Chapter 21 Putting Belarid's Children to Rest
"Obi-Wan?" Anakin whispered, sending a surge of the Force through him.
"Good job, Anakin." Obi-Wan answered quietly.
"Are you alright?" Anakin asked, pulling him up into a sitting position.
Obi-Wan rubbed his throat, "I will be; I told you it would work." He said, glancing at Mortus who was still curled up in the corner moaning.
"I'm sorry; I should have believed you sooner. I just had no idea…" Anakin replied.
"Well, now you know." Obi-Wan told him. "Come on, let's finish this."
"No, please, just leave me here; I promise I will not cause any more trouble, please." Mortus begged.
"Oh, I don't think so." Obi-Wan said as Anakin helped him up.
"But I'm helpless now; you're a Jedi, you can't kill a helpless man." Mortus protested.
"You are already dead; you died a long time ago. Now it's time for you to go." Obi-Wan replied.
"But I don't want to give up my power." Mortus answered.
Anakin laughed, "Typical Sith, all you care about is power. You're through, Mortus." He said.
Mortus, no longer being bombarded, sat up and assumed his old bravado, "You Jedi are all alike; so self-righteous; so proper. You do not know the power of the Dark Side. I can do anything." He said with a nod of his head that sent Obi-Wan flying again.
"You know, you are really trying my patience." Anakin told him, effortlessly hitting him again.
Mortus curled up into a ball again, sobbing, "I am sorry; I am so sorry. Please, stop, make it stop." He pleaded.
Anakin helped Obi-Wan up again, "He really doesn't like you." He said.
"Yes, I have noticed that." Obi-Wan replied.
"Tell us, Mortus, if you are so powerful, how did you end up buried down here?" Anakin asked.
"Treacherous fools; they did not like how I had helped their children. I was living quite comfortably, I was happy and I was giving their children a chance to be powerful. But they did not understand and they grew fearful of me so I was forced to hide here so that I could continue improving their children. Then they starting killing their own children so that I could not have them. Somehow, they found out where I was hiding and they formed a mob and stormed down here. I tried to fight them, but there were just too many and I was overwhelmed. I was injured mortally, but before I died, I told them they had to continue to kill their children or I would still take them." He paused and smiled, "I guess the superstitious fools thought I might come back, so they buried my little home thinking that it would be enough to stop me. Ha, ha, ha, but they were wrong and then they even obliged me by burying the children so close. So you see, I got the children in the end." He finished.
"Well, you've just lost them, haven't you." Obi-Wan told him, "Let's go, Anakin."
"Yes, it's time we end this; past time." Anakin replied, making his way back to the ladder.
Obi-Wan followed, but Anakin paused, "I think you had better go first; he may move against you again." He said.
"I don't think so, Anakin; look at him now." Obi-Wan answered.
Anakin turned back, Mortus' body had already started to disintegrate and he was mumbled incoherently to himself, "What's happening to him?" He asked.
"The power of the younglings must have been preventing his physical form from decaying; now that power is weakening because the younglings are moving on. It is a thousand years of decay happening all at once." Obi-Wan explained. "That combined with what you have done to him."
Anakin smiled and shook his head, "I never realized how powerful that was." He said.
"Don't get me wrong, I still think we should torch this place just to be on the safe side." Obi-Wan told him.
"I agree; destroy everything down here and then fill it in completely." Anakin concurred.
"Even that?" Obi-Wan asked, pointing at the discarded lightsaber lying nearby.
"Especially that." Anakin answered.
Once they were back on the top of the chamber, they Force leaped out of the hole. Boba spotted them first, "They're out, Zak." He said.
Zak turned his attention from the fire, pulled himself up and ambled toward them, a smile of relief on his face.
"You have started without us, Padawan." Obi-Wan said, meeting his apprentice halfway and putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, I thought…I'm sorry…I…" Zak stammered as he suddenly realized he had made a mistake.
"No, Zak; it's alright. You did the right thing; it helped." Obi-Wan assured him with a smile, "I was teasing you."
"Oh…." Zak replied, "Can you feel them? I can feel them, leaving."
"I can, yes; they are brushing me again." Obi-Wan said, "Anakin?"
"Yes, I can feel it too." Anakin added.
"They are saying goodbye and thank you." Zak informed them.
"Obi-Wan, why is it that Zak can hear them even though his Force sense has been...but we can't?" Anakin asked.
"I'm not sure; possibly because of that first connection." Obi-Wan suggested.
"Well, then he should still be able to connect to you, and he can't." Anakin argued.
"It's because I'm one of them." Zak answered.
"No you're not, Zak." Obi-Wan said.
"Well, only because I wasn't killed. But they understand that I could have been, so I am like them." Zak told him.
Obi-Wan rubbed his beard thoughtfully, "Hmm…that would make sense." He said.
"Master, did you find out who the Dark One is?" Zak asked.
"Yes, he was a Sith called Mortus and he was killed here by a angry mob because of what he was doing to their younglings." Obi-Wan explained.
"How long has he been here?" Zak asked.
"A long, long time; since the Sith Wars." Obi-Wan answered.
"So he was the one?" Zak asked.
"Yes, but we have taken care of him; all we have to do now is just make sure he never comes back." Obi-Wan assured him.
"How?" Zak wondered.
"Like this." Anakin said, taking a canister of fuel, walking over to the hole and leaping down into it.
"What's he doing?" Boba asked.
"Ending this, once and for all." Obi-Wan told him.
Moments later, Anakin reappeared, carrying a lightsaber; he ignited it and then dropped it into the hole and stepped back.
"He just…why….his lightsaber." Zak exclaimed in shock.
"It wasn't his, Zak." Obi-Wan said, and Zak could see, as Anakin walked back to them, that his lightsaber was still hanging at his side.
"Then who's was it?" Zak asked.
"It belonged to him." Anakin informed him, "I thought I should put it to good use."
Obi-Wan watched as flames shot up from the hole that had once been the dwelling place of the Sith, Darth Mortus, "Yes, a fitting use, I think." He said.
"Master Kenobi, I have something important to tell you. We have to go, right now." Boba announced.
"Go where, Boba?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I found out who made that drug, the one that messed Zak up." Boba answered.
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, "Maybe you should start from the beginning." He replied.
"Well, we started at the hospital, that's where you wanted us to go….." Boba began; and ended ten minutes later with his discovery of the captive younglings, "So, don't you think we had better go and help them?"
Anakin turned away in disgust, "Savages." He muttered under his breath.
"Yes, I don't think we have a choice; you have done very well, Boba, and I will be sure to tell the Chancellor that when I speak with him. As soon as we get back to the transport, I will contact him so that he can grant us the authority to take custody of those younglings." Obi-Wan told him, with a pat on the back.
"Master, could I speak with you for a moment." Zak requested.
"Speak your mind, Padawan." Obi-Wan said.
"Privately." Zak added, eyeing Boba and then looking back at Obi-Wan.
"Alright." Obi-Wan replied, raising an eyebrow again and walking a short distance.
Zak followed and when they were out of earshot, Zak asked, "Master, isn't Terak on that transport?"
"Well, I would imagine so if your parents led Commander Cody to him." Obi-Wan answered, "Oh, you're worried about what Boba will do, aren't you."
"Yes, Master; I know he still wants revenge and I don't want him to try anything…for his sake as well as Terak's." Zak answered.
"I understand your concern, Zak; but I don't think it can be avoided. After all, we can't leave Boba here and Terak and your parents have to come with us to Coruscant to answer for what they did to you." Obi-Wan replied. "Don't worry, I will not let him do anything foolish."
"Yes, Master." Zak said.
Obi-Wan patted him on the shoulder and they walked back to where they had left Anakin and Boba.
"What was that about?" Anakin asked.
"Nothing important." Obi-Wan said aloud, "Zak is worried that Boba will try to kill Terak."
Anakin nodded in understanding.
"I am concerned about these younglings that Boba mentioned; I don't want to leave here before this is finished, but I wonder if just leaving some of the Clones here would be….Anakin, what are looking at?" Obi-Wan asked when he noticed Anakin had become distracted.
"Look." Anakin instructed as he pointed to the outcrop and the surrounding cliff.
Obi-Wan gazed up, dozens of people lined the edge of the cliff and stood on the outcrop looking down at the funeral fire burning below them.
"Now, why do you suppose they are so interested in what we are doing?" Anakin asked.
"Morbid curiosity, more than likely." Obi-Wan answered, turning his gaze away and moving to the lines.
Anakin just shook his head and followed him over to the foot of the outcrop.
After instructing two of the Clones to keep watch on the fires, the remainder of the Clones ascended to the top of the outcrop to clear a path for Obi-Wan and the others. As he had before, Zak rode on Obi-Wan's back and Boba took Zak's crutches as he and Anakin rode separate lines up. When they reached the top, one of the Clones took Zak so that Obi-Wan could climb up. A space had been cleared to give them room and then the Clones widened a path so that they could pass through to the speeders. A hand reached out and touched Obi-Wan on the arm; Obi-Wan looked at the hand, a woman's hand, and then into the eyes of its owner, "Tell me, what were you doing down there?" She asked.
"Putting your children to rest." Obi-Wan answered and moved away.
"But I don't…" She trailed off when she realized Obi-Wan was no longer listening to her.
When they reached the transport, Obi-Wan went inside, instructing the others to wait for him. When he came back out, he had a grim smile on his face, "Well, the Chancellor has given us permission to do what we think is necessary to help those younglings." He said.
"Great! Let's get going then, I can show you where they are." Boba replied, brimming with excitement.
"Not so fast; how many younglings are we talking about here?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I don't know, ten, maybe." Boba answered, "What difference does it make? We have to get them out of there."
"Well, we have three speeders, and we are going to have to take a Clone backup force with us. How are we going to transport us, the Clones and the younglings with only three vehicles?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Oh, yeah, heh; that could be a problem." Boba admitted. "So, what are we going to do?"
"Well, the Belaridians have a vehicle they call a truck. I am going to see if I can….borrow one of these trucks. It will be slow, so the speeders will have to slow down to stay with me because I don't think these people are going to be happy about what we are about to do." Obi-Wan replied.
"Where are you going to get one?" Boba asked.
"Oh, I have a few ideas." Obi-Wan answered.
"I'll come with you." Anakin volunteered.
"No, I would rather you stay here and keep an...eye on things." Obi-Wan told him, "Particularly, Boba."
"Oh, I see; yes." Anakin replied.
"I will take a couple of Clones with me. This should not take long." Obi-Wan said.
"Master? Can I come with you?" Zak asked.
"No, you're not ready for that yet." Obi-Wan answered.
"Oh." Zak replied, crestfallen.
Obi-Wan sighed, and then squatted down in front of him and took him by the arms, "Look at me, Zak." He said.
Zak looked down at him, his brown eyes full of disappointment…and something else…failure.
"There will be many other missions for us," Obi-Wan began, and Zak looked away, "Don't look away, look at me."
When Zak look back at him, his eyes were full of unshed tears, "You must not think there won't be." Obi-Wan continued. "But right now, you are just not….Zak, if I have to make a run for it, you will not be able to keep up; not on crutches. Can you understand that?"
"Yes, Master." Zak answered, unconvincingly.
"No, I don't think you do. I am responsible for your safety; it is bad enough that I let this happen to you in the first place. I want you to heal up before I put you into a dangerous situation." Obi-Wan explained.
"But, Master, what if I never heal up?" Zak wondered, on the brink of shedding his brimming tears.
"What are you talking about? In a couple of weeks, that cast will come off and it won't be long before…" Obi-Wan started.
"I'm talking about the Force; it will never…" Zak interrupted and then trailed off.
"Well, you don't know that; and even if it doesn't, it won't stop me from continuing to train you. Do you at least understand that?" Obi-Wan asked.
"But what good will I be?" Zak wondered, the tears brimming over and spilling down his cheeks.
"Oh, Zak," Obi-Wan sighed, "more good than you think; you are very special, no matter how Force sensitive you are."
Zak did not answer as he rubbed the sleeve of his tunic over his face.
"Now, no more tears; I want you ready when I return." Obi-Wan told him, wiping the last of the tears from Zak's face.
"Yes, Master." Zak replied quietly.
Obi-Wan, now sensing Zak's understanding, stood up and patted him on the shoulder.
Anakin walked to the speeder with him, "I wish you would change your mind and let me come with you." He said.
"I need you here." Obi-Wan said firmly, "And why is it you think I always need your help?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that; it's just that I haven't seen you in a while, you know. I've missed working with you." Anakin explained, apologetically.
"And we will be; as soon as I get back." Obi-Wan assured him as he hopped into the speeder, "Just make sure no one tries to kill anyone, alright?"
"Alright, May the Force be with you." Anakin said and waved as the speeder moved away.
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"Where are we heading, Master Kenobi?" The Clone asked after about a quarter of an hour.
"I think I know where we might be able to find the truck we're looking for." Obi-Wan answered as he steered the speeder toward a large warehouse-type building.
"There?" The Clone speculated.
"Yes, it's obviously a storage facility of some type; I noticed it as we were landing. If it is, I am sure they have a fleet of trucks to move the supplies or whatever it is they keep there." Obi-Wan told him.
"Ah, good thinking." The Clone replied. "But, sir; do you know how to run one of those vehicles?"
"I'm a quick study, I think I can figure it out." Obi-Wan said, smiling as he maneuvered the speeder around the side of the building.
As he had predicted, not one, but a fleet of trucks sat idol on the tarmac behind the warehouse. Obi-Wan slowed the speeder down to halt and scanned the area for any sign of life. When he was certain there was no one about, he pulled the speeder up to the nearest truck and hopped out.
"Wait until you know I am on my way before you take off. I don't think it will be necessary to wait for me; but you'd best remind Anakin that these things are slow so it may take a little longer for me to get back to the transport." Obi-Wan instructed.
"Yes, Master Kenobi." The Clone said, sliding over into the driver's seat.
It took Obi-Wan a moment to understand how to open the door of the truck and then a few more to figure out how to start it. When the engine roared to life, he gave the Clone the thumbs up signal and attempted to move the truck forward; again, it was a learning process after several backward attempts, he finally managed to get it moving in the right direction. The final lesson was steering; but this was one quickly learned and at last, he signaled the Clone to move out. He followed the speeder back around the building and back toward the road through the trees before the speeder disappeared ahead of him. He settled more comfortably into the seat; he was not sure how fast he was going or how long it would take to arrive back at the ship. "I am on my way, Anakin." "Good, I was beginning to worry; any trouble?" "None; the Clone will arrive before me; this truck does not move very fast." "I understand."
