"He's here."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi!? That's impossible. What makes you think so?"
"A stirring in the Force , of a kind I've felt only in the presence of my old Master. It is unmistakeable."
Darth Vader paced rapidly, back and forth, Governor Tarkin watching in silence. The Dark Lord's respirator created a fearful atmosphere. Tarkin however had no problems being in the presence of the warlord.
"Surely- surely he is dead by now."
Vader paused, the faith in his statement reduced greatly, "Perhaps...It is gone now. It was just a brief sensation."
Already reassured, Tarkin nodded confidently, "The Jedi are extinct. Their fire was quenched a long time ago. You, my friend, are all that's left of them."
Suddenly Tarkin's com-link went off and the silence of the rooms was broken. "Yes?"
"We have an emergency alert in detention block AA-23."
Tarkin turned to stare at Vader, "The Princess."
"Then Kenobi is here." The Dark Lord stated, already reaching for his lightsaber.
Tarkin nodded, "If so- he cannot be allowed to escape."
"Who's the kid? I wasn't told about this." The one and only Han Solo asked, coming to stand besides Luke.
He was dutifully ignored by the kid- maybe because the boy had been trying to pick himself off the floor, and the woman had the decency and time to answer, throwing her answer over her shoulder. "Move now, questions later, flyboy."
Han felt a little annoyed, but he left that issue. "Did I mention that our entrance is 'blocked' off, we're gonna have to find another way out."
The Princess paused in her hurried movements, "This is a detention area, you know. They don't build them with multiple exits."
Of course Han knew that! He had been in the freaking Academy- he knew how things worked with the Empire.
"Begging your forgiveness, Your Highness, but maybe you'd like it back in your cell." He snapped back, his irritation and anger getting the best of him.
Finally the little kid spoke, and instantly Han had the urge to slap his forehead. "M-m-miss L-Leia? H-how do we get out of h-here?"
Leia didn't answer and Han was actually surprised when he found that it was because the Princess really didn't have an answer for the child. It was interesting; the princess wasn't all prickly spikes.
"There's got to be a way out of here. See-threepio! See-threepio?"
The com-link remained silent after fizzling. Nothing.
"Uh- e-e-excuse me, th-there's a grate o-over th-there. M-maybe we c-c-can get out through there."
"Looks like it's up to Ani and me to save our skins." Leia smiled, swiping Luke's blaster away and firing at the vent. "Get into the garbage chute flyboy!" She smirked before helping push the boy- Ani into the chute and following behind him.
"Ani? Isn't that a girl's name!"
Solo stared after her, open-mouthed until Chewbacca rumbled threateningly. Responding by shaking his head slowly, he said, "No, Chewie. I don't want you to rip her apart just yet. Either I'm beginning to like her or I'm going to kill her myself."
Chewbacca only snorted in an amused way, one that seriously annoyed Han, "Go on in, you furry oaf! I don't care what you smell. This is no time to go dainty on me."
He pushed the Wookie into the chute, ignoring the struggle and protest, then as the furry being slid down, he followed. Luke turned to fire a wave of blasts to create cover more than anything and slid in to join the rag-tag group of unlikely comrades.
The chamber the group found themselves in was dimly lit- filled with wafting odors that they had preferred staying ignorant of. The slimy muck was decayed enough for them to not specifically walk through the mess but swim in it. So they stuck to the edges, grasping the metal with tight hands as they struggled to find steady footing.
Ani- they noticed- stuck close to the Princess, helping her when he could and she returning the favor. Before any of the rescues could speak, Han beat them.
"The garbage chute was a wonderful idea." He said sardonically, "What an incredible smell you've discovered. Unfortunately, we can't ride out of here on a drifting odor, and there doesn't seem to be any other exit. Unless I can get this hatch open."
Before anyone could react, Solo stepped back and fired at the cover. To their major surprise, the bolt deflected and was sent flying across the room as everyone sought for cover amongst the slime. Just as quickly, the bolt detonated above them.
Leia was the first to recover, gripping Ani tightly as he went rigid. "Put that thing away or you're going to get us killed." She reprimanded grimly, trying to relax the child in her arms. It looked like he was about to suffer from cardiac arrest.
Poor child.
"Yes, Your Worship." Leia heard the mutter even with slime in her ears, but she noticed he made no move to holster the weapon. Not wanting to waste time in a petty argument, she glanced at the open chute above them to see if they could find a way out.
"It won't take long for them to notice what happened here. We had things well under control until you led us down here." Han retorted.
She scoffed, rolling her shoulders to accommodate herself comfortably, "Sure you did. Well- it could be worse..." She murmured softly.
As if the galaxy took her challenge, a deep groaning sound was heard. The sound seemed to originate from beneath them causing unrest within the gang. Chewbacca let out a horrified yowl as he tried to flatten himself against the wall.
Luke drew his returned pistol as did Solo. However nothing happened and the tense moment seemed to grow.
Ani chose this moment to speak, "What i-i-is it?" Again he was frozen with terror, cuddled against Leia.
"I'm...not too sure." Luke said hesitantly. Then he suddenly jumped in alarm, looking down and behind him with widened eyes, "Something just moved past me, I think. Watch out-!"
Within seconds, Luke disappeared straight down into the garbage.
"It's got Luke!" Leia shouted, "It took him under." In her moment of panic, she let to of Anakin. Human nature took over, and she began to search for her rescuer despite the danger and her own panic.
Solo was at loss. He was looking around frantically for something he could shoot. A gurgle was heard but he ignored it as he thought it was the slime. As abruptly as Luke disappeared, he reappeared, spluttering and gasping for breath but with a whitish tentacle wrapped around his neck.
"Shoot it! Kill it!"" Luke screamed.
"Shoot it!? I can't even see it!" Solo protested.
In the moment of hesitation, Luke was once again swept into the gooey mess by the invisible attacker. Both Leia and Han stared helplessly across the surface of the slime. There was a distant rumble and the walls appeared to move decidedly closer. Unexpectedly, Luke surfaced near Han, scrabbling his way clear of the suffocating mess and rubbing at the welt on his neck.
"What happened to it?" Leia wondered, eyeing the garbage warily.
Luke looked puzzled, "I...I don't know. It had me and then I was free. It just let me go and disappeared. Maybe I didn't smell bad enough for it." He took a moment to breathe and then looked around.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Solo muttered at the same time Luke asked, "Uh-where's Ani?"
Everyone stilled. Leia slowly looked around, "Ani?," she called tentatively, desperately wishing this wasn't happening. When no one answered, Han stepped forward.
"Guess I know why it let go of Luke. It went for the tender meat."
Leia didn't care enough for Solo's comment so she didn't strike at him, but if she had been more particular, she would have probably aimed her blaster at him once they were out of here.
Right now her guilt was overriding every other emotion. How could she have let Ani out of her sight? How could she let a young boy get killed? "This is all my fault." She whispered.
"It's about time you admitted it. We had everything under control." Han argued, bringing back the argument she had been hoping to postpone.
Before she could defend herself and hopefully knock the man a few pegs down, a tentacle surged upward and with it- Ani. He was limp, feebly scratching at the tentacles while he coughed weakly. She strode towards Luke and made to snatch the blaster again.
Luke had already anticipated her and stopped her attempt. "Shoot it! Don't just stand there!" She cried frantically.
Han froze, pointing at Ani, "Look!"
The Princess turned and gaped at the sight of Ani reaching for her. Or rather Luke. The result was unexpected. Luke's lightsaber rose in the air, staying afloat for seconds before it careened to Anakin's hand.
At once, the boy activated it and swung it powerfully at the tentacle. The precise movements and careful use of the lightsaber was a sight to behold and their fears of any mistakes the boy could cause were unfounded. Even Han, who didn't exactly care for Jedi, was astounded at such mastery.
The surprised silence was broken as Ani was dropped with a weak splash into the mess. Leia surged forward, "Ani! Ani are you okay? Oh gods, I thought you were gone."
Ani looked lost at all the attention the older female was giving him, opting instead to try to alleviate her fears with little to no success. Instead the boy once again floated the lightsaber to Luke who gazed at the tool floating midair with reverence and slight hesitation.
"I apologize Mister, for taking your lightsaber." Ani apologized, the words coming out in a frenzy after the adrenaline rush.
Everyone was reminded of the walls coming closer against them as another rumbling groan was heard. "Don't just stand there gaping at each other!" Leia screamed, "Try to brace them with something!"
Even with the thick beams and metal rods Chewbacca could handle- the walls advanced unhindered. Instead of trying to stop the walls' advance, Luke pulled out his comlink.
"Threepio...come in, Threepio!" There was no answer. "I don't know why he won't answer."
Ani once again stepped forward, "If it is of any consolation...your droid is working hard to keep troopers away from us."
The silence in the room seemed to reign, "That is not a consolation." Han groaned, wiping sweat off his face, studying the lessening space in the chamber with worry. "One thing for sure, we're all going to be much thinner. This could prove popular for slimming. The only trouble is it's permanence."
Luke paused for a breath, shaking the innocent comlink angrily, "What is Threepio doing exactly, Ani? How do you even know what he is doing?"
Before Ani could answer, the Princess seemed to be struck with an epiphany. "Try the hatch again! It is out only hope."
Solo shielded his eyes and did so. The ineffectual blast echoed mockingly through the room.
Less then a foot was left of space, and to save even more space, Han hefted Ani on his shoulders. Han and Leia had been forced to turn sideways, ending up facing each other. For the first time, the haughtiness was gone from her face and Han could see she was in a moment of emotional weakness. Both reached and grabbed hands, gripping each other tightly as the walls slithered closer.
Luke had fallen into the sludge, but had been trying to keep his head above the garbage. Suddenly, the comlink buzzed and the blonde teen grabbed it quickly.
"Threepio!"
"Are you there, sir?" The droid replied, "We've had some minor problems-"
Ani interrupted to whisper, "They were major problems," he assured.
"-you would not believe-"
Again, Threepio was interrupted, but this time by Luke who screamed, "Shut up, Threepio! Shut down all the refuse units on the detention level or immediately below it. Do you copy? Shut them down!"
Moments later, Threepio grabbed his head in pain as Artoo's high pitched shrills were heard over the comlink.
"No shut them all down!" Threepio ordered Artoo, "Hurry! Oh, listen to them! They're all dying, Artoo, I curse this metal body of mine. I was not fast enough. It was my fault. My poor master- all of them."
The screaming match between Luke, Threepio and Artoo escalated even as the walls stopped and started again- this time retracting. The relief the group felt could be felt resonating through the Force.
"We're okay, Threepio. Good job. Both of you did a good job. Now can you open the pressure-maintenance hatch on unit 366117891?"
"Yes, sir."
Anakin felt more jubilant than anything as he scrambled out if the infernal room he had been for seemingly the last hour. It could have been just minutes but it seemed more than that. This is what he had missed all those times in the training simulators?
Thank the Force he had the foresight to stay away from such things. He was satisfied enough with his skills as a mechanic and Padawan. He was a pacifist straight and through, so much; it hurt to even cut the tentacle away of that Dianoga.
And even though he predicted some tough action later on, he would be happy to stand by the sidelines. There was already enough fighters in this group, he had noticed, and rather his presence seemed to hinder the group.
But to honor his Jedi vow, he would help them in any way he could if they ever needed him.
It wouldn't be too hard; Anakin had acquired the knowledge a normal Padawan would move to have his hands on. He had mastered Force attunement on a scale that he could use it to actually influence actions around him. Even if, currently, he had no idea where he was.
The corridor had dust all over it giving the impression that it had not been used in a long time. It was probably only a repair access corridor or something. It gave him chance to see the situation around him with the Force' 'eye.'
Chewbacca grunted and wheezed as he struggle to shove his wide girth out of the hatchway opening. But eventually everyone emerged onto the dusty corridor and joined Anakin who was busy trying to calm his breathing.
"Practicing your yoga, kid?" Han asked, coming up behind the small Padawan and patting the boy reassuringly.
Anakin shook his head patiently, "No. I am trying to search for your other passenger- this old man you keep on muttering about. And I am also trying to convince the Dianoga in the room to cease attacking."
"What!? Di-who now?" Han flailed around as he struggle to find his blaster.
At that moment something hit the wall behind them with a massive thunk. Luke yelled for everyone to watch out as a long, gelatinous limb slithered it's way to them through the hatch.
"Guess it's still going after you, kiddo." Han commented idly to Anakin who threw him an glare.
Leia tried to walk past a half-frozen Chewbacca to try to access and observe the proceedings. "Somebody get this walking carpet out of my way!"
As Solo prepared to shoot the creature, the Princess noticed what he was to do and tried to stop him, "No, wait! It'll be heard!"
She would have much more luck trying to convince a rock to dance. Solo fired at the hatchway. The burst if energy was rewarded with a distant roar as an avalanche of weakened wall and falling debris buried the creature in the room beyond.
Anakin and Luke wrinkled their nose in disgust at the senseless action. Luke had admired the Corellian, but at such action, his admiration was forced down a few pegs. Anakin thought the noise brought down some advantage of surprise.
Leia's actions were much surprising and positively received than Solo's. "Listen." She started slowly as of talking to a toddler, "I don't know where you came from, but I'm grateful. To both of you. But from now on you do as I tell you."
Anakin sighed as he sat back, already expecting Solo's outburst. "Look, Your Holiness." The poor man stammered, "Let's get something straight. I take orders only from one person-me!"
She hummed, rocking back on her heels softly, "It's a wonder you're still alive." She shot back smoothly.
Leia didn't wait for a response, instead grabbing Ani in a swift fashion and hoisting him up in a surprising strong grip.
With his connection to the Force, he was able to hear Solo's shell-shocked response, "No reward is worth this. I don't think there's enough credit in the universe to pay for putting up with her...hey, slow down!"
The gang reached the end of the empty hallway and they stopped briefly; Luke to consult Threepio and Leia to glare at Solo while the smuggler returned it wholeheartedly. However they all saw the same thing.
Just ahead of them was a window, showing the freighter that Luke and Solo had possibly used to get here. The tantalizing view only seemed to highlight the dangers they would have to endure to get there.
"Wonder if the old man managed to knock the tractor beam." Solo wondered as he surveyed the scene below. About a dozen troopers dotted the hangar and even more were moving in and out of the freighter.
"Getting back to the ship's going to be more like flying through the five Fire Rings of Fornax."
Leia stepped forward, an expression of barely concealed shock, "You came here in that wreck!? You're braver than I thought."
Ani barely contained his giggles, hiding them behind the excuse of having a runny noise when everybody turned to look at him. But it was horribly amusing as he felt the confused mess Solo's emotions were in. The smuggler wasn't even sure how to react at the comment that had been meant to praise and insult at the same time.
When the group came upon the corner, they came to an abrupt halt. And so did the twenty or so Imperial troopers coming their way. Instantly, without thinking, Solo took out his blaster and started firing. The trooper ranks broke and instant chaos broke out.
"Get to the ship. I'll take care of them." Solo declared boldly, taking out a blaster from his hip holster and immediately going the opposite way.
And it was terribly ironic or terribly coincidental that there was around dozen troopers in the hangar, making every single move they made a terrible death trap. If they ran behind Solo, they would get captured or possibly die. If they followed out into the hangar they would also suffer the same consequences.
So Anakin turned back to the Princess, "Miss Leia?" He called, straightening when she turned to give him her attention. "I will take another route."
"But Ani-!"
"No, Miss Leia, this will ensure the survival of all of us. I will meet you back at the ship, Miss Leia." At first, the meaning of the words did not click within Leia, but after a thought, she felt her eyes widen.
"All right, Ani, take care. I'll see you at the ship."
Ani nodded, bowed to her and Luke and disappeared into the corridors. Luke stared after the retreating figure worriedly, "You think he will make it?"
"He will. He has to. He is the Jedi's last hope." She whispered.
"What!?"
Anakin walked hurriedly to where the Force pulsated dangerously. The continuous flares of heightened emotion made bright explosions within the Force, often blinding him and leaving him breathless as hurt, betrayal, anger and sorrow coursed it's way through him.
Whoever was excluding these feelings- the old man Han cursed about and someone else- were incredibly close to each other and knew each other to a degree that Anakin grew jealous of. He could feel the tendrils of a broken brotherly bond from here and they beckoned to him as if they screamed at him to mend the bond.
'What could have possibly happened in this parallel?'
Minutes later, he got his answer in the from of a lightsaber duel. Awe at the amazing lightsaber abilities the duelists had quickly gave way to terror at the torrent of hatred emitting from the black-clad figure who not only dressed in dark but revered in dark.
The realization was sharp and it stung. 'A Sith!'
Anakin had heard of the Sith from his instructors and the lore in the Archives. They were malicious creatures that used the power of their anger to influence their actions; causing mayhem, destruction and pain wherever they went. In their malevolent haze, they caused their own downfall, leaving behind terror and legends.
However, now that Anakin had seen this, he had come to a conclusion that what the Jedi had thought about the Sith was wrong and that they still existed. This parallel was so...wrong it went against every single expectation he had.
It was strange because it was like everything in this parallel ran itself methodically. Like everything was set in stone and the very idea of anything changing was laughable. This parallel ran on lies and deceit that imbedded very deep in this life- even within the Force. How was he meant to help anybody if he would have a very hard time changing anything?
But then he remembered one single thing. Appearances could be deceiving. It was possible that while it seemed very impossible to help anyone, it really wasn't.
And he figured he should start with the old man.
He had noticed that while he had been trying to figure out his next course of action, he had missed some of the dialogue the men exchanged between them. But he did not miss the glint that had crossed the old man's eyes.
He had seen those kinds of eyes before. When he had been young and at the hands of Gardulla, he had watched this kind of glint enter a determined young man before he died. It had been a look of pure satisfaction- a look that said everything had been done and accomplished.
The old man's eyes had something else within them. And he was sure the malevolent creature in front of the man saw it too. The old man knew something the Sith didn't. And he was taking that secret to the grave.
So sure was the old man, that Anakin decided this was something worth changing. Now, he wasn't under any illusions of what he was or wasn't. Anakin was aware that he wasn't a god that could change fate or the sort.
But this man held a secret that could prove to be the very thing that could save this parallel. And Anakin could not let his only light among this darkness to just slip through his fingers.
As the red-bladed lightsaber descended upon the old man in a deadly arc, Anakin raised his concentration and extended a hand. What would have been the unfortunate death of the old man, turned into an ineffective strike as the lightsaber bounced off his Force-shield.
Instantly Anakin swung out of his hiding spot, skidding to a stop before the old man. "Come on!" He tugged on the old man's sleeve in an attempt to direct him to the ship.
"Wha-?"
Anakin's eyes widened as the Sith once again swung his lightsaber in another attempt to kill the old man and Anakin himself. And once again, Anakin extended his hand to stop it with a shield. This time, he changed the length of the shield to cover the whole passageway in width while separating Anakin from the Sith.
Not stopping to look behind, Anakin tugged harder, "Come on, we have to leave!" The adrenaline was high and he took no notice of his fearlessness in addressing someone older than him.
He ran with the old man at his heels and into the waiting ship just as it was preparing to depart. At that exact time, the shield broke and the Sith strode forward purposely.
"Kenobi!"
Anakin's eyes widened, 'Kenobi? Th-that means...'
"Master Obi-Wan." Anakin whispered softly paling when the old master turned towards him.
"Yes? Who are you, young one?" Then a pause as the man took in his Padawan braid, "A Padawan?"
Anakin stuttered, "Master Obi-Wan...what happened...?"
I apologize for this very late update. I also apologize if the writing has gone...well- rusty. If you have any questions or such, review or PM me. Also, thank you to those who have reviewed.
Water Creation