Chapter Ten: We Live to Fight Another Day

Episodes: Grievous Intrigue and The Deserter

It took a week until Coruscant was in view. They all breathed a sigh of relief, even the clone troopers. No one really wanted to be around each other anymore - the constant worrying of the padawans had taken a toll on everyone. Barriss was still bed bound, and was put into a hover repulsorlift chair before being brought to the transport.

A nudge drew Obi-Wan away from his thoughts. Shaking his head, he glanced away from the giggling padawans to Anakin. "What?"

The events of the past few weeks had been the worst on Anakin. The man had slept little, constantly plagued by nightmares and worry about the padawans. The amount of forms he had to fill out certainly hadn't helped either. "What are you thinking about?"

Obi-Wan shrugged, not wanting to reveal his thoughts entirely. "A cup of tea and fried bread dough from Dex's."

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Your love of bad food continues to astound me."

A beep sounded before Obi-Wan could reply. He brought the comm to his wrist, nodding to Rex, Cody, and Jesse when they raced onto the transport. "General Kenobi."

"All systems cleared. We're ready to leave, General. Whenever you're ready."

He swept an eye about the medical frigate, watching everyone buckle in. Rex and Anakin were helping Barriss into a seat, trying to make the solemn padawan laugh. It was hard not to smile at the sight. "Copy that, pilot. We're ready when you are."

The medical frigate jolted, causing all of them to readjust their balance. Obi-Wan gripped the hanger hard, trying not to think about how horrible it was to fly in such a small ship. It was bumpy and loud, even when they were in space. His ears began to pop when they hit the atmosphere and began to make descent. He tried different techniques to stop the popping, but by the time he found one that worked they were landing.

"That was fast," Anakin commented while he helped Barriss back into her chair.

"Really?" Obi-Wan let the clones go first when the door opened, frowning when a gust of rain and wind hit him. "I thought it took far too long."

"I'm not surprised, Master."

The medical bay dock was empty save for the Jedi Healer Madame Che and Senator Amidala. He could sense the worry coming from the women, and let Ahsoka push Barriss ahead of him and Anakin. Padmé came forward, embracing each padawan in turn, murmuring to them and smiling.

She's going to be a good mom, Obi-Wan mused. She already has enough practice tending to Ahsoka and Anakin.

"Sure, ignore us. We didn't just get home from a long deployment at all." Anakin grinned at the look his wife threw him before accepting her embrace.

Obi-Wan was close enough to hear them murmur 'I love you' and 'thank the gods you're safe.' He was surprised when Padmé embraced him, though he did not stop it.

"Thanks for bringing them home safe, Obi-Wan."

"Of course."

Madame Che cleared her throat. "Shall we go inside?"

"And get out of this rain?" Ahsoka began to push her friend towards the doors, but was stopped by her friend.

Barriss turned the repulsorlift chair around, facing Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Masters, I cannot apologize enough." She kept her eyes down and her hands in her lap while she spoke. "I endangered a whole ship, and nearly cost the lives of so-"

Obi-Wan knelt in front of her, putting a hand on her knee. "You did fine, Barriss. We are glad it was you and Ahsoka that were confronted with the worms. There is no use in worrying about what ifs."

"Focus your attention on getting better, Barriss." Anakin smiled, tugging the hood of his cloak over his face.

"Kix." Obi-Wan looked to the lone medic. "Can you follow the Master Healer in? Kit Fisto gave you his medical reports. You'll be of great use to us while Barriss finishes recovering."

Kix nodded, glancing at Anakin for approval before joining the healer while she beckoned the padawans towards the doors and away from the bad weather.

Anakin turned to Rex. "Wait for everyone at the barracks, and then you guys are dismissed."

"Copy that, sir."

Cody glanced at Obi-Wan. "Same orders for the 212th and the Third Systems, General?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Make sure everyone is cleared by medical before they enter the planet. We don't need an outbreak on the galaxy's most populous planet."

The clones saluted before going back to the medical frigate. They wached them board it before turning around and going indoors. The atmosphere of the Temple was subdued the second they stepped in. It was almost chilling.

"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked, flipping back the hood of his cloak.

Padmé sighed, pulling down her own cloak hood down - a Jedi issue one, Obi-Wan noted. "Eeth Koth went missing. We have no idea where he is, or if he's even alive."

"What?!" Anakin shouted, quickly lowering his voice when Obi-Wan shot a glare at him. Shaking his head, he frowned at his wife. "When did that happen?"

"This morning. Mace Windu and Master Yoda have been meeting with the Chancellor since the news broke. Anakin, there's evidence that Grievous is behind it."

"Grievous?" Obi-Wan felt he was going to be sick. He brought a hand over his mouth, pacing about before leaning against the nearest wall. Images of the monster floated through his mind.

Anakin snarled. "That damn cyborg! Someone has to do something about it!"

"What can we do that we're not already?" Padmé shot back, glaring at her husband.

Not even forty-eight hours had gone by before the Jedi received an encrypted message. Anakin and a few others got right to work de-crypting it. When they finally did manage to break the encryption, the entire Jedi Order that was on planet watched Grievous spring up via holo.

"That's not terrifying at all," Anakin muttered, tugging his gloves back on.

Obi-Wan snorted, glancing at his former padawan to say something more before Mace dimmed the lights and hit the play button.

General Grievous looked as menacing as ever, hacking before he spoke in a raspier tone than usual. "Greetings, Jedi, it would seem, once again, one of your order has lost his way and even better, a leading member of your Jedi Council."

Obi-Wan froze in shock when the droid general held up the body of Eeth Koth. Out of all the scenarios he had fabricated in his head about Eeth's whereabouts, this had been his least favorite. It would be his luck that this one came true then.

"Listen to me, Jedi, I do not care about your politics. I do not care about your Republic." Grievous threw Eeth to the ground, not caring about the Jedi's obvious pain. "I only live to see you die."

Magnaguards came on screen. No, Obi-Wan thought, uncrossing his arms and leaning forward. No, no no no- He wanted to vomit when the droids began electrocuting Eeth. The younglings present began to murmur and whimper, hiding in Ahsoka's waist.

"Death will not come so easily for Master Koth. I will make him suffer endlessly because I know that is more painful for you all." Grievous laughed manically before beginning one of his infamous coughing fits.

The transmission cut.

"He's a monster," Anakin snarled.

"I couldn't agree more." Obi-Wan wanted to be anywhere but in the room surrounded by his brethren. He couldn't stand to listen to their muttering right now. Through the cotton in his ears he could hear Yoda telling the padawans present to take the younglings away. He only tuned in when Anakin spoke.

"It's time somebody finally put an end to that monster."

Yoda nodded, his shoulders sagging while he readjusted his grip on his cane. "On that, agreed we are. How to find him, the question remains."

Obi-Wan remembered something while he had been searching through the reports of their last encounter with the droid general. "After engaging Grievous, we lost contact with Master Koth. He could be anywhere."

Plo Koon's raspy voice came over the scanners. "Commander Wolffe has found a message in the holo transmission. Play back the message."

Anakin squinted at the holotransmission before elbowing Obi-Wan. "Look. Hand signals."

Obi-Wan did his best not to groan. He was fluent in several different sign lauguages, thanks to Qui-Gon's insistence when he was a padawan. It had been years since he had formerly had to use it as communication - the only gesture his former padawan knew was the middle finger, and that worked fine most of the time. Nevertheless, he leaned forward and squinted. "I admit my skills are rusty, but Saleucami system...sector J-1...Zero-eight, zero...five, two-nine.

Adi Gallia spoke for the first time. "Saleucami? But intelligence reported Grievous has no ships near that sector."

Yoda inclined his head at her. "But so often inaccurate our intelligence is."

Obi-Wan straightened "I shall go."

Anakin nodded. "So will I."

Adi stepped forward. "And I."

Mace frowned, and glanced at the Grand Master. "Is it wise to send two Jedi masters and a knight on the field at once? Kenobi and Skywalker did just get back from Geonosis."

"Who else will do it, if not us?" Anakin asked, folding his arms over his chest. "We will leave Ahsoka here, if that is what you're concerned about."

"Fine. We'll have a ship prepared by tomorrow morning. Brief your troops when we have orders drawn up."

Obi-Wan wasn't entirely fond of waiting around for a mission to start. He tried to mediate, failed, and went to the training rooms. They were empty, thankfully. He powered up every droid to full capacity, listening to everything hum before he powered up his lightsaber and attacked.

He pushed himself until his leg began to throb and continued a bit more before collapsing in a heap on the training mats. The training droids powered down upon detecting respiratory distress. Panting, he waved away the icon to call for medical before getting up and making his way to his apartment.

It was quiet when he walked in. There was a bag on the caf table of Anakin's things, but no Anakin. He guessed that the man was at the 500 Republica.

The night passed fitfully, and he was more than ready to leave when dawn arrived. Cody greeted him tiredly on The Negotiator, doing his best not to yawn.

"What happened to you?" Obi-Wan chuckled, taking the datapad that was handed to him.

"The 501st has some interesting ways on how to spend offtime. I've never drank so much in my life."

"They are Anakin's men." He scrolled through the orders on the datapad, and nodded in satisfaction. "Go to medical, Cody. I'm sure they'll have something to cure a hangover. I'll meet you on the bridge."

It ddin't take long for Anakin's ship to come online. He pressed to the button to recieve the other ship's transmission while Cody walked up behind him.

"Are you ready?"

Anakin responded. "Ready and waiting."

"I shall engage the Separatist fleet and send you the coordinates of Grievous' command ship."

"Just make sure you get it right."

"I always do."

From behind Anakin's chair, Ali Gallia raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan on getting Grievous aboard your ship?"

Obi-Wan glanced down, mouth twisting. He remembered all the times he had fought with Grievous, all the lives lost because he couldn't subdue the droid general. "Not to worry. The good General and I have a history. I'm sure he'll want to even the score face-to-face."

Anakin was smart enough not to pry any further about Grievous. "Meanwhile, we'll jump in undetected and board the command ship."

Adi leaned against Anakin's chair, tapping her fingers against it. "If Master Koth is still alive, you will find him."

"Hopefully, by the end of this mission, we will have saved Master Koth and captured General Grievous." And this war will be over tomorrow morning. Obi-Wan forced a grim smile on his face before cutting the transmission. Instantaneously, the ships dropped out of hyperspace, and Saleucami could be seen. He knew everyone was watching him, waiting for him to hail Grievous.

He wanted to turn and flee than face that demon again.

Pressing his lips together, he glanced to Cody and hit the hail button.

A few agonzing moments passed. He stepped back, anxiously waiting for the droid general to answer.

"Do you think he'll answer?" Cody asked quietly before the black screen fizzled to life.

Obi-Wan did his best not to let his terror and anger seep into his words. Stay calm, stay calm. "General...I knew one day I'd catch up to you."

Grevious chortled. "Kenobi! What a surprise. I assume you are here to bring me to justice.

"You know me too well."

"Indeed, I do."

The transmission cut out and the enemy began to fire at them. Obi-Wan only just refrained from cursing. "We certainly have his attention." He raised his wrist-comm. "Admiral Yularen, keep Grievous' fleet occupied so Anakin's arrival is undetected."

Admiral Yularran's voice crackled. "Yes, General. Commence attack. All ships fire at will."

Someone else sounded over the speaker. "Yes, sir. We're moving in."

Obi-Wan glanced to his commander, thanking the heavens the man had denied leave and agreed to go on the mission. "Commander Cody, do you have the exact coordinates of the command ship yet?"

"We're patching them through now, sir."

He was about to give the order to fire, but the ship jolted instead. No one was prepared for it. Just about everyone fell to their hands and knees. A sharp pain went through Obi-Wan's leg, and he had to bite down a curse when his shoulder whacked against a supply crate.

Cody's voice was muffled. "Tractor beam has us, sir. Shall we fire on the source?"

Obi-Wan suddenly realized something, and forced himself to stand, raising a hand to his commander. "No, Cody. Let them think they have us. We need a diversion for Anakin."

"Are you sure, sir?"

Obi-Wan nodded, watching the enemy ship come ever closer. He smiled grimly when he realized what they had to do. Glancing around at the men surrounding him, he said, "How do you boys feel about engaging Grievous?"

"So that's where General Skywalker gets his spontaneity from," someone muttered.

He didn't respond to that, beckoning Cody to follow him. "If we're lucky we can capture Grievous and end this war today."

"And if that doesn't happen?" Cody asked.

"Then we pray we don't become human parts."

Obi-Wan let his men fall into silence as they made their way to the boarding area. He patted his lightsaber, felt for his communicator, and prayed that he would make it out of the day alive. It was only when they hit the hallway did he speak again. "Remember, we need to keep Grievous on this ship until General Skywalker is clear."

They halted. Clones lined the hallway. There was a jolt as Grievous' ship connected. His lightsabers started to cut through the door. Obi-Wan swallowed hard, watching as a circle was kicked out of the door. It barely missed his head as the droids came through. The clones began to fire.

Grevious walked through the hole after two magnaguards.

Obi-Wan ignited lightsaber.

"Kenobi."

The magnaguards began to walk towards Obi-Wan. He was backing down a hallway, ready to fight. He wanted to fight, to see this creature dead at his fight. Damn the Code, he hated Grievous. A door slid open behind him. They were in one of the command rooms.

An enclosed space, he thought while walking up the steps and eyeing the magnaguards on either side of him. Great.

Grevious ignited two of his lightsabers. "So, Kenobi, is everything going as planned?"

"That depends on your point of view, General." He couldn't stand staying still any longer. He attacked one of the magnaguards, not stopping until it was destroyed. Grievous was talking, but he couldn't think, wouldn't think. Battle was not a time for thinking. He was locking blades with Grievous, then the remaining magnaguard, then Grievous again.

Say something, say something.

"I hear a lot of talking, General, but in the final accounting, what does all the talk get you? A futile quest for power, a mutilated body, and your place as Dooku's errand boy!"

"I'm no errand boy. I am not in this war for Dooku's politics. I am the leader of the most powerful droid army the galaxy has ever seen!"

Obi-Wan ducked under the maganguard before kicking its legs out from under it. He shoved its staff into the chest, holding his lightsaber and the staff. "An army with no loyalty, no spirit, just programming. Why do you need to show all your power?! What have you to gain?!"

Grievous ignited his remaining two lightsabers. "The future, a future where there are no Jedi!"

When the two blades began to spin, Obi-Wan could honestly say that he wasn't scared. He was ready to die. Fight for the Republic. Fight for Ahsoka. Fight for peace and happy endings. It didn't matter when Grievous kicked him down. He was dazed, yes, but he still had fight in him. He would make it home. He couldn't leave Anakin in the Order alone.

"The story of Obi-Wan Kenobi ends here."

Even I can't seem to do that, Obi-Wan thought, wondering if he laughed outloud or not. He backflipped out of the way, forcing Grevious to leap around the command room with him. When he found himself pressed against the counter, he could only think of slitting the monster's throat.

"Your friends shall die, Kenobi, and you shall soon follow."

Obi-Wan shoved him off, glancing around for an escape route before continuing to fight. He spotted one of the magnaguards and Force threw it at Grievous. A sick sort of satisfaction went through him when the droid general crunched against the window and fell to the floor. He pointed his lightsaber at Grievous. "Surrender, General."

One. Two. Three.

"Never!" Grievous launched himself at Kenobi, flying past him on all fours like a bug.

Obi-Wan started after him, growling in frustration when the door locked behind the droid. He started to cut a hole through the door while speaking rapidly into his wristcomm. "I hope you've rescued Master Koth, because Grievous is headed back to his ship."

He could only hear faint replies. Eeth was speaking, then Anakin, and was that Adi? He didn't care. The cut out fell to the ground, and Obi-Wan darted through it and down the hallway. Faster, faster, faster.

Two lone clones not in armor met his gaze. He stopped briefly, wondering why the fuck they were in the danger zone. "Get back to the bridge! We need to detach before Grievous jumps ship!"

He didn't wait for them to obey orders. He turned to the right, yelling into his wristcomm. "Cody, come in."

"Yes, sir!"

"Grievous is heading your way."

Gunfire started to echo around him. Explosions rocked the ship - the engines were hit.

The clones were using suspension cables to stall Grevious - they even tried to dogpile him. Obi-Wan wanted to shout at them, to plead with them not to put themselves in unnecessary danger. Another explosion shook the ship, and he fell to his bad leg once again.

The pain didn't stop him from chasing after Grievous. The emergency lights flickered on. Obi-Wan wasn't terribly aware of who was behind him while he ran after the general. Don't let him get to the ship, don't let him, don't let him.

The ship was shaking - the stabalizers must have been hit. More emergency lights. They fell again to their knees. Grevious was still running, then sliding as the ship pitched. Obi-Wan could only hear his own heartbeat as he ignited his lightsaber and tried to engage Grevious.

He had to win. This had to be his legacy.

Grievous was laughing. Why the fuck was he laughing? He pushed Obi-Wan away as the detachment broke. The air became thin. They were in a vacuum. Tears were in his eyes while he flew down the hallway and landed unceremoniously on the ground.

Grievous made it to his ship. "Until we meet again, Kenobi."

Adi came out of nowhere, igniting her lightsaber and clashing with Grievous.

Obi-Wan forced himself to stand, ready to join the fight. The detachment broke when he stepped forward, letting wind come through and knocking everyone back. A clone fell into space. He was just barely caught by Cody.

Grievous scrambled into his ship. Somehow Adi fired an extension, letting Obi-Wan and Cody grab it. He didn't want the safe area to be in Grievous' ship, but he didn't have a choice. He merely fell to his knees when the female Jedi hit the space lock, gasping for air.

Obi-Wan stood quickly, ignoring his spinning head. "Hurry. We can still catch him."

"Obi-Wan, Anakin's leaving. We'll be trapped on the ship."

He stopped, feeling his shoulders slump. She was right. Trying to keep his voice level, he raised his wristcomm. "Anakin, come in. We're in a bit of a spot, and we need a way off of Grievous' ship.

"There's a large hangar near your position. Make your way there, and I'll pick you up."

Obi-Wan glanced at the Jedi knight before turning. They ran to the hanger blindly, following the smell of oil and fumes. The ship around them was exploding. He wondered how awful it would be if he went down with an enemy ship.

"Why does the General insist on keeping that clunker?" Cody muttered when Anakin's shuttle flew through the hanger.

Because Padmé gave it to him. He followed everyone, making sure that no one was following them before he ducked onto the ramp.

He wanted to breathe, to sprawl into a chair the second they entered the cockpit. He knew the fight wasn't over yet. He changed the temperature in the cockpit for Eeth, who was shivering in the co-pilot's chair. "Anakin, get me Admiral Yularen."

"Copy that, Master."

A few seconds passed before: "General Skywalker?"

"Admiral Yularen, this is General Kenobi. What's the status?"

"Several craft detached from Grievous' ship and attempted to land on Saleucami."

Obi-Wan moved to a chair and sighed. "Then we'll have to land and follow them. Prepare the tanks."

"Yes, sir."

Anakin was quiet for a moment, watching the battle before him. "There must be several landing sites. It may be hard to locate the good General."

"You'll have to command the space battle while Rex, Cody, and I head to the surface."

Anakin turned his head to glance at him, eyebrows knit together in concern. "You sure you can handle this on your own?"

Obi-Wan knew his smile was bitter. "I think I can manage."

"That wasn't what I was asking, Obi-Wan."

"Anakin is right, Obi-Wan." Adi laid a hand on Obi-Wan's arm. "Are you going to okay leading your men?"

"I'll be fine."

They said nothing more. Obi-Wan thought of the oncoming battle, wondering when he would finally end Grievous once and for all.

When the ship docked in the cruiser, Obi-Wan was the first out of the ship. He wanted to be drawing up plans for the assault, not wait for everyone to file down the ship's ramp.

Adi spoke first, more to Anakin than him. "I'll get Master Koth to a medical frigate.

Eeth smiled at them. "You all took a great risk rescuing me."

Obi-Wan nodded, wondering why the fuck he was even on the ship. Eeth and him weren't even that good of friends. "You're welcome, Master Koth."

"Since you divided your forces, Grievous is still at large. I would have gladly given my life if it meant bringing that monster to justice!"

I agree wholeheartedly, Obi-Wan thought.

Anakin must have sensed his thoughts, because it was him spoke. "At least we all live to fight another day."

Obi-Wan barely acknowledged everyone leaving. He shook his head, and walked over to Rex and Cody.

We all live to fight another day.

He had to repeat that over and over again when they were on planet, tracking down Grievous in the blazing sun. He had to remind himself that living was a good thing when Grievous got away once again.

I have to live to fight another day.

Unfortunately.

Author's Note: i'M BACK! Did you miss me? Did you miss me?

Enjoy this chapter, my friends. It's probably riddled with errors, but it's something! Hoepfully i can get the epilogue of "A Week On Tatooine' up by Wednesday!

Ta for now, dearies!

ii Digestive Reader ii