The Separatists are out to get them, cornering the Clones, Anakin, and Luke in three separate bases. Aayla Secura, the only Jedi Knight close enough to offer reinforcements informs Anakin that they will come to their aid within three hours. But Anakin can't wait three hours. If they don't find Kenobi, Obi-Wan could be in danger of becoming a victim to the virus itself. And Anakin fears that he may already be too late.
-CW-
How had this happened? Luke found himself wondering as he sat on the control panel in Head Base. Swinging his legs back and forth, Luke nonchalantly studied each Clone he was with. Luckily, Rex was with him, as was Oddball, Flash, and Whiz. There were two others, but they were patrolling. It had happened rather quickly. He and Anakin had arrived at Cody's base and were informed on everything that had happened and their success in the search to find Obi-Wan. They had found evidence that Obi-Wan was still alive, but trapped in the quarantined facility not too far from the bases. No one could put forth a rescue, however, seeing as the Separatists had placed heavy reinforcements around the whole area. Besides, Felucia was still an unknown planet to outsiders. There was hardly any information available about the planet, so they had no way of knowing any potential threats or dangers that lingered in the fungi-like forests.
The next thing Luke knew, the Clones and Anakin were trying to cross through a smal Fungi forest when they were attacked and he, as well as Rex and the five other Clones, were separated from everyone else. They had retreated as far as they could until they stumbled across Head Base and took refuge there. Now, they were waiting until Rex could contact Anakin. Communications were jammed, of course, and there was no way Luke and the Clones would be heading back into the Fungi anytime soon. Unless they had a death wish. Luke, however, was keeping himself occupied. Not wanting the Clones to do all the work, Luke set out to mentally map out the entire area. Using the Force, Luke had sent out a mental wave that covered several hundred feet in order to see if there were any lifeforms nearby. Nothing picked up on his mental radar.
He sighed. That didn't help them at all. He had no way of knowing if the droid army was still out there, waiting for them to flee from their base or if they had returned to their facility. Droids couldn't be picked up by Luke's mental wave, seeing as they weren't live beings and he didn't want to risk any lives by sending Clones to check the Fungi out. If Head Base hadn't been severely damaged, they would have been able to use the holo-radar, but nothing worked in Head Base other than the emergency generators.
Luke worried his lower lip, trying to think of what else he could do. They had no way of knowing where the others were or how many were left. They didn't know if General Skywalker hadn't been injured and would need aid. He slumped back against the controls, shifting when some of the buttons and levers dug painfully into his back.
He was growing rather bored, but immediately chastised himself for not being patient. He sighed and decided meditation was in order. Crossing his legs, Luke allowed his eyes to drift shut as he sank deep into meditation, calling upon the Force to guide him.
-CW-
It wasn't long before Luke was rudely shaken from his meditation. Furiously blinking away the blurriness in his vision, Luke looked to find Rex and the Clones rushing about the Head Base.
"Is something wrong?" He asked. Rex paused before him, long enough to reply.
"The Base is surrounded, Sir." Luke frowned at this. How had he missed that? Surely, he would've sensed they were in some kind of danger. "Our scouts returned just before they attacked." Just as the Clone had finished speaking, the Base trembled violently when a rather large blast hit it.
"Blast it!" Whiz growled, carefully peering out the window to find hundreds of Droids outside. He turned to look at the others, shaking his head. "There's no way we can go against them."
"You never know." Luke calmly told him, used to being in these sorts of situations. "I'm certain there is something we can do."
Rex and the Clones stared at Luke, amazed with how calm he appeared.
"You have any suggestions, Luke?" Oddball asked, tossing Flash, Boiler, and Waxer a couple of blasters. Luke pondered over this for a moment, tapping his chin.
"I think...I might." He slowly told them. "But first, we have to get to the Landing Pad."
The Clones glanced at one another. "That'll be a bit difficult." Flash remarked, and Waxer nodded his head.
"There are a bunch of clankers out there just waiting to shoot us." He said. "But there was a shuttle and one of the General's ETA interceptor."
Luke hopped down from where he was perched and clipped his lightsaber back onto his belt.
"If we can reach the shuttle and the interceptor, we just might be able to locate the others." He told the Clones, heading out of the Control Room. "I have a feeling we might find them at the Facility."
"If you say so, Kid." Rex said. Luke smiled slightly at the nickname. It reminded him of when he had first met Han. Now that he thought back at that moment, Luke wasn't at all surprised that that was the name Han had dubbed him. He had certainly acted as a kid back then. Impulsive, reckless, arrogant... But all that changed during the duration of the Rebellion. He had grown exceedingly after the Rebellion, becoming known as the Wise Jedi. Leia had become a renowned politician and Han had put aside his past as a smuggler to raise their children. He wondered what they were doing now, Han and Leia. He could always ask Leia, but Luke knew she was being kept busy with the rebuilding of the Republic.
'I can always make time to talk to you, Luke.' Leia's voice resounded in his mind.
'Sorry, Leia. Was I thinking out loud?' Luke asked his sister, checking his shields. To his surprise, he found that they were down. Any Force Sensitive would have been able to hear his thoughts!
'It's alright. I was going to contact you anyways.' Leia assured him. 'We still can't find Lariss and I can't sense her anywhere, Luke. I don't think she's in the future anymore.'
Luke felt hope stir within him.
'Do you think she might be here, with me?' He asked Leia.
'I think so. Have you been searching for her?'
Luke's shoulders drooped a little.
'I've searched everywhere! I can't find her. I can't even sense her.'
'Have you tried contacting her?'
Luke stopped for a moment, suppressing the urge to face-palm. Oh, he was so stupid! Seriously?! Luke had spent all of this time searching for Lariss and never once stopped to actually call out to his sister through their bond? What kind of brother was he?!
'You did have a lot on your mind, Luke. Travelling to the past isn't a small thing-'
'That's no excuse, Leia! I could have found Lariss faster! All this time I spent searching for her...And all I had to do was use the bond.' Luke felt a tap on his shoulder and looked to find Rex standing beside him. The Clones were looking at him, all concerned.
"Huh?"
"You okay, Kid?" Rex asked.
"Yeah, you zoned out for a minute there, Luke." Oddball told him and Luke felt himself redden.
"I'm fine. Sorry." Luke apologized, walking briskly in the direction of the Landing Pad, the Clones following behind him.
'Luke...' Leia hesitated for a moment. 'If Lariss was there, wouldn't she have tried to contact you?' She asked.
'That would have been the first thing Lariss would have done.' Luke told Leia, a new sense of worry rising. Lariss, if she had been trapped in the past, would've automatically called out to Luke to see if he was alright. But she hadn't. For nearly three months, the bond had been silent. Too silent.
Neither Luke nor Leia said anything for a moment.
'You don't think...That she could be trapped in between time, do you?' Leia slowly asked, fear evident in her tone. Luke crushed his fear down to appease his sister.
'No...I'm certain she's fine...She has to be around here somewhere.' He concentrated for a moment then opened the bond between he and Lariss. There was nothing. No sense of warmth flowed through the bond, no sound, no nothing. It was only cold and quiet. 'Lariss?' He called out.
He waited.
There was nothing.
Luke's heart sank. That could mean one of two things. Lariss was gone, or Lariss was, as Leia had said, trapped between times. Just as he was about to close the bond, seeing that he and the Clones were nearing the Landing Pad, Luke felt a small ripple through the bond. His head snapped up, eyes widening a fraction.
Warmth.
The same warmth that always enveloped Luke whenever Lariss would contact him or respond to his silent call. It was small, faint, but it was there. It was quickly followed by a wave of relief before it was cut off, but this didn't concern Luke. He had felt Lariss!
'Luke?' Leia's voice sounded in the background, sensing her brother's spirit lift. 'What is it? Did you find anything?'
'She's here, Leia! I sensed her!' Luke excitedly gushed. He immediately felt an overwhelming sense of relief and joy flow through the bond. Leia was practically glowing from the news.
'That's wonderful, Luke! She has to be with you!'
'And I will find her!' Luke firmly declared, sealing the promise with a wave of determination that flowed through the bond to Leia. He could just imagine Leia bounding over to wherever Han was to tell him the news.
'I know you will. I have to go now, Luke. Be careful!'
'Aren't I always?'
'No.'
And with that, Leia pulled away, leaving Luke alone to focus on the task at hand. Now feeling more confident than before, Luke opened the blaster doors to allow him and the Clones through another corridor. A large burden had been lifted from Luke's shoulder now that he knew that Lariss was here. He only needed to find her.
"That's the door that leads to the Landing Pad." Waxer's voice cut into his thoughts, and Luke came to a stop before the blaster doors. He called upon the Force to work on the mechanism of the door before forcing them open. The doors slid open to reveal several Separatist droids wandering about the platform.
"Um...Kid...You do realize we don't have any cover, right?" Whiz asked as he and the Clones immediately leaped to the side to hide. Luke, however, remained out in the open. None of the Droids had noticed him, much to his surprise.
"This should be easy." Luke murmured under his breath, turning to look at the Clones. "I'll provide a distraction. You guys head to the shuttle." He said, igniting his emerald saber.
"Wait, Kid-" Rex reached out to stop Luke, but he was already gone, jumping high into the air and landing in the center of all the Droids. He stood, surprised once again when no Droid noticed him.
The Separatists actually send these things to do their work? He found himself wondering. Well, time to make himself known. He grinned and sliced through a nearby droid, earning its companion's attention.
"Hey-" The Droid was unable to finish since Luke had decapitated it and leaped onto the next one. He stabbed it through and leaped high into the air, spinning when he landed on the ground, slicing five other droids in half.
"Jedi!" One Droid cried out before it was sent flying over the edge of the platform. Its cry had attracted every droid's attention, as Luke had hoped, and now all of them were attempting to shoot him. Luke easily dodged each blaster shot, skillfully weaving through the mass of Droids and destroying handfuls at a time. Rex and the Clones stared in amazement as Luke practically danced across the platform, his movements smooth and precise, but somewhat shaky. He was skilled, they would have to admit. Rex shook his head and signaled for the Clones to make for the shuttle. Stealthily moving forward, the Clones sought cover behind large crates then hurriedly moved to the next crate, slowly making their way towards the shuttle. All the while, Oddball kept a close eye on Luke, making sure the Kid would be safe. So far so good.
Half of the Droids had been destroyed by the time the Clones reached the shuttle and quickly boarded it, Oddball immediately heading for the cockpit. Rex was just about to enter when he heard the faint, metallic, sound of something bouncing against the platform. He recognized it immediately.
"Kid!" He shouted just as an explosion rocked the platform, sending Rex sailing back into Waxer. The Clones stared in disbelief, waiting for the smoke to clear. Abruptly, they saw a faint emerald green light flashing before Luke erupted from smoke, waving his arm at the Clones.
"Take-off!" He cried. "Take-off!"
The Clones were about to object when they saw what was behind the Kid. There was no way they could go against that!
"Oddball!" Rex called, keeping an eye on the tall, looming, shadow above them.
"I'm going!" Oddball called back, slamming the lever down, the shuttle jerking as it zipped forward and off of the landing pad.
"Turn around!" Rex shouted over the engine. "The Kid's gonna have to jump in!"
"Right!" Oddball sharply nodded, curving the shuttle around to circle about the platform. The pilot dipped the shuttle and maneuvered it about in order to avoid being hit as the Droids and large spider droids shot at it. Oddball peered out the cockpit window, hoping to see Luke running for the ship, but Luke was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's the Kid?!" Waxer shouted as he and Boil leaned out of the shuttle, scanning the platform for Luke.
Boil shook his head, concerned. "I don't see the Kid anywhere!"
"The General's interceptor is missing!" Flash suddenly announced, pointing to the area where the black ETA interceptor used to be. "Do you think he took it?"
"I don't know who else could have!" Whiz replied. Rex shook his head. General Skywalker was bad enough. It would be even worse if a mini-version of Skywalker were to tag along. The sound of an incoming fighter caused the Clones to look up and see Luke zipping towards them in the ETA interceptor.
"Luke!" Oddball sighed in relief, switching on the communications between the shuttle and the interceptor. "Are you alright, Kid?"
"I'm fine." Luke's voice crackled over the com. "We need to move east. I sense Master Skywalker is over there."
-CW-
Anakin growled in frustration. He was going to rip out his hair if these stupid Droids kept getting in his way! He was so close! So close to rescuing Obi-Wan! Cody and the Clones had rounded up, counted their men, then rejoined with Anakin a few hours after they had gotten separated. Anakin had asked for Cody's report and learned that Rex, as well as twelve other Clones, had gone missing. He was worried for Rex and the Clones until he remembered the little one that he had accidentally brought with them. Anakin had nearly panicked then, scanning the area for any sign of Luke, only to find that he was nowhere in sight. He immediately sent out a call through the Force to see if he could sense the boy.
Nothing.
Which, to Anakin, could mean one of two things. One, Luke was with Rex and they were trapped somewhere, or two...Luke was dead. Anakin hoped it was the former. If Luke was dead, Anakin didn't know what he would do. He had bonded well with the boy during their trip to the planet and Anakin could feel his link with the boy growing stronger. It unnerved him. Why was this even happening? He had never met the boy and yet, they already had a bond. Now, Anakin really wished he had Obi-Wan with him. Obi-Wan would know. Obi-Wan knew everything!
Anakin sighed and started to pace, his worry for both Luke and Obi-Wan growing by the second. Right now, he and the Clones were stuck outside of the Separatist facility. He was certain Obi-Wan was here. He could feel his Force presence somewhere beneath them. It was weak, but it was there, assuring Anakin that Obi-Wan was alive.
"General!" Cody approached him, startling Anakin from his thoughts. Anakin quickly recovered and acknowledge the Commander.
"Cody. Did you find anything?" He asked, trying not to sound too concerned. Cody pulled out his com-link.
"Sir, there was an incoming transmission coming from Head Base." Cody reported, pointing to the red dot blinking in the holographic image the com-link produced. "It's an emergency signal."
Anakin felt relief fill him. It had to be Luke and the others!
"We have reason to believe Captain Rex and...Commander Luke?- Are there."
"Thank the Force." Anakin breathed, turned so he could look towards the West. He and the Clones could just barely make out the Head Base through the ginormous fungi around them, but they could see the top of the base. "Can you contact them?" He asked. Cody shook his head.
"Transmission's jammed." He explained, and Anakin cursed.
"Of course." He muttered. Those cursed Separatists! "Get the men ready to move, Cody. We're going to infiltrate the facility." Anakin ordered the Clone. They couldn't spare another moment. Obi-Wan's life depended on this rescue, and for once, Anakin had actually put in the time to plan out a rescue instead of improvising.
'I actually planned something...Obi-Wan would be proud.' Anakin thought to himself, a grim smile on his lips. The smile faded. 'But every time I plan something, it always turns into a disaster...Scratch that...anytime I do anything, it turns into a disaster.' And the grim mood was back.
Cody saluted and turned to command the troops when an explosions rocked the ground. Clones tripped and crashed onto the ground while Anakin fell against a tall fungi.
"The Base!" One Clone's shout sounded, and Anakin whipped his head in the direction of Head Base. His heart sank when he saw thick, black, smoke rising from the building.
"Force..." He uttered, breaking the silence that had fallen over the troops. They stood still for a minute when another explosion shook the ground again. A second pillar of smoke rose from the Base. They waited for a few tense moments, expecting the base to blow, but it never did.
"You don't think..." A Clone beside Anakin murmured, trailing off when his companion shook his head.
"I don't know, Wreck. But if the Separatists aren't bombing them anymore..." The Clone didn't finish his sentence, knowing his brothers caught the drift. Anakin bit his lower lip. They couldn't be dead! Rex was still alive! He had to be! Anakin thought to himself. And if Luke was with Rex, they were sure to have already escaped. Anakin didn't know why, but he already trusted the boy. He was sure Luke had planned an escape. As if to prove Anakin was right, Cody pointed in the air.
"Sir!"
Anakin looked up, watching in amazement as a shuttle, closely followed by an ETA-2, came zooming towards them.
"They escaped!" The Clones shared relieved grins and Anakin heaved a sigh of relief. The shuttle circled around them before diving down and landing. Almost at once, Rex and the other Clones dropped down to the ground. Oddball shut down the engines and followed after his brothers, who were now being swarmed by the Clones with General Skywalker.
"It's good to see you, Rex." Cody greeted the Captain. Rex nodded.
"If it weren't for the Kid, I'm not sure we'd be here." Rex admitted, looking over to where Luke was landing the ETA. Anakin jogged over to Luke when the teen hopped out of the starfighter.
"Master Skywalker." Luke bowed. Anakin gripped his shoulder.
"Thank the Force you are safe! You are uninjured, correct?" he asked, scanning Luke over with the Force.
"Other than a few burns and bruises, I'm fine." Luke answered. Anakin finished his scan and frowned.
"Those burns are serious." He said, but Luke shook his head.
"We don't have time to treat them. We don't know how long Master Kenobi can hold." Luke reminded Anakin. "I've survived worse." Luke added when he saw that Anakin wasn't convinced. Anakin exhaled and shook his head.
"I want Kix to look at them." He told Luke, who grimaced. Anakin raised an eyebrow. So, Luke didn't like getting medical treatment either? "We still have to solidify a plan for Obi-Wan's rescue."
"Distraction, infiltrate, rescue." Luke automatically responded.
"You sound as though you've this many times before."
"I have." Luke replied, shrugging. "It was the life I lived after..." He trailed off, a dark expression marring his normally bright features. For some reason, this made Anakin uncomfortable. That look just didn't fit Luke. Even though Anakin was curious to know what Luke was about to say, he wanted to change the subject to take Luke's mind off of whatever subject he was thinking about.
"Sit." He pointed to the ETA, his tone telling Luke he couldn't argue. Luke pursed his lips and sat on the edge of the Interceptor as Anakin called Kix over. Oddball came over to Luke, smirking. Luke tried to glare at him.
"Still can't stand medics." Oddball shook his head.
"Never have, never will." Luke replied, scowling faintly when Kix jogged over. Luckily, Kix didn't take it personally. He and Oddball had both been there when Luke was in the Med-Center at the Temple. The boy had done everything in his power to annoy the Healers there. For two weeks, the healers worked hard to help Luke, but he was striving equally as hard trying to get himself kicked out of their care. It was amusing for both Kix and Oddball when the healers had finally had enough and sent Luke on his way. Luke had made a point of gleefully exiting their care, turning to give them a victorious wave before disappearing into the corridor.
Kix took a look at the burns on Luke's arms and winced when he thought about the pain Luke must be feeling. The burns looked ugly, scorching some of the skin black or a dark, flaming, red. There were also some pieces of shrapnel metal poking into Luke's arms that Kix removed carefully. He must've received those wounds from the explosions, Kix figured. He was about to take care of Luke's right arm when Luke jerked it away, protectively placing it against his chest. Confused, Kix looked up at Luke.
"I have to treat it, Kid." He told Luke, who shook his head.
"It's fine. I can take care of it." Luke replied, turning away from Kix. Oddball shared a glance with Kix. Luke obviously didn't want Kix to check his right arm. But why?
"Luke," Oddball started, placing a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Kix has to check it to make sure it won't get any infections."
Luke said nothing. The two Clones could tell Luke was very reluctant to let Kix see his right arm.
"It won't get infected." He quietly whispered.
"How would you know?" Kix challenged, his tone kind.
"Because it's impossible for it to get infected." Luke replied.
"What?" Kix blinked. "Luke, let me see your arm."
"It won't get infected." Luke said again, pulling his arm away from Kix when the Clone carefully grasped it. It was a good thing Luke had learned to be patient, because he was certain if he was any younger than he really was, his patience would have long since run out.
"Kid!" Oddball fixed Luke with an exasperated look. "Let Kix look at it and then he'll go. I know you hate Medics but this is-" He cut off when he heard Luke mumbling something under his breath. "What was that?" he asked and Luke turned away. "Luke?"
"I said this has nothing to do with medics."
"Then what is it?"
Luke was silent.
"What seems to be the problem here?" Anakin's voice broke into their conversation and Kix looked to the General.
"Kix needs to check Luke's arm, but he won't let him." Oddball answered, watching Luke in the corner of his eye.
"Luke?" Anakin raised an amused eyebrow. Then his brow furrowed when he spotted the glove on Luke's right hand. He glanced down to his own gloved hand then back to Luke, taking note of how Luke only wore one glove. A thought came into his mind and Anakin prayed he was incorrect. "Luke...What's wrong with your hand?" He bluntly asked, watching as Luke flinched at the question. Oddball and Kix flashed him confused glances, but Anakin ignored them, focused on Luke.
"Nothing." Luke replied.
"You're lying." Anakin grabbed Luke's gloved hand, gripping tighter when Luke tried to pull it away. Slipping the glove off, Anakin nearly gasped when he saw the metallic hand underneath. Luke fought against his rising irritation and settled for staring at the fungi in the distance. Anything to take his mind off of his hand. He still hadn't come to terms with it and it was difficult for him to look at it without thinking about the battle on Bespin.
"Oh..." Was all Kix and Oddball could think of to say when they saw the reason why Luke tried shooing them away. Guilt replaced the surprise as the two watched Luke look away from it and at the fungi. Anakin, however, was struggling to suppress his feelings when he saw the metallic hand.
"L-Luke." He cleared his throat before continuing. "What happened?" He sternly asked.
"Sith Lord." Was Luke's only reply and Anakin closed his eyes. So his suspicions were true. "I fought him...But I wasn't strong enough..." Luke lowered his head. "He cornered me...then cut off my hand."
Oddball and Kix flinched at this. They hadn't realized...
"Sorry, Kid." Kix apologetically said as Luke slipped the glove back on. Luke gave them a small grin.
"You couldn't have known." He then turned to Anakin, who was still staring at his glove then at his own gloved hand. There was another thing both he and Luke had in common. Both had their hands cut off by a Sith Lord.
"So...About that rescue." And there was that cheery demeanor Luke was known for. "I think I have a plan."
-CW-
Wheee...A chapter done...Next chapter is the Rescue!