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Ch.6 Don't Rescue Me
The large building was completely devoid of battledroids or any other militia, besides Obi-Wan's escorts. Dooku was not paying any attention to Obi-Wan. I could try to escape, he thought hopefully. No, it's still too risky. If he got caught, Dooku would keep a closer eye on him, and then there would be no chance of escape. But if he did escape, he could avoid meeting Dooku's master. Obi-Wan shuddered.
They were walking past a small hangar; Dooku's Sailor was in the far corner. A surge in the Force told Obi-Wan that Dooku had opened a small door leading off to the west side of the hangar. Looking out to the setting sun, Obi-Wan could see in familiar buildings. He knew where he was, on Coruscant, maybe the industrial sector. I hope Anakin got back safely… His droids escorts stopped and left with a signal from Dooku.
Obi-Wan stopped. He saw his chance, and secretly, he had difficulty controlling his fear. The whole room radiated the dark side. He concentrated, then ran for the Sailor. Images of the Sith Lord that killed Qui-Gon flashed through his mind. Dooku didn't try anything, this relieved Obi-Wan, but his relief was short lived, when he narrowly avoided a bolt of Force Lightning. He realised there was only one option. He spun around and called a lightsaber from Dooku's belt. He felt a rush of courage and familiarity as the sky blue blade deflected more Lightning. It was his lightsaber, which he had lost on Geonosis. Then he heard a cackle. A cruel, malicious cackle. A dark figure, completely shrouded by a heavy black cloak was walking slowly out of the room. His mouth, which was the only feature Obi-Wan could see, was curled up in a smile, reminiscent of Dooku's, but much worse. Something told Obi-Wan lightsabers were no use again such an enemy. He slowly lowered his blade. Sidious stopped next to Dooku, who was looking livid.
"Well done, Master Kenobi. You calculated your chances well, my young apprentice."
Obi-Wan clenched his teeth. He was angry with himself for giving into hate. He had more self-control than this.
"I am not your apprentice, Sidious, and I never will be."
Sidious' smile got even wider, if possible.
"Yes, you hold a certain hatred for the Sith, don't you…More than the usual Jedi. It is because Master Jinn was killed by a Sith Lord, isn't it?"
Obi-Wan remained silent. Sidious' voice softened.
"I can feel your anger. You can't hold it back forever, my new apprentice. Soon you will join us, and your apprentice will follow."
Anakin. They want Anakin. I'm just being used as bait. But why try turning me to the dark side when they can just kill me? Suddenly Obi-Wan realised he was putting Anakin in danger just by being here. He will rescue me, but at what cost? Obi-Wan faltered. Anakin, stay away. Do not come. I will manage on my own. Don't rescue me. Obi-Wan hoped his Force message would work. Sidious and Dooku smiled at each other discreetly. I have a really bad feeling about this…
. ….
Anakin ran as fast as he could from Yoda's living space. He barely acknowledged the few Jedi that looked at him with concern. His only thought was to rescue Obi-Wan. Anakin did not know who he was looking for, but he hoped he would know when he saw them.
He jumped down the stairs, wasting no time. At that moment, it hit him. Obi-Wan's message had broken through the fog of the dark side, helped by their Master/Padawan bond. Anakin, stay away. Do not come. I will manage on my own. Don't rescue me.
Anakin could feel the urgency in the message. He concentrated, slowing down his pace as he sent his own message back to Obi-Wan, wherever he was. I won't leave you Master. He wouldn't let Obi-Wan die, through his faults, like his mother did. But would Obi-Wan die? What was Dooku doing to him? Anakin jogged across the hall, still not paying the slightest attention to anyone.
"Anakin!"
Anakin spun around, his braid flying into his eye. Master Shaak Ti was running towards him. He had always respected her; she treated him better than the cold disapproval he received from some of the other Council members.
"I've been looking for you everywhere. Did Master Yoda tell you about me?"
Anakin blinked.
"He didn't tell me you were coming. He didn't even seem sure about who to choose."
Shaak smiled and shook her head, her lekku swaying slightly.
"Well, I'm ready if you are."
Anakin grinned, though his grin only held half the emotion it used to.
"We'll take my speeder.
"Lead on. Obi-Wan will soon be back with us." She added reassuringly.
They ran from the hall to the speeder park. Anakin glanced over at the Senate building, wishing he had time to see Padme. But there were other things to do that would not wait for a five-minute visit. He was glad he had already volunteered to bring her back to Naboo.
. ….
I won't leave you Master. Obi-Wan would have smacked his forehead had his present situation not been so serious. He couldn't reply, Sidious and Dooku were watching him intensely. They must have sensed his first message.
His anger was gone, replaced by concern for Anakin. The Sith Lords hadn't moved.
"I can see from your expression that your message failed, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan was shocked, he had been careful and nobody could intercept a Bond message, except for the master and apprentice.
"How did you-"
Sidious cackled again, but his smile faded.
"The dark side of the Force holds many abilities that are unknown to the Jedi. It's not all Lightning, my young apprentice. In time, you will learn through me."
Obi-Wan stood his ground.
"I will not turn."
Sidious looked at him with mock surprise.
"By Force, of course you won't. You are incredibly loyal, Obi-Wan. I doubt even torture could turn you."
Sidious walked a little to the left, away from Dooku.
"But what if I made you an interesting offer? Join us, and we will leave your apprentice alone."
Obi-Wan noticed Sidious put a slight emphasis on the word 'we'.
"I don't believe you."
"Is there anything I can say that you will trust?"
Sidious said, a small smile back on his hidden face.
"No. I will never give in to the dark side."
It was at that moment that Sidious played his ace.
"But perhaps your apprentice will."
Obi-Wan's eyes revealed his conflicting emotions, worry, anger and foreboding. Sidious faced him again.
"Are you going to risk him? I know just how unstable he is. He will be far easier to turn than you."
Obi-Wan gripped his lightsaber hilt. Sidious was not finished.
"Skywalker has raw power, but Lord Tyranus seems to value experience more."
Distracted, Obi-Wan turned to Dooku. He hadn't said anything since Sidious emerged. Now he stepped forward.
"I am repeating my offer, Obi-Wan. Join me, and we will end this war before it's too late."
They're competing for me. Obi-Wan thought incredulously. But Obi-Wan noticed that Dooku had changed his offer slightly, and decided to use it to his advantage.
"Spare me your sweetened speech, Dooku. You seem to have forgotten part of your offer. On Geonosis, you mentioned that if I were to join you, we would destroy the Sith."
Obi-Wan could barely suppress a smile of satisfaction. Dooku's confident air was gone, as was his smile. Sidious' smile had disappeared too.
Without warning, Sidious bared his teeth and Lightning burst from his fingertips. Obi-Wan was flung backwards, his lightsaber deactivated and skittered across the floor. He was in agony, much worse than being stabbed with Dooku's lightsaber, worse than one hundred lightsabers. The Lightning pieced his innards and reached into his soul…and then it was gone. Obi-Wan lay panting heavily, barely maintaining his strength. The Lightning had been greatly aided by the strengthened dark side and Sidious' power seemed limitless. He got slowly and shakily back to his feet. He expected a reaction from them when he reached for his lightsaber, but none came. He activated it again, waiting for more Lightning. Sidious' face held no more spite. Just hatred. Obi-Wan was ready; he was ready to die defending Anakin's safety.
