AN-Hello everybody! Here's the next chapter for y'all!
Oh, there is a flashback scene that is in italics, but I put in a flashback wording just in case some might miss it.
Enjoy!
"Thought you'd said that," Anakin huffed out a sigh. "But promise me that you'll avoid any conflicts, stay away from Sidious and out of the public's eye."
"Anakin, I'll do the first two things willingly, and not just for you, but I'm afraid the last one will be a bit tricky."
The puzzled look adorning her husband's face was precious, but she elaborated, pointing down to their children, "this will be made news, and I will be hounded, at least for a while."
A dark look crossed the former sith's face as the thought of the media frenzy and possible stalking that would occur to his wife.
"I'm sorr-"
"Don't apologize Anakin. I knew what I was getting into. So," she then changed the topic of conversation, "when do we leave?"
"Now."
Explanations
Padme blinked once, then twice after a moment. Then it finally sunk in.
"Wait, now as in right this minute?"
"Yes."
"Anakin," came an exasperated sigh from Padme, "At least give me a minutes warning! I have clothes to pack, thinks to organize-"
"Then we better hurry, Obi-Wan and Rex are waiting."
"…You know I can't just throw things in a pack at a moment's notice. I'm not you, you know."
He then gave her one of his best cheeky smiles as he replied back happily, "That's why you have me."
Padme for a moment just watched as her husband proceed to haphazardly throw items into a bag he had conveniently found under her bed. Her eye begged to twitch in irritation at his sloppy manner or packing, but she reigned it in for an important fact that she just registered.
"Wait, Ani, you said something about Rex."
"Yup," was his distracted reply. "He's joined in our cause. In the old timeline he was one of the few who were able to oppose order 66. Plus Qui-Gon said he could be trusted."
Now her full attention was on him, "Qui-Gon? Qui-Gon contacted you? What did he say?"
"I'll tell you later, but now we need move. We're heading back to Coruscant."
Padme wasn't happy with that response but decide to follow his lead. She would get her answers. After all patience was key.
For now she would pack all she needed for the trip back home. Hopefully before she smacked her husband and his sloppy ways.
Some reunion this was.
Obi-Wan really didn't want to be the one doing this. But out of the three of them, Anakin, Rex and himself, he was pretty much the obvious best choice. Anakin for all his leadership skills and charisma has very little tact concerning the council and Rex….he really wasn't even an option.
So here he was pinning in the keys towards the right transmission for the council while composing himself for the onslaught of reprimanding he has going to receive.
This wasn't going to be pretty.
In all honesty, Obi-Wan didn't think the council would take his explanation very well, or what limited information he relayed to them before the three of them left the base.
He thought back with a wince at what he had told them, then what happened after.
FLASHBACK
"Make it short and simple," Anakin all but commanded.
The older man shot him a look. "Short and simple? You do know this is the council we are talking to right? Short and simple would never work."
"Yeah, well, I'm not the one who wanted to send out a message to them."
"We-"
"I know, I know. Save me the lecture. But really, right now we have more important things to do than go begging for the council's approval. We need to move fast."
"Is that what Qui-Gon said?" inquired Obi-Wan.
"No, but it was kind of implied. Also, we haven't been back to the capital in months. I'm worried what Sidious has been up to all this time…and Padme."
A ping alerted the duo of the opening channel.
"Here we go," mumbled the jedi master under his breath as he composed himself in front of the most powerful force users in the Galaxy.
"Master Kenobi," greeted the diminutive green Jedi master first.
"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan nodded back.
"Contact us, why did you?"
"There...has been a recent turn of events."
"Pertaining to what exactly," the Korun human spoke. Mace Windu's harsh stare was directed solely on Obi-Wan as he studied the holographic display before him.
Now how to word this exactly. "An…acquaintance has indicated the whereabouts of the Sith master to us. We would like to investigate more thoroughly to prove those claims true."
"And who has told you of such claims," the calming voice of Shaak Ti resounded.
"Unfortunately, he does not want his identity known."
This did not seem to bode well for the council members as Windu spoke up, "Where exactly is the Sith's whereabouts then?"
Oh, they were not going to like this."…I cannot tell you this either. He has entrusted this information to me…and Anakin only." The both of them had agreed that keeping Qui-Gon's identity a secret for now might be the best course of action. After all, even if Qui-Gon was a respected member of the Jedi order and if the council members did believe them, the onslaught of questioning and Inquisition that would follow would only slow them down. Time was of the essence after all.
Mace Windu's glared harshly at the red-haired Jedi master's projection. "Master Kenobi, you have told is nothing whatsoever. With this limited information, you want to go gallivanting across the galaxy to find the Sith that has alluded us for more than ten years. And with what? A basis of rumors?"
"….yes". It did sound rather pitiful when he stated it like that.
"We are limited in our numbers as it is. We can't afford to let you go off in a wild chase based on flimsy claims," Windu continued.
"Master Yoda?" inquired Obi-Wan with hope he might relent as he had when Anakin first returned.
"Right he is, I am afraid. Dire times, we are in. Continue with your campaign, you must," was the solemn response.
"Yes, but-"
Anakin then appeared in the projection as he gave a curt nod towards the council members. "I'm sorry masters, but that is not possible at the moment."
"And why is that," the accusing glare turned towards the former sith.
"We are already on the way there," was Anakin's simple reply.
"What are yo-"
"we shall send further information once we are nearer our destinations." And the transmission was abruptly cut off by the young man next to Obi-Wan.
The red-haired Jedi master just stared at his former apprentice. At the audacity at what he had just done.
"What?"
"Do you realize what you have just done?" Obi-Wan felt like ripping his hair out.
With an almost bored look, he just replied back, "well, I've done worse. Anyways, he have work to do. Let's go," was the flippant reply from the younger man as he casually walked away.
At this rate, when this mission ended, Obi-Wan didn't have a doubt that more grey hairs would appear on his head solely caused by his former apprentice. With a great sigh, Obi-Wan followed. No use in wallowing in what was already done it seemed.
END FLASHBACK
Yes, tack was definitely something that his former padawan lacked. And the position of placating angry and confused Jedi masters was left to him.
Why was he always cleaning up his brother's messes?
The familiar ping sounded and Obi-Wan prepared to face the music.
Twelve faces appeared before Obi-Wan. Looks like all the council members were actually present for this meeting.
How wonderful.
"Masters," Obi-Wan greeted the council members respectfully.
"What have you two done now," was the less the courteous reply of Mace Windu.
"Ah, yes, the last transmission was…..a little poor." The blank looks of the council members just stared back.
"I believe you owe us an explanation, Master Kenobi," the inquisitive voice of Ki-Adi Mundi spoke. "The last was rather abrupt and…lacking."
"Yes, well," straightening his stance, the red haired jedi master began. "What I was informed and told you is true, we do know the whereabouts of the Sith Lord, and his position can almost be guaranteed. As for the informant, he…..is rather selective to who he chooses to relay his messages and information to. Only a few have come into contact with him."
"And how does this informant know the whereabouts of the sith?" pressed Mace Windu.
"Past experiences." It wasn't technically a lie. "That is why Anakin and I are heading back to Coruscant as soon as possible."
With narrowed eyes Yoda spoke, "here in Coruscant, the sith is?"
"…..on good authority, yes."
"Dire news this is," was the grave response of the grand Jedi master.
"And what do you two plan to do exactly when you arrive in the capital?" Shaak Ti asked.
"Begin preparations."
"For what exactly?" all the masters leaned in closer for Ob-wan's answer.
"The possible annihilation of the Jedi order."
The silence that followed was deafening, as all the masters tried to comprehend what they had just heard.
"I beg your pardon?" was the only response Ki-Adi Mundi gave.
With another exhale, Obi-Wan spoke, "I'm afraid further information will have to wait till we arrive in Coruscant. This information is too vital to be discussed via transmissions. This will need to be discussed face-to-face." He also didn't want any possibility of the vitals to be sent to an unknown party…or a known party.
"….brief us, you will when you arrive to the capital."
"Yes, Master Yoda."
"Then dismissed, this meeting is." One by one the party members left until only Yoda and Obi-Wan remained. Just as the red-haired jedi master was also about to log off, the quiet but strong voice of Yoda was heard.
"Much to discuss when you arrive. But alone, talk to you, I need to. You and Skywalker both. I sense much you both hide…tell me you will."
Obi-Wan froze at the declaration of shrew awareness, but pondered for a bit before nodding slowly, "as much as I am able to, but unfortunately that is not up to me." Yoda stared for a while more before he too nodded with a simple, "may the force be with you, Master Kenobi," before logging off.
Now how to tell master yoda while not telling him?
All this musing made Obi-Wan's head start to hurt, so instead, the jedi master made himself comfortable as he began his meditation. Hopefully Anakin would be back with Padme soon so they could depart.
Anakin's fast footstep echoes off the stone flooring as he scanned his surroundings for the familiar ship he has not longed departed. Behind him he could hear a quiet huffing until an annoyed, "Anakin!" made him turn around.
With a face flushed with exertion and an irritated scowl marring her pretty face, Padme huffed out, "slow down…..I'm not as fast as I used to be."
Quickly looking down to her rounded belly, he immediately felt bad for his carelessness, but that quickly changed into worry as he continued to stare at her petite but rounded visage. If she had problems with fast paced walking for a short distance, what would happen if she was in a dangerous situation which called for her to run for her life?
"Stop looking at me like that. I know what's going on inside your head. I'm pregnant, not disabled. I just need to catch my breath for a while…" then added with a small blush marring her face," I haven't been very active these past few month."
The young man opened his mouth to appease his wife but was cut off with a stiff, "Sir, general Kenobi is waiting."
"Rex," he turned around with a nod. Ever the loyal follower, Rex reached for the baggage, all belonging to Padme, before swiftly turning on his foot towards their ship with the luggage in tow. Following behind the clone trooper, the two boarded the spacecraft with Anakin keeping a close eye on his heavily pregnant wife. Once inside, both headed towards the cockpit where they found with closed eyes and a peaceful expression, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Sensing their arrival, the older man slowly came back to the present from his light meditation as he lethargically opened his eyes and had to quickly hide his shock.
Obi-Wan knew Padme was pregnant, but with her right in front of him being so…..big, the knowledge really sank in that his former padawan was going to become a father soon.
Not missing his surprised expression, Padme smoothed her hands on her rounded front in an almost shy manner.
"Anakin," he greeted before turning towards the senator, "Padme, you look well."
Giving his a small smile, she greeted him in turn. Just then, Rex appeared in the doorway after depositing the bags in the small personal quarters. His shock and surprise were both keenly felt by the jedi. Because of his quick actions in getting the bags, Anakin suspected that Rex hadn't really saw Padme fully until now. But because of his helmet, which covered his face, thus his expression, nothing seemed amiss when he too greeted Anakin and Padme with the customary salute.
This new appearance was going to take a little getting used to.
"Are we ready to leave," inquired Anakin.
"Yes, I just need to do some last minute checks before we leave," was Obi-Wan reply.
"Well then, let's get on it."
He didn't like it. Not at all. For months now the force swirled in mystery almost as if mocking him. His ever growing ire and confusion over the force increased as the days followed by weeks, then months passed away. Even worse was his deepening gap of the one who once looked upon him as a mentor and uncle-figure.
No, Sidious was not happy at all.
Several months ago when Young Skywalker had returned to the capital as a different man, Sidious found it strange, but not all that uncommon with all the war raging inside and outside of Skywalker. But things started to become ever worrying when the boy refused to meet with him, adopting a hostile and cold exterior towards himself. In addition, the one person he was trying to separate Skywalker from, Kenobi, suddenly seemed to have a new attachment to the boy which gleamed as strong as ever in the force.
It was a rather peculiar situation when he needed to fix quickly. But that quickly went down the drain when Skywalker was again shipped out war, as far away as possible with no way to properly communicate with. What's more, because of his recent activities, the Jedi were now growing wary and cautious of him, even having the audacity to refuse his request of Skywalker's early return.
The nerve of those Jedi!
But worse was the brat of a girl, Senator Amidala who conveniently took a quick vacation in her home planet…for five bloody months.
Nothing seemed to go to plan anymore.
Something needed to be done, and changes were going to be made.
It seems that that plan needed to be enacted soon.
With that thought, Sidious' vile smile grew.
AN-So this is kind of important message or more like request I have. A lot of people seem to like my stories (which I am very happy with), but I have also had some complaints about grammar and spelling. So right now I would like to ask if anyone would like to help me beta for my stories to make reading them more enjoyable.
Please PM if anyone of you are interested!
Please review!
