Chapter 9 An Ally is Found

Qui-Gon was pacing the small corridor of the Republic cruiser. The ship was in orbit around Thanills. He knew that they could not enter the system without severe repercussions. He was frustrated because he was so close to his padawan and there was not one thing he could do.

Darick was growing tired of watching him, "Qui-Gon, pacing is not going to help matters any."

Turning, Qui-Gon thought for a moment and nodded, "You're right, but it is so difficult. Knowing that he is alone."

Knowing that his friend was deeply concerned for his student, and rightly so, Darick offered, "But he is not alone. He has the force and he has all that you taught him."

Huddled against the wall of the command fortress, Obi-Wan took out his data pad. Plugging it into the secured outlet, Obi-Wan bypassed the security system. He silently said a thank you to Nield. The splicer was certainly helpful.

Obi-Wan punched in the code to the Jedi Temple, the young Jedi sent all the information he had gathered so far. He hoped that someone there would be able to decipher the clues he had discovered. Then keying in the stolen code, Obi-Wan took one last glance around and entered the darkened hallway.
Creeping down the corridor, Obi-Wan used the force to cloak himself. He knew it was only a matter of time until the computers were back online. He needed to get as many details as he could before that happened. Once the computers came back online, he would need to splice the system again. And that would take time. Time he did not have.

This time, Obi-Wan went to the lab. Hoping he would find some sort of clue about this chemical war weapon that they developed. He hoped that at this hour the room would be deserted, and luck was with him, it was. He eyed a data console on one of the tables.
After plugging in his data pad so he could copy all he found, Obi-Wan began to scan files. Much to the apprentice's surprise, he saw that Oran Fenni had developed the chemical weapon. But the man never intended for it to be used as a deadly weapon. As soon as he saw the lethal potential, he contacted the government and they put the whole thing under wraps. The original government of Thanills had no desire to be armed with a weapon of mass destruction.

The next passages in the file made the padawan's blood run cold. When the government was over run, General Raff discovered the formula for the chemical. Barging into the man's home in the dead of night, Oran Fenni was arrested and his children taken into custody.

Scrolling down further, Obi-Wan tried to discover more, but his luck ran out. The computer and security chose that time to come back online. Alarms sounded through the building.

"SITH!" Cursed the young Jedi. He left the lab to search for an exit. He could not get caught now. Hearing loud footsteps, Obi-Wan quickly turned a corner. To his dismay, it was a dead end. The teen tried not to panic, but he knew that escape was futile.

Suddenly, arms seem to come out of the wall and he was pulled in. Stunned, Obi-Wan looked around the small alcove he was in. The angry footsteps sounded outside the hiding place. And a muffled voice called out, "He's not down here."

Listening to the footsteps leave, Obi-Wan turned around. A young woman was standing there. Obi-Wan asked, "Who are you?"

The girl responded, "My name is Anika."

Obi-Wan gasped, "Anika Fenni?"

The woman considered the teen in front of her, "Yes, but the question is, who are you?"

"My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Casting a wary eye, she inquired, "Who are you Obi-Wan Kenobi? Where do you come from?"

Obi-Wan could tell right away that she was not dangerous, "The Jedi Temple."

"A Jedi?" Anika's hand covered her mouth, "There were two others here. One was infected by the chemical."

Bitterness crept into Obi-Wan's voice, "His name was Bruck Chun. He was my best friend. I am here to make sure this horrible chemical weapon never harms anyone again." But then a question entered his mind, "You saved my life, so you are obviously not an enemy."

Tears welled up in Anika's eyes, "No, Obi-Wan. I am not an enemy. I do what I have to do to survive. It also is not just my life I need to protect."

Realization hit Obi-Wan, "Marcas?"

"What do you know of my brother? I have not seen him for almost five years." Anika stopped to take a deep breath and then continued, "General Raff's assurance at loyalty. He murdered our father, he will murder one of us if we step out of line."

Obi-Wan wished Qui-Gon was here, the gentle Jedi would know what to say. Obi-Wan touched the girl's shoulder, "I'm sorry, Anika."

Anika looked Obi-Wan in the eye, "Well, I'm tired of living in fear. My father died doing what was right. It's time I start following his example."

Obi-Wan was grateful for the ally, but he also knew he had to be careful. He did not want anyone getting injured on his vendetta, "I appreciate your help, Anika, but before we do anything I need to know General Raff's next move. I don't want to see anyone else hurt or killed. I have a personal stake in this."

Anika's eyes were fiery as she stated, "As do I, Obi-Wan Kenobi. General Raff destroyed my family. He will not destroy my life any longer. I will be your inside help. Raff is planning something, something big. When I know, you will know." Then slipping a disc into his hand, she said, "This will help you get started. It is the components of the chemical weapon as well as an antidote that I have discovered. This will help your fellow Jedi."

Obi-Wan stared at the disc in his hand knowing the chance that the girl was taking, "Thank you, Anika. Once I return back to my ship, I will send this immediately to the temple. And as soon as we know what Raff is planning, the Senate will intervene."

Anika nodded, "I will show you a way out. You have given me hope, Obi-Wan. I just want my life back. I just want Thanills back the way it was."