Clone Wars Gambit: Siege (32 page)

O
BI-WAN NODDED, THE FIRST HOPE HE’D FELT IN DAYS STIRRING
to life. “Sufi’s herbs. It’s possible. At the very least it has to be helpful, surely. Anakin—”

Anakin turned to Taria. “Did you bring a comlink?”

“Of course,” she said, frowning. “And we need to contact Master Windu on
Indomitable
, tell him—”

“What kind of comlink?” Anakin demanded. “Can it transmit bio-info?”

Taria fished in her bodysuit pocket. “I think so. According to Ban-yaro it can practically fly a ship on its own.”

Obi-Wan took the comlink from her, and inspected it. “We must get to the sick house. Not just for you, Taria. There’s something Bail’s scientist friend needs to know.”

“You’re not making any sense,” she said, puzzled. “Did you get hit by a blaster bolt?”

“No. Come on. Can you stand?”

“Of course I can,” she snapped, pushing him aside. “I’m not—oh.”

Ravaged with disease, her strength depleted, she couldn’t get up. And there was no way he could carry her, not even using the Force. Neither could Anakin. They were both simply too tired.

“Wait here,” said Anakin, shoving his lightsaber into his shirt pocket. “I’ll go find an antigrav sled.”

As he vanished into the darkness, Taria looked at the droids on the other side of the shield. They were still firing their blasters. “Don’t they ever give up?”

Obi-Wan shook his head. “Sadly, no.”

“That’s aggravating. No wonder you’re tetchy.” She patted his knee. “Hey. Sorry to be such a bother.”

A
bother?
He tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. “Don’t be silly. Taria, let me see that blaster burn.”

She took his hand between both of hers. “In a moment.” Reading him, her eyes widened. “
Obi-Wan.
”

Even if he’d wanted to hide from her, he couldn’t. His self-control was too far eroded, his carefully constructed inner barriers smashed flat. And she was… who she was. She could feel every pain in him, sense every overstretched nerve and sinew.

He made himself meet her shocked gaze. “Don’t scold. I had no choice.”

Letting go of his hand, she stroked her fingers down the side of his face, tracing every hollow and sharp thrust of bone. “I could smack you.”

“And I could smack you right back. Taria, why did you come?”

“Somebody had to.” She tried to smile at him, and failed. “Obi-Wan…”

The pain in her was growing fiercer. What it had
cost
her, to make this journey. “How did you fool the Separatists?” he said, to distract her. “Get through Grievous’s blockade and into the city?”

The question provoked an unexpected snuffle of amusement. “That was all Master Yoda’s doing. He’s awfully sneaky, you know. With a little help from your friend Senator Organa and some Five Hundred First pilots, I staged a daring gauntlet run of our Republic battle group in a genuine Sep ship, appeared to sustain serious damage, then staged a crash landing not far from Durd’s compound. Tragically, I didn’t survive.”

Now it was his turn to stare. “You stashed a
body
in the ship?”

“Yes.” She frowned. “D’you know, if he wasn’t so charming I think I might find Senator Organa a bit… creepy.”

Bail
had arranged it?
My friend, I am sorry
. “Taria, I wish Yoda had sent someone else.”

“There was no one else,” she said. “Things are bad out there, Obi-Wan.” Then she pulled a face. “Mind you, they aren’t looking too cheerful in here.”

“That’s because they’re not,” he said—and to his shame, he heard his voice break.

“Stang.” She sighed. Her arms went around him, pulling him close. “What a mess.”

“Don’t,” he protested. “I’m all right. And we must contact Master Windu and—”

She tightened her hold. “Master Windu can wait till we’ve something definite to tell him. Hush now. Hush. You’re so tired. Hush.”

He felt something deep inside him break. Hiding his face against her, he let himself go.

S
TUNNED, ANAKIN STOOD IN
the shadows and watched Taria Damsin comfort Obi-Wan. Watched how she held him, how she stroked his hair and rubbed his back, her hands moving, her voice a soft, ceaseless murmur. He saw how Obi-Wan surrendered to her voice and her touch, how unguarded he was within her embrace.

They’re lovers. Or they were. He never told me. I never guessed
.

Lost in each other, they were oblivious to the droids—and to him.

All those lectures about not needing anyone, about the importance of staying emotionally detached? And look at him
. Look
at him. He’s
drowning
in her. He
loves
her
.

And what did it mean? That everything Obi-Wan had said was a lie? That he was
living
a lie, denying his feelings, enforcing the Order’s ban on love not because he believed in it, but because he wasn’t strong enough to defy it?

It felt like a betrayal. It
was
a betrayal.

Padmé
.

Saying something, his low voice indistinct, Obi-Wan eased himself free of Taria Damsin’s arms. Then he cupped her face with his hand, and kissed her lightly on the lips.

Cold to his core, Anakin kicked the antigrav sled into motion and with a whining of servos pushed it forward. “Sorry to take so long,” he said, crossing into the pale pool of light cast by the plasma shield and the generator. “You know how it is. Couldn’t find a sled I liked.”

Obi-Wan stood, his face carefully blank. “Anakin.”

“We should get moving,” he said, guiding the sled closer. “I have to get back to checking the generators—and Devi’s going to need a break soon.”

Obi-Wan slid Master Damsin’s comlink inside his shirt. “Yes. Of course.”

Between them they helped her onto the sled and returned to the sick house, where Teeba Sufi stared at them, astonished.

“A new patient?” she said, unable to hide her dismay. And then she saw the lightsaber at Taria’s hip. “Another
Jedi?
Where did she—”

“I’ll explain everything later, Sufi,” said Obi-Wan, easing Master Damsin onto a cot. “Is there still some greensickness medicine left? All I need is a drop. A smear will do. It’s very important.”

Teeba Sufi’s lips pinched tight. “Why do you want it? There’s not enough to waste, Teeb.”

“Sufi, I promise—this won’t be a waste,” said Obi-Wan. “Please.”

“All right,” Teeba Sufi said grudgingly, and withdrew to the cupboard at the back of the room.

Obi-Wan pulled out Master Damsin’s comlink. “It’s secure?” he asked her.

Deathly pale, she nodded. “And priority coded for Master Windu.” As Obi-Wan flipped the comlink open, she shifted her gaze. “Anakin? Are you all right?”

This wasn’t the time or place to talk of love and lies. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

He hadn’t fooled her. “Yes,” she murmured. “I can see that.”

The comlink crackled, a secure channel established.

“
Indomitable
, this is Kenobi,” said Obi-Wan. “Do you copy?”

“
Obi-Wan, this is Mace Windu. What’s your status?
”

Anakin closed his eyes. For once it was good to hear Master Windu’s deep voice.

“We’re holding on, but our grip is fast slipping,” said Obi-Wan. “Durd’s droid army will break through our defenses very soon. Master, Taria Damsin’s reached us and has explained the situation. We might have an answer to Doctor Netzl’s dilemma. Stand by for a biotransmission.”

“
Standing by,
” said Master Windu. Not even distance and decades of severe Jedi training could keep the suppressed excitement from his voice.

Turning, Obi-Wan looked at Teeb Sufi, who was hovering behind them with an almost empty bottle of herbal muck in her hand.

“Thank you, Sufi. Anakin—”

He took the bottle from her, unstoppered it, and with enormous care dripped a little of the foul stuff onto the fancy comlink’s bioscan plate. The comlink hummed, then beeped. Obi-Wan hit the transmit switch.

“
Got it,
” said Master Windu. “
Patching it through to the Temple now.
”

“Tell Doctor Netzl that whatever the active ingredients are, they’ve proven effective in counteracting damotite poisoning.”

“
Will do,
” said Master Windu. “
Obi-Wan, I won’t mince
words—we’re getting pounded up here. Without more ships we won’t break Grievous’s blockade. I don’t know if we’ll get to you before Durd’s droids do.
”

“Understood,” said Obi-Wan. “Durd’s weapon is destroyed. That’s what matters.”

“
We’re not pulling out yet, Obi-Wan,
” Master Windu retorted. “
So sit tight. And let me speak to Master Damsin.
”

Taking the comlink, Taria Damsin cleared her throat. “Master Windu.”

“
I ordered you to lay low until we could arrange an extraction.
”

“Yes, Master, you did.”

“
Now I’ve got three potential Jedi hostages in play.
”

“Master Windu, none of us will let it come to that.”

“
Taria—
”

“Mace, I’m sorry,” she said. “But did you really think I was going to turn my back on them?”

Anakin felt his eyebrows lift.
Mace?
He looked at Obi-Wan, who shrugged. His face and eyes were guarded. He knew, oh yes, he knew, that his former apprentice was displeased.

“Master Windu,” Master Damsin added. “We’re all right. You focus on Grievous. And when this is over you can shout at me in person.”

“
Bet on it,
” said Master Windu. “Indomitable
out.
”

Anakin looked again at Obi-Wan. “I’ve got to go.”

“I know,” said Obi-Wan. “Taria, give me a moment. Sufi?”

Frightened, Teeba Sufi swallowed. “Obi-Wan?”

“Where’s Greti? Did you send her home?”

“I tried,” said Teeba Sufi. “She wouldn’t go. She’s sleeping next door.”

“Then I’m sorry, but can you wake her? Master Damsin’s hurt.”

“She’s just a
child
, Obi-Wan, and she’s worn out,” the Teeba protested. “She’s helped you enough. I can see to your friend. Young Greti needs—”

Obi-Wan touched Teeba Sufi’s arm. “Please. It’s important. And Greti would want to help.”

“Obi-Wan—” Master Damsin tried to sit up. “Maybe—”

“Be quiet,” Obi-Wan snapped, glaring down at her. “Lie still. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Anakin led the way outside. On the sick house step Obi-Wan caught his arm. “Anakin…”

He pulled away. “
Don’t.
”

Obi-Wan’s dimly lit face was full of understanding, and sorrow. “Anakin—it was a long time go. It ended a long time ago.”

His sleeping anger woke.
Really? It didn’t look like that to me
. “You love her.”

“She’s my friend.”

He felt his fingers fist.
Don’t you lie. Not about this. Don’t you dare
. “You
love
her.”

Monotonous blasterfire filled the silence between them. Then Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, Anakin, I love her. But I was never in love. For a short while Taria and I needed each other. And when we no longer needed each other, we parted—and remained friends.”

So that was how it worked, was it? Stay aloof, stay detached, never let yourself feel too much, too deeply, and the Order didn’t care?

So if Padmé and I pretended we weren’t in love…

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said sharply. “Don’t. Are you going to tell me that if you crossed that line with Padmé you could cross back again? That you would
ever
be satisfied with only being her friend?”

The thought was unbearable.
Never
. “Are you saying
you’re
satisfied?”

Obi-Wan met his gaze without flinching. “Yes.” It was the truth. Baffled, his anger dying, Anakin folded his arms.

“I don’t understand you, Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan almost smiled. “I know.”

And something tells me I never will. Not when it comes to this, anyway
.

“I have to go,” he said. “The fuel lines need checking and Devi can’t do it alone.”

“I’ll join you soon,” said Obi-Wan. “I just want to see Taria settled.” A muscle leapt along his jaw. “See if there’s anything I can do to—”

The Force shivered a grim warning. “She’s in trouble, isn’t she?”

“She’s out of remission,” Obi-Wan said, his voice oddly flat. “Aggressively.”

Anakin felt a surge of pity—not just for Master Damsin, but for Obi-Wan, too. No amount of Jedi training could buffer this kind of grief. Didn’t he know that from bitter personal experience?

But I had Padmé to soften the blow. And I was willing to let her help me. He won’t let anyone help. He still thinks he has to face everything alone
.

“Can’t she go back into remission?”

Staring across the shadowed village square, Obi-Wan shook his head. “I don’t think so. Not this time. She’s pushed herself too hard, too far.”

For you
. But he couldn’t say that. Not with Obi-Wan’s pain scorching in the Force. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

A long silence. Then Obi-Wan released a shuddering breath. “I know,” he said, glancing at him. “So am I.”

“Obi-Wan…” He had to say this. “Taria’s not the only one in trouble.”

“I know that, too.”

“So what do you think? Wait for the droid reinforcements to get here and roll the dice on one last big stand?”

“I think…” Obi-Wan dragged both hands down his face. “I think it’s a shame about Doctor Fhernan.”

Anakin looked down.
Bant’ena
. Flawed, misguided, and ultimately heroic. There was pain for her, somewhere, but he couldn’t afford to feel it. Not now.

“She had her chance. I’ll see you at the plant.”

“Y
OU KNOW,”
said Tryn, edgy with irritation, “this would go a lot faster if you three stopped
hovering.
”

“Sorry,” said Bail. “But we’ve got some anxious people who’ll only believe an eyewitness account.”

Tryn set down his datapad. “Fine. But you can witness from over there.” He pointed to the other side of the lab. “
Seriously
, Bail. You are cramping my style.”

“Our apologies, Doctor Netzl,” said Yoda. “Space to work we will give you.”

“Yes, sorry,” Padmé added. “We’ll get out of your way.”

They shifted to the other side of the lab and watched in silence as Tryn ran a series of complicated biosimulations using the data Obi-Wan had provided.

“I still can’t believe this,” Padmé muttered. “How many more last-minute reprieves are we going to get?”

Bail frowned. “We’re not reprieved yet.”

“Oh, I think we are,” she said. “I have a feeling. Don’t you, Master Yoda?”

Resting on his gimer stick, Yoda sighed. “Hopeful I am, Senator. Say more than that I will not.”

“Can you say if we’ll get Obi-Wan and Anakin back?” Bail asked. “And Master Damsin?”

Padmé tensed. “Yes, we will. We have to.”

Bail rested his hand on her shoulder. It was a warning, the closest he could come to telling her
Be careful. You keep it secret for a reason
.

On the other side of the lab, Tryn’s scientific gadgets started beeping. Then a series of holoimages appeared, complicated multibranched coded-sequence matrixes, slowly rotating above each gadget’s small imaging pad. Red. Red. Red. Red.

“Stang,” said Padmé. “Red’s bad, isn’t it?”

Bail watched exhausted Tryn’s face fall. “Yeah. Red’s bad.”

And then a fifth holoimage coalesced, slowly rotating. Instead of red, it was a rainbow of colors—and Tryn was smiling. He was
laughing
. He pounded his lab bench with both fists.

“That’s it!” he cried. “That’s the sequence. That’s the missing link and it
works.
”

Bail crossed the lab in a few swift strides. “You’re sure? Tryn
—are you sure?
”

“I’ll synthesize a sample and test it,” said Tryn, grinning, “but yes. I’m sure. We’ve got ourselves an antidote. The key was in those three active bioingredients. All naturally occurring, all easily synthesized. It was just a matter of getting the balance right.”

“How soon before you’ve got live test results?”

“Give me an hour.”

And after that it was simply a matter of high-speed bulk manufacture. But that was under control, thanks to the cooperation of a Corellian medchem company with facilities in Coruscant’s high-end Abroganto scientific research precinct. They had an entire production complex on standby, waiting for his word.

“Doctor Netzl, you are
good,
” Bail said, shaking his head. “So. We get the antidote into production by this afternoon—ship enough doses for every citizen on Bespin, just in case our team can’t stop Durd in time—and the rest we stockpile for insurance.” He turned. “Padmé—”

She held up her comlink, her dark eyes alight with triumph. “I’m on hold for Brentaal’s Prime Minister now. Master Yoda, we’ve got our civilian fleet.”

Master Yoda rapped his gimer stick on the floor. “Then leave you to your business I will. Make contact with the Lanteeb battle group I must. Inform me you must when ready to depart your civilian fleet is.”

“Of course, Master Yoda,” Bail said. “I’ll keep you informed every step of the way.” With Yoda departed, and Padmé still on her comlink, he looked again at Tryn. “I don’t know what to say. What we asked you to do… it was impossible. And you did it.”

Tryn dragged chemical-stained fingers through his lank, unraveled hair. “I did some of it. But without that missing link—without your Jedi friend—” He laughed. “I can’t believe how it worked out. That they’d end up in the one place that could give us the answer? How does that happen? It’s crazy. It’s impossible. It’s—it’s
unscientific.
”

And that made Bail smile. “The Force isn’t science, Tryn. The Force just… nudges things along.”

Tryn’s eyes widened. “The Force? Since when did you put your faith in mystical powers?”

“Since they saved my life,” he said simply. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you some of it when this is over.”

“In that case you’d better let me get back to work,” said Tryn. But then he hesitated. “Bail, this friend of yours. This Jedi. He’s not safe yet, is he.”

A cold shiver of dread. “No,” he said. “He’s not.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Comm me when you’ve got your live test results and I’ll start the ball rolling on the next step.”

“Bail?” said Padmé, calling across the lab. “Brentaal’s confirmed. We need to coordinate with everyone else, then set up a holoconference for the fleet’s captains and commanders. Let’s go.”

Bail gave Tryn a crushing hug, startling them both. “The Republic’s in your debt, Tryn,” he said, stepping back. “I’m in your debt. Whatever you want. Ask and it’s yours.”

Tryn let his gaze flick to Padmé, waiting impatiently at the laboratory door. “I wouldn’t mind a candlelit dinner with your other friend, over there.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, “but I think she’s spoken for.” He grinned. “How about a candlelit dinner with me?”

Tryn kicked them both out so he could get back to work.

“This is important, Bail. This
means
something. I can feel it,” said Padmé as he flew them back to her apartment. “Despite the difficulties and in the face of real danger, the people of the Republic have come together. Not for profits, not for power or prestige or anything ordinary. But because it’s the right thing to do. Because it’s a chance to spit evil in the eye.”

He loved her confidence, her unrelenting dedication to any cause she took up. But as he slid his speeder out of the main traffic flow and into the priority lane that was the fastest way to her apartment, he glanced at her and saw the churning fear in her eyes.

“We’ll get them back, Padmé,” he said, and took her hand in his. “We’re not leaving them on Lanteeb.”

“I know,” she said. “I know. Our boys are coming home.”

She looked strong. She sounded strong. But her fingers in his were cold, and holding him so tightly he was hard-pressed not to wince.

He flew the rest of the way one-handed… and tried hard not to think about all the ways the Lanteeb rescue could go wrong.