Chapter 4

There was a cold mist on Courasaunt that day, the Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi had just gotten back to the Capital the day before, he had been on the Planet Ilum with a group of younglings to collect their Kyber Crystals. He felt good to be away from the war for a while, it took its toll on everyone. Obi-Wan was no exception, he had lead many battles with his 212th attack battalion, he and his clones usually found themselves in the thick of the war, rarely catching rest.

Obi-Wan was sat in his personal chambers in the temple, he just enjoyed the peacefulness of the early morning. He watched through his window as spenders cut through the thick mist in the city below, he watched as it swirled around majestically as if it were something mystical. His peace didn't last long however, there was a loud knock at his door. "Come in" the Jedi master said standing up and straightening his robes.

The door slid open and the Mirialan padawan learner Barriss Offee stepped through. "Ah hello Barriss, what can I do for you?" Kenobi said in a welcoming tone. "Forgive me for interrupting you so early master, but you have been summoned to the Jedi council in an emergency meeting" she spoke in a slightly concerned voice, she spoke very clearly and was a very formal jedi all around. "Very well Barriss, thank you for telling me. Will you walk with me?" Obi-Wan asked. "Of course master" barriss said smiling with joy.

They began their walk to the council chamber, their pace was quick since it was an emergency meeting. "So My young padawan, how have you been? Are you keeping well in these trying times?" Asked the Jedi master. Barriss paused for a moment before giving a reply, "can I be honest master kenobi?" She said sounding rather sad. "Of course young one, i always encourage the truth" he said realising the sadness in her voice. She took in a deep breath "I've not been well master, not in the mind. The longer this war lasts the more I've come to realise its corrupt the Jedi. We're supposed to be peacekeepers, not soldiers. I fear I might do something reckless master". This concerned Obi-Wan, but she wasn't wrong, Jedi aren't supposed to be fighting this war. "I understand Barriss, and I'm inclined to agree with you. But I fear things won't be changing any time soon" he said resting a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her.

"That's what I fear" Barriss replied. "All will be well young one, we should speak more. Perhaps it would be good to discuss the ethics of this war further" he said stopping at the doors to the council chamber. "Thank you master, I'd very much like that" she replied giving the best smile she could despite how she was feeling. They both bowed to one another and went their separate ways.

Obi-Wan took his seat among the council, he was the last to arrive. "Forgive me for my lateness masters, what is the emergency?" Asked Kenobi. "We have received a holo recording from the royal palace on Mandalore, it's best you watch" said Master Windu.

The room shutters went down and the room fell into darkness before the hologram played. Kenobi was discompfoted when Darth Maul appeared on the screen, with the Dutchess on her knees and blade to her neck. "Kenobi! I have taken Mandalore and captured The Dutchess! I do believe you know her very well. Come to Mandalore to face me, or innocence live will die by my hand, I expect your arrival in due course Jedi" maul said full of rage and anger, before the transmission finished.

The room fell silent for a few moments, Obi-Wan's heart pumped fast and hard. He loved Satine, he was loyal to the Jedi and the code, he knew it was forbidden to have attachments. But he needed to save her. "We have to gather our forces, I will lead a full scale attack..." Obi-Wan spoke before being cut off by the jedi Plo Koon, "I would think that unwise, many lives would be needlessly lost. I propose Master Kenobi go alone and try deal with Maul directly before he is able to cause too much harm" Master plo finished.

The council seemed to agree with the master, "besides the republic cannot be involved in this matter, Mandalore is a neutral system." Added Ki-Adi Mundi.

"Hmmm, let your emotions get into the way, you should not Obi-Wan, up to the task are you?" Yoda asked concerned for his friend. "I am Master, I will not let my emotions betray me" he replied.

"Very well, you must leave immediately if we are minimalise casualties" stated Mace Windu. "Yes master, I wish to take Barriss with me. She is troubled with the war and time away would do her good" Kenobi proposed.

"Very well, learn something new from you she might. May the force be with you" said yoda. Obi-Wan stood and bowed to his fellow Jedi before leaving the room.

He found Barriss shortly after and explained the situation, Barriss agreed to come along and off they went to the Hanger.

They boarded Anakins ship, The Twilight, they couldn't travel in anything that would associate themselves with the Republic and for the same reason they changed into disguises, Obi-Wan wore some old bounty hunter clothes he acquired from Rako Hardeen, while barriss wore a black, tight fitted, leather jumpsuit. "Ready Barriss?" Obi-Wan asked. "Yes master" Barriss replied adjusting her cleavage which was slightly on show. He gave her a nod and took off into space, ready to save Mandalore.

After a long journey they arrived at the planet, "stay close to me young one" Obi-Wan said as they left the ship. One of Mauls mandalorians was walking over to them, "what business do you have here?" The warrior asked. "We heard Mandalore is under new leadership, we came to sell our wares. We are arms dealers you see" replied Obi-Wan. "Very well, landing permit?" Asked the mandalorian. "I must have left them up on the ship, come with me and I'll get it" he said leading him up the ramp.

Obi-Wan quickly took out the trooper and put on the mandalorian attire while Barriss kept watch. Obi-Wan came back down the ramp as if nothing had happened, "I suggest you put these binders on, I'll say you're my prisoner" he said passing her the cuffs. "Very well Master" she replied and did as he said. Obi-Wan too both lightsabers as barriss had nowhere to put hers.

They used a speeder to get to the Palace, when they arrived Obi-Wan explained to the guards he caught a smuggler and needed to lock her in the prison block, with the help of his jedi mind trick they let him through and they made their way to free Satine.

Once inside he freed Barriss from her restraints, "she must be in one of the cells, here take your lightsaber, we'll split up and search in opposite directions. Use your comlink if you find her" he said passing her saber.

Obi-Wan headed to the right. He past dozens of cells, some were occupied by thugs and criminals, some just petty thieves, some were just empty. He must have searched for a good 5 minutes, passing hundreds of cells which were much more of the same. Suddenly he heard blaster fire and a scream down the way Barriss had gone. "Barriss!" Obi-Wan gasped, running in her direction and activating his lightsaber.

The alarm had been triggered, a red warning light began to flash accompanied by a loud siren. He saw barriss as he turned the corner, but it was too late, she was disarmed and being held back by a mandalorian who had a blaster pointed to her throat. Several more mandalorians appeared and surrounded them both. "Mauls been expecting you Jedi, drop the weapon and get on your knees". Said the mandalorian pointing the gun at Barriss.

Obi-Wan did as he asked, he dropped his weapon and got to his knees with his arms raised above his head. Maul had won this round, little did Obi-Wan not know it but today was going to become one of the worst days of his life.

(ok so I didn't think I'd end up spending so much time with obi-wan but it was just natural to flesh out the story and develop a friendly relationship between himself and Barriss. but fear not, the storm has come and Maul shall take his revenge against Kenobi!)