Here it is, just before the year ended... I know I', cutting it kind of close. But vacations always make me soooo lazy and I barely feel up to doing anything. Oh well! Anyway, this chapter will answer one major question. Enjoy it!
The Force was screaming in Anakin's hears to let the woman go and to pull up his shields. But he couldn't/wouldn't do that. He can save her.
In the main transporter bay, technicians worked furiously to finalize the progression. Eight straight up shapes started to take form; two of them emerged in an awkward position, arms bent extended and body bent forward. In front of the two a woman lay spiraled, surprise evident on her face. The last thing she had felt was the force of the gravity pulling her down. Then for no apparent reason she stopped and was successfully transported with the rest of the group.
Spock stared into the distance, searching, and when his eyes landed on the woman that had given everything for him. His eyes widened and quickly pulled her up into a tight hug. As Spock released a breath of relief the young Jedi behind him lost his strength and collapsed.
The older of the man, sprinted forward knocking everybody to the side. "Anakin!" he exclaimed as he knelt down and put a hand on his Padawan's forehead.
Everybody's momentary silence broke and the good doctor raced forward. Spock would not let his mother go. Yet, Obi-wan felt it a second before it transpired, Anakin's shields were down and because of his Force use and being transported, it messed up his hold on the woman Force-signature.
"Get us out of here!" Obi-wan yelled.
On the bridge, Chekov had heard the scream through the communication system. "Transport complete," he reported. He did not understand how he managed to beam everybody on board the Enterprise. There had been a moment, when he had been sure that he had lost the Ambassador's wife. Without pausing for confirmation or anything else, the junior officer swept a hand over the glowing controls.
"Maximum warp, engaging emergency power!"
The starship bolted in the general direction of where Earth was located in the Milky Way. The rear sensors recording the disruption, terrifying and forever engraved in the mind of the Enterprise's crew. However, in one specific mind, the screams of pain and terror attacked mercilessly at the young soul.
"Anakin, Padawan, please wake up," the cloaked man murmured. Those in the transporter room watching with curiosity. Nonetheless, they were to late in putting space between themselves and the planet. Anakin had felt it all and instinctively withdrew into the Force. Obi-wan had to fight the urge to severe his connection to the Force; even through his hardened shields. So much pain.
"Mother! Mother!" Spock called out, breaking Obi-wan from his thoughts. One second Amanda was caressing her son's cheek and then next she collapsed. The doctor broke through the throng of people and ignoring both stubborn set of eyes order the young cloaked male and the woman he now knew was Spock's mother to be carried off towards the medical center. He would deal with those two personally.
-o-o-o-
The sickbays and even medical center were filled to the brick with patients. If they weren't victims of the Narada's initial attack, they were refugees from Vulcan. The last survivors of their race, by pure luck if anything else.
McCoy stared down at the datapad. It was the most confusing thing he had ever seen. Both his private patients were human and physically there was nothing wrong with them. He had even given the green light for the Vulcan Elders to meld into her mind. The only answer they had for him, Spock and Sarek was that something was hold her back in her mind. Even the Life-bond wasn't enough for them to reach her.
Bones exhaled as he looked over the other folder. Everything on it indicated that he was of the human species, yet nothing explained why he was a telepath or empath. There were no genetic markers to indicate otherwise, and what was more frustrating was that his companion over there wasn't being very forthcoming with information or details on his friend's medical history. All the man did was let him take the minimal of scans, ignore all his questions and closed his eyes. Bones didn't know why… and if he were a gambling man, he would bet that those two weren't from Earth; maybe they´re from one of the earthen colonies.
Obi-wan paid little attention to his surroundings, his greatest concern was his Padawan and figuring out what happened to him. Nonetheless, he heard Mr. Spock's announcement and felt his agitated presence enter the Med-ward. Even before he reached their assigned space, he was demanding answers.
"As active captain, I order you to explain what occurred to Amanda Grayson." The half-Vulcan stated, drawing everybody's attention. Sarek was instantly by his son's side; kirk was watching curiously from his bed. His hand having been freshly wrapped.
The cloaked male, calmly stood up and subtly placed himself between the others and his defenseless apprentice; making it clear what his priorities are to all who were around him.
"Of that I'm not entirely sure, but I do have a theory." Obi-wan answered.
Spock raised an eyebrow, though it was Bones that spoke up first. "Which would be…?"
"This is the result of a bad combination of using the Force, being transported, lowered mental shields, and the pain of millions of dying." He replied placing his hand reassuringly on his friend's forehead.
"Speak Standard man, none of us here understand your hocus pocus nonsense." Bones retorted. Kirk silently agreeing with his best friend, however he remembered that they were all still missing more than half of the story.
Jim stood up from his bed, noting the confusion in Kenobi's eyes.
"I am speaking Basic, Doctor." Obi-wan said, knowing that the cultural galactic differences were at play here.
Before Bones nerves snapped, Kirk placed a hand on his shoulder. "You mentioned the word Jedi earlier, what does it mean, exactly?" Jim asked, feeling as though it could all be connected.
Kenobi sighed and lowered himself to the chair next to his Padawan's bed. Absentmindedly fidgeting with Anakin's Padawan braid, noticing that it would have to be re-braided soon. Captain Pike had specifically asked them to keep their knowledge to themselves. He was unsure how these people will react, yet the circumstances have changed and keeping quiet wasn't the wisest decision.
"A Jedi, where I'm from, is a being who is Force-sensitive and has been recruited from a young age and's been trained in the arts of the Jedi for many years. We are the Peace-keepers of the Galactic Republic."
Bones snorted, "Galactic Republic, you're delusional, no such thing exists."
Oni-wan inclined his head, "the Republic isn't of this galaxy, Doctor."
A tense silence spread through the room. It was the elder Vulcan that broke it. "Astounding, you are implying that you two are not even from this galaxy. However, from the Doctor's notes you are genetically confirmed to be human."
Kenobi lowered his head, agreeing with the Vulcan's conclusion.
"Dear Lord," Bones murmured. Kirk wasn't doing much better, their galaxy was large enough, but knowing that there was another one out there… it just left him dumbfounded.
"What is this "force" which you keep mentioning?" Spock inquired, determine to stay on topic.
Obi-wan settled into a relaxed pose, obviously where they came from this was common knowledge. "The Force is within everyone and everything, yet Force-sensitives are born with a higher connection to it. It grants us great and at sometimes unbelievable abilities. I'm sure you've noticed Mr. Spock that Anakin and I share a telepathic bond, while true it is much deeper than that. We are capable of feeling the very life around us." He saw that he had lost them. While he was sure that the Vulcans were telepaths… to some extent, though he knows what he was describing was at times hard to believe, even for people of have known of the Jedi all of their lives. Obi-wan lifted his arm and with a flick of his wrist, a technological pad of sorts, flew across the room and into his hand. His audience's eyes were wide and some were even gapping at him.
"Fascinating, telekinesis in any species is rare," Sarek commented.
"How is any of this connected to my mother's condition?" the commander demanded, getting over his bewilderment.
The Jedi sighed, he was positive that the two Vulcans weren't going to like what he about to say. "Anakin stopped your mother's fall, using his connection to the Force, he held her up by her Force presence. When they were both transported onto the ship, Anakin instinctively tightened his hold on her, his shields were already weakened from using the Force and by being transported didn't held. When the planet was destroyed, all that pain entered his mind unfiltered and destroying whatever mental shields he still held. He must have automatically used the Force to protect himself and unfortunately since he was still connected to your mother, pulled her along."
Spock remained quiet, he had understood what the Jedi was saying and he didn't not like it one bit. His mother was lost within her own mind, trapped by the man that risked his own sanity in saving her.
"What do you suggest we do…?" Sarek asked unsure on how to address the strange man.
"Obi-wan, but if you are uncomfortable with that, Knight Kenobi works just as well." He answered and placed his hand on Anakin's forehead again, going deep into their bond. He could feel the damage that his Padawan had suffered, he could not find any trance of the Ambassador's wife. He sighed, typical Anakin to do everything in his power to protect those around him and neglect himself. He must have buried her underneath layer upon layer of mental shields.
"Anakin needs time to heal, drawing him out now will only cause him pain. We should give him a few hours and I may perhaps be able to reach him then." Obi-wan explained, not mentioning how deep he was going to have to search. He wasn't even sure if their bond was strong enough.
"What of Mrs. Grayson?" Bones asked. He was not a fan of the waiting game.
Obi-wan's eyes flickered towards the still form of the woman. "As far as I can tell she is alright, Anakin used everything in his power to protect her from the attack. That is way it has been so hard for any of us to reach her. Anakin has unusually strong connection to the Force."
The Vulcans remained quiet, without another word they turned and left the group. Jim was shaking his head.
"When you said your tale was complicated, you weren't kidding." He said. "I never dreamed that there was another galaxy out there. So many questions, but I doubt now is the right time to ask them."
Obi-wan chuckled, "you are correct Jim. Go, help out Mr. Spock, there is much going through his mind. I will be up shortly."
Bones stared at him curiously, "what are you going to do?"
"Place Anakin into a Healing Trance, it just may speed up the process." He answered and closed his eyes. Both men understood when they were being dismissed, Kirk decided to heed Obi-wan's advice and went towards the Bridge.
Til' next time and Happy Holidays, reviews give me life... don't forget!