Hi everyone, I'm so sorry how long I've made you wait for this chapter! First it was because of the amount of work I had at sixth form then it was because I started a job and then it had been so long I ran out of motivation! But your comments helped me and now a new chapter has emerged! I hope you enjoy it x
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Chapter 4 – Waiting Game
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Anakin couldn't believe how quickly the time with his angel had gone. Obi-wan had told him that it would be short because they were still supposed to be on the front lines with their troops but he thought he'd at least get a little bit longer.
Anakin and Obi-wan were in the little two-man shuttle the two had borrowed staring out the front of it at the elongated stars of hyperspace. Obi-wan seemed to be meditating but Anakin was trying to track down Grievous already by using the data that the fleet had sent them earlier. A groan of frustration from Anakin caused Obi-wan to come out of his meditation and regard his brother.
"You should rest, Anakin," Obi-wan told him gently. "We'll be looking at that and trying to determine Grievous' location from the moment we step off this shuttle. Enjoy this time of peace as much as you can, who knows when we'll get another."
Anakin turned to face his master with a tired look in his eyes. "I can't, I need to find his location, to end this war."
Obi-wan was suddenly reminded of the conversation that he'd had with the couple the night before and realised that he would not win this argument with that conversation probably so fresh in Anakin's mind as well. This time Obi-wan was the one to sigh. He got up and rested his hand on Anakin's shoulder for a few seconds and then left to the room at the back of the shuttle which housed some beds.
As he felt Obi-wan leave, Anakin looked up from the data pad yet again and stared out at the stars. One day he would have his peace and his time of rest but it just wasn't possible when he was away from his angel.
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Padmé had awoken that morning to an empty space next to her. She knew that Anakin had been gone for a while as the space next to her was cold. She sighed. Guess it was time to start a new day.
Once she was up and ready she noticed a little note on the side. The writing within it was messy and rushed but it made her heart soar none the less. The note itself consisted of just one simple sentence; One day, I promise
She gave a small smile and knew that because Anakin had promised it, it would happen in the end.
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Anakin and Obi-wan had been hunting for Grievous for the last week and still there was nothing. If Obi-wan wasn't concerned for Anakin before, he definitely was now. As far as he was aware, Anakin hadn't slept since they'd left Coruscant. He had been looking over star charts since they first left and seemed to be going round in circles now. Obi-wan had been saying to him to take a break until a new lead came up but Anakin just wasn't listening.
Because of the lack of sleep he was snapping at others easily and if Obi-wan was being honest he didn't think it would be long before Anakin had a mental breakdown and he had a feeling that would be trouble if it did happen.
"General?"
Obi-wan looked up at the clone that was standing in the doorway and gave him a nod to continue.
"Commander Cody and Captain Rex are making contact sir," he said. "They have asked to speak to you and General Skywalker."
"I'll find Anakin and we'll be right there."
It wasn't hard to find Anakin. He was on the bridge where he had been since they got on the ship, trying once again to find where about in the galaxy Grievous could be.
"Come on Anakin, there's a transmission waiting for us."
They entered the bridge where Admiral Yularen confirmed the transmission and they walked over to the communication table where the image of Commander Cody appeared.
"General Kenobi, General Skywalker," Cody greeted.
"Cody. How goes the inspections?" Obi-wan inquired.
"The tracking station in Pastil is fully operational," Cody informed them. "Captain Rex and I are proceeding to the outpost in the Rishi system."
"Good. Report back once you've arrived," Obi-wan told him. He wanted to know if during the journey there were any signs of Grievous or his fleet.
"Copy that. Cody out," and with that his image disappeared.
"Don't worry Anakin. We'll know if Grievous is anywhere near here," Obi-wan told him.
"I hope so," and then in a whisper he added, "I just want the war to be over."
Obi-wan studied Anakin carefully thinking that now would be his breaking point. He was almost ready to think of some excuse for them to be alone when Anakin composed himself and went where Obi-wan could only guess was back to his star charts to see if he could get any lead on Grievous.
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Obi-wan was beginning to worry a little. It should not be taking Cody and Rex this long to reach the Rishi system. His mind was in overdrive, what if they'd run into Grievous, what if their ship had lost power somewhere and they were stranded. He currently had Admiral Yularen trying to get in contact with them both but so far no luck.
At that moment Anakin joined them and Obi-wan voiced his concerns.
Anakin as always responded with a joke saying that Cody could be boring Rex with procedures and protocol.
That then gave Obi-wan an idea about changing the way that they were currently using in order to try and find Grievous. So Anakin went off to do just that on his own, not really what Obi-wan had in mind. He followed Anakin back to his quarters and joined him.
"We would be able to find him at the moment Anakin, you know that," Obi-wan told him. "We need more information. Part of these routine inspections that Cody and Rex are doing is to inform each outpost what they should do and who to contact if they spot Grievous so then we have the greatest chance of capturing him. I know it's a waiting game and I know how much you hate those but we just have to be patient." Sensing that Anakin wasn't going to say anything Obi-wan gave him a pat on the back and then went back to help Yularen.
As he entered the bridge he could still hear Yularen trying to make contact with Cody and Rex. "General, there's still no response," he informed Obi-wan.
Obi-wan thought for a moment. "How about the all-clear signal," he asked. "Is the base still transmitting?"
"Yes sir."
That made up Obi-wan's mind. "If something were wrong, Cody would contact us," he said, at least he hoped so.
He turned to Anakin who had just arrived to give him an update when all of a sudden Admiral Yularen gave a gasp of surprise and turned to them both exclaiming, "The all-clear signal has been disabled? The Rishi station has stopped transmitting!"
"Grievous," Anakin stated.
"Sound the invasion alarm," Obi-wan instructed Admiral Yularen, "Let's get the fleet under way."
Within moments their ships were hurtling through hyperspace to the Rishi outpost. Anakin seemed on edge again so Obi-wan said "Relax, we'll get him," which seemed to have a slight calming effect on him.
When they came out of hyperspace they came face to face with Grievous' ships and they turned and fled.
"He got away," Anakin growled.
"But we know his projectory and can follow him once we've picked up our men," Obi-wan told him.
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After hearing the story of how the troopers protected the Rishi outpost everyone was in agreement that they should become a part of the 501st for their service and in honour of their fallen brother.
After the ceremony Anakin looked on edge again. "We lost him didn't we," Anakin stated to his master.
"This time yes but now we can narrow his jump down and I promise you we will find him."
Anakin looked at his master and knew he meant it. He gave a small nod of acknowledgement and together they went to greet the next task of war.
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Well I hope you like it! My update plan from now on is to at least have three updates throughout the year for each story, one for easter, summer and christmas. At least! Anyway please let me know if there are any grammer or spelling mistakes and keep commenting as those really help me to get motivated and inspired to write more, love you all and see you for the next one during the summer x