The Last Attempt

2001 short story by Don J'Bar

Twenty years before Episode IV – A New Hope

The last Mandalorian lay panting at Obi-Wan's feet, looking up with surprise and recognition.

   "You have bested me, Jedi, but you have not won the battle. Your Order is finished and you will not survive the Great Purge"

Obi-Wan smiled and looked down and replied

   "I don't expect to win every battle. The Force will have balance and good will come to pass. " Obi-Wan turns and walks away without looking back and hears the death throes as the Mandalorian impales himself with his jeweled dagger. He knows the honour-bound Warrior has committed Hari-Kara.

Later, sitting in the cockpit of his Naboo Starfighter after entering hyperspace, bound for Tatooine and his life of self-imposed banishment, Obi-Wan thinks back on the events of the last 10 years. How he misses Abrynne, the only love of his life taken from him by Vader. He can feel the hate welling up, but forces it back down, knowing it is the way to the Dark Side and he is determined not to go down that path. He shrugs it off and decides to refresh himself with Jedi hibernation.

Obi-Wan has trouble finding the path to hibernation trance and is plagued by his dreams, thinking of his lost Padawan.

   " Oh, Anakin how did I go so wrong with you. Yoda was right. He saw the Dark side in you, so close to the surface and threatening to boil over. I should have seen it for what it was myself and known it for what it was for. But Abrynne? She meant no harm, just the best for her family. "

Obi-Wan opens his eyes knowing full well that the hibernation trance will not come to pass today. Instead he thinks back to those last few days with Abrynne. It seems so long ago. He closes his eyes once more and recalls the last time he saw her.

   " Ben, where are you going?" Abrynne Amidala asks.

   " I must find Anakin and try one final time to make him see the error of his ways and turn him back to the Light Side, my love." responds Obi-Wan.

   " But you said yourself he is too powerful and full of hate. He is too far-gone to save. Why don't you come with Leia and I to Alderaan? You can regain your strength and carry on your fight with the clones when you are more up to it."

   " I wish I could, Abrynne, but I feel responsible for Anakin. After all, he is my Padawan and therefore my responsibility." He bends down to kiss Leia, Anakin and Padme's child. He looks up into Abrynne's eyes and sees the tears threatening to spill. He embraces her gently, and gives her a quick kiss

   "Fear not, my love, I shall be with you soon. Bail Organa is a good man and will take care of you until my return."

He turns and walks into the streets, not wanting her to see the tears streaming down his face. He knows his confrontation with Anakin will be a supreme trial. One he may not come back from.

As Obi-Wan is walking through the hangar, he hears some deep breathing and turns to find a figure clad in a black cape and mask.

   "Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are seeking me?"

   "Anakin?"

   "I am Darth Vader, not that weak boy" the figure growls as he fingers the controls of his lightsabre. "You will fight me Obi-wan, and when I best you I can finally claim my rightful place as the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy."

   "No, I will not fight you Anakin. You must see the error of your ways. The good is in you yet. Why can you not see this?"

There is a hiss as Darth Vader activates his lightsabre.

   "If you will not fight you will die." Darth Vader closes the distance between himself and Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan looks back to see Abrynne running towards them.

   "Get back into the ship and go, Abrynne! I will not fight, but I must not have any distractions!" Obi-Wan screams as he brings his saber up to bear.

   "You are weak, Kenobi. Letting a woman control your emotions, you are not a Jedi, just a cheap imitation." The cloaked figure springs forward and closes with Obi-Wan as the latter jumps back, as his lightsabre hisses to life.

   "I will not fight you Anakin." Obi-Wan assumes a defensive crouch ready to parry any thrusts from his adversary, "But I will not let you harm Abrynne."

   "So my worthless sister-in-law will motivate you to fight, hmm? Perhaps if she is not around you will let me prove my destiny," the masked man replies.

Just then Obi-Wan hears a clatter on the pavement behind him and risks a look out of the corner of his eyes, not daring to take his eyes of his Padawan. The site is gruesome. Abrynne is on the ground clutching at her throat, caught in the death grip.

   "Anakin NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" the Jedi Master screams as he attacks! Vader turns to face his former master and their sabers clash in a brilliant shower of sparks.

   “So the weakling still knows how to wield his weapon!"

Obi-Wan with fierce determination and ability reminiscent of his encounter with the Sith lord Darth Maul enters the fray fully, determination written on his face.

   "I guess you are lost forever, Anakin."

Vader presses the attack and Obi-Wan counters with a speed that is remarkable.

The battle rages on for endless minutes with neither man showing signs of relenting. Obi-Wan thrusts to his left and is easily parried by Vader, who then counterstrikes with a long, sweeping stroke that Obi-Wan deflects, but not before a small gash is opened on his right side that is instantly cauterized by the heat from the energy weapon. Not venturing to take his mind from the fight, Obi-Wan again attacks with grim determination, realizing that his ex-Padawan is the more powerful and he will be lucky to get away with his skin intact.

Just then a voice from his past whispers in his ear

   "He is truly lost Obi-Wan, you must exercise caution or you will go down the same path."

Startled, Obi-Wan looks behind Vader and the shimmering image of his fallen master Qui-Gon Jinn smiles at him. Obi-Wan realizes the truth in his master's words and steps back, powering down his lightsabre and dropping to his knees.

   "Anakin you are truly lost to the Dark Side."

Darth Vader looks at his old mentor and shuts off his own saber with disgust.

   "You are not worthy of an honorable death, Kenobi. When you are man enough to face me I welcome you in combat." Vader turns his back on the Jedi and begins to walk in the direction of Abrynne. Obi-Wan preoccupied with the image of his master, does not realize where his foe is going, until he hears a primal scream. Jumping to his feet he tears off running in the direction Vader has taken. Just as he turns the corner, he witnesses Vader's thrust into Abrynne's midsection. He has murdered his own sister-in-law! Just then a landspeeder arrives with another black clad figure upon it and Vader leaps onto it, his black cape billowing in the breeze. Obi-Wan hears the laughing fading into the distance, as the vehicle speeds away.

Obi-Wan arrives at Abrynne's side and gathers her into his arms. With her last breath she whispers to her Jedi lover,

   “You must not let him know about the children, Ben. He is evil and cannot be changed. You MUST protect the twins from him. Since his turn to the Darkside he has no recognition of his children. You must use this to your advantage. Remember, Ben that I will always love you" Abrynne sighs, and with a blood-choked gasp her presence in the Force is no longer there. Sobbing, the Jedi lifts her and carries her back to the Theed Palace, the wavering image of Qui-Gon Jinn at his side.

   "Master, why? He was the one who was supposed to bring balance to the Force. He was supposed to be the One."

Obi-Wan hears soft whispers as his Master replies

   "You must heed the words of Abrynne, Obi-Wan. He must never know about the twins, or ALL will be lost."

Obi-Wan turns and sees his friend's apparition fading away.

   "Don't leave me again, Master!"

Obi-Wan Kenobi opens his eyes when he hears the shrill whistles of his R2 unit announcing that they are about to come out of hyperspace. He looks around the cockpit and pulls back on the hyperspace lever and watches as the starlines converge into twinkling spots, the desert planet of Tatooine filling the viewport. He is in exile, one of only two Jedi left in the galaxy.          

Thanks to Master and Apprentice for the use of the character of Abrynne and George Lucas for his vision.

Cast of Characters

Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi - Jedi

Anakin/Darth Vader-Dark Jedi

Abrynne Amidala-love interest of Obi-Wan and sister of Queen Padme Amidala

Qui-Gon Jinn-slain Jedi Master