Cody continued fighting back the stormtroopers with Quinlan having his back. The two had recently departed from Obi-Wan to get the young Leia out of the building. The ten year old Leia hid, and watched, as the two continued to defend her. The station had become a warzone. Kawlan was on communications, so far the small army that was with him. He spoke to Cody, "Cody, we just broke through, looks like Obi-Wan came through, he must be on his way. Once he reunites with us, we will leave"
"Understood sir, we are currently trying to fight our way out now" Cody told him hiding through a wall, shooting at the stormtroopers.
"Alright, we are coming to assist you, see you soon" Kawlan said, hanging up.
Quinlan went in between both sides to protect his allies, "waves of stormtroopers were coming closer, overwhelming the two. The blasters continued firing, as Vos blocked their shots, some deflecting back or missing. That is when a trooper managed to hit Quinlan on the left shoulder, falling on his knee. He stood up, as he continued protecting his comrades. Leia was going to help, but Cody put her hand on her shoulder to stop her from running. The three then ran behind to hide behind a block that was in the middle of the halls.
All three hid behind to capture their breath, but the dozen numbers of the stormtroopers kept coming closer. Cody was rifling his blaster, while Quinlan clinched his lightsaber, ready to continue fighting despite his injury. He stood up, igniting his crimson blade to prepare for their attack. A dozen stormtroopers had their blasters aimed to kill. There was a long pause, but they then suddenly found themselves distracted. Obi-Wan was cutting through this precision with Tala having his back. This caused Quinlan to move to assist. The troopers were trapped, and unable to do anything, as they were cut down quickly.
"You sure took your time, old friend" Quinlan giving Obi-Wan his classic smirk.
"Sorry, we did hit traffic" Obi-Wan jokes. The two shared a laugh like they had before. He could sense his old friend's clarity, he still clung to the darkside, but he was not using it. This confirmed his trust his old friend again, especially seeing that Leia is still among them. He looked at Quinlan, "Its good to have you back old friend" he looked down to see Leia just looking at him. This caused Obi-Wan to bend down to match the ten year olds height, "Are you alright young one?"
Leia stared at him with her brown eyes before nodding her head. Before anyone could say anything, Cody came up, "Sorry to interrupt General, but Kawlan wants us to meet him" the group agreed, and kept going with Leia staying close by to Obi-Wan. Quinlan had clinched his shoulder, but he suggested he would be fine. While they were running an Imperial droid stepped out of the corner, and grabbed Cody by the throat, choking him before he could react. Obi-Wan quickly sliced the droid's arm with his lightsaber before aiming for the neck. Behind him, Tala removed her blaster, shooting the stormtroopers in the way. Two more droids came out, causing everyone to run with Quinlan using his lightsaber to lock the door.
The group eventually made their way towards Kawlan who was leading the attack. He, and the men he was traveling with were being shot at They had run out of space to take cover. A purge trooper was leading a group of stormtroopers pinning them down. Kawlan tried to aim at the purge trooper, but he dodged, firing back, and shooting the men next to his target.
Obi-Wan urged Leia to stay with Tala and was the first to speed up by using the force, he then plunged his lightsaber into a trooper's chest. He used his form three to block the attacks, then cutting them down, as he came closer. He wasn't the only one, Vos also joined him, helping defeat the enemies in their way.
Once the battle was over, the former Jedi deactivated their lightsabers. They were able to save Kawlan, but unfortunately all the men that came with him were dead. Obi-Wan could see the look on his face, the people who worked with him for years dead, and he couldn't do anything about it.
"I am sorry Kawlan" Obi-Wan said, looking at the dead bodies.
Kawlan looked at Kenobi, "Its war my friend, but now we need to get out" he then turned to Quinlan Vos who didn't say anything, but remembered he was with the Empire, which made him glare at the fallen.
"Don't worry, he is on our side" Kenobi assured him.
Kawlan put away his blaster looking down at the young Leia, he turned to Obi-Wan, "This is the Senator's Daughter?" Obi-Wan nodded his head. Kawlan looked back at the girl before at the group, "Alright we will tell Organa we have his daughter.
"My Fathers here?" Leia asked, staring at the larger man.
Obi-Wan came down, and kneeled to match her height again, "I told you, I am friends with your father, now come we need to go"
Kawlan called Senator Organa, who was relieved that Leia was safe. He then told Kawlan to meet him at the entrance.
Obi-Wan waited for everyone to walk, so he would be the last one out, but suddenly he collapsed on his knees in pain. This caused the group to stop, turning their attention to him,
"Are you alright?" Leia was confused, but went over to check on the man sent to rescue her.
Obi-Wan didn't respond right away, but his face dropped to fear, "Quinlan do you sense it?" Quinlan shook his head, like he didn't understand, but he could still tell something was wrong.
"He is here" Obi-Wan could still feel the strong connection between him, and his former apprentice.
Darth Vader landed his Tie Advanced Fighter down on the landing pad. He casually stepped out, looking at the fighting ahead. Vader didn't hesitate to ignite his lightsaber, pulling the traspassor towards him, jamming the crimson red blade in his heart, but he didn't stop there. Darth Vader's presence was enough for the trespassers to turn their attention towards him. He was quick about cutting the few that were still on their down. Once a fighter saw its opening, he flew it ahead in hopes to kill the dark lord, but Vader stopped it with the force, then crushing the ship with the pilot in it. He then tossed it aggressively towards the other unfamiliar fighters that were attacking the Fortrius Inquesitorious. The next fighters flew in, however Vader threw his lightsaber at the wing, causing it to crash where the remaining infiltrators were. The pilots tried to escape, but once Vader held it in place, they were trapped. He used the force to throw them deep in the oceans of the planet, causing a massive splash.
"Hello? Can anyone read me?" Kawlan tried to contact his men, but there was just static.
"Its Vader he is here" Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Then We need to leave. I was in interrogation with that monster for hours, and he broke my mind, we need to leave now" Quinlan urged them to escape.
Kawlan just rubbed the facial hair on his face trying to figure out what to do, "We need to find away out of here"
"We could go out the back of the station, it will take them a while to get there" Tala pointed out.
Kawlan nodded his head "Alright then we need to find a way to get there"
"I was able to access the card keys, they should take us to the hidden doors among this fortris"
Tala led the group as they continued following. They consisted of Obi-Wan who stayed close to Leia at all times, not letting her out of his site. Next to him was Quinlan, and in front was Cody, and Kawlan, all following Tala with caution.
Vader led a group of stormtroopers through the hall of Fortris Inqusutorius, looking for any more rogues that are still here. The Sith glanced at the dead bodies in the ground without any promise, just gripping his lightsaber, looking for his former Master. He could feel Kenobi's presence near by, he was still here. He was determined not to let him escape, which is why he ordered the facility locked down so they wouldn't escape. The rage could boil, as they confided in the march. Upon their arrival they came through one of the control rooms to find Reva's dead body on the floor. Vader glanced at her body, she was buried under her cloak. The dark lord had no remorse.
The Grand Inquisitor came through, bowing before his superior, "My Lord, I" he found himself, gasping for air before he could finish his next sentence.
"You allowed Kenobi to escape, Grand Inquisitor" Vader said using the force without raising his arm.
"I was betrayed, the former Jedi Quinlan Vos, he surrised me, and locked me in a cell" Grand Inquisitor said, holding his collar to breath.
Vader said nothing, and dropped him, "Take a group of stormtroopers, and find them, if you do kill all, and leave Lenobi alive"
"What about the Senators girl?"
"Doesn't matter to me. If she dies we will say it was an accident" Vader said not caring, only focused on Obi-Wan.
The group continued to navigate out of the facility. Tala opened an exit where they found themselves climbing out of the hall. Each of them climbed up the ladder.
They climbed up to find the halls were still empty. They were almost at their destination, Obi-Wan could feel it, but the force was still clouded by darkness, and it was getting closer. The next door opened to find a wave of stormtroopers, they turned their attention starting to point their blasters at them. Obi-Wan, and Quinlan immediately ignited their lightsabers, and cut through them with ease, but behind them was another wave with even more numbers. The others hide behind the former Jedi, as they were hiding from the blaster shots. The doors in the same room opened again. On the other side more stormtroopers battle on the other, catching everyone off guard. Obi-Wan went to the front while Vos went in the back to fend off the fighting men of the Empire. Each of them were blocking the attacks while each blaster flanked them.
A tall figure in black went in front where the stormtroopers were firing towards Obi-Wan's direction. The former Jedi was startled immediately. It was his former apprentice, Anakin, no Darth Vader. He stared at the Sith Lord, he couldn't see his eyes under the dark helmet.
Vos had finished defeating the troopers from his side, he stood frozen seeing who it was, "Its him" he said in almost fear.
Obi-Wan could barely move, seeing the state of his old friend. He then gripped his lightsaber, slowly walking, but before he could do that, Cody aimed at the panel, shooting the door shut.
Obi-Wan looked at the clone with a pause, but Kawlan urged him to snap out of it.
"This isn't good, I don't know who that is, but we have to get out of here"
Obi-wan stood paused, thinking what just happened, but then a blade pierced through the door. It was Vader trying to open it. Kawlan suggested the leave now, but Obi-Wan doesn't, instead speaking, "No, they won't stop, he won't stop" he paused to glance at Leia, knowing what will happen if she is captured, and the secret out. He looks back at them, and speaks, "I will slow them down, before anyone protests, this will give you enough time. Cody see to that the girl gets back to her father. After that there is another task he will have for you, trust me he will know. Vos, I don't know what you have been through, but I know you are fully back, please protect everyone. These people are the future of something much bigger. Our time is over, but theirs is starting, see to it they are safely away from the Empire.
Tala wanted to say something, but Obi-Wan denied her knowing she would want to say. He noticed Kawlan didn't say anything. Obi-Wan was about to urge him to go, but Kawlan didn't, instead he walked to the former Jedi to speak, "No, I will hold them off, we need you, you are a leader Obi-Wan, you see how the dangers of the Empire, we need you to get these people out of here"
Obi-Wan wanted to argue, but Vader was almost finished breaking through, he had not time to argue, but then he saw Leia, though not much time, she looked to him as someone who could protect her. He didn't want those eyes to lose innocents, he wanted to protect her. Obi-Wan looked at him, "You won't survive, I am sure you know that?"
"I know, but at least I will be able to give you guys more time"
Obi-Wan sighs, and the two shook arms, "Alright, may the force be with you"
"You as well Master Kenobi"
Kawlan got his blaster ready, looking back at Tala, then nodding, knowing that he could trust his continued mission in protecting force sensitive children. Once everyone else left, he blasted the door shut. Across from him the door opens. Kawlan is about to fire directly at the Sith lord, but he finds his weapon pulled away. Vader levitated him with the force, looking at the damaged control panel before looking back at his helpless victim, twisting his neck backwards, which instantly killed him. The victim played on the floor with blood dripping from his mouth. Vader didn't say anything, but marched through the door to continue his pursuit.
Obi-Wan had felt Kawlans death through the force, flashing a wave of guilt on his face. Vader was coming, he could sense it, and there was nothing that could be done to stop it. He, and ee else continued to run, climbing out of some rooms, not encountering any of the Imperials.
These last few minutes felt like seconds. Obi-Wan could already feel his former apprentice's presence coming towards them, but that didn't stop them for continuing to try to escape.
The door opened and it saw the platform was crawling with stormtroopers. Obi-Wan quickly left Leia with Tala for protection before he, and Vos would dispose of them. They were quick while being flanked by Cody, and his blaster. A large familiar space freighter had started to pull up in the middle of the fire fight in the sky. Their ships were getting destroyed, not enough time. First Leia, and Tala were first, they ran behind Obi-Wan, as they ran forward, then it was Cody, then Quinlan. Obi-Wan used three to block every shot aiming for them. While this was going on, he felt the force of Vader there at any second. Obi-Wan would then back step when he was done, leaving the door to close.
Senator Organa had come much towards pushing for a hit. He found young Leia in his arms, the two reuniting Tala had ordered the pilot to take off with remaining ships.
Obi-Wan watched from the window, there were barely anyone left. Kawlan, and everyone sacrificed themselves just to save him, and Leia, now they are free, but he wasn't so sure. He could feel the darkness from where he was, it wouldn't stop following until it catched him. The sky was already filled with Imperial fighters, there was no way they could escape.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes knowing what to do. He first started at Organa, then at everyone else, "I am leaving, Tala tell the pilot to open the door"
Everyone was in shock. Leia felt sad while everyone else was trying to convince him to stay.
Everyone protested, Tala seemed concerned, Leia was confused, not wanting him to go.
"Master Kenobi, we are safe, no need to run" Tala told him.
Bail Organa followed, "She is right Obi-Wan, its not safe"
Obi-Wan shook his head, "It doesn't matter, as long as I am around Vader won't stop hunting me"
"Then we face him together" Quinlan suggested"
"No, you must keep the Senator, and everyone else safe. With Kawlan gone, someone will have to look out for the survivors" Obi-Wan then turned his gaze towards the Senator, "I will catch up as soon as I am done. If you don't here from me, you know what to do"
Bail nodded, "I will"
Obi-Wan then bent down to match Leia's height, "You were a brave little one, you are just as fierce as your parents. Though it was brief, I am glad to have met you" he told her. Leia would express he didn't want her to leave, but gave it, so she hugged Obi-Wan. He stood up to look at everyone else. He looked at Tala, who just nodded to her, cleary sad. He then turned to Cody.
"Good luck General" Cody said stretching out his arm.
Obi-Wan shook it back, "I am trusting you old friend, may the force be with all of you"
Tala ordered the pilot to open the door. Everyone was confused at first, but Obi-Wan without a second thought jumped on one of the tie fighters, using the force to trick the pilot to eject his seat, which he did. Obi-Wan jumped in shooting at the other pilots before turning away.
Vader had stood on the platform, breathing under his helmet, the Grand Inquisitor right next to him, "Tell the pilots to stop" Vader ordered the Grand Inquisitor.
"Why? We have them on the backfoot.
"They are not our target, he is" pointing at the tie fighter Obi-Wan was in before it was going deeper towards space.
The Grand Inquisitor knew better than to argue, so he didn't, "Should we have our pilots go after him if it is Kenobi?"
"No, I will go alone" the last thing Vader said before walking away.
Obi-Wan was inspace, still sensing his former friend. He was going to confront him, which is why he pulled further, getting into space, knowing the perfect place for their possible confrontation.