Tales from the Temple
Chapter 12: Defiance
Kamino had fallen.
Obi-Wan couldn't believe his ears. And judging by the heavy silence that settled on the Council Chamber, none of the masters could. However, his foremost concerns lay elsewhere than those of the others.
Kamino had fallen.
And with it, countless lives had been lost. Troopers and scientists and those who helped train the troopers.
And Master Shaak Ti.
Murmurs slowly rose and transformed into anxious talk, but it all stayed in the background as Obi-Wan closed his eyes and reached into the Force. Fear gripped his heart as he searched for the bond that had formed so long ago, the bond that had given him so much strength and faith in the turbulent years. It'd always been there, no matter the distance. Sometimes weaker, sometimes stronger, but always there—a constant beacon in the vast galaxy—a beacon he was not allowed to have.
But there it was. It was still beckoning to him, albeit weakly. A hardly perceptible smile graced his lips before he schooled his features and opened his eyes to look at the masters in the room.
"My troopers and Anakin's, for that matter, are free to be deployed," he offered in a steady voice. "We are ready to provide support."
"There is nothing left to provide support for," Mace pointed out.
"Then let us help the search and rescue," Obi-Wan pressed.
"A futile mission it would be." Yoda sat stoically in his seat. "We cannot spare the resources."
"Cannot spare?!" It was a struggle not to cry out in indignation. Yet, Obi-Wan remained calm. "You are suggesting leaving all those people behind... leaving one of us behind."
"A suggestion it was not. The Council had decided."
Obi-Wan looked over the stoic faces of his companions, and his heart sank. He bowed his head, took a deep breath, then straightened. "I can still feel her. Master Ti is alive."
"That is not possible," Mace pointed out. Obi-Wan smiled under his nose, more from frustration than anything else.
"You know it is," he looked the man straight in the eyes. "And I know that she is alive."
"A forbidden relationship you are talking about," Yoda turned large eyes on him.
"Yes," Obi-Wan snapped before composing himself somewhat. Had it always been this hard to speak with the others? "And if you want to get stuck on that detail, by all means, you can do that... after we all acknowledge the fact that Master Ti is still alive. And who knows how many others as well."
"That doesn't change the fact that we have no troopers to spare for a mission, the gain of which is hardly perceptible," Ki-Adi-Mundi supplied.
The whole conversation started to get really absurd and highly disturbing for Obi-Wan. What happened to the Jedi values he swore to protect?
"Then I will go to Kamino myself," he stated with such defiance he had never felt before. "With or without your permission." Obi-Wan stood and strode towards the door.
"If you leave for Kamino without permission, you will force our hands. You will be expelled from the Order." Mace's voice was stern and unsympathetic.
Obi-Wan only stopped momentarily before turning and facing the Council again. He reached for the lightsaber on his belt, unclipped it, and tightened his hold on it for a moment before handing it to Plo Koon. The old master took it with a nod that Obi-Wan reciprocated. He understood him.
Then Obi-Wan left.
He only stopped by his quarters to hastily pack up his meager belongings, and then, with a bag on his back, he started towards the hangar, trying to figure out how to get a ship. By the turbo-lift, however, he came face to face with Anakin, who was apparently waiting for him, propped against the wall.
"So, Kamino it is," he regarded him as Obi-Wan came to a stop.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan started with fond exasperation, "where I go, you cannot follow."
"Sure, I can." Anakin pushed himself away from the wall. "Here, you'll need this." He threw Obi-Wan's lightsaber to the man. He didn't dare to guess how he had gotten hold of it.
"Anakin, I've just defied the Council and left the Order."
"Well, then, it's time for me to leave, too," he stated in such a matter-of-fact tone that made Obi-Wan blink. "Where you go, I go." And when he blinked, there were definitely tears in there. Anakin was kind enough to ignore it as he wiped his eyes with the edge of his robe. "Come, Padmé had a ship ready for us."
"Thank you, my friend." Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gratefully before they turned to embark on a new chapter in their lives.
THE END
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