The Kenobi Scandal: Story will be completed next week, Last Chapter!
Warning: Short chapter but I wanted this transition to stand and give Christopher Lee his moment of triumph over Ewan. Mwahahahhahaha!
Chapter 4 - A Price to Pay
Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to think, what to expect, as they took off into hyperspace.
They had left without anyone questioning them.
It would take plausibly hours, or days, or even weeks before the Council understood the full extent of his betrayal.
It was an effort to pass his guilt over to the Force, to not cling to it, wrap himself in until he drowned.
He hadn't had the time to leave Anakin a message.
A message that was going to mean less after his departure.
Obi-Wan had strong doubts that Anakin would understand.
Understand any of it.
His taking a Padawan not two weeks after Anakin's graduation.
His leaving the Jedi Order.
His joining a Sith Lord when it was a Sith Lord who had taken Qui-Gon from them.
Nor his stealing an army from the Republic and leaving them all but defenceless.
Obi-Wan had a feeling it would be the last one that really would do him in. Anakin was extremely partial to a centralized government and he had little patience for the red-tape and the long-winded debates of the Senate.
Living on Tatooine, a planet not under the Republic's care, had assured the first, his teachings at the Temple only enforcing those beliefs, and his impatience with the Senate had been instilled into him by the Naboo Crisis.
Anakin all but idolized Chancellor Palpatine.
Obi-Wan had few illusions as to how the High Chancellor of the Republic, who had a militant leaning to begin with, would receive and brand his actions.
No, if the only two people his Padawan would listen to in his absence were Sifo-Dyas and Palpatine…
Then no, any likelihood that Anakin would ever forgive him were disappearing with every passing star in hyperspace.
"Master?"
Obi-Wan was brought sharply back to the present by his current Padawan. They were on a private viewing deck watching the blue stream of lights in a sterile room.
"My apologies, Ahsoka, I was lost in thought. Never advisable, my own Master would be rather disappointed in me."
At this point, Obi-Wan had no idea what Qui-Gon would think, though, in a way, he was following in the maverick's footsteps: Going against the Council, throwing the fate of billions to the winds, and turning away from one Padawan for the sake of another.
"So tell me," he began, wanting away from his own inner monologue of doom. Dooku was sure to provide enough that at any rate. "What brought you and Master Sifo-Dyas together?"
Ahsoka grinned up at him, "Master Plo. He's the one who found me on Kiros, he's kept tabs on me ever since."
Obi-Wan raised his brows, "You remember that encounter?"
She nodded, "I don't remember much around it. But I remember him asking me if I wanted to come home with him."
"And what did you say? For most, it is their parent's choice."
"It was an easy choice for me," she said glancing away, "I was always different. I remember…" she took in a deep breath, "I remember being strange, not belonging. I think my own parents were afraid of me, and I had older siblings that wanted nothing to do with me. It was lonely. But Master Plo…" she smiled, "he wasn't afraid of me at all. And I remember seeing him, he was so bright, so warm. He was the safest person I've ever known."
Obi-Wan smiled, "Plo is an amazing individual. Soft spoken at times but… warm is a good way to describe."
She grinned, "How about you? Do you remember coming to the Temple?"
He shook his head, "No, my parents surrendered me when I was little more than an infant."
It was her turn to look surprised, "They could tell you were Force sensitive that early?"
"Kiros is quite far from the Core, my planet was not. I'm certain the Seekers would have found you sooner had they crossed closer to your planet." He looked at her, this female who had been able to let go of all attachments at such a young age, "Will you miss the Temple, do you think?"
She shrugged, "I'll miss Masters Plo and Sifo-Dyas. The Room of a Thousand Fountains, even Master Yoda… but, I wasn't exactly popular, I never made close friends with anyone."
"You have a very defined sense of self, Ahsoka. Among children, that can make you either very popular, or an oddity. It does not surprise me that you were able to find closer friendships with adults rather than beings your own age or younger."
She flashed him a relieved smile, "You really think so?"
"I do. I had many friends when I was younger, but it took me a very long time to discover who I was and who I wanted to be."
In reality, sometimes, he still wasn't sure that he knew himself.
Had someone asked him two weeks ago if he would do what he was doing now, he would have laughed at them.
"I don't think I know that either," she said.
His lips twitched, "Do you have any doubts about your decision to join me on this rather insane venture?"
"No," she said without hesitation.
"I have many doubts."
She shrugged, "I mean, I'm not the one in charge. I might have doubts if I was General of two million troops too."
He tapped his fingers against his elbows where his arms were crossed, "Ahsoka, I must impress upon you again that no matter how charming or reasonable Count Dooku sounds or appears, he is not to be trusted. He is a Sith Lord, whose goals typically include destroying the Jedi Order."
"Is he going to try to convert us?" she asked.
"I'm certain that he will try, but to quote our dear Grandmaster, Dooku's Master in fact, Once you start down the dark path-
"-forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will," Ahsoka picked up in an uncanny imitation. "Yeah, I know. But do you think he can't turn back? I mean, he's a Sith, but he isn't evil."
Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to say to that but settled on, "Even if that were true or possible, do not believe for an instant that he will go on unchanged. If Dooku ever speaks to you about anything, I would like you to speak with me before acting on his words."
She nodded, "Okay, Master-"
Her stomach rumbled audibly and her cheeks flushed.
He chuckled, "Come, I'm certain there is a mess hall on this vessel."
This was probably one of the largest ships he had ever been on.
Ahsoka could only nod, still embarrassed, but he didn't pick on her for it.
Appo and Fives saluted them at the door.
"Gentlemen," Obi-Wan greeted, "might you show us where the nearest mess deck is?"
"Of course, General Kenobi," Appo said.
Obi-Wan was not going to get used to that in a hurry.
By the time they reached their destination, Rex had joined them.
Which ended up being rather convenient.
As Ahsoka ate, he questioned the Captain relentlessly about Kamino, the clones, the army, and Dooku's, as well as Fett's, actions and intentions.
About the army, the numbers, their protocols, their skills; Rex was completely candid, but with everything else?
It wasn't exactly like drawing blood from a stone, but the Captain had a remarkable skill in hedging questions or giving such short responses as to not be useful.
Obi-Wan kept asking questions, but he didn't pry or make the man repeat himself.
If he pushed too hard, it would undermine the trust the clones had placed in him.
It was underserved trust, but Obi-Wan was determined to earn it.
To earn his place among them.
Qui-Gon had once told him that every being's fate was in their own hands.
But these men had been bred to be soldiers.
Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel as every single one of these men's lives were very much his responsibility.
By the time they landed, Obi-Wan's mind was spinning.
He didn't just have an army.
He had a navy and two million soldiers who were fully committed to a single purpose.
The Republic was never going to find a power to compete with them.
Not unless the Jedi Order tripled in size.
Which would take decades, with perhaps dire consequences if they relaxed their acceptance requirements.
Cody met them at the docks.
Obi-Wan greeted him with a smirk, "Impressive time, Commander."
"I had a few hours' head-start, Sir," Cody said, "our smaller ships are not inferior ships."
"Apparently not. I'm assuming the Count is expecting us?"
Cody's case flicked to Ahsoka, "He was expecting you, General. I had not informed him that you took a Padawan."
Clearly, Cody hadn't believed he would take her with him.
"Would you like me to-"
"No," Obi-Wan interrupted, "I can explain myself."
He nodded, "Right this way, then, Sirs."
Ahsoka gazed interestedly at the Serreno Palace.
Obi-Wan was attempting to centre himself too deeply to appreciate the architecture.
"Obi-Wan," Dooku greeted as they entered, what Obi-Wan was a bit disappointed to realize, was a throne room. "So wonderful it is that you have seen reason."
At least Dooku had the decency to stand and meet Obi-Wan part way.
They were close enough that Obi-Wan saw the sheer surprise, almost shock, in the man's dark eyes when he identified Ahsoka for what she was, which was the same moment Obi-Wan realized the women who stood a step or so behind Dooku.
Obi-Wan, it would appear, wasn't the only one with an apprentice.
Dooku made the introductions first, "This is my apprentice, Asajj Ventress, and my sister, Jenza Dooku."
Asajj Ventress was a Dathomirian Zabrak, like Darth Maul, Obi-Wan noted with a twinge of distaste. Jenza Dooku was a statuesque brunette who had an airy feel about her.
She was not the least bit Force sensitive, but the Darkness that rimmed the two Sith could not touch the woman's inner brightness.
Obi-Wan nodded to them both, "A pleasure. This is Ahsoka Tano, my Padawan."
Dooku finally commented, his interest driving every protective Obi-Wan had up a thousand notches. "And what did the young Knight Skywalker think of your acquiring a replacement so soon?"
Ahsoka scowled up at the tall man.
Obi-Wan would have to talk to her about her temper that radiated in the Force, but for now, he found himself grateful that this first meeting wouldn't leave her with false expectations.
"I have not yet spoken with Anakin."
Humour glimmered in Dooku's eyes, "A pity then. I must be direct, Obi-Wan; is your presence here," his brown gaze fell on Ahsoka, "with your Initiate, confirmation that you have made up your mind on joining me?"
Ahsoka snapped, "I am not an Initiate. I am a Padawan."
Dooku smiled at her, and drawled in a patronizing tone, "Of course, Padawan Tano, my mistake."
The last was said to Obi-Wan who placed a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder as he allowed his own presence in the Force to flex.
It was a way of grandstanding.
Obi-Wan might not be the best in the Order, far from it, but he was not weaker than Qui-Gon had been when his Master passed.
Dooku could probably defeat him, but Obi-Wan would take pieces of the Sith down with him.
He hoped this sentiment translated.
From Dooku's growing smirk, he was sure it had and even more sure that Dooku was not impressed.
Asajj Ventress cocked her hip as she simpered, "Brave to bring a child here."
Ahsoka said nothing except to bare her teeth in a soundless snarl.
Oh, her temper was going to be a problem, especially with the Sith around who were all too liable to pick at his teachings.
Nothing of this new life was going to be easy.
But then again, when had his life ever been easy?
Likely back in his youngling years when reciting the Code and sitting quietly got him an approval node from Master Yoda.
Dooku, naturally, was about to make his life that much more difficult; "There is one condition to finalizing this arrangement, Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan raised a brow and waited quietly.
It was good as a quip judging by the slight pinching around the man's eyes, before he continued, "There can be no communications between either of you and anyone within the Republic. This is the only show of loyalty I will ask of you, Obi-Wan. I gave you my army, including the droids and my allies. In turn, I require that you grant me your silence."
"So you can control the flow of information?" Obi-Wan asked, irritated.
"Do not underestimate the Republic, Obi-Wan. With knowledge comes power, and while the Core might not want to throw their populations into the military, they still have the potential to outnumber us. A draft would be unpopular but could potentially be an instant fix to their problems, even if it would take some time to manufacture standardize weaponry. Another thing to consider is that they remain more centralized and more stable than we are in the Outer Rim. While the Senate may be corrupt and lazy, they are less likely to stab each other in the back.
"Yet, if we can prevent communication, cut trade routes; allow the Separatist planets' freedom to trade uncharted by the Republic, it will make it difficult for the Republic to sabotage us and undermine our alliances. You may lead the army, however you wish, but you must leave the politics to me."
"I don't trust you, Dooku. You will twist whatever I do or do not do to your advantage."
"Of course," Dooku answered easily, "but you knew that already. This was never a choice between right or wrong but a decision between lesser evils."
Obi-Wan would have liked to argue, but he couldn't, not really. Sure, not gift-wrapping the clone army for the Republic was certainly a moral thing to do, but it wasn't as if Obi-Wan had really freed them.
He had taken them for himself.
"Do we have a deal, Master Kenobi?" Dooku asked as if the choice were already made, as if Obi-Wan couldn't at any moment change his mind, as if-
Obi-Wan caught the direction of Dooku's focus.
Ahsoka.
Obi-Wan finally realized then the mistake he had made; why Dooku had been quite so surprised at his bringing a Padawan with him.
Obi-Wan had brought a sacrifice into the rancor's den.
Dooku might not otherwise have been so open with his plotting. He might have been more sweet tongued as he had been during their first meeting. But Obi-Wan was now out of options.
There were no choices left.
"Deal," he said, knowing that Anakin would never forgive him for this. By the time Obi-Wan had a chance to explain himself, it would be far too little, far too late.
The stakes were clear, Obi-Wan's silence, his wordless assent to all Count Dooku had done or would do. A true public alliance between Sith Lord and his General.
In exchange for Ahsoka Tano's life.
For as long as Obi-Wan held command over the army and Ahsoka remained his Padawan, she would always be a potential hostage. Even if Obi-Wan could somehow arrange the assination of Dooku, there was no telling what the consequences of that would be nor if it would even be successful.
No. Obi-Wan was again caught in a corner.
He really was a fool.
There was no such thing as freedom, there was always a price to pay.
AN: Thank you, Nauze! Feedback, porpoises, thoughts, ideas, or conspiracy theories? Pretty please?