Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Abstract

[recovered from the Jedi Temple post Order 66]

The force has been known to the Galaxy since before written record. But no conclusive rigorous testing has ever been successfully accomplished. The contributing factors towards this feat include, Green trolls spouting truisms, Librarians who make the word power-trip look foreign to Sith lords who had their life sized statue covered in gold. include, but are not limited to, a religious taboo on study, elitist restrictions on the sharing of knowledge and several breaches of ethical experimentation practices resulting in a sever distrust of those attempting to investigate. The horrific wars fought over the competing ideologies of the Force, may have also rendered successful studies lost. Due to a sample size of four, small sample size (Four is generous you conned Aayla and Quinlan into your contraptions a handful of times- Obi-wan.) we cannot confidently conclude anything about the nature of the force, however we have highlighted multiple avenues for further ethical studies on the force and its users. However a case study raised doubts on the long held Light and Darkside duality model of the force.

Chapter Text

Obi-wan was going to find out. He always did.

Still it wasn’t going to stop him. Anakin tucked his Padawan braid up into his hair, pausing for the pressure of eyes to let up, he ducked into one of the service alleys. Where they still alleys if they stretched from suspended floors to steel skies? Drawing deep, he envisioned desert wind from his force scape filling his legs, he leapt up and across. Springing from the grungy durasteel to the beaten duracrete. This high up on coruscant the distance between floors were still skyscrapers apart on other planets. Even the most impressive free runner’s in the galaxy couldn’t keep up the power one needed for this. No, this freedom was the domain of people like him, someone who could use the force.

His entire body was thrumming, burning thighs soothed by the power of the force. The last jump was always a risk. Twisting he sprung, fingertips catching on to one of the suns.

The A51b Suns were designed especially for coruscant, promising a brightness and natural light of a natural sun. And they managed, if all the bulbs were functioning and clean, but it was cold. As with so many things promise clashed with practicality. The risk of fire amongst trillions intolerable. Had the ‘suns’ provided the warmth promised even hours after they cycled down for night his fingertips would be burnt.

 His fingers slipped, loosing valuable millimeters of purchase. Wind sprung to his command, lightening the load on his fingertips as he readjusted to get a better grip. Anakin pulled himself up over the lip wedging himself between the light and his goal.

The main air vents of coruscant were huge, several banthas could fit abreast in the one he was wedged against. The great metallic lungs of the planet breathed without rest. Failure for a moment meant thousands would choke on the exhales of others. Anakin took a moment to breathe with the lumbering giant.

The maintenance hatch allowed Anakin access. This far up it wasn’t locked, who would be mad enough to be up here without safety equipment? Anakin scrambled through closing the hatch behind him.

Rungs for the workers to access the systems lined the walls, fortunate because even with the force Anakin wouldn’t be able to climb those shear sides against the air being forced down from above. As it was Anakin’s arms where quaking as he pushed open the manhole cover into a different world.

Below had been a ghost town, night shift. Here, past the end of the service alley, was full of life and noise. Coruscant’s Annual Valorum charity races. The one time of year the ‘blood sport’ or pod racing was allowed in the ‘civilization’ of coruscant.

 By Ar-amu sometimes he disliked Obi-wan.

Though if he was honest, it was more the Jedi as a whole. As he’d learnt basic, both reading and writing, he’d expected the Jedi to start making sense. When he was new to the temple, phrases like, let’s go for a swim were as understandable as the most cryptic of philosophies. But one started making sense the other?

“Compassionate a jedi must be,” Anakin said, “Compassionate but don’t care too much.”

“To the will of the force you must listen, but don’t act on force given visions,” because the future was always in motion and yet the will of the force was impossible to divert.

At least Watto gave him simple instructions, kriff if he’d ever please the Jedi masters. Palpatine said it was because he was the chosen one and held to an impossible standard.

But Anakin asked Master Tachi what to do when Jedi wisdom contradicted itself. She told him to listen to the corrections of all the Jedi until everyone was happy. For the first time Anakin pitted Master Tachi’s Padawan, Ferus Olin. Anakin got seven contradicting pieces of advice before breakfast; he’d go nuts if he tried them all.

Did the Jedi even have the answers or were they making it up and hoping to sound wise?

Anakin shook his head, banishing the thoughts, they were bitter and ungrateful. No Obi-wan’s advice must be right, he had to find his own path guided but not defined by the Jedi wisdoms given.

Besides he made it to the races. Obi-wan would find out and he wouldn’t be amused but Anakin needed this. He needed something which made sense after months of hypothetical politics classes and parsing out actionable advice from green trolls. The sweet ozone and the adrenalin filled cheers would hit the spot. He wasn’t even intending to race, how angry could Obi-wan be?

Chapter Text

Stepping out of the alley Anakin joined the crowd. Slipping, stepping and dancing with the Force’s eddies moving through the crowds like they weren’t there. Making his way past the bright carnival rides, food booths and games to the interesting section.

The mechanic pits were always bustling, but in a far more organised and cohesive way than the surrounding festivities. Teams of people who knew where to be and what they needed to be doing rather than families out for the day.

Most of the pod’s mechanics this year wouldn’t be great improvements upon last years. Nothing but minor technological improvements implemented. But two he saw adopted the new ultra-bypass turbolift, it was a wizard bit of kit which could improve the efficiency of a pod, letting you get more power out of your engines.

Anakin would never race with one, they weren't the sort of scrap found in the temple's trash heaps, and even if he did find a unit he wouldn’t use it, they might be fast but they weren’t resilient. Tatooine’s circuits would smash it into inoperative bits fast. Whether it was the sands, the suns or Sulbulba who would destroy it was anyone’s guess. But in a core world’s legal racing scene which had rules, sportsmanship and the like, this race would be a trial through fire for the new bits of kit.

But what would be truly wizard was getting to see the new plasma Gravi-gate’s in action, Anakin didn’t expect to have one on the racing circuit yet, the patent finalised last week. Hopefully next year, but for now… or had he spoken too soon? The last tent in the row was unlike the rest.

The holographic looping adds which guarded the entrance to the other tents were lacking, and the tent itself was a plain white, with a small logo written on it, ‘Coruni engineering labs’.

Inside were a team of six, far smaller than the other tents. Less cohesive too they were all dressed casually with the current fashions of Coruscant rather than wearing coordinated uniform jackets. Their small team meant their pod was unattended, could he sneak in and take a look? But before he moved there was a playful swirl of force keeping his feet from shifting.

The Jedi didn’t make sense sometimes, but listening to the force? Was so obvious it might have well been common sense. The ever-shifting sands, burning stars and gusting breezes of the Force had never let him down yet. From the gusts which told him to turn in his pod. The sand filled eddies which let him avoid Watto’s anger, to the light of the moons encouraged him to invite off-worlders back home.

He stayed, hidden in the shadows, covering his presence in the deep shadows of the sunsets. An overheard conversation told him he had been right, it was Coruni who worked on the Plasma Gravi-gate. And the pod was in fact flying it.

The winds pulled their conversation closer, Anakin turned his attention away from the pod. A holo-call he had been ignoring in favour of the other conversations was rising in volume. An older human lady sat at the desk. Hair pulled into a greying bun; wisps allowed to escape.

The rest of the people in the tent were slowing their actions pretending not to be interested.

"We had an agreement on 700 credits," the Older lady said. Anakin was too far away to see, but the winds told him of the stress radiating from the woman as she talked into the handheld holo-comm, a miniature blue rodian standing on the other side.

"To bad, you never offered me an official contract, I’ll make real credits flying for Offworld." the rodian said.

“And this contract it has to start today.” The lady said.

One of the observers the togruta amongst the group said, “is offworld even a thing anymore?”

“Yes, I would say I’m sorry, but the pay sucked.” The Hollo disconnected.

"well kriff." The togrutta seemed kind of young for a mechanic pit in the core worlds, their monotails not grown in fully. Were they a Student? Coruni was a school right? "What do we do now?” The togrutta looked around the tent for an answer. But no one was talking, no one had an answer.

Anakin promised himself he wouldn’t race, Obi-wan would find out he’d left the temple. From there it was a simple leap in logic to the races. His innocence, his defence was he wasn’t racing, he’d rather not be on cleaning duty for the rest of the month.

"Could we fly it?" the togrutta said.

Several of the others around the tent shook their heads, "At those speeds?" the older lady said.

No Anakin, but he was already doing his hair in a recognisable padawan style.

“But…” the Togruta looked around.

 Dropping the compulsion and stepping into the tent six people turned to look at him.

Anakin shifted his weight, “You guys need a pilot?"

Chapter Text

“Too tight?" the same older human who talked on the comm asked. She introduced herself as a professor at Coruni, Coria Pelles.

“Are you sure—“

“Its fine, I’ve raced pods before,” Anakin said.

“Mayj, pass me another clip.” Professor Pelles said.

The togrutta Mayj Jaan, handed over another clip which secured the excess fabric of the flight suit.

“Yeah, but what about the temple?” Mayj said, “Coruni and the temp—“

Anakin rolled his eyes, “It’s fine,”

“Well, if you’re sure?” Mayj said. They were a typical Shilli native, orange skin with white markings slightly shorter than Master Ti. Though when their montrals grew in that might change.

 “But you got to promise to introduce me to your Master later,” Professor Pelles said.

Anakin winced internally, with any luck the Coruni staff would be too busy at the end of the race and he'd be able to slip away. There was no reason to make his Master’s job finding out about his indiscretions easier.

A large burly man, walked over to them. Anakin was certain this man was not a coruscanti native. His teeth were too crooked and he was wearing his overalls long past the point of incivility.

“Anakin, this is Jash he’s in charge of the actual Pod.” Professor Pelles said.

“She’s ready for you, not the fastest on the straights but the new Plasma Gravi-gates should get her to pick up on the corners.”

“The Gavi-gates—“ Professor Pelles started

“I read the article,” Anakin interrupted, “They turn motion towards a surface into energy through the anti-grav system, right?”

“smart lad, we’ve got her set up to give you a boost to the plasma couples, she’ll give you a burst of speed.” Jash said.

Anakin walked over to the pod, running his hand over the sky-blue paint, “that one?” he pointed at a dial on the dash the one he didn’t recognise.

“Yep, you want any help in?” Mayj asked.

Anakin jumped up Ar’amu’s winds lifting him, his jump smooth, the manoeuvrer easy.

“No, I’m good.” Anakin said.

“Harnesses,” professor Pelles said.

“Right,” Anakin shuffled in his seat pulling the confusing tangle of safety straps out from under him.

Mayj started helping him out, which was lucky because Tatooine hadn’t given a kriff about safety, he was clueless.

“You’re entered in a charity race, we win and the money goes to a local children’s hospital.” Professor Pelles said.

“Most important thing is you and her come back safe,” Jash said.

“Exactly, I need the data box and feedback of how she handles for my honour’s project.” Mayj said.

Anakin nodded, though not as intense as a race for Naboo's freedom. There was something nice about having no pressure. The most valuable thing in this race was his life. For someone who had been next to worthless it sat as a bright warmth in his chest.

#

Anakin gunned the throttle. His entire body vibrated in response. The Coruni pod didn't have the noise he’d grown accustomed to, quirk less and smooth. Precision engineering better than him with a hammer in the sand.

“Anakin can you still hear me?” Mayj asked. Her voice flowing into his ears through the headset.

“Yeah,” Anakin said. Not concentrating on their voice but rather on the countdown clock suspended over Coruscanti streets.

They’d be racing close to the floor, the large supports for the towering scrapers above acting as crash barriers. A pod, even traveling at ridiculous speeds, wouldn’t make a dent. The track was twisting with numerous ninety degree turns. The normal grid paths blocked off to make for an interesting course, the only significant straight stretch was where they were lined up to start.

Even though they were technically above ground and it was day, natural light didn’t filter this deep, leaving them in a gloom which was enhanced by the neon glow of adverts.

The race countdown flicked into seconds and Anakin sunk into the force. Until he was the desert, immersed in his force scape, all while sitting in his pod.  

"Three” Anakin said, counting down the time aloud. “two...One...Go,"

He was off, pushed back in his seat from the acceleration. Even his swoop bike racing didn’t compare to this. He pulled the pod from side to side, the pod responding, less sensitive than the one he built for himself, but far smoother.

He twisted the pod into the first corner, riding up the edge. The duracrete turning to sand on the path he should walk.

“What is going on here?”

Anakin jumped, the sand path fading. The Coruscanti accent came through like it was in his ear. Obi-wan. Of course he figured it out before Anakin even finished the race.

Still the great thing about racing was it was too fast to think. He flung himself around the longer outside route of the next corner. His pod jerked forward as it returned to level flight. The unfamiliar dial on the dash jumping.

Wizard.

“Sir, is Anakin your Padawan?” Professor Pelles said.

He took the outside of each of the coming turns. The steeper the bank the more intense the jump in power was. He was making ground passing the brightly coloured pods as he raced through the course.

“He most certainly is, does anyone want to explain how he came to be racing for Coruni?” Obi-wan said.

He sounded wrong, Anakin had been expecting frustration. It wasn’t the first time he’d done this. And far from the first time he’d gotten caught. Obi-wan should be struggling to keep his Sass and frustration contained.

A Pod rushed past, overtaking him.

Obi-wan was tense. Voice tight and crisper than normal. Anakin had only heard it a few times in his Padawanship and always when Obi-wan was expecting trouble.

Another pod overtook him and as much as Anakin wished he could blame it on his concentration being split. It was rather he was finishing the first lap. They were on the straight they’d lined up to start on. The longest stretch on the route. Jash was right the Coruni pod wasn’t fast here.

“He volunteered.” Mayj said.

“Since when does a minor’s agreement override the lack of their guardian’s permission for deadly sports?”

The end of the straight and the first lap finished. He blasted around the corners becoming one with the Pod, as he made up ground on the twisting route he lost on the straight.

“He…” Mayj said

“He’s a Jedi Padawan so the rules don’t count?”

He was breaking free and passing pods on the regular. Finding the rhythm in the desert and a strategy in the game. Two pods remained in contest with his own. The Hot Pink Pod was falling behind and he was gaining on the lime green one.

But the long straight was ahead again. Despite the insane speeds it was as if he was slowing down, the other two pods pulling away. The heat gauge was getting high, to keep his place in third he had to gun the engines hotter than they liked.

One more lap. A lap to make up as much ground as possible before the last straight.

“I know he volunteered, I thought you would’ve better sense.” Obi-wan said.

Anakin passed hot pink wincing he hated nothing more than Obi-wan’s disappointment even not on the receiving end.

“You’re right sir,” Professor Pelles said.

Anakin pulled ahead, no one in front, it was freedom. Every second of lead would count, they finished on the straight.

“You’ll hand over any and all data on the race.” Obi-wan said.

“But—“ Mayj said. Anakin didn’t truly understand what a Data scientist did but he knew it was unfair of Obi-wan to demand it back.

“I don’t desire to, but we can get the authorities involved.” Obi-wan said.

What? The authorities meant the Jedi High council. The high council meant judgement. Both from them themselves and from all the Jedi who heard of it. Obi-wan never took his racing before the court of public opinion, he was already disliked enough.

Anakin screwed up a corner, not enough to lose ground but he hadn’t gained any either. Considering how few they had left; it wasn’t a mistake he could afford to make.

“Mayj… we can get you the data another day.” Professor Pelles said.

“Right of course,” Mayj said. “Sorry sir.”

The last corner was coming up, nailing it Anakin gunned the engines to max. Keeping an eye on his engine’s temperature and the competing pods in the force.

But his lead wasn't enough. The green pod was going to pass him. A dozen strategies he would have tried on Tatooine flashed through his head.

Which could he hide?

But...he had no wish to be like Sulbulba. Releasing the throttle, he allowed the green pod to pull away. The engines were too hot and he’d promised to take care of the pod.

 The pink pod shot out of nowhere, finishing neck and neck.

Kriff

It must have had a turboboost in reserve.

The pink pod and his were close enough it’d take a ref-droid to make the call. But the force already whispered the answer, he’d come third. Damn it all, third, and Obi-wan hadn’t even stayed oblivious for long enough for him to finish the race.

Chapter Text

Anakin reduced his speed lower than required to make the trek back to the Coruni tent. Somewhat for the engines, mostly for the extra time avoiding Obi-wan.

But he lied to the Coruni team, they didn’t deserve his Master’s disappointment. He did.

Anakin sighed, turning the pod in to the engineering area, slowing to idle to allow personal to clear his path.

Pulling into the tent, he met Obi-wan’s eyes. But something was wrong, when he got in trouble Obi-wan always buried his hands in his sleeves.

Three years ago Anakin had been convinced it was where Obi-wan kept his electro whip. Now he knew the sole weapon Obi-wan had on his person was kept on his belt. The belt his hands weren’t straying far from now.

Obi-wan wouldn’t hurt Anakin, but he was standing ready to draw his sabre. Anakin reached out in the force searching for the threat he was ready for. But the desert remained calm, not a winds whisper of trouble.

Anakin flicked the ignition switches, purr silencing, anti-grav losing charge and allowing the pod to settle into its cradle. He climbed out.

“Hey Master, how are you?” Anakin said.

“Well the funniest thing happened. I was in the middle of my class, when it was interrupted by a master telling me my Padawan hadn’t shown up for his.” Obi-wan said.

Anakin winced Master Mundi’s force Philosophy lessons were some of the most painful in the temple.

“Can you guess where I found my wayward Padawan?” It was a trap, but Anakin could never figure out how to get around Obi-wan’s words.

“No?” Anakin guessed.

“I located him in the first place I considered.”

Anakin winced, “You never said I couldn’t?”

The look Obi-wan gave him was as flat as his excuse, “I never said you couldn’t miss class to go racing..."

Anakin studied a chip on the pods paint,

Obi-wan sighed, “Anakin we’ve talked about this.”

No, he’d talked, Anakin listened.

“You’re going to have to apologise to Master Mundi, and any credits you’ve earned—“

Enough. Anakin whirled around rushing out the exit. He wanted credits. It wasn't something he'd been able to keep secret from his Master. He got a small allowance from the temple, which Obi-wan was fine with. But whenever he tried to increase his allowance to a useful amount Obi-wan made him give it up.

He understood the theory of the Jedi having no possessions, if you couldn’t keep anything there was no danger in being corrupted by bribes. But in practice it was far too much like Watto. The charities Obi-wan let him choose from weren’t Watto’s much loved alcohol collection, but they were his credits, he earned them. Obi-wan’s assurance the credits were going where they were needed, and he’d always have what he needed at the temple wasn’t enough. He needed it now, Amu needed it now.

He didn’t know how to get it to her on Tatooine, but it didn’t matter if he didn’t have enough to send.

The press of bodies outside the tent writhed and pulsed, dealing with those people now was a step too far, he darted between the Coruni tent and the next. It wasn’t like the thin walls were doing anything to stop his Master knowing where he was.

Anakin reached for the clasps holding the flight suit on, stretching his arms behind his back. Without the suit there was a chance he could get lost in the scurried energy of race day for a while.

“I’m afraid I have a Padawan to go after,” Obi-wan’s voice was barely muffled by the layer of canvas between them. “The temples lawyers will be in contact.”

Anakin pushed his arms further, huffing he fell back to the force. Pulling up the winds, but they twisted free, dodging and ducking his control. Anakin’s eyes stung this shouldn’t be this hard.

“Wait.” Mayj said.

“Coruni taking data on a temple minor? The Lawyers will be involved.” Obi-wan said.

“No, that’s fine, I mean it’s not fine but its fair, I meant maybe one of us should go after him? He seemed upset.” Mayj said.

How was the lawyers getting involved fair? Coruni’s team hadn’t done anything wrong.

Obi-wan sighed, “he’s hiding between the tents, as for the rest of you? You’re helping me,”

The little snitch, Anakin cursed out the force and their bond.

Mayj appeared a second later. “Want help getting undressed?”

“Yeah.”

Mayj pushed on his shoulder, spinning him around to access the clasps.

“Why’s Obi-wan upset with you guys?”

Mayj sighed, “the temple and Coruni have a long history.”

“What history?” Anakin hadn’t even heard of Coruni except for in passing before today.

“Never heard of the force labs then?”

Anakin shook his head.

 “Okay so a long time ago Coruni was working with the Jedi to study the force—“

“That sounds Wizard!” Maybe they would have clearer answers on the force if the council hadn’t objected. But for whatever dumb reason they had.

Mayj was shaking their head, “It could have been, it should have been. But they were so eager for results they started lying. First to the Jedi order, about what they were having their Padawans do, then to the ethics review board, which we have to get approval from before any studies are done on sentient beings.”

Mayj frowned and closed their eyes. “A lot of people got hurt, a lot of Jedi children got hurt. Now by law any experiments done on force sensitives are controlled by the Jedi High council.”

“But you were measuring the pod,” Anakin said.

“Yes, but we could indirectly measure things about you. We weren’t intending to, I didn’t even stop to think about it. But your Master’s not in the wrong for objecting.” Mayj gave a half-hearted chuckle.

“What?” Anakin asked

“I’m thinking of how useless the results would be anyway.”

“Useless?” Heat bubbled up his neck he had driven the pod damn well.

“You know what the worst thing was about those experiments? Or well, not the worst thing, but the final nail in their horribleness?”

“No.”

“All the results were useless.” Mayj said, “They didn’t teach us anything new about the universe or force sensitives.”

“How? Surely you must have learnt something.”

“When we experiment, we must make sure we are changing one variable at a time. But they were so busy experimenting they forgot how. They were working the force sensitives to breaking, they were hungry, starving, sick and exhausted.”

“They weren’t changing one variable.” Anakin slid the loose flight suit down.

“Exactly, like all those results in there. I can’t be certain if it is how the plasma Gravi-gates worked or whether your force abilities changed something.”

“You changed more than one variable.”

Nodding Mayj placed a hand on his shoulder, “you ready to go back in?”

Anakin stayed where he was. Obi-wan’s actions made more sense. But there was still the matter of the credits. He hadn’t even got any it being a charity race and all.

“What’s bugging you? He’s more worried than angry I promise.”

Obi-wan never got angry and he did have to face the consequences sooner or later. “You’ll stay with me?”

“Of course kid, if that’s what you want.”

Anakin nodded and took the offered hand.

Chapter Text

Obi-wan sighed as the Togruta left after Anakin. He didn't understand the boy sometimes. Make that all the time. Genuinely contrite about his actions one second, the next Anakin’s attitude changed to unacceptable.

Obi-wan didn't get it, but though he might be mad at the boy he didn't want him hurt. Reaching out to the force, peace flowed through him, waves of his lake lapping at his heals. Coruni as it was now wasn’t Jenna Zan Arbor. Obi-wan could admit to being paranoid around labs, universities, or healing halls. But the force was completely calm around them.

Still, he couldn’t shake his unease the Force labs were favoured horror stories amongst padawans. No Temple raised youngling would dare get close to Coruni without a knight backing them. But though Anakin was prime horror story age, he hadn't managed to bridge the gap in life experiences to make friends at the temple. As a result, he walked smack bang into the nexu den and hadn't even noticed.

Despite being tempted to run after his Padawan, Obi-wan stayed back to give him space and to ensure all data was erased. The force may be a calm lake around this team. But he was going to make sure Anakin wasn’t used for anything, Obi-wan breathed his anxiety out, he’d keep his padawan safe.

The elder woman logged him into their database letting him completely shred any trace of the data transmitted during the race. While another of Coruni’s team worked to release the computer systems in the pod so he could delete the records off those too.

What remained of his resentment towards this group drained away as the Togruta explained why he was reacting the way he was, their voice coming through the walls of the tent. The force was right these were good people who hadn’t considered the implications of their actions. Perhaps the lawyers didn’t need to be involved, they were cooperating fine without the threat.

Deleting the last of the Data as their conversation was wrapping up Obi-wan turned to the entrance.

His heart stuttered and fell when Anakin came in clenching the togruta’s hand, half hiding behind them. Had he overreacted enough to make Anakin scared rather than defiant? He thought he'd been rather level, but he could have missed something.

“Hello there.” Obi-wan smiled at Anakin. Then turned to the togruta “And who might you be?”

They held out their hand, and Obi-wan accepted it, “Mayj Jaan, They/them. I'm a Data scientist student at Coruni.”

“Obi-wan, he/him. This little one's master.”

Obi-wan tried to soften his face, but considering how Anakin drew behind the other. He hadn't been successful. Okay what worked in the past when Anakin had been scared?

The problem was he seldom reacted the way Obi-wan thought.

“Dear one, why did you get upset. The worst which will happen is being grounded to the temple and extra meditation.”

Technically, there were higher level punishments Obi-wan could order. But call him soft.

“But…” Anakin shook his head, “yes Master.”

“Padawan please talk to me. Did the force speak to you?”  Anakin had a uniquely frustrating trait of not protesting unfair punishments. Accepting them as inevitable rather than standing up for himself.

“It told me to stay at the Coruni tent. It didn’t tell me to leave the temple, or sneak in and race.”

Another quirk of Anakin’s was he’d hide his actions, but once you caught him he would never lie. Obi-wan nodded, mentally revising what he had to punish Anakin for.

“So why? Please explain it to me.”

Anakin shrugged.

“I know you like racing, but it is not a good enough reason to skip class.”

“But I didn’t!” Anakin said. Obi-wan frowned wasn’t that exactly what happened?

“Why did you skip class then?” Mayj asked.

Anakin deflated, “Because…because, I’m not stupid.”

“Nobody said you were,” Obi-wan said.

“Yes they do! Ferus said it yesterday. After I didn’t finish my homework.”

Anakin must have though. The boy came home straight after class and worked until Obi-wan sent him to bed. They didn’t overwhelm Padawan’s with too much work.

“I worked on it for as long as I could I swear, but it doesn’t make sense.”

“Wh—“ Obi-wan cut himself off, he knew why the boy wouldn’t come to him. He’d never come to him because it was Jedi philosophies Anakin was struggling with.

Obi-wan believed Anakin had the potential to be a wonderful Jedi, but he’d never convinced Anakin he changed his mind from his jealousy backed stance of him being dangerous and too old. Anything which threatened to confirm those stances his padawan hid with his full might.

A month of being grounded for flying, was nothing next to the humiliation of admitting he couldn’t complete the homework on his own.

“Oh Anakin.” Obi-wan said opening his arms and waiting until he had a ball of tense padawan in them. “I’ll talk to Master Tach-“

“No it’ll make it worse,” Anakin said.

Obi-wan nodded, resolving to at least talk to Master Mundi about the syllabus, he could figure out a more grounded explanation for the topics in his class before they came up.

“I’m sorry by the way for accusing you of doing this for credits. I didn’t know it was a charity race.”

Anakin stiffened, Obi-wan wished he could figure out how to convince his Padawan he was safe at the temple and he didn’t need to hoard credits. He understood, he had hidden food in his room for months after Melindaan. He still had a box of ration bars in his closet.

He’d tried to gently suggest the credits would be better off being used by someone who needed them. Remind the boy he’d have enough in the temple. Anakin always agreed and handed them over without a fight.

“Why do you want credits Anakin?” Mayj asked.

Anakin shook his head, “I shouldn’t, I don’t need them.” Obi-wan nearly moved on, he was well familiar with the irrationality of trauma. The force pushed at his ankles, a riptide wanting to take him out to deeper water. There was something more here than it seemed.

But Anakin was the least greedy person he knew. He wouldn’t want credits for something he wanted, the force lapped at him confirming the honesty of the statement to him.

“Do you want them?” Mayj asked.

Anakin hesitated.

“I promise I won’t be mad.” Obi-wan said.

Anakin snorted, “you’re never mad. You’re too good of a jedi for that.”

“Fine I won’t be disappointed,” Obi-wan said with a smile. But his stomach was dropping, the shape of what he missed forming in his mind.

Anakin wasn’t him, in all his understanding and his attempted kindness, he’d forgotten Anakin wasn’t him. After Melindaan Obi-wan would fight for his food stocks. He’d once bitten Quinlan who took a ration bar to snack on, but Anakin could have never fought back against his masters.

“My Amu. I wanted to send credits to My Amu.”

Obi-wan didn’t want to ask, because whatever Anakin’s Amu was the force classified it as a need, while Anakin classified it as a want, devalued as a slave.

“Amu?” Obi-wan asked.

“My Mum,” Anakin said, Obi-wan’s heart shattered. “I know it won’t be enough to free her, but maybe it could help her and my friends get enough food and stuff.”

Obi-wan pulled his Padawan in close. How had he not guessed? of course Anakin wanted to help his family and friends. Of course he had hidden his unjedi like attachment, afraid of being cast out.

And worse Obi-wan took his credits. Credits he was sure would have been plenty enough to free his mother, he was nothing if not impressed by his Padawan’s money making ventures. Giving those credits up was meant to be a choice, but for a boy who never had choices?

Not for the first time Obi-wan was drowning out of his depth, but it was the first time he doubted the Jedi had the answer. How could he expect Anakin to be honest with him or anyone else in the Jedi when his experience told him his survival depended on keeping them happy?

No wonder Anakin latched on fast to the Chancellor and Mayj. Someone external to the order who wouldn’t judge him on what a Jedi should be.

No Anakin needed help external to the order. Obi-wan needed ways to explain moral concepts without relying solely on Jedi theology. Anakin needed people, people who could understand, people he could talk honestly to and be fallible with.

But where to start?

Chapter Text

Somehow Obi-wan managed to make it through the remainder of the day without screaming. Hurting his Padawan even unintentionally was unacceptable.

His fingers itched towards his comm, the relief to be found in Master Yoda’s comm code. The grand master always able to solve his problems in the past. But every time the itch got too much, and he picked his comm up to make the call, the big blue eyes of his Padawan would haunt his gaze. Anakin would feel it a betrayal and the last thing he wanted was to further betray the boy. He was a Jedi knight he could handle an itch.

Besides did the Jedi even have the answers when they were the problem? All he could think of was how quick and an outsider, Mayj, managed to get the normally prickly Anakin's trust. How they'd been able to talk to him in a way Obi-wan couldn't.

He was going to help Anakin. Now came the harder question of how? Obi-wan grew up with the Jedi, they provided his every answer and now he by very definition couldn't rely on temple teachings. He was dismayed to find he didn't know where to start.

 Obi-wan normally started in the archives, what was the equivalent? A library? But there was none close and he didn't have a card.

Obi-wan holo-netted the location of the nearest book shop, comming Quinlan to convince Aayla to invite Anakin over for a sleepover.

Minutes later his Padawan was asking for permission to stay at Aayla's. Thankyou Quin, Obi-wan gave his permission with a warning they would talk about his punishment for sneaking out tomorrow night.

He ignored the betrayal towards the Jedi churning in his gut as he approached the shop. It was like admitting the Jedi were...wrong.

Obi-wan pushed the feeling into the waters of the force, it wasn’t against the code, visiting a secular bookshop. Still he raised his hood high and barely paused in the shop long enough to see what books the Force’s currents led him to.

Books piled high in his arms he made his way to pay. He should have thought to bring a bag, apparently the force wanted him to read a lot. Was he so deficient? And why in Sith's hells did the Force want him to pick up a book on Data mining, effective experimenting and ethical dilemma’s in science?

It took some frivolous force usage to prevent the wobbling tower from falling over. Once in the sky taxi, on the way back to the temple, he pulled his cloak off, wrapping it around the books to avoid a cascade failure. The cloak sacrificed on the warm Coruscant night was a practical solution, but the lack of it made his hair stand on end. Unable to hide, his primal instincts were certain the entrance guardians were examining, judging him, Force and rational mind be damned.

But he made it to their rooms unquestioned. The lock beeped negatively, Obi-wan paused putting in their code more deliberately, 7490 the door beeped negative. His hands were shaking, was he truly pathetic enough a little bit of rebellion would cause panic. This time he got all the right numbers in the right order.

He stumbled inside, glancing at the kitchen, a cup of tea right now would be heaven but he knew he'd never make it to bed. He didn't want Anakin to stumble on him dishevelled in the morning, he didn't need to see Obi-wan falling apart.

No Obi-wan had a plan to fix this, or at least make it better. He'd read the books while his Padawan was at class tomorrow, and he'd find someone who had knowledge and/or experience getting people out of slavery.

He'd be Anakin's Master, make his mistakes regarding his Padawan's mother right and somehow he'd do so while dealing with the attachment issues this all brought up.

 Obi-wan intended to place his book filled robes beside his meditation mat. But as he shifted the books spilled to the ground, staining the temples floors.

Obi-wan fell to his meditation mat determined not to cry, there was no emotions there is peace. A sob tore out of his throat. He didn't know what to do.

Why wasn't his Master here? He would have known what to do. All thoughts of meditation, or starting on the books flew out of his head. He'd pull it together for Anakin tomorrow, tonight he needed a good cry.

Obi-wan’s hand itched, this time the blue eyes lacked some of their power, fuzzy and less remembered after a meditation session and a solid night’s sleep. He made the call. Master Yoda came over as soon as possible. His cryptic ways of talking holding the answers he needed. Why had he ever doubted?

It was the perfect advice, he understood perfectly. What was it? The words were blurring but the certainty remained. He held the assurance fast even as Yoda's advice grew tired and Anakin grew into an angry teen. The comfort of Yoda’s words were an old treasured memory, tainted as Obi-wan came to ask for help dealing with his Padawan's grief for his mother and his hand.  

Nothing but habit and stale loyalty had him listening when Yoda asked Obi-wan to do something? It was too far away and getting more distant by the second, but Obi-wan thought he saw lava banks and an echoing I hate you. Then all Obi-wan knew was nothing but infinite sadness and hollow grief. Two distant sparks of hope burning in the endless night.

Obi-wan gasped awake, surfacing from the depths of the dream. Pulling his face off the cover of the book where it stuck with salty tears of the night before.  'Unhealthy attachment and you.' Obi-wan let out a snort, if this wasn't the force working in mysterious ways he didn't know what was.

Glancing at the time and wincing at the early hour but knowing he’d never get back to sleep, he picked up the book and started reading.

Chapter Text

Obi-wan stared in horror at the pain drenched walls. Agony rushing in through bright children’s drawings, the crayon on flimsy, portals to another dimension of misery. Families, coloured with fear, Suns coloured with horror, sands coloured with hate. The force was flooding the room in a whirlpool of pain.

Obi-wan spun around intending to take his Padawan far from this place. But Anakin was staring transfixed at one of the pictures. The framed artwork hung in contrast to the surrounding green-tacked ones. An adult rendition of what children’s drawings depicted, Tatooine. But in the force it was worse, childhood agonies complexified and weary in its understanding. Less voluminous perhaps, but all the more horrifying for its depths.

Anakin was tracing some sort of repeating gliffs around the edge, Obi-wan reached out through the river, the fresh water from his lake leaving to connect with Anakin’s ocean. Anakin surrounded by all this pain was calmer than he was in the room of a thousand fountains.

“Do you want to leave?”

Anakin raised an eyebrow, it was Obi-wan who had insisted on this visit. But sitting in his rooms reading books about helping people deal with trauma the suggestion of professional help was a force send. Standing here surrounded by nightmares depicted in children’s colours, it must be closer to Sith’s haran.

Anakin shook his head.

“Do you like it,” a voice came from behind. The Blue twi’lek, was taller than he appeared over Holo-call. The healer, Kuna Aglows, was a child psychologist specialising in recovering from Tatooine and Ryloth slavery. 

“Yes,” Anakin said, “It’s a nice painting.”

Obi-wan couldn’t help but stare at the creature possessing Anakin’s force signature. It looked like the compassionate Padawan who cried at holo-pics.

“Your Master, is that the best term? Seems to disagree.”

“Master works, and Obi-wan’s reacting to the pain.”

“I don’t think I understand?”

“Force sensitives can feel impressions left behind,” Anakin said.

“Ahh, so the instruction to draw out one’s feelings for Tatooine?”

“Pain, hate, horror, hopelessness and terror mixed with a touch of love,” Anakin said.

Obi-wan tried to find the love in the room but he was blasted back by a torrent of all the other emotions. Though at least he wasn’t as concerned the Healer was a serial killer.

“I must apologise, I had no idea they could affect you like that.” Healer Aglows said.

Obi-wan nodded and built up his walls, putting duracrete in the path of the water slowly blocking it out. Healing sometimes hurt, not everyone had Jedi to cleanse the emotions away like they did at the temple.

“Don’t be, I like it.” Once again Obi-wan had to stare at his Padawan, “Just because you can’t tell the difference between healing pain and hurting doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t”

There was a difference? Pain was pain, even Bant agreed with him.  Obi-wan chalked it up to another example of Anakin being off the charts in force sensitivity.

“Sounds like a parable my daughter told me from Tatooine,” Healer Aglow said nodding at the framed picture.

“Did she paint it?”

“Yes Kom’sara, she works down at the docks, as a tug pilot but she does love art.”

“She must be a fantastic pilot,” Obi-wan said. The Coruscanti docks were the tightest, busiest docks in the galaxy. To fly alongside the massive container ships? Obi-wan might have the technical skills, but he didn’t have the nerve.

“She certainly is.” Healer Aglows gestured toward the seats, waiting for them to sit down before joining them. “So why did you come today?”

Anakin looked to Obi-wan for answers after all he was the one who dragged them along. “The Jedi temple,” Obi-wan paused and restarted, “I’m not sure I know…I’m able to help Anakin.”

Healer Aglow scribbled it down on his holo-pad, “What do you perceive the issues to be?”

Anakin didn’t move, frozen like ice.

“I made assumptions and they hurt Anakin,” Sending out a blast of warmth to try and defrost his Padawan.

“You didn’t hurt me.” Anakin said leaning into his warmth and beginning to melt, now he knew he wasn’t the problem.

“Ohh dear heart,” Obi-wan put an arm around his Padawan’s shoulders tucking him in, “I could rip out your heart and you’d find nothing wrong.”

Healer Aglows scribbled it down. “What happened?”

“Nothing, he’s making a big deal out of nothing.”

Obi-wan shook his head it wasn’t close to nothing.

“Obi-wan?”

He choaked up explaining how he harmed Anakin, taking away the Credits which were meant for his mother. How Anakin allowed him to, hiding how much it was hurting him.

Anakin shook his head, “you never hurt me.”

Obi-wan turned to the healer desperate for the message to get through.

“the people who drew those pictures,” Healer Aglows said, looking at the walls, “are they in pain? Healing or otherwise?”

“Of course,” Anakin said.

“How do you suppose they kept the blood off the flimsy?”

Anakin froze. But this time it didn’t translate into the force, there he was swirling faster than ever.

“Obi-wan might not have punched you, starved you, or withheld water, and he definitely didn’t do anything deliberately, but he did hurt you.” Healer Aglows said. “And he’s worried he might do so again, can you understand that?”

“I guess” Anakin said.

“Right, so are you willing to come back?”

Anakin looked at the wall of pictures, “will it hurt?”

Aglows nodded, “But it’ll be a healing pain.”

Anakin agreed and some of Obi-wan’s stress drifted off.

“Now let’s talk about Anakin’s Amu. She’s still back on Tatooine right?”

“Watto didn’t bet her too, so we had to leave her behind.”

Aglows nodded, “And we’ll talk more about your reactions and feelings about her at another appointment as we don’t have much in the way of time today.”

“Thank you for fitting us in on such short notice.” Considering Obi-wan had called yesterday it was impressive to get them in, but the session was short as a result.

“We keep emergency slots open for a reason, and you needed it. But most urgently for today I need to tell you the group Anakin mentioned contacting about getting his Amu free are an extension of the black sun cartel.”

Obi-wan controlled a wince as Anakin swirled faster, “what does that mean?”

Sending a wave of calm towards Anakin Obi-wan turned to catch his Padawan’s eyes, “It means we are going to have to find a different way to get your Amu out.”

“they’re Sandhawks aren’t they?” Guilt and self-deprecation roiled out of him.

Sandhawks? Healer Aglows nodded but must have sensed his confusion as he turned to him. “Tatooine has a complex mythology…”

Anakin stiffened.

“…the stories themselves Anakin can tell you once he’s comfortable.”

Anakin relaxed, was he truly so untrusting of him?

“They’re meant to be secret,” Anakin said.

Aglows nodded, “On Tatooine its absolutely essential to learn how to and to keep secrets, but part of learning to be free is learning to trust people again. Do you trust Obi-wan not to tell anyone?”

“I won’t tell anyone without your express permission I promise.”

Anakin bit his lip, “not even the council?”

Obi-wan smiled, “Not even them. Though I do not believe the council would disrespect your culture or beliefs I understand you don’t trust them with this, and I promise I will keep it from them.”

Anakin searched his face, biting his lip, his waters reached out swirling into his lake, searching for the truth. He nodded. “Okay you can know. I’m not a verry good storyteller though and you Don’t even know the basics.”

Obi-wan smiled in what he hoped was encouragement, “Do your best. I’ll listen carefully even if it isn’t polished.”

“To understand the sandhawk story you need to know about Ekkreth. They’re a shapeshifter and the Tatooine Red bird is their most common form, Ekkreth tricks slave owners, or Depur, into freeing slaves, or the Amavikka, and leads them to safety.” Anakin settled in to tell the story.

“One day a crafty Sandhawk saw the Amavikka following Ekkreth to safety. The Sandhawk is a carrion but is small and can’t compete for food with the carrions who scavenge closer to the poles. But if they could get a group of slaves following them into the deep deserts like they followed Ekkreth they could feast for months. So they collected red dust from the cliffs and took a bath in it so it appeared to be a red bird. The Sandhawk went to the Amavikka and told them he had freed them and flew out into the desert leading the people out deeper until they were lost. When the suns set the Sandhawk promised he’d be able to get them to freedom tomorrow if only he rested in a proper nest hoping they would freeze. So the Amavikka made him a proper nest out of their own cloaks. But they knew to huddle for warmth in the freezing night. Seeing them still alive the Sandhawk began flying again, tired and hungry at the end of the second day he promised with food he’d be faster, with luck they’d starve to death in the night. The Amavikka gave up what little they had left, but they knew to hide food from the masters well and kept some for the starving. But hungering worse than they had under Depur they cried out to Ar-Amu—”

“Ar-Amu?” Obi-wan asked.

“She’s the All mother, she’s a goddess and who I thought gave me my feelings and instincts before I joined the Jedi. She’s also Ekkreth’s mother.”

“Ahh okay.” Obi-wan made a note to talk to Anakin about how and what he had perceived of the force before joining the Jedi. This mythology might help him explain concepts Anakin struggled with. He’d never considered, though in hindsight he should have, Anakin might have come up with his own stories and rationalisation for the Force’s influence on his life. Though it might be overstating the Jedi’s understanding of the force to claim they had done any different. It wasn’t like they had sound scientific data backing up their beliefs. In other news Obi-wan might have cracked open a few of the books on the scientific process he had bought two days prior.

“The next day the sandhawk flew again, that night he said if I only had water. But the Amavikka knew they did not have the water to give up and refused. The Sandhawk was furious and threatened to leave but out of the desert another slave stumbled, he brought water enough to beg ‘Ekkreth’ to keep going. That night after they had set up the nest and scavenged what they could to eat and drink, the new slave said ‘Ekkreth it is such an honour to meet you, you must be tired from flying all day would you let me groom your wings?’ Wanting to get rid of the sand which itched the Sandhawk agreed. In the dark night none would see the patches which were made free from the dust. The sandhawk would reapply the red dust before going to sleep. But the nest was so comfortable, his belly so full and the grooming so good the Sandhawk slept through the night. The earliest rising Amavikka woke with the suns, spotting the browns of the Sandhawk’s feathers poking through the dust. Realising the trick the Amavikka chased off the bird. As they questioned what to do now, the new group member emptied his pockets which contained water and food and he transformed into a red bird in front of them, saying ‘siblings I have been a slave many times I know the value of water, shelter and food I will never ask for more than you can give.’ After all the Amavikka were ready the redbird took flight leading the way to freedom.”  

There was context Obi-wan was missing but he could see the shape of the warning, not all those who offered freedom did so genuinely.

“Sandhawk is the name we have for people who offer you freedom only to bleed you dry.”

“Then yes, I imagine Sandhawk is an accurate name for the Black Sun’s trafficking work. They make you pay, what is likely life savings, for a person and then add surprise fees forcing people to work off the ‘debt’”

“I thought it might be something like that. But maybe I’d be able to talk to Padmé or hire someone genuine if I had the money.”

Obi-wan shook his head, “Unfortunately the risk of war with the Hutts is too great for Naboo. If her majesty interfered again, they would strike back.”

“But Padmé was there…”

“They made an emergency stop in a crisis, which is very different from a government worker deliberately operating in another sovereign’s space. There was some Hutt retaliation on Naboo and against the senate for the stopover we did take.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“you were nine, the political ramifications of your freedom was not and is not something you should have to care about.”

“But I have to care when it’s my Amu?” Anakin said frustration tipping over into anger.

Obi-wan shook his head hopelessly, “we’ll find something I promise you. But we suffer from something the Hutts do not.”

“What?”

“Compassion, there are very few places we can hit to hurt the Hutts but endless places they can hit to destroy us. We will find a way, but you must prepare yourself for it to take time.”

Anakin’s anger swirled and Obi-wan wished he knew what to say.

“There’s a group.” Healer Aglows said

Obi-wan jerked having forgotten where they were.

“Its called Ekkreth’s Lukka, my daughter is a part of them, they do their best to help Tatooine and are involved in freedom runs, I can’t guarantee they’ll be able to help your mother in particular but they should be able to expand on the exact situation and political challenges. They’ll give you a place to start and give you a group of people who are or have been in your situation for support.”

Chapter Text

Obi-wan’s guilt about taking the credits he had earned for his mother outstripped any unfairness and resentment Anakin harboured towards his master.

Pointing this out got him a pained crunched forehead and soulful eyes. Healer Aglows may have explained his Master’s feelings but Anakin still thought he might've been overdoing it. Obi-wan’s promise to help him get his mother out of slavery was worth far more than the credits which he had taken.

Despite the initial forgetfulness in favour of a session with Healer Aglows, Obi-wan devised a punishment for him skipping class and going racing. Though the punishment was far lighter than expected due to Obi-wan’s guilt, it still restricted his activities until he had finished and discussed the assigned task. Given he’d been invited to the Chancellor’s office for afternoon tea tomorrow, he was determined to get his punishment out of the way.

The afternoon teas shared with the Chancellor was a new but now near regular occurrence when they were on coruscant.

A man with power like Palpatine taking an interest in a lowly slave like Anakin was impossible, suspiciously impossible. But their first meeting put to rest any doubts. The Old man wanted padawan Skywalker. Padawan Skywalker was going to be a Jedi, it was natural the chancellor would be interested. After all Chancellor Valorum had been friends with Qui-gon, they worked together when Naboo was in need, solving issues while ducking red tape.

Shaking off his musings Anakin pushed through the fern. "Young Skywalker welcome, welcome you are" Yoda said.

Anakin slipped inside Yoda's meditation space. Or at least it was what most of the temple called the place. Technically it was a part of the room of a thousand fountains. A secluded pond, with a small patch of grass beside it, fenced in by life. Ferns, trees and vines in this small space provided more green than on the entirety of Tatooine.

“Nervous you are, bite I do not.”

Perhaps not literally but Master Yoda's good opinion mattered. Anakin was already having enough trouble fitting in, if Yoda turned on him? Amavakian culture warned of powerful people, the Depur who held chains of cave webs, each strand one person’s positive opinion, one credit, one vote. There was no strength in one but in the billions even Leia needed help to escape. As far as Anakin could tell Yoda and the Chancellor didn’t tug on the webs like Depur, but he couldn’t afford to refuse, trust or overly annoy them, less he get entangled.

Enraging Yoda would be worse than the Chancellor because, like Watto before, the Jedi could kick him out or stop him getting food. Water thankfully not a problem, there was no way they’d be able to police all the fountains and taps in the temple.

Even so Anakin couldn’t forget the Jedi could take it all away in a moment and Yoda held a web strand to each of the Jedi’s hearts and minds. Anakin’s breaths were getting dangerously shallow, other than Obi-wan was there a single being who would question Yoda for his sake? If Yoda wanted to bite him, he’d have to hold out his arm and accept it, telling any who asked of the wound whatever story Yoda wanted. He was ensnared.

He breathed in deep, forcing himself to relax, as far as he knew Yoda never abused any in his care.

“Master Obi-wan said I should talk to you?” Anakin sat down in the grass.

“Wise Master Obi-wan often is.” Yoda said, “Lonely I often am.”

The giggle of the younglings Anakin waited to retreat before approaching proved the Grandmaster a liar.

”Ah...he wanted me to ask you whe...if someone had taken your advice in context it wasn't meant for and how it turned out.”

Anakin had gone over the contradictions he had found in Master Mundi’s class. Obi-wan had taken him seriously and proposed for his punishment for sneaking to the races he was to ask Yoda when his advice did not apply.

Anakin figured the slight modification to the question was safer. 

Yoda’s ears drooped, “Many times, many times. Burden of being trusted to be wise it is. Wrong even I am capable of being.”

“Do you have an example you can share?”

”Of being wrong? Many, less mistakes you have made. Listen to you the order should?”

Anakin tried to force a smile, he didn’t think he proved anything. Yoda was always aware of his emotional state and judging it. Stealing the privacy of his mind the only sacred place amavikka could maintain, which didn’t help with releasing his fear, the concept Yoda was trying to teach. Especially when a very real and present threat was before him. Either way Anakin doubted he’d ever be able to truly laugh with the head of the order or control his fear before him.

“Hmmm, advise I often do. Do or do not, there is no try.” Yoda said. “Excuse many students have used, homework to get out of.”

Watto had a similar saying, “do it or else.” The do not option was a trap; Anakin had never been desperate enough to try in the temple. The less said about Tatooine the better.

“Does try exist? Fail never one can?”

“Yes, it exists,”

“Do or do not, in force use only it applies. Lift something heavy you do. Doubt you may not, weaken your abilities you will. Banish doubts to the force you must.”

Anakin nodded.

“A path failure always is,” Yoda said, “but while lifting something you do, consider the path you may not.”

“Oh,” Anakin said.

“Hhmmm, told my old padawan; Do or try, there is no do not, homework this is.”

Anakin smiled he didn’t even have to try too hard to force it this time.

“Another example? hmmm,” Yoda said, his ears perking up, “advise younglings I do, not to be afraid of new experiences. A youngling, who know you may, out of the temple he snuck. Hurt he was, afraid of new experiences you should not be, caution and obey the rules set for your safety you still should.”

Anakin held his breath, Yoda knew of his adventure down to the race track. Obi-wan’s punishment might be light but any act Yoda took would be amplified by all the Jedi in the temple. He needed to let his fear go before Yoda noticed, he tried to push it out into the desert, but sand piled back in heavier and thicker than before

“Obi-wan was youngling in question. Years ago this was.”

 Obi-wan, did Yoda not know?

“Obi-wan snuck out?” No way.

“Hmmm troublemaker your master was. Still is I believe.”

“He is?” Anakin said. For the first time in the conversation the fear started to decrease replaced by curiosity for new information on Obi-wan. Yoda’s ears pricked up.

“Hmmm Go to Coruni today are you not? Voluntarily been there in centuries a Jedi has not.” Yeah they were going tonight Ekkreth’s Lukka met there. Plus if no Jedi had gone in centuries wasn’t it past time.

“But isn't that good?”

“Avoid the force labs for reasons we do.”

“Why?” Anakin controlled a wince, “I mean I know they broke ethical experimentation rules but isn’t it possible we could forgive them eventually.”

“Hmm and learned from their mistakes they have. But the Force mystical and unknowable in nature it is, study it we should not.”

Anakin was burning with questions, surely one would be safe, Yoda seemed in a good mood. “But isn't it what Jedi do? Study the force, learn how to use it and stuff.”

“Individual that is and push we do not.” Yoda said, “Driven to understand and know more scientists are. Content a Jedi must be with what the force reveals to us. To push for understanding, becomes a push for Power. Desire for power trait of the Darkside it is.”

“But surely there are those who want to know, to understand.” Anakin said. Flinching back who was he to question the Grandmaster of the Order?

“Right you might be, certain are you?” Yoda shook his head, placing a gentle hand on his leg, “Loose you to the dark a tragedy it would be.”

Chapter Text

Choppy waves travelled up Obi-wan’s arm from his hand clasped in a death grip by the boy at his side. They had spoken about this extensively and Anakin wanted to come. But now they were here the boy was hidden behind him. Breaking the ice was typically his role in missions, it looked like this would be no different.

Ekkreth’s Lukka were meeting in a classroom after Coruni’s student dominated primeday. The tables had all been pressed together in clusters. People dotted the room, chatting is small groups.

One of those people glanced up and noticed them, a welcoming smile blooming across their face. "Hello you must be Obi-wan and Anakin." The woman said.

The outerrim twang was particularly noticeable on the word Anakin. Or did the core pronounce Anakin's name wrong?

"Yes that would be us, are you Hela?" Obi-wan had been messaging back and forth with the woman.

There were the typical introductions, but unlike in normal circles where Anakin was determined to fulfil his duties as a Jedi padawan, here he remained hidden behind Obi-wan. When was the appropriate time to give him a push out of the nest?

“I suppose the next question is how can we help?” Obi-wan asked.

"You have political experience, right?" Hela asked.

Obi-wan nodded and was directed towards a group which was working to lobby local governments to introduce a law which would stop guardians being able to order non-medical implants for their dependents.

In his wheelhouse, Obi-wan played devil’s advocate strengthening their ideas by offering alternative perspectives. Anakin stayed tucked into his side for half an hour before boredom overcame his nerves and he wandered away.

With a quick Jedi field sign, Obi-wan asked him to remain contactable, but he was free to roam or return to base.

Anakin gave an acknowledgment and wandered over to a table which held some sort of gizmo on it.

Only Obi-wan could manage to make a freedom trail boring. But working on Law reforms? Sure, Anakin could admit it was needed, probably even the most useful a group could be this close to the core. But where were the runs, smuggling people out from under the Hutts’s noses?

His attention was eventually caught by another group, looking and pointing at a schematic with the distinctive shape of a corellain freighter. Much more his speed.

Pulling away from his master, should he go over? These were his people yes. Most had typical Tatooine names, their skin often showed sun damage and they pronounced his name right.

But...But he left his Amu behind, he'd gone and gotten himself influence and power, but hadn't shared any of his fortune with those he left behind. Shame he wasn't expecting gripped him since he arrived. Shame which kept him glued to his Masters side.

Anakin eyed Obi-wan out of the side of his eye. Was this why Obi-wan had chosen such a boring topic? Overcome the adhesive properties of fear and shame with absolute boredom. He remained in his suspicious state for another minute before he decided it didn't matter if it was deliberate or not he was bored.

Slipping away from his master he hid an eyeroll at his overprotective fussing. He moved to the table where the discussion was taking place.

A twi'lek woman noticed him and smiled shifting over making room for him to bring in a chair, introducing herself as Kom'sara, she must be Healer Aglows’s daughter. Her prosthetic leg was proudly displayed with traditional tattoo's around the joint. She was one of the unfettered, she ran from her master with the explosive chip in and survived detonation.  

Would Obi-wan allow him to get a tattoo on his Dukkra scar? With Bacta there was hardly a scar, but the silvery slice in his stomach was visible in the right lights.   

30 minutes later Anakin wasn't sure why he worried about coming, everyone had been beyond kind. Discussing modifying a retired corellain freighter to outrun the Hutt employed bounty hunters far more fun than whatever Obi-wan was doing.

There were several stages in which Anakin wanted to offer his services or the temple hangers. But he couldn't make such a decision unilaterally. He didn't know when they would next be placed on a mission. It was because he was young, they didn't go on many right now.

They came to the end of what they could reasonably do in one evening far before the Obi-wan lead debates at the other table had wound down.

Not desiring to stay and make small talk, no matter how nice they were, Anakin was at a loose end. Though... no, but what was the danger? Anakin let it slip during class he was going to Coruni, disbelief and warnings followed. He could get a holo in front of the sign and prove it to them.

Signing to Obi-wan he was going scouting he slipped out of the room. Making his way to the famous sign he glimpsed on his way in.

In the turbolift he took the time to tie up his padawan braid and rearrange his outfit, making it part of the Jedi inspired fashion rather than a giant neon sign the neutral colours and Agricorps grown linen normally was.

Anakin had met students and faculty of Coruni and though they appeared rational people there was still no reason to advertise his presence there, particularly without his master as back up.

The turbolift slid open giving Anakin his first good view of the Coruni’s sign. Hovering in the air, interlocking pieces never touching. It had been the prototype of advanced software used to avoid collisions. Four hundred years ago it was an astonishing feat of engineering, now the same systems held up half of the advertising on coruscant. Its history and being the first cemented it as a minor tourist attraction. Big enough he wasn't looked at weirdly when he asked one of the leaving students to take his holo with it. But small enough there was no one else taking the shot at the same time.

Comm back in hand he turned to make his way back to the turbolift. Hopefully Obi-wan had finished his discussions. His bedtime was unfairly early, none of the other Padawan's had them, but it was getting late.

“Anakin?”

Anakin spun searching for the voice, recognising the Togruta from the race Mayj Jaan.

“Mayj, good to see you.” Anakin relaxed back

“And you, but what are you doing here? I thought Je...” Mayj looked around, there were a few other students making their way downstairs. “Your kind, avoided Coruni particularly the science and engineering tower.”

“We do,” Anakin said, “but we had to come anyway.”

“And your mast...Obi-wan where is he?”

“Still in his meeting,” Anakin said shrugging, “it was boring I told him I was going to look around.”

Mayj looked him in the eyes holding them unimpressed.

“I did, I swear. Look,” Anakin pulled out his comm and dialled Obi-wan.

Seconds later the blue holo flickered to life, “Anakin, you okay?” Obi-wan said.

“Fine, I was looking around and I ran into Mayj.”

“That's the thing with lying, people are unlikely to believe you in future,” Mayj said.

“Very true, hello there Mayj.” Obi-wan glanced off to the side of the holo for a second, “Listen Anakin we are going to try and get this legislation into the subcommittee hearings tomorrow. It might take a while.”

Anakin breathed out, “Okay, want me to come back?”

“You can. But you could also head back to the temple or if, and I do mean if, Mayj is free, willing, and allowed they can show you around their labs.”

Seriously Coruni labs? No one was going to believe him.

“I'd be happy to Sir. I’m heading there now to check on a few experiments we were running.”

“That would be awesome, please?”

Any thoughts of sleep were quickly blasted from his head.

Obi-wan nodded, “But keep your braid hidden and no mentioning the Jedi.”

“Surely you don't still believe the padawan tales?” Anakin said the four-hundred-year-old sign behind them hadn’t even been a dream when the last incident occurred.

Obi-wan shook his head, “No but I don't want a holo-journal to report it and have to explain this to the council.”

Anakin nodded talking to the council was to be avoided at all costs.

Chapter Text

The Lab Mayj took them to first was a paradise of carefully organised screws and hose clamps, mixed with a chaotic mess of individually labelled wires. To have a workshop like this, a place where everything had space and didn’t have to be stored in unstable piles beside your bed, his eyes flicked around the room trying to take everything in.

It didn’t take long for Anakin to recognise the engines and the blue paint of the pod he raced.

"They're doing analysis on the pod," Mayj said.

"You are allowed?"

"Yeah, we managed to get another pilot to take it around the track after you left. The engineers pulled it apart, they are looking for any unexpected wear, or evidence of fatigue and stuff. My job is a little less exciting." Mayj walked over to a holo-computer wired into a black box which was still partially entangled in wires. "I'm analysing the recorded data to see if there are any patterns and anything we can do to improve the performance.”

Anakin wandered over checking the screen, unsurprised to find a loading bar.

"It'll take a while to upload it to my comm." Mayj said, "so I'm stuck hanging around until it finishes."

Anakin picked up a part, turning it in his hand. It was an interesting choice there were better, cheaper options on the market, "Why did you use a venturi fuel injector not an electronic one?"

"Kid I’m a data scientist not a mechanical engineer, I'm afraid questions like that are far outside my wheelhouse."

He should have figured, Jash would have been the person to ask, "Are there any other labs we can see?"

"We can look through the windows for a few more, but I only have access to one of the force labs, which weren’t on the approved tour list for young Padawans."

Anakin considered it, Yoda warned him off studying the force. And Obi-wan would fret. But it was Mayj, they weren't going to hurt him. And it wasn't like the Force was telling him not to. In fact it was encouraging, winds playing at his heals.

"It wasn't not on the list," Anakin tried, "Come on Mayj there's no one around."

Mayj looked at Anakin, brows furrowed. "Fine we will go look," Mayj's wagged a finger, "but only, only if there is no one there." Mayj caught his eyes and held them, "I mean it Anakin."

Anakin nodded "Yes Mayj." Besides what kind of danger was he truly in?

"I have a bad feeling about this,"

Anakin by instinct checked the Force, half expecting to have to duck. But the desert was humming with a gentle breeze, suns low and not scorching. Mayj’s bad feeling wasn’t force inspired being force null.

They walked down the corridor Mayj stopping and swiping their comm to enter a non-descript lab, a sign ‘Force Lab-3’ guarded the door. Anakin's heart bet faster when he saw the lights were off.

"There are other labs around for larger scale tests, or with more advanced equipment, but I don't have access. You'll have to be content with the undergrad force lab." With that Mayj opened the door flicking on the lights.

Inside was lots of tables, bright walls and plenty of light, testing equipment pushed to the edges of the room.

“This is it?”

“What where you expecting?” Mayj said

Anakin shrugged, to be honest he was disappointed, with the way Yoda warned against it, Anakin was expecting…he was expecting different. Perhaps a twist of the force, unnaturally dark, with words painted red in a dialect he couldn’t understand scattered around, rather it was much the same as any of the temple Labs.

“I’m afraid any nightmare inducing force Labs aren’t available for undergrad access, if they even exist.”

“You don’t think they do?”

“Not at Coruni, they spend too much effort on us knowing how bad the force experiments were, I had nightmares from the pictures.”

“Pictures not holos”

“Too early for those. Plus they’re thinking about shutting down the force department due to lack of funding,” Mayj said. “Without force sensitives there isn’t much we can learn or do. I highly doubt they can maintain much more than the undergrad program with the current budget.”

“So this is it, what the Padawan’s at the temple are frightened of.”

“As far as I know yes.”

 With nothing to be afraid of Anakin was off asking about what every piece of equipment did. And what it was meant to measure. A few were truly tempting to try out. Like the simulator which measured the precognition distance. Jedi were well known to respond to events before they happened. But their studies with low-null participants indicated individuals received differing amounts of warning. There was also convincing evidence of the scale of the events having different lengths of time warning them beforehand.

Anakin had wondered about such a thing before. The Jedi were aware people had different sensitivities to precognition. But the idea they had various lengths of time was novel. And personally Anakin thought it made a great deal of sense. It might explain why Obi-wan was always on time but never rushed in his defensive blocks, while Anakin often lost patience waiting, which led to him being hasty and failing miserably.

He took careful notes of how they designed the experiments. Wondering if they could set something up like it at the temple. In fact he secured Mayj's agreement to give him the specs of several pieces of equipment in hopes to figure out how to better train alongside Obi-wan.

Mayj had ducked into the Coruni’s pod lab to check on the upload when his comm beeped with a text summons back to Obi-wan’s side. Anakin slipped out of the room switching off the lights before going to find a now finished Mayj. The togruta showing him back to where he left Obi-wan, Anakin fought a yawn the whole way back to the temple, he’d find a way to talk to his Master about his ideas tomorrow.

Anakin’s mother’s sun worn face stared up at his, the woman warm, encircled both in the force and his physical arms. Sold on he hadn’t held hope to see his Amu again, the Jedi weren’t slavers, but they were enchained. The metal links their code, their whips the temple’s opinion. Dwelling on the past wasn’t an option Anakin could risk.

He couldn’t tell where he was, most of his view blurry blocking all but a 25xB grav-generator. A shudder ran through the floor, rattling his knees. The grav-generator sparked, smoked and spluttered into flames , licking away Oxygen and structural integrity of the vessel. Fire on a ship was very, very dangerous. Average fire suppression systems triggered in seconds, even the slowest should have activated by now. But the flames were still spreading. Why wasn’t he going to the manual fire pull? there was a sharp drop his stomach climbing into his throat.

 Anakin had to get to the fire, but his arms and legs were restricted, bound tight. He struggled his way free, only to be greeted by the climate-controlled air of his temple quarters.

A dream. Anakin held a hand to his chest counting out his breaths. But…he’d smell it if the kitchen was on fire, right? The force slumbered peacefully. But it wasn’t enough, Anakin pulled himself out of bed, leaving his quarters to check the kitchen. His heart finally calming at the evidence their nanowave and food conserver hadn’t spontaneously combusted in the night.

Grabbing a glass of water he checked the chrono, he frowned it was far too early to get up but he doubted he’d get back to sleep. An uncontrolled fire on a ship, nobody would have survived.

Despite Obi-wan’s insistence he didn’t meditate without being coerced into it, Anakin folded himself onto his mat, he sunk into the desert willing to brave the sands if it meant clarity on his vision. For he’d no doubt of the force given nature of his nightmare. He had always been gifted dreams by Ar-amu. Would he be reunited with his mother for them both to die in a ship fire? His heart spluttered, an instinctive denial crying out, encompassing his entire body.  

Since arriving at the temple, he had come across a multitude of advice of how to deal with force dreams each more useless than the last.

Maybe… no, Yoda warned him off studying the force. But Anakin needed to know how to deal with dreams like this. He’d had them as a slave, they were never wrong and yet the advice of the future always being in motion hadn’t worked before. He’d tried, he’d tried so hard to move the future of his friend’s death and yet he’d been kneeling in the scorching sand’s next to her mutilated body a day later. No, the Jedi’s advice and knowledge wasn’t working, not on dreams like this. Which meant Anakin had to find new knowledge, new information, he had to study the force.

He wouldn’t be stupid though, he’d make sure his overly cautious master knew, and approved every step. He’d learn from past mistakes and be careful not to repeat them. He didn’t want power or the dark he wanted to understand.

Chapter Text

Introduction

Force Sensitives have excellent reflexes, individuals often performing far above their species in activities requiring fast reaction times. Less known but still widely accepted within the Force community is the difference is not biologically based. Force sensitive individuals’ ability to perceive events, process the information and react are all with in the expected variation for their species. They react faster because they receive information sooner. All records trying to describe how it feels to receive this information is inconsistent and metaphorical in nature, which is frustrating. (Anakin- Obi-wan), (what Like you've never been annoyed when the advice from one jedi is; 'listen for the yellow of the sky' and another goes; 'wait for the taste of starlight and move until you feel the sweetness of the grave'? -Anakin)But it is commonly accepted each Jedi is working off the same amount of precognition, though this has never been proven. 

Obi-wan was somewhat doubtful his padawan’s idea would bear fruit, for all Jedi hadn't conducted experiments on precognition in the past, commonly accepted wisdom was built off millennia of using and teaching the force.  He held even further hesitation of the scrapped together testing rig Anakin hauled piece by piece to one of the abandoned training salles.

But he didn’t dare discourage his padawan, who for the first time since arriving at the temple showed a curiosity about the force. No that wasn’t right, Anakin had once come to Obi-wan with his curiosity, but uncertain of his place as knight and Master, Obi-wan told him the answers straight from the archives, shutting down any further discussions or doubts he had. In those early years he'd clung to established rules and wisdom. He had been terrified of stepping off the approved course. By the time his grief faded, and he was less scared of a little improvisation the damage had been done, Anakin no longer came to him, the 'perfect Jedi' for anything but the textbook answer.

This tragedy was further compounded by his Padawan's difficulty reading, hostility in the archives and a discomfort going to other members of the Order for answers. But Anakin endured those, to write up a proposal for experimenting on the Force. He'd searched the archives for past experiments and wrote up hypothesis's on where they had gone wrong.

To Obi-wan’s surprise there were a multitude of examples the boy found of experiments turning out fine. Neither Obi-wan nor Anakin had a true idea of how to find an answer to his questions on prophetic dreams so they decided to recreate an experiment Anakin had seen at the force Labs all be it in their own way.

If it took allowing his Padawan to experiment on Obi-wan to bring Anakin's natural curiosity back, and open up conversations about the force again he would stand in contraptions far more jancky than this one.

"Are you sure this is safe dear one."

Anakin didn't turn around from the comm console, "Pretty sure."

"Padawan I'd rather a higher certainty than pretty sure." Obi-wan said

Anakin glanced up, "I offered to go first."

"If there is a risk I'm definitely going first. But you are going to have to haul my shebs upstairs and explain to healer Che what happened.”

Anakin shrugged, "I'll tell them you were meditating."

"And how would I injure myself meditating?"

Anakin shrugged again, a cheeky smile dawning on his face, "I don't know, but you'd doubtless find a way."

"Why you little..." Obi-wan trailed off, not wanting this Anakin who was willing to tease him to go away.

"What’s sad is since it is you, they won't even question it."

“Excuse me, I am not that bad.”

"But you are that accident prone."

Trip once in front of your Padawan and they'll never let you forget it, Obi-wan couldn't stop the smile though, nor could he begrudge his Padawan’s laugh.

Still it wouldn't do for his padawan to think he was getting away with this behaviour entirely. Obi-wan tackled Anakin to the ground, pinning him and attacking him viciously with tickles.

"Solah, solah," Anakin cried through his laughter.

Obi-wan rolled off the boy, gulping for air, "You will be the death of me dear one."

Anakin rolled his head towards him pulling his face straight, "But I'll say you fell down the stairs and there won't even be an investigation."

Ohh the little...Obi-wan caught Anakin's eyes and burst into laughter.

Methodology

To compare precognition times, two force sensitive Jedi participated. To remove the variables of individual reaction times subjects of the same species were used. (Like you could have convinced anyone else into it.- Obi-wan) at random intervals the testing rig introduced stimulus. (Is that what we are calling blaster shots now? -Obi-wan) (they barely tickled- Anakin) From two seconds prior to introducing the stimulus the rig scanned for the first sign of reactions.

The second experiment on the same two individuals was designed to test if there is a difference in warning times between weak and strong stimulus. (Those stung dear one-Obi-wan)

Obi-wan eyed the contraption, he trusted his Padawan with Mechanics, but was one edge on the machine which wasn’t jagged and begging to stab him too much to ask for?

 “When will the firing stop?

“Once a certain number of shots have been complete or I press the emergency stop,” Anakin said.

“They not doing this to undergraduates at Coruni?”

“Nah, they use a screen where they press a shape when it appears, but where is the fun in that?”

“Where indeed.” Obi-wan could pretend all he liked they both knew they'd find pressing a box on a screen tedious. And this way it counted as training too.

Anakin turned back to the Holo-terminal and finished up whatever it was he was doing.

“Okay I'm ready, step into the kill box.” Anakin said.

Obi-wan raised his brow, “The Kill box, really Anakin? Couldn't you have done better? The Murder Machine perhaps?”

Anakin mouth grew wide in a smile, “No the entire system is called the murder machine, the testing platform is the kill box.”

“Ahh of course,” Obi-wan walked into the machine, “Will here do?”

“Perfectly.” Anakin turned back to the controls. “Okay Murder machine activation in three, two, one mark.”

His lightsabre ignited with a swish, swinging it up to block the first shot without issue.

Despite his initial misgivings the 'murder Machine' was far more entertaining than most of the training droids who he normally practiced blaster fire against. In the end they participated in both test multiple times, Obi-wan being hit twice Anakin eight.

As Anakin was lining up again determined to beat his Master's performance, Obi-wan spotted a whisp of smoke coming from one of the ‘murder machine’s’ support struts. The whisps became a curl. Flames visible as they caught on the padded mats beneath. Obi-wan darted over to the table ripping the emergency kit open.

 Why were the zippers fiddly?

He pulled the Extinguish-Ball out and threw it at the fire. Within microseconds what had been a serious threat was a smoking pile of white dust.

“I think that enough for today don't you?”

Anakin was staring at the extinguished fire. “Where did you get the,” Anakin waved his hand at the white powder.

“I brought it, not all of us are as lackadaisical about safety as you my dear.”

Anakin rolled his eyes, “Yeah but Tatooine used buckets of sand, you can get that everywhere.”

“Of course they did,” Obi-wan said. “I requested them from the Quartermaster.”

“Quartermaster?”

“You know the person we go to…” Obi-wan looked at Anakin's exposed ankles. He’d been hinting Anakin needed new robes for weeks now. In the past Obi-wan gave up and went to the quartermaster himself. Obi-wan closed his eyes, “the quartermaster you’ve never visited.”

“Yeah but what do they do?”

“There in charge of providing day to day goods and necessities, like robes, food and fire extinguishers.”

“New robes?”

“Yes dear heart.”

“I can fit these for a while longer.”

“But you don't have to.”

“Won't it be a waste?”

“No, they’ll be given to the next person who grows into the size.” Obi-wan didn’t think the Quartermaster would do anything but throw the shabby patched things in the recycler.

Oh…Obi-wan thought Anakin was making a fashion statement.

“I fear I have to apologise. I missed an essential part of your education. We’ll have to get you into a fire safety course.”

“Sure,” Anakin said. “But don’t apologise.”

“I failed to make sure you had essential information about living in the temple not once but twice.”

“You were a little behind schedule.”.

“Well I'll take you to the quartermaster’s office tonight, and I’ll help you catch up and join a padawan fire safety course next semester.”

Results

As shown There is a statistically significant difference between the two individuals. Individual one had shorter precognition while individual two had more warning. However it should be noted the difference did not equate to better performance in the test as individual two often started moving for the next stimulus before completing the first task.

“So what I don't have any precognition?” Obi-wan was sitting on the couch in their quarters watching a holo-projector slideshow Anakin prepared with the results of the experiment they conducted a week prior.

“No you do,” Anakin said, “we still have to react to the information the force gives us and get into position. Thats through regular neural pathways. Every species has a reaction time, yours line up with your precognition. See mine skew sooner, I’m in positions before you but those times I was hit? I moved out of my block too soon. I went to stop the next shot before the last one hit.”

“Ahh you must learn patience then?”

“Ha ha...laugh it up.” Anakin fell silent his gaze drifting away, ”Although You don't have to learn patience at all. those times you've told me your better because you've mastered it? Complete Bantha Kark master.”

Obi-wan was going to object, but, “Perhaps you are right I will endeavour to be more sympathetic and provide you with more training in the subject.”

Obi-wan watched the dance of emotions in Anakin through their bond. The waves settled, happy his reasonings were accepted. But before the ripples vanished Obi-wan had to brace himself against a wave of suspicion. Anakin having correctly identified he’d trapped himself into more lessons on patience.

Obi-wan grinned, already planning the most obnoxious lecture on patience he could devise.

Anakin rolled his eyes accepting his fate.

“Do you think our precognition times change the way we fight?” Anakin asked.

“Like altering our favoured forms?”

“Yeah, I like more aggressive forms, so I’m not waiting forever.”

It was possible but, “And what Ataru?” Obi-wan asked. “it’s all about maintaining distance and closing it fast. How is it suited towards knights with precognition at their reaction speeds?” Obi-wan couldn’t understand the logic.

“It was their Master's form and they never settled on their own.”

 Obi-wan went to object but Anakin hurried on.

“Think about it master. Ataru, works for those who need more time. Whether it's because they are small like master Yoda, slow like Master Senube or have a precognition below their species reaction times. Form I, II, IV and VI all do. The V and VII forms are aggressive and suit people like me. But Form III, Soresu Master, is all about being on time. Meeting every blow at precisely the right moment.”

Obi-wan stroked his chin, “You think I'd be more suited to Soresu?”

“I mean yeah.” Anakin said, “I’ve fought you in both. You’re great at Ataru, but Soresu? It’s not refined and you need practice.”

“But I could excel?”

“Yeah, you could be deadly.” Anakin said. “I know Ataru is your form, and you are good.”

But he could be better, Obi-wan never considered Soresu, everyone hated it as initiates. Few ever got good enough for it to be anything but frustrating. But how likely was it to have a precognition distance on your species reaction times. Obi-wan always agreed with his creche mates. But more to not stand out than any true objection.

Soresu harmonised with his soul, it always had. “You could be right.”

Anakin lit up, eyes sparking, but it morphed wooden soon after.

Obi-wan narrowed his eyes, “What is it dearest?”

Anakin relaxed his face wooden smile falling neutral. “It’s just Soresu is boring.”

Obi-wan tried to keep a straight face but his lips pulled back into a smile. Anakin condemning himself to hours helping him practice.

“yes I’ve heard many such sentiments…in the creche. But if you are right?”

“You have to at least give it a go, and I have to help you.”

“I promise to teach you all the fun Ataru flips.”

“And form V?”

“I’ll teach you the basics,” Obi-wan said, “and we’ll see how it goes.”

Chapter Text

Sidious waited for the larval chosen one to enter, they hadn’t yet met often. As a new chancellor he needed every second to consolidate his power, and Jedi gutterrim trash were hardly pleasant company.

But the younger the intervention, the better Sith one became.

Darth Tyranus was an amusement who believed he could be Sidious’s successor. The Jedi Order contaminated the former Master down to his bones. No Tyranus would never have the brutality of Maul, nor would he have the desperation to please he planned to instil in the boy.

He’d have liked not to interact with the boy for another few years, teenagerhood was such a messy time, but it was vulnerable too. All the savageness slavery whipped into him couldn’t be allowed to heal.

A soft knock on the doors of his office smoothed over his face.

“Come in.”

Anakin hovered inside the door until Sidious waved him in deeper. He scurried over and perched on the edge of the indicated chair. The slave never touched anything else, awkward and out of place in the finery of the core.

Sidious smiled, “Ah Anakin.” He pushed his flimsy work to the side. The petition to send aid to Jabiim irrelevant next to the thirteen-year-old in front of him.

The boy bowed his head, the action unfitting, he’d be much more natural on his knees.

“Chancellor.”

It should have been Master. But patience, enjoy the journey they’d get there in the end. “Oh please enough with the formalities.” Chancellor Palpatine said a smile invading his face, “I get far too much of it already.”

“Why don't you...” Anakin cut himself off and Sidious pushed more power into one of the nick knacks on his desk.

“Trust me my boy, you can always tell me anything.”

“Why don’t you have other friends who’ll treat you without the bowing and scraping. Ahh… I don’t mean to be rude.”

Chancellor Palpatine threw back his head and laughed, “No don’t be sorry, you’re always welcome to speak you mind with me.” Sidious let up on the power to the artifact, too fast would be suspicious. “Unfortunately, friends are hard to find. None followed me from Naboo when I became senator.” Those which tried he’d killed. “Now all those who would be friends are amongst the Bowyest and scrapest of the lot.” As it should be.

“They always want something from you,” Anakin said.

“Hmm yes,” Sidious looked at the boy before him, “I would have thought the Jedi would be beyond those behaviours.”

Anakin shrugged, “Most don’t bother, but a few…”

“Want you for what you can do for them.”

“Not Obi-wan though, I think I was wrong about him.”

Sidious snarled behind the bars of Palpatine’s face. He’d known Kenobi would be the hardest tie to the Order to overcome. And wasn’t it deliciously ironic it was Anakin’s attachments which were the best resistance against his fall.

“Well yes but Obi-wan is more family than friend. He has to be around after all one cannot pick one’s family.” Sidious twisted Palpatine’s face into a frown.

“Your family sir?”

“Killed,” Palpatine waved a hand dismissing any apology, “It was a long time ago.” He remembered it sweetly, “But I've never had the time to work on building a new one.”

“Would you have liked one?”

“Hmmm I think so yes.” Palpatine said, “it might stop this office seeming as lonely.” Palpatine shook his head, “Never mind an old man's musing my dear boy. What say we get out of this stuffy office and go see how the real people live.”

Anakin jumped up out of his chair, full of youthful energy, “I'd like that, sir.”

Chancellor Palpatine chuckled, fantastic there was a lovely little establishment which he was dying to show Anakin. The grievous violations of labour laws would be a fantastic set dressing for his lessons on the corruption of the senate. “Excellent let me grab my coat.”

Chapter Text

Obi-wan was not fond of letting Anakin meet with the chancellor. It was a relatively new thing, but it made his hackles rise. He consistently asked the force for advice and yet is currents remained unaffected as if it hadn’t even heard his question.

As such Obi-wan gave into the political pressure exerted by the high council. A subject he could broach with Anakin or Healer Aglows in their next session? Explain why he was uncomfortable with the situation and make it clear Anakin was welcome to come to him if he didn’t feel at ease with the man.

As Obi-wan considered his course he got a message on his comm, from Quinlan, asking if he wanted to spar. Exactly what he needed to get out of his own head.

After he affirmed Quin replied with a meeting place which he headed towards. Oddly it was a room number he had never been to before, several levels down from the majority of the salles. Was it a sparing room typically used by shadows? It wouldn’t surprise Obi-wan if such a place existed, nor would it surprise him to have Quinlan break the rules and invite him.

Checking the room numbers he followed the numbering system to end up where he was meant to. Right before he commed Quin to find out exactly where they were to be meeting, no one being around, he spotted the dreadlocked kiffar.

“Obi, good to see you.” Quin greeted.

“Quin, I can't say I knew these rooms were down here?”

Vos reached up and scratched at the base of his dreadlocks, “Yeah well about that?”

Ahh he’d lied.

“I'm down to spar,” Quinlan said, “but you are wanted for a meeting first.”

Obi-wan raised an eyebrow, the cloak and the vibroknife meant shadow business.

Quinlan ushered him into a room. Obi-wan’s connection to the force dulled immediately, the lake becoming a distorted picture. He took a measured breath. His connection to the force wasn't fully blocked if he concentrated the cool lapping of its waters still swirled around his ankles. But he hadn’t had to concentrate on it since he was an initiate.

It was unnerving, but what he could perceive of the force was calm and Obi-wan trusted Quinlan with his life.

He looked around curiously. The room was large without natural light. There was none to have this deep in the temple but the artificial lights were placed well and must be capable of lighting the room fully. But if they were, someone turned them down to a dramatic gloom setting.

There were 12 people each wearing dark Jedi cloaks with their hoods raised. Blue distorted holo's covered the individuals faces.

Contrarily Obi-wan relaxed. Though there was no official conformation of their existence, it was common knowledge a shadow council existed. Similar to the high council, or the council of first knowledge. A council of twelve shadows, the Jedi special ops, met in secret in the bowels of the temple rather than the towers. This must be them. The room had to be part of the cells. Designed to keep force sensitive prisoners secure even the low security areas supressed the force. The shadows were rumoured to meet here to prevent force scrying. A habit from days were sith Lords and their magic was a threat.

What had Obi-wan done to be summoned before them? He fell into a bow, “Masters.”

“Knight Kenobi, do you know why we've summoned you?” one of the cloaked figures said. Their voice distorted and unrecognisable.

“I'm assuming its not to spar?”

“Indeed not,” the cloaked member at the centre, the leader? said, “It has come to the attention of this council you and your padawan contacted a freedom running movement last night.”

“Is that an issue?” Obi-wan hadn’t thought it would be, Ekkreth’s Lukka knew they were Jedi yes, but they were also aware they weren’t acting on behalf of the council.

“Yes and no.” The first figure spoke, a hint of amusement leaking into the distorted force.

Obi-wan was determined not to ask for clarification. The amusement rose in the silence until Quinlan eventually decided to take pity on him.

“The Jedi Order is entangled with the senate far more than we like to pretend,” Quinlan said.

Obi-wan nodded he was well aware of how close the Senate and the Order had gotten in recent times.

“Too many senate seats are filled with those who profit from cheap labour, they will never support anti-slavery efforts.” One of the council said.

“So the order, and members of the order must do the same? Pretend to care about Slavery while tying ourselves in knots to please slavers?” Obi-wan challenged the semi-circle.

“Yes and No,” the centre figure said. And the amusement swelled again.

This time Obi-wan allowed himself a mental eyeroll.

“The high council cannot know or authorise any large-scale freedom efforts.”

 “The individuals in the order are freer to act,” Another shadow continued.

“Individual Jedi are encouraged to act against slavery wherever they can.”

Keeping the Order looking more proactive with enough plausible deniability the senate couldn't accuse the Jedi Order of anything without revealing their own position far closer to pro-slavery than their constituents would be happy with. But there was still a problem.

“Individual actions make a difference, yes. But change requires a coordinated effort.” Obi-wan paused, “Which is where this council comes in.”

“You and Padawan Skywalker have the skills to be useful for the freedom trails.” The centre shadow said.

“You have an excuse to be more invested than most can justify.”

“We didn't ask you here to censor or request anything of you.”

“Rather to offer our support in your coming endeavour.”

Obi-wan’s eyes stung. Ever since he lost his master he had been alone. He'd received minimal support and missed how much his Padawan was suffering. But here was a hand up from one of the most influential authorities in the Jedi Order.

“Thank you Masters,” Obi-wan bowed deeply, “For now I believe we are simply helping Ekkreth's Lukka with their operations.” Obi-wan looked at Quinlan, “I believe I know at least two points of contact with this council.”

Both Quin and his Jedi Master Tholme were Shadows. In fact Obi-wan would bet one of the masked figures was Master Tholme.

“You are dismissed, knight Kenobi.” The centre figure said, peace and calm projected making him sure of his path forward.

Chapter Text

With any luck this experiment wouldn’t be as exciting as the several previous ones Obi-wan participated in. Regardless of what Anakin said he wasn’t fond of being shot at, burned, frightened or any of the other myriad of things Anakin set up for them in the name of science, sample size two. Four if Anakin managed to talk Aayla and her master into participating. Which made it questionable if it could be called science. But it was a way in which Anakin could understand the Force and connect with his lessons, so Obi-wan wasn’t complaining.

This form of experimentation shouldn’t be as exciting, which made his current position unfair. Data mining was not meant to result in being squished into a closet with his Padawan to avoid a hostile force who carried deadly weapons.

Madam Nu

If there was one Jedi in the Order Obi-wan would admit to disliking it was Madam Nu. He loved books and learning, as a youngling he had been brimming with questions and a desire to bury himself in the archives. But Madam Nu wouldn’t answer his questions, worse she wouldn’t even help him find out how to answer his own.

She guarded the knowledge in the archives fiercely, yes, but force forbid you threatened to use said knowledge.

As a result the archives were a mausoleum of forgotten information. Unique in the universe and all the more vulnerable for being so. It was for this reason Obi-wan and Anakin were currently in the closet. Madam Nu went to bed at 11 o’clock on the dot, allowing the automatic security to take watch till 8 in the morning when the archives opened.

What was particularly galling about the whole endeavour was the need to sneak around like thieves in the night when by right they should have free access to the information. But no, because of Madam Nu’s oversight they had eight hours- nine at a stretch, to digitise and download as much Data as they could. He severely doubted they’d have another chance after Madam Nu tightened security.

Obi-wan checked his comm for the third time in two minutes.

“Master,” Anakin hissed

Obi-wan did his best to let his discomfort flow into the force letting the gentle waves whisk it away from him. Though he was beyond proud of the man his Padawan, now at sixteen, was becoming, he did wish he had a better sense of hygiene or was less determined to master shien, The boy practiced in every spare moment, like the half hour they’d had after dinner before this endeavour, he hadn’t showered after.

Finally the crack of light beneath the door went dark, the archive doors clunked shut a moment later. Waiting another minute, they pushed open the door. Obi-wan taking his first deep breath in minutes, and leading Anakin over to the section of the archives they wanted.

Immediately setting up, pulling from their bags components of a high-resolution scanner and assembling them. He wouldn’t need Obi-wan’s help for a while. Moving over to one of the archives holo-terminals, he attached the large crystal drive they brought to the high speed port, authorizing the download of all the accounts of prophetic dreams and their outcomes.

Unfortunately there weren’t many, the Order had been dismissing prophetic dreams for a long time as a result they weren’t often recorded anymore. No the majority would be on the flimsy piles from the old republic. A few even on sheets of wood fibre paper. Obi-wan made the executive decision not to touch those as the sheets would be too delicate to handle, and they didn’t want to do any damage to the priceless artifacts.

The download finished Obi-wan despaired over the minimal amount of the drive filled. He navigated back and scrolled through all the knowledge he could access. What was the harm in downloading a few more things?

Obi-wan picked out the most useful information being careful not to exceed the volume of the Data crystal and started the download.

Checking on Anakin he found the boy finishing up the calibration of the scanner. Obi-wan walked over to the shelves of flimsy books and started pulling them off, stacking them up on the table beside Anakin ready to scan. He was rushed to return them once Anakin finished as he was the bottle neck. An extra pair of hands would have made it go faster but they still managed to finish in less than an hour.

The safe thing to do would be to pack up and leave but…

“You want to keep digitising?” Anakin asked. “Aalya’s on a mission but master Vos is in the temple right?”

Obi-wan smiled, “I like the way you think.”

Shortly they had both Quin, and Master Tholme, helping out making the mission far faster. At seven in the morning Obi-wan called it, not wanting to be stuck at the wire.

Packing up they headed out of the archives. Obi-wan couldn't believe they had gotten away with it. He'd wanted to do something like this ever since he graduated from the younglings library.

Settling down on the couch in their quarters Obi-wan started going through their bags.

No...no, where was it?

"What is it?" Anakin asked

"The crystal drive."

"Did you leave it..."

"Where else?" Obi-wan said.

"Kark," They both checked the chrono, half an hour to eight. "Do we have time to get back to the archives, disarm the security and get out before Madam Nu gets in?" Anakin said.

Obi-wan shook his head, it would be too close.

"Well kriff. We didn't technically do anything wrong."

"I don't think it will matter to Madam Nu. I'll take the blame dear one, you'll be fine.”

Anakin didn't calm down "What if we get there first?"

Obi-wan shook his head, "we don't have time." It took them quarter of an hour to rearm security they couldn't get there, disarm and rearm security before Madam Nu came in.

"Yes," Anakin said pacing, "but what if we have an early morning obligation and need info from the Archives? We wait for Madam Nu to open the doors. I keep her busy and you sneak in and grab the drive."

Obi-wan stroked his chin, it could work, "Come on." But he stopped, both he and Anakin were extremely rumpled from their long night. "Wait."

"What is it?"

"No one is going to believe us if we show up as dishevelled as we are." Obi-wan double checked the chrono, "come on shower and hurry."

Anakin rolled his eyes but nodded and headed to the fresher for his typical 30 second shower, while Obi-wan got fresh robes for them both.

Obi-wan who typically spent enough time in the shower to let the water touch him was somewhat rushed by the impending deadline, but nothing he couldn't handle, despite what Anakin might have said. By the time they left their apartment it was ten to eight and they both ran through any hall which was unoccupied.

As they rounded the corner to the archives they found Madam Nu unlocking and disarming the system. They were on time.

"Madam Nu," Obi-wan bowed.

Anakin copied his bow with his own greeting

"Knight Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker." Madam Nu raised an eyebrow, "What are you two doing at the archives so early?"

"Eight isn’t early," Anakin shifted from foot to foot, "Master we were meant to be gone 20 minutes ago."

"Relax Padawan we'll be there in plenty of time. But we'd look truly ridiculous if we turned up without the refuge's schematics."

The Refuge stations, one of Ekkreth’s Lukka’s bigger victories in the Senate to improve anti-slavery efforts. Not that the uninitiated could tell. They were ten massive space stations, which were funded and built as mobile senate buildings. Places the senators could retreat if there was a security threat to the coruscanti senate dome. Each with several redundant and high security holo-comms allowing them to attend to governance remotely.

The entire system was designed so they'd have enough offices for every representative. As well as accommodation for their staff if even half of the ten were functioning.

The credits and the power of the people who might one day be housed there ensured no expense was spared.

The part which helped the slave runners was a small, barely noticeable, piece of legislation attached ensuring no private group were permitted to stop craft heading to one of the stations provided they were transmitting a valid code. Codes the legitimate Freedom trails had gotten from friendly planets such as Chandrilla, Alderaan and Anakin was certain Naboo would join if briefed. Therefore while in flight none of the Hutts or Zygerrian allies were allowed to stop and search a freedom runners vehicle.

Once arrived there was all sorts of security, but their allies kept their offices staffed with those who would dig up the long buried legal identities of those they freed or help to generate new ones. It was on these stations where they would debrief the runners, get them into refugee programmes and gather intelligence for future runs.

The new law had already increased the number of successful runs by a multitude.

Given the refuge stations effectiveness as a mobile forward operating base for freedom trails, Anakin and Obi-wan were ordered to research whether modern tech made the prospect of a similar station as a base for the Jedi now financially feasible. If they could justify it to the senate freeing slaves, and helping the outerrim would become easier as it had when the starlight beacon was active.

Privately Obi-wan hoped such a station would allow for secure and reliable contact with Shmi Skywalker, the woman choosing to stay behind to help Ekkreth’s Lukka on the ground. And though both he and his padawan respected her for it, both wished they had a secure comm link. Though he’d never spoken to Shmi himself, force knew he appreciated all the wisdom she’d managed to impart to her son over the years.

The doors opened and all three Jedi slipped inside.

"I'll go get the schematics" Obi-wan said and scurried away leaving his Padawan to distract Madam Nu.

"Madam Nu, while we were here you wouldn't happen to have a record of space station’s inertial dampening systems? Particularly the large-scale ones like the 598-zeltron6's"

Obi-wan rolled his eyes at Anakin's question, there was no way Madam Nu had such a recent model, but she would take the time to lecture Anakin on the quality of the information stored in the archives. Modern Engineering didn't make the cut, a tragedy his Padawan took personally.

Checking over his shoulder and making sure he was clear he ducked into the isle he'd left the drive. He ejected the device and pushed it up his sleeve. Double checking everything was put back in its correct place he darted over to where the schematics were stored, and he downloaded them onto his comm.

He rounded the corner back into the main open space, Anakin was throwing up his hands, Madam Nu stiff with her arms crossed. Even at his worst he’d never earned the rage currently on Madam Nu’s face.

"Padawan, I've got it." Obi-wan said

"Finally," turning back to Madam Nu with a bow, "Thank you for trying to find the information anyway. I'll be sure to look in a more comprehensive Library next time."

Anakin spun around and missed the apocalyptic rage on the master’s face. Obi-wan fought the urge to laugh.

Still, "Anakin!!!"

"Master?"

"The Jedi Archives are some of the most comprehensive halls of knowledge in the core."

Obi-wan could sense Madam Nu following to hear the remainder of their conversation.

"Without basic Engineering knowledge? I mean I know the archives are understaffed, it’s not Madam Nu's fault."

"They are hardly understaffed." Now Anakin was criticising the council of first knowledge of which Madam Nu was a member.

"What kind of archive which holds mission critical pieces of information closes? What if you desperately needed information in the middle of the night?"

It was a point Obi-wan bemoaned many times, he had the sense not to bring it up in hearing range of Madam Nu.

Finally the force tugged at them, the waves left by Madam Nu’s observation calming. They walked towards the entrance of the temple.

"You know this means we are going to have to leave the temple?"

"Think we can rent a hotel room for the day?" Anakin said through a yawn.

Chapter Text

Yoda was in his meditation spot.

Could he back track, claim he’d forgotten something? Hide out until the Grandmaster of the order left? But Yoda more connected to the living force than him would have already detected his approach, leaving would be a coward’s way out.

It wasn't a secret all Jedi with a strong connection to the living force had a favoured spot in the room of a thousand fountains. All the Jedi could tell if a spot was favoured by another, their force presence's lingering. This particular spot Obi-wan inherited from Qui-gon.

In short there was no way Yoda wasn't waiting for him. 

Given they had broken into the archives the night before last and were planning on going on an unsanctioned Freedom run in three more days his presence was inevitably bad news.

Obi-wan shook his head and rounded the corner, settling down in his normal spot.

“Complaints this morning, Madam Nu made,” Yoda said.

Ahh it was the heist. Obi-wan hummed, he wasn't admitting to anything.

“Large disturbance she felt. Your presence all over it, it was.”

“We visited the archives.” Obi-wan nodded, “Anakin was rather rude, I have reprimanded him. I will get him to apologise to Madam Nu as well.”

Yoda rapped his walking stick across Obi-wan’s knees. “Play dumb you should not. Downloaded and scanned a large amount of the archives you did.”

Ka’ra damn it.

“All Jedi Knights have unrestricted access to the information stored in the general archives,” Obi-wan was irked he needed to sneak, the information should have been freely available.

“Technically in the wrong you are not. Operate on technicalities Jedi do not.”

Obi-wan raised an eyebrow, the number of times Qui-gon operated on technicalities disproved Yoda’s point, “Don't they?”

“Charged with the archives safety Madam Nu is.”

“Archives which are meant for the Jedi, but she has restricted their use to the point most will avoid them at all costs.” Obi-wan said, “If we cannot use them what is the point in having them?”

Yoda sighed, “Different, happy to share knowledge, she once was. Lost much in short time she has, compassion we should show not mockery.”

“Madam Nu is failing her duties, if we offer leeway in the place of help, is that compassion?”

“Time we are giving, help this is.”

“And what are knights meant to do in the meantime?” Obi-wan said, “And how much time? You might be old enough to remember her different, but I cannot.”

“Why need you all the information? Bound to the temple for the next month you were meant to be.”

“Master Obi-wan, there you are,” Anakin said pushing apart the bushes which guarded his area. He stopped short, “...Master Yoda.”

They had worked on Anakin’s deep terror of Master Yoda with healer Aglows, and though he was better he still wasn’t at ease with the grandmaster or any of the authorities in the Jedi Order.

“Young Skywalker, discussing the consequences of sneaking around we were.”

“Consequences,” Anakin said, his arms crossing over his front. His waves becoming steep and hostile. “We did nothing wrong.”

“Then why sneak did you?” Yoda said, “And no punishment to attend a friend’s wedding I think.”

Obi-wan shut his eyes. Bail's wedding to the queen of Alderaan had been scheduled for the same day as their freedom run. He'd agreed to pilot because he never received an invite. He hadn't considered, though in hindsight he should have, the invite had been given to the Jedi. The Council waiting on providing orders until they were certain their mission schedule allowed it.

“But...but Obi-wan was going to take me—“ Anakin stopped, preventing himself from saying anything about their freedom runs.

“Stay in the temple you should. Make time for friends here hmmm?”

“But Aayla’s away.”

Obi-wan winced at the reminder Anakin had only one friend in the temple. He’d tried to introduce the boy to more members of the order, but rumours of the chosen one stopped any genuine connection forming.

It was a long-term problem though, right now he had to figure out another option for the freedom run. It was already too late to reschedule, the act of stealing away slaves from their masters had already begun when they confirmed. Delay now increased the chances of their ground operations being caught. Not to mention they didn’t have the funds or provisions to keep the runners longer than they planned.

“Try again you might? Not official censor this is, as no official complaint has been made. And point your Master has about the accessibility of the archives. But time apart yes? Make time for friends other than each other you should.” Yoda said.

“Aalya might be out of the temple, but I'm sure Quin wouldn't mind you staying with him.” Obi-wan’s friend bemoaning having too much time to worry with his Padawan on her first solo mission, a problem Anakin would doubtless solve. His friends may be a poor replacement for Anakin’s own but at least he wouldn’t be completely alone. Better yet Quinlan knew the generalities of their freedom runs even if he wasn’t a good enough pilot to substitute for Obi-wan. “We will discuss when I'll take you flying later.”

“But...Okay Master.” Anakin turned to Yoda, “And I'll try to make more friends.”

“Excellent, excellent. All I ask try is.”

Chapter Text

Anakin’s hand stroked against the hull of The Storm. The ships smooth paint interrupted by a slight wrinkle, a place where 14-year-old Anakin couldn’t get the sheets of fibres to lay flat. In the two years since Obi-wan convinced the hanger staff to give him a berth for his name day, Anakin rebuilt every part of The Storm, the corellain freighter which donated her parts not capable of the runs Ekkreth’s Lukka asked of her. Now fully kitted with every upgrade he could afford or make during his dwindling free time, The Storm was capable of near everything the Hutts could throw at them.

Completing the outside checks Anakin walked up the ramp, nodding at Kom’sara. The Unfettered Twi’lek pilot was the best. The woman spent hours helping him with the mods and taking him flying once he outstripped Obi-wans abilities to teach. She’d been the pilot of The Storm before Anakin weaselled his way into being a pilot on the flights himself at 15.

Now at 16 he had gone on several runs both with Kom’sara and Obi-wan. He never said anything, but Kom’sara was the better copilot.  

Each run he searched for his mother amongst the faces they pulled out despite knowing she wouldn’t leave until it was truly unsafe for her to remain. Watto’s lax attitude affording her a valuable position for assisting freedom running efforts. Still he worried about her in between there intermittent comms but Ar-amu promised in the recurring dreams of the grav-generator fire, he would see his mother again for however long it was.

Between the advanced fire safety course and the beginnings of a study on prophetic dreams Anakin was doing all he could. But each time he woke covered in sweat, the force hitting him with urgency he couldn't help but feel he missed something.

Unfortunately organising the Data was taking time. Scanning as many physical documents as they could was a good idea in the long run, in the short it meant the accounts of prophetic dreams were muddled up with ancient Alderaani grain and knight’s mission reports.

It was taking time to create an Algorithm which could distinguish the prophetic dreams.

"Hey Redbird-2 you with me." Kom'sara said.

Shaking off his musings he fell back into a mission headset.

"I'm with you dragon-1."

"Pull your head in the game, this run is dangerous and with Redbird-1 off, we are already on the back foot."

Anakin slipped into the pilot seat, placing his bag in the slot an Astromech would normally inhabit, he began his preflight checks. When flying a nonstandard approach, and trying not to be seen, the consumer grade Astromechs they could purchase didn’t cut it. Anakin could mod one, but those safety features were so deeply ingrained it be like performing a lobotomy, which Anakin would never do. Instead they needed two pilots to share the workload.

Another advantage of flying without an astromech was speed. Half of the droids’ jobs was controlling traffic and maintaining safety margins. With an astromech the flight would take five days without one three. Being force sensitive opened up even faster routes to him, as there were multitudes of paths which were unpredictable and deadly for those force null. Meditating Anakin and Obi-wan found windows of safe passage on hyperlanes which would allow for a day round trip.

"Take it up with the council apparently Alderaan had a party Redbird-1 couldn't miss."

Kom’sara grumbled. Anakin understood, the marriage of Queen Breah and Bail had been arranged for a year now. The invites sent out three months ago and Obi-wan selected as the attendee immediately, as he connected with Bail as a Padawan. And yet a week ago when they planned this run, he had been free, yet they were informed of his assignment yesterday, throwing them into a scramble. Punishment or not they should’ve had more warning.

It had been a mess to arrange for Kom’sara to be free to pilot on short notice. The Hutts had caught onto their strategies multiple times in the past. Requiring them to take more and more insane approach paths. But also limiting their pilot options, it had been nothing but luck Kom’sara’s supportive boss was able to bend her schedule enough to make this run possible.

Anakin flipped a switch and frowned, "Hey dragon-1 I don't think the fire suppression system is arming."

This couldn’t be possible, Anakin was paranoid about the fire system of his ship. In fact he had overhauled the system, updating it a week ago. When he put it back together, he'd run through all the tests, it had been working fine.

"We don't have time for this." Kom'sara said.

Anakin nodded, they'd confirmed the run last night. Their contacts on the ground had moved the runners to their meet point, a cave in the desert as far south as they dared. The heat would kill the runners if they spent midday in the location, their ground crew helpless to rescue them the second the suns rose.

Thinking through his options, Anakin climbed out of his seat to check on the system. He pulled open the fire control panel and froze.

Inside the compartment there wasn't neatly organised bundles of wires as he left them rather it was a porgs nest. Anakin dug through the wires searching for the control box, the brains of the operation. As long as it was fine he could fix the rest in the hours long flight. But there was nothing, his eyes stung, whoever had done this pulled the control box out. Kriff if they cancelled now, those waiting would have already been discovered missing by their master’s, they needed off Tatooine now.

"Kriff," Anakin said

What the hell did they do? They didn't have another ship and the control box was custom and took him weeks to get right. Anakin could guess what happened. Unfortunately, in trying to keep his promise to Master Yoda, and spend time with Padawan Tru Veld, one of his more palatable year mates, He and Ferus clashed once more. Force why had Anakin listened to master Yoda and tried again it continually ended with him in trouble. He always lost his temper and was either punished or Ferris found a way to get back at him.

He had been doing well too for the last few months, going to Obi-wan when he wasn't capable of dealing with the taunts himself. But without him Anakin could admit to overreacting and being harsher than he should have. Still this was a level of pettiness Anakin thought beyond Ferris.

Kom'sara got out of her chair and saw the mess over his shoulder, "Kriff, has our mission been compromised?"

Anakin shook his head, "By someone who could infiltrate the temple? I think it was a classmate, it's lower than I thought he'd go, but..."

Anakin and Kom'sara met gazes, what did they do now? Technically speaking they should call it off. Let the 30 people hoping for freedom become collateral and live to fight another day. But...there was nothing but determination in Kom'sara's eyes. And given his mother might be on this flight, no way in Sith’s haran was he going to stand down.

"Finish the check list." Anakin darted down the ramp and to the workshop down the corridor, ducking inside to grab the fire safety kit they had in there. Quickly he logged all the equipment as used. He'd answer the questions of what he'd needed it all for when he got back.

He stowed the fire gear next to the engine room, grabbing two extinguish balls and bringing them up to the bridge, handing one to Kom'sara, the other he placed in his own pocket, returning to his seat.

"Other than the fire suppression system everything's good and we have permission to take off from temple air space."

Anakin nodded, flicked the appropriate switches and the engines hummed to life, He relaxed back into his seat, pushing his worries about his mother and the fire system out into the force, allowing the winds to whip his emotions out past the edge of his desert.  Nothing cleared his mind like flying, Taking off he listened to the calls from Dragon-1, trusting her to give him correct vectors as they navigated the chaotic Coruscanti airspace.

Chapter Text

Anakin pushed back from the console, allowing his concerns to surface now they were established in hyperspace. Checking Dragon-1 had controls he walked down to the cargo hold. All the while fighting a sense of Deja vu. Staring at the grav-generator the same model as in his vision. He'd tried not to get it, to turn away from his dream but it was the one which had the specs he needed.

So much for the future is always in motion. Anakin frowned, if his vision was unavoidable which so far it seemed to be, what did it mean? Would there be a fire on this flight originating in the grav-generator? But he should have put it out, he fingered the extinguish-ball in his pocket. Yet in his dream the fire raged for far longer than it should have. And why would Ar-Amu warn him about a fire, when he would have never flown without some sort of fire suppression system. It was on standard equipment lists and Amu always made him check they had a bucket of Sand before they went anywhere in a speeder. He would have never forgotten even without the force given warning.

Anakin folded himself down on the floor, the hum of The Storm in hyperspace rising through his palms. Breathing he brought back the memories of the intermittent dreams he'd had over the years. Holding on to the memory he rose standing where he stood a hundred times before. Trying to ignore his mother he focused on his other senses. It must have happened during a phase of flight he wasn't stuck on the bridge. Hyperspace then. A jolt combined with a grav-generator fire during hyperspace travel could be several things but one was the most likely. They had been nudged out of hyperspace by a following craft.

Kriff he'd have to warn Kom'sara to expect it. He was about to raise himself from the meditation, but the winds nudged him to consider there was something else he was missing. He continued to act through the vision. When the fire appeared he reached for his pocket, but he didn't go deeper to grab the extinguish ball. And he didn’t throw it, why didn't he throw it? It was doing damage to the grav-system, potentially others, seconds mattered but he was waiting, why?

The falling sensation which ended every dream came and jerked him out of meditation. He stayed there, hand in his pocket reaching out and waiting for the answer to come to him, but nothing came.

Eventually he returned to the bridge to sub out Dragon-1 so she could get some rest, he'd take his on the way back.

----

Kom’sara entered the bridge an hour out from Tatooine.

"Hey, you ready for this?" Kom'sara said. "It should be a simple fire drop."

Anakin recognised the start of a briefing, they had gone over this all before they left but it was a good idea to refresh there memories right before they got to the difficult part.

Anakin shook his head, "No it won't be."

"We've had no intel?"

"The Force is saying otherwise, we'll get away from Tatooine smoothly. But we'll be pushed out of hyperspace at some point on our way back."

It was at this point he'd loose the majority of Jedi Masters to lecturing about the unreliability of force visions. But the great thing about force nulls is they accepted it without comment.

"I'm still pilot flying?" Kom'sara asked.

"I'll be needed in the cargo hold after our jump to hyperspace." Hurring on before she could interrupt, any worthy pilot would protest being alone on a bridge without an astromech during a crisis, and Dragon-1 was excellent. "I'll be back as soon as I can, but I'm needed in the cargo hold."

Kom'sara's brain was working, pulses, sparks, brief impressions in the force flowing out of her. If they were pushed from hyperspace grav-generators, which assisted in emergency decelerations, were known to overheat and cause fires. Anakin nodded, it was one of the reasons he respected Kom'sara as a pilot. She knew the systems of any ship she flew inside and out.

Would she have an idea about his dream? Anakin was man enough to admit he didn't know everything and Kom'sara had been modifying ships for as long as he'd been alive.

“Do you know any reason to hesitate putting out a fire in the grav-generator?” Anakin asked.

“No, I can't think of one, why?”

“Something the force is telling me I can't make sense of.”

Even now it was repeating a mimic of the waking jolt, and the winds brought him whispers of trust.

A beep from the dash signalled it was time. Anakin reached over and primed the highspeed hyperspace drop. Tatooine’s space wasn't controlled like Coruscant or many other core worlds but it was monitored. Against the black void of space the signature of a ship doing a traditional hyperspace drop was a neon light. Even the Hutts primitive space control noticed and tracked those. 

 Anakin paused for the winds of the force to calm before activating the drop, “Exiting Hyperspace.”

The stars blurred stretch shortened, as they entered real space. The slight variations of a manual drop changed where you ended up appearing significantly. Which was good as the Hutts didn’t know where to look for them and bad as you were potentially hurtling towards a celestial body at pace, as was happening now.

Tattoo 3 was filling half his screen. He pushed and twisted The Storm aiming for the visible edge of the moon.

They were going to make it.

“Stars at our back,” Kom’sara called.

The planet would be to his left considering the current time of Tatooine’s moon cycle. Letting up on the yoke, he clipped tattoo 3’s gravity well, allowing it to help speed his turn. Escaping the well with a thrust he aimed towards the equator of the planet.

The large sandy hot ball of misery almost looked beautiful right now. At a distance was the only real way to enjoy his birth planet.

“10,124 km/s” his co-pilot called out their speed relative to the surface of Tatooine.

They were far too fast. The Storm was designed for high velocity re-entries but this speed would obliterate his ship. He pulled back allowing their momentum to be converted to artificial gravity, Anakin breathed against the weight increase.

Most people forgot gravity and acceleration were the same thing from different perspectives. It took some fiddling with their Artificial gravity system, but he managed to make them interchangeable. Trading out speed for an increase in gravity.

Dropping out of hyperspace at the speeds they had, rendered them close to invisible. Artificial Gravity breaking saving their thrusters and stopping them from gaining heat to radiate enough infrared to disclose their position.

“Atmospheric entry speed.” Kom’sara called.

Anakin’s heart raced faster than The Storm, every moment standing out, stretched by nerves into eternity. Obi-wan called him an adrenaline junky and at times like this he couldn’t disagree. He took a deep breath and descended into the atmosphere, falling like a rock. Literally, meteors were common on Tatooine.

“Altitude 1… mark,” Kom’sara said.

Anakin pulled back on the steering column. They were low enough and far enough from the liveable parts of Tatooine nobody was looking.

The thrusters kicked on, arresting some of their downward momentum. But pulling up from the speeds they were going overloaded the thrusters fast. He continued till he got a heat warning. Releasing the yoke, The Storm returned to freefall. The thrusters cooling. They didn't have enough altitude to come to a stop using thrusters alone.

But The Storm wasn't trying to stop, she was trying to fly.

“Speed,” Kom’sara called.

Anakin inputted 80% upward plus 20% forward thrust. This manoeuvre was where the unique large wing design of The Storm came in handy. Modern spaceships had fins, precise movement close to the ground essential, and though they appeared as wings, they were never designed for lift. Anakin modified the fins of The Storm until they could once again be called wings, generating lift to supplement the thrusters, helping to remove vertical speed.

They were still in a steep dive, too steep. But they had lost enough momentum the last little secret on The Storm could save them from being pancaked.

Plasma Gravi-gates, the same ones on the pod he raced three years ago, applied in a way no one but Mayj, now a post grad knew. At the basics the invention converted acceleration towards a surface into some of the plasma needed to race. It was a minor improvement to a pod.

But on The Storm approaching the ground, far more rapidly than any sane pilot would try, the Plasma Gravi-gates were their crash pad. All the vertical speed was bled off into the lightning strikes, plasma grounding to Tatooine’s sands, earning The Storm her name.

Anakin pulled The Storm level and their plummet towards the ground turned into true flight.

Anakin breathed out twitching his controls making sure The Storm responded.

“Local bearings captured, Heading 180”

Twisting the yoke The Storm banked till the heading matched what it was meant to be. “Heading 180 confirm.”

Anakin let the tension leave his body, they were in no way out of danger yet, but he had time to breathe. He laughed at nine-year-old him thinking pod racing was fast.

He guided The Storm in a glide, allowing his thrusters and airframe to cool, speed being shed to overcome wind resistance.

Kom’sara kept navigating him through Tatooine’s uninhabitable deserts as they approached the nighttime side of the planet. It was false dawn at the location chosen for the runners. Too late for them if they hadn't made it but still cool enough to freely move around outside. Anakin turned their cargo ramp close to the cave. The landing jolt wasn't as smooth as he would’ve liked, but all in all a good flight.

He itched to race outside and check if his mother was indeed in this run, but he had a duty. They were in Hutts’ space things could go catastrophically wrong at any moment. They needed both the pilots on deck. And Anakin needed his head in the game.

He listened as Dragon-1 operated the radio to clear the runners to enter the craft, warning them about the scorching hull, and their cargo ramp was steeper than average, little things they learnt from experience reduced the number of injuries for the runners when scrambling around in the barely there dawn light.

Contrary to normal, Kom'sara used the radio to ask their ground droids to make sure everything was stowed in the back, and their passengers strapped in. Normally they wouldn't bother but if they were expecting problems with the grav-generator, it was a wise idea, when those things failed gravity did all sorts of weird things.

The force swirled gently around his ankles, pointing out what he missed.

Chapter Text

The rattling lift off stood in opposition to the smooth glide they managed on coruscant, but The Storm wasn’t damaged, designed and built for rougher runs, rather it was due to the weight of their precious cargo. It was for those same reasons they weren't exiting Tatooine the same way they came in.

Fortunately the Hutt’s monitored incoming traffic far more than those outward bound, allowing Kom'sara to call for clearance for an early morning take-off. It took some bribes, typical for Hutt space, till they were on their way faked transponder codes broadcasting loud.

Nothing to see here, just another lowlife leaving Tatooine. 

The stars streaked into a hyperspace blur.

"I'm going to the cargo hold." Anakin said.

"Keep everyone strapped in, if we loose gravity..."

"May the force be with you. I'll be back as fast as I can."

Kom'sara nodded, Dragon-1 was an idol of Anakin's she remained calm under incredible circumstances. Even Obi-wan sweat at The Storms typical approach path, Kom'sara barely bothered to blink.

Anakin slipped from the bridge, climbing down into the cargo hold, 30 souls saved from slavery, he quickly reassured everyone in amattakka, asking them to stay seated as they were expecting a bumpy path.

Grabbing their fully stocked med kit, he went down the line checking and tending to any injuries. He was treating a young six-year-old, who was proudly showing off her dukkra incision, when he spotted her.  His Amu, finishing off he stood smiling and ruffled the kid’s hair.

"Ani?" the voice was familiar from memory and patchy holocalls, but in person it had an ineffable quality he had near forgotten.

Anakin controlled a wince they kept their names out of active operations if possible. But this was his mother, he turned to greet her.

"Amu?"

A woman with a head of greying hair and as kind eyes as he remembered freed herself from her harness and came over. He was meant to tell her something about staying in her seat. But it was whisked away by the pleasure of the familiar starlight presence of his mother.

It wasn't quite like the dream yet, they were in the wrong place for starters. A fear filled whine reminded him of his task.

"Amu," Anakin said, looking at the rows of panicked runners he had yet to treat or reassure, "I could use some help."

Together they started working through the runners again, Shmi Skywalker as competent at soothing fears and pain in others as she had been with her son's own. Even between the two of them it had taken hours to tend and reassure everyone. Anakin supressed a yawn, he hadn’t yet rested and he was feeling the long day. Finally finished he escorted his mother back to her seat.

It was there Daja vu hit hard. Amu's seat to the rear of the hold was right next to the grav-generator. He wished he could fall into his mother’s arms without care but the jerk occurred precisely on schedule, they’d been knocked out of hyperspace.

Seconds later the grav-generator in the hold caught fire.

“Strap back in,” Anakin said.

He hadn't recalled saying it in the dream but then again, had there been any sound? He didn't remember it. Shmi Skywalker nodded, leaving his arms and moving back to her seat. Anakin focused all his attention on the fire. The fire which was eating oxygen, destroying his precious ship.

Wait

Anakin held his extinguish ball ready, counting down like he had a hundred times in the past. Fire suppression should have activated. Right now he'd start thinking about what he was going to do, and now.

There, there it was. The weightless pulling lurch, the sensation he always assumed was waking up. But it wasn't. Grav-generators often reversed the polarity briefly before failing. Sure enough everything not strapped down flew hard into the ceiling. He held Amu, only partially strapped in, and himself down with the force. But his internals had some fun with negative G's.

Had he thrown the Extinguish-ball at his first opportunity the dust would have been flung from the hot components, still hot enough to spontaneously combust. With the gravity off, the powder exploded as designed around the flames, starving them of the oxygen they needed. He closed his eyes sending a brief prayer of thanks to Ar-amu for the warning.

He also took a moment to send a gust of thanks to his master through his training bond. After all it was him, who insisted he listen even if it didn’t make sense. There was a swell of confusion sent back followed by a larger wave of pleasure. Calmer he checked his Amu and everyone else was properly secured. And pulled himself back towards the cockpit, relying on the desert winds to push him through the cargo hold in zero-g’s

"Redbird-2 nice to have you back." Kom'sara said, "The fire?"

"Out. Who is our company?"

They had gotten away from Tatooine clean, he'd been in the hold for hours, long enough they must be close to their destination. Their destination which was solidly in the core.

"Bounty hunter,” Kom’sara said.

"Hutts?"

"Unknown, I haven't asked."

Strapped in Anakin took command of the weapons systems, trusting Dragon-1 to do the dodging. If they were Hutt bounty hunters, they needed to up the offer of whatever they were paying. One ship should be easy.

The firespray dodged the short-range attack, or maybe not so easy considering the sharp reaction times.

"Attack delta-7-romeo?" Dragon-1 asked.

"confirm Attack Delta-7-Romeo.”

They had practiced multiple different types of attacks in an online holo-game. Not the most effective tool granted but it had them working together seamlessly now.

The Storm flipped, rolling back towards its attacker, dodging the return fire at the same time. Anakin used a spray of low powered shots to pin the firespray in the cross hairs of their ship’s trajectory. The thing about the plasma Gravi-gates is it made playing chicken with other ships real fun. Still they had their limits and seven meters out from the other ship, who was now in full reverse, they rolled under.

A jerk and a groaning crunch pulled Anakin from lining up his next shot. Aiming to disable their opponent.

"Kriff," Anakin said.

Why hadn't the Plasma Gravi-gates worked? 

Unless the fire damaged more than the grav-generator?  Now they were attached hull to hull with the firespray and they had no idea how bad the damage was. Had the scrape compromised the integrity of The Storm? Were they leaking what oxygen the fire hadn't eaten?

Or was it a scratch?

Fortunately the pilot of the other vessel was grappling with the same possibility. Anakin reached out, asking the force about pulling away from the other ship. Winds whipped up carrying stinging sands, Okay no pulling away. The sands settled back down.

Anakin pressed the radio transmit button, "Firespray, this is The Storm, I advise against pulling away if you want to maintain hull integrity."

"Storm this is Slave-1, are you kriffen nuts?" Rage burned in Anakin's heart. Slave-1? How on the nose did you have to be? Most Hutts at least had some subtlety.

"I have been called worse," mostly by Obi-wan, "try anything and you best believe I'll take you with me Slaver."

"That's not..." the other Pilot changed his approach, "Listen kid, I get you're scared but there is no reason to panic."

Kid? Panic?

"I'm not panicking. You on the other hand should be."

Anakin fired the gentlest shot The Storm was capable of, at the other ship. Barely enough to graze the surface, but with their combined hulls a creaking groan reverberated through the hull. Not providing enough to tear open their ships when whatever was connecting them ripped away but enough to make his point damn clear.

"Okay this is what is going to happen..." Anakin checked the navigational display. A knot untangling when he realised a friendly planet was closest. Better yet it was Alderaan where his master was stationed.

"You and I are going to go towards the nearest habitable planet, once we are in atmosphere all bets are off."

Anakin switched off the comms, "We changed the transponder codes to a refuge one, right?"

Being a lowlife helped you get away on Tatooine, but it tended to get you searched in more civilised space. Kriff he sounded like Obi-wan.

"The chandrillian one."

The Refuge codes were second to ambassador codes in how illegal it was to stop them. Better yet chandrillia was a strong Ally of Alderaan and was likely to get them priority.

"The nearest planet is Alderaan kid." The pilot said, "it’s completely locked down for the royal wedding, they might let us in with an emergency code. But you try anything they'll shoot both of us out of the sky."

"Oh I'm counting on it," Anakin said. Then pushed for the comms to the firespray. "We aren't getting to another planet with our problems. Just because Alderaan isn't friendly to slavers doesn't mean you get a choice."

"I'm not...I'm not a slaver."

"Slaver, bounty hunter for the Hutt's, same kriffing difference." Kom'sara said over the comms, "Also if you don't feel like the comparison, change your ship's name."

"Are you the sane one?" the firespray pilot asked.

Dragon-1 told him exactly what she thought of the comparison by wobbling her thrust vector.

"Okay, okay no one is sane on the bridge, got it."

Did Anakin mention how much he loved Kom’sara? the unfettered truly lived up to the stereotypes.

"To Alderaan with emergency codes transmitting and hope they or you, won't blow me out of the sky." Slave-1 said.

"Now you're getting it," Anakin said.

Navigating two entwined ships to Alderaan was hard enough. Had The Storm contained an astromech it would have been simple. But as they were manually flying keeping The Storm steady was a job and a half.

Anakin worked the radio's transmitting a general and then a Jedi specific distress code, in hopes it’d get his masters attention before they were arrested for trafficking 30 sentients.

Closer enough for communication, they got clearance to enter Alderaan space provided they consented to an escort, agreeing fast, they soon spotted the short-range fighters coming to chaperon them.

"Oh boy you weren't joking, you really are tangled up." The Pilot of the Alderaani vessel spoke.

"Yes sir, can you tell what is tangled?" Anakin asked.

"It looks like his forward guns are caught on your landing strut, but I can't see closer." The Alderaani ship said.

"We'd like to enter atmosphere before attempting to pull apart," Anakin said.

"You have permission, provided it’s into the Northan hemisphere."

Given the wedding was happening in the capital which was in the southern hemisphere it was a sensible security restriction.

"Not a problem," Slave-1 said.

"Anything else I should know about your condition?" the Alderaani asked.

"Yes sir, our fire suppression system is non-functional."

"Non-functioning fire--oh you dini'la'ika" slave-1 said.

Hang on wasn't diny’lar’eka what Obi-wan called him sometimes? He always refused to translate it. But having another person come to the same conclusion as his master probably didn't say the best things about him.

"Also we have 30 asylum seekers on board and we are pretty sure slave-1 is a bounty hunter who works for the Hutts." Kom'sara added.

"And a nonfunctioning Grav system, but you probably don't need to know that." Anakin added.

"Okayyy..." the Alderaani pilot said, "we'll have security, medical and fire on the ground waiting."

"For the record, I might be a bounty hunter, but I am not currently on contract with the Hutts. My contract was for the ship and single pilot returned unharmed." Slave-1 said.

"Noted but if we could sort this out on the ground?"

"On the ground then," Anakin confirmed.

"Redbird-2 you take re-entry and landing." Kom'sara said.

Anakin nodded adjusting his chair for taking control. Kom’sara was a good pilot, excellent even, but Anakin had more practice with what his master would call crashes. Which by Obi-wan’s logic made her a better pilot then he was, and he wasn't sure he disagreed.

Kom'sara clicked over to the intercom system, "runners unfortunately our bumpy ride, just got rocky. We are currently working our way to a friendly planet for assistance, please stay calm and remain strapped in until we tell you otherwise."

Intercom off and approaching the planet Anakin said, "I have controls."

There was a slight judder as the controls shifted over.

"Careful there, what are you doing flying manually?” Slave-1 transmitted.

"Yes." Kom'sara said.

"Dini'la, Dini'la"

"Our cover's blown right?" Kom'sara asked.

"Well and truly burned." Anakin said. Alderaan getting larger by the moment.

"Slow down to 700m/s at a rate of 2m/s2," Anakin transmitted, "on my mark...mark."

Both ships started slowing down to an appropriate approach speed for the upper atmosphere. As the beginning dregs of air started buffeting their ships Anakin was forced to make precise adjustments, but unlike the astromech in the other ship he had the force and was capable of keeping her steady. With the increasing vibrations between them it became apparent they weren't going to be able to stick together for re-entry like this.

"Thrust to maintain Orbit on my mark...Mark." Anakin said and thrusted on time, "We are going to need a better way of doing this. Any ideas?"

"This is why you have an astromech." Slave-1 said.

Considering it was the astromech which Anakin had to correct for because it was calculating too slow, the comment was unfair. But as he didn't want to let slave-1 know who he was stuck to he kept his mouth shut.

"We can take a hell of a lot of heat." Kom'sara said

"An uncontrolled re-entry? Us on the belly taking the heat" Anakin shook his head, "We have to get within breathing range. We'll be too low to stop with a potentially damaged airframe and a definitely damaged Gravi-gate."

"We have oxygen masks as pilots, as long as we get into breathable air fast enough no one will get hypoxic. It’ll allow us to pull apart early enough to do a full thruster landing, which is still functioning."

Anakin ran through a mental list of The Storms systems and nodded it was their best choice.

"Okay slave-1 this is what we are going to do." Kom'sara transmitted.

Their second attempt at getting down was both more and less nerve wracking than the first. On one hand they weren't threatening to rip apart the hull, on the other they were threatening to shake apart. By Ar-amu he might catch Obi-wan’s fear of flying after this. Nah who was he kidding he was on top of the world, Literally.

"Terminal velocity, Pull away when you’re ready Slave one." Kom'sara said. Anakin was half way to being relieved this couldn’t get worse when he heard the crack of The Storm’s hull being torn open, Followed by the deafening roar of terminal velocity air, far worse than simple free fall.

"I'm free Storm." Slave-1 said.

Anakin as gingerly as he could started applying downward thrust. It was a mind kriff using the controls in reverse but they were upside down, and Anakin figured it would be better to take as much speed off as possible before trying to right themselves.

"How are we looking slave one?" Kom'sara said

"Your belly's got a good gash in it but everything else looks fine."

Anakin spared half a thought to be grateful the avionic bay was below the cargo hold. He pushed the thought of the runners to they carried into Ar’amu’s hands. Worring for his mother wouldn't do kriff if he didn't land this ship. Hearing his wings looked fine Anakin began inputting forward thrust enough to get some control and lift from the wings. He dipped one wing initiating the most controlled roll he ever tried, unwilling to test the airframe more than he had to. The problem was once he initiated the roll The Storm didn't want to stop, upside down for the second time Anakin tried to stop the roll, but the wing wasn't responding.

Which was the downside of having your avionics’ bay damaged rather than the cargo hold. He took a breath and allowed the storm to roll a third time, panicking would do no one any good. He had the thrusters he could counteract the wings with them. He didn't want to, as it put loading on the storm as he was loathe to do, but it was an option.

"Can you use the force?" Kom'sara asked.

Duh, Anakin wanted to kick himself. The yoke was unresponsive, but he could use the force to physically push down the control surfaces rather than use The Storms inputs.

Upright again Anakin gathered the winds and pushed down the surfaces, he'd have to commit to using thrusters to manoeuvre but he could do it.

Right side up and under control, Anakin fired up the landing thrusters to pull their speed down to reasonable and manageable levels. Checking their altitude, he initiated a controlled descent down to breathable air.

"Alderaani security, this is The Storm we seem to have control." Kom'sara said.

"Nicely done, can you follow my lead?"

"We can try, we will advise of any difficulties." Anakin said.

Following Alderaan's security was a constant battle of the controls but in the end they touched down softly, exactly where directed to go, he would take the win.

Anakin would deny till his dying day how force-damned relieved he was to have solid ground beneath his feet. In the back of his head he promised not to make fun of Obi-wan’s fear of flying ever again. Okay not for a month at least, he could make it a month, right?

Chapter Text

Obi-wan had been having a lovely yet terrible time at the wedding celebration of his two friends. Despite his genuine smile, Bail’s love finally overcoming societal traditions to be acknowledged in a wedding, he was miserable. His padawan was taking a major risk without Obi-wan as backup, or even available if things went wrong.

He rather thought he was successfully faking unconcerned happiness for his friends and no one besides, the far to observant, Bail Antillies now Organa noticed. On alert and unable to relax he immediately noticed when security started moving, a guard whispering to the queen, who locked eyes with Obi-wan a moment later. Summoning him to her side with a graceful hand gesture. He made his way over with a leisureliness which matched the subtle way he had been summoned.

“Knight Kenobi, you're being requested in the security office.” Queen Breha said.

Obi-wan fixed his smile unwilling to let it drop with all the holo-journalists around, “Of course, I'll make my way to them as soon as I can get away, or is it more urgent?”

“Nothing which cannot wait for decorum,” Queen Breha said. Hurry but don't make it obvious Obi-wan translated.

“Of course, congratulations once more on your nuptials your highness And I wish you all the happiness.”

He bowed politely to the queen and headed to the exit as unhurriedly as he could, while making it clear he was not to be intercepted. Sometimes Obi-wan agreed with Anakin's point about diplomacy being the hight of stupidity.

Once free from the throngs of the crowd he slipped into the servant’s passageways making his way to the security office.

“You called for me?” Obi-wan said to the greeting officer.

“Thank you for coming,” the Officer said, “we received a Jedi distress code of an approaching vessel, but the ship itself isn’t registered to the Jedi.”

Obi-wan barely needed to glance at the terminal to confirm. Anakin. “Yes, I know it. They were scheduled to be doing a freedom run. Ending at refuge-6, what’s wrong with her?”

Currently Refuge-6 was located near Alderaan space, the redundant seats of the senate’s power were consistently changing locations to prevent attack, but they did tend towards the inner core and planets with strong Anti-slavery laws.

“They’re tangled badly in another ship.”

Obi-wan didn’t do a good job hiding his concern. How in the force did his Padawan one of the best pilots in the Order get tangled with another ship?

 “Would you like a ride over sir?”

Obi-wan nodded, “Please.”

Anakin pulled himself out of his seat. Taking a moment to breathe before hurrying out to the cargo deck, checking on the damage.

30 runners sat in the cargo hold in various states of shock, fingers or species equivalent grasping at the crash webbing or harnesses.  Red, green and blue blood covered exposed skin where it had been split open by the tools and clothing which worked itself loose from where it was stowed. Fortunately, none seemed critical and the resilience of the amavakkian people was showing through. Each comforting the person beside them and helping each other out of their frozen shock.

“The loading ramp isn't working, can you try the override.” Kom’sara yelled.

Anakin walked to the back of the Cargo hold and opened the panel which contained a jack screw he'd have to wined manually to get people out of the hold. He attached the crank pushing it past the initial resistance, when the force blasted sand at his face. Anakin jumped back, clearing the sand in time for a shuddering ping, the entire jack screw assembly gave way in an explosion of released energy. His reflexes honed from hours of practice defending against blaster bolts served him in halting a piece of the screw a centimetre from his mother's eye. A crashing bang behind him had him dropping the fragment and spinning searching for the threat only to find the cargo ramp fallen to the pavement below.

As much as he loved The Storm it appeared she was a write off, there was a creaking groan as she settled into a tilt, probably due to her missing landing strut.

Anakin reached out but the sands of the force calmed this time. No more hidden dangers, The Storm had settled.

“Okay its safe now, you all can unbuckle.” Anakin said to the passengers. Though he wanted to reassure them more he had to sort out Alderaani security.

Turning he made his way down the ramp. Adjusting to the light he was greeted by the best sight in the world. His master standing on the tarmac his face twisted in vague disappointment. Anakin had since learnt Obi-wan’s disappointment face was a cover for worried out of his mind.

He spent all of three seconds considering if he should be a proper Jedi Padawan before deciding to screw it and taking a running leap at his Master trusting the man to catch him.

His hug was returned with equal fierceness.

“Dear one,” Obi-wan said beard tickling his ear, “I know you'll make fun of my fears, but please don't land in such a way ever again.”

“I think we can call this one a crash.”

“Oh, I don't know. You managed to get the ship down in the right location and the right way up.”

“You’re right it’s a textbook landing.” Anakin said, “Why I think with a little touch of paint she'll be good to fly.”

As if to disprove his point, the firefighting droids leapt into action. Anakin disentangled himself from the hug, turning to face the now smoking Storm. Thankfully all their passengers started making their way down the ramp.

“If this doesn't end up in some kind of book, we'll be lucky.”

Anakin tensed, he'd forgotten to scuttle the ship. With an incident of this size there was no way to avoid an investigation, a published book worthy investigation. The kind the Hutts could get their hands on, if they learnt about The Storm's unique features they could guard against future runs.

Anakin was stopped from moving back towards the ship by a firm hand.

“The fire is in the avionics bay,” Obi-wan said.

Right Kom'sara must have activated their scuttling mechanisms before disembarking. Thermite over certain bits of equipment wasn't subtle but it’d stop anyone figuring out what they were.

“Should we tell them to let her burn?” Anakin said.

With the last of the passengers free and clear, the biggest danger was for the firefighting equipment.

“They've already figured it out,” Obi-wan said.

Sure enough the droids were withdrawing from The Storm’s carcass as the flames began to spread, instead focusing on containing the fire to the vessel.

“Oh! Master there's someone I want you to meet.” With all the excitement he’d forgot.

Obi-wan nodded and let himself be pulled over to where his mother was helping to calm several of the runners.

“Amu?”

Shmi Skywalker stood a smile stretched across her face, Anakin stepped in to bury himself in his second all-encompassing hug for the day. He pulled back, water welling in his eyes, tears he would insist was from the smoke.

“Amu, I’ve told you about Master Obi-wan Kenobi,” Anakin said, turning to Obi-wan, “Master this is my mother.”

“Lovely to meet you in person Ms Skywalker,” Obi-wan said holding out his hand, “I'm glad we finally managed to get you out.”

“And you,” Shmi said “thank you for looking after my son.” She turned back at the burning carcass of The Storm, “I know he doesn't make it easy sometimes.”

Obi-wan threw back his head and laughed. Anakin resisted the urge to cross his arms and regret introducing the two.

“This, this is nothing,” Obi-wan waved at The Storm, “you should see the mess he makes at political functions.”

“Oh I can imagine, not a tactful bone in his body.”

Despite being the shebs of their conversation Anakin couldn't help a warmth rising in his chest. His two favourite people in the galaxy were getting along and were within reach. One of whom he hadn't thought he'd see in person again.

He caught sight of Kom'sara waving him down, he turned to greet her as she approached the trio.

“Security wants the pilots. They are going to start sending the runners through medical checks.”

Anakin nodded, a planet like Alderaan who did significant amounts of slave freeing would have well established protocols for dealing with refugees.

“I'll stay and get the runner's comfortable in medical then join.” Obi-wan said.

Anakin nodded, his Amu would trust Obi-wan, and the runners would rely on Shmi, given the intensity of their freedom run trust was not a commodity to treat lightly.

Anakin joined Kom'sara walking away from his parents and closer towards a group of officials.

The questions were endless, but it was redeemed by the Alderaani officials’ kindness and competence. Obi-wan must have pulled some strings because they were willing to accept, ‘we can't tell you,’ as an answer.

Their lives depended on their secrets and regardless of how good intentioned the Alderaani security forces were, they could not guarantee their report wouldn't leak. Obi-wan joined them halfway through. And though they didn't touch, his support was near physical and allowed Anakin to straighten his spine and continue the questioning.

But the sharp fall off of adrenaline was making it hard to think straight.

“Officer, I appreciate your duty, however I do believe there are now medics free to look them over. They are both in dire need of rest,” Obi-wan said.

“Yes, Yes of course.” The questioning officer said, “apologies but we need to know what happened before we decide what to do with the pilot of the other vehicle.”

“The bounty hunter?” Anakin asked.

“Unfortunately, the puck was gilded and it was an alive and unharmed mission.”

“You mean the pilot can walk?” Obi-wan said.

The officer nodded, “We can't legally keep him and he knows it. We'll contact the guild and try and find who issued such an erroneous bounty, but...”

“The Guild seldom does more than blacklist, they'd never give out the individual’s identity,” Obi-wan said.

“Would the pilot be inclined to talk to Anakin?” Kom’sara asked. “He seemed to fit the Bounty Hunters expectation of who he was looking for.”

“It was my next suggestion if Padawan Skywalker is up to it?” The Alderaani Official asked.

“Medic first,” Obi-wan said. “But then? if you’re up to it?”

The possibility of confronting the bounty hunter injected enough energy into his system the fatigue fell away.

Kom'sara and Anakin walked over to the medical station. Fortunately, neither of them were harmed beyond some bruising from their harnesses and dehydration.

Rather than continuing on the tarmac, they were escorted to a security building. They were brought in the back where a small interrogation suite was kept, used to contain smugglers who were bringing their illicit wears onto the planet before the police could take them to a judicial facility. They suite was made up of a set of three rooms. The first, a containment cell, currently open, with its energy shield deactivated, no one detained within. The second was a rather cramped dark observation room they were led to which was overlooking the third where the bounty hunter sat.

Obi-wan turned to the officer, “A Mandalorian?”

Anakin had heard all the horror stories about Mandalorians and Jedi, how much he believed them was another question. After all people still believed Mayj was out to get him whenever they mentioned being a Coruni student. That being said the solidly built armour and the multitude of well-worn weapons made him hesitate, particularly considering his Lightsabre was disassembled and hidden on his person.

“Appears to be,” the Alderaani said, “another reason we weren't keen to keep him here when he decides to leave.”

Obi-wan caught Anakin’s eyes, “Mandalorians particularly those who wear armour. Have every reason to hate Jedi and very few to like us. You cannot let your identity slip.”

Anakin nodded, so there was truth to the rumours. Fortunately, his master allowed him to maintain a normal haircut, the braid now made of removable extensions rather than naturally grown hair. The distinctive Padawan hair might get one out of trouble in the core, but on missions and runs it was often a liability. As such Anakin was currently dressed like a spacer, his braid detached and doing duty as an anklet.

The deception wasn't solely for Anakin's safety, the Jedi were beholden to the republic, the senate had more than a few members who profited off slavery. Plausible deniability, if he ever got caught, was the name of the game.

Finished mentally checking himself over Anakin nodded to the security guard, and was handed an earpiece and he was led in.

“Why did you bring this ad in?” the Mando asked.

“What is a diny'lar? You called me one several times.” Anakin said.

“You’re The Storm's pilot,”

Anakin shrugged, “One of them. The closest match to your bounty at least.”

The man stared at him, “You announce that, to a fully armoured and armed Mando? You really are Dini'la.”

“Your bounty is for unharmed. I'm curious, sue me.” Anakin lent forward across the table, “I mean I know the Hutts want me dead, I’m pretty sure the zyggerians wouldn't be upset if I karked it. There're a few others I can think of who might have taken a bounty out on me. There might even be a few captured alive bounties. But unharmed?”

Anakin shook his head, “I can't think of a single one.”

“So your grandfather, He doesn't ring a bell?”

Grandfather what the kark?

“What's my Grandfather got to do with anything?” Anakin asked

Who the kriff was claiming to be his grandfather? His Amu's Dad died the day she was captured and sold, and he didn’t have a father, let alone a father's father.

“You think your great uncle, the count of Sereno, couldn't be convinced to pay a credit chip or two to pull you out of, and I quote, your hairbrained adrenalin junky schemes?”

Oh now he had a great uncle he didn't know of either. The count of something.

Obi-wan made an inquisitive noise, well at least this was making more sense to someone else.

“The count of Serenno is Yan Dooku, he was my grandmaster and Yoda's Padawan. But how, in the living waters, did Dooku find out about the freedom runs?” Obi-wan said.

“How did Grandfather know our route? It’s not the sort of thing we advertise,” Anakin said.

They altered their routes as much as possible considering the finite Hyperspace Paths from Tatooine, particularly core-ward.

“Maybe you let it slip ad'ika?” the Mando said.

“We don't know the exact path 'till we are in the ship.” They randomised which of the ten refuge stations they were going to for a reason.

“The Count said you were heading to Alderaan. I was surprised you were as far out as you were.”

Anakin nodded but inside he was still trying to figure out how it fit together. Unless it had nothing to do with refuge-6 and everything to do with Alderaan?

“My Father's on Alderaan for the wedding, maybe my grandfather thought I was sneaking out to find him?”

And then Yoda complained to his old padawan who decided to use his influence to, what? Teach him a lesson?

“There was no mention of other people on board. It’s possible.” The Mando said with a shrug, “For what it's worth I don't take bounties running down slaves, and I am sorry about your ship, she looked nice.”

Did Yoda seriously take a bounty out on him? Anakin pulled himself back to the conversation, shrugging, “It's only a ship, everyone got out safe.” Anakin stiffened, “Oh that motherkriffing, son of a bantha.”

“What?”

“Our nonfunctioning fire system. I thought it was a rival, but it was Yo...Grandfather. The control units looked a lot like the old corellain ignition controls.”

“Yeash how old is your Grandfather?”

“Old enough and more than a little kriffing senile, going around ripping out components he's not bloody damn certain about.” Anakin said.

The lack of comment from Obi-wan told Anakin he was taking the news of sabotage from the Grandmaster of the Order harder than he was.

“You going to be okay from here ad?”

“Not going to try and take me in?”

“Oh haran no, this is a deeper pool of family kark than I am willing to wade in.”

Anakin nodded, “I'll be fine, my father's on planet.”

The bounty hunter stood, pushing back from the table. Grabbing his helmet he walked through the door escorted by a security guard.

Chapter Text

The ride back to Coruscant was uneventful, save for the light teasing he gave his Padawan’s belief Obi-wan was pure and couldn’t out swear a spacer. He had been friends with both Quinlan Vos and Anakin. He could swear if he wanted to, granted he seldom swore at the Grandmaster of the Order, but Master Yoda had never risked his Padawan before.

Shmi Skywalker stayed on Alderaan to help the other Slaves, intending to gain a job on refuge-6 helping out Ekkreth’s Lukka and maintaining the space station. It also conveniently meant Anakin could visit his mother every time he completed a run.

Obi-wan might have complained about attachment, except it wasn’t. There were two places he was concerned with his padawan’s ability to let go and yet this mission proved beyond a shadow of a doubt he needn't have worried.

The first was his pride and joy The Storm, but Anakin was already sketching out new and improved designs. He should have known his Padawan cared more about getting grease under his fingernails, than being precious about his ships. After all he’d lent The Storm out to other pilots for freedom runs without issue.

The second was his mother, yet when the woman had been in danger, Anakin was perfectly able to compartmentalise his worry and continue on with the mission. He showed no jealousy of her time and attention, like Anakin had with Obi-wan’s own, back before they started working on it with the psychologist.

No, his Padawan behaved perfectly and he couldn’t be prouder.

They dropped Kom’sara off at her apartment before making their way back to the temple.

Seven of the high council waited for them, good this meant he wouldn’t have to call for a meeting.

Frigid fear rippled along his bond with Anakin. Obi-wan sent back warm currents of peace and care. He turned to his Padawan who was staring out the window as frozen as his bond indicated.

He clasped him on the shoulder, "You conducted yourself excellently Anakin, there is no reason to worry."

Anakin turned towards Obi-wan and swallowed hard.

"Will they see it like that?"

"One way to find out." Obi-wan pushed comfort, care, and support through their bond waiting until Anakin regained enough control to release his fear, before he stood, the council could wait.

Obi-wan had taken one of the smaller vessels the Order maintained for his diplomatic mission. The singular cabin, tiny galley and cramped head had been somewhat uncomfortable on the ride back with all three of them. They’d managed, none of them precious about comfort, but it was still a relief to leave the claustrophobic place, walking down the ramp to the hanger.

Through their bond Obi-wan could still feel some nerves from Anakin but most dissipated to the force, and none were leaking external to their shields. He pushed down a ball of pride, he’d share it later with his Padawan in private.

"Padawan Skywalker much trouble you are in." Yoda said.

"Really?" Obi-wan said, stepping forward covering his Padawan bodily. He’d always respected the head of the Order, but Healer Aglows discussions digging into Anakin’s fear of the man brought several points home. Yoda was frighteningly powerful, there was little anyone could do to stop him save for the man’s own conscience. The fundamental difference between his own and Anakin’s attitude was Obi-wan believed in Yoda’s character while Anakin did not.

Normally the trust was enough to quiet his nerves, but Yoda broke it, he’d nearly gotten his Padawan killed. The wariness, warred with his protectiveness resulting in more sass than he would normally show the high council spilling out.

"This trouble is news to me, I think I'd be aware if he was in enough to warrant the entire temple bound high council."

"Sneak out to Alderaan, your Padawan did despite not being invited. Censor this will earn." Ice cold fear washed in from Anakin, a censor of a Padawan by the Grandmaster? Particularly one as disliked as Anakin was overkill and cruel.

The force swelled pushing him towards an action he wouldn’t normally consider. Sixteen was younger than most, but he knew Anakin was ready. Past ready even, he'd handled an entire complex mission perfectly without his master's input.

"And here I thought I was going to propose Anakin passed his senior padawan trials. And while I was at it, I intend to raise an official complaint against you, Grandmaster."

Obi-wan rarely allowed his face to show anything but serenity, but now he permitted his protective rage at his great Grandmaster to slip into the force’s water around him and pushing it towards the council.

"The censor you are raising?" Master Windu’s brows were crumpled in the way his padawan enjoyed causing.

"Through ignorance, arrogance and negligence Grandmaster Yoda, severely endangered 32 souls, including Padawan Skywalker. Through the sharing of intelligence with an individual outside of this order he endangered 33 souls directly and a large number indirectly."

Anakin could have crashed the ship into a city centre, "It was through the quick actions and thinking of Padawan Skywalker. Along with his ability to listen to the force’s will we evaded such a fate."

Obi-wan could feel Anakin through their bond being caught between puffing up his chest at the praise and hiding from the high council gazes behind his back.

"Snuck out of the temple Padawan Skywalker did.”

"Padawan, did knight Vos, the person I asked Anakin to report to, know where you were going?"

"Of course, he woke me up on time."

Obi-wan nodded, "No sneaking was done, Padawan Skywalker informed the Guardian I left in charge of him."

"What exactly did Master Yoda do?" Master Windu asked.

"Master Yoda ripped out a critical piece of the life support system of Anakin's ship," Obi-wan said, "A ship Anakin was to use for a crucial mission given by the shadow council."

Though the council of twelve hadn't known the particulars, Obi-wan had no doubt they would back them.

"Life support, I did not and would not touch."

"You deny sabotaging The Storm?" Obi-wan asked.

"Ignition block I removed."

Master Windu rubbed his forehead, "the ignition block the ship had no problem starting without?"

"The class-1 custom fire suppression control box." Anakin said, "Which looks remarkably like the ignition blocks on the corellain freighters from 300 years ago?"

Yoda's ears drooped, hanging the lowest Obi-wan had ever seen.

"I did accuse out of ignorance not out of malice. Though what you thought to do by ripping up a piece of a Padawan's hard work is beyond me."

"Careful I was. Rip I did not."

"Councillors,” Obi-wan turned to the rest of the group. “Padawan Skywalker was in no way restricted to the temple in my absence. And Master Yoda had no right to damage his ship."

"Grandmaster Yoda was in the wrong to remove the block, but damage might be a stronger word than is necessary, surely we could see the harm." Master Koon said.

"I'm sure the Alderaani crash investigation would be more than happy to help you get holos of whatever is left of the fire suppression system. I don't suspect there is much given how long it took them to get the fire out."

"Ahh," Master Koon said, reducing a ship to scrap certainly counted as damage.

"There is still the matter of Skywalker being on Alderaan," Master Windu said. "Allowed out of the temple or not he shouldn't have been there."

"Master Windu, what is the most common type of shadow approved mission?" Obi-wan asked.

A light went off behind the councillor’s eyes. They couldn't report to the high council, the members remained ignorant of the slave freeing actions of the shadows, but more often than not it was a wilful ignorance. None on the high council was unobservant after all.

"Now I ask where the likely destination for such a mission is?" Obi-wan said, "And what would be the consequence if the Grandmaster leaked the location of The Storm to an outsider who hired a bounty hunter?"

Yoda ears drooped even lower, "Accept censor for endangering The Storm I do. Arrogance I confess, too used to knowing everything I am, consider the shadows I did not. Ignorance and negligence I also showed. Youngling under our care, I could have harmed. Apology and recompense I will make to young Skywalker. But to an Outsider I did not speak."

"Not even an ex-Padawan," Obi-wan asked.

"Complain to Dooku about youngling's sneaking out of the temple many times I have. Mention Padawan Skywalker or Alderaan I did not. Leak elsewhere it is."

Obi-wan met Master Yoda's gaze. And nodded trusting both the force and the wizened Jedi was telling the truth. Their leak came from elsewhere. Either Jango Fett lied, and the force insisted he hadn't, or Count Dooku got the information somewhere else. Which was worrying, Yoda was the best choice, it meant there was no true harm intended. It meant Jango Fett finding Anakin was nothing more than a lucky guess and an unfortunate coincidence.

"How Skywalker's location was leaked is concerning, but also a question for the shadows, as is whether the actions of Padawan Skywalker were worthy of promotion to senior Padawan." Master Koon said, "For now I'd say we are tremendously glad you are both home safe. Both of you look as if you should sleep for a week."

Chapter Text

It took two weeks after the freedom run for Anakin and Obi-wan to have a chance to go over the records of force dreams.

The weeks since arriving back at the temple had been chaos and not of the good kind. First was it somehow slipped Obi-wan, and Anakin were responsible for an official censor of Yoda. Shortly after their conversation the grandmaster stepped down as head of the Order, promoting Mace Windu a far less beloved Counciler in his place. To say the temple resented them was an understatement even though his stepping down was voluntary and not part of his reprimand.

Despite what Yoda had done to The Storm Anakin had never trusted the grandmaster and the Jedi more. The Jedi issued a severe reprimand to their most powerful member, and he accepted the consequences, without trying to dodge or mitigate them. On top of the official punishment Yoda publicly admitted to his mistakes, once the censor leaked, and stepped down voluntarily from his position as head of the Order. Professing he wielded too much power in the Jedi Order for far too long. His genuine contriteness and active actions against bullying were a force send. Anakin found it ironic as they lost Yoda as the head of the order he grew to trust him enough for the role.

The official censor only had him paying for a replacement ship and issuing a formal apology. Had it been any other Jedi Anakin would have been getting tiny sums for the rest of his life. But Yoda had been around for a long time, and rarely spent anything, he could pay out of pocket. Or at least for the same model second-hand basic ship Anakin started modding at 14.

As a result he had all the parts to make a new ship but any freedom runs to Tatooine, like the one they had completed, were on hold until Anakin could build and entirely new shell. Knowing his mother was free reduced some of the stress of the rebuild, but all of Ekkreth's Lukka were racing to get it completed.

But the rushed mechanical work wasn’t the worst part, he could even handle the resentment they earned removing the Grandmaster from the head of the order, particularly with Yoda’s support, but being promoted to senior Padawan?

The shadow council approved of his promotion when he debriefed the run to them. He had even been excited about it until he arrived at his first class back.

If his classmates had been cold to him before they were frigid to him now. Even Tru and Darra who he was closer to completely shut him out.

This afternoon the nastiness reached a peak. He’d asked to borrow a stylus after his own lost power. Tru gave him one but, after he’d turned his back, leant over whispering about how you'd think a senior Padawan could charge their own stylus.

Pointing out the stylus lost charge after Anakin cracked the casing due to another whispered comment wouldn’t make it better.

Tru's comment wasn’t nice but he could live with it, after all it was a little embarrassing to have forgotten his spare. But Ferus's return comment had been his limit. He’d barely bothered to lower his voice commenting if they were sure he was the chosen one after all. Anakin learnt long ago to hate the title of chosen one. Everyone was watching him closely, everything he did wasn't good enough, or too arrogant.

Obi-wan counselled him to let the comments go, as there wasn't anything he could do to change their opinion, they would always talk. And though Anakin knew Obi-wan was right, letting go was a work in progress.

His hand tightened around the borrowed stylus considering breaking it in half, it was fair after what Tru said. He thought they were sort of friendly, shows what he knew. But words Obi-wan once said to him echoed in his brain, ‘even High council members sometimes need to walk it off. I'll only be disappointed if you act in violence and cruelty.’ Anakin loosened his grip, destroying another's property would count.

But he couldn't stay there listening, he knew he'd be in trouble if he missed class, but if he broke and punched someone? Anakin scrambled shoving his pad back in his bag. Standing up he rushed out of the room, stopping long enough to chuck the borrowed stylus at Tru's desk.

Behind him Ferus's last comment sent him to tears, “bet he's running off to charge it using Sith lightning, after all he's destained to fall.” Anakin had been a full blubbering mess when he'd brushed past their instructor coming the other way.

Normally Anakin loved Master Koon and brushing past him was a rudeness he didn't want to show, which made everything worse. The icing on the kark cake was Obi-wan had come home early because of the concerned comm from the Kel’dor. His Master was meant to be at an advanced Soresu lesson, and Anakin knew how much the man enjoyed and flourished with them.

Eventually he calmed but wasn't feeling like working on The Storms replacement. Besides the composite wings were drying and there was nothing they could do for a few days.

Instead he was sitting at their well warn dining room table, head in hand, spinning a tea-spoon he pilfered out of Obi-wan’s cup.

"We could look through the accounts of prophetic dreams," Obi-wan said.

Anakin didn't particularly want to. What difference did it make now his dream had come true? But the response was uncharacteristic and would let Obi-wan onto how bad his relationships were becoming.

"What’s there left to know? I tried to avoid the dream. I put in a state-of-the-art fire suppression system and learnt everything I could and yet..."

"The fire still happened, but...what about mine?" Obi-wan said, "I have dreams from the force but I've avoided them completely several times."

Anakin blinked pulling his head up, he mostly thought Obi-wan joined these experiments to humour him. He'd never considered Obi-wan might want to know the answer too.

"Come on dear one. I know the last two weeks haven't been great but don't let it put you off. You still have me, you still have Aayla, Kom'sara and Mayj. I know Yoda wanted you to make more friends in the temple, but it doesn't mean your other friends are worth less."

"Mayj was interested in how we planned to organise the results."

"Did you have any plans?" Obi-wan poked him in through their bond.

Anakin sighed pulling himself up, Obi-wan was right, he shouldn’t let the other Padawans get to him, he still had friends, he organised his thoughts. "Right, we got written descriptions of the dreams and any recorded outcomes from the archives. So Mayj and I were thinking we would do an analysis of the word choices and see if there is any pattern or groups."

"Then see if there is any correlation between the wording and whether they came true or not?" Obi-wan asked.

"Exactly there's a chance there is none but it’s worth a shot, right?"

"It is indeed dear one."

He wasn't even halfway through organising the data for analysis when he knew he would find something. But still he pushed on, aware the mind could be tricked into seeing patterns where there were none. Which was the point of a well-designed statistical analysis.

But he was pretty sure.

His first test of the data proved him right. There were distinct groups of dreams based on language.

There were two groups Anakin considered removing from the data set, as they weren’t prophetic in nature. However, Obi-wan convinced him to leave them within the results as they were undoubtedly force given dreams. The two groups were the visions focused on the present and past events. As such they were provably true and nothing one could do about them.

The next group they focused on was another dream category Anakin considered removing because it didn't strictly belong to the future. Rather they characterised them as dreams of opportunities lost. Words implying an increasing distance from events such as fading and leaving were frequently used. Anakin figured it was the force showing them potential futures they had already discarded. He wasn't sure it was a useful discovery, but Obi-wan’s exclamation of having similar sounding dreams before, gave him hope at least his master might get some satisfying answers.

The last two where the categories of dreams Anakin was interested in. The most common, they categorised as the impending dreams, words like approaching or arriving soon often appeared in them. Obi-wan nodded once more familiar with this type of dream. Anakin was sure he’d had these visions before, but he’d never categorised them as such in the same way he had his inevitable dreams.

For those they had to consider the last and rarest category. These were the dreams characterised by the present tense. They were standing in the fire, the blasters shot at them, the events always present and urgent.  They also came with the largest number of notes. These dreams frequently left the force user distressed and with a sense of inevitable urgency. This was the type of dream Anakin had of the fire, in The Storm.

When they checked the surrounding documentation of the dreams, and which types came true it wasn’t a surprise to find the opportunity lost dreams never came to pass, the approaching dreams sometimes at least in part occurred. But the last? The inevitable ones? They always, without a doubt, no matter how badly you tried to avoid them came to pass.

"What is the point in those? Living without choice? It sounds depressing." Obi-wan stroked his beard.

But Anakin was shaking his head.

"My dream cut out before the fire was extinguished. If I hadn't had the extinguish ball, if I hadn't waited for the grav-generator to go out? The Storm's last run could have ended in tragedy. If you look at all these examples, they all came true but they had wildly different outcomes. Those which ended well are thankful they heeded the vision. While those who ignore it or try to change it at the expense of the present curse the dreams."

"You have to pay attention to the dreams and prepare,” Obi-wan said. “But accept they will come to pass and not attempt to avoid them?"

"Something like that I think, we won't really be able to test it until I have another one."

Chapter Text

Senior padawanship was much the same a junior Padawanship except for the aching loneliness of the temple. 16 was a near two years before any other humans could expect the promotion. There was jealousy and sneers from his year mates far beyond what there had been previously. Before his Amu’s freedom run, he questioned if the animosity between Ferus and him was enough for him to sabotage The Storm. Now there was no doubt, in fact the Padawan had been caught keying the paint job on the lightning, The Storm’s replacement.

Anakin hoped as the Padawans achieved the same rank they’d let their resentment go, but it never happened. One by one they made senior Padawan but no one was more willing to be his friend.

 Now at nineteen, having finished all padawan courses required of him, he was quick to shoot down any mention of knighting, the Padawans were bad enough, what would happen if the knights decided to single him out for being too young.

When both Obi-wan and Palpatine brought it up he told them to wait until he was at least 23 then he’d consider it again. 23 was young for a human knight yes, but not uncommon. He wanted to have friends in the knights, as much as he loved Mayj and the members of Ekkreth’s Lukka, he wanted Jedi he could go talk to about force stuff. And no Obi-wan’s friends who were sorry for him did not count.

Speaking of friends, Palpatine was another problem, the older man didn’t get the hint he didn’t want to be close. The chancellor continued to forgive his absences and blunt replies, ‘till it was only the man’s position as Chancellor of the republic which stopped him from yelling at the man. He had friends, both Mayj and Kom’sara taught him how an elder mentor figure was meant to behave.

They weren’t meant to let you get away with everything, both Mayj and Kom’sara raked him over the coals countless times, particularly when he endangered his own life.

But when Anakin came up with taller and taller tails to give to the Chancellor, he’d found no matter his actions in the story they were praised, and anyone who tried to hold him back or make him think criticized. Once he saw the pattern he couldn’t unsee it. Nor could he miss the potential harm in the promise Palpatine extracted from him to refrain from telling any of those he trusted about the contents of their meetings.

Anakin spilled all the chancellor's small little secrets to Healer Aglows, his Amu and Obi-wan the second he could. And all three of them agreed the Chancellor was bad news. Still he couldn’t piss off the Chancellor of the Republic, fortunately his election was approaching and his maximum term limit had been reached.

Soon he could ignore his summons all he wanted.

After the Fire on The Storm the Force let his dreams become natural. Or at least mostly, there was still the occasional dream about approaching darkness or passing opportunities which had the flavour of force visions, but they had none of the urgency of the fire.

Until tonight.

Once again all but the area in front of him was blurred. A battle droid stood in focus. Recognisable from the Battle of Naboo, its blaster raised. Lights and emergency sirens flashed without noise. But unlike his last this vision wasn’t silent, his lightsabre humming activated at his side. There was something familiar about this place, the decorative marble halls stood in contrast with the heavy-duty bulkhead doors behind the droid. The hum of his crystal changed as he raised his sabre to attack.

Anakin woke with a gasp, heart pounding irrationally fast for a dream where the only threat was a singular B1. Rising Anakin walked over to his meditation mat and sat himself down, allowing the events to unfold before his eyes. Going through it detail by detail. Awake he could place the location instantly, one of the refuge stations like his mother worked at. The marble corridors were exclusive to the upper levels of the station, places Anakin never had cause to be. But he’d been taken on a tour once and he was certain he was right. One of the stations was going to be attacked, but which one? And why?

And his crystal, in the dream he had been certain the Kyber’s song changed, was it the pitch? the tone? The melody? Anakin couldn’t figure it out. It changed but how?

So now he had another dream to work on. Trusting their results from their Data analysis he knew this type of dream was unavoidable. There was no point in coming up with plans to stop the attack or hide the station. Rather all he could do was prepare to fight B1 battle droids in an enclosed space and convince the refuges to hold evacuation drills and increase their defences.

Decided on a course, Anakin left a note for Obi-wan and went to the hanger. But he was intercepted by a comm from the high council.

Damn it the urgency of the dream indicated he had far less time to prepare than for the fire. He spun headed to the high council chamber.

Despite being far more at peace with the Jedi than he had been before Yoda stepped down as head of the order, he hated the high council chambers. It was as if it was a test of nerve, leaving powerful people in your blind spots and being examined from all sides. Knowing the Jedi it was the point of the chambers, but he still rather disliked the sensation.

“Knight Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker thank you for coming on such short notice,” Master Windu said.

Anakin nodded, he didn’t like Master Windu and wished they chose another member of the high council to replace Yoda, Master Koon was right there, it did make parsing their mission instructions easier.

“Of course,” Obi-wan said with a bow.

“At 0900 an attempt was made on a senator's life.” Master Mundi said.

This was an issue for the Jedi because? The senators had private security; Jedi interference reeked of favouritism.

“Forgive me masters,” Obi-wan said “but why is this a Jedi problem?

“The Senator in question is strictly against the creation of the military act.” Master Windu said.

Oh their favouritism was deliberate letting everyone know they stood behind the senator and didn't want an army created.

“And why us?” Obi-wan said.

It was a fair question, knights were normally stood down for at least a while after a mission which was as much as a clusterkriff as their last.

“To the senator familiar you are. Senator Amidala you must protect,” Yoda said.

Padmé, Anakin had thought on and off again about the angel who helped rescue him from Tatooine. As a child and even as a young teen she appeared perfect. Kind eyes, brave heart and yes, soft, un-sand scoured skin. Now he was fully aware he didn't know the woman nor even the politician she was, not having the time to keep up with her policies.

The meeting with the council wrapped up and they made their way to 500 republica.

“I hope whatever you needed to do at the refuge wasn't urgent.” Obi-wan said.

“So do I, I had one of those visions again,”

“Force willing, this will be over fast.”

“This mission is connected, we haven’t fought B1’s since Naboo.”

“And B1’s starred in your vision?”

Anakin nodded. “The trade federation has been threatening rebellion for a while.”

“I suppose there is only one way to find out.”

They walked in friendly silence as they made their way through the foyer. Hustling through the Senate staff housed here, conversation paused as they avoided being noticed or overheard by the Holojournalists who swarmed wanting a statement. Turbo lift door’s shutting they resumed their conversation.

“Although at least you'll be able to see your, what did you call her dear heart?” Obi-wan said.

Anakin blushed fiercely he should have known he wasn't going to get through this without ribbing from his Master.

“Oh kriff off Master,” Anakin spun to face him, “I was nine.” His objection didn’t stop the smile growing on his Master’s face.

“Thirteen by my count.”

“Well you know what thirteen-year-olds are like.”

“Hmmm yes,” Obi-wan said, “you probably exaggerated significantly.”

“Exactly, Padmé was probably no more beautiful than a good-looking troll.”

The twitch of Obi-wan’s mouth let him know how badly he'd screwed up. He closed his eyes briefly and hoped the turbolift's doors were still closed.

“A troll you say?” A melodic voice came from behind him.

Anakin resisted the urge to spin around. Instead taking the time to mouthe the words, ‘I hate you’ at Obi-wan.

The man’s lips twitched harder.

Anakin spun to face the woman he compared to a troll. A woman who proved nine to thirteen-year-old Ani had impeccable taste.

Anakin stepped into the apartment, letting the turbolift close and trapping him in this conversation.

“A good-looking troll,” Anakin corrected. “and you have only grown, grown more beautiful I mean. Not like a troll who never stop getting taller.” Even as he was talking, he wished he could stop.

“Would you like a hand out of the hole you're digging?” Padmé said.

“Please my lady,” Anakin begged, “if you would be so generous.”

“Oh don't bother he'll dig himself a deeper one shortly.” Obi-wan said.

He shot Obi-wan a glare and went to protest but shut his mouth. Anakin was aware of his strengths and his weaknesses, speaking to woman he was attracted to was a weakness.

Anakin shrugged and grinned at Padme, “He's probably right, he'd become insufferable if I proved it after protesting.”

“How about I give you a hand up then as well?” Padmé said clearing her throat. “Ani, goodness, you've grown. Grown up I mean like a troll.”

Anakin’s grin widened, “I don't think that was a hand up, I think you jumped down with me.”

“She didn’t get as far as you my dear Padawan.”

“Excuse me, we're at the same level,” Anakin said. “If she didn't get as deep it's because she didn't grow up like a troll and needs the extra height.”

Obi-wan’s mouth dropped, and heat came to Anakin's face but fortunately Padmé didn't take offence at the jab, instead she had a hand across her mouth hiding an impressive grin.

“Should we discuss security?” Obi-wan asked, “as amusing as watching my Padawan's floundering is, we could be here all day.”

Padmé wrestled her face back into a polite grin and smoothed down her dress, inviting them in to sit on the couch. Anakin looked around searching the room for any hint of who this woman was now. He came up blank. The apartment had modern fixtures, a plain rug or three, but no art or personal belongings. This was Amidala’s home not Padme’s. containing a sigh he sat down on a non-offensive navy couch.

“Right yes, the attack on the landing pad. Cordé my double was badly injured, and Jar-jar unfortunately perished.”

The levity in the room plummeted, until they were as somber as the colour pallet.

“Our condolences,” Obi-wan bowed his head.

“Do you have any idea who was behind it?” Anakin asked.

Padmé’s soulful brown eyes watched, judging them. She must have a hunch but wasn’t certain they would believe her.

“The separatist movement,” Padmé said. “They seem to be gunning for a war. If the military creation act goes through?”

“War is easier to get,” Obi-wan said.

“And more palatable to their sympathizes, if they are seen to be reacting to the republic rather than warmongering. For better or worse I have become the public face of the anti-militarisation agenda.”

“Killing you would be the fastest way to war.” Anakin said.

“Most in the republic would suffer for war but...” Padmé said.

“The same is not true of the separatists,” Obi-wan said. “And the person with the most to gain is Count Dooku of Serenno.”

“I know Dooku was once a jedi. But please at least consider the possibility.”

“Dooku may have once been trusted by the order, but he has made choices to which we have no good explanation,” Obi-wan said.

They never figured out why Dooku hired Jango Fett, or who had given away Anakin’s location.

Hiring the Jedi Killer to go after a Padawan was bad enough, but he never explained his actions. Not to Anakin and Obi-wan’s liking anyway. Ex-jedi or not, the man was suspicious three years ago and he was suspicious now.

“Unfortunately we cannot go after him, our Mandate is to protect you,” Obi-wan said.

“I don't need protection, I need to find out who’s doing this.”

“Padme, to leave your guard, even to investigate would be seen as to leave you open for attack,” Anakin said. “Some would see such an act as approval of war. Much like our guarding of you is seen as support of your ideals. We cannot promise to find out who did this, but we can promise to make sure you're at the vote.”

“Is the Jedi Order not an apolitical organisation?” Padmé said.

“We try senator, but we are beholden to the senate, and even lack of action is rarely interpreted as indifference.”

“Unfortunately, we will have to wait for corsec to complete the investigation.” Anakin hated the politics of this. There was nothing he wished for more than to be able to promise Padmé they would find out who did this. But his work with the Shadows taught him the value and the power of politics and nudging them to one’s favour.

“Until then let us both protect you and be seen to do so,” Obi-wan said.

Padmé acquest with a nod of her head.

Chapter Text

Night had fallen, or at least as much as it could on a planet with enough artificial lighting one could walk anywhere as if it was day.

“What's that?” Padmé said.

“A camera my lady.” Anakin glanced over his shoulder pausing his instillation of the security device to answer her.

“You want to watch me sleep?”

Finishing up the install he closed the camera answering without truly processing the question, “Hmm yes.” Wait what had she asked? “Wait, wait I mean no.” Anakin climbed down the ladder turning to face her, “Not that you aren't lovely and all. But it would be a massive invasion of privacy.”

“Plus I drool,” Padmé said.

He was tempted to protest, a woman as lovely as her wouldn’t be capable of such a thing. But drooling in one’s sleep and overall beauty weren’t connected.

Padmé laughed, “Obi-wan wasn't kidding when he said you'd dig yourself a deeper whole. I have been a public figure since I was 14, I'm aware of the privacy violations which come with security.”

“The footage is mainly for the investigation team if something happens. We may not be able to investigate but there is no reason we can't make corsec's job easier. My master and I will mainly rely on the force.”

“Ahh you'll force perve on me?”

“No, no absolutely not. That's not how the force works.”

“You are too easy Ani.”

Anakin couldn’t help the pout, “Glad I could amuse you my lady.” Anakin fell into the most ostentatious and deep bow a jedi was taught.

Anakin face was so flushed you could fry a nuna egg on it, but the teasing didn't sting the way it did among his classmates. Rather there was a warm glow in his chest, he'd be Padmé’s clown any day of the week.

Once he gained his composure he stood up, deliberately avoiding Padmé’s gaze, he retreated from the room. But his foot caught on a rug and he went down hard. He hadn’t even made it halfway to the door.

“Ani!!!”

Anakin groaned rolling over, Padmé’s long brown hair and cute button nose greeted him.

“Ani are you all right?”

He wasn’t, his pride sported a spectacular bruise. “Can we collectively agree that never happened, and I'm a cool, calm, confident Jedi Padawan?”

Padmé snorted dissolving into helpless laughter.

The dainty chuckle he drew out of Padmé before had nothing on the chest aching heaving huffs he saw now. It might be him, but she was more beautiful like this, face red and tears of amusement pooling. Anakin thunked his head back on the floor determined to remain prone on the ground for the rest of eternity, a position where he couldn't make a worse fool of himself.

“Padawan is everything alright?” Obi-wan called from the room next door.

Nope never mind, Anakin scrambled to his feet, righting his robes and hair.

“Fine, everything is fine.”

Unfortunately, it was too late and Obi-wan entered the room. Anakin did a passable impression of a dignified Padawan, but Padmé was still desperately trying to stifle her giggles.

Obi-wan raised an eyebrow, “Camera installed?”

“And functioning,” Anakin said.

Chapter Text

Anakin was quarter of the way through the same prophetic dream when the wind fluttered and twisted over the dunes. Waking instantly, he pulled his lightsabre from his belt and rolled off the couch. Within seconds he was in Padmé’s room leaping up on the bed and slicing a weird worm thing in half.

Obi-wan meanwhile was throwing himself out the window at the droid.

“Sometimes.” Anakin shook his head.

Pulling a tracker out of his belt he threw it to Obi-wan, pushing a whisper of breeze carrying the word “Catch,” to his master’s desert Oasis.

Obi-wan caught it and placed it on the droid, sacrificing his grip and slipping.

“Catch.” Obi-wan called back through the bond.

He rolled his eyes, “Idiot.” Concentrating Anakin pulled on the force bringing his master to a stop, yanking him back up and in until they both stood in the gaping hole where a window once was, watching as the droid retreated into Coruscanti traffic.

“Another attempt.” Padmé joined them at the hole, rubbing her bare arms against the chill of the open window.

Anakin pulled his robe he’d been using as a blanket off. Dropping it around the ex-queen’s shoulders.

“It rather seems they aren’t giving up,” Obi-wan said.

“You don't think it's safe for her to remain on Coruscant,” Anakin said. There had been hope the attempt on the landing pad had been the limits of the assassination plans, thwarted they’d give up. But it was someone truly determined, and you couldn't throw a stone on coruscant without hitting collateral. Had the explosion yesterday morning been closer to anything structural, they would have been counting hundreds of casualties when the landing platform plummeted.

Obi-wan hummed.

“You're right of course but we can’t stop her from voting.” Not when it would remove a strong voice for anti-militarisation.

Obi-wan hummed again.

“We could use the remote senate stations,” Anakin said. They usually used them as freedom running end points, but they were designed for instances like these. And it was somewhat inevitable after all Anakin saw himself fighting droids on one of the stations.

Moving Padmé to one of these locations wasn’t ideal but it would allow her to have her voice heard in the vote. They could further reduce collateral chances by limiting the population of the station to essential staff only. A robust plan in case of an incursion would further minimise casualties.

Obi-wan hummed.

“You're right it is the best option.” Anakin said.

This time when Obi-wan hummed it was interrupted by a cough. Right he hadn’t actually said anything.

“And now you're thinking I should let you speak for yourself?”

“Why you don't think you're ready for knighthood astounds me, you are more competent than half the knights I know,” Obi-wan said.

Anakin couldn’t help but blush, then his eyes narrowed, “Wait are you being sarcastic?”

But Obi-wan already turned and was leading Padmé towards the door.

“Obi-wan,” Anakin called, “Master I can't tell.”

“Damn it,” Anakin muttered.

Chapter Text

The closest refuge station was number 7. On the way out, he coordinated with the security to start locking it down with only essential personal remaining.

And no, regardless of what the senate said a valet was not in fact an essential worker. By the time Padmé made arrangements with her staff for transport, Anakin whittled down the staff on board to defence and security forces as well as a skeleton crew of engineers. The Permanent residents they displaced for the duration of the mission were currently being relocated by Obi-wan. Once they were settled his master would join them.

Despite how often Anakin ended up alone on runs and missions he always got a shot of dread. Whether it was about not having Obi-wan with him or lacking competent backup he didn’t know. But he learnt time and time again how having someone else with you when the situation became Kubar was the difference between life and death.

On the other hand, for this mission he had Padmé and her security retinue, if they weren’t competent back up, he misremembered the mission to Naboo badly.

“Refuge-7 this is JP-AS 021-3,” Anakin said. “Requesting permission to board”

Getting the appropriate read back, he started moving the ship into the hanger. Shutting down the engine and the flight deck he stood holding his arm out to Padme.

“Shall we my lady.”

Padmé threaded her arm through his, and they walked together out into the hanger. Though Anakin had been on refuges multiple times, he'd never been to the senate's parts, never been welcomed into the glitz and glamour which covered the beating machinery beneath.

“I can't believe the senate is as greedy as to have built this for themselves.” Padmé said, “this is the first time they’ve even been used.”

“The Jedi supported it.”

“Really?” Padmé said. “Surely its excessive spending?”

“Well I'm not saying all the marble and waterfalls were necessary,” Anakin nodded at the mentioned features. “But having a singular target as essential to the running of the republic as the senate dome is a bad move. And,” Anakin lent over lowering his voice to a whisper, “We managed to sneak in some excellent legislation surrounding them.”

Padmé raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

“Oh yeah, these places are great...” Anakin trailed off, he trusted Padme. But it wasn’t up to him who was read in. “I've said too much. It’s not a huge secret, but the more we can keep it under the Radar of certain parties, the better.”

“Operational security? Say no more, I'll quit complaining about them.”

“Oh no complain about the extravagance all you like. Just don't get the legislation changed.” Anakin stared wide eyed at the life-sized statue which came into view as they rounded a corner.

“Actually, please complain about the extravagance. Is that seriously a life-sized gold-plated statue of Palpatine?”

“There is meant to be a statue of a past influential chancellor on each of the stations,” Padmé said.

“Past? Isn't it a little soon to say Palpatine will be someone you want statues of? Also Gold?”

“It's hardly solid gold. You should have seen some of the possibilities which were discarded. And as for it being too soon for Palpatine? Definitely but the senate was deadlocked on the last candidate and Palpatine is generally unobjectionable.”

Anakin screwed up his nose. “If I ever have a statue of me made, please go ahead and shoot me.”

Much to Anakin's surprise Padmé pulled out her blaster.

“What you're kidding, please tell me your kidding?”

Padmé let her blaster fall back into its holster with a shrug. “You were a kid who saved our entire planet from war. Of course we built a statue… or six.”

Heat rushed to Anakin’s face, “At least they're not life sized?”

“True, you were nine.” Padmé’s eyes twinkled, “We made them significantly bigger than life sized, you were a midget.”

Anakin groaned

“At least none of them are gold covered?” Padmé said

“Small mercies.”

Through the hanger, they were escorted down the halls to the chancellor's suite. Which was simultaneously the largest, most extravagant suite on the station, but also the most protected.

Finished setting up Padmé and her security in the rooms, Anakin left to prepare Refuge-7 for evacuation and boarding. If their analysis of past prophetic dreams was right, they would have an incursion of trade federation droids shortly.

The station captain was competent and cooperative, working together they organised a series of attack drills. Anakin insured incursion and evacuations of the station was amongst the training scenarios.

On the last group of the day his stomach dropped, because there in the group was his Amu. His Amu who at last notice had been stationed as head engineer of refuge-6. Pushing her presence to the side he continued on with the briefing organising the drills for the following cycle.

“Amu?” Anakin said. What was she doing here? “I thought you worked refuge-6 not 7”

“I did,” his Mum said. “But you know the new station manager?”

“The douche?”

“The same, kicked me out. I transferred here, I was going to tell you on our next comm”

“Amu, you have to leave. This station is going to be attacked.”

“Then I shall do my duty.” Shmi said.

“But...” Anakin trailed off. He couldn’t demand his mother give up her morals.

“These stations aren't automatic, we are already pulling more hours than we should to reduce staff numbers. And I'm head engineer, it’s my job to keep this station running until everyone but the captain has left.” Shmi said. “That is my duty, my chosen duty.”

Chosen duties were big amongst the amavikka. To Choose to do something was a privilege. To rip her away from it would be an insult. Would be depurian.

“Amu...”

Shmi held up her hand cupping Anakin's face.

“Ani...I don't know where you got the idea I was yours to protect, but I can make my own choices.”

“I know that,” Anakin said. “Its just this is going to go bad.”

“And we will both do our best to save as many as we can, but if I die?”

“Dukkra ba dukkra,” Anakin’s mother would die free.

“I'd never stop you from helping people no matter how it makes my heart fear,” Shmi said. “Because your compassion is part of you. A part I’d like to believe you got from me. But if I ripped it out, I'd be no better than?”

“Depur. Okay but Amu you have to promise to try to stay alive.”

“Of course, I'll get everyone out and I'll be right behind.”

Anakin nodded and enveloped his mother into a hug, she was now far smaller than him. He prayed to Ar-Amu his mother survived. Then he tried to let the fear go, he wasn't fully successful, but he'd be able to function until he managed to meditate and sort out his feelings properly.

Chapter Text

A ten day past agonisingly slow, and yet lightning fast, the defence drills during the day, meditation Padmé and his Amu at night.

He was seated in his cabin, far bigger than any room dedicated to sleep in a space station should be, but not quarter as fancy as the rooms Padmé was situated in. It had been a fortnight, and the vote was tomorrow, surely they would have attacked by now?

He hadn't had the dream again. His previous inevitable dreams were endless until the event occurred and repeated more frequently as they approached the event. Or were they wrong? Had they managed to avoid this prophesy?

The station jerked. The whine of a blast hitting idle shields reverberated through refuage-7, cruel in its timing. Right when he thought about relaxing from his tenday of stress. Anakin rose to his feet, throwing the layers he had taken off back on, summoning his lightsabre to him as he left his room, running to find Padmé in her quarters.

“My lady I believe it’s time to evacuate.”

But Padmé shook her head. “We can't. The vote is in two hours, there is no way we can get to another station in time.”

“You are risking your life,” Anakin said.

“How many people will die in a war?”

It was the same argument his mother made not long ago. For better or worse he had to accept the two remarkable women would do the right thing regardless of whether it was safe.

Captain Panaka stepped forward, "these rooms are basically bunkers, right?"

Anakin nodded, “We'll gain you as much time as possible”

He informed the station captain of their plans to hold the station in siege until the vote. They had to keep both the station and the antenna working for the two hours until the senate session, plus whatever length of time Padmé’s speech was. He rushed to the hanger to join the pilots in holding off the invading forces in a dog fight.

The hanger was meant to be organised for rapid deployments was a mess. Anakin could guess how the operation was meant to work, but they were hampered by cargo boxes which were jammed anywhere they would fit. Damn it, they did not have time for this. Anakin drew on the desert wind to raise the offending boxes, dumping them out the hanger doors clearing a path for the pilots.

Climbing into one of the stations short range fighters alongside the other defenders he shot into space. It been a while since he'd been in a space battle and Kom'sara taught him a trick or three since.

That being said he wasn't certain a trick or three would do anything to the approaching ship. If ship was even the right word. The converted cargo freighter dwarfed the refuge class station. Ships were pouring out of the cargo hold, each filled with force knew how many droids.

“Viper attacks,” Anakin ordered. “Take an attack run and get back before they notice and lock on. Keep yourself and your wing safe, this is a marathon, we have to last, don’t take risks.”

And the battle was on, Anakin searched for a weak spot in the enemies’ defences. But overwhelming numbers seemed to be the name of the game. Anakin shrugged, there were no weak spots, he'd have to make one.

Ducking down he throttled up intending to attack the enemy formation from below. They moved to counter, but in chasing they opened up a five of their other fighters. Like he instructed two defenders slipped from behind the stations shields and fired three shots, retreating as soon as they were turned on. None of their shots hit, but nor had they lost anyone.

Anakin meanwhile was doing his favourite type of flying, too close for anyone’s comfort. None of the fighters could get a clear shot as he weaved in and amongst them. Eventually one logic circuit must have passed their confidence threshold because they fired. Or they would fire, the force gave Anakin plenty of warning to dodge. The shot hit the enemy vessel behind him.

Anakin pulled a 360 diving roll, avoiding the rush of sand, which proceeded the flaming hot explosive debris a second later.

“They aren't using debris shells, are they nuts?” Deffendor-1 called.

Anakin bolted back to the refuge-7's shields, a station had far more comprehensive shield generators than a small fighter.

Debris shells were the legally mandated solution to the problems caused by flying shrapnel in space. Without gravity to pull the flying components into the ground, the shards of metal were flying outwards, near invisible in the dark, accelerated at explosive speeds never to stop.

Until the shrapnel cleared the area they were stuck behind the refuge-7's more complex shields.

It was insanity to forgo the use of debris shells in combat as they were as deadly to your own forces as anyone else.

But apparently the trade federation didn't care, their droids and ships cheap enough the order to retreat from the contaminated space was never given. They lost seven ships in seconds, the shrapnel from those hitting maybe twenty more. Before long the entire row of fighters they sent out to meet them were fireballs.

Well that was easy, too easy.

“Refuge-7 is anything else happening?” Anakin said.

“No.” Refuge-7 said. “They Stopped launching ships.”

“So?” One of the defenders asked.

“There is no sign of retreat from the other vessel. They might be regrouping.” Refuge-7 said.

“If they launch another attack, we’re no use out here.” Deffendor-1 said. Anakin nodded, they’d have to bring in a dredger to clear the space of debris before anyone could leave the stations shields.

“No point wasting Oxygen,” Refuge-7 said, “return to base but stay ready if they find a way past.”

All the defenders returned to the Base, climbing out of their fighters but loitering around ready if they were called on again. Anakin took the time to look around the hanger, completely utilitarian unlike the hanger above. Much more his kind of style.

Anakin frowned at the large shipping crates in the corner, One of the ones he missed as it wasn't directly impending launch.

A near human approached Anakin. The green tinge of his skin and hair a marker of a non-human ancestor, twi’lek maybe? Anakin cast around for his name but all he could remember was his call sign deffendor-1. The leader of the defence force.

The defender followed his glare to the cargo pods. “They came in last week. Decorations or some kark the Chancellor wanted. But they ordered the wrong thing and stashed them here.”

“It's a safety violation. They were in the way when we had to deploy.”

“Believe me I know. The station Captain ripped the Manager a new one about it, but I guess he lost.”

They felt wrong though.

“Well I spaced them,” Anakin said. “They can pay for recovery.”

Deffendor-1 smiled with a salute, “Sir yes sir, why I think they could recover them all.”

Anakin started to smile too, “Clear the flight deck. We can’t be breaking the regs now can we?”

“Exactly sir.” Deffendor-1 said. “Can't get in trouble for following regs.”

As he gathered the force to push them out the intercom interrupted.

“Anakin Skywalker to the Chancellor's suite.”

Anakin glanced up at the speaker grate, as if the ceiling could answer all his questions. Shaking himself he started towards where he left Padme.

“You got this?” Anakin paused, turning back.

“Sir, yes sir.” Deffendor-1 said, “We won't be a spec out of regs by the time you’re back.”

Anakin clapped him on the shoulder, “Good man.”

He focused back on whatever called him away from his battle station. Checking his chrono he saw it was minutes before Padmé was due to make her speech. Anakin hurried faster.

Turning the corner, he saw one of the engineering team fiddling with the locked door to the chancellor’s suite.

The Engineer looked up as he rounded the corner. Putting her tools down she stood up. “Hey, we got a complaint from the Naboo delegation that the door wasn't opening.”

Anakin furrowed his brow, why would they be trying to override it before the all clear went out. Particularly this close to Padmé’s speech.

Still Anakin decided to check there wasn't anything fishy going on in the mechanism. It wasn't until he had a pen light in his mouth and he was picking through the wiring it occurred to him, no one on the engineering team save his Amu had reason to believe him remotely competent with physical systems. Grabbing the pen light out of his mouth and focusing on the force’s desert overlay he said

“So why did you call me not Shmi?”

Remaining casual even as he noticed several of the wires had scraped insulation. Anakin was tempted to cluck at incompetence, but he quickly noticed a pattern, all the wires which should have been pulled to open the door were damaged. But you'd have only bothered with the standard ones if you weren't familiar with the suite's lockdown system. A familiarity all engineers on the station were required to have.

“I thought if it was an emergency you could get through quicker.”

Anakin blinked, he was good at engineering granted but Amu worked with these systems for years how would he be faster. Except he glanced down at his lightsabre, sand blasted against his back. The force warning him moments before a wrench hammered down where his head had been. The person wearing the engineering uniform raised it again to swing at him.

Anakin scuttled back, rising to his feet, but he refused to ignite his lightsabre.

“A lightsabre,” Anakin said. The only thing on this station hot enough to get through duraceram-steel alloy. Or at least out of the equipment which was quick and you could operate by yourself.

The engineer lunged at Anakin, the force didn't even bother to warn him as he dodged with ease. The wrench missing taking out a decorative panel, being caught in the wires and pipes behind.

“Though that does raise the question how were you expecting to overpower both me and Senator Amidala's guards?”

The subpar fighting was enough to convince Anakin he could not have all of the plan.

The distinctive Whirl and metallic clanks came from down the hall, and two droidikas turned the corner. Knowing these droids where particularly effective against lightsabre’s once their shields where up Anakin burst into motion. Down the hall in seconds, he was able to dissect one droid’s control unit before they even reacted, the second was harder but barely. The droid started unfolding trying to get its shield up, its only defence. Anakin kicked it over, the growing shield charge dissipating as it configured to try and stand again, it never got a chance.

“Evacuation ordered,” Refuge-7’s intercom said. “Please proceed to your nearest escape pod.”

No, they couldn't evacuate, it was a graveyard of scrap out there. Oh that was the plan, get the personal to voluntarily leave the station. But the pilots would warn them not to...except he knew there was something wrong with those cargo pods. Did he leave those men to die?

Worse did he condemn the entire station to death? Evacuation pods were designed to be sturdy and crash into things but...would it be enough to survive the shrapnel graveyard outside of the station's shields. Anakin took a breath he had time.

He had time to countermand the Order. Evacuation was an inherently risking manoeuvre. Escape pods released never to be found again, you stayed attached or close to the ship for as long as possible. With the dreadnought close, hopefully the escape pods would have the sense to stay inside the shields.

He needed to access a comm point, the closest of which was meant to be...Anakin closed his eyes...meant to be on the panel which had been smashed by the wrench. The metal-on-metal footsteps he remembered from Naboo came from the hallway behind the saboteur. For a second he considered fighting them, B1's weren’t a threat, but he couldn't guarantee the escape pods wouldn't launch out of the shield’s and he had to secure the station, the bridge now the closest comm point was the other way.

Turning with a prayer, the doors and security forces inside the suite would be enough to protect Padme, he ran. From the drills he knew he had about five minutes for the station to be secured and all staff find their way to the evac pods. Sinking into the desert he barely noticed the three B1's he sliced down on his way.

He did however notice the B2's and the droidekas by the entry to the bridge. Unlike the droids he destroyed in the hallway these where already in a stable firing configuration, making them far harder to fight.

B2's themselves weren't a problem, their heavier armour still no match for a lightsabre, but they covered the droideka’s weaknesses. He was pinned at the end of the hall his blade a blur, the sands a storm guiding him to where he needed to be, always checking his last movement blocked the bolt before leaving to the next.

The droid's were defending the bridge, not attacking, Anakin needed to get through now. Sinking deeper into the force Anakin sent his winds out scouring the land for a solution. He had two minutes before the evac could be confirmed. The sand swirled around a light fixture and Anakin pulled it towards them. Smashing it into the back most B2’s head. The flimsy fixture was no match for the armour, but the top heavy B2’s balance was a different matter. The B2 stumbled clear of the droidekas cover long enough for Anakin to deflect one of the shots at its processor unit. The blaster shot smoked and the B2 fell to the ground with a crash.

One down.

Had they been organic he'd never have been able to pull off the same strategy with a second light fixture. But Droid's took longer to learn, a single example not statistically significant enough to impact their decision making. Two down, the shielded Droidekas left.

The shield on the droidekas were impressive but they only stopped fast moving objects, or energy weapons. An idea lit Anakin’s mind. Focusing his deflections he aimed for the B2's power storage.

“Kriff,” Anakin said.

The front droid's power bank was shot free of its containment but also showed no signs of runaway failure. shifted his focus to the back droid.

This time, through luck of the desert, his shot landed perfectly destroying the batteries regulator and allowing for a runaway exothermic reaction, Anakin nudged it through the droideka's shield before it went critical, waiting for it to wreck his third opponent.

With one left he was able to make his way forward. The droidekas where a threat but only when they had you pinned. Anakin leapt over the droid turning off his blade, thrusting his hand through the shield, reigniting it and slicing his last opponent down

Anakin spun finding the door locked. It was the same Duraceram-steel Alloy as the chancellor's suite, but this time Anakin had no compunctions about slicing the door's hardware free and kicking it down into the control room.

The droid in the Captain’s place wasn’t a standard B1, paint and excess antenna marked it as more advanced. A command droid? The captain himself was sprawled on the floor his force signature nothing more than an echo of the room he spent his working hours in. Dead.

“Jedi I have an effective strategy to compromise you.”

Anakin stepped forward and swung his sabre through the droid's neck. “Compromise that.”

Even as he said it an automatic transmission in the captain's voice, which must have been generated from samples, went out.

“We have hostiles on board, launch escape pods.”

Cold Ice ran down Anakin's spine. He rushed to the console and tried to disconnect the vocal generator and switch it back to the speaker. But the entire comm system was locked out, it was going to take a second.

“Releasing pods” His amu’s voice came through. No, no, no, no.

The Comms fuzzed as they disconnected, a mechanical voice sounded over the intercom, “18L-16 Pod Away” and a few seconds later, “18R-12 Pod away.”

Anakin didn’t know which pod his Amu was in, but any of them could contain her. The comms clicked back over to manual, too late for those in the already released escaped pods but he needed to intercept the rest.

“This is Anakin Skywalker, I am countermanding the evacuation order. We have uncontrolled shrapnel outside of our shields. Stay in your pods we have hostiles on the station.”

“What about the other pods?”

Anakin wanted to order ships to pull them back, but they'd be out of their shields, any ship he sent had the same chance as them now. He wasn't going to roll the dice again.

Anakin closed his eyes fighting tears, “May the force be with them.”

A light flashed on the control board. The pressure equalised between the chancellor's suite and the hall. It had been breached. Anakin pulled the emergency lockdown switch, having to pull the Captain's arm away to access it. The man fought to the last to protect his ship and Anakin would make sure it was honoured.

Abandoning the bridge Anakin started rushing through the corridor, there were far more droids around on the way back, but fortunately no more droidekas.

He had to get to Padme. He failed at protecting his charges once already today, again would be crushing. Padmé’s light gone from the universe would be the night sky without stars. A howling abyss of nothingness, directionless and dizzying.

The desert rushed to his aid, as he moved faster, more precise than he ever had before. He barely had time to register the droids in front of him before he sliced them down. But what if his power wasn't enough? He drew deeper whipping the sands up in his winds, he needed power, he needed it now. He spun a corner and pulled to a holt. The flashing evacuation lights and the B1 at the end of the hall were identical to his dream. Why had the force shown him this?

Of all the times during this clusterkriff of a fight why now. What the kriff good was the force if it didn't help when he needed it the most, his Amu might be floating out there in space, relying on the kindness of chance for her survival and there was nothing he could do. Uselessness filled him, he needed more power.

His lightsabre, there was something off about its song, like the dream. The shift happened in an instant and for the life of him he still couldn't place it. He was tempted to continue despite the difference, but his lightsabre had been with him through haran. It sung in harmony with his soul, he barely noticed it at all, he could no more ignore its pain than he could ignore his arm being cut off.

The second he thought it he had his answer. The reason his crystal was wrong wasn't because its hum was different, it was because he was. He was desperate, closer to the Dark than he had ever been before, he no longer harmonised with his crystal. He could force it but Anakin shied away from the idea, it was how one bled their crystal. He could ignore it, but he wouldn't be as good with his sabre as he normally was, and he'd still be operating far closer to the dark than he wanted to.

Dear force, he'd only killed droids, but had they been people or even children it wouldn't have made him hesitate. No, he couldn't operate this close to the Dark, Padmé or not. Stars were worth nothing if darkness ate their light.

Instead, he did as Obi-wan instructed him to many times, he centred himself, the B1 at the end of the hall limiting the amount of time he had. But he had a moment to entrust his mother's fate to the force. To push all his anger and his fear into the sands. He separated the sand which contaminated the gale force back to the dunes. The wind would be enough no need to add the course cutting grit to it.

The B1 noticed him, Anakin's time was up. He ran at the droid slower and clumsier for rejecting the power of the Darkside. But it wasn't like B1's were a challenge, a simple slice and he was alone in the hall.

Anakin turned the last corner to where the entrance to the chancellor’s suit was located. Carnage greeted him. The job of welding through the bulkhead door messy, material frozen in drips around the edge, the hall scattered with fragments of B1's the Nabooian security forces must have destroyed. their blasters were still firing but from inside the suite. There were enough droids they were having to retreat.

Anakin climbed through the jagged hole in the door, droid backs facing him. Anakin swung his sabre, with a few sweeps he cleared out the remaining droid's. He walked into the next room, Senator Amidala and her security team hunkered down behind tipped over furniture. A large screen behind them projected the senate dome. Shocked and panicked Senators watched on.

He did a completely unnecessary swirl of his sabre, pretending not to see the screen he made his way over to Padme.

“Senator Amidala are you alright?” Anakin asked.

“Perfectly fine.”

“Padawan Skywalker is everything alright?” Chancellor Palpatine asked.

Anakin was tempted to cut the connection, but it was probably classified as avoiding his responsibilities.

“Everything is under control Chancellor,” Anakin said.

“Tell us would the Jedi be willing to command a war?” A senator Anakin didn’t recognise asked.

There was a murmur of outrage at the senator for daring to ask such a question in such a moment.

“Please, no one is still entertaining the idea of peace are they?” The Senator said. “The Confederacy of independent systems attacked a Senator. A senator calling for peace.”

“Peace should always be the endeavour even as one stands in the horrors of war.” Anakin said, quoting Obi-wan. Heat rose to his face, why couldn’t they ask the high council these things?

”Uh...ah I'm only a padawan senators,” Anakin said. “I don't speak for the Jedi Order, but does this attack speak for the entirety of the confederacy? I don't know the politics, but I do know what it is like in the outer rim. People want a better life, the senate is scoffed at, the Jedi are a myth. The CIS offers them a path. But there are of course those who will twist the outer rim’s desires for their own gain.”

“I hate to belabour my college's I'll timed question.” Senator Organa asked, “But would the Jedi lead an army of the republic in a war?”

“Why would you want us to?” One day his habit of answering questions with the first thing which popped into his head would get him in trouble.

“The Jedi are mystical warrior's for the republic are they not?” an unknown senator said.

Anakin shook his head, “Jedi are mystical warriors sure. But what we are not is perfect first shot. We haven't been military since the Ruusan reformation. Over a 1000 years ago, we might do decently in a skirmish.” Anakin waves a hand at the B1 he cut in half. “But large-scale troop movements? Logistics? Things wars are won by. If they were ever part of our training, we have long since forgotten it in the name of being peacekeepers.”

“I'm certain if we call on the Order you will rise to the occasion.” Chancellor Palpatine said.

“Of course your eminence,” Anakin said. “But how many will die while we learn the lessons taught in military academies?” Anakin swallowed trying to get some moisture back in his mouth, he wished he could summon half of Obi-wan’s composure, or at least an outer robe to tuck his hands into.

“It's impossible for someone blind to the force to know what it's like to feel someone die in your very soul. We'll fight if required, but I can speak for the entirety of the Order when I ask, no I beg both the confederacy and the republic to find another way.”

“Thank you for your words,” Chancellor Palpatine said. “We will of course consult the High council rather than a padawan on the issue.”

Thank the Force, this was far too much responsibility.

Anakin bowed, “thank you Chancellor, senators for your time.”

Padmé recovered regaining her composure took his place. Anakin, moved out of the capture range and stepped out of the door leaning against it. He could normally fight at this rate for hours at a time. But he was exhausted. Far more than he normally would be, even considering the loss of adrenaline from speaking to the most powerful force in the Galaxy. Was it the stress of not knowing whether his Amu’s pod released or not?

But it was deeper, soul deep and considering there was every chance his Amu was fine he didn’t think so. There was a quiet whisper with the exhaustion, asking him to draw on more power to banish the tiredness forever, all he had to do was take.

Anakin shied away from it, there was no doubt about it he touched the Dark. Was he doomed? Was he going to go darksider? What would Obi-wan say?

A little voice in the back of his head told him he didn't have to tell his master, only unintelligent droids got hurt. He'd be strong enough to get through it on his own.

Anakin sighed and knew he would have to suck it up and confess at the first available moment. It had been non sentient beings in front of him this time, if it happened again?

Anakin took a deep breath and pushing himself from the wall, there were still potentially droids on the station. Sinking into the force he found any remaining droids and killed them. Anakin left the hanger for last scared of what he'd find. Images of the pilots he flew beside slaughtered appearing inside his mind.

It was indeed carnage. The remains of the cargo pods smashed from the inside, but instead of the pilot bodies strewn across the deck it was oil and droids. The fighters gone with their pilots. There were however a few active droids staring out of the hanger shields, guns ready.

Anakin reflected the bolts the droids sent his way, their own blaster shots spelling their end. The desert calmed. There was no threat left. With out the camouflage of required action, the exhaustion, the temptation of the dark was worse. Whispering, pulling, nudging. He went over to the emergency comm radioing the defenders, somewhat to let them know they were safe, somewhat to distract himself from the dark.

“This is Anakin Skywalker is anyone out there?”

“All of us,” Deffendor-1 answered, “good to hear from you sir.”

“The station is secure you’re welcome back on board.” Anakin said.

“Good to know, we could use your help sir”

“What do you need?”

“We managed to capture the escaped pods. But we haven’t got a way to manoeuvre them into the hanger safely.”

Hope, real tangible hope sprung to life. “You got the pods?”

“We evacuated with the alarm but only out into the shields. We weren't able to contact the pods to warn them of the danger, but we did manage to catch them before they left the station's shield’s shadow.”

“Oh thank the force,” Anakin said. He’d thought... “Bring them in I’ll steady them from here.”

Chapter Text

Obi-wan had been rather useless on the last mission. He had been rehousing those of refuge-7 while his Padawan waged a space battle and saved a pretty senator. Where had the little boy he’d raised gone? It felt like it had been last week he’d been learning to read and speak basic fluently. Now he was going viral on the holo-net with his smooth call for peace.

Still when he brought up knighthood he was rebuffed, Obi-wan had been beyond keen for his knighthood at Anakin’s age, and unlike his 19-year-old self, Anakin was competent enough. But regardless of his arguments to those points Obi-wan was always shot down fast.

Now he stood in front of the council trying to come up with reasons not to count this mission as Anakin’s knighthood trials.

“Understand hesitance we do, but ready Skywalker is. Unanimous this is,” Yoda said.

Mace Windu nodded Ahh kriff it, Anakin put him in this position he could answer the council on why he didn't want to be a knight.

Obi-wan sighed and allowed his shoulders to relax, “I do not disagree masters. But I have raised the prospect of knighthood with Anakin several times and have been refused.”

“Ask why have you?” Yoda said.

“Yes, he says he is too young.”

Master Windu snorted, “Which proves he is ready for knighthood, Padawan's his age are normally over cocky.”

Obi-wan winced, at 19 he wouldn’t have survived if Qui-gon listened and knighted him when he insisted he was ready.

“I'm aware, and he performed admirably when he was made Senior Padawan at 16. But I don’t feel qualified to push him to knighthood before I understand his hesitance.”

“Hmmm, told you the problem he has, listen you did not,” Yoda said. “Told us the problem you have, listen you did not.”

Obi-wan looked at him blankly. Too young was an excuse and a weak one.

“When Senior padawan he became, too young he was,” Yoda said. “keen to repeat the experience as knight he is not.”

“He completed the duties of a senior padawan.” Master Ti said. “Did he struggle?”

Obi-wan shook his head, “Not unreasonably, there were the struggles all students go through.”

“Friends in the temple had he?” Yoda asked.

Confusion left the force, the councillors understanding. But Obi-wan did not, what did friends have to do with being senior Padawan? Even before then he struggled with making connections his life experiences too different. But there had been sparse mentions of friendly padawans. Never Ferus but Tru veld and Darra. What happened to those? Obi-wan couldn’t remember the last mention of him going to a study group or sparing with a pair.  

He cast around surely there was someone? He remembered conversations about his friends from Ekkreth’s Lukka, Aayla and Obi-wan’s own friends, but no one else.

Obi-wan shook his head, “I didn't notice, how didn't I notice.”

“He hid it from you.” Master Ti said. “Admitting no one his age wanted to spend time with him, wouldn’t have been his choice.”

“And he does have friends.” Master Koon added. “He simply wants more amongst the Jedi.”

Obi-wan couldn't shake the guilt and dismay but Master Koon’s sentence gave him enough grace he could entrust his emotions to the water at his feet. He would meditate on them later.

“What's shameful is his contemporary’s treatment of him.” Master Mundi said.

“Padawan Skywalker bared it with remarkable grace.” Master Ti said, “Grace he should not have had to learn so young.”

“Disagree we do not, hold their senior padawanships till they grew out of it we wanted. Festered more bitterness this did.”

And any grace Obi-wan gave himself was gone, not only had his padawan not had any friends he was being actively bullied.

“We are going to withhold their knightships, no knight in the order can believe their actions were right.” Master Windu’s scowl covered his whole face.

His throat grew tight. How couldn’t he have noticed? The gaze of the masters turned sharp accusing and not missing a twitch. He needed out, he had to react, his lake not large enough to take his emotions and not overflow. But here surrounded, they’d judge everything. Obi-wan bowed, with a quick, “Excuse me masters,” he hurried from the room.

#

Though he retreated he did not go far. Across from the council chambers was a meditation room. Low seating let one meditate in comfort. This place suited Obi-wan better than Qui-gon’s spot in the room of a thousand fountains. The simplicity and distance from the majority of the temple, allowing for a clarity the gardens didn’t for jedi strong in the unifying force.

Obi-wan took one of the cushions, ignoring the swish of the door opening and shutting behind him. Which council member followed him? But he kept his eyes closed he needed this time. Contrary to his training he didn’t give the emotions over to the force, rather allowing himself to writhe, stuck on the dagger of guilt piercing his heart. Breathing through the pain as his initial response faded.

Now he sunk into the force. Moving deeper into the lake until his belly tensed with the cold shock of entering water. Master Ti's presence was close sending him waves of calm, comforting, understanding filled with forgiveness. But Obi-wan already knew it wasn't her forgiveness he needed, it was his Padawan's.

Opening his eyes he met the togruta’s gaze.

“Now you know the problem will you talk to Padawan Skywalker about it?” Master Ti said.

“Of course, knights aren’t as petty as...then again I didn't think Padawan's were cruel either.”

“Children are often cruel, by reason of age alone knights are better.”

“I'll talk to him, but I won’t force him to a knighthood he doesn't want,” Obi-wan said. “Nor will I distance myself after his braid is cut.”

Shaak Ti sighed, “We wouldn't ask you to. Normally we do encourage separation of Master and new knight. But it is to allow them to deepen their bonds with their existing friends. It also helps to form a more equal relationship with their master when they are later pared up.” Master Ti shifts in her seat. “In your case, Padawan Skywalker is already willing to countermand you in the field and you are willing to trust his judgement. And unfortunately Skywalker has few bonds to deepen. Maybe a mission or two with Knight Secura.”

“If we are a good team…”

“Why insist on knighting past initial refusal?” Master Ti finished his question. “Because he deserves the recognition and has earned the trust which comes with the title of knight. There is also the force.”

“The force?”

Shaak grinned showing her pointed carnivore teeth, “Yes the force surely you've heard of it?”

Obi-wan rolled his eyes.

“The force is directing us to pair Skywalker and an initiate. The girl will age out in three months. Anakin should have settled into knighthood before taking a Padawan.” Master Ti frowned, “Though the current political crisis might change the current system.”

Obi-wan couldn't help the fierce rush of good, which pulsed through him, leaking into the waves and traveling to Master Ti

The togruta cocked her head as if listening, “I know you're not pleased about the war?”

“Hardly, did you know I aged out myself.”

“I didn't.”

Obi-wan nodded, it wasn’t surprising Master Ti had been added to the council with the death of Yaddle.

“You're counselled to accept the path the force has for you. But it feels like you’re being thrown away.”

“Accepting the force's will is something Master's struggle with.” Master Ti said.

“So why do we ask it of our twelve-year-olds?”

“You feel strongly about this.”

“I do,” Obi-wan nodded. 6 years ago he would have hidden his every reaction, afraid of being a bad Jedi. And wasn’t that rather the point. Terrified of being of less value to the Jedi he would hurt himself. “It will take the work of a lifetime to heal from those scars.”

Obi-wan raised a hand to his neck where the weight of a collar once sat. “Then there was me and Qui-gon. Master Yoda saw us as a good pair. By my knighthood he was correct. But when I was taken on by him he was far from ready. We struggled for two years. Had Qui-gon and my partnership evolved without the deadline both of us would’ve been happier.”

“I can't say I knew your master well.”

“I don't expect you to. But I learnt not to try and force The Force. If Anakin and this initiate are destined to a Master/Padawan relationship than it will happen. Putting stress on Anakin to accept a knighthood, a padawan before they are ready? Before the force urges him to will end in pain,”

Obi-wan sighed, “I'll mention a Padawan and organise a meeting, but the rest is up to the force.

Shaak nodded with a smile, “I will relay your message to the council. Take the day, we expect Padawan Skywalker's answer by tomorrow evening.” Master Ti gracefully stood, pausing smiling down at him. “About the knighthood at least. His Padawan can wait.”

Obi-wan nodded, “Convey my apologies for my lack of decorum.”

Shaak nodded with a kind smile and left the room. Obi-wan had a punching bag to pummel and a conversation to plan for this evening when his padawan returned from dropping the senator off on Naboo, the vote over, the danger to her passed.

Chapter Text

Anakin said his goodbye to Padmé on Naboo with a passionate kiss. At nineteen he was still horny as hell and Padmé was an amazing person and stunning to boot. To say they’d been going at it like rabbits for the days they had been left alone at the lake house was an understatement. Anakin agreed to guard her while Padmé’s security team took a much-needed break on their home planet and got a head start on improving the security around her on Coruscant.

Though Anakin wished they could set up a regular thing and have an actual relationship it wasn’t feasible.

The Order would disapprove of a relationship between them. Anakin didn’t consider this a conversation stopper, his calm and reasonable psychologist had gone on a swear filled rant about the lessons the Jedi taught about attachment. Which nipped any respect Obi-wan had for the attachment rules in the shebs. And if Obi-wan didn’t care Anakin certainly didn’t, hence it was not the main reason for their hesitance.

Rather it was practical considerations, Padmé was on Naboo for long stretches and Anakin was Force knows where. They agreed to be friends and booty calls but beyond that…their lives would have to change before it was a possibility.

 Still, as he knocked on the door of the chancellor’s office, he made a promise to never doubt nine-year-old him’s taste again, Padmé was indeed both wizard and an angel.

“Come in.” The chancellor said.

And, Chancellor Palpatine was indeed a creepy old man. He hadn't been surprised by the summons, the face Anakin showed the Senate substantially different from the one Palpatine knew.

The face he created for the chancellor had grown and changed as he tried to avoid spending time with the man.

At thirteen he preformed, what Obi-wan considered, uncivilised behaviour. When his conduct hadn't stopped the invites, he’d moved onto jokes only a thirteen-year-old boy could find funny.

At fourteen and out of all potential potty humour, and the Chancellor proving himself a good secret keeper if nothing else. He aired grievances and hyperbolic revenge fantasies, in a desperate effort to prove himself objectionable. At sixteen with his hormones conducting unethical experiments on his reasoning circuits he’d gone off the rails with his claims. By now, sanity partially returned, Anakin continued to pray for more, he was disgusted with both his sixteen-year-old self’s imagination and the chancellor of the republic. But morbid curiosity held him to course, he pushed further wanting to find what would make the man squirm. Nothing and Anakin means nothing did.

Admit to cheating on a test; ingenious

wanting to steal Master Yoda’s walking stick and hit him hard with it; fair enough

Burn down the archives; tell me more

Wants to force himself on someone; It’s natural for a growing boy.

Admit to having fantasies of carving up his master and wearing his skin as a suit; A delighted grin would crawl over Palpatine’s face.

Anakin wasn't sure if Palpatine had a single moral limit, but he was excellent at feigning them. To remain on the good side of the man all he needed to do was pretend not to. It was two months till the election Anakin could hold out. Better yet Palpatine wouldn't even be surprised he'd all but admitted to only bothering with the man because he had power.

“Anakin my boy,” the Chancellor said, “good to see you back in one piece.”

“Good to be back. Though I could have used more time with Amidala.”

“She is rather beautiful isn't she, great for a man of your taste.”

Yup and now he was creeped out. There was nothing quite like talking about Padmé with Palpatine to make him want to commit a murder/suicide with a dash of high treason. Particularly when he knew precisely what Palpatine thought his 'tastes' were.

“Yes, lovely feet,” Anakin said. “She even let me massage them.”

Chancellor Palpatine winced. Success, weirdly enough out of all the kinks and kriffed up things he shared with the Chancellor it was his foot fetish which was off putting. Hilariously it was also the closest to the truth, oh he had no desire to cut them off, so he could lick them without them squirming, or whatever bantha he told the Chancellor.

He wasn't even sure he had a full-blown foot Kink. Lord knows he'd never gotten turned on giving Obi-wan or his mother a foot massage and pedicure. But he did find something innately satisfying about serving someone.

On the other hand maybe it was full blown? Padmé had been able to make him hard with her feet. Still it was his fall back kink on days he talked with the chancellor, mainly because the Chancellor had a thing against feet, but also because it had enough truth to keep it real and consistent.

“Oh?” the Chancellor said.

Anakin’s curiosity flickered; he looked up. The man never questioned his foot fetish, always changing the subject, why was he pushing today?

“You've noticed I don't like feet as much as you do.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow, “No one likes them as much as I do.”

The Chancellor chuckled, “That may be true.” He lent forward, “But Anakin this is the first time you've done something, rather than fantasised about it.”

Anakin cast his mind back, the Chancellor was right. This was the first time he'd admitted to doing something, beyond the petty. Or petty for them at any rate, Anakin falsely admitted to arson, and the torture and murder of animals a plenty.

“I put sand in Obi-wan’s socks,” Which was the actual truth Obi-wan had been nagging about an assignment, he was already going to finish.

The Chancellor rolled his eyes.

“Okay it’s the first thing I've done.”

“My boy surely you see why this is big, you are finally acting on your desires.”

“It's not that much,” Anakin’s face heated.

“We will have to agree to disagree my boy, because as much as I enjoy your company I called you here for a reason.”

“My speech?”

“Excellent work, the Jedi must be proud.”

“Only because I didn't say what I first thought of.”

“Oh,” the chancellor lent forward, “what was your first thought?”

Kriff he hadn't thought that far ahead, “It'd be easier to hide the bodies?”

Chancellor Palpatine threw back his head and laughed. Oh, this was what genuine mirth on the man was like. He hadn't seen it before. Which put him as a better actor than Anakin had given him credit. Was it time to bring in someone else? But what would he say? The chancellor excused Anakin's awful behaviour but he'd never admitted to anything.

Obi-wan already knew, not the specifics but generalities but he was as helpless as Anakin was. Having no morals wasn’t a crime.

“Thank you for the laugh my boy. But though I understand your choice to appease the Jedi. It has made my job more challenging, in these difficult times we need strong leadership. If there was a clear front runner in the election it would be a different story, but dividing the Senate at a critical time like now?”

Anakin's heart dropped, the man wanted to stay in power, of course he did. If Anakin's thing was feet, Palpatine's was power and control.

“Okay, I can see that.” Anakin said

“The Senate voted on the emergency extension of my time in office. But with yours and Senator Amidala's speeches…”

“They dismissed it?” He asked. He controlled his hope, if the man left power Anakin would never have to pretend to be kriffed up again.

“No, no it was close but fortuitously a few senators have more sense. They called for a stay of the motion. Essentially they put it to the side for a set amount of time until it is to be reconsidered.”

“When is it due for review?” Anakin asked.

“Three months.”

“After the election. Going through an election on the brink of war. Thats a new level of stupid. What can I do?”

“Oh my boy, it warms my heart to have you keen to help. But there is little you can do. I've put my concerns through to both the Jedi and the Senate. There is nothing you can do unless they ask for your opinion of me?”

Complete sadistic, power hungry, psychopath?

“Glowing review got it.”

“Nothing so vain, simply be honest and say you have no problems with me.”

Well honest wouldn't be a problem.

It wasn't becoming of Sith Lord to admit feet unnerved him. Stumbling on a budding psychopath of a chosen one was excellent luck, but he did wish a single other of the kinks the boy mentioned stuck. Wanting to dig someone’s eyes out? perfectly respectable. Wear a man's skin as clothes? Workable.

Feet? Palpatine shuddered, still he couldn't complain. To think he nearly given up corrupting him the subtle way, at 16 the boy hid his darkness well. And he’d ordered his apprentice to capture the boy on one of his trips. He was always trailing after his master, like a pathetic pet dragging itself along whining at its owner. Sidious thought he was going to have to break the boy before he’d stop.

Tyranus failed and been punished appropriately, but perhaps the man’s incompetence was a blessing in disguise.

All it had taken was a touch more patience and abandoning caution in the use of two Sith artifacts he’d acquired. Taken from the jedi’s own fortress and turning their own chosen one against them.

One made everyone consider him a harmless, helpless man. Frustrating when it came to threatening people, but worth its weight in gold in the media and with the Jedi. But the one which made people trust him was truly working out a treat.

Sure there were warnings on the artifact, but all he had to do was be certain not to significantly breach the boys trust. And to keep in mind it may get him trust, in specific and limited areas.

But he was careful, restricting his suggestions to entrust him to keep their conversations confidential. He’d hoped the secrets shared would be juicy enough to manipulate him through mundane methods. But there was no need when the boy was spilling such delightfully dark thoughts without intervention.

Chapter Text

Anakin typed in their code for their door and was greeted by the smells of a home cooked Meal. Most of their food was delivered from the refractory, but if Obi-wan wanted to talk to Anakin and was nervous about it he cooked. Pushing his way into their apartment fully, he removed his robe, hanging it on the hook. Obi-wan was standing at the counter peninsula scrubbing the same spot viciously.

“Anakin.” Obi-wan looked up to greet him but didn’t pause in his scrubbing. “welcome home.”

“I think that bit of counter is clean.”

The tops of Obi-wan’s cheeks the parts visible over his beard flushed.

“Come on Obi-wan whatever you want to talk to me about can't be that terrifying. I promise I don't bite...Much”

Anakin walked over and situated himself at the table waiting for Obi-wan to join him, before starting to dish up.

“I talked to the council today.”

Anakin kept his face straight and made an interested noise. The Council plus a home cooked meal? Not good.

“They wanted to talk about using this mission as your knighthood trials.”

Anakin was careful not to react the way he wanted to, Obi-wan was nervous enough, snapping at him wouldn’t help. No matter how much Anakin thought he’d put this topic to rest.

“I said I'd have to talk to you about it.”

Any resentment, fell away to flush of warmth which filled Anakin's chest, his master stood up to the council, despite the fact there was nothing which made him break out in hives more.

“I've told you I'll consider it when I'm 23. But I'm too young.”

“I know but the council didn't accept your reasoning and to be honest I'm not sure I do either,” Obi-wan said. “You’re ready Anakin, I didn't offer a single piece of advice or instruction this entire mission and you performed admirably.”

Anakin flushed his face heating. His master wasn’t sparse with his praise, but his good opinion still meant the world to him. It hurt he was going to have to break it. But he’d decided to come clean to Obi-wan about his slip into the dark, Anakin was many things but not a coward.

“But did I? Yeah I got the objectives complete but I'm—“Anakin stared at his lap, not wanting to see the moment he lost Obi-wan’s faith. “—pretty sure I touched the darkside.”

“Ohhh Anakin,” Obi-wan reached across the table, gentle fingers coaxing Anakin’s chin up. Anakin couldn’t help but blink, he checked their bond unwilling to accept his sympathies at face value. His master could act. But the strong cooling breeze never wavered, wrapping around the desert bringing relief from the scorching suns. Where was the disappointment? The lecture?

“Touching the darkside and refusing it is an unofficial element of the trials.”

“But...” they were Jedi. Having touched the dark was like touching someone with toydarian leprosy. Incurable, disfiguring, contagious.

“Admitting it, takes far more wisdom and bravery than I had as a new knight.” Obi-wan said.

“You couldn't have. You’re the furthest thing from dark possible.”

“It didn't feel as if you were unstoppable? like you were moving faster and with more surety than you ever have. And when you stop there's an awful exhaustion and a horrifying realisation anyone could have been before you and you would have cut them down the same.” Obi-wan said.

“Well...” it was near exactly to the letter what Anakin experienced.

“The Darkside is always there, its waiting for us to be desperate enough, unbalance enough and then it gives us a taste. Like a Deathsticks dealer giving a free sample, it's when you choose to stay in the dark, rather than take the pain of withdrawal, when you fall.”

“Aren't you anthropomorphising something which has never been proven to have conscience?” Anakin tried to lighten the mood.

“Certainly, but until we have a better understanding of it I can only give you my thoughts, understanding and experience.” Obi-wan smiled fondly. “So we have one account of a near brush with the dark, how does it compare?”

“Near identical, only I think I went further. I started wishing for more power and my crystal started to unharmonized.”

Obi-wan’s brow scrunched, he must not have noticed the same against the sith apprentice.

“You know how I had that dream?” Anakin asked

“And you said your crystal was wrong, but you couldn't figure out why.”

“It’s because there was nothing wrong with my crystal, I changed to the point of noticing its song as separate from mine. It was distracting. I considered forcing it to a line with me again.” If he hadn't had the dream, Anakin took a moment to thank the force. Unproven sentience or not it never hurt to be polite.

“Given my sabre had been chucked down the bottom of a reactor shaft, I can't say my own experience corresponds.”

That was it? “I nearly bled my crystal.” Anakin said in case Obi-wan missed it.

“But you didn't, you stopped in a tense situation and listened to the force.” Obi-wan said. “I don't see why I should be anything but proud of you.”

Anakin’s face went slack, “But—"

“Did you know Master Windu's Lightsabre before his trials was blue?” Obi-wan interrupted, “It might be as simple as him getting another sabre, but from what you've told me...”

“You think the master of the Order bled his sabre?”

Obi-wan shook his head, “Everything we know about bleeding a sabre indicates it’s an involved process, I think he bruised it a little when it stopped harmonising with him in his trials.”

“Why did he keep it? If it was me, I'd get another the second I could.”

“If I know Master Windu he kept it as a reminder of how far he went and to never do so again. “Would you really get rid of your bonded sabre to stop rumours said about you?”

Anakin sucked in a breath, he hadn't considered it like that.

“I guess not. But I'd be tempted, no one in the temple needs more of a reason to dislike me.”

“Ohh Anakin dearest. I'm sorry.”

Anakin scrunched his face confused, “Why are you sorry? It’s not like you've ever done anything but make me feel welcome.”

“I didn't notice, I didn't do anything—”

It was Anakin’s turn to interrupt, “To what? Force my year mates to like me. Thanks, but no thanks.”

But Obi-wans face didn’t lighten.

“You made sure I had friends, you negotiated our mission schedule so I could hang out with Mayj, Kom'sara or Aayla more often. Do I wish I could have more friends amongst the Jedi, sure. But you made sure I never needed them, my Bantha headed year mates are not your fault.”

Obi-wans face smoothed, giving a half-hearted twitch of lips as an attempt of a smile, “Thank you dear heart, but excuse me while feel a little guilty a while longer.”

“Please don't, to have more friends in the temple is a selfish wish not a need.” Selfish. Not wanting to be a knight was selfish. He could help more people, free up Obi-wan and let him be promoted to master.

“Dearest we are going to have to disagree on what constitutes as selfish.”

“Maybe, but you are right I'm ready to be a knight. To keep you by my side because I'm scared?” Anakin shook his head.

“There is nowhere I'd rather be. The council has agreed they aren't going to separate us for long periods, we'll get assigned missions together regularly, if you wanted?”

“Of course I do. I'll want to hang out with you till you’re sick of me.”

“Bold of you to assume I’m not already sick of you with your death defying stunts.” But the soft smile and the cooling winds whispered of Obi-wan’s love, playing with delight at having him nearby.

Anakin threw back his head and laughed taking the joke as it was meant, sending his love back. Even as a knight he wouldn’t lose Obi-wan, anxiety bled out unprompted into the sands.  

Chapter Text

Obi-wan knighted Anakin a month prior when the situation with the Confederation escalated. Siri and her Padawan Olin, who had been tasked to further investigate the attacks on Senator Amidala, followed the tracker they placed on the droid to a murder. The murder weapon was a dart corsec traced back to Kamino, a planet and a case study as to why backing up your data was essential.

When Siri came to the temple, she found the archives blank of mention of the planet. Her next stop was Obi-wan. It became common knowledge he curated what Anakin dubbed a black archive. Despite its unorganized state, the two of them weren’t able to keep up with the demands of a field jedi and being black archivist, it had become a stop for Jedi. All those willing to deal with the mess of searchability and the trip into the bowels of the temple, were welcome. In return they offered a chance to avoid Madam Nu, they came in droves.    

Their stolen records were bare of Kamino as well, dating the erasure at least four years old. But Obi-wan and Anakin were uncomfortable with letting their knowledge rest and set up an information scraping and verification system, taking information from the Holo-net and adding it to their collection. As such the records of Kamino and its notoriety for cloning were there.

Siri and her Padawan left Coruscant, finding a waiting army, built for and ordered by a jedi, on Kamino.

“We are assigning you and Knight Skywalker to the 212.” Master Windu was seated in his chair in the tower of the high council, haloed by the city scape behind.

Obi-wan had been summoned alone, his Padawan outside the temple presently and the council unwilling to wait. He had known the war was coming, but to be made General of a legion? After images of too young and too dead eyes stared at him accusingly. He wasn’t enough to save them, how many of those he was put in charge of would share a similar fate?

“We expect the 501st to become available for Skywalker to lead independently within the year,” Master Ti said.

“I was more concerned with the being assigned as a general, when I have minimal experience as a military leader.” Minimal experience as if Obi-wan wanted more, as if starving to death in damp tunnels hadn’t been instructive enough.

“That you have any experience at all puts you far and above other Jedi who have accepted their roles,” Master Koon said

“Perhaps it’s because I have experience, I understand how vastly unprepared the Jedi Order is for large scale combat.”

“Felt our connection to the force was enough the Chancellor did,” Yoda said. “You do not?”

The Chancellor and wasn't he another problem, it turns out Anakin needn't have bothered with the Good review. The Senate agreed to extend his term limit without the Jedi being involved.

“Our connection to the force may help,” Obi-wan shook his head. “But it does not substitute experience. We are trained, we are equipped to be peacekeepers not war Generals. Force or not the Jedi aren’t prepared.”

“Prevail the force will not?” Yoda said.

“In desperation and despair how many of our numbers will reach for the Dark?” Obi-wan asked. “The Force will prevail, the light? That is in doubt.”

“You believe knights will fall?” Master Billiba said

“Knights, Padawans and even Masters,” Obi-wan said. “Our Code, our teachings are designed for peace, they will not be enough.” Their connection to the force twisted by loss and despair would be halfway to dark already. How many fell in wars past?

“Enough, your doubts are noted but we have been drafted into the GAR,” Master Windu said. “The 212 is your duty Master Kenobi, you ship out in three days.”

Obi-wan bowed far deeper than he normally would, “As the Chancellor wills.”

The classic concession would be, as the force wills. If you were being particularly passive aggressive, as the council wills, to credit the Chancellor was the largest rebuke one could fit into a single sentence. Particularly with how all in the room knew he didn't like the Chancellor.

The gasped breaths from around the room left little doubt his displeasure had been noted.

“If you'll excuse me Masters it appears I need to cram years’ worth of tactical lesson's into a few days.”

Obi-wan twisted on his heals slamming his way out.

“Well that went well.” A master said. The doors not yet settled back to cut off the conversation behind him.

“Is he wrong, about any of it?” Master Ti said.

“Force help us all.” The doors closed silencing the rest of the conversation.

Obi-wan was tempted to call Anakin in for a spar to work off his aggression, but he was loath to interrupt his meeting with Senator Amidala. Force knows those two did not get to see enough of each other, the Sexual Tension was palpable. With any luck they were...nope not going there, but if he was fortunate, it'd spare Obi-wan their lust filled gazes for a day or two. It wasn't likely but a man could dream.

Anakin or not Obi-wan needed to blow off steam before he could think about hitting his archives. He changed course toward the public salles in hopes of a decent sparring partner.

His chances were good. Indeed several knights were already there engaging in duels, testing their blade work. The public salles were made for matches between Jedi, as such drinking fountains, attached freshers and a comprehensive first aid kit was standard. This one was often used for competitions and had teared seating lining the walls, providing a good view for spectators.

Obi-wan looked around for anyone yet to be engaged. He spotted a familiar blonde knight and sighed in relief, Siri Tache. He’d have accepted sparring with a stranger, but it was far more pleasant to do it with someone he knew. Better yet Siri knew him well enough he didn’t even have to pretend to be an emotionless Jedi.

Once upon a time Obi-wan thought he might grow to love the blond knight. But when he realised the extent of the problem between Anakin and Ferus, their time together had fallen off. As avoiding Ferus often times meant avoiding Siri as well. Any closeness which may have been, petered out to a warm fondness.

“Hey Obi-wan care for a spar?” Siri said, walking up to him.

“As long as you are prepared for me to be in a beast of a mood. I would love to.”

“What is a good spar for?” Siri led him away to one of the combat circles, a safe distance away from any other sparring pairs.

Obi-wan chucked off his robe, dropping it on one of the surrounding bleachers. Walking back over he set his blade to training intensity, nodded to Siri and fell into an Ataru stance. He preferred Soresu when he was fighting to win, but right now was about expending energy and Ataru was an excellent choice

“Ataru, didn't you switch? To niman wasn't it?”

If that wasn't an indication of how far they drifted, Obi-wan didn't know what was. Siri settled into a Shein opening.

Obi-wan tired of standing still, he attacked, his patience gone. Channelling the force through his muscles itched an annoyance which had been building since he got his marching orders. Flipping high over Siri's guard he swung his sabre, gone again by the time the lightning quick return strike was issued.

Obi-wan refused to stay still, flipping away rather than meeting Siri's counter attacks. If Obi-wan flipped any more he’d be doing a passable imitation of Yoda's style. Impractical for Obi-wan in true combat, but it drained his energy and anger fast. Siri with a far saner approach landed a hit, ending the duel.

Blade retracting Obi-wan sent a wave of force to each of his limbs, soothing the burn. Making his way over to the drinking fountain he began guzzling water.

“Feel better?” Siri asked handing him a towel.

Obi-wan stood up taking the towel, “Much, thank you for indulging me.”

The blond waved a hand, “No problem, I know what it’s like to need to blow off steam.”

“Ohh?” Obi-wan searched her face for clues to her implication. “Are you here for a similar reason?”

Siri shrugged, “it depends, are you here for Padawan troubles?”

“It depends on whether you count concern about my newly knighted Padawan being sent to war as Padawan troubles?”

Siri groaned, “I nearly forgotten your Padawan had been knighted for the last five minutes.”

Obi-wan raised an eyebrow. Ferus didn’t get along with Anakin but Siri never shared her Padawan’s dislike.

“Every five minutes Ferus reminds me Skywalker has been knighted. And Ferus is older than him with a more ‘complete education.’” Siri said.

“I was unaware age was the sole requirement for knighthood now?”

“Preaching to the bloody choir. I even asked the High council I figured if they turned him down, he'd have to accept it. But…” Siri groaned again, “Its all Anakin this, Skywalker that, its unbecoming.”

“Hmm, did you know I'd considered Anakin ready for the trials a full six months before he accepted?”

“That sounds like heaven teach me your ways.” Siri begged.

“Well first have a Padawan who has been singled out for being too old or too young all his life. And then threaten to make him even more of an outcast by knighting him record breaking early,” Obi-wan said.

Siri winced, “I've tried, please believe me I’ve tried to teach him.”

“Might you mention the high council doesn't want cruel and petty knights? That he has to both know he's wrong and empathise with what he's done before they'd even consider it?

Obi-wan held Siri's gaze, he didn't do her any favours by pulling his punches, she could take it. Siri nodded.

Obi-wan sighed, “Or they wouldn't have. With the war I am worried we'll knight people before they are ready.” Obi-wan turned to catch Siri’s eyes, “Siri, the time for kid gloves with Padawan Olin is over. He needs to grow up now, before the war kills him.” Obi-wan gaze roamed over the Salle watching as Padawans and masters played laughing. Joy and peace filling the hall. “All of us need to.”

Chapter Text

The ‘Darkside’ and the ‘lightside’ are commonly accepted aspects of the Force. And yet there appears to be no cohesive narrative about the difference between the two, nor the effects on the force users of each. Adding to the complexity of the issue is millennia of mutual hate between light and Darkside users. Given the magnitude of the topic and the complete lack of study in this area, we are limiting the scope of this investigation into two topics. It should also be noted the amount of information about the Darkside is limited as only Jedi records are available for study at this time.

First is what is the difference between the two sides. Both Jedi and Sith accept the duality model, with historical records having both sides demonstrating significantly different abilities when utilising the force. Records available about the experience of using the sides of the Force also indicates clear differences.

Therefore it will be investigated if there is truly a difference in the lightside and the darkside of the force or if the difference is simply in the way it is accessed.

Second, though it is possible to fall to the darkside there is no mention of the reverse being true. Is this a matter of propaganda or a function of the force itself, or the result of the users own mind and body.

"Dear one, are you sure about this?" Obi-wan said.

Anakin nodded, "I nearly fell on refuge-7."

Obi-wan wanted to object, it wasn't that he didn't think Anakin was capable of falling, because he was. His passion, love and drive for justice could easily be turned to obsession and a merciless black and white worldview.

But Anakin was far away from the tipping point. He understood himself, he was planted deep and could pull himself out of far worse spirals than the lightest of Jedi.

Still, he'd made his point and Anakin listened, it was time for him to do the same. An unacknowledged fear reached far deeper than one shared.

"And?" Obi-wan prompted,

"I'm meant to bring Balance...If I don't understand the Dark how am I meant to do it?"

"We don't even know if the prophecy..." Obi-wan trailed off. He avoided any more information on the prophecy, knowing how much pressure Anakin already felt. He'd raised Anakin as a decent sentient first, force user second, Jedi third, and down a long list of attributes he’d wanted to instil in Anakin, sat chosen one.

"You looked it up?" Obi-wan asked.

"I had to know if it was an inevitable or a flexible future."

"And?"

"Inevitable," Anakin said. "I could fall into it backward."

"So?" if Anakin could do it without trying, why was he worried?

"There are thousands of ways balance could be interpreted, what if I...killing all the jedi and then the Sith would technically be balance."

"You’re going to fall over backwards and kill all the Jedi?" Obi-wan raised his eyebrow.

"No!” Anakin said, “...Or I don't want to."

Obi-wan dropped the attempt at humour, this was eating at his padawan. "You're worried it'll be the only option."

"If I don't understand the dark. It’s the only way I can think of.”

"Dear one, the force has never controlled all your actions."

"But what if I fall?"

And wasn’t that the crux of the issue. Anakin’s near fall damaged his faith in himself to resist. All while opening his eyes to how uncontrolled one could be in the dark.

"Now? ” Obi-wan said. “We are going to war tomorrow, you have all your life.”

Anakin swallowed, "I need something which isn't the war. Plus I feel like this war is..."

"Part of it," It had been one of the annoying things about Qui-gon proclaiming Anakin the chosen one, the Jedi were winning. A chosen one appearing guaranteed the good times were at an end. No one wanted to believe that. It wouldn't have surprised Obi-wan if the council ignored a giant neon sign pointing at Anakin.

"And you're right when you said we'd lose Jedi to the Dark for this war," Anakin said.

"What if we could bring them back?" It was an endeavour many Jedi past tried, none succeeded.

Anakin nodded

Obi-wan sighed and took a seat next to Anakin setting up a holo-terminal to start going through data.

"Don't you have some tactics to study?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, but you were right, both about the clones and needing to do something which is not war focused for a while." His brain was already spinning with the tactics he had read.

"The Clones do have tactical knowledge and we can consult them?"

"We don't just Consult them. We learn off them as fast as we can. And force willing we'll have a clue what we are doing by the time the CIS gears up." Though Obi-wan knew the CIS had droids being manufactured, it would still take time to ship them out to the relevant locations.

"I know Obi-wan. I was trying to lighten the mood you're stressed enough."

"We are shipping out tomorrow."

"And then we'll spend a week in hyperspace getting to know the men," Anakin said. "Aren't you the one who advocates not to stress too early?"

Obi-wan snorted, "and you've always been correct when you point out that advice is mainly useful for myself."

Anakin cracked a smile.

Obi-wan sighed, "Anakin you know the men aren't sentient. The contract made sure of it."

"So they've got restraining bolts, doesn't mean they don't have personalities.”

"Restraining bolts don't work on Organics, I don't know how they've managed it. But I don't want them to get distressed because you want something from them, they cannot give."

"What's happened to them..."

"It makes my skin crawl too. I can't believe a Jedi would order such a thing done."

"We do live in a galaxy which thinks restraining bolts are okay."

"And where slavery is regularly practiced. We don't live in a perfect Galaxy, we never will, all we can do is—”

"Leave it better than we found it," Anakin recited the end of the phrase.

Anakin and Obi-wan shared a look and proceeded to distract themselves by preparing all the accounts and descriptions of the light and dark side of the force for Analysis.

Chapter Text

Anakin got far less sleep than he wanted the night before. Spending the night with Obi-wan alternating between researching the darkside and the ways Jedi kept themselves sane in bygone wars.

Still, the dry eyes and never ending fight with a yawn was worth it to spend their last normal day together, doing something they both learned to love.

The Venator hid crouched hidden behind the trunks of Coruscant’s skyscrapers. Clearing the last of the high buildings for the Navy docks Anakin took in the first true sight of her. Or at least he tried, she was too big the sentients at its base no bigger than ants. What was her engine room like? The hangers? Anakin wished for the time to pour over the schematics. Looking over to see Obi-wan’s reaction he paused. The man was staring out the window, but it was with a pinched brow.

"Master what’s wrong?" Anakin said.

"The force."

Anakin reached out into the force. Anything catastrophically wrong should have been brought to his attention before now. But there were far smaller nudges, he might have overlooked if not actively searching for them.

But there was nothing he could find, not enough to disturb his Master so.

"The clones, feel the clones in the force." Obi-wan said.

Anakin focused on the life signatures swarming the dock, visible in their shiny white armour, each and every one was as individual and unrestricted as any other sentient in the universe.

"Kark, Master what are we going to do?"

For all Anakin doubted the efficacy and ethics of making clones who weren't sentient fight, he'd never considered they'd been lied to. There was no difference between these men and naturally born sentients.

"Kark, they've put us in charge of an Army full of slaves,” Anakin said. “What in Sith’s hells are we going to do?"

"Kriff if I know padawan. Kriff if I know."

But their time for a mental break down was over, the doors were sliding open and Anakin shoved his horror into the force, he could freak out, rage and figure out what to do later.

Stepping out of the transport Anakin was greeted by two clones. Their kit told Anakin a lot. Their plastoid armour would melt, their blasters would overheat, and yet it was all carefully looked after. Their modifications to make them remotely practical hidden, but Anakin’s mechanically inclined mind could spot them, these men had to hide from their Depur.

The men clacked to a salute. Well, there went stealth, as if the white wasn’t already a problem.

"Greetings gentleman,” Obi-wan said.

Anakin forced himself not to hide like a Padawan behind his master.

"Yes sir." The elder of the two said.

"I'm Anakin Skywalker, he's Obi-wan Kenobi, may we have your names?"

"Commander Alpha-17," the elder said.

"Commander CC-2224," the younger of the two recited.

Anakin blinked; he hadn't been expecting numbers. The question was, did they identify with the Aura-numeric codes or was it the name given by Depur.

Anakin bowed as deeply as he could without passing the sarcasm barrier, a point Anakin named, at which a bow was so far beyond appropriate, it came across as sarcastic.

"Thank you for entrusting us with your names," Anakin said. "If there is anything you would rather be called let us know."

"Aura-numeric are sufficient for Clones sir." Alpha-17 said.

The bitterness dripped off the words. Anakin didn’t need to wait for the winds’ whispers to know it was a lie.

"We both know that isn't the truth. If there is something you or any of the other men want to be called we would be privileged." Obi-wan finished it with a bow.

"My brothers call me Cody." The Captain said.

Anger spiked in Alpha-17, Anakin barely managed to hold on to his lunch, the familiarity making him sick, his Amu often got angry with him the same way Alpha-17 was furious at Cody. An anger which masked terror when someone you loved angered a Depur. Anakin ruthlessly crushed his reaction into Jedi stoicism. He could not afford to let his horror show. They'd think it was about Cody's name, not about why they had hidden it.

Anakin smiled, lips twitching trying to keep it on his face. "Lovely to meet you Commander Cody."

"I'm Alpha-17," Alpha-17 said.

"Commander Alpha-17," Obi-wan said. "It will be a pleasure to work with you. Please let your brothers know they are more than free to use their names not designations."

Alpha-17 may legitimately have no other name, or he didn't trust them. Either way their pushing would be cruel.

"If you or your brothers ever need an excuse to use your names," Anakin said. "Say we complained about the difficulties remembering Aura-numeric codes."

Anakin threw a wink onto the end of the sentence. With luck they could become co-conspirators instead of the overseers they were at present. But unless they could find a way to get the men free, all their talk wouldn't be worth much

Chapter Text

The Walker Anakin made his command tent fell in the first few hours of the mission to Jabiim. All its electronics and useful equipment, long since removed, salvaged by their engineers to keep other walkers standing. Still despite the lack of heating, hazard shaped hull and the rusting floor, it was still better than the mud which lined the ground outside.

Obi-wan warned him the elements and lack of supplies would be as deadly as their enemies in this fight. Anakin accepted his wisdom, but for it to play out in front of him was a different matter. At least he’d been able to delay taking on Ahsoka as Padawan, insisting she completed a series of tests before allowing her in the field. Those tests were variations on Senior Padawan assessments it should take her years, keeping her from this kark show.

It was difficult enough being a new Commander to a battalion of the 212, even if only a company remained under his charge in the camp. If he had to be a new Master on top of that? At least he had Commander Cody, who was a force send in completing their assignment, setting up and defending a base camp for the campaign on Jabiim. Three months of wrestling the elements to keep their equipment dry and it was time to pack up.

They were out of Meds needed to maintain a position here, the returning injured slowed to nothing and none had good things to report.

Their communication with each group became static filled, going dark one by one. Alpha-17, the clone leader of the last group reporting with regularity, hadn't made their last four check ins. Anakin hoped it meant they lost their radio equipment, but he despaired it was worse. Obi-wan wouldn't have spared a resource keeping communication open.

Still Anakin clutched onto the breeze of their bond, constant and cooled by Obi-wan’s oasis as always. There was hope. But he had a duty.

Commander Cody entered with a salute, water dripping off his plastoid.  Anakin returned the gesture and Cody scrunched his nose but said nothing as he had long given up protesting. Strictly speaking as the same rank both saluting was only a curtesy, and one Anakin would be inclined to ask them to drop. However after realising the discrepancy in power between clones and Nat borns Anakin made a point to salute to Cody whenever the man saluted him or they were in the presence of any of the other officers. The degrading looks those officers gave him for daring to salute any clone burned his stomach in bitter satisfaction.

"Cody."

"Commander, you’re needed in the med tent." Cody said, "we got another one."

Despite himself Anakin's heart leapt, this injured soldier could bring news of a pocket of resistance. The republic sent a legion to this planet and barely half a battalion resided in his camp, most injured beyond duty.

Catastrophic.

And Obi-wan knew it was going to be bad, but had the high council listened?

Anakin stood grabbing his water-resistant cloak, if there was one thing Jabiim taught him it was nothing could truly be waterproof.

Flicking up his hood, he plunged into the rain. Fortunately, with three months and nothing much else to do they managed to pile up the mud to create dry-ish walkways. His feet not being swallowed by mud didn’t help the rain soaking through his cloak, but it did mean he could get through the rain quicker.

The Med tent had first dibs of location. This time what was chosen wasn’t the optimal position at the centre, guarded on all sides, rather it was closer to the armaments than ideal. But it was on a small hill keeping it dryer, on Jabiim the compromise was worth it.  Pushing into the tent and shaking like a shrill he greeted Helix, a clone medic from the 212.

"Commander sir, we had another one."

"Where is he?" Anakin hanged up his cloak before being led to a bed. The man was miserable, his armour dirty enough it may as well have been brown. "Hello soldier." Anakin greeted.

The clone turned and met his gaze. His force signature was familiar though Anakin couldn't place it for the life of him.

"You 212?" Anakin spent a week in hyperspace with the men of the 212, not enough to recognise them all, but perhaps it was where he gained his familiarity.

"Yes sir, Corporal First."

"First, I don't think we've met?" Cody said.

"Under Captain Frag," First said.

"Then you are from Obi-wan’s group," Anakin’s heart bet faster. "You injured?"

"No sir," First said, "I was sent to get an extraction force, they're pinned down under heavy fire."

Obi-wan was alive, he was okay. It’d be a hard fight undoubtedly, but…but the harsh suns beat down on him, scorching with their insistence; the man was lying. If Anakin wasn’t careful, he could lose himself and his men chasing a mirage of an oasis. 

"There was no extra information given?" Anakin asked. Ekkreth’s Lukka had a security question, one mention of raindrops and Anakin would ignore the force.

The liar shook his head. Why would a clone lie about such a thing? Had the coward been caught by separatists?

Anakin buried his anger in the sands. Outright confrontation could be dangerous. They were surrounded by the sick and injured.

"Well then, get cleaned up and get some rest." Anakin patted the man on the leg, he forced his touch gentle, he wanted to bruise.

Anakin stood, lingering left him in danger of falling to temptation, he chose to plunge into the rain instead. This time inviting the deluge, anything to get away.

Commander Cody followed entering his command carcass seconds after him, "Should I stop the retreat sir?"

Anakin shook his head.

Cody turned towards the trees, gazing in the direction the rest of the 212 marched three months prior. "Sir if there is a chance?"

"There isn't," Anakin said, "Obi-wan didn't send him. Believe me Cody if there was a chance...but First is lying about something. I want a watch on him."

"Is it a Force thing Sir?"

"That and Obi-wan would have given a security phrase to him."

Cody closed his eyes, "The men won't like it, nor will the Padawans."

The problem with being given the safest job in the campaign was Padawans old enough to be separated from their master for any length of time were with Anakin. Which essentially meant he had a never-ending source of frustration in a bunch of Padawan's his age or older who were resentful of his command position and knighthood. Most of whom had their Masters’ out there, only a few accepted their mentors’ deaths.

"You deal with the men? I'll take the Padawans," Anakin said.

"Give me all the easy jobs and I'll turn soft."

And wasn't that the truth. The men might not like an order, but they would follow through. The Padawans?"

"Send them in would you?"

Cody shot him a commiserating nod as he turned, pausing at the sheets of freezing rain before taking a deep breath and diving in. Anakin returned to his fiddling, the device in front of him was a beacon with a message to retreat to an exfill location. They'd drop it closer to the fighting on the way out and return in a week to check for any survivors.

It wasn't a high hope, the atmosphere of Jabiim would obscure the signal even at close rage, but he couldn’t give up.

Ten minutes later the four Padawans who were currently on duty came in.

"I heard there was a survivor from the 212." Padawan Tae Diath said. The older girl had been a constant pain, arguing they should abandon their post and go after the regiments. her uncle having been the first to go dark and her bond remaining intact. Duty held her here, but she’d been worse since Anakin made the call to evacuate.

It wasn’t like Anakin didn’t sympathise, but he had a duty to all their other forces, not only her uncle.

"Are we finally going to get off our backsides and do something?" Ferus said. Because whoever decided on this karking mission had of course decided to pair them up. "Figures you'd do it when your master was in danger."

"The plan is unchanged," Anakin said.

"What!" Tru exploded. "We have actionable intel and you’re going to leave your master behind?"

"We don't." Anakin snapped, more viciously than he should have. "First, the clone who returned information is questionable at best."

"Questionable is better than none," Darra said.

"Really? Our scouts and the force are telling us the battle droids and nationalists are closing in on our location. The thing which is stopping them attacking is we are dug in. When we break camp there will be an army waiting for us."

"The Clones are loyal, Corporal First wouldn’t give fake information." Diath said. Padawan Diath was one of the strongest telepaths in the Order. If anyone knew the loyalty of the men around them it was her.

"They are human. Individual, bribable and threatenable. Even if Corporal First’s report was beyond reproach, it doesn’t change not having enough meds for a sustained march.”

"We have plenty of bacta," Ferus said.

"Bacta helps things grow. It’s not useful when your main enemy is trench foot. We have one more course of effective antibiotics."

"if we want the men to keep their feet when we get to coruscant we have to leave now," Darra said.

"If we leave now we can delay a week to check from orbit for survivors," Anakin said. Not the most effective strategy given the thick cloud cover, instrument karking atmosphere and the separatist dreadnought in a standoff with their venators. But it was enough of a plan Tru and Darra nodded.

A bad enough one Ferus and an Padawan Tae were still holding stubborn.

"It’s an order Padawan Olin," Anakin said.

His mistake was obvious, the distinctive snap hiss of igniting lightsabres highlighting it, using orders only worked if the other accepted his authority.

 It surprised Anakin, when he first arrived at the temple, the metal melting plasma blades didn’t heat a room. All four sabres should have been scorching in the enclosed space, but the magnetic fields which contained the blades, allowing them to clash against each other, held the heat in. Until you got too close, like Ferus was threatening to at his neck.

"This is war Padawan Olin, turning on your commanding officer is treason."  Anakin wouldn’t draw his own blade as violence would then be his only recourse.

"You aren't our commanding officer, we are jedi, we answer to our Masters, who answer to the council not you." Ferus spat.

"The high council? The ones who made the Jedi officers in the war effort. The War effort you are now betraying? Treason is an executable offence.” Anakin said.

"He's right Ferus," Padawan Tru said, "we aren't Padawans anymore."

"And what part of his reasoning is unsound?" Darra said.

Tru and Darra retracted their sabres, those two were always going to be the easiest to convince, their bonds with their Masters’ long snapped.

"Put your lightsabres away and I'll forget this ever happened." Anakin said.

Ferus and Tae looked at each other but retracted their sabres, though they didn’t holster the hilts.

"Thank you,” Anakin said, “please if you can go assist the men with the evacuation."

Anakin stood from his desk, they inevitably had equipment lost in the mud, a Jedi could speed the work to free it. Halfway to the door the forces wind whipped into a frenzy. Anakin scanned through the rain, where was the threat? Had their camp been breached? A hand clamped over his mouth and a burning light ignited across his chest.

He had been worried about an outside threat, he forgot the still bitter Padawans inside.

"Tae what are you doing?" Ferus said.

"Oh come on," Diath said. "He's not even considering the possibility our Masters are still alive."

The downside of having the Order's strongest telepath against you was they were trusted near immediately. Anakin was aware his inability to contain his thoughts would get him in trouble soon.

"He's only considering the men, not our masters."

Ferus wavered, hand fidgeting with his sabre hilt

It was then Anakin had a Sith-damn stupid idea. He hoped he didn’t regret this, though he saw no way for it not to end terribly.

He stopped compartmentalising, he let the despair for his master slip into his mind, his horror at the war and his helplessness at the entire situation. He let his duty to the men, the GAR and the details take over his mind, focusing on what he could affect rather than everything else. Now he released all he had been carefully not thinking about into his mind and consequently into Padawan Diath’s.

She whimpered.

"Are you certain of that?" Anakin said.

Tae stumbled backward, Anakin controlling Daith’s blade with the force, pushing it away from his neck, stepping free.

Tru rushed to catch Tae as she fell down.

"What did you do?" Tru said.

"My shields might be rubbish, but they do hide some things." Shielding his mind was like trying to wall a desert, the sands shifted, but he could compartmentalise. Thinking of what mattered in the moment and letting the rest sink back into the sands. And he did have a small sandstone structure in the centre, it was there he at least tried to keep his active thoughts.

Darra had the sense to take the lightsabre away from Tae, the Padawan collapsed shaking on the ground. Anakin shoved his thoughts back into the sands. He allowed only his duty to his fellow padawans and concern for Tae to remain in the small hovel. His thoughts didn’t stay there, but it was the best shielding he could manage. But right now, it was his job to help Tae, if their hypothesis on what caused a fall was correct, the padawan must be close to the edge.

Anakin sunk into the desert, sending his winds out to examine the girl, they brought back tales of a cool cave in which water dripped from the ceiling. The water droplets creating tones in the puddles, the sound merging to become a melody. But the music was faltering, becoming cacophonous with echoes, now the sole remnant of what the place had been, was a single stalagmite of her kyber dripping in the same beautiful tune. Anakin sent an evening desert breeze saturated with as much peace and calm as he could out to her.

 But it was too late, her cave filled with water, the excess spilling out as rage and hate. Compared to her anger the bleeding gold eyes barely registered. Anakin dropped down trying to make himself non-threatening. The water came from fear, until they helped her conquer the terror there was no chance for Tae.

When they analysed falls and near falls accounts there was one constant. Some fell out of fear, some despair and though Hate was far rarer than Anakin would have thought, it made an appearance. But they all believed their, or someone they loved survival was at risk. Anakin was operating under the assumption a fall was a survival instinct.

Tru dropped the woman to the floor, the others leaping away and drawing their sabres. The Jedi’s religious fanatism rearing it head in the urge to kill. Kill Tae a young woman who had been their friend moments prior.

“Stand Down.” Anakin didn’t fancy testing his hypothesis on a newly fallen Padawan, but Tae needed every piece of help she could get, and now. That meant deescalating the situation and making her feel safe.

"Padawan Diath, you are safe here. I have duty to my men, yes, but I also have to keep you safe," Anakin said.

"Calm now, Padawan Tae, everything will be alright."

He made eye contact with the surrounding Padawans, Tru and Darra shut off their lightsabres, Ferus hesitating before following suit. His desert wind was joined by bird song, a tree branch and the hum of an asteroid. All different but identical, united in bringing comfort and safety to Tae.

 Awareness bled back into her eyes, gold fading. But when he thought he had a chance, she spun her head towards him, horror coming over her face as she realised what happened.

"No, no I can't have," Tae said.

"It’s okay," Anakin said, "it’s okay."

But it was too late, the Padawan pushed him over and darted out the door towards the forest. Ferus went to go after her, Anakin stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

Ferus wrenched his shoulder out of his grip. "I'm going after her, she can't make it on her own."

"We can't wait,” Anakin said. “if you’re not back in time.”

"I don't care, she's a friend," Ferus said, "I know you’re not familiar."

And whose fault was that? Still Anakin might never like Ferus, but he wouldn’t leave a Jedi unassisted. Taking two strides over to his desk, Anakin grabbed his pack with his emergency supplies. He pulled the holo-map out of the transmitter he had been working on. It was never going to work in Jabiim's unique atmosphere anyway it was better to send it by physical messenger. Stuffing it in the pack he added all the rations he had in his office.

Anakin handed over the bag, "If you don't make it back by tomorrow 0600, meet us there in a week. Bring anyone you find."

Ferus took the bag with a nod.

"May the force be with you Padawan Olin."

"And with you Skywalker."

Anakin almost sighed, the day one of his contemporaries acknowledged his knighting would be a cold day on Mustafar. Still, it was the first semi-civil exchange they’d had in months.

Anakin watched the man run off into the deluge, reminding himself to leave him what supplies they could spare inside his tent when they left.

Leaving the planet was harder than Anakin thought it would be, he made the decision, but his heart hurt at all the survivors they were leaving behind. He stared out of the last troop transport, at the lone tent with the meagre rations they could spare contained within it, in hopes someone they were leaving behind would find it. It wasn’t like droids could use food.

"Commander?" Corporal First said

Shaking himself free of his thoughts, Anakin gave one more search of the treeline. Before turning back to face Corporal First. Cody was standing slightly behind the Corporal keeping an eye on the suspect clone. They agreed the threat would be the last to the venator, despite still having no more proof of misdeed than what the force implied. They’d have the time and the facilities to interrogate the clone on board.

He eyed the unadorned armour, the man never took off his helmet, yet he'd never painted it for individuality like most clones did.

"You never painted your armour."

"No sir, it seemed a betrayal given we are leaving my unit to die."

Though his words were designed to twist, they soothed Anakin's conscience, every vod worth their salt would call the men they served with Brothers.

But he knew his signature from somewhere. If it wasn't the 212 where? Master Billiba’s legion perhaps? He was a clone of Jango Fett, the same bone structure, same brown eyes, there was no way to fake that. Anakin reached out in the force, trying to figure out what was wrong.

The same information came to him as had been coming all week; droid forces approaching their armaments on all sides. Which...how did First get through?

"Corporal would you mind taking your helmet off?" Anakin asked.

The wind whispered of the man’s caution, but the helmet disengaged, and familiar brown eyes stared at him.

A suspicion formed.

It took time to get used to Jango Fett's face containing a million unique souls. Particularly as he came across the man before, when the Mando had taken a bounty out on him.

Anakin stepped into the rain clearing obstacles, making it easier to draw his sabre if he had to. Cody signature flared with concern, as sharp as always.

"Jango Fett." Anakin said.

"What's Prime got to do with this?" First’s tone was clipped, but he gave away nothing, his shields were as good as all the clones.

"Jedi can feel death you know? It's agony, loneliness, fear and Dark." Cleaned from mud the wrinkles and greying hair stood out. Even Alpha-17 one of the oldest clones had less age.

"Jabiim must be awful," Jango Fett said.

Anakin nodded turning back to the trees trusting the Force to alert him if the Jedi Killer moved. He directed the winds to swirl around Fett, scanning him with the force. Imitating a clone the man had been stripped of his beskar. But there were a few spots where the force burnt with trouble.

"Too much death and pain and a Jedi is likely to start making stupid decisions, missing the obvious.”

"You're regretting not going after the 212?"

"I'll regret that for the rest of my life, yes. But I don't believe it was a stupid decision. Rather the only one I could make." Anakin shook his head. "I was talking about what happened on Gladeraan, with Prime."

"What happened sir?"

The winds caught a slip of emotion through the man’s shields, a banked rage of revenge, and the caution of someone who was sure they were caught, but didn't want to jump the plasma rifle. Speaking of the force, it was warning him heavily of the standard issue weapon at his hip. Was Jango truly that fast on the draw? Or had he modified the weapon somehow?

"A faction of Mandalorian's were killing innocents. The jedi were provided evidence of wrongdoing, and hampered by death they missed there were two groups."

This was probably the closest a Jedi ever came to apologising for that day.

"You must have been young? Prime was with us for years."

"I wasn't even born. Which is not the point. I know you and your brothers are raised to think Jedi are perfect."

Anakin shook his head, Jango relaxed as Anakin looped him in with his brothers. "We aren't. We've made mistakes, terrible, unforgivable, horrific mistakes.”

"That bad?" Jango said.

"Worse, and they regret it. For whatever that is worth Jang--"

The Mando didn't wait for him to finish confirming his name, pulling his weapon and firing.

But Anakin already spun igniting his lightsabre, his precognition allowing him plenty of time to block. But the calmness of being in the right place never came.

Anakin held his position. Moving to catch the sweet spot was a deadly failure when facing someone who was prepared for a force user.

The slug from the modified standard issue plasma rifle impacted his blade. The magnetic field, brought the slug to a stop. Wind tugged at his hand, but it was too late the hot shrapnel dripped down onto it.

A searing heat charred through Anakin, his hand spasmed tight. But he had no time, the man was on top of him.

The beskar knife held up against his blade as Anakin blocked. Impact nearly wrenching the hilt from his injured grasp. Anakin retreated, his burn finding cool relief in the rain.

Jango followed, barraging countless lightning-fast strikes down, Anakin was hard pressed to keep up. The sands drunk his pain and the winds stabilised his hand.

Anakin, pushed away from the troop transport and potential backup, was on his own. Jango was steering the fight so Cody and the other clones couldn't get a clear shot.

He needed to get control, his hand was barely holding up. No one at the temple trained him in knife vs lightsabre fights, Anakin would loose, unless he shifted the game. He fell back on his Master's tried and true technique.

"I’m curious, did you have an army full of children you'd sold when you protested being a slaver?"

Jango hesitated and Anakin got enough time to dance around so his back was to the troop transport.

"They're not sentient," Jango came after him again.

"Keep telling yourself that." He retreated back towards the transport, still in the line of fire but at least the men were close.

"What, can the Jetti feel them?"

"Unique with their own fears and desires? Why yes we can."

Anakin blocked a stab at his kidneys his grip faltering, before he forced more wind into his hand retightening.

"How could you condemn them to this?" Anakin asked, "Cheep armour, no names, born to die in a fight which isn't theirs."

Anakin stabbed at Jango's heart, for a second he thought it would get through his defences, but he got his knife up parring and pushing his sabre to the side.

"Although I do have to give them one thing," Anakin unleashed a flurry of attacks

"What?" Jango blocked them, a rock unmoved by the fiercest storms.

Anakin disengaged clearing the line of fire. Seven shots all hit target.

Retracting his lightsabre, he stepped forward bending down and grabbing the stunned man out of the mud, "They're the best shots in the galaxy."

"Sir?" Cody called from the transport.

Anakin hoisted Jango over his shoulder, pulling him towards shelter, dropping him on the floor he searched for weapons before securing him with cuffs.

"Is that seriously Prime?" a clone standing in shock beside Cody asked.

“it’s him,” Cody said.

Anakin nodded, turning to the pilot, “take us up.”

The pilot fired up the engines lifting off

"What’s going to happen to Prime," the same clone as before asked.

"We'll take him back to coruscant but," Anakin shook his head. There weren’t great chances of being able to hold him. There was no crime in being the genetic template for clones. Imitating a clone?  Maybe but it was far beyond established precedent.

"What was he even doing here?" Cody asked.

"We'll see when he wakes up."

The medical Bay of the Venator was a step up from the tent they had on the ground. But a flight down from the temple’s facilities. That said, Anakin was certain the disapproval Helix mastered was standard issue for all healers.

"You put your badly injured hand in mud sir?"

Anakin winced; he hadn't exactly been thinking when he had done it.

"And this was after you had fought with Prime?"

He nodded.

"And you don't want to go to a proper medical facility to get it fixed."

Anakin hoped Ferus and Tae would be at the meeting point in a week. To make his way to a medical facility and be treated would have him over a tenday late. But he needed a lightsabre hand.

"I've got an appointment in a week.”

"Cancel it,” Helix said. “If you want to keep your hand, let the clones handle whatever you need to do.”

Anakin shook his head before Helix finished, because the men couldn't do this run. Jabiim's atmosphere made all their instruments difficult. He relied on the force for direction, the men positioned themselves off him. Any clone led flight could navigate no more precisely than up and down. They'd never get to the meeting point.

The other Force sensitives had been recalled to the temple near the second they reported in. Anakin being freed from the order due to being on clean up.

No Anakin needed to be leading the mission in a week.

Helix sighed, "I can do my best to clean and sanitize the wound. With a local Bacta bath I'll get you use back. But the chances I'll miss some nasty critter and it'll go septic?"

"Nonzero."

"Try near certainty. I'll give you broad spectrum antibiotics but you'll either have to undergo successive surgeries to remove infected tissue or you'll lose the hand."

"I'll take it."

Helix sighed, "Very good sir, and your stance on Pain meds?"

"Unchanged."

No jedi liked pain meds, being unable to clearly connect and release pain into the force was far more disconcerting and ultimately painful than any pain medication could eliminate.

Helix nodded, wheeling over a tray with various instruments on. Grabbing the tweezers he sat, grasping hold of Anakin’s hand, picking melted slug and grime out of the burns.  

Anakin sunk into the force, pushing the signals from his burning nerves into the sands.

Cody’s gentle breeze was getting closer, the rattling clack of his boots and armour on the venators floors soon joined the force in letting Anakin know his location.  

"Helix?" Commander Cody called. “Have you seen the commander?”

"In here Commander," Anakin said.  

Cody pushed open the curtains. Looking at Anakin's hand for half a second before forcing his eyes away. The blistered reddened mess not pleasant viewing.

"Commander Skywalker sir," Cody said. "You look busy, I'll come--"

"Stay Captain, what is it?"

"Prime's going to be waking soon.”

"You'll have to take care of the interrogation and containment yourself Captain. The Commander isn't doing anything but resting," Helix said.

As much as Anakin wished he could protest, if anyone had the right to the first interrogation of prime it was the clones. And Cody was competent enough to handle it.

Still the fresh Captain hesitated.

"You're more than capable Captain and if you need any backup I'll be round," Anakin said.

Chapter Text

Anakin never got a chance to catch up with Cody for the rest of the week. Going from the Commander to the ranking officer of the remaining venators was challenging. Between the paperwork, steep learning curve and the Nat-borns questioning his authority he was run off his feet.

The navy was not keen to risk their ships for another week on the off chance they could save Jedi and clones. Particularly when the only evidence they had there was any survivors was the Force.

He’d had to pull rank, the experienced military men handled it better than the Padawans, restricting themselves to grumbles and making his life harder rather than open mutiny. Was it his age or his inexperienced leading which was inspiring rebellion? Anakin wished he had the time to study how Cody got the men to answer to him without question.

But all his spare time was planning the run down to the planet’s surface. The challenges communicating in atmosphere required an upgrade to the fighters’ systems. In the dry climate-controlled air of the hanger bay they got to work, doing the upgrades they dared not risk attempting on Jabiim. Anakin wasn’t looking forward to the lecture he would undoubtedly get for shortening the lifetime of the components to get more power, but if they were shot down on their next mission what did it matter?

“Sir,” Wrench said, pulling him from his thoughts.

“Yes.”

“Why do they have these voltage limiters?”

Anakin walked over to the open hatch of the escort fighters they were planning to take. As a mechanic he was ashamed to say he was less familiar with the eta class ships than he wanted.

The Military commander in him knew he’d been far too busy to truly look under the hood.

Nothing was out of the ordinary. The Voltage limiters were standard in most electrical components, insurance to protect the delicate instruments in their communications from power surges.

But Wrench more than proved himself an engineer on Jabiim, holding together their rotting, rusting fleet with shear competence and ingenuity. There must be more to his question, so he took a second look.

The voltage limiters were oversized, the components capable of far more than they were restricted to. In fact the true specs of the Machine in front of him matched the upgrade the GAR hadn’t purchased.

“Switch them out with 48 volt.”

“Yes sir,” Wrench said, “but why did they artificially limit—“

“Capitalism.”

The clone who never had to deal with the outside world before remained blank faced.

“It’s cheaper to oversize the voltage limiters than to have a different assembly line for the cheaper model.”

“But…How many…”

How many of their pilots hadn’t made it to the ground because their communications were underpowered?

“Send out a service bulletin to all the clones to upgrade, I’ll talk to the high council about it.” Anakin offered all he could in comfort.

Determined not to be caught off guard again because they didn’t know the true specs of their machines Anakin spent a full afternoon buried in the schematics and hardware of their equipment.

Though it was a pleasant break and Anakin found several more artificially limited pieces of kit, the reality of the situation soon crept back in.

Had he done enough to prepare? Was he providing too much hope to the men taking all their transports? Force knows even ten men making it to the meeting point would be a surprise. Should they have done more simulator training with the pilots?

Fortunately their preparations were enough, all the pilots managing to stay in formation through the cloud cover and arrive on Anakin’s six.

The clearing he set his ship down in appeared to be the one he selected a week ago. Unfortunately with the low cloud cover and bad communications, all be it better than before, there was no way to confirm, but a cool breeze approved of his choice.

Anakin tried to convince himself the forms on the ground were men. But as he got closer he could no longer pretend, the only soldiers here were the thin tenacious trees who were the forward guard in the battle between the forest and the granite floor of the clearing. Anakin sent the desert wind out searching for the men. But the forest was too full of life and Anakin too unfamiliar with the men’s signatures to pick them out.

Despite the lack of men they landed with the dawn, they would stay for as long as they could. Anakin settled in for the wait, checking the wrappings on his hand were tight, if he got the wound dirty Helix would kill him. A shout startled him, whipping around Anakin saw splashes of white amongst the green and brown. Clones broke from the trees in their muddy armour.

Anakin's heart rose, clones pouring from the trees in numbers, he didn't dear hope for. He recognised one of the first Clones to arrive at the transport.

 “Commander Grey, good to see you.”

“You too sir.” Commander Grey had been assigned to Master Billiba with any luck it meant at least one surviving jedi.

“How many men are we expecting?”

“1500 men at last count.”

Over five times the men they thought survived.

“They still coming in?”

“We were found and backed in by the separatist and the nationalists yesterday.” Commander Grey said, “Anyone still out there is dead or a prisoner.”

Should he ask about Obi-wan? No it’d distract him too much.

“Any Jedi?”

“Yes sir. They are covering our retreat, insisted on being the last to leave.”

Anakin nodded, the first wave had been able bodied men but the ones coming now were leaning on their brothers, a few on makeshift stretches.

They were securing the exfill point, then they would get the slow and injured out while the able bodied covered their back. Anakin looked at captain grey and knew both of them intended to be the last off this sodden rock.

“Sir, we are full,” Wings, one of the clone pilots said. “Should we leave?”

“Negative, the seppies don’t seem to know we are here, we’ll keep it that way for as long as possible,” Anakin said.

They would stay grounded until they had either gotten all the men on board or the seppies proved they knew their position.  With luck the endless rain and low visibility would be on their side for once.

Almost as soon as he thought it a plasma shot rocketed out of the trees, it missed by meters, but it was proof they knew where they were.

“Alright then, full transports return to base, escorts in the air and return fire. Keep close to the cloud base to maintain orientation and use them as cover.” Anakin ordered, the engines of the surrounding transports and fighters spooled up.  

Cold wet and full of more hope than he managed in a week. Anakin still got a shot of relief at the lightsabre's emerging from the fog. The rear guard, the end was in sight.

Tae and Ferus’s familiar forms bust through the trees. But Obi-wan wasn’t there. He'd been sure the cold air off Obi-wan’s oasis were still blowing. He clasped a hand on Ferus's shoulder as he helped the man up into the transport. Anakin battled the intrusive desire to grip his hand around the padawan’s neck, would the force accept Ferus’s death for Obi-wan’s life?

He let Ferus go to his seat.

Knight Tachi mouthed ‘sorry’ from where she sat down next to her Padawan. The two chatting quietly as the last few loaded up.

They used each and every spot, clones balanced on brothers’ knees but the granite was clear of soldiers as they lifted off, even the sickly trees trampled.

Retuned to the venator he left the settling of the new men to the higher ranked Masters. Not wishing to interact with the hanger crew yet, Anakin tucked himself into the small but private fresher on the LAT.

Was Jabiim going to be the last place he’d hug his master? Their bond had been a consistent air current in the force since arriving at the temple, and it remained so. But for how long? This had been his last lead, his last hope.

“Prisoner escape, Lockdown,” their alarm system called.  “Prisoner escape, Lockdown”

His apparent limit for personal time reached, he rushed to the cockpit to lock the controls for the fighter as was standard in these situations.

The wind tugged his attention. There. One of the clones had a signature which didn’t belong.

Jango Fett.

He’d have the fighter, he was heading to, started before anyone realised he wasn’t meant to be there. But Anakin was close. The force whipped out at him, but he couldn’t let the man go. His hand throbbed.

But the force was insistent, okay not stopping then, but Anakin could track him? With a much more positive response Anakin darted across the hanger covering his movements under the wing of the fighter Jango was headed towards.

One of the artificially locked features of the eta fighter was the transponder. Anakin ripped off the limiter. With out a replacement the entire system would be vulnerable to power surges, but with any luck it last long enough. What was better the software only knew and registered the short range transponder, making the medium invisible to the pilot, impossible to lockdown. They’d have a trackable signal for as long as Fett was in the system.

Anakin closed the hatch, hurrying back into the LAT. Had Fett seen him? but the fighter rumbled to life and blasted out of the hanger without hesitation.

Commander Cody and a squad of clones arrived at the hanger a clattering to a halt as they saw the ship escape. A Jedi Master arriving a second after.

“What prisoner escaped?” Master Daith asked, his niece following shortly behind.

“Jango Fett, General,” Cody said.

“Are we going to let him go?” Tae Daith said.

“I don’t see what other option we—“

“I got a tracker on board,” Anakin interrupted Cody.

“You didn’t stop him?”  Tae said.

“The Force said to track him,” Anakin shrugged, “I assume we are meant to follow.”

“We can assist,” the Corporal of the squad volunteered.

“Good man.” Anakin clapped him on the shoulder wincing has his hot and itchy hand throbbed from impact.

The squad filed into one of the other transports Anakin prepping to follow.

“Padawan, Jango Fett isn’t a high value target.” Master Daith said.

“Firstly its knight. Secondly, since when did we start trusting military intel over the force?”

Anakin spun and stepped into the ship before the Jedi General remembered he out ranked him as a commander no matter how flat the command structure between Knight and Master was meant to be.

Chapter Text

Obi-wan hated the weather on Jabiim but the competence of the clones was a welcome relief from his memories of Meildaan.

It made all the difference when the AT-AP fell towards him and Alpha-17. Instinctively he pushed up with the force long enough for the clone to tackle him clear of most of the hunk of metal. Still it pinned them both bad enough they were stuck watching their men fall back and leave them behind enemy lines. Easy pickings for the new dual wielding Sith Acolyte.

Pulled from the battlefield Obi-wan was hung suspended from the ceiling across from Alpha-17 who was nursing a terribly wrenched knee. Ventress left him alive to torment, to make Obi-wan watch his pain, to break him more than the sith torture mask did. Not to say he appreciated the mask, he certainly didn’t, but the soul wrenching horrors it showed him, was better in some ways than being forced to watch someone suffer for him.

The mask was learning though, its choices becoming personalised. Was it learning from his responses or taking advantage of his shields being weakened by pain to discover his fears? Obi-wan’s money was on the second option, the mask was getting too good too quickly, no one tormented Obi-wan better than himself.

The idea he could last until rescue held strong for an hour of Ventress’s dedicated company. Ways to escape, or to minimise the torment followed. He didn’t know what the Republic forces were doing well enough to betray them, but surely he could lie?

If intel was the goal at all, the whispers of power and the chances to escape from the mask made him doubtful. No the sith acolyte wanted him to fall.

Had they made a mistake trying to figure out what the darkside was? He wasn't as scared of it as he was as an initiate, nursed on stories of how irredeemable the darkside made you. He wasn't as disgusted by it as he was as a padawan, after the horror Xanatos inflicted. And he wasn't as angry at it as he was as a young knight for taking his Master away.

Instead the accounts of people who recovered from the dark after a short exposure, amplified the mask’s whispers. He would be strong enough to resist, if he only used it for a short time. But then again if Obi-wan had proven anything in his life it was he was nothing special. For every account of coming back there were three of being lost. Three of a person ripping and tearing everything they loved to the ground.

It was those accounts which held him fast to the light, not a Jedi mantra. Being alone was the truth of falling, the darksider killing and destroying all their interpersonal relationships. The momentary mask given visions he could endure. Anakin, Quinlan, Bant and all his other precious people had one life to lose, the mask already showed him a thousand of their deaths. The true horror would come if he endangered their one to avoid the thousands.

Every once in a blessed moon the mask was removed and reality rushed in. Alpha-17 was pale and barely conscious; he was worse every time Obi-wan saw him. But if he’d learnt anything about the tough as nails man it was he wouldn’t appreciate his brothers being endangered for him. No Alpha-17 would rather the torture.

Free from the mask the pale cruel woman was a welcome relief after the days in torment. Real lifeforms and a break from the manufactured realities soothed his soul. Even if she was his torturer and never brought good news. This time she echoed the sentiments of the mask, his Padawan was as good as dead, she sent Jango Fett, the Sith killer after him, and the GAR were leaving, packing up and forgetting about him. Whether her claims were truer than the masks were unknown, but it was another cut to his tormented soul. The wound was deeper than the thousands of deaths his loved ones underwent in the cruel imaginings of the Sith mask because with Ventress there was true fear she was right.

She left with a cackle, refastening the mask. He was weakening with every hour, his counter points against falling, drowning in the blood of the visions and the hopelessness of his situation. All which separated him from the monstrous Sith of the stories, was time.

If he took the power offered, Ventress would die, he’d be free. He was going to break anyway.

Power, Anakin found survival as a familiar through line of fall accounts. Obi-wan was more convinced it was power. The desire for extra, more than you were entitled to from the force, he thought it was that greed which brought you to the dark. It was after all what the Sith were always going around offering. They designed a set of Analysis's to determine which of them were right, but a new hypothesis occurred to Obi-wan as he analysed the masks attempts to draw him to the darkside.

What if it was both?

The idea the darkside was an adrenalin type boost for force users, fit most of the accounts, it was there when you were desperate and pushed to your limits. But people used the darkside for their entire lives, how could you run on excess for life. An observation which stumped Anakin. But what if you initially fell due to adrenaline but those who stayed in the dark stayed for greed?

Obi-wan mentally shrugged and started projecting images and thoughts to observe how the Sith’s mask responded. Focusing on how the mask changed the visions depending on his thoughts was less torturous than experiencing them helplessly.

By the time the ship shuddered with take-off, and Ventress returned to rub the separatists victory in his face he established several patterns. What he decerned matched his hypothesis. To fall like a Sith, first you had to be in the survival mode Anakin championed, the Sith mask provided motivation from pain and nightmares. But the next step the one which distinguished dips into the dark from dives, was the pushing the force for more. More power. Power which the force provided by forcing you further into a survival state. Which cycled endlessly, using power granted to gain more power from the force. Until you were destroying everything you ever loved, for a grain of extra influence.

It was a nice hypothesis which fit all the information he had well. But did he risk his soul on the theory? Alpha-17 cried out in pain, Ventress’s claws twisting the man’s mangled knee.

Obi-wan couldn’t watch, his short breaks from the mask, contaminated by Alpha-17’s pain.

Soul or not he had no choice, they’d left Jabiim, no one would find them. And it was better he broke before he became too desperate and grasped the power offered like a drowning man.

Ventress reattached the sith mask being called away before she could finish her butchering of Alpha-17’s leg. Waiting until she was truly gone Obi-wan relaxed against the darkside accepting its offered help. The strength he first felt when he fought the zabrak on Naboo rushed through him.

 And unlike the light the Sith mask was susceptible to it, with a push the black monstrosity shattered. His bindings and Alpha-17's barely a thought in comparison.

He was unstoppable if he always had this pow--NO he was free of the Mask, he no longer needed the dark. Obi-wan breathed in, steeping deeper into the force’s lake trying to find his balance once more. But the dark clung twisting around, a claggy toxin which stuck to him like an oil spill to an Alderaani sea-pelican. Had he been wrong? had he doomed himself?

A jerk and blaring alarm told him he'd run out of time to worry. He pulled open the door, using the oil slicked force. The dark.

He didn't think the alarm had been for his escape, nor the jerk. Something had gone wrong as they tried to move to hyperspace. Had he given up too soon? Hope and despair mixed in him when he touched his Padawan's massive ocean of a force signature. On the one hand he was saved, on the other he fell for an incorrect hypothesis seconds before his rescue.

Would his Padawan leave Obi-wan to Ventress for falling? Would the council accept him back? He wasn’t enough to escape his padawan. He lost their duels more often than not now, he needed more powe—. Obi-wan shook his head hoping the physical act would clear his mind. There was no way in Sith's hell his Padawan would abandon him for a fall. The worst he'd do was experiment with/on him.

Mind made up, he hauled Alpha-17 over his shoulder and snuck through the hull towards his Padawan’s signature. He spotted the blade of Anakin before he caught sight of the unharmed blond curls. Absolute relief and love filtered through the dark until it surrounded him, it grew brighter as he revelled in it igniting the oil slick until only clear water remained.

Anakin was locked in a duel with Ventress, the dark jumped to offer once more, but Obi-wan refused. He had faith in his Padawan, Ventress might be a decent sword's woman, but she wasn't a match for Anakin. And it was clear she knew it, distracting the knight and bolting a moment later.

Obi-wan dragged Alpha-17 faster.

"Little late aren't you?" Obi-wan said.

Anakin shot him a near mad smile, "sorry I had to wait for Fett to escape."

"And you know the saying, Mando's do love to take their time." Obi-wan said.

Alpha-17 snorted, a lot was said about Mandalorian's, their lazy escapes of captivity was not one of them.

"Exactly, I thought we'd have to give him an engraved invitation." Anakin performed a series of particularly brutal thrusts and emptied the corridor of their remaining enemies, before ducking under Alpha-17’s other arm, leading them off.

Obi-wan followed, trusting the other man to have a plan. He frowned, okay not a plan, plan but he'd trusted Anakin to get him out of worse situations than this.

Fortunately it appeared Anakin's strategy of winging it worked once more. As they managed to escape out of the trash compartment and into a waiting L.A.T.

The pilot ducked out of the ship’s shadow and darted back toward the Venator. Friendly fighters engaging the expected resistance and taking a vulture droid off their tail. Pulling past the engagement Obi-wan deemed it safe enough to embrace his Padawan, wishing to sink into his familiar presence. Anakin moved away. pulling his bandaged bound sabre hand close and wincing.

"What is it dear heart?" Obi-wan asked.

"Morning my future self after Helix murders me." Anakin said.

Obi-wan frowned but they were already entering the venator’s hanger. The fighters returning a moment later.

“Medical, dear heart?” Obi-wan wasn’t keen on going but Anakin seldom showed pain. If he was wincing it was bad.

But it appeared medical had come to them, clones rushing in. Out of the three Obi-wan was the least injured and was cleared to rest after an electrolyte boost, while his Padawan and Alpha-17 were whisked away. He stood at the intersection of the path between his quarters and the medical bay staring along the hall his Padawan had gone. But Anakin was in good hands, and Obi-wan couldn’t deal with medical on top of the mind kriffing he had yet to sort out. He needed to meditate before he’d be able to brave the triggering antiseptic to be by his padawan’s side. He spun on his heals headed towards his quarters.

Typing in his code and entering his room, the venator jerked, jumping to hyperspace leaving Jabiim to the separatists.

Obi-wan hadn’t the time to decorate his cramped quarters. Well cramped for him, for a military ship they were luxurious. Still he wished he’d the time to bring a throw pillow or two, particularly for meditation. Obi-wan sighed as he folded himself down on the spiky excuse for carpet, starting the process of going through his signature with a fine-tooth comb.

His head was a mess to no one’s surprise, whether it was the war, the mask or his fall was anyone’s guess. But the blast of positive emotions seemed to have rid him of the dark. Now all he had to do was to sort out his feelings regarding the torture.

Chapter Text

With the assistance of the force he was mostly recovered from the ordeal, save for the nightmares, by the time they reached Coruscant. Obi-wan wished he could say the same of Anakin and Alpha-17. The clones knee deemed irreparable he was recalled to Kamino, only Shaak Ti's presence preventing him being 'decommissioned.'

And his padawan was down an arm. Infection forced Helix to amputate within the hour of their traversal through a trash compactor. Despite Anakin not yet getting his prosthetic fitted, he had already been regaled with his plans for upgrades. He had no doubt Anakin would recover from his loss, but...Obi-wan wasn't over it yet. Self-centred maybe but his Padawan lost his hand for the council's bloody stupid strategies.

"Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker home you are, good this is," Yoda said.

The warm welcome appeased some of Obi-wan’s protective rage, "Glad to be back."

"As glad as we are you are home," Master Windu said, "The Jabiim campaign was a bitter failure."

Obi-wan thought he demonstrated great self-control not saying I told you so. From the beginning of the campaign, he'd pointed out the disastrous weather, the communications and instrument disrupting atmosphere. Unfortunately, those were the reasons the Senate had for never providing Jabiim with desperately needed aid in the past. He was pretty sure the council had been disgusted with him when he echoed them.

They entirely missed the senate refused to aid Jabiim when they had the Jabiim natives’ cooperation.  Not to mention most of their requests had to do with providing medical and food aid, they wouldn’t have had to step foot on world. Marching an Army was a very different deal, the weather mattered.

For all Obi-wan was resisting saying I told you so admirably, Anakin could always be relied upon.

"It went to kriff for all the reasons Obi-wan pointed out.”

"A little rain isn’t the reason for your failure." Master Mundi said.

Oh Obi-wan regretted ever having any decorum.

"A little rain?" Anakin stared at the tall headed man, “It doesn't rain a grand total of 5 days in a Jabiim year. Do you know what kind of pathogens can live in mud? What kind of impact being constantly wet can have on humans? We had food provisions, and Ammo for another month at least. Bacta a plenty, Antibiotics and antifungals?"

"In short," Obi-wan interrupted, "The mud and weather are absolutely the main factors towards the council's failure on Jabiim."

The pulsing vain which appeared on Master Mundi's rather large temple never brought him the satisfaction it brought Anakin. Obi-wan braced himself for the fallout, but Master Windu broke in.

"You are right Knight Skywalker, Master Kenobi we made a bad call."

Obi-wan tried to calm himself. The Council wasn't the enemy, Mace's Padawan had been as close to lost as his own.

"We sent out four times the number of troops which returned," Master Koon said. "Without knight Skywalker's actions we would have had a far worse outcome."

"We are here for two reasons," Master Ti said staring down Master Mundi whose face and force presence twisted sour. "One to congratulate and thank Knight Skywalker and to ask Master Kenobi to be on this council."

Obi-wan couldn't do anything but blink. The high council hadn't even been on his radar of possibilities. But the head of the Order Mace Windu nodded in conformation.

"We are unfortunately committed to this war, the senate officially drafted us." Master Windu said. "But hopefully your influence might prevent as terrible decisions being made in the future."

Obi-wan glanced around at the full set of seats, even if several contained the Blue holo-grams from distant places.

"Stand down I will. Still suffer from my time with Dooku I do. Time and reduced workload the healers demand."

And hadn't that sithly reveal been fun? Master Yoda had gone to his old Padawan in hopes of securing peace and returned half dead. Fractal scars littering his body and his soul wounded.

The eldest of the council was now relegated to his hover chair all the time. Fortunately, though he'd never be able to walk or sabre fight again, the healers were expecting him to live out the remainder of his life in excellent health. For all the problems he and Anakin had with the grandmaster’s philosophies, he grew up with Yoda as a constant source of wisdom and kindness. To lose the man would be a far greater loss than his impressive Ataru could ever be.

"With any luck it will mean Master Yoda's retirement but..." Master Windu said.

"No one believes all of us are making it through this war," Master Billiba said. "Chances are it'll barely be enough medical leave."

It was with those heavy words Obi-wan was inducted into the high council.

Chapter Text

The war all the Senator's promised would be over by lifeday dragged its way into the second year and Anakin was getting tired. Not physically tired but spiritually, the deaths of these men who had never known freedom weighed on him. Their pure Joy at being able to paint their armour or use their names a bitter sweetness. On the one hand they were making the men's lives better, on the other such small courtesies weren't expected.

They contacted both Ekkreth's Lukka and Padmé about finding a way to get the clones rights or running them to freedom, but the Senate wasn't willing to hear them out. And Ekkreth’s Lukka at a complete loss of how to free millions with the same face. It wasn't like they could hide them with in the masses.

On the plus side he had been doing well at keeping Snips out of the field. The young Togruta was certain she was ready to become his Padawan, and Anakin couldn’t deny the force was pushing him in her direction. But...this was war. Anakin was certain Obi-wan would have kept him out of it if he'd had half a chance, who was Anakin to do any less?

Or he had been successful, he'd been out of contact with the temple long enough Snips completed his last training regimen and Yoda sent her out before he could assign a new one. His new Padawan combined with the betrayal of Slick in the last campaign hit Anakin hard.

Which wasn't even mentioning their next mission; save Rotta, a huttlet, for access to Tatooine’s trade lines. But Anakin knew the Hutts would use the opportunity to consolidate their power and the Republic was desperate. They would hand the Hutts the keys to render any chips Ekkreth’s Lukka managed to make in their power base moot.

The republic would be enforcing slavery with their army of slaves. His disgust at the entire idea clung to him, clogging his throat with bile.

 The council decided without Obi-wan’s input, their communications cut off on Christophis, to send him.  What in sith’s hells were they thinking? Conflict of interest was the politest way of saying he was considering letting the huttlet die.

His reasons were a multitude and varied, but not the least of it was the shear suicide of all their plans for taking the monastery on Teth. Loosing good men to enforce slavery was not what he'd signed up for as a Jedi, but Ahsoka made a good point, the huttlet was innocent.

Searching the monastery again for an easier way in, Anakin sighed giving into Rex's suggestion of climbing the cliffs vertically.

"We need a fighter squadron to cover our climb. And rig some kind of Safety net to catch those who are injured," Anakin said.

"Were will we be Master?" Ahsoka said,

"At the front of the climbers, deflecting as much fire away from the men as possible"

Anakin and Obi-wan had a habit of taking the most dangerous roles whenever they could. On the one hand they defended a whole lot of men, on the other it meant Ahsoka would fight beside him. Putting the young togruta in more danger than Anakin was comfortable with.

Not to mention the force was blearing this entire mission was a trap. The High Council might accept his caution, but they answered to the senate and the rest of the GAR. The Force said so, didn't cut it as a reason to let valuable hyperspace routes fall to the wayside.

Anakin gave the orders to attack, how many good men would die for a single life?

The men’s shock and pain as they fell off the ropes behind him burned in the midday suns. Anakin pushed the heat into the sand, but Ahsoka froze, still new to death. Gently Anakin wrapped his winds, as cool as he could make them, around his student, giving her a gentle nudge.

Snapping back to reality they started the slow blood-filled trudge up the cliff face once more. A quarter of the men they started with crawled over the top ledge. Exhausted from climbing vertically the men all but crawled behind cover, huffing to regain their breath. Anakin, who bolstered himself with the force and wasn’t half as tired, volunteered himself and Snips further into the monastery, trusting the men to secure their foothold and way out.

Anakin always hated Ventress, the woman's treatment of Obi-wan when he'd been captured reason enough. But her trapping and killing his men on mass cemented his hate. Obi-wan may have hope the woman could be saved from the dark, but right then looking back at the destruction and death she caused, he could not summon the charity such faith would require.

They managed to escape Teth with the huttlet in tow and 212 close enough they'd save the majority of the remaining men from their pinned positions.

"Master?" Ahsoka asked.

"Yeah Snips?"

"Is it always like this? Like Teth and Christophis?"

Anakin established them in hyperspace before focusing on his padawan. This wasn’t the kind of conversation to be had with split attention.

"Both were karked missions," Anakin said. "But getting out with any survivors is sometimes all you can expect of a good day."

Ahsoka remained quiet, staring out the window at the stretched stars. The huttlet warbled pulling his padawan from her thoughts. She unbuckled going to check on Rotta.

 "I think there's something wrong with Stinky, he's burning up."

Anakin tried to ignore the catch in his padawan's voice, the grief whistling through her lush Forrest. He doubted it was about the huttlet, as compassionate as Ahsoka was, the child was still alive.

"See if there is a first aid kit in this thing."

Ahsoka moved away muffling her sobs as she searched the cupboards.

"Nothing Master."

"Then let’s hope we can return him to his father fast."

Anakin tried to release his resentment to the force, stinky after all was innocent. But despite his intentions it didn't dissipate, rather a long-forgotten memories of Gardulla hurting young slaves rose.

Anakin double checked they were on the correct hyperlanes for Tatooine before he slipped into meditation position.

"Come here Snips, we need clear minds for the days ahead."

Ahsoka sat back in the copilot seat, Rotta held in her arms. "Yes Master." But she couldn't settle readjusting herself every few moments.

"What is it?" Anakin asked.

"It's...Don't the men who died deserve our grief?"

"Of course, but what does the remaining men more good? Our grief? Feeling guilty about the deaths? Or having a clear head to make the best next decisions?"

"I suppose.”

"We also might be giving our initial reaction to the force to function. But our grief will come back, it always does."

"But don't we give those to the force too?"

"Not always, our emotions teach us valuable lessons, and if you don't listen to them they can appear in New ways."

Ahsoka's brow scrunched.

"Say I had a fear of public speaking, but Obi-wan made me do it anyway." Anakin truly was not fond of talking in front of an audience. "So I give my fear to the force. Problem solved right?"

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes suspicious of a trap but nodded.

"What about next time? I haven't dealt with the root cause of my fear. Next time Obi-wan asks me to speak in front of a crowd I want to snap at him. But I know it unfair, so I give it to the force. How long would it be before I hated Obi-wan and didn't truly remember why?"

"Fear leads to anger, anger to hate and Hate to suffering."

Anakin smiled, "Exactly, but most people interpret that saying as a direct shot from fear to suffering. So we should never be afraid, right?"

"How do you think about it?"

"Opportunity to choose different. What if fear led to courage? What if instead of giving my fear of public speaking to the force I face it? Accept where the fear comes from and decide to take a risk. In which case?"

"You never get angry at Obi-wan. Fear never leads to anger. But I've seen you give your emotions to the force."

"Your emotions are important. But they aren’t rational enough to leave on request. Or bother you at appropriate moments."

"Uncivilised little nerfhearders."

Anakin's mouth twitched when he explained this concept to Obi-wan after one of his therapy sessions, Obi-wan said something similar.

"Take public speaking, but now instead of for class it’s an improvised speech to stop a war. There is no chance to practice and prepare, I have to go and do a good job now or people will die."

"Then you give your fear to the force."

"Exactly Snips, I come back later and make sure there is nothing deeper than a basic fear of public speaking. But in the moment? I get rid of it to function."

Anakin smiled at the girl in front of him. "There is one other time I give my emotions to the force.”

"When?"

"If I've learnt all I can from them or there is nothing I can do. If we track my fear of public speaking to it source, it comes from some of the initiates making fun of my outer rim accent."

"But that’s a stupid thing to make fun of."

"It is," Anakin said. "But it fed into my fear of never being accepted and being alone. What can I do about those? They'll be part of me until I'm one with the force."

"Na, you'll become a ghost, but rather than haunt people you'll be haunted by your fears." Snips said.

Anakin poked her in the ribs, "I would protest but..." In all honesty it sounded like a him thing to do. "Those base fears come up at all sorts of times and behind all sorts of emotions. I've rationalised them away I know they are banthakark but they keep coming back."

"So you give them to the force?"

"Until they inevitably come up again, like mould," Anakin said.

"I'll never judge you for being honest about what your feeling," Anakin repeated one of the most valuable speeches his master had given him. "Your actions yes, but not your feelings." Anakin met Ahsoka's eyes making sure his message landed. "Right now you are feeling guilty, why?"

"I'm a commander but I couldn't protect the men."

"The death of our subordinates, certainly a reason to feel guilt. But you are a Padawan, Rex and I couldn't come up with a better strategy either. Why are you feeling guilty?"

Ahsoka eyes darted around, "ahhh...They died I should have been able to protect them."

"You did your best didn't you?"

"Of course I did.”

"You did your best, more experienced personal didn't have better orders to give. Why do you feel guilty?"

"Because," Ahsoka jumped up and began pacing across the narrow space. " Because I'm afraid. What if I'm not good enough, what if..."Ahsoka lent against the wall speaking into it hiding her words. "What if I should have stayed in the temple?"

Anakin heart hurt to not be able to instantly solve the girl’s struggles. " Good job snips. Now you've found the root of the emotion your halfway there."

"Halfway?" Ahsoka’s lips twitched as if trying to smile but fell short miserably, "You still don't think I'm ready to be out of the temple."

"Ahsoka no one is ready for war. Not me, not Master Kenobi and no not even you." Anakin stood up gathering the togruta into his arms. "You’re more than ready to be a padawan Snips...A commander? You should never have to. Because this is war...We are going to fight as hard as we can, and we are going to loose. But...we care. We care for the men everyone else thinks are disposable but we know better. I saw you deflect a hundred blaster bolts away from the men today, if you hadn't been there, who would have?"

Ahsoka looked up at him with wide red eyes.

"Thats why I can't take you and run. Because I can take the lead, take the hits. I'll care more about the men than the alternative," Anakin rested his cheek on her montails. "I've chosen my course, I understand my doubts and fears, but I still have to function so I?"

"Give them to the force," Ahsoka said.

Anakin nodded against her.

"What’s your anger telling you?"

It was too much to ask she hadn't noticed his emotions, wasn't it?

"That I am afraid. I'm afraid of the Hutts in my memories. I'm afraid of walking in the sands of Tatooine again. I'm afraid I'm going to help monsters for a war I don't believe in." Anakin may have done freedom runs to Tatooine, but he’d never left the ship.

"You don't believe in the war? Count Dooku is a Sith."

"But only Count Dooku, and yet we are fighting an entire political movement. Some of them, like the trade federation, want the freedom to operate without labour laws and oversight. Others have legitimate complaints with the republic and should be allowed to leave. There was a way to resolve this with words before it got this far.”

"Why do you hate the Hutt's so bad, you can barely even look at Rotta?"

Thankfully Anakin was saved from having to answer the question by the ping indicating they were about to drop from hyperspace.

Strapping himself in he prepared for the traditional Tatooine welcome.

Chapter Text

Tatooine did not disappoint, blasting his way through the waiting droids, he made his way down to the surface. A lucky shot quickly returned had them freefalling the last few meters. He 'landed' on the sand, pulling himself clear of his straps, helping Ahsoka and Rotta out. Though the floor was tilted, half sunk into the sand, the ship was in remarkably good shape.

The desert whispered of a dark presence, warning her lost son of the dangers contained. Anakin expected Ventress, she couldn’t have been too far behind following them from Teth. But this wasn’t her. Her cracked and fallen pillars of a force scape, were nothing to this one.

The cove could have been nice once, calm waters protected by outcrops. But now the water stilled, putrid and rotting, with something shifting beneath. It was a home fit for a tentacled monster, but Anakin suspected it was Count Dooku himself swimming in the black depths. Was Ventress truly irredeemable? If this was what a sith was like Ventress was a parsec away.

Anakin handed Stinky off to Ahsoka, they couldn’t hide, even if he managed to contain his force presence, alone on the sands at night? InfraRed would spot him in a second, but with luck if they split Dooku would come for him not her. Anakin wasn’t letting Ahsoka get close to the sith if he had half a choice.

"Be careful," Anakin said. "I might be keeping Dooku entertained, but it doesn't guarantee anything."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes at him. "Yes Master."

Snips ran off, Anakin stood tracking her progress until she made it to the edge of his vision in the dark. Turning Anakin filled up his pack with stones, wrapping his winds around it, shielding it from detection as if the pack was the huttlet. The monstrous sea creature slurped closer, the count’s speeder appearing from behind a lumbering shadow of a dune.

The man dismounted igniting his red sabre. In clear light he might have seemed sophisticated. Sharp tailored clothes, distinguished grey beard. In an odd way he reminded Anakin of Obi-wan, men who wouldn’t be out of place in high society nor walking the streets.

But this wasn’t the right lighting. Silhouetted by his speeder’s headlights and underlit by his sabre the man looked a villain, the type to tame a tentacled horror to do his bidding. Perhaps he had, the monster near crushed Master Yoda in its maw after all. This man could kill him, and after he lay dead he’d track down Snips and slaughter her too.

Anakin let his pride and love of Snips well up, bubbling up through his sands releasing into the winds which patrolled the edges of his desert. Sand blasting any murk which encroached. Love being used as a technique against the dark was something he and Obi-wan practiced extensively since his stint in a Sith Mask.

"Impressive shields for one so young," Dooku said

"You should see my sabre work," Anakin circled the Sith trying to get clear of the blinding speeder lights.

Dooku chuckled, "You should know pride always goes before a fall."

No one new exactly why Count Dooku fell. Hypothesises ranged from gladeraan, his work with Sith artifacts or the death of his Padawan Qui-gon, but no one knew what the final push had been. "Is that how it happened for you? Pride?"

"It is the jedi who are prideful."

Which didn't answer his question after all Master Dooku had been a Jedi who fell, "So is that a yes?"

Dooku snarled. He leapt from his place, attacking with precise blows creating an impenetrable distance between them. His speed of reaction an indication he'd be lucky to return alive let alone with all his limbs unless he used his brain.

Another flurry of blows confirmed his suspicions. The elder hadn't resorted to Sith specific techniques yet. The Lichtenburg scars on Yoda proved he was capable of Sith lightning. But Anakin wasn’t a threat… yet. Disengaging Anakin flipped away to gain himself time to think.

They had different goals. He was fighting to gain Snips time, Dooku was fighting to kill. Recovering the Huttlet was secondary for him.

Anakin switched his form to Soresu. Boring, yes. Good at keeping the sith from slicing him in two? Also, yes. Countless hours helping Obi-wan perfect the technique made him excellent at it, even if it wasn’t his favourite. But when playing for time Soresu was better. He could do it, and he could do it for hours. He had time Dooku did not.

"Soresu how dull.”

But Anakin knew better Dooku used Makashi, he was slower to react than a competent Soresu practitioner. Their differing precognition times altering their preferred forms.

Anakin scoffed, "You could never get the timing right huh? Always a little too slow?"

He had truly taken after Obi-wan too much. Using both his form and taunting his enemies. If he survived this Anakin promised to spend time with some other Jedi.

"Oh, I bet you tried," Anakin said. "it’s a simple form but you could never quite manage, at least not to your exacting standards."

Anakin read and heard all the gossip of what Dooku had been like as a Jedi.

Dooku snarled, the beast puppetting it’s master. He attacked with a brutally fast combination.

"You should know better than to enrage a Sith boy." Dooku’s sludge dripped down to his sabreless hand gathering the Force.

His sands blasted at him in warning, Anakin jumped back as long and as high as he could. Lightning chased him. With any luck force lightning was simple electricity and the second it left the Sith's hand it would arch for the nearest grounding points. But of course Anakin wasn't lucky, the user guided the lightning to its target.

His next instinct was his lightsabre which he raised to block the attack. And though it stopped him being nailed in the face, the force still caused his blade and himself be pushed back. His blade far too close to his eye, seared across his cheek. He locked his prosthetic wrist tight. Had it only the strength of his natural wrist the blade would have penetrated taking his eye. Considering the alternative Anakin would happily take the scar. Still Anakin made a mental note to himself, don't get hit by sith lightning again.

Winds laughed at him. He was becoming a human lightning rod, wasn't he?

Dooku back in combat range, struck. Anakin danced away, glowing after images of the lightsabre parries becoming a slowly fading account of their previous moves in the night.

"Now back on the topic of your failings as a Soresu user," Anakin said.

"Really boy?"

"It got a reaction, didn't it? Makashi requires strategy. And take it from someone who knows, you can't think when you’re angry." Anakin perked up, "Hey do you think that’s why the Sith keep on loosing? They do something stupid because they're angry and then the Jedi, who do nothing but think, take over?"

Dooku slashed at Anakin’s midsection, and he dodged back.

"Whereas the jedi will last forever?"

"Hardly forever, but till the end of your life," Anakin shrugged. "Who can say?"

Anakin however lost the point of the fight to the bickering and ignored a strike to his shoulder which the force hadn't warned him of, assuming it would fall short.

To his and the forces credit it did miss his skin. But the backpack was cut loose spilling rocks all over the ground, providing clear evidence of the lack of the huttlet.

"Well, well Skywalker, are you more than the outer rim trash I took you for?"

Anakin shed the remains of the backpack the gig was up. Switching to the more aggressive variant of form five dijem so. He attacked keeping the faster and more experienced swords man on defence. Not giving him any opportunity to make his way back to his speeder and Snips. The sludge began dripping down into the man’s hand again. Lightning. Anakin’s last attempt at defence was suboptimal so he altered his approach.

He waited for the force to build and right before release of the lightning Anakin gathered the force around the count. Whipping up the sand into a cyclone around the sith. His force scape and the reality in front of him near indistinguishable as force and desert worked together.

Whether it was the force or the sand particles which did it, Anakin didn’t know, but the lightning was caught and arched down to the ground. The man’s vision obscured by the slowly calming winds; Anakin stabbed at centre mass. The Counts shorter precognition times and his sand limited vision let him get closer than all previous attempts. He stayed striking a moment past when he was warned about the return attack, relying on his precognition times being longer.

But he waited a little too long, and he was forced to dive under the counter, a deadly mistake. His arms restricted from defence. Anakin jabbed out in the direction of Dooku. Hoping to distract him from attacking while Anakin was vulnerable. Roling upright Anakin spun around, still on one knee to face his opponent, blade at the ready, hoping he was in time to defend his back.

But Dooku wasn’t there, the man still half a meter away, half turned, toppling to the ground. But…Anakin hadn’t even been close to a deadly blow.

Then again Dooku wasn’t dead. Simply sitting dazed looking at his amputated foot.

Anakin joined his staring, he'd actually...but Dooku had taken Yoda, he was good, but he wasn't that good. He wasn't prepared he didn't have force cuffs or a working transport or--

Panic flew through his bond with Ahsoka.

Time, he didn't have time. Quickly Anakin jogged to the count’s speeder, hotwiring it and eating up the distance between himself and Snips. He pushed the speeder harder, until even the fine engineering of Serenno strained.

Jabba’s place appeared on the horizon with the morning sun. Golden glow spilling out behind it contouring the misery and suffering the Palace contained into beauty. He didn’t touch the breaks, even his remembered nightmares couldn’t make him pause, terrified he’d be too late and Snips was living out his childhood memories.

Chapter Text

Anakin leapt from the speeder announcing himself to the guards, grinding his teeth at the slow escort to the throne room. Ahsoka was standing there with Rotta, Ventress to the side a smug grin on her face.

"Ventress not long enough time, no see," Anakin said.

But even as he engaged with Ventress he couldn’t help looking around in surprise. Anakin had been to Jabba’s place when he was younger. Near nothing was the same. The platform which belonged to the ever-present slug was empty, and the metallic walls now decorated with bright paint. Glyphs boldly surrounding the depicted desert, glyphs which came from the first language he learnt, a language which was always hidden and obscured. To display it openly, it spoke of a freedom he hadn’t known Tatooine had. Ekkreth’s Lukka must have succeeded, freed the last of the slaves and killed Jabba while he and Obi-wan fought in the war. Joy sung and light bounced through his heart.

"Ahh Knight Skywalker, I can't say it’s a pleasure to see you again either." Ventress stood unharmed, her two sabres on her hips, with her typical smug attitude Anakin wanted nothing more than to wipe off her face.

"I was held up by someone with a limp." Or rather he would now considering the impromptu Amputation.

"Master, where is Count Dooku?" Ahsoka asked.

No person in the room stiffened, the Amavikka well used to hiding their feelings. But Anakin remembered the signs of increased alertness well. Eyes raised, needing to see where the blow came from more important than submission. Shuffling closer to one another to have each other’s backs. Even if they couldn’t fight.

Freedom hadn’t stollen their hard-won instincts, nor their language, hands flicking fast hidden by their sides.

"She means Maratt teacher not Depur.” Anakin said, “Basic is lacking in clarifications." This time the stillness came as those around openly looked at the Jedi who spoke their tongue. Anakin stood with his back straight, he helped these people gain their freedom. He dreaded the shame which would have filled him had he never helped Ekkreth’s Lukka, worse had they still been enslaved.

"That the core be so privileged," the twi'lek on the dais said.

Not having to define between a teacher and a slave owner was indeed a privilege.

"Privileged yes, Blind too," Anakin said.

Because there were slaves on Coruscant, they were further in between, and they had options. But they existed.

"There are a hundred thousand ways to be..." Anakin glanced at Ahsoka and Ventress from the corner of his eyes. "Every one of those ways exists and has a different excuse on coruscant. The Depur must hide and lie and the Amavikka have Bora (hope) but dep (Chains) are there all the same.

"Well said. I am Bora Sunstider," the twi'lek said.

"Anakin Skywalker"

Bora threw back his head and laughed, "Both our Amu's had big plans for us."

"Listen I don't know who you are, we are here to speak to Jabba Desilijic Tiure," Ventress fingered her lightsabres, “these republic swine stole his son to return to him in order to get your hyperspace lane."

The winds whispered of the rising anger in Ventress. Anakin signed to the surrounding Amavikka explaining the sith Acolyte was dangerous and aether sensitive. Another figure stepped forward out of the dark.

"Greetings I am C-3PO human cyborg relations, I am to collect any messages for his exalted excellency while he is away." The protocol droid he made for his mother stood fully plated in gold.

Shmi told him she completed C-3PO, but she hadn't been able to take him on her run and had no idea what happened to the droid after she left.

Sold to Jabba to cover the debts Watto had, no doubt. The classic droid restraining bolt was on his chest. Anakin hated Restraining bolts and memory wipes as much as he hated chains and Depur, even at nine he'd programmed C-3PO to be immune to the devices.

It was easy enough to do if one tried, but no one did because wasn't it why you had a droid in the first place? Anakin hated restraining bolts, but to Ventress it meant this droid couldn’t lie about who they were working for. As far as Ventress was concerned C-3PO was a fancy answercom.

"He's seriously not coming for his own son, and negotiations with the republic and the separatists"

Anakin watched the silent debate occurring in front of him. Eventually he signed, 'you stun I'll distract.'

With a count down from three, he spun igniting his lightsabre.

"Master!" Ahsoka gasped.

The forces loud flare warned Ventress about his attack, her blades coming up to block his deadly swing. But the warning of his actions drowned out any indication of the guard behind her taking the stun shot.

Ventress collapsed. Anakin pulled her lightsabres from her, both to spare her the dangers of falling with active lightsabres and to disarm her if she was playing possum. He hung the two on his belt wincing at the pain the crystals cried with.

The guard who had taken the shot hurried over with a pair of cuffs. Ventress moaning as they encased her wrists. Anakin reached out with the force and confirmed they were locked tight around her, then nodded and a group hurried to take her away.

"Master, Rotta's burning up." Ahsoka brought attention to the huttlet who did indeed look quite sick.

"You bring Depur here." Sunstrider’s leku twitched in disgust.

"A depur's child. Should he be punished for his father? His father who I gather is dukkra (dead/free)." Slaves strongly believed debt and wrongdoing should die with a person. To many of them trapped in generational debt. "My lev (heart) has not granted him forgiveness yet either, but my mind knows better."

Sunstrider nodded and another of those standing around the room scurried forward to take Rotta off Ahsoka. It took a nod from Anakin to get her to trust the newcomer with the huttlet. Another stepped forward and offered him a cleaning and bactaing of the wound across his eye. He'd near forgotten he'd taken his lightsabre to his face, but with the adrenalin fading he'd have remembered soon enough.

"So now we talk about why you are here, on behalf of the republic. A republic which has done nothing for us."

"But the republic must have..." Ahsoka started but trailed off as Anakin shook his head.

"Snips, the Jedi teach you the republic is the best thing ever. But it doesn't take you long on the rim or even mid rim to realise that is a myth. Spend long enough on the right parts of coruscant and you'll learn it too."

“The Jedi lied?" Ahsoka asked aghast at the idea.

"The republic is the best system of government we have. It's maintained peace within a remarkable number of planets, cultures and species. It has stood for a thousand years. Don't ever let anyone tell you those are anything but amazing achievements. But we don't do anybody any favours ignoring its failings."

Ahsoka nodded

"The republic is so big it can barely look after itself and you expect it to look after the rim? No what Sunstrider said is true, the republic as a whole have done nothing for Tatooine for a long time.”

"But we need the hyperlanes.”

Anakin lips twitched up in a gentle smile. "As a general rule Snips don't let on to how desperate you are before you start negotiating."

Ahsoka winced, "Sorry."

"He said as a general rule, we appreciate honesty." Sunstrider said. "Bedrock to start negotiations on. We need Nul Hutta to remain unaware of Jabba's passing."

"Which means the high council and the senate cannot be aware," Anakin said.

"You're going to lie to the high council?" Ahsoka’s big eyes stared up at him.

"The high council is duty bound to tell the senate. The senate who contains individuals who profit and work closely with the Hutts. If the council doesn't know they cannot lie."

"But..."

"The high council knows they are compromised by the senate.” They'd tell the Shadows of the true situation when they got back. Between Obi-wan and the head of the shadows who was one of the members of the high council, they wouldn't make any uninformed decisions.

"We leave Jabba's death out of the report?"

"From a certain point of view," Anakin was spending way too much time with Obi-wan. "C-3PO a restraining bolted Droid has said he is reporting to Jabba, I see no reason to doubt it. Good to see you again 3PO."

"By the maker, master Ani, it’s good to see you too." C-3PO said.

"You made the droid?

Anakin nodded.

Ahsoka looked at him with narrowed eyes, "You held the same opinion of restraining bolts at nine?"

Anakin nodded.

"So we can be certain whether the droids maker did or did not make it resistant to restraining bolts."

"Exactly I see no reason to doubt whether C-3PO is answering to Jabba or not. Do you?"

Ahsoka's lips broke out in the first smile since Christophis. "Of course not Master, I'm entirely confident of his restraining bolt’s effectiveness."

"Now we have established we are each capable of fulfilling the others requests we hash out the details of why we should work with the republic instead of the separatists?"

"But..." Ahsoka turned looking at C-3PO

"Jabba's death isn’t going to remain secret forever. We'll buy them a few more months if they are lucky. A few months to establish themselves without interference. Invaluable yes, but doesn't guarantee anything long term.”

"There are things we need, things the republic has in spades." Sunstrider said.

"Water and knowledge," Anakin nodded.

"We intend to start growing food in caves with an internal no waste water cycle, but it be a years’ worth of water harvests. Long term we intend to mine our asteroids for water, but it doesn't solve the problem now." Sunstrider said.

And with those words the negotiations were off.

Chapter Text

The negotiations had gone into the late morning when they were offered beds to ride out the worst of the heat. Setting out to search for Dooku once the day cooled. Unsurprisingly the location he left Dooku was long abandoned.

Droids must have picked Dooku up, who retreated for medical attention, leaving Ventress in their care. Anakin would have claimed it was cold hearted of the sith. But he was de-limbed, even Obi-wan would be forced to regroup. They did however find a wildlife chewed foot which effectively put any thoughts Anakin had about developing a foot kink to bed.

By the time they woke, searched for Dooku, and wrapped up the negotiations the 501st and the 212 finished on teth and made their way over to Tatooine.

Anakin and Ahsoka gone out to meet them.

"Master good to see you," Anakin said. "Rex, how bad was Teth?"

"Not as bad as she looked, the insistence of a safety net and covering our shebs from above meant most of the men who lost their grip survived." Rex said.

"Still not good though," Anakin said.

"A quarter of the men died in the assault combined with our losses on christophis the 501st has a company left, half capable of combat in an emergency, 60 men able bodied for regular duties.

Anakin winced it was a bare 10% of their normal force.

"The 212?" Anakin asked hoping their losses at least weren't as catastrophic.

"80% of the men are able bodied, will they be needed?" Commander Cody said. Anakin breathed a sigh of relief.

"No, things are peaceful here, but I do have a present for you master."

"Ew gross."

Anakin swung to Ahsoka confused.

"Oh you meant Ventress, not Dooku's foot."

Anakin couldn't help the horror which inevitably spread to his face, "Ew gross."

"Exactly,” Ahsoka said, “That's what I said."

Obi-wan looked between the two of them, his eyebrows nearing his hair line. "To clarify I am not getting a dismembered foot?"

"Well no? Unless you count Dooku loosing one as a present? The actual foot we left in the desert, it was already swarming."

Anakin shuddered, the swarms of life which ate at carcases and Dooku’s foot haunted his nightmares before, dreams of being eaten alive. Dreams he expected a reprise from now.

"I was talking about Ventress in force supressing cuffs."

"Well that’s a relief, here I'd thought most of the wild animal left you at the end of puberty. If you were bringing wild feet home like a Loth cat we'd have to have another chat." Obi-wan’s voice was coloured by amusement.

Cody shifted interrupting their banter "So in the last two days you’ve penetrated an impenetrable fortress, de-limbed a sith lord, captured an acolyte and started negotiations with Jabba."

"Well, the negotiations are a little more complicated, but we have access to the hyperlanes.”

"I think what my dear commander was hinting at, was I should give you praise for a job well done." Obi-wan said, “Excellent work dear heart.”

Heat flamed through Anakin’s face as he looked down, still bad at taking praise.

"And send you to Kix for the face," Rex said.

Anakin waved Rex off. "These Bacta patches have another hour left in them. But I do need to talk to Kix, Helix, Cody and you."

Ten minutes later they withdrewn to the orbiting venator’s meeting room. The cooling desert night not being a comfortable setting for this conversation, Jabba’s Palace unsecure, regardless of who oversaw it now.

Anakin excused Ahsoka from checking in with the council and the ensuing conversation. The poor Padawan was near dead on her feet.

"So you want us to send vod who are going to be decommissioned here instead of Kamino?" Cody said.

"Master Ti is trying to stop decommissioning but..."

The Kaminoans where stubborn and the republic refused to pay for clones’ long-term rehabilitation. The medical side had been somewhat covered by the temple and the medicorps, with modern medicine there were few injuries which could not be healed with time and attention. But those soldiers who were tired, whose hearts hurt, who refused to fight? Eventually their Vod couldn't cover for them anymore and they'd either be forced to battle, where they would likely die, their lust for life gone, they'd eat their blasters, or they'd be shot for disobeying orders by a Nat born.

"Tatooine is small and doesn't have the facilities to harbour many vod. But those like Flower?" Anakin said.

Flower was a vod in the 501st who was far too soft hearted for war, but had a deep love and passion for gardening. Anakin protected him from decommissioning by starting and aeroponics bay on the Resolute. But he knew it was a matter of time before a Nat born complained.

"Those who should have never been sent to war. Those who are heart sick and their brothers are covering for them? They are honourable and have a multitude of skills which are in short supply on Tatooine.”

"Lots of them aren't farmers like Flower," Rex said.

"But they can read and speak basic and do maths. Which makes them invaluable out here. Not all at once but we can cover a slow trickle of men out to Tatooine.”

"In theory it solves a lot of problems, but even if they aren't combat ready, so the republic shouldn’t care, we will have to answer to the Kaminoans." Obi-wan said. "There were all sorts of rules the Medicorps had to agree to before they were permitted to treat the clones."

"Which isn't suspicious at all." Anakin muttered.

"Aren't they protecting their cloning technology," Cody said. Ever since they had been alerted to how capitalism effected the Jabiim campaign the Clones had been certain to not assume anything.

Anakin shook his head as Obi-wan nodded his.

"Padawan?" Obi-wan asked.

"We've had cloning tech for longer than Artificial gravity. Sure there is some novelty in the scale and the training, but in the clones themselves?" Anakin shook his head. "If their methods had as few ahh..."

"Defects, rejects?" Rex said.

"Well yes, but I was trying to be tactful.”

"And the day you succeed Senator Amidala and I shall throw you a party," Obi-wan said.

Anakin stuck his tongue out at him, "Well if it had as few as they claimed, it might have been novel enough to justify it. But as it is," Anakin shrugged. There was nothing to justify the Kaminoans secrecy.

"I thought it was about our emotional limits?" Cody said.

"Emotional limits?" Obi-wan asked.

"You know how we perceive less pain?" Rex said, "Require more direction than Nat borns."

To Anakin’s horror all the clones present were nodding, even the medics. Those had been the lies the Kaminoans gave them, but Anakin never for a second believed the clones believed such Bantha kark.

"If the Kaminoans are hiding anything its they lied through their teeth," Anakin said. The clones needed to know they were people and their Depur were in the wrong. Even if Anakin happened to be one of their masters.

The clones looked doubtful.

"Any force sensitive can tell you are as unique and deep feeling as any Nat born," Obi-wan’s voice was gentle and coaxing.

"But then why sir..." Kix said.

Anakin hated the near tears in his medic’s voice.

"Why do you have to die in this war while nat-borns sit tight?" Obi-wan said.

"Why are the vod being denied medical attention for easily proven lies?" Anakin added.

"Why are those same lies being accepted into the senate when there is evidence to the counter?" Obi-wan said. "We don't know, all we can promise is we are looking."

"When you have the time, which with this war is never." Commander Cody’s fists clenched, with more rage in his voice than Anakin ever heard.

Obi-wan deflated with a hopelessness. There was something wrong about his mentor, his rock being adrift.

"But we can save Flower, get him out of this war. It’s not enough it will never be enough, but it’s all we can do."

‘It’s all we can do,’ seemed to be Anakin’s motto for this war. He did his best and fell short time and time again. But he still had to try.

"There is still a matter of hiding getting him out," Kix said. "I assume most will be buried in the casualty reports which is why you needed the medics."

"Yes," Anakin said, "And the people here are also nervous about accepting men with non-medical implants."

"You want us to do a class five atomic scan, checking for foreign material and removing any the Kaminoans may have placed?" Helix said.

"Kriff the Kaminoans I'm in," Kix said.

Anakin nodded with a smile.

"I'm all for this," Cody said. "but there are still the ones we can't hide. Flower's already been marked down as surviving this campaign we can't alter those records.

Cody had a point, there would be times which it would be suspicious as all hell to list them as KIA.

"We could claim sickness but..." helix started.

Anakin zoned out as he turned to the small window where Tatooine spun suspended in space. He was still sure this was a good idea, but he hated the small details, he wanted to jump in without looking. It was meant to be a good day, they had Ventress, the hyperlanes and Dooku lost a leg to stand on...wait he couldn't, could he?

The chancellor was kriffed up, but he wouldn't cover murder, would he? Except the force was yelling at Anakin he could trust Palpatine with this. It wasn't as if a Vod like Flower was helping the republic, he could totally justify it to the Chancellor.

"...infectious protocol--" Kix was saying as Anakin interrupted.

"List them as MIA, get me a sock and a holo of their feet."

All of them turned to stare at him.

Rex coughed, "You want to explain that general Skywalker sir?"

"I'd really rather not," Anakin muttered.

"I think you’re going to have to," Obi-wan’s eyebrow climbed into his hairline.

Anakin scowled but accepted his fate and explained how the chancellor of the republic came to think Anakin was a budding psychopath with a thing for feet.

Chapter Text

"Master Kenobi, what in Sith's Hells do you think you are doing."

Obi-wan lunged forward slamming the Force suppressor up to Max. The strain gauge on Anakin's kyber causing the automatic safety to wind up a second before even Obi-wan and his force given precognition could get there.

Obi-wan took a moment checking the dials and readouts. Letting his fear go into the Force wasn't easy, the emotion rushing back in, hampered by the ambient Force suppressor in the Cells.

But these parts of the cells were designed for friendly Jedi, Obi-wan managed after a second. The Shadow council kept most of their secure operations in these rooms, free from any potential force scrying.

Fear gone Obi-wan raised his head, meeting his Padawan's sneer. The hate in his face destroyed any beauty which could normally be found. Obi-wan could still remember the day he realised how pretty Anakin would grow up to be. Fortunately, the man himself never looked beyond Padmé Amidala, if Obi-wan had to deal with the drama of young love and scorned lovers on top of all the force osik Anakin pulled he would surely die young.

But the hate etched into his Padawan's face? Obi-wan couldn't help but think a horrifically scarred burn victim would be more attractive.

Still mistrust and fear wouldn't help his Padawan now.

"Master Kenobi, knight Skywalker." Master Windu said as he entered the room.

"Obi-wan is stabilising the patient." Quin said, "Or the lab rat for today?"

"I am not a lab rat Vos" Anakin reached out, arm up, with a hand cupped as if clenched around a throat.

Vos rubbed his throat. "Are we sure that thing is up high enough?"

Obi-wan double checked. The idea wasn't to fully cut off Anakin from the force, rather to strike a balance, between suppression and freedom.

“It’s staying steady." Obi-wan said. The dials were all in the green, it was probably psychosomatic.

They'd been focusing on a way to bring Ventress back from the dark during the last few months of experimenting.

Because they all had copious amounts of spare time these days. He’d rather be meeting Anakin and his Grandpadawan out at Dex’s or catching up on sleep or council work. But the Force pushed this to the top of the to do list. Testing and trying to understand the force or not, neither Anakin nor Obi-wan ever doubted the force’s direction.

Of all the councillors to find out about these experiments, it had to be the one his Padawan did not trust. Anakin’s eyes never left the spot over Obi-wan’s shoulder, his eyes and head swiveling like a Nexu tracking its delicious prey, trapped behind a forcefield at the Coruscant’s zoo.

But at least Anakin was trapped, securely. They built him a custom containment room within the Cells.

All individual containment rooms in the cells had a higher level of force suppressing than the general areas. Or the training salles, which were made for Shadows to learn how to fight force supressed, one of which held Anakin's Cell set up.

Most of the individual Cells allowed a variable of force suppression, but they had different expected ranges from drunk tank for Jedi, to Ventress, to the legendary sith Lords from wars past.

It was saying something they had to build one with a higher maximum for Anakin. Getting close to 22 at this point and only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential, and he needed a stronger Cell than the legendary forces of old.

"What are you doing? Skywalker has fallen. " Mace's voice was harsh. "How long have you been hiding this?"

Obi-wan sighed pinching his nose, Mace wouldn't be ignored.

"We have all fallen,” Obi-wan said.

Mace snorted, "I'm pretty sure I'd have noticed if Master Yoda was evil."

"I never said anything about evil."

"You said we have fallen.”

"Because fallen is the definition of evil," Obi-wan’s sarcasm dripped off his tongue.

"And yet nothing good has come out of the Dark."

"You are forgetting the Jed-dai, they balanced between the two extremes."

"The Jedi are hardly an extreme.”

"Aren't they?" Anakin said. If sarcasm was dripping of Obi-wan’s words, it poured off Anakin's. Though there was a cruelty to his which wasn't normally there, Obi-Wan shivered.

"An average Jedi--" Quin said.

"That's just it, an average Jedi. None of us not even the Hallowed master Yoda is the Jedi ideal." Anakin said.

"And we accept that," Mace said. "Seekers not saints."

Anakin's loud snort covered up Obi-wans disbelieving huff. No Jedi was a saint, but were they accepted with flaws, or despite them?

"You're already thinking of how to destroy me. I haven't yet hurt anyone innocent."

"And we should trust someone who puts Yet in that sentence?" Windu said.

"He has a point," Quin said.

Anakin snarled, and Obi-wan pinched the bridge of his nose again.

"Oh for force's sake Mace, he's in a cage. I'm not suggesting trusting him like this." Obi-wan spun to the cage "And Dear one, try to be less menacing?"

Anakin stopped pacing, standing still, legs apart and arms crossed with a stiff nod. Obi-wan nodded back. Personally Obi-wan didn't think he managed less menacing, rather he was a predator lounging ignoring its prey until he hungered again. But it was the thought which counted.

Mace took a breath and in a notably calmer voice continued. "How many examples of people getting lost to the dark do we have? To tes--"

"27129..." Obi-wan said.

Mace’s brow crunched.

Obi-wan continued, "Twenty-seven thousand one hundred and twenty-nine. 3% of all the younglings entrusted to the Jedi become darksiders. At least since the Russan Reformation."

When they found those numbers, Anakin nodded and moved on, Obi-wan had been gobsmacked, what happened to having the lost twenty? The Jedi doctrine was meant to stop people falling to the dark, to find out they had been averaging more than three out of a hundred... Mace thought the same based on his frozen body.

"Before if the numbers are right, the Jedi were averaging 2%. All the improvements to make Jedi less likely to fall? The revised codes, the age limits? One Padawan per master? They don't help...they hurt, you can see the jump upon implementation." Obi-wan said.

Mace shook his head, "We would have noticed."

"Would we?" Quin said. "It’s not like we've been tracking statistics."

"Twenty masters have left and Only Dooku fell."

"Shoving the mess under your bed doesn't mean it’s gone." Anakin said.

"We don't, we honour and remember those who choose to leave," Mace said.

Anakin snorted, "More like you create a guilt trip for those struggling on their path."

“Now Anakin has a point, it’s all look at how these people hurt their family by leaving." Quin said.

"Still twenty and we don't hide them." Mace retorted.

"What about those sent to the service corps?" Obi-wan remembered the jedi insisting the service corps were Jedi too when he was aging out, but at twelve he called banthakark and he stood by it to this day. Words were well and good, but actions mattered and they weren't treated as Jedi. "What are the numbers for falls there?"

"Yes but they aren’t je--" Mace froze.

"Aren’t what? Jedi? Strange when I was being thrown out, I was told differently," Obi-wan’s bitterness burnt through.  

Anakin snarled at Windu.

"I didn't mean it like that...besides knights are never called out to deal with fallen corpsmen."

"But the shadows are," Quinlan said.

"Mace we have a wet works team for children," Obi-wan said. "Tell me that is right? Tell me you can sleep well tonight, you can say that Jedi are paragons of virtue or not extreme. We remove those likely to fall so we can pretend they don’t exist when they do."

"We can't have," Mace shook his head, "I'm the head of the Order I would know."

Quinlan shook his head, "Anything the high council doesn't want the Senate to know..."

"The Shadows do," Mace filled in.

"Most times its slave running, information gathering... but sometimes..."

Mace closed his eyes.

"We've gotten better at it since the early days...we catch them earlier, created facilities completely blocked from the force and therefore the Darkside." Quinlan said.

It didn't cheer Mace any, it hadn't when Obi-wan heard of the facilities either. They weren't killing them, but they were locking them up for life, and with no force, any life they would have would be short and miserable. All four of them stood in silence, united for a moment, mourning for those lost, their grief echoed distorted through the shadow salles.

Hating this aspect of the topic Obi-wan changed it. "Anakin noticed his sabre didn't harmonise with him in his knighthood trials."

Mace jerked his head up. "What?"

"His sabre--" Obi-wan started.

"No I got that...but what’s it got to do with..." Mace gestured towards the cage contraption.

"How does the council tell a padawan is ready for knighthood?" Obi-wan asked.

"Their Master reco--"

"No I know that," Obi-wan said. "I'm not talking about practical skills or finishing their course work. Take Knight Diath she'd finished all of those by Jabiim, her master recommended her, but the council refused, why?"

"There's a twist, a...you have to see it to explain it, but it’s in the force." Mace said.

"Master Yoda showed me," Obi-wan said. "Yet what did Knight Diath do on Jabiim which was different from her last flawless mission?"

"She was pushed to the edge, all the trials are about that. What can you endure and stay in the light." Anakin sneered behind the plastoid. "The trials where you lose most of the force sensitives you would consider Jed---."

Obi-wan interrupted. "Thank you dear one. But he is right. I thought Xanatos was a unique example, falling during his trials, but he wasn't, not even close."

"They are meant to be challenging..." Mace said.

"Challenging...But what are we truly testing?" Obi-wan said. "Where is the line? Where does the dark start?"

"It’s always been a, ‘you'll know the edge when you see it’." Quin said. "But I'm a Jedi Shadow master and I couldn't tell you."

"What if in the trials we are unknowingly asking how far into the dark can you get and still come back?" Obi-wan said.

He turned back to the cage taking the readings from the box, reducing the strength of the force suppression. Anakin now calm enough he had been able to rise a little out of the Dark for the second time today.

"I'm on the council, I know most of them consider at least Anakin's force presence ready for Masterhood. The council assigned it to the war--"

"But it lines up with when you started this," Master Windu gestured at the cage again.

Obi-wan remembered the time Mace acknowledged he was wrong about Anakin and his rapid advancement convinced him Anakin could be the chosen one.

"Believe me Mace we know the risks," Obi-wan said. "What if one day we can't bring my Padawan back?" it was a reoccurring nightmare of his.

"But if you can perfect this, all those children lost..." Mace said.

"Not just the children, the shadows and the knights. We have already determined ways to tell if someone is struggling."

"Your insistence on benching Knight Krell and Padawan Offee."

"This was our last test before we tried it on Ventress, if she cooperates?" Quin said.

Mace sighed. "Okay, okay. But the force led me here today for a reason, you are going to explain everything to me."

A quick check of the force corroborated Mace's demand. Even though he didn't have a concrete reason for doing so Obi-wan started talking the man through their methodology and current hypothesises they were testing.

Chapter Text

Anakin, Obi-wan and the contributing shadows had been joined by Mace in their delve into the darkside after the confrontation in the cells. And in a miracle which only the force could have facilitated, Anakin and Mace were starting to get along. Their friendship progress was as slow as any results. But Obi-wan refused to cut corners, not when Anakin's soul was on the line. The first time Anakin's eye's flickered gold he'd wanted to run into the cell disrupting the test and unleashing a fallen chosen one onto the temple.

But he resisted and Anakin returned, brighter and lighter than he was before. Out of Quinlan, Obi-wan and his Padawan, Anakin was by far the most talented at rising from the dark. As discovered when Obi-wan had been kidnapped by Ventress love was the key to escaping the dark and Anakin felt so passionately, loved so deeply, he shook the dark far more effectively than himself and Quinlan. Now even capable of recovering without the assistance of the cage.

But for the rest of them the cadge was necessary and through trial and error, they managed to refine their technique. Judging success by the amount of pain the dark decontamination caused whoever was in the cage that day. And recovering from the dark was painful, perhaps enough so as to explain why so few improved if they went past an initial dip.

As far as they could tell the darkside was an over summoning of the force. Typically accessed in survival situations. It caused damage, the soul in pain lashed out, causing the cruelty associated with the dark.

The longer one used the dark the worse the damage to one’s force signature. With time a soul scarred over preventing one from reducing the stream of force summoning back to a non-damaging amount. At least without months of temptation to give back into the dark and be free from pain. It wasn’t a surprise few had done it.

Coming back from the dark involved sitting with terrible emotions, which your own mind selected to convince you back. Obi-wan’s personal favourite was squirming with uncleanness and failure which penetrated to his core.

Their first idea the involved shadows vetoed having tried those techniques with catastrophic results in the past. Cutting someone fully off from the force, cold turkey, didn’t work. Their behaviour under force suppression might improve but would relapse near immediately when released.

They had competing hypotheses for this; the person's soul was unable to heal without the force, thus leaving them exactly where they started when they released them, or they reduced the path the force flowed through as they healed, and when they were opened up to the regular amount it ripped a new hole making the darkside worse.

Obi-wan lent towards the latter, the released captives behaving worse than before.

Anakin was fond of the earlier, believing their worsening behaviour could be assigned to betrayal from the people they cared for. Pointing out Darksiders didn't get better fast or consistently enough in captivity. The few who had been released were probably faking an improvement.

They might not agree on hypotheses, and Mace still thought them mad for even trying, assisting due to the forces direction; he still believed the darkside was a contaminate which one couldn't escape. But they did agree this testing was dangerous as a dip in Mustafar’s rivers.

Obi-wan wished they could experiment on someone less precious than his friends. Unfortunately experimenting on Ventress, the one they wanted to cooperate, would be a war crime. Until Mayj mentioned such when they were helping to design the experiment, Obi-wan hadn't even been aware there was such a thing.

And could he take the time to say whoops?!. As it turns out faking surrender, was an absolute no. He and Anakin used the strategy several times. And though Jedi were not bound by law to those rules, he felt the Jedi should be exceeding them not falling short.

No wonder their popularity with the military was at an all-time low.

Either way they were stuck experimenting on themselves. But it was time to try the most successful tactics on Ventress. See if they could bring the assassin back to the light.

The difference in their approach from the Shadows was they reduced the suppression of the force incrementally to zero, never cutting off more than 98% of the force. And their results were consistent and incredible, whether she was inclined to cooperate without the darkside was another question.

Ventress's recovery made him think Anakin might have the right hypothesis, she remained obstinate for all the months they had been experimenting, completely cut off from the force. But in a day on 2% force she was showing improvements. Snarling and raging at visitors less.

With themselves they could do the recovery in a day, but they only used the dark for short bursts and were on board with the experiment. But with Ventress, who they didn’t know the base line of, they took their time. It had taken them a tenday, to bring Ventress down to ambient force suppression. To the mildly disorientating level of the Cells.

Quinlan who had been monitoring the process while he and Anakin returned to the front was certain she was ready to be let go.

Obi-wan entered the room, the walls were plain durasteel, the table heavy and bolted down to the floor, with attachment points for hand cuffs. Pulling out the chair he took a seat opposite the woman in their interrogation rooms. He was alone, Anakin having duties to his Padawan before he could slip away.

"Hello my dear I hear you're doing better."

And she looked it, the cruel sneer vanished.

"Does it matter? I'll be here forever.” Asajj sighed, shaking her head. “I tortured you. I’m surprised you gave the force back.”

"Yes, well holding onto grudges—"

"—isn’t the Jedi way, I am sorry. Sith hospitality isn’t great.”

"You've experienced it for yourself?"

Ventress nodded. Sith were unpleasant across the Battlefield, as your master? What age did Dooku take on Asajj, she wasn’t that old. Had he been her caretaker, her guardian? Obi-wan couldn’t imagine what it would do to a person to be raised by someone as corrupted as Dooku.

"Asajj, we aren't keeping you forever. Master Vos has vouched for and intends to keep an eye on you as you settle on coruscant. I wanted to get a feel for you myself and to ask if there is anything you could share about Dooku or the war."

"Do you agree with Vos?"

Obi-wan nodded, "You might still be a little rough around the edges, but nor are you the same woman who delighted in my pain.”

Ventress winced.

 “We no longer have reason to keep you locked up."

"As long as I tell you something useful?"

"Regardless.”

Asajj shook her head, "Even if I was to cooperate, I've been down here what six months?"

"Closer to seven."

"None of the intelligence I was trusted with would be relevant anymore."

"We don't need separatist intell, though we wouldn't say no. But its information about Dooku and any other sith we need."

"Darth Tyranus."

"Who my dear?"

"Dooku, his sith name is Darth Tyranus. His Master’s is Sidious.” Asajj held up her hand, “Before you ask, all I know is everyone is terrified of him, and he's got some position in the republic."

"He's got security clearance?"

Which, though bad could explain why their missions went to kriff.

“If he does it’s not high," Ventress shook her head. "otherwise we'd have better luck with our campaigns."

Perhaps but Obi-wan wasn't sure. Fighting Asajj he learnt she was a rather direct opponent and she assumed everyone else was too. It was refreshing now it wasn't combined with a straightforward desire to rip out his insides. But the separatists loosing a battle or two, didn't rule out the sith Master being high up in the Senate. They could have lost a few battles to maintain their assets cover or...

Obi-wan desperately wanted to stop his train of thought before it reached its conclusion, but he couldn't afford to ignore the possibility.

One of the few comforts at the beginning of the war was the forces clear answer the republic would win. In the first year when everything was KUBAR he held onto that answer with all his might. He still did if he was honest.

But what if they were meant to? Meant to win, what if that was the trap, the Jedi exhausted themselves against the separatist so they didn't notice the man behind the senate.

Not on coruscant itself of course, Yoda at least would have noticed. But a puppet master with a spy in the senate, pulling strings so once the war ended they'd have more power.

A Banker perhaps? they were making a killing off this war. One of the tech corporations or the like?

Chapter Text

Afternoon caught Ahsoka lying on her bed completing her homework with Barris’s help. Since the girl had been officially benched, she was the best person to ask for help as she was keeping up with the course work.

Ahsoka felt bad thinking it, but Barris was also more pleasant to be around free from the stress of the war. The harsh snapping comments and the moments of staring into the distance diminished.

Speaking of staring into the distance, Barris hadn’t looked at her homework for the last ten minutes.

“Coruscant to Bariss.” She poked her friend in the side.

Bariss eyes focused, coming back to the present, “Oh right we were on qu—”

“Enough with the homework, what’s got you so distracted?” Ahsoka snapped shut her book, turning to the girl.

“Its nothi—”

“Bantha Kark, come on Barris.”

“Master Kenobi got me benched.” Barris shifted, “I just…how did he know I was…”

"Struggling?”

“Yeah, struggling.”

“It’s not like it was hard to see. You’re so much happier now.”

"But I’ve barely talked Master Kenobi. But I know he and Master Unduli were friends, did I make a mistake?”

"I can ask if you want?" this would plague Barris until she had an explanation. What’s more she’d never go looking for an answer, afraid of being a bother.

"But...what if there’s something…” Barris dropped into a whisper, “dark, wrong with me?"

Ahsoka rolled her eyes, Barris wasn’t going to fall. Plus, the idea her grandmaster would be anything but sympathetic if she did was ridiculous. Her best friend would have to do something truly despicable before either Skyguy or Master Kenobi would give up on the sweet hearted Barris.

"Master!" Ahsoka raised her voice to travel through the shut door.

"Yeah Snips?!"

"Come here, Barris has something to ask you." Ahsoka stuck her tongue out at Barris who was making desperate cutting motions with her hand.

Barris pounced, grappling with her trying to cover her mouth to prevent further speech. The door swung open. Skyguy upside down in her doorway.

"Yes Barris?"

Barris scrambled off, trying to right herself. "Uhh...umm," Barris glanced at her, eyes pleading desperate for help. Ahsoka magnanimously ignored her, rolling over so the world was upright.

"Do you know why Master Kenobi benched me? Did Master Unduli say something?”

"Nah Obi-wan went to her. He thought you might be struggling, and he wanted to see if Master Unduli could do anything for you before involving the council.”

“Maybe that’s why she stopped taking you on missions?” Ahsoka nudged her friend. The idea your master was trying to take care of you, was far more comforting than them losing faith in your abilities.

“Probably,” Skyguy said, "I know Master Unduli asked Obi-wan to officially bench you so the senate couldn’t pressure you into going into the field.”

“But why did he even notice?” Barris said.

“That I don’t know, but I can guess”

“You can?" Ahsoka asked.

"During my trials, I got close to…well close to falling.”

“No,” Barris gasped. “But you’re—“

“Everyone is capable of it, even me.”  Skyguy scowled, he never did like it when people brought up the chosen one thing. “What stopped me back was my kyber un-harmonising."

“Your Kyber changes with you, it grows as you do." 

"True. But it does so slowly, sentients can out pace them. It’s not uncommon for someone who went through a life changing event to need a new crystal. It took a little training, but Obi-wan and I figured out how to hear when the Duet between kyber and Jedi is stressed."

"So that’s how Master Kenobi knew I was going to fall, I was bleeding my kyber?" Barris drew her legs up onto the duvet, clasping arms around her knees.

“Of course not, you didn’t bleed your crystal,” Ahsoka glanced at her master hoping she wouldn’t be contradicted in this.

"Bleeding your crystal is complicated. You can’t do it accidentally.”

“Plus any Jedi can feel a bled crystal a mile away,” Ahsoka said.

“Snips is right. Yours simply wasn't harmonising the way it should.”

“See I told you, not in trouble.”

Barris burst out crying and Ahsoka scrambled to hug the older girl. But Barris wanted comfort from a master, the girl flung herself into a hug. Anakin wrapped her in his arms petting her headdress, rocking back and forth.

"Shhh...it’s alright Barris I promise you’re fine."

Continuing to murmur to Bariss Anakin sat himself down on her bed and opened up his other arm to her. She climbed into the big safe warm cocoon of Skyguy’s arms and force signature. How would she be coping with the war with a different Master? If she had a master as distant as Unduli?

Her friend’s master wasn’t a bad Jedi, but she wasn't open like Skyguy. Ahsoka had no doubt if one day her eyes bled gold Anakin would stop her doing anything awful. But he would stand beside her all the way to haran. Barris’s fall didn’t seem as distant as it had a moment prior, her master distant and with no support.

"I didn't hurt it, my kyber, you promise?" Barris said.

"I promise Barris, the sole person or crystal Obi-wan was worried was being hurt was you. The Jedi were never meant for war, you were struggling, nothing wrong with that. Obi-wan’s been benching knights and masters too.”

“Really…”

“Really they are going to bench Knight Krell tomorrow.” Anakin stiffened, “Don’t tell anyone that was meant to be confidential till it was done.”

Ahsoka and Barris promised to keep quiet,

“Besides, from what Ahsoka has told me, you have bounced back with the—"

"I don't want to return to the front. Please I can't go back." Barris met Ahsoka’s master’s eyes tears forming. "I know the republic and the boys need me but..."

Skyguy hushed her, stroking her arm, "Okay, Okay, I'll talk to Obi-wan about getting you off the front more permanently. There are a few steps to get you discharged from the GAR, but they can do it I promise you."

"And the boys will understand, they've all known a Vod or two who was in no way cut out for the front." Ahsoka said.

"But my Padawanship."

"We'll figure it out, won't we master?" 

"Of course, it might mean a longer padawanship or changing Masters, but Ahsoka's right we will figure it out,"

Anakin stayed in Ahsoka's room for another 30 minutes before he left to clean up his project for dinner.

"Sometimes I wish I had a Master like yours. He seems easy to talk to."

"Hands off he's mine.” Ahsoka hissed gently “And he is, mostly."

Barris held her hands up in surrender. "Mostly?"

"He's a little touchy about his past, which given what Master Kenobi explained is completely understandable. But there is also," Ahsoka glanced at her best friend. "You can keep a secret right?"

"Of course." Barris said, offended.

"Right there's this man we know is bad news, let’s call him Mr Creepy" Ahsoka began. "Like Skyguy and I agree there's nothing redeeming about this person. But every time I suggest we might look into him deeper he insists the man is harmless. Every time I wonder why we are trusting him at all, he never has an answer."

Her master was giving the chancellor proof he was 'murdering' the clones, Ahsoka had a lot of fun staging the holos, and the man was covering for them. A man willing to cover up murder was disturbing enough, but Anakin’s insistence in seeing the most powerful man in the Galaxy, who had a completely karked morality, as harmless was far worse.

"What about the force?" Barris said.

"I've never met the man, but Skyguy says its creepy around him. Near silent with few exceptions."

"Sounds weird?" The force was always there, telling them a thousand pieces of information a day. It being silent about anything was unnatural.

"I asked him and Master Kenobi about how weird it was and all I got was the man was harmless."

"Creepy."

"It gets worse. I asked Yoda and got. Old man he is, danger I sense not."

"Which is harmless by another name. Why won’t you tell me who it is?"

Ahsoka looked at Barris

"You asked me too?"

"Same response, I've been avoiding him like the plague in case its contagious or something."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, I was hoping you had an idea."

"You looked in the archives, right?"

"There is nothing there."

"And Master Kenobi's copy?" Barris said.

"A minefield right now. They are trying to reconstruct and restore old versions of documents to see if any more were deleted like our record of Kamino. Problem is most of the stuff was deleted for a good reason, I'm not a good enough slicer to find a needle in that trash compactor." Ahsoka said.

"Is there anyone who might have the skills, but also not be effected by Mr creepy's field?"

Ahsoka was halfway through shaking her head when she jumped up. "Mayj!!!"

"And who is Mayj?"

"They're a friend of my masters, a doctoral student down at Coruni, they've got security clearance from the shadows for access to the Kenobi archives."

"No way they could have anything to do with Harmless?"

"Nah I don't think so." Ahsoka said. Mayj would have never had reason to be in a room with Palpatine. "I'll invite them over tomorrow and see if they can find anything in Master Kenobi's archive."

Chapter Text

Obi-wan roped both Mace and Anakin into coming to bench Knight Krell. He had a force given suspicion it wasn’t going to go smoothly, and he wanted all the backup he could get. Krell with his double staff sabres and Baslisk brain, which evolved to track more limbs than in most sabre fights, was a nightmare of an opponent.

But Anakin and Mace were the best swordsmen in the Order. Which one came out on top was hotly debated, and one day when they had time the two would spar. But Obi-wan was certain Anakin would win. Not because of any empirical evidence or proof, but rather it was the bone deep overconfidence of pride.

Obi-wan near glowed with pride of the man and Jedi, his Padawan had become some days. But he could admit Krell was good and there was no point having anyone injured when they could avoid it, so had invited along Mace.

Secretly he was also hoping to give their burgeoning friendship a kick. Obi-wan hadn’t liked Windu as a knight, but as a council member he found the other had the makings of a good friend. He always put his duty to the Jedi first, performing the unenviable act of breaking unpopular decisions himself to protect the remaining council members from the backlash. As speaker and head of the council it was his job, but it had the unfortunate side effect of the blame landing on him. As a result he was the most disliked member of the council, despite only delivering the result of the vote.  Dedicating yourself to the protection and wellbeing of a group which didn’t like you took a strength Obi-wan didn’t possess. In his opinion some other members should take a turn delivering bad news on occasion, Yoda’s near divine image could use a little tarnishing, believing him infallible served no one.   

Unfortunately, Mace’s status as the bad council member resulted in him telling a scared nine-year-old fresh out of slavery he was going back, a first opinion which held strong for 12 years.

Over a drink bemoaning Qui-gon Jinn’s eccentricities together, Mace admitted he hadn’t been informed Anakin was a slave and the council thought they were doing a favour to the attached boy to allow him to return to his mother, and Mace personally was truly impressed by Anakin, admitting the Jedi had seasoned masters without as much control.

There were no two better people he wanted at his side as he approached the unstable Basilisk where he was whaling on training droids. The duel double bladed light staffs slashed, the knight’s emotions crashing against empty bleachers in the public Salle. Was the Gymnasium abandoned for the emotions or the war?

 Knight Krell had always been a loner. Happy enough to instruct Padawan’s but never wanting one himself. Asking those he trained confirmed the wisdom of the choice, he was never cruel but nor did he have the right temperament for an instructor. Too impatient.

All in all before the war the council’s opinion was excellent swordsman, bit of a loner and likes it that way. A stark difference to recent times, short tempered, even cruel to those he passed in the hallways. What truly concerned Obi-wan was the growing number of deaths in his command. At the beginning of the war his battalion was one of the best. Best results, least deaths, he still got great outcomes, but casualties were going up with no sign of stopping.

Obi-wan stepped clear of Anakin and Mace. Backup made a confrontation long before violence was the only answer. He made his way into the Salle in clear view.

"Hello there."

"Have you come to talk to me councillor Kenobi, rather than sitting in judgement," Knight Krell disengaged his lightsabres.

Obi-wan controlled a wince, their decision to remove the man from the active roster wasn’t hidden, his future engagements already reassigned. But he hoped to outpace the rumour mill, he should have known better.

"I apologise. I intended to speak to you directly first but the war waits for no man.”

Krell grunted, “so why have I been sidelined?”

“It’s the council’s job to make sure the Jedi are coping with the war.”

“Who said I’m not coping?”

Obi-wan raised an eyebrow at the carnage of droids scattered around the completely empty Salles. “it’s our hope some time off the front will help you regain your Balance.”

"Well, it won't. No one knows what to do without me."

Krell liked being in control then, everyone Obi-wan had come across has a weak spot. It wasn't the sole place the dark could get in, but when it played on those fears it was far deeper rooted. His own was a fear of failure and not being good enough. Anakin's was being powerless and unable to help those he cared for. Quinlan, nuts enough to join them, was afraid of being alone.

All primal fears, all deeply rooted. Krell was afraid of being out of control, probably a reason he wasn't suited to the hellraisers which were Padawans.

"Your men are competent; they'll be fine while you get your head on straight."

Krell's lip rose showing his impressive teeth. Not a smile, a snarl. "They won't be fine. They can't block blaster bolts or stand up to the Nat-borns or what about that bastard grievous? He uses the men for scrap, sometimes I think it’s all they are good for."

"Can you hear yourself?" Mace asked

Obi-wan closed his eyes. Mace should have known better than to confront a person on the edge of falling about their more disturbing thoughts. It tended to lodge them further into their way of thinking.

The first stage was always validating any rational fears and then chip away at the irrational ones attached.

"It is true the men can't block blaster bolts, and all the survivors can't thank you enough for being there for them."

Mace thankfully had the sense to know he’d screwed up and to stay out of it.

"They are going to die without me.”

"But how many will die if you go to the front not thinking clearly? How many will die if you fall?"

Knight Krell’s face relaxed into a neutral expression. He was thinking about it. "And if I am in danger of falling, how do I gain control again"

"You ask for help," Anakin said, "and you accept it"

Krell stiffened, his muscles bunching as he exploded in a power filled leap. Dark contaminated water rushed in filling his lake.

Krell leapt over him, Obi-wan spun, reinforcing his temple lax shields to hold out the water and allow him to think. The distinctive woosh of sabres igniting had him fearing being too late as he finished his spin. But Krell wasn't coming at him from behind. He was attacking Anakin full tilt.

Obi-wan was used to watching Anakin fight but the speed he reacted? The pace he had to react to keep up with Krell took his breath away.

Mace was close though and his purple blade joined the fray making it a more even fight. Obi-wan also joined, flicking his sabre engaging of the basilisk’s sabre staffs. For one against three Krell put up a remarkable fight. But his initial surprise was spent. Mace’s sabre burnt one of Krell’s wrists forcing him to drop a blade.

The surprise opened a gap for Obi-wan to slice his other blade in half at the hilt, both pieces spluttering out. Despite the lack of weapon Krell was in no way backing down.

Obi-wan shrugged off his cloak, tossing it, and any functioning lightsabres well out of reach with the force. Pulling out the force supressing cuffs the force bade him to bring. Mace followed his lead, pulling out his own pair.

The nodded at each other and ran at the Basilisk. For a moment Obi-wan thought the man wouldn't move. He and Mace were built, but they weren't close to the Basilisk’s size. He thought the two of them would be enough, but apparently not. Right before he pulled back to reengage with a different strategy, warm water rushed in from a familiar force signature, allowing him to push more power into his tackle. Anakin would easily be able to throw the basilisk with the force, but such a course had risks. He could land wrong or take more damage than intended, enforcing their tackle was the less violent path.

Krell went down, crashing to the padded mats. Obi-wan moved, securing two of his wrists in the force blocking cuffs. He rolled off the man, trusting Anakin to keep him pinned. Obi-wan looked down at the knight he had been certain he was moments away from talking around.

Krell was frothing at the mouth, incoherent with rage, wrenching at the cuffs with all his might. Obi-wan pulled out another object from his robe, the force hadn’t insisted on him bringing it but nor had it condemned the idea. Obi-wan stabbed the hydro spray sedative, large enough for one dose to be effective against a Basilisk, into one of Krell’s shoulder muscles.

As the mad yanking of the man died off, silence fell over the room, they stared in disbelief.

"I thought you had managed to talk him around," Mace said.

Obi-wan nodded, not quite able to wrap his mind around speaking again.

"He came for me, when I spoke, why did he come for me?" Anakin said.

"The biggest threat?" Mace said.

Anakin's breath should have calmed down again. But the opposite was happening, "And he ignored you completely because?"

Obi-wan pushed a warm swell at Anakin. Recognising the wide eyes and fast breath as the onset of shock. Pulling his sabre and cloak back from the corner of the room, he wrapped the warm cloth around his Padawan.

Mace's eyes softened, "We'll discuss what Krell was thinking when everyone is calm. Kenobi, take Skywalker home."

Chapter Text

The familiar restricted vision and muted sound of a prophecy greeted Anakin as he dropped to an exhausted slumber. The shock of the unexpected fight and the vicious attack taking it out of him more than a drawn-out battle with separatist forces. Anakin had barely been able to finish the tea and sweet pastry his master scrounged from the cupboard before he was falling asleep.

Krell was truly a beast with his sabres. Anakin hoped they could pull him out of his fall, if for no other reason than a sparring partner.

Half aware he was asleep and having a vision Anakin bemoaned the lack of true rest he was likely to get. This vision though immediate was less urgent than the last. If he was right it meant he had more time to act.

The familiar timed clack of the marching Vod echoed behind him, as he strode up the temple steps. Time shifted, the moments between missed and yet he knew with absolute horrific certainty every Jedi they encountered had been shot. Now he was in an interior temple corridor; a gaggle of younglings being herded along by Ahsoka. His Padawan faced him, stepping forward guarding the children from them.

It didn’t matter, bolts streaked the short distance and hit with unnerving accuracy, pride worthy marksmanship in other circumstances. Tiny bodies fell to the floor. Entangled and still.

Ahsoka went down. Falling to her knees she reached out, "Why master? Why?" She collapsed still on the ground. Anakin did all he could to ignore his sisters still form, had he had control of his actions he would have fallen beside her and begged the force to show him something, anything different.

The force decided to be cruel instead, even though the scene shifted, it was worse than the place left. For instead of his Sister and innocents dead at his feet it was a heavily pregnant Padme.

Wasn’t it bad enough to prophecy the death of Ahsoka, but Padmé and his? Who’s else would they have been? children too. Heat burned at his back, drawing his notice away from the dead. His attention moved to a horrified Obi-wan, and frozen R2-D2, Padmé’s loyal astromech, standing before her sleek skiff.

Obi-wan stepped forward, hands on hips, shouting, "Anakin my allegiance... is to the republic, to democracy.”

Anakin ignored him, he wanted to go and check on Padme, but he couldn't change the dreams. Why would he ever hurt Padme? He loved her, he hadn't told her, wanting to wait until the war was over and they had options. But he didn't think it’d come as a shock to her or anyone who knew them.

The scene shifted again and saw Obi-wan looking into a sterile room watching as a medical droid performed a C-section. But something started to go wrong the patient, Padme, started fading and with it her bright force signature.

Anakin bolted upright gasping in breath but not enough was coming. Come on Skywalker breathe, in one, two, three. Holding his head in his hands he worked on controlling his breathing. He couldn't change the visions but why would the force be cruel enough to give him warnings of the horrors he'd commit if he couldn't change them.

He knew he should meditate, focus on the details and try to find what the force was telling him. But he couldn't, right now facing a dead Padmé was a lightsabre in his chest. It was less urgent than the last, he had time, he could pretend he hadn't dreamed at least one day.

Despite his resolution he was certain he looked awful when his Master came into check if Anakin wanted to join Master Windu and Obi-wan in questioning Krell. The man awake and ready in the cells beneath their feet.

Though Anakin wanted nothing more than to spend the day pretending nothing existed he heaved himself up, the war waited for no man. He needed to know why Krell came after him, had he seen something irredeemably bad?

"So those are them then?" Ahsoka hovered over the older togruta’s shoulder.

Mayj nodded, "Looks like, they were erased from the archive the same day as the record of Kamino with the same authorisation.”

“And they’re the right artifacts?”

“The descriptions match what you said was happening with Obi-wan and Anakin."

Ahsoka started reading over Mayj's shoulder, Barris over her other. Both reading through the articles displayed as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Running through the list of effects of each artifact in her head matching them with what she observed. The first was an ugly paper weight, it was responsible for trust, Check. But potentially in limited or unhelpful areas, also check. Anakin trusted Palpatine to be the worst and yet he trusted him implicitly with evidence which could have him go to jail for life. If you know, the clones were considered sentient, and he'd actually killed them.

And then there was a pendent which bent the darkside of a being to make someone appear harmless until irrefutable evidence the contrary was produced. It was hard to use though, several sith had been recorded not having the power to keep up its use for any sort of time. Which meant, Palpatine wasn't just a creep he was a darkside user and a powerful one too.

But what was she meant to do? Her master didn't, couldn't believe her.

"Is there anyway to break its hold?" Barris asked.

"They've had luck with the using a shecalvasmhhhihg, or however you say that word, healing trance." Mayj said.

"Shevalvashmeg, its a variant of an assisted healing trance aimed at clearing one's mind from outside influences," Barris said.

"Can you do it?" Ahsoka asked.

Barris shook her head, "mental manipulation is so rare these days it was taken from the curriculum. We'll have to ask one of the older healers."

"Well what are we waiting for lets go get Master Che."

Ahsoka dashed to the door not waiting for anyone to follow. But she pulled to a stop right outside the door, she needed the articles, she returned to the room face burning with embarrassment. “Mayj can you send everything you have on them to my comm?”

"Certainly Ahsoka, do you want everything else which was deleted from the archives on the same date as well? There are a few more artifacts in here."

"Please." Barris said

Mayj turned back to the comm console.

"There we go, transfer complete." Mayj said.

Ahsoka waited for the ping of an incoming message, checking it was the right info, before bowing deeply to Mayj.

"Thank you for doing this for us." Ahsoka said.

"No problem, now go get that master of yours to think with his whole brain," Mayj said.

Ahsoka and Barris rushed to the Halls, struggling to find an unaffected healer to both believe them, and perform a healing trance on them both. By the time the Healer released them having instructed Bariss on how to perform one of the rituals in turn it was nearing afternoon, and her master wasn't answering his comm, the bond was blocked, sleeping or busy blocked, not impenetrable. But given he wasn't technically in danger Ahsoka decided to be polite and search the old-fashioned way.

Chapter Text

They were once again in the cells, the mild disorientation more of a familiar welcome than the fierce nausea inducing lack it had been to start.  Fortunately Knight Krell hadn’t needed a complete decontamination as the man only briefly dipped into the Dark. He was ready and cooperating near the instant he woke up in a partially force suppressed cell.

"Are we sure knight Skywalker is a good idea. Krell had a severe negative reaction to him." Master Windu said.

Had it been even a month ago Anakin would be nursing a bitter hurt as the man wished to exclude him, but with the new understanding between the two, the hurt never masked the correct point Windu was making.

"I'll stay out here. But if you aren't getting anywhere, it might shake things up if I came in," Anakin said.

"Have you even met him before?" Obi-wan asked Anakin.

"Never officially, I've nodded at him in passing, seen him in the salles but we've never spoken. Nothing which would get that much hate."

"Well then shall we?" Obi-wan straightened his pristine robes.

Master Windu nodded following Obi-wan in. Krell in complete contrast to before was folded in on himself. His eyes wide and bloodshot.

"What do you want?" Knight Krell snarled.

"Do you know what happened?" Master Windu asked.

"I fell, do you need a diagram?" 

"I've never seen a diagram of a fall before, metaphysical fights are notoriously hard to depict," Obi-wan might have been facing the other way But Anakin just knew he was stroking his beard, with a fascinated glint in his eyes.

"What my fellow councillor meant to say was, people fall for a reason. We knew you were struggling but your reaction came out of nowhere."

"It doesn't matter." His lower set of arms jangling the cuffs as he tried to cross them.

"I think you'll find it does," Obi-wan said.

"I let Dooku get to me."

"How so?"

"I was taken by him about three months ago."

 Anakin nodded along with the two councillors, it was common knowledge and the start of Krell’s true difficulty with the dark.

"My men got me out pretty fast, but Dooku did his gloating thing."

"We are familiar." It was only long practice at scowling at anything Master Windu said which stopped Anakin from grinning.

"Dooku’s going on about how, can I be sure I'm on the right side? Pointing out I can't keep my men safe, which you can't argue with. They are dying in this war and there is nothing I can do."

"We know," Obi-wan said.

"But then he starts hinting even Jedi are hurting their men, which I can't believe. And he starts going on about how Skywalker was the worst, pretending to be the light’s chosen one to hide the darkness inside. About how he hurt clones because it made him powerful." Krell laughed, it was a small bitter thing. "Stupid to let it get to me, everyone knows he hates the kid since he took his foot. But he goes into these details about how the kid is some kind of sick psychopath who wants to wear a suit made of flesh and enjoyed cutting the feet off clones before leaving them to bleed to death."

#

Anakin hadn't told anyone exactly how the clones they were faking the death of were supposed to be dying. But those were near the exact words he'd used to explain the missing men to Palpatine. But Palpatine wouldn’t spill his secrets particularly to a separatist...would he?

A wall cracked.

What had been invisible shimmered in his desert suns. His eyes skittered away. But it was too late, foreign doubts rushed through the cracks. Why would he trust Palpatine? With anything ever? Anakin knew, without a shadow of a doubt Palpatine was a monster but he'd never questioned the man's willingness to cover for him. Never questioned if the man would keep secret the damning evidence Anakin provided.

Anakin wanted to kick himself for being an idiot, but he couldn't quite believe he'd been so stupid. Not for it to break like this, it wasn't natural. Someone said something similar to him before, who was it? He forced his attention to the simmering barrier, despite how he squirmed discomforted, the barrier demanding he looked away.

But the more he battled the easier to see the invading shimmer got, darkening to a fog, growing its own shadows, shadows which grew monstrous acid drenched teeth. He fought through the incorporeal teeth and claws, willing to take the pain to remember what had been stolen. He called on the force for aid, winds pushing at the near impenetrable acidic blackness. Anywhere else he worried he wouldn’t have had the strength to push, nor the nerve to touch the fog, but this was his mind, his force signature, no one commanded it but him. It was working, the fog was evaporating in the winds and suns, a distorted voice echoed in his memory. Not enough to understand but enough to know there was a memory there and push harder.

No one who got into his mind without his permission could stay, it was his. The winds picked up the sands, the beginnings of a storm. If this presence didn’t leave, he would unleash Lukka’s might on it. He needn’t have bothered with the threat, the nightmare filled fog dissipated. He allowed the wind to whip over the surface of the dunes, paranoid there were more hidden barriers around. Poring over his sands he found nothing, taking a breath to centre himself he allowed his winds to drop down to serenity, focusing instead on what the fog hid.

"Master isn't it a little dangerous believing the most powerful man in the galaxy, who has proven himself willing to cover up murder, is harmless?" Ahsoka's wide blue eyes stared up at him.

Anakin remembered what he said, he'd hummed and told her not to worry about it. What the kriff? No this was some Sith Osik. What was a Sith doing protecting the Supreme Chancellor of the republic? But something twinged, he noticed what he hadn’t before, a small pathetic whisp of fog lingered, a remanent withering around his last thought, trying to protect something with the last of its strength.

It took barely a brush of wind to blast it away, weak enough it would have dissipated on its own in time, but Anakin wasn’t keen on keeping it around even for a moment longer. With the space to think freely he examined his last thought; it was possible the Sith was protecting the supreme Chancellor of the republic for some sithly reasons. But the way the fog curled made him think it was more accurate to say the supreme Chancellor was the Sith lord.

His desert settled evidence clicking in place, years of little hints and thoughts long forgotten passed through his mind. Yes, Sheev Palpatine Supreme Chancellor of the republic was Darth Sidious.

Now what did he do?

Chapter Text

Breath drawn to ask Krell another question Obi-wan faltered as Anakin tugged on his connection. He excused himself, Anakin wouldn't have interrupted if it wasn't important.

Walking out of the room he saw his Padawan leaning heavily on the window frame, glistening with sweat, an unusual look for a man who had been doing nothing more strenuous than observing an interrogation.

“You called?”

Anakin held up a hand for a second before blinking his eyes open. “Sorry, Snips wanted to know where I am.”

His Padawan could still perform mental communication in the Cells, general area or not it was impressive. The shielding here was designed specifically to restrict mental communication. Yet the man had done it multiple times before and it never exerted him like he was showing evidence of now.

The door to the interrogation room opened once more admitting Mace. Anakin nodded at the man briefly but caught Obi-wan’s eyes ignoring Mace entirely.

“Master I need you to trust me.”

Obi-wan straightened, he would always trust Anakin but the seriousness of his Padawans face made him reinforce his resolve. Normally he’d jump out of a speeder if his Padawan told him it was a good idea. But the intensity made him inclined to wade through Mustafar.

“We need to go to the halls of healing and you can't ask why,” Anakin said.

Yikes he’d prefer Mustafar. It was no secret Obi-wan despised Medical halls. The Antiseptic smell efficiently bringing him back to his time as a captive Guinea pig.

It didn't help he tended to spend his most vulnerable and painful moments in such places.

Still with work his discomfort was manageable. But to go without question or explanation? No wonder Anakin brought their trust to the forefront.

“Can I ask why?” Mace said

“Probably not, I'm certain of Obi-wan and I. But if I am right a lot of Jedi will be visiting the halls of healing without knowing why.”

Did this have anything to do with what Krell said Dooku implied. But it was probably Dooku hating on Anakin for taking his foot nothing more.

“Is this because of what Knight Krell said?”

“You also can't figure it out. So turn off your brain and come on.”

“I can't just turn off my brain, honestly.”

But even as he protested Obi-wan focused on other matters. Pulling his mind away from wondering why they were going to the healing halls.

Master Che came out of her office and made a bee line for them the second they arrived in the halls. His phobia insured he always had prompt treatment from those in the know, as one of them Master Che always tended to him fast if he was bad enough to warrant a trip to her domain. But Anakin intercepted the woman and pulled her back into the office.

Seconds later the door opened again, and Master Che was summoning him in.

“You want me to stay? Master Che said she can do it in her office you won’t have to go to the antiseptic places.”

Obi-wan nodded, a breath of relief leaving him.

“Stay, I'll need your assistance Knight Skywalker, both of you please take a seat.”

Obi-wan walked over to the meditation corner of the room, with their connection to the force being essential for healers and meditation necessary for many treatments, they all had nooks designed for meditation in their offices.

How it was decorated depended on the Jedi who used it and their unique connection to the force. Master Che had a nest of comfortable cushions being separated from the main room with shear flowing curtains.

Settling himself down onto the seat, he listened to the call of the kyber crystals placed in the shelving attached to the wall. Assuming whatever was going to happen would require meditating he began the process trying to calm himself.

“Good you've started,” Master Che entered the nook settling down cross legged on a cushion.

“What did you need me for?” Anakin asked.

“If there is cause to use the Shevalvashmeg healing trance, its good practice for the healer to undergo it first. If there is a problem a compromised healer can make it worse.” 

“I'm not a healer.”

“No But you have a better idea of what you are looking for.  Healers know what shouldn't belong in a force sensitive's signature.”

“But I know what the wrong thing looks like so I can find it regardless.” Anakin turned to healer Che offering his hands and sunk into the force. From the outside it was an uninspiring display, the sole noteworthy aspect was the change in Master Che. She started off in a typical meditation, but her Lekku twitched and her breathing increased, exerting herself in her mind. Had twi’leks sweat he had no doubt she'd be covered. 

Moments later Master Che flicked her eyes open, her breathing returning to normal, “I can't believe I dismissed Padawan Tano and Offee like that.”

Anakin winced, “I get a feeling she's used to it.”

Ahsoka? What did his grand padawan have to do with this? Nope not thinking about it.

“Are you certain you are good to keep going,” Obi-wan asked the exhausted twi’lek.

“It is far easier to assist than have it done to you,” She said.

Obi-wan nodded, she would know better than him her limits.  “What Should I be doing?” 

“Go into a normal joint healing trance I'll guide you from there.”

Sinking into the healing meditation he had far too many opportunities to practice in the last few years, Obi-wan let go of reality and turned inward, inviting the healer along with.

Master Che was as fast and efficient as she always was, searching through his lake. A healer tended to feel even more intimate than a layperson as it took training or the name Anakin Skywalker to see a person’s true force scape. Most jedi saw a person’s force signature by their own paradigm. He saw Anakin as an ocean to match his lake despite the man seeing himself as a desert. It added a degree of separation which wasn’t present now, worse she had to examine him, where he was standing ankle deep in the lake. Walking up to him and looking him over, in short it was awkward as hell and if it was anyone but a healer he trusted he would have balked.

Finding what she was looking for Master Che started tugging. Bringing his attention to the spot, in his force scape it was the fabric across his left pectoral, he looked down, there was nothing there, simply his normal tabards damp from his last meditation deep in the force’s lake. But she was insistent, so he searched harder. He couldn't see what was wrong and though he might distrust medical spaces, he trusted the Jedi healers within perfectly fine, he started tugging at his chest wading deeper into the water to gain the assistance of the force.

The more he tugged the less it appeared to be part of his mind. Soon he wasn't doing it because he trusted Master Che but instead because he wanted it gone. The thick black stain squelched down his chest, shivering he tugged harder.

Eventually it let go with a slurp, dissipating into the water and then to nothing.

He expected a change free of the sludge but with no knowledge of what the sludge was obscuring he wasn't sure what he was looking for.

He thought back through the interview wondering what he missed which caused Anakin to notice. Dooku accused Anakin of hurting the clones, disturbingly close to what they were pretending was happening to the chancellor.

The second Palpatine entered Obi-wan’s head, the memories poured in. Being nervous of letting Anakin meet with the man and going with him to refuse further meetings to Palpatine’s face. But he’d changed his mind, being reassured he could trust the man with Anakin, there was no harm or danger to him.

Obi-wan’s throat tightened, his stomach crawling up his throat, how often had Anakin told him there was something off about Palpatine. Though he always listened he hadn't done anything because Anakin was safe with him, he was a harmless old man.

“I'm sorry dear one.”

“Don't apologise, he pulled the same mind whammies on me. He told you to trust him with me, right?” Anakin asked. “I can't think of another reason in haran you'd leave me unsupervised with him.”

“You know who did this?” Master Che asked.

“You don't?” Anakin said.

“No, a notion to believe mind alterations were rare and Jedi immune, nothing else.”

“alterations so you’d never notice him kriffing with anyone else’s minds.” Obi-wan said.

“Its pal...” Anakin cut himself off. “We should probably inform the high council and keep it tight for now.”

Master Che nodded and Obi-wan agreed a second later. Keeping the knowledge the Supreme Chancellor using mind altering somethings should wait until they had some semblance of a game plan.

“We are going to have to go through all the high councillors with a fine tooth comb.”

“I'm sure Master Windu wouldn't mind going next, he's outside.” Anakin said.

The Twi’lek nodded, “send him in.”

They retreated to the foyer waving Mace inside to undergo his own healing. Obi-wan barely registered a presence before a mound of blue, white, and orange grandpadawan shape launched herself at her master.

Obi-wan couldn't help his lips twitching at the sight. Nodding at a more civilised paced Padawan Offee

“Master, master I know I can't explain but you need a Shevalvashmeg healing—“

“Woah, woah Snips slow down, and we know.”

Ahsoka looked up at her master with narrowed eyes, “You know?”

“That ahhh... my older friend was kriffing with our minds.”

“Ohhh” Ahsoka dived into for a deeper hug which Anakin provided without complaint.

He pulled back catching her eyes. “But thank you Snips, one of the first things I remembered was you trying to get me to see how wrong he was.”

“Ohh good,” Ahsoka pulled away. “What about Master Kenobi?”

“Also de---what would you call it?” Obi-wan said.

“De-whammied? De-sith magicked?” Ahsoka suggested.

“Sith Magic?” Obi-wan knew Palpatine screwed with his head though he hadn’t yet figured out how or why.

“You don't know everything,” Ahsoka said with a proud smile.

“No Snips and we would be ever so grateful if you shared.”

“I don't know, what’s in it for me?”

“How 'bout a master who doesn't share critical information with— what did you call him? Mr creepy?”

“That'll do.”

The togruta reached into her belt and pulled out her comm and handed it to Obi-wan. Ignoring their inevitable further banter Obi-wan read the articles, his eyes getting wider the further he read. He'd known the chancellor had to have been around a sith, but Ahsoka's research put him as a sith himself.

A day later found them back in the cells, for the length of time Obi-wan spent here, if it ever came to light they were engaged in a conspiracy against the Supreme chancellor of the republic he should get off on time served.

Padawans Ahsoka and Offee were pale, experiencing the delight of the cells force disruption for the first time.

“Here we are. Darkness removed the healers did. Tell us what is going on will you.” Yoda said.

Obi-wan gathered his thoughts trying to figure out how to guide the Masters present to the right conclusion.

“The Chancellor is a sith Lord and he's been kriffing with our heads,” Anakin said.

Master Yoda, who reacquired his seat after Master Billiba fell into a coma, was seldom without words, but all he managed was a humph. They hadn't been able to get all the masters treated by a healer, but those on Coruscant, Master Mundi, Yoda, Mace and himself were joined by Master Ti and Plo, Kamino had two Jedi healers and Plo used one of his people’s techniques to cleanse himself.

Mace looked to Obi-wan and he confirmed his Padawan’s accusation with a nod to the surrounding masters. Personally, he would have tried to be tactful but Anakin’s method worked too.

“Well Kark,” Mace said.

“How are you certain?” Master Mundi said.

“We've been working on reconstructing files from the archive, since it became apparent they were compromised.” Obi-wan blushed as the surrounding Jedi shot him a knowing look, at this point everyone knew of their heist.

“Lots of useless junk is deleted,” Anakin said. “So it wasn’t that easy.”

“Indeed, searching through those records took a back seat to the war.”

“Many things have.” Shaak said through the holo.

“Padawan Tano noticed unusual behaviour with Anakin and I and when she found nothing in the archives took it upon herself to dig through the records. On the same Day as Kamino was deleted, several other entries were deleted with the same authorisation. A few matched the effects Padawan Tano observed in several Jedi. One of which requires a substantially powerful and accomplished Sith lord to use.”

“Knight Skywalker figured it out before Padawan Tano reached us.” Mace said.

Anakin winced, “right well, he used the mental kriff to make me trust him to always keep our conversations confidential. Knight Krell provided evidence he broke that trust.”

“That was enough for you to break it?” Plo asked.

Anakin nodded.

“very well so what sh—“

“Hang on,” Mace interrupted Shaak, “What exactly did Knight Krell say?”

Anakin’s shoulders hunched over, a far cry from his normally self-assured posture. Obi-wan sent a wave of fortitude and support down through the bond.

“Does this matter?” Plo said.

“It does if anything about Knight Skywalker cutting off clone's feet and killing them has any truth to it.” Mace said.

Once again the room was silent completely shocked

“In my defence, the artifacts made me trust he was harmless and would keep my secrets. Not that he was a remotely good person?”

Obi-wan wanted to bury his head in his palms. “I think what you meant was; in your defence you were lying through your teeth to the supreme Chancellor of the republic.”

“Which is treason, so not much of a defence at all,” Ahsoka pointed out.

“Please tell me—“ Plo started.

“The beginning, start from the beginning.” Mace said.

“Right I was thirteen when the Chancellor started inviting me for chats. I couldn't figure out why, but I knew it was boring and I didn't want to go,” Anakin shrugged. “So I figured if I misbehaved and was ‘uncivilised’ he'd stop inviting me back.”

Obi-wan rolled his eyes, he did not sound close to Anakin’s impression.

“But it didn't work, so I changed tactics. Some people in my classes said they didn't want to work with me because I was arrogant or selfish or things like that. So I started to make up stories about how I'd stolen something. But none of it seemed to faze him, I kept getting wilder and wilder. Knowing nothing I said to him would be passed along to anyone else.”

“And this led to clone murder?” Plo said.

“We were having weekly meetings when we were on coruscant for years I,” Anakin raised his hands making finger quotes. “’Confessed’ some truly kriffed up desires. The only subject which phased him in the slightest was feet, so it was the subject I kept bringing up. Several of our clones were not coping with the war and, despite Master Ti’s work, if they were sent to Kamino they’d be decommissioned.”

Shaak winced.

“We started faking their deaths.”

“We’ve been sending them to places where skills and education services were missing,” Obi-wan said. “Normally hidden in the casualties.”

“But once in a while we didn't have the time to wait,” Ahsoka said.

“With the mind kriff it seemed reasonable, to confess to the Chancellor and get him to cover it up.”

“At which point I got confused because trusting the most powerful man in the Galaxy to cover up your grizzly murders, while claiming they are harmless, is funky.” Ahsoka said.

“No actual men were harmed?” Plo asked.

“No Master Plo I faked the evidence myself.” Ahsoka said. The council present stared at her. His grandpadawan shrugged, “It was fun? And I kept wider angle shots of the clones alive if we ever needed proof.”

Obi-wan breathed a sigh of relief. At least one member of his linage had some sense.

“You are still lying to the republic,” Mace said.

“The head of which is a Sith Lord and has an army full of slaves.” Anakin said.

“Get the Chancellor out of power we must, then reason return to the senate it will.”

“But how do we get him out of pow—“ Obi-wan was interrupted.

“We can't.” Anakin was paler than Ventress.

“We can, it might mean a group taking the fall for treason but—“ Master Mundi was interrupted by Anakin.

“No we can't, don't you see he has the Clones.”

“I’m sure we could ask any of the clones and they'd side with us.” Shaak said. And Obi-wan found himself nodding along with her reasoning. “And if he's dead what does it matter?”

Where was Anakin going with this?

“One of the places we sent the clones we got out, didn't want any foreign chips or anything in any of its citizens. We had Kix perform a level five scan,” Anakin said.

“Which is against the agreement with the Kaminoans.” Master Mundi pointed out.

Obi-wan snorted, “We are already committing fraud and faking being a serial killer.” Breach of contract wasn’t going to stop them.

“They have a biochip in their brains, it scanned as inert.” Anakin said.

“It was listed in the documentation as an inhibitor chip, it was meant to remove emotions prime exhibited such as anger.” Obi-wan said. “We came to the conclusion the Kaminoian's believed it was what was meant to classify the men as non-sentient. But it didn't work, and they restricted our scanning ability so we couldn't prove they'd broken contract.”

“Except we never proved that hypothesis. The first contract was made with the provision on non-sentience, but the subsequent ones weren't. The ones which were altered were dated after Sifo Dyas was long dead.”

“What are you trying to get at?” Obi-wan asked.

“What if Dooku ordered the clones? He was Master Dyas closest friend, right? It isn't uncommon for friends to share access codes particularly for a jedi in as bad health as Master Dyas.”

“Make and army for us our enemy would?”

“Not an army, a trap. We trust them, why wouldn't we? They are good men, who have had something terrible happen to them. But the sith added the inhibitor chip, not inert, simply inactive.”

“You think the Sith Lord can turn them on, make himself an instant army at our backs?” Mace got to the conclusion half a second before Obi-wan did. Horror washed through the force.

“An army we trust, spread out and spread thin by a false war. It wouldn't even register as betrayal in the force because it wouldn't be.”

“The motion to extend the Chancellors term passed again last week, it came with a whole slew of new emergency powers.” Obi-wan said.

“How long until we face an empire in all but name?” Plo said.

“How long till even the name changes with a Sith at its head?” Shaak added.

Silence fell, no one willing to speak through the heavy weight of what might happen. Well, everyone except one incredibly brave Padawan.

“So what do we do?”

Excellent question Snips, excellent question. Looking round at the floored Masters he knew no answer was coming from there. Nor was Anakin sure he had an answer, but he did have a Padawan or two to fake it for. Anakin dropped to the ground cross legged.

"We do what Jedi always do when we are stuck, scared, or uncertain Snips."

Obi-wan caught on fast dropping down beside him, Master Windu, Master Mundi following shortly after and Yoda’s chair hovered lower. Anakin held a hand up to Snips, who took it and folded herself down across from him, Barris following.

"We get our brains on straight, ask the force and others for wisdom," Ahsoka quoted him. "Rinse and repeat until we have an answer."

"Exactly Snips, I don't think anyone here has their brains doing anything but going in circles. If we try to come up with a solution now, it’s not going to be a good one.”

Anakin steadied his breathing letting his desert winds blow and then out to curl around those he loved. Obi-wan, Snips and, though Padmé might be too far away to reach, there was a lonely scared and overwhelmed Padawan Offee who his heart reached out for and tucked under his wings instead.

The first thing he brought up to address was the neglected prophetic dream. He knew better than to ignore it even temporarily, it was adding a layer to his already overwhelmed brain.

Slowly he went through the dream drawing on the force to get an accurate recollection, releasing his instinctive emotions to the force. He needed a clear head, to notice the inconsistencies he hadn't while panicked and worried.

And now he was looking there was more than a few.

The first and most glaring one was Obi-wan, none of his behaviour was consistent with the man beside him. His allegiance was to the Republic? Don't make him laugh, oh Obi-wan truly believed in the ideals of the republic. He'd fight to protect democracy to his dying breath. But like with the Jedi Order he was fully willing to admit the difference between their stated goals and what they accomplished.

He'd fight for their ideals but go against the institutions if necessary. How many times had they admitted to treason in this conversation alone? The reveal of the Chancellor's true identity made it even more suspect.

No something in his dream was off and until he figured it out, he'd assume Snips and Padmé were fine too. He pulled out his comm noting down the questions he had about events on a list. Though he didn't have answers it put enough doubt on the dream he could focus on the other issues at hand.

Darth Sidious was in charge of the republic. He was dug in deep, between Sith sorcery and the war they weren't getting him out of office legally.

Illegally? Unlikely to work, even if Anakin was wrong about the chips there was no way he wouldn't have contingencies. Shelving the question for now, Anakin wrote 'get Mr creepy out of power.' Down on his comm on the same list he noted his questions to answer about his dream. He added mentally to his list, ‘legally or not’ but the first rule of conspiracy was never to take notes which could be incriminating, so mentally it remained.

Next on his to address list, was his feelings about being mentally manipulated. Rather like Kark really, he wanted to barricade himself in his room and figure out the strongest shields imaginable and use them all. A reasonable response to figuring out you brain had been played with. Practical?

He wrote down 'shields against Mr Creepy?'. Was he going back to meet with Palpatine? It depended on what they ended up doing. Actually, 'would Mr Creepy be able to tell he'd broken the mind kriff?' went on the list.

Now he was on a roll the questions kept coming, including one he never gotten an answer for despite asking for the first time at thirteen, 'why does Mr creepy even want to talk to me?' He immediately scrubbed it out answering his own question before he finished writing it. He wanted him as an apprentice, a replacement for Dooku, no wonder the man hated him.

"Meditating behind these shields isn't accomplishing much," Master Mundi broke the silence.

Anakin pulled himself out of the warmth of the force to notice, though Master Ti and Master Plo appeared to be meditating, Masters Mundi, Yoda and Windu were having difficulty.

"Really?" Ahsoka said.

"We my dear, are meditating through Anakin's signature," Obi-wan said.

"I noticed that, but what does it change anything."

"Is that what that is?" Barris said. Anakin offered Barris a squeeze in the force and was pleased when a small smile appeared on the girls face along with a clumsy pat in return through the force.

"Grandpadawan mine, Anakin is ridiculously powerful. He's still young and growing into his power, but he's already treating these shields as mild annoyances."

"Aren't they meant to be?" Anakin said. Sure they were annoying, but they weren't that strong.

"Clear connection to the force they prevent me."

“Ohhh,” Anakin blushed.

"I guess we don't have to wonder what the Chancellor wants with you." Mace said.

Anakin grimaced.

"Ummm?" Barris raised her hand.

Anakin turned to Barris, "He wants me to be his apprentice, to replace Dooku at some stage. There's no other reason he'd encourage my darker impulses and seem so gleeful every time I told him something new."

"Field day with you he must have had," Yoda giggled. "Gifted force user, yes. but a psychopath too? Thought Lifeday early, he must have, Hrmm?"

Wasn’t that just his luck? rather than off putting the man as had been his intention he drew him closer. Anakin scowled. Though no one laughed at his misfortune the mood did lighten.

"We have to get the Chancellor out of power." Shaak said.

"We have pull in the senate, if we can safeguard against medalling, there are still some checks against his power," Obi-wan said.

Anakin wanted to object but he would be doing so because of his worry for his personal connections. Something they couldn’t afford, plus Padmé would kill him. He breathed out, they would make sure their supporters in the senate were as safe as possible he had to trust them.

"We can't rely on it working though," Mace said.

"The republic has to fight the politics itself otherwise what happens the next time an opportunist despot enters the Chancellors position." Plo said.

"My duty is to the Force first, the Jedi Order second, Democracy and peace third. If the republic has failed..." Mace said.

"We cannot give up on it." Obi-wan said.

"I'm not suggesting we do. Repairing is easier than ripping it out and starting again." Master Windu said.

"Tempting it is, but right Master Kenobi is. Have hope and fight for the republic we must."

"But we have to save ourselves too." Anakin said. "Have contingencies, in case Sidious is further ahead than we thought."

"Darth Sidious his name is?" Yoda asked.

"We assume so, Darth Sidious was the name Ventress gave us for Dooku's Master. I had the report ready for the next council meeting. She couldn't give us much more than his name."

"The Clones need their chips out regardless." Plo said.

"I'll talk to Kix about any protocols he's developed, see if they are plausible to scale." Anakin privately suspected the medic had gotten quite good. But as long as no men were out of duty long enough he had to justify it, or medical supplies went missing in a way he had to track down, Anakin didn't give a kriff and politely looked the other way of Kix’s dechipping operations.

"Are there ways to protect against those artifacts and other mental manipulations?" Anakin asked. This all didn't matter if they went back to trusting him implicitly. "and can he tell we've broken them?"

"Tell in healer assisted break he will not. You? Hmmm not certain I am. Technique to protect ourselves, I do not know. Teach any technique there may be to everyone in contact with the Supreme Chancellor we can not. Busy man he is."

It was odd for Yoda to admit to not knowing something. But Anakin supposed if he had known how to resist it wouldn't have affected him.

"Possibly…" Master Ti said. "Knight Skywalker if you were the man the Chancellor thought you to be, and you broke through the manipulations what would be your next course of action?"

Anakin blinked uncertain of where Master Ti was going. Maybe she was too and rather brainstorming aloud.

“I wouldn't go to the Jedi, I'd want revenge, the nastier the better. Why?” Anakin said.

“We know what and where the objects are. They were valuable and unique enough to risk removing them from the Jedi archives,” Master Ti said.

“He can't replace them, not easily at any rate.” Master Mundi added.

“What Master Skywalker sneaks in and what? smashes them?” Ahsoka said.

Master Ti smiled like a shark, “No I have a better plan than that.”

Why did Anakin feel he was going to regret this?