Chapter 9: Don't Look Back

Dooku critically studied the holo-image of his latest failure. Ventress stood as straight as her cowering figure allowed. The ends of her outfit were ripped in ribbons that revealed her pale legs. There seemed to be no flesh damage. Just cloth.

Still, the anger simmered underneath the surface of Dooku's impassive face. The Force surrounding him toiled in the irritation that arose as he listened to Ventress's image rant out excuses.

"Master! He was a coward," Ventress hissed, the muscles in her face constricting to a feral growl. "Weak and pitiful. He chose to run than fight!"

Dooku exhaled deeply through his nose. His demeanor darkened as he leered at her ruined outfit, a skeptical brow rising. "If be the case, then why are your clothes ripped by what appears to be from a lightsaber?"

Ventress's fingers curled as she snarled. "He defended himself, but he still fled like a coward!"

Dooku clicked his tongue in distaste at her excuses. He grew bored. "Or you allowed him to escape because of your negligence," he accused, clipping his hands behind his back. "You disappoint me. You were such a promising apprentice."

That brought a surge of vexation. "I am! I can defeat Kenobi!"

"Yet you didn't," Dooku pointed, vehemently. "You are being taken off the mission."

"Master! No—"

Dooku didn't wait to hear any more false promises. He ended the transmission and released a frustrating sigh. He despised incompetence, but hated petty quibble. She failed. Kenobi succeeded. It was as simple as that. He needed no excuses or explanations. The outcome told him everything. "I give you credit, Qui-Gon," Dooku said and he turned to see Qui-Gon leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. His old padawan had listened to the whole conversation. "You trained the boy well."

Qui-Gon didn't smile at the rare compliment. He was perturbed, which surprised Dooku. He thought Qui-Gon would be pleased to hear that Kenobi survived. Instead his old padawan was focused, eyebrows furrowed in severe contemplation.

"I thought you would be happy?" Dooku commented and Qui-Gon's eyes slid to Dooku.

"Happy? No. Proud? Yes," Qui-Gon relayed. "Unfortunately, this means the Jedi got them."

"He could have escaped. They didn't send Sentinels."

"Exactly! They sent Garen Muln. Obi-Wan won't fight his friend. He's… sentimental that way."

Thinking back, there was merit to Qui-Gon's observation. Obi-Wan identified himself as a strict rule-follower Jedi. He often debated with his master on decisions that went against the Council's wishes and Jedi code. But, from simple, yet brief observations, Dooku noted that the boy suffered from emotions. It was subtle differences. The way his eyes shone when helping someone he cared or how his jawline protruded when angered. Signs that all pointed to emotional compromised. On people or ideas he believed in, Obi-Wan got himself deeply involved to the point it was quite easy to see the emotional attachment without Force probing.

Dooku lifted his shoulders, nonchalantly. "Be as it may, that is still a victory for us."

Qui-Gon quizzically stared at Dooku. "Them being in the Jedi custody is a victory?"

"You've forgotten, my old padawan," Dooku said, walking over to Qui-Gon. "The Jedi are bringing them here to the Temple. To us." A spark of hope resonated in Qui-Gon's eye. "Give me some credit, Qui-Gon. I've made the proper arrangements in case this situation occurred."

"Did you?" Qui-Gon became intrigued. "Already you placed little faith in your apprentice."

"She's not my apprentice. Only a disciple," Dooku corrected, stopping short so he could fix himself a glass of Corellia's finest wine. "As for faith? I have faith that I would be disappointed. Unlike yourself, I like to plan ahead." Dooku took a whiff from his glass before he tipped it. The warm and smooth taste soothed his throat. A fine glass of vintage wine. Dooku lowered his glass, looking over the rims to Qui-Gon. "Everything is under control."

"How?" Qui-Gon challenged, still doubting Dooku's capability to perform the impossible. Even after all these years. "They are going to be in the vicinity of hundreds of Jedi! How are we going to sneak them out under the Council's eye?"

Dooku smoothed out his cape, running his hand from his shoulder to his arm. "You forget again, Qui-Gon. While the Temple may look like a fortress on the outside, it is not," he reminded Qui-Gon. "There are many ways to get passed the Temple Guards and sneak out items from the Council's watch. As I said, it's all under control for now."

That got an approving nod from Qui-Gon, though he frowned at the thought of the situation. Nonetheless, Qui-Gon asked the last imposing question in his mind, "Has the Council received word of their arrival?"

"I'm afraid not," Dooku informed him and he took another drink of his wine. "It appears Master Yoda and Mace are the only Councilors handling it with the addition of Shadow assistance." Dooku studied his old padawan over his glass. "You wish to be there when they arrive? Qui-Gon… I suggest you restrain yourself. They'll be in our custody soon enough."

Qui-Gon drew out a long, overdue sigh. "You're right. I can't risk Yoda or Mace questioning me," he removed himself from the doorway. "What exactly are your plans in regards to Obi-Wan and Anakin?"

Dooku offered only a sly smile as he turned to the window. "That, my friend, will be a surprise."

The trip in space was dreary. Anakin scrunched himself into Obi-Wan's side as his fingers kept tinkering with the binders, hoping to find a weak point to free himself. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan meditated to his best ability, but his anxieties kept him unhinged. There were many possible outcomes upon their arrival in Coruscant. The most obvious was the Council would deem him as a traitor and lock him in the cells far below the Temple. But, his concerns didn't rest with his future. It was Anakin's that he was most concerned. He didn't know what would happen to the boy. Would the Council still accept him as a member despite his older age? Would they leave him at an orphanage if they find him to be far too old to become a Jedi? In either case, Anakin would be on his own.

Anakin hadn't said a word since Garen locked them up. He stayed close, but otherwise said nothing. The Force-negated binders kept Obi-Wan from assessing Anakin through their bond, leaving Obi-Wan to rely only on facial expressions. And from what he observed, Anakin looked like a defeated youngling. Obi-Wan blamed himself for their predicament. Perhaps he should have pleaded with Garen and Master Rhara to let Anakin stay with Padmé and the rest of the Naboo entourage. Begged them to only take him into custody and not Anakin. However, he doubted they would obliged. From their years of Jedi encounters, Obi-Wan learned the arrest was for both of them.

The door to the cell opened and both he and Anakin sat upright to stare into the eyes of their jailer. The darkly handsome man entered, carrying food rations in his hand. He shut down the Force field and passed the rations through the bars. "It's not a lot, but it's what we have," Garen explained as Obi-Wan went to pick both of them up.

Obi-Wan thanked him and gave one to Anakin. "It's much appreciated," he said to his old friend. "You have no need to worry about our taste. We hardly dined on exquisite meals."

"Wouldn't have guessed seeing as you were with a queen."

Obi-Wan paused in helping Anakin unwrap the ration bar. "Our interaction with the Queen was limited," he decided as Anakin glared at Garen. "We only met her three days ago."

"And yet she defended you and was ready to fight the Jedi Order," Garen remarked, assessing Obi-Wan with suspicion. "You must have made quite the impression in that short period of time."

Obi-Wan eyed his old friend carefully. "It appears so."

"Then again, you always had a thing for royalty."

Obi-Wan glared at Garen's flippant retort about not only Padmé, but also Satine. "Thank you for the food, Garen," he said with finality, effectively ending that particular discussion. He had no desire to dishonor either Padmé's or Satine's name.

Garen gave a nod, accepting that he may have crossed a line. He didn't say anything else, but he didn't leave. Instead he stayed, fingers twitching and his eyes looking everywhere but at Obi-Wan. A deep frowned darkened his normally easy mien. Something bothered the Jedi Padawan to a great extent and it appeared he believed Obi-Wan to hold the key to his release of such torture.

"Say it, Garen," Obi-Wan finally said, bored somewhat at the Jedi's anxieties. But, more so he wanted to end his friend's suffering.

Garen's eyes flashed up to him. "I don't have anything to say."

"Then why are you still here?" Obi-Wan pointed out. "You want to say it. Go ahead."

It looked to be that Garen would refuse, but that slight hesitation was a falsehood. "How could you do this?" he asked, his words tainted with smothered frustration and betrayal. "For years, I spent trying to understand it from your point of view, but… do you even realize what you did?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "I do."

Garen shook his head fervently. "No… no, I don't think you do. Because of you, Masters were questioning their padawan's loyalties. Because of you, promising initiates were not accepted by Masters. Because of you, padawans like myself had to work extra hard to prove to everyone that we weren't like you!"

Garen's hands roughed over his face. "The first few years, I thought that it was all just a big misunderstanding. You loved the Jedi Order. Always wanted to be a Jedi Knight. So, when you ran off, I thought—no, that's not it—I forced myself to believe it was because you were taken. But then reports came in and it was like I never knew you at all."

Obi-Wan's chest tightened at hearing his friend's doubt. "Garen—you do know me!"

Garen denied the statement with a rigorous shake of his head. "No, I don't. My friend wouldn't have turned his back on us. Turned bad," he said, breathing heavier. "I don't know who you are anymore."

It was the first time Obi-Wan ever regretted his decision to run. He thought his friends would still have faith in him. That he could call upon them in great time of need, but witnessing Garen's private rebuke gave Obi-Wan an overwhelming sorrow. He miscalculated. He had hoped to still have his friends despite what happened. He trusted that their friendship in their younger years would still hold, but it eroded under falsehoods and miscommunication. Did everyone think of him like that? Did Reeft? Siri? Did sweet Bant even believe he was far gone? He prayed to the Force that not everyone stopped believing him.

Garen waited for a response—or a denial—but Obi-Wan only offered what he could. "I'm sorry."

It was true. He was sorry for everything that ruined them.

Garen huffed. "I wish I could believe you," he said and Obi-Wan could tell that despite the cool exterior, Garen truly wished he could believe in him again. "I have to get back to my master. She might believe you did something to me if I don't return."

Obi-Wan watched his old friend disappear behind the door and the Force field energy surrounded him and Anakin once again.

"He's wrong."

Obi-Wan glanced down to Anakin. He had nibbled at the ration bar, but it seemed Anakin's normally huge appetite was gone. Anakin leaned over his scrunched knees, head craned back to look up at Obi-Wan. "You're not a bad person."

"Depends," Obi-Wan said, turning over his own ration bar. "To the Jedi Order, I betrayed them."

"By leaving?"

"By leaving and taking you with me," Obi-Wan corrected, still not opening his ration bar. "In their minds, I'm a criminal. At least, that is probably how my old master twisted it when he reported us missing."

Anakin's eyes widened as a scary thought came to mind. "Wait… will he be there?"

Obi-Wan's chest tightened again at the thought of being under Qui-Gon's and Dooku's eyes once more. "Y-Yes. They will most likely be there."

"What are we going to do?" Anakin asked, suddenly impatient and energized. "We can't go back to them. We can't!"

Obi-Wan was well aware that they could not be captured by Qui-Gon or Dooku. Luckily, they were heading to the Jedi Temple where there was some amount of protection despite the two being amongst the Jedi. "Ease your worries, Anakin," he told the young boy. "We'll be fine. The Order provides us with some protection. They won't dare steal us under their watchful eye."

"But, we'll still be in Jedi custody," Anakin said with a groan, falling against the wall. "We should have gone with Padmé. She would have kept us safe."

"Not for very long," Obi-Wan replied, wondering how the Naboo were doing with their own arduous problem. Luckily, the Jedi provided mechanics and two pilots to help the Naboo arrive safely to Coruscant. "Besides, we couldn't get her involved with our problems when she has her own. Her planet and people need her. We can solve our situation on our own without adding it onto her list."

Anakin sighed, agreeing with a small nod. Then he scooted closer to Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan felt the cold touch of Anakin's skin. "Are you okay?" Obi-Wan asked as he lifted his cuffed arms to hold Anakin close.

Anakin shook his head. "I'm afraid that something bad is going to happen."

"Nothing bad is going to happen, Anakin," Obi-Wan reassured him the best he could. "Release your anxieties. Worrying about a possibility is suffering twice. So, let it go and focus on the moment. We're still together."

"But—"

"Focus Anakin," Obi-Wan repeated again. "Enjoy the moment we have now."

Anakin said nothing. He laid his head against Obi-Wan's side, eyes dead straight ahead. Obi-Wan still held him, afraid what would happen if he let go. He could only protect Anakin until they landed. And once they land, Obi-Wan didn't know what would happen. But until then, he could keep Anakin safe in his arms.

Obi-Wan knew of their arrival onto Coruscant when the ship gave a stuttered and a small thump as the antigrav clamps locked on the hangar surface. Anakin shot up, eyes alert and unsure. Obi-Wan smiled warmly in hopes to relax the boy, but it didn't help. Anakin was a bundle of nerves, so when Garen came back to release them, he flinched away from the Jedi Padawan. Obi-Wan had to hold onto Anakin's shoulder to keep him from retreating further back into the cell.

"Stay close to me," Obi-Wan whispered to Anakin, "and follow my lead."

Anakin gave a numbing nod. He stayed close as Garen led them from the cells to the top of the ramp. The ramp slowly lowered and Obi-Wan caught site of the stone and metal floorings that belonged to the Temple's structure. Master Rhara was with them and she ordered Garen to follow out last as she took the lead. Obi-Wan looked down to check on Anakin's whereabouts. Anakin was still with him, fidgeting in anticipation.

Master Rhara gestured Obi-Wan to follow and he obliged. He walked down the ramp, a second behind Master Rhara as respected in tradition. When he arrived at the bottom and took in his surroundings, he found that the hangar was sparse with the exception of a few selected individuals. Master Yoda and Master Windu stood a few meters ahead, eyes locked on him and scrutinizing where he stood. Or at least, Master Windu was.

Master Yoda was different. He looked the same as Obi-Wan remembered last. Short, green, with wisps of white hair tucked behind his ears and a hundred years of wisdom mirroring in those brown eyes, Master Yoda postured more of someone filled with relief and pity. Not someone who was skeptical and disappointed. He leaned on his gimer stick as he watched Obi-Wan and Anakin descend the ramp, eyes flickering from one to the other.

Anakin, meanwhile, was too fascinated by the surroundings to notice the Jedi. Obi-Wan had forgotten he's never seen a city planet before and the likes of Coruscant's landscapes were unique. The boy let out gasps of wonder, stopping at the very edge of the ramp for a split second to marvel at the skyscrapers, the rows upon rows of traffic and lack of any green as far as the horizon. It was only until Garen reached the bottom that Anakin moved again, joining Obi-Wan at his hip and studying the Jedi who awaited them.

They arrived to where the two Jedi Councilors stood and Master Rhara bowed before them. "Masters, it's good to see you both. As instructed, we returned with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker," she said as she stepped aside to reveal them to the Councilors. "Their bindings are holding well."

"Excellent job, Master Rhara and Padawan Muln," Mace Windu's hard tone said before he gave a critical eye over Obi-Wan. "I would say welcome home, but you forsake it as your home a long time ago."

Obi-Wan gave a respectable, but clipped bow. "Master Windu—time has not changed you at all. Master Yoda," he replied to Yoda before nudging Anakin to do the same. The boy bowed too, but eyes were curiously gazing at Master Yoda. "It's good to see you are both doing well these past few years."

Master Windu scowled, but Master Yoda smiled. "Good to see you again, is it, Obi-Wan. Been a long time, it is. Yes, hmmm?"

Obi-Wan concurred. "Far too long, I'm afraid," he said and he turned to Anakin. "Let me introduce you to Anakin. Anakin? This is Master Yoda and Master Mace Windu of the Jedi High Council. Master Yoda and Master Windu, meet Anakin Skywalker."

Master Windu only stared at the boy with a calculating suspicion. Master Yoda totted closer, peering at the boy's face with utmost interest. "Good to meet you, it is, Anakin," he said to Anakin, who only stared wordlessly at the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. "Quiet you are. Be afraid, do not. Bring you any harm Master Yoda will not."

A crease formed between Anakin's eyebrows that doubted Master Yoda's promise. Obi-Wan quickly took over the conversation. "He's okay. Just getting accustomed to his surroundings," he explained to the Master. "It's been quite an adventure for us this past week."

"For the past seven years," Master Windu corrected in his deep, baritone tone, "which we need to proceed." Master Windu signaled for someone behind him. A group of four Jedi Temple Guards along with Jedi Shadow Master Sifo-Dyas melted out of the shadow's edge and surrounded Obi-Wan. "As you are aware, Obi-Wan, what you did was a crime against the Order. You are hereby arrested for treason and will be trialed for such crime. You will be given a hearing. If needed, you may request for representation on your behalf."

Obi-Wan looked from one Temple Guard to the other, all eyeing their yellow, lightsaber pikes. There was no escape. He turned to Master Windu. "I understand."

"Good," Master Windu said and then he looked to Master Sifo-Dyas. "Deliver him to the detention center."

Master Sifo-Dyas accepted the command and instructed the Temple Guards to secure Obi-Wan. Two grabbed his triceps and forced him to walk toward the far left exit. What Obi-Wan immediately noticed was that they left Anakin untouched. As per instructions, Anakin was ready to follow Obi-Wan when another Jedi blocked him.

"Oh no, young one," said the gentle cooing of Vokara Che. A blue, Twi'lek Jedi Healer that seemed to have also come from the shadows too. "You're not going with them."

Anakin stared, appalled. He moved to follow again, but Healer Che stopped him by taking his arm. "No youngling," she said again. "You are to come with us. We'll get you situated."

Anakin glanced to Obi-Wan, watching him be removed, and the panic finally overcame him. He controlled it the best he could, but Obi-Wan realized that his departure was depleting Anakin of any sense of safety and fear suddenly kicked into gear. "Obi-Wan!" Anakin called out to him.

Obi-Wan marched onward, the Temple Guards ensuring he kept moving. Master Sifo-Dyas challenged him to resist with a raise of his brow over his dark, penetrating eyes. To avoid initiating a riot, Obi-Wan ignored Anakin's call. Best to not look back in case he did something foolish.

"Obi-Wan!" Anakin's cry crippled Obi-Wan's heart, but he still did not dare to look back. He couldn't let Anakin see him like this. "Obi-Wan!"

He heard the struggle. Anakin was resisting Vokara Che's hold on him. He kept crying for Obi-Wan as he refused to follow Vokara Che. "No! Nooo," Obi-Wan heard Anakin's reply as Vokara Che kept insisting to not resist. "No! Obi-Wan!"

Obi-Wan faltered in his steps. Anakin's pain was insistent and his connection to the Force only empowered the bond. The Force-negate binders were no match to Anakin's power and Obi-Wan felt every inch of fear and pain radiating from Anakin. The boy was scared, panicking into a corner.

"Obi-Wan!"

Obi-Wan stopped, causing the Temple Guards to shove him onward. Obi-Wan held his ground and he looked to Master Sifo-Dyas. "I have to talk to Anakin," he pleaded with Master Sifo-Dyas. "Please—it will only take a minute."

"The answer is no," Master Sifo-Dyas stated. "He'll be cared for in your absence."

"No—you don't understand."

Master Sifo-Dyas heard no more. He signaled the Temple Guards to force Obi-Wan to move. The same two guards grabbed his arms and dragged him. Anakin's cries blared in his ears as the Force rippled in distress. A warning. The waves within the Force were rolling, strengthening and threatening. Obi-Wan craned his neck over his shoulder to find Anakin struggling in a Force grip. The boy tried to twist it out, his eyes rolled to the far corners to look at Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan!"

Anakin was frantic and terrified. The Force reacted to Anakin's heightened emotions that Obi-Wan sensed it cracking. Knowing Master Sifo-Dyas wasn't going to stop, Obi-Wan called out to Vokara Che. "Stop! Don't—" Obi-Wan stumbled as the Temple Guards jerked him. He dug his boots into the floor as he yelled behind him. "You're frightening him!"

The cracks were growing larger. The Force churning and rumbling in every cry from Anakin. Did no one else feel it? It appeared not and Obi-Wan knew that an explosion was inevitable. Obi-Wan kicked up, shoving his shoulders into the Temple Guards to escape so he could reach to Anakin. Master Sifo-Dyas ignited his lightsaber to put an end to Obi-Wan's crude fight, but one of the Temple Guards managed to strike his pike against Obi-Wan's ribs. Obi-Wan cried out and recoiled from the pain that revolted him.

And Obi-Wan's pain was the final straw.

"Obi-Wan!" Anakin cried. He twisted around and screamed. "NO!"

The Force erupted and everyone in the vicinity felt it. Those closest to Anakin were thrown aside. Vokara Che flew across the small hangar along with Garen and Master Rhara, landing in dead heaps. Master Yoda and Master Windu managed to hold their position, but they stumbled backwards from the onslaught. The Temple Guards stopped in their assault along with Master Sifo-Dyas, who all turned to look at Anakin in massive surprise.

Anakin broke free and he ran, but not away.

He ran straight to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan took the advantage of the Temple Guards and Master Sifo-Dyas's distraction and got out of their grasps. He met Anakin half-way, dropping to his knees in front of the boy. At first look, Anakin was sobbing freely. He clung onto Obi-Wan, shaking physically and emotionally. Obi-Wan felt the binders around his wrists loosen and then fall between him and Anakin, freeing his arms so that he may hold Anakin. Obi-Wan held him for a moment, comforting him and sending warmth through their bond. Once Anakin stopped shaking, Obi-Wan pushed him back to examine him. Anakin's face was streaked in tears, his breathing hitched as he choked his words.

"Let's run," Anakin pleaded. "Please! Let's just go."

It would be pointless to run. Obi-Wan knew that and so did Anakin, but the boy clutched desperately for a miracle. A miracle they would not be blessed with today. "Anakin... Anakin," Obi-Wan repeated to get the boy's attention. "We can't go."

"Why not?"

"Because my consequences have caught up to me," Obi-Wan quietly said as he held onto Anakin's hands. "I'm so sorry to have dragged you through all of this. You never deserved any of this. If I could do anything to change it, I would."

Anakin swallowed his tears, running his sleeve underneath his nose. "W-What will happen now?"

Obi-Wan didn't have a straight answer for him. He didn't have one on the shuttle and he didn't have one now. "I don't know, but we'll take it one step at a time," Obi-Wan decided to answer, giving Anakin a smile to cast away any fears. "Like we always do."

But it didn't remove away all of Anakin's fears. "What if I don't ever see you again?" Anakin mumbled in quiet desperation. "I don't want to lose you like I lost Mom."

And that was the one fear that hit Anakin at his core. The reason for his outburst and sobbing desperation to not let Obi-Wan out of his sight. It was not surprising for Anakin to have that fear. Not after what he learned on Tatooine.

Anakin shifted on his feet, his fingers squeezing Obi-Wan's hand in a tight grip. He need confirmation. To hear Obi-Wan tell him his worries were unfounded and that they would see each other all the time. To swear to Anakin that he would never lose him would be an empty promise. Obi-Wan couldn't make promises like that. Not those promises.

Instead, he did what he could for Anakin. "What does the Force tell you?"

Anakin shook his head doubtfully, unsure to trust any feeling. "I don't know."

"Yes you do," Obi-Wan encouraged. "Don't concentrate too hard, Anakin. Just… what does your heart tell you?"

Anakin scrunched up his face in uncertainty. "Yes… I guess."

Obi-Wan smiled. "Me too," he said and he looked over Anakin's shoulder.

To his quiet surprise, he caught sight of a very old friend. Bant stood beside a now befuddled Vokara Che, watching their exchange. She had changed. No longer that small Mon Calamari he remembered, but a taller and more confident padawan. She was dressed in healer robes rather than the typical Jedi robes. She turned to the arts of healing instead of a Jedi warrior. And that would work well for Obi-Wan's plan.

Obi-Wan focused back on Anakin, still somber. Anakin stopped crying and wiped away the dampness from his eyes. Obi-Wan waited until Anakin got his bearings before he spoke again. "I have a friend here, Anakin," he said. "A very good friend. Her name is Bant and she'll take very good care of you until we see each other again."

Anakin took a deep breath to steady himself. "I don't want to leave you."

"You have to," Obi-Wan insisted, squeezing his arms. "I'll be fine. I promise! Remember, even if I'm not beside you," Obi-Wan pointed a finger to where Anakin's heart beat hard against his small chest, "I'll still be with you. Okay?"

Anakin took a deep breath, looking unsure of himself before he nodded. "Okay."

Obi-Wan pulled Anakin into an embrace. A last parting comfort for him. "I need you to go with Bant now." Obi-Wan said as he gestured for Bant to come over. Bant looked nervously at the other Masters, but once she received compliance from Master Yoda, she walked to the duo. Obi-Wan whispered into Anakin's ear. "Be brave and don't look back."

Obi-Wan parted from Anakin. He remained kneeling on the ground as he turned Anakin around so that he met Bant. Obi-Wan's friend smiled at him and he felt Anakin go rigid. But, Anakin had to go. Obi-Wan gently pushed Anakin toward Bant. "Don't look back," he reiterated.

Anakin didn't move at first, but with another nudge in the Force, Anakin took a few determined steps closer to Bant. The Mon Calamari waited. She didn't rush to him. She was patient and kept the kind smile on her face as Anakin took tiny steps toward her. Obi-Wan watched, quietly urging Anakin to keep going. A few times he saw Anakin hesitate and nearly turn to look back, but Obi-Wan called out to him. "You're doing great, Anakin. Keep going," he muttered to motivate Anakin. "Don't look back."

It took some time, but Anakin finally met up with Bant. The Mon Calamari squatted down and held out her hand. "I'm Bant Eerin," she said. "It's good to finally meet you."

Obi-Wan watched the briefing in tense anticipation, but Bant did well. Anakin wasn't afraid. Sad, but not afraid. After introductions, Bant escorted Anakin away from the hangar with Vokara Che leading. As they exited, Bant looked back to Obi-Wan, her round eyes mixed with feelings of sympathy and pity. Obi-Wan returned with a kind smile and mouthing 'thank you' to her. Bant tipped her head in honor.

Behind him, he heard the march of the Temple Guards running to collect him. They must have been held off by either Master Yoda or Master Windu. Obi-Wan rose to his feet, surrendering. "I'm ready to go now," he told Master Sifo-Dyas who still had his lightsaber in his hand.

Master Sifo-Dyas ordered the Temple Guards to remove him to the detention centers. Obi-Wan went quietly. As he walked away, he passed Master Yoda.

The Grandmaster watched him with sharp evaluations, but not in the manner that criticized him. There was something behind Master Yoda's eyes that gave Obi-Wan a funny feeling. He didn't know what exactly, but Obi-Wan thought he saw Master Yoda looked relieved and disturbed. But the disturbance didn't seem directed at him. Another disturbance conflicted Master Yoda's thoughts and before Obi-Wan could take a second look, he was ushered out of the hangar and into a turbolift that dropped him deep below the Temple.