(A/N So some small changes, I will be trying to be more detail oriented and slow down the story.)
Galen and Obi-wan stood on the bridge of the Negotiator as it travelled through hyperspace towards the Tarabba sector in search of the Separatists mystery weapon, standing over the command console they were going over clone intelligence trying to find any hints of where General Grievous might be. It had been a week since Master and Padawan had left Raxus Prime and 3 days since searching the Seswanna sector and there was still no sign of this mystery weapon. Finding this search to be fruitless, Galen groaned and slammed his head onto the panel.
Obi-wan chuckled "Frustrated are we, my young Padawan."
Galen lifted his head and glared at his at the older Jedi "Not funny Master."
Obi-wan stroked his beard and reminded Galen "Patience my young Padawan, patience."
Just as Galen was about to retort a holo-transmision came in from Masters Yoda, Windu and Chancellor Palpatine.
Galen and Obi-wan bowed and spoke together "Masters, your Excellency."
The Chancellor spoke first "Any news on the mystery weapon master Jedi?"
Obi-wan Answered "Sadly no."
Master Windu was next to speak "This mystery weapon has struck in a dozen systems and disappeared without a trace."
(Palpatine) "We can not afford to lose any more ships my friend" He then looked over and Acknowledged Anakin and Ahsoka's arrival "Ah, Master Skywalker, have you had any success in finding General Grievous's secret weapon."
It was then that Galen saw Ahsoka, and his heart sped up, and he felt a small twisting in his chest. He was confused as to why this was happening and decided to ignore it and focus on the briefing. Unbeknownst to him Ahsoka was getting the same felling at seeing him, but followed a similar path, listening to the briefing and trying to be respectful as her master had instructed.
Anakin leaned forward and pressed a few buttons bringing up a display of the Abagado system "Master Plo was here in the Abagado system when we lost contact, we've had no further contact with General Plo Koon, the absence of distress beacons indicates that his fleet was…" he hesitates for a moment looking down at Ahsoka before continuing "That his fleet was destroyed like the others, we are about to prepare a rescue mission.:
Galen can see the immense sorrow on Ahsoka's face and gets the urge to somehow reach through the holo-call and comfort her, but knows it's impossible. Though Ahsoka suddenly feels a comforting Aura surround her that seems familiar, and immediately looks up and locks eyes with Galen who gives her a soft smile that she returns before ducking her head to hide a growing blush on her face. Although their moment is quickly interrupted by the Chancellor's voice.
"Hasn't clone intelligence reported that this weapon never leaves any survivors?"
(Obi-wan) "The separatists are being unusually tidy, they don't want any witnesses."
(Yoda) "Tragic are these losses, but prevent more we must."
(Windu) "All our a Battle cruisers will be repositioned to guard our supply convoys, including yours Skywalker, I'm afraid we can't risk anymore ships with a rescue mission."
Gale watches Ahsoka's head drop in sadness and he once again feels an instinct to comfort her, but then she bursts into the conversation.
"Wait, just because there hasn't been any survivors before, doesn't mean there won't be any this time!"
Galen watches as his Master looks at Yoda, Windu and the Chancellor for a moment before the Chancellor says.
"Boldly spoken for one so young."
Ahsoka immediately gets a look that crosses between regret and embarrassment.
Obi-wan gives a small smile and says "She is learning from Anakin."
It's in this moment that Galen sees an opportunity to take some of the heat off Ahsoka and quips
"Just as Anakin and I learn from you master."
Anakin chuckles under his breath and Ahsoka give Galen a look of thanks and appreciation, while Obi-wan gives Galen a look of annoyance. Once Anakin stops chuckling he re-sterns his face and says.
"Excuse my Padawan, we will deploy as you have instructed Master."
The call then cuts out and Obi-wan immediately turns to Galen and gives him the look, Galen begins to rub the back of his head around his braid and says "What?"
Obi-wan just continues to look at him, and Galen lasts another few seconds before he relents and says "Fine I didn't like the masters ganging up on Ahsoka so I thought I'd take some of the heat off her."
Obi-wan just pinches the bridge of his knows and wonders out loud "Why do I always get mavericks for Padawans."
Hearing his master Galen realizes he's no longer in troube and replies without missing a beat "Because we're more interesting Master."
Obi-wan shook his and chuckled slightly and went back to his search, when Galen saw an opportunity to discuss a topic he'd been avoiding with his Master.
"Master?"
"Yes Galen?"
"Cross the Clone Commando we rescued on Raxus."
"Yes what about him?"
"Well as you know he's been resting on the ship until his new assignment comes in, but I was wondering." Galen pauses and looks down and begins to fiddle with one of his lightsabers.
Obi-wan looked up at his young apprentice his interest peaked "You were wondering what?"
If we could keep him here, he could be like my version of Cody a direct line to the men."
Obi-wan stroked his beard pondering the idea "Well it's not a terrible idea and he could give us more strategic ideas when discussing battle plans, oh alright, I'll make the arrangements for him to be stationed with the 212th"
A mega-watt smiled plastered Galen's face "Alright, this is awesome! I'm going to go let him know." And with that Galen wondered off in search of Cross and as he as walking out off the bridge Cody was walking in to speak with Obi-wan. Galen saw him but figured if it was important his master would just tell him later. As he wandered through the lower levels of the ship he found Cross in the galley eating, Galen proceeded over to him.
"Hey Cross."
Cross looked up and seeing Galen was about to stand at attention, Galen notice this and quickly said "At ease."
Cross sat back down "What's up Commander?"
"I was talking to Obi-wan and he said you're going to be permanently stationed with the 212th."
Cross gave him a curios look and Galen took that as a need to further explain "I thought it would kinda suck to just get reassigned a new squad after losing your brothers and it would be easier for you to stay with the 212th, so I had my master pull some strings and now you'll be operating as my second in command, 4th overall behind Cody."
Cross nodded his head in understanding and then looked at Galen and said "thank you Commander that means a lot."
(Galen) "Awesome well I'm gonna head back up to the bridge with master Obi-wan, I'll see you later."
(Cross) "Alright Commander."
Galen left the galley to head back to the bridge in hopes that there had been a change, and maybe they would have something to do and hopefully they had gotten a lead on Grievous and the mystery weapon. As Galen walked onto the bridge he saw Obi-wan speaking to Anakin and based off Obi-wan's expression he was giving a stern lecture. Wisely Galen decided that avoiding the scene until their conversation was over, was the best course of action, and eavesdropping could be fun.
(Obi-wan) "Oh I'm sure, well have you found any survivors?"
(Anakin) "No, you were right, the separatists don't want any witnesses."
(Obi-wan) "All the more reason for you to rejoin the defensive escorts, we need you Anakin, you're going to miss the rendezvous with the fleet if you don't hurry."
(Anakin) "I know master, we're on our way."
Seeing that the call had ended Galen decided to join his master on the bridge but before he could say anything, Obi-wan turned and said "So what have you learned from eavesdropping my young Padawan?"
Galen looked down in embarrassment at being caught and mumbled "Don't get caught?"
Obi-wan looking unamused raised a single eyebrow in question, Galen sighed in defeat and said more clearly "Eavesdropping is rude."
Obi-wan nodded with approval and then retorted with "I would have also have accepted not following Anakin's example."
Galen looked up in shock at Obi-wan and quickly asked "Was that a joke master?"
Obi-wan just smirked as he walked past Galen to the comm terminal and said "I have no idea what you're talking about, now I have to make a report to the council and the chancellor why don't you go and meditate."
Galen bowed and said "Of course master."
As Galen entered his quarters he set his twin sabers on the floor, to use as a focus point and sat on the floor in front of them, he quieted his mind and began to meditate. At first Galen was calm, his mind, but then he felt cold, and a surge of fear ran through him and he saw himself running through a dimly lit room. Both his lightsabers ignited searching for something his mind consumed by fear, as he ran up a set of stairs he saw Count Dooku, stopping he heard himself scream "WHERE IS SHE?"
Count Dooku stepped to the side revealing Ahsoka, but in the vision she appeared older than she was now by possibly a couple years, here head tails were longer and her montrails stood slightly taller, and her body had filled out a little more. As Dooku stepped to the side she looked up, shock appearing on her face. As Galen saw here his face dropped and he softly said "Ahsoka."
Galen began breaking out in a cold sweat as his vision jumped to a new scene, sitting on a platform surrounded by trees with a hard rain coming down, Galen saw himself crying, holding a dead Ahsoka in his arms, begging for forgiveness for not being able to save her. It was then that his eyes shot open, hyperventilating, heart racing, and covered in sweat, Galen tried to calm down and make sense of his vision. As he calmed he thought of asking Obi-wan the meaning behind his vision but, as he recalled the intimacy between him and Ahsoka in the vision, he thought the smarter course of action would be to keep it to himself and try and understand his vision on his own, but as an afterthought, thought of maybe talking to Ahsoka the next time they were together. Deciding not to delve back into his mind again, Galen figured it time to check in with Obi-wan. As he headed into the bridge he saw an unusual amount of hustle coming from the bridge crew and decided to inquire with Obi-wan.
"Master what's going on?"
Obi-wan looked up from his console and replied "I just finished a call with Mala Se and Admiral Yularen, we've discovered what the mystery weapon is."
Galen immediately perked up at hearing the news, "That's great master, what is it?"
"It seems that Grievous and Count Dooku have built a new dreadnought with an Ion Cannon."
At hearing the name of his former master Galen felt a shiver run through his spine. "An ion cannon? That's not good."
Obi-wan shook his head and stroked his beard, "And it gets worse I'm afraid, we've received word that grievous plans to attack the medical facility in the Naboo system."
Galen face wore a shocked expression as he exclaimed "But our medical facilities are unarmed and hold thousands of troopers and hundreds of staff."
Obi-wan nodded "I know, we are on our way their now, but Anakin, Master Plo, and Ahsoka, along with a squadron of fighters are headed there as well, but they are taking a short cut and hopefully they will be able to destroy that ion cannon and keep the facility safe."
"Shouldn't we order an evacuation of the facility just in case?"
Obi-wan gave a small smile to his Padawan, "We thought of that as well, unfortunately the facility doesn't have the necessary, I have contacted the Naboo, and they are sending support but they might not get there in time."
Galen smiled "Well then lets push the engines and see if we can get there in time to save some lives."
Obi-wan smiled at Galen, "You're right my young Padawan" Just then Anakin's squadron took off and Obi-wan pressed down on the comm system, "I hope you know what you're doing Anakin."
"If I don't I won't be around to hear the I told you so."
At hearing this Galen couldn't help but chuckle, but Obi-wan, with arms crossed gave him a stern look before replying "That's reassuring, well take your shortcut I'll take the long way around, but you better be there before I arrive."
"I'll be there Obi-wan." As Obi-wan and Anakin finished their and Anakin began his pre-hyperspace jump check, Galen decided to send a message to Ahsoka.
Ahsoka,
Good luck and please stay safe. I'll see you on the other side, I have something I want to tell you, so if you want to know what it is you'll stay alive, so don't do anything stupid.
-Galen
A few moments pass and then Galen received his reply.
Galen,
I'll try but Skyguy might have other ideas, and I really wanna talk to so I'll make sure we come out alive.
Ahsoka
Just after Galen received the message from Ahsoka the fighter squadron took off to hyperspace. Obi-wan then gave the order to head around the nebula for the medical station. Galen stood by his master and tried to calm his mind in anticipation for the coming battle, but he couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his head that something was going to go wrong. An hour passed and a transmission came in from Admiral Yularen, Obi-wan was the first to speak "What do you have to report Admiral."
"General, the medical station reports fifty percent of patients evacuated."
Obi-wan began to stroke his beard saying "That's not good enough, they'll never be finished before the enemy arrives."
The admiral quickly replied with, "General Skywalker still has a chance to catch Grievous."
"If he does we have to be ready."
The admiral gave a small bow and replied "Yes sir."
Half an hour later in the Naboo system
Galen stood on the bridge just and looked out of the view port as they came out of hyperspace, and the first thing he saw was the Malevolence in flames and the medical facility intact. Galen was speechless, and looked over to his master who held no surprise what so ever, instead Obi-wan simply activated the comm and said "Anakin do you copy?"
Anakin quickly replied with a simple "I'm here."
Obi-wan gave a small smile and replied "Congratulations it looks like your mission was a success."
"Partially, but rievous is still alive, the battle was pretty rough on my men, we're headed for the medical station."
Obi-wan nodded in understanding looked over at Galen and said "We'll take it from here, but don't worry we'll call when we need you."
"I'll be waiting Obi-wan."
Galen took this opportunity to get his two cents in and said "Then I'm afraid you'll be waiting for a while Master Skywalker, because we can handle this."
Anakin just chuckled on the other end of the line and said "Skywalker out."
Obi-wan place his hand on Galen's shoulder and said "Alright lets finish what Anakin started, ahead full." The Negotiator, Perseverance, and The Guardian began moving at full sub-light speed and firing all batteries at the Malevolence as it retreated.
(A/N next chapter will be the adventure onboard the Malevolence, and I will try to get it up by Easter Sunday.)
