Hello everyone! I'm so sorry for being this late with an update! The past week has been harrowing, with the end of term examinations, tests and all that jazz. Not to mention very tense moments (almost flunked math class!) But, thank God, it's finally over! The summer vacation is here and I'll be able to forget every trigonometric formula that I have learned! Hallelujah! They were taking up too much essential gray matter, anyway:)
As for the story, now that the summer vacation has officially started, I can make it up to everyone by posting to my heart's content (which means very, very often!)
Obi-Wan and Anakin's paths cross once more. But is their link as strong as it was before, or has it been irreparably damaged by Palpatine's lies and manipulations?
Chapter X – To Feel Another's Agony
Hekarya was a small planet in the Outer Rim. Considered insignificant by just about everyone who knew of it, it didn't even figure in most astronavigation charts. Far away from every commercial route, it could be considered an oasis of life in a seemingly endless black void. The very few star pilots who dared venture in this cold, empty corner of the Galaxy, came back profoundly changed. From their stories, people deduced that they managed to get themselves lost in the great void, facing the possibility of drifting aimlessly for eons. Most pilots, of course, suffered this gruesome fate. But there were a lucky few who somehow succeeded to stumble across a green and blue sphere. They told precious little about Hekarya: that it was covered in dense, untracked forests and that the inhabitants seemed to be of a humanoid race, very barbaric and primitive in their evolution.
Only one man spoke more freely of what he had seen: an old Corellian, who had spent his whole life in service of the Republic, as a scout, on various starships. No one, however, believed his claims, as he had been diagnosed of suffering from schizophrenia at the age of ten.
He lived in a small village, deep in the highlands of Corellia, where "the old heartbeat of the planet can still be heard" as he used to say. Considered a raving lunatic and mad old hermit, he was shunned and ostracized by his community, but that didn't seem to bother him much. The children were the only ones who, despite their parents' orders, sought out the man and asked him to tell them stories of his travels through the Galaxy. Being a kind and considerate person, he fulfilled the children's wishes, by entertaining them with his experiences. One story, however, always managed to capture the attention of his young audience.
"Thee Hekaryans are a very strange people" he said. "They do not seem to live like the rest of us. Sure, they have to eat and sleep as well, but sometimes, they seem to be dreaming with their eyes open. It's like they are living on a very different level of awareness than the rest of the Galaxy's people. They're also very religious and believe in their Gods with a passion which I have never seen before."
As the children continued to listen to him with rapture, he went on:
"There is also this shaman, their spiritual leader. Very unusual fellow. The rest of the Hekaryans consider him to be immortal, a descendent of their God. I've talked to him and I can say that he seemed very wise."
"What did he say?" asked a dark haired girl.
"He said that the world is a much more complex thing than I was lead to believe and that my views of it are quite limited. He showed me a pitcher, full of swirling mists, which, in fact, was water. He told me that I was looking at the Galaxy as it was in reality: a living, breathing entity, made up of an infinite spectrum of grays. No perfect black or white. No such extremes."
"And?" piped in an enthusiastic boy.
"He proceeded to take a vial, containing a brilliantly white liquid and spilled a small drop inside the pitcher. He told me that an act of goodness had been done in the world: a sentient had willingly given up his own life to save another. Then he took out another vial, this one containing impenetrable darkness. He poured another drop inside, saying that a sentient had taken another's life, out of greed and lust for revenge."
"And the shaman didn't do anything to stop it?" asked an outraged girl.
"There was nothing that he could do. His role was that of a supervisor and he couldn't intervene in Fate's ways. He told me that this was the way it was supposed to be: for every act of kindness, there always had to be an act of cruelty. Good against evil, light against dark, day against night, warmth against coldness, life against death. A perfect symmetry of the Universe, keeping All in Balance."
"He also told me that this fragile Balance is failing, that for every white drop he has to put in three black drops. The water in the pitcher keeps getting darker and darker, signaling the Galaxy's corruption."
"Did he say anything more?"
"Yes, but here I couldn't understand him anymore. He spoke of things that were too deep and mysterious for this old scout to understand. He kept rambling on about the world's darkest hour and the tragic life of a man he kept calling the Son of the Suns. I asked him to explain who this man was exactly, but he told me that all would be revealed, in due time."
The children thanked the old man and set out for their own homes, dreaming of a green, lush world, where the mundane and the fantastic merged together, to give birth to another reality. The old man watched them, smiling at their exuberance. They would grow to know just how harsh the world really was, but for now they were just younglings, who deserved to live in their perfect dreams.
He, however, could no longer dream, for the shaman's words had opened his eyes to the larger world around him. He could now see very clearly all of the subtle signs that showed the approaching age of darkness. Very little things, which he could have overlooked before, now stuck out, like black pulsars on a white sky.
And there was nothing that he could do about it.
Although he had tried to warn the people around him, no one believed him, because of his mental illness. They all thought of him as an old lunatic.
There was nothing he could do about it.
Do not try to weave the Web of Destiny. You will be too entangled to ever come out again.
The shaman's words still rang true in his ears, calming his frustration. It was not his Fate to lead the Galaxy through the rising tempest. Another held that honor.
The Sun of the Suns. His life will be an endless struggle between the two extremes, Light and Darkness. They will both do battle for dominion over his soul.
As the old man lay in his bed, he felt pain coursing through his frail body. His end was drawing near and he wished to die with some measure of dignity. But why were the shaman's prophecies ringing in his ears?
A spirit of Flame, he will be, restless and forever on the move. He will find peace in very few places in this world.
Struggling with his unresponsive muscles, he managed to raise his palm to his sweat-covered forehead.
To Morning, he will give birth, but Twilight will be his halo.
The old man felt his skin burn with a rising fever. He reached out with his other hand, to grab a cup of water from the table.
For those he loves, he will fight. But, in the end, his uncontrolled emotions will prove to be their doom.
Grasping the glass handle with trembling fingers, he slowly pulled the cup toward his dry lips.
Some will call him a Monster, while others will see him as a God. And he will never care about other people's opinions of him.
Gripping the cup with both hands, the man drank thirstily from the ice cold liquid. He choked and was swiftly rattled by powerful coughing.
But he will be a Mortal Man, nothing more, nothing less.
The old man breathed in deep gulps of air, his heart hammering wildly in his chest.
A Mortal Man with the Prophecy of Balance hanging over his head, for his entire life.
The man dropped the cup and plopped down on the soft pillows once more.
He will have to make a choice, to choose a path for his unusual Destiny.
The cup hit the ground, shattering in hundreds of little blue shards, spilling water all over the floor.
And regardless of what choice he will make, his soul will weep a thousand tears.
The old man placed his hands over his chest, feeling his erratic heartbeat, the room slowly fading around him.
No matter what choice he will make, his Soul will weep a thousand tears of blood.
x x x
Twilight was setting on Coruscant, enveloping the metropolis in its dark wings. A stunning spectacle took place as the light slowly faded. The lights of the tall skyscrapers flashed on, illuminating the veil of shadow. Night never truly reigned over the planet, as it was permanently covered in artificial lights.
A small, armored gunship was weaving through the traffic, its destination firmly set. The four sentients nestled inside could see the undying lights pass them, but they did not feel comforted by them in any way. The lights could not dispel the feeling of impending doom or the cold Darkness each of them felt, just at the edge of their senses.
"Are you sure this is the wisest course of action, Master Windu?" asked Jedi Master Eeth Koth, from his seat.
Leaning slightly against the bulkhead, Mace Windu's eyes tracked the swirling lights of the city.
"It is our only course of action" he answered, tightly. "With his lies, Palpatine has managed to bind our hands. We are very vulnerable right now and I fear for the survival of the order if we do not act swiftly!"
"But what about Anakin's warning, in the hangar?" asked Kit Fisto, brushing his dangling tentacles aside. "He seemed quite troubled and the Force swirled around him with the strength of a hurricane. Perhaps we should have heeded his words and allowed him to join us!"
"He is a very skilled warrior, there is no doubt about that" agreed Saesse Tiin. "He would have proved an asset against the Chancellor."
"No." Mace said, vehemently.
The other three Masters looked at him with puzzlement, prompting his explanation:
"Young Skywalker has been very confused as of late. I can feel a deep turmoil taking place in his soul. Whatever the cause for this disturbance is, Anakin is much too unbalanced to last against a Sith Lord."
"You fear for his life?" Koth asked.
"Not for his life, but for his Soul. I believe that Palpatine has no intention whatsoever to kill the boy. No, he wishes to make him fall to the Darkside. To turn him against us!"
"Foolishness!" Saesse Tiin denied. "I have served with the boy in many battles during the war and I can freely say that he is extremely loyal to the Republic. He is willing to die in order to defend it!"
"And that is just what I'm afraid of" sighed the Jedi Master. "He feels too much!He puts too much passion in everything that he does!"
"Who is to say that it is a fault?" asked Tiin, grimly.
Plopping down, in a cross-legged position, Saesse beckoned Mace closer.
"Let me tell you a story, Master Windu" he said, on a low tone. "It happened almost a year ago, during the siege of the Seterr star system. General Obi-Wan Kenobi led the assault troops on Seterria, where the Separatists had erected several droid factories and other such facilities. Anakin Skywalker had to stay behind, in The Praetor's medical bay, as he had been severely wounded in a previous battle. The ground attack went smoothly, according to plan. But what General Kenobi didn't know was the fact that an entire Separatist Fleet had been hiding, using the powerful glare of Seterria's star as cover. When they aligned themselves in formation and advanced, the Republic task force was overwhelmed. The flagship, Praetor, suffered the brunt of the attack, as it had been the Separatist's main target."
"Master Tiin" Mace scowled, not bothering to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "I already know about the defeat at Seterr. I make it a personal habit of mine to read the reports coming in from the front lines. Are you going somewhere with this?"
"Yes, I am, Master Windu" Saesse answered, between gritted teeth. "True, you have read the reports, but there is one thing that was not mentioned at the debriefing. As the enemy fire centered on The Praetor, many of its systems began to go critical. The crew members realized that they had to abandon ship, in order to survive. A few frigates docked with the cruiser, loading the personnel and transporting them to safety. Of course, several soldiers returned to help Anakin Skywalker. He, however, refused to leave the ship. And do you know what he said, Master Windu? I will not abandon my men! As long as there still is another living sentient on this ship, I will not leave! And he did just that! When everyone was scrambling madly for the hangar bay, he was in the med center, carrying the other wounded men out. I had been stationed on The Praetor as well. As I was coordinating the escape, I ran into Skywalker, on a corridor. He was bleeding, for his wounds had re-opened, due to the effort and he was carrying two unconscious men on his shoulders. I told him to leave them behind, that he was much too important to die.
"And what did he say?"
"He looked at me with a bone-chilling stare that I will never forget as long as I live! And he said: Master Tiin, have you ever felt another's agony? I feel the pain of these men and I will not leave them behind! Not as long as I live and breathe! That was his answer! And he proceeded to make the trip between the med center and the shuttle nine times, to get everyone out. He was the last to leave the vessel, just before it exploded under the Separatists' bombardment!"
"Why hasn't the Council been informed about this?" Mace asked, frowning.
"Anakin asked me and Master Kenobi to not say a word about what had happened aboard The Praetor, I do not know why he did so, but we chose to honor his request. His reasons are his alone."
Mace turned from Saesse, to look at the spectacular scenery outside, without saying one word.
"Indeed, he truly has an iron will" said Fisto. "He deserved to come with us."
"I do not doubt the kindness or compassion of his heart" answered Mace, softly, sorrow lining his voice. "The Force knows that he is the last of the True Knights."
"The true Knights?" Eeth Koth inquired. "I do not understand, Master Windu."
"What are we fighting for?" asked Mace, turning towards them.
The three Masters exchanged questioning glances.
"The Republic, of course" answered Saesse.
"Why?"
This time, the Masters truly seemed befuddled.
"Because it is our sworn duty" Kit said. "Because we swore an oath to the Republic and its citizens."
"Exactly. We fight because it is our duty, because it is expected of us. But have you ever posed yourselves this question: does any Jedi fight for love?"
"For love? What do you mean, Master Windu?"
"I mean that a Jedi can also do battle to defend that which he loves, that which he believes in! There was a time, long ago, during the Sith Wars, when the Jedi protected the Republic because they loved it and believed in the values that it stood for! Those were the Jedi in their truest form!"
The other three watched Mace, astounded. Never had they seen the stoic, reserved Councilor talk with such passion before!
"And now, in this dark age, very few of us remember those times! We have ceased to believe and entrenched ourselves into following nothing but a symbolic oath."
"We call ourselves the Guardians of the Galaxy, but we do not deserve to wear this title" agreed Fisto, understanding.
"Indeed" nodded Mace, sadly. "Anakin has done that which even us, the most powerful Masters find it impossible to do: he hasn't stopped believing in the Republic."
"Then why do you still doubt him, Master?"
"I do not doubt him at all. I am worried that Palpatine might use his powerful feelings against him. After all, he has proved to be a master manipulator in the past thirteen years."
The other men nodded in agreement, as the gunship slowly settled down, in front of the Senate Dome.
"Wait until be return" Mace told the clone pilot.
"Yes, sir!"
The four Jedi exited the craft and headed down the dark and quiet corridors, toward the Chancellor's office.
"If we succeed today" Tiin said, with a rakish grin "this whole mess will be over!"
"Not quite" disagreed Eeth Koth. "There will be a huge power vacuum after the Chancellor's arrest. The Council will have to take control of the Senate, in order to ensure a peaceful transition."
"Master Yoda does not agree with this" added Fisto.
"That is because the Jedi were not meant to lead the Galaxy" said Mace. "We would be straying very far from our original prerogatives."
"But we don't have a choice, do we?" Saesse asked, grimly.
"No, we do not" Mace answered, shaking his head.
The rest of the journey was spent in silence, as each of the Masters listened carefully to the flow of the Force and tried to commune with the mystical energy.
Finally, they reached the ornate wooden doors that lead into Palpatine's offices.
"This is it" Koth remarked. "Any suggestions?"
"We will be cautious" Mace advised. "There is no yelling what he will try to do."
"A hunter shows his true wisdom when he has to decide how far inside the rancor's mouth he can stick his hand, without loosing it!" said Tiin, smirking.
"Then we shall face the beast" agreed Koth and Fisto, nodding.
The four men looked at each other once more, before Mace opened the doors and they stepped in the rancor's lair.
x x x
In the high orbit of Coruscant, a small red and white Delta starfighter dropped out of hyperspace, surrounded by a flash of bluish light.
The ship's astromech started chirping loudly, in order to wake up the ship's pilot, who had fallen asleep during the journey. But his calls were unheard by Obi-Wan Kenobi, who drifted deep in the land of dreams . . . .
He found himself atop a hill, surveying his surroundings. All around him, he could see lush forests stretching out toward the horizons. He has in a ruined temple, nestled atop the hill, in the highest vantage point. He could see shattered stones and toppled marble pillars and the once white walls were covered in green moss.
"What are you doing here?" came a soft voice behind him.
Turning around, he saw a tall, dark-skinned man, dresses in red and blue robes. His attention was immediately drawn to the man's eyes: they were a deep shade of blue, like the midnight sky, on a clear summer's night. The resemblance with Anakin's eyes was almost shocking.
"I . . . don't know" Obi-Wan answered, fumbling for words.
"The Force brought you here" the strange man answered, inspecting Obi-Wan from head to toe.
"The Force? How is it possible?"
"The Galaxy's life energy works in mysterious ways" the man said cryptically. "It has brought you here for advice."
"Advice?" Obi-Wan frowned. "From you?"
The man smiled, his eyes taking on a warm glow.
"I am much older than I seem, General Kenobi. I know many things which are hidden from Mortal eyes."
"Such as?"
"Such as the fact that you will have to give your own Soul, in order to save your learner's."
Obi-Wan looked at the man, in shock, feeling like he had been kicked in the stomach.
"Give my Soul? When?"
"It is not a predetermined fact. It may occur now, or it may occur fifty years from now. The future is always in motion."
Recognizing one of Yoda's famous quotes, Obi-Wan asked:
"Just who are you?"
"A man who has been chosen by the Force, the same as your former learner, albeit for a much different purpose."
Suddenly, the broken pillars of the temple started to spin and fade in front of Obi-Wan's eyes.
"Wait!" he called out to the man's disappearing silhouette. "I still have questions that need answers!"
"Remember, Obi-Wan Kenobi" the man said, calmly. "In order to save Anakin Skywalker, you will have to Fall!"
Obi-Wan woke up with a start, R4's beeps ringing in his ears.
"Stop it, Arfour!" he shouted toward the astromech, which promptly obeyed his command.
Settling more comfortably in the pilot's chair, he sighed as he readied the craft for entry in Coruscant's atmosphere.
"If I didn't know better" he mumbled, "I would swear that the Force is trying to send me to the loony bin with all of these visions.
Arfour emitted a high-pitched squeak, which was a droid version of laughter.
"Shut up!" he snapped, guiding the ship into the entry trajectory.
Arfour beeped and instantly fell silent.
Satisfied with the lack of noise, Obi-Wan began to swiftly descent through the layers of the stratosphere, swerving wildly to avoid collisions with other ships.
I must get to the Temple as fast as I can!
The sense of urgency burning in his chest seemed to escalate with every passing second, until he felt near to panic when he finally broke through the clouds and saw the Temple, its spires alit by the hundreds of lights, shining in the night.
Gripping the control stick firmly, he entered the hangar, touching down on the steel floor.
Opening the glass canopy, he turned toward the small astromech, who hadn't uttered a single sound throughout the entire descent.
"I'm sorry, Arfour" Obi-Wan said softly, tapping the droid's dome with his fingers. "I shouldn't have yelled at you, but I'm under a lot of pressure."
The astromech chirped happily, making Obi-Wan understand that he had accepted his apology.
"I'm sure glad that droids don't hold a grudge!" he said, smiling wryly. However, when he cast his eyes to the other side of the hangar, the smile instantly died on his lips.
"Anakin!" he yelled, breaking into a frantic sprint.
x x x
Anakin contemplated the darkness that seemed to engulf the entire metropolis, slowly. Its reign didn't last long, as thousands of colorful lights were lit across the planet. In any other day, he would have been fascinated with the beauty laid out before him. Today, however, his mind was troubled by much darker thoughts, which overshadowed the light around him.
Learn to let go! Detach yourself from that which you fear to lose!
He snorted, remembering Yoda's advice, when he had told the diminutive Master of his dreams.
As if I would ever do that!
In a sense, he had felt liberated, in the past. Liberated of the constraint of the Code, that seemed to choke the entire Order to death. Unlike his peers, who listened blindly to their instructors, he had broken almost all of the ancient tenants.
And he had done so willingly.
Why must love be forbidden?
He had asked himself that question a million times in the past, but never received an answer.
There is no Emotion, there is peace.
And yet his soul was plagued by intense emotions. He never truly felt at peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
And yet he did not possess the proper knowledge, in order to save his beloved's life.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
And yet the love and passion that he felt for Padme were the only things that made his life matter.
There is no death, there is the Force.
And yet he could not accept his wife's death. He could not let her join the Force, no matter how hard he tried.
I am, by far, he thought gloomily, the worst Jedi that this Order has ever seen!
His gloved wrist hit the chair's arm with a loud crack that resonated across the empty room.
I just can't sit around and wait! Regardless of Master Windu's orders!
At that moment, a piercing cry resonated in his head. Anakin jumped up from the chair, his fingers curled around the hilt of his lightsaber.
Casting out his senses, he tried to perceive the source of the scream. He didn't feel anything unusual and yet there was a nagging thought, just at the edge of his consciousness, which told him that something was gravely wrong.
Anakin! Help me!
And then he saw it! It flashed in front of his eyes for only a brief second, but that had been enough. Palpatine, wounded and defenseless, lay fallen on the floor of his devastated office. Above him towered the dark-skinned Mace Windu, his purple blade poised to deliver the final strike.
Anakin's heart seemed to stop beating, for the duration of a few seconds. This couldn't be happening! Master Windu had promised to bring Palpatine in alive! He had promised!
This is the last chance to save your angel from death's clutches, a dark voice rose from the depths of his soul, mocking and taunting. Will you waste it?
Of course not!
For another fleeting moment, he could see Palpatine's blood-covered face turn his way. The Chancellor's pale blue eyes were wide open in horror and his lips were murmuring a silent and desperate plea.
Please, my son! Help me!
And that was the straw that broke the camel's back! The act that set in motion a course of events which would change the face of the Galaxy forever.
Tightening his grip on the hilt of the lightsaber until his fingers hurt, Anakin swiftly turned around and ran out of the Council chamber. He raced through the corridors, bounded down the stairs, jumping almost five steps at a time. He reached the place where the remnants of the shattered vase lay, but the paid them no heel, crushing delicate crystal shards beneath his heavy boots. All that he saw and heard was Palpatine's tortured plea for help.
Force, let him live! Anakin silently prayed in his mind. I need him now more than ever!
Finally, his race through the Temple brought him to his intended destination: the hangar bay. Throwing himself into a chair, in front of a control console, he began to frantically key in commands. Bypassing the temple lockdown was a very easy task for one who fiddled with computers and machines since the age of five.
Anakin waited impatiently as the system processed his commands. Finally, a list of all available ships appeared on the screen. Anakin surveyed each of them briefly, searching for the fastest one. His eyes stopped on a light skiff. It possessed no weaponry or shields and its hull was crafted out of a lightweight metal alloy. However, with a total of three booster engines and an aerodynamic shape, it was definitely built for speed.
The young Jedi quickly tapped a sequence of keys, ordering the system to ready the craft for fight. Raising himself from the console, he ran across the empty hangar, towards a lowering ramp, with the skiff atop it. But, just as he was waiting for the ramp to lower itself completely, a painfully familiar voice rang through the large room:
"Anakin!"
The Knight turned, only to see his former Master, Obi-Wan jump out of his starfighter and sprint toward him across the bay.
"Thank the Force . . . that you're all right!" Obi-Wan panted, skidding to a halt in front of Anakin and struggling to control his ragged breathing.
"What are you doing here?" asked Anakin, frowning. "Weren't you supposed to be on Utapau, with the Sixth Army?"
"I left the Sixth under the command of Lieutenant Delos and Commander Cody" Obi-Wan explained "and I returned here as fast as possible!"
"What's with the rush?" inquired Anakin, keeping his tone casual.
"I had a . . . very disturbing Force vision" Obi-Wan answered, gulping down the knot which had formed in his throat. "It was about you, Anakin. You fell to the Darkside!"
"Really?" Anakin said, raising one eyebrow. "Well, I am truly grateful for your concern, Master!"
Obi-Wan looked with surprise at this friend, when he heard the snide tone with witch he had spoken.
"Anakin, I was very worried about you!"
"You were, weren't you? I thank you, Master! When the whole world sees fit to come crashing down around me, you start worrying about petty nightmares!"
Anakin whirled around, turning his back toward his distraught teacher.
Obi-Wan looked at Anakin apprehensively, noting the tense shoulders and clenched fists. No doubt about it, the younger man was angry. And in pain.
"Anakin" the Jedi Master pleaded gently, placing a hand on the Knight's shoulder. "Tell me, what is the matter? Let me help you!"
But Anakin brushed Obi-Wan's hand away, snarling:
"I don't need help! And certainly not from you!"
"Padawan" Obi-Wan spoke more firmly this time, using the young man's title as a learner. "Don't shut me put. Let me help you!"
Anakin's back went saber straight, as his breath caught in his throat. Unknowingly, Obi-Wan had just echoed his wife's words! How well he remembered her pained, dark eyes and the horror he had felt inside of himself when he had discovered that he was making her suffer. Just as he was making his Master suffer. He felt hot tears threatening to spill on his cheeks and he fought to restrain them.
"Do you honestly know how it fells like?" he asked, in a strangled whisper. "To feel another's agony? Another's pain?"
"Yes" came the quiet reply.
Anakin turned around, seeing his Master's soft misty-blue eyes liking at him with kindness and support.
"I am here for you, Anakin. And always will be."
Anakin could only nod, as he steadied himself on one of the skiff's wings, his legs shaking under him.
"Now, tell me what has been going on since I was left."
"The Council decided to relieve Chancellor Palpatine of his emergency powers, since the war had ended." Anakin explained, softly. "I was sent to deliver him the news of General Grievous' demise, but he wouldn't relinquish all that he has gained."
"He actually had the courage to face the Jedi Council?" Obi-Wan frowned. "Something doesn't feel right."
"That's because he isn't a normal politician. He is a Dark Lord of the Sith."
Obi-Wan's expression registered shock, but only for a moment, before he composed himself again.
"I see."
"I transmitted this information to Master Windu and the Jedi Council. Four Masters went off a few hours ago, to arrest him."
"And I do not see what the problem is" Obi-Wan said.
"I need him alive, not dead, Anakin whispered, fiercely, the flame in his dark- blue eyes seeming to ignite once again, as he rose from the sitting position.
"Alive? Why?"
"I will tell you when I'll return" Anakin answered, climbing into the skiff. Obi-Wan, however, gripped his wrist, stopping him.
"I'm coming with you."
Anakin turned toward his Master, his eyes darkening even more.
"No" he growled. "I must do this alone!"
"Padawan, regardless of what you will say and do, I am still coming with you! Face the facts, Anakin. I can be as stubborn as you when I want to!"
Cursing under his breath, Anakin relented.
"Fine! But stay out of my way!"
"You won't even know I'm there!" Obi-Wan joked. "And I need to know why you need Palpatine alive so much."
"Get in!" ordered Anakin. "I'll explain everything on the way!"
Obeying his younger friend, Obi-Wan jumped into the ship's cockpit, next to Anakin and strapped himself in the chair.
"Prepare for takeoff" Anakin said, flipping a few switches in sequence. The three booster engines roared to life and the skiff began to move on the ferrocrete strip.
"Anakin, just how fast does this thing go?" Obi-Wan asked, eyeing the controls warily.
"Ten klicks per second" Anakin answered casually, ignoring his Master's horrified expression. "I needed the fastest bird the Temple had."
Pushing the throttle, Anakin accelerated, taking off from the strip and blasting out through the hangar bay doors and into the chilly Coruscant night, racing towards his Destiny . . .