Chapter XXI –
A Jedi’s strength flows through the Force
–
Part II
It
wasn’t long before the Celestial Penthouse
was a whirlwind of activity from the medical droids
who had been sent to the suite. Once they had
examined the Clawdite and estimated his injuries
they proceeded to treat the lesser wounds and then
secured him to a hydroplatform for his transport to
the medical facility.
“He
requires surgery,” the lead droid informed Obi-Wan.
“Will
he survive?” the Jedi couldn’t help asking in spite
of his feeling of foreboding.
“I
cannot guarantee such a conclusion.”
Obi-Wan nodded and scratched his goatee. “May I
accompany him?” he requested.
“As
you wish,” replied the mechanical voice.
“I
have a further request,” the Jedi stated.
When
the droid soundlessly stood by, as if waiting for
instructions, Obi-Wan continued, “The two women
lying on the bed are also in need of examinations.”
“They
are not sleeping?” the droid asked, confused.
“Yes,
in a sense they are.”
The
droid carried out its instructions and moved over to
the women. Sakoya was the first to be examined
followed by Mara.
Before long, the droid had concluded the exam and
approached the Jedi. “They are both comatose but I
cannot determine the source of their illness without
further medical instruments. It would be conducive
to transport them to Kuryn Central Medical Hospital
if you are concerned for their welfare.”
With
a deep sigh of resignation, Obi-Wan said, “Perhaps
that would be best.”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
As
the entourage of droids, patients, and a lone Jedi
Master entered the emergency section of KCMH, or
Kuryn Central Medical Hospital, a human male dressed
in a customary hospital uniform of pale green scrubs
approached Obi-Wan, his hand extended in greeting.
“Good evening, I am Doctor Jerrid and I will be
taking care of these patients. From the report 2-1B
provided I will attend to the most severely injured
patient first, which is the Clawdite.”
The
doctor paused but Obi-Wan could sense the man’s
inquisitiveness and simply waited for the question
to be asked.
Doctor Jerrid started to turn away but then stopped
himself. “If I may…”
“Yes?” Obi-Wan replied.
“Three injured people…in your hotel suite… I would
be inclined to call security if you were other than
a Jedi. Your robes give you away. Well, and your
lightsaber too.”
Obi-Wan smirked and let out a small chuckle. “Yes, I
am a Jedi, as is one of your patients. All I can
divulge is that the matter at hand is being
investigated and your discretion is appreciated.”
The
doctor nodded. “I understand.”
“Thank you. I would ask that should the Clawdite
recover he be assigned a twenty-four hour security
detail.”
“And
the women?” the doctor quizzically inquired.
“After their exam I would like them transported back
to my hotel suite – if possible.”
“I
will inform you of their situation. Now, if you will
excuse me.” The doctor bowed slightly at the waist,
turned and briskly walked away.
Obi-Wan had been waiting patiently for Vaarn’s
surgery to end. He paced the corridors, politely
greeted passersby and then ultimately took advantage
of the quiet by immersing himself into meditation.
No one in the hospital bothered the Jedi as he sat
off in the corner away from those that filtered
past. A nurse walked by just as he was about to
begin his session and inquired if he needed more
privacy to which he politely declined. He knew the
surgical staff would notify him when Vaarn had made
it out of surgery and tucked away in some room so he
could meditate would make it difficult for him to be
found. No, sitting in the waiting area was good
enough for him.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and began to relax his
breathing. He inhaled gradually, deep within his
lungs and exhaled the breath just as slowly. Little
by little, his body started to unwind and it made
him realize just how tense he had been. In his
mind’s eye, he focused on a steady stream of water,
its clean flow trickling past him. The soothing
water invited him to sate his thirst and he suddenly
felt an icy chill course down his throat.
He
could feel himself walking along the stream, paying
no heed to the direction he was going. All of the
mayhem, the heavy burden that had encumbered him now
felt lighter and with each step, he felt more
invigorated.
He
could feel grass beneath his feet, the sun overhead
– beating down upon him, the floral scent carried
through the air – complete relaxation and he fell
willingly into it.
“I’m here, Obi-Wan. I’m here…”
The
Jedi Master emerged from his meditation feeling more
refreshed than he had in days. He blinked a few
times; adjusting his eyesight to the lighting within
the hospital’s waiting area and then stood up.
Stretching like a nexu, he moved about and breathed
in deeply.
However, no one could mistake his broad grin.
Nor
was there any confusion of the voice that had
reached out to him.
Sakoya’s words had connected with his mind and taken
hold. Although it was more than just words – the
emotion behind them made him really take notice. She
was not only alive, but he could feel the vitality
from her.
A
droid interrupted the Jedi’s elation with news of
Vaarn.
“Excuse me, sir, are you awaiting information on the
Clawdite?” the droid respectfully inquired.
“Yes,
yes, I am,” Obi-Wan masked his smile and turned to
face the protocol droid who instantly reminded him
of C-3PO.
“I am
pleased to inform you that his surgery was a
success. He is still in critical condition and has
been placed in the intensive care ward.”
“May
I see him?” Obi-Wan asked, sounding relieved.
“I’m
sorry, sir,” the droid sadly replied, “but he needs
recovery time.”
Obi-Wan glanced at the chrono on the wall and
nodded. “Very well. I’ll be back tomorrow to see him
but I must insist on the security I spoke to the
surgeon about when we arrived. Aside from specific
identified medical personnel, no one but myself has
permission to visit this patient.”
“I
will inform the doctor immediately. May I assist you
further, sir?”
“Yes,
please let Doctor Jerrid know where to find me, I
will remain here for him to arrive.”
“Yes,
sir. Will there be anything else?”
“No,
thank you.”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
A
Jedi’s strength flows through the Force.
Sakoya had repeated those words over and over in her
mind. She had sought refuge in the ethereal and
through it felt her strength coming back to her. Her
mind no longer felt weak and exhausted but livelier.
She sat up and looked at where Mara had thrust her
lightsaber through her body and there was nothing –
no trace of any injury.
“A
dream – just a dream,” she mused. “But one that
allowed me to gather my inner strength while I
healed at the same time.” She rubbed her stomach
where a child was forming within her womb. “And you,
little one, showed us the way. Even though I felt
broken as I witnessed my husband’s death and my
daughter’s look of rapture as she plunged her saber
into me – you rekindled my hope and love of life. It
was then that I realized it was a dream and that now
I could let go and find myself again.”
Sakoya got to her feet and for the first time since
the interruption of her honeymoon, she felt
euphoric. Every fiber of her being felt renewed and
it showed. “Mara needs to heal,” she said aloud.
“Shall we show her how, my precious?” Sakoya touched
her stomach and with a beaming smile, she closed her
eyes and disappeared.
__________________________________*****__________________________________
“Jedi…I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name earlier,”
Doctor Jerrid said, somewhat bemused.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
“Yes,
well, Jedi Kenobi your Clawdite friend is stable and
the two women you brought in are also stable,
although comatose.”
Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, I am aware of that.”
The
doctor looked perplexed and the Jedi Master waited
for him to say something.
“I
must say,” the doctor shook his head and wrinkled
his brow, “I’ve treated a variety of illnesses but
this one stymies me.”
“How
so?” the Jedi innocently asked.
The
doctor furrowed his brow even more. With a deep
intake of breath he replied, “One woman suffers from
exhaustion but her vitals are good. The younger one,
who bears an uncanny resemblance to the other woman,
has an affliction I can’t determine. I’ve run some
preliminary tests and they show traces of several
neurotoxins in her system. I’m afraid I don’t know
how to treat her.”
Obi-Wan gave the man a warm smile. “My investigation
should produce the necessary cure for these women.
Are they able to remain in my care?”
The
doctor still appeared to be stupefied but nodded his
head in agreement to the question. “Although I would
like to administer more tests, there is nothing more
I can do other than provide medicine that will
sustain them physically.”
“Your
assistance is appreciated.”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
The
Millennium Falcon came out of hyperspace and
proceeded toward the planet Nevus. Anakin and Luke
had just come out of meditation while Bail had been
trying to figure out inventive ways to beat Anakin
at holochess. Overall, it had been a pleasant
journey, except for a few tense moments between a
certain Jedi and ship’s captain.
A squeal came over the comm and a voice stated, “We
have you on our screen now. Identify yourself.”
Han casually opened a communication channel and
replied, “This is the
Millennium Falcon,
requesting permission to land.”
“Affirmative. Business or pleasure?” the voice
requested.
Han looked up at Anakin who was now standing behind
him.
“Pleasure,” Anakin coolly replied.
“State your destination for our records.”
“Kuryn,” he offered.
There was no response from the main control center.
A few more minutes passed and still no response.
Chewie glanced at his captain and growled something
only Han could understand.
“I don’t know,” Han replied to his first-mate with a
shrug of his shoulders. “Fly casual.”
Han would have sworn he saw the big furry oaf roll
his eyes.
Another squeal interrupted them and a voice from the
control center said, “Proceed to Kuryn docking area
366. Enjoy your stay.”
Han
smiled and nodded at everyone who had crowded around
him. “See, no problem.”
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