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Keeping discreetly in the shadows, Anakin went south towards Ergo's business district. He was expecting chaos in the streets, but oddly enough, everything was dark and eerily quiet. He could sense the presence of people nearby, but there wasn't anyone within eyesight. There wasn't even a transport about.
The young Jedi also had the distinct feeling of being watched, despite his caution. Using the Force, he tried to connect with whomever it was tracking him. He had no way of knowing if the presence was hostile or merely curious.
It occurred to him that it might be droids watching him, or computerized scanners, or some other form of technology. There wasn't any aura of emotion in the air. The Force was charged, but not with any imminent sensations of danger. Anakin breathed in and analyzed every tremor and disturbance. Still, all he could feel was a presence.
He mentally weighed the pros and cons of purposefully revealing himself to draw whatever it was out in the open for a confrontation. If it was a droid, Anakin was confident he could easily overcome it.
The sense of being watched was growing stronger as if more eyes or scanners were amassing in the shadows. Anakin's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his lightsaber. He moved off the street and into a well-lit empty lot behind one of the businesses. He situated himself in the middle of the lot and turned around slowly. In moments, the "eyes" began to materialize out of the shadows.
There were twelve altogether. Armed enforcement droids, most likely deployed by Captain Vrone to patrol the outskirts of the city. They approached warily, weapons trained on the young Jedi.
"You are under arrest, Citizen! Stand where you are for processing!" one of the droids, Anakin couldn't tell which, shouted at him in a thick mechanical accent.
Anakin inhaled slowly and tightened his grip on his lightsaber concealed under his cloak. Something was about to happen, he could feel it.
"What for?" the Jedi questioned, playing along for the time being.
"Statute seven breach," another mechanical voice informed him.
Anakin shook his head. "And what's that?"
"Curfew," the first droid explained. Anakin discovered it was the one closest on his right. "You are under arrest. Stand where you are for processing." As if given an inaudible order, the other eleven droids quickly surrounded him in a loose circle.
Twelve, Anakin thought. He tried to calculate his chances of sucessfully overcoming all of them with minimal personal injury. Even Obi-Wan, who's wild style with a lightsaber was effortlessly accurate, would have had difficulty rising above these odds. For the first time in a long time, Anakin thought he just might be in trouble.
"Don't shoot, I'm unarmed," he fibbed, slowly raising his hands above his head. Opportunity comes to all in time, he thought.
One of the droids stepped closer but then suddenly fell back, sparking and smoking in the snow, struck by a white-hot blast of energy that exploded out of the darkness. Other droids began dropping while others turned around and began shooting haphazardly around the lot.
Rapid laser blasts filled the night air. Someone was firing on the enforcement droids. Speaking of opportunity, the Jedi thought with grateful relief. Anakin drew his lightsaber and dove into the fracas swinging, taking down three droids with one blow.
Moments later, blasted and dissected bits of droids littered the vacant lot. The shooting ceased just as suddenly as it had started. Anakin whirled around once, his blue lightsaber blade illuminating his face.
"I lied! I'm armed!" Anakin called out to his mysterious benefactors. "Vrone's toy soldiers were just a warm up exercise, so don't try anything stupid." He took a deep breath and expelled it slowly, waiting. He realized he didn't sound as thankful as he felt, but he didn't want to take anymore chances.
"Who are you?" a woman's voice called to him.
Anakin raised an eyebrow. Human at least. But still armed. Maybe a member of the resistance Nare had spoken of.
"I am Anakin Skywalker. I am a Jedi. Who are you?" He lowered his saber slightly in good faith. The Force was settling around him. It seemed the danger had passed.
A figure in black stepped momentarily out into the light to reveal her position. There were others with her. Anakin counted four. Much better odds. He deactivated his lightsaber and reattached it to his belt, then walked forward to meet them.
"My name is Teira Rure," the woman introduced herself. "This is Lex Coln. Jaren Beedna. And this is my son, Mortane."
Anakin nodded respectfully. "Rure? Are you related to the mayor by chance?"
Teira Rure nodded. "He is my husband. He sacrificed his freedom so Mortane and I could get away. They took him to Maerske." She paused and lowered her eyes briefly, struggling to overcome her grief. "We are now part of an organized resistance force that intends to take back our government and put an end to this oppression. The others are meeting in a warehouse just west of here."
Anakin licked his lips anxiously. "Can you take me to them? I need to speak with whomever is in charge. The more information I have to take back to my master the better."
Teira's eyes lit up. She and the others exchanged hopeful smiles. "Have you come to fight with us?" Her excitement grew even more at the idea. "We knew the Republic wouldn't abandon us to this despot."
Anakin's heart sunk. "I'm not here, in a sense, to join you....I am only out seeking information. My master and I were the acting ambassadors during the pre-election platforms. We made a presentation on behalf of the chancellor."
The four resistance members exchanged confused glances. Mortane suddenly raised his blaster.
"He's a spy!" he announced. "A real Jedi would help us. He just wants our secrets!"
Anakin held up his hands. "I'm not a spy!" he hurriedly explained. "I'm telling the truth. The only reason we know anything about what's going on at all is because your councilwoman claimed sanctuary at the Jedi Cathedral earlier this evening when Vrone's forces came to take her away. My master and I have sworn to safeguard her until we can work something out with the governor, but for now that is all we are allowed to do."
Anakin searched the expressions of the resistance members for some sign of comprehenson. Instead, they looked skeptical and disgusted. Anakin tried again. "My master has informed the Jedi Council back on Coruscant of your plight. In turn, they will see that the chancellor and the senate are notified." He sighed despondently. "I'm sure help is on the way."
Mortane turned his head to the side and spat in the snow. "In the meantime, we die! Our city is turned into a prison! Citizens of the Republic are locked away! And you, a Jedi, have the arrogance and audacity to turn your back on us in our time of need."
"One Jedi is worth ten resistance fighters," Lex pointed out. "We are not soldiers. We are common citizens. Business people and laborers. We do not know how to fight. We are only guessing. If you and your master agree to fight alongside us, we can easily defeat Vrone's forces and liberate the camps."
"Other Jedi will come," Anakin stressed. "They will help you. I'm sorry, but I cannot. I need to be with my master to watch over the councilwoman." The Force was stirring again. Anakin's heart pounded inside him and his blood turned cold. Alarms were going off in his mind but he couldn't pin them down with all the tangled emotions clouding his thoughts.
"If you are not for us then you must be against us," Teira Rure announced, raising her blaster rifle and pointing it at Anakin. "I think Mortane is right. What you're saying doesn't make any sense. Real Jedi do not refuse to help the people who need them. I don't know much about your creed, but I do know that much."
Anakin bowed his head. "It didn't make sense to me either until now," he admitted. "I believe wholeheartedly in what you are trying to do, but try to understand. My master will talk to the governor tomorrow about what's been happening since the election. He will be confronting the very root of your oppression."
"And accomplish what?" Jaren interjected.
"Obi-Wan is a superlative diplomat. He has accomplished more with a lot less to work with than what he has now. Besides, the Jedi aren't above making threats," Anakin told him. "And any threats my master makes can be carried out with a report to the chancellor himself."
"I've heard enough," Teira said. All eyes turned to her with inquisitive expressions. She faced Anakin. "Come with us to the warehouse. We will share with you what we know." Her companions stared back at her as if she had lost her mind. She held up her hand to stifle any further protests.
The Force darkened and moved erratically around Anakin. He closed his eyes briefly to tune into it more precisely. "We need to leave this place," the Jedi murmured. "I keep sensing danger but I can't isolate it." He opened his eyes and looked at Teira. "Thank you for trusting me."
Teira started off, withdrawing deeper in the shadows. "Can you show us you trust us in return, young Jedi?"
Anakin felt it was important to assure her he did. "I trust you," he declared, following her readily into the shadows.
"Then hand over your lightsaber to Mortane," she instructed. "It will be returned to you after you leave the warehouse."
Anakin stopped in his tracks. "I...cannot surrender my lightsaber to you. That's the very first lesson a padawan is taught. We keep our lightsabers with us at all times when outside the Temple."
Mortane's blaster was back up, trained on Anakin's forehead. "What did I tell you? Why are we wasting anymore time with this spy?"
Teira placed her hand on the muzzle of the blaster and lowered it away from Anakin. "Trust is a sacred thing, Mortane. Don't you agree, Jedi?"
Anakin sighed heavily. He felt he had no other choice. "Very well. When we get to the warehouse, I'll hand it over. But to Lex. Not Mortane."
"What's the matter?" Mortane grinned. "Don't you TRUST me?"
"I trust you, it's just that I don't like you!" Anakin snapped back.
"Come," Teira urged. "We need to go now." She all but vanished in the dark, her rag-tag band of freedom fighters trailing after her.
It had finally stopped snowing and the wind had quietly died. The snow had settled in small drifts against the stationary objects in the cathedral gardens and was piled precariously high on any raised flat surface, leaving the open spaces on the ground all but bare. Drifts sloped along the black stone walls beneath the south tower, giving the spire the illusion of having grown in the night and ice edged the overhangs with spindly frozen daggers that glistened like faceted jewels in the moonlight. The landscape's stark, cold beauty mirrored the city of Ergo. It too seemed dark, misshapen and forlorn.
Saloma couldn't sleep. She stared out at the distant lights which were randomly scattered throughout the city. It wasn't at all like the vibrant, luminous metropolis that stared back at her on other nights. Ergo's colorful cityscape could normally be seen to the edge of the horizon from any window in her three story townhouse. How quickly things change, she thought.
Nare had informed her that the governor had issued a curfew. He ordered the ports, businesses, and schools closed until further notice. Her fellow councilmembers, the mayor, and some of her friends had been taken to Maerske with a number of other citizens she represented. Even with the coming dawn, the city wouldn't wake to greet the new day.
Lowering the hood of the cloak, Saloma turned away from the bleak view to go back inside. She looked up and was startled to see Obi-Wan standing before her. She gasped and placed her hand over her heart.
"Obi-Wan! Forgive me, I--"
"You must have been in deep thought," the Jedi pointed out. "I've been standing here for quite sometime."
Saloma massaged her eyes. "Well, why didn't you say something instead of just standing there?"
Obi-Wan stared blankly at her. She'd looked so beautiful in the moonlight, he had wanted to just gaze at her for awhile, but he didn't want to tell her that. "I called your name twice, but you didn't acknowledge me." He had, but not loud enough for her to hear him.
"Oh," Saloma sighed. "Then I apologize." She hugged herself and lowered her head, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
"Where's Nare?" the Jedi asked.
"Asleep in one of the rooms. He was nearly exhausted. I didn't think you or Anakin would mind. He plans to leave in the morning."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, of course we wouldn't mind. He's welcome to stay as long as he likes."
Saloma frowned. "If I put him in one of your rooms, I'm sorry. We checked the room and didn't find any personal effects in it."
Crossing his arms over his chest, Obi-Wan peered at her curiously. "You probably wouldn't. Jedi travel light out of necessity. Don't worry about which bed you gave your brother. Anakin and I can sleep anywhere. We appreciate any bed we are given." Then: "Why do you keep apologizing?"
Saloma looked up sharply. "Because....I'm sorry. That's why."
"Sorry about what?" the Jedi pressed. He could tell she was upset. With him? Anxiety creased her forehead as she narrowed her eyes before replying.
"I guess I keep saying it because you haven't acknowledged it yet. Instead, you treat me like I'm a bad influence on you or something."
Obi-Wan straightened and placed his hands on his hips. "Then I am the one who needs to apologize to you. It was never my intention to make you feel that way."
"I know. It's just that you...you think one thing, but you say another," Saloma accused. "I noticed it when we first met in the foyer this afternoon. Why don't you just be honest with people? You try to present this stoic, disciplined image to others when inside, you are just as wildly emotional and reckless as Anakin." Her voice quivered slightly and her large eyes began watering, but she crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to one leg in a defiant pose.
Obi-Wan flinched slightly and hoped she didn't notice. "How audacious of you to presume to know what I'm thinking," he responded coolly.
Saloma continued to stare up at him, her mouth set in a tight thin line. "I know," she said simply. "Believe me."
The Jedi dropped his eyes from her and took a long, steadying breath. He suddenly realized why what she was claiming could be true. Saloma's exotic features and black-colored skin were not common among most Ergonians. She looked more like a Flaro, a native of the southern polar region. Many Flaro women were known to be gifted with ultra-sensory perceptions. If Saloma wasn't all Flaro, she was at least half-Flaro. And like them, she could read minds. She had been reading HIS mind all along. He cursed inwardly.
"I hope you don't use that kind of language around Anakin. He's at a very impressionable age," Saloma quipped.
"Thank you, that will be quite sufficient," Obi-Wan murmured. Using the Force, he immediately quieted his racing mind. He could feel his face flush deep red with embarrassment. He moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue, then slowly peered up at her. "Then you know...everything? The way I feel? All the secrets I keep?"
Saloma softened and reached up to place her hand on his cheek reassuringly. "No. It's nothing like that. We Flaros 'hear' things, that's all. It's like unconsciously eavesdropping. I hear snippets of conversations people have with their minds." She offered him a small smile. "I heard your expletive because you 'said' it so clearly." She paused and inched closer to him. "People usually feel violated when they find out I can read their thoughts, so I don't share this information too broadly. I don't want people to start avoiding me."
"It is slightly unnerving," Obi-Wan admitted. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently, gratefully.
"It shouldn't be any more unnerving than what you Jedi can do to someone's mind. It all comes down to ethics. And believe me, I try not to listen in most of the time."
A disquieted expression shadowed the Jedi's features. "Is this why you believe I'm so two-faced?"
Saloma bowed her head. "I don't believe that. But I know you struggle with yourself over everything. You disapprove of a lot of what your heart tells you, I know that. You won't allow yourself to just be human. You feel you always have to be the Jedi Master. You are trying to be so careful around Anakin, you feel you can't show him who you really are. He would respect you more if you would be up front with him and treat him like an equal."
Obi-Wan grimaced. "So you've been listening in on my padawan's thoughts as well as mine?"
Saloma nodded.
"I suppose I am a little over-protective of him. He's a very special boy and it's just that he becomes so emotional on his own, he doesn't need any of my emotions to feed off of. His temper is going to get him in serious trouble one of these days." An unsettling thought suddenly occurred to Obi-Wan. "Why do you keep insisting I'm angry with you? That I blame you for what's happened? If you have been reading my mind, you should realize nothing is farther from the truth."
Saloma turned away from Obi-Wan and cleared her throat. "Just before you were going to kiss me," she began quietly, "you were blaming me for keeping you 'prisoner' here. You were angry because you couldn't think straight when I was around you. You thought of me as a problem of yours that needed solving. Do you remember thinking those things?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Vaguely...but that wasn't how I felt."
"Well, I read minds, not hearts," Saloma replied defensively. "If you heard someone saying things like that about you, how would you interpret it?"
"I suppose the same way. But let me explain." Obi-Wan placed a hand on her shoulder and gently turned her around to face him. "It's certainly no secret now how attractive I find you. I guess it never really was," he began, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. "In fact, when you are close to me, I find you so enchanting, I can't keep my mind on anything beyond the way the moonlight reflects in your eyes or how clearly I can see a snowflake's pattern against the blackness of your hair. So actually I'm captivated by you, not 'your prisoner'." He reached up and cupped her chin in his hand. "Is that why you turned away from me before I could kiss you?"
Saloma lowered her eyes. "Actually, I kept catching an occasional thought appreciating my physical looks, but I didn't know you were about to kiss me until you began thinking about it afterwards. When you asked if I wanted it too, I thought you were thinking about the sanctuary." She sighed despondently and slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "Did I miss my golden opportunity? Are you going to insist on being the staid Jedi Master pulling all the strings, bearing all the responsibility, or are you going to be a real person and acknowledge the undeniable feelings we have between us?"
Obi-Wan smiled. I choose to be real, he thought purposefully. He knew she heard him when she grinned and placed her arms around his neck. He bent towards her, sliding his hands around her back and pulling her up against him. Saloma leaned her head back and parted her lips. Sighing with anticipation, Obi-Wan closed his eyes.
The comlink in his tunic pocket suddenly began bleeting, insisting on attention. Groaning in protest, Obi-Wan pulled back to answer it.
"It's Anakin," Obi-Wan informed Saloma. "His timing is always impeccable."
Saloma smiled understandingly. "Where did he run off to?" she asked. "I guess I didn't notice he was gone."
"He left because he was upset. He told me he was just going to have a look around, but he's been gone most of the night," Obi-Wan told her, fishing the comlink out of his pocket.
"Maybe he's found himself a pretty Ergonian girl to take his mind off his troubles," Saloma said trying to reassure him. "He's probably calling to tell you not to wait up for him."
"Unfortunately, I doubt that," Obi-Wan said and smiled. "Anakin's heart belongs to another." He quickly turned on the comlink and spoke into it, trying to keep his voice even. "Anakin, where are you?"
"Obi-Wan! I think it might be a warehouse. They're holding me here. I drank some tea and it was laced with something...I don't know what, but now my reflexes are all but non-existent. There's no windows that I can see. It's dark. And there's a guard at the door. I...I don't have my lightsaber anymore. I gave it to, oh I can't remember his name. The one guy gave it to Teira's son. I don't like him. I know I really screwed up. But I--"
Suddenly the transmission broke off. Obi-Wan stared at the comlink in shock. Saloma looked up at him, horrified.
"Vrone must have him," she guessed. "He's probably close to the governor's mansion. He said he thought it was a warehouse, so at least we know he's not in prison."
Obi-Wan thrust the comlink inside his tunic. He turned on his heel and hurried off the balcony. Saloma was beside him as he loped down the stairs and strode purposefully to the north side of the cathedral.
"Do you know of any warehouses in that area?" he questioned Saloma, glancing back at her as she jogged to keep up with him. "Would Nare know?"
"There's four I can think of that are within a five kilo radius. There's also the warehouses on the industrial side of the port, but they are much farther away."
Having reached the north tower, Obi-Wan swept into one of the guest rooms and retrieved a backpack that had been tossed in one of the corners. He opened it and pulled out various items, then began stuffing the items into pouches on his utility belt.
"What's that for?" Saloma asked.
"To counter the effect of the drug he's been given," the Jedi informed. He finished and tossed the pack back in the corner. "Which room is Nare in?"
"The next one down."
Obi-Wan nodded and hurried over to it. He rapped loudly on the door and entered without waiting for Nare to answer him.
The young man sat up groggily. "Sal? What is it? What's wrong?"
Saloma rushed to his side. "They've got the young Jedi," she began. "We've just received word. They're keeping him in a warehouse."
Nare sprung up out of bed, instantly awake. "Do you know which one?"
"I was hoping you might," Obi-Wan interjected. "Anakin said there wasn't any window. It was dark. He's being kept in a separate room from the sound of it. An inner office maybe?"
Nare shook his head. "I don't know. I would try the warehouses down by the port though. They are older. Some of them don't have windows. But there's so many in Ergo. How will you get inside them all to look for him?"
Obi-Wan placed his hand on Nare's shoulder. "Don't worry about that. If I'm anywhere near him, I'll be able to sense his presence. I can locate him that way. But there is a time element. I'd like to have him back before dawn. I have a feeling if I'm away too long, Vrone's forces will discover it and storm the cathedral." He paused and licked his lips anxiously. "I need you to look after your sister for me while I'm gone. If Vrone does decide to breach the sanctuary, you need to get her out of here fast."
Obi-Wan noticed Nare eagerly nodded his head while Saloma shook hers. He sighed heavily. "Saloma you would have to go. Neither myself nor Anakin will be here to defend you if Vrone comes to get you."
"No. I'm going with you," she announced. "I can help you."
Now Obi-Wan was shaking his head. "I don't need your help. Thank you anyway."
Saloma put her hands on her hips. "Oh, you know this city that well, do you? I thought you just said time was important. I can take you directly to all the warehouses until you find him."
Nare faced Obi-Wan. "I can show you the warehouses. Sal can stay here."
The Jedi Master closed his eyes briefly. "No. It would be too dangerous to leave Saloma alone here." He knew what she offered made perfect sense, but he was still put off by the idea of taking her out of the cathedral.
"It'll be all right," Saloma assured him. She looked over at her brother. "Here, give me your coat and your boots," she said, reluctantly pulling off Obi-Wan's cloak and handing it over to him. "If anyone sees me, they'll think I'm a man."
"That's a good plan," Nare agreed. He helped his sister into his coat and handed her his boots.
"Very well, but stay close to me," the Jedi told Saloma. He slipped into his cloak and was comforted by its heavy, familiar warmth. He raised the hood and caught a faint whiff of spicey perfume; Saloma's perfume. He smiled. It made him feel like her arms were around him, telling him everything would be okay.
Anakin cursed and spat blood on the floor after having his lower lip split open by the butt of Mortane's blaster. His head reeling from the blow, he straightened slowly, glaring at the young resistance fighter who wasn't much older than he was. Mortane held up the comlink Anakin had been using, then flung it out the door. Teira entered the room, wondering about the sudden commotion.
Anakin pointed at her son. "Keep him away from me," he said in a low, menacing tone.
Teira looked over at Mortane. "What's going on here?"
"He was calling the other Jedi," Mortane began. "I heard him through the door and found him using that device." He gestured out where he had thrown the comlink.
"What can you possibly hope to gain by holding me against my will?" Anakin questioned Teira. "You are only making enemies of your allies."
Teira looked up at Anakin, but addressed Mortane. "It's good that he called him. That's exactly what we wanted. Now the other Jedi knows we are holding him. In turn, he'll call for reinforcements. This is what we want. To make the Republic and the Jedi Knights aware of our cause." She glanced at her son. "Do not strike him again. We are not Vrone's brutes."
"No, Mother. He has betrayed us. He has called his friend here to confront us." He glowered at Anakin. "We will have to kill this Jedi or be killed ourselves."
Teira refused to be alarmed. "He would be foolish to seek us out alone. There are many of us and only one of him."
Anakin sighed heavily. "Don't you realize that by holding me, you are putting the life of the councilwoman in danger? Obi-Wan will have to leave her alone in the cathedral without protection. I am his first responsibility and he will not hesitate to try to find me. Foolish or not, Obi-Wan is coming here, and I wouldn't be too consoled by the fact that he is one man."
Mortane adjusted the setting on his blaster and aimed it at Anakin. "You will sleep now," he announced and fired. Anakin staggered back a step, then slowly sunk to the floor.
Following her son, Teira backed out of the room and closed the door behind her. "Lock it up and let's go. We need to regroup with the others. The Jedi has served his purpose. We don't need him anymore. I'll go inform Lex and Jaren." She turned and hurried off.
Mortane watched her disappear into the shadows. He locked the door seal and smiled smugly. "Be one with the Force, my friend," he said sarcastically as he withdrew Anakin's lightsaber from his coat and activated it. He touched the blade to a tarpaulin covering a shipment of new generators being stored just outside the office.
The lightsaber easily cut through the fire-resistant tarp and connected with the generators. Mortane drove the blade down into the powercell, holding it there until it ignited. The generator sparked and a small column of smoke climbed steadily to the high ceiling, engulfing the buildings smoke sensors. Mortane smiled. He had disconnected the extinguishers earlier.
Mortane began cutting away at the tarp to let the fire grow, then backed away as the flames surfaced. He deactivated the lightsaber and threw it off to the side with a grunting laugh. He knew Anakin did not tell his master he was being held by the resistance. The Jedi Master would naturally assume it was 'Vrone's brutes' who had executed his padawan. This would assure that the Jedi Knights would unite with the resistance against Governor Spiget. He tried to summon some sympathy for the young Jedi, but deep down he knew that by making a martyr out of him, Anakin would forever be revered by his kind.
Obi-Wan quelled the desperation that was beginning to grow inside him. He tried to keep his emotions reined in so he could think clearly and let the Force guide him. He and Saloma had been to three warehouses and still no sign of Anakin.
Saloma led the Jedi behind buildings and down alleys, keeping them well-concealed in shadows and far from any main thoroughfares.
The governor's mansion was just to the east and police headquarters were southwest of the fourth warehouse, but it too proved to be deserted. Obi-Wan concentrated hard, but could not sense Anakin's presence. He sighed forcefully in frustration and faced Saloma.
"How far are the other warehouses?" he asked.
She frowned. "They are on the outskirts. Close to the ports." She looked around. The shadows were fading. The sun would be rising soon. It would be harder to cross the city on foot without being noticed. "We need transportation." Without waiting for a response from Obi-Wan, Saloma started towards police headquarters and didn't stop until they came to the parking lot for the police's squad speeders.
Obi-Wan eyed her warily. "I don't think this is such a good idea," he whispered, looking around. He could feel the Force moving and centered his mind on the activity inside the headquarters building.
Saloma studied the durasteel plated fence surrounding the lot. "Can your lightsaber cut through this? I don't believe it's electrified." She tapped it gingerly with her forefinger. "No, it's not."
"Pleeease," the Jedi exhaled. His heart was pounding inside his ears. "Don't do that again," he growled. "Just let me deal with the logistics. Your job is to act as a guide. Nothing more."
Saloma fought a smile. "Yes Master," she whispered and stretched up on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"And don't distract me," Obi-Wan grinned. He activated his lightsaber and slashed easily through the fence, cutting out a piece large enough to fit one of the speeders through. He paused momentarily, looking around, then frowned. "This is way too easy," he murmured.
No sooner had he said that, when the Force crackled with warning. He looked at Saloma, his eyes widening. Soldiers began scrambling out of the building, racing towards them. The fence must have been connected to a silent alarm. Obi-Wan swiftly seized Saloma's hand and pulled her towards the nearest squad speeder.
"Can you operate one of these?" he yelled, nearly throwing her in the driver's seat. Obi-Wan jumped on the top of the vehicle, activating his lightsaber.
Saloma hurriedly studied the controls. "I...I think so. It's not quite the same as my luxury coupe, but I believe I can figure it out."
The soldiers began firing at them, shouting out orders to surrender, and declaring the two thieves under arrest. Obi-Wan deflected each blast with confident efficiency. He let the Force flow through him making his lightsaber a mere extension of his arm. A slight tremor in the Force's energy alerted him to the presence of a new danger. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied three soldiers setting up an ionic launcher.
"Saloma, I don't mean to put pressure on you," the Jedi hollered above the crash and crackle of his lightsaber. "But speed is becoming essential."
Saloma fumbled with the controls, searching desparately for the activator switch. Nothing was labeled and the panel wasn't set up like anything she'd ever seen before.
"I'm aware of that," she yelled back. "But this government issue isn't exactly user friendly!" Her hand bumped a lever accidently and suddenly, the speeder surged to life. "Aha! Hang on! I think I've got it now!"
The ionic launcher fired just as the speeder lurched forward. Obi-Wan caught the powerful bolt of energy with the base of his lightsaber blade, but the movement of the speeder and the impacting force of the ionic blast knocked him down. He tumbled off the top of the speeder, somersaulted, and landed deftly back on his feet, but by that time, the squad speeder was already out of the lot, it's engines screeching in protest. Some of the soldiers turned and shot after it.
The Jedi tried to keep his mind on the shots being fired towards him, but it was proving difficult, knowing Saloma was no longer under his protection. He knew, without a doubt, she would turn back for him, and would be putting herself at even greater risk.
I'm going to distract them, he thought, hoping Saloma could 'hear' him. When they stop firing, bring the squad around to the front of the building. I'll catch up with you there.
The sound of the speeder's engines were fading, telling him that Saloma was taking it out to a safe distance. He sighed with relief.
"Stop shooting!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. "I surrender!" Instantly the firing stopped. Obi-Wan lowered and deactivated his lightsaber. He tossed it on the ground, off to the side and slowly raised his hands. The soldiers swarmed around him and took hold of his arms to lead him inside the jail.
"You are under arrest!" the commanding officer relayed angrily. "Captain! Captain, we've got him!"
Obi-Wan's heart skipped a beat. In all the commotion, he hadn't noticed Vrone standing just beyond the fence, behind his troops. The captain strolled forward with a cruel smirk on his face.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, haven't you caused enough trouble already? What are you doing outside the cathedral? Has your ladyfriend stepped out on you?" Vrone laughed hollowly at his own joke. "And what are you doing stealing a squad speeder?"
The Jedi sighed heavily and lowered his eyes, refusing to talk. In the ensuing silence, he heard the sound of the speeder's engines again. Saloma was coming back. He had to be ready.
"I'm talking to you!" Vrone snapped. "And you better start talking as well. I have no qualms about letting you rot in prison, Jedi. To me, you are nothing but a common criminal and an enemy of the state." He started walking slowly back and forth in front of Obi-Wan, then stopped suddenly. "Where is the woman?" He cocked his head abrubtly, listening. He also heard the sound of the approaching speeder. He looked around, then turned his attention back on Obi-Wan. "Where's the other Jedi?"
The Force abruptly shifted around Obi-Wan, filling him with a darkening feeling of dread. The darkness encircled his heart and bore into the center of his mind. Split second images of Anakin flashed before his eyes. It could only mean one thing. Anakin was suddenly very much in danger. Obi-Wan looked up at Captain Vrone and leaned towards him.
"I've come for my padawan, Vrone," Obi-Wan said. His fiery blue eyes sparkled with cold menace. "Release him and I give you my word, you and your soldiers shall not come to any harm."
Vrone frowned. "I don't have your padawan, Jedi. Even if I did, do you think you are in any position to be bartering for his life? If I were you, I would be more concerned right now about my own well-being." He motioned for his soldiers to take Obi-Wan inside.
Obi-Wan went along with them willingly for the time being. The speeder was in sight now, racing down the street in front of police headquarters. Obi-Wan began to struggle slightly, keeping the soldiers occupied with trying to hold onto him. It was then he noticed Vrone had taken a blaster rifle from the soldier closest to him and was aiming it at the approaching speeder. Obi-Wan struggled in earnest now. He had to free his right hand. Keep going, he told Saloma in his mind. Don't stop for anything.
Summoning the power of the Force, the Jedi pulled his arm free of the soldiers' grasps and gestured sharply, sending them flying backwards. He called his lightsaber to his hand and as soon as the hilt touched his palm, he activated it and brought it in a wide arc down in front of Vrone. Vrone released a blood-curdling scream as the blaster rifle, with his arms still attached to it, crashed to the ground. The soldiers began shooting haphazardly in the chaos, but the Jedi swatted each blast aside with barely contained contempt. The speeder came roaring by. With lightening speed, Obi-Wan jumped up, flipped, and landed neatly on the speeder's narrow roof. He quickly lowered himself into the seat beside Saloma. The soldiers fired nonstop, but in moments the squad speeder was well out of their range.
Anakin woke to the thick acrid taste of smoke in his mouth. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The door was actually glowing, giving the dark room an eery yellow cast. Squinting, Anakin tried to focus his blurry vision and was startled to see wispy clouds of black smoke curling up from underneath the door. Maybe he was hallucinating now. Looking around wildly, he painfully pulled himself up into a sitting position and struggled to his feet.
His reflexes remained unresponsive and his mind was muddled with too many different memories. It took him a few moments to sort them out and remember where he was and how he had gotten there. Carefully, he staggered over to the door and placed his palms against it. The metal was seeringly hot. Anakin jerked his hands away with a curse.
A fire, the young Jedi thought. Just when he thought his situation couldn't get much worse, now the building was on fire. Anakin backed away fearfully. There was no way out. He was trapped.
The smoke began scalding his lungs. He coughed hoarsely and tottered to the wall opposite the burning door. He flattened himself against it and slid to the floor, trying to call on the Force, but it still eluded him. He knew his mind wasn't functioning properly due to the drugs he had been given. This was the very bottom of it all, Anakin thought. He had no lightsaber, no comlink, no Force, and no master.
Anakin struggled to remain calm. Panicking never helped in any situation.
"Obi-Wan...Master. If you can hear me, please hear me...," Anakin whispered. The smoke in the room choked his voice and he coughed violently. He started thinking about how much he wanted to report to Obi-Wan all the valuable lessons he had learned from his experiences among the resistance fighters. His master would be so impressed. Maybe he'd be so impressed, he'd someday find it in his heart to forgive him.
Anakin's eyes began to sting with irritation and a large tear rolled down his cheek. Gathering his cloak around him, he curled his large frame into a tight ball and closed his eyes. There was nothing left to do but wait.
Once Saloma had gotten used to the way the squad speeder handled, she proved to be an extraordinary driver. She maintained top speed the entire way to Ergo's ports, deftly maneuvering past any obstacles they happened upon, and precisely executing last minute hairpin turns. The Jedi beside her found himself more than once grasping the sides of the speeder to keep from being thrown out. He glared over at her and sighed heavily.
"This is like flying with Anakin--only slightly more harrowing," Obi-Wan complained. "Where did you learn how to drive?"
Saloma spared a glance in his direction. "Oh I never learned how to drive. I have a chauffeur." She smiled as the Jedi's eyes widened in shock. "I'm a fast learner however." She pat the dash affectionately. "And this thing handles like a dream."
Obi-Wan folded his arms over his chest and hunkered down in the seat. "How much farther?" he questioned, closing his eyes.
"I'm going to take you to the one on Kogget Street first," Saloma replied. "It's one of the older ones, like Nare said."
Obi-Wan nodded and tried to calm his raw nerves. He replayed Anakin's brief contact with him over and over in his mind for any clues at all that would help narrow down their search. Saloma said there were fifteen storage warehouses scattered around the port and two to the far north. Despite the fact that Saloma knew where they were and was driving like a pod-racer pilot to get to them, it was still taking too long. The sense of danger Obi-Wan felt earlier was expanding and making him more anxious. Why would Vrone have Anakin brought so far away from the jail? Why didn't he just keep him at the jail? Why keep him in a warehouse at all?
Saloma glanced at Obi-Wan and licked her lips apprehensively. "Vrone was telling the truth, Obi-Wan. He doesn't have Anakin."
Obi-Wan's eyes flew open. "You 'heard' him?" He angled himself to face her better.
Saloma nodded. "Yes. And Anakin thought he might be in a warehouse. We don't know for sure if he is or not, we're just assuming."
Obi-Wan lowered his head into his hands and covered his face. He sighed heavily. "I thought of that. I keep trying to analyze his message, but nothing else makes sense." The Jedi Master peered through his fingers and shook his head. "I fear he's in serious danger, Saloma. If I don't find him soon, I may not find him at all."
"Well, what else did he say? Something about drugged tea and his lightsaber?" Saloma urged. "What was that all about?"
Obi-Wan frowned. "He drank tea. At one time, he must have felt welcomed enough by whomever has him to have shared tea with them. Then he gave one man his lightsaber, but he gave it to his son--no, a woman's son. Tawna, Tara?"
"Teira?! Teira Rure?" Saloma exclaimed, nearly crashing the side of the speeder into a building. "Super nova, that's the mayor's wife!"
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "But why would she be holding Anakin against his will? Besides, Nare said the mayor and his family were taken to Maerske."
"They must be part of the resistance movement... they must have found him and taken him to their hideout," Saloma hypothesized. She slammed on the speeder's brakes and whipped it around a corner at the last minute. Obi-Wan glared at her again, but Saloma reached over and patted his thigh reassuringly. "The mayor's wife owns a business which employs a warehouse in the docking district to store and ship it's goods."
For the first time, a glint of hope shined in the Jedi's eyes.
The smoke blackened the early morning sky above the warehouse, blocking out the sunrise. It could be seen for quite a distance.
"He's here!" Obi-Wan announced. "I can feel him." He leapt rom the speeder before Saloma could stop it and raced towards the warehouse. "ANAKIN!"
The squad speeder skidded to a stop on the opposite side of the street. Saloma jumped out, surveying the burning building with an incredulous and mortified expression. Flames had consumed one side of the roof and thick smoke billowed from every crack in the main entry. Alarms clanged loudly in time to her thundering heart.
Obi-Wan drew his lightsaber, activated it and stabbed it fiercely into the door's seal. It slid slowly open; its mechanisms charred and misfiring. He was immediately engulfed in smoke and intense heat, but pushed the torn metal aside and ducked through the entrance.
Saloma coughed from the fumes and moved back over to the speeder. She closed her eyes and listened, hoping with all her heart she could hear something, anything from the young man trapped inside.
To her surprise, Anakin was alive and doing as well as could be expected, considering the circumstances. He was biding his time with thoughts of his mother and a beautiful girl queen. He kept telling them how much he loved them and begging to be allowed to see them once more. He rolled these tender thoughts around in his mind over and over again, refusing to lend any of his thoughts to the fire, his fear, and the very real possibility of his impending death.
Saloma's eyes watered. "Please find him, please find him," she chanted. "Let him see them again."
Anakin's lifeforce was a beacon to Obi-Wan. He fought his way through the flames and the black smoke, letting the Force guide him to a tiny inner office entirely surrounded by fire.
The gleam of a bright silver cylinder on the floor to his left, caught Obi-Wan's attention. It was Anakin's lightsaber, charred and dingy in spots, but still readily recognizable. Obi-Wan called it to his hand and latched it to his utility belt.
"Anakin? Anakin!" Obi-Wan knew his padawan was inside.
There was no answer to be heard above the roar of the flames however, and the heat inside the building was becoming unbearable. Obi-Wan coughed harshly and blinked several times to clear his vision in all the smoke.
Concentrating to focus the Force's energy on the door, the Jedi Master stretched out his hands. Slowly the flames in front of the door began to recede, flowing away from the walls like water running down an incline.
Once the way was clear, Obi-Wan smashed his lightsaber into the door and disintegrated it. He stepped inside and called to Anakin.
Anakin in turn shot to his feet. "Obi-Wan!" He stumbled over to him and threw his arms around him in a mighty embrace.
"Hurry, Padawan, we don't have much time," Obi-Wan informed, prying the young man's arms from around his neck. He produced a small vile of green liquid and gave it to Anakin. "Drink this. It will clear your head."
Anakin downed the contents in one gulp, then made a face at the foul taste.
Obi-Wan grinned. "This way." He took his hand and pulled him through the smoky door.
Saloma was crying in grateful relief by the time the two Jedi reached her. She hugged them together, then each in turn.
"I knew you had found him!" she told Obi-Wan, stepping back and wiping her eyes. "The Force is with you, young Anakin."
Obi-Wan faced Anakin, placed his hands on the sides of his padawan's neck, and gave him an affectionate squeeze. "Are you all right?" he questioned him earnestly. He noticed Anakin's bruised face and split lower lip and began searching him over for other injuries.
"Nothing a little fresh air won't fix," Anakin replied with a crooked smile. He noticed Obi-Wan's skeptical expression. "Obi-Wan, I'm fine now. Really."
Obi-Wan sighed and stepped back. "Very well. Then let's get back to the cathedral. We have a lot to discuss, you and I."
Anakin lowered his eyes. "Yes Master," he murmured.
Saloma jumped behind the driver's seat again and waved the Jedi in. "Climb in, I'll get us there in a milaparsec. I know a short cut we can use."
Anakin's eyes lit up as he spied the squad speeder. "Wizard! Where did you get ahold of this beauty?"
"It's a long story I'd rather not recall at the moment," Obi-Wan grumbled, settling himself into the front passenger seat. "Maybe when we get back to the cathedral, I'll--" He suddenly noticed Anakin was no longer paying any attention to him. The padawan stared off to the east in an unseeing gaze with an umistakable expression of unease. Obi-Wan sat forward, following the direction of his gaze. The Force was moving again. Something else was moving as well.
Anakin had sensed them before he saw them. A platoon of enforcement droids was swarming towards the warehouse on patrol swoops. "There Master!" he exclaimed, pointing.
Obi-Wan knitted his brow in vexation. The droids were coming from all directions now.
"Get us out of here," he murmured to Saloma, his eyes locked on the descending droids.
Saloma looked up from the speeder's controls as the engines roared to life. There was something ominous sounding about Obi-Wan's tone.
"What is it?" she asked, then gulped down any further inquiries at the sight of the flying red droids. "Oh hell." She focused her attention back on the squad's panel and took a deep breath. "Hang on...and lean your head back."
"What? Why?" Anakin asked, unsure if he'd heard her correctly.
"Don't argue with me Padawan! Just do it! Lean your head back, now."
"Saloma, darling, step on it," Obi-Wan urged.
Saloma depressed the accelerator. The speeder shot forward like a rocket. Anakin whooped with delight.
The droids separated. Half continued onto the warehouse, while the other half peeled off in pursuit of the squad speeder. In minutes they had gained on the squad and began firing upon it.
A few blasts ricocheted off the chasis. Saloma tried to keep her attention on driving, but it was becoming more and more difficult. The droids had the advantage of being able to get above them. The squad wasn't made for ascension, just maneuverability and speed.
Obi-Wan twisted in his seat and handed Anakin's lightsaber to him. The padawan accepted it with a surprised smile.
"You take the back. I'll get the sides," the Jedi Master told him, then turned to Saloma. "Try to keep it steady. We'll be right back."
"What? Oh no, please don't do this to me. Obi-Wan!" Saloma spared a glance up at Obi-Wan just in time to see him climbing out of the speeder onto the squad's narrow top. Without hesitation, Anakin followed.
The Jedi positioned themselves back to back, deflecting away the droid's blaster fire with graceful efficiency. However, their rapid movements rocked the squad, throwing its stabilizer off a few times. Saloma grasped the steering with both hands in a white-knuckled grip and raced on, her heart nearly stopping each time the squad dipped and rose.
Out of the corner of her eye, Saloma caught a brief glimpse of a landmark she recognized that heralded the turnoff to the cathedral. She hoped with all her might that Jedi reflexes were all they were cracked up to be, because there was no way to warn them of the approaching turn and decelarating now would be more dangerous. Holding her breath, she threw her weight against the steering mechanism and turned at breakneck speed down an alley on her right, off the main thoroughfare they had been on.
With immense relief, Saloma heard the mental cursing and accusations of insanity from the two men on top of the speeder and smiled. She'd startled them, but they were still with her. That was the important thing.
Most of the droids had not been so fortunate. Some hadn't anticipated the turnoff and had continued racing down the main road. Others had tried to follow the speeder and crashed into each other or into the corners of the buildings on either side. Now, there were only two droids left in pursuit and as soon as they resumed their attack, the Jedi were able to dispose of them within seconds.
Saloma heard the familiar ripping sound of the lightsabers being deactivated and glanced up. Anakin climbed back into the squad first. He looked more than a little haggard but his face was flushed with excitement.
"The Force is definitely with you, Anakin Skywalker," Saloma breathed in grateful relief.
"What a rush!" he exclaimed. "That was super nova!" He gave her shoulder a hearty congratulatory pat.
Obi-Wan pulled himself in finally and settled down in his seat with a heavy sigh. "I'm glad that's finished," he announced unnecessarily. He looked back at Anakin and nodded. "Well done, Padawan." Anakin inclined his head in thanks. "I'd say the Force was with you as well, Councilwoman," he continued, fixing his eyes on Saloma.
"I'll settle for a certain Jedi," Saloma quipped, reaching over and placing her hand on Obi-Wan's thigh. She squeezed it and glanced up at him. "Promise me you'll stay BESIDE me for the rest of this ride."
Obi-Wan smiled. He took her hand in his and laced his fingers through hers. "I'd like nothing better," he replied.
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