A/N: As I said in the summary, I shall post at random times until I finish this. I would just like to have it completed and up on my wall, but I digress...
They had arrived at the fleet an hour ago, and most of the men had been sent to the med bay. Obi-Wan had been treated for a ruptured ear drum, which he was told would heal, and a mild concussion. But those things were the last things on his mind at the moment - he could ignore the pain. He couldn't ignore the feeling that he had been left with.
Obi-Wan made his way through the hallways. His head was still pounding, but just like the rest of the injuries and symptoms, was easy enough to ignore. The Separatists had retreated completely after a short space battle, opening a hyperspace window and leaving with their entire fleet. He supposed Grievous didn't wish to fight them himself, only to have the droids fight on the ground.
Not surprising.
The Jedi made his way down winding corridors. He would go to the bridge and contact the Jedi council, explaining what had happened. Then they were taking a rescue team to the planet's surface. He wouldn't leave the Commander or the others.
When he arrived at the Bridge, Anakin was already speaking to hologram versions of the council. Master Yoda, Mace Windu, and Master Plo - among others. Obi-Wan raised a hand to his ear, lightly pressing against it. The humming, whining sound was grating on his already frayed nerves. He took a deep breath and let it out in a soft sigh.
"Master Kenobi, I see you've joined us." It was Windu.
Obi-Wan gave a slight bow, his hands clasping behind his back.
"Ask I must, what caused the quake?" Yoda.
Obi-Wan cleared his mind of the thoughts that threatened to steal his focus. "There was an explosion. It must have ruptured something on the planet's surface and caused the tear." The Jedi brought a hand to his chin, his hand brushing against his beard. They needed to understand what had happened before they went back to Evelo.
Logical would serve him well. Emotions would not.
"How many were lost?" Plo spoke up, bringing his hands up to steeple his fingers in front of his face.
"Four," Anakin answered, crossing his arms over his chest. Plo frowned in response, but said nothing else.
"We have to go back," Anakin stated, his voice strong.
"While I agree, we should know what we're dealing with first. Stepping back onto the planet's surface may only cause more damage." Obi-Wan shook his head slightly even as he spoke.
"…Send a rescue team when you're sure it's safe," Mace Windu said, frowning in concentration.
"They may not have that time, Master Windu," Plo stated calmly.
"He's right." Obi-Wan nodded once.
"Send a team to the surface, you may. But understand the risks, you should."
"We do," Anakin voiced. Yoda only hummed and grunted his reply.
"Which men were lost?" Another of the Jedi spoke up.
"Rat, Decker, Sergeant Weiss, and Commander Cody."
Obi-Wan hid a wince as he heard the Commander's name. He had watched him fall. He had heard him scream. He was surprised how unnerved it had left him feeling; his limbs still felt cold. His skin still itched. Something about it had chilled him to the core.
"Captain Rex, assemble a team. We'll leave at 0500," Anakin turned, speaking to his Captain.
"Yes-sir."
Obi-Wan stopped listening to the conversation.
There was something wrong. Something terribly, terribly off. And it went deeper than the apparent disaster, and it was leaving him concerned…. Perhaps unnerved was indeed the right word. Was it shock? He frowned and crossed his arms.
No. He felt fear.
A Jedi shouldn't feel this.