Chapter 5 - Crashing on Maridun
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD
Author's Note: Welp, I know that Anakin didn't end up on Maridun like this in canon, but I don't really care. Deal with it. xD
~ Amina Gila
Anakin is almost to the verge of beginning to question his own sanity. Why in the world is he even here in the Archives, anyway? And why has he been looking all morning through everything he can get his hands on to see if it's really impossible for someone to turn back from the Dark Side? He's getting more and more annoyed by the moment, because everything he's finding is the same as everything he's been told his entire life. Maybe if he actually had access to more records, like the ones only Council members can see, there'd be something to talk about. Except he's not sure he wants to talk to Obi-Wan about it, because his former master might start to question his sanity also.
"Since when did you become a historian?" a familiar voice suddenly breaks through his thoughts. Anakin jumps and looks up to see Obi-Wan standing behind him. He was too lost in thought to notice the approach.
"I was trying to see if it would really be impossible for a darksider to turn back," Anakin explains.
"Well, have you found anything yet?" he asks.
"I haven't," Anakin grumbles. "Nothing more than what I've already seen and heard. I'm beginning to wonder if there's even anything in this part of the Archives." But then again, if there was, it's probably not something Knights would be allowed to see.
"There may not be," agrees Obi-Wan.
"Think you can help me out?" Anakin asks with a sigh.
"I can check the information only the Council can access," he offers.
"That... would probably be a good idea," agrees Anakin, and they part ways.
Anakin returns to their apartment - the one he should have moved out of when he was knighted but didn't - to wait for any news. It's not long before Obi-Wan returns.
"I believe I may have found what we were looking for," informs Obi-Wan as he enters the room.
"Really?" asks Anakin.
"Yes," confirms Obi-Wan, "In some very rare cases, there have been Sith that turned back. Darth Revan was one of them, but I'll tell you the story later. The Council has decided to send us on another mission. We need to hurry."
**w**
The ship rocks wildly again, laser beams deflecting off its shields. Anakin spins the ship, diving down while Obi-Wan, seated in the co-pilot seat, returns fire.
"There's two following us," Anakin warns, sending the ship swerving to the side to avoid the fighter. A barrage of laser beams fly harmlessly past where the ship was seconds before.
"Lucky for you, I'm an excellent shot," Obi-Wan quips, firing at one of them as Anakin spins the ship around to face them. Most of the other ships that were attacking them have been destroyed or are occupied with the clones, but there's still a fair number left.
One thing Anakin has to admit, though, is that even if Ahsoka is not good in lightsaber battles, she's a crazily good pilot. He's sensed her presence since they'd gotten here, and the flying skills of the fighter – plus it's different look – really gave away who was in it. Another shot is fired their way, and Anakin spins the ship aside. If not for his super-fast reflexes, they'd be space dust a hundred times now since this battle started.
The shot strikes one of the ships and it explodes. Obi-Wan fires at the other, the shot managing to hit it in one of the wings, but a second too late. One of the blasts slams right into their ship, slipping right through the shields.
"Lucky for you, I'm an excellent pilot," Anakin retorts, as the ship trembles violently from the force of the explosion. It promptly begins diving down towards the tan-colored planet far below, leaving a long trail of smoke behind. Artoo beeps frantically from the back, but there's not much he can do other than stay safe himself.
Sparks dance across the outside of the ship as it plummets, soon entering the atmosphere of the planet. From the short time he has to get a look at it from high above the surface, it appears that if the planet has any sentient inhabitants, they do not have very advanced technology at all. It looks to be completely wild and unfamiliar. Wherever this is, they've never been here before.
"For all your expertise this is not a very smooth landing," Obi-Wan exclaims as the burning ship hits the ground, skidding a distance through the grass before finally coming to a stop.
"If you had shot down those fighters sooner, we wouldn't be in this mess," Anakin shoots back, standing up slowly. A quick glance over the ship is enough to tell it's been badly damaged in the crash, and probably won't ever be flying again, and there's no way to make contact with anyone off the planet. They'll be stuck until someone comes down to find them.
They climb out of the smoking remains through the entry, which is tilted partly to the side but not too much to get out of. Artoo flies out to land on the ground behind them. The large sun in the light blue sky is nearing the horizon. The ground is covered with tall light green grass. A trail of smoke rising a distance away out of the grasses is the first thing that catches Anakin's attention.
"Looks like we have company," Obi-Wan concludes.
"Come on, let's go check it out," Anakin suggests. It could be one of the clones, or one of the Separatists. Either way, he wants to know. He did see Ahsoka's ship crashing this direction, but that doesn't mean it's her.
They set off through the towering grasses, Artoo rolling along behind them. It doesn't take long to reach the smoking remains of the other ship. The markings on the side, even though they're a bit damaged from the crash, distinctly show that it belongs to the Separatists. The flames are still sparking dangerously close to the engines.
The Jedi circle around to the front of the ship, spotting a motionless Togruta slumped over in the pilot seat.
"I guess that answers who it is," Anakin remarks. "Though I'm not sure how we managed to shoot her down."
"I'm not sure how she managed to shoot you down, either," Obi-Wan quips. Anakin shoots him a scowl before turning his attention back to the ship.
"The engines might explode," Anakin observes worriedly, realizing the damage to her fighter is even worse than it was for theirs. The flames are rapidly reaching the engine, and a good portion is still smoldering. "We have to get her out of there." He steps up to it, cutting open the glass part of the cockpit with his lightsaber, and pulling her out. He jumps a distance away, laying her on the ground. The silver cylinders on her belt glint in the sunlight, reminding Anakin that leaving her with them is probably not a good idea.
Obviously reaching the same conclusion, Obi-Wan picks up her lightsabers, clipping them to his own belt. A sudden explosion draws their attention to the remains of the ship as the engine promptly detonates. Debris fly everywhere as the entire ship immediately catches fire.
"Good thing we got her out of there," the Jedi Knight remarks, eyeing the flaming object.
Ahsoka stirs finally, before slowly opening her eyes and looking around, obviously confused. Where am I? Where's my fighter? She doesn't say it aloud, but the thoughts are unshielded enough to be heard clearly through the Force.
"That would be your fighter," Obi-Wan informs her, motioning to the flaming object across the small clearing in the grass.
Ahsoka's gaze instantly snaps to him as though she hadn't even realized anyone was there. "Kenobi," she growls, scrambling to her feet. She reaches for her non-existent lightsabers, only to realize a moment too late they're gone.
Anakin can't help but smirk at the surprise and confusion that flits through her expression. "It'd hardly seem reasonable to leave you with your weapons when you're our prisoner."
"I am not," snaps Ahsoka, "Anyone's prisoner." She glares at them, the same fire burning in her eyes as Anakin had seen in her last time.
"Well, when the Republic comes here to find us, you will be coming with us," Anakin shoots back mildly.
"Provided Dooku doesn't find me here, first," Ahsoka reminds them, "And that this planet isn't already under Separatist control." Except she doesn't sound so sure about that last bit, so Anakin isn't very concerned.
"There's no life around here."
"As long as we're here," Obi-Wan intervenes, "We will have to work together to contact someone or find a ship."
Anakin frowns, not particularly happy at the thought of having to work with her. Sure, he might want to find a way to redeem her, but that doesn't mean he has any trust for her.
"See?" Ahsoka smirks suddenly. "You're stuck with me, Skyguy."
"What did you just call me?!" Anakin cries incredulously, glaring at Obi-Wan when he laughs. Unfortunately, it makes his former master laugh harder, so he returns his gaze to the smirking Togruta. "Don't get snippy with me, Darth Snips. It's bad enough we're stuck here." He turns away from them, looking around the area, turning his mind back to the situation at hand. They have to find some sort of life. There's got to be something living on the planet, and he'd rather reach them before nightfall. The horizon is slowly starting to take on the colors of sunset, fading from light blue to a more vibrant orange.
He looks down at his droid. "Artoo, scan for nearby lifeforms." The droid whistles in response, immediately getting to work.
"Let's hope your droid's scans will be accurate or we might be walking in circles forever," Ahsoka remarks, crossing her arms, her eyes not-so-discreetly drifting to the two extra lightsabers on Obi-Wan's belt. Anakin half-expects her to try and Force-pull them away, but she doesn't. Good thing.
"You mean walking in circles until the clones show up so we can arrest you," Anakin corrects.
"Or my army shows up to arrest you."
"Good luck with that. You don't even have weapons." He smirks when she glares at him.
Obi-Wan eyes them with exasperated amusement.
Finally completing his scans, Artoo beeps the report before a further argument can erupt. "There's a settlement a distance away from here," Anakin translates, "But we'll probably never reach there before dark."
"Well, we'd best get started," Obi-Wan decides. Without further ado, the group sets out through the grasses beneath the setting sun.
The walk continue in an awkward silence, Ahsoka lagging a short distance behind the others. She clearly doesn't feel any more comfortable about the situation than they do.
The sun far too rapidly sinks below the horizon, soon disappearing altogether. Darkness slowly begins to set in on the endless prairie. Anakin can sense what are presumably non sentient life forms lurking here and there in the grass, especially as it continues to grow darker, though they don't see anything.
"We should find somewhere to stop for the night," Obi-Wan decides at last.
"Why? You're tired already?" Ahsoka challenges.
"Would you rather stay up all night?" Anakin shoots back.
"Seems smarter, given those other creatures around. Besides, who's to say you won't stab me in my sleep?"
"If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it already. Or, better yet, I could have just left you in your fighter to explode with it. Would you have preferred that?" he snaps.
"There's a group of trees up ahead," Obi-Wan declares, interrupting the argument that was definitely about to occur, "We can stay there for the night."
"Presuming that it's not the home of some human-eating monster," Ahsoka retorts, giving both of them a pointed look.
"Unless it's only the home of a Togruta-eating monster," Anakin deadpans.
"Come on, younglings," sighs Obi-Wan.
"I am not a youngling!" they protest at once, then stop to glare at each other again.
"Then stop acting like it," advises the Jedi Master, moving down the path. Without another word, the two of them follow. Anakin and Obi-Wan sit down next to the tree, and Ahsoka takes a seat about as far away from them as she can get without being hidden by the grass. Anakin hopes she won't try to run off while they're sleeping, but there's a good way to avoid that.
"Stay on watch, Artoo," he commands the droid. Besides, if any other unfriendly visitors approach during the night, the droid will be able to warn them in advance. They don't have anything with them to eat, so they'll have to just take some rest. Hopefully, they can find food the next day, though that shouldn't be too hard, at least not once they locate the village.
Anakin glances at Ahsoka where she's stretched out in the grass a distance off. She's not sleeping yet, though. Not that it's a surprise. He wouldn't be sleeping at all, either, if he was stuck, unarmed, with two people he considered enemies.
Anakin lays down next to his former master, letting himself fall into the first dreamless sleep in a long time.
**w**
Obi-Wan isn't sure what woke him up, but the sky is still dark and the endless stars dotting it twinkle brightly. There's a distinct sense of foreboding looming threateningly in the air, though Artoo sits quietly a short distance away, obviously having sensed nothing yet.
He looks around to see that Anakin and Ahsoka are both still sleeping. It's then that he suddenly hears a distant howl, soon followed by another that sounds like it's coming closer. Perhaps some of the native wildlife have picked up on their trail.
Artoo whistles worriedly, and Obi-Wan stands up as he feels the presences approaching. "Anakin," he hisses, shaking him.
He lets out a near-groan, opening one eye. "What? Can't you see that it's still dark out?"
"Some friends have caught our scent. We need to get up unless you want to become dinner in your sleep."
To his credit, Anakin is alert in an instant, immediately getting to his feet. He's been getting alert much faster upon waking up since the war started. Being a General on the front will do that to a person. Ahsoka stirs, sitting up, frowning when she catches sight of the two of them. "What's going on?" she mumbles sleepily.
"We have approaching visitors," Anakin informs her. "Stay alert."
Another howl pierces the air, this time much closer. Finally, through the darkness Obi-Wan can make out the shapes of large dark-red eyed creatures bounding towards them. Ahsoka jumps to her feet, tensing at the sight.
The two towering creatures are four-legged, with huge claws on their feet and beak-shaped mouths lined with teeth. They finally charge through the last of the grass towards the trees and jump through the air at them. Ahsoka dives aside to safety, Obi-Wan and Anakin activating their lightsabers in unison. The creatures miss where Obi-Wan is, landing next to his former padawan instead, promptly meeting the end of a lightsaber.
The creature growls in pain, and jumps backwards, clawing at him. Amidst the destruction, Ahsoka reaches out, using the Force to grab her lightsabers away from Obi-Wan before lunging at the creatures. She jumps onto the back of the second, stabbing it. It rears into the air, throwing her off it's back as it falls to the ground, growling.
Obi-Wan finally jumps forwards, his blade slashing across the other creature's leg as it attempts to knock Anakin to the ground. It spins, snapping at him instead. Anakin stabs the creature in the side and with a final growl, it falls to the ground, soon going motionless. That was easier than expected. Just another typical night of the Clone Wars.
"Are you alright?" Anakin asks.
"Yes," confirms Obi-Wan.
"And I'm fine too, thanks for asking," Ahsoka calls snippily, standing up from where the creature had thrown her, extinguishing her lightsabers.
"Are you okay buddy?" questions Anakin, looking around for his droid. It rolls about between the grass, beeping affirmatively.
"Are we going to just go back to sleep or keep moving?" Ahsoka asks, looking around.
"We should probably keep going," Obi-Wan decides after a moment of consideration. The sooner they can find the settlement, the better. They may be able to make contact with the Republic sooner so they can come pick them up. Besides, he really doesn't want to take the chance of the Separatists finding them first. Though he does expect that if the village has a way to contact people off-planet, Ahsoka will try to contact the Separatists. They'll have to deal with that when the time comes.
"Oh nice," she chirps, "At least you got over your fear of the dark."
"Excuse me?" Anakin retorts, "Who here is scared of anything again?"
"Well apparently, you have a fear of me having my weapons," she says, looking a little too smug about the fact that she has them back now.
"Would you like me to take them away from you again?" he threatens.
"If you –" she begins heatedly.
"We need to keep moving," sighs Obi-Wan, cutting her off. These two argue way too much. He'll admit it's quite entertaining at times, but they need to focus. And nor do they need to start unnecessary hostilities right now.
"Ah yes, at least one of you two has some sense," she remarks cheerfully, following Obi-Wan down the path.
"Hey!" protests Anakin, hurrying after.
Silence falls over them once more as they continue walking down the path. Glancing over his shoulder, Obi-Wan notices that Ahsoka is staying a little closer to them than she was the previous evening, perhaps since she now has her lightsabers. The time they've spent together on the planet has made him think a lot more on his and Anakin's discussion about trying to get Ahsoka to turn back. She's obviously far from fully lost to the Dark Side, somewhere in the gray zone. If the Republic does show up before the Separatists, maybe they'll be able to bring her to Coruscant. Maybe they'll be able to have a proper talk with her there. And turn her back, if it's possible.