CHAPTER 7

The sun hadn't risen yet when an alarm went off in every room in the Temple. The Jedi awoke and quickly dressed. They all made their way in the main hall where the Masters awaited. Once everyone was gathered, Master Yoda spoke.

"A group of battle droids have landed in the capital, not far from Coco Town." Obi-Wan shuddered.

"Dex…" He thought. Most of his friends lived in the underworld, especially Coco Town. Obi-Wan shifted his thoughts quickly noticing Anakin had taken in on his worry.

"They haven't attacked the region and seem to waiting for an order." Mace Windu continued the briefing. "All our allies have been notified and are heading for Coruscant to help us protect the Temple. Unless the droids start attacking locals, we will not leave the Temple for any reason. I repeat, for any reason." Obi-Wan sighed in his mind. The droids hadn't attacked anyone yet, at least he knew Dex was safe… for now."

"Even if they take hostages it could be a way to make us leave the security of these walls." Ki-Adi-Mundi continued. "We will wait for help from the Clones before doing anything and I advise you all the stay grouped. Do not venture in the temple alone and always have a Com-Link handy."

"May the Force be with you all." Master Yoda closed the briefing, leaning heavily on his walking stick. Everyone knew and could sense Master Yoda's worry for them. At one time Master Yoda, except for Anakin, had trained each and every one of them.

Usually, a Youngling loses his bond with his first master after a year or so, but Obi-Wan kept close. Yoda had raised him, had brought him in his care when no one wanted him and believed in him when no one else did. The bond never faded even after Qui-Gon arrived in Obi-Wan's life. Obi-Wan had let himself become attached with the people close to him knowing it was forbidden. Obi-Wan looked at each Jedi carefully. He feared this would be the last time he would see most of them ever again.

"Commander Cody." Obi-Wan looked at a group of battle droids marching towards the Temple. The Commander and Obi-Wan were in the Counsel's meeting chambers where they had a clear view of the upcoming menace.

"Yes, General?"

"Get your troops and circle the area and take a small group of Wookies with you." The Clone bowed before Obi-Wan and headed outside the room. Obi-Wan never looked away from the window when he spoke. He stood silently as he watched the droids getting closer. His dreams about Anakin had resurfaced and were becoming harder to push from his mind.

"General Kenobi… Come in Obi-Wan…" A static voice resounded in the Com-Link.

"Go ahead Commander Skywalker." Obi-Wan waited for a report on the situation in Coco Town.

"The droids have left Coco Town… No sign of Darth Sidious… the locals have been evacuated…" Anakin spoke.

"Has anyone been injured?" The General held his breath.

"Negati… the droi… landed here… left for… Temple…" The transmission flickered slightly.

"All right, Commander. Make sure that…" Suddenly a cold chill went through Obi-Wan. He had a terrible feeling that Anakin was no longer safe. "Anakin! Get out of there now!" He yelled in the Com-Link.

"What? General, I don't sense… wait… wait…" Obi-Wan heard the distinctive buzz of a Lightsaber against another and the transmission died.

"Anakin! Anakin!" Quickly Obi-Wan ran out the Chambers and towards the main entrance. "Commander Cody!" The Clone turned towards the panicked voice of his General.

"What is it General?"

"Get a transport, Commander Skywalker and his troops are in danger over in Coco Town." Cody didn't ask for anything else and lead the Jedi to a couple one-man fighters. Along with two other Clones, they flew to where the transmission was sent.

The place was deserted. They landed their ships and started scouting the empty streets. At first everything seemed to be clear, until the bodies of a few Clones came into their view. Obi-Wan forced himself to stay calm and not run further down the street. Commander Cody checked to see if there were any survivors but none were found. Soon they arrived a few feet away from Dex's Dinner, and Obi-Wan spotted Anakin's Com-Link on the ground.

"Oh no…" Obi-Wan picked up the Com-Link and noticed there was some blood on the ground. "Anakin…" He raised his head and tried to sense Anakin's location. Nothing… He could sense that Anakin was still alive but everything was hazy.

"General…" Cody approached Obi-Wan. He turned to the Commander. "We found this." He handed a transmission to Obi-Wan. Reluctantly, he pushed the red button.

"Well General Kenobi, it seems you weren't able to protect your apprentice… the same way you couldn't protect your master." Obi-Wan breathed in deeply and tightened his grasp on the small round transmission. "You will never see Skywalker alive again… unless…" Sidious paused and smiled horribly. "I will free Anakin at one condition… that you come to me alone and I do mean alone. If you disobey these orders… Anakin will be executed." The bluish figure of the Sith disappeared. Anger and fear started pulsing into Obi-Wan. Sidious had captured Anakin and was holding his life at ransom, in exchange of his own. Obi-Wan had vowed long ago that he would protect his brother even if it meant dying on the process.