Hello all! It has been an extremely long time! I'm not even sure if people are still reading clone wars fanfics to be honest. As bad as it may sound, fanfiction had slipped my mind and I had completely forgotten about it until the other day when an old story I had favorited came to mind. Long story short, the feels were real going back and reading old fics and reviews on my own fics and I really got to missing it all. All of the people I became acquainted with all of those years ago I'm sure are long since retired from the scene, and how could I blame them, I thought I had too, but with the recent reveal of Clone Wars season 7 becoming reality I thought "Hey, why not!"
However! That's enough chatting for the beginning of this newest novel! I will continue at the end of this chapter! For now, enjoy chapter 1!
Ahsoka Tano stood with her hands clasped behind her back in the center of the Jedi Council chambers. She and her master, Anakin Skywalker, had been summoned for a mission briefing. She typically tended to be rather excited about new missions, but she especially was today. It had been nearly two weeks since they were last deployed. Sure she enjoyed the time off, but she couldn't help but get a little anxious after so long. Perhaps it was a trait that she had inherited from Anakin, but she could not be sure.
"Thank you for joining us on such a short notice. We apologize for the suddenty of this briefing, but we had no other option given the matter at hand." Mace Windu formally began.
"It is no problem at all, Master. I believe I speak for me and the padawan both when I say that we found the invitation quite welcoming. We could use a little field time." Anakin smirked lightly.
"That is good to hear," Obi-wan began as he crossed his legs,"You will be getting plenty of field time with the assignment we have for you."
"Jellal Keel, Prince of Elbio, has extended a confidential plea for the Republic's assistance on his father, Mardel Keel's, behalf." Mace began to explain.
"Elbio? I'm not familiar with it." Anakin confessed as he placed a hand on his chin.
"A neutral system Elbio is, located deep within the Outer Rim." Yoda responded.
"It would appear that the Separatist have taken a keen interest in the system as of late, although we are uncertain why. According to Mardel's son, Jellal, General Grevious' forces have invaded the planet under the false claim of political propaganda."
"Jellal believes that the Separatist's are attempting to force the King's hand in order to rape the system of its resources. According to the intel his undercover agents have gathered, the Separatist are after something, but what or who we do not know. "
"Pardon me, I don't mean to sound rude, but where is the King's voice in all of this?" Anakin asked as Ahsoka continued to stand quietly beside him.
"That is where the conflict arises." Remarked Master Mundi.
"Jellal claims that his Father is, as he puts it, 'spineless'." Mace informed," He says that his father only wants peace for his people, but sees joining the Separatist as the only way of securing it."
"Yeah, because Grievous sure has proven himself the 'Prince of Peace'." Ahsoka sarcastically remarked under her breath to her master.
"Jellal sees the error of his father's thinking and has requested the Republic's aid to rid Elbio of Separatist control."
"Great! When do we set out?" Anakin chanted slamming his bionic fist into his hand.
"I'm afraid it is not that simple." Plo Koon grimly stated.
Obi-wan followed Master Plo," We could dispatch a legion of troops to execute a liberation of the system, but due to the planet's neutrality I'm afraid we will be unable to assist them."
Anakin frowned in disappointment," That does complicate things."
"According to Jellal, his father might consider joining the Republic if we help free his people and restore peace, but seeing as we can not legally aid them as of now, we are sending you two to make negotiations with King Mardel."
"If he joins the Republic, we have troops on standby prepared to come to his aid, but if he does not join us there is nothing we can do."
"Understood. We will represent the Republic as you have requested, Masters." Anakin bowed respectfully.
"Good. Chancellor Palpatine has requested that Senator Bonteri of Onderron join you for this task. He feels that the senator will have a strong pull seeing that he was once aligned with the Separatists during his time on Raxus and has special insight of their perverted cause."
"Very well. We will set out first thing in the morning."
"Careful you must be. A sensitive people the Elbians are. If join the Republic King Mardel does, a clear conscious and peace of mind he must have." Yoda informed.
"Understood. We will see to it that the mission is a success."
"So, what do you think the Sepi's want with Elbio?" Ahsoka asked as she and Anakin made their way down the main hall of the Jedi temple towards their resting chambers.
"I'm not sure, but what ever they are after must be pretty important. Why else would Grevious' of all people invade under the facade of politics."
Ahsoka nodded in agreement," You've got me there. I was under the impression that murder was his only tactic."
"These are desperate times. Perhaps the General has had a change of heart." Anakin smirked.
"He is a cyborg after all. An operation like that probably wouldn't be hard to do." Ahsoka remarked.
Anakin laughed lightly before composing himself," How are you feeling about our counter part on this one?"
Ahsoka knew that he was referring to Lux," I'm fine, Master. I will admit that I struggled while training the rebels on Onderron, but with your guidance I was able to put my purpose before my feelings."
"Good." Anakin stopped as they reached a 'T' in the road," Be sure to rest up. Elbio is quite a long trip from here. We are going to be representing the face of the Republic. I don't want my padawan showing up looking hung over from lack of sleep."
Ahsoka chuckled at his comment," You should really take your own advice Mr. 'Stays-up-until-3-watching-pod-races'."
"Goodnight, Ahsoka." Anakin laughed.
And with that the two parted ways for their own private quarters.
I know it was short, but give it time. It has been a while- I've got to get back in the groove of things! This fic is going to be stand alone from all of my others. Going back and reading my previous works I realized the insanity that was my young teenage imagination. This fic will be the most authentic Clone Wars fic I can possibly muster up. That said, for those of you who know me as a "Lux-soka" writer, the fluff will not be nearly as intense as in my previous novels. I am going for a more genuine Clone Wars feel this time around. Although I would have loved for things to have worked out for the young duo in the series, I understand that Master Dave would never allow that to happen.
Any how, it is so good to be back! If any of you original authors/writers/readers from many moons ago are reading this, please comment or pm me! I would love to catch up! Alot has changed over the course of the past couple years for me, so I can only imagine how much things have changed for you all! Hope you guys enjoyed!
See ya! - SD351