Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.
CHAPTER 6
Deception
The Delta-7 was a small wedge-shaped single seated vessel that most Knights and Masters alike preferred over the Eta-2, which devoted most of its resources to pure speed and power. While the simpler version of the Delta-7 did employ an array of various weapons, most Jedi pilots preferred to rely on their cunning and attunement to the Force to avoid disputes and aggression.
In both ships, a truncated astromech droid was hard-wired into its port side, providing repair and navigation information to its pilot. The ships were too small to carry a hyperdrive due to their sleek and compact build – the Delta-7 being 8 meters long while the Eta-2 was only 5.47, which in turn made their maneuvering capabilities above average – and they instead relied on separate booster crafts or rings for transit through hyperspace.
Following the outbreak of the Clone Wars, the Jedi had found themselves pressed into the forefront of military activity, reluctantly serving as Generals in the campaign against the Separatist army. The demands of combat saw extensive advancements in the Jedi starfighter arsenal and had resulted in a new generation of fighter craft. Though the wedge-shaped starfighter design had still been in use by war's end, a newer model had earned the spotlight for its affiliation with renowned Jedi heroes. This upgrade was even more compact than before, cutting away a large portion of the forward spaceframe to have a forked front and bracketing a bulbous cockpit pad.
Lining the inner edges of the ship's 'tines' were powerful long-barreled laser cannons. The ships also had secondary cannons recessed on the outer edge of each tine. Just like earlier models, a standard astromech rested within a spring-loaded socket on the port wing and the crafts wingtips could fold open, revealing hexagonal panels when the ship entered combat mode to engage the enemy. Though superior to its earlier versions, this new design also lacked a hyperdrive, so it too had to rely upon a hyperspace transport ring to achieve superluminal velocities. The finished model of the most common Jedi starfighter was unveiled just a few weeks prior to the battle on Geonosis that had ignited the Clone Wars. Project Engineer Walex Blissex – whom Anakin had become fast friends with – had led the crack team of engineers that developed the Delta-7 Aethersprite starfighter at the Kuat Systems Engineering Facilities…it was he who first took notice of the young Jedi's skills in mechanics.
The war had been a trying time for Obi-Wan's old padawan. He had been chafing under the restrictions of the Order and had often found escape in his childhood passion for flight and the simple joys of tinkering with machinery. The end result of these two loves had been a heavily modified starfighter exclusive to the young Jedi. Though the fighter had begun as a regular Delta-7, he had extensively customized it to suit his demanding tastes for speed and control. With four Taim and Bak laser cannons bracketing each wingtip and a single proton torpedo launcher along its dorsal centerline, the speedy combat vessel had far greater firepower than the average starfighter. It had undergone numerous modifications in its lifetime – meaning that its performance had varied depending on its latest features or whatever overboard power plant it contained at any given time.
These altercations had inspired Walex Blissex to create the Eta-2. At the expense of heavy flight instruments, sensors and shields, it soon became one of the fastest vehicles known throughout the whole of the galaxy. A Jedi Knight's gifts with the Force had more than compensated for the compromises of technology and it had quickly proven itself a capable, if not overly dangerous, starfighter.
Anakin had helped the engineers solve their key problems regarding the Eta-2 overheating during its earlier tests. With his input, a sophisticated system of pumps, heat sinks and extendable radiator wing panels had been created to help draw away from its miniature reactor. It was during this time that Obi-Wan had grown concerned about his former apprentice viewing this special project as a form of attachment. Although many members of the Council frowned upon Anakin's involvement with Blissex, Jedi Master Saesee Tiin – a highly skilled pilot in his own right – had encouraged him to keep pushing the fighter's limits, since he had hoped to see the improvements pioneered by Anakin integrated into the next generation of Jedi starfighter.
This, however, was not the first time that the young Jedi had raised a few worried eyebrows…while modifying his own personal starfighter, Anakin had included a paint scheme similar to the one he had used on his beloved Podracer back on Tatooine. Many Masters feared that he had failed to follow the mandate that called for all Jedi to sever all ties to their previous life. His devotion to his craft had also brought forth questions about the rule of no possessions. He had spent hours in the Temple's hangar bay and, despite Obi-Wan's protests against Anakin being spied on, his behavior had been carefully monitored.
Obi-Wan Kenobi peered over at the distinct starfighter that soared just beside his while he and his companion made their way towards their destination: the remote planet of Korriban, the homeworld and graveyard of the Sith. He and his former apprentice would usually participate in idle chatter to pass the time when on assignment, but most of their trip had been spent in silence this day, and so he had been quietly reminiscing about the not too distant past until he had decided he was done dwelling on history. At the moment, his old padawan was obviously brooding over having to leave his wife and home behind once again.
Of course, Obi-Wan couldn't blame him for being in such a somber mood…after all, he himself knew nothing of the trials and sacrifices of marriage. Anakin's situation was one he had never found himself in before. To truly be in love was something that he had never known. Granted, he had experiences his share of crushes and infatuations back when he was still a padawan learner, but nothing nearly as strong as what he had come to realize Anakin and Padme shared. Though he had been skeptical at first, it was now clear to him that the younger Jedi and ex-Senator from Naboo were indeed kindred spirits. He had come to wonder if it really was the will of the Force that had brought them together in life.
On many occasions, he had witnessed what the two of them could do for each other. Padme, and only Padme, possessed the ability to calm Anakin down when he would become angry or temperamental. On the other hand, Anakin was the only person who he had even seen bring real joy to the retired politician…during her years as a Senator in the Galactic Senate, it was rather scarce to find a sincere smile on Amidala's face. Polite nods and acknowledgments were frequent, but rarely would an honest and genuine display of happiness surface from her formal exterior. Anakin had changed all that.
The loud sound of a steady beeping suddenly pulled Obi-Wan from his meandering thoughts and he quickly glanced down, spotting a flashing light that indicated he and his partners approach to Korriban.
"We are almost there, Anakin, be ready," he spoke into his communicator.
"I'm all set over here, Master," came Anakin's leveled voice in response.
As they entered the planets atmosphere, an unsettling sense of dread tugged at Obi-Wan. He knew that there was currently no population on the lifeless world – its destroyed tombs and ruins the only traces of a past civilization having ever existed on it at all – but he couldn't help but feel that they were being expected…and that they would not be received and greeted with a warm welcoming.
He braced himself for whatever awaited them below. "I have a bad feeling about this…"
Mace Windu stood in the center of one of the many exercise rooms in the Jedi Temple, patiently observing while a small training droid predatorily circled a nervous youngling. Several more padawan learners sat by and watched as the boy attempted to follow the floating droid, even though a visor that had been placed on his head restricted his vision.
"Don't use your sight, young one," Mace advised. "Reach out into the Force. Search with your feelings, not with your eyes. Allow it to calm and guide you…it will show you all that you need to see."
"Yes, Master," the youngling replied, his voice catching in his throat.
"Do not let your fear cloud your judgment," Mace proceeded to instruct. "Fear can lead to the dark side. Clear your mind and let the Force surround you."
The youngling let out a yelp of surprise and pain when the droid fired at him, striking him in his shoulder with a low-level blast.
"Trust in the Force," Mace continued. "Only then can you become a true Jedi."
The readied droid hovered in the air for a moment longer before it fired a second shot. However, this time the blast was deflected by the younglings training saber and sent back in its direction, instantly disintegrating it in a cloud of smoke and sparks upon impact.
"Very good," Mace said with a faint smile of satisfaction as he watched the debris fall to the floor at his feet. "You are making progress."
"Master Windu!"
Mace and his group of padawans immediately shifted their focus to the door when they heard an urgent shout fill the room and echo off of its polished stone walls.
Mace's eyes slightly widened when he recognized their visitor. "Aayla?"
"Master, I must speak with you," Aayla Secura proclaimed, hurriedly stepping though the threshold and entering the chambers. "It is regarding a matter of grave importance."
"Of course," Mace replied before turning back to the gathered younglings. "That will be all for today. Please excuse me and Master Secura while we have a word."
"May the Force be with you, Masters," the group said as they scurried out of the room to leave them alone.
"What is it?" Mace asked once they had left, giving Aayla his full and undivided attention. "And what are you doing back from Hoth so soon?"
"I had a vision, Master."
"A premonition?" Mace questioned with interest.
"No, it did not show me the future," Aayla quickly answered. "This was not foresight, it was…a warning."
"A warning about what?" Mace inquired, thoughtfully clasping his hands behind his back while his brow creased in concentration.
"I believe that Obi-Wan and Anakin are in great danger," Aayla retorted, noticing that her Masters' worried expression worsened at the disturbing news. "In my vision, there was a dark figure…it warned me that the Jedi are going to fall and that they would be the first to meet their fate. It was too powerful for me to simply ignore."
"Obi-Wan and Skywalker just left for Korriban this morning," Mace replied.
"Korriban?" Aayla gasped in shock. "Master, I do not believe this to be any mere coincidence. I believe that whatever I was warned about, it will take place during their mission."
"Come with me, we will try to contact them," Mace said as he spun around and strode out of the room. "We will need to alert the council of this new development."
Aayla quickened her pace and moved alongside the wizened Master while he made his way down the winding halls that led to the Temple's hangar bay.
"Master, where are we going?" she finally asked, not quite understanding where exactly he was leading her. "Shouldn't we be going the other way?"
"Most of the Masters are scattered around the galaxy tending to Republic affairs or trying to track down The Falard," Mace replied as they entered the massive hangar. "We will inform Master Yoda of our plans once we have departed."
"Where are we going?"
"Obi-Wan and Skywalker will need us on Korriban," Mace answered, moving towards a row of landed starfighters. "I will explain everything once we are on our way."
Without another word, the Jedi Masters climbed into the awaiting fighters and activated their engines to disembark.
Both Anakin and Obi-Wan kept their opened palms near their utility belts, prepared to snatch their lightsabers if necessary. Korriban was a planet of mountains, canyons and dry riverbeds. With the exception of the plants and dead weeds that covered its eerie landscape, it was devoid of any other signs of life. It was unnervingly silent and still. Unlike the other forest and jungle worlds that the two Jedi had visited in the past, there was not even the sound of native creatures chirping or singing in the distance…there was only the sound of their heavy footfall as they trudged through the unusually cold and dry climate. Even the shrill wind that blew seemed to make no noise as it swept by.
"This place is too quiet for my liking," Anakin commented while they cautiously pressed on.
"Well, you have always been prone to loud environments," Obi-Wan remarked.
Suddenly, two blue lightsaber blades simultaneously burst to life as the pair of Jedi instinctively moved into defensive positions, both of them having felt a strong and unnatural ripple in the Force. They each stepped closer to the other – their backs almost touching while they intently inspected their surroundings for the source of the rift.
"Where?" Anakin questioned in a hushed voice.
"It is too vague to be sure," Obi-Wan whispered back. "Keep a watchful eye."
Not wishing to draw any unwanted attention, they moved to resume their course without speaking another word, and steadily watched out for any visible threat. Just then, a rustling in the bushes a short distance ahead of them immediately stopped them dead in their tracks. A long, tense silence ensued as they peered straight ahead at the thicket of bushes and dull colored foliage – the constant humming of their activated weapons filling the void around them. They both went rigid when a slim figure slowly emerged from the impenetrable plant-life in front of them. The feminine physique gave away the fact that the being was a woman, but a dark hooded cloak concealed her identity from them.
"Well, if it isn't Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker…The Negotiator and The Hero With No Fear," her soft, yet venomous voice came. "We have been waiting for you."
"Waiting?" Obi-Wan asked, furrowing a puzzled brow.
"My Master was expecting you much sooner," she casually replied. "He will be pleased to learn that you have finally decided to join us."
"Your Master? The Respian?" Anakin spoke up, glaring at the mysterious woman as she took another step forward. "Is he here? We would very much like to meet him if he is."
"He is here," the woman laughed. "I am sure we can arrange an introduction. As a matter of fact, I believe he is very eager to meet with both of you. He expressed much interest in meeting two of the most powerful and revered Jedi of all time."
Obi-Wan and Anakin cast each other wary looks before returning their focus to the imposing woman.
"If you will kindly relinquish your lightsabers, gentlemen," she calmly said.
"Thank you, but we would just assume hold onto them," Obi-Wan replied, his tone polite and pleasant.
"As you wish," the woman retorted with a hint of annoyance. "Then you leave me no choice, I'm afraid."
Anakin was the first to spot another group of cloaked figures as they seemingly appeared out of thin air and quickly formed a large circle around the cornered Jedi, crimson blades glowing in each of their gloved hands. Within a matter of seconds, the perimeter was completely surrounded by nearly a dozen of the armed assailants.
"Oh dear," Obi-Wan muttered to himself.
"You are trespassing on sacred ground," the woman growled. "Hand over your weapons or we will be forced to take them."
Turning to Obi-Wan, Anakin scratched the tip of his nose before sliding his index finger across his right eyebrow.
"Anakin, do you not remember what happened the last time we tried that?" Obi-Wan sighed in exasperation. "No-no, I will not allow that to happen again."
Then, Obi-Wan momentarily lost himself deep in thought until his face eventually broke out in a wide smile. He subtlety stroked his bearded chin and flicked his fingers, closely gauging his former padawans reaction.
"Here?" Anakin questioned, nodding his head in disapproval. "There are far too many of them for that, Obi-Wan."
"Enough!" the woman furiously exclaimed. "Take their lightsabers!"
"We will just have to improvise," Obi-Wan stated as the figures surrounding them purposely charged forward to pounce.
"That's one of my favorite words," Anakin replied with a smug smirk.
Just as the enemy closed in on them, the two Jedi leapt up over their heads and landed in the towering trees that rested directly above them, perching themselves on the stretching limbs that grew safely out of reach of their attackers.
"Aah, yes, why didn't we think of this before?" Obi-Wan quipped.
His feeling of relief was brief, however, and the blood-red blade of a lightsaber cleaved through the branches they crouched atop a short time later. Dislodging them from their place of hiding, the elegant black hilt returned to the hand of the cloaked woman who had thrown it while the pair of Jedi came tumbling back down to the ground.
"That could be a reason," Anakin remarked indignantly, swiftly rolling back to his feet and rising to his full height.
"It appears as if we will have to do this the hard way," Obi-Wan tentatively replied.
Anakin grinned at his old mentor. "You mean the fun way…"
