Murder the Dawn: Chapter Thirty Three: Freefall In The Dark

[ladyofleithian]

In which Obi-Wan goes with Mace to confront Palpatine. It ends badly.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: Can't really say much except...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. 

Even now, entering the Chancellor’s office shouldn’t have felt almost like entering the krayt dragon’s den, and yet at the same time it was. Something in Obi-Wan was already pulling at him, something was already niggling and nibbling at the corners of his consciousness. And even now, he could still remember the words of the mysterious woman in his visions -- the visions that had to do with Satine and Anakin and so many others. The woman who spoke of the loss that was yet to come.

Even now, something in Obi-Wan told him that the loss might be there, in this place, in the Chancellor’s office. Something in him, that familiar I-have-a-bad-feeling-about-this feeling, was already prickling almost crazily, and he hated it.

Still, he and Mace pressed on. They had a job to do, after all.

Sidious seemed to be more than ready for them. At the very least, there were no pretenses, merely Mace Windu telling him in no uncertain terms that yes, he was under arrest, and perhaps a bit of bluster from Sidious, but in the end, it didn’t matter, because the duel was already breaking out. It was something along the lines of the duel with the Zabrak and Padme on Mandalore, only instead of two Jedi on two Sith (or at least two Dark Jedi), it was more of two Jedi on one Sith. And Sidious continued to evade them quite admirably, considering the circumstances. Even now, after Sidious’ latest attack, using the Force to slam Obi-Wan into a wall, Obi-Wan could not help but at least be somewhat impressed. If anything, Sidious had some degree of determination and ingenuity. It at least explained how he managed to fool the Republic and Jedi for so long -- although most of it, he could imagine, was simple blindness.

Eventually, however, even Sidious could not hold on forever, and Mace and Obi-Wan eventually cornered him against a window. Even now, watching him, helpless, begging for leniency, begging for mercy, begging for Obi-Wan to see reason (“The Jedi are taking over!”), Obi-Wan knew that he was lying. Of course he was. Sidious always lied. And yet even now, seeing him helpless like that -- he almost could not help but wonder who they would be to strike him down in such a way.

Mace, of course, seemed to disagree with that thought. “Save your twisted words, my lord. The oppression of the Sith will never return. You have lost.”

Even now, seeing the sight of Mace standing over Sidious in such a manner, lightsaber humming almost menacingly, a look of the utmost hatred in his eyes, Obi-Wan could not help but feel almost frightened, in a sense. Mace had been undergoing a slow breakdown throughout the Clone Wars, that was plain to see. After Depa Billaba’s fall, for example. And this -- it was almost as if every little thing about the Clone Wars was now adding up to slowly kill him.

And the worst part was that, standing there, Obi-Wan was almost inclined to agree. And yet at the same time, the old Jedi lessons were coursing back in. Not to mention memories of Satine, of Anakin, of the dreams that had been plaguing him ever since Invisible Hand -- the images of Anakin dueling someone else with a blue lightsaber, the images of Anakin being killed by someone with a red lightsaber --

Even now, that was the last thing that Obi-Wan wanted. If anything, he had always wanted the best for Anakin. And now...now everything was crumbling around him. The Republic as he knew it. Anakin. Satine -- he could still see the images of her confronting someone dressed in black, and dying for her efforts in order to keep the Republic safe. The woman who abhorred violence, never so much as carrying weapons save for things such as droid deactivators --

“Mace, please,” he said, softly, “Stand down. At least give him a fair trial.”

“He has control of the Senate and the courts, Obi-Wan.” Even now, Mace’s voice was quiet, almost sad. “It’s too dangerous for him to be left alive.”

“It’s not the Jedi way!”

“If you and Anakin could have taken Dooku alive on Invisible Hand, would you?”

Even now, Obi-Wan felt, almost, as if an airlock had opened inside his stomach. “Mace,” he said, “We made a mistake. We should have given him a chance. At the very least, don’t sink to his level. Please, Mace.”

For a moment, he could have sworn he saw a flicker of sadness in Mace Windu’s eyes. And then...

“I’m sorry, Obi-Wan. But I don’t think I have a choice.”

“Then I don’t think you can blame me for trying to stop you.”

“No.”

Even now, dueling Mace was the last thing that Obi-Wan ever wanted. In old times, amongst people such as the Echani, battle was said to be a form of expression. And so it was here. Things Obi-Wan could not express aloud for fear of punishment were now put plainly on display, things such as I need him to save Satine and Anakin, amongst other things, managing to come plainly through every strike, everything he used to defend himself --

And finally, he had Mace cornered against the shattered window, lightsaber at his throat. “Mace, please,” Obi-Wan said, his voice cracking, “Surrender and stop this. I don’t want it to come to this.” He never wanted it to come to this. He and Master Windu on opposite sides. “We are on the same side, aren’t we?”

Mace paused, almost as if considering something. Then his eyes narrowed. “No, Obi-Wan. Not anymore.”

It was then that Obi-Wan noticed Sidious rising, no longer the helpless, pleading old man that he had made himself out to be, but very much all right. Very much intact. Obi-Wan stood over Mace, lightsaber pointed in Sidious’ direction. “Sidious, please don’t -- ’’

Too late.

Before Obi-Wan could even so much as blink, Sidious had unleashed a barrel of Force Lightning so powerful as to blast Mace from the window. Even watching Mace fall, watching his old friend fall, Obi-Wan could only watch in horror, could only listen in horror to the sound of Sidious laughing --

He had done this.

He had contributed to Mace Windu’s death.

He had effectively murdered him.

What had he done?

Comments

[kinofsimon.livejournal.com]

Neato.

If I may critique...

Adding in side details via parentheses detracts from the writing. If they were expressed as an inner monologue or something else, that would be fine, but parentheses do not work in story writing.

Combat scenes and dialogue are pretty important, but they're really rushed here. For anyone who's seen ROTS, it's easy to imagine a slightly altered turn of events, and while most everyone reading this have seen it, it's still good measure to properly elaborate on details like that.

Otherwise, interesting turn of events!

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

Definite thanks. :)

And yeah -- I have a bit of a bad habit regarding parentheses. I'm trying to break that habit. XD

[estora.livejournal.com]

Oh, Obi-Wan! *tears*

So I'm still enjoying this greatly! :D Keep up the awesome work! The only critique I have is that I've noticed, consistently through your writing, you use the phrase "even now" all the time. :) It's a bit distracting, lol. But srsly, great job, can't wait for more! :D

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

*Huggles tightly, JIC* I know. :( *hugs Obi-Wan as well*

And thanks. :)

Hee, sorry about that. Let's say it's...I wouldn't say it's an Author Catchphrase as much as an Author Verbal Tic. I really need to stop. XD

Thanks again! :D