of the Rebels' main power generator appeared over the next cliff. She smiled grimly and set down her ship. This was one of the few occasions she donned a white outfit, and one of the many where between it and the black jumpsuit underneath lay all sorts of interesting toys.
***
He felt more than saw her approach. Her little ship was cleverly cloaked from the probing technology, but not from his prying senses.
Far away, the snow shifted. He squinted against the glaring light, focusing with the aid of the Force to lengthen and clarify his vision.
The snow there now looked to be nearly flawless, until a small strand of red slipped into view, and was quickly tucked away.
Obi-Wan walked outside.
***
She was closing in on the base now; it was less than ninety meters away, she guessed. The white outfit she wore reflected her body heat back into her, serving both as effective outerwear against the cold and as a mask for any infrared readings. A black fabric with the same quality was over her face, holes cut for the eyes.
Keeping herself behind an outcropping of snow-blasted rocks, she brought up a tiny pair of macrobinoculars as she saw a dark speck walking her way from the gaping blast doors.
It was Kenobi; she'd already arrived at that guess, but wanted to make sure. And he was coming for her? Strange, to be sure, if that was the case…
Mara waited behind the rock. She was not about to march into the Rebel Base and demand to know the whereabouts of one man; she was skilled, but no one would survive in the ensuing firefight. Not alone.
***
There was very little wind today, and for that he was glad. All the outerwear he had on was a pair of insulating trousers, one of the typical brown parkas that most other members of Echo Base used, a pair of gloves, and a thick scarf around his neck.
A little frigid breeze brought his quickly condensing breath up against his face, forming small ice crystals on his eyelashes and eyebrows.
Obi-Wan sensed her waiting just behind the small mound of rocks rising from the surface with the mindset of a predator. He didn't hesitate, only kept plodding on through the snow. In some places it was soft and he had to wallow awkwardly; in others the surface was hard-packed and he could tread lightly on top.
He made his path in a wide arc, so he wouldn't approach blindly, even though his senses were attuned. With someone like Mara, he didn't want to leave himself to chance. He mentally reviewed her most common movements against him in his sparring lessons, remembering the techniques she favored. In that sense he had the upper hand; she would be going against an unknown enemy, one who had also had considerably more extensive Force training as well. But she had the advantage when it came to strength and endurance; he hadn't yet had enough time to build himself up to his former physical condition yet.
***
Mara looked out again, and cursed softly to herself. He'd disappeared, which proved he was coming out to her, all right. The intense light made it difficult to see where his footprints were; there was too little contrast, even using the macrobinoculars.
She positioned herself, back against the rock, waiting, senses on full alert. She closed her eyes, tried to probe the area…
"Hello, Mara."
Her eyes snapped open at the same instant that she leveled her small hold-out blaster at Kenobi's head.
He smiled easily, quietly. "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble; there was just something I needed to look after."
"Something you would have risked your life for?" Despite the fabric covering her face, the words came out clear and cold as the air into which they entered.
"Yes. But instead of losing my life, I gained it."
Mara stared at him, into his eyes that seemed to have a new depth to them. This boy suddenly carried himself with the weight of experience and wisdom of someone four times his age. "They said it couldn't happen."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Only because they never saw it happen. Now we know better."
She rose an eyebrow, and fired.
One brown-gloved hand rose and the blue stun beam suddenly dissipated in front of him. "I'm not leaving here. Not yet."
Her eyes narrowed and she switched to the kill setting, aiming for his leg—but her blaster suddenly tore itself from her grasp and reoriented itself to fit neatly into Kenobi's palm.
He switched it back to stun. "It may be difficult for you, Mara, but please answer me. Why do you serve the Emperor?"
"There's never been a 'why'," she answered coolly, her right hand inching toward her belt.
But Kenobi shook his head again and twitched the blaster. "Up," he directed. "And answer me."
She stood, her empty hands raised, and finished, "There's only ever been a 'how'."
"A textbook Imperial answer." He sighed. "I didn't ask why the Empire serves the Emperor. I asked why you do. There's a distinction there."
"He knows where to put me to achieve results."
"And what do those results serve to do? Do you find any real satisfaction in them, in increasing the glory of the Empire?" His blue eyes were wide, despite the glaring light. "I'm honestly curious."
Somehow she didn't think of not answering. "He gives me satisfaction." Her green eyes pierced into him. "Why do you care?"
"Because I can." His blue eyes matched her intensity. He relaxed his shoulders and let the gun down. "Your answer explains a lot to me. Your personality is extremely independent, but within you have to cling to your master's satisfaction or nothing means anything for you."
He was uncomfortably close to the mark, and it was the closest she'd let him get. Mara's foot lashed out suddenly and she narrowly missed hitting Obi-Wan's temple as he ducked, but no Force-user could come back up in time to block the punch that connected with his tightened abdomen.
"You shouldn't have let down your guard, fool," she reprimanded, almost playfully.
He fell back into the snow, gasping for air, and brought up the gun. His finger was on the trigger when she lashed out again, sending the hold-out blaster flying away to burrow itself out of sight. His physical condition was still poor, but he managed an entangling scissor kick that made her stumble, giving him enough time to jump up and ready himself.
She was anything but bent on playing fair, and drew a knife, holding it ready.
Obi-Wan had discovered a patch of hardened snow and stood on the crust with light feet, ready to move at any moment, reaching out to anticipate her every move, and thought, Wouldn't it be nice to have a lightsaber.
The outcropping of rock they were fighting behind effectively hid them from the view of the snowspeeder pilots exiting the blast doors. There was another battle going on at a grander scale, but for now the movements of Mara Jade and his own were all Obi-Wan knew.
The pair sparred for what seemed an eternity; sweat was pouring down Obi-Wan's face but he knew better than to remove his outerwear. He fought with a harnessed ferocity Mara hadn't often seen in the most skilled combatants she had come up against in her years of service, and she knew he hadn't been lying about receiving his original's memory. He knocked the knife away and kept her too busy to retrieve it or grab another; she was forced to create new patterns, to try and distract him, to try to lay him flat again so she could strike…it was difficult.
Kenobi's eyes were taking on a glazed look as he tapped deeper and deeper into the Force to compensate for his own lack of strength, and his concentration was starting to ebb. He brought out his fist up toward her face but she wrapped her hand around his wrist and twisted.
A grunt of pain was all she got as she positioned herself and pushed down on his elbow, still holding his wrist, threatening to break his arm and efficiently forcing him to the ground.
Wisely, he relaxed; struggling would only bring more pain. He turned his head to the side just before he hit the ground, not wishing to inhale snow, which was already coming down his collar.
Mara saw his eyes close as she removed the pair of stun cuffs from her belt…and gasped in surprise as the ground sank under her.
No, it wasn't sinking…she was rising. She was flying, up and backwards, and falling…
The impact winded her, though she was fortunate to have only landed on snow and not one of the scattered rocks that speckled the barren landscape.
Kenobi slowly rose to his feet and tottered over to where he thought the hold-out blaster lay. His right arm ached around the wrist and elbow and he mentally scolded himself for not foreseeing the move. She had almost had him; he was relieved that he'd had enough concentration to summon a burst of power.
But now, he barely had the energy to stagger over to where she lay, glassy-eyed and gasping for air. "Mara…roles are being reversed every day. You're welcome to come with me, if you want…"
She cursed in a faint voice. "You'd like that…wouldn't you…"
"Yes…I would because you have many skills, and you could put them to better use…I can finish your training." He was beginning to catch his breath, something she was still working at. The blow that had borne her into the air had taken more out of her than her fall.
"Come, Mara…we might be on the run, but it's still a better life."
Wanting to conserve her breath, she directed the most obscene gesture she could think of toward him.
Kenobi's voice sounded heavy. "Have it your way, then…but know my offer still remains." He began making his way back to the base.
She fell back into the place she knew so well. Master…it didn't work. I need your guidance.
But no answer was forthcoming.
Mara pressed again, harder this time. Master.
The void threatened to swallow her…minutes passed by quickly, but it was taking too long…
Master…MASTER!
He had abandoned her. Her master had left her, cast her aside, discarded her. She knew he had now seen her as a wasteful investment; if she couldn't accomplish her goal, she was useless.
Mara was surprised she had enough breath in her for the sheer volume of the howl of rage that rattled her throat, and knew she had spent it all when the darkness enveloped her.
***
Obi-Wan's sight was beginning to be composed of little undefined green dots that moved whenever his eyes did and swam around his field of vision, disorienting him. He stumbled through the still-open blast doors, and heard the faint grumblings of a Wookiee.
"Chewbacca?" he said, then realizing it was too quiet, shouted as loud as he could, "Chewbacca!"
The Wookiee turned to see Obi-Wan collapse on the deck floor; he sprinted forward and gathered up the relatively small frame in his furred arms, moaning worriedly. Then Chewbacca remembered: Han and Leia were going to be here any second. He trotted back to the boarding ramp of the Millennium Falcon, which sat waiting for her captain to return.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and wearily looked up into Chewbacca's face. "Mara…have to get Mara…" Then the blue orbs rolled back and he went limp.
Chewie grunted in confusion. Who was Mara?
Then his ears picked up what a human's might not have. Someone outside screamed.
The Wookiee was torn. Han was going to be here any second, but he couldn't simply leave someone to die if he knew they were there…maybe if he could wake Obi-Wan up enough for him to tell Han where Chewie had gone, it would be all right.
Chewbacca laid Obi-Wan down on the boarding ramp and moaned at him loudly, telling him to wake up. He patted Obi-Wan's face, tugged at his arm…and finally, the youth groaned and opened his eyes.
The Wookiee explained clearly that he was going to get the person outside and that Obi-Wan should tell Han he would be back soon.
Obi-Wan slowly came to full coherence. "All right…I'll stay awake."
Relieved, Chewbacca ran off into the snow.
He had only been gone half a minute when Han and Leia ran into the bay, stopping short at the sight of Obi-Wan stretched out on the boarding ramp, with no sign of Chewie.
"What the hell's going on?" Han snapped.
Still groggy, Obi-Wan focused on the irate captain. "He's gone to get Mara…don't worry, he'll be right back."
"Wonderful," Han snarled, and turned to Leia as he quickly headed up the ramp "I'm warming up the ship. See what you and Goldenrod can do about dragging him inside."
"Thanks," she shot back, and bent down to Obi-Wan's side as Threepio shuffled hurriedly into the bay.
"Wait! Wait!" the droid anxiously called out.
Leia swam in Obi-Wan's vision, and he blinked to make sure there was only one of her. "Quickly. Vader's coming."
Her face paled. "How do you know that?"
"I'll tell you later when we have more time," he said, fatigued.
Leia looked up to see Threepio arriving. "Take his legs," she ordered quickly, picking up Obi-Wan's forearms. He winced at the forming bruises around his right elbow but said nothing as the princess and droid hauled him inside the Falcon.
They had just come up into the corridor when Chewbacca's roar came from outside, and he strode up the ramp soon after, carrying another prone form in his arms.
"Who's that?" Leia asked, then shook her head. "Never mind. Han's waiting for you in the cockpit; we'll look after these two. Hurry up. Vader's coming."
Chewie hrrrrnnned in acknowledgement, and carefully laid Mara down beside Obi-Wan.
The Jedi rolled his head to the side and smiled faintly. He had heard her cry out, and knew what it had meant. Perhaps now she would be more open to him…but he knew he'd have to see about that after he came back to consciousness.
~~~***~~~
More coming sooner…or later.