Chapter 5: Disaster

"What are we stopping?"

"Disaster."

xXx DATE: 12/14/45875 (The Next Day) xXx

As the Twilight left the lightspeed and began making its way towards Christophsis' atmosphere, Kenobi found himself increasingly becoming and more and more doubtful of his partner's actions. It wasn't that he doubted Anakin – no, he knew him better than anyone, and knew that if Anakin did something, it was always because he had a good reason. But still… this time, Anakin was really pushing the limits. "At least let the Council know where we are," he repeated for what may have just been the hundredth time.

And like all the other times, Anakin replied, "We can't. They'll try to stop us and bring us back. And we need to do this."

It wasn't "I feel this is the right thing to do" or "This is the best thing". No, it was "We need to do this", the "need" spoken with such confidence and finality. Anakin was so determined to go and examine the Crystal City itself that Obi-Wan knew that even the Negotiator wasn't going to change his apprentice's mind. With a defeated sigh, the Master leaned back in the co-pilot's chair and crossed his arms. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"So do I."

Well that statement sure doesn't help. "And do you even have a plan for when we reach the city? From the theory you've told me, this virus is highly contagious. Just stepping foot past the city borders is a deadly, possibly fatal, risk."

"Quin and I were right in the midst of those things, and we're still fine," Anakin replied. "That's one other thing we have to figure out: how it spreads."

Obi-Wan stared at his boots, exhaling slowly. "Anakin, I value what you're trying to do here, I really do; but if this thing is as big as you say it is, do you really think just two people are going to make any difference? We could go there, get infected, become one of those things, and then the galaxy will be in no better shape."

"We have to take that risk, Master…"

"I know that, Anakin, but pause and consider your odds," Obi-Wan said, almost pleading. He had served as Anakin's Master for over a decade – he knew how to get the younger man to stop and listen. "This mission could get way out of hand for just the two of us to handle."

Anakin frowned, and leaned back in the pilot's chair. "I know that. But I have to do something, anything, to stop this."

Obi-Wan glanced at him worriedly. "Anakin… does this have anything to do with your nightmares?"

At his friend's confused glance, he added, "I'm not as ignorant as you may think, Padawan. I've noticed you've been having more and not telling anyone."

Anakin sighed and lowered his head. "I don't know what they mean, Master, but… I think these mutant things are in them. At least, I keep seeing creatures that resemble them."

Obi-Wan began rubbing his beard, mind racing. It was no secret that Anakin's dreams usually ended up becoming more than anyone realized – more than once the Knight had suffered from vivid nightmares that became premonitions or visions, even as a child. "Anakin, I…"

Suddenly, the ship was filled with blinking lights, and moments later, they dropped out of hyperspace. Before them loomed Christophsis.

Immediately Anakin began pressing several mechanisms and steered the ship towards the blue/green planet. Obi-Wan remained sitting, his knowledge of flying extremely limited compared to his partner's. He did, however, manage to activate the landing gear as Anakin flew the ship as close to Crystal City as he dared, which was a mile away. As they flew overhead, he looked down through the window and frowned. "It looks like a ghost town," he remarked grimly.

In the middle of the landing, Anakin began messing with the communication control panel, so that seconds later, the hologrammic image of his Padawan appeared. "Hey, Snips," Anakin managed to greet her with a steady and calm voice. "Thought I'd check in before Obi-Wan and I start our investigation."

The Togruta smirked, and placed both hands on her hips. "Well, in the seven hours you were gone, I've been interrogated five times. The Council's really pissed that you…"

"Language, Ahsoka."

"Fine. The Council's really, really, super annoyed that you took Master Kenobi and went AWOL on them. They keep asking me where you are."

Anakin didn't know whether to feel amused or worried. "What did you tell them?"

Ahsoka winked at him via hologram. "I told them you were off saving the galaxy in some way or another. Eventually, they got so frustrated they stopped asking me."

While Anakin nodded, Obi-Wan decided to speak up. "Ahsoka, how is the autopsy going?"

"Pretty good, actually. Dr. Fuzio's been working nonstop, but then he got a headache and his assistant, Inya, told him to refresh himself. That was a half hour ago, actually, so I've been working with Inya on the autopsy. So far, we've found traces of some sort of virus, but it's nothing identifiable. We can't even compare it to any known disease – the matrix and the system of the bacteria is just so complex. We have been able to confirm that whatever 'germ' did this, it did it by attaching itself to the cells of the body and 'rewriting' the DNA and everything. It's just so bizarre, Master."

"Okay, Ahsoka, keep up the good work." They were almost on the ground. "Obi-Wan or I will contact you if anything happens here, okay?"

"Sure thing, Skyguy." Before the conversation could end, though, the girl allowed a small, worried look at the two Jedi. "Be careful. Whatever this thing is, Master, you were right. From the looks of it, it's extremely lethal, and we have no cure at all. If this is a virus spreadable through bacteria or anything like that…"

"Don't worry, Snips, we'll be okay." Anakin shot her a half-hearted smile, and then cut the transmission… even though it was taking everything he had to try and believe those words himself.

He knew something horrifying was about to happen. He just knew it.

And he also had that sickening feeling that no matter what he did, none of it would matter, because nothing could stop was bound to happen.

The Twilight landed a mile away from their target city, and as soon as the engines were cut, Anakin was out of his seat and powering up the landspeeders. Obi-Wan followed him quickly. "Slow down, Anakin," the Master spoke up as Anakin opened the ramp. "We need to do this with the upmost caution."

Anakin shot him an annoyed glance as he began pulling the speeders down the ramp and out into the noon-day sun. "Master…"

"Anakin." Obi-Wan crossed his arms and used the tone he had become accustomed to as Anakin's Master. His partner exhaled sharply, frustrated.

"I'll be careful, okay?" he stated. "Can we just go?"

That was the most he would get out of the younger Knight for now. Obi-Wan knew this, and decided to stop pressing. "Yes. Let's go."

Anakin was already on his speeder. He quickly attached his comlink to the control panel, and then transferred the city's layouts to Obi-Wan's transport. "We'll go to the building Quin and I found the first mutant in," the Knight stated, starting up his engine. "We can fan out from there."

It was the only real plan they had, so Obi-Wan agreed, and the two Jedi rode their speeders into Crystal City.

The holo-vids were the understatement of the century to Obi-Wan as his eyes rested on the destruction that surrounded him. The city smelled of death and disease, rotting pools of blood everywhere, filthy handprints on glass windows, garbage everywhere. Surprisingly, there were no animals or bugs of any kind around – as if they knew to stay away.

Anakin parked his speeder in front of the abandoned warehouse and motioned for his mentor to do the same.

"This is where we found it," the Knight stated, taking the lightsaber off his belt and holding it firmly in his hands. Just in case, he thought grimly.

Obi-Wan mimicked his movements, and the Master shuddered as he felt a chilling presence slip through the Force. The feeling of dread. He couldn't sense any other life forms except for himself and his partner – but there was an uneasiness in the air, a feeling that made him suck in a sharp breath and tense. "Anakin…"

"I feel it too," his former Padawan said quickly. "Something's wrong." His lightsaber came alive in a show of bright energy, and the Knight moved forward with quick but cautious steps.

"Anakin, wait!" Obi-Wan hissed, keeping his voice low but urgent. The Master hurried forward and touched his partner on the shoulder. "Be patient. We need to…"

His words cut off by a loud crash; and then suddenly, a mutant came flying out of a second story window and hurled itself at the two Jedi.

"Master, move!" Anakin lunged forward and shoved Obi-Wan forward. The monster landed heavily on the stone ground, and then stumbled back onto its two crooked legs – legs which had been fractured and gashed, Obi-Wan realized. How is he able to move when he's so injured…?

Broken legs or not, it came sprinting at them, screeching at the top of its lungs. Its voice dipped high and low, groaning then screaming, then giving an eerie whimpering noise. Anakin was in front of his mentor a second later, and using his lightsaber, decapitated the monster the moment it was close enough to reach.

As the body crumbled to the ground, Anakin noticed with dismay that the mutant's 'calls' had attracted more of the foul creatures. They came tumbling out of doorways and windows – Obi-Wan spotted one crawling out of the sewer.

"Anakin, we need to get out of here." Obi-Wan Kenobi was never one to panic; but he was as close to frantic as one could be. He had never seen anything like this in all of his lifetime – it was eerie and blood-chilling to see men who had once been people now turned animals.

Anakin was back-to-back with his partner, and visibly tensed when he saw a dozen more of the creatures come racing at them from farther down the street. "Alright, when I say go, we make a run for the speeders. Don't look back, don't get clawed or bit. Got it?" He was letting his 'General Skywalker' instincts take over now. It was the only way to ensure he didn't let fear or panic hinder their escape.

Obi-Wan didn't object to his plan. He simply nodded his head, and after waiting a second more, Anakin hollered, "Go!" and the pair took off faster than they had ever run in their lives.

The sudden movement stunned the mutants for only about a half second before they started hunting them down, the whole time filling the air with their growls and screams. Obi-Wan winced at the sight of a small group of former children that scrambled and clawed at his ankles – he was forced to kick them back.

They both reached the speeders, jumped on, and started up the engines. They pushed the throttle as fast as they could without breaking the engines, and sped out past city borders. Even though they were on vehicles, the screeches followed them, and when Anakin risked a glance backwards, he observed that the wave of creatures were still running and stumbling after them at a fairly quick pace.

"When we reach the ship, we can't afford any stops!" he hollered above the speeder noise. "You shut the ramp and seal any entrances while I start up the ignition and get us the hell out of here!"

Obi-Wan replied with a nod; he was focusing mainly at not crashing his bike. They were going well past any speed even Anakin had ever attempted, and he felt queasy at traveling at such a high and deadly pace. Even Anakin seemed rigid and stiff, and Obi-Wan couldn't blame him. His heart felt like it would burst out of his chest at any moment.

But the real panic set in when he squinted his eyes, staring at the horizon. He could see their ship, only a short distance away now, but about a ½ mile farther back, he could make out what looked like a stampede heading towards them. But there's no herd animals on Christophsis, so what…?

No. Way.

He bit his lip, and accessed the Force so he wouldn't have to scream above the engines. "Anakin, what's that in the distance?" His mind started buzzing. He knew the answer – he just couldn't bring himself to acknowledge it yet.

Anakin now took notice of the queer sight. He used the Force to try to sense what they were; and then he came up with nothing, and he knew.

"Damn it!" He couldn't hold the curse in. He then switched to the Force. "Master, I can't sense what those things are…"

"Me neither. And they're not machines either, or we'd still be able to tell…"

"Master, the virus spread."

Those things running at them were mutants, which meant that Crystal City was not the only contaminated area. And from what Obi-Wan had seen, at the rate the virus was capable of spreading…

All of Christophsis was doomed, if not already destroyed completely.

This made surviving and getting to the ship even more important. What didn't help, though, was now Anakin couldn't hold back the panic. The virus had spread to other parts of Christophsis. Now, as they traveled further, the outlines of the mutants were clearer. Men, woman, and children, all scrambled and tripping over themselves as the ran across the horizon towards them. Faint howls could be heard over the screams of the creatures that were still following the Jedi from behind. He suddenly spotted more coming from the left and right.

They were being surrounded by a horde of hundreds.

"Anakin."

"I see them, I see them!"

"If we slow down to park the speeders and board the ship…"

"We're not gonna."

"What?"

"As soon as we get to a few feet away from the ship, slam on the brakes and jump off. Use the Force so you don't have to stop, just jump and start running."

"Anakin…"

"It's the only way, Master! You're not the only one worried here!"

He could hear the alarm in the Knight's voice, so Obi-Wan decided to not press the issue further, and to hope beyond hope Anakin had some sort of plan prepared for what lay ahead.

The creatures were closing in on them.

The ship was clearly visible now, getting closer and closer with each second. Anakin pressed some buttons, and the boarding ramp began lowering itself. "Get ready to jump!"

Obi-Wan tensed, forcing all thoughts out of his mind except his survival instincts, letting his emotions wash over into the Force. He could still sense Anakin struggling with his anxiety, letting it cloud his thoughts. "Anakin, stop thinking about the 'what-ifs' and focus on the present."

Anakin ignored the counsel, and instead laid on finger on the brakes of the speeder.

They were now 100 feet away. 70. 50. 20.

"Jump!"

What happened next could only be described as blurred chaos. Obi-Wan hit the brakes, and he felt himself get propelled through the air, tossed like a doll up and forward. He vaguely heard the sound of the two speeders crashing and exploding, but he was mainly struggling to keep his balance as he used the Force to land on his feet and immediately dash forward. He looked to his right quickly and spotted Anakin right by his side, and the two Jedi sprinted forward together, their movements synched perfectly.

The tumbled into the ship, and Obi-Wan focused on closing the ramp while Anakin flung himself into the cockpit. Obi-Wan pummeled the controls with his fist as the creatures had almost reached them. "Anakin, hurry!"

A mutant's hand clutched the ship's walls as the ramp was still closing.

Obi-Wan took out his lightsaber and sliced through bony fingers.

The engines started up, frying several of the monsters on the spot. More hands came scrabbling at the walls, struggling to get in through the last few inches of open space.

And suddenly, the ramp slammed upward, and sealed itself with a loud clang that made Obi-Wan jump. He turned to see Anakin standing behind him, hands outstretched, the Force humming around him. When he saw the opening was closed, he returned to the controls and hit the thrusters.

The Twilight slowly lifted into the air, and Obi-Wan used this time to look out the windows and observe. He felt sick as he saw the hundreds of screeching, blood-thirsty animals all jumping and reaching up with claws and bloodshot eyes, all of them trying to reach the prey that was now flying out of their grasp. Anakin had a blank, void expression on his face, and when Obi-Wan finally turned away from the window to look at his companion, he grew concerned. "Anakin, are you okay?"

The younger Jedi didn't reply; but his expression grew darker as he steered the ship eastward.

Obi-Wan was about to ask "Where are you going?", but he managed to figure it out on his own. They were going to fly over some of the nearby cities, and see just how far the infection had gone. Oh Force, please don't… He couldn't finish. He knew from his gut and his senses the epidemic was out of control on Christophsis.

When they passed over Genteel City, their fears were confirmed. From the air view, the deserted city looked similar to how Crystal had been, and the Jedi easily spotted a few mutants stumbling around the trash-filled streets. They went a little farther to the town of Allure, only to find the same thing.

After going over five more villages, Obi-Wan let out a dismayed sigh. "It's no use, Anakin. We can't just fly around or we won't have enough fuel to get back to Coruscant. I'll contact the Council, and you activate the hyperdrive."

The Knight had been disturbingly quiet the entire time, but he obediently turned the Twilight out of the atmosphere. Obi-Wan activated the ship's comm system…and was greeted with static. He tried again, and got a /BUSY/ signal. Something's wrong. He tried again and again, but the Temple didn't answer his calls.

"What's wrong?" For the first time since Crystal City, Anakin spoke up.

Obi-Wan drummed his fingers against the dashboard, his other hand running along his beard, a sign he was anxious and nervous. "The Council isn't answering my calls. I just keep getting the busy signal."

A flicker in Anakin's eyes sparked, and quickly, the young Jedi typed several commands into his B-Wing. "Ahsoka, come in," he spoke into the microphone. Nothing. "Ahsoka, this is Anakin. Respond." Static, and then the beeping /BUSY/

"Damn it!" Frustrated, Anakin slammed his fist down on the kriffing panel and then leaned back in his seat. Obi-Wan could feel anger and concern coming off him in waves.

"Anakin, try to calm down." He himself was in a near-panic, but he was trying to let his emotions flow into the Force.

"Calm down?" Anakin wheeled on his old Master, eyes flashing.

Oh no.

"How can you expect me to calm down, Master?!" The dam that had been holding his emotions in check came crashing down, nearly overwhelming the older man as Anakin began venting his frustration. "You saw it! You saw what had happened to Christophsis! And this happened in a matter of a few days! We saw over five cities, and they were all destroyed! All overrun by those monsters! And the Council and the Senate have done nothing! Nothing at all! Yet you have the kriffing nerve to tell me to calm down?!"

Obi-Wan was used to these outbursts, and did what he always did: remain silent and wait for his young partner to finish ranting so Obi-Wan could remind him about controlling emotions and keeping a cool head. But it was harder this time, because Kenobi's own fears were threatening to overtake him.

"What if this thing spreads, Master? What if every single planet turns into a wasteland just like Christophsis? This could be an apocalypse!"

Obi-Wan crossed his arms, constantly reminding himself to stay quiet and calm, and the eventually, Anakin would follow his lead and compose himself. But the word apocalypse made him tense.

"The entire galaxy is at risk of becoming one giant horde of flesh-feasting monsters! But no one would listen to us! Not even the Chancellor! The Council turned their backs, the Senate shook their heads! Everything is threatening to fall apart, and soon the entire galaxy will be no better than the damn wreckage of my dreams, the virus will spread and wipe out every single living thing and then Death will…" Suddenly, Anakin shut up, and winced visibly. The wreckage of my dreams. He obviously hadn't meant to say that.

Obi-Wan's eyes widened, and his silent-demeanor shattered. "Your dreams? Anakin, is this what this is all about? You dreamt about this?"

Anakin turned in his chair and crossed his arms stiffly, not looking at his mentor. Obi-Wan got up and stood next to him, frowning down at his old Padawan. "This was what your nightmares were about." No question there – just a statement of a fact.

Anakin inhaled sharply, and then nodded slowly. "The nightmares I mentioned before… I saw Christophsis, just like that. I hadn't remembered until I saw the mutants… I knew this was going to happen, Master. And I didn't do anything about it."

"You can't blame yourself for what's happened, Anakin."

"But I saw it, Master!" Anakin stood up and faced the older man – standing a good inch or so taller than him, he looked down at him with fiery but hurt eyes. "I saw the monsters, the destruction… And I kept it to myself. And now look at what's happening!" Once again, his fist came slamming down against the controls. "I could've done something!"

His former apprentice was an emotional person, blaming himself for every flaw in battle, every casualty, any loss. Obi-Wan could feel the torment inside of his friend, and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. I should have paid more attention to his nightmares. I'm the fool here. "You had no idea this was going to happen. You can't blame yourself."

"I can and I am."

He was using that tone of voice Obi-Wan recognized as unwavering and unmoving. Anakin was going to be stubborn about this, so he moved over and sat back down.

Seven hours. That's how long it took for them to get back to Coruscant. It's also the amount of time it took for disaster to strike the heart of the galaxy, the core of the Republic.

When Anakin and Obi-Wan finally exited lightspeed, their hearts jumped into their throat as they were immediately caught in a tractor beam and forced to stop in mid-space. A large security station had been positioned around the planet, and moments later, the Twilight's comm began beeping. A voice followed /This is a restricted area. State your name, ID, and business./

Restricted? Anakin hit the REPLY button. "This is General Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic. I'm here with General Obi-Wan Kenobi. ID codes are 1914876 and 18277. What is going on?"

/We are confirming your statements. Please hold./

"Wait, don't put us on hold! I want an explanation!" Anakin shot the 'Negotiator' a look requesting help.

Obi-Wan nodded, then leaned over the microphone. "This is General Kenobi. Can you tell us what is going on at least? We were on Coruscant no less than nine hours ago. What's happened?"

A pause on the end, some mumbling, and then the droid's voice replied /You're ID's check out. A warning, Generals: This is now a highly contaminated area. Any contact with the surface will result in a high risk of being infected."

"Infected? What…" No. No, no, no… This couldn't have happened! Obi-Wan looked at Anakin, and seeing the boy's pale face, he knew it did happen. The worst, possible scenario.

The virus had hit Coruscant.