Distraction: Chapter Two

Master Sidious was pleased with our efforts even though I was not. I carefully voiced my opinion of the captain's inability to make wise decisions and not follow orders, but I wasn't going to push my luck any further. Arguing with a Sith Master is never a good idea, but if I had to guess, I'd say with a fair amount of confidence that Anakin and I would be returning to Ryloth fairly soon.

"There is a disturbance in the Force," the man's raspy voice and piercing golden gaze refocused my attention. "Surrounding the planet of Ando. I have a small squadron in the area to ensure the trade route remains unencumbered."

His penetrating gaze moved to Anakin. "If they fail to do so, I will need you and Lord Malefic to go there."

Good, I thought to myself. I was hoping to at least sleep in my own bed for one entire night.

"Get some rest," Master Sidious informed both of us. "Your services will be required soon."

Anakin and I bowed reverently and exited the throne room. Following the elimination of the Jedi and Senate, Master Sidious had taken over the building that had been previously occupied by thousands of Coruscant's civil servants. Now, it was filled with blasted Stormtroopers who no doubt wanted to question us about Ryloth and the location of Captain Luitt.

"Just great," whined Anakin as we strode the long, red-carpeted corridor. "I hate wasting time here. We need to be out there rounding up rebels."

"Well I, for one, am looking forward a break." I contradicted him. "Perhaps I'll even have time for…"

My thoughts were interrupted by a group of white plasteel-covered soldiers heading our direction. A heavy sigh escaped my lips.

"Don't worry about it," Anakin informed me with an accompanying clap on my shoulder. "I'll fill our comrades in on the exciting adventures of Vader and Malefic."

"Thanks," I gratefully told him before ducking down a side corridor which would take me directly to my private quarters. I could already feel the tension in my shoulders ease at the thought of standing beneath a hot shower. Perhaps afterward I'd…

Once again my thoughts were interrupted, although this time not by intruders, but by a voice: One that stopped me in my tracks. I spun to locate the source, though saw no one. Once again I heard something and quickly turned around.

"Who's there?" I demanded to know, my hand automatically coming to the hilt of my lightsaber.

"Obi-Wan."

The name was the same from my dreams, but more disturbing was the fact this was the same voice from my dreams. I was positive about that. Trouble was, I wasn't asleep.

I was intrigued, though that feeling was short-lived. Annoyance replaced it in rapid succession.

I squinted my eyes to gaze down the shadowy hallway, refining my efforts with the Force. Nothing. Not a single soul was there.

If this was somebody's idea of a joke, it wasn't funny. Not one damn bit!

"Last chance," I warned before igniting my 'saber, its red glow blending in neatly with the hues of the carpet as well as the upper wall.

"This is ridiculous," I quietly told myself, replacing my weapon. It had been several seconds since I'd heard anything and was about to step toward my rooms when the voice issued out again. Only this time, it was further away.

Without hesitation, I ran toward it, the soles of my black boots sliding against the smooth floors beneath them. I listened intently and stay attuned to the dark eddies of the Force. There was no disturbance, but there was definitely a voice, and this time it was coming from a nearby stairwell. I bounded down the steps taking two, sometimes three at a time until I found myself in the lowest levels of the building.

Not much was down here; mainly musty, empty offices, filled only these days with dilapidated furniture and décor. I stepped past several of them, coming upon a shiny durasteel door with a digital lock on it. With judicious use of the Force, I easily opened it and stepped inside, only to bump directly into two red-armored guards. These were a couple of Sidious' special forces who were usually assigned for his own personal protection.

What in the blazes were they doing down here?

"No acceptance," one of them said in a low, monotonous voice.

"I haven't asked for any," I informed the slightly taller individual, revealing my most charming smirk. I couldn't gauge his response, however, since his face was covered with a mask and shield.

"No acceptance," the guard repeated as I gathered the Force about me.

Fine. We'll just have to do this the hard way. I focused on the left one who apparently was the messenger followed by the right. "You will allow me to pass and then have no memory of me being down here."

I hadn't used Force persuasions very often in my career. Hadn't needed to. I'd always found I could usually get my own way with the edge of my sword.

It took a moment, and I began worrying it hadn't worked until the spokesman stepped aside.

"You may pass," he said with as little enthusiasm as he'd had before.

I stepped into a dim antechamber before turning back to make sure I wasn't being tricked. The guards had resumed their stance. I was apparently safe to proceed. But to where? And what would I find at the end of this wild bantha chase? The woman I'd been dreaming about?

I chuckled to myself. This was insanity! What would a beautiful woman such as her be down here in this dismal place? I was just about to forget the whole thing when her voice called out again; only this time it was speaking more than just a name.

"Help me, Obi-Wan."

This was startling. Perhaps the woman actually was down here and she was being held prisoner! Now that I thought about it, her voice did sound as if she were in distress. Perhaps she was just beyond the next doorway straight ahead and needed my assistance!

I charged forward and slung open a set of unbolted double doors to find nothing but ancient archives. Rows and rows of them. Some were on shelves, others overflowing boxes while more were lying haphazardly on the floor; even some crushed and in pieces.

"What a mess," I uttered, carefully stepping through it all so as to not disrupt anything. But why was I down here? What could she possibly be trying to tell me? I didn't understand this at all. Who was this Obi-Wan?

I'd never find anything here! I kicked a box to prove my point, causing a dust cloud to rise as a result. Reflected in the dust particles of that cloud, I could spy a faint green glow. I followed the light to its source and uncovered a datachip, similar to the ones lying all about me, only this one was active, as if it had been recently ejected from its port.

Just as soon as I'd discovered it, however, its energy light faded to black. Now, indeed, it looked like all the thousands of others in this room. Except that once I'd studied it in my hand, I discovered it was unique after all. It had been imprinted by something or someone familiar, though I couldn't decipher the source or significance of it. Interesting.

I placed the datachip in my utility belt for safekeeping and headed back upstairs. Perhaps when I had the chance, I'd open it to view the secrets it held.