Chapter 3 : Into Darkness
Author Note : Force it has been a month again ! I'm deeply sorry for the time I took to write this chapter, I had a slight loss of inspiration, and with the studies and work keeping me busy, you can imagine how difficult it could have been. But I hope you'll be pleased with the results : action is finally starting, and plots are secretly revealed ;) Enjoy !
In the eyes of the galaxy, warriors gifted with powers such as the Jedi appeared nearly invincible, never doubting of their own skills and forever trusting the Force with their lives. A Jedi was an army alone, walking on a mysterious path guided by the mystical energy surrounding every life, and binding the whole galaxy as one lone body. They did not know fear, and danger had an entirely different meaning for them.
But today, Galen Kenobi felt like a mere human, watching his father leave the Chancellor's Office with Anakin Skywalker. Insecurity and uneasiness became his world, panick threatening to rise in his heart while his discomfort created a lump in his throat. Despite the presence of his mother and brother in the room, he could nearly taste the darkness now rising around them. He felt it under his feet, inside the walls, and above his head, as if a dark cage had been forged to trap them inside the Office. How could the Skywalker family stay in such place? And was he alone feeling this? Surely it wasn't the case, at least his brother, Anteres, was detecting it : he was searching something with his eyes since their arrival in the room, always watching, with great concern, Skywalker's son.
"It's been a long time, Galen," the voice of a young male human said behind him, bringing him back to an apparently more secure reality.
"Indeed it is, Liam," the dark haired boy turned and smiled at his friend. Liam Kryze was the son of Bo-Katan Kryze, and had trained with Obi-wan Kenobi on Ceresta for nine years under the watch of his mother. In that time being, they became very good friends, and Galen had been affected by his departure, three years ago, to train with the Mandalore's Proctectors, though he knew it was for the best. Mandalore needed a Jedi in its rank, and confirmed the trust they had for the New Jedi Order.
"It's amazing how stronger you are today," Liam grinned, scratching the back of his head. "I've missed your presence in the Force."
"So have you," Galen nodded slowly, keeping an eye on his brother. "Your training with Fett had clearly improved your powers. How is he, as a trainer?"
"Patient, yet severe," Liam confessed. "In a way, he is like Master Obi-wan, though Boba lacks diplomacy. Your father had always managed to find a positive aspect in my defaults, Boba cannot do such thing. If something is wrong, he tells you immediately."
"I see," Galen laughed a bit. Liam missed being trained by his father, that was certain. "Perhaps it's time to come back with us, if your mother and Fett agree, of course."
"With such tension in the galaxy about war," the mandalorian apprentice shook his head, "I feel that my place is still on Mandalore."
"Do you really think it will come to war?" Corran Horn came next to them, with Kyle Katarn : the two other padawans that had traveled to Coruscant.
"It's good to see you again Corran," Liam grinned, "and Kyle too of course. And yes, unfortunately. I've been scouting the Confederacy's territories for months, and some worlds had clearly prepared for a large-scale conflict."
"I thought Fett, as the leader of the Confederacy, was prone peace over violence. But we can't blame those worlds for building defenses," Kyle explained, frowning.
"It's not for defense, Kyle," the boy in the white armor confessed. "War is coming soon. Otherwise, Master Obi-wan wouldn't have revealed himself. The question is : who will start it? The Confederacy or the Republic?"
"There may be a third party," Anteres Kenobi voiced from his position, next to Boba Fett and the Chancellor who now looked at him with shocked eyes.
"What do you mean, Anteres?" Master Shaak Ti came at him and laid a concerned hand on his shoulder.
"I see an alliance formed with people of the Republic and the Confederacy fighting together," the boy replied. "We may have narrowed our vision by thinking only about the Republic and the Confederacy. What if those people want the exact same thing?"
"What would it be?" Leia Skywalker asked, realising that she was forgetting her place : that was a question her mother should have asked.
"The destruction of this Republic," Anteres informed. "It's all I can see. That third party is motivated by the destruction of the Republic."
"Why can't you see more?" Siri came over, surprised by her son's lack of insight on this matter : such thing had never happened. Anteres was able to read the future better than Yoda and Palpatine combined, so who was powerful enough to cloud her son's vision?
"The answer is pretty obvious mother," he said gravely. "You have encounter that thing many times years ago. It fills this place right at this moment."
"The darkside," the voice of Ferus Ollin echoed from behind. None of them had realised the master of Anteres had gone in the corridor leading to Padmé's private office. He was standing in front of the Cold War engraving that had once belonged to Palpatine, yet this time, a memorial had been raised next to it. A simple golden statue dressed in heavy robes, bowing its head in respect, was standing before Ferus Ollin. Anteres, from his position, couldn't see his master's face, but the sadness felt through their bond was enough to tell him the master was crying, shame and regrets capturing his brave heart.
The statue itself was, for Anteres, a pure reflexion of courage, like a hero accomplishing his last sacrifice to save the entire world : it was hope for the others while the statue had none left. And somehow, the boy understood it was linked to Ferus.
Suddenly Chancellor Skywalker, after assuring her son that everything was alright, went to hold Ferus in her arms, whispering things no-one could hear except for a small, quiet 'thank you' from the man in black.
"I did it for them," now Anteres could listen as he took three discrete steps toward them. "I knew they fought with you against Sidious in this very room, and how much you lost that night. The sacrifice of these three women keeps reminding me how much my mission as a Chancellor is important. I had to maintain peace for Assajj, Barriss, and Dia."
"Who is Dia?" the son of the Kenobi asked out loud.
"I never knew," the boy of the Skywalker stopped next to him. "Assajj Ventress and Barriss Offee are famous names, but Dia is unknown despite all of my research." He paused, still thinking about her mother's safety then turned to the boy and extended a hand. "Hi, I'm Luke Skywalker."
"Please to meet you," the other replied, shaking the hand. "I'm An-"
"-teres Kenobi," Luke grinned. "I already know who you are. Mom and Dad always talk about you and your family, though I ignored you had a brother."
"That was rude Luke," the brunette girl immediately came at their level. "I'm Leia Skywalker."
"I knew you were the Chancellor's daughter," Anteres informed. "You look very much like her."
After the praise, red marks appeared on her cheeks, "You looked like your father too, though there are obvious traits of your mother on your face."
Anteres nodded slowly, "Galen is my adoptive brother. His parents, Kento and Mallie Marek died in the Dark War, during the Battle of Thousands Swords."
Leia stared at the dark haired boy still speaking with the two others padawans, compassion and sadness immediately filling her heart. She was certain Galen was very loved by the Kenobi, but knowing that his biologic parents died as heroes surely had a pressure on the boy's shoulders.
"Still, his presence in the Force looks a bit like yours, with indeed a difference probably due to the difference of parents," Luke examined. "But he is extremely powerful."
"So are you," Anteres said, almost dangerously. "You have tremendous powers you have yet to discover, just like any growing Jedi. Being the son of the Chosen-One surely helps a lot."
Leia winced discretely. Like in every other Jedi, she felt the clear distrust in Anteres' heart, perhaps more in his than the others', and the way he spoke about her father comforted her beliefs. But she had learned politics at her mother's side, she had to discover why he had such feeling by simply talking to him and reading the emotion on his face.
"What about you then?" Luke answered back. "You could destroy us all in a breath, if you want to. What are you? If my father is the Chosen-One of yours, then what role do you have in this galaxy?"
Anteres seemed to be taken aback by such question, but kept his surprise low, breathing slowly just like any Jedi would do in such situation. "I don't know. My destiny is not traced like your father's, I may be a protector and a destroyer as well. Who knows, perhaps your destiny is to fight me?"
"That would be enough, Anteres," the one called Hcan interrupted the conversation with a tender smile, hiding his great concerns over the son of the Kenobi. "We are here to gain their trust, not to frighten the Republic."
The boy only realised the impact of his words on the Skywalker's children, so immediately his face became less serious, a gentle smile, the same they had seen on Obi-wan's face, formed on his lips. "I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention. I just feel my destiny lies with you two." He offered a firm hand as he knew Master Hcan was right. "I'm glad to know people like you are protecting the Republic."
Both Luke and Leia took his hand warmly, understanding that Anteres had not been threatening, but warning about his possible fall and the effect on the galaxy. He was asking for help, not for enemies.
"I hope I can call you a friend," Leia said, feeling almost shameful to doubt the boy in front of her.
"It will me my honour, Leia."
"The honour is all ours, Anteres," Luke replied before her sister could blush at the praise, and most of all, ending this conversation as her mother and Ferus Ollin returned to them, Padmé sitting in her seat with a grave look.
Siri, having finished talking with the Prime Minister Tessin, the senators and Bo-Katan, came in front of the Chancellor's desk, placing both of her hands on its black surface, and looking straight at her friend : "What do you know about Rothana, Padmé?"
"Their admission to the Neutral Confederacy is still a mystery to the Senate," she explained, not bothering to ask her friend to call her 'Chancellor' in front of others. "With my politic about slowing the weapons' industry, they lost many of their profits, now that only Siennar builds our fleets. We require less walkers, or heavy weapons on the ground. But then, the Neutral Confederacy doesn't seem to be for another war, just like Fett explained earlier."
"So there is no real interest for them joining Fett's alliance," Siri nodded, casting a quick look at Anteres, at her left.
"That's exactly my thought," the Chancellor agreed, joining her small hands under her chin.
"Then my padawan is right," Ferus interrupted, his eyes wandering on Coruscant, past the transparisteel window. Last time he saw it, he had pierced through the glass, and landed hundreds of meters away, bleeding. How much had he lost at that moment? "Someone is gathering people from both sides," then he turned to Siri. "Master, I think sending an investigating team to Rothana might be a good start."
"This can be a very bad idea," Mon Mothma said with her famous accent from Corellia. "Sending Jedi can be seen as an attack from the Republic."
"The Jedi doesn't belong with the Republic anymore," Shaak Ti recalled. "I'm pretty certain all the galaxy knows that you exiled us."
"It was your order," Mothma quickly added, feeling almost insulted.
"I wasn't blaming you, Senator," the Togruta assured with a smile. "You played your part very well. And I tend to agree with you, though for different reasons. The Jedi had disappeared for fourteen years, so sending a team would expose them to extreme danger : what if Rothana defend himself, thinking that Sith are attacking him?"
"I can go with Anteres," Ferus affirmed. "My padawan is already stronger than I. We may not succeed in discovering proves about this third party, but at least we will survive." Ferus refused to look at Siri who was begging him in the Force not to take Anteres with him.
"I can go too," a female voice came from the opening doors, revealing Ahsoka Tano returning to the Office with Senator Bonteri. "Galen and I have proven our efficiency more than once."
"Don't bring my children in such chaos this soon," Siri said in her mind again, panick threatening to could her own judgement. She knew her boys were not ready to face the darkside so soon, only a Master should go to Rothana.
"Perhaps a member of the Old Guard could accompany the team," Padmé suggested. "They are respected in the Republic, and beyond. We could use a diplomatic solution over a fight."
"I will go then," once again, the grey doors slid open and Anakin Skywalker, who had spoken, entered, followed by his former master Obi-wan. "They will let me land on Rothana, and even accept a meeting with the leaders. It will create enough distraction for the Jedi to investigate freely on the planet."
"You really think your sole presence on Rothana will hide four Jedi from the authority?" Bail voiced his clear concerns. "The plan is very risky, and it might end up in a terrible diplomatic conflict."
"I agree with Senator Organa," Obi-wan ran a heavy hand on his now much shorter hair : the style of his hair cut was the same than fourteen years ago, but it was not that long, and held more backward, giving the impression that he was indeed younger than when he left. "Four Jedi is too much. And there are other places we must go to."
"Other places, Master Kenobi?" Prime Minister Tessin repeated curiously.
"The darkness doesn't only surround Rothana," the auburn Master of the Order closed his eyes. "Something is also wrong on Makeb, Kashyyyk and Byss."
"Why Kashyyyk? Isn't it in the Republic?" Padawan Kyle Katarn demands.
"I'm certain the Chancellor can answer your question, Kyle," Obi-wan looked gently at the young boy, but he was waiting for Padmé's words.
"How did you know?" Padmé said. "You think the last events are linked to all of this?"
"What events are you talking about?" Ahsoka wanted to hear everything about the Wookies' world.
"I sent two guardians on Kashyyyk to investigate about multiple disappearances of Wookies," Anakin informed. "We never realised it because it was a small number, but last year hundreds of them were missing. Apparently, it has started five years ago."
"And you saw nothing?" Ahsoka was shocked.
"We believe the reports were false," Padmé replied for her husband, "and if there is indeed a darkness surrounding us, then Anakin couldn't have seen anything."
"We need to return to Ceresta for back-up, then," Siri said to Obi-wan, who nodded immediately, regrets marking his face. "And you plan to leave some Jedi here, to start the investigation right now." Again he nodded.
"Master Hcan, Corran," the auburn Jedi called, "is going to Kashyyyk fine with you two? You have been watching the Transdoshan space for quite a while, it shouldn't be a problem.
Hcan said nothing, waiting for his padawan to reply who of course voiced his agreement : they had always worked like this, Hcan had never accepted a mission without consulting his younger partner.
"It's settled then. Ferus, you have good contacts with the Hutt, will Makeb be alright?"
"Yes Master Obi-wan."
"I will go to Rothana," he informed, "I'm certain I still have a good reputation in negotiation. Siri, Shaak Ti and Kyle will return with the Parangon to Ceresta, informing the Council of our plan."
"Obi-wan!" Siri couldn't believe her ears. Her husband was sending her son, and the one she looked like her own daughter to the most dangerous place in the entire universe. A place so tainted by the darkside that the creatures living there had developed Force-powers. But it was also the graveyard of hundreds of clones, Jedi and Sith, and the theater of the most impressive and decisive battle of the Clone Wars. "Do you expect me to seat in a starship while Ahsoka and Galen go there?"
"I expect you to act like a member of the Council, Siri," he scolded, just like he used to with Anakin. "You must bring us support, and we cannot afford to lose four members of the Council. You and Shaak Ti have to return to Ceresta. Return to Satele and assure her everything is fine."
"Why are you not going on Byss?"
"Because something awaits both of them there," he informed with a hard look. "There is something for you too there, Anakin. I'm certain you feel it."
The Chosen One appeared almost scarred hearing about his next mission, but he wanted to go with Ahsoka, so he agreed. The Force was indeed preparing something for him on that world, and he had ignored its message far too long.
"What about me, father?" Luke walked toward Anakin and Obi-wan, used to travel with his father.
"Can he go with you?" Anakin turned to Obi-wan. "He needs to be with a true Jedi, at least once. Luke is a serene but fierce warrior. Sometimes, he is just like you."
"Luke has nothing to learn from me," Kenobi remarked.
"Quite the contrary," the former apprentice confessed. "He had learnt everything I could teach him. He will grow much stronger with you at his side."
Obi-wan allowed himself to stare at the golden haired boy for the first time since his arrival. Seeing him at the age of fifteen felt odd, because in his previous life he had only known him as an infant, but training Luke Skywalker, even for a brief moment, appeared to be part of Obi-wan's destiny.
"It may be dangerous," he finally said.
"You are more than capable of protecting him," Padmé agreed with her husband, she knew Luke needed to go with Obi-wan. "I can only trust him with you."
"I'm not afraid," Luke immediately stated.
But such strong words seemed to have no effect for the Master of the Order in front of the boy, and if Obi-wan wasn't impressed by Luke's courage, the Jedi appeared … disappointed.
"Oh," Obi-wan leaned closer to the son of Skywalker, "you will be. You will be."
Thirty minutes, the small group had joined Commander Arriss, right-hand of Anakin Skywalker among the Old Guard of Coruscant, in the docking platform behind the Executive Building where they were before. All of them knew of the role they had to play now, as four Cerestan shuttles had landed in front of them, ready to take them wherever the Force would guide them. Only one shuttle would bring back Prime Minister Tessin, Shaak Ti, Siri Kenobi and Kyle Katarn back to the Parangon and to Ceresta, the other groups, each taking a shuttle, had different direction. Everyone hadn't complained, they knew of their task and the importance of their job for preventing another war : such was the mission of a true Jedi Knight. Everyone except one who was purposely standing away from the four-wings, forming a horizontal 'H'-shape, ships on the platform. Obi-wan would have guessed his wife would not let go her sons to dangerous places, but he hadn't predicted her outburst in front of the other senators. But Siri would never change, after all these years sitting on the Council and being a Jedi Master, she remained true to herself. And to be honest, Obi-wan knew he loved his wife for that part of her character too.
"I guess saying that I am sorry would not be enough, Master Kenobi?" Siri came behind him, watching Galen casually chatting with Leia Skywalker and her familly.
"Indeed, my dear wife," Obi-wan grinned, staring at her worries marking her delicate face. "But have faith in your sons, that would be a good start."
"I do not worry for Anteres on Makeb," she said, with a total trust that had nothing to do with proud. It was a simple statement of truth. "But Byss is not a place for Galen, nor for Ahsoka nor Anakin."
"You are afraid Galen would blame you," the husband understood in a certain surprise. "He loves you, Siri. Nothing will ever change that."
"The planet is still suffering because of Palpatine's presence," she recalled. "What they will see could be twisted by the dark side."
"But they have to go there," Obi-wan repeated again. "The Force is very clear, and you know it. They must succeed this test." Holding her stare for a moment, he decided to lay his eyes on his other son this time, waiting in silence against his shuttle, ready to depart immediately. "I am more concerned with Ferus and Anteres. The fact that their surroundings are totally clouded in the Force is quite disturbing, even for me or Yoda."
"We are taking very high risks by revealing him to the galaxy," the mother said. "He may not be prepared, if he becomes a target."
"Then let's hope he won't be." And then, gently Obi-wan bent toward his wife to steal her a long kiss and headed inside the shuttle that would take him to Rothana, with Luke immediately following him inside.
Naturally, Siri stared for a moment at his shuttle, and the others as well, taking off silently, blowing a warm wind at her, robes and hair flapping elegantly as she decided to let the Force decide for her family. How many times had she seen her husband flying to battle? And how many times had he come back? However, for once, her children had gone too, while she had stayed in a safer place … What would her daughter say?
"Get hold of yourself, Siri," she ordered to herself, "those three men are probably the strongest warriors of their time. Be proud, and trust them !"
The communication crew of the Havelon was quite restless today, having to select the official information from the Holonet and the High Command, as well as covering secrets details emanating from the Empire sympathisers : though Lieutenant Fell was certain it had become a habit for these men and women, so important for the perfect management of Tarkin's ship, today was apparently a totally different day. He had only heard words, discretely voiced between officers or with Commander Pellaeon but something unusual happened on Coruscant, right after the Senate Session where, according to the reports, both Tarkin and Senator Sate Pestage failed to bring Manda'lore the Protector down. So starting the war on the political field seemed compromised now, despite the obvious distrust the Senate bore for the Neutral Confederacy.
"Commander!" A woman, sitting just below Soontir Fell's feet, reading with widening eyes the blue screen in front of her. "Our agent on Coruscant is trying to establish contact. All of the codes he is sending are correct, the line will be secure in ten seconds."
"Excellent work," Gilad Pellaeon saluted the young blond woman, "start the holocommunication right here, on the bridge. I want the entire command center able to hear the news."
"Sir," Soontir leaned toward his superior, "such communication perhaps requires more … caution."
"Every man and woman on his ship is an imperialist," the commander shook his head in deny. "There is nothing to worry about. I recommend to share my belief about my ship, Lieutenant."
"Yes, Sir" Soontir straightened, "I didn't mean to discus but-"
"I understand your concerns my friend, but here on the Havelon, we all work for the same purpose. Have faith. Now, my dear," the oldest officer turned to the blonde woman at his feet, "let's proceed."
A second later, a blue unstabilised light blinked in the middle of the bridge, right in front of Commander Pellaeon and Lieutenant Fell, the last one trying to hide his too obvious curiosity waiting for Pellaeon's agent on Coruscant : surely the man or woman was an important member of the state if such communication was so ceremonial.
"Commander Pellaeon, do you hear me?" The blue light shaded away for a couple of seconds and then, a man dressed with a mere tunic under robes appeared, his long hair falling on his shoulder.
"Yes Commander Arriss," the other replied. "It's a pleasure seeing you again my young friend."
Soontir was glad the holocommunication lacked colours, because he had clearly gone white : here in front of him was Feral Arriss, the right hand of Anakin Skywalker in the Old Guard. This small group, a simple reflection of the desuete Jedi Order, was the greatest defender of the Republic and the Senate. To think one of them had agreed to bring back the Empire left Soontir speechless. How long Arriss had been passing information? Did Skywalker know?
"I have bad news unfortunately," the guardian informed. "Very bad news."
"Fett bested the Senate, didn't he?" Pellaeon just wanted confirmation from that reliable man.
"Yes he has. But this doesn't matter, we have other alternatives for our success," he paused. "But we must accelerate our plans."
"Why the hurry?" The ship officier managed to laugh despite the urgent request.
"The Jedi have returned, Commander," Arriss simply said. "Not mere Jedi. I've just met Obi-wan Kenobi and other members of the so-called new Jedi Order."
"Kenobi is only one man, and he has aged now," Fell allowed himself to speak, knowing that Pellaeon had only encouraged him to speak his mind freely, even with him. "What can he do against our fleet?"
"Believe me," the guardian raised an eyebrow at the statement, "he alone can destroy us all. We need to proceed immediately, to blind him from our real goal. If the war starts now, the Jedi will be forced to come out and stop it."
"And so we can take Coruscant while they are busy negotiating peace," Palleaon followed easily. "But that man will easily see through our moves. We cannot let them discover it."
"It?" Fell frowned : he thought after seeing Grievous' copies that all of the imperialist secrets would have been revealed. What was Palleaon hiding?
"Kenobi has sons," Arriss stated, a disturbing smirk appeared on his young face, creating a whole new picture of the man : and perhaps, Fell was finally looking at the real Feral Arriss. He appeared full of malice, brutality and hate and Soontir nearly asked himself if his beliefs in his cause hadn't drown him into madness.
"Capturing them won't be difficult."
"No, Commander. The boys are incredibly strong, one of them perhaps more powerful than the father himself. We need to lure them into traps, so Kenobi will come after them."
"And thus providing us the perfect distraction," Fell nodded, taking note on a datapad a cadet had just given him. "How shall we proceed then?"
"This remains a mystery, I'm afraid," Arriss bowed his head. "I'm must take council of my masters. Perhaps they can find a solution."
"Supreme Prophet Kadann had joined Vergere on Vijun," Pallaeon said to the younger man in communication. "They are certainly expecting your report, if we take the next step as planned."
"Is your fleet near Rothana now?"
"Yes, Commander, as Kadann ordered us," the other commander confirmed. "We are collecting the last military supports from the surface, then we will destroy the main factory, forcing the Republic and the Confederacy to engage war."
"Tell Rothana's leader to hurry," Arris seemed to look at something or someone behind his back that Soontir couldn't see, but the communication was cleary at an end. "Kenobi is coming."
The Cerestan shuttle was quite a ship, Luke had to admit, with extremely modern technologies, glowing in a gentle pale blue light, creating a warm and comforting obscurity which the young guardian appreciated very much at such moment : he could, at last, discreetly stare at the legendary Jedi that had trained his father, and defeated the Dark Lord Darth Sidious, fourteen years ago. The son of Skywalker allowed himself to smile as he found himself still examining the new outfit of the Jedi, one much more fitted for battle : the long sleeveless robes had been abandoned, as now a brown battle-dress was covering the legs of Obi-wan Kenobi, and strange yet very resistant brown vambraces were placed on his forearms. But he was still wearing a fit beige tunic on his chest, as a symbol of the former Jedi Order on Coruscant. He was quite impressive, and appeared far more aggressive than he was inside the Office of his mother, but Luke understood that there were two sides of Kenobi. One called the Negotiator, the peaceful and calm man with words able to win any fight, and there was the warrior. The Master of the Jedi Order. The unstoppable force and unmatched fighter. Even after hearing all of Anakin's stories, Luke realized how much impressive Obi-wan really was, here simply sitting in front of the shuttle's controls, his eyes closed while his mind was probably asking the Force for Luke liked that silence reigning between, despite all questions he held for the Jedi next to him.
"I guess you're not used to such …," Obi-wan hesitated, a teasing smile forming on his lips that Luke managed to notice, even in such dark room, "serenity, with your family. I've always remembered both your father and mother unable to hold silence for at least a minute."
Luke grinned, knowing perfectly what the obvious friend of his parents was referring to, "Leia is as talkative as Mom, I can assure you. But Dad has learnt to shut his mouth during meditation."
"Do you share this distaste for meditation as well, Luke?" This time, the auburn man opened his eyes, staring at the one he had seen as a baby, in another life, a different past that he had changed at the Force's command. How strange did it feel to him … Obi-wan had always known he would meet Luke Skywalker again, and perhaps train him. And so the connection was easily made between them, here inside a cockpit, chatting like friends, heading to Rothana for a mission, just like masters and padawans used to do. Was Luke destined to learn from him? Certainly, but Anakin had already done a stupendous job with his son.
"Not at all, Master Kenobi," Luke denied with a smile. "I think I can actually spend days meditating. Feeling my mind drifting in the Force … But then, reality would lose its beauty."
"I agree," the elder man nodded gently, "a Jedi must also learn to see the grace of the real world. And you don't need call me 'Master Kenobi', Luke. We are among friends, here, I'd like you to call me Obi-wan, please."
"With no disrespect," the boy shook his head, almost embarrassed, "you are the Master of the Jedi Order. You are probably the most famous Jedi in the galaxy, and a golden statue was raised for you. I really can't sa-"
"Then they are perfect reasons," Obi-wan cut, chuckling slighty. "I'm no king or a god, I am simple man, listening to the way of the galaxy. Calling me 'Obi-wan' will help me reminding that, please."
"Well … If it does help you," Luke grinned. He definitely liked the man. "I'll be honored to."
"Come on," the Master elbowed the boy, "it's not like I have a fan-club on every planet."
Luke coughed on purpose, "No. Absolutely not." And then, both of them couldn't preventing themselves from laughing out loud. And as Luke wiped the tears from his eyes, he secretly wished he had met Obi-wan Kenobi sooner. He felt the natural bonding between, one similar to Master and apprentice, according to Anakin's telling.
The blond boy, finally able to breathe normally, laid his eyes on the cockpit, and came into view of Rothana, the pale grey planet holding the so many factories and arsenals of the famous industry. The agitation around the planet was unusually strong, but it didn't seem to bother the Jedi next to him, casually flying toward the atmosphere for landing. Now Luke really hoped they would not open fire at the foreign golden shuttle heading toward the main building, distinguishing itself from the others for its height, and the huge white and blue flag at the top of the main tower, from which an industrial blue light was flashing inside. Apparently, Obi-wan had decided to land at the main complex on the surface, according to the amazingly accurate data of the shuttle : it was hundreds meters high and twice deeper, where the foundry were safely hidden and protected. Remembering lessons told by Commander Arriss, Luke knew that thousands of droids, weaponry or walkers were build under the ground and such was the threat upon their heads. Tough both Anakin and Padmé had assured their son that Obi-wan Kenobi could eradicate an army on his own, Luke couldn't help but feel his stomach contracting. But it had nothing to do with the numbers of troops or machines down there : if it really came to a fight, then how could they come back to the Republic? They would have to denounce Rothana to the Senate, and war would certainly start. Perhaps that was this particular reason Obi-wan wanted to go himself, with his reputation as the Negotiator.
"Exactly, Luke," the auburn Jedi chuckled. "We shall try not to put everything on fire."
Luke grinned as he sensed the shuttle landing smoothly, and a warm breeze, similar to the ones on Naboo, filled the cockpit while the ramp, behind him, came down and allowed the bright sun to enlighten the darken ship. Raising immediately, Obi-wan went outside and waited for the young guardian to follow him.
The fourteen year old boy didn't waste any second, and was next to the Jedi Master in an instant, facing seven men, all but one armed with blasters and equipped with apparent protections on their chest, shoulders, forearms and legs.
"Well that's quite the welcome", Luke allowed himself to joke in his mind.
"Greetings strangers," the one without any weapon, dressed in a pale green coat, over a loose beige skirt. He appeared condescending, as he didn't seem to notice Luke, and his eyes were constantly watching Obi-wan from head-to-toe. And the son of the Skywalker didn't fail to notice the small mocking rising of his brown eyebrows. "I am Teneris, one of the many administrators of Rothana Engineering. May I ask what business you have here? As you can see, we are in a bit of a hurry."
Obi-wan stared past the man, at the guards behind him, and at the so many cargo ships leaving the hidden hangars inside the complex. "My name is Obi-wan Kenobi, I am merely wishing to meet Rothana's leaders. Please understand my embarrassment, I should have made an appointment."
The administrator took two steps back, but Luke sensed the reaction was caused by fear and anger, more than surprised or admiration. By reflex, Skywalker put his hand on his lightsaber, ready to jump between the Jedi Master and the guards.
"Obi-wan Kenobi is dead," Teneris said with venom. "And even if he was alive, he would be much older than you … What are the Confederacy security codes for this sector ?"
It wasn't good, Luke knew it, and so did Obi-wan : the golden boy had noticed the Jedi laying his eyes on every being present on the landing platform. But only a Force-sensitive would have detected such move, while the others were only seeing the so-called imposter crossing his arms behind his back.
"Oh you can belive me he is not dead," the Jedi answered with a bold humor.
"The security codes !" The Administrator drew a small blaster from inside his coat, aiming directly at Obi-wan's head, imitated by the six other soldiers behind.
"Administrator!" Luke tried to apply one of the oldest lesson his father taught him : fight wasn't the only way to win in a battle. "My name is Luke Skywalker, member of the Old Guard of the Republic. We are not trying to deceive you, we ar-"
"Open fire !"
In instant, Luke ignited his green lightsaber and deflected seven lasers shot at him, killing one of the guards in the process. But his mind was racing : he was certain he heard only his blade coming into life, meaning that Kenobi was either dodging or already hurt as the soldiers were obviously targeting him. After a swift spin on his feet, Luke neutralised another soldier, and finally watched in Obi-wan direction, only to be as shock as the others. Soon a deadly silence reigned between with one last laser shot. There, right in front of now only seven pairs of eyes, Obi-wan Kenobi captured the red laser inside his hand, slowly closing, unarmed. Luke had seen Anakin stopped one or two shots in the same way, but the boy had assumed it was due to the right mechanical hand of his father. But the hands of this Jedi were clearly made of flesh and blood, so how couldn't he be injured ?
However, the moment all the ones surrounding the Master of the Order returned to their reality, with guns aimed at that man, was too late : Obi-wan had already raised another hand, flat and horizontal, above his shoulder and then, he seemed to push the air toward the ground. Immediately, Luke's stare went on the screaming men around him, now bowing before the Jedi Master until their faces came on the hard dark floor and all of them gently fell unconscious.
"How … How did you do that?" Skywalker was flabbergasted by the man's powers.
"This would take too long to explain," Obi-wan was already quickly walking toward the large door ahead. "We must discover why so many cargos are leaving the planet, and what they contain."
"You already know what is inside those ships," Luke pointed out, trying to think clearly. There were two options here : Rothana could be smuggling weapons, or transfering them to another place. In either case, such move was specific to times of war, not of peace.
"Well then," Kenobi stopped in front of the door, and opened it with the Force, "it's our job to stop them."
Unfortunately, the task would not be so easy, even with someone like Obi-wan at his side, because Luke was already sensing dozens of soldiers moving toward them : of course the platform was watched by holosecurity, and they had been careless, and now legions were coming at them. Though the danger became more and more oppressing as they passed the doors, entering an extremely wide room with a curved brown roof, and imposing exposed white beam running from one side of the room to the other. Fifty meters ahead, Luke stared at the pale balcony carved in stone, delicate pillars supporting it, leading to a rather heavy decorated gold double doors, from where emanated the dangerous presence of enemies waiting for them. But the room, probably the main entrance of the complex, was curiously empty. Obi-wan had apparently also inspected the place, as his eyes had raced from one spot to another one, and started to casually walk toward the balcony, though Luke noticed the right hand reaching for the hilt of the lightsaber he had used as a model for his own.
Only two minutes later, when the two male humans were exactly in the center of the room, emerged, from the ground, four heavy turrets opening fire instantly, and four others were added above them on the walls and the roof. This time however, considering the size of the turrets' lasers, Luke's green blade was accompanied by the blue blade of the Jedi Master, easily deflecting every bolt aimed at him with a effortless application of the form Soresu. And if Luke had seen Leia training that particular form he never managed to master, he found himself once again silent as he stared at the ultimate grace of Obi-wan moves through their simplicity. The Jedi was, in one word, in his area : his breath hadn't speeded up, nor had his body while he was now able to defend not only himself, but Luke's body too. And now, Kenobi's blade had literally become an unbreakeable wall, sending back every green laser shot at him back to the turrets, destroying all but two in a minute. Against humans, such demonstration of power would have a tremendous effect on their enemies' minds and would have probably forced them to flee, but there, against machines, Luke can only use the fact that only Obi-wan seemed targeted to destroy the last two on the roof, after a stupendous rebound on the nearest wall to fly toward the turrets. Only then, when Skywalker landed smoothly on the ground next to the Jedi Master, Obi-wan flashed a gentle grin :
"Anakin trained you very well," he noted. "Your Djem So is better than many Jedi of your age."
"Thank you, Obi-wan."
The auburn adult didn't make any further comment, and motioned the boy to follow him inside the previously seen golden doors where guards were already bracing themselves against the so-called intruders. Such thought was enough to capture any other idea in Luke's mind, why would Rothana act against the Old Guard? Even though they were protectors of the Senate, they always had been welcomed to settle conflicts outside the Republic. Then they probably had disturbing motivations to open fire on one of them, especially Luke Skywalker. When his father or his mother would hear that, the Holonet would become wild. And what Obi-wan Kenobi? He was the Master of the Jedi Order, an authority to be reckoned with anywhere in this galaxy. Who would dare facing the man who defeated Darth Maul, Darth Tyrannus and Darth Sidious? Luke knew. They were fools. Men so corrupted by money or power they would rather destroy the galaxy than save it to obtain a greater status. Those were the kind his mother was fighting since her election as Chancellor, and it saddened him to see how much work remained.
Shaking his head to focus on his dangerous reality, Luke opened his mind to the Force to find the threat they were facing, only to be almost blinded by Obi-wan's overly shining presence around him. And the Jedi Master seemed to notice the slight discomfort from the boy so reduce his power, as if such presence could be so easily hidden from any Force-sensitive. Luke knew such skill was hard to master, the more powerful you are, the louder you echoed in the Force, but Kenobi appeared to achieve such thing with a discouraging capability.
"Alt!" a voice, obviously covered by a helmet, was heard straight ahead. Four men had come out of the next door, at the end of the corridor in which Obi-wan and Luke were still walking in. "You will not go further. Lay down your weapon and no harm would be done."
Luke noticed an amused smile forming on the Jedi Master as he stopped in front of the one who spoke. "Where are you taking us?"
"The main security room," the man replied like a machine.
"Who is expecting us?" Obi-wan asked again.
"The Supervisor of this complex," the soldier confessed. "He wants to answer your questions."
"How many soldiers are in that room?"
"Twenty-five, sir."
"Then it is a trap, isn't it?" Obi-wan grinned.
"Yes sir," the other seemed stressful, always looking behind him, at his comrades for support but found none : the three others were motionless, almost unconscious. Luke knew the Jedi was using the Force on these four minds.
"Well you wouldn't mind if we keep our lightsabers, mmh?"
"Of course sir, I wouldn't mind if you keep your lightsabers."
"You serve the Rothana Family well," Obi-wan laid a reassuring hand on the soldier's shoulder. "Please, lead the way, we are following you."
"I will lead the way," the soldier turned back and headed to the door, "follow me."
The door was in reality the access to a rather large elevator, decorated with the same white symbols that Luke saw in the corridors, or the large room with the turrets earlier. The six men entered casually, almost like friends, and waiting in silence for the elevator to reach the agreed level where apparently, twenty-five soldiers would be ready to open fire the moment the Jedi stepped out. Even twenty-five, plus the four in the elevator, soldiers against Obi-wan Kenobi would never be enough, but Luke was curious about how the Jedi would best them all : with words, with the Force or with his blade?
Suddenly, fresh hair entered the lift cage as the door slid open, allowing the son of Skywalker to notice that the security room was builded with large enough hole to ventilate the whole place, and considering the difference of heat with the landing platform, Luke understood they were too high to escape from these holes : the fall would kil them, even for Jedi. One of the guard pushed him with his rifle to make him step outside the elevator, and face the so many soldiers present in an octogonal grey room, build in three levels : the first one was actually the smallest one to welcome the elevator, then after three steps, a wide brown marble was covering the floor until this time, eight, and very sharp, white stairs led to the last level, holding the office of the so-called Supervisor who watched the world from above with an obvious pride.
"Welcome Master Kenobi!" the Supervisor rose from his seat, straightening his magenta robes as he came at the top of the white stairs. "I am so sorry for the misunderstanding, we thought you were an imposter. I must thank you to have sparred my men."
"I've been away for fourteen years," Obi-wan nodded calmly, "I should have expected this."
"No, no," the arrogant man faked a laugh. "We should have recognized you. I hope I can still repair the damage we have caused. You are free to investigate, Master Kenobi."
"Though I'm surprised you didn't stop your men when Commander Skywalker announced himself," Obi-wan's voice had lost its compassion or humor, now only a seriousness and truth marked the Jedi's words. "Rothana may be allied with the Neutral Confederacy, I am most certain Mandalore would not take such attack easily."
The Supervisor finally revealed his true face, villainy and malice appeared as he stared at the Jedi Master. "Rothana doesn't answer to Mandalore, Master Jedi."
"Fett is your leader, though," Obi-wan countered, sending a warning to Luke through the Force : keep silence and stay close. It was simple and clear, an order given by the ultimate warrior. And Luke would not question it.
"You'd be surprised how much ignorant is Fett," the man smirked like a demon. "I'd most delighted to explain everything to you, but soon … Both of you would be dead."
"Our death would bring legions at Rothana," Kenobi recalled, not bothering to inform it would more to defeat him. "You can't win alone."
"Oh but we are not alone," the supervisor touched a hidden button, on the decoration of his robes, on his chest. "But now, I'll have to go. Good-bye, Master Kenobi, it has been a real honour." He returned behind his seat, waving his hand, then a black door opened. Before disappearing, he simply stared back again at Skywalker and Kenobi and said : "Kill them!"
Instantly, the Force had both the Guardian and the Jedi hurtling, the green and blue blades coming to life, through a storm of blasterfire as every soldier in the security center opened up on them at once. Letting go of his fear, of his desire or even of life itself, Luke felt the Force exploding inside in own body, giving him enough power to at least try to follow Obi-wan Kenobi who had now almost exceed the state of a physical appearance. He was only a bright blue blur, leaping girder to girder, slashing cables on which to swing through swarms of ricocheting particle beams, blade flickering so fast it became a deflector shield that splattered blaster bolts in all directions, his presence alone became a weapon. No. Obi-wan Kenobi was a weapon. Even the air he expelled from his lungs could stop a foe.
But, the soldiers, tough their numbers had now been reduced to seven, kept firing, the courage refound as a loud, mechanical sound disturbed the deadly symphony of Obi-wan's blade. Luke turned on himself, bracing himself as his green blade repelled another bolt. There in front of him, a giant spider-like droid was standing in front of him : it had four heavy legs, supporting a rather cubic body, on which were attached four arms equipped with unknown weapons. But most of it, its head was a perfect copy of the mask of General Grievous, as Luke remembered the many holopictures of the Clone Wars he had seen during his training. And behind that mask, a sickening green light was emerging, creating the impression that the droid was nearly alive. Howling, the droid arched all of his arms, and bent down to Luke's level, calculating its next move.
"May I present you, the Terror Walker," the voice of the supervisor echoed all over in the room. "This is the latest weapon of Rothana Engineering, build for occasion like this one. To kill a JEDI ! Long live the Empire!"
"Long live the Empire!" all soldiers replied in unison. "Long live the Empire!"
It was enough for Obi-wan. He had what he had been looking for, and a confirmation of what he had felt in the Force. The small political quarrel between the Republic and the Neutral Confederacy was a mere illusion, a distraction. The real war was this : the rebels within the Republic, and the dissidents of the Confederacy were uniting in one large army to bring back the Empire. Palpatine's Empire … This was far than Padmé and Anakin could have imagined, and the Jedi were obviously needed to assure peace in the galaxy. And if Obi-wan had to go to war again, he would : he was the Knight of the Force. It was his duty to pull the darkness away.
"Master Kenobi!" Luke yelled as the Terror Walker had ignited yellow lightnings from two of its arms at Skywalker who struggled to protect himself as soldiers were also firing at him.
Taking a deep breath, Obi-wan put his blade to his right side, while his left arm came above his right elbow, gathering power from all of his muscles and from the Force : the lightsaber's form he had customized since his return into his past. The Form VIII, Arkerys. It was named after the Arkanian Dragons, protected by hardened scales able to hold lasers and vibroblades, breathing fire while they were native from one of the coldest world in the entire galaxy, and known for their propensity for lightning-fast strikes and unbelievable flight's speed. In a way, this form required the best defences, with astonishingly quick blow coming out of the blue to surprise the enemy. When a Jedi had mastered this form enough, and for the moment only Obi-wan was its practitioner, the rhythm of the fight was jerky, always quickening or slowing. It was the form of unpredictability with the most perfect defense.
Then, in a simple jump, Obi-wan appeared in front of Luke Skywalker, the blue blade flashing from left to right to deflect the lightnings into one soldier, killing him instantly. The second later, one of the Terror Walker's arm came forward, piercing through the air with speed rivalling with a Guardian, a sharp burning blade appearing at its end to impale Kenobi. But the Jedi simply moved his body at the last moment, his left hand opening to blast the arm away with the Force, to protect Luke behind him, and the blue blade severed the same other arm threatening to cut his back in two. Before Skywalker could realise anything, Obi-wan spinned on himself and threw his lightsaber at Luke's direction, purposely missing him only to stop the last two soldiers that would have shot down Luke : the Guardian wasn't focused, and without Kenobi, surely Luke would have been killed.
The Terror Trooper seemed to notice Luke's distraction as it was charging lightnings again at him, but the brown shadow of Obi-wan Kenobi came between again, absorbing the yellows burning lights with only one hand, in a complete silence and seriousness.
"Luke !" The Jedi ordered, and the boy knew suddenly what he had to do : trust Obi-wan, and trust the Force.
So closing his eyes, Skywalker rolled on the floor to move one meter from the Jedi and threw his shining green blade at the Walker's legs, slicing easily every single one of them. There was no failure for the servant of the Force ! The Terror Droid landed hard in a terrible sound, now firing lightnings every where in the security room, and destroying its pillars or walls : it was time to escape. Though the Walker was still up to the fight, its effort was cut by Obi-wan's grip with the Force over the entire hulk, rising the droid five meters from the ground, and crushed it as if it was made of glass.
"Time to go," Obi-wan informed, walking toward one of the large windows of the room. "The whole complex isn't safe anymore."
"The whole complex?" Luke repeated. Surely the tower they were in was lost, with the damages caused by the Terror Walker, but the whole building was doomed?
"Star Destroyers are about to bombard the surface," the Jedi said gravely. "We need to return to the shuttle. Only its cloaking device can save us now."
Luke's eyes widened as he watched Obi-wan stepping on the window ledge, and checking down below. "Star Destroyers? But- wait! Are you saying we are going to jump?"
Kenobi turned and grinned at the young Guardian, "Are you afraid?"
"For my legs? Yes."
"Come here," and Luke obeyed, now having a clear view of the Cerestan shuttle at least five hundreds meters down below. "When the tower starts collapsing, we leap." Skywalker checked again the distance, and then stared at the Jedi Master : was he serious? "Use the Force and everything would be alright."
Luke wasn't so certain, honestly. He hadn't jumped so high, and even with the Master of the Jedi Order at his side, he could help but feel … afraid. You will be afraid Obi-wan had said, back in the Chancellor's Office. Now only one question remained : would he face the fear like the Jedi, or let it rule his life? Wasn't it his first lesson : to conquer our fear is to conquer the battle.
"Are you ready?" Obi-wan asked, as he felt the tower dangerously balancing on itself.
"Yes." And they leapt over the edge, free-falling in a warm air toward the golden ship await them. Everything around Luke became blur, the wind whistling in his ears so loudly that he wasn't sure he hadn't become duff, and his eyes were watering now, due to their increasing speed. But if his body was failing him, he had to trust the Force which would guide him safely to his destination. Through the Force, he felt his own mind escaping his corpse, the world gradually slowing with each meter he was falling down until a large explosion forced him to open his eyes wide : Obi-wan had been right, the Star Destroyers above them were firing at the surface and destroying the entire base. What was really going on? How couldn't the Old Guard forsee such treason? Suddenly the Force was screaming at him to fly to the right, to join Obi-wan because parts of the tower from which they had previously jumped were now more than collapsing. It was crumbling toward them, threatening to crush them … and the shuttle too ! If the tower wasn't stopped, the landing platform would be destroyed.
"Obi-wan!" Luke yelled despite the wind covering his voice. But the Jedi was already a step ahead, his back now facing the ground and his hands widely extended toward the massive part of the building above him.
Soon Skywalker felt in the Force the tremendous power emanating from Obi-wan as the metal, supporting the falling tower, started to bend in a terrible brouhaha, while they were still flying down the now quickly approaching landing platform, which reminded for the moment completely intact. Checking once again behind him, Luke realised Obi-wan's fall had been slowed, he was almost floating in the air while his only mind was crushing the hundreds-of-meters-high building in four, no five, small parts that he was pushing away from their shuttle. With each part of the building ripped from another, fire emerged, almost engulfing the Jedi Master in a sea of burning light thought Luke was certain, as he now tried to protect the shuttle for the falling rubble, that Obi-wan wasn't concerned by such danger. After all, the man was currently demolishing a whole tower with the Force : why a mere fall between lasers and fire would worry him?
But Luke wasn't that confident, and now was the time to land. Or to ask himself how to land. And before he could try to contact the Jedi Master above him through his mind, Obi-wan appeared again, grabbing the back of Luke's tunic and hold him close to speak to him :
"You have already landed, Luke," Kenobi yelled, "In you mind, the job is done. Do not think, just do. Your body will follow."
And then, Obi-wan increased his speed in his air and landed, after a glorious sammersault, one meter next to the golden shuttle : neither the ship of the solid ground of the platform were deformed. It was a pure application of the Force, and now was Luke's time.
Bracing himself, Skywalker closed his eyes and calmed his mind while he mentally pictured himself already next to Obi-wan. How easy it appeared when Obi-wan did it, why would it be different? He was a servant of the Force, he trusted it completely, with his life and far more. Why would it be different?
"Congratulations," Obi-wan's gentle voice echoed in his ears despite the chaos caused by the bombing. Only then Luke opened his eyes and saw his feet on the ground. He was standing, totally harmless, next to the Jedi Master : he had landed without realising it. Had Obi-wan helped? No. Luke was certain only the Force had been his ally in the fall.
"Thank you, Master Kenobi," Luke bowed in respect. This time, Skywalker really meant the words, not just in respect, but because he understood how much he could really learn from Obi-wan. Of course his father had always taught him to trust the Force, but Anakin Skywalker was an overprotective man. He would have thought about something different than let his son fall nearly five hundreds meters. There was a complete trust emanating from Kenobi, like between a teacher and a learner. Like between masters and padawans …
"Let's go," Obi-wan motioned the boy to enter the shuttle before everything was too late. They had to take off. "We must warn the Republic."
Author Note : Annnd that's it, finally. I, at first, wanted to had something more than ending the chapter here, but it didn't feel that right. So here is a proper ending, for this Obi-wan&Luke's bonding chapter. Destiny works in a curious way, right ? :) Then I hope you like the relation I am building between Luke and Obi-wan, as well as the other part of the chapter. Yes you must have realised Siri never really holds her tongue haha, but I think that's part of her character.
Anyway, Kenobi's fears were well-founded, and now the Jedi would be more and more implicated in the conflict.
Next time : Anteres&Ferus on duty, Siri is going back to Ceresta, and Corran&Hcan would have quite a surprise on Kashyyyk. (Though the chapter will of course be more centered about the Kenobi family). And perhaps we will see Byss again!