TITLE: JA #6 - Final Peace (3/?)
AUTHOR: Laheara, heather.lively@ns.sympatico.ca
ARCHIVE: Early Years, Padawan Journals, StarCheer, anyone else just ask me
ERA: "Jedi Apprentice" period, Obi-Wan is 13
RATING: PG (angst)
SPOILERS: Refers to all 5 books in "Jedi Apprentice"
SUMMARY: My version of JA6 "Uncertain Path"
FEEDBACK: YES, please. Should I write more?
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the SW characters (i.e.:
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan) George does. To bad really, I'd have fun making them miserable.
JA #6 - Final Peace,
Part 3
After the Melida Elders had heard the motion by Wehutti to use their recently built "Attack Drill" they decided that a test run would be in order to see if the device even worked.
Early the next morning the Elders, two technicians and the drill were loaded on a troop transport and taken several kilometers outside the city. The drill was set up in an open area created by a recent flood having sweep through from a river that had been diverted to the city for water reserves. The shallow channel dug for the river wasn't deep enough when a mid-season windstorm ripped through the area.
The Elders took up a position on near by cliff and waited for the test to begin. Here they would be just outside of range of the city. Therefore no one in Zehava would feel the tremor.
Finally the technicians waved that the drill was set up and ready to be tested. Coran waved back as he directed his fellow councilors away from the cliff wall in case any lose stones were shaken loose.
Looking down over the cliff to the target area the massive blue metal drill seemed to overcast the surrounding landmarks. It was as wide as a cloud car, and as tall as four story building. Made of solid Durinite, one of the strongest materials on the planet and tipped with meter and half long sparkling diamond. Since jewels mean nothing to these people it was not unusual to see diamonds and other precious minerals used in war machines. The base of this monster was mounted on repulsor beams lifting it just under a meter off the ground. Meaning it could be maneuvered into place without it presence being heard.
The techs stood on a control platform several meters away and pressed the activator. The drill groaned at first but did not move. The techs moved forward to check the controls and see that correct amount of power was being supplied when without warning the giant drill jump-started into action at twice the setting decided on for a test.
It mercilessly boar into the ground sparing nothing in its wake. In a matter of seconds it was already 8 meters down and still ripping through anything it came across. The techs having been taken so off guard by the quick start were not prepared for the amount of shaking it cause. One man was preparing to step down and check the device when it started. He was thrown off balance and was now slipping down the rock face. The drill was designed to go down making a much movement as it could causing huge vibrations to bring about the effects of an ground quake. After no more then a second, the shaking began. The fallen tech was being dragged toward the hole faster then his companion could grab him.
The Council up on the cliff felt a shower of small rocks come down over them as the side of the mountain began to crumble side them. Having anticipated this one man activated a stabilizer to protect the group. When if came online the rocks settled themselves back into place and the members looked back down at the drills progress.
The other tech quickly ran to the controls to shut the drill down. He keyed in the access codes and then the shut down, all the time the other man was screaming for it to be stopped. The Council, still watching on the cliff above, was so shocked at this disastrous event, none of them could move.
Finally the stop code was excepted by the drill and it stop moving downward. A few seconds passed and everyone thought it was over. They began to remark on powerful it was when... Suddenly it kicked into auto-reverse, pulling itself back out of the hole with a grinding sound that scared away what birds and animals were still present and riveting the Council where they stood.
The tech who had fallen had gotten to his feet during the silent period and started back to the control platform. With the shaking started again he was again on the ground and heading toward hole. The first tech tried desperately to stop the drill once again. However no one had informed these men that the drill was programmed to either go or down at full power, and if stopped in either direct it would change direction and begin again.
So by stopping it in forward, the tech has told the program to switch into reverse and come back up. The few second between was needed to switch gears. The man being drawn to the hole on his back turned over onto his stomach and tried to grab a rock or tree to keep himself away. Just about to hit the drill he caught a small tree which held him for only a moment. In all the bombing of the area it has died so it's roots were brittle and could not withstand the pressure of his weight. The drills backtracking had caused a large crack to form in the ground just under him. In the seconds the tree had held him the drill finally broke the surface still spinning full force. The man saw a brilliant flash of sunlight on the diamond, and was sucked into the drill bit....
After another few seconds the drill ground to a stop back in it holding position on its base and the shaking stopped. The body of the tech slipped off the diamond and fell into the hole, leaving a smear of red on the sparkling stones finish.
All of the Council members, even Wehutti and Coran, had turned away from the sight. A small tremor caused by the drill stopping shook the valley and everyone started scream again. However it subsided quickly. After waiting for another full two minutes in their crouched positions, the councilors turned back and saw the dripping diamond tipped terror.
Everyone was in shock, but one member broke the silence, "We **CAN'T** turn that **THING** on our children. This is madness. Who approved the building of such a monstrous machine?"
Coran, still in awe of what he'd just seen, smiled, "We all did Durman, it was a consensus vote."
Durman fell silent as no one could take their eyes off the drill. Some in horror, some in delight, since this now will take the war back in their favor.
After several more minutes of staring Coran spoke, "We should get back to the city. If we are gone to long the Young will begin to wonder what is going on and send out scouts to find us. We don't want them learning of our new weapons existence before they are properly introduced."
Almost all the members turned to him in disgust. He still wanted to go ahead with his plans, even after what has just happened here.
"You are a sick man, Coran. I will not go along with this madness," Durman announced.
Coran turned back quickly, taking in all the other members. "And the rest of you?" He stared at everyone determination in his features. Softening his glare he said more calmly, "Alright. Everyone is upset by what we just saw. But it will pass when you see what is at stake here. We will vote on my plan upon returning to the Zehava. That will give you all time to calm down and start thinking rationally."
When Durman went to object again, Coran raised a hand to silence him. "When we return," he said firmly.
Durman gave the most detestable look but turned away and headed back to the transport. Coran waved the other members to follow and brought up the rear with Wehutti.
Noticing Wehutti was somewhat disenchanted by his creation, Coran pointed out, "This is exactly what we need. The little rebels will never stand a chance against that kind of power. We will defeat them all. You should be happy, you're a genius."
Wehutti sighed, "I am happy that it works as it was designed too." Coran seemed happy with this answer and continued on ahead to rejoined the other councilors. Wehutti paused and looked back to see the drill heading back to its hiding place outside the city. The only thought on his mind was, 'what have it done to you Cerasi?'. Unfortunately, it appeared the others would vote to go ahead with Corans plan dispite what happened here. He knew it would be a short vote and they would be on the move against the Young soon.
~~*********~~
Obi-Wan, Cerasi, Nield and Mawat were going over some reports. Nield was explaining to Mawat how they would extend one of the tunnels to landing area for the starfighters.
"All we have to do is get out there. If we can destroy the fuel tanks they won't be able to won't be able to attack from the air anymore. It will take at least a week to have another set of tanks brought in and by who knows how much damage we can do. We may have even won the war by then," Nield seemed so pleased with his new plan.
Mawat looked over the reports of damage caused by those airial attacks and had to admit they were devastating. "Alright, it will take my team a while to extend that tunnel. I'll let you know when it's done."
Mawat left with another Scavenger Young who had become his second in command. Nield continued the attack plan with some older children strong enough to carry the equipment needed.
Cerasi looked over at Obi-Wan, who was repairing a blaster rifle. Her hand moved to the launcher on her belt and she remembered that she still hadn't sent the message to Qui-Gon. Given Lisoni the tool she was using for repairs she slipped out of the command area to a tunnel that would take her to the surface. Upon reaching the surface she moved to a small wooded area that keep her hidden from and Elder lookouts in the area.
She walked over to a large rock behind the east wall of the city and placed the small launcher on it. She set it to achieve orbit and send both messages on a broad-band carrier frequency. The starfighter couldn't have gotten to far away yet so it shouldn't take long for the signal to reach them.
Stepping back to a safe distance she watched as the small cylinder passed out of sight and went into orbit. "I hope you get that message before anything else happens.
Turning back towards the entrance to the passages she noticed a large flash of bright light in a rock formation near by. Curious she took out a pair of binoculars she carried all the time now. Adapting the scanners to the distance she saw a large object that looked like a drill. "What would the Elders want with a drill? There's nothing worth mining in this area.
Shrugging, thinking nothing of it, she replaced her binoculars headed back to the tunnels. She pushed some brush away from the entrance, looked around and went inside. Then, a form appeared out of the shadows, a guard has seen her when she returned from deploying the message buoy. He hurried up to the entrance and listened for movement inside. Then pushing the brush away as Cerasi did followed her inside.
Strangely enough these passages were well lit. He realized they most have generators down here, since a draw on the cities power source would have been detected and traced by now. He began moving more quickly now, since he didn't want to lose his only guide in this maze.
As he was about to turn the corner he stepped on a empty weapons cartridge. Stopping immediately, he waited to see if the girl had heard the crunch. She didn't seem to, she kept walking in the same direction. Relieved, he continued his pursuit downward.
At the next corner he looked up to see the lighting and was suddenly grabbed, and pulled forward into a wall. Small but firm hands grasped his wrists bringing them behind his back. Cerasi had heard the crunch but didn't want to tip off the guard so she reported it to Obi-Wan and Nield on the communicator she put in fold of the sweater she was wearing now. They had met her here to help with the guard.
"Didn't your mother teach you it's not nice to follow young women," Cerasi said in his ear.
"He didn't see much, and this tunnel doesn't lead anywhere important anyway. Why don't we just let him go. I mean where will we keep him. The only places we could keep a prisoner are right in the center of our organization." Obi-Wan pointed out to exasperated Nield.
Joining them Cerasi said, "He's right Nield, we don't have anywhere to hold him and we can't kill him. That would defeat the purpose of what we're trying to do here."
Nield turned quickly and hit the guard in the side of the head with his blaster. "Alright. Take him out of here and leave him near a med center to be sure he's OK." Then he walked back down to the command area without looking back.
Cerasi and Obi-Wan just stared after the boy. That kind of behavior was not like him. But Nield had been a little edgy lately. Cerasi looked at Obi-Wan and said, "I think he just needs some sleep. He hasn't had any since the last starfighter attack."
"Well since you're the only one who could convince him of it, I suggest you try when we get back." Obi-Wan said as he moved to pick up the guard by the shoulders. Cerasi joined him and took the man's feet. They carried him out of the tunnels and to a Daan lookout spot nearby. Leaving him where the next shift would easily find him. Then taking cover they watched, and in a few minutes the next shift came along and took him with them.
Satisfied he was safe now Obi-Wan and Cerasi headed back to the tunnel entrance. Mawat and some of his helpers were already there starting to wall up that entrance so the guard couldn't bring more soldiers in this way.
"We'll handle this, you two better get down below. New reports coming in now," Mawat informed them as they passed. They both nodded and continued on without stopping.
Reaching the command area, Nield signaled them over. They joined him and he said, "Early this morning some of the Scavenger Young coming to the city felt a ground quake near the Sonlalain Valley just east of here. And the Melida Council of Elders left the city for the same destination about a hour before that."
"There aren't any quakes in this part of the planet," Cerasi pointed out.
"Could it have just been the sound of starfighter overhead on patroll?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I don't think so. One of the kids who felt it was here during that starfighter raid earlier. He knows what they sounds like, so he would have said something," Nield said as he picked up another report. "Also, one of the Melida technicians that left with the Council came back dead."
Obi-Wan and Cerasi both tensed on hearing this. What could the Elders be up too. Just then Mawat entered, "The East entrance on tunnel 6 is walled up. If he brings anyone back there they'll think he hit his head *to* hard. It looks good."
"Good job Mawat. We don't want any unexpected visitors down here. Especially with how weak some of these tunnels are since all that bombing overhead. We really need to put more into repair that bad ones. Like the two connector passages leading from here to the armory and the south wall," Cerasi reminded her friends. She had always been the sensible one.
"When she's right, she's right. I noticed the support in east tunnel 8 are really starting to get bad. We need some fresh ones in there soon, it will only take maybe 2 more attacks at best," Disbaris noted.
"OK, I'll put that on my work details list. It won't be for a couple days though. We've got some kind of leak in one of the south passages. Some water is coming in through the walls of our most recent tunnel under the South Gate. A river was redirected in that area. We think the walls aren't holding now because of the added weight of that water just above us," Mawat reasoned.
"How long until it's fixed? We don't want a swimming pool down in the South passages," Nield asked, his eyes not leaving the quake report.
"I'd say about 3 hours. We still have to find where it's coming through at. But it's nothing to worry about yet. Just makes for soggy walking in that area," Disbaris joked to other leaders and seconds.
Cerasi smiled, "You need any help down there?"
"Nope, we're good. Thanks anyway," Disbaris thanked returning her smile.
"Well in that case. A group of Middle Generation in the Melida sector want to give us some extra medical supplies and blankets. As one of the leaders, I'll go with that group to make it official. Maybe this will be the first step in bringing them onto our side," Cerasi noted.
"Sounds good. I'll walk you to tunnel 5," Obi-Wan said as he waved in the direction of the door.
"OK. And by the way Nield," Cerasi said pointedly. The boy looked up knowing he could never say no to that tone. "I want you to have had at least a half hour of sleep by the time I get back here.... And I'll only be gone for 45 minutes. Add it up yourself." She walked over to her friend and lifted his chin so she could look into his eyes. "Am I understood?"
Nield appeared to want to protest, but when Cerasi pointed to his sleeping area he relented. He had to admit he was awfully tired, "Yes, I understand Cerasi. And thanks for taking care of all of us."
Cerasi smiled and joined Obi-Wan near the door. He looked over as Nield stood up, "Don't worry about the reports. I'll take care of things for you after I walk Cerasi out."
"Thanks Obi-Wan," Nield said through a yawn. All the other children in that area cleared out so he could sleep undisturbed.
Obi-Wan walked Cerasi to the tunnel where she was meeting the other members of her team. "You think he'll listen to you?"
"Oh he'll listen. He knows I have spies that will tell me if he did it or not. And he knows what I'll do to him when I find out. Don't worry, he'll sleep," Cerasi replied with conviction.
"He's right you know," Obi-Wan said. Cerasi crooked a eyebrow at his in question and he continued, "You really do take good care of us all."
Cerasi positively light up with Obi-Wan's praise, "Well. Someone has to, now don't they. I'll glad I can help," Cerasi said as her team signaled they were ready to go. "See you in a little under an hour."
Obi-Wan nodded and watching them leave. Then he walked back to the command bunker. Whispering to Onala he asked, "Is Nield sleeping?"
She nodded, giggling and said, "Yes, he knows better then to cross Cerasi."
Obi-Wan smiled and let her go back to her job. He tip-toed into the bunker and sat down on the far side of the room so he wouldn't disturb Nield. He began reading about the quake and what time of day it had happened. Then a thought hit him.
Obi-Wan had felt a hint of dread, and sorrow about that time this morning. He was working in the tunnel 7. He had felt it only for a moment and shrugged it off as people above worrying about the next attack. Now he was thinking that maybe what he felt *was* something else.
As he was considering this, he got a strong sense of danger through the Force. Strong enough that he was on his feet in a split second. Suddenly the entire room started shaking. He managed to get out into the corridor and saw kids ducking for cover in doorways and under tables as small parts of the ceilings let go over them.
It was a no natural ground quake. The strength and sudden nature were uncharacteristic of what he'd learned about quakes on this world. Then the shaking become *A LOT* worse, pushing him to the ground as debris began falling on him. Nield was awake now, seeing Obi-Wan in the doorway he yelled, "What's going on?"
"I don't know but it isn't natural. I think we should get out of here. This area isn't very stable," Obi-Wan yelled back over the shaking.
Obi-Wan turned his head as he got dust in his eyes from falling plaster. He heard something loud and turned back in time to see a large support beam come down heading straight for Nield. It hit him in chest sending him flying across the room into the far wall, "NIELD!"
Starting to enter the room to go after his friend he felt a tug on his arm, "You can't go in there Obi-Wan look, the ceiling is going to come down any second. You can't save him, besides. He's dead anyway."
Obi-Wan pulled himself free and turned to see Mawat standing behind him, "We can't leave him in there. He'll be trapped."
"Obi-Wan we need you. He's hurt and Cerasi is on the surface be now. You're the last leader left beside me and they won't all follow me. I need you to help me. We have to get the Young armed out of here to safety."
Obi-Wan looked back inside as the ceiling finally let go, just as Mawat said it would. Nield was trapped and injured. Then Obi-Wan felt totally panic grip the Young as support beams around the passages began falling and tunnels started caving in.
Mawat's Second ran up, "Mawat, Obi-Wan.! Tunnel 8, it's flooding fast, and the water is spreading. We lost 10 kids down there."
Obi-Wan was about to leave with Mawat when the shaking greatly increased sending a shower of debris and support beams down all through the tunnels trapping and killing kids. Obi-Wan was forced down, and now he felt scared, and overwhelmed, as a reflex he sent out that feeling to the Force to try to calm down. "Master, I wish you were here."
TBC
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