Star Wars - 081c - The Clone Wars 04 - Gambit: Siege - Karen Miller by Siege

Author:Siege
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-04-01T15:25:29+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

"Obi-Wan... "

Anakin's voice, and a touch to his shoulder, brought him from meditation into full awareness. Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked up. "Another problem?"

"On the contrary, " said Anakin. Though clearly tired, he was smiling. "Rikkard says the theta emissions are falling at last. The storm's passing. "

An oddly watery daylight poured in through the charter house's open doors and unshuttered windows. The cool air still reeked of smoke and scorched metals, but it smelled of freshly cooked food, too. And there were voices, blended into an indistinct hubbub. In the Force he sensed lingering anxiety, but no more overwhelming fear.

"That is good news. " Cross-legged on the floor, his back braced against the wall, Obi-Wan eased his shoulders and looked at the burned-out communications hub. "Any luck?"

Anakin's smile vanished. "No. It's fried. There's no chance of getting it operational again. "

"And our scrambler chip?"

"Is completely scrambled. " Anakin fished in his filthy trouser pocket and pulled out a sad little lump of circuitry that had melted, then hardened. He held it out. "Which is going to make things interesting. "

Inspecting the ruined chip, he pulled a face. "More interesting, you mean. "

Anakin shrugged. "Everyone knows a quiet life is a boring life. Our only consolation is the diatium cells weren't damaged. " He patted his shirts shielded pocket. "I've put my lightsaber back together. "

Nodding, he tossed the ruined chip aside. "Good. I'll get on to mine in a moment. "

91

"No need, " said Anakin, pleased with himself. "Here you go. "

Obi-Wan plucked his lightsaber from the air. "Thank you. "

"You're welcome. Oh-and if you're hungry?" Anakin jerked a thumb behind him. "There's a kind of communal breakfast happening out on the square. "

He was famished, but- "I'll eat once I've looked in on Teeba Sufi's patients. Have you had something?"

"Yeah. It wasn't too bad. " Another swift smile. "Mind you, I made sure to steer clear of Teeba Jaklin's eggs. "

He really wasn't in the mood for jokes. "And the villagers? How are they?"

"Subdued, " said Anakin, sobering. "They know how close they came to destruction last night. And now, with the refinery blown to bits-they know they're still in trouble. " His lips tightened. "I meant what I said, Obi-Wan. About getting them help. "

"I know you did, " he said, gently, because they were both tired. "And we will. But for now we must remain focused on the mission. "

"Speaking of the mission, " said Anakin, "when do you want to tell Jaklin we're leaving?"

He hesitated. "Oh. Yes. About that... "

"What?" Anakin stared. "You want to wait for the convoy after all? Obi-Wan..."

"I know, " he said, as Anakin turned away in frustration. "But the fact is, nothing's changed about the challenges we face in returning to Lantibba. Traveling out in the open, in broad daylight, unprotected, with our false ID chips useless..." He shook his head. "We'd be asking to get caught. Better that we're delayed than we fall into Durd's hands. "

"And whatever it is that's hunting us?"

"I can't feel it now, " he said.

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