Chapter 30
Obi-Wan walked with Anakin through the hallways of the Temple. Ahsoka and Ki-Adi Mundi met them in the Temple hangar, ready to leave. While he had a quick brief with the other Jedi Master, Anakin decided to disappear. He reappeared rather quickly with an impish grin that immediately made Obi-Wan wary. Ki-Adi Mundi nodded at him before departing for his own ship. Anakin handed him a plain white bag which he took in confusion. Then he felt Anakin send him a mental hug as they headed for their separate ships. It was immediately returned and then Obi-Wan forced himself to focus on his task at hand. It was a longish trip to Geonosis so he would try and get a few of the chips out of the clones while he could. Anakin had told him about the procedure.
"General." Cody greeted.
"Morning, Cody." Obi-Wan smiled.
"General Kenobi, what is all this business with these chips? First General Skywalker orders a completely random medical scan for Captain Rex and then they find these chips that none of us knew about." Obi-Wan sighed.
"Essentially it seems that the Jedi master who ordered the creation of the clone army died. He had ordered that you have a biochip implanted that could make you turn against rogue Jedi or Sith. The person who hired Jango to be your 'father' was actually a Sith and found out about this. The chips are supposed to be a safeguard but it actually means that a Sith could order all of you to turn on the Jedi. You would be made to think we are the enemy and kill us all." Obi-Wan explained. Cody looked angry.
"Some safeguard." He snorted. "Why do some of us have it and not others?"
"I found out what could happen when I first visited Kamino and asked the Prime Minister not to put the chips in the rest of the clones. However many of you had already had them implanted and I was told there was no way to remove them. Eventually General Skywalker managed to find a way but he needed the scan to find out exactly where the chip was. I told him to act surprised about the chip because we don't want this information getting out."
"Right. So you can get this thing out of the rest of my brothers?" Cody asked.
"Yes, I plan on removing more on the way to Geonosis but this has to remain secret. We cannot afford to let the Separatists know about this."
"Yes, Sir. Thank you for explaining. I will do what I can to keep the boys from asking too many questions."
"I appreciate that, Cody." With a last salute, Cody made his way to the mess hall. Obi-Wan went to round up some of the clones that he knew had not had their chips removed yet. Anakin had also provided a list of all the clones that had the chips and he had not yet got around to fixing. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and prepared himself for a long trip.
His first thought after the first surgery was that he completely understood why Anakin had looked so tired the night before. His second thought was how the kriffing hell Anakin had managed to do a third of the clones in one afternoon even with Ahsoka helping. This was exhausting. He might still be recovering but that had taken an awful lot of energy. He wouldn't be doing many surgeries today and he was suddenly very glad that Anakin had started on his legion first. Then he felt bad for being selfish. Anakin needed to stop taking care of himself after everybody else.
"Come on in Hotshot." Obi-Wan called. After Hotshot's surgery was finished, he managed another five clones, including Patch and Eyeball, before calling it quits for the day. Once he had checked in on the last clone, Jumper, in the recovery ward, Obi-Wan made his way to the mess hall. He desperately needed something to eat before possibly getting a nap in. Plus he wanted to actually enjoy solid food again. That morning he had grabbed a liquid breakfast Anakin had made purely out of habit. Healer Che had cleared him to eat proper food when she cleared him for active duty.
As he sat down with a sigh at the thought of his first solid food in almost a week being standard ship fare, the med droid came up to him.
"You left this in the medical room." It was the white bag Anakin had given him, along with one of his other bags. He had forgotten to put them in his quarters with the rest of his things and had simply attached both to his lovely new utility belt. His own bag simply contained general necessities. He looked inside Anakin's bag and had to restrain himself from letting out a cry of delight. Inside were a batch of Dex's waffles with a side of bantha meat. It would need to be reheated but even then it would be heaven compared to what he had been expecting. He loved that man. Reaching for their Force bond he sent a wave of gratefulness through and immediately received a feeling of pride in return with a slight hint of smugness. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes but grinned as he reheated the food and hungrily dug in.
Once he had finished he felt decidedly better. Now all he needed was a quick nap before reaching Geonosis. Once there, they would all gather on the Negotiator, meaning he would have to be careful or sleep through the meeting he was supposed to be hosting. Anakin would never let him hear the end of it.
Sleep was easy to come by thankfully and when he woke, Obi-Wan was feeling completely refreshed. He made his way to the bridge to check in with Cody. Apparently they were approaching Geonosis. A little while later, Ki9-Adi Mundi sent a transmission letting Obi-Wan know that he was on his way over. Naturally Anakin and Ahsoka were running later. When he heard the doors opening he knew they had arrived.
"You're late." He teased.
"Sorry, Master." Anakin replied, surprisingly managing not to sound too sarcastic. Obi-Wan did note the slight tiredness in his voice and guessed they had been doing surgeries.
"Ahsoka, can you contact the Outer Rim command please." Obi-Wan said.
"They are already waiting for us, Master." She replied. The four Jedi made their way down to the briefing room. A holoimage of Windu, Yoda and Luminara Unduli greeted them. Obi-Wan was slightly relieved to see the Chancellor was absent. He really did not feel up to facing the man quite yet and he could sense that Anakin felt the same.
"Our ships are in position and we are ready to begin our campaign for Geonosis." Obi-Wan reported.
"Any report on the location of Poggle?" Luminara asked.
"We believe he is holed up at the primary droid foundry which is protected by a shield generator." Ki-Adi Mundi said, pulling up a holomage of the foundry. "Skywalker, Kenobi and I shall attempt a three pronged attack, meeting up at a staging area just short of the shield."
"Our primary target will be the shield generator." Anakin added.
"May the Force be with you." Mace said. Then Mace and Yoda disappeared just as Cody came in.
"Ah, Cody." Obi-Wan smiled. He explained the plan to the Clone Commander.
"That giant will with all the gun emplacements won't be easy to get past." Ahsoka pointed out grimly.
"Relax, Snips. We won't be going anywhere near that." Anakin told her. Obi-Wan shot him a look. "Besides, if we do, you know I like a challenge." He added.
"Well now you can worry, Ahsoka. Anakin wants a challenge." Obi-Wan said.
"Don't worry about us. Just get yourself there in one piece." Anakin said lightly but his expression said he was serious.
"I shall be waiting for you to finally get there." Obi-Wan replied. Anakin snorted.
"You're the one who is always late."
"If you're quite finished." Ki-Adi interrupted. "We do have a battle to win." Obi-Wan coughed in embarrassment. They were supposed to be being more subtle, not practically flirting in front of two other Jedi.
"Quite right." He said, trying to ignore the slight smirk on Anakin's face that was far too tempting to be allowed. "Cody, prep the gunships. I'll meet you in the hangar."
"Yes, General." Cody said before leaving. Ki-Adi Mundi left too. He and Anakin would be leaving from the Resolute, meaning Obi-Wan would leave first. Once he was gone, Anakin and Obi-Wan found an abandoned corridor nearby to hug in.
"Be careful." Obi-Wan told him. "And try not to get shot down but if you end up going the same way, just let Rex jump. I had to hear him complain for weeks after the wall incident." Anakin grinned.
"I'll try. I might forget though."
"Of course you will." Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. He checked to make sure they were alone before kissing that ridiculously attractive smirk right off his face. Anakin's expression changed from mischievous to rather pleased. They hugged once more before heading off.
The hangar was a hive of activity. Obi-Wan boarded his gunship and they set off.
"Remember, they will be expecting us so expect a lot of fire. Fly low and shields at maximum." He told the clones on the comms.
"Yes, Sir." The pilots replied. As expected, the Geonosians began shooting at them very quickly. Obi-Wan had had the flagships drop them off closer to the landing zone so they had less far to fly. He had also arranged for more than one squadron of fighters to give them cover. One squadron of bombers as before, but another of regular fighters which were much more maneuverable. It seemed to be working, as far as he could tell. More of their troops were able to land but as before, he heard the news that contact had been lost with Anakin's team. He took a deep breath trying not to panic. Anakin was perfectly capable and he had Ahsoka with him. They were fine.
They managed to land at the landing area without getting shot down this time which was a pleasant change. His was the only team to make it fully through. Half of Ki-Adi Mundi's team managed to land with them, including the Jedi Master himself. The rest had been shot down further back. Obi-Wan sent a team to check for survivors. The clones quickly set up a perimeter.
"Have you heard from Skywalker?" Mundi asked.
"Not yet. One of the clones said they lost contact with his team. I'm sure he'll be here soon." Obi-Wan replied, trying to convince himself of that. Cody came over.
"General. Just had word from Captain Rex, General Skywalker has been shot down. They still have three tanks but no air support and are going to have to take the long way around."
"Of course." Obi-Wan sighed. Still, it was better than last time. "We still need the air support here but tell a couple of the bombers to head to Anakin's location to help."
"Yes, General." Cody said. Waxer and Boil came back reporting that there were no survivors at the crash site but that there were tracks leading away. Obi-Wan was glad to hear that there were some survivors and hoped they were able to meet up with Anakin's forces.
The Geonosians increased their attack and Obi-Wan was soon thrown into battle. The opposing forces were trying to surround them but with the added air support, they were able to keep them at bay and maintain their defensive position. It felt like hours that he was deflecting blaster bolts thought it could only have been one hour at the most. He was beginning to tire, his body not used to such activity having grown lazy over the last week of almost nothing but bed rest.
Eventually Anakin arrived with the majority of his forces, some extra tanks and the remains of Mundi's forces. Obi-Wan sat down, breathing rather more heavily than he would have liked.
"You ok?" Anakin asked, looking concerned.
"Of course. What took you so long?" He replied, trying to give him a convincing smirk.
"You know, might have got shot down, not my fault by the way, and blown up a fortress."
"How very typical." Obi-Wan laughed. Anakin had made it safely back to him and he felt better already. Once he had assured himself that neither Anakin or Ahsoka had sustained any injuries, he went to get a damage report. After a quick talk with Cody he sat down to consider their next move. Well, they had a good deal more troops than before but this was actually the easy part. During a lull in the fighting, the four Jedi gathered around with the Clone Commanders and Obi-Wan pulled up the holoimage of the foundry and it's shield.
"Our combined forces should be more than enough to destroy the generator." Anakin said, studying the image thoughtfully.
"Anakin, you take a small team through the shield and get close to their gun emplacements. From there you will be able to jam their signals, preventing them from targeting the tanks. I will then bring the tanks in to destroy the shield generator. With that down, Master Mundi can come in with the gunships." Obi-Wan said.
"Consider it already done." Anakin nodded his head. "Come on, Snips. I need you and Rex to round up a small squad.
"Yes, Master." Ahsoka replied and the two made their way to complete the mission. Obi-Wan ordered Cody to get most of the troops onto the gunships ready to come through as soon as the shield was down. He then turned his attention to the tanks and got them prepared. He was done in time to see Anakin and Ahsoka leading a small number of Clones towards the shield. The tanks were now as close as they could get without being shot. It was only a few minutes before he received the all clear signal from Anakin and ordered the attack. The tanks easily took out the shield generator and it came falling down with a satisfactory crash. Obi-Wan watched as several gunships flew overhead. Then he headed forwards to join the attack.
There was another few hours of tough fighting ahead of them. Obi-Wan threw himself into it but he was still tired from his previous exertion. At some point he spotted Anakin off to his left and the younger Jedi was soon heading in his direction. Once Anakin and Ahsoka had joined him, Obi-Wan noticed, through the fog of tiredness, a definite decrease in the amount of fighting required of him. Looking around he realised the other two had created a sort of perimeter around him. Both Master and Padawan were pushing themselves to keep him from fighting more than necessary. Through their bond he could feel that Anakin was just as tired as he was and yet so lost in the fight that he barely even noticed. Obi-Wan winced. The younger man was definitely going to notice that when the adrenaline wore off. Then he scowled. Anakin was being reckless again and trying to take care of him instead of worrying about himself. It would be sweet if there wasn't a chance of him getting himself killed in the process.
Instead of mentioning it, he simply tried stepping out of their little circle of protection. Instantly the other two moved with him. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow as he realised that it seemed to be a subconscious reaction from Anakin and Ahsoka was adjusting her position as her Master did. They really were quite the team and Obi-Wan would have admired them further if it hadn't been him they were babying. Still, it really was quite something to watch Anakin in battle. He managed to wrench his thoughts away before they went down a dangerous road just in time to stab a Geonosian who had been attempting to sneak up on Ahsoka.
"Thanks." She called over to him as she bounded all over the place.
Eventually the fighting was over and they had a few moments to regroup. Last time, Obi-Wan had been forced to go back to the Negotiator due to the injury he sustained in his crash landing. Now, however, he was fit and determined to stay on the planet with Anakin. Only Ki-Adi would return to the ship. They received word that Master Luminara and her Padawan would be joining them as his replacement. Obi-Wan had to hide a scowl. A quick glance to his left indicated that Anakin was less successful at hiding his distaste. Barriss Offee may have thought she had good intentions but framing Ahsoka and allowing her to be thrown out of the Order was completely unacceptable. For now she was most likely trustworthy but he might make a point to somehow warn Ahsoka not to become too close to the other Padawan. He did not want her hurt. This time around it might be better to send Anakin with Ahsoka, rather than Barriss. Obi-Wan could stay with Luminara to act as decoys.
Once they had fully regrouped, they made their way forwards to get into position for the attack on the factory itself. Luminara and her troops would meet them soon but the only safe landing point was a short distance behind their rendezvous point. Anakin told Ahsoka he would let her take the briefing with the clones. This announcement made her bounce up and down in excitement. As she went off to prepare herself, Obi-Wan found himself with a moment alone with Anakin.
"Are you actually going to let her take the briefing?" He asked.
"Of course." Anakin frowned.
"So you won't interrupt her every sentence to take over?"
"No?" He sounded less sure. "Not on purpose anyway."
"If you don't want Ahsoka giving the briefings, or think she isn't ready that's fine but don't tell her she can and then give the briefing for her." Obi-Wan warned. "It'll just make her more determined to prove she is ready which will make her more reckless."
"I'll try." Anakin agreed.
"That's all I ask." Obi-Wan smiled gently. He squeezed Anakin's arm knowing they couldn't risk more with so many Clones about. "Oh, and thank you for those waffles. They were amazing."
"Well, I didn't have time to make you any myself and I couldn't have your first proper meal be ration bars or something equally horrible." Anakin shrugged, but a pleased smile tugged at his lips.
"I very much appreciate it." He smiled. After a few moments they were called by Ahsoka that they were ready for the briefing. Thankfully it all went smoothly and once they were finished, Anakin dismissed the Clones to get prepared.
"How was that, Master?" Ahsoka asked, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.
"Very well done, Snips. You covered everything perfectly." Anakin told her with a smile. She grinned back. While Anakin went to check on the Clones, Ahsoka turned to Obi-Wan.
"Thank you."
"For what?" He asked, bemused.
"I'm guessing you spoke to Skyguy. That's the first time I've ever given a briefing where he hasn't constantly interrupted me." She told him. Obi-Wan smirked slightly.
"I might have said a little something. It's not that he doesn't trust you, Ahsoka, he simply isn't used to delegating." Obi-Wan told her. She sighed.
"I know. It's just, sometimes, it feels like he really doesn't need a Padawan." She said with a slight frown.
"It's not about needing a Padawan, it's about teaching and guiding the next generation of Jedi." Obi-Wan corrected gently. "As for Anakin needing you in particular, let me assure you he does. Anakin is very fond of you thought he might not tell you much, or ever." He added, seeing the expression on her face. Ahsoka smiled.
"Thank you, Master Kenobi."
"Please, it's just Obi-Wan when it's just us. No need for formalities." He smiled.
"Sure thing, Obi-Wan." Ahsoka said. They both laughed lightly. Just then a group of gunships landed and Luminara approached with her Padawan. Anakin joined them just in time to greet the two newcomers.
"Barriss, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Luminara asked.
"Pleased to meet you. Padawan learner Barriss Offee at your service." Barriss curtseyed to Ahsoka. Obi-Wan hid a smile at Ahsoka's bewildered expression. Eventually the Padawan stuck her hand out and Barriss shook it.
"Glad to meet you. I'm Ahsoka Tano." She said.
"Good to see you again." Obi-Wan said, smiling at Luminara.
"I just wish it were under more peaceful circumstances." Luminara replied.
"Don't we all." Anakin sighed. Once the introductions were done they agreed to convene in half an hour for a briefing. Obi-Wan went to oversee the loading of injured clones onto the gunships, ready to be taken back to the fleet. He would ask Cody for a full list of their losses later. Obi-Wan was sorry to see that Patch and Eyeball had both been injured but thankfully not too seriously. He wished them both a speedy recovery as they were loaded onto a ship. Once all of his men that were going were onboard, Obi-Wan met back up with the other Jedi. They studied a map of the factory.
"A frontal assault will be too risky. Our losses will be high." Luminara stated.
"Better than letting the factory come online." Anakin pointed out.
"Yes, but there is another option. Geonosian buildings all have a series of catacombs underneath them." Luminara told them.
"Some of them run close enough to this cliff wall that you could cut out an entry point and find the main reactor from inside." Barriss continued.
"Aren't catacombs a maze? We don't have time to get lost in there." Anakin said.
"In preparation, I had Barriss memorise the labyrinth, all two hundred junctions." Luminara announced. Obi-Wan had to admit that was impressive. Even he would struggle to remember that many junctions.
"Very thorough." He stated.
"It is always best to be prepared." Luminara told him, like he didn't know that already.
"How do we keep the Geonosians busy while we plant the bombs?" Ahsoka asked.
"Good question, Snips." Anakin praised. "Whoever goes into the tunnels will need a distraction."
"Precisely, Skywalker." Luminara said. "You, Master Kenobi and I shall create a diversion while our Padawans go through the tunnels."
"I think it might be wise if one of us were to accompany the Padawans." Obi-Wan said. "While I'm sure they are perfectly capable, you can never predict when something unexpected will occur." Luminara considered this.
"You are correct."
"I'll go with them." Anakin offered.
"Good. That leaves you and I to create a diversion." Obi-Wan said to Luminara who nodded.
"We will keep in contact with these chronometers." Luminara said, handing out the devices. Obi-Wan saw Anakin open his mouth slightly and then glance at Luminara before closing it again. He gave him a small, amused smile, easily able to guess where the younger Jedi's mind had gone. "Synchronise on my mark." Luminara continued and they did so. With that done, Ahsoka, Anakin and Barriss headed off. He watched until Anakin was out of sight before turning to the remaining Jedi.
"We will need to make a bold move if we are to draw the Geonosians out and keep Poggle's attention on us." Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Agreed." Luminara said.
"I think the best way to do that is march straight up the bridge."
"With no cover?"
"If we have cover they will be less likely to come and meet us. They know they have the advantage and don't need to take needless risk." Obi-Wan pointed out. Luminara looked dubious but nodded. They headed off to prepare their men. Soon enough they were all ready to go. Obi-Wan let Luminara take the lead as she was fresher than him. There had barely been any time to rest properly, let alone sleep and his tiredness was catching up on him no matter how much he used the Force to help.
They began moving and all he could do now was pray that Anakin and the others made it out of the factory ok.