Chapter 25
"You're sure that will do it?" Ahsoka sat across from Chris as he typed out a message in the holo-comm.
"Mostly, R5 fixed it, but the transpeater is burned up. We can send a message, but it may take a while - and be spotty at that. To be truthful, I don't know how long a message like this will take." Chris focused on the holo-comm, while also trying to keep up with Ahsoka's constant questions. "The Empire has people who continually monitor communication waves, looking for keywords; meaning Jedi. All we should have to do is place a few words here and there, and dial down the reception so that it's extra fuzzy. That way it looks like we're trying to hide something. It should sound legitimate and attract attention."
Taking a deep breath, Ahsoka sat back in her chair while keeping her eyes on the com system. "Yeah, I think I've got that part. But will that guarantee that it's Vader – I, uh, mean Anakin – who comes? We're not in a position to fight an army."
"You know the answer to that is no. Although we've never encountered Vader, his name seems to be the one that pops up time and time again. It's like he's the Emperor's personal Jedi hunter. We can only hope he's the one who shows. Is there a backup plan just in case someone else makes the trip?"
Ahsoka shook her head. "Not really. Trying to convince Anakin that he's on the wrong side is one thing. Trying to convince an army that has been bred to kill is quite another."
"All right, message sent." Chris stopped long enough to look up, trying to gauge the expression on her face. There was none. The blank stares had increased since the Bedlam incident, and Ahsoka appeared to be lost in her thoughts for longer periods of time as well. "I'm going to see if I have a spare transpeater. And you probably don't hear a word I'm saying, do you?" With that, Chris left the cockpit in search of the parts. Upon his return, Ahsoka was still in her trance. "Ahsoka." No answer. "Ahsoka." A little louder, but still no answer. "Ahsoka!" When she finally turned her head, Chris regretted disturbing her. Her eyes had glazed over, and her face was slightly pale. She still did not respond to Chris's calls. He sat frozen, halfway from fear at never seeing her like this before, halfway from fear that she would do something to him.
"He's coming." The color returned to her face, and her eyes turned back to bright blue. "Anakin got the message, and he's coming."
"Are you sure?" Chris was unsure whether he should question her, but he needed to know. "I mean, does he know you are here, or just a possible Jedi?"
"Just a Jedi. I shielded myself, but he knows someone is here."
Standing at the bottom of the entrance ramp, Obi-Wan waited for the duo to reach him before speaking. "Ahsoka, if we're anywhere close to Luke, I can't help. I can shield the boy, or I can fight. I can't do both."
"I don't plan on fighting, Obi-Wan." Ahsoka took a deep breath. "I plan on talking first. I figure we – uh, I mean I - could set up camp out in the wilderness and wait for Anakin to come. If I'm far enough out, he won't sense anyone else - even Luke."
"If that's the plan, then count me in. I'll be there to help with - what did you call it? Negotiations? If worse comes to worst, it'll be two against one." Obi-Wan smiled a crooked smile. Then he began walking back into his house, with Ahsoka in tow.
"Well, now, wait a minute! What do you expect me to do?" Chris called to the two Jedi, bent on standing his ground. They looked back.
"Stay out of the way." Turning back towards the house, Obi-Wan continued on his way.
Trying to be a little more diplomatic, Ahsoka took a step towards Chris. "I'm sorry, Chris, but this is different. Anakin is strong. If negotiations go wrong, it will take all our concentration to fight Vader. We can't be worried about trying to save you."
"Save me?" The disgust was evident in Chris's voice.
Ahsoka took another step towards him. The corners of her mouth turned down, and her corner fangs began to show. Barely opening her mouth, she forced the words out. "That's right. I said saving you. This is not just a stormtrooper we're dealing with here, and this is no place for pride. For the past eleven years, things have been done your way. This time we're going to do something different." She stared Chris down for a moment then turned back to follow Obi-Wan.
A small fire burned under a black kettle in the corner of the room. Ahsoka tried to help with the meal, but soon realized there was only room for one. Finally giving up, she went back to sit with Chris, who was in his own world making up battle plans.
"I know what you said, but you can never be too prepared." He continued to go over the maps of the terrain. "This place - uh, the Pika Oasis …"
"…is off limits," Obi-Wan finished before Chris could continue. "If you insist on including yourself in some way, then find a place out in the desert that's far away from civilized life. Besides, the last time I was there, it changed everything." Turning back to the dinner pot, he mumbled under his breath, "Not my fault, but everything changed."
Keeping his back to Ahsoka and Chris, he continued his work. Pika. Haven't even thought of that place in a while. Annileen. Maybe, just maybe, if things were different. Nonsense. You're a Jedi, Kenobi. Look at what happened to Anakin. But what if we were able to stop the Emperor? Maybe it would be a different galaxy then. I wonder if I could have told her why I was here. Annileen. Maybe I'll go to Alderaan and see you someday. Kallie and Jabe must be married by now. Probably have children of their own. Then again, you're probably married by now, too. Maybe Alderaan isn't a good choice after all.
"Master." Ahsoka started to rise.
"Oh, sorry. Lost in my thoughts." Turning towards the couple, he smiled. "Dinner's ready."
"Must have been some thoughts. You didn't even hear me talking," said Chris.
He continued, "What about the Tuskens? If we - or rather, the two of you - go to the desert and wait, won't they show up?"
"They are no worry. We have an agreement." Obi-Wan smiled as he handed bowls to his guests.
"I've heard that Sand People don't make agreements." Chris stood up to take the bowl.
"Do you believe everything you hear? If you did, you'd believe you were partaking with criminals right now." Handing a bowl to Ahsoka, Obi-Wan sat down. With a smile on his face, he continued. "No. When they arrive, we will send a message for Anakin to meet us in the desert. We will talk, and hopefully Ahsoka here," Obi-Wan said as he waved towards her, "will be able to succeed where I failed." He pursed his lips and looked into his bowl. The smile left his face, as he stared into the bowl a moment longer. Then looking up, he tried to regain the enjoyment of having conversation with an old friend. "So, how does it taste? It's the best Pylokam offers." Forcing another smile, he began eating.