Chapter 19

A stray blaster bolt caught part of the stone wall near Obi-Wan's shoulder and sent a shower of granite slivers in his direction. The greatly outnumbered Jedi Knight swiftly dodged the flying debris and continued backing up as Daruc's soldiers pushed forward. He soon found himself back in the room where he and Cort had entered. The ground gave a sudden shudder as explosions sounded overhead. Jidora was under attack.

Obi-Wan looked up and saw the tunnel that led to the wall passage. Light was pouring through the opening. Without a second thought, Obi-Wan leapt upwards, barely missing the volley of shots that was targeted at him. He easily landed on his feet, then quickly spun around and slid the wall panel shut. He could hear the men clamoring on the other side, but it would not be an easy task for them to break through.

The Knight leaned against the wall to allow himself a moment to breath. He never got his chance though. All around him the palace was falling to chaos. Windows had been blown inwards by blasters and detonators. The large statue in the middle of the pond had fallen over. Shards of crystal from the now twisted wings of the piece of art littered the floor. People were running everywhere in an attempt to flee from the hostile takeover that was occurring. And in Cort's absence, no one had stepped up to tell the Jidorian Palace Forces or the Alonian Security what to do. Daruc's troops were quickly gaining the upper hand.

This is insanse! Obi-Wan ran to the stairs, dodging the screaming people. Someone needs to take charge! And Cort! Where is he? Obi-Wan ran up the flight, taking two stairs at a time. Just as he was rounding the top, he found the head of security.

"You!" Obi-Wan commanded, pointing his finger at the man. "Gather what you can of your commanders and meet me in the throne room. Notify your people by comlink to surround the palace and plug up the sewer outlets."

"Sewer outlets?" the confused man called after the running Jedi.

"Just do what I said!"

Obi-Wan continued his mad dash down the hallway until he came to the infirmary room where Anakin was. He burst through the door, almost tripping over the droid who was guarding the bedside. I'm not about to leave him alone in this madness, Obi-Wan reasoned as he bent down to pick up the still unconscious boy. Then he turned and dashed off to the throne room, with a warbling Artoo chasing at his heels.

Obi-Wan made his way to the throne room and pushed open the heavy doors. Blasters turned and focused on him, but when they saw it was the Jedi, the weapons were quickly lowered. Obi-Wan paid no attention to the men. He strode over to an ornate couch and laid Anakin on it. Yelling and more explosions sounded outside, but the boy still did not stir. Obi-Wan shrugged off his cloak and covered up the injured Padawan with it. His hand went to Anakin's forehead, but the boy showed no signs of waking from his unconcious state.

"Keep an eye on him, Artoo," the worried Jedi ordered. Then he began to address the security forces who were watching his every move with worried eyes. The men were seated around a large table. Obi-Wan did not sit, but instead stood at the head. He placed his hands firmly on the wood.

He hurriedly but forcefully dictated his plan of defense to the awaiting men. None dared to question his authority, for the Jedi obviously had a knack for tactical planning. Through various comlink communications, the soldiers began to reroute their men to the places Obi-Wan named. Men were posted at sewer grates, in the atrium room, and along the streets.

"People are injured out there," Obi-Wan continued. "The civilians are not any different from the soldiers as far as Spion's men are concerned. Send a small group of men to begin organizing a rescue med team." A thought came to mind from the events in the banquet hall a few days before. "See if you can locate General Loran and his wife. They have experience in matters such as this."

"Yes sir," came the obedient reply. Obi-Wan then left the men to carry out their orders. He turned from the table and began pacing the room, his hands clasped firmly at his back.

Cort? Cort, where are you? Obi-Wan had no way of getting back down into the sewers now that the Alonian forces were working on routing out Daruc's men. He was very worried about his friend. He knew that Cort was a very capable fighter, but the prince was physically and mentally exhausted. He'd been pushing and stressing himself long before Obi-Wan and Anakin had arrived.

Obi-Wan sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. He mildly noticed that he reeked of the sewers. Oh well. I can't do anything about that right now.

Just then, the large holovid that was on the far wall began beeping with an incoming signal. Curious at who would be calling at a time like this, the Jedi hurried over and activated the holovid. He made sure to stand where his picture would be picked up and projected back to the caller.

No one was more surprised than Obi-Wan when the intense face of Jedi Master Mace Windu appeared.

"Master Windu!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, quickly bowing his head.

"Obi-Wan," the Jedi Master began. Mace Windu had always been one to get right down to business. "We are ordering you to withdraw from your mission immediately."

Despite all that he had learned about controlling his emotions, confusion was evident on the Knight's face. The men seated at the table behind him were hurriedly murmuring, afraid that they may lose this voice of guidance.

What have I done wrong? he wondered. They need me here! And I can't simply abandon Cort!

Obi-Wan's eyes flashed back at the older Jedi with defiance.

"I'm sorry, Master, but I can't leave these people." He gestured to the men behind him who were anxiously holding their breath. The tension between the Jedi and the face on the screen was almost palatable.

"Now is not the time to inherit Qui-Gon's rebellious streak, Obi-Wan." The dark eyes narrowed and focused coolly on the Jedi, but Obi-Wan did not squirm or turn away. He knew he was seriously breaking protocol, but he also knew he was not the first to do so.

"Master, do you hear what is going on out there? It's war! Cort is missing, Anakin is injured, and if I leave these people they may lose not only their government, but their freedom as well!"

Mace Windu's facial expression changed as he tilted his head to look past Obi-Wan's shoulder. On his screen back in the Jedi Council on Coruscant, he could see an immobile boy laying on couch at the far end of the room. "Your Padawan is injured, you say?"

Obi-Wan silently cursed himself for bringing that up. He had already overstepped his bounds and he could not go around the matter now that it was out in the open. He bowed his head in a semi-apologetic manner. "Yes, Master Windu, Anakin is injured." Obi-Wan continued with a slight inward grimace. "He has been unconscious for almost the past four days."

The Jedi Master looked at Obi-Wan with disapproval. "You have never been particularly gifted in the healing arts, Jedi Kenobi. With the boy's injury added to the current situation of our orders, it is imperative that you return to Coruscant at once."

"And why is it that you are giving me orders to return?"

"There is a trade dispute out by the Corellian sector that has the potential to become a repeat of the battle of Naboo. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine specifically requested your help."

Obi-Wan knew that he was going to be severely reprimanded by the Council for talking to Master Windu in this manner, especially since other people were present in the room, but he still continued with his position.

"I'm sorry, Master, but I must refuse. Send someone else for Chancellor Palpatine. I gave my word to Cort that I would help him and his people. I never go back on my word." And if Qui-Gon were alive today, he could vouch for me on that one, he mentally added as he crossed his arms and lifted his chin.

The look that appeared on Mace Windu's face caused a deathly silence to fall over the room.

"Even Qui-Gon understood when was the time to listen, Kenobi."

That comment cut right to the defiant Knight's heart. Qui-Gon was his role model. Obi-Wan would always hold his former Master in the utmost respect. But to abandon his friend, even if Qui-Gon would have obeyed that order, was something that Obi-Wan could not bear to bring himself to do.

"But, Master Windu. . ."

The Jedi moved out of view of the holo camera and another form sat down in his place. The wizened, green Master looked sternly at his former student. "Obi-Wan, know you do not want to abandon your friend, I do. Come a Jedi's duty before his wishes always, though. Return you will." Yoda's eyes narrowed at the young man. "Immediately."

Obi-Wan understood that this was not an argument he could win. He bowed deeply in apology to the Jedi Masters he had offended. "I will obey," he said quietly.

"May the Force be with you, Jedi Kenobi." Then the image on the screen faded out.

His shoulders slightly slumped in defeat, Obi-Wan turned around to gather Anakin and Artoo. He was met with the crestfallen looks of the security men who were still seated at the table.

"I'm sorry, but I must go. The Council has ordered me to leave for another mission. . ." he trailed off. The explanation sounded weak even to his own ears.

These people are depending on me. What am I doing? I know the Council said to leave, but I can't. My promise is to Cort and my duty is here. He looked around at the faces before him. An explosion near the palace grounds shook the building. As his gaze wandered over the destruction outside the window, his eye caught sight of Anakin who was still laying on the couch. He won't heal any faster in hyperspace then he will lying on that couch.

Obi-Wan tore away his gaze from the boy and the chaos outside.

"My duty is here, to these people, to Alonia, and to Cort. I will not leave until I have helped you all to the best of my ability."

A cheer went through the men at the Jedi's announcement. But their cheer did not raise Obi-Wan's spirit, or belay his impending sense of dread.