1: Tatooine, 9 BBY, month 5, day 11

Mos Eisley had never been his favorite place, but over the years he'd gotten used to it. And it was the only place within 100 miles where he could get a decent signal. As he pulled up in his speeder, he tugged his hood further forward to cover more of his face. Nerves surfaced inside himself when he approached the checkpoint, but despite his worries he was waved through without a second glance. He parked his speeder outside of the cantina and entered the bar with his cloak still masking his face. He nodded at the bartender, who had clearly been expecting him. It must have been the hundredth time he'd done this, at least; every month for the past ten years he'd come to sequester himself in a back room with his contact. Without another word, he made his way through the throngs of smugglers and fugitives to a small alcove in the back. He shut the door behind him with a wave of his hand, knowing it to be safe now that it was just him and the rebel officer. He pulled off his hood and smiled wearily at his new contact. "Captain Kaeden Larte, I presume?"

"General Kenobi," she said, bowing her head in respect. Obi-Wan sat down at the table that took up the majority of the space in the room, and the young woman did as well.

"I'm no general anymore," he said, smiling a little. "But I appreciate the sentiment."

"Of course, sir," she said. "Senator Organa sends his regards. He has been called away from Coruscant on Senate business but wanted to ensure that your intelligence remained up to date, so he reached out to our cell instead." The young woman broke a smile then and said, "It's an honor to meet you. Truly. I had no idea you had survived the purge."

"That's the idea," Obi-Wan said. "So what has been happening?" Truthfully, as patient and at peace as he liked to think of himself, he lived for these meetings. The ability to truly talk to someone who knows who he is was a rare opportunity for him now, and he never took it for granted.

"Well, truthfully not much. Several rebel cells have been assisting in the Ryloth insurgency. Senator Organa has been providing humanitarian aid, but that's all he's been able to convince the Senate to take action on. The few ships we've had have been helpful in damaging the Imperial blockade, but it's been difficult," the captain said. "The blockade isn't as solid as it used to be. We think the Empire might be starting to understand that holding Ryloth might not be worth it. But it hasn't been easy—certain cells are refusing to help. One, for example, is led by Syndulla's daughter, and she won't go back to her home world. It's frustrating, she's a remarkable pilot."

"She's the leader of one of the Fulcrum cells?" Obi-Wan asked, frowning.

"Yes," Captain Larte said. "I know, they're usually ready for anything, but she's very adamant. Anyway, Gerrera's Partisans are refusing to help, too, they're focused on liberating Onderon."

"Again?" Kenobi asked.

"It fell to the Empire again last year," she said. "Gerrera's been completely unreasonable ever since."

Obi-Wan said, "That doesn't surprise me. I was there for that conflict. He lost his sister defending that world, it's only natural he should want to make sure she didn't die in vain."

Captain Larte nodded. "Right. My… well, I'm not sure what we are, my friend, I guess… she used to be a Jedi. She's talked about you. She said she fought there too."

Obi-Wan's breath caught. "Ahsoka? Ahsoka Tano? She's alive?"

The rebel nodded. "Yes. I… I know I'm not meant to tell anyone I've met with you, but if I could just tell her you're alive…"

"I don't think that's a good idea," Obi-Wan said quietly. He regretted it instantly but knew in his core that it was the right decision. "She can't know. No one can. For the sake of my mission here."

"Right," Kaeden said, though she looked disappointed. "I'm sorry about that. I don't think it would cause a problem, though, she would never bring attention to you."

"I know Ahsoka," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. "She would want to see me, and it would be too dangerous." Not to mention she could probably recognize the boy by sensing his father in him, he thought to himself.

"I know her, too," Kaeden said, sounding almost defensive. "She's been so lonely all these years. I… guess I understand the secrecy. But she feels very alone."

"She has you, though, I gather?" Obi-Wan asked gently. Kaeden shook her head vehemently and laughed.

"No. Not really. She's still a Jedi, no matter what she says, she could never let herself be happy," she said, sounding bitter. She seemed to remember who she was speaking to and stiffened. "I meant no offense, General."

"It's all right," he said. "If that's true, she's a better Jedi than some. Even if she left the Order." A better Jedi than me, he thought to himself, and stood. "And how is Senator Organa's family?" It was a thinly veiled question, obvious to anyone who knew the truth about what he meant masked as a pleasantry, though Kaeden didn't seem to understand.

"He told me to tell you that his wife is well and his daughter is dedicated to her people," she said. Obi-Wan tried not to show his concern. He and the senator had been speaking in subtext for years now; 'Alderaanian' had become a code for confirmation that Leia was showing no signs of connections to her origins.

"You're certain he didn't say she was Alderaanian?" he asked. Kaeden blinked.

"Uh, no, but of course she is."

"Right," he said, frowning slightly. "Well, thank you very much for the information, Captain Larte. Will you be my contact next month?"

"I think so," she said. "But the senator will try to send a message if it won't be me."

"Well, then, thank you for coming all the way out here to meet with me," he said, bowing his head and donning his hood once again.

"No problem," she said. "I like to fly."

"So did I," he said. "When I was a younger man." He stepped out of the cell and left the cantina without making eye contact with anyone else. Walking to his speeder, he stopped when he heard a familiar young voice shrieking in delight behind him. He turned to see a group of young children running about the square, chasing each other with sticks and toy blasters and making a great deal of noise. One of the boys was standing over another who had fallen to the ground, a gleam in his eye that Obi-Wan knew well—every time he saw Luke he reminded him more of the apprentice he had known. He swung the stick he was holding faster than the other boy could defend himself and knocked the toy blaster out of his hand. Obi-Wan shook his head. Those reflexes the boy had… they were going to waste.

"I got you, Biggs!"

"Luke! I'm not Biggs, I'm a Separatist!"

"Oh! Right! Yeah, well, um, in the name of the Jedi, you're under arrest!"

The boy on the ground, Biggs, kicked Luke's leg and aimed the blaster at his head. "You're dead, Jedi!"

"Oh, no! I'm dying!" Luke gasped, and fell to the ground making dramatic sounds. Obi-Wan looked down at the ground, trying not to be disturbed. He straightened and looked up sharply when he saw a nearby smuggler walk up to the group.

"Think that's funny, do you?" the man asked, a large hulking figure who was obviously carrying a real blaster. Biggs, Luke, and the others stood up quickly and looked away.

"We were just playing," Luke mumbled, and the man stepped forward menacingly.

"Listen, boy. You better watch yourself," he growled, and Obi-Wan knew he had to do something.

"Leave these young ones alone," he said loudly, and all of the involved parties's heads turned quickly to look at him. The man swaggered up to him, reaching for his blaster casually.

"I'm teaching them a lesson," he said. "My friends died in those wars."

"So did mine," he said. "But that isn't their fault."

"You'd better stay out of this, or I'll have to make you."

Obi-Wan sighed and raised his hand, trying not to be too obvious. "You have something very important to do back on your ship."The man's eyes clouded over and his hand dropped from his waist. "I… have something very important to do back on my ship," he mumbled, and turned to hurry out of the square. Luke ran up to him, while the other kids hung back.

"Come on, guys," he said.

"I don't know, Luke," one said, a young girl holding a large toy version of a clone blaster. "That's Old Ben, isn't it? My parents said he's crazy."

"He's not crazy, Camie," Luke said adamantly. "I talk to him all the time, he's cool." Biggs stepped forward then, though Camie and the other boy backed away as Luke got closer. "Hi, Ben. What did he say?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm not sure. Sometimes people don't make very much sense," he said. "How are you, Luke?"

"I'm okay," he said. "Why was he so mad?"

"Some people are very sensitive about the Clone Wars, I trust you all understand that."

"We'll be more careful," Biggs mumbled.

"Yeah, sorry, Ben," Luke said.

"That's all right," Obi-Wan said. "Where's your uncle?"

"He's inside…" Luke said, trailing off as his eyes widened, staring at a point beyond Obi-Wan. "Uh-oh." The old Jedi master turned to see Owen Lars hurrying out of a store across the street. Oh, no. "You might want to go. He doesn't like you."

"Yes, I know," Obi-Wan said quietly, and tried to smile politely at the man that had almost reached him now. The aging farmer looked livid.

"What are you doing here?" Lars asked him roughly, moving to stand between him and the two boys.

"Luke just got into a small disagreement with—" Obi-Wan tried to say, but Lars was already leading him away from the group.

"Don't think I don't know exactly what you're doing. Beru told me what you came to tell her, you've got to be crazy."

"I only said he was Force-sensitive," Obi-Wan said, hearing himself sounding more and more defensive. "His abilities are already off the charts, just from what I can sense."

"But I know what that means, that's what you told Shmi back then. You want to train him, don't you?" Lars asked.

"…I think that not training him would frankly be a waste of talent," Kenobi argued.

"My stepbrother had tons of potential too. Look where that got him. I won't let you teach him that nonsense."

Kenobi nodded. "I understand," he muttered.

"I don't think you do. I think you should go," Lars said. "I don't want you talking to him anymore."

Kenobi felt anger boiling up inside of him and fought to control it, calling on the Force to quietly ease his anger. "Lars, it's my duty to watch over him. This boy is the only hope for the future of the Jedi Order."

"The Jedi Order can go to hell where it belongs," Lars spat. He turned back to the boys and called out, "Let's go, Luke."

The young boy looked at both of them, seeming conflicted, before saying, "All right. Bye, Biggs."

"See you, Luke," the boy said quietly, and the young Skywalker looked past his uncle at Obi-Wan sadly.

"Bye, Ben," he said, and Lars led him away quickly, glaring at Obi-Wan one last time as he left.

Obi-Wan watched them leave and shook his head sadly. He looked back at the three remaining children to find Biggs staring at him curiously. "Yes?"

"You told that guy that your friends died in the war," he said. "Did you fight in the Clone Wars?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said, figuring there was no harm in that. Nearly everyone had.

"For who?"

"Not for the Separatists," he said quietly. Biggs grinned.

"Oh, good. I don't like them, you know, Luke just always wants to be the Jedi. I wanna go to the Academy, but only so I can learn to fly and join the Rebellion," he confessed. Obi-Wan smiled but noticed the stormtrooper checkpoint nearby and lowered his voice.

"Well, good. We're always looking for recruits," he said, and walked away smiling to himself at the boy's awed expression. He was controlling his anger as best he could, but by the time he was back on his speeder heading for his home he was furious. Flying usually helped, but the stinging in his eyes as he sped across the sand only served to remind him of the sacrifices he was making for this boy. It wasn't Luke he was mad at, of course, it was Lars. If he thought he could turn his nephew into a farmer, he was crazy. Luke had far too much of Anakin in him—it was only a matter of time. Time Obi-Wan might not have to stay and train him, when he is ready. From what he could tell, the Rebellion wasn't growing like Organa would like. And the message about Leia had troubled him.

When he entered his cell, he took off his cloak and couldn't resist dropping it on the ground in frustration. He crossed the room to his cabinets and pulled out a small packet of dried portion bread. As he boiled it on the hot plate absentmindedly, his head pounding, he knew that afterwards he had to center himself. When he was done eating, he sat down on the mat in the center of the room and closed his eyes. When his breathing became even and his mind cleared, Qui-Gon finally came to him.

"Hello, Master," Obi-Wan said.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said. He sounded displeased. "What you said to the boy, that was reckless."

"I know," he said. "I wasn't thinking clearly."

"You are upset."

"Yes, I'm upset," Obi-Wan said quietly, trying to keep his anger in check or he would lose his connection with his old master. "Lars won't let me train the boy."

"You knew this might happen," he reminded him.

"Yes, I know," Obi-wan said, and sighed. "I just don't see why. He has no perspective. This boy could be the only hope for the Order."

"What about the girl?"

"She hasn't shown any signs of Force sensitivity," Obi-Wan said. "And anyway Organa and I agreed to train Luke if possible, not Leia…"

"But are you so sure? You're troubled about the girl, I can sense it." It was true; he couldn't shake the message he'd gotten. It could have just been the confusion with Kaeden coming instead of his usual contact. But what if it wasn't?

Obi-Wan shook it off and said, "It doesn't matter. What matters is Lars is refusing to see what Luke could become."

"They're scared, Obi-wan. They've never had a positive experience with the Jedi."

"They never will if they continue to be so obstinate," Obi-wan muttered. "He could be as powerful as Anakin, Qui-gon, I'm sure of it."

"I know. But the world has changed greatly, Obi-wan. Does it even need the Jedi anymore? It may have been the state of the Order's internal affairs that allowed Palpatine to become so powerful."

"Absolutely not. I refuse to believe that the Jedi are to blame for the destruction of the Republic," Obi-wan said.

Qui-gon smiled. "You're just as stubborn as when I first met you. Do you remember?"

Kenobi felt his face grow hot with embarrassment at the memory. "I remember, Master."

"You had so much anger. You learned to control it well, Kenobi, but it's still inside you. You will never become one with the Force after this life unless you let go of it completely. Are you ready to continue the training?"

Kenobi closed his eyes. "Yes, Master."

"Remember to let go, Obi-wan. Begin."