A/N: Thanks for the reviews, everyone. Sorry it took a little long, but I was on break and for some reason my cousin's computer wouldn't let me download my chapters onto Fanfiction. But I was working on the chapters and saving them to my floppy disk. Well, shall we get started;)
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Ch. 14 Justice"He went mad, Boss! The captain just decided to torch all the sick miners in the medical bay. There's been rumors that he's been going crazy these past years, but there was no sound proof till now," spoke the guard at a fast pace. The guard was twitching and his black eyes were darting across the room, never focusing on the two occupants before him.
"You can go," commanded Xanatos.
The guard bowed his head and bolted out of the small office, its only furniture three chairs. Xanatos stared at the empty chair before him. Crossing his arms, the President of Offworld leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs.
"We've heard the same story from twenty different miners and guards. The facility somehow got wind of a sickness and half of the miners died or fell ill," summarized Xanatos, his fingers rubbing along his lips in a thoughtful manner.
"In one perspective, the captain did a right thing, burning the sick. He stopped the spreading of the disease and prevented any more miners from getting lost," pointed out Obi-Wan, his voice void of any emotion.
Xanatos nodded and rose from the chair, staring down at Obi-Wan. The boy was completely dressed in black. His ginger hair seemed a shade darker and the stormy eyes were still.
Obi-Wan stood up and continued, "But, there was a cure for the disease on this facility brought in the day before the fire. So, there is no excuse for the captain to carry out such an act."
Xanatos smirked, "I think I shall let you carry out the rest of the investigation, Obi-Wan."
A brief flicker of confusion dashed across Obi-Wan's features, "What?"
"I think you're ready," smiled Xanatos as he walked out of the office, followed closely by Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan frowned, "I'll do it. But how do you know that I won't go overboard. I mean we are talking about the same captain that pulled the tunnel stunt."
Xanatos smirked at Obi-Wan, "Because I trust you. Besides, I think it's about time you moved beyond your internship stature."
Obi-Wan nodded and turned to make his way to the remains of the medical center as Xanatos searched for the mad captain. Everywhere he turned, memories of his brief time flashed before his eyes, bringing forth a pain he thought was healed. Walking briskly now, Obi-Wan paused before the entrance of the charcoal remains of the medical center. Only a few beds remained and were twisted beyond recognition. The few skeletons that remained were removed yesterday, so all the remained were the charcoal remains of miners, doctors and guards.
Stepping into the room, Obi-Wan couldn't help but tense as his step crunched beneath him. Swallowing, the teenager walked around the room looking for anything that would lock the man behind bars, or even better yet death. Obi-Wan stopped in front of one bed and smiled. This was where he awoke and found Xanatos hovering over him, telling him that he had died for a couple seconds. He was foolish child, letting fear and uncertainty determine his actions. Only by being dead for those couple of seconds was he able to transcend the mental boundaries of the Jedi and enter those of the Saterine. It was in those vital seconds where Austral was able to make contact and help the lost boy on his path. Reaching out, Obi-Wan ran his fingers along the twisted metal foot post. He knew now why Xanatos placed him in charge. This was the only way he could finally put to rest past demons and fully take a step forward without any more fears plaguing his mind.
A glitter of shining metal caught Obi-Wan's eye. Making his way to the side of the bed, the teenager knelt down and dusted the ashes away. A chip had somehow survived the fire. Pulling out his communicator, Obi-Wan plugged in the chip and opened its contents. A smile blossomed on his face.
"Bingo."
-An hour later-
The accused captain shifted his shoulders, trying to get in a comfortable position with his hands handcuffed behind him. Pale yellow eyes studied the young man before him.
"You look familiar," huffed the captain.
Obi-Wan grinned, "Really? From what I hear you don't pay much attention to the miners and their appearances."
"Oh, well, you know, one must stay a certain distance away. It's in the rule book."
"Is it?" mocked Obi-Wan, "Is burning a medical center, dumping medical supplies and killing not only miners but doctors and guards part of the safety procedure in this rule book?"
The captain laughed, "I like your humor kid-"
Obi-Wan took a step forward so he was face to face with the captain, "I'm not being funny, captain. Now, why did you do it? Was it because you thought that would save the rest of the facility from the disease?" Obi-Wan's eyes studied the captain's face.
"Yeah, that's it. Couldn't have said it better myself," laughed the captain.
Obi-Wan let out a short laugh and backed away from the captain. Raising his hand, Obi-Wan pressed a button on his remote. The screen before him turned on revealing the face of a deceased lieutenant who fell to the disease.
"This is my confession. The Capt is going mad. Ever since that massacre in the first tunnel four years ago, he's never been the same. The elevator could have been fixed, but the captain decided to kill them all by filling the tunnel with poison. He just sat there, with a big grin on his as the miners died. Most of us who were witness to it were either killed later on by the captain or committed suicide. I am the last one who can voice this horror. I've earned the captain's trust by partaking in more of these small massacres, but now I know that I must bring to light this horror before I die. I know how the Capt thinks, he would rather watch us die than deliver us the medicine. He wants to be a god…an immortal." The sick lieutenant begins to chock on his tears and then a roar of fire reaches the sound microphone. The screen shows the lieutenant with his last strength bending over the bed to protect the chip and then there is darkness.
The audience jumps to their feet, yelling at the captain. Obi-Wan wanted to smile but knew he had to remain neutral.
"I guess killing a lieutenant that was liked by all was a bad move on your court, Captain."
The captain growled and with a massive burst of rage and adrenaline, broke free from his handcuffs. Quickly, grabbing the blaster of the guard next to him, the captain fired at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan dodged the blast but looked up in time to see the captain dashing out of the room.
"OBI-WAN, GET UP HERE NOW!" yelled Xanatos over the railing two levels above. Obi-Wan bolted up the stairs and the two rogue Jedi ran down the hallway. When Obi-Wan was close behind, Xanatos continued, "This was planned from the beginning. Someone had planted the disease and then later on supplied the antidote meaning-"
"That they knew we would come," finished Obi-Wan.
"Yes. Here, you might need this," yelled Xanatos as he tossed Obi-Wan a metal cylinder. Obi-Wan looked down at it and smiled. It had been awhile since he was able to fight with a lightsaber. He only used it during sparring sessions with Xanatos and never carried it with him because it attracts too much attention. He had rebuilt it after a year with Xanatos in the same design of his first saber. But this time it was a little more lightweight and the crystal inside was able to correspond with his Saterin Force Signature, requiring no ignition button.
Xanatos kicked down the door and bolted onto the roof. The two skidded to a halt just as Obi-Wan watched a dark creature cut the captain into pieces.
"That's him. Be careful. This might be the same planning that got the Morgs killed," warned Xanatos through their bond.
Obi-Wan nodded slightly as he made his way to stand by Xanatos' side. The moon decided to peek out from its blanket of clouds to reveal the creature's face beneath the dark hood. Black tattoos snaked across the red foreground, yellow eyes gleamed with a predatory gaze and one could barely make out the horns that lay underneath the cloak. Obi-Wan's eyes widened slightly and he felt his lightsaber begin to fall out of his grasp.
"Apprentice, focus!"
At the harsh tone from Xanatos, Obi-Wan shook away his surprise and gripped his saber.
"Jedi," hissed the creature.
Xanatos smirked, taking a step forward, igniting his red lightsaber, "Sorry to disappoint you, but we're not Jedi. We won't be as easy to get rid like the Morgs were."
Xanatos confident tone seemed to enrage the creature who ignited his double lightsaber and lunged at the pair. Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber with a flicker of his Force signature and blue blade shimmered to life. He swung his saber low, blocking one end of the creature's swing while Xanatos swung up high, blocking a blow that would have decapitated him.
"This won't be easy if we fight him alone," thought the boy, "Xanatos."
"Let's show this creature what it's like to mess with two Saterine."
"I thought I was suppose to the cocky one," mused Obi-Wan across the now opened bond. He could feel Xanatos draw upon the Dark Side and this seemed to shock the creature. Already used to the Dark Side, Obi-Wan slide his blade across the red and sent a kick at his opponents chest. The creature regained its composure quickly and leapt over the Obi-Wan's head. The boy spun to the side just as a red blade pierced the air where he had been moments ago. Xanatos moved forward, carrying out a full-frontal attack, the Dark Side powering each of his blows. Obi-Wan stood, waiting for an opening. He could feel the Dark Side radiating off of both men. The creature was about his age and fighting with ruthless vigor.
"Sith." The word fluttered in Obi-Wan's mind. From everything he studied from the Saterine archives about the few encounters his people had from the Sith, the descriptions fit the creature perfectly.
"Really, why hadn't I thought about that," growled Xanatos as he blocked a blow with such force that he had to take a step back to ground himself.
At that moment, an opening revealed itself. Obi-Wan lunged forward, twirled his saber once and slide on his knees just a red beam flew over his head. He focused the Force energy upon his elbow and sent it crashing into the Sith's stomach. The creature gasp and Obi-Wan heard ribs crack. Rolling right as Xanatos leapt to the left, Obi-Wan raised his blade, cutting the Sith's saber in half. Xanatos sent his saber stabbing to the creature's shoulder but wasn't fast enough as the Sith sent his remaining red blade into the raven-hair man's side. Xanatos staggered backward.
"Master!" screamed Obi-Wan. He glared up at the Sith but received a kick to his face. Obi-Wan skidded a few feet away and wiped the blood away from his face. Sparing a glance at Xanatos, he could see that elder man was alive.
With a roar, the Sith lunged at Obi-Wan, his bare hands stretched out to strangle the boy, electricity sparking across his fingers. Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber and attached to his belt. Opening himself totally to his Saterine powers and to the bond that now had deepened even more between Xanatos and him, Obi-Wan braced for the attack. The boy raised his arms and blocked the Sith's arms. The two teenagers began a deadly dance of kicks, punches, blocks and death dealing blows. The Force crackled with energy. The Sith radiated the Dark Side while Obi-Wan crashed his own darkness along with Xanatos energy against the wave. But what was different was that while the Dark Side oozed through Obi-Wan, giving him strength; the boy never once gave into his rage. He seemed calm and confident in his blows. He had every right to be. Obi-Wan could predict the Sith's moves, but since he existed on a different level, the Sith could not sense his moves until it was too late. Obi-Wan felt the Sith begin to tire and smirked. Dropping the Dark Side, Obi-Wan drew upon the Light Side and began a vicious attack of kick and punches without a single break. The Sith snarled and in one burst of energy managed to grip Obi-Wan's forearm and send bolts of electricity up and down Obi-Wan's arm. Obi-Wan gritted his teeth and with his free arm Force pushed the Sith away. Seeing his opportunity, the creature bolted towards his ship, jumped over the dead captain and ran into his ship, flying off into space a few seconds later.
Obi-Wan sighed and clutched his arm. He looked up to see Xanatos clutching his side wound.
"Come on, let's get to our ship."
The teenager nodded, knowing full well that Xanatos' irritated tone meant not to argue with the Dark Jedi. The two headed down the stairs, knowing that the fastest way to reach their ship was to take the docks. As the two rounded a corner, both of them halted. Obi-Wan heard the killing of a boat engine and Xanatos stiffened.
"Qui-Gon and…" Xanatos smirked as two Jedi jogged around the corner.
Before the pair stood Mace Windu and Qui-Gon Jinn, both Jedi regarding the rogues with a surprised look. But the peace did not last long.
Mace took a menacing step forward, "Let me guess, you two are behind this madness here."
"Mace, maybe-"
"No, Qui-Gon. They've been in hiding for these past four years. I read about your little run in with Bant, Obi-Wan Kenobi. This time you won't escape," continued the dark-skinned Master.
Obi-Wan was about to speak, but Xanatos cut him off, "We'll see about that, Master Windu. Obi-Wan…"
"I think I can fight them off for a little while. I won't be able to use that much of the Saterin power like before because this body is about to reach its max. We'll need a diversion," whispered Obi-Wan back through their bond.
"Then you fight and get both involved, I'll deal with the diversion," concluded Xanatos as he leaned away from Obi-Wan and walked behind the boy, slightly limping. "Have fun, my old master. Don't get yourself killed or captured, brat."
Obi-Wan smirked at his nickname as he ignited Xanatos' saber, which he had grabbed when the Dark Jedi was leaning on him, placing his own on Xanatos' belt. "Why Xan, I didn't know you cared." With that said, Obi-Wan ran at Mace Windu, while Xanatos bolted into the mining facility.
Mace raised his purple blade and sent a high sweep swing at Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon started to run after Xanatos. Obi-Wan counted the swing and with his momentum, leapt to the side and sent his feet crashing into Qui-Gon's chest. The maverick Jedi staggered backward, clutching his chest. Obi-Wan landed in a crouched position and blocked the next blows that followed Windu's attack.
Obi-Wan laughed, "Is that all the Great Jedi Master Windu has to offer? What about your infamous Vaapaad? Don't think I'm worthy enough?"
Qui-Gon ignited his lightsaber and swung at Obi-Wan's back. But Obi-Wan sensed the moved and all three blades clashed together.
"I don't need Vaapaad, just us two against you is enough to finish the job," growled Mace.
"Obi-Wan, please don't fight us. Come back," pleaded Qui-Gon as he locked his apologetic gaze at Obi-Wan.
But the boy merely frowned, "I don't need your pity Jinn. You left me remember. You didn't want anything to do with me." Obi-Wan opened himself up to the Dark Side, allowing it to flow through his veins but never touch his heart and soul that were protected by a shield he personally built himself.
Mace narrowed his eyes and Qui-Gon's eyes grew wide. Obi-Wan saw his chance and gathering up the dark energy pushed forward, breaking through the three interlocked sabers and jumped onto a stack of boxes before flipping upward. Mace ran over to the boxes and peered up just in time to see Obi-Wan's back of his tunic dart away.
"He's on the upper level, Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon?" Mace stared hard at his friend. The two had been traveling together for the past four years. They never knew when or where they might run into Obi-Wan Kenobi and neither would stand a chance once Kenobi accessed his ancestral power.
Qui-Gon looked at the space where Obi-Wan stood only a few seconds ago. He was first overwhelmed with joy that the boy was alive and well. That maybe it was time for him to return back to the temple. But when he saw the way that Xanatos leaned against the boy and how the two seemed to communicate without a word spoken had scared him. But what almost gave him a heart attack was when Obi-Wan, a child full of light, embraced the Dark Side.
He could hear in his head Mace's words that were spoken four years ago, "It has only been five months, Qui-Gon. Yes, the boy would still be loyal. But think, five years from now, fifteen years under Xanatos' influence, do you think the boy will still remain in the light, will still side with the Jedi?"
The Jedi Master felt sick to his stomach as Obi-Wan's last conversation with him echoed in his mind, "I'm staying with Xanatos till I am ready…till the Jedi are ready for my return. So, please, don't wait for me and wallow in despair. I'm happy with my life now."
"Are you truly happy, Obi-Wan, with the creature that you have become? I kept my end of the bargain, I've been happy these past four years waiting for this person you speak of," moaned Qui-Gon.
"Qui-Gon! We must capture them!" beckoned Mace.
Qui-Gon nodded and followed his friend into the facility. Xanatos limped back to his temporary office.
"Time for a diversion," muttered the Dark Jedi as he palmed open a secret computer pad and punched in the evacuation code. The alarms blared to life as guards and miners started to scatter around looking for the nearest exist. Cloaking himself, the Dark Jedi made his way to his ship, where he soon spotted Obi-Wan bolting out of an exit, forcing locking the door behind with a wave of his uninjured arm to keep the wild mob inside.
Obi-Wan ran up to the ramp, closing it right behind him.
"I've set the coordinates already. Ready?" asked Xanatos as he regarded the panting boy next to him, dripping with sweat.
Obi-Wan nodded and soon after the ship blasted off into space and back to Telos.
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A/N: Oh man, am I tired now. At first I was just planning on having a trial, but then I was like "Nah, let's add some action," hence the introduction of Maul. But then my imagination is like "Let's add some angst/action" thus leading to the brief fight of Obi-Wan, Mace and Qui-Gon. Well, I hope it lives up to your expectations. Till next time.