"Master, I have the palace in sight." Anakin's image spoke from the holotable.
"Anakin, Miss O'Brian will brief you on how to administer the antidote." Obi-Wan nodded towards her.
Chloe took a deep breath. "Anakin," she began, "on your system you should have the schematic plans of the palace showing the large central hall in which we believe the hostages are being held. Directly below the hall is the droid control centre. This is where you'll need to go to deliver the antidote."
"I see it," Anakin said, looking down.
"I'm sending you the antidote package now." Chloe tapped a few keys. "Download it to a portable data key."
Anakin nodded.
"Once you're in the control room you'll need to run the diagnostic test first to check for any adverse reactions. You'll then need to configure the antidote with the list of droid ID's on the palace system."
"Wait," Anakin interrupted, "is the diagnostic necessary? Why not just go straight for the antidote?"
"Unless you want to risk killing yourself and everyone else in there that would be a really bad idea," Chloe said. "It's protocol with this complexity of operation to carry out a test first. If there are problems you have a chance to make adjustments. Go for all of them at once and you could be dead before the antidote has had time to take effect."
"And that time is?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Two minutes, " Chloe replied. "According to my tests, two minutes at the very most."
"And where's my way in?" Anakin frowned at his map.
"Unfortunately, the building is very secure," Obi-Wan said. "Other than the two main entrances, all of which are likely to be guarded, there is only one possible access route."
"The service tunnel," Anakin replied quickly.
"That's right," Obi-Wan said. "As you can see, the entrance to the tunnel is by a small lake at the far side of the palace. The tunnel will take you into the kitchen areas on the lower floor. You'll need to pass right around the corridor at one side of the central hall in order to reach the passage down to the control centre."
"Got it." There was a rustle as Anakin began to arrange his equipment. "It should take me less than ten minutes to get to the lake."
"Be careful Anakin," Obi-Wan cautioned. "There is no need to rush."
"Yes, Master." Anakin grinned, surprisingly relaxed, given the circumstances. "Switching to portable com."
The holoimage jerked then shifted to show Anakin's view. In front, an area of cleared ground was terminated by a wall of dense forest. The tops of the trees sloped up gradually ahead, with the tall spires of what must have been the palace just visible in the distance.
Anakin started to move into the undergrowth. Chloe followed his progress for a while, before turning her attention to her terminal, wanting to double check everything before he arrived at the palace.
As she sat chewing her nails, wondering if she should triple check her code, just to be absolutely sure, she realised Obi-Wan was standing by her side.
"Everything okay?" His tone voice had softened from the military tone she was starting to become used to.
"Yes. Fine." Chloe instinctively tried to cover her nervousness.
Seemingly unsatisfied, Obi-Wan sat down on the empty chair next to her. He placed one hand on hers. "We will save those people," he said, quietly, fixing her with calming ocean-green eyes. "And don't worry about Anakin, he can take care of himself." He squeezed her hand a little. Chloe nodded, comforted he knew her anxieties.
"Be confident in your ability," Obi-Wan added. "Everyone else is." His expression was serious.
Chloe believed him.
Obi-Wan stood up again. "That is, unless… you did eat lunch, didn't you?" His lips curved mischievously and Chloe smiled. Suddenly, breathing was a little easier. Obi-Wan held her gaze for a few moments longer before making his way back to the other side of the table.
Chloe watched him sit down, having to remind herself this treatment was nothing special. Obi-Wan – General Kenobi was just doing his job.
Then she noticed Mace Windu had returned to the room, and was also taking his seat.
"Master Kenobi, do you have the strike platoon ready?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan replied, frown returning, "They've taken tactical positions near each of the entrances and are standing by." He pressed another button on the table to re-open the audio com channel with Anakin.
"Anakin, you're back on com with the War Room," Obi-Wan said. "Is that the tunnel entrance up ahead?"
Chloe studied the holo from Anakin's portable camera. He turned, showing the lake to his right. Then the image panned back, showing vegetation surrounding the circular entrance to a large pipe. Large, and yet, it looked too small for Anakin to walk along. He'd have to crawl.
"I'm going in," Anakin said.
Chloe sat, holding her breath with the tension as Anakin made slow but steady progress along the tunnel. Over the com she could hear the sound of water dripping into water, echoing in the hollow space.
"Nice route you found me." Anakin sounded like he was trying not to gag.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "Perhaps sending you alone was a good idea."
"Don't worry, I'll bring you my laundry when I get back."
Eventually, after about five minutes of crawling, Anakin stopped. The camera jerked a and Anakin's face appeared as he wiped some dark drips of liquid off the lens. He grinned.
"Nearly there," he whispered, glancing towards the end of the tunnel. "I'll speak to you again when I'm in the control centre."
Chloe nodded instinctively, even though he could not see her. The camera jerked again as he replaced it. Chloe sat up, checking her terminal screen once again. Obi-Wan was standing, hands resting on the table. Mace sat back his chair, fingers of both hands placed together.
Once he was out of the tunnel, Anakin moved very quickly and it was difficult to see exactly what was happening. Obi-Wan traced his route on the map palace map. "He's making his way around the central hall," he said, looking up at Mace.
A few minutes later, a metallic clank and a couple of beeps were quickly followed by a blister of sparks across the holoimage, then the rapid flash of Anakin's lightsaber. The camera jerked before becoming still.
"I'm in," Anakin said calmly, powering off his saber. "No problems, just one droid got in the way. I can see the control terminal."
The camera turned to show a set of control screens together with various buttons and levers.
Right, this is it, Chloe thought, trying to breathe evenly, standing up so she had a better view. "Anakin," she began, "connect your data key to the central maintenance panel. The diagnostic test should load automatically."
Anakin followed her instructions.
"Check the display on the data key," Chloe continued. "Once the diagnostic has cleared you should see a green light flashing. When the light stops you can enter the droid codes from the display panel in front of you and upload the antidote."
"Copy that," Anakin said.
Chloe couldn't make out the detail of the display in the holo. "What can you see?" She drummed her fingers on the table.
"Nothing," Anakin said. "Wait… A light is coming on."
Chloe still couldn't make anything out.
"It's not… no it's not green. Sixty…it's numbers. A count down – it's a count down." Anakin's voice rose a little. "Fifty-six, Fifty-five… Any ideas?"
But Chloe didn't panic. For once, she found herself extremely calm. Her mind was ready, clear, alert, and very quickly she remembered – she'd seen this before. Tapping her keyboard, she scrolled efficiently through pages of text.
"Thirty-seven, thirty-six…" Anakin continued to count down.
Got it! Chloe thought it looked familiar. Wait… that meant…
"Anakin," Chloe spoke as quickly as she could without rushing, "it's a warning that an anti-tamper alarm has been tripped in the system. What you're seeing is a countdown to a distress signal. When the time runs out a radio signal will alert all droids under the influence of the virus that they are under attack. The antidote will still work but you need set up an interference signal so the distress call can't be detected before the antidote is fully uploaded."
"Copy that," Anakin responded. "I can set up the interference signal using a back channel on the control terminal."
Chloe smiled. He was a natural.
"Once you have the interference signal set up configure the antidote and run it. When the data key flashes blue you can shut off the interference signal and the antidote should take effect in less than a second."
"I understand," Anakin said. "So I guess this is goodbye."
"Yes. Good luck."
A few moments later the holo of the control room flickered, then disappeared.
"Anakin? Anakin, do you read me?" Obi-Wan fiddled with the controls in front of him.
"He can't hear you," Chloe said, watching the count down she'd set up to match Anakin's. She looked up. "While the interference signal is operational all communications will be blocked. We just have to wait."
"How long has it been?" Mace Windu asked, restlessly tapping his long fingers together.
Chloe checked her screen. "One minute thirty-two seconds."
"And the antidote should be ready after two minutes?"
"So long as he's configured it correctly." Chloe glanced across to Obi-Wan for reassurance, but he didn't look up. One hand cupping his face, he was focusing intently on the empty space where Anakin's holo had been.
"Master Kenobi," Mace's voice was raised to get Obi-Wan's attention. "Are the strike team ready to go in?"
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said quietly, finally looking up. "They are in covert positions near the four entrances to the palace and are waiting for my command."
Obi-Wan tapped a key on the table. Four holos appeared, each showing a similar image: A view, partially obscured through overhanging vegetation, towards large wooden gates set in a stone wall.
"One minute fifty-seven," Chloe counted out loud, "fifty-nine, two minutes." She looked up at the holotable.
Nothing.
"Commander Cody, stand by," Obi-Wan ordered.
"Copy that," came the reply.
Still nothing.
"Two minutes ten seconds," Chloe reported.
"Master Kenobi…" Mace's hand gripped the arm of his chair tightly. "They need to go in now."
"Just a few more seconds, give him chance." Obi-Wan's jaw clenched, his gaze focused intently on the table.
"Two minutes thirty seconds," Chloe's voice wavered as she sat down. Her legs felt weak. Dread started to grow in the pit of her stomach. The antidote should definitely be working by now. Where was he?
"Master Kenobi…" Mace stood up.
Obi-Wan ignored him.
"Commander Cody, this is Mace Windu. You are cleared to go."
The clone commander's com crackled. "I err…"
"Go!" Mace bellowed.
"All teams, cleared to go, repeat, cleared to go," Cody shouted. The holos on the table jerked and flickered as the cameras started to move, then a loud extracted explosion sounding as the gates were blown. The view was obscured by smoke. Chloe could hear shouting, followed by a few shots.
Where are you Anakin? Where are you? She scanned the broken images frantically.
Suddenly there was more shouting, scuffling…
And then a scream.
"Hold your fire!" the muffled voice of the clone trooper commanded. "All troopers, hold your fire!"
A moment later the holos above the table flickered and Anakin's channel reappeared. The image coalesced into the body of a clone trooper, pinned under a booted foot, a bright lightsaber blade held to his throat.
"Anakin!" Chloe and Obi-Wan spoke at the same time.
"Master."
Chloe grinned at the sound of Anakin's voice.
The boot lifted and, with a groan, the clone trooper sat up, holding onto his leg.
"Just a scratch, " Anakin said, "although it was very nearly much worse. And you have some explaining to do."
The camera panned and Chloe recognised the palace hall again. A ring of assorted droids, all motionless, surrounded the circular room, interspersed at regular intervals by stubby towers of neatly-stacked crates.
"Mining demolition charges," Anakin explained. "One direct hit from a blaster and the whole palace would have gone up."
Chloe swallowed, chilled by fear for what could have happened. Obi-Wan groaned quietly, rubbing his forehead with the fingers of one hand. "And the hostages?" he said, looking up.
"Unharmed," Anakin replied. "The antidote deactivated the droids just moments before the strike team entered." The camera panned again to show the civilians, still huddled together in the centre of the room, looking even more terrified than before. Somewhere a baby started to cry.
"Commander Cody, any casualties?" Mace asked.
"Just the one, sir. He'll be fine."
"Good," Mace replied. "General Kenobi will debrief you. Now, with the crisis averted please excuse me, I have urgent business to attend to. Miss O'Brian." He nodded to Chloe and then swept out of the room.
Chloe watched the door close behind him, then leant back in her chair, finally allowing the relief to wash over her. Mace Windu's attitude had been a bit of a shock; he was far more aggressive than she had expected. But she was too distracted to think properly now. To one side, Obi-Wan was conversing quietly with the female Twi'lek.
"Master, are you going to tell me now why you didn't trust me?" Anakin's voice burst over the com. He was obviously trying to remain calm, but his anger was palpable, even across the ether. His holo camera image swept left and right as he went around the hall, checking on the civilians.
"I think we should leave that until you get back to the temple, Anakin."
"Was it Master Windu's idea, or yours?" Anakin ignored the warning in Obi-Wan's voice. "Or did you decide together to go behind my back?"
"As I said, Padawan, we will debrief you fully on your return, both informally and before the Council." Obi-Wan's tone was light but his was expression deadly serious.
"I… of course. Yes Master." Anakin stressed the title with a grumpy sneer, bordering on openly disrespectful. "I'll finish up here. See you tomorrow."
The com channel went dead.
Obi-Wan sighed, pressing a sequence of buttons on the table. Gradually, all the holos flickered and then disappeared.
Chloe turned her attention back to her screen and started shutting her programs down. As she finished, Obi-Wan strode over to her.
"Congratulations," he said, with a genuine smile. "A very successful first operation."
He held out his hand, and Chloe took it cautiously. His handshake was firm and warm, and she felt comforted by it, as she had when he'd touched her earlier. She let go reluctantly.
Obi-Wan nodded back, then turned to leave.
Chloe swivelled her chair back to the table, tapping the surface with her fingers as she glanced around. The room was silent; it had emptied without her noticing. These Jedi were just a little too efficient for her liking. She stood up and pressed the few button to power down her terminal, suddenly aware of the adrenaline buzzing through her body; the echo of a quite unbelievable day.
She felt empty, exhausted yet alert, jittery to the point of giddiness. She couldn't imagine how she would fall asleep tonight.
And, she found, to her surprise, she couldn't bear the thought that Obi-Wan was about to walk out of the room and leave her there alone.
But he was about to do just that.
"Wait…" she found herself calling after him, without any idea of what she would say next.
Obi-Wan paused and turned back to face her.
Chloe smiled nervously. "You're not telling me that's it? After all that you just go off to meditate or something?"
He considered her question seriously. "Often, yes. After all, I have to get up tomorrow and face Anakin."
"So that means occasionally, you do something else?" Chloe quite liked the flirtatious woman who seemed to be possessing her body.
"Why, what did you have in mind?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, taking a few steps back towards her, a slight swagger to his walk. In fact it was more stalk than walk.
Thinking this was about to be both the bravest, and quite possibly the stupidest thing she'd done all day, Chloe waved her hand vaguely in the air. "I don't know, I thought it might be good to get out of here and celebrate. Perhaps. If, you know… you want. To." Her hand ended up on her hip, and she fumbled her fingers round to her back, playing with the hem of her shirt, letting a lock of hair fall over her face, seductively.
SEDUCTIVELY?
What was she doing?
"Ah, I see, " Obi-Wan said. He turned back and headed for the door again. Chloe watched him go.
With every step her wretched, pathetic, exhausted heart sank closer to her boots.
Obi-Wan paused at the door, half-turning his head back towards her. The white of his teeth reflected the light as he smiled. "Well?" he glanced over his shoulder. "Are you coming, or not?"
Whistling, he disappeared into the corridor.
Chloe grinned, then hurried after him.