Chapter 15 Ally or Enemy?

Anakin entered the code into the pad next to the door and was rewarded with the reassuring sound of the locking mechanism in motion. The door slid open. Zak peered cautiously out of the doorway before motioning the Clone to go through first. Obi-Wan followed with Anakin guarding the rear. JK seemed to know where he was going, when they reached the first intersection, he turned to the left without hesitating.

He made several turns before it became obvious to Anakin that they were not heading back towards the main hallway.

"Where are you going, JK?" He asked.

"Out." He said simply. "You did want to get out; didn't you?"

"Yes, but this doesn't appear to be the way out." Anakin answered.

"It is, trust me." JK replied.

The trip was proving too much for the weakened Obi-Wan, however, and he staggered several steps before collapsing completely.

Anakin knelt next to him, "Obi-Wan?" He said, hoping for a response.

Nothing. Anakin touched the back of his neck and could still feel his life force there; he was only unconscious, and Anakin breathed a sigh of relief, "Zak, wait a minute, we have a slight problem." He said calmly.

Zak turned slightly, but still keeping one eye on JK, "Master?" He said tentatively.

"He's just unconscious so I'll have to carry him." Anakin assured the boy as he carefully lifted Obi-Wan to his shoulders, "Boy, does this seem familiar."

Once Anakin had Obi-Wan securely positioned, he signaled to Zak to move on. They continued for several long minutes before Anakin called them to a halt; in the back of his mind, a feeling, a bad feeling was beginning to grow, "This is getting us nowhere, JK. What are you doing?" He asked.

"I know where I'm going, sir; we're almost there." JK answered.

But the nagging feeling that something was not right was getting stronger.

Bail had led Mace, Yoda and Declan to the door he saw the trio access on the security tape, but when they arrived, Anakin and the others were gone.

"I do not understand this; if they were heading in the right direction, we should have seen them by now." Bail said, sounding confused and a little frustrated.

"Taken a different path, I think." Yoda said. "Deceived they were."

"The Clone, he is leading them into a trap." Mace added.

"We'll never find them in time." Declan said. "We don't even know which way they went."

Yoda closed his eyes, concentrating on the Force, merging with it, searching for three strong Force sensitive presences. After a moment, he pointed to the right.

"This way they went. Still time if hurry we do." He said.

They used Jedi speed to make their way down the hallway, Yoda always leading the way and always knowing where and which way to turn. Before long, they could hear voices, several of them, all the same pitch; Clones.

"Stop this, right now." Anakin ordered.

Zak poked the blaster into JK's back, "Master Anakin told you to stop." He said.

The Clone obeyed and turned to look innocently at Anakin, "But we're almost there; the end is just down this hall." He told him.

"Oh, yes, I'm sure it is; and that's why we aren't going down there." Anakin replied. "Sit down."

"But why? I'm trying to help you." He claimed.

"SIT DOWN." Anakin ordered.

The Clone did as he was told, but not without protest., "I don't understand, I promised I would help you; what have I done?" He asked.

"It's what you're going to do. Zak, dig in that pack and find something to tie his legs." Anakin said.

"Please, sir, you can't just leave me here like this." JK pleaded.

Zak managed to find what was left of the bandaging material that had been in the medical kit and tied his ankles together.

"That's good, Zak. Lie down, JK." Anakin ordered.

Having no choice, the Clone again obeyed.

"Now, turn him over." Anakin instructed. "That's fine; come on, Zak, we're going back the way we came."

Zak stood up, but did not move.

"Come on, Zak." Anakin repeated.

"I don't think we're going anywhere, Master Anakin." Zak said.

Anakin turned to see why; half a dozen Clones had arrived from the hallway that JK had started to lead them into. Anakin glared angrily down at JK, "I trusted you." He said. "And you call the Jedi evil?"

"I'm sorry, sir, I have my orders, I had no choice." JK said apologetically.

"Your orders? They include the murder of children, do they?" Anakin asked.

"No, I…he wasn't supposed to be here." JK explained. "We only wanted Kenobi."

"And me; isn't that right?" Anakin added.

"You murdered the Chancellor; you will stand trial for that, and then be sentenced to death." One of the other clones, possibly the leader, informed him.

"And when did Master Kenobi have his trial? Or does he not deserve one?" Anakin demanded.

"Kenobi had his trial, on Champala, four weeks ago. He escaped from custody. His sentence was death and we are here to carry out that sentence." The Clone answered.

"Really, and on whose authority are you acting?" Anakin asked.

"The late Supreme Chancellor Mas Amedda." Another Clone said.

"Mas Amedda was a wanted criminal. He never held the position of Supreme Chancellor." Anakin retorted.

"The current government is illegal; Lord Amedda succeeded Chancellor Palpatine after that Chancellor was assassinated." Yet another added.

"Who told you these lies?" Anakin asked.

For several minutes, a quiet discussion went on between them, "We are not obligated to tell you that." The leader said when they had finished.

"I think we have a right to know who is accusing us; that's the law, isn't it?" Anakin responded.

There was another short discussion, "No, you have no such right." Came the answer. "You will come with us now:"

"That's fine, I will not resist, but I don't think you should involve this boy, he has done nothing wrong." Anakin conceded.

They discussed Zak's fate quietly and quickly made their decision, "The boy, is, in fact, guilty of no crime; he will be held in custody until after your hearing and until your sentence is carried out. Then we will release him." The leader announced.

"No, Respected Leader; the boy is a murderer." JK interjected.

The leader turned to look at JK, who, having been freed by one of his fellow clones, was standing to one side, "Is this true? What murder is he guilty of committing?" The leader asked.

"The Chancellor's and Vice Chancellor Grel. I saw him." JK said.

"Both of them? This small boy?" The leader asked incredulously.

"Yes, do not let his size deceive you, he is a cold blooded murderer." JK answered.

"I saw him do it with that weapon." He finished as he pointed the lightsaber hanging from Zak's belt.

"Take it from him." The leader ordered.

Two of the other Clones approached to take Zak's lightsaber, but Zak quickly had it ignited in his hand.

Two blasters were suddenly pointed at Zak's face.

"Zak, don't; just give it to them." Anakin said quietly. "It will be alright; I promise."

Zak looked at his weapon, powered it down, and offered it to one of the Clones and then looked at Anakin in confusion. Anakin gave him a knowing look and with very little movement nodded to the hallway they had originally gone down. This Zak understood; help was coming.

"Put Kenobi down, Skywalker." The leader ordered.

Anakin started to carefully lower his friend to the ground, but Obi-Wan was pulled roughly off his shoulders and thrown to the floor.

"That wasn't necessary." Anakin said angrily as he knelt next to him.

"Master Anakin?" Zak asked.

Anakin put a hand to Obi-Wan's neck, "He's alright, Zak; no thanks to you." He said, glaring at the Clone.

Spying Obi-Wan's lightsaber, the leader reached down to take it. Anakin's artificial hand gripped the Clone's wrist and squeezed. The Clone looked at Anakin in alarm and tried to pull his arm back, but Anakin did not let go. He tightened his grip until he felt the bones in the Clone's wrist start to crack under the stress before releasing him, "You will not take Master Kenobi's weapon. He can't hurt you with it; there is no reason for you to take it." He said coldly.

"Alright; I suppose he is in no position to fight." The leader said. "Now, stand up and move away from him."

"No, if you want to kill him, you will have to kill me too." Anakin replied as he moved to protect Obi-Wan.

"That is very brave, Skywalker; but you are outnumbered, we can force you to do what I say." The leader said.

"I don't think so." A voice said from down the hall.

Anakin whipped his head in that direction, and to his relief, Mace Windu was leading a squad of Clones and several Jedi. That was close, he thought, much too close.