Chapter 5

Obi-Wan stopped outside the ship and watched his Master and Xanatos enter the ship. /I'll be back, Master. I'm going to check something out./

/Don't be gone too long./ Qui-Gon responded.

/Yes, Master./ Obi-Wan answered as he walked away from the ship. He kept on walking in the direction where he felt Garen briefly indicate where he was. A few minutes later Obi-Wan came upon a small clearing where he spotted a small ship with its ramp lowered. A figure came into view as it descended the ramp.

"It's good to see you again Obi-Wan," Garen said in greeting.

The two friends embraced each other and patted each other on the back. "What are you doing here, Garen?" Obi-Wan asked in a surprised tone.

Garen's cheerful mood faded and a solemn look crossed his face. "Let's get into the ship and I'll explain," he said as he started back to the ship.

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrow as he followed Garen up the ramp. They went into a small room where they sat down across from each other.

"We are going on an unauthorized mission and I would like you to join us," Garen began. "Master Qui-Gon and Master Xanatos can't be told; not even the Council knows of this mission."

Obi-Wan hid his surprise under a mask of Jedi calm. "Your Master knows that we can't do any missions without the approval of the Council." Obi-Wan stopped when a look of anguish crossed Garen's face before disappearing behind a mask of serenity.

"My Master is one with the Force. He was killed a couple of days ago," Garen said in a soft, anguished voice.

Obi-Wan looked at his friend with sympathy. "I'm sorry for your loss, Garen."

Garen just nodded his head as he looked down at the floor.

"So who is the 'we' you were talking about?" Obi-Wan asked.

Garen looked up at Obi-Wan, grateful that his friend hadn't pressed for details on what had happened.

"Me," a new voice said.

Obi-Wan turned his head to see Bruck. Startled, he hurriedly blocked his bond with his Master. "Bruck?" he said in a surprised voice.

Bruck gave a sheepish grin and sat down next to Garen. "Who did you expect? Master Yoda?" he asked humorously.

At that they all laughed for a moment, easing the mood in the ship.

"No, it's just that I can't see you working with Garen in the first place," Obi-Wan remarked.

Bruck just shook his head. "I may not like working with Garen but there are times when there's no option."

"Ok, back to why we are here," Garen began. The mood in the room sobered as Garen continued. "We are going to infiltrate the Sith Temple."

Obi-Wan stayed silent, his face expressionless while turbulent emotions raced throughout him. He quickly got a grasp on his emotions and managed to blurt out his question. "Why?"

Garen bit his lip before replying. "I am going to finish what my Master and I failed to do."

"And that is?" Obi-Wan pried.

"I need to speak to Anakin again and get him away from the clutches of the Sith," Garen responded. "Obi-Wan, Anakin is the Chosen One; he is the key to defeating the Sith."

One of the keys, Obi-Wan mentally corrected. "If he is the Chosen One then why don't we let the Council take care of it?"

"Because by the time they act on it, it may be to late," Garen replied.

"So what's your plan?" Obi-Wan asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"We are going to turn," Bruck responded.

Obi-Wan looked at them in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

"It's the only way to do this." Garen answered calmly.

Obi-Wan stood up and began to pace the room. "This plan is highly irregular, dangerous, foolhardy, and down right out of the question," he snapped. "There are other ways, safer ways."

"We know the risks, Obi-Wan, that is why I have an idea," Garen responded.

Obi-Wan sat back down but the Force around him was agitated. How did he find those documents? I hid them where no one can find them. How could he do this to me? Does he even realize what he has done?

"I was looking through some old, very old, documents from the very first Jedi and I found a way for us to turn to the Dark Side without getting trapped by it," Garen began.

Struggling to quell his rising anger, Obi-Wan answered. "We should let those who are trained in the art of deception get to Anakin. There is no reason for us to tempt the Dark Side."

Bruck cleared his throat. "We don't really have a choice. Garen has already sent a message to the Sith."

Obi-Wan's face turned pale as he looked back at Garen and then Bruck then back again. "Garen, you didn't really, did you?" Silently pleading that the answer be no, yet knowing that would not be the case.

Garen nodded solemnly. "Yes I did."

A bubble of rage popped inside of Obi-Wan as his fears descended on him like a hungry beast. Within seconds, Garen was thrown against the metal wall of the ship, Obi-Wan's hand pressing against his throat. "Stupid! Do you know what you have done?"

"Obi-Wan, stop it!" Bruck told him, fear in his voice.

Garen tried to pry Obi-Wan's hands away from his throat, only to have his throat squeezed even more. He suddenly froze as he saw Obi-Wan's eyes turn yellow.

Obi-Wan dimly heard Bruck shouting at him as the Dark Side began to envelope him.

"Good, Good. Let your anger fill you. Use the power within your grasp."

"NO!" Obi-Wan mentally shouted back, snapping back to his senses. His eyes cleared to a dull gray and he released Garen who immediately fell to the floor gasping for air. Trembling, Obi-Wan numbly walked over to a chair and plopped down on it.

Bruck let out a breath of relief and then studied both of his Jedi brothers. Garen was on the floor, regaining his breath. The skin on his neck was bruised by the fingers that had held his throat. Bruck looked at Obi-Wan, who was as pale as a sheet. He visibly shivered, despite the warmness of the ship's lounge. Tension still hung thick in the air, the only sound was of their breathing.

Garen slowly stood to his feet, his head remaining down as he broke the silence. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have done it."

Obi-Wan remained silent, unable to form a coherent thought. The Dark Side teased his senses as it advanced, retreated, advanced, and retreated. Sweat formed on his brow as he battled his fear, desperately trying to drive it back within its confines. His center had been shaken, and now he was adrift, floating aimlessly in a storm of emotions.

Bruck touched Obi-Wan gently on his shoulder and felt Obi-Wan shudder at the contact. My friend, what's happening to you? What is causing this turmoil that disrupts the Force so? Slowly and with care, Bruck began sending Obi-Wan feelings of warmth, caring, love, and peace. Ever so slowly, Bruck felt his friend begin to relax as he accepted Bruck's help.

Still standing against the wall, Garen looked on at Bruck and Obi-Wan. Guilt wormed inside his chest and he inwardly chastised himself for his self centeredness. He had let his feelings take over, had dismissed Obi-Wan's feelings as if they were nothing. Betrayal, that's what it was, betrayal. What have I done? What do I do now?

Opening his eyes, Obi-Wan glanced at Bruck and then at Garen. They were his friends, his brothers, and yet he had hurt one of them. I lost control. I should not have lost control. I am stronger, better, then this. Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan slowly let it out, imagining his tension draining away from him like his breath.

Seeing that Obi-Wan was finally calm, Bruck walked over to Garen and worked to heal the bruises on Garen's neck.

Obi-Wan watched Bruck and Garen in silence for a few minutes before he spoke. "I'm sorry Garen. I shouldn't have reacted that way."

Garen shook his head. "No, it is I who is sorry. I was not concerned about how you would feel about this matter. I was being self-centered, I realize that now."

Bruck looked at Obi-Wan, whose face was returning to its normal color. "We don't have to go through with this."

"No." Obi-Wan replied, startling Bruck and Garen. "We will continue this mission."

"What are you doing?"

"Surprised you didn't I?"

Darth Torsine snarled at Obi-Wan's cocky attitude. "Nothing ever surprises me."

"So you say."

"Why?" Bruck asked in confusion.

"As Garen said, we need to save Anakin from the Dark Side. I may not like how we're going to go about it, but it is better then nothing." Obi-Wan answered.

"Smooth, real smooth. You're making this to easy." Darth Torsine remarked.

Obi-Wan mentally smirked. "Am I? I know how vulnerable I am to the Dark Side, I know how dangerous this ritual will be to me."

"Your friends make you weak. You protect them at your own risk."

"It's called selflessness Darth! Unlike you, I am not selfish!"

Darth Torsine snorted and mentally pointed a finger at Obi-Wan. "And that will be your downfall."

"Obi-Wan, we don't have to do this." Garen remarked as a feeling of fear for his friend came over him.

"We can and we will." Obi-Wan stood up and walked over to Garen. "I assume you have the things we need for the ceremony, so let us begin."

Bruck stood next to Obi-Wan and looked into his eyes. /I didn't know exactly what he was planning. Now I realize. Are you absolutely sure you want to do this/

/Anakin must be brought to the Jedi. I cannot let my feelings get in the way./ Obi-Wan responded.

/But the ritual…What if something goes wrong? What if---/ Bruck protested.

/Then you'll know what you'll have to do./

/I know./ Bruck replied, his heart crying out in objection.

Garen hesitantly reached into his robe and pulled out three triangular crystals. They were pure white, so pure that you could see right through them. Garen gave one to Obi-Wan and Bruck. "Close your hand around it and focus your energy signature on it.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and focused. The crystal hummed and tingled in his hand.

"Open your eyes and your hand." Garen instructed.

They did so and their eyes widened in astonishment at what they saw. Bruck's crystal had become a dark purple and now pulsed with Bruck's Force signature, glowing with the lightside of the Force. Garen's had turned red while Obi-Wan's had turned a bluish green.

"Now place these at the base," Garen said as he took out three more crystals gave each of them one.

These three triangular crystals were blood red, so red that they couldn't see through them. They placed the crystal on the base of their first crystal and listened to it fuse together. With a pop the now completed crystals shook and began to reshape itself.

"Obi-wan, it's your turn." Garen instructed.

Obi-Wan reached out to the Force and called it to him. He spoke in the ancient language of the Jedi and then bursts of light shot from his body. The light hit the crystals, causing them to solidify into round glowing crystal balls.

"Now let's bring them together." Garen instructed.

Their hands shook as they brought the crystal balls to each other. The second they touched the three crystal balls transformed into energy, half going directly into their lightsabers and the other half entering their bodies.

Garen stood up and took his lightsaber out, ignited it and nodded to the others to do the same.

They stood in a circle and clashed their blades together and remained in that posture. They closed their eyes and began, "We are one, we are a unit. We journey together on one mission. We ask for the protection of the Jedi from long ago to aid us. We ask for the Xerwque, let it aid us in the journey that will lead us into darkness. To help us remain pure in the light while using the Dark Side. Keep the evil from our souls and keep our light hidden but burning within us." They spoke as one and without thought disengaged their lightsabers.

Sweat beaded their foreheads as they sat down in exhaustion. "That was." Bruck breathed in deeply. "Amazing," Bruck remarked as he remembered the swirls of color, light, smells, taste, feelings, and sounds.

Garen nodded his head, "Yes, it was exhilarating. Now we must begin."

Bruck and Obi-Wan nodded their heads as they stood back up. "I have a plan that will hopefully keep things from spiraling out of control." Obi-Wan remarked as he began to walk to the ship's exit.

Garen and Bruck followed him in confidence, believing that Obi-Wan would be able to make things go smoothly.

They followed him through the now dark swamp to the ship where Qui-Gon and Xanatos were.

"Drop your cloak around your Force signature." Obi-Wan instructed them as they neared the ship.

They walked up the open ramp and were met by the stern look of Qui-Gon and Xanatos. Obi-Wan took a deep silent breath and waited.

Qui-Gon stood at the opening of the ship with his arms crossed, his face stern, as he looked at his padawan and his companions. "Well?"

With a calm voice, Obi-Wan explained. "Garen and Bruck only just got here two hours ago. I didn't know they were coming."

Bruck cut in after Obi-Wan had finished speaking, "The reason why we're here is that," he paused to look at his Master. "I wanted to be on this mission with you, Master," he told his Master.

"We talked about this before I left, Bruck," Xanatos replied coolly.

"We did, but that didn't mean that I wasn't going to follow you anyway," Bruck replied.

"Well, if that's the case then why didn't you come sooner?" Xanatos questioned, knowing that Bruck wasn't telling him something.

"I came since it was too risky to contact Obi-Wan by comlink." Bruck looked at Obi-Wan who was now staring at him. "Kenshin has been having nightmares." Bruck felt Obi-Wan's immediate concern through their bond and in response he mentally told Obi-Wan that he'll explain later.

"I believe your reasons are justified Bruck." Qui-Gon stated, giving his former padawan a quick glance. "Now what is your reason for being here, Garen?"

"I can explain; you see, I needed to get away from the Temple for a while and wanted the companionship of Obi-Wan, so I broke into the records and found where you guys were. I know it was wrong, but I just couldn't stand being in the Temple and I needed to talk to Obi-Wan. Bruck helped me get a ship since we both were heading in the same direction."

Qui-Gon and Xanatos eyed the padawans with stern, cool expressions.

"Garen's Master was killed not too long ago. I don't blame him for wanting to get away from the Temple." Obi-Wan defended his friend.

Qui-Gon and Xanatos both turned their gaze at Garen, "We are sorry for you loss, Garen, but that doesn't excuse what you did," Qui-Gon told him gently.

Garen nodded his head, "I have accepted it, Masters, but the need to get away from the Temple was great."

Xanatos gave a grunt, "Master Dooku is coming in a couple of days to bring both of you back to the Temple. "Until then you are part of this mission."

Bruck gave a small smile but tried to hide it when Xanatos looked back at him, "Padawan, don't get the idea that you won't be punished. I understand that you were doing what Obi-Wan had asked you to do, but what you did to get here was wrong. When this mission is over we'll talk more about this incident."

Bruck looked down at the floor, his face flushed with shame at the reprimand.

At that moment General Binks came up the ramp and nodded respectfully to them. "Jedi, mesa have a message for yousa from Boss Nass."

Garen and Bruck turned around to see the Gungan. Obi-Wan stepped forward and greeted the Gungan, "General Binks, it is a pleasure to see you again; what is Boss Nass' message?"

"Boss Nass has agrein' to meet yousa in Otoh Gunga; he has arrangin' da meetin' for tomorrow at 0900."

Obi-Wan inwardly groaned, the meeting was at the same time they had the meeting with Queen Amidala. "Is it possible to have the meeting at a later time?"

"No, Boss Nass says dat if yousa no meet hesa at da appointin' time den he will no arrange anoder meetin' and dat yousa will no be permittin' to talk to any of da oder Gungans. Dat includin' mesa and yousa will have to leave our swamps."

Ouch. "Tell him, then, that I will meet him at the appointed time." Obi-Wan replied.

/Obi-Wan, what do you think your doing/

/It's the only way Master; Queen Amidala is expecting you at the meeting tomorrow at the same time./

/Tell General Binks that Garen and Bruck will be accompanying you then./

/Yes, Master./

"General Binks tell Boss Nass instead that Bruck, Garen, and I will be at the meeting on schedule."

General Binks nodded his head in acceptance. " Mesa will give hesa yousa message den. Good day Jedi." He finished and left the ship.

Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to look back at Qui-Gon and Xanatos.

"Well done Obi-Wan, however you better brush up some more on the Gungans so that you'll be prepared tomorrow." Qui-Gon told him.

"Thank you, Master, if you'll excuse me I am going to get Bruck and Garen prepared for the meeting, too."

Qui-Gon nodded his head. "You're excused, Padawan. Garen and Bruck, you may go with him, however I believe three hours of meditation before bed is suitable for now to think about your actions."

Bruck looked at his Master in a pleading way but Xanatos only nodded to him to do what Qui-Gon had told him to do. Bruck sighed as he followed Garen and Obi-Wan down the corridor of the ship.

Xanatos stared at them until they turned a bend and were out of sight and then turned to look at Qui-Gon. "Bruck's actions were not at all justified. He could have waited until we had returned.

"Xanatos, Obi-Wan had specifically told Bruck to contact him if Kenshin's nightmares started up again. Due to the fact that Yoda knew the only way to contact us, it was reasonable to come here instead." Qui-Gon explained.

Xanatos glared at his former Master in irritation. "Well, at least you would have informed the Council first."

Qui-Gon chuckled. "Your padawan is growing up and you won't be able to keep him out of trouble forever."

Xanatos snorted. "Have I ever been able to keep him out of trouble?"

"At least you're able to get him out of it." Qui-Gon answered with a smile.

"Right. You know sometimes I wonder if you influenced Obi-Wan so that he should in turn influence my padawan?" Xanatos mused.

Qui-Gon shrugged his shoulders, "There's nothing wrong with a few rebellious Jedi padawans."

"If you say so, Master." Xanatos looked down the ship's corridor that Obi-Wan and his friends had headed into and voiced his concern. "They're not telling us something."

Qui-Gon nodded in agreement, "Whatever it is they'll tell us when their ready."

Xanatos grunted, "Perhaps; however I can't help but feel that something is wrong. They are up to something."

"I have the same feeling, however we can not let this distract us from our mission here," Qui-Gon replied coolly.

"Agreed, I'm going to go meditate in preparation for the meeting tomorrow. Perhaps the Force will give some insight on what our padawans and padawan Garen are not telling us."

Qui-Gon just nodded his head as Xanatos left for his cabin. With a relaxing sigh he closed the ramp and headed to his cabin.

Garen, Bruck, and Obi-Wan sat in a circle on the floor in Obi-Wan's cabin, the door closed and locked.

"Thanks Obi-Wan, for telling them about my Master. I really appreciate it." Garen told Obi-Wan.

"You're welcome, Garen; I didn't think that you wanted to explain again, especially since you lost him not too long ago."

Garen nodded his head. "You're a good friend, Obi-Wan, I won't forget this."

Bruck gave a small snort, "It will be hard to forget once we're inside the Sith Temple."

"Yeah." Obi-Wan mumbled. "Guys, I think we need to go over our plan."

Garen looked at Obi-Wan, surprised. "Why? I thought we had it figured out?"

"We do, except the plan could abruptly change especially since you add the Sith into the equation." Obi-Wan told them in a calm voice.

Bruck scrunched up his face for a few seconds before he spoke. "We will just have to let---"

"Bruck, let me finish. The Sith might wind up on Naboo during the meetings, or possibly while we're asleep. Don't you see? We have to do this according to what happens every hour or so." Obi-Wan interrupted.

Garen bit his lip. "Ok, let's say that Bruck and I didn't come here at all but the Sith still came, what would you guys do?"

Obi-Wan thought about it for awhile and soon a smirk appeared on his face. "We would either be protecting the Queen or fighting the Sith."

Bruck's face lit up in understanding, "I get it. So all we have to do is make sure the Sith leave and without compromising our position in the process we leave with them."

"So let's say that Bruck and I were on this mission originally and let's say we turned and joined the Sith." Garen added.

Obi-Wan's grin became wider, "If we use this idea and still keep our Masters safe as well as the Sith, then our mission will nicely link into the mission on Naboo."

"All right then, so we know what to do now," Garen said in a happy tone.

"Right, now all we really need to do is pick names for ourselves." Obi-Wan finished.

Garen grinned, "I already have one, my new name is Darth Seront," he declared.

Bruck raised an eyebrow, "Was that right on the spot choice out of thin air or did you actually think about it?"

Garen's cheeks turned a light shade of red, "Well, I sort of changed it at the last minute, right before I told the Sith my name."

"Oh; what was it originally?" Bruck asked.

"It was Darth Matrickent." Garen told them.

Bruck keeled up laughing, "Where did you come up with that?" he asked as he tried hard to stifle his laughter.

Obi-Wan tried not to burst out laughing as well. "I think I know how you came up with that name."

"Well, I was having a hard time picking one." Garen defended, embarrassed.

Bruck just shook his head as he regained his calm composure. "Anyway, my name will be Darth Khunth."

Obi-Wan nodded his head in approval, "Then my name will be Darth Redav."

Garen nodded his head, "Now that is settled, let's get busy."

Obi-Wan nodded his head and gave them both three data pads. "You'd better get started." He said as he got up and sat down on his cot. He took a data pad off a small side table and began to read.

Later that night, Obi-Wan and Bruck went into the small kitchen so that they could talk without disturbing anyone from their sleep.

Obi-Wan sat down on a chair while Bruck grabbed a chair so that they could sit facing each other. "When did his nightmares start?"

"About two days after you left." Bruck took a deep breath as he continued. "He said that he saw you wearing a Sith cloak and were holding a red lightsaber. You were also training a young boy."

Obi-Wan leaned back against his chair and rubbed his chin. "Is that all?"

Bruck shook his head. "No, there is more. He saw you fighting in a duel with Master Qui-Gon and…..you killed him."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and drew in a long calming breath and slowly let it out. "What else?"

Bruck swallowed hard, knowing this last bit of information wouldn't sit well with Obi-Wan. "He saw his own death…..by your hands."

Obi-Wan's eyelids flew open and he stared in shock at Bruck. When he saw that Bruck had nothing more to say, Obi-Wan abruptly stood up and began to pace the kitchen. The future is always in motion. The future is always in motion. Obi-Wan repeated to himself to calm down. I would never kill Kenshin or my Master and I would never join the Dark Side. I won't let myself.

"I know you would never hurt them, Obi-Wan." Bruck said, hoping to reassure his friend. "You have a good heart and a stubborn spirit. You won't fall into the Dark Side's embrace, Obi-Wan."

If you only knew, Bruck. "How can you be so sure?" Obi-wan asked as he stopped pacing and Bruck walked up to him. "I hurt Garen today. Who's to say that won't happen again?"

"Because with the support of family and friends, you'll make it through anything that you encounter." Bruck replied. "Now let's get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow."

They left the kitchen, each with their own thoughts.