Chapter 63

"I'm just saying, we have plenty of other Jedi that can do this job now,or even just a squad of Rebel soldiers!" Leia complained to her Master on their ship, the Negotiator II, as it flew through hyperspace. "I mean, some of the Jedi are badly injured! They still have the strength for a simple pick-up."

Obi-Wan turned to face his apprentice and chided, "Leia, those who are injured are resting, trying to heal, and we don't know what might be out here. This signal could mean that they're being chased, and the Alliance needed to send someone that could challenge Inquisitors if necessary."

"I know," Leia sighed. "I just want to be back in the fight. We finally stand a chance! The Rebels are recruiting by the dozens every day now. Each day brings new fighters, new ships and weapons. We should be on the front lines!"

Obi-Wan shook his head at Leia's familiar eagerness for action.

"There are no lines yet, Leia. We're simply preparing for now, and at the moment that means answering a Jedi's distress call. Only recently did we give them someone to actually call to. They've been struggling for years, but now they seem to be willing to fight. If they're not, they just need someone to give them sanctuary. And we-"

"-always protect those in need. I know, Master. I'm just… excited."

Obi-Wan smiled and turned back to the controls as the ship beeped before exiting hyperspace. "As am I, my young apprentice."

Their ship finally landed on Bogano and Leia was immediately heading down the ramp. When she reached the plain-covered ground of the planet, she took in a deep breath of the fresh air. She turned to see her Master exiting the ship behind her.

"The planet is clean and humid," Leia remarked. "More so than most places."

"Yes, it reminds me of Naboo in that way," Obi-Wan responded. "It was once a very special place to a particular Jedi Master. If I had to guess, I'd say that we are here for his apprentice."

The two of them began to walk across the planet, slowly closing in on the Jedi's beacon.

"What about the rock formations?" Leia asked Obi-Wan, trying to fill the silence.

"Similar to those on O'Kaam," Obi-Wan said, "though I'm afraid that I must admit to preferring our own home island over these ruins."

Leia nodded in agreement. Suddenly, she saw smoke rising over one large cliff face. She immediately took off running for the origin of the smoke, and Obi-Wan followed behind her. When they arrived, they saw a large ship in flames across a gorge.

"Well, I've been in this situation too many times. From experience, my guess is that this is why our Jedi friend is calling for help," Obi-Wan said.

"Shame. It looks like a good ship," Leia said. "Imperials?"

"Not necessarily, but likely either Imperials or a very well armed bounty hunter," Obi-Wan replied.

Leia got up and said, "Either way, looks like we might be seeing some action here after all. Come one, we need to hurry and extract the Jedi before someone else gets to them."

Leia closed her eyes and stood still for a moment. "What are you doing?" Obi-Wan asked. Leia shushed him. "I'm concentrating, trying to find the Jedi's signature."

Obi-Wan smiled in amusement and said, "I'm afraid I haven't taught you that yet, Leia."

Leia's eyes snapped open and she grinned in triumph. "No need to. I found him. He wants us to find him, so he's sending a signal."

Obi-Wan was surprised but also proud of Leia's ability to listen to the Force so well. It had been an ability that Anakin had never quite grasped very well. Anakin had always been driven heavily by his emotions, and while it made him a formidable warrior, it had hindered his ability to listen before acting, as a Jedi was trained to do.

They both ran off in a random direction. Neither of them knew what was ahead, but Obi-Wan trusted Leia's judgement. He followed her for about half a mile before they approached a low ruin with stairs inside, leading down into darkness.

Leia didn't even slow down. She ran headlong down the stairs and disappeared into the shadows.

Obi-Wan panted heavily and slowed down a bit. Oh yes, his age was certainly catching up to him. Obi-Wan called upon the Force to sustain him and immediately received a strong boost in energy, causing him to feel young once again. He loved this ability, especially since there were no repercussions.

Apparently the Force liked him, because it always gave him whatever strength he needed and he felt just fine afterwards. If this was how Master Windu had held up in his age, Obi-Wan could completely understand the Master had continued to remain a champion of the Jedi Order up to his death. Obi-Wan had even considered cutting off all of his hair in an imitation of Master Windu, but he rather liked his hair, so if he had to continue dyeing it to keep it, so be it. Maybe the Force would eventually just give him a way to de-age.

Obi-Wan drew in a deep breath and took off again, following his apprentice.

When he finally caught up with Leia, he had just run into a round room with numerous symmetrical arch doorways, including the one he had just come out of.

"Leia, have you found the-" Obi-Wan started, but he broke off at the sight of what was making Leia stand wide eyed in shock. In front of another doorway was a large creature in black, clearly a Dowutin beneath their armor, and wearing Imperial logos, but it was their lightsaber that gave them away as an Inquisitor.

They were holding a struggling human male with reddish hair, presumably their Jedi, in one mechanical hand, while their other, organic hand held the Inquisitor'a lightsaber. Obi-Wan cleared his throat, drawing the attention of all others in the room.

Obi-Wan walked up to the Dowutin, oddly calm, and said, "Forgive the intrusion, but I believe that's our hopefully soon-to-be friend you have there. Would you mind terribly if we borrowed him?"

In fairness, the question at least seemed to shock the Inquisitor, that is until they finally seemed to recover their wits and growled, "Kenobi…"

Leia rolled her eyes and said, "Let me guess. He killed your droid." Leia thrust out her hand and the Inquisitor was thrown off balance by her Force-push, dropping the Jedi.

As he fell, the Jedi tucked in and rolled on landing before Forcing his own lightsaber to his hand, igniting a green blade.

"Finally!" Leia yelled, shocking the other two Jedi and causing them to look at her. "A Jedi that uses a lightsaber that isn't blue!"

Their new ally looked in confusion at her, then Obi-Wan, and asked, "She's with you?"

Obi-Wan stepped forward and drew his own lightsaber. "My apprentice. And daughter. Adopted. Long story. And you are?"

The Jedi kept his gaze focused on the Inquisitor but said, "Cal Kestis, Jedi… something. My Master was Jaro Tapal."

Leia didn't know who that was, but Obi-Wan nodded in acknowledgement and also possibly some admiration.

Then, as the Inquisitor stood up, they heard a menacing laugh from another of the doorways, and they all turned their gaze there to see Luke walking out menacingly.

"It's good to finally meet you, Cal Kestis," Luke said with vicious glee. "Emperor Vader hasn't forgotten you, and I'm here for you on his behalf."

A/N: Many of you have been asking for Cal's appearance in this story. Well, here he is! Unfortunately, he'll be playing a role like Kanan's, not very big but definitely in the story. I am also aware of his crew. I don't know that I'll mention this in further chapters, but I'm afraid that they were on the Mantis when it went kablooey. I'm sorry if you were hoping for them to apear, but this story is focused on the remaining Jedi in the galaxy. Please leave a review with your thoughts, it really helps me to know what you guys are thinking so that I can tailor future chapters. Thanks for reading!