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Title: "Shadow & Light" by Quiller
Rating: PG-13, some graphic description
Disclaimer: I am only dipping my pen in George's inkwell. No credits, Republic or otherwise, have been exchanged.
Description: Obi-Wan and Anakin are on a collision course. Only one will walk away.
Comm chatter washed over Obi-Wan as he shadowed Rusk through the dog fight.
"We have a heavy fire zone in our sector. Multiple bogies incoming on Mark Six. Request assistance."
"Acknowledged, Four."
"Cover me, Five. I'll take the leader."
"Two bogies on your tail! Evade!"
"He's in my sights. Keep them off me for three mor --"
Obi-Wan winced as another fireball blossomed in the crystalline blue sky.
"They're all over me!"
"Calm down, Five." Major Rusk's voice broke in, cool and clear. "Swing to port. We're heading to intercept." A pause. "You with me, Two?"
"On your tail, One," Obi-Wan replied.
"Good. Stay there."
The dry comment brought a grim smile to the Jedi's lips. Even with the battle adrenaline pumping, he still wasn't operating at peak capacity, so flying wing for Rusk suited him just fine.
When it became apparent the Star Destroyer was initiating a grid scan of the planet, searching for unidentified technology clusters that could indicate a rebel encampment, the base had gone to evacuation mode. Rusk's diversionary force had skimmed a deep river valley for three hundred kilometers before slipping above the treetops where they were immediately detected. The Star Destroyer lost no time deploying a response force. They had proceeded to lead the Imperial forces further and further away from the base in an attempt to ensure the others escaped. It wasn't meant to be a suicide mission, just bait and run with as little fighting as possible. But the Imperials had had other ideas. The number of Imperial fighters still pouring into the fray was overwhelming. Obi-Wan was starting to feel like a lone injured Wookiee being hunted by a whole pack of Trandoshans.
A laser sizzled past his snub's canopy and he jerked the ship to port, then swung back into line with Rusk, slightly above and to the right. Rusk banked left and opened fire, raking the incoming bogies that Omega Four had warned them about. The bogies scattered.
"You're clear, Five. Hook up with Eight. Tag those bogies, Two. I have B-One. You take his wing."
Rusk zeroed in on the leader. Obi-Wan picked up the second bogie -- B-Two -- and followed it into a loop-de-loop. Halfway through, instinct made Obi-Wan snap-roll the snub right as a flurry of laser bolts cut through the air where he'd just been. Where had that bogie come from? He pulled a reverse-C and met B-Two at the bottom of its loop with quads firing. The snub missed most of the resulting debris cloud as Obi-Wan pulled up sharply.
"Blast it, Two. Why are there bogies where my wingman should be?"
"Maybe they're defecting, One." A sting of curses flew out of the comm unit. "What's that, One? You're breaking up. Swing to port. I've got a lock on the lead."
Obi-Wan thumbed the trigger. Laser fire sparked against flimsy rear deflectors. The shockwave from the exploding bogie pushed its partner below engagement threshold levels. Tree tops reached up to brush the fighter's underside, catapulting it into an uncontrolled tumble that ended in a flash of fire. The snub slipped back into its wingman slot.
"What do you think this is, Two? An airshow? Stay with me."
"Just letting you show them your stuff, One."
"Space that, Two. You have three bogies coming up on your tail. Break."
Obi-Wan glanced at his sensor displays just as his computer tagged the new threats: B-One, B-Two, B-Three. "But you said --"
"Break!"
Rusk broke right; Obi-Wan left, B-Three following his lead. Obi-Wan swung a tight circle. As the two bogies pursuing Rusk came into sight, a double burst of laser fire pierced Rusk's rear shields. The starboard engine flared, then winked out. Rusk's snub began to wobble. Obi-Wan fired off a stuttering round of lasers that caused both bogies to evade. He jerked his snub right just as B-Three fired off a round. A laser caught his rear shields, dropping them ten percent. He eased the snub in behind Rusk.
"Hold it steady, One. I'm still on your wing."
"Get out of here, Two. The engine's dead. I can't make hyperspace."
"Well, doesn't this sound familiar?" Obi-Wan thoughts flashed back to his crash on Dakshee and the major's refusal to retreat until it was obvious nothing could be done to save the Jedi.
Rusk grunted. Obi-Wan risked a glance at the sensors. The main field of engagement was well behind them and the bogies would be in position in seconds. His gaze was drawn to the limping snub in front of him; he hoped his pursuers didn't care about the wounded bird.
Obi-Wan pulled into a steep climb, the three bogies trailing after him, spitting laser fire. He juked side to side as death sizzled past him. He suddenly rolled, reversed direction and fell into a screaming dive. B-Two and B-Three followed. Pulling up just above the treeline, he swung the snub to port and circled around for a pass at the diving bogies. B-Two failed to pull up soon enough and was swallowed by the forest.
Obi-Wan strafed B-Three as it leveled out; it evaded the hail of green fire. He redirected to track the bogie, but a trail of lasers sparked over the snub's left shields and he had to veer away.
"Force, that was close," he muttered. "Forgot about the leader."
The snub's circling pass brought Obi-Wan head to head with B-Three. They rocketed toward one another, both rotating to avoid the other's fire. Obi-Wan eased up and focused intently on his target. The Force shimmered. Now. He thumbed the laser control and cut away from the resulting fireball.
The left shields lit up again as B-One streaked toward Obi-Wan with the sun at its back. Blast! Obi-Wan jerked the snub out of the line of fire and skimmed above the treetops, weaving erratically as B-One continued to dog him. This one's smart.
Obi-Wan angled the snub right, and right some more, protecting the weakened left shields. He slowed. B-One raked the snub's right shields and shot past him. Obi-Wan throttled to full speed. Even so, the fighter was leaving him behind. It began to swing to port. He cut a sharp turn, the gee's pushing him into his seat, and fired off a desperate round of lasers before the bogie was out of range. One engine flared. Obi-Wan gained a little ground and let loose another round.
B-One somersaulted and crashed into the trees. Obi-Wan blew out a slow breath, suddenly aware of the tension gripping his neck. A good pilot. Wish he'd been on our side.
A quick scan of his sensors determined Rusk's position, and he adjusted his heading. Minutes later he pulled back into his wingman slot, the final fighter a smoking pyre far behind them. "Sorry about that, One. What were you saying before we were interrupted? Something about leaving?"
Silence answered the jibe. Rusk's snub was steadily losing altitude. Obi-Wan was mildly surprised the major had managed to control the snub as long as he had. The ship rocked and bucked as it fought to remain horizontal. When Rusk's voice finally came over the comm unit, it was edged with tension. "All units, this is Omega One. Bug out. Head immediately to the rendezvous. That includes you, Two."
"I can't do that, One."
"Sithspawn! Why not?"
"I'm your wing. If you're going down, I'm going to make sure you get down in one piece."
The snub rocked wildly. Obi-Wan scanned the terrain. "Keep your nose up, One. There's a valley at two o'clock. Can you swing it?"
"Yeah. I think so." Obi-Wan heard the sweat in Rusk's voice. He silently urged the major on as the snub's course altered a degree, then another. It lurched, the right side dipping dangerously.
"Pull up!" Obi-Wan shouted.
"Blast it, I am pulling!"
Obi-Wan eased up on Rusk's right side, his left wing just under the other ship's right one. He inhaled slowly and stretched his senses outward to feel the Force between the two wings. Moisture beaded on his forehead. He gently toggled the throttle, inching the snub upwards. Metal screeched as the wing tips touched and Rusk's snub straightened out. Obi-Wan jerked right, and corrected his own snub's wobble. His breath expelled in a whoosh.
The trees fell away and a narrow valley filled the viewscreen. It looked smooth, but one rock, one tiny ridge ... The pair of snubs flashed over a small river towards the far meadow.
"It's clear, One. Take her down."
The damaged snub dropped suddenly. "Bantha crap. This is it."
Light poured through tall casement windows and splashed across the white marble floor, transforming the white and gold hallway into a shimmering mirage. Pillars soared eight meters to brace a dappled blue and white ceiling that looked like the sky on a cloudy summer day.
Black boots slapped against the stone in crisp staccato cracks. As he had all the way from the spaceport, Anakin advanced down the long hall unchallenged. Anyone who had approached had found himself the target of mind control, and had quickly turned aside, sure that the tall black-caped man had every right to be where he was. The sunlight flashed in his eyes; he hoped that his destination offered some relief from all this glaring brightness.
Two guards, stationed to each side of lofty honey-gold doors, watched the dark lord's progress. He halted in front of them and before they could say a word, he quietly ordered them to let him pass. They both blinked. The right guard inclined his head and touched the control pad behind him.
Anakin swept into the office and scanned the tan and blue decor, his eyes coming to rest on the black-haired man bent over the desk.
Without looking up the man said, "I told you I wasn't to be disturbed this morning, Jaffers." He continued making entries on his data pad for a minute, then glanced up with a scowl. Color drained from Bail Organa's swarthy complexion. He sat back in his chair and clenched the armrests with both hands. To stop them from shaking, Anakin decided smugly.
After a few seconds, the regent of Alderaan seemed to give himself a mental shake. Bail rose and said, "Lord Vader. To what do I owe this honor? Please, be seated."
Clasping his hands behind his back, Anakin replied, "You can dispense with the pleasantries, Organa. This isn't a social call."
After eyeing the dark lord thoughtfully, Bail gave a small shrug. "Very well." He sat down and rested his forearms on his desk. "To business then. What does bring you here, Lord Vader?"
Despite the initial surprise, Anakin knew that this was a man who would not be easily intimidated. Nonetheless, he glowered for a moment before replying, "Your involvement with the rebels."
One narrow eyebrow arched. Anakin thought he saw a spark of amusement in the depths of those dark brown eyes, and he had to quash the anger that immediately sought an outlet. He waited patiently for Bail's reply.
"That's a very serious charge. Unless I miss my mark, I would say that you are only on a hunting expedition here, hoping to catch your prey unawares. If you had any amount of substantive proof for such a ludicrous accusation, you would be dragging me before the Senate, not attempting to brow-beat me in private."
It was all he could do to not end the arrogant cur's life right there, but the Emperor had forbidden it. Nostrils flaring, Anakin braced his fists on the edge of the desk and leaned forward threateningly. "I will get the proof I need, Organa. You can count on that. And when I do, I will gladly give you the trial you're itching to have. Until then, continue to cringe behind your popularity in the Senate, for all the good it will do you."
A slight smile brushed across Bail's lips. "Is this the only reason for your visit? I regret that I can't be of more assistance."
"I'm sure." Anakin straightened and moved to stare out a patio window at an inner courtyard graced by marble benches and profuse flower beds. It radiated peace. Anakin could almost envy the man that could walk freely in such a place. It looked like a garden that Padme would love. Anakin frowned. He spun and faced Bail. "What would you do to keep all of this, Organa?"
Bail relaxed into his chair. "Am I under threat of losing it?"
"You will be once I have my evidence."
"Are you suggesting you'll stop looking for this mythical evidence if ... if what?"
"Tell me where to find Kenobi."
Genuine surprise rippled across Bail's features. "Obi-Wan? I have no idea where he is these days."
"You fought side by side in the Clone Wars. You became good friends."
"You were there. You should know."
"And you've fought at his side since."
"Oh? Are we back to this rebel business then?"
"Don't toy with me. Several rebel attacks have read like textbook Bail Organa battle plans."
"I'm flattered that someone would bother to study my methods."
Anakin's lip curled. "So you deny taking part in any such attacks?"
"Do you really think I'd risk my position in the Senate, not to mention the people of Alderaan, by involving myself in such things?"
Pursing his lips, Anakin glared at the head of state for a moment. Organa was ever the consummate politician -- never answering a question with a direct answer. He crossed his arms. "For someone so dedicated to his people, you've had a rather dismal Senate attendance record lately."
"I have able assistants. Alderaan is being well represented."
With a quiet snort, Anakin asked, "If you haven't been in the Senate, and you haven't been playing the rebel, where have you been these last few months?"
Obi-Wan pulled his snub in a tight circle over the meadow where Major Rusk had crashed. The ship had plowed a deep furrow, spinning to a halt when a boulder had sheared off one wing. There was no movement in the cockpit. One of the major's favorite curses slipped past Obi-Wan's lips.
Repulsors activated, Obi-Wan reduced the throttle to zero and lowered the snub to hover just above the ground ten meters behind Rusk's ship. Leaving the ship powered up, he opened the canopy and leapt to the ground, unconsciously touching the lightsaber dangling from his belt as he landed.
He trotted along side the trail of fresh-turned soil to the mangled snub. He hopped onto the intact wing and banged on the transparisteel. Rusk's body was slumped over the controls. Obi-Wan could sense the major's life force. He rapped on the canopy again, still receiving no response. He ran his fingers along the forward rim of the cockpit until he found and activated the manual release mechanism. The canopy lifted halfway open before jamming.
Obi-Wan leaned into the cramped cockpit and gently propped Rusk back against his seat and scanned his face. A large welt on his left temple was bleeding profusely. Obi-Wan dabbed at the angry cut. Rusk moaned, reflexively jerking away from the touch.
Leaning a little further in, Obi-Wan reached across the major to unclip the harness holding him in place. Two fighters screamed overhead. Obi-Wan jerked upwards, banging his head on the canopy. The fighters were circling back. Imperials. The Jedi cursed his own lack of attentiveness. He scrambled to pull Rusk from the wreckage.
The ships eased up and hovered a short distance away. Lasers burned through the air. Obi-Wan's snub exploded in a flash of brilliance. Obi-Wan threw himself over Rusk, who lay half in and half out of the cockpit. Debris rained down. A piece of shrapnel pierced the wing a centimeter from Obi-Wan's heel. Another ricocheted off the canopy.
The smoke cleared and the metal hailstorm ceased. Now both fighters trained their lasers on the damaged snub and the two rebel pilots. Glancing up repeatedly, Obi-Wan finished extracting Rusk from the cockpit and pulled him away from the ship, the major's boots thumping over the wing and leaving twin tracks in the long grass. Obi-Wan stretched Rusk out and tried to ignore the laser canons aimed at him as he ripped a 10-centimeter wide strip off of the bottom of his tunic. He bound the head wound, drawing another moan from Rusk.
A minute later the major's eyes opened, blinking rapidly. He focused on Obi-Wan for a moment, his gaze floating over the Jedi's shoulder to the fighter beyond, then snapping back with a question in their hazel depths.
Obi-Wan nodded. "It appears we're about to become houseguests of the Imperial Navy."
"Can't you ..." Rusk cleared his throat and began again. "Can't you deflect the laser with your lightsaber or something?"
"Well, I might get lucky and deflect one beam, but there's another fighter 180 degrees from that one, and I know I couldn't handle both. Sorry, Rusk." Obi-Wan bent over to help the major to his feet.
"Hutt pus, General. I told you to leave me. You're lousy at following orders, you know that?"
Obi-Wan chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Rusk's waist to help him remain upright. "I used to have the opposite problem. And you'd better drop the general bit. Just call me Two. No use making it easier than it already will be for them to identify me." He pointed with his free hand to the transport winging its way toward them high above the treetops. "That didn't take long. Here comes our ride."
"Prisoners. Bah. This stinks like a dead tauntaun. I'd rather go out swinging, Gen ... Two."
"Me, too. But I've escaped from prisons before. So long as they don't deliver us to that Star Destroyer, we have a fighting chance."
"Blast it! The rebellion needs you, General. You could make it to the trees. You know you could. Leave me."
"No. I'm your wing. When we leave, it will be together."
"Not that I'm doubting your abilities, or anything, Sir, but I'd prefer that it not be in a pair of body bags."
"I can't argue with that, Rusk."
An hour later Obi-Wan was strapped, hand and foot, to a chair inset with metal binders. He glared at the bulkhead with laser-beam intensity. Not that he wanted to breach the hull -- he had no death wish -- it was just ... Blast! How did one escape from one of these flying fortresses? There had to be a way.
Breathing in calm, he once again scanned the room. The walls, ceiling and floor were unrelenting grey. A black table sat between him and the grey door and had two black chairs pushed up against its far side. A single strip of lighting set into the center of the ceiling emitted a soft buzzing. So this was what an Imperial interrogation room looked like. Where were his interrogators?
An itch took up residence in his cheek. Obi-Wan lifted his shoulder and brushed the side of his face against it. The bruise coloring his cheekbone resumed its throbbing. The Imperials had enjoyed banging him around a bit once they had realized that a gun to Rusk's head insured he wouldn't retaliate. Fortunately, they hadn't inflicted any serious injury, though he probably looked the worse for wear.
Ten minutes later the door seal hissed as it released, and the door flashed into the wall. An officer of average height stepped through the hatch. His soft middle bulged over a tightly cinched belt, and seemed to be held in place only by the snug black uniform. The man's gaze flitted about the room, as if he was expecting to be attacked by shadows. Obi-Wan bit back a smile as he glanced at the insignia. Apparently, no one had wanted to question the Jedi, and so the task had fallen to this low-ranking lieutenant.
When the officer's gaze finally fell on his prisoner, he scrutinized the Jedi carefully. Confidence seemed to seep back into his bearing at the sight of the bruised face. Obi-Wan kept his features neutral, but couldn't help touching his tongue to his split lip. The lieutenant caught the movement, and satisfaction filled his eyes. He stepped forward and dropped Obi-Wan's lightsaber onto the table.
Obi-Wan blinked. The weapon was actually Qui-Gon's. He occasionally took the lightsaber with him instead of his own, especially when he wanted to feel close to his old master. He'd carried it when he'd spirited Padme off Naboo. What had prompted him to take it this time?
When the Jedi lifted his gaze, a sneer contorted the officer's face. Obi-Wan glanced away quickly, content to let the man's arrogance build. Over-confidence was a powerful ally.
"We've captured a Jedi," the officer said. "One that matches the description of a certain Obi-Wan Kenobi who happens to be on the Emperor's most-wanted list. Any chance you want to confirm that you are that man?" After a moment, he continued, "No matter. Coruscant will be responding with the print scan results in a few minutes. Perhaps we could have a little chat in the meantime."
The officer sat with a grunt. He picked up the Jedi weapon and turned it over and over in his hands. Obi-Wan watched the thick fingers carefully as they brushed over the controls, ready to throw himself backwards out of the way of the blade. The officer lay the weapon back down.
The questioning began. Each query met with silence. Obi-Wan wasn't quite sure why the Imperials bothered, unless they were just following procedure to satisfy their superiors. They knew who he was, what he was. He wasn't about to crack, even under torture. A fully trained Jedi would be unlikely to succeed in breaching his inner defenses. Anakin came to mind. If, no, when he came, would he take his prize before the Emperor? That was something he wasn't sure he could withstand -- the simultaneous onslaught of two Sith. While he mused over that possibility, he watched the lieutenant becoming ever more agitated as his arrogance peeled away in layers to reveal a core of anxiousness. A trickle of moisture ran down the officer's nose and he batted it away, wincing at the force of his own blow. Obi-Wan kept his face passive.
After several more minutes of fruitless inquiry, the officer suddenly stood and leaned across the table. The slap snapped Obi-Wan's head to the side. He returned the officer's stare with a solemn, unblinking gaze. The man's jowls quivered and his nostrils flared, yet his eyes radiated fear. He jerked to his feet and swung behind his chair, gripping its back tightly.
"You won't be so cocky when you're face to face with Lord Vader."
Obi-Wan arched one brow. "Have you met Vader?"
As if shocked to finally hear something besides his own voice, the officer blurted, "No, but I've heard ..."
"Terrible things," supplied Obi-Wan. "You have good reason for that fear lurking in your eyes, Lieutenant. You would be well-advised to stay out of his way when he gets here. There's no telling how he might vent his wrath."
The officer stared, wide-eyed, at Obi-Wan, then shook himself and gave the Jedi a little smile. "It will be interesting to see how he vents it ... on you." His smile faltered when Obi-Wan didn't react. He glanced nervously at the door and reached for the lightsaber.
"No!" Obi-Wan's soft command was imbued with the Force. The lieutenant froze. Using all his suggestive powers, Obi-Wan said, "You will leave the lightsaber. You will forget you ever had it with you. You will be absolutely certain it is still safely locked away."
"Locked away," muttered the officer.
"You will forget this exchange and leave me alone for fifteen minutes to worry about the imminent arrival of Lord Vader." Obi-Wan withdrew from the officer's mind, relaxing only when the man looked around the room and suddenly left without ever glancing down at the table.
Stretching out his fingers, Obi-Wan called the lightsaber to his hand. A small sigh of relief whispered past his lips. He studied the binder shackling his wrist and probed it with the Force. It took ten minutes of concentrated effort to release the lock; manipulating the inside of machines through the Force had never been his strong suit. He tucked the lightsaber under his waistband against his spine. He wiped the sheen of sweat off his face with his sleeve and slipped his hand back into its restraint. With a nudge through the Force, the binder snapped closed.
A few minutes later two white-suited troopers entered the room and released Obi-Wan, immediately slapping portable binders on his wrists. They jostled the Jedi down the grey corridor. Obi-Wan kept his head hanging low and forced himself to remain loose and unresponsive to the rough treatment. One soldier cracked him across the shoulder blades with a blaster rifle. Obi-Wan fell to his knees on the metal grid floor, slowly regained his footing and continued to trudge along, snickers filling his wake.
When they reached the prison level, the front guard tapped the controls to open a durasteel door and undid the binders. Another hard shove sent Obi-Wan careening into the far wall of the cramped cell. Loud guffaws were cut off by the echoing clang of the door swishing shut and locking.
With a tight smile that never reached his eyes, the Jedi slipped the lightsaber out from under his tunic and stretched out on his slab bed, the weapon at his side.
Senses tingling, Anakin watched Bail Organa pale slightly as he cast an uncertain glance out the window overlooking the garden. Interesting. Where or what had the Alderaanian being doing the last few months? Suddenly, it seemed imperative that Anakin discover whatever it was that Bail was hiding. Pouring venom into his voice, Anakin whispered, "Tell me what you've been up to, Organa."
Bail exhaled, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I've been attending to personal matters."
"Tell me."
"If you must know, Lord Vader, I now have a wife and baby daughter."
Surprise disrupted Anakin's thoughts. Whatever he had expected, this certainly wasn't it. But he could sense the truth of Bail's words. Anakin glanced out the patio window, half expecting to see the woman and babe in the garden. "There hasn't been a whisper of this marriage in any news reports. Why the secrecy?"
"I value my privacy. I have no desire to subject my family to a media circus."
"I'd like to meet this wife of yours."
Alarm flashed through Bail's eyes, so quickly, Anakin almost thought he'd imagined it.
Bail said, "You can't mean today."
"But I can, and I do." Anakin motioned for Bail to rise.
Bail stood and leaned on his desk. "I'm sorry, Lord Vader. I simply cannot honor your request. The birth was a difficult one, and my wife is still recovering. She isn't up to receiving visitors."
"I don't think you understand me. It wasn't a request. The lady will withstand two minutes of scrutiny, I'm sure. I have no desire to harm her; only meet her."
Silence hung heavy in the room. Anakin puzzled over the stirring in the Force. Was Organa lying after all? Was he actually hiding Kenobi? He felt the anticipation of the hunt rising within and eyed the man with a feral gleam.
Finally, Bail nodded. "As you command, Lord Vader." An aura of tension radiated outwards from Organa as he stepped around the desk and paused, his reluctance stiffening his posture.
Disappointment dampened Anakin's senses. Perhaps there was a wife after all. Pushing open the two-meter high window, he said, "Let's go through the gardens. I'm sure that is the shortest route to your private quarters."
"It is." Bail stepped through the opening onto a broad patio with Anakin a step behind.
Sweet and spicy, the heady scent of a dozen perfumes thickened the air, filling Anakin's nostrils and making his eyes water. He swiped at the moisture and followed Bail down the steps leading to the central path. They swept past carpets of color -- yellows, purples, pinks and blues. Vines climbed up every vertical surface, framing the garden with verdancy.
Anakin froze, his eye caught by a rare Nabooian orchid -- Padme had carried a small bouquet of the delicate violet-tinted blooms on their wedding day. His comlink buzzed, quashing the memory.
Bail halted and stared at the dark lord. The comlink sounded again. Anakin retrieved it from his belt. His gaze locked with Bail's and he flipped the circuit open. "This had better be important, Commander."
"Yes, my lord." A pause and the static-filled voice continued, "A rebel base has been discovered on Garos IV."
"Any survivors?" Anakin noticed tiny beads of perspiration gathering along Bail's hairline.
An audible swallow came over the link. "Most of the base was able to evacuate successfully."
Anakin let loathing fill his reply. "And this was worth interrupting me for?"
"N-no, sir. But I knew you'd want to know ..." Static overtook the voice.
Impatience edged Anakin's tone. "I missed that. What do I need to know, Commander?"
"They managed to down and capture two fighter pilots. One of them ..." Static cut in again. "... Kenobi."
"Did you say Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
"Yes, my lord."
Exultation roared through his veins as Anakin watched Bail try to hide his obvious dismay. Yes! At last! He sneered. "Notify the commander at Garos that I will be heading out immediately. Remind him to take extra caution. It will be worth his life if Kenobi escapes."
Snapping the comlink closed, Anakin spun and bounded up the stairs. He paused at the top. What had caused that ripple in the Force around Bail just minutes ago? It was gone now, whatever it was. He pivoted slowly and stared at Bail's ramrod figure -- the man was still struggling to keep his emotions under tight rein. Oh, but victory tasted sweet. He had Kenobi, and he was close to springing the trap on Organa. Leaderless, the rebellion would die a quick death.
Anakin executed a short bow. "Give your wife my regards, Organa, and I shall give yours to Kenobi."
