Chapter 13

Nothing prepared Darick for the turmoil he felt when he first saw the fortress again. It was here where General Raff has used a deadly chemical to snuff out the life of a promising Jedi. But Darick would not allow that to happen again. They would not be to late. They couldn't be.

Because of the sheer pandemonium that dominated the stronghold, it was rather easy to get inside. Commander De'Pard got his men into position. He then conferred with the two Jedi, "Most of soldiers who were left have either surrendered or were captured. I would say almost none of them wanted to fight. General Raff held the safety of their families over their heads."

Qui-Gon was sickened at the thought of what kind of terror this people lived under. But there would be time for reflection later, "But General Raff nor my apprentice have been found yet?"

"No, Master Jinn. There seems to be a wing of the fortress that is protected by a computerized security system that our experts have not been able to crack yet."

Suddenly from down the hall, they heard one of them men from their group calling for them, "Jedi Masters, Commander, come quickly!"

Making their way down the hall, the three reached a doorway just as its lock was being over-ridden. Inside was a frightened young woman and a battered young man. Anika and Marcus stood, ready to die standing when with relief Anika saw that it was allies who were there.

"You!" She exclaimed, pointing at Qui-Gon, "Your Master Jinn!"

Not taken aback, Qui-Gon answered, "Yes, I am. And you are the young scientist that my apprentice has befriended."

"Yes, but we must hurry! I did not immunize Obi-Wan. I used the one meant for him on Marcus! I have to get to my lab and get another syringe!"

Grabbing Qui-Gon's hand, the scientist ran out of the room with her brother, Darick, Commander De'Pard and the garrison closely on her heals.

Quickly, Anika grabbed the contents out of a secret compartment in her lab. She filled a syringe. "I know where he is," she stated.

Commander De'Pard nodded, "We have an idea as well, but that part of the fortress has a computer lock on it that seems to be unbreakable."

Stepping forward, Marcus smiled, "Unbreakable for someone who does not know the system. Not unbreakable for me. You see, I designed the system."

Qui-Gon breathed a sigh of relief, "Let's go then!"

But the commander kept a military mind, "It would be best if we split up. There are still stragglers, and we will have a better chance of reaching him before it is to late."

Anika filled another syringe and handed it to Qui-Gon, "In case you reach him first." She then squeezed his hand.

General Raff knew it was all over. He would be finished. If he was lucky, the Jedi would kill him. He could not, would not go to prison. For to long he was in control, imprisonment would drive him mad.

But he had one last task to accomplish. Unlocking the door to his captive's room, General Raff set out to complete that task. He was pleased to see the young Jedi awake and aware. His men had followed orders perfectly. He was weakened enough that he would not be able to keep a grip of that precious Force he clung too. But he would still be able to feel the pain of death as it snatched him from the living.

"Well, Kenobi, the time has come."

Obi-Wan was calm as he replied, "Yes, the time has come. My master is here. As well as the master whose padawan was murdered by you. You will not escape."

But the general knew this, "I'm not speaking of my escaping. You see, you will not survive this. You will suffer as your friend did."

"My friend died as a Jedi," spat the padawan, "If I die the way he died, I consider that an honor."

General Raff could not believe it, as much as he tried to anger this boy, this boy remained calm. The essence of what a Jedi was supposed to be. He accepted death as though he was not afraid of it.

"There is no death," Obi-Wan said, reading the man's mind, "There is only the force."

Furious the boy read his mind and furious he could not think of anything to say, the general backhanded the unarmed Jedi and watched him fall back to the floor. He then turned without word and left the room. He would go to the lab and filter the gas in through the air vents. When the Jedi did arrive it would be to late.

Anika stood behind her brother as he tore open the control panel of the main computer system, "Please hurry, Marcus!"

Hands shaking, but intent on his task the young man responded, "It will be all right Anika, trust me." Scanning the monitor that gave a read out of all the rooms he exclaimed, "There he is! He's in block 42a!"
Marcus made a few modifications and completely override the main system, he then turned to his sister, "We can get into the wing now. But Obi-Wan's room is still locked. I will have to override that when we get there!"

Not wanting to waste anytime answering, Anika grabbed her siblings hand and the two shot down the hall.

They did not get very far when a small group of armed guards stepped around a corner, "Halt, in the name of General Raff."

Anika recognized the lead guard, he was always kind to her, and she knew that his loyalty to Raff ran shallow. But they still did not have time for this, "Move aside, Kavan. Please, we have no time."

Kavan faltered a bit, he knew that General Raff would kill his child if he failed him. And that little girl was all he had left. General Raff had already killed her mother, "I...I...can't. General Raff will..."

Marcus knew how the other man felt, "General Raff will do nothing! Look around, man, he is loosing power, we need to take control!"

It did not take long for the small group to join the siblings, Kavan then informed them on General Raff's plan, "He has the young Jedi locked in his room still. He was beaten by some of the guards, but not horribly so. But Raff is going to fill the room with the chemical."

Anika whispered, "No, please no." Then louder she said, "We can't allow that to happen!"

Anika was sick of all of the mayhem that General Raff had caused, she was heartbroken over the beautiful planet he held captive for so long, but she was ready to stop him. He would pay for his deeds.

"Kavan, you gather as many soldiers as you possibly can. Go to my lab and get your men immunized! Join forces with the republic," Anika ordered. "Markas, you come with me, we have to get to Obi-Wan before we are to late."

Obi-Wan paced around the room, he was not afraid to die. But death did not seem right, it was not his time. The padawan began to look for a way to escape. He saw the air vents, but he did not dare try to escape that way. He knew that would be where the gas would be pumped in at.

Obi-Wan reached out to tell his Master he loved him and that he was sorry, but he did not get a response. He only hoped that Qui-Gon heard. He would be sorry that he left his master behind grieving, but he was not sorry for his work here. Even if he died, General Raff would be brought to justice. Bruck's death would be vanquished.

A fierce knocking on the door caused Obi-Wan to jump. Then he heard a voice.

"Obi-Wan, its me, Anika. Are you all right."

Obi-Wan sighed in relief, "I'm fine, I think. But I'm trapped."

A voice that Obi-Wan did not recognize replied, "Not for long, I will get you out. It's the least I can do for the Jedi who helped my sister and my world."

A hissing noise then sounded. All three young people froze. Realizing what it was, Markas began overriding the codes to the door and Anika pulled out the syringe. Knowing that time was running out, Anika came up with an idea that she hoped worked. "Marcas, give me a boost up. I'm going through the vent, the gas won't hurt me. Obi needs the shot, or he will die. We are running out of time!"

Marcas quickly helped his sister and she stood on his shoulders and pushed out the vent. Carefully she climbed down and saw Obi-Wan laying on the floor, his eyes closed. She almost thought she was to late, and was about ready to panic. But upon closer inspection, she realized that he was going into a trance. Anika saw the gas begin to wift into the room. Quickly kneeling next to Obi-Wan and pulling up his sleeve she quickly inoculated her friend.

Then she gently began shaking him, "Obi-Wan, its okay. Wake up."

Stirring, Obi-Wan sat up. He took in his surroundings. He was bruised and exhausted, but alive. He had survived.

At that moment, the door whooshed open and Marcas burst in, "It's over! Finally, after all these years its over."