The eight FPR fighters spread out in front of the cruisers as the ships descended towards Carrinos. Anakin looked down at the multiple hues of the planet. It was predominantly violet, interspersed with greens, browns and, blue. Free standing water was a novelty. On approach to the planet's main starport they were passing over a vast expanse of water. A sea, or ocean was what such a thing was called. He mused on the words, trying them out to see if they described so much water.
"Picking up a mass of contacts from the starport. Most are running but some are on intercept. Looks like ten, no twelve hostiles on approach." came a voice from the Victory, the Exchalali lead cruiser, pulling Anakin from admiring the alien scenery and back to the business at hand.
"Gotcha Victory. All fighters, set shields forward. Accelerate on my mark. Let's keep them from the cruisers. Mark," ordered Hemn Vosser, the FPR's only actual combat pilot. He claimed to be ex-Patrol, although he was reticent on why he resided on Tatooine. The others were either civilian pilots or locals with aptitude and some training., like Anakin.
The fighters fired thrusters accelerating away from the cruisers and towards the defenders. Three were dedicated atmospheric fighters, three others were drop shuttles and the remainder armed freighters. There seemed to be no order or formation. The fighters leading the others by a wide margin. One of the freighters was lagging behind, it's thrusters only firing intermittently.
"Dral, Mika, Vrast target fighter Besh. Gail, Anakin and Seldi on Cresh, Ko with me on Aurek."
The pilots altered vectors and attempted to target the nominated fighters. Then they were in range firing . Hemn and Anakin's fire both found their targets as Seldi's fighter exploded as the return fire penetrated the shields and inighted the engine. The surviving enemy fighter did not turn heading straight for the cruisers. The larger ships were at their most vulnerable in atmosphere. Anakin looped to pursue the fighter as the others began engaging the slower vessels. As the stern chase continued the cruisers opened fire, their heavier cannon attempting to track the nimble craft. Anakin fired the main thruster, trusting in the shields to protect the hull from atmospheric resistance. Alarms screamed as the small starfighter was subjected to conditions never intended for it. His fighter rapidly closed with the enemy. Concentrating he locked and fired, shredding a wing, but not before a missile leaped from the fighter. Anakin twisted and fired a short burst, destroying the missile. Then he raced past the cruisers like an errant comet, fuselage glowing from the friction.
Cassandra and Artura watched the scene from the bridge of the Victory as Anakin's fighter streaked across their field of vision.
"How did that pilot do that?" said Cassandra.
The red and black armoured figure beside her turned.
"You do not know? You married him." it answered. The helmet's speaker took away a lot of emotion but could totally conceal the contempt.
"How do you know that was Anakin? You didn't even check the Tac Comp."
"I know. How is it that you did not?"
"But Anakin can't fly like that. Hemn says he's good, but no-one's that good." said Cassandra.
"No-one? Just how well do you know your husband? Who he is? What he is? But enough of this. We are mere minutes to contact. Bring this up after we have won." said Artura, who then turned to walk off the bridge.
Cassandra stared for a moment. Before she could say anything the announcer blared.
"Landing in two minutes. All troops prepare to disembark. Repeat. Landing in two minutes. All troops, prepare to disembark."
Cassandra sighed. It would wait. She hurried after the armoured figure.
Artura ran down the ramp of the cruiser to the ground and advanced through the shield barrier towards the starport. She regarded the defenders behind their barricades.
'Pathetic. Still, it will make for a good live fire exercise for our forces.'
'No. We should talk to them. Get them to surrender without a fight.'
'Why should I do that?'
'Why? Because we don't need to. Because these people are not our enemy. Because,'
'Yes? Come on girl. Spit it out.'
'Because they will serve better as allies than as victims.'
'Hmm. No other reason? Really? Very well.'
Artura took a few more steps forwards. Keeping her weapon at rest.
"As I see things we can talk or you can die. Send someone out if you wish to attempt the former." she called out across to the defenders.
It did not take long for a small group to come forward.
'Looks like you're on.'
Padme removed the armoured helmet. The unfiltered air had the tang of salt from the nearby sea. So much better than air ionised by blaster fire and burning flesh. She smiled and approached those willing to negotiate.
Cassandra found Anakin tending to the engine on his antique starfighter. After getting everyone to stand down the surviving ships had landed. The Exchalali leader had called for a break after the initial negotiations so she had sought out her husband.
Anakin noticed her and ran towards her, dropping the tool he had been using as he hugged and kissed her.
"What's wrong?" he said as they paused for breath.
"Nothing. Just good to see you're alright." she said.
"No something is bothering you, what is it?" Anakin said his brow creasing.
How does he do that? Anakin had the uncanny ability to know how she was feeling. It was impossible to keep anything from him.
"It's nothing, just something that woman said. Like, I don't know. It's stupid."
"No, what is it? Trust me." said Anakin.
"Who are you? Really?" said Cassandra.
Anakin chuckled.
"I'm me. Anakin Skywalker. Local mechanic and revolutionary. I'm also the luckiest man in the Galaxy." he said, ending with a kiss.
Cassandra's other concerns evaporated in the embrace.
"Here." said Artura pointing to a point on the holo. "While we keep them occupied, your team comes in here, hits the air sensor and then we can call in the ships to support."
They were in the Victory conferring with their allies to take a processing plant. The owner thought he could just hole up and wait for the Hutts to return and get rid of these upstarts. The defences amassed would give anyone confidence. Troops, the armour that had been missing from the Starport and most importantly, anti air defences. Still, no defence was perfect. The terrain, as always conspired against the ideal layout. A small ridge and knoll broke up the south wall sufficiently to allow a small squad to approach, plant charges and move in.
Cassandra agreed with the assessment. She nodded.
"Agreed. They should surrender once we can bring in the ships." she said.
That had been yesterday. Today she was pinned down by the breach. Despite the diversionary assault the defenders had not been fooled. She peered through the haze and smoke and spied an opponent. She fired and the enemy ducked back.
"This is Cassandra, we are pinned down and need an assist!" she called over the comm. Isolated though, there was not much hope.
"Keep down love. I'm coming in." came Anakin's voice.
"No! You can't. The air defences are still active. Stay back." she yelled.
But it was too late. All about the complex turrets activated and began tracking an as yet unseen target. Then they opened fire, saturating the predicted approach vector with fire. It was then she saw the fighter on a rapid approach, twisting and manoeuvring to slip through the defences. As it swept overhead it's blasters fired, striking the sensor dome that had been her objective. The domes explosion was obscured by the sonic boom of the fighter's close passage. Shortly after the defenders surrendered as the other ships came into view.
Cassandra looked at her husband as he climbed out of the fighter. He ran over and enveloped her in a hug.
"Why did you do that? How?" was all she could say.
"Dunno. Hey, it worked." said Anakin smiling.
"Thank you." said Cassandra, but in her mind the thought remained. 'Who, what are you?'
Over the following week the revolutionaries oversaw the liberation of Carrinos, driving any effective resistance away from the major centres. The local leaders, free from being under the Hutt, enthusiastically agreed to join the growing alliance.
Anakin paced outside in the Victory's halls while Cassandra and the others had their meeting. He couldn't see the point. What did it matter what they called themselves?
He noticed the Exchalali leader's aide, Karan heading past. Anakin decided he may have the answers he sought and followed. Karan walked into a suite and Anakin slipped in as well before the door closed.
Karan looked up, surprise on his face. "Yes, Mr Skywalker?" he said.
Anakin stood by the door. "Look, I just want a straight answer or two. What's up with your boss. How does she know me?"
Karan put a pad down on the table, turned to face Anakin and sighed. "It's not for me to say. Just, just accept that it's a mess and be grateful for the good that has come of it, okay?"
Anakin frowned and took a few steps forward. "What sort of answer is that? Give me something to go on." he said.
"No. Ask her yourself. Not me." said Karan.
"I'm asking you. You're her shadow, So. What's. The. Deal?" said Anakin.
"The Deal? The Deal you ignorant sandworm is that she is in love with you. That's, that's the only reason we're here. You. Of course, the inconvenient fact of your marriage means she's going to just nobly suffer in silence and lie to herself that she's not saving entire worlds for all the wrong reasons. That's the damn Deal." said Karan as he prodded Anakin in the chest.
"Inconvenient? What's this got to do with Cassandra." said Anakin prodding back.
"Nothing. I said too much already. Here are the facts. Padme was Jabba's slave for years. By a miracle she was freed and by an even bigger miracle she's slowly putting herself back together. So, in the interests of everyone cooperating please just stay away and stop reminding her of someone you're clearly not." said Karan.
Anakin just stared. Jabba's slave? Wait.
"Does this have anything to do with that Jedi assassin that killed Jabba last year? It is, isn't it? But they caught him. For starting the war?" said Anakin.
"What do you mean, they caught him?" said Karan.
"Knight Kenobi!" came the voice over the com.
Obi-Wan paused. He had finally located where they had taken the missing intern. Lost in the initial confusion as a local gang had attacked Obi-Wan had vowed to not leave her behind. Being taken by slavers was horrible anywhere, but it was almost beyond belief on this hellworld. He was tracking her down.
"Knight Kenobi!" repeated the voice.
Obi-Wan raised the com to speak. "Kenobi here." he said.
"We're under attack! Looks like every thug and low life is gunning for us." came the voice punctuated by blaster fire.
Obi-Wan paused. He was so close. Just half an hour more.
"Knight Kenobi! We need you assistance!" screamed the voice accompanied by an explosion.
He had a responsibility to those people as well. They needed his he couldn't abandon that young woman to this world's worst.
A scream came across the com. That decided it. Promising to return Obi-Wan ran to assist the people in urgent danger.
He was unable to return. Among the attackers was a dark warrior, to all appearances a Sith. While Obi-Wan managed to slay the beast he was critically injured in the fight. While the Naboo managed to stabilise him, his next waking memory was six days later. It was another fifteen before he was fit to travel. Upon finally reaching Tatooine he learned that the young intern was now the personal property of Jabba. His entreaties were laughed at. Jabba does as he wills he was condescendingly told. Other investigation revealed the slug's fortress was unassailable without an and ashamed, he travelled to Naboo to deliver the news of his failure to her family.
Her parents had forgiven him. He had tried they said. He was but one man they said. They were distraught and in pain but they did not blame him. Her father had demanded he be thanked in public for saving the others. It was what she would of wanted him to do he had said. Obi-Wan had endured the ceremony and personal thanks of the Naboo and then fled the planet.
Obi-Wan Kenobi sat in the small room assigned to him at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. While technically free to go anywhere in the Temple it had been 'requested' that he remain in the room as much as possible. He tried to meditate, to seek a solution through the Force. As usual, clarity eluded him as his memory took him back to that day.
He sought to quell the anger rising and beckoning to him. Just take up the lightsabre and rid the Galaxy of evil doers. Make them all pay. Make them suffer. They deserve it.
No. He would do what was right and he had. For the last four years he had resisted and fought against slavery and oppression in the Galaxy. Kenobi was also the Jedi to go to if you wanted someone protected or rescued. Kenobi always got them home safe. Always.
All, except one. His failure dogged him like a shadow. A pall hung over him which caused other Jedi to wonder if the Knight who seemed to of come from a more heroic age was, tainted somehow. That he would fall.
So, when news of Jabba's assassination at the hands of two Jedi, the description by witnesses of one matching Obi-Wan perfectly many wondered. Despite his perfect alibi there was suspicion. He had used a clone, hired a changeling and had tricked everyone into believing he was sectors away. The Hutts had demanded he be handed over and the Republic almost acquiesced. The Jedi had harboured him, gave him sanctuary while the crisis evolved. Obi-Wan would remain confined to the Temple.
In his heart, Obi-Wan knew he was guilty. He had no idea how this imposter had done it, but it was what he had wanted to do.