Chapter 19: In All Betrayals
Garen looked dead.
His skin shined under a thin layer of sweat, the tone as pale as the moon and his hair in clumps and knots gave an impression he was not entirely well. To be awake and look dead meant Garen was in extreme pain.
The Nubian nurse encouraged Obi-Wan to enter and Obi-Wan tentatively stepped closer to the healing cot. He peered down at Garen. He couldn't see his friend's face. Garen was on his stomach, his back exposed where Obi-Wan saw a dark line trail up his spinal cord. Obi-Wan swallowed hard upon the sight. It wasn't a very kind scar. Deep and unforgiving. Only a Jedi could survive a brutal carving.
"Kenobi?" came the muffled response from the bed.
Obi-Wan moved closer to the head of the bed, squatting down appropriately to speak. There he saw traces of his friend's face. Garen's jaw was set, eyes bloodshot and there was an aroma of bacta wafting off of him. Garen's eyes slid to the far corner in attempt to catch a glimpse of Obi-Wan.
"You came," Garen sounded surprised.
"Of course," Obi-Wan said. "How are you feeling?"
"Nothing."
Obi-Wan looked strangely on at his friend. "What?"
"I feel nothing," Garen repeated, his voice stronger than it was before. "The healers… the wound carved up my spinal cord. I'm paralyzed from the waist down."
There was a choke in the words Garen spoke next. "I won't be a Jedi Knight."
The guilt of Garen's injury gutted Obi-Wan. He looked away, pretending that it was giving Garen privacy as a tears trickled out from his glossy eyes. No, rather he turned away because he could not stomach the pain of knowing it was his fault Garen would never become the Jedi Knight he sought to become. He would never become a Jedi Ace pilot. Garen would never be able to engage in a duel or battle in space. His dreams were over. All because the assassin wanted to emotionally destroy Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan wiped a hand over his face, dropping it in remorse for his friend. "I'm so sorry, Gar—"
"I don't need your pity, Kenobi," Garen interrupted with a spat.
Obi-Wan inhaled through his nose. "Then what do you want from me? Why did you ask me to come here?"
Garen's eyes rolled again to the corners, straining to see Obi-Wan in the limited view provided. "I know you are planning to leave," he said, teeth bared down as he spoke. "It was your plan all along anyway. You were never going to let my master and I take you back to the Temple."
Obi-Wan chose not to confirm Garen's statement. He let the silence give Garen the answer. Garen darkly chuckled. "I'm surprised you haven't left yet," he commented. "I thought when I woke, you would be long gone."
"Couldn't leave without knowing if you were okay."
Garen huffed. "Then you will be waiting for a very long time," he said, aggressively. "I won't ever be okay. I'm a cripple. I can't even walk!" He gritted his teeth, restraining the frustration building in the Force. "Blazes! I want to feel! Is that too much to ask?"
No, it was not too much to ask. Obi-Wan sunk into the Force and rested his hand on Garen's shoulder. With his connection, he channeled a positive energy flow into his old friend, hoping to relieve the building stress that threatened to topple the Jedi serenity Obi-Wan knew took years to construct.
Upon the first flow, Garen eased into Obi-Wan's presence. He let himself drift in the warmth, soaking in the light, feathered touches of peace and serenity. Something out of reach for Garen to achieve on his own. As he relished the welcoming Light, his eyes enlarged as if he remembered quite clearly that his peace was restlessness. His serenity was chaos. Then the torturous reminder that the feeling was imaginary. He was paralyzed. He could not feel anything.
Garen's eyes fell into slits. "Stop it."
Obi-Wan reeled his Force presence away from Garen. "I only wanted to help."
"You've done enough," Garen said, but not in an unkind manner. Only in a disconsolate sigh. "You did enough."
Obi-Wan knew a dismissal when given and rose to leave his friend to his dispirited consultation. Garen was right though. There was nothing more Obi-Wan could do for him. He did all that he could and even that didn't save Garen's fate.
Garen's eyes closed and reopened, staring down into an unseen abyss of hardships and fear. He drew an unsteady breath, eyes lingering on the floor with furrowed eyebrows. It was difficult to tell what Garen was thinking, but Obi-Wan imagined that the padawan was experiencing a sudden lapse of faith. His master was dead. He was paralyzed. Every decision and thought he believed was leading him to Knighthood led him to this healing ward. Dreams vanished. Heart broken.
Obi-Wan remembered a person who was once in the same predicament as Garen. Broken beyond repair, dying in agony and always with a straight face, she stayed strong until the very end. During one of his last visits, she said something that resonated with him. And, Obi-Wan felt the need to share it with Garen.
"You are not what happened to yourself. You are what you choose to become," Obi-Wan recited to his friend. Then he remembered the lightsaber on his belt. He unclipped it, placing it in Garen's line of sight. It was Master Rhara's lightsaber. "You are a Jedi, Garen. Only if you wish to be."
Garen said nothing, but Obi-Wan knew his old friend was tipping over the ledge as he stared at his master's lightsaber. There was nothing more Obi-Wan could do for Garen now. It was now time for his final farewell. "Good bye, old friend," Obi-Wan muttered. "May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan headed back to the door when Garen called out to him one more time. "Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan stopped, surprised to hear Garen call him by his given name.
Garen back rose a little, the dark wound stretching as the man breathed. "You need to run," he said with a heaviness reserved for surrender. "They're coming. The Shadows. They're coming to bring you back."
Obi-Wan was well aware the Jedi would send a convoy to Naboo the moment they heard of Master Rhara's death and Garen's injury. It was expected. Obi-Wan recalculated the plan to accommodate the changes. But hearing Garen's warning provided a relief Obi-Wan did not know he needed. Garen was trying to save him. Perhaps they are no longer the best of friends they were before, but they both recognized and honored the old bond between them. That was enough.
Garen's breathing came out in harsh gasps, withstanding a pain somewhere. "And if what that assassin said was true," he added in deep gravity, "you and Anakin need to run far, far away."
That was the plan. With that parted warning, Obi-Wan walked away with hopes that one day, he and Garen could return as friends like they were as boys. Until then, they both have their responsibilities to uphold. Garen to the Order and Obi-Wan to the Force.
It was only unfortunate they could not fight on the same side.
Obi-Wan strode across the palace main hanger. His ship was ready and he had very little time to stay before the Jedi arrived for deportation. He gathered up the necessities. Queen Amidala provided him with enough credits to survive. It was generous that she offered. He had not expected her to.
He silently walked across the floor. There was no one around. He had the whole hanger to himself. Queen Amidala lived up to her promise. Already he mapped out his destinations that would lead the Sith on a futile trail. First stop was at Christophsis. He was to leave the ship behind and purchase a transport ticket to Coruscant. When the transport ship stopped at midpoint, he would stealthily switch into the cargo of another ship, remaining there and deciding if it was necessary to make another switch or go straight to Mandalore. Then once he had Anakin in his care, they were going to ship out to Wild Space. Not exactly a paradise place to live, but it gave them the invisibility and protection needed to hide from the Sith.
Before they could successfully escape to Wild Space, Obi-Wan needed to keep an eye out for any more assassins or bounty hunters. And, of course, for Dooku or Qui-Gon.
He neared his ship, ready to go out on his journey when his name was called. Obi-Wan stopped and looked around, spying Captain Panaka walking up from behind.
"Glad I caught you before you departed," Captain Panaka said.
Obi-Wan warily looked over the man's shoulder. "Is there something wrong? Is Queen Amidala—"
"Her Royal Highness does not know I am here," Captain Panaka interrupted. "I know she wanted to make sure you were left to your own accord, but with everything that has happened, I haven't gotten the opportunity to speak with you privately."
Obi-Wan looked at the chromo. Time was ticking. "I must really depart," Obi-Wan said to the captain. "I've stayed too long as it is."
"To visit your Jedi friend in the healing wards," Captain Panaka said with a nod. "How is he doing?"
"Not too well, but I have faith."
"He was a brave man," Captain Panaka offered as condolences.
"He still is," Obi-Wan remarked.
Captain Panaka solemnly nodded in agreement. "Quite so," he sighed. "He has Naboo's gratitude… as do you."
"I appreciate it, but we didn't do it for the honors," Obi-Wan said, adjusting his robe. "Naboo needed help. So we offered. That's all."
"Yet without you or Anakin, Naboo would be in the hands of the Trade Federation."
"I assure you, Captain, that the Naboo would have freed herself without our assistance."
Captain Panaka's face tightened and he groaned in exasperation. "Take the compliment, Kenobi."
Obi-Wan grew tired of the compliments. He never handled them very well and to be quite honest, he and Anakin only played one role in Naboo's freedom. If it wasn't for Queen Amidala's hope and determination, then they wouldn't have returned to Naboo. If it wasn't for Master Rhara's and Garen's sacrifice, the assassin could have achieved its main goal. If it wasn't for the handmaidens who took turns portraying Queen Amidala, the Queen would have been in more danger than ever.
It wasn't just Anakin and Obi-Wan who saved the day. It was everyone involved as well. And it annoyed Obi-Wan that only he and Anakin were getting credit. Even if they destroyed the control ship and the assassin. If it wasn't for others, he and Anakin would not have performed those suppose 'miracles'.
But, Obi-Wan restrained his displeasure and accepted the compliment with a tiny tilt of his head and gracefully said, "Thank you."
Captain Panaka approved. "Good. Now, I also want to thank you."
"For what?" Didn't the captain thank him enough?
"For keeping your promise," Captain Panaka clarified. "The guards told me what you did in the throne room. How you stepped in front of the Queen to protect her."
Obi-Wan remembered. Nute Gunray was going to torture her. "As I said, I would lay my life down for her. I was not lying about that."
"But you did lie about being Jedi."
"Not exactly," Obi-Wan replied and then reminded the captain, "I simply never corrected you. You only assumed based off my silence."
Captain Panaka waved his hand up to dismiss the argument, brushing it aside for a different topic. "I didn't come to antagonize you," he said, briskly. "I only stopped by to personally thank you and to say that it was an honor to fight alongside you."
The captain stuck out his hand. A peace offering. The hostility from the lies and mystery long deserted and only gracious acceptance was given. The captain's cold face melted lines into the man, giving him a spark of life outside his confides of a soldier. He was a man who cared and still performed his duty above all else.
Obi-Wan understood that. He took the captain's hands with a strong, assuring strength to absolve them of the tension they shared since the beginning.
"You are a good soldier, Captain," Obi-Wan said as he unhook his hand from the captain's grasp. "And a good man. Then Queen and Naboo will be well cared for in your hands."
Captain Panaka's pride swelled in his chest, puffed out in immense honor. "It will be," he guaranteed.
Obi-Wan inclined his head. "Then there is no reason for me to be here," he said with a funny, small smile. "May the Force be with you."
He moved away from the captain, heading to board his ship. He placed his bag on the shelf and moved to the cockpit to bring up the ramp. It was time to go. He needed to leave before the Jedi or Sith capture him.
The ramp closed with a snapped hiss. The control board lit up. The whirling of the engines wound up. The anti-grav unlocked and the ship rumbled to go. Obi-Wan inhaled deeply.
Ready to get out of here.
He pulled the lever down.
The croaking of machinery and a pathetic whimper of a failing start choked the engines before it died.
A red light flared up.
Obi-Wan stared at the flashing red light. He had no idea what it meant. He readjusted the controls, punching in a different code. He tried again. He pulled the lever. The choking sound grew louder and then hissed to silence.
The red light was still flashing.
"This would happen to me," Obi-Wan muttered, tinkering with the control panel again. "Of all the times to occur, it's when Anakin is not around to help."
He investigated the flashing light and concluded that something on the outside was loose. Obi-Wan shut down the ship and lowered the ramp. He was going to need another ship. One that wasn't broken.
He snatched his bag and hurried down the ramp to encounter two yellow, lightsaber pikes blocking his path.
Obi-Wan halted.
Beyond the pikes stood a calm and smug Jedi Shadow—Sifo-Dyas.
The Jedi Shadow tapped his fingers on the hilt of his lightsaber. His hard gaze went from Obi-Wan to the ship and then back to him. Then, the curl of a smile appeared. "Engine problems?" the Jedi Shadow deduced. "Need a lift?"
Before he knew it, he found Force-negate binders around his wrists and being man-handled by the Temple guards, each one holding his triceps uncomfortably tight. It was clear they had no intentions of letting him go.
Obi-Wan surrendered, blasting himself for his failure. Sifo-Dyas turned away and walked down the long hanger. The Temple guards dragged a consent Obi-Wan down the ramp to follow the Jedi Shadow's lead.
As they exited the hanger and moved down the corridor, it was then Obi-Wan spotted Captain Panaka standing directly outside the hanger doors. He lifted his head, repentant eyes gazing back at Obi-Wan being carried out of the hanger by Temple guards. As Master Sifo-Dyas passed, he inclined his head toward the captain in gratitude.
It clicked.
All the pieces came together and Obi-Wan saw the big picture. It was quite clear that the captain warned the Jedi of Queen Amidala's plans to help him escape. The captain disabled his ship and held him back to ensure the Jedi would arrive in time to capture him. Everything pre-arranged and calculated to ensure a secured interception.
Betrayed! All the hard feelings Captain Panaka held did not go away from a simple handshake. His praise and gratitude were nothing, but false sincerities and sentiments. There was no forgiveness or honor. Just pettiness and revenge.
As Obi-Wan walked past the now stoic captain, he only glared. He did not say a word to the captain. There were no words needed.
Obi-Wan got the message loud and clear.
Bant busied herself with restocking the healing cabinets with appropriate items and taking inventory of the necessities. It was her punishment for breaking the rules to see Obi-Wan. While it was a mind-numbing task, she found herself happy to do it if it meant she saw Obi-Wan.
He was not exactly the boy she remembered. The Obi-Wan in the Halls of Healing was someone jaded and desperate, desolated and cynical, caring and yet, battle-hardened. He was quite the combination of contradictions and hyperboles. The boyish looks were gone. His face less full and more sculptured of a man reaching his apex. Blue eyes serious rather than that of a dreamer. And, he was more alerted of his surroundings. Bant noticed right away when she visited him. He looked at everyone and everything by threat level. Bant wondered if Obi-Wan knew he acted in such fashion or was it now embedded too deeply that it was more of an unconscious action.
Despite these changes, Bant couldn't help but still feel her old friend in the presence of the Force. Obi-Wan might have physically and behaviorally changed, but his Force presence stayed the same. It was bright and bursting with Light. That was how she knew her Obi-Wan wasn't gone. He was there, behind that haunting visage. Her little Obi was still there.
She finished taking inventory and reported back to Vokara Che. "All done, Master," she said, passing the records to her.
Vokara Che reviewed the list. "Go to the Quartermaster and acquire three sets of blankets."
Bant obliged and bowed out of respect to the chief healer. She quietly headed to the quartermaster office. She ran into Siri on her way, passing a hello to the padawan. Siri Tachi, blonde beauty and tomboy young woman, was an old friend of Bant's and an acquaintance of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Bant, it is good to see you," Siri said in return. "How is everything?"
"Good with all things considering," Bant replied. She felt no need to clarify what she meant. Everyone knew already. Even the Jedi who were not at the Temple knew of Obi-Wan's captured.
Siri gave a small shake of her head. "So the rumors are true," she muttered, crossly. "Did you see him?"
Bant nodded. "I did."
Siri's face scrunched in scorn. "How is the traitor?"
Bant shivered at the name-calling. She didn't approve of the title most Jedi gave to her friend. "He's doing as well as expected," she said. "Still Obi-Wan."
Siri shrugged in response. "I wouldn't know," she replied, her mouth downturned as she spoke. "I must return to Master Gallia. She's expecting me."
Bant and Siri exchange goodbyes and Bant walked away feeling that she might be the only person who still believed there was good in Obi-Wan. Her own master would tell her that her feelings and attachment to her old friend were blinding her from reality. Yet, Bant was positive that what she saw—no, what she felt—was not darkness, but a bright light abounding in Obi-Wan's Force presence. It wasn't like Anakin's supernova presence, but it was close enough to the point that Bant was positive that Obi-Wan was still the Obi-Wan she knew as a child.
She arrived at the quartermaster's office and ordered three sets of blankets as instructed by Vokara Che. The quartermaster, Master Ricard, was an elderly man with a bald head and a permanent frown. He grumbled over the order and headed beyond the doors to obtain the needed blankets. He was never fond of giving anything away from the warehouse unless absolute necessary, always denying Jedi lots of things that were requested. Luckily, he is not allowed to question a healer's orders. Well, not to the extreme.
Bant waited. She stood at the counter and let her mind wander until it was startled out by a pat on her shoulder. She flinched, quite surprised she didn't feel a new presence enter the vicinity. She turned on her heels to see Master Qui-Gon Jinn standing beside her.
He chuckled lightly at her shock. "I'm sorry, Padawan Eerin," he said, sliding his hand off her shoulder. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Bant blushed and gazed down, embarrassed how she didn't recognize another Force presence. "My mind was elsewhere," she said and she lifted her chin up to look up at the tall Jedi. "How are you doing Master Jinn?"
The humor in his eyes dimmed and the small smile weakened. "As well as expected," he said, tired. "I'm sure you understand."
Bant did. She sighed and rested her forearms on the counter. "Did you get the chance to see him, Master Jinn?"
"I did, but only for a little and he was hardly doing well," Qui-Gon answered, frustrated by the memory. "I told them that keeping him in those detention cells was killing him. To be cut off from the Force… it's barbaric!"
Bant couldn't agree anymore. It's as bad as cutting off a person's leg or arm, but there was no replacement for the Force. No prosthetics for the Force. Once it is gone, it's gone. Left with an open wound that would never heal.
Not that Bant had any experience, but that was what she learned from her healing lessons with Vokara Che. The Force had no replacements.
"Obi-Wan is strong though," Bant said to reassure the Jedi Master. "He didn't completely deteriorate while in captivity."
"No, he did not," Qui-Gon agreed with a proud smile boasting on his aging face. "May I assume you visited him as well?"
"I did," Bant answered. "Only for a little bit at the Halls of Healing."
"Did he say anything?"
Bant shook her head. "Mostly concerned with Anakin… the boy," she added to clarify, but Qui-Gon was well aware who Anakin was. "Asked me to keep a promise."
"What promise?"
"If something happened to him to keep Anakin safe."
Qui-Gon hummed in understanding. "Makes sense. He is well attached to Anakin," he admitted. "Even when they first met, Obi-Wan wouldn't let Anakin out of his sight. Had to always hold him and care for him. I didn't think of anything at first, but now…" Qui-Gon let his words sink between them for a long minute. "It is what it is. I'm sure you know they are both gone now."
Bant nodded. "I said goodbye to them both this morning."
Qui-Gon perked up, surprise etched into his old and tired face. "You did?"
Bant nodded again. "I was with Anakin that morning when Obi-Wan came to collect him. Off to Naboo. Off on another adventure," she smiled at the idea. Obi-Wan did love adventures as a youngling. "Did you not get the chance to say goodbye?"
Qui-Gon gravely shook his head. "No… I wasn't even told until they were long gone," he murmured, hurt. "I wished I did though."
Bant felt sorry for the Jedi Master. He looked downtrodden the way he gazed aimlessly in front of him, his sad thoughts occupying his full attention. It had to be hard to watch someone you raised and cared for despise you enough to run away. To even fear you! Bant was surprised that Qui-Gon hadn't managed to break down. After losing Xanatos to the Dark Side, Master Tahl to the Force and Obi-Wan… it must be heart-breaking to lose everything that one holds dear.
Hesitantly, Bant wrapped her hand around Qui-Gon's. The Jedi Master flickered up to Bant, surprised by the gentle comfort. Bant offered a tiny condolence in the form of a small smile and, "There's good in him, Master Jinn," she reassured him. "I saw it! He'll come back to us."
Whatever emotion Master Jinn had left vanished underneath an unreadable expression. He reverted back to his Master Jedi composure. He must have realized that his emotional leakage was inappropriate. As Jedi Knights, such strong feelings were not approved.
Qui-Gon slid his hand out of Bant's and gave her one pat on her shoulder in appreciation. "I'm happy to know that there are others in the Order who still have faith in him," he said in a tiny, somewhat forced smile. "It's nice to know."
"Of course," Bant said brightly. "Obi-Wan is my friend. I believe in him."
"As do I," Qui-Gon said though there was some tentativeness in his words. He looked away, eyes searching for assistance. "Where is Master Ricard?"
Bant turned to the doors. "He's collecting my order," she said. "The Halls of Healing is low on blankets."
"Disaster!" Qui-Gon said, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I'm sure Vokara Che is stressed out."
Her smile widened. Looking at Qui-Gon, she didn't see how Obi-Wan could fear the man. There wasn't an ounce of darkness inside the Jedi Master. Pain? Yes. But anger and hatred was nonexistent. Then again, it was hard to get a good read on the Jedi Master. After Obi-Wan ran away, he had closed off his emotions. According to other masters, the loss of Obi-Wan was too painful for Qui-Gon. He kept mostly to himself and he swore off all padawans again. Nothing could change his opinion on that matter. He lost too much to bring himself to be open like used to.
Despite it all, there was still a sliver of something behind Qui-Gon's eyes.
Bant couldn't pinpoint it though. "If I may ask, Master," she began. "What brings you here?"
"I have a mission," Qui-Gon answered, apparently not secretive like most of his missions, "which requires a refill of medical supplies."
Qui-Gon went on a lot of missions. Some say it was to dull the pain or to help him cope that he no longer had a padawan. He needed to be away so that he didn't see other Jedi Masters with their padawans. Bant imagined he took the new mission to get away from losing Obi-Wan all over again.
"Where does this mission lead you to?" Bant questioned.
Qui-Gon scratched his chin. "To Geonosis," he answered. "The Shadows have a lead on the assassin who attacked the Queen of Naboo and it points to that planet. I am to investigate."
An assassin! Obi-Wan didn't mentioned an assassin. "There's an assassin?"
Qui-Gon paused. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. "I believe I may have spoken more than necessary," he said to Bant. "Do not worry yourself, Bant. It's only a possible lead."
"But Obi-Wan is with the Queen—"
Qui-Gon lifted a hand, effectively silencing Bant. "It's not your concern," he stated and he meant it. There was a fire burning in those blue irises, threatening devour. "Now—you heard nothing."
A shiver lined Bant's spine like frost on Alderaan's mountains. There was shift. A change of wind in the atmosphere that poked Bant into taking a step back from Qui-Gon. She looked closer, but the icy feeling melted as quickly as it came. Almost like it was never there.
Realizing Qui-Gon was waiting for a response, Bant dropped her chin and murmured. "Yes, Master." She heard nothing. There was nothing to repeat.
"Good," was all Qui-Gon muttered.
Before Bant could wonder at the sudden change, Master Ricard returned with the three sets of blankets. "There you go, padawan," he said, passing the set of blankets off to her. "These blankets should last a lifetime. So, I should not see another order ever again."
Bant took the blankets and thanked Master Ricard. Handling the blankets, she turned to Master Jinn with a respective bow required of a padawan to a master. "It was good to speak with you, Master," she said. "May the Force be with you."
"And also with you," Qui-Gon repeated, but he wasn't looking at her when he spoke. His full attention was to Master Ricard. His hands fell on top of the counter, spreading as he took the full attention of the quartermaster. "Master Ricard—I am in need of a few supplies."
Master Ricard grunted. "Isn't everyone when they come to see me?"
Bant quietly and hurriedly exited the office. A strange sensation crawled up Bant's insides. A drumming instinct that she had stumbled upon. Perhaps she was mistaken. Qui-Gon's mission sounded stressful. Hunting down an assassin who is gunning for the Queen—who Obi-Wan is currently serving—would not be an easy and unemotional task. It must have been fear she sensed from the Jedi Master. Fear that the assassin may hurt Obi-Wan.
It had to be that. It had to be.
It was, Bant decided as she arrived at the Halls of Healing, placing the blankets on the respective healing cots. Qui-Gon's fear of failing to stop the assassin was the reason behind the shift.
She convinced herself well as she tucked the blankets in the cots. But, the Force wrought with a deadly warning that refused to budge. Something bad was going to happen and many of the Jedi turned blind to it.
Obi-Wan sat in his cell. He did not dare look up at Master Sifo-Dyas' smug face. He heard the Jedi Shadow's voice rummaging through his mind, but Obi-Wan felt no need to piece the words together. He did not care for whatever Master Sifo-Dyas had to say.
If he went back to the Temple, the Jedi Council may order a mind healing. Or something much worse. And Master Yoda wouldn't be able to stop them. Not if the majority agreed.
He slipped out a small sigh, flexing his fingers to simply do something. He needed something to take his mind off the fact that he failed in part of his mission. Qui-Gon and Dooku would be pleased to have him back in the Jedi Order. They could continue their process of dismantling him of any credit or sanity.
Obi-Wan was not looking forward to it.
"Kenobi, am I boring you?"
Obi-Wan raised his head. Master Sifo-Dyas looked directly back at him, behind the bars and blue, Force shield. He didn't know what the Jedi Shadow was talking before and he didn't feel the need to request a repeated lecture.
Instead, he shrugged in response to the Jedi's question. "Well, I certainly don't find you entertaining."
Master Sifo-Dyas' eyes dropped to slits. "I would rein in that cheek, Kenobi," came the Jedi's portentous reply. "Yours and the Queen's attempt to undermine Jedi authority will result in a far stricter punishment from the Council."
"I have no doubt."
Master Sifo-Dyas studied him. He looked through the blue haze with a disconcerting eye, measuring Obi-Wan from where he sat. "You don't express any fear."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Why? Were you expecting me to?" he inquired. There was no response from the Jedi. "I'm sorry to have disappointed you, Master Sifo-Dyas."
"You didn't disappoint," Master Sifo-Dyas said, tucking his hands behind his back. "I'm merely impressed by your will. Even in great distress, you act tranquil."
"Would you like me to start screaming and pleading?"
"That won't be necessary," Master Sifo-Dyas said, turning to pace in front of the cell. "The Council would like me to talk to you about the assassin you confronted on Naboo."
Obi-Wan arched a brow. "The assassin I killed, you mean."
"Yes," Master Sifo-Dyas said, each step slow and precise. He commanded the attention and he spoke with authority that demanded an audience. A specific audience. "I spoke to Garen a little. He believed the assassin's target was you."
Obi-Wan folded his arms around his waist, watching the Jedi Shadow prowl around his cell. "His intentions were to kill the Queen and anyone who got in his way."
"The assassin spoke to you."
It wasn't a question. Either Garen told Master Sifo-Dyas of the assassin's words or he watched the holo-video of the fight. In any case, it was pointless to deny it. "We exchanged words."
"What did he say?"
"The usual."
Master Sifo-Dyas stopped and gave Obi-Wan a prominent stare down. "I wasn't aware you speak on a regular basis with assassins, Kenobi," he returned, a coldness in his words that would have scared any padawan. But not Obi-Wan. He lived under two Siths for three years. There was nothing Master Sifo-Dyas could say or do that would frightened Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan replied with a wry smirk. "Not as much as you do, I assure you," he said, which earned him a piercing flare of anger from the Shadow. "In fact, I believe he's only my fifth assassin I ever confronted in my life. And they all tend to say the same thing."
Master Sifo-Dyas turned sharply to face him. "And what exactly is it that he said?"
"Simple threats and promises of death and defeat," Obi-Wan answered, flippantly. "Oh—and the bragging. I cannot forget that important detail."
"Bragging?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, he was quite pleased to inform me that he was going to become the true apprentice to the Sith Lords, though—" Obi-Wan pensively rubbed his scruffy jawline. "I don't think that will happen now."
Master Sifo-Dyas betrayed no reaction to the reveal. Obi-Wan didn't expect him to. As a Shadow, he was well trained in hiding and restraining any emotional reaction to news. The only thing he did was ask a new question. "Can Garen confirm this?"
Obi-Wan shrugged. "He was there, but I don't know if he heard anything. Did he not say?"
"Padawan Muln is unconscious per instruction by a Jedi Healer," Master Sifo-Dyas answered. "We'll get more information from him later. For now, I am only interrogating you."
"I'm honored," Obi-Wan deadpanned. "Are there any more questions you wish for me to answer? Or is the interview over?"
"It's only beginning," Master Sifo-Dyas said with a little nasty grin. "May as well get comfortable Kenobi. You have a long—"
The ship rocked, throwing Master Sifo-Dyas off his feet and Obi-Wan to slide down the metal bench. He gripped the edges, holding himself steady as Master Sifo-Dyas pulled himself back up, looking directly at the door. There was a whine of protesting echoing the ship's corridor. Another violent shake disrupted the ship and Master Sifo-Dyas and Obi-Wan were holding on tight as to know start flying around the room.
There was a shrieking warning. The systems blaring. Were they being attacked?
Master Sifo-Dyas pulled out his comlink and shouted. "What's happening?"
A faint and distanced voice echoed. "We are caught in by another ship, sir!"
Another ship? Pirates? Or perhaps—
Obi-Wan went pale. It was not pirates. He yelled to Master Sifo-Dyas. "Master! We need to get off this ship now! Abandon it!"
Master Sifo-Dyas furrowed his eyes at him. "Quiet Kenobi!" he snipped. "I need to sort out this mess."
"Master! It's a trap. You've been betrayed—"
"Shut it, Kenobi. Not another word."
Before Master Sifo-Dyas even reached the door, the blasts of shooting fire erupted on the other side of the walls. Screams, cries and commands reverberated the walls in equal horror. The stench of blaster fire filled the air and Obi-Wan gagged. It was too late. He felt death weighing in the Force.
Master Sifo-Dyas sensed it as well. He pulled out his lightsaber, igniting the green blade. He crouched in position to fight. Obi-Wan stared wildly around, looking for any sign of weakness in the Force field to escape and assist. He found none.
"Master! Free me!" Obi-Wan pleaded with the Jedi Shadow. "I can help!"
Master Sifo-Dyas flickered a glance in his direction, a balancing of choices demonstrating in his eyes as he considered the idea. But, his thoughts and concentration were interrupted by the sound of the door being hammered by blaster fire.
Obi-Wan witnessed the door's strength weakening. Any moment, it would fall down and the siege would roll into the cells. Obi-Wan called for Master Sifo-Dyas again. "Master—please! Listen to me! You need my help!"
Just then, the door blasted apart. Smoke rising, distorting their vision. Obi-Wan peered out and spotted what appeared to be a battle droid marching into the narrow corridor. There was no sound at first. Nothing but the scrapes of metal of droids marching into the room and the hum of a lightsaber.
Then, in seconds, explosion erupted and blaster fire passed Obi-Wan's cell. It was fortunate that a Force field covered him. The stray blaster fire ricocheted off the blue wall and into a nearby droid or the opposite wall.
While Obi-Wan watched the fight in the safety of his cell, he had to witness Master Sifo-Dyas battle the droids alone. His lightsaber spun miraculously, absorbing all the blaster fire aimed at him. He dodged the droids and sliced off their heads with a clean sweep of his blade. It was a marvelous fight to watch. It was almost as if the Jedi Shadow was dancing rather than fighting. Still, it didn't make Obi-Wan any less worried. A Jedi Master could only fight for so longer before their stamina ran out.
Obi-Wan looked for the panel that controlled his Force shield. If he could get the droids to blast it and free himself, he could assist Master Sifo-Dyas in his fight against the droids. And, if they were blessed enough, hop into one of the escape pods. As of now, though, neither of them were blessed.
Master Sifo-Dyas was growing tired. Droids laid dead at his feet, but more kept coming. Never-ending. And Obi-Wan couldn't find the panel that unlocked his cell. It wasn't looking good for either of them.
Master Sifo-Dyas cut down a droid, swinging his lightsaber to bring on more, but the droids stopped marching and firing. They parted, leaving room for another person to enter and take center stage.
Obi-Wan didn't like the feeling building in his stomach. "Master," he whispered urgently. "Remove the Force field."
The Jedi Shadow slid his eyes from the door to Obi-Wan. He understood that he was immensely outnumbered. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small device and prepared to hit the red button when a long shadow fell in front of him.
Both Obi-Wan and the Jedi Shadow looked up to see a woman stand in the doorway. The same woman Obi-Wan fought on Tatooine.
Her pale skin was clear and flawless with skillful tattoos arrayed on each side of her clean-shaved head. She sparkled in some kind of inner, wild radiance. She wore a floor-length cloak, it swayed by her feet as she descended on them.
"Thank you boys," she purred at the droids, "for saving the best for last."
Master Sifo-Dyas repositioned himself. A stance of defense. "You have attacked a Jedi shuttle," he said to the woman. "You have broken—"
The woman mockingly yawned. "You bore me, Jedi," she said, looking at Master Sifo-Dyas as if he was some kind of lower animal. "As you can see, I don't play by your rules."
She reached to her belt, pulling out two curved lightsabers. The same ones Obi-Wan described to the Council. She had yet to register Obi-Wan's presence. Either she didn't care for him or she would get to him later seeing as he was trapped in his cell. Whichever it was, Obi-Wan didn't like it.
When she lit up the lightsabers, the red light illuminated the dark corridor into a red haze. Master Sifo-Dyas realized the dire situation he was in. He growled at the woman. "Sith!"
The woman chuckled. "You flatter me," she sneered. She undid her cloak, letting it fall to her feet, revealing her well-trimmed body. "But I will accept the title. After all, I always wanted to kill a Jedi."
She lunged, blades twirling to her whims as she slashed at Master Sifo-Dyas. The Jedi Shadow followed every attack, parrying and blocking the red blades with his single green blade. The fight had substance. It was well formed, blurs of light swirling and slashing the air. Master Sifo-Dyas pressed the attack. The woman intercepted and turned the tide against him, pushing him back.
There was no elegance in this attack. Like the assassin from Naboo, it was violent and ferocious. No breaks and no mercy. In any case, either the assassin or Master Sifo-Dyas was going to die before him. Obi-Wan only hoped it was former.
He felt like he was back on Naboo again. Trapped behind the shield, watching helpless as an assassin struck at a Jedi. While Master Sifo-Dyas was no friend, Obi-Wan didn't want to see him hurt. He watched the fight, unbalanced by the thoughts of being helpless. He needed to do something. Anything to help!
Yet, there was nothing. Master Sifo-Dyas held the remote to free him of the cells and Obi-Wan had no weapon to either fight or defend.
Slowly, the fight grew bigger. The woman growled and grunted as Master Sifo-Dyas perfectly blocked each attempt. She snarled as she struck her lightsabers at Master Sifo-Dyas's neck, hoping to decapitate him. The Jedi Shadow brought his blade up and stopped the attempt.
Obi-Wan's heart clenched at the intensity of the showdown. He rocked on his feet, muttering encouragements to Master Sifo-Dyas. He needed Master Sifo-Dyas to survive the duel.
The assassin grew angrier by the minute. Unhinged by her lack of striking the Jedi Shadow down. She had crossed her blades at him and he successfully blocked every single one. As she drew her blade down to swipe at his legs, Master Sifo-Dyas dropped his blade to block. It was growing tedious. The fight drew out longer and its fun was diminishing. She wanted to end it.
Obi-Wan sensed the dread lingering in the air. Time was ticking. One of them was about to die.
"No… please no," Obi-Wan muttered. He cannot take another death. Not over him.
Master Sifo-Dyas spun and elbowed the woman in the face, knocking her down. Her blades hissed off, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. Obi-Wan ran to the end of his cell, watching in suspenseful anticipation for the battle to come to an end.
Master Sifo-Dyas, panting, spun the lightsaber and was ready to order her surrender when the woman snarled. She bared her teeth and ripped out a roar. She threw out her hands and Master Sifo-Dyas went flying over the carnage of droids.
Obi-Wan's breath hitched. "Master!"
The woman leapt to her feet with grace, storming over to where the Jedi Shadow laid, stunned. Obi-Wan's heart hammered at the sight of the red blade coming to life.
"No… no… no," Obi-Wan muttered underneath his breath. He charged at the Force shield, trying to break it down, but was only shocked back. "NO!"
The woman plunged her blade into Master Sifo-Dyas' chest. The Jedi Shadow's eyes enlarged, struck by an immense pain before shadowed by a ghostly vision of death. His mouth crumbled. Fingers fidgeting. Eyes transfixed at the woman in shock, horror and agony.
Then, the lightsaber rolled out of his limped hand.
Obi-Wan said nothing. There was no biting anger or swelling hatred. Only a frozen reality of his own situation. Master Sifo-Dyas was dead. Battle droids were stationed at the doors and the assassin stood over the dead Jedi in savaged glory. There was no victory here. Only murder and destruction. All hope fleeting and abandoned.
She scooped up the lightsaber, curling her spidery fingers on the hilt. "It's still warm," she sneered before she clipped it to her belt as a trophy.
The woman turned back, strutting as her eyes fixated on Obi-Wan with burning delight. She took her stand directly in front of him with a predatory smile on her dark lips. "Kenobi," she said, sweetly like a lover. "How I missed you."
Obi-Wan rebuffed her indulgence. "I cannot say the same."
The woman examined the shield, her expressionless, flat eyes circling above. She waved her hand toward Master Sifo-Dyas's body. The remote flew to her hand. She stroke the remote, her gaze on Obi-Wan as she prowled in front of his cage.
"You have nothing to fear Kenobi," the woman mocked in derision. "After all—this is a rescue."
That was what Obi-Wan was afraid of. The rescue was imprisonment. He slowly backed away from the shields, thinking fast. Once she deactivated the shields, he only had a limited time to make his move. As to what he was going to do, he had no idea. He had no weapons. Nothing but the Force.
Meanwhile, she had the Force, three lightsabers and a platoon of battle droids at her command. The fight—if there was going to be a fight—was not in his favor.
The woman traced her bony finger around the red button. "While I would love nothing more than to finish our fight we started on Tatooine," she said, an acidic tone replacing her more sly and flirty speech. "My masters have ordered me to bring you alive."
Of course they did. They wanted to torture him themselves. "Very merciful of them."
The woman growled at his dismissive snide. "You should be grateful that your life is even spared!" she shrieked. "You're nothing. Only a false Jedi with no extraordinary power."
Obi-Wan would have been insulted if he held any vanity. Rather, he was too preoccupied figuring out how to escape. Instead of engaging, he merely shrugged in response. "That is your opinion."
That dismissive gestured rattled her. "Perhaps a little demonstration is necessary then?"
She punched the red button. The Force fields vanished, leaving Obi-Wan fully exposed. The cell's bars still kept him trapped and the woman hadn't yet opened the door.
Her predatory smile remained on her face. The fury lighting her eyes. She gestured the battel droids. Metal rustled as the droids turned in formation, gun raised and aimed at him. Were they going to shoot him dead? He thought Dooku and Qui-Gon wanted him alive?
Obi-Wan was ready for death. Anakin was safe and out of the way, with people Obi-Wan trusted and loved. And, if he died in the cell, he wouldn't be used as a lure for Anakin. All in all, death was much preferable than being captured. Better to be dead than alive.
It didn't take long at all.
The second the blasters were raised, the droids fired upon him.
Except, it wasn't plasma energy that punctured his flesh. The shots were set for stun.
His whole body rippled upon impact, shocking him into a mirage of unconscious and unconscious state. He didn't remember falling, but the hard surface pressed against the side of his face told him he was down. A faded screech of the cell doors opening and pattering footsteps could be heard. His vision blurred, dark blotches overcoming him.
He felt a brush of cold air against his cheek and faint cackling in his ear, "You're all mine, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Then, a touch of cold kissed his temple before he succumbed to full unconsciousness.