Chapter Five Seven knocked on the front door of the Kenobis’ hut, then rubbed his tired eyes with one hand as he waited for one of them to answer. Obi-Wan opened the door, nodded distractedly, then ushered Seven inside. “Something else has happened, hasn’t it?” Obi-Wan asked as he closed the door. “I’m almost sorry to see you coming these days, Seven,” Jade sighed. “No news is good news.” “She came to see me again,” Seven said. “I feel that part of her is struggling to give up the darkness but is unable. It’s too… ingrained.” “What did she tell you that would make you think that?” Obi-Wan asked, folding his hands into his cloak sleeves. “It’s too much to go into right now,” Seven said, feeling the lie prickle in his chest. “The fact remains that she sees her mission to assassinate you as an immense failure. And she’s out to rectify that. She won’t rest until you’re dead.” He turned to Jade and added, “and she’ll see that anyone who gets in her way is snuffed out, too.” “And Nova?” Jade asked softly. “She won’t touch her,” Seven said. “Don’t ask me how I know, but I do.” “Well, you obviously know more about this situation that we do,” Jade said sourly. “So what do you suggest?” “Leave,” he said. “We’ve been over this already,” Obi-Wan said. “We cannot leave.” “Not Tatooine,” he said. “Just get out of this hut. She knows this place, and she’ll be back. You can’t come on my ship, because she waltzes in and out of there like it’s hers. Is there nowhere you can go? Someone who might take you in?” Jade and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance. Obi-Wan’s jaw ticked where he clenched it, and Jade stepped over to him and took his hand. “It’s at least worth a try,” she murmured. “A try, yes,” he said. “And likely to be an unsuccessful one.” “We have to,” she said. She looked at Seven. “We may have someplace. And then again, we may not.” “Go now,” he said hastily. “I’ll help get your things together. As soon as something has been settled, communicate me, whether for good or ill.” Jade nodded and began scrambling to get Nova a bag together as well as throw some of her and Obi-Wan’s robes into a case. Seven assisted her for a few moments until she swatted him way, saying she knew better what to pack than he did. He made sure to tell her she was beautiful when she was frustrated, then turned to Obi-Wan, who was strangely still and pensive. “Something wrong?” Seven asked. Obi-Wan shook his head. “Only an inkling of what this trip will reap.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Seven chuckled. “You Jedi and your riddles…” “I doubt anything will come of this,” Obi-Wan stated plainly. “Who could turn you away?” Seven asked, looking outraged. “Who could justify that?” Obi-Wan stared at him for a long moment, then shook his head without replying. * * * * * Ayani sat on a swoop bike behind a large pile of rocks. She used the force to cloak herself, as well as a robe and tunic the same color as the sand. Even the most skilled person would be hard put to pick her out in the desert. She had watched Seven go into the hut and about thirty minutes later, the Kenobis and Seven had come back outside. "What did you tell them to do, Feroz..." she muttered to herself as the Kenobis climbed into a speeder and set off across the desert, and Seven climbed into his and went back in the direction of his ship. Ayani wanted for Seven to get out of view before she started her swoop bike up and followed the Kenobi's dust trail through the desert. She stopped some ways behind them as they pulled up to a hut. "Well, what is going on here?" she asked as she climbed off her swoop bike and inched her way across the desert, getting as close to the hut as she could. Jade held Nova against her chest with the child wrapped in the arms of her cloak. She and Obi-Wan climbed out of their speeder and were not surprised to see Owen stamping toward them. “You can’t be here,” he said stalwartly, offering no argument. “At least give us a chance to explain,” Jade said, shocked at his demeanor. “No,” Owen insisted. “Whatever it is, it doesn’t concern us.” “Owen, what is it?” Beru was poking her head out the door with a strained look. “We just want to speak with you,” Obi-Wan said. “It won’t take very long.” Owen huffed and turned back toward the homestead. “Fine.” Jade and Obi-Wan looked at one another, then tentatively followed him inside. Beru stepped back from the doorway when Owen came through. She gave her husband a disapproving look at his manners, then smiled warmly at the Jedi when they entered. “It’s good to see you both again,” she said kindly. “Oh, is this Nova?” She grinned at the child, who managed a smile in return. “Ben has spoken of her, but this is the first time I’ve seen her. She’s gorgeous.” Jade was taken aback by the differences between Beru and Owen. One was so kindhearted and the other so stubborn that it was a wonder they stayed married without throttling each other. “Thank you, Beru,” Jade said. “She’s our little Force miracle.” Owen visibly bristled at hearing the word “Force” but stayed quiet for the moment. “Beru, how about getting them something to drink.” “Oh, yes, of course,” she said. “I’ll be right back.” She stepped away, pinching Owen’s arm as she walked past him. He flinched, then grimaced, setting his face in this expression as he looked the two Jedi over. “Let’s get to it,” he said. “Why are you here?” “We won’t lie to you,” Jade said. “We need help, and we have nowhere else to turn.” “What kind of help?” Owen asked suspiciously. “I’d rather not talk about it in front of Nova,” Jade said, rocking the child gently. “We’ve done that enough as it is. Speaking of, where is Luke?” “He’s playing outside,” Beru said as she reentered the room with a tray of drinks. “You could let Nova join him if you like.” “Are you sure that’s safe?” Obi-Wan asked, putting a hand on Nova’s back. “I can watch them,” Beru said. “They’ll be fine.” Beru set the tray on the table before her and reached for out for Nova. With a trusting heart, Jade handed Nova over to Beru, then planted a kiss on the youngling’s forehead and watched the woman carry the child back outside. When they had both left, Obi-Wan open his mouth to speak but was halted by Owen as he raised his hand. “Whatever you’re about to say is not important,” Owen said. “I bet I already know, in fact. Your lives are in danger, and you want to hide here.” “In as many words, yes,” Obi-Wan said. Owen hung his head, nodding it weakly. “I knew this day would come.” He lifted his face to the couple. “Whatever danger you’re in won’t disappear because you found a new hideout. You’ll bring it with you. Into my home with my wife and the child I am raising as my own. You know I can’t do that.” “What about my child?” Obi-Wan asked, feeling indignant anger rise in him. “And my wife? And my home? Is your life and everything in it more precious than mine?” “And what would you do in my situation!?” Owen snapped at him. “If someone blew in and out of your life like a sandstorm, threatening everything you’ve worked so hard to maintain!?” “I’d find the courage to give that person aid when they came to me begging for it,” Obi-Wan seethed. “You’re either a liar or a far better man than me, Ben,” Owen said, shaking his head. * * * * * “Luke,” Beru said softly, bringing the child’s attention to her. A shaggy head of blond hair lifted to reveal a soft face with large, blue eyes. “Honey, this is Nova. You remember Ben, don’t you? This is Ben’s daughter. Say ‘hello’.” Luke looked at the girl shyly, then muttered, “hello.” Nova giggled at him, then said no more. Beru wondered if the slight age gap would make any difference in their ability to interact and play. Luckily, Nova seemed to be able to walk fairly well, so she needn’t worry about that. “She’s going to be staying for a few minutes,” Beru explained to Luke. “I thought you could keep her company.” Luke looked up at Beru with a cautious smile, then back at Nova. “you like ships?” “Ships!” Nova confirmed, clapping. “Here!” he took her hand and ran forward, not thinking that Nova was not the best runner at her age. She stumbled into his backside, but he managed to keep them both upright. “Luke Skywalker, you be careful with her!” Beru warned him. “I’ma show her my room!” he called back. He had let go of Nova’s hand, and she chased after him as quickly as she could. “Skywalker..." Ayani whispered from her hiding spot behind one of the speeders. Her eyes followed the little blond-haired boy into the house. "Anakin has a son. Now wouldn't the Emperor love to know that." Satisfied she had heard enough, she crept back to her swoop bike and set off in the direction of the Kenobis hut. She parked her swoop bike around the side of the hut and moved inside. She found a piece of paper and a pen in their home and moved to the table in the living room. She scrawled a note to the loving couple and propped the letter up so the Kenobi's would be sure to see it. She slid back out of the hut and went back to her hiding spot behind the rocks to await the Kenobi's return. That night, her plan would be put into action. * * * * * Jade and Obi-Wan feigned enjoying the drinks Beru had brought them, but truthfully their appetites were lost. Owen was watching thoughtfully Nova and Luke play, but he’d not offered to let them stay. And they would not ask again. Any hope of small talk had died, despite Beru’s efforts. After a few moments of awkward silence, Obi-Wan rose and scooped Nova up, much to the child’s dismay. “I know, baby,” he cooed, kissing her hair. “But we have to go. Maybe you’ll see him again.” “Do you have to?” Luke asked forlornly, holding a ship model at his side limply. “I’m afraid so,” Obi-Wan said, finding unwanted emotion boiling to the surface and swallowing it back down. He reached down and ruffled the boy’s hair. “But why?” Luke asked. “Luke,” Owen said. “They have to go home.” Jade stood and pulled Beru into a hug that neither of them really expected to share. “I’m sorry,” was all Beru could manage. “Don’t be,” Jade replied, then released her. She turned bitter eyes to Owen. “You have a good wife and child. You’re a blessed man.” Owen could only look at her for a moment before letting his gaze fall back to the floor. “And I intend to keep it that way.” Obi-Wan hooked an arm around Jade and pulled her against his side as he strode out without so much as a goodbye. They reached their speeder and moved on quickly, for which Jade was glad when she noticed Beru and Luke lingering in the doorway. “Luck,” Nova whimpered. Jade wasn’t sure if she meant to say “Luke” or if that was another cosmic joke from the Force. But it still stung. * * * * * Dragging her feet, Jade tossed the useless cases of their belongings onto the floor. “So much for that,” she said. “Keep them nearby,” Obi-Wan said. When Jade looked at him with mild astonishment, he added, “you never know.” Jade nodded her agreement, then her eyes scanned the room. This was a trick learned out of habit. As a Jedi, she never entered anything without giving a cursory glance to everything around her. Now, she noticed something new. Taking quick strides across the room, she snatched up a folded piece of paper. “What?” Obi-Wan asked, moving up beside her with Nova in his arms. “It’s a note,” she said quietly. She opened it and scanned the paper while reading aloud: “I now understand why you two would choose this Force forsaken planet to call home. Oh, how very tricky you are, hiding something this important from the Emperor, though I now know your little secret. Luke Skywalker. I know someone who would want to know about that child. I bet he would rush right over here, snatch him up, train him for the Dark Side. “Tread lightly, Kenobi, for I now hold a very important piece of knowledge in this game.” Jade cursed directly after reading the last line and tore the paper to shreds. She crumpled the pieces and hurled them across the room. “Great!” she announced. “So much for Owen and his damn security.” “How could she know?” Obi-Wan asked, sounding lost in his own thoughts. “Even if she followed us, how would she know? There is nothing to prove Luke is Anakin’s son.” “Other than his last name,” Jade pointed out. “There’s no two ways about it, Obi. We have to face her. What she knows could destroy any hope we’d have of reviving the Order. In fact, it could only make the enemy stronger by adding Luke to their ranks, Force forbid.” “We’ll find the strength to stand against her,” Obi-Wan assured her. “As you’ve said, we must now. I was not taught to run. It goes against what I’ve stood for since I was accepted as a learner. The humiliation alone…” “I know, love,” she said. “Going to Owen took so much heart, and he’s just as likely spit on you as he is to listen to a word you say.” “I can’t take that again,” he said. “I can’t let Ayani use Luke to her own, sick advantage.” “You can’t not be a hero,” she said, reaching out and petting his cheek. “Does that pretty much sum it up?” “I suppose,” he said gravely. “I love you,” she said, leaning across Nova and kissing his lips gently. “And I’m right here with you.” The twin suns set over the dunes, and darkness fell over the planet. Ayani cloaked herself with the Force and set a device behind one of the dunes closest to the Kenobis’ hut. She then mounted her swoop bike and flew it a good distance around the Kenobis’ house, stopping near the back and creeping towards their bedroom. She stopped halfway away from the window and crouched down in the sand. She counted to five, waiting for her plan come to life. "Oh Kenobis!" Ayani's voice sounded from the front of the hut, and Ayani smiled as she heard the rushing about inside the house. Jade appeared in the bedroom window and laid her child down in her crib. "Jedi! Come out and play!" Ayani's holo teased. Jade disappeared, and Ayani heard the front door open. Ayani rushed forward, sliding the window of the hut open. She uncloaked herself and used the Force to lift the child out of the crib and into her arms. At that same moment, her swoop bike came to life and roared towards her, and Ayani used the Force to propel herself onto it. Jade and Obi-Wan were caught in a whirlwind of confusion. Ayani’s voice had come from the front of the house, but only a wavering hologram had greeted them. At the sound of an engine firing up, Obi-Wan tore back into the hut, leaping over a chair and hurling himself into their bedroom. He rushed to the window, then looked down at the empty crib with mounting horror. Jade came dashing around the doorjamb, stopping short behind him as Obi-Wan whirled to face her. “Nova’s gone,” were the simple yet planet-shattering words that left his mouth. Jade tried to respond, but nothing was coming. No anger, no tears, no shouts. She stared at Obi-Wan blankly, looking for all the world as if she felt nothing. Then, wordless still, she stepped to a chest by the wall and threw it open. She fished through it for a moment and came up with a metal cylinder which she brought to life by pressing a red activation button. It hummed with a blue, soothing light in her fist, and she tossed a similar cylinder to her husband. Obi-Wan gripped the weapon while sweeping his cloak on, then both Jedi darted back outside and jumped into their speeder. Obi-Wan slammed the vehicle into gear, blasting sand several feet away as they took off. “That dust cloud ahead!” Jade called above the wind in her ears, pointing. “It’s her trail! We aren’t too far behind!” Obi-Wan nodded and pushed the speeder to its very limit, the landscape whipping past as a dark blur. Jade squinted ahead, seeing a dark object that seemed to float ahead of them. Part of it undulated, making her think of Ayani’s dark hair and cloak flying out behind her. She put her hand to Obi-Wan’s shoulder, then slid her touch toward his neck. “We’ll catch her!” he called in response to her caress. “She won’t get away!” Ayani streached out with her senses and felt the Jedi in hot pursuit. "No no, Jedi. Can't catch me yet," she muttered. She closed her eyes and sent a wave of the Force out behind her, kicking up a huge whirl of wind and sand. She opened her eyes and readjusted her grip on the frightened child clutched tightly in her arms. Her Force built sandstorm only lasted for a few moments, but it was enough to get her successfully out of their sight. Her swoop bike slid sideways as she hit the brake next to her ship. The ramp opened and she bolted in, carrying the now crying child down to her holding cells. She put the child inside and locked the cell door. She stared at the child in disgust as she sobbed. Ayani looked up and grinned. "Mommy and daddy are almost here," she told the child, and then she changed into a black cloak and stepped behind the large cabinet in the room, cloaking herself with the Force once again. Jade and Obi-Wan flew up to the ship, coming to a jolting stop. Jade was already leaping out of the speeder as Obi-Wan stamped the brake. “I don’t understand,” Jade said hurriedly. “The ship isn’t cloaked.” Obi-Wan ran up beside her just as a fresh wail soared from Nova’s lungs. “Nova,” Jade whimpered, darting up the ship’s ramp. She ran on legs that seemed to go too slow, just like in a nightmare. She heard the pounding of Obi-Wan’s boots behind her, then a soft groan and a thump. When she turned to see what had happened, she felt something sharp sting her neck. Before she could pry it out, her head swam and her knees buckled, sending her crashing face first to the floor. "Jedi are so predictable," Ayani grinned as she stepped out of the shadows and plucked the darts out of the two Jedi's necks. "Extra tranquillizer for you." She knelt down next to Jade, stabbed a needle hard into her neck, and squeezed more of the liquid into her body. She straightened and looked at Kenobi. "Now where did I put those binders..." She looked up on a shelf and pulled down a pair of odd-looking handcuffs. She attached the back of them to a special clip on her ship, and then used the Force to pulled Obi-Wan to her and sat his back against the ship. She brought the semicircular handcuffs up. She put one around Kenobi’s hand and activated it, and she did the same with the next one. Obi-Wan’s hands were yanked back up against the ships side, a forcefield coming around them. She put similar cuffs on his feet and around his neck. She had installed these when she started hunting Jedi. They were the only kind of restraints a Jedi had not been able to get out of yet. Ayani's eyebrow twitched as the small child screamed again in a cell near her mother and father. "Would you shut up, you Force forsaken child," Ayani growled, spinning on the child and sending a dart with a small amount of tranquillizer into her. Ayani sighed with content as the child fell to the ground, and the noise stopped. "Now..." she took Obi-Wan’s lightsaber from him and placed it in her cockpit with the teething ring that Nova had had with her when Ayani took her. She sat down in the pilot’s seat and pulled the ramp of the ship up. She took off and piloted her ship over the desert. "Now we wait until Kenobi wakes," she grinned as she let the ship hover over a dune far out in the desert.
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