Disclaimer: Characters are not the property of the author but of George Lucas.
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Chapter 6: Near Disaster
"We need to get out of here now," Obi-wan said.
"But Master Kenobi," Jordo started to argue.
"Don't argue with me," Obi-wan said, "Get all the Jedi on board the freighter."
"What about you?" Jordo asked.
"It's me that they will want most of all," Obi-wan said, "I will distract them long enough for you to escape. Do not take of until they have landed."
Jordo ran out of the control, stopping to consider arguing with Obi-wan that he should come as well but decided against it, knowing how stubborn Obi-wan could be. Obi-wan sat and watched as the incoming shuttle began its approach to the planet.
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Anakin frowned as he began the preparations for entering the atmosphere.
"What is it?" Padme asked noticing her husband's angered expression.
"He is here," Anakin simply replied.
Both of them knew who he was. He was the man who was responsible for kidnapping their children. He was Obi-wan Kenobi. The very thought that he was present brought their blood to a boil. Anakin was teeming with such rage that his hands were shaking the controls ever so slightly. Anakin took two deep breaths to calm himself down and began his descent down to the planet.
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Obi-wan checked the vector of the shuttle one last time. It was descending rapidly towards the enclave. Obi-wan left the sensor room and stepped outside to greet his visitors.
"Jordo, are you ready to take off?" Obi-wan asked over his comlink.
"We are all on board and awaiting your signal," Jordo replied.
"Good," Obi-wan said, "I'll be meeting our guests shortly."
He walked into docking bay five, the only empty docking bay in the enclave and watched as the shuttle slowly descended into the bay. As it extended its landing gear and powered down it's engine Obi-wan reached for his comlink.
"How long will it take you to make hyperspace?" Obi-wan asked.
"We'll be free of the planet's gravity well in 4 minutes if we hurry." Jordo answered.
"Alright then," Obi-wan said, "Good luck and may the force be with you."
"May the force be with you too Master Obi-wan," Jordo replied.
Obi-wan saw the freighter lift off from the adjacent docking bay. He shut off his comlink and waited patiently for the two people in the shuttle to emerge.
The ramp to shuttle slowly extended down and two cloaked figures appeared at the top of the ramp, one tall the other short. Slowly, in an almost stalking manner, they came down the ramp.
"It's been a while Anakin," Obi-wan said, "And same to you Padme."
"Shut up!" Anakin snapped, "There is only one person in the entire galaxy that is to call me by that name and it most certainly is not you."
"Very well Lord Vader," Obi-wan chided, "I'll leave calling you Anakin to Padme then."
"You will address my wife by her own proper title," Anakin said furiously.
"Oh?" Obi-wan asked raising an eyebrow, "And what would that be? Lady Vader?"
"Darth Traya," Anakin replied coldly.
If this new surprised Obi-wan he didn't show it, instead he turned to Padme, "So the Emperor accepted you as Sith did he?"
"That means little to me right now," Padme replied. "Now I am more concerned with killing you and taking back my children."
"Well I would happily give them back to you," Obi-wan said, "But I don't happen to have them with me."
"Then I guess we will just have to kill you," Anakin said igniting his lightsaber.
"You do that and you'll never find your children," Obi-wan warned.
"That's not true." Padme said as she ignited her own lightsaber, "Obviously you left them in the care of someone else, perhaps a Jedi. It's only a matter of time before we take them back. As for you kidnapping them, that is something I can never forgive."
She leapt towards Obi-wan swinging her lightsaber in a wide arc. Obi-wan barely managed to activate his own lightsaber to parry the blow. Padme struck again fiercely but left her guard open. Obi-wan blocked the blow and then counter attacked severing Padme's left hand clean off. She fell to the ground clutching the cauterized stump at the end of her arm. Anakin quickly jumped in to fend off Obi-wan. Obi-wan was more than happy to retreat out of the hanger bay. Anakin was torn between chasing after Obi-wan and assisting Padme. He eventually chose the latter. But no before yelling a threat to Obi-wan.
"I'll get you one day Obi-wan Kenobi!" he yelled, "I'll kill you!"
Obi-wan was more concerned with making sure that, that one day wasn't not today. He ran to the hanger bay where a Z-95 Head-hunter was berthed. He got in and quickly took off.
Meanwhile Anakin was helping Padme get to her feet. She held the stump where her hand had been close to her body, while she braced herself against Anakin.
"You shouldn't have done that," Anakin said, "You're by no means ready to face him."
"But he makes me so angry," Padme argued.
"You still need to learn to control your anger," Anakin said, "Blind fury only makes you an easier target. It's better to channel your hatred and focus it."
"But how do you do that?" Padme asked.
"I will teach you," Anakin said, "But right now we need to get you medical assistance."
He helped Padme back onto the shuttle.
"Palpatine won't be too happy with what happened," Padme said.
"Let him be," Anakin replied, "This was a valuable experience for you."
"He probably won't let me go with you on anymore missions," Padme said.
"He can't stop you," Anakin said, "You're a Sith, you do whatever you want."
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Obi-wan watched Anakin and Padme's shuttle enter hyperspace en route for Coruscant from his powered down star fighter. The astromech droid behind him beeped and whistled.
"I don't know Artoo," Obi-wan said, "I wish I could say."
Artoo let out two low whistles.
"No we're not going to do anything that dangerous, at least not yet. For now we're going to Alderaan. I need to meet with Bail." Obi-wan replied.
He powered up the Head-hunter once again and set course for Alderaan.
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Well I guess that was a near disaster on both sides. Aptly named chapter eh? Anyway, keep up the reviews. Let's me know that you're interested.
