As it turned out Bail had already made sure lunch was ordered and Qui-Gon arrived just as the meal came. As such Qui-Gon offered to pay for the lunch this time and slipped in the message with the amount needed. Once back at Dex's diner Dex got the money and noticed the note seeing that it needed to go to the Jedi Temple. As such he decided to send a meal to the Council if they were in a meeting that was taking longer than it should which it was so he sent lunch with the message inside and this time it was in Plo Koon's meal because Dex switched up who received it just in case one of the regular recipients wasn't available
"Looks like we have a message from Senator Amidala via Dex"
"Well at least publicly she's Senator Amidala, but in reality we all know she's Senator Skywalker"
"True but we can only call her that in private due to Sidious"
"What does the message say?"
"She says she knows why we need her to spy on Clovis and that he just indirectly threatened Jinn"
"Now he's done it"
"Indeed, Senator Skywalker doesn't take kindly to threats against her friends, didn't she start shooting droids a few weeks ago when the Senate came under attack all of a sudden as part of a drill?"
"A drill the Senator's were not informed of, when the one trooper was stunned unconscious she simply picked up his blaster and started shooting surprising the other clones"
"Protective the Senator is, use that against her the enemy can though"
"Well at least she can defend herself like Senator Organa can defend himself which is good considering the assassination attempts against him"
"He's actually getting close to asking for Jedi protection"
"What makes you say that Plo Koon?"
"The recent attack on his planet, he confided in me when we were sparring that he's starting to wonder about getting Jedi protection now, especially because he said something about losing his current security captain soon"
"Remember the Senator does, an assassination attempt there was, successful it was not, however lost his security chief he did. Happening again soon it is, protection the Senator will need if happen like before things do"
"In the meantime Senator Skywalker is accepting the Clovis mission"
Things went off without a hitch and then Geonosis came up
"I hate that place"
"So do I Anakin, what's the plan?"
"Same as last time Master"
"Even with those...things that took control of your Padawan there?"
"Yes because quite frankly she needs the experience and the Republic needs to know about those bugs"
"You have a point, but don't think I like this"
"I don't like it any more than you do but it's a threat the Republic needs to be aware of"
"True, are you going to get Master Mundi into the game you and Ashoka started like last time?"
"To be honest Master it's one way to keep everyone's spirits up and while we may be simplifying things into a numbers game it's better to think about how many droids we've killed than how many men we've lost on the battlefield. We give them proper respect and all but then we simply joke around and sometimes count how many of the enemy we've taken down as a means to keep track of how well we're doing despite the droid factories being up and running"
"Guess I didn't think about it that ways, though didn't Mundi beat you?"
"Yes, yes he did but quite honestly it was good to hear how many of the un-dead he got"
"You have a point, did he really use flame throwers on the enemy?"
"Yes, yes he did"
"That's one way to kill them I guess"
"Yes it is"
As such they played things out like before knowing what was ahead of them. By that time the original three had things ready in case Barriss tried what she did last time later on in the war, though Anakin was starting to get the feeling that Barriss either wouldn't try it or would try and blame some one else, he didn't know why but he was starting to get the feeling that things were going to change in the coming years and most of that change regarded Ashoka. When it came time to try and capture Grievous again they failed and Rex met up with Cut again though he didn't remember the first time. Once again he let Cut go knowing it was for the best some how though Obi-wan had known about Cut the first time because he had sensed him after Rex had returned but he let Rex make the decision. Meanwhile Ashoka lost her lightsaber again despite Anakin doing his best to ensure that didn't happen this time but when he meditated on why it happened he realized that Ashoka needed to lost the lightsaber in order to be able to teach the younglings a lesson once she regained her weapon, plus it was also a lesson for her that she needed to learn. Two days later the group was called into action on Rattatak
"Rattatak, didn't think I would wind up here again"
"Master Kenobi are you okay?"
"Yes Ashoka, I'm fine"
"But Ventress..."
"Yes Ventress captured and tortured me here but with the help of friends I have recovered Ashoka. Alpha would also be allowed to be here but he was needed else where's at this time though I did argue for him to return to see if he had truly recovered like I had"
"Why are we even needed here?"
"Apparently there's rumors of Separatists returning here to continue the experiments Ventress started, if that's the case we're to take down those that are here and then destroy that lab once and for all"
"Okay then, let's get started" (mentally) *Obi-wan when are you going to meet Satine again?*
*Soon, plus Darth Maul is scheduled to return after a little over a decade and he's the one who killed Satine*
*What are you going to do about that?*
*I don't know in all honesty*
*For now maybe it's best we focus on the task at hand*
*Agreed*
They do indeed have a fight on Rattatak but eventually they manage to destroy the lab and then the rumors about Satine creating an army to join the Separatists started and Obi-wan was sent to Mandalore due to the fact that Obi-wan and Satine had a history together. Things turned out like the first time on Mandalore but Obi-wan realized that he had an easy way of making sure that what happened the first time in regards to Satine being a fugitive would not happen again and fortunately he succeeded
"Thank goodness you didn't have to make clandestine meetings with the duchess again"
"No kidding Anakin I hated that. How's Padme?"
"She's actually doing fine, hates the fact that we can only be husband and wife whenever she's at the Temple or we get a break and can hide away some where's but other than that things are going great"
"I actually need to talk to her about something in regards to what happened when I first fought Darth Maul and how he survived, can you tell her when I can meet her and set it up"
"Okay, but you know that's still about a year away"
"I know, but I think it best she and I get started on the situation now so that we're better prepared this time in regards to dealing with him. If she can get things started early enough maybe Darth Maul won't be able to do the damage he did the first time around"
"That's something I didn't think of, okay let's get going then, fortunately I have to meet Bail about something so I can stop by Padme's office and tell her that you need to meet with her while I'm there"
"Okay, let me know when the meeting has been scheduled"
"Will do"
Anakin meets with Bail about how he would be able to get supplies to Tython without getting Palpatine's attention and right afterwords told Padme that Obi-wan wanted to meet with her
"We still have some things to do about ratifying the Council's decision about Mandalore, though why that still happened I have no idea"
"We failed to get the proper recording to the people in time and Satine still had to run to prevent being caught for murder. At least this time the Jedi knew the truth and hid her in the Temple while getting the right proof to the correct people"
"Well I think either Obi-wan or you will need to go to Mandalore"
"Actually that would be my Padawan, and that isn't going to happen for several months at least"
"Either way I can't meet with him for at least two days"
"We'll figure something out"
Fortunately they do indeed figure something out and Anakin tells Obi-wan that unless an emergency came up Padme could meet with him that weekend. Once the weekend came Obi-wan and Padme had a long talk about Darth Maul
"To be honest I have no idea how he survived the first time around, or this time"
"Sorry Obi-wan but I can't help you this time, I can keep an eye out and warn planets to be on the lookout for sudden newcomers but that's about it"
(Sighs) "Okay, looks like there's not much we can do even though we know he's returning"
"Indeed, however once we know he's back we can do a lot of good"
Several days later Obi-wan, Ashoka, and Anakin were sent to Felucia to check about a medical facility
"Bounty hunters"
"Yep bounty hunters, at least they're our allies in all of this"
"Indeed"
"Master what are you talking about?"
"You'll see when we get to Felucia Ashoka"
Finally they reach Felucia
"That's Felucia dead ahead"
"But where's the medical station? I don't see anything on my scanners...wait there's something"
They look up and Ashoka names them quickly
"Vulture droids"
"Hang on"
Anakin quickly begins evasion maneuvers and while they were evading a conversation happened starting with Obi-wan
"I guess we know what happened to the medical station"
Suddenly though they were hit
"That's not good"
"They took out the plasma conduit"
They start entering the planet's atmosphere pretty quickly after that and then Anakin speaks up
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Almost certainly not"
Ashoka meanwhile puts on an oxygen mask and Obi-wan and Anakin quickly follow
"Looks like we're doing this the hard way. Starting ejection sequence"
Ashoka is the one who asks what she felt was a valid question
"How come every time you fly we crash?"
"It's not my fault it's the ships"
Ashoka grabs the ejection handle
"Ready to eject"
"Wait...now"
Ashoka pulls the ejection lever and all three are ejected while the vulture droids take out the ship and while they were bouncing Ashoka speaks up
"He always...blames...the ship"
They make it safely and then get out and Anakin asks Obi-wan a question he already knew the answer to but decided to ask anyways
"You alright there Master?"
"I'm fine Anakin"
Then Ashoka asks a valid question
"Where on Felucia do you think we are?"
"I'm not sure"
They hear noises and Ashoka says what's on everyone's mind
"I don't like the sound of that"
As it turned out Anakin had a bigger concern
"And I don't like the look of that"
He said that while pointing to a big creature and then makes a good observation
"We don't want to scare them"
"We can't just wonder around aimlessly we need a plan"
"You always taught me to go on instinct and my instincts tell me to go that way"
"Well that...that doesn't seem right, I think we should go this way"
Obi-wan says that while pointing in the opposite direction of Anakin, who asks a question he already knew the answer to once more
"Why do even ask my opinion? You never do things my way"
"We crash the ship your way"
"Very funny, I see your sense of humor survived the landing"
"It's about the only thing"
Ashoka decides to interrupt the two
"Uh if you two are done arguing, I think there's smoke on the horizon which means people, and a way off this planet"
She walks off with Anakin and Obi-wan following behind her after a shrug and while they walk they have a mental conversation
*I forgot she was the one to discover the smoke*
*She's certainly coming into her own what with interrupting our conversation*
*Indeed she is, I'm proud of her progress so far*
*As am I Anakin, you're doing well and you did fine before it just wasn't meant to be originally I guess*
*Part of that was because of Barriss Offee*
*And we still don't know what set her off*
*I'm not sure we'll ever find out*
Finally Ashoka speaks up again seeing what the other two see
"Look there's a village"
"Maybe they have a ship we can...borrow"
They walk inside an notice how empty it looked but first Ashoka made a different observations
"They're growing healing herbs"
"Nysillim I believe, one of the most valuable crops in the galaxy"
"This place looks deserted"
"I don't believe it is, the crops are ready to be harvested, tools are lying about, no something's amiss"
They continue walking in the village eventually getting to the point where they find out about the current situation and meeting up with the bounty hunters for the "first" time exactly like the last time, almost having a confrontation with Ashoka being offended that she wasn't counted, once they are told about the pirates they go outside to talk and Ashoka is the first one to speak up after Obi-wan denies their aid
"Master these farmers are in trouble, why can't we help them?"
"Believe me Ashoka I would like nothing more, however we to report that the medical station has been destroyed. If we stay too long the Separatists will show up looking for us here"
"But..."
"Better they get robbed by pirates then attract the interest of General Grievous and his horde"
Suddenly though one of the villagers reports pirates. The one bounty hunter speaks until another voice is heard, one they didn't particularly like
"Buy it? Kenobi, Skywalker I can't believe you came all this way to see me"
They look at each other and speak at the same time
"Hondo"
The female bounty hunter asks them a valid question which Hondo replies to
"You know each other?"
"Of course we do, tell them how far back we go Kenobi"
"Too far I'm afraid"
"And here I thought we were friends"
"If you're truly interested in friendship Hondo might I suggest you stop threatening these farmers"
"Threatening them, oh please tell me you have not been listening to this bounty hunting scum"
"Scum? We're just here to help them protect what's theirs"
She says that while looking at the villagers
"Oh come come my dear, how much are they paying you? Does not matter, whatever it is I will double it, and all you have to do to earn it is, ah, step aside"
"We won't break deals"
Guns are brought out and Obi-wan tries to keep the peace
"Steady everyone"
"What is your stake anyway, Kenobi?"
"All we want is a ride to the nearest Republic outpost and I'm willing to pay you handsomely for it, twice what you could make selling this crop"
"Well um, how do you plan to pay me?"
"The funds transfer when we arrive"
"Republic credit? We've been over this before Kenobi, my associates don't accept that kind of currency"
"I'm offering a deal that benefits us all Hondo, don't let your greed blind you to that fact"
"You know I like you Kenobi but um, no one leaves this planet until I get my sillim"
"Then I hope you enjoy it here because you'll be staying a long time, parasite"
They meet up and Anakin quietly speaks to Obi-wan
"The farmers are right these bounty hunters don't stand a chance"
"We've been over this Anakin"
"You seem to lack confidence in our abilities young Jedi"
"I'm sure you're good at what you do but you are in way too deep"
"Said the peacekeeper who fails to keep the peace"
"The rift in the galaxy is not our fault, if more worlds would stand up for themselves against the Separatists, this war would've been over long ago"
"That's it, we'll just train the villagers to defend themselves"
One of the villagers speaks up
"We are just simple farmers, why are we paying bounty hunters to defend us if we are just going to end up doing it ourselves?"
"Hush Delani"
"Trust me, we'll have you ready"
They get started the next day with getting the crops protected
"Put it in the barn, every bushel"
Meanwhile Anakin was starting to teach them how to use their tools as weapons, though he had to get them into defense lines first
"Alright everyone form up, um divide into rows of five"
"I told you we are not soldiers, we don't even have weapons"
Anakin walks over and takes one of the villagers tools
"May I?"
The villager hands over the weapon and Anakin does some basic moves with it and then he speaks up
"Yep, these will do"
Obi-wan asks the female bounty hunter a good question
"What happens if you need the barn as a fall back position? With all the syllim here it will be difficult to squeeze the farmers in"
"There's room"
"I care that you worry more for the safety of the syllim then you do the safety of the villagers"
"You think I'm only worried about my profit, is that it?"
"The thought had crossed my mind"
"So in your mind I'm just like any other pirate"
"Am I wrong?"
"Not entirely, but it is easier to protect the villagers and the syllim if they're both in the same place"
"Then might I suggest..."
"You might suggest anything you like General Kenobi but I know what I'm doing, and I will keep these people safe, my way"
Ashoka helps the villagers with slingshots and Anakin starts teaching the villagers basic moves to use the tools as weapons and after one bounty hunter catches the tool one of the villagers speaks up
"The bounty hunter is right, every minute you waste teaching us to twirl these stupid poles is time you could've spent beating these pirates yourself"
Obi-wan speaks up while walking over
"And what good would that do you? Another brand of brigands would inevitably come along, or do you intend to give away part of your crop every harvest season?"
"If you make us do this there won't be another harvest season"
The villager walks off after that and Anakin regains control
"Alright everyone get back in position, let's continue"
Soon enough the villagers were doing fine in the lesson while one of the pirates observes from a distance but is discovered and killed by one of the bounty hunters and they get there just as that happens
"Quick work"
"Yes but when this scout fails to report to Hondo he'll be coming, soon"
Soon enough the fight did happen but the villagers ultimately won
After they get back they discover that the Zillo beast and Boba Fett were about to happen which they decided to let happen like before and soon enough one year into the war had passed
"One year down two to go Obi-wan"
"Now then about Ashoka going to Mandalore"
"It's a good idea, especially due to the fact that it got started with a visit from Padme"
"Fine, what are we going to be doing in the meantime?"
"I have absolutely no idea Master, by the way what about Mortis?"
"That's not happening this time if it can be avoided, or if it does have to happen we're better prepared this time"
"Good thing too"
"By the way I think we should include Satine in knowing about the future. I don't know why but lately I've been getting the feeling that the Force wants us to start making more allies before the end of the Clone Wars"
"Let's meditate with Yoda and see what we all feel, if we're agreed then we can talk to Satine about the future we remember, but Obi-wan there is a chance that Satine will still be killed"
"I know Anakin, but I feel that maybe things are supposed to turn out differently this time around"
"Like I said, let's meditate with Yoda and go from there"
"So ready to shock Windu again"
"How so?"
"Remember how we've been formal during Council meetings even though Yoda gave us permission to call him by his name now that things are in the open?"
"Yes, we've been doing it mainly for the rest of the Council, even you've done it and you're on the Council"
"Time to shake things up and start being informal, Yoda asked me to pass on the message to you when I was meeting with him in private a few days ago"
"Okay then, let's get going"
They head to the Council chamber and Obi-wan nods to Anakin signaling that he was the one to start the report and shock the rest of the Council and mainly Master Windu. Part of the reason was because while the Council knew that there was a bond between several people that had been created through the Force they honestly thought that the people with the Force bond would remain formal in the Council chamber, even during war when the bond was the only thing that kept everyone knowing that they were alive, but the Council was about to get a harsh lesson about that presumption
"Yoda, Council members as we already stated in our written report the situation on Ryloth is going fine, however Senator Organa is requesting some help on Alderaan due to attacks that have been happening that can't be identified"
"Knight Skywalker, you will be formal in the room despite having the bond with Master Yoda"
"Allow that any longer I will not Master Windu, informality needed it is between those of us that have a bond, denying a part of ourselves we are if formal we act, the bond hurting it is with the formality"
"Yoda's right Master Windu, the bond was formed so that we could change the ultimate outcome of this war and lately things have changed in regards to the bond. I know for a fact that we never would have had the situation two days ago if we had simply been informal, or are you denying the fact that you didn't know about the attack on the Senate soon enough because the bond is weakening between us and Yoda due to the formality we have to use in this chamber. We still are informal when we communicate in our mind but that hasn't happened lately either for multiple reasons"
"Obi-wan you never told me about the attack"
"You were a bit busy yourself at the time Anakin"
"Oh you have a point"
"Back to the matter at hand, unfortunately only Obi-wan can go to Alderaan, you need to escort your Padawan to Mandalore Knight Skywalker as the Duchess has requested Jedi aid"
"Understood Master Windu, where am I needed after that?"
"Only your Padawan is to be on Mandalore"
"Master Windu I understand that only my Padawan is allowed on Mandalore but where am I needed after I drop her off?"
"You'll be fighting with Master Fisto"
"Understood Master Windu"
Anakin drops Ashoka off and while she handles the Mandalore situation he joins Fisto on Dantooine