Note: There is not a lot of information about the citadel on Wookieepedia so I am making it up.

Mission to Ziost

Anakin POV

"Alright men, circle up." I said, standing in front of the hanger of the Ventor class Star Destroyer that we were taking on this mission. There was a small group of clones each in charge of a squad who were at the briefing. Ahsoka, Rex, Obi-Wan, and Lee were there as well. "This mission is a particular dangerous one because our target is Sidious himself. There could be a number of Sith apprentices guarding him or the place could be completely deserted. There is no telling, so everyone look alive."

I pulled up a hologram of the citadel, and highlighted the north and south entrances. "We are going to have a two pronged approach. General Kenobi will take the north entrance, and Commander Tano and I will take the south. Our target is to destroy the temple and capture any Sith, so we will be setting charges throughout the building. Any questions?"

"General," asked Catch. "We can't die in this form, and their men can't die either. How do we win?"

"Your weapons can inflict pain enough to knock them out," answered Rex. "Sorry sir," he said to me, "he is new."

I nodded, and turned to Obi-Wan. He stepped up and cleared his throat. "This is unlike the Generals that we fought during the Clone Wars. This is not about gaining control of the planet, but about the proper use of the Force. You can trust your instincts when fighting a droid, but when fighting a Sith Lord, you must leave everything to us. Do not engage Palpatine. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir!" came the response of the clones.

"Get to your posts, men!" barked Lee.

I felt a hand on my arm. Turning, I saw Ahsoka's bright blue eyes boring into mine.

"What Snips?" I asked.

"Padme called."

"Oh. I will have to call her back when we get done," I said, but she was shaking her head.

"No, she is worried that you are not going to come back. She thinks that Palpatine is going to get to you."

I groaned. "Oh man. I am sorry she pulled you into this. Im fine, really. I hate Palpatine and would do nothing to serve him."

Rex came up when he noticed us talking, "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, Rex," I lied.

"Padme is worried about Anakin and does not want him on the mission because its Palpatine," said Ahsoka.

"Oh shit. I did not think about that," he said. "Maybe Master Kenobi and Commander Tano can lead the land strike and you can lead the air strike sir?"

"That's a great idea, Rex" said Ahsoka.

"What?! No. I'm fine. We proceed with the mission as planned," I said.

"But Master I-" started Ahsoka

"IM! FINE!" I yelled.

"Clearly," came Obi-Wan's voice behind me. I turned around to see him in his disapproval mode: arms crossed, frowning, and a furrowed brow. "Anakin, when you yell 'I'm fine" in the middle of the hanger at two of your best friends, you're not fine."

I groaned. "Why is-"

"Lower your voice, padawan," he admonished.

I took a deep breathe. "Why is everyone against me?" I asked softly. "I need this. If you knew what he did to me…"

I felt a hand on my arm, and turned to see Ahsoka there looking at me with understanding eyes.

"We understand everything, Skyguy. We know what he did to you physically and mentally. But, we are trying to stop him from getting to you again so he does not hurt you anymore."

"She is right, Sir," said Rex. "I swear we get it. Palpatine is a creep and what he has done to you and the missus is inexcusable. I can understand that all you want to do is get your hands on him. But you gotta understand that if that takes a step towards the bad side again, then maybe you should not be the one who gets his hands on him. You know? Let us pull the punches for you."

"You should listen to them, Anakin. You have to realize what this revenge will cost you," said Obi-Wan.

"My family," I mumbled.

"That is the most important thing in your life now," said Ahsoka. "Palpatine should be brought to justice. He needs to suffer for what he has done to you, to the galaxy. It just does not need to incite vengeance in you."

I took a deep breath. It looked like I was not going to get my hands around that sick creep personally, but I could still make sure that the mission went well and escort him to the darkest cell on Coruscant. "Okay. So air strike. That's dogfighting against their fighters? I guess I can do that."

"You enjoy flying. It will be easy," said Obi-Wan.

"Yeah. You just lead the air strike and bomb the temple once we are clear of the structure," said Ahsoka.

"Personally, I want your job," said Rex.

"I'm willing to trade," I said grumpily.

"There is no trading," said Obi-Wan matter-of-factly.

"We are all forgetting a basic point," said Ahsoka. "We are not sure if Palpatine is on this planet, and he might be somewhere else. This might be the most boring mission we ever had."

I looked deep in myself and searched my feelings. I felt the dark, cold presence of my old master. "He is here, and he is waiting for us."