Chapter 22: Welcome Home
Obi-Wan kept his eyes forward, straight ahead at the white and blue streaks that flashed by the viewport. He recalled a memory of his past, when he first sat up in the cockpit and witnessed his first hyperspace travel. He was amazed by the power and sheer beauty of the science behind hyperspace. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon, when he was a Jedi, explained the workings of hyperspace and its progressive stance within the Republic's history. Obi-Wan found it all fascinating and continued to pester Qui-Gon on space travel.
That was ages ago.
So lost in the memory, he forgotten that he wasn't a padawan anymore. Qui-Gon was no longer a Jedi. And he was strapped to a chair, unable to wrench free of a darkening fate. It was this realization that Obi-Wan spurred into protest. He jerked his hands, tugging and twisting, in a desperate attempt to break free.
Qui-Gon observed from the corner of his eye. "Settle down," he said quietly. "We will arrive soon enough and you can stretch out your limbs then."
Obi-Wan looked sharply. "Will I? Or will you chain me up and put a mask over my head?"
The Sith Lord cocked an eyebrow, quizzical. "What?" he asked, clearly humored by Obi-Wan's accusation. "What are you talking about?"
Obi-Wan kept his lips pressed. An eyebrow arched in a poised and yet taunting manner. "Oh? You aren't aware that your assassin has a Sith mask?"
The humor died immediately. A severe frown dropped Qui-Gon's face. And his eyes. His tranquil, blue eyes blasted yellow. "What do you know about it?"
"A lot more than I would like." It was all Obi-Wan was going to offer.
A blast of frigid air collided into Obi-Wan. An intensity that disturbed the atmosphere enough to make Obi-Wan recoil in his seat. A groan reverberated in the ship as the metal around them tensed.
Qui-Gon inhaled sharply through his nose. "I see."
Did he? Obi-Wan knew Qui-Gon never experienced the black and cold sensation that seared his mind. Qui-Gon never endured the agonizing torture of his mind being wrapped up in voices that diluted his thinking or his connection to the Force being numbed and tainted. Qui-Gon never experienced any of it. So, no, Qui-Gon did not see anything about what Obi-Wan went through at Ventress's hospitality.
He wouldn't even care. After all, Sith Lords do not care about others. Love and compassion do not exist. Only power and self-preservation remained in their souls. Whatever Qui-Gon's feelings were for him, it wasn't love or compassion. It was a convoluted memory left from a Jedi long ago. One Obi-Wan could no longer reach.
Obi-Wan fell back against his seat. "What do I call you now?"
Qui-Gon's yellow eyes fluttered, specks of blue returning. "What do you mean?"
"What's your Sith name?" Obi-Wan clarified in a biting tone.
"I don't have a Sith name."
"I don't believe that."
Qui-Gon relinquished a sigh. "I don't, but even if I did," he said with a warming smile the erased the earlier coldness Qui-Gon held, "you can always call me Qui-Gon."
Obi-Wan did not appreciate the sentiment. In fact, the sentiment burned Obi-Wan's heart. To look into the face of his old master brought an agony that deprived him of happiness. He could not look at Qui-Gon without seeing his caring Jedi Master be contorted into the yellow-eyed master before him. The monster took his master away from him. It invaded and destroyed, killing his master as it took over Qui-Gon Jinn's identity.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath and blinked to hide the growing tears in his eyes. He missed his old master so much. "What happens now?" he decided to ask. Again, he preferred to know what he was heading straight into, especially when it involved a Sith. "What are you going to do to me?"
"Well, once we arrive at our final destination," Qui-Gon began, checking the time, "we'll get you cleaned up and healthy again."
"What else? Threats? Torture?" Obi-Wan expected, skeptical that only those two items were on the list. "Or perhaps you will try a round of brainwashing?"
Qui-Gon let out a long sigh. "Are you done guessing?" he asked, drained of the negativity. Obi-Wan didn't know what Qui-Gon expected, but he should've know better that Obi-Wan wouldn't be happy. "Or do you want to keep going?"
"What? None of those were on the table?"
"Obi-Wan..."
The young man shook his head. "I suppose it doesn't matter," he claimed, forfeiting and hope for the moment. He wouldn't be able to elude capture from where he sat. "After all, I won't have any say. Not like I ever did."
"I forgot how brooding you could be," Qui-Gon replied, shaking his head. "Ease your anxieties, young one. Things will be different now. I promise."
Qui-Gon spared Obi-Wan a smile, an attempt to comfort. It only left Obi-Wan feel unsettled. A promise from a Sith Lord was like a bestowed curse. Only horrors and tragedy awaited him. And he could do nothing other than rattled his chains that kept him enslaved to the Sith Lord.
A beeping interrupted the heavy silence. Qui-Gon worked the control panel, taking a grip on the steers as he closed a lever down. The ship slowed. The elongated stars shrunk to dots. Smears of blue and white darkened to the typical black of space. Directly in front, right in the middle of the viewport, was a mountainous and forestry planet that Obi-Wan was quite familiar.
A hand landed on his shoulder. "Welcome home," Qui-Gon said with a convivial smile.
Obi-Wan swallowed hard. He recognized that grey planet. It was Serenno. The one planet he never wanted to return again.
It took Qui-Gon an extra hour to land the ship at the nearby hanger. Obi-Wan spied the interior. It was the same hanger he used to escape from Serenno long ago. The anti-gravs locked on the floor, the ship hissing as it settled. Qui-Gon tapped the buttons and the screens went dark. They officially arrived on Serenno.
Qui-Gon waved his hand over Obi-Wan's cuffs. The metal hooks unlocked and freed his hands. Obi-Wan instinctively rubbed his wrists just as Qui-Gon pulled him to his feet, shepherding him down the lowering ramp.
Obi-Wan bumbled his way down, taking notice of the private spaceport. The security around the spaceport increased. At least, from what Obi-Wan last remembered. There were at least a hundred droids patrolling the hanger floor, along with a number of human mechanics and flight dispatchers. The overkill was maddening, but he imagined Dooku changed the security measures since he fled. He eyed all the armed droids with abhorrence. Was he at a spaceport or fortress?
Qui-Gon took Obi-Wan by the elbow, leading him away from the ship and to a chauffeured speeder. A royal escort awaited for them. Most likely to take them to the palace. Obi-Wan slowed in his steps as a whiplash of memories hit him. The fear, loneliness and pain haunted the edges of his vision, glimpses of what awaited for him when he got into the speeder.
The leader of the small escort party stepped forward and formally bowed before Qui-Gon. "Greetings, Lord Jinn," he welcomed. "How was your trip?"
"It was good," Qui-Gon answered, pulling Obi-Wan closer. "We need to go directly to the palace. The young one here needs medical attention."
As one, every single head dropped to examine him. They all wore similar, indifferent facial expressions upon spotting him standing next to Qui-Gon. They didn't recognize him, but a sense of polite respect was extended. After all, anyone whoever traveled with either Dooku or Qui-Gon must be of some importance.
The leader nodded. "Right away, my Lord."
He stepped aside, opening the speeder to allow Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to take seats. Qui-Gon shuffled Obi-Wan into the speeder where he, undignified, flopped in a seat. Qui-Gon sat beside him as two guards took their positions in the back and one up front. The extra protection wasn't necessary. Qui-Gon was well-equipped to handle any attacks. It was a show of power. A demonstration to warn Obi-Wan that escape would be improbable and, also, impossible. And Obi-Wan detested that reminder.
As they drove, Obi-Wan watched the scenery pass him. Luscious forests and ranges of mountains glamorized the planet. A promising place of adventures and paradise. Then, they passed through the edge of a nearby city and Obi-Wan noted the spires that towered over them. They were beautiful, elegant and refine. Boasting the appearance of regal and wealth, traits Dooku highly valued. Everything was neat and manicured to perfection. Nothing out of place or remotely unwelcomed. Again, another trait Dooku idolized.
The drove out of the city and headed down a long, private drive. Straight ahead, Obi-Wan easily made out the towers that belonged to Dooku's palace. It wasn't hard to notice. The main tower neared one hundred and nineteen meters, located on a cliff face. It was an impressive and imposing palace. Not as regal or old-school like Theed's palace or the modernized like the Sundari palace of Manadalore. But, it still reeked of wealth and power. A display of importance and might of the owner.
There were a few meters away, driving past the three ornamental gardens, where well-crafted flowers bloomed in welcome. The speeder slowed in front of the main gate, an imposing, double line of obelisks ran alongside it as it towered over arriving guests. The speeder came to a halt. The guards got out and Qui-Gon gestured Obi-Wan to follow him. Obi-Wan got out of the speeder and surveyed the palace. Nothing changed. At least, not from the naked eye. He saw the network of relay towers with incandescent windows scattered along the palace's grounds, but again, there were no oddities Obi-Wan wasn't aware of upon arrival.
Didn't mean he couldn't feel it in the Force.
There was something wrong. The Force felt tensed. Dread followed by suffering. Obi-Wan kept scanning the grounds as Qui-Gon spoke to the leader on matters Obi-Wan didn't care to learn. The Force was speaking to him. The Force bespoken pain. Not his. Others. Somewhere. Obi-Wan circled, looking around, but all he saw were guards and Qui-Gon.
He shook his head. He was missing something. Something of dire importance. He took one step away from Qui-Gon. The Sith Lord didn't notice. He continued speaking with the leader of what Obi-Wan assumed to be the security team.
Obi-Wan took another step. No one noticed. His presence wasn't registered with anyone. All attention was focused on Qui-Gon as they kept discussing. Obi-Wan turned away, gingerly reaching into the Force as to not alert Qui-Gon. The Force… there was a tremor of apprehension.
Another step. He was heading in the direction of the cliff face, where he once overlooked the grand mountains with awe. Step by step, he broke away unnoticed. The Force guided him, pulling him along a path that made him shudder.
Despite the sun shining down, Obi-Wan felt cold and a darkness that was so thick it was like he wore two tunics. The Dark Side seeped deeply here. Obi-Wan could feel it as if it was rubbing against him. He placed another step forward, eyes on the edge of the cliff. There was something there. The Force. It wanted him to go there.
"Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan froze. He felt Qui-Gon's questioning glare in the Force. There was no noise. No blasters whirling or lightsabers humming. Only the hard beat of his own heart racing.
"Obi-Wan," came Qui-Gon's voice again. It was sterner. It brokered no negotiation. Only obedience. "Come back here."
Obi-Wan didn't move. It would be easy for Qui-Gon to force him to return. A simple shot to his back or leg would effectively put him out of commission. Or, using the Force to secure him. Yet, nothing happened. Qui-Gon asked—no commanded—for him to come back to his side.
Qui-Gon was giving him a chance before he had to utilize brutal tactics. Obi-Wan drew an unsteady breath. He almost pivoted. Almost. But the Force! It lured him to the cliffs. Pulling and pushing him in some desperation. The intention was clear. Blaring in his ears.
"Obi-Wan—"
Obi-Wan bolted. With the Force, he ducked and dodged the bolts firing at him as he raced to the cliff's edge. He had no plan. No inkling of what to do other than he needed to see what was on the other side of the cliffs. Arms pumping and hair flying away from his face, he drew closer and closer.
The Force grew more intense. A near static combustion ready to erupt. The Force encouraged Obi-Wan to run faster. Already Obi-Wan knew Qui-Gon was chasing him down. And Obi-Wan was well aware that his chances of actually escaping were slim. It wasn't about running away. It was about seeing what was on the other side that drew his curiosity and the Force's insistence.
He had finally got the edge, skidding to the halt.
Except for his heart that plummeted over.
Deep below, a land once full of luscious green was ripped up and replaced with a factory. It was hard to tell what the factory produced, Obi-Wan spied the high security: thousands of droids, towers placed strategically and armed with cannons and a wall the enclosed it so none could exit. Yet, it was not what the Force nudged Obi-Wan to look.
What Obi-Wan found screamed in his mind. A surge of fear, pain and suffering doused him, all hope and comfort fleeting in its torrid wake. Obi-Wan's breaths turned short and labored as he saw the sight of hunched over humans, Twi-Leks, Chiss, Togrutas and many other different species. All collared and deep scars carved into their skins.
Slaves. They were slaves to the Sith Lords.
Obi-Wan surveyed the edge, wildly searching for a way to get down. He needed to help them. Save them all!
He never got the chance. On moment, he had the chance to make the leap and rely on the Force to pad his fall. The next, strong arms wrapped around him, dragging him away from the edge and away from the dark site below.
He fought back, kicking his legs up and throwing himself in an attempt to get his capturer off-balance. "Let go!"
"Stop Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon's voice ordered. His fingers dug grooves into Obi-Wan's skin as he held Obi-Wan immobile in his capture. "Stop—you're going to hurt yourself."
Obi-Wan didn't give a damn about himself. The others below. Their suffering penetrated him fully. The electro whips that struck the spine, shocked him. He felt his own flesh be ripped open, knees buckling under the violence. He could not stop the brutality. Nor the fear. The anger. The hatred that blinded him.
He rammed his head back. The connection made and Qui-Gon's grip loosen to tend to his own pain. Obi-Wan twisted, slamming his foot to Qui-Gon's knee. Qui-Gon reacted quickly. He rotated, narrowly missing Obi-Wan's boot. Seconds later, Qui-Gon swung Obi-Wan around, away from the edge of the cliff face so that he stood between it and Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan launched himself at Qui-Gon. The collusion brought both to the ground with Obi-Wan on top as he scored a hit across Qui-Gon's face. "Damn you!"
He pulled back his fist. His knuckles were ready to break a bone. He wanted to shove those bones and teeth right through his brain and—
An electric current jolted him. A strong zap right into his ribs brought him curling over and forgetting the second punch. Qui-Gon took his chance and flipped Obi-Wan off and onto his back. Obi-Wan, recovering from the electric shock, spotted the security team behind Qui-Gon. One of them held a taser.
Qui-Gon pinned Obi-Wan down, leaving no room to even wiggle. Qui-Gon's left cheek was swollen, but that was all the damage Obi-Wan accomplished. Not even a cracked lip or a nosebleed. It invigorated Obi-Wan to get up again. However, Qui-Gon was done with the show. He dropped a hand to Obi-Wan's head and spoke, "Sleep."
Obi-Wan heard Qui-Gon's voice echo in his head. The Force pulling down around him, dragging him away from unconsciousness. He couldn't. Obi-Wan had to stay awake. He couldn't be left in this man's mercy. He wrestled against the Force suggestion, teetering on unconsciousness. He fought back, grumbling as he focused on Qui-Gon's image above him.
"No."
Surprise fleeted across Qui-Gon's features. It was clear Qui-Gon expected Obi-Wan to succumb to the Force suggestion and that gave some gratification for Obi-Wan. At least until a smirk rose from Qui-Gon's trimmed beard. "I see you've mastered some stronger shielding," he noted and Obi-Wan detected the hint of pride in the Sith Lord's voice. "I'll remember that next time."
Qui-Gon struck out his hand and Obi-Wan immediately lost all mobility. He laid perfectly still, watching in tense anticipation as Qui-Gon withdrew a tiny needle. Qui-Gon squatted down. "This may hurt a bit."
It did. The moment the cold needle pierced the side of his neck, Obi-Wan felt his veins burn with fire. He hissed in retaliation as Qui-Gon purged the contents of the needle into his body. Obi-Wan's vision blurred. He blinked several times in hopes to sharpen the fuzzy images, but it did nothing. His vision was fading and Qui-Gon's voice sounded gargled.
The only thing he heard was the word 'sleep'. And so he did. He shut reality off.
Duchess Satine stared at the holographic image with stunned eyes. She listened with one arm wrapped around her waist and the other cradling the side of her head. It couldn't be true! She had just seen him a day ago. Her lips still tasted like him.
She shook her head. It wasn't true. It could not be true.
Obi-Wan Kenobi could not be gone!
Yet, Satine had no reason to doubt Queen Amidala's claims. The Queen was debriefed by the Jedi Council of its convoy's attack. Everyone on board was killed. Everyone but Obi-Wan. The Jedi couldn't confirm what happened to the convoy. The ship's memory was wiped clean. All they know was that whoever attacked carried a lightsaber.
"How could this happen?" Satine asked the small holo-image of Queen Amidala. "I thought you and Master Yoda planned this thoroughly to avoid such incidents?"
Queen Amidala normally presented herself in a regal posture. Strong, determined and unbreakable. Older beyond her years both in face and wisdom. Yet, now, before Satine, was only a young girl, sporting a shared grief of failure, shame and apprehension.
"It appears we were betrayed," Queen Amidala answered, somber. "My captain informed the Jedi Shadows of Obi-Wan's movements, helping them with his capture."
The captain? The man that stood beside the Queen when Obi-Wan carried Anakin onto Satine's ship? Satine dropped her head to her hand, eyes closing briefly. He was betrayed by a man he trusted. Betrayed just under a half-hour after she left him with fluttering hopes of seeing him again in a week's time. Now, those hopes were ripped right out of her heart and smashed to the floor by another's betrayal.
"What became of the captain?" Satine asked. She needed to know if justice was served on Obi-Wan's behalf. Or, at least for her dashed dreams.
"Captain Panaka is of no concern anymore," Queen Amidala responded with a cold touch that turned her image back to that of a reigning monarch. "He's betrayed the people of Naboo, along with my trust. He's no longer a captain."
That brought some satisfaction to the situation, but not enough to heal Satine's wounds. "What about Anakin?" she asked, worried for the boy's safety. "Did he betray Anakin as well?"
She swore to Obi-Wan she would keep Anakin safe. And if that two-face traitor did, she needed to remove Anakin from Mandalore immediately.
Queen Amidala shook her head. "No. Captain Panaka swore he only told the Jedi Shadows of Obi-Wan's movements as they were only after him. Not Anakin."
"Then there's still hope the Sith do not know Anakin's location," Satine said, her heart slowing down; yet, it still ached over the loss of Obi-Wan. "Have they investigated Master Jinn's whereabouts? Surely he took Obi-Wan. It must have been him."
"Qui-Gon Jinn was deployed for a different mission," Queen Amidala reported. "He had just departed from Coruscant at the time of the attack."
Satine massaged her temples. It was silly to think a Sith Lord would be careless to make such mistakes like that. "It must have been outside help then," Satine considered. "What did Master Yoda think?"
"He has no doubt that Dooku and Qui-Gon were involved in the massacre and Obi-Wan's disappearance," Queen Amidala said. "But in regards on proving such truths, there is little."
"Then what has Master Yoda decided to do?" Satine questioned, aggravated over the fact they have nothing that could either rescue Obi-Wan or at least bring justice to the Sith Lords who kidnapped him. "How are we going to find Obi-Wan?"
Queen Amidala inclined her head in recollection. "Master Yoda wishes for you to remain under the radar for now," she recounted. "Keep your head down and ears open. Keep a closer eye on Anakin. Master Yoda believes Anakin may… feel Obi-Wan's emotions and not react too well. If he does, Master Yoda would like you to contact him at once."
Satine numbly nodded. She knew what Queen Amidala was hiding underneath her words. It wasn't emotions that Anakin would feel. It would be Obi-Wan's pain. As Obi-Wan explained years ago, the Sith were quite familiar to torture. The mere mention of it squeezed Satine's heart. Faint heartbeats withered in her. Oh Obi-Wan…
"How am I going to explain to Anakin that Obi-Wan won't be coming as promised?" Satine whispered. Her voice could go no higher, dying in the wake of her loss.
Queen Amidala reflected her pain. "With the truth and hope," she answered with the same confidence of those who held on nothing but faith. "I only spent a few days with them, but from my time with them, they are known to do the impossible. I believe Obi-Wan can do it again."
Satine hoped she was right. Her time with Obi-Wan during the Mandalore Crisis proved to her Obi-Wan was an apt fighter and strategist. Talents she wouldn't highly value, but in this case, she wanted to believe Obi-Wan could perform those same miracle escapes like they did on Mandalore.
Her head dropped to the side. She yearned to see him one more time. Just one more embrace.
"He will not take it well," Satine said to the Queen. "He'll be devastated."
"As we all are, but yes. Ani will hurt the most," Queen Amidala agreed. "If you need assistance, I can speak to Ani with you."
That may be easier for the boy. Talking to a familiar face may make the boy more comfortable. "I shall com you tomorrow in the morning," she said. "For now, it is late and Anakin will be asleep."
Queen Amidala bowed her head in agreement. "Tomorrow morning then. I will await for your call," she said. "Remember—keep a close eye on Anakin. Master Yoda still believes he is in danger."
"Of course," Satine assured the Queen. "I promised Obi-Wan I would protect Anakin with my life. I will not break that vow."
"I'll let you know if we find anything on our end," Queen Amidala said. "I pray we receive good news soon."
They ended their conversation. Satine fell back in her seat, a hand over her broken heart. It still beat, but the pain it brought with each pulse crippled her. All she could see was Obi-Wan's bright, amused smile. She could feel his gentle touch around her, shielding her from worries and pains alike. His breath kissing her face as he leaned close, the strands of auburn hair falling in front of face. And his eyes. His blue-green eyes that lovingly held his quiet devotion… and his tears.
Satine's face pinched and her lips trembled as her lungs fought to breathe. It could not happen again. Not again. Losing Obi-Wan the first time hurt too much that it was like a part of her burned away on an opened pyre. The second time, oh Force! It was too much to bear. Especially now that she's caring for Obi-Wan's child, who slept just a few rooms down.
Satine pulled herself out of her sadness. She could not break now. She's a Duchess! The Duchess of Mandalore. She needed strength to keep her people and Anakin safe. She needed to be strong and selfless in order to uphold her promise she made to Obi-Wan. He was relying on her to keep Anakin safe. And she shall do what she must to insure it was kept that way. Even if it meant she could not grieve for Obi-Wan.
She gathered her gown and exited her chambers. Walking down the long corridor, followed by guards, she stopped right outside a door. She knew Anakin would be asleep. The boy tired himself out from all the brooding and pouting he did all day. Satine only wanted to check in on him, make sure he was comfortable and that he was all right.
The guards were instructed to wait outside and she entered the room with a quietness reserved for stealth. She slipped through the doorway, looking to the bed to find Anakin wide awake. He sat directly in the middle and his round eyes fixed on her.
"Duchess?" asked Anakin, confused as to why the Duchess would enter his room at such a late hour. "What are you doing up so late?"
Satine stood, unmoving. "Oh, I was checking in on you," she said. "You seemed to have had a stressful day."
"That's an understatement," Anakin said, falling back on the bed, eye flickering up to the ceiling. "I've been trying to reach Obi-Wan. All day! And I got nothing. Something isn't right. I know it!"
Satine walked further into the room. Her heart pounded in her chest. The boy was intuitive. Did he already know Obi-Wan's fate? "Well, perhaps he's too far away?" she suggested, though she had a good idea of the reason why Anakin couldn't contact Obi-Wan through the Force. "I'm told that Force sensitives cannot communicate telepathically across long distances."
"Obi-Wan and I can!" Anakin blatantly declared. "I can sense him miles and miles away! I could probably sense him on that moon if he was there!"
Satine's eyes flickered to the moon that was high above in the dark sky. That was quite the distance. Then again, Obi-Wan said the boy was powerful. Special. "Then you are very strong with the Force."
"I am," Anakin affirmed her observation. "And I should be with Obi-Wan now. We're a team! He needs me!"
"Anakin—"
"Something happened to him. I know it!" Anakin insisted, worried as he sat up again, hurrying to the window and looking up at the sky. "He needs help. I can… I can hear him calling for me. I need to help him!"
Satine despondently looked on at Anakin. The boy yearned for Obi-Wan's familiar presence, missing it profoundly that Satine knew a heartbreak was in the near future. But, she pulled herself together and devoid her face of emotion. It wasn't the time. The boy was barely even awake on his own two feet.
"You will, but not right now," she said. "You should rest, young one. Obi-Wan wouldn't be too happy if he knew you were skipping sleep.
"And I'm sure, he's all right," Satine added. It was the hardest thing she had to say. The words were nearly stuck in her throat, almost unable to be spoken.
It seemed that her struggle didn't go unnoticed. Anakin turned away from the window, eyes curiously narrowed like he just caught Satine in a trap.
"You're worried," Anakin noted, stepping away from the window. "Something did happen."
"Anakin, it's late—"
Anakin brushed away Satine's attempt to change the subject. "What happened? Tell me! I know something did. I can feel it," he said and his eyes studied her quickly. "Worried, but more terrified. And sad. Very sad."
"What are you doing?"
"Reading your emotions," Anakin answered as if it was obvious. "I can feel everything coming off you in big waves. Something bad happened."
Satine's hands tangled together. She's never been dressed down so emotionally before. Her emotions so exposed and easily readable. By a mere child no less! "Anakin, we'll talk more in the morning…"
"Just tell me," Anakin pleaded with a sad croak. His blue eyes growing rounder and wetter.
It pained Satine to see Anakin in defeat. She knew that she could not turn back and walk out the door without telling him. Anakin already knew the truth. He sensed it in the Force that something happened to Obi-Wan. Satine might as well confirm the boy's suspicious. Even if it killed them both.
Satine took a seat on the bed and gestured Anakin to sit beside her. He did, still looking up at her with those large, sad eyes. She exhaled deeply, hands on knees as she turned to face Anakin. "I received word from Queen Amidala tonight," she began and upon hearing the Queen's name, Anakin sat up. A tiny spark rejuvenated in his eyes. "She reported that… that um… that Obi-Wan was… Anakin, Obi-Wan was betrayed."
Anakin's whole body went rigid. His lips barely parted for whispers that followed. "What?"
Satine gravely nodded. "It appears one of Queen Amidala's security members tipped off the Jedi Shadows. They captured Obi-Wan on Naboo and arrested him."
"But… no! The Jedi can't take him!" Anakin shouted, shooting up onto his feet. "They can't take him! We were set free!" He angrily looked at her with confirmation as to what he said. "Can't we call the Senate or something? Tell them to release him? Like they did last time?"
Satine reached Anakin's arm and guided him back to the bed. "I'm afraid that's not the end of it, Anakin," she said, taking another breath in preparation to bring down the hammer. To smash Anakin's little heart into pieces like hers. "The Jedi convoy was attacked. Everyone died. Everyone except Obi-Wan."
A little grin came to Anakin's mouth. "The Jedi can't beat Obi-Wan! He's the best fighter in the whole galaxy!"
If only he were a bit better, Satine sadly thought. "Anakin—Anakin! Listen… it wasn't because Obi-Wan escape," Satine explained and her heart sank further down her body. "Anakin… Obi-Wan was kidnapped. He's gone. No one knows what happened to him and no one can reach him."
Anakin's jovial smile faltered. It slipped down from his cheeks and turned toward his chin. "What… what are you saying?"
Satine held Anakin's hands, cupping them both just as her mother did when she was young and was about to receive sad news. "Anakin, we believe the Sith have taken Obi-Wan hostage."
Anakin's face ghosted. Pinched white and tensed, he looked like a young boy struck by death. He didn't blink. He didn't speak. He didn't do anything for a long moment. Satine nearly called for healers, fearing the boy went into shock when Anakin finally murmured through his dried lips.
"I should have been there."
"Oh… no, Anakin," Satine said. There was a reason she wanted to inform him in the morning. Not late at night with only her as a source of comfort and knowledge. She quickly tried to comfort him. "Don't say that. Obi-Wan wouldn't want you there."
Anakin slowly shook his head. "I should have been there. I should have been there. I should have—" He leapt off the bed, pacing and shaking. His chest expanded with hot air, redness creeping up his neck. The boy was getting angry. The atmosphere in the room grew thick and dry, static seemingly building and ready to strike lightning. And then, Anakin screamed. "It's all my fault! Obi-Wan's in trouble because of me! Because they want me!"
"No, Anakin—"
"They're going to kill him. Torture him," Anakin rambled off, eyes madly looking everywhere. A frenzied panic. "They're going to kill him just like they killed my mother!"
Anakin came to a halt. Realization dawning those eyes before blackening into a dark understanding. "It's all my fault," he cried and tears burst out of his blue eyes. "I'm the reason my mother died! They killed her to get me and now they're going to kill Obi-Wan too because of me." Anakin drew his hands to his face, his shoulders convulsing and his body wracking in guilt. "It's my fault. It's all my fault."
Satine thought her heart could not break anymore. That her heart had already turned to dust with Obi-Wan's loss. But she was wrong. There was still more to shatter and she felt the shards of her heart stab through the chest upon seeing Anakin sobbing over the loss and guilt.
Satine was not a mother and knew very little about children. Her lack of knowledge didn't stop her from acting what was needed. She gently pulled Anakin back to the bed, sitting him down as he continued weeping for Obi-Wan. Then, as she saw other mothers do for their children, she wrapped one arm behind Anakin's back and the other in front of her. Like what Obi-Wan did for her when she cried over the bloody violence of Mandalore. She enclosed her arms around him, sheltering Anakin as she drew him near. Gently, she rubbed Anakin's arm in comfort.
"Listen here, young one," Satine addressed to the blubbing child. "It's not your fault. It won't ever be your fault. Obi-Wan is a brave, selfless man. He would never blame you for what has befallen on him. It is the Siths' fault. It is they who committed the atrocities.
"Do not lay their actions on your shoulders, Anakin," Satine continued to murmur to the boy. "Obi-Wan and your mother would not want you to. You are not at fault. Okay? You are not at fault."
Anakin stirred in her arms, but he didn't try to break from her embrace. He rested his head against her, his breathing ragged from the cries were torn from his lungs. "I can't lose him," Anakin whimpered as he inhaled sharply through his nose. "I can't lose Obi-Wan."
Neither could Satine. Not again. "You won't lose him," Satine assured him. "I have faith that Obi-Wan will prevail." She glanced down at the boy. Tears still streamed down his face as Anakin tilted his head back to look up at her. "We won't lose him, Anakin. We will see him again."
Anakin stared off for a moment and Satine wondered if he was using the Force to check if the statement was a definite prophecy. Then, he lowered his head, resting it against Satine's side as another round of sobs returned.
Satine laid her head on top, joining in the grief, but in silence. She kept him in her embrace, comforting him and letting him release his grief in the shelter of her arms. They stayed that way, both tangled up in their shared despair of losing someone they loved. It would be another five hours before Anakin collapsed under the sheer amount of emotional stress. He fell asleep on Satine's lap, red-faced and tear tracks everywhere.
Satine threw a blanket over him, tucking him in for the night (or early morning). She didn't leave the bedroom though. She stepped away from the bed and took her position on the sofa-couch. It didn't feel right to leave Anakin alone. Even if he was asleep, she thought it better to stay and be there upon his awakening.
In the meantime, she was going to read up on some history that may help locate Obi-Wan.