Sorry for being MIA. I'll try and update more often.*
*says every Ao3 author.
Obviously there's lots here that isn't true to canon, but enjoy nontheless.
Master Windu interrogated the Trandoshan for days, he claimed to be working for a bounty hunter. Despite saying very little, Master Windu was happy to surmise that the gang who ambushed them just days earlier likely worked for the Separatists. Or at the very least, operating through the Trade Federation.
Curoscant hadn't been the victim of an attack of this magnitude in over 1000 years, and it seemed far from a coincidence that the senate would be attacked during an important vote; whether they should deregulate the banks and purchase more clones. Suh a stunt would definitely sway opinions in favour of extra protection.
The vote didn't come to pass, thanks to Senator Amidala and Senator Organa, who saw straight through this attempt for what it was; scaremongering. They successfully convinced the majority that they were in safe and capable hands already and this mandate would only cause despair and ruin the Republic's ability to recoup after the war was over.
The repairs to the Senate meeting room were almost complete, and the next meeting was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. As far as being stuck in a galactic war was concerned, things were relatively 'normal' on Curoscant.
Obi-Wan ached and as much as he wanted to power through the pain, he was ordered to remain in the Jedi Temple until he was better fit for action. His body healed extraordinarily quickly, with most of his time spent meditating.
It was through all of this deep retrospective thinking that he too was able sense this change in the Force. After four days of meditation, he broke through to a deeper level of consciousness, one he wasn't aware he had. This Force energy radiated from his very core. Whilst he wasn't at one with this energy, he knew it lay within him. Whether he could exercise this reserve would be a question of time. He would need to meditate and train in order to try and hone it.
Obi-Wan did question where this Force came from, but knew there wasn't anywhere or anyone he could see for answers. He also knew that the Force was not a predictable element, it flowed through and between everything, there was no standard or rules governing its behaviour. Obi-Wan was a devout man and trusted that the Force had done this for a purpose and that purpose would be revealed when the time became appropriate.
After two full weeks of what seemed like isolation, he was grateful to be back and working. This morning he reached out to Anakin, in the hopes that the two could get together for a sparring session before the council meeting so he could warm up and stretch his unused muscles. Of course, Anakin was always ready for some action.
"I've missed you, Master." Anakin greeted with a smile upon his face. "How are you?" The last time he saw Obi-Wan, the man could barely stand and while his wounds were patched, his robes were stained with blood.
"Yes, well as much as I was able to fool you, Master Yoda was far from convinced." Obi-Wan replied sarcastically. "I would say that my absence was the right idea, working with my injuries would have only put those around me in jeopardy." He couldn't deny the fact that he spent the first two days hobbling around his quarters.
"I do sense something is different, Master." Obi-Wan frowned. Ultimately, Anakin was stronger in the Force than Master Yoda, it wasn't quite a surprise that Anakin could feel it too. "Are you sure you want to come back so soon?"
Obi-Wan scoffed, "I am perfectly fine." Other than a small scar in his hairline, his body felt in prime condition. "Don't you dare go easy on me, Anakin, or you will find yourself face down in a matter of moments." Obi-Wan threatened, igniting his saber.
He and Anakin sparred for at least an hour, the two had missed each other, missed the physical challenge, and Obi-Wan thrived on their chemistry. His entire body radiating positive energy that was simply influential. It was at times like this that Anakin felt at peace.
"Are you sure you want to go on?" Anakin smiled victoriously. "Lower your weapon and I might just consider it a draw."
Obi-Wan was out of breath, "perhaps I am a little out of practice...I dare you to go easy on me." He spun on his feet, assuming his centre of gravity could withstand being so exhausted, and fell backwards. Anakin dropped his Saber and hurried to catch his Master before he fell. "My, my...I think that's enough for today."
"I think you're right, Master." Anakin agreed. "This our last day at the Temple before we're sent to the space station in the outer-rim. Who knows when we will return – if we return?"
"There's no need for pessimism. This war will end." Obi-Wan was sure of that fact. His life was immaterial, so long as peace returns to the galaxy, some day. "What do you plan on doing with this day?" Obi-Wan asked coyly.
"I was planning to spend the day meditating." Obi-Wan could see through his apprentice's lie. For he knew the boy all too well. No doubt Anakin would sneak away to visit his paramour, Padmé.
"But first I would expect that Master Yoda will want to brief us on our purpose on-board the ship. Something tells me it's not for search and rescue missions." Obi-Wan dare not fall into the same trap Anakin had, keeping his mind clean of fear was the only way forward.
Together they headed to the briefing room, where Master Windu and Master Yoda were already deep in conversation with the Clone Commander stationed on the Rishi Base. Having almost lost control of the base some months prior, it was imperative that they keep a close eye on the small platoon who were stationed there.
"Just who we wanted to see." Master Windu welcomed the pair. "We have recently come by a tip as to where Count Doku may be hiding, having finally got a slither of information from that Trandoshan we captured. I will be heading up the investigation from the base with the two of you."
"Your priority it is not. Focus, you both will. In trouble the outer-rim is. Peace we must restore. Another victory, we do require." Master Yoda revealed. Morale and faith in the Jedi order was dwindling, and has been for some time. Nations once loyal to the Republic are breaking away, and the people under Republic command are suffering.
"How can the three of us handle such a mission, it seems, everyday people are taking up arms?" Anakin questioned. As much as he liked a challenging mission, this seemed like a fast path to a slow death.
"Faith in you, I have. A plan, you shall conceive." Master Yoda reiterated.
"How many men are we taking with us?" Obi-Wan asked. If this was going to be a potentially dangerous mission, he'd prefer to be armed-to-the-teeth.
"3,000. No more, no less." Master Windu seemed awfully disgruntled by the figure too. It wasn't a lot of men, but with the Republic stretched so thin, it was the best they could hope for. "There should be more clones shipping over from Kamino in a month or two. Until then, we have to make every man count."
"Is there anything else we should know?" Anakin added, biting his tongue.
"We're taking the prisoner with us. I fear he has more to tell us on where and what exactly Count Doku is doing."
"Fantastic." Obi-Wan replied sarcastically. As if he didn't hate Trandoshans enough, as it happens, there will be one boarding with them on the ship. Hosting the enemy from within, on a ship, sounded like a terrible idea.
"You don't have to like it. He's coming with us, and that's final." Master Windu put, giving Obi-Wan an authoritative glare. "Are there any more questions? Now would be a wise time to ask them."
"How long will we be away for?" Anakin piped up.
"Indeterminate. We will go wherever the mission takes us or wherever we are needed. We should, however, hope to reclaim Anaxes within the month."
"Victorious you will be, in the stars it is written." Master Yoda gave his final words of encouragement before making his exit.
"There's still much work to be done before we can take off tomorrow. Make sure that whatever needs to be done is finished today, no don't leave anything lingering behind. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly. You don't have to worry about us." Obi-Wan assured.
"Then I shall see the both of you at sun-up tomorrow."
Once Master Windu had left the room, Anakin begun to speak his mind, "I don't appreciate the way he spoke to you, Master." Master Windu had always been quite hostile towards Anakin, with Obi-Wan acting as their go-between.
"Please do not read into his actions. He's very stressed...we all are." Obi-Wan let his thoughts trail off. "Come, Anakin, let's have something to eat. Enjoy whatever food the Temple has to offer, before you know it, we'll be living on rations again."
Anakin declined his Master's offer, "I have been meaning to mention that Padmé has requested my presence, this morning." He said, trying to make their arrangement sound official.
"Oh?" Obi-Wan replied cartoonishly. Of course, he knew of their relationship, as best as Anakin tired, he was still young and hopeless at hiding his intentions.
"Yes, I won't be back until later this evening."
"Hmmn, very well." Obi-Wan gave into Anakin's story. "But, Anakin, please don't do anything I that wouldn't do." Whilst there was little chance of Anakin listening to his ramblings, he was happy to know that his Padawan had become bashful.
"Which is what, exactly?" Anakin called from a distance.
Obi-Wan shook his head and thought to himself, 'that boy is going to get himself into the world of trouble someday.'
"Obi-Wan, alone you are, yes?" Master Yoda came up from behind. "A few words, I have."
"Of course, Master Yoda. What seems to be the problem?" He was apprehensive, Master Yoda was always pulling him to the side to discuss how Anakin's training was going, and somehow always had a list of concerns on his mind.
"None are there, problems. Check to see if you are well, I am." Master Yoda's words came as great relief. "All better now, I presume."
"I am. Yes. Although, a little fatigued." Obi-Wan didn't want to waiver Master Yoda's faith in the mission, and himself. So, he pressed further, "Much better than the state I was in last week, mind you."
"Be careful, you must. More to you, there is, than you may feel."
"This uptake in the force, I'm not certain what caused it. I've been meditating, it feels as if I'm connected to this strength, but I'm afraid it's not yet mine to use." Obi-Wan knew it was there, always there, lingering within him. His time in solitude had at least taught him this much.
"Or not yours at all, the force inside." Obi-Wan was tired of cryptic messages, not everything had to be a lesson to learn. "A deeper connection you must forge. Find answers, you will."
"I will, Master Yoda." He promised.
He wouldn't have very much time to work on this connection, with a long list of things to prepare and check before they set off, each second needed to be utilised to its full potential. He opened his pad and began to scroll through his list, ticking objectives off that he had already prepared. At times like this, he could really use Anakin's assistance. At times like this, however, he had to remind himself that Anakin was in love. He had let love slip away once before, and wouldn't wish that sort of torment on anyone. For now, he would let the lovers lie.
"General Kenobi, Sir!" A familiar voice called from behind.
Unfortunately, familiar voices were a commonplace on a military base full of clones. Obi-Wan turned at the mention, "Commander Cody...looks like you came away from that siege a little more scathed than not."
"Scratched by a Trandoshan, nothing I couldn't handle. You should have seen the other guy." Cody traced the elongated scar that had just narrowly missed his eye. It extended through the brow and stopped just shy of his cheekbone on his right side. "Just a small symbol of victory." He boasted.
"Indeed, a testament to your bravery." Obi-Wan complimented. "Did you need something, Cody?"
"Yes. First, let me say, welcome back. It hasn't felt the same with you gone. General Skywalker doesn't share your attention to protocol, needless to say, we've had to overcome some messy situations."
"He's still young, I've matured exponentially since I was his age." Obi-Wan related. His time as Qui-Gon's apprentice could be read as the ultimate guide on how to disobey the Council.
"The second, the artillery is all loaded up, Sir. Just needs your final stamp of approval." Cody explained.
"Thank you, that's one less thing on my list. Leave it with me." Cody passed over the data pad. "I'll get to it at some point this evening. Just make sure that your men are ready to depart first thing tomorrow."
"Without a doubt, Sir." Cody saluted the General before taking his leave.
Obi-Wan spent most of his time powering through his checklists, stopping briefly to eat a pear. He'd have persisted through the hunger if it weren't for an obnoxious growl and a dip in his blood sugar giving him a slight dizzy spell when standing up too quickly, he'd have worked consistently. He wasn't the only one working through the night.
Dawn rose before he knew it, sunlight peering over the horizon, the base lights switching off in favour of the natural daylight. He let out a small yawn, promising himself that he would make up some of the lost sleep on the journey.
"General Kenobi, where is young Skywalker?" Master Windu sighed. "How are we ever to trust that boy?"
"Give him time, he's never usually late." Obi-Wan felt like he was constantly apologising on Anakin's behalf.
"Notify me when he arrives." Windu requested.
The sun continued to riser higher and higher seemingly as each minute passed. Obi-Wan tried calling Anakin on his complink, but with no answer. He paced, hanging on each travelling footstep in the distance.
Obi-Wan heard the senseless panting before anything else, "You're late. Anakin, we're all waiting on you." He put sternly. "I daren't ask where you were, I'm not that naive."
"Sorry, Master," Anakin replied, acknowledging his mistakes. "It won't happen again."
"Anakin, I need you with me. Please don't forget that you're part of a team. If you want the others to trust you, then you ought to make smarter choices." There are only so many times that Obi-Wan could impart the same message. Anakin was likely running low on second chances. "Are you ready?"
"As much as I can be." Anakin added reluctantly.