Chapter 4 - The Abduction

"It's a warning, Padme. Like the one I had of my mother. Someone is in danger." He explained to her.

"Zak? Do you think Zak is in trouble?" She inquired.

Anakin sighed and swung his legs over the bed. He sat there holding his head in his hands.

"I don't know, Padme. But if that is true, then Obi-Wan is in trouble too." Anakin answered.

The communicator signaled an incoming message; Anakin stood up to answer it, but before he could, someone began to pound on the side door.

"Take the message, Padme. I will find out who is at the door." Anakin told her as he stood up.

Anakin opened the door to see an exhausted and overwrought Zak standing in the doorway.

"Master…Anakin….I…I didn't…know where else…to go." He stammered.

"Zak!" Anakin exclaimed, "What are you doing here? I thought you and Obi-Wan were on your way to Coruscant. Wait a minute; where is Master Obi-Wan, Zak?"

"He's…I….the transport…" Zak could not finish and collapsed.

Padme entered the room to see Anakin kneeling on the floor. He looked up at her and saw the stricken look on her face.

"Annie, that was Master Yoda, the transport that Zak and Obi-Wan was raided." She told him. Then she realized that there was someone lying on the floor. "Anakin, is that…"

"Zak, it's Zak. I don't know how he got here or what has happened." Anakin said as he picked the boy up and carried him to the couch in the other room.

Padme went to the kitchen and joined him with a glass of water.

"What happened to him, Anakin?"

"I don't know yet, Padme. He said something about a transport and not knowing where else to come, and then he just fainted." Anakin said as he took the glass from her and then put one hand under Zak's head trying to make him drink.

Zak's eyelids fluttered and then opened. With a shaky hand, he took the glass from Anakin and finished it.

"There," Anakin said, "that's better; now tell us what happened, Zak."

"The transport was...there were raiders. Master Obi-Wan…I didn't want to go…he made me go…why did he do that? I wanted to stay, but he made me go." Zak said.

"Calm down, Zak. I cannot help you unless you tell me what happened. Close your eyes, put yourself back there and slowly and calmly tell us." Anakin said gently, then suddenly felt a pain in his heart – how many times had Obi-Wan said the same thing to him?

Zak took a deep breath and did as Anakin asked.

"We were just about to make the jump to hyperspace. The transport rocked as if something had bumped into it. Master Obi-Wan said we were being raided and that he couldn't protect me and the other passengers. He took me to one of the escape pods; I pleaded with him to let me stay and help. We could hear the raiders in the cabin; they were looking for someone. Again, I asked my master to let me stay, but he pushed me into the pod. I asked him why, but before he could answer, they shot him; right in front of me. I wanted to stay, but I knew they would take me too, so I launched the pod. I tried to get as close to here as I could, but my coordinates were wrong. I didn't know where else to come." Zak told them.

"You did the right thing, Zak. You could not have helped Master Obi-Wan, you are just one small boy and you were outnumbered. He was right to send you away." Anakin assured him. "You did not desert him."

"I didn't know where else to come. I know I shouldn't have come here…." Zak realized, shaking his head.

"Yes, you should have. When Master Obi-Wan put you in that escape pod, I am sure this is where he wanted you to come. Where I am glad you came."

"Why did this happen? What did my master do?" Zak pleaded.

"Things happen for a reason, Zak. We don't always…Oh, no. Now I see. I have made a terrible mistake." Anakin said.

"What are you talking about, Annie?" Padme asked.

"The nightmares, they returned for a reason. I was supposed to go to Coruscant with Obi-Wan. I should have been on that transport. The two of us could have handled those raiders. Obi-Wan was hurt because I didn't see that. How could I be so stupid." Anakin said as he sat down hard on the floor.

"Can you help us, Master Anakin?" Zak asked as if he had not heard Anakin's confession.

"I should have helped you sooner, Zak. I'm sorry." Anakin answered regretfully.

"We can't think about that, Master, we must think about helping Obi-Wan. We can't change what has already happened." Zak told him.

Anakin looked up at Zak; how could someone so young be so wise?

"You're right, Zak. But first, you should get some sleep. The spare room is still ready. We will leave for Coruscant in the morning." Anakin said decisively.

"But, Master Obi-Wan is hurt! We should act now, before it's too late." Zak insisted.

"No, Zak. We don't even know where he is. They may have left him on the transport and he could already be heading for Coruscant; and if they took him, we don't know where. We must go to Coruscant and speak with the Council." Anakin told him.

Zak nodded in agreement. He knew that Anakin was right; leaving now would be nothing more than a wild bantha chase.

"Come on, Zak. I'll try to find some clean clothes for you. The ones you are wearing a mess." Padme said as she took his hand and pulled him gently from the couch.

Anakin stood up, but immediately dropped to his knees in pain.

"Anakin!" Padme shouted.

"It's Obi-Wan, I can feel it; they're hurting him." Anakin cried as dropped to all fours.

Padme and Zak could only stand there, stunned. Breathing hard, Anakin was finally able to stand with Padme and Zak's assistance.

"It felt like an electric shock; if it hit me that hard, it must be much worse for Obi-Wan." He said when he could speak again.

Traumatized by the frightening events aboard the Coruscant transport, Zak was completely spent. He changed into the overlarge tunic that Padme provided and crawled into bed. Padme watched him for a moment. "How could I be angry with you. You had no control over what Anakin dreamt. I'm so sorry, Zak" She said, but Zak was already asleep.

There was no sleep for Anakin, however. He was overwhelmed by the guilt he felt. He had failed his brother once again and now it might just cost him his life. He was staring out the window when Padme came in the room and put her arms around his chest.

"This is not your fault, my love. You could not have known this would happen. Obi-Wan would say the same. All you can do now is try to find him."

"I know." Anakin sighed. "I just feel so helpless. I don't even know where to look."

"Come to bed, Annie. In the morning, you and Zak can go to Coruscant. The Jedi will know what to do. Yoda will know. It will be alright, I know it will."

Anakin turned around and cradled her in his arms. This is why he loved her so much. He needed the words she offered. He kissed her gently and then climbed into bed. Padme climbed in and curled up next to him.

"It will be alright, Anakin." She told him again.