Chapter 1

(Ryloth)

I knew this was a bad idea!

Obi Wan Kenobi would never classify himself as a negative person. Other people might, that was for sure, but he would never say that himself. Yes, he tended to see the negative more often than others, namely a certain padawan of his, but he wasn't one to constantly bemoan their fate or believe that they were doomed.

I don't care what Anakin thinks…I am not the human version of C-3PO.

Obi Wan would view himself as pragmatic. Maybe a bit of a realist, if he were pressured to apply a title to himself. He merely viewed a situation from all angles and determined how it was, for good or for bad. There was nothing wrong with that, despite what others may think.

And at this moment, Obi Wan was pretty sure that they were, in Ahsoka's words, screwed.

Mace Windu had managed to capture Wat Tambor, one of the key members of the Sepertists, and with it secure the planet of Ryloth for the Republic once more. Others had wanted to celebrate this victory, but Obi Wan had warned that they were not out of the woods just yet.

His warnings had been proved to be true when a small band of Super Battle Droids had made their presence known, continuing with their orders to raze as much of the planet as they could before the battle was completely loss. Obi Wan's forces had only come upon the droids by accident, helping to lead a group of survivors back to their village when the droids had begun firing upon them. He'd managed to find what little cover he could for the men, women and children, but that meant that he and his clones were left without protection from the deadly blaster bolts that filled the dry air.

The sound of the clones as they died warred against the clanking of the droid army, a deafening noise that threatened Obi Wan's sanity. He could barely hear the hum of his lightsaber as he deflected back the bolts, doing all he could to drive the enemy back.

But it was becoming clear that they were simply outnumbered.

I should have planned ahead for this, Obi Wan thought in disgust. I should have had Dagger run a sweep of the area before we began to march…perhaps we could have formed a plan for ambush that would have allowed us to avoid-

His thoughts were cut off by a shot that nearly grazed his ear.

"You need to be careful, General!" Cody called out, firing his blaster at anything that moved. Obi Wan had to admire Cody's stance under pressure; many of his brothers lay dead at his feet and still he kept his head clear and his thoughts only on the battle. While other clones may have become enraged and sought revenge, Cody realized that wars were won by protecting the living, not avenging the fallen.

It is a pity he does not have any midichlorians, Obi Wan thought as he deflected another blast back into the chest of a Super Battle Droid. He would make a fine Jedi.

Obi Wan forced himself to ignore such thoughts as he searched for a moment to radio in for Anakin and Ahsoka. Without their aid many more of the clones would die needlessly. But every time it appeared he would have a chance to reach for his comlink another barrage of fire would come at him, forcing him to turn his full attention to protecting himself, his men, and the Twi'leks.

"Finally," Obi Wan muttered, the droids' blasts lightening enough for him to reach for the comlink on his belt. With his saber in his right hand, Obi Wan brought the communication device to his mouth. "Anakin, do you read me?"

"Loud and clear, Master. Is there a problem?"

"Oh, nothing much," Obi Wan said dryly. "Just a squad of 70 Super Battle Droids that have us pinned down."

"Only 70?" Anakin asked with mock concern. "Are you losing your touch that 70 are giving you a problem?"

"Anakin, this is serious!" Obi Wan said, exasperated with his former padawan's lack of concern. "The Twi'leks are protected for now but I am losing men fast. I need you and Ahsoka to get here now and lay some coverfire down with your starfighters!"

"General, look!" Cody called out, pointing towards the East. Obi Wan turned in time to see a ship blasting towards them, zeroing in on the droids. "Reinforcements!"

"About time, Anakin!" Obi Wan said with just a touch of mirth.

"Obi Wan…I don't know what you are talking about," Anakin said, his voice no longer filled with humor. "Ahsoka and I are still several clicks away. We haven't even spotted you."

Obi Wan frowned, squinting against the bright sun. "Then what the…"

It was clear now that whatever ship was coming at them was neither Republic or Sepertist. It was a strange ship, sleek and silver like a Naboon Royal Cruiser, yet designed for only one man, if Obi Wan was correct.

The droids stopped all firing, turning as one to examine the ship. By the time they had raised their weapons it was too late, the fighter slamming into them and decimating their ranks.

Behind him Obi Wan could hear the cheers of the Twi'leks and the clones but he paid them no heed. His eyes were locked on the strange ship, examining it to determine if it was their savior…or a greater threat.

~MC~MC~MC~

(Other the skies of Ryloth…several minutes ago)

Abin Sur clutched his shoulder, his muscles screaming in protest. He could feel his hot blood soaking his uniform, rolling down the skintight material. Every breath seemed to drive a knife into his very bones. He'd lost the ability to use his left hand minutes ago, forced to rely upon autopilot.

He knew that he was dying.

His one regret was he had not done more.

Oh, he had done much in his life, fighting hundreds of battles and saving countless planets. But still, he knew there was so much more he could have done, so much more good he could have brought into the universe. Whole galaxies had never been explored, their people knowing nothing of him or his mission for the forces of good.

He looked down upon the ring that fit snugly against his finger.

His time was over…but the last gift he could give the universe was his replacement.

Bringing his hand to his lips, he spoke, his lungs burning as he recorded his last moments. "I've failed in my mission. I'm badly wounded and lost in an uncharted part of my sector. I've headed towards the closest planet to begin the selection process."

Abin felt the ship rock as it landed, crashing into a crowd of robotic beings. He closed his eyes, praying that none of them were like Stel. There was little time to dwell upon that fact, thought; Abin Sur had one final mission.

"Choose…wisely," he whispered to his ring.

~MC~MC~MC~

"Sir?" Cody called out, approaching Obi Wan. "What our are orders?"

Obi Wan held up a hand. "Tend to the villagers. I will see about the ship."

"Are you sure that is wise, sir?"

Obi Wan smirked slightly. "No. Perhaps Anakin is rubbing off on me."

"Sir!" Dagger cried out, bringing his weapon to the ready. Obi Wan turned to see a green ball of light rise from the ship, hovering in midair. "It's a Sepertist weapon!"

"Hold your fire, Cody!" Obi Wan shouted. "No one fire until we are sure." He slowly approached, keeping his lightsaber at the ready. The orb slowly approached them, buzzing and crackling with energy. "I sense nothing…" Obi Wan said, though that concerned him; in truth he sensed NOTHING about this orb…he had never seen anything like it…

The orb suddenly surrounded him, jerking him off his feet and dragging him towards the ship.

He could hear Cody and the other clones shouting, firing on the orb in a vain attempt to free him. Yet the orb expanded more, till it covered several meters around the ship, absorbing the blaster bolts as if they were sparks.

"The ring chose you…"

Obi Wan looked down, all concern for his own wellbeing fading as he gazed at the wounded alien in the cockpit of the ship. His purple flesh was beaded with sweat, a thick fluid Obi Wan assumed was blood coating his left side. Deactivating his lightsaber, Obi Wan rushed to the alien's side, checking him over for other injuries.

"Your name?" The alien asked.

"Obi Wan Kenobi. Do not worry, I will help you."

"It is…too late for that." The alien whispered. "I…am Abin Sur, the Green Lantern of your sector."

"Well, Abin Sur, allow me to tell you that you should not give up hope. I have a medic with me-"

"The ring chose you…" Abin whispered, holding out his hand. "Take it."

Obi Wan frowned. "I am more concerned about your wound than your ring…"

"TAKE IT!" Abin demanded, his breathing coming out more labored. "You must…"

Realizing that Abin would do nothing until Obi Wan did as he was asked, the Jedi Master gently pulled the ring from the alien's hand. His eyes widened as the ring pulled from his grasp, flashing once before it settled upon the ring finger on Obi Wan's right hand.

"You are the one…without fear. To be chosen…is a great honor. Place the ring…inside the lantern…say the oath…" Abin coughed. "Become one of us."

Obi Wan frowned, pressing his hand to Abin's wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. "I don't understand."

Abin Sur's eyes began to fade, losing their life. "A human…I never thought I would see the day…" He took one final breath. "Sinestro…"

And with that, he was gone.

The energy field faded, the clones halting their attack. Dimly Obi Wan could hear Ahsoka and Anakin running to him, calling his name. His eyes first fell to Abin's body, watching as the green uniform the alien wore disappeared from his body, leaving him nude; then his eyes went to the strange ring upon his finger, gifted to him by the dying creature.

"Obi Wan, are you alright?" Anakin asked.

Obi Wan nodded, struggling to get to his feet. His right hand, almost of its own mind, reached out and grabbed the lantern Abin had kept next to him. "I am fine Anakin…I am fine."

"What is that thing?" Ahsoka asked.

"Something we must deal with later. I need you to get the Twi'leks back to the village…I will bring this ship and its passenger back to base." Obi wan tugged at the ring that was stuck on his finger. "And try and determine exactly what is going on."