Chapter Text
Episode 1 – The Unknowing Patient
Narrator: Infected! While escorting a recently liberated group of Twi'lek refugees back to their home planet Jedi Master Siri Tachi and her small battalion of Clones were ambushed and during the course of the battle she was exposed to an unknown yet terrifying bioweapon. Now, Siri Tachi has returned to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant to await medical test results in hopes of discovering the truth behind this new possible Separatist threat.
****
Sweat dripped down her forehead as she gripped the hilt of her lightsaber tighter and awaited the next onslaught. She let out a quick breath and leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding blaster fire. Siri Tachi deflected the bolts with ease, but then the floor began to shift, and floating platforms danced all around her, another noise caught her attention as several new battle droids appeared from nowhere and surrounded her. Siri called upon the Force and was able to sense which droid would fire on her first, she deflected the blast while flipping onto one of the moving platforms. She continued to jump from platform to platform all while defending herself from wave after wave of enemy fire.
Her breathing became labored as she disarmed the final battle droid and landed softly on the ground. As the simulation completed its cycle the only sounds in the room that could be heard were the droids deactivating followed by the sound of clapping. She turned to face the source of the applause and saw an old friend leaning against the doorway.
“Impressive Master Tachi, most impressive.” The melodic voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi echoed through the round room. “Though I noticed you failed to beat my score.”
Siri deactivated her lightsaber and moved towards a bench. She picked up a towel and began to wipe the sweat off her brow. “Yeah, well give me time Kenobi, we haven’t all been cutting down battle droids as long as you have.”
“That’s fair.” He answered, moving into the room and folded his arms as he looked at her. “Aren’t you supposed to be in bed, I seem to remember a Council briefing where the medics ordered you to be resting.”
“Pot calling the kettle black, how long did you actually stay in the Halls of Healing after your spectacular landing at Point Rain?” She huffed.
The stoic Jedi’s eye twitched slightly and Siri knew she had crossed a line bringing up his latest mission. Siri quickly moved the towel to wipe off the sweat on the back of her neck and decided to answer his question. “It’s been two days of bed rest and I really needed to get up and move around.” She placed the towel back onto the bench. “Honestly Obi-Wan, I feel fine.”
He placed a hand up to his chin in contemplation. “Alright my friend, one more round and then I am afraid I must put my foot down as your commanding officer and insist you return to bed until you’re cleared by the healers.”
Siri raised an eyebrow and smiled flirtatiously. “Oh my, so forceful,” her voice seemed to purr. “Where has this Obi-Wan been hiding? ‘Cause I like him.”
Obi-Wan didn’t miss a beat and responded in an equally flirtatious tone. “What can I say, you bring it out of me my darling.” His voice dripping like honey.
Both friends laughed for a moment and then Siri turned back into the room with her lightsaber in hand.
“Run scenario TX1138” She called out to the computer.
“You’re sure about that, I do believe that is Master Windu’s favorite scenario.” Obi-Wan remarked.
She looked at him from over her shoulder as she took her stance. “Did I stutter Master Kenobi?”
Obi-Wan held up his hands in defeat and took his position against the wall to watch the training scenario. For her part Siri closed her eyes and called upon the Force to center herself and predict the direction of the first attack. To her surprise she found her ability to call on the Force a challenge, it reminded her of being a youngling trying to learn how to command the cosmic power for the first time.
Her eyes snapped open as the first wave of blaster fire began to rain down on her. She dodged them as best she could, able to deflect a few despite her tenuous connection to the Force. “Karabast!” She cursed beneath her breath as training Destroyer Droids rolled into play.
Obi-Wan observed the scene with the watchful eye of a Master, he knew this particular training scenario was created to test the skills of the most talented swordsmen of the Order, he worried she was only attempting it in front of him due to her ever constant competitive nature. But he knew Siri Tachi was no slouch with a lightsaber, maybe not as adept defensively but certainly when taking on an opponent she usually had the upper hand. She shouldn’t be struggling this much during the first wave of the exercise. Something in the back of his mind began to nag at him to stop the simulation.
Siri found it more and more difficult to hang onto her connection to the Force, this confusion made her sloppy and she cried out in pain as the first blaster bolt hit her in the arm, causing her to drop her lightsaber.
“Maybe we should stop,” Obi-Wan called into the room.
“I’m fine,” She insisted and tried to call her lightsaber, after what felt like an eternity the weapon finally returned to its master.
She flipped over the Destroyer Droids, plunging her saber into the back of one. But while distracted by the opponent in front of her she was unprepared for the second Destroyer to her left. The droid released a series of blasts her way which struck her, and she fell to the ground. The droids began to advance on her and before they could fire Obi-Wan jumped, his lightsaber a blue blur as it deflected the blast bolts.
“Hault all simulations!” He called out to the computer, relieved when the room went still, and the droids powered down.
Obi-Wan knelt next to his fallen friend, placing a hand behind her head. “So, there’s room for improvement.”
She slowly sat up and smacked his arm. “You were distracting me.”
“Yes, I’m sure that was it.” He helped her up. As he looked at the welts beginning to form on her skin he took on a serious tone. “What happened out there?”
“I’m not sure,” she admitted honestly, looking up at him. “I struggled to access the Force, and then I couldn’t seem to keep a hold on it.”
He looked at her, the concern evident on his face. “We should get you to the healers.”
She shook her head. “No, I think you were right the first time and I just need some rest.” She placed her saber back on her belt. “I think I just pushed myself too quickly.”
“I’m surprised because that’s so unlike you.” He teased.
“You’re taking way too much pleasure in this Obi-Wan.” She replied.
As she took a step, she began to feel lightheaded, Obi-Wan reached out and caught her just before she fell. She closed her eyes and shook her head as if to shake away the dizzy feeling. Obi-Wan held her tightly, to help keep her balance.
“Maybe I should walk you back to your room.” He suggested and much to his surprise she agreed without a fight.
***
Deep within Castle Serenno, sitting with his back to the desk, looking at the grand vista sat Count Dooku. His hands clasped in front of his chin, he seemed deep in thought. After a moment a comlink beeped and the holographic image of General Grievous appeared.
“Has it begun?” Dooku asked, not turning to face the fearsome general.
“Yes, my lord...the battalion only had one Jedi with them, will that be enough?” General Grievous asked between coughs.
A terrifying smile appeared on Dooku’s lips. “That is the beauty General Grievous, it only takes one Jedi.”
***
“I’m pretty sure I have a med-pac here, somewhere.” Siri stated as she sat down on the couch, holding her arm.
Obi-Wan looked around the cluttered apartment. “Could it be beneath that pile of junk, or that one?” He joked, pointing to various items in the room.
“Contrary to what you believe you are not very funny.” She sighed and leaned down to light incense that was sitting in an intricately carved burner on her coffee table. “Check beneath the sink.”
The sound of clattering items was heard and then Obi-Wan returned with a med-pac in one hand and an old engraved dagger in the other. “Do you save everything from your missions?”
“I’m sorry that I don’t prefer to live in a sterile room, devoid of any character clearly cared for by someone who has a stick so far up their....” She noticed the dagger in his hand. “Hey, I’ve been looking for that!”
“Well, no one can accuse you of lacking character.” Obi-Wan shook his head and handed her the dagger.
He then sat behind her and began to rub a bacta salve on the wounds that were located on the back of her shoulders. She winced as he touched one of the larger burns. “Thank the Force the training droids were set to low, otherwise we’d be having a much different conversation.”
He stopped as he realized the largest burn traveled down her back beneath her undershirt. “I am afraid I can’t reach this one, are you sure you don’t want to go to the healers?”
Siri shook her head and lifted her shirt, exposing her back. “They have enough to worry about besides my minor burns, no need to worry about impropriety with me.”
“Fair enough my lady,”
She smirked at him from over her shoulder. “Besides, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”
He marveled at her candor, realizing that Siri had come a long way in accepting their past. What had once been a topic she would go to great lengths to pretend didn’t exist was now something they could joke about, though he did note that neither one had been able to tolerate a prolonged discussion about their failed romance.
Obi-Wan gently placed the cool salve on her back, Siri tensed at the initial cold but then relaxed as the pain-relieving ingredient in the Bacta began to take effect. She let out a soft moan.
“Feel better Master Tachi?” He asked.
“You certainly have the magic touch Obi-Wan.” She replied with a wink.
He smiled. “It's like a fine Alderanian wine, it only gets better with age.”
His fingers lingered on the small of her back, the non-Jedi part of him begged him to move lower, but he shook off the urge and instead turned away from her, wiping his hands off with a towel.
“You’ll be back to battle again in no time,” he exclaimed.
“Unfortunately, Master Kenobi, it might be a bit longer.” Rig Nema, one of the Jedi’s head doctor’s voice could be heard from the com panel next to the door.
Obi-Wan and Siri snapped to attention, the female Jedi quickly placed her undershirt back on. They rose to their feet and headed towards the door, opening it. To their surprise they saw a small group gathered just outside Siri’s door and a ray shield had been activated over the opening.
“Doctor Nema, what is the meaning of this?” Siri asked, gesturing to the ray shield.
The female Doctor looked at Yoda before continuing. “Master Tachi I have been assigned to your case due to an unexpected…development.”
Obi-Wan and Siri exchanged glances, they both knew Rig Nema specialized in biology and the Force. She was the top in her field when it came to the understanding of Midi-chlorians.
“What development Doctor?” Obi-Wan asked.
“Your blood work returned with rather devastating results I’m afraid Siri,” Rig Nema peered over her data pad. “We have never seen anything quite like it, whatever this new virus is, it targets the Midi-chlorians in the system. Most organisms have such a low amount that their symptoms would simply be those of a bad flu, but for anyone who is Force sensitive it is a rather dangerous and deadly virus.”
It felt as if the collective air had been sucked out of the room as the realization dawned on them. Siri closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to attempt to calm her anxiety. Obi-Wan stepped forward.
“There must be something we can do,” His voice was resolute. “Is there a cure?”
“We have traced the origin of the virus to the planet Coyerti,” Adi Gallia spoke next. “It’s a system in the Mid-Rim.”
“It’s at least a place to start,” Obi-Wan stated, moving to grab his cloak and lightsaber.
“Master, it’s directly in the middle of Separatist territory.” Anakin Skywalker stated, his voice surprisingly calm. “It won’t be easy to get in and even more difficult to get out.”
“We’ve had worse odds, come on Anakin, we have to act fast” Obi-Wan replied to Anakin. He then noticed that no one on the other side of the ray shield was meeting his gaze. “Something tells me I’m not going.”
Doctor Nema nodded. “We have also discovered that this strain of virus is highly contagious and spreads very quickly. I’m sorry Master Kenobi, but by now you will have also been infected.” She turned her attention to Siri. “It is crucial to know who else you’ve been in contact with in the last two rotations.”
Siri shook her head. “No one, other than Obi-Wan.”
“Are you positive?” Adi inquired.
“Absolutely, I only left my quarters earlier today to exercise. And that was with training droids.” She spoke assuredly.
“Which training room was it?” Nema asked hurriedly.
“11B”
“Send a detox droid to training room 11B immediately and have them get to work. Also, as a precaution let’s seal off all the training rooms for now until they’ve all been decontaminated.” Nema spoke to another healer who took off down the hall.
The Padawan healer nodded, placing a medical mask over her face before leaving. Nema then turned to Yoda. “I suggest we have all personnel in the temple return to their quarters and stay there until we can do a detox and scan. We may need to start testing younglings and the older Jedi to make sure they haven’t been exposed, their immune systems would be most at risk.”
“I haven’t gone anywhere near the younglings, is that really necessary?” Siri asked.
“It’s a precaution Master Tachi, we just want to be sure.” Doctor Nema explained.
Siri felt as if her head was spinning. “Just how serious is this?”
Doctor Nema turned back to address her patients. “The data we’re receiving from your blood work shows an incredibly aggressive virus, it eats away at the Midi-chlorians within the cells which then gives it the strength to begin attacking vital organs. The higher the Midi-chlorian count the faster and more violent the virus attacks.”
Obi-Wan’s eyes shifted to focus on Anakin, and then back to the doctor. “If the Separatists have been able to turn this virus into a weapon then it could mean…”
“End of the Jedi it would be.” Yoda interjected.
“It is imperative that you two remain here until an antidote is found.” Adi sadly stated. “I will have medical droids checking on you twice a day, but that increase if you start showing symptoms.”
Anakin stepped forward and kept his gaze on Obi-Wan. “I will take my men and leave at once for Coyerti.”
Obi-Wan knew his former apprentice well enough to be able to detect the panic in the young man’s voice, he softened his features. “Anakin, you above all need to avoid exposure to this virus. It’s too great a risk for you.”
“Proceed with caution in stopping the spread of the disease we must.” Yoda agreed and then continued. “But, in order to quickly find a cure required some risks are. Play it safe we cannot, too much at stake there is.”
Anakin held Obi-Wan’s gaze, the determination within his eyes was almost overwhelming. “I will find an antidote Master, I promise.”
“Don’t worry Obi-Wan, I will be going with him,” Adi Gallia stepped forward. “If there is a cure, we’ll find it.”
Adi looked at her former apprentice and as a revered Jedi Master and a member of the High Jedi Council she was prepared to let the woman she raised as a daughter go, but she wasn’t ready to do it without a fight. She offered a reassuring smile to her Padawan, Siri sadly nodded in response.
“Isn’t there anything the two of us can do?” Siri asked, placing a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder.
Doctor Nema shook her head. “Stay here, allow the medical droids to run more tests.” She looked down at her data pad. “Other than that, I recommend rest.”
Siri and Obi-Wan nodded. Siri moved back into the room and the group at the door all left except for Anakin.
The taller Jedi looked at his Master through the ray shield. “I swear to you Obi-Wan; I will not fail you; I will do what it takes, you will not die.”
“If that is the will of the Force there is nothing either of us can do to stop it, you will have to be able to let me go Anakin,” Obi-Wan exclaimed as he watched Yoda round the corner out of earshot. He looked back up at the face of his former Padawan. “But hopefully it won’t come to that my friend.” He smiled sadly. “Be mindful of Master Gallia, and whatever happens promise me you will not put yourself in the path of this virus.”
Anakin was taken back by his protective tone. He was about to argue, but instead nodded. “Yes Master.”
“Be safe Anakin,”
Anakin bowed to his former Master. “You too Obi-Wan.”
Obi-Wan returned the bow. “Now hurry up Anakin, I’m not sure how long I can last cooped up with Master Tachi.”
Anakin smiled. “I don’t know, trapped in close quarters with a beautiful woman doesn’t sound so bad to me.”
Obi-Wan frowned and grumbled. “Anakin.”
***
Count Dooku entered his office in mild annoyance, he had just been in the middle of a meeting with the Separatist Council when he was pulled out due to an emergency call from General Grievous. He eyed the cyborg’s holographic image carefully, trying to gauge the General’s level of discomfort.
“I assume your failure is great otherwise you would not have interrupted me.” Count Dooku stated, his accented voice cold.
General Grievous lowered his head in a bow. “My lord, it appears the Jedi have discovered the location of the laboratory.” He coughed before continuing. “I have doubled the blockade around Coyerti, they will not make it down to the planet.”
“My Master will be most displeased to hear this General, the secrecy of this virus was of the utmost importance...it was to be a silent Jedi killer.” Dooku retorted, anger rising in his voice.
“Our intelligence revealed that General Kenobi has been infected.” Grievous’ voice sounded almost excited by this revelation.
Dooku hid surprise behind a mask of anger. “Kenobi has fallen victim so quickly? His compassion will be his undoing.” The Count marvelled, allowing a brief moment of empathy for his former Grand-Padawan. “Even if the Jedi are able to make it to the laboratory it would be too late for Obi-Wan, this would be a crushing blow to the Republic forces.”
‘And would bring Skywalker one step closer to my Master.’ Dooku smiled to himself.
“We can work this to our advantage. General, the Jedi must not make it to the surface of Coyerti.” Dooku ordered. “The death of Kenobi will be quite painful, and I want the Jedi to feel it.”
***
TBC