“Time of Death” - From a Certain Point of View

"Time of Death", by Cavan Scott, comes from the perspective of Obi-Wan Kenobi. This story follows "The Baptist."

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WARNING: This is a plot summary of the short story, spoilers ahead:

Obi-Wan Kenobi has just died, and he is experiencing flashbacks in his first moments in his new form. He thinks about Anakin, the man who dominated his life for 30 years. He recalls many of the events with which we are familiar over the course of The Saga. Finding Anakin on Tatooine, Maul killing Qui-Gon, taking Anakin as his padawan, and fighting side by side in the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan remembers Anakin's turn, and especially the duel on Mustafar. He remembers the look of hatred in Anakin's red and yellow eyes. Obi-Wan recalls handing over the infant, Luke, to Owen and Beru, with Owen telling him that he shouldn't interfere, and that if he must stay on Tatooine, he should be far away from them. Owen wanted no part of Anakin's past. Obi-Wan found an abandoned prospector's hut, and made it his home.

He remembered specifically that day he woke up, and had a bad feeling through The Force. He raced to the homestead on his Eopie, Neda. The homestead was being attacked by some bandits, and the child, Luke, was in danger. If Luke ran to the hut, he would die. If he ran to the hills, he would die. Obi-Wan launched himself from Neda, in time to slash through one brute, the group attacked the farm, with Obi-Wan at one side of the skirmish, and Owen shooting from the other. Owen shot a bandit as he was about to strike Obi-Wan, who then returned the favor with an expertly Force-thrown lightsaber through the body of another attacker behind Owen. At that moment, Obi-Wan was about to be ambushed, but young Luke came running and through a toy at the raider, who was distracted long enough for Obi-Wan to strike. The fight was over. Owen saw that look in Luke's eyes, the look of bravery and defiance, and hurled himself toward Obi-Wan, rifle pointed at the old Jedi's chest. He told Obi-Wan this was why he must never come back. Luke was going to turn out just like his father, thanks to Obi-Wan's influence.

Obi-Wan looked at Vader's mask during their duel on the Death Star, and wondered what was underneath, if there was anything left of his friend. He then heard Luke from off in the hanger bay. If Luke tried to help him, he would die. If Luke tried to fight, he would die. Obi-Wan wouldn't make the same mistake, so he did the only thing left to do. He smiled at Vader and raised his saber. He heard and sensed the red blade at his side, and then...RUN, LUKE, RUN! Obi-Wan willed himself through the Force to push Luke in the only direction that would save him, on the ship and off the Death Star. And Obi-Wan knows, he can always be by Luke's side from now on.

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