Chapter 12 Into the Woods

Slowly, hesitantly, Ferri moved around the speeder to stand, head down, on the other side of it. His abject terror emanated in waves from him and increased the closer Anakin came.

"What have you done, Ferri?" Anakin asked.

"N...nothing." Ferri lied.

"You're lying." Anakin replied, accusingly as closed his eyes and reached out to the Force.

As he forced his way into Ferri's mind, the boy dropped to his knees holding his head, "No, please, you're hurting me." He cried, as he fell over on his side and curled into a ball.

"Master Skywalker, stop it; what are you doing?" Clive exclaimed as he moved to Ferri's side.

"Getting to the truth." Anakin informed him as he continued to push.

Ferri writhed in agony, trying to fight Anakin's intrusion, "No….I can't." Ferri pleaded.

"Master Sky…Anakin, you're hurting him, stop it." Clive begged.

Anakin disregarded both of them and pushed just a little more…. "NO! NO, NO, NO; Ferri, how could you? Why?" He demanded, and then pushing Clive out of the way, reached down, pulled Ferri up by his tunic and shoved him into the side of the speeder, "You TRAITOR! Do you really hate Zak that much? Well?"

Ferri was shaking all over, his eyes wide and his face white with terror, "I…I…I…" He stammered.

"You what? Tell me, Ferri; why did you do it?" Anakin demanded, slamming Ferri hard against the speeder.

"Anakin, stop this; what has Ferri done?" Clive asked, putting a hand on Anakin's arm, "It can't be all that bad."

Anakin turned to look at Clive, his blue eyes dark and angry; rage showing clearly on his face, "Not all that bad? He led them into a trap; that's what he's done." He answered, through clenched teeth as he tried to regain control. "He betrayed them, Clive; it doesn't get any worse than that."

He slammed Ferri against the speeder once more and then let him go, "And he did it to save his own worthless skin. You're a coward, Ferri; you make me sick." He said as he turned away, his rage dissipating slightly as a feeling of helpless anxiety began to grow.

Ferri slumped to the floor and fell on his side, sobbing as he curled into a fetal position. Clive stood motionless, shocked at what Anakin had just revealed. He stared down at his apprentice, not knowing if he should believe what he had just heard.

Anakin took several deep breaths in an effort to find his calm center. After several minutes, with his rage spent, rational thought returned to him and with it, the sudden realization that the missing piece of his nightmare had finally revealed itself; it had been Ferri's betrayal that had eluded him, and now the knowledge that this revelation had come too late to help Obi-Wan and Zak cut him like a knife. Anakin turned toward the boarding ramp, suddenly feeling an overwhelming need to find his brother.

"I…I…I'm….Master?" Ferri sobbed.

"Is he right, Ferri? Did you lead them into a trap?" Clive asked, uncertain of whether he wanted to hear the answer.

Ferri covered his face with his hands and brought his knees up to his chin, "Yes." He admitted almost in a whisper.

Clive put a hand to his mouth and turned away, trying to control his emotions; after a moment he turned back to face his apprentice again, "Why, Ferri?" He asked.

"I…I was afraid…there was no…I couldn't feel the Force….he said he'd kill me." Ferri fumbled for excuses.

Anakin turned to look at the boy, "And what else, Ferri? Tell your master the rest." He ordered.

"There…what rest?" Ferri asked.

"The part about wanting Zak gone." Anakin answered, "It was in your head, Ferri; I saw it."

For a moment, Ferri said nothing; then he looked at Anakin, "I…you're right…I did…but it was only for a moment and then it was gone; I swear." He claimed.

"I can understand you going along with Kien while you were in the wood; but why didn't you tell us it was trap, Ferri?" Clive asked, "Then at least Zak and Master Kenobi would have known what they were walking into."

Ferri sat up and buried his head in his hands, "I didn't think it through, I guess; I'm sorry." He said.

"Sorry is not going to help them now; you let your animosity get in the way, and that inexcusable." Clive replied.

Ferri began to sob again, "I know." He answered tearfully.

Anakin stalked over to him, "Get up." He ordered and reached down to grab his arm.

Ferri tried to move away from him, "No, please; don't hurt me anymore." He pleaded.

"I'm not going to hurt you; although I would certainly like to. Now, get up." Anakin ordered again, taking Ferri's arm with his prosthetic hand and hauling him up forcibly.

"What do you want?" Ferri asked fearfully as he tried unsuccessfully to free himself from Anakin's grasp.

"You're going to help me undo what you've done." Anakin told him as he pulled him toward the rear of the ship.

"I…I can't go in those woods again." Ferri said, struggling.

"Yes, you can and you will." Anakin replied, "You're going to show me where you led them."

"Please, don't make me…I can't." Ferri begged.

"You did this and now it's time to face up to what you've done." Anakin told him as he dragged him down the boarding ramp.

"Ana…Master Skywalker; perhaps if he just leads you to the markers." Clive suggested.

Anakin looked at him for a moment and then looked down at the struggling boy in his grasp, "Yes, that might be better; once we get into the woods, I won't be able to sense what he will do." He decided and then glared at Ferri, "I can't trust him."

Ferri stopped struggling and looked down at the ground; and with very little effort at all, Anakin could feel great shame from him, "I…maybe I can…I might know where…" He stammered.

"Where what, Ferri?" Anakin asked somewhat impatiently, "We don't have time for this."

Ferri took a deep breath, "Just for a moment, when I was with Kien, I…it was only for a moment, but I felt the Force, and I saw…I think it was their base." He answered haltingly.

"Why do you think that?" Anakin asked, somewhat skeptically.

"Because I…it's the post cognition; I saw them taking that bounty hunter there; it was very clear." Ferri replied.

"And you never said anything about that to Obi-Wan?" Anakin demanded.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking clearly, I guess." Ferri told him as he looked down at the ground again.

Anakin shook his head, "No, I guess you weren't, show me." He said.

"How?" Ferri asked.

"I'm going to probe your mind again, Ferri." Anakin said and then sensed the boy's fear welling up once again, "There's nothing to fear; if you just open your mind and let me in, it will not be painful."

Ferri shook his head, "I can't." He answered.

"If you don't let me do it this way, then you will have to lead me there….and that means we will have to go into the woods." Anakin said.

Ferri hesitated for a moment and then closed his eyes and nodded.

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Obi-Wan was on the move again, having just experienced a close call when Devan caught a glimpse of him and fired a bolt in his direction; had a bush not been between them to slow the bolt down, he would have been hit. And so he was on the run once more with Devan hot on his heels ready to take another shot at him. He heard a low growl off to his right and turned his head to look just as a vornskr leaped up at him, teeth bared ready to strike. Obi-Wan put his hands up reflexively to protect his neck and the animal clamped onto his arm. He turned slightly and at that moment heard the distinctive hiss of an oncoming crossbow bolt. This time, it wasn't a bush that saved him, it was the vornskr; who with a yelp, released his hold on Obi-Wan's arm and dropped lifelessly to the ground. He reacted quickly, disappearing into a stand of bushes just as Devan released another bolt. He was plagued by exhaustion, and only the thought of what would happen to Zak and Boba Fett if he failed kept him going. He was not sure how deeply the vornskr's bite had penetrated, however, he could feel blood oozing down his arm and onto his hand; he sighed in frustration, knowing it would slow him down. He focused on the fact that Anakin and the Clone support troopers were on their way or may have already arrived; if he could just hold the two hunters and the remainder of the vornskrs at bay for a little while longer, that much needed help would come.

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"Damn!" Devan swore when she realized her well-aimed bolt had found the wrong target and immediately loaded her bow again.

Another bolt shot past her, missing the Jedi by inches as he slipped to one side into the bushes. Devan turned to see Kien just lowering his weapon to reload, "Damn it, I nearly had him that time." He said.

"This is more difficult than I thought it would be; we should have hobbled him." Devan told him.

"Maybe; but he should be getting pretty tired by now, so he's bound to make another mistake." Kien replied.

"Yes, I suppose you're right." Devan said as she walked toward the place where Obi-Wan had disappeared.

She bent down for a moment to examine the dead vornskr, "And this thing had a hold on him; if it managed to draw blood, that will slow him down even more." She observed.

"Then he should be ours before dawn." Kien predicted.

"Yes, and then we can go on to…other things." Devan replied as she stood up and gave Kien a seductive look.

Kien smiled at her, "I'm looking forward to that." He told her.

"Yes, I'll just bet you are." Devan answered, casting him a devastating smile, "Come on; we shouldn't give him a chance to rest."

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Banyon pushed on through the trees, determined to reach the other clearing before it turned completely dark. He hadn't thought about what he would do if he met up with anyone who might also be looking Devan; since Carlyle wanted his daughter quietly returned to Verdant, a run in with the Jedi or the Chancellor's Clones could prove to be awkward. He wondered how far away Aang was; hopefully close enough to arrive in time to settle any dispute that might arise between the two sides concerning Carlyle's daughter. If it came down to Banyon alone against the Jedi, he was of a mind to let them take her; he never wanted a confrontation with them in the first place.

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"I think I have discovered where Boba is being held, Chancellor." Anakin told Bail as the Chancellor's image appeared before him.

"So quickly? How did that happen?" Bail asked.

"We should discuss that later; but I would like to leave the second shuttle of Clones here if that meets your approval, and I will take the other Clones with me." Anakin answered.

"Yes, of course; I leave that up to you. I do wish you would tell me what has happened though." Bail replied.

"When this is over, I will explain everything, Chancellor." Anakin promised.

"Very well; good luck, Anakin." Bail said.

"Thank you, sir." Anakin replied and ended the transmission then returned to the starcruiser for a brief meeting with Clive Maru.

Ferri was seated in one of the rear passengers seats with his knees drawn up to his chin and his arms wrapped around his lower legs; his head was down with his forehead resting on his knees. His master was crouched down in front of him with one hand on Ferri's arm, speaking softly to him. He looked up as Anakin entered the cockpit.

"How is he?" Anakin asked.

"I don't know; he's closed himself off and I can't seem to reach him." Clive said with concern.

"I'm getting a sense of overwhelming guilt and a great deal of shame from him, and it concerns me." Anakin told him.

"Do you think he's dangerous?" Clive asked.

"Only to himself. I'm leaving the second shuttle of Clones here to keep an eye on things…and, Clive, you have to take his weapon." Anakin answered.

"I've already done that. What will happen to him now?" Clive asked.

"That will be up to the Council to decide when we return to Coruscant. Right now, my biggest concern is finding Master Kenobi, Zak and Boba Fett." Anakin replied.

"Should I come with you?" Clive asked looking back at Ferri, who had not moved since the two of them returned to the ship.

"No, your place right now is with that boy." Anakin said sensing what Clive wanted to do.

"Yes, of course." Clive replied gratefully, "When are you leaving?"

"Right away; I will take the Clones who came with me on the first shuttle." Anakin answered.

"May the Force be with you then." Clive said.

"Thank you." Anakin replied and turned to leave.

"Anakin, do you think you can help him?" Clive asked.

"I don't know." Anakin said and then looked down at the floor, "And may the Force forgive me, but I don't even know if I want to."

"Oh, yes; I understand." Clive answered.

Anakin moved into the woods ahead of the Clones who had been with him on the first shuttle. The probe into Ferri's mind had been more rewarding than even Ferri thought it would be. Somehow, Ferri had managed to snag Boba's entire experience once he had entered the woods as the hunters' prisoner, while only consciously remembered the tail end of it. Armed with this knowledge, Anakin felt he now had a good chance of finding him, and the two Jedi who had come to rescue him, alive. Clive's appeal for help continued to run through his mind and Anakin began to wonder if he had the right to pass judgment on Ferri despite what he had done. He decided perhaps it was best to seek wiser counsel about it and consult Master Yoda. He walked another meter and stopped, "Master Skywalker? Are you alright, sir?" Commander Ged asked.

"Uh, yes; I'm sorry, I…" Anakin started and then turned his gaze upward.

"What is it?" Ged asked as he looked up to see what Anakin was looking at…or for.

"Ysalamiri; see it? In that tree right over there." Anakin answered.

"Yes, but I don't understand; does that mean something?" Ged asked.

"Oh yes; it means that I have just become blind and weaker. The ysalamiri push the Force away so that I can no longer feel it or use it." Anakin replied.

"Then we will be on our guard for you, Master Skywalker." Another Clone assured him.

"Thank you, because now I am just like all of you. There is something else you have to help me with." Anakin said.

"What would that be, sir?" Ged asked as a creature leaped out right in front of Anakin.

"That." Anakin said as he pulled his lightsaber and ignited it.

The animal moved toward him, tensing the muscles in its rear legs in preparation for a leap at the Jedi.

Without a word, Ged cut the creature down with blaster fire just as it launched into the air and it collapsed to the ground.

"Alright, what was it?" Ged asked.

"A vornskr; they don't like other Force sensitives." Anakin answered.

"Like you." Ged replied.

"Yes, like me." Anakin confirmed, "There will be more of these; but they won't attack you."

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Viral strapped himself back into his seat; he was very close to Myrkr now, and would soon be coming out of hyperspace. In another half an hour, he would land near the bunker and had only to wait for Devan and he friends so that he could eliminate them and take the boy. Cardl, he was sure, would at the very least spare his life and might even reward him for his efforts. Yes, Viral thought, he just might walk away from this with a little more than just his life. He smiled at the thought.

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Obi-Wan stopped again and leaned against a tree to rest for a moment. He was doing that more often now as fatigue closed in on him. If only he could find a small opening that would allow him access to the Force, he could draw a little energy from it and possibly sense a way out of the forested area all together. Twice after the vornskr had attacked his pursuers had come very close to winning their despotic game and Obi-Wan began to wonder how much longer his luck would hold out. With his wrists shackled, he had been unable to reach the vornskr bite; and in the dark, he had no way of telling how serious it was, although he did not think he was losing a great deal of blood. The crack of a twig alerted him to Kien's presence; he picked up another rock and flung it in the opposite direction before moving off away from Kien again and wondered how much longer it would be until dawn.