A/N: Only about two chapters left...

Men came from the gunships, carrying boxes and various equipment. They set them down before going back for more, two men to each one of the large crates. Obi-Wan watched from where he stood, his arms crossed over his chest. Anakin stood speaking with Rex just yards away, but the elder Jedi didn't listen to their conversation.

He could still hear Cody's voice echoing in his mind; he had reached out, trying to find him. To sense his life. And he had heard him – I did my duty. The voice was an echo, as was his life force – weakening with every moment. The man was dying.

This creature had taken away all other options.

Obi-Wan pushed away the cold, settling into a temporary and standing meditation. The warmth of the Force surrounded him, pressing up against his skin and clearing his mind.

"Obi-Wan, we're ready when you are." Anakin. He opened his eyes to look at the younger man, and nodded in acknowledgement.

"Shall we begin, then?"

Anakin turned, speaking to the Captain - "Rex, ready the men."

"Yes-sir." Rex walked away from the Jedi, joining the other clones near the gunships. They stood at attention as he addressed them, and then soon they began opening the crates – pulling out pieces of drills and starting to assemble them.

The blood had long since dried, caking an area of the metal planet. It still seemed like too much. Kix had readied blood transfusions, and a medical room on the cruiser had been prepped for surgery. Obi-Wan, for one, would be thankful when it was all over.

He noted Coric had come with them back to Evelo. The medic helped the others assemble the drills, but he still carried a med pack over his shoulder rather than a blaster.

Rex returned, "We'll be ready in moments, Generals."

"This only works if your theory is right, Anakin."

Anakin glanced away from Rex and towards Obi-Wan, "It will; it is. Trust me."

"So you keep saying."

"And have I ever let you down, my-former-master?"

"No. No; that you haven't."

Anakin smiled briefly, but it didn't reach his eyes. He crossed his arms, incidentally matching Obi-Wan's stance. Rex motioned to one of the men across the short distance, before looking back to the Jedi, "The drills are ready."

"Begin drilling. Obi-Wan…"

Kenobi held up a hand. He turned, walking away from the other two. He raised his voice, "Evelo."

"Why… do you stay? I will crush your Commander. You know that I can."

"I don't believe that you will."

"And why is that?" Vague amusement.

"Tell me; do you feel pain, your highness?"

"It is not wise to threaten."

"Oh, indeed. But I must say the same."

Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder – the clones had turned on the drills. The noise bounced off of the planet's hard surface, echoing down. They began to grind through the ground.

"What is that?!"

"I must apologize, you have left us with no other options, Evelo."

The planet trembled. Obi-Wan kept his balance, even as the quake continued. A cry began to rise from the depths, shuddering and angered. "You can make this end, if you release the commander."

"No!" The yell was dragged on, mimicking both thunder and man.

"Evelo. Listen to reason."

"I don't want to be alone," The creature was all-but sobbing.

"Reopen the tear, Evelo. Cody will die; let us save him."

"I won't let him, I won't…"

"If his injuries don't take him, then he will starve in you. You must give this up; it's insanity."

There was another scream. Angered and pained; desperate. Obi-Wan focused on the calming presence of the Force.

The ground quaked again, a tear beginning to open. It ripped apart, a gaping hole stretching on before them all. Voices rose above the thunderous sound, "Come on! Move out! Go, go, go!"

Obi-Wan could barely sense his life force. The familiar golden-blue energy was fading, seeping away in the darkness. Cody. Cody.

General… I'm sorry, sir.

Don't be.

Will you get me out, sir? Even the thought was exhausted. And young. And uncharacteristically… quiet. Fading. Weak.

Yes, Cody. Stay awake.

Yes, General Kenobi.

Stay awake.