Chapter 27 An Appeal for Help
"What are you going to do now, Annie?" Padme asked after he had filled her in.
"Obi-Wan, Mace and Master Yoda are meeting with Lord Borlac; they're hoping that he will admit what he tried to do and help us find Zak. If he knows that Zak has been taken by this Baylor Grant, and sees that his life is in danger, maybe he will help us." Anakin answered.
"But shouldn't you go with them?" Padme asked.
"I haven't seen you all day, Padme." Anakin replied.
"All I can think about is poor little Zak in the hands of that…; and then I think of how I would feel if one of our babies had been taken from us. Go with them, Annie; in fact, I'll go with you. I know Lord Borlac; maybe I can help him understand how much we need his help." Padme said. "Our children will be well looked after. "
"Yes, my love; that might help. If we hurry, we might just catch them before they leave. If not, we can just take a speeder over there." Anakin replied.
They barely managed to catch the departing shuttle and inform the others of what they had decided.
"Grateful we are for your assistance in the matter, Lady Padme. Help us it might to have you there." Yoda said.
"I will do anything I can if it will help us find Zak." Padme replied.
"The Chancellor will also be meeting us there. His concern is not only for Zak, but for the Jedi that may still be in danger until the new version of Order 66 can be rescinded." Mace added.
"Not to mention the danger to his own life. Borlac wants to get rid of him too." Anakin said. "Chancellor Organa is too close to the Jedi to let anyone get away with murdering them."
"But I don't understand; with Bail out of the way, the Vice Chancellor would take over, wouldn't she?" Padme wondered.
"Only if she were still alive; maybe she was his next target." Obi-Wan replied.
"Then no one would be left in charge. What then?" She asked.
"That's probably where Grel and Amedda fit into all this. When the Clones had us cornered, they kept calling Amedda the Chancellor and Grel the Vice Chancellor; I don't think it was ever Borlac's intention for them to be killed." Anakin explained.
"Yes, and we already know that Amedda shared Palpatine's hatred for the Jedi; he would not have stood in the way when Order 66 was made official." Obi-Wan interjected.
"But what about the younger Jedi; wouldn't Amedda want them killed along with the others?" Padme asked.
"Probably; and my guess is that after he officially became the Supreme Chancellor, that would have been his next move." Mace speculated.
"Then what would he do with Lord Borlac? Surely Amedda must have known that he would never agree with the killing of the younglings." Padme asked.
"I think Lord Borlac would have suffered an accident; a fatal accident. Once Amedda was in charge of everything, he wouldn't need him any more." Anakin informed her.
"How long do you think this has been planned? Do you think Lord Borlac was behind Obi-Wan's abduction as well?" Padme asked.
"Think that, I do not. Amedda's plan alone the taking of Obi-Wan was. Only after Amedda's return to Coruscant did he plan this." Yoda answered. "He took advantage of the situation."
"But that wasn't that long ago; how could he alter the Clones' orders that quickly? He must have been planning this for a longer time." Padme argued.
"Perhaps he has been planning this for awhile; but when Amedda was arrested and returned to Coruscant, he found it the perfect opportunity to put his plan into action." Mace suggested.
"Anakin told me this has something to do with his son, but he didn't tell me the whole story." Padme said.
"Yes, well, to make a long story short, Borlac's son was a Jedi apprentice; he and his master were sent to a nearby system to settle a labor dispute. There did not seem to be any danger so when violence broke out, they were caught off guard; the master was badly injured and Borlac's son was killed trying to defend him. After he was killed, the mob killed his master; the boy was nineteen." Mace explained. "There was a full investigation and the guilty party was arrested and convicted. Lord Borlac was contacted and his son was given an award for his courage in defending his master to his death."
"What does this have to do with Zak?" Padme wondered.
"Nothing; in fact, we are fairly sure that kidnapping Zak was never part of his plan. It was only part of Baylor's personal revenge against Obi-Wan. This is why we are hoping that Borlac will help us; I don't think he ever intended for Zak's life to be endangered." Anakin explained.
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"Don't ever get tired of being angry?" Zak asked.
"Yes, but once your master is dead I won't be angry anymore." Baylor answered.
"Do you really think you can kill him?" Zak asked.
"You really have no idea how powerful I have become; do you?" Baylor replied. "I thought you would have realized that when I showed you what I could do."
"That wasn't a fair fight; we were caught off guard. It won't happen again." Zak replied. "I told you before, you will lose."
"And if I kill you first?" Baylor asked.
"Then I will die and Master Obi-Wan will kill you anyway." Zak said without blinking. "You will still lose."
"What happens when I kill Skywalker after I kill you?" Baylor then asked.
Zak laughed.
"You won't be able to kill him." Zak answered. "He's even more powerful than Master Obi-Wan; you will lose to both of them."
"You sound very confident, Zak. I still think you underestimate me." Baylor replied. "I think I should show you again."
"Go ahead; I'm not afraid of you." Zak answered.
For a moment, Baylor was taken aback by Zak's boldness.
"No, I think I will wait until I can demonstrate my power to your master. I would not want you….damaged before I have a chance to do that." He said in response. "In the meantime, I think I might just try to get back into his head. He must have so enjoyed my company the last time."
"Good luck." Zak replied.
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They waited in the outer chamber of Lord Borlac's office. The Chancellor had been waiting for them when they arrived.
"I have conducted an extensive search for all other JK designated Clones both here on Coruscant and off world. There were several pockets of them scattered across the galaxy just waiting for the word to execute this altered version of Order 66. They were all taken into custody." Bail informed them.
"Have any of them given information about the origin of the second Jedi death sentence?" Anakin asked.
"No, and not surprisingly, several of them attempted to kill either themselves, or the other JKs they had been incarcerated with. We finally had to separate them with force shields to stop them. Now they keep trying to incinerate themselves by hitting the shields. They have been trained well. I am not sure whether we will ever get any useful information from them." Bail explained.
"With all due respect, Chancellor…" Anakin started.
"The Lord Prosecutor will see you now." His personal protocol droid announced.
"Master Yoda! What an unexpected pleasure. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?" Borlac said.
"Lord Borlac, we have reason to believe that you were behind the incident in the courtroom yesterday." The Chancellor informed him, bluntly.
"I? I think you must be mistaken, Chancellor. What possible reason would I have?" Borlac replied.
"The death of your son." Mace answered.
"My son? I have no idea what you are talking about." Borlac claimed. "What would the death of my son have to do with the escape attempt of a known war criminal?"
"We know about your twisted version of Order 66." Anakin said. "You didn't want the younglings or the younger Padawans included in your massacre; why would that be?"
"I still do not know what this is all about? I am loyal to the Republic, to Chancellor Organa; why would I want to kill him?" Borlac asked.
"What?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I…"
"No one mentioned anything about killing the Chancellor." Mace said. "I think you had better start telling us the truth."
"I refuse to say another word until I speak with a Defender." Borlac replied.
"Do you know someone by the name of Baylor Grant?" Anakin asked.
Silence.
"Did he work for you?" Anakin asked.
Silence.
"Tell us if he worked for you; TELL US NOW." Anakin demanded.
Silence.
"Baylor Grant kidnapped my Padawan; he is in great danger. If he worked for you, you must know where he might be." Obi-Wan said.
Silence.
"Lord Borlac, we don't have time to play games here. This is a twelve-year-old boy we are talking about. If you know Baylor Grant, then you must understand how dangerous he is. Please, help us." Padme pleaded.
Silence.
"We know
about your mandate to kill the Jedi adults; and we know that you
didn't want to hurt the younglings or the younger apprentices. One
of those apprentices could die, is that what you want?"
The
Chancellor asked.
Silence.
"Met him, you have, Lord Prosecutor; thought much of him you did; let him die, would you?" Yoda said.
Borlac remained silent, but looked down at his desk.
"Zak does not deserve this. He's only twelve; if you still want to save the younger Jedi, then you must help me. Baylor hates me and he will kill my Padawan just to spite me; are you going to condemn a twelve-year-old boy to death so that you can protect yourself a little longer?" Obi-Wan said.
Borlac sighed and looked up at Obi-Wan, "I am sorry; I cannot help you." He replied.
"You can't, or you won't?" Anakin asked. "If Zak dies because you refused to help us, you're just as guilty of murder as Baylor Grant."
"Your son died bravely, defending his master. What do you think your son would say if he were here?" Mace asked. "Is this what he would want?"
By that time, Padme was in tears and had to turn away. Anakin put his arm around her and drew her to him; holding her closely, trying to comfort her. After a moment, she was able to regain her composure and she turned back to Lord Borlac, still silent, sitting behind his desk, "You make me sick." She told him, turned, and stalked out of the office.
"There is a building…in the industrial district; you might find him there. I will give you the location." Borlac finally admitted. "I am very sorry."
"So am I." Obi-Wan replied, as he too turned and left the room, followed closely by Anakin.
"There is a security detail outside this office; they will take you into custody. You are hereby officially relieved of your position as Lord Prosecutor and are now under arrest." The Chancellor informed him. "Give Master Windu the location of that building."
Borlac complied with Bail's orders; after getting the requested information, Yoda and Mace left the office.
Bail waited only long enough for the security team to arrest the Lord Prosecutor and then joined the others in the outer chamber. Obi-Wan was the only one seated; Anakin was crouched in front of him, "Master Yoda, what is it?" He asked.
"Baylor Grant, in his mind he is." Yoda answered.
"In his mind? I am sorry, Master Yoda; what does that mean?"
"Powerful Baylor has become. The ability to enter someone's thoughts he has. Now, he is in Obi-Wan's."
"What's he trying to do, Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked.
"The same thing, but this time he's not hiding. Give me a moment…" Obi-Wan answered.
Obi-Wan gathered the Force around him, pushing Baylor, forcing him, not out of his mind, but into a well of Light. He could feel Baylor's struggle to maintain a foothold, he was losing and getting closer to the Light. Just before Obi-Wan could push him in, Baylor managed to slip away and struck one of Obi-Wan's pain centers. One that was already sensitive – his shoulder, "AHH." Obi-Wan cried out suddenly as he gripped his arm.
"Obi-Wan?" Anakin said, concerned.
"He's very clever; he knew just what to touch." Obi-Wan explained.
"Do you need my help?" Anakin asked.
"No, I need to do this; if he thinks I need your help, he can use that against me." Obi-Wan replied. "Let me try once more."
Again, he opened his well of Light, but this time he surrounded Baylor with it; gradually tightened it around the Darkness that was Baylor, squeezing the Darkness until there was nothing left but the Light of Obi-Wan and, someone else.., "Zak?" Obi-Wan said.
"Zak? Is he connecting to you?" Anakin asked hopefully.
"Master! Do not come here." He said.
"I will do what I must, Zak; he will not win." Obi-Wan answered.
"What's he doing now?" The Chancellor asked.
Anakin turned to look at him, "His Padawan is connecting with him." Anakin replied.
"Very clever young Zak is; rode Baylor's thoughts he did." Yoda added.
"I give up; all this is beyond me." Bail said.
"He means to kill you, Master; he hates you." Zak told him.
"It's alright, Zak; I know who he is and why he hates me. I can defeat him now; don't be afraid, we are coming to help you." Obi-Wan answered.
"I am not afraid; he cannot win." Zak assured him.
"Stay strong, Padawan; we know where you are." Obi-Wan told him.
"I…"
"Uh oh, Baylor must have found out what he was doing. He's gone." Obi-Wan said.
"Well, we know where he is; we'll just have to go and get him back." Anakin replied.
"He's remarkable; he still isn't afraid." Obi-Wan stated.
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He turned toward the boy; Zak's eyes were closed in concentration. He was outraged; this boy had managed to get through to Kenobi. Well, he would pay for that; Baylor sent his own message. Zak's eyes snapped open.
"You didn't expect me to just sit here and wait, did you?" Zak asked.
"You think you are so clever; do you not?" Baylor replied. "Did you like my message, boy?"
"If you think showing the death of Master Obi-Wan would frighten me; you're wrong. It was a trick; you can't beat him." Zak told him.
"But I showed your death too; does that not scare you?" Baylor asked.
"No; I told you before, I am not afraid to die." Zak answered calmly.
He said nothing. However, he was disappointed; he had hoped to feed off the boy's fear. It would make him stronger; the boy had no fear. He did not fear his own death; and he was so confident in Kenobi's strength and power that he would not believe Kenobi would die.
"My feet are falling asleep." Zak complained.
"And I should care about that?" Baylor asked.
"Yes, because if I can't stand, how can you use me as your shield?" Zak replied. "That is what you're planning to do; isn't it?"
Baylor glared back at him and was met again with Zak's impassive stare, "Oh, very well; but I am warning you, if you try anything, I will hurt you." Baylor replied as he came over to Zak and untied the rope binding his ankles together. He then took the rope and tied it around Zak's neck and hauled him to his feet.
"There, now walk around for a few minutes." He told him as he jerked the rope.
"Thank you." Zak said politely.
