10

Ollo closed his datapad, letting the final teachings of the Sith sink into his mind. He took a long look out the row of transparisteel windows, watching Dantooine silently spin. It was then that he wished he could simply retreat back to Corellia and forget about the entire Sith Order. Though he had years of Sith instruction running through his veins, along with the same wavering soul of Anakin Skywalker, He could not deny the strong sense of regret for his actions. The path of the Dark Side had lead him into a corner against an army of Jedi. For the first time, he feared Anakin. In his actions, he had not only destroyed one life, but two. Anakin was now an enemy of the Republic. As these thoughts scrambled through his mind, he began to hate everything. He hated the Dark Side, he hated Sidious, he hated the Jedi Order, and most of all, he hated himself. In the dim light of the meditation chambers of the Skyhook space station above Dantooine, Ollo wallowed in the poisonous substance of hate, and indeed, it overtook him.

Where he stood now, there was absolutely no turning back. In every possible outcome, no sense of redemption waited for him. His crimes had pushed him to the point where apologies no longer mattered. There were two options left for him. Death, which seemed the most likely outcome. Or victory, and the thought of that now made him sick. In every sense, he had cast down the shadows of the Sith, but instead of returning to a sense of light, he only fell further into shadow. It was time for a new sect of the Sith Order. The old Sith were no longer efficient. If he wanted to survive, he would have to adapt. It was then that he openly welcomed every ounce of dark energy into his soul. Ollo would use his hate and jealousy against Anakin. His fear, lust and malice would be the spearhead against the Jedi. At the end of all things, he would devour the entire Universe if necessary.

Anakin guided the ship into hyperspace, watching the white and blue pin pricks shift into beams of light passing by the viewport. He took comfort in simplicity. The smallest things were starting to mean more to him than anything else. The twinkle of the stars, the gleam in his children's eyes, the smile on his wife's face as she broke his kiss. He knew that this could be the very end of him, and in his last hours, the Universe flowed through him. Aesthetic images passed through his mind, giving him a feeling of euphoria. He realized that these feelings were nothing more than a concealment for his fear, but nevertheless, he relished in them.

In a few hours, he would meet the greatest challenge he ever came or would come across. This test would force him to use the force to his best ability, and any mistake would certainly mean death. His twin waited for him in silent shadow. Ollo and the Sith had preyed upon his fear since he was a teenager, but their reign had come to an end. He no longer feared for himself, only for those he loved. Now he knew that even in the event of his death, the Universe would continue to live. With a final sigh, he let go of all emotion, and channeled the force through him, letting it course through his veins, in and around every muscle and cell in his body. He was now nothing more or nothing less than a pure extension of the force. In that fact, he was satisfied.

"What are our plans, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, dragging Anakin from his revery.

Anakin swiveled around in the pilots chair, and tossed him a silver datapad. "Take this, and record everything that goes on between Ollo and me."

Obi-Wan grinned. "Wow, you've changed, Anakin. You truly are a grown man."

"Why do you say that, Master?"

"For once, you're thinking ahead." Obi-Wan replied, running his fingers along the gleaming datapad recorder. "We'll have indisputable evidence of your innocence."

Anakin nodded. "I'm going to need your help, Master. You too, Afe. I don't think I can take him alone."

The two twins spoke up angrily. "What about us? Don't you need our help?"

Anakin took a hand of both twins and smiled. "I do need your help, my beloved children. What you don't realize is that you've helped me tremendously already. I have a single task for both of you. When we arrive, you stay on the ship and keep it prepared for take off." He tightened his grip on their hands. "I have a feeling we're going to need a quick escape."

Everyone in the Constantium lay sleeping, save Afe and Obi-Wan. The two sat in the main hall, and discussed the mission at hand. Obi-Wan stared at the black goggles that covered her beautiful eyes. He could hear the air purifier hissing, cleansing every breath she took. In that moment, he realized that he loved her. Every magnificent curve of her body, the thin jaw line of her face. Her flaws were even beautiful, but he noted that there weren't many of them. She spoke to him of the mission, but he heard nothing. It was nothing more than a blur passing by him.

In a daring move, one that would have rivaled thegreatestof his Jedi feats, he moved closer and lifted her air purifier. She held her breath as his lips moved over hers. For the first time in his life, Obi-Wan felt the warm comforts of a loving kiss. It seemed unnatural, but also more natural than the sensation of the force flowing through him. A universal paradox. After a few seconds that seemed like an eternity, a wonderful eternity, he broke the kiss and slid her mask gently back down.

Obi-Wan was enduring the worst torture he had ever felt. The searing blade of a lightsaber against his skin held not a candle to being severed from her physical expression. He could only see the mask. The weight of the event had clouded his mind, and he couldn't read her emotions through the force. It was only when she ran her hand across his cheek that he knew where she stood.

"Well, Mrs. 'Cleevon?'" He asked with a grin, regaining his impish speechcraft. Her reply caught him off guard.

She pulled her mask completely off, dropping it to the floor, and pounced on him.

"Mr. 'Cleevon', you're going to have to be my breath for the next few minutes."