Chapter 16

The Spider and the Flies

Obi-Wan and Siri walked out into the maintenance corridor, turning left and continuing down the hallway.

"Start looking for anything that could point us back to the mines, Siri. Signs on the wall or the like. Even if we run into Gwerto or the security droids, we can lose them in the mines. The sooner we get out of these narrow hallways, the better."

"What about the Masters?"

"You heard Barabbas. He's with them, along with a large number of guards. They can handle themselves if they run into trouble. Besides, it's not like they're running blind. The Force will lead them to us."

"I sure hope so."

Siri's acknowledgement was half-hearted. Though he didn't show it, Obi-Wan had plenty of doubts about this as well.

I can't plan anything out here. I have to make this up as I go. Still, we don't have any other options. Here's hoping my gamble pays off.

"Obi-Wan! Over there!"

Siri pointed to a sign on the wall that read "LABOR MINES," with an arrow pointing to the right. Obi-Wan gestured for her to get against the wall and halt while he stepped to the corner and peeked around it. At the end of the corridor stood a large security door, identical to the one the two had entered through.

That must be it.

Obi-Wan gestured Siri to follow him, and the Padawans rounded the corner, heading towards the door. Then, from around another bend midway through the hallway, two RC-ADs rounded the corner, right between the Padawans and their escape route. They quickly pivoted around and dashed around the corner opposite the one they had just rounded, as a few blaster bolts hit the wall behind them. The Padawans kept going down the hallway until they saw another sign for the labor mines, pointing to their left. They rounded the corner to an even more unwelcome sight than droids. A mob of inmates, Gwerto and Vrossk at its head, stood before them, armed with everything from shanks to blaster rifles. Gwerto and Vrossk both held heavy blaster pistols, leveled at the Padawans. Gwerto spoke as his crew looked at the Jedi with sadistic smirks and murder in their eyes.

"Going someplace, Jedi?"

Come on, we can take them!

There's too many for us to fight, Siri. The volume of blaster fire they could put out in this tiny hallway would overwhelm our ability to block it.

Then what should we do? We can't run from them! Not with those droids behind us!

The droids…wait.

What are you thinking, Obi-Wan?

We wait for the droids to show up.

What? They'll kill us!

And so will these pirates. Here's what we'll do. We'll stall the pirates and back up, luring them towards the corner we just rounded. We wait until the droids round the corner, and when they do they'll have this entire mob in front of them. The way their blaster cannons are arranged, they will be too close to hit us. At that point, we run down the hallway to our right and follow whatever signs we see until we reach the mines.

I hope you're right about this, Kenobi.

Pausing for a moment and activating their lightsabers, the Padawans began backing up. Obi-Wan tried to distract Gwerto as he gloated over his apparent triumph.

"So, what's your plan after you kill us? The prison's security systems are fully activated; you'll never get to the surface now."

"What are you talking about?"

"We rerouted power to the security systems. They're at maximum power now. Whatever hopes you had of reaching a ship on the surface are gone."

"Then I'll find a way. And you'll be sprayed over these walls."

"The guards are out in force, along with other Jedi. Even if you get past the security, whatever harebrained escape plan you have will never work."

"Harebrained? And yet you're the one that walked right into a bunch of blasters. You're awfully confident for a dead man, Jedi."

Obie, the droids…

I can sense them too. Stop here.

The Padawans halted at the corner as the pirates continued to approach.

"Any last words, Jedi?"

Obi-Wan was vaguely aware of a low, barely noticeable humming noise behind him. Then, he felt a large, metallic object against his back.

The droids. They're right behind us.

Looking to Siri, he saw her standing right in front of another security droid, its blaster cannons jutting out in front of her shins. Obi-Wan looked up at the pirates, now frozen in horror.

You've been played, Gwerto.

"Obi-Wan…"

"NOW!"

Siri dashed off down the hallway to the right, Obi-Wan right behind her as he deftly avoided the ankle-high blaster cannons. Seconds later, he heard blaster fire and screaming coming from the hallway. It'll be a massacre. None of those inmates will survive.

The RC-ADs poured fire into the corridor, pirates falling left and right. Gwerto and Vrossk attempted to retreat through what had once been their crew, now reduced to a panicked mob stampeding for the end of the hallway. Some of the pirates fired at the droids, their blasters proving ineffective against the machines' heavy armor. Each of these defiant souls soon fell in a hail of blaster fire, crashing to the floor in the throes of death. Most simply ran, attempting in vain to escape the bursts of blaster fire coming their way. As he retreated, Gwerto heard a familiar voice cry out in pain.

"Skipperrrr…"

"VROSSK!"

Captain Gwerto ran to his first mate, now lying on the floor. The Trandoshan's torso had been ripped apart, blood staining his shredded orange jumpsuit. He breathed in ragged gasps as Gwerto took his stricken friend in his arms.

"Vrossk…Vrossk, don't do this to me, man!"

"Skipper…I'm…messed…up…here…"

The Trandoshan's voice trailed off, and his breathing grew weaker. He exhaled one final time, and then his body went limp.

"Vrossk…Vrossk?"

No…not him. Not my best friend, my first mate. No…

Another volley from the droids snapped Gwerto out of his grief-stricken trance, and he ran for the end of the hallway as the last of his crew fell under the stream of bolts.

The Jedi…now they're my goal. Whatever happens to me here, those Jedi will die.

Obi-Wan and Siri, after what seemed like minutes of running, finally saw another sign leading to the mines around the nearest left-hand turn. The Padawans rounded the corner, a security door at the end of the hallway beckoning them to enter.

It's almost over. Just get through that door, find a nice cozy spot, and wait for the Masters and their entourage to show up.

The Padawans made it to the door, Obi-Wan producing the Warden's card as Siri stood behind him, watching the hallway for any survivors. As Obi-Wan placed the card in the reader, he felt a sudden pang of danger. He whipped his head around to see Gwerto walking right in front of Siri from around a corner. Siri, having also seen Gwerto, raised her lightsaber as Gwerto charged towards the Padawans, firing his pistol. The door opened, and the Padawans rushed through it as more blaster bolts tore by them. The Padawans rushed into the mining tunnel, looking back to see Gwerto dashing through the security door.

Great. He's in here with us now.

Moving deeper and deeper into the tunnels, the Padawans deactivated their lightsabers and kept running until they felt safe enough to stop and rest.

"That maniac's in here with us, Obi-Wan. And he won't stop until we're both dead."

"Then we fight back. These tunnels are a perfect hunting ground, for both Gwerto and us. We're Jedi, Siri. We can beat this pirate at his own game."

"So what do you propose, then?"

"We split up. Then, we find Gwerto and take him by surprise."

"So we hunt him, then?"

"Exactly."

Sergeant Barabbas stood at the head of his unit of guards as they advanced through the mining tunnels, Qui-Gon and Adi behind them. The group had made their way into the mines without incident, and now their only concern was finding the Padawans and getting them to the surface alive. The guards had their blaster-mounted flashlights on for navigation, casting dancing beams of light all over the dark caverns as they scanned various dark corners for any signs of inmates or the Padawans. He turned to Qui-Gon, whose strong connection to the Living Force had made him the de facto guide of the group as they attempted to reach Obi-Wan and Siri before whatever else was down here got to them first.

"Master Jinn? Are we getting any closer?"

"We are, Sergeant. Just keep moving. I'll tell you if we need to change direction."

"I hope you're right about this. We've been at this for the past ten minutes without any results, and seconds could save or kill your Padawans."

They're alive, I can feel them. We're getting closer, I know it. We just need to keep going…they'll be alive to greet us. They have to be. We can't lose them on this rock, not after all that's happened.

Siri moved through the dark caverns, listening for a telltale footstep or other sign of Gwerto's presence as she sensed through the blackness around her with the Force. Nothing here…this Gwerto's a slippery bastard. Something tells me he won't show himself until he's ready to strike. And when he does, I'll be ready for him.

She suddenly heard Obi-Wan through their Force bond.

Siri? Have you found anything?

No. I can't see or hear anything. If Gwerto's here, he's as sneaky as they come.

If you run into him, I'll be there in a matter of seconds. Once he's beaten, we can get back to the Masters.

The Masters are in here with us, Obi-Wan. I can sense them, getting closer and closer.

Good. Then stay alive.

You too, Obie.

Siri continued to feel her surroundings with the Force, searching for Gwerto. She felt Adi's familiar Force presence grew stronger and stronger, and she reached out to her Master through their Force bond.

Master? Are you there?

Siri? Siri! Where are you?

I don't know, Master…I'm somewhere in these caverns, with Obi-Wan. I can feel you getting closer.

Good. Siri, stay where you are. Qui-Gon and I are coming, along with Sergeant Barabbas and a large force of guards. We'll get you out alive.

Siri took comfort in hearing her Master's voice after the long trek to the caverns, but her comfort ended in a split second when she heard a small, quiet crunch on the rock behind her. She instinctively called her lightsaber to her hand with the Force and ignited it, turning to face the sound. At the edge of the magenta light of her blade, she could see a shadowy figure, its barely visible grey face of fanglike tusks under black, soulless arachnid eyes confirming her suspicions.

An Aqualish. Gwerto finally shows his hand.

A red flash emanated from the figure's side, striking Siri's blade as she took up a fighting stance. The sudden impact as she changed her footing knocked her off balance, and she quickly raised her lightsaber to block the inevitable follow-up shot. Her grip already weakened, the second shot knocked the lightsaber out of her hand. The plasma blade deactivated with a sharp hiss as the weapon flew off into the darkness. Siri looked up, knowing the dark figure in front of her would be the last thing she ever saw. She had no time to process her fate before the red flash came forth again, and she felt something slam into her chest, sending her into darkness.

Blaster fire echoed through the caves, and the rescue party stopped in its tracks. Qui-Gon turned to Adi, and saw the Jedi Master clutching her head, her face contorted into an anguished grimace. "Adi! What's wrong?"

"It's Siri…she's…she's in danger. I just sensed a pang of distress…"

"Is she alive?"

"I don't know…"

Barabbas immediately took charge of the situation, gesturing to several of his guards.

"All of you, on me! We're going down this tunnel! Those Padawans have company, and we're going to help them! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!"

Barabbas and his chosen officers rushed forward as the remainder stayed with the Masters while Qui-Gon tried to reassure Adi.

"She's your apprentice, Adi. If she just died, you would have known. You would have felt it…"

"Qui-Gon, please don't say anything else."

All Qui-Gon could do was place his hand on his friend's shoulder, and ponder the fate of his own Padawan. He reached out to Obi-Wan through their Force bond.

Obi-Wan. We're close now. Stay alive, and take care of Siri.

Obi-Wan felt a sudden pang of distress as he heard the blaster shots.

Siri! Gwerto's found her!

He ignited his lightsaber and dashed toward the source of the noise.

Hold on, Siri! I'm coming!

He heard indistinct shouting as he rushed through the dark caverns, but he recognized the voice he heard. Barabbas. The rescue party's here. I need to get to Siri before…

Obi-Wan. We're close now. Stay alive, and take care of Siri.

The sound of his Master's voice reinvigorated Obi-Wan, and he tightened his grip on his lightsaber as he continued to run to Siri's rescue.

I will, Master. I will.

Obi-Wan dashed around a bend and came upon a sight that made his blood run cold. Siri lay sprawled on the rock, her eyes closed and a large hole in her green armored vest. He rushed to her side and knelt down next to her, cradling her head in his arms.

I…I was too late…

"Siri? Siri, please…"

No…please, Force, no…not Siri…

"Siri, please…talk to me…"

Obi-Wan suddenly realized the vulnerable position he was in, as he sensed a deadly, malevolent presence watching him.

Gwerto…he's still here. I'll kill him…

Obi-Wan stood up and turned towards the source of the threatening presence, his blue blade illuminating the Aqualish's arachnid features. The pirate captain looked surprised at what he had just witnessed, his blaster pistol weakly held at his hip. Obi-Wan felt uncontrollable rage coursing through his veins, tears flowing down his face as he roared at his enemy.

"GET AWAY FROM HER! OR I'LL KILL YOU!"

Gwerto raised his blaster, firing harmlessly into the wall as Obi-Wan sidestepped and then brought his lightsaber into the pistol's frame. The weapon split in half, and Obi-Wan knocked his adversary to the ground with a boot to the chest. He pinned the Aqualish to the ground, holding his blade to the pirate's throat. That bastard…he killed Siri! Now I'll get my revenge…

Then, Obi-Wan's thoughts turned to Siri herself, lying on the ground across from he and Gwerto.

What are you doing? Stop! What would Siri have wanted? Would she have wanted you to turn to the dark side, commit acts of anger and revenge in her name? You, the man she…the man she loved? Stop! It's not too late! Stop!

Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment, and then turned to Gwerto.

"Nio Gwerto, in the name of the statutes and laws of…"

The pirate captain grabbed the Padawan by the leg and threw him off-balance. Obi-Wan fell to the ground, attempting to get to his feet as Gwerto grabbed a large stone and charged at him. Gwerto came down on the Padawan with all his weight, knocking the lightsaber from Obi-Wan's hands. Obi-Wan began grappling with Gwerto as the pirate held the point of the rock downwards, its dull edge primed to crush the Padawan's skull. Gwerto taunted the embattled Padawan, his voice thick with malice.

"You'll die in these caves, Jedi. Just like your girlfriend."

Obi-Wan felt a burst of anger, struggling to release it into the Force in the chaos of his fight for his life.

"You missing her already, Jedi? Don't worry, I'll send you straight to her!"

"No…you WON'T!"

Obi-Wan threw the pirate captain off of him with a mighty, Force-assisted shove. He called his lightsaber to his hand as the pirate charged again, roaring in anger.

"DIE!"

Obi-Wan focused in the precious seconds he had before Gwerto reached him.

Calm…calm. If you kill him, you won't fall to the dark side while doing it. Focus, Obi-Wan. Focus.

The pirate reached the threshold. Obi-Wan made his move. As Gwerto lunged forward with the rock, Obi-Wan spun aside of the blow and struck, the Force guiding his lightsaber up to the pirate's neck. In an instant, the blue blade cut through Gwerto's flesh, and the pirate captain's head flew from his shoulders. Gwerto's headless body pitched forward onto the ground, the head hitting the ground and rolling until it hit the wall with a gentle, sickening thud. Obi-Wan stood over his vanquished opponent, deactivating his lightsaber. As the adrenaline wore off, his focus turned to Siri, still lying motionless on the tunnel floor. He ran to her, gathering her still, fragile body into his arms. The tears flowed freely as he pressed her head to his chest.

"Siri…I'm…I'm so sorry…oh, Siri…"

Then, he felt something against his chest.

Could it be…is she…

Obi-Wan lowered Siri from his chest to look at her face as the realization dawned on him.

She's breathing…she's alive! She's alive!

He placed his fingers to her neck, and as he hoped, felt a pulse.

She's alive! But how…

His eyes went down to the hole on her chest. He placed his fingers in it, only to feel the hardness of armor at its end rather than the sickening softness of broken flesh.

The armor! It stopped the shot!

Obi-Wan thought of the guard in the storage areas that had given them both this armor.

"Don't mess with me on this. It might save your life."

The guard's words echoed through Obi-Wan's mind as his tears turned to those of joy.

That seemingly innocent suggestion saved her life. Thank you, whoever you are. Thank you!

"Siri? Siri, wake up!"

Much to his surprise, Obi-Wan's voice was soft and reassuring despite all the emotions running through him. He gently shook Siri, continuing to speak to her.

"Siri? Siri?"

She stirred, gently moaning and grimacing as the world came back to her. Then, her eyes fluttered open, and she looked straight at Obi-Wan.

"Obie?"

"Yes, Siri, it's me."

"What…what happened? Where's Gwerto?"

"He's dead, Siri. You're safe. I'm here. I've got you, and I won't let anything happen to you."

"He…he shot me…"

"The armor stopped it, Siri. You must have been knocked unconscious."

"Sure feels like it."

Siri clutched at her head and winced in pain. Blood was visible on her hands as she put her arms around Obi-Wan.

She must have hit her head. It doesn't look too bad, but we'll have the healers go over her once we get back to Coruscant.

"Easy, Siri. You fell on your head."

"Obie, are you…are you crying?"

Obi-Wan stopped, swallowing and trying to regain control of his emotions.

"I…I thought you were dead, Siri."

"And now?"

Damn it.

"I'm just glad you're alive."

She looked at him quizzically, and then her expression turned somber.

"You…you still love me, don't you?"

Obi-Wan could only sit there, looking into her eyes as the two held each other. She looked right back, her big blue eyes swimming with emotion.

She knows I can't answer that question.

Without conscious thought, his hand went to her back as he lifted her towards him. She placed her hand on his cheek, and her eyes fluttered shut as their lips moved closer. Oblivious to the world, the Code, and the impending arrival of the rescue party, Obi-Wan could only pull her closer as the Force swirled around the two.

I love you, Siri Tachi.

A bright light snapped the lovers out of their trance, emanating from the tunnel behind them. Small red dots appeared on their faces as loud voices cut through the darkness.

"CORRECTIONAL AUTHORITY! PUT YOUR HANDS UP! NOW!"

Roughly a dozen correctional officers stood in the tunnel, blasters trained on Obi-Wan and Siri. Their blaster-mounted flashlights illuminated the tunnel and their laser sights danced across the Padawans' heads. Obi-Wan and Siri raised their hands as they squinted against the bright light in the dark tunnels. A familiar voice ended what remained of the romantic moment.

"Easy, boys. They're on our side. Stand down."

The officers lowered their blasters as Siri stood to her feet, Obi-Wan rising up beside her.

"Sergeant Barabbas?"

That's the first time she hasn't called him Sergeant Crabby.

"The one and only. The boys and I came down here with your Masters to get you and Obi-Wan out of here. I'm no expert on the Force, but I could tell your Master in particular was worried sick about you."

"Adi? Where is she?"

"She's back there, along with Qui-Gon. They should be here any…"

"Siri!"

"Obi-Wan!"

The Masters rushed forward, more correctional officers behind them. Adi rushed to Siri, and Obi-Wan could tell it took everything in her not to joyfully embrace her Padawan then and there. Apparently, I wasn't the only one that thought Siri was dead.

Qui-Gon was more reserved, moving towards Obi-Wan at a brisk walk. Still, his face was twisted with worry, and Obi-Wan could sense a storm of emotions in his Master. He's glad to see me too.

"Obi-Wan, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Master. Siri's fine too, but the two of us got into a scuffle with that inmate over there," Obi-Wan said as he pointed to Gwerto's corpse. "She hit her head. It's nothing serious, but the healers ought to check her out once we get back to Coruscant."

Qui-Gon ran his eyes over the headless body, clearly curious as to what had happened.

"His name was Gwerto, Master. He was some sort of pirate captain…"

"Gwerto? As in Nio Gwerto?"

Sergeant Barabbas then stepped in.

"Nio Gwerto? Your Padawan killed Nio Gwerto, Qui-Gon?"

"Apparently so."

"I'm sorry, is there something I'm missing here? Who is Nio Gwerto?"

"He is…or was…one of the most feared inmates we've had in recent memory. A pirate captain wanted in eight systems for piracy and murder, among other things. He ended up on the Judicial Forces' Most Wanted List, before a team of Jedi Knights finally nabbed him a few years back."

"I knew some of the Knights that arrested him, Obi-Wan. He was a very dangerous being indeed."

"He was always a troublemaker here, and from his past, my guess is that he had a particular hatred for Jedi."

"If you'll excuse me, Sergeant, I need to check on Master Gallia and her Padawan."

"Go ahead, Qui-Gon. I don't have any objections."

Barabbas took Obi-Wan aside as Qui-Gon walked over to Adi and Siri.

"Between the two of us, given Gwerto's history and his psychological profile, you and your girlfriend are lucky to be alive right now."

"Sergeant, she's not my…"

Barabbas chuckled and gave Obi-Wan a rough pat on the back.

"You can't fool me, son. Remember that we came in on your…compromising moment. And the way you two were holding each other, I could tell there was something real deep between you."

Obi-Wan stayed silent, his face turning red.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. If the Masters ask, nothing happened, and I have no obligation to tell them. Final authority, remember?"

"Right…right, Sergeant."

As he left, Barabbas put his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, like a father speaking to a son.

"Take good care of her, Obi-Wan. You seem like a decent man."

A decent man, maybe, but what about a decent Jedi?

For the first time in hours, the Jedi sat in the Consular's conference room, eating and drinking all that they could as they reflected on the day's events and waited for further orders from Sergeant Barabbas. Obi-Wan downed another cup of coffee, stealing occasional glances at Siri, whom he caught from time to time doing the same. He tried to take his mind off of what had happened in the tunnels.

Don't let it happen again, Obi-Wan. Don't. How did you let your guard down and just…just go for her like that? And she reciprocated! And you…you realized you love her, still!

"Jedi? Am I interrupting anything?"

Sergeant Barabbas had just entered the conference room, and now stood at the edge of the table as the Jedi turned their heads towards him.

"No, Sergeant. Are there any further developments?"

"That's why I came here, Qui-Gon. Thanks to your Padawans, we've got the security systems running at full steam, and what's left of the inmates have been contained inside the cellhouse. There's no way any of them can get to the surface now."

"So what then?"

"You're dismissed, all of you. The riot has been contained, and whatever happens next, we can deal with it. We're broadcasting wailing sirens and pumping noxious fumes into the cellhouse to demoralize the inmates, and I can tell you for a fact that in a few hours most of the inmates will either be back in their cells or looking for a commlink to discuss surrender terms. You've done your job here, and now we'll do ours. That's an order direct from the Warden."

"We're free to go, then?"

"You're ORDERED to go, Qui-Gon, you and everyone else. For what it's worth, though, you Jedi did a tremendous service today. The butcher's bill for this riot will be high, but it would have been higher if it weren't for your being here. You have my sincere thanks, and the sincere thanks of the officers of this institution. That is all. May the Force be with you."

With that, Barabbas turned and walked out of the conference room. Qui-Gon took charge of the departure. "Adi, head up to the bridge and tell the crew we're ready to leave. I'll contact Sifo-Dyas and let him know what we found out. Obi-Wan, Siri, go to your staterooms and take a shower. You've earned it."

The Padawans bowed and headed for the turbolift as Adi went up to the bridge and Qui-Gon began setting up the hololink to speak to Sifo-Dyas. Obi-Wan and Siri stepped into the lift, going to the upper deck and stepping out towards their staterooms. As they neared the rooms, Siri turned to Obi-Wan and spoke.

"Obi-Wan…you saved my life back there. Multiple times. Thank you."

"Siri, I did what I had to do. It was part of the mission…"

"But I'm grateful that you did. Just accept my gratitude and move on."

The two stood there, and for the briefest moment, Obi-Wan thought about accompanying her into the shower as he saw a flicker of desire in her eyes.

No. Forget it. Don't go in with her. Do what she said: accept her gratitude and move on. The two of you have gone more than far enough already over the past several weeks.

Siri entered her room, turning to face Obi-Wan one last time as she shut the door behind her. Obi-Wan stood there for a moment, taking the day's events in one last time. Then, he walked to the door of his own cabin, entered, and shut it with a single, determined press of the door button.

That vexing little woman is going to be the end of me.