Chapter 8 A Risk Worth Taking

Once they were in hyperspace, there was a short discussion concerning Zak's role in Obi-Wan's rescue. Anakin believed that Zak's presence would serve as useful distraction. Amedda had originally planned to take Zak too; it seemed logical to assume that he still had an interest in the boy. If Amedda focused on Zak, Anakin might just be able to locate and bring Obi-Wan safely back to the ship. The other Jedi could not argue with Anakin's logic. Therefore, much to Zak's delight, it was decided that he would be an active participant in the rescue. The other Jedi would remain with the ship until Anakin contacted them with the news that he had found Obi-Wan and was on his way back. It was a plan not without risks, but these were risks that they all were willing to take.

When they had arrived on Champala, Obi-Wan had been hustled into Amedda's compound and thrown into a small windowless cell. Three times, he had felt Anakin's presence in the Force. His friend, he knew, was searching for him. He did not welcome this, Amedda wanted Anakin to come; this was a trap that Obi-Wan knew Anakin would willingly walk right into. Later, Amedda had used him to antagonize Anakin further by hitting him with the force lance so that Anakin could witness it. He had tried to warn Anakin, but Anakin did not listen to his warning. He was still coming and that saddened Obi-Wan. Because of him, because he had allowed himself to be captured by Amedda, Anakin would die and this was his last and greatest regret. When they returned Obi-Wan to his cell, they temporarily released his binders so that they could secure his hands to the wall. No adjustment was made allowing him to sit, and, having no strength to stand, he was forced to sit straining against the binders and causing them to cut painfully into his wrists. To escape his misery, he went into deep meditation; it was his final defense.

Just before they dropped out of hyperspace, the other Jedi hid themselves in the storage lockers on the ship, only Anakin and Zak would be visible to Amedda and his cohorts. Zak sat quietly in the copilot's seat.

"When we get there, you will not fight, Zak. You understand this, don't you?" Anakin told him.

"I understand. I will keep Amedda busy while you find Master Obi-Wan. I will not fight, I promise." Zak answered.

"Good, I don't want to see you hurt. How would I ever explain that to your master?"

"I won't fight and I won't get hurt." Zak assured him.

Anakin began his descent into Champala's atmosphere and was soon met by an escort who indicated that he was to follow them to the landing area. Anakin complied without hesitation. When he put the ship down, an armed guard was waiting.

"This is good, Zak. Amedda is not out there so it will be much easier for us to get in." Anakin said.

"But he's armed, Master Anakin, we will have to go with him."

"Zak, we're Jedi, I will simply tell that guard that we don't wish to see Amedda yet; he will be very understanding." Anakin said with a small smile.

It took Zak only a moment to realize what Anakin's intentions were, "Oh, I see. Can you do that?" He asked.

"Master Obi-Wan taught me very well, Zak. This will not be a problem." Anakin answered. "Hide your lightsaber, we don't want Amedda to get that one too. It will be hard enough to get Obi-Wan's back."

Zak tucked his weapon underneath his tunic and Anakin did the same.

"Alright, if you're ready, let's do this." Anakin said.

"Ready." Zak answered confidently.

Anakin gathered the Force around him as he and Zak departed the ship. The guard came to them immediately.

"Ah, Master Skywalker, I presume." The guard said politely. "And who is this? Your son, perhaps?"

"Umm…no; this is Obi-Wan Kenobi's apprentice. Lord Amedda was very anxious to meet him." Anakin informed him.

"Ah, yes, the boy. Yes, my lord will be most happy to see him. Please, come this way."

Anakin waved his hand and threw the Force behind his words.

"We don't need to see Lord Amedda quite yet." He told the guard.

"You don't need to see Lord Amedda quite yet." The guard repeated.

"We would like to see Kenobi first." Anakin said.

"You would like to see Kenobi first." He repeated.

"You will show us where he is." Anakin commanded.

"I will show you where he is. Come this way." The guard said.

Zak glanced at Anakin and Anakin gave him a little grin, "I told you." He mouthed silently.

They followed the guard into the building and down a long hall. There were rows of doors and the guard stopped at one towards the end.

"He is in here." He told them.

Again, Anakin gathered the Force.

"Open the door." He said.

"Yes, I should open the door." He said and entered a code into the locking mechanism.

"You will wait here while I go in to see him." Anakin ordered.

"I will wait here while you go in to see him." The guard repeated.

"I won't be long." Anakin assured him.

"You won't be long." The guard echoed.

"Wait right here, Zak. Keep your…eyes open." He told Zak.

Zak knew what he meant. He too gathered the Force alert to any disturbance that would signify danger.

Even with the door open, the cell was dark and it took Anakin a moment to adjust to the darkness.

Obi-Wan was sitting along the back wall. His arms raised above his head. His eyes were closed, and Anakin at first feared the worst. Then he could still feel his friend's presence in the Force. He moved toward Obi-Wan and squatted down.

"Obi-Wan?" He whispered softly as he touched his shoulder.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes and squinted at Anakin.

"You should not have come, Anakin." He whispered hoarsely.

"You left me no choice, my friend. I could not let you die like this." Anakin told him.

"It's a trap; surely you know that." Obi-Wan replied.

"I know this, Obi-Wan. But you know what we do with traps, don't you." Anakin answered.

"This is not a game; go now, before it's too late." Obi-Wan said.

"I didn't come all this way to leave you here. We can spring this trap and go home. It will be like old times." Anakin replied.

"I can't, Anakin; I have nothing left." Obi-Wan told him.

"Well you had better find something, because I am not leaving you here." Anakin said stubbornly.

"Anakin, this is pointless." Obi-Wan answered.

"No, arguing with me is pointless. I came here to get you and I don't intend to leave without you." Anakin informed him.

"We'll both end up dead; this is foolish." Obi-Wan insisted.

"Save your breath, Obi-Wan, you're coming with us whether you like it or not." Anakin said, equally insistent.

"Us? Who else is with you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, Quinlan Vos and….umm…Zak." Anakin said somewhat hesitantly.

"Zak? You brought Zak here? How dare you! You're going to get him killed too." Obi-Wan replied.

"He's your Padawan Obi-Wan; it is his right to be here." Anakin reminded him. "Even Master Yoda agreed to it."

Obi-Wan sighed. He knew Anakin, stubborn Anakin, would get his way once again. He did not protest as Anakin reached to unlock the binders.

"What's this? " Anakin cried out softly when he touched them.

"I don't know, but they have drained me." Obi-Wan told him.

"Savage." Anakin muttered as he pulled his hand away and called on the Force to release the locking mechanism.

The binders fell away and Obi-Wan groaned as his arm muscles protested from the sudden movement. Anakin rubbed the stiffness out of Obi-Wan's arms and helped him to stand. Again, Obi-Wan groaned as Anakin touched the back of his injured shoulder. There was the sound of a tussle outside.

"Master Anakin? We must hurry." Zak said from the doorway.

Anakin put one of Obi-Wan's arms around his shoulder and guided him towards the cell door. Zak was standing impatiently waiting. The guard was lying slumped against the wall. Anakin looked at Zak curiously.

"He wanted to leave; I…persuaded him not to." Zak explained.

Obi-Wan looked at Anakin.

"Don't look at me, he's your apprentice." Anakin said.

With Anakin supporting Obi-Wan, the three of them made their way back down the hall.

"Zak, contact Master Windu and tell him we have Obi-Wan and are on our way out."

Zak did as Anakin instructed. Mace and the others would be waiting for them outside.

Anakin was somewhat relieved that they met no resistance as they made their way to the ship. What little strength Obi-Wan had left was quickly flagging as they finally reached their destination. Mace closed the distance between them and took Obi-Wan's other arm, and together he and Anakin took Obi-Wan inside.

"Well, that was easy, now all we have to do is get the ship out." Adi Gallia said as Anakin lowered Obi-Wan onto one of the sleeping couches and covered him with a light blanket.

"No," Anakin said, "I have some unfinished business first."

"Anakin, this is not the time for…." Mace started.

"Amedda has committed a crime, Master Windu. He must pay for that crime, and all the others he committed when he was working for Palpatine. Besides, he has Obi-Wan's lightsaber and I intend to get it back."

"Anakin, don't; it's not worth it." Obi-Wan told him weakly.

"It is to me. He can't get away with this." Anakin insisted.

Mace shook his head; there was no arguing with Anakin. His mind was made up and he wouldn't change it, "Alright, Anakin; but I am coming with you. No arguments." He said reluctantly.

"No arguments." Anakin agreed.

"Wait a minute, what about me?" Zak spoke up.

"No, Zak, you stay here. I told you, no fighting, and you promised." Anakin replied firmly.

Zak was disappointed, but with his master present, he was not about to protest. He nodded and sat down next to Obi-Wan.