Alex Rider: Jedi Knight

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider or Star Wars.

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Chapter 15: Bad News

It had been a few days since Alex had been hospitalized; the days passed in a blur. He could now sit up in bed with ease, but the doctors discouraged too much activity, even though Alex thought he was well enough.

Sabina visited him every day, and he taught her about the Force. They sat for hours, talking and laughing and daring each other to lift random things around the room with the Force.

Alex's eyes were bright and full of life whenever he was with her. It was as if he could forget the Sith uprising and Anakin's betrayal in her presence. Sabina, too, tried to forget the incident of a few days ago. She even enjoyed the Force training

One morning, they were training and indulging in the cool fall breeze coming through the open window (the doctors weren't watching). Sabina stared at the vase on the table, her face scrunched up in concentration. Slowly, she raised one finger. A single flower – a bright red rose – rose up and hovered in midair. With her other hand, she guided the rest of the flowers one-by-one to her floating bouquet. Once she had them all, she plopped them back down in the vase and gave Alex a triumphant look. Alex just grinned and laughed.

The door opened and they whirled around, afraid someone had seen them fooling around. Or worse, seen them use the Force. But it was Obi-Wan who stood in the doorway.

"You came!" Alex sounded pleased.

"Alex. I heard what happened. I'm sorry…I didn't know Anakin was planning something like that."

Sabina shivered slightly in the corner of Alex's eye. It was the first time someone had mentioned his name since it had happened.

Alex shrugged his good shoulder. "It's not your fault."

"I didn't watch him close enough." Obi-Wan sighed and sat beside Alex's bed. He gazed off into the distance as he began, "We were on Naboo. We were supposed to supervise the arrival of Chancellor Palpatine." Obi-Wan shook his head. "Anakin said he had to go somewhere. So I let him. When he didn't show up that evening I thought maybe he was visiting the Queen. I went to the palace to look for him." He looked at Alex, blue eyes hard. "Queen Amidala and her handmaidens were dead."

Alex felt his words like a blow. The Queen and her handmaidens had been kind to him during his mission on Naboo, accepting the Jedi Knights' wisdom and charge of the journey without question. They had proven their courage countless times. It seemed impossible something could strike down their valiant souls.

"How?" Alex choked. Sabina reached for his hand.

Obi-Wan answered grimly, "Security found them. They didn't know what happened."

"Did he strangle them?' Sabina's voice wavered and Alex knew she was reminiscing her own near-death experience.

"It's possible. I don't know. But Anakin was no longer on Naboo, so I went to look on Korriban. Maybe he had gone to try and kill the Sith himself." Obi-Wan passed a hand through his hair wearily. "You know how strong the dark side was there?"

Alex nodded.

"Well, it was…faded. The place was deserted. All those battle droids were gone. There was just the body of Count Dooku with a lightsaber burn through his chest."

"Anakin?" Alex guessed.

"It seems so."

"Well, at least there's one less Sith we have to worry about," Sabina pointed out.

"Yes, but we don't know where they are. They could be anywhere…even on their way here." Obi-Wan's gaze was intense. "Anakin is dangerous. And so is Darth Sidious. I can't put your life at risk again, Alex. I've already asked enough of you. You and Sabina are to stay here. I've spoken to Siri…she and her Padawan will stand guard over your room. I will, too."

"I don't think that's really necessary-" Alex protested.

"You're in no shape to fight Anakin again," Obi-Wan cut in. Alex agreed grudgingly.

"And Jack…I sent her and Yassen to the Temple. They'll be well protected there."

"You're trusting Yassen?" Alex exclaimed indignantly. "He's an assassin, for Force sake!"

"He is an enemy of the Sith now, too," Obi-Wan answered calmly.

"Yeah, but…" He killed your father! Alex wanted to say. He unhappily admitted that the Russian assassin had helped them escape from Korriban, but that still wasn't proof that they could actually trust him. And Obi-Wan had sent him off with Jack, without even asking Alex's opinion!

Alex took a deep breath, releasing his annoyance into the Force. It would do no good to blow up at Obi-Wan. When he was sure he was in control, Alex looked up and asked, "Why?"

"Alex…" Obi-Wan spoke slowly, making sure every word was clear. "This is serious; we're not dealing with the old Anakin anymore. The Sith are out there, planning their next move. You're in hospital with a healing shoulder, Sabina's got a limp, and Jack is at home. You're all sitting ducks! But with armed Jedi guards, they'll think twice before going after you two. And they wouldn't dare attack the Temple, so you're all safe. That's the important thing right now…until we find them."

"I understand," Alex sighed. "I guess. But I'd prefer if Jack was here." He smiled weakly. "She's supposed to look after me, you know."

Obi-Wan smirked. "You're my Padawan, too, Alex."

"Padawan?"
"You're still my apprentice, aren't you? I don't remember you handing in a resignation form."

"Okay, okay." Now Alex was smiling slightly.

Alex pointed to Sabina. "And who is she, Master? A Padawan-Padawan?"
Obi-Wan glanced at Sabina in surprise. "She's Force-sensitive?"

In reply she raised a hand and a flower drifted over.

At that moment a head poked in the doorway. "Master Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan rose from his chair. "I have guard duty now. I'll see you later, Alex, Sabina."

That night Alex lay in bed for hours, wide awake. Sleep was hard to come by when he hadn't done anything all day. He could hear Sabina's steady breathing from her cot nearby, and see the light filtering in from under the door. Obi-Wan, Ferus and Siri had taken shifts on guard since that morning.

Alex saw a flicker in the corner of his eye and turned his head toward the window. It was securely closed; what was going on?

A second later there came another twinkle of blue light. Then Ian Rider faded in.

Alex sat up. "Ian!"

Ian glided over, his eyes concerned. "You are injured. I saw the battle."

"Yeah."

"Alex." Ian's tone had turned urgent. "I must speak to my son soon. Tell him who I am."

"Why can't you tell him yourself?" Alex wondered.

Sorrow filled Ian's gaze. "He would not believe me."

Alex shrugged, "Then tell me the message."

"Only I can tell him," Ian said.

The door opened a crack. In an instant Ian was gone.

"Alex?" Ferus's voice whispered. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just getting some water," he assured him. Alex pulled the covers over his head and waited until Ferus had left.

He lay awake in the darkness for a long time, but the ghost of Ian Rider didn't return.

To be continued...

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