The Rise Of The Sith

"No, Anakin. Don’t just try. Do or do not. There is no try. Feel the Force," Obi-Wan said softly. "Feel the Force flow. Let it."

"Yes, Master." Anakin Skywalker was in the middle of a forest clearing, doing a one-hand-stand, his brow furrowed and his eyes closed tightly in concentration. Slowly, another rock rose into the air, joining several others, including a boulder on which Obi-Wan was sitting.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight of the Republic, smiled at the sight of his protégé. Anakin would be a Jedi Knight soon, at the tender age of 21. He glanced up from his Padawan apprentice, and surveyed the planet surface of Dantooine. The clearing, big enough to be called a plain, was made up of long kholm-grass, dotted by boulders and rocks. Beyond the open vista, he saw the green and yellow tops of the distant forestry, their leaves swaying and buoying in the light breeze.

Suddenly, Obi-Wan leapt down from the boulder he was sitting on. Quickly, he unhooked his lightsabre and ignited it. Its blue-white blade flashed into existence, its distinctive hum evident of its presence. He cocked his waist and aimed a downward slice at Anakin’s waist.

With movement faster than even Obi-Wan thought possible, Anakin flipped back onto his feet and brought out his own lightsabre. Rocks and boulders crashed to the ground as Anakin refocused his attention onto the task at hand. With a snap-hiss, his own lightsabre blazed into life, blue-white in colour. He brought it up to block his Master’s slash.

Obi-Wan feinted to the right then sent a jab aimed to Anakin’s left ribs. The latter deftly sidestepped the challenge and flipped over Obi-Wan. With his back still to Obi-Wan, he did a blind cut to Obi-Wan’s right, sending his lightsabre into a tight arc. Obi-Wan sensed the danger and backflipped neatly over Anakin’s head, landing face to face with his apprentice. They fought on, swiping, parrying, thrusting and lunging. The two blades grated and slashed against each other. It seemed to be like an elaborate dance, each opponent in tune with himself and the other.

Finally, Obi-Wan leapt backwards onto a boulder and help up his hand. He closed down his lightsabre, sweating heavily, his breathing coming in heavy gasps, his Jedi tunic soiled. Anakin did likewise, a small smile creeping to his face. The tall, blond lad squared up to Obi-Wan.

"You have come a long way, my apprentice. I foresee you will become a great Jedi Knight."

"Thank you, Master." Obi-Wan moved away from the boulder and sat about packing their stuff back into the backpacks. Anakin looked on, puzzled, his brow knotted in confusion.

"Master, where are we going?" The 38-year-old Jedi Knight answered without looking up.

"Tatooine, Anakin. The Clone Wars have spread to that planet. Master Yoda and Master Ki-Adi-Mundi have asked us to go investigate. They contacted us while you were meditating."

"My home planet?" Anakin’s voice trailed off as he recalled memories of his old home. Memories of his friends. There was Kitster, his best friend. Wald, the Rodian. Then, there was his old home, and his…

"Your thoughts still dwell on your mother, Anakin."

"Yes, Master."

"Remember, my Padawan. We are on a mission. Not visiting the planet to free her. You have asked this many times before Anakin, and I have to tell you again. We are not in the business of freeing slaves. Tatooine is not within Republic jurisdiction anymore. We have no official power there. You may not speak it, but your thoughts reveal you." Anakin smiled and replied, "I will be mindful, Master."

"Be patient, Anakin. Aggression, anger, fear. The path to the dark side, are they. You know what your weakness is. Do not let your heart overwhelm you, yet do not seek to cut off your feelings. A Jedi must have both his heart and mind in tune, to be one with the Force."

"A lesson learnt, Master."

"But not yet understood," Obi-Wan said, smiling wryly. "You will, in time to come. Now, pass me that hydrospanner."

* * * * *

The starship descended through the atmosphere, the planet surface a mosaic of brown, khaki and sand coloured terrain. Well, there’s not much you can do with a desert planet. The ship looked battered and bruised, its hull streaked with apparent encounters with quadlasers. The sleek, beaten-up Corellian YT-900 transport wouldn’t attract any attention, unless they did something brash.

Obi-Wan sat in the pilot’s seat, carefully maneuvering the spacecraft to the landing coordinantes he had been given. Anakin appeared in the doorway to the cockpit.

"Master, is it me or are we heading towards Mos Espa?"

"Yes, Anakin. The trouble is mostly centred around Mos Eisley and Anchorhead. We can investigate it more easily that way. Our aim, Anakin, is to be unnoticed." Anakin was silent for a while, pondering over what lay ahead. A thought occurred to him.

"Master, is it possible for us to ……" Obi-Wan looked at his apprentice and sighed inwardly. ‘He has to control his fear of losing her.’ he thought, aiming his thinking at Anakin.

"No, Master! No, it is not that! I … I …" Anakin lowered his head in submission, trying to control his aching heart and yearning he felt for his mother. Yes, Obi-Wan was right. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering and the dark side.

"Control, my Padawan. If this is not learned, it could be your undoing." He paused for a while. "And we will visit your mother. You can tell her about your son. I hope he lives, Anakin."

* * * * *

Anakin turned around again, his backpack weighing heavily on his small frame. It was the heat of the midday more than anything else that seemed to increase the gravity. His heart was torn up inside, not sure which way he should follow. He was leaving his home, and his only family.

"Come on, Annie," said Master Qui-Gon Jinn.

Anakin stopped again and finally couldn’t take it anymore. He turned tail and arrived in his mother’s open arms. The tears came, unbidden and unrestrained, his small eyes looking into those of his mother, searching for the reassurance and comfort they had always given. Slowly, his head lowered onto her shoulder.

"I can’t do it, mother."

"Annie, you can’t stop change."

"But I don’t want things to change." Anakin paused, in a rage of turmoil and internal confusion sweeping over him. He raised his head. "Will …. will …. I ever … see you again?" he managed in between sobs. She smiled reassuredly at her son.

"What does your heart tell you?"

"I hope so… yes… I guess."

"Then it will be so."

"I understand, mother. I…."

"Now go, my son. And don’t look back."

* * * * *

Shmi mulled over the memory of her son, gone for the past twelve years, training to become a pilot and worthy servant of the Republic. She was busy cleaning up her tiny home in the slave quarters of Mos Espa, given to her by her slave master, Watto. With that done, she set about cleaning the bedrooms.

She arrived in her son’s bedroom, a wave of nostalgia and emotion sweeping over her. Here were his tools, his clothes, his unfinished projects…… One of his other projects walked into the room.

"I have finished with the power generator droids, Mistress Skywalker. Are you in need of further assistance?"

"No, Threepio. That will be all." Shmi Skywalker sifted through her son’s stuff, smelling them, reliving the memories that they brought, the remembrances that were stored in them. She could hear a sandstorm building up outside. She had heard the rumours of Mos Espa being the next target on the list of the Clonemasters. She knew that Watto was in financial trouble with Hutts, that she might be sold off.

But she didn’t care about that. She just sat on her son’s bed, burying her eyes among his possessions, crying softly, willing him to come back. She remembered the last time she saw him, following the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who had freed her son from slavery. Him hugging her one last time, the sorrow and pain in his eyes. The droplets of sadness seeping through, the difficulty of the moment incomprehensible by any measured scale. As her tears began in earnest, Shmi Skywalker’s world literally collapsed on her.

* * * * *

"Master! Behind you!" Obi-Wan turned around instinctively, his lightsabre just blocking the incoming blaster bolt before it hit. The two, Master and apprentice, stood back to back, trying to protect themselves from the hostile crowd.

‘At least Anakin will learn not to conceal his lightsabre so loosely,’ thought Obi-Wan. Anakin must have picked up the unspoken comment, and smiled sheepishly to himself. They had come into the cantina looking for a Diel Saygonar. Supposedly a clonemaster, meaning somebody who supplies clones for the Clone Wars, he had been in a corner of the cantina when the two had approached the bartender. What had blown their cover was that Anakin’s lightsabre clattered to the floor when he had fished in his pockets for credits. Diel had panicked, and started a firefight. Jedi were not welcome in the Outer Rim.

The lightsabres whined and hummed, swinging here and there, blocking blaster bolts and deflecting them. Anakin felt colour rising up into his face, angry at himself for his own clumsiness, angry at Diel for getting them into this mess. He wished he could just sweep them all away. Ah, but the dark side could help him. Giving in to his anger, his fear ……

Obi-Wan sensed the danger in Anakin’s thoughts and quickly sent a Force jolt into him.

"Control, Anakin! You must control yourself!" Before he could reply, Diel made a rush for the exit. Anakin caught a glimpse of him taking off and, hastily whipping his lightsabre side to side, he cleared a path to the exit. By the time Anakin was past the doorway, Diel was already halfway up the street. Obi-Wan followed behind in close pursuit. Wisps of wind and sand sailed through the main promenade of Mos Espa, a sign that a sandstorm was coming. Already, street vendors and shopkeepers were closing their shops and stores. Anakin started in pursuit, his lightsabre still turned on and flashing. Obi-Wan gave chase.

Diel was headed for the residential area of Mos Espa, Anakin noted. The former ducked through an arch into a courtyard with houses all around. The sandstorm was getting worse. Imbuing himself with the Force, he injected more pace into his strides. He found the clonemaster climbing up the rows of houses.

Gathering himself, he made a Force jump and landed on a rooftop. Diel was already a couple of houses away. Again gathering the Force around him, Anakin leapt forward. He stretched out his leg in front of him, kicking Diel in the back and sending him falling onto the rooftops below.

As Diel fell, Anakin jumped down after him, lightsabre blazing and face intent on getting the information that he wanted.

* * * * *

A section of roof came crashing down next to where Shmi was sitting. Sand and dirt flew in all directions. A cloud of dust obscured a decent view of anything in the little room. Shmi rushed to get out of the way, her son’s possession’s scattered all over the place. The howling wind of the sandstorm added to the din and confusion.

Shmi heard a groan of a deep voice, then a very distinctive whine that she had never heard before. Through the heavy cloud of dust, Shmi caught sight of a blaster bolt and a blue-white flash of light.

"Give it up, Diel!" ‘That voice …..’ Shmi thought to herself.

"Never! You Jedi! This isn’t your war! Go back to Coruscant and your precious Jedi Council!"

‘Jedi? Here?’ thought Shmi. Suddenly, a voice called out for her.

"Madam, get out of here! Wherever you are!" Shmi paused as she pondered the voice, so familiar, yet so far. The sandstorm seemed to increase in intensity. Already, there was a layer of sand covering the floor of her son’s bedroom. "Madam! Now!" Yes! Now she knew whom that voice belonged to.

"Anakin!" She heard a crash, as if a body had been thrown across the room next to her.

"Mother?" The voice hung in the air of the sandstorm, winds screaming in through the broken roof. "Mother! Get away now!"

Shmi turned around and rushed for the doorway, but was stopped in her tracked by the sight of a lithe, dangerous looking human. His red eyes glowed with malevolence, his face set on an evil grin. Faster than even Shmi could react, Diel grabbed her and twisted her around into a necklock. She struggled vainly against Diel’s sinewy frame. Slowly, they backed out of the doorway, Diel utilising Shmi as a shield. Anakin emerged from the dust cloud, his lightsabre still humming.

"Let her go, Diel. She has nothing to do with this."

"Your mother, eh, Jedi?"

"Let her go, Diel." Anger evidently radiated through his voice, his mind completely set in a ‘Jedi focus’.

"Don’t try those mind tricks on me, Jedi. One twinge, and she dies." He jabbed his blaster into Shmi’s back for emphasis. "I’m Force-strong, too." A frown of puzzlement crossed Anakin’s face. Slowly, Diel backed towards the main entrance.

"Diel, we just want to know about the Clone Wars. Where do the clones come from, Diel? If you help, you can save many lives."

"Who cares? I’m getting money from this! So long as there’s a war, don’t hope of stopping the clone supply."

"Diel, you can help put an end to this." Anakin’s patience had been shot through. By now, Diel was backed up against the door entrance. The low rumble of the sandstorm could still be heard, though more suppressed and subdued. Diel’s mouth curled up into a wicked smile.

"Never, Jedi." With a strong shove, he sent Shmi reeling into Anakin. At the same time, he let fly with a blaster bolt, hit the door release and escaped in to the storm. Time seemed to slow down for Anakin. Shmi seemed to be moving so slowly towards him. His lightsabre closing. The collision with his mother. The blaster bolt. Slowly, almost too slowly, Anakin tried to bring his lightsabre to bear. He was too late. The blaster bolt struck his mother right in the middle of her back.

Suddenly, time speeded up again. Anakin was dimly aware of the sandstorm, of the stickiness that his fingers felt. He brought up to see his hand, drenched in Shmi’s blood. Quickly realising the immediate concern, he shifted to the motionless body on his lap, to see her face.

She had aged in the 12 years. Her hair was all grey, the wrinkles more pronounced, the bone-deep weariness that he could just feel from her. And the sensation that she was dying. Gingerly, she reached up a hand to touch his face. She wanted to say a million things at once, give him reassurance that everything would be alright.

"Anakin …… you’re home."

"Yes, mother."

"Oh, Anakin …… you …. you’re a Jedi now. I’m so proud of you,"

"Mother …. I’ve missed you so much. I can’t leave you now."

"Anakin, don’t try to stop change. I …."Shmi coughed badly, blood spilling onto her blouse. She tried valiantly to speak. "I love you." Her eyes drew to a close, her body sagged. Anakin could hear her breathing stop, sense her heart halt beating. He sat where he was on the floor, head lowered, tears slowly coming. He looked up to the ceiling, and couldn’t hold it back anymore.

"No!!!!" The scream had repercussions on the Force, like wind on the wakes of a pond. Obi Wan could feel it, several miles away holed up in an abandoned house because of the storm. He knew exactly what had happened, and feared the worst. By the time he arrived, Anakin Skywalker was gone. Only his lightsabre remained.

* * * * *

The Jedi had started out as a study and philosophy group nearly 4 millennia ago. During that time, they had come to notice the existence of the Force. Years had been spent in the study of it, attuning themselves to this living field of energy that bounded every living thing together, like a tapestry. Countless centuries had been spent separating the light from the dark side. The Jedi believed in the common good. Jedi Knights and Masters were counsellors, advisers and travellers. They were warriors only as a last resort.

Yet, a rogue Jedi Knight believed in the use of the dark side. He believed power not used was power wasted. His masters didn’t believe him, and he split off from the Jedi to found the Order of the Sith. This was two millennia ago. The Sith had lasted 400 years, before infighting and power grabbing destroyed the order. One man had stood to the side while this happened. Avoiding the bloodshed and backstabbing, he alone survived to carry along the Order. His name was Darth Bane.

From then on, there were only two in the Order at any given time; a Master and apprentice. As of late, the Sith had dropped out of sight. Darth Maul’s defeat at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi 12 years before had been the last sighting of the Sith. What the Jedi had not known was that Maul was just an apprentice.

His master, Darth Sidious, presently stepped onto the balcony on the 300^th floor of his skyhook. He wore all black, a cloak and hood shrouding him in shadow. His visible flesh was a greyish pale white, the wear and tear of extensive use of the dark side, which had started to eat away his body.

He smiled privately. News of Anakin Skywalker’s disappearance had pleased him. He knew he had found a potential new apprentice. One that would aid him in the destruction of the Republic and the Jedi. He looked around, his view of Coruscant truly spectacular this high up in the atmosphere. The city-planet below him was different from other worlds. It didn’t have any green or blue hue to it. Any semblance of natural wildlife had been eradicated by gleaming towers, skyscrapers and buildings. There was continuous air traffic, the atmosphere thick with transports, speeders and freighters.

Sidious knew how to turn Anakin completely. He took a deep breath, his thoughts stretching out before him. In his mind’s eye, he could see stars, planets. Coruscant, the Core Systems, the Outer Rim territories, Tatooine, Malastere, the Unknown Regions, Cesanji, Wild Space. Stretching his influence as far as possible, he called out softly, "Anakin ….. come to me …"

Somewhere in the galaxy, Anakin Skywalker awoke with a start. Gathering his thoughts, he changed course; to Coruscant.

* * * * *

"…..by the time I had arrived, Diel Saygonar had escaped ….. and Anakin had disappeared." Obi-Wan Kenobi stood facing the Jedi Council, his tale complete. The Jedi Council already knew the tale of course, having been briefed on what Obi-Wan had said to their aides and other Masters.

Yoda leaned forward, his head shaking.

"Warn you, did I not?" The other council members stayed silent. Yoda was well into his 800s, the most perceptive and senior member on the Jedi Council. "Fear I had, in this boy’s training."

"I concede that, Master. But I had no idea how severely his mother’s death would affect him."

"He may bring balance to the Force. But at great cost," said Master Mace Windu.

"You must confront him, Jedi Obi-Wan. Bring him back to the light," added Master Ki-Adi-Mundi.

Obi-Wan Kenobi gazed out of the big transparisteel windows of the Jedi Council chambers. He sighed to himself, the moment he feared might come about to converge him.

"Yes, Master. I will seek him and confront him. However, I have somewhere to go first."

"Remember, hard to see, the dark side is. May the Force be with you," concluded Yoda.

* * * * *

Anakin stood in the middle of the grand room, the only light focused directly onto him. The rest of the room was bathed in darkness. He stretched out with the Force, making sure that only he and Sidious were in the room.

It was easy to sense Sidious, of course. Even before Anakin was brought to the skyhook, he could feel the evil radiating from it. The Sith Lord sat on a chair on a raised platform above the room. It was facing one of the transparisteel windows that gave a wide vista of the Coruscant night line. Slowly, the chair turned to face Anakin. Inside, the youth, separated from the Jedi by his hatred and uncontrollable anger for the Clonemasters and what they had done, shuddered.

Sidious smiled, his curled mouth visible beneath his hood.

"Your anger is powerful, young Skywalker."

"I heard your summons. Who are you?!" Anakin demanded.

"My name is of no consequence. Sidious, if you insist."

"Oh. And what is it that you want, Lord Sidious?" Anakin paused. "You’re a Sith, aren’t you?" The realisation didn’t seem that surprising. Sidious’ smile grew wider. The malevolence in his eyes seemed to increase. The air seemed to grow heavier and thicker. Anakin found it difficult to breathe. Finally, he forced air into his lungs, using the Force to literally drag air into his body. Abruptly, the atmosphere thinned again. He stood there startled, stars dancing before his eyes from the lack of oxygen. Sidious chuckled softly.

"You are indeed powerful. I can help you have your revenge." Anakin frowned sceptically.

"How?"

"I can show you the way. I can help you release your anger, your hatred."

"What do you mean?"

"The way of the Sith. The Jedi can’t help you. They are to narrow-minded, too confined in their views."

"I see. Maybe I could use your help." Anakin grasped his side for his lightsabre, only to remember he had left it on Tatooine.

"This isn’t about me, Anakin. It is about your revenge. I need an apprentice, young Skywalker. The Sith needs to be carried on. And you are the perfect one. You can be the greatest of them all. You can fulfil your destiny, your real destiny. Only if you become part of the Sith." Sidious paused distinctively, focusing on Anakin and bringing the full weight of his oppressive attention to bear. Anakin gazed back unflinchingly, the yellow eyes of Sidious and his mouth the only things visible under his hood. "Only if you become my apprentice."

"What if I do?"

"Then, you will receive training and new guidance. Channelling and focusing your fear, anger. Your hate has already made you powerful. And you will receive a new name." Sidious got up and looked down on Anakin.

"Darth Vader."

* * * * *

Obi-Wan looked down on the two new-born babies, a boy and a girl. Gingerly, he picked up the boy and rocked him softly.

"Luke," he cooed softly into his ear. The baby curled his hand around Obi-Wan’s outstretched finger. He smiled in spite of himself, the little boy’s eyes closing again, as he drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, the other one started crying. Quickly, Obi-Wan put the boy back into his cradle.

He picked up the other twin, reaching out with the Force to soothe her. ‘Leia,’ he thought to himself. Despite the joyous occasion, a great price had been paid. Even at this moment, aides and citizens were mourning the death of Queen Amidala, caused by the unexpected birth of her twins.

"So, these are the children of Anakin Skywalker," he murmured. Again, a wave of sadness swept over him. It had been four years since he last saw his former apprentice, ‘The greatest Jedi ever he could have been. And I had to lose him.’ Anakin Skywalker disappeared from his mind.

Leia stopped screaming, her mood soothed by Obi-Wan’s presence. Already, their births had caused controversy. It had been four years since people had last seen Anakin and Amidala together. Their first son had died soon after Anakin’s disappearance. Now, the twins. Unlike others, Obi-Wan knew why only now they had arrived.

What makes a Jedi powerful in the Force is the number of midi-chlorians that are in his cells. Midi-chlorians are the connection between living things and the Force. Because of the nature of Anakin’s relationship with Amidala, inevitably, some of the Anakin’s midi-chlorians were left inside Amidala. So, it was the midi-chlorians that conceived Luke and Leia, just as Anakin himself was conceived by the midi-chlorians of the Force.

Carefully, Obi-Wan placed the baby back in her cot. Despite being only a few days old, they both had distinct characteristics. Whilst Luke was calm and not prone to temper flashers, Leia proved to be a firebrand. He looked down at them again and smiled, before making his way out of the Royal Theed Hospital, on the planet of Naboo. He walked quickly, down through the grand high-ceilinged corridors, walkways and moving sidewalks before finally reaching the main hanger. He knew the twins would be safe while he was gone.

Within minutes, he was airborne, his sleek Z-90 starfighter cruising through hyperspace. To Tatooine. Much had changed in 4 years. The Clone Wars had ended, with a rather ignominous defeat for the Clonemasters in a titanic battle at Corellia. Rather ominously, the Clonemasters had disappeared shortly afterwards, only to emerge decapitated or in pieces.

Obi-Wan thought of the Galactic Senate’s deliberations on the Clone Wars. Instead of beefing up military strength or learn anything from it, ‘the dumb fools held a victory parade in every galaxy,’ thought Obi-Wan. This further eroded Obi-Wan’s faith in the Republic he had sworn to serve. Infighting and squabbling threatened to tear the Republic apart.

Presently, the ship dropped out of hyperspace, Tatooine coming into Obi-Wan’s viewports. He speeded on his way, down into the atmosphere, past Mos Eisley, Anchorhead, finally reaching the Jundland Wastes. Once there, he landed his shop next to his hidden camouflaged hut. After securing the ship, he made his way to the small adobe. Once inside, he activated the solar panels and air conditioners, which strained valiantly to combat the heat of the desert planet. He lay back in a comfort chair, trying to will away all the disappointments and sadness he had endured. He seemed to be succeeding, drifting off to a nice afternoon sleep, when a jolt in the Force forced him fully awake.

He touched his lightsabre for reassurance. His new one. The one Qui-Gon had left him had been returned to the Jedi Council. He looked around, looking for danger, trying to sense any intruders. Abruptly, the moment passed. He settled back into his chair, shaken. Suddenly, his communications array beeped. Someone was messaging him. But who? Nobody knew he was here, save the Jedi Council. He sat down in front of the comstation and flicked a switch.

"Obi-Wan here."

"Obi-Wan! This is Master Adi-Gallia. You must return to Coruscant! Immediately!"

"Master, what has happened?"

"We face a new threat. One of the Council members has been slain." She paused for a while, obviously straining to get every word out. "Master Mace Windu."

* * * * *

Vader strode into the grand room of the Sith skyhook. In his first test against a Jedi Master, he had done admirably. Mace Windu was now a jigsaw puzzle in the coolant tower of one of Coruscant Power Inc.’s power stations. The lightsabre battle had been fast, but brief. Anakin, or Vader, proved to be exceptional in lightsabre duelling. Mace Windu never had a chance.

"You have done well, my friend." Sidious emerged from the shadows in the room. Vader bowed onto one knee.

"He was old, and short of practice. It was easy, my lord."

"So, here begins the end of the Jedi. You have proved yourself beyond doubt. I doubt even Darth Maul could match you now."

"He was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Indeed he was. Obi-Wan will be back to confront you. It is his duty to face a wayward student."

"I will be ready for him, my lord."

"He is the only one that stands between us and the final victory of the Sith."

"I know my lord."

"He will come soon. This attack will bring him out. My friend, we will triumph at last."

"But Obi-Wan must be taken care of."

"Yes, yes. In due time of course. I can see it now …." Sidious’ voice trailed off as he lay back in his chair, probably dreaming of the future. "Patience, for things beneficial to us will come."

"Anything else I need to know, my lord?"

"No. Go, Lord Vader. Prepare for your battle. Obi-Wan Kenobi is not to be underestimated."

* * * * *

"A Sith? Has this been confirmed?"

"Yes, Jedi Obi-Wan. Surveillance cameras have proved it beyond doubt. He wore all black, with a Sith Clasp on his tunic. And he was using a red lightsabre." Obi-Wan shook his head. In the Council Chambers, he was alone with Adi-Gallia. He shifted his seat and replayed the recording of the holocam’s surveillance tapes. Indeed, there was no doubt. He paused it, and gazed at the Sith in it.

"It’s Anakin, isn’t it?" he said softly. His former student had finally shown himself. Adi put a hand on his shoulder, emphasising her sympathy. "I didn’t teach him well enough."

"Yes, it is Anakin. Do not blame yourself. It was the will of the Force, Obi-Wan."

"I wish I hadn’t brought him to Tatooine that day …."

"Enough of this, Obi-Wan. You know what you must do. You have to try and bring him back. To the good side of the Force." Obi-Wan looked at her, and smiled wryly.

"Do or do not. There is no try. Remember? Master Yoda taught me that." Adi smiled back.

"I do." Obi-Wan quietened, focusing on the task at hand.

"Anakin will call me when he wants to face me. Through the Force. I can only wait now."

"You must be ready, Obi-Wan."

"I am, Adi. I hope."

The weary Jedi Knight got up and proceeded out of the Council chambers. He caught a turbolift down to the ground floor and decided to walk back to his temporary quarters. The sunset of Coruscant’s home star was spectacular over the skyline. The air traffic was a bit thinner nowadays, since the Clone Wars had severely damaged most of the major systems and shipping lanes between star systems.

He made his way up the coolant tower on which Mace Windu had died. This was the only way to get to the pathway that led to his quarters. Just as he stepped through into the main generator room, he sensed a figure moving about in the dark recesses of the shadows in between generators. The figure wore a black cloak and hood. Something silver gleamed off the black tunic the figure wore.

‘A Sith Clasp,’ thought Obi-Wan. He suddenly knew whom he faced.

"Greetings, Obi-Wan Kenobi. How nice to see you again …….."

"Anakin. You’ve finally shown yourself."

"It’s not Anakin you’re talking to anymore, Obi-Wan. My name is Darth Vader."

"No. You are still Anakin Skywalker." Obi-Wan looked intently at the cloaked figure, trying to find the eyes, face, mouth, anything of the person that was his friend, his student. The closest thing Obi-Wan ever had to a son. "There still is some good in you."

"No!! Anakin Skywalker exists no more! I am Vader." He drew out a lightsabre, its hilt a black cyndrical casing. With a snap-hiss, a red-white blade flashed to life. Obi-Wan did likewise, his own blue-white sword blazing in the dim light.

"If you will not return, Anakin, I will have to destroy you." Vader removed the cloak and hood, revealing his face. Greyish white skin, eyes ringed by black circles, evidence of the use of the dark side.

"Try, Obi-Wan. Just try." With a leap forward, Vader slashed at Obi-Wan’s left shoulder. The Jedi Knight brought up his own lightsabre to block. Ducking under the Sith’s lightsabre, Obi-Wan pivoted on the ball of his left foot and attempted a swipe at Vader’s right ribs. The Sith Lord leapt backwards, and quickly countered with a thrust at Obi-Wan’s chest. Obi-Wan flipped over the head of his black clothed antagonist.

Taking a leaf out of their previous lightsabre duel, Obi-Wan, with his back still to Vader, swung his lightsabre in a tight arc at Vader’s right shoulder. The Sith crossblocked and spun around to face his former master. He feinted to the left, drawing out Obi-Wan’s lightsabre and jabbing to the latter’s left. Obi-Wan sidestepped the attempted crossover slash, countering with his own series of swipes and thrusts.

Vader parried thrice, before launching onto his own attack. A downward slash was blocked when Vader quickly adjusted his footing and aimed at Obi-Wan’s other shoulder. The Jedi Knight parried the angled cut and rolled out of the way of an upper cut. Vader’s upswinging lightsabre struck a pipeline. Abruptly, alarms sounded throughout the tower. Warning klaxons blared and red lights began flashing. Something bad had just happened.

The Sith didn’t seem to care, as he brought his lightsabre up to bear. Obi-Wan realised that he couldn’t stay defensive any longer. He lunged forward, facing the grim truth that he would have to destroy his former apprentice. The battle continued, lightsabres grating and slashing against each other, their distinctive hums echoing through the generator room.

Suddenly, the building shook violently. The two exponents staggered apart, concentrating on regaining their balance rather than each other. Again, the building shook. Without warning, an explosion sent Obi-Wan onto the floating walkway outside. Vader wasn’t so lucky. He landed just inside the doorway. His lightsabre, torn from his grip, was spinning wildly towards him. Obi-Wan watched, in stunned horror, as the lightsabre slashed through Vader’s arm and shoulder. Another explosion rocked the building, smoke obscuring everything. Vader was nowhere to be seen.

* * * * *

"Here she is, Senator." Obi-Wan handed the baby to Bail Organa of Alderaan. "You have to raise her. She has no one." ‘No one except Vader,’ thought Obi-Wan. The tropical sun of Alderaan beat down on them as they parted ways in Xenia City’s spaceport.

‘The twins are safe,’ thought Obi-Wan. ‘Vader can’t find them now.’ Luke was safe with his aunt Beru and Uncle Owen on Tatooine. Leia was here on Alderaan. And out there somewhere, was Darth Vader, in his black mechanical suit, its artificial breather and filters the only way for him to live.

Even though Vader had not shown himself in months, Obi-Wan knew he was still alive, somewhere. Jedi Knights had been disappearing one by one. Master Yoda had gone into hiding, resigning from the Council, to retire. Obi-Wan himself had decided to go into hiding, in his small home on Tatooine, shamed by his failure to stop Darth Vader.

By the time he reached home, he was utterly dispirited and exhausted. A red diode was blinking on his com station, a sign somebody had left a message for him. Using the Force, he turned it on, too tired to get up from his chair.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, wherever you are. This is Senator Organa. You must go into hiding immediately! Chancellor Palpatine has dissolved the Senate. He has declared himself Emperor. His new supreme Commander of the armed forces is somebody named Darth Vader. It’s the Sith, Obi-Wan. We’re not a Republic anymore. We’re an Empire. Please Obi-Wan, reply now."

Obi-Wan sank further into his chair. Wave upon wave of despair and self-degradation swept over him. Embroiled in a whirlpool and chaos of regrets and failure, Obi-Wan Kenobi realised just how heavy the cost of his failure was. He rested his hand on another lightsabre across from his, on his chairside table. It belonged to Anakin. Or the man who was formerly known as Anakin Skywalker. He knew how life would be, now with the Sith in control. The Jedi would be exterminated, hunted and killed one by one. Nothing would be the same.

But there was hope. Luke and Leia. Vader still didn’t know where they were. On the shoulders of these two siblings, Obi-Wan prayed the Jedi would rise again.

Copyright. Syed Rafie, 2001.