AN: It's my birthday, don't wish me happy day, just make my day happy by dropping a long comment about the chapter or story, please? :D Thank you, Ahrnberg and Nauze!

P.s. You get one Anakin scene to prove that I don't hate him.

Chapter 7 -Empire

Obi-Wan woke to the feeling of gentle fingers stroking through his hair. He felt his body protest waking up, aching from having dozed off leaning over the side rail of Ahsoka's bed.

He looked up, blinking back the sleep from his eyes as Queen Padme Amidala came into focus.

Once she was no longer a part of the Senate, Naboo had tried voting her back in as Queen. When she refused, the Nubian government had restructured their own government and made the Amidala line like the Organas, replicating the Alderaanian government almost exactly.

With her entire family being royal, and her the only politician among them, she had stepped up, reluctantly but with grace.

"You looked uncomfortable," Padme said gently, taking a seat beside him, Sabe and Dorme taking guard outside the hospital room.

"My back thanks you," he said, stretching and looking down at Ahsoka who was still sound asleep.

The Generals had woken yesterday as confused as they had fallen asleep, drugged to sleep rather.

Kix and Helix were shepherding them around, but no matter what anyone said, the Generals kept looking at their batchmates as if they were ghosts even as they uncharacteristically publicly clung to them.

With the deregulations, the clones, the Valorians, the People of Valar as was starting to catch on, were cuddly people.

Mainly, because previously the Kaminoins would occasionally kill children who grew overly 'sentimental' toward each other or otherwise brutally train out anyone who was overly affectionate.

It wasn't typical domestic abuse, the Kaminoins had been scientists to the core, and hadn't been trying to cause hurt so much as curb their humanity as they just didn't care about them at all as people. The Kaminoins had never wanted children, they wanted grown-up soldiers, committed solely to the Republic.

The coffin-like stacks of beds had been the first thing to go. There were still too many of them to be housed in the facilities comfortably and the various gyms and training rooms had not been repurposed, so large beds often replaced rows of bunks.

Proximity was both an act of rebellion and a comfort. They had always been close, shuffled together throughout their days, but Obi-Wan had seen new trust build between them all. Only the higher ranking officers held off, kept distance or even wanted it at times.

Yet the relationships the clones had with each other were rather humbling. They were family and committed to a common cause despite their differences. Living here, Obi-Wan found, was not so different from life at the Temple.

The growing green spaces were a particular joy to him that reminded him of Qui-Gon in the best of ways.

Padme touched his cheek, "Hey, you okay?"

He sighed, "Worried, I'm worried."

"She is going to be alright."

He wasn't so sure, Sifo-Dyas had had visions of alternate realities, and he wasn't alright. Obi-Wan had discussed the issue long into the night with Dooku.

Dooku's only suggestion that had direct relevance was that just like with Sifo-Dyas, the Dark and the Light had been at play here.

The Force is trying to balance itself like the exchange between the cold and warm winds.

Obi-Wan was just ticked that the Force had chosen yet another one of his Padawans and his generals.

"How are the generals recovering?" Padme asked.

He sighed again, "Unwell, they are unwell. I can see shadows of who they were, I do believe their memories will come back to them, but if they follow Sifo-Dyas's recovery... it could be years. Ahsoka seemed to recall some already, however."

"I don't think it's as bad as Master Sifo-Dyas, Obi-Wan," Padme said, taking his hand in hers.

He smiled despite himself, "It's been some time since you and I have had time to speak, how are you, Queen Amidala?"

Her smile was vicious, "I could ask the same, Admiral Kenobi."

He winced, "High General is quite enough."

She laughed, "You're the most powerful man in the galaxy, and you're afraid of taking a title."

"Dooku is the most powerful man in the galaxy, then Palpatine."

She laughed again, and the sound warmed him from within chasing away the cold from sitting by the bedside for days, worrying for his Padawan and generals. Smiling, she said, "Oh, please, the Republic loses power increasingly."

"A draft would sink us, Padme," Obi-Wan said, "So far this war has been raids and blockades, politics and trade negotiations. If the Republic starts in, we won't have the freedoms we have now. I don't want to send our men into frontal warfare."

She squeezed his hand, "The Valorians are quite something aren't they?"

He closed his eyes, "I don't want them involved in that type of warfare even though I know they are trained for it. I don't want to fight the Republic. Unlike Dooku, I want to reform and become stronger from this."

"Why is Dooku not pushing it?" she asked. "One attack and…"

"Because he thinks they are doomed to fail. Only a matter of time really, and if we aren't the aggressors, then the Confederation will fight without question."

"I noticed more and more volunteers have applied to study at the Valar Academy."

Obi-Wan huffed, hiding a smile, "Notice how many of the applicants are female?"

Padme smirked, "The males are intimidated by your super soldiers."

His expression fell and he glanced at the door, and he lowered his voice as he asked, "Has she spoken with Cody yet?"

Padme shook her head, "Sabe wanted to speak with Helix first."

Obi-Wan sighed, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm down four generals and an ARC commander."

"Cody and Rex are your left and right hands," Padme said, "But Ponds and Havoc are as competent and loyal."

She was right, of course, Cody and he just clicked better. Ponds, however, was still a pleasure to work with, reminding Obi-Wan a bit of Mace Windu.

"You know," he said, "the Force isn't usually this active in meddling."

She shrugged, "Can you even name a war that had Jedi and Sith on both sides?"

"I'm sure we can't be the first," he said.

Padme grinned at him, her honey eyes sparkling, outshining the jewels on her headdress.

Whatever she was going to say was forgotten as Ahsoka stirred.

Obi-Wan took his free hand to take Ahsoka's.

His Padawan woke with far less aggression then she had come to with the day she had been struck by a Force vision.

"Hi, Master Kenobi," she said weakly.

"Hey, Padawan mine," he said with a smile, "How are you feeling?"

She frowned at him, "I had… a weird dream."

"Hmmm…" he said.

She smiled, closing her eyes, "It was really funny, you were protecting Dooku and we were Separatists."

Obi-Wan winced.

Ahsoka's eyes snapped open, "That's funny, isn't it, Master?"

He gave her a soft smile, "Your memories of the Republic were the dream, Ahsoka, Rex didn't shoot at you."

She swallowed, looking around the room, her gaze focused on Padme, "You're not a Separatist, are you, Senator?"

Padme gave her a half-smile, "I'm afraid so, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka's gaze focused back on him, "You said I was your Padawan, did you mean that?"

He nodded, "Of course, we left the Order together."

She blinked back tears, "What happened to me? I almost remember, but it's like a distant dream. I was on Mandalore."

Obi-Wan squeezed her hand, "Easy, Ahsoka, easy. Let's get you some food and tea. There is no need to rush. Visions like this can be quite complex. You are safe, we have time."

"We are at war," she snapped, "There is no time."

He tilted his head, "I repeat, Padawan, the Separatists are not at war with the Republic. Full-scale battles are rare and mostly handled by the droids. The men have been more present as peacekeepers, ensuring that the systems under our banner don't regress to sentient trafficking and that workers' rights are being respected."

"It's more a political minefield and missionary work," Padme explained.

Ahsoka sighed, "Where are Rex and Fives?"

Padme patted her knee, "We will com them."

"In the meantime, what type of tea do you want?" Obi-Wan asked.

That, at least, earned him a smile from her, giving him hope that they would be okay.

Cody was relieved when his General commed him.

He loved his batchmates, he had missed them terribly, but it was starting to freak him out. It kept feeling much more likely that he was dead too, rather than them alive again. Last night, he had screamed himself hoarse when he woke from a nightmare to see his batchmates surrounding him.

The other time travellers/alternate universe travellers, or whatever the kark they were, weren't doing much better than Cody.

Helix and Kix had reassigned their room, so they would be sharing a room together rather than with vode from their own battalions.

That was unusual. But then, what was normal anymore?

Cody was ready for answers, but he found other surprises waiting for him.

One of Senator Amidala's body doubles, the one who looked the most like the Senator caught his arm, stopping them all from entering the room.

Not wearing his bucket, as seemed a common practice on Valar, once Kamino, he had nothing to hide his expression with. Not being on the frontlines was becoming an increasingly novel experience.

He gave the woman a not hostile, but cold look as Helix slipped by them, the medic gave Cody a pitying look, almost a wince, and Rex, Fives, Wolffe, and Bly waited with Cody to see what the Nubian Handmaiden wanted.

"Cody," she said, her voice deeper than Amidala's, "Do you remember me?"

He met her amber gaze, and said naturally, "I know who you are, Handmaiden Sabe."

Her face closed down, and her voice was cold fury as she challenged, "Do you know who I am to you?"

He arched a brow at her, "I did not know we meant anything to each other."

Fury crossed her expression, her eyes seemed to spark with the intensity of her emotions. She let go of his arm, almost throwing his arm away. "I am your lover."

Cody stilled, his brain struggling to process with that.

Contrary to popular opinion, the majority of the GAR were not virginal.

But Cody had been Kenobi's Commander, together, they had never been off duty, not when the entirety of the 7th Sky Corps was under their purview.

He knew Rex and Fives had experimented.

But to have a lover?

His mouth was dry and he was at an utter loss as to what to do or say.

Which was the wrong response because Sabe took it as a spurn and stormed into the room.

Fives chuckled behind his back but Cody's brain kicked into gear and followed the woman into the room, only to be greeted with an argument that took precedence over a possibly non-existent relationship.

"But we have to contact-" Ahsoka was saying, voice raised.

"Ahsoka, enough," Kenobi said, voice firm, "You may leave here, but you may not call them and remain my Padawan and an officer in this military."

Cody stiffened, his vode's tension was as palpable as his own.

"Are you serious, you would abandon me because of a com call?"

Kenobi frowned at their young Jedi Commander, "It is more than that, and you would be the one choosing to leave. I will never force you to stay."

"You tried the other day," Ahsoka countered.

"Yes, because you fainted, and we didn't know what was happening. That was a matter of safety."

"It would just be one call, Master, I know you must miss him."

Cody glanced at Rex, his face was unreadable, though his body posture showed his worry.

Obi-Wan Kenobi sighed, "Ahsoka, I know it seems like a small thing, but the ramifications are bigger than you could possibly imagine, you would be putting us and all we have fought to build into jeopardy."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I wouldn't want to endanger your imperial pursuits."

Obi-Wan sat back, and looked at Rex, "When you arrived, you said that the droids and clones were enemies, no?"

Rex nodded, "Yes, Sir."

"You also said that you've been at war for three years, no?"

"Yes," Ahsoka snapped, "and I don't see how you can work with them now."

"Understand, Ahsoka, men, that the droids are still a problem. We use them as cannon fodder where we can but they are Dooku's droids, whatever intelligence they lack, they make up in greater numbers. If we betray Dooku, it will not just be a civil war for the Separatists but a three-sided war, or perhaps, more, in all honesty. We have set ourselves against slavers and marauders, we are taking power away from the rich and powerful, we are hated and despite our growing popularity. Despite our growing numbers from our ever-increasing systems, their military importance is near negligible."

"So," Ahsoka said, "we assassinate Dooku, then we take control of the droids."

Obi-Wan sighed, "Ahsoka... Ahsoka, it isn't that simple. We need him."

"We need a Dark Sider?" she asked incredulous, "A Sith Karking Lord?"

Obi-Wan didn't so much as twitch, "I consider myself a competent leader and negotiator, but I am not the politician, even if I stepped into that role, I could not be general and emperor and do both parts equally well."

She gaped at him, "Do you honestly believe an empire is the way to bring peace to the Outer Rim?"

"How do you imagine the Republic began?" he countered, "Do you imagine all the wars the Jedi waged were pure ventures? No, Padawan, just because one uses the Light Side of the Force does not mean all their actions are moral and correct, just as it means that not all that Dooku does is evil. Until these planets stabilize, until trade networks and education programs can bridge the gap between the ultra-wealthy and the destitute, democracy will not work. Dooku as emperor keeps the systems from internally ripping themselves apart; without him, a power vacuum would be created-" he shook his head, "I did not risk all our lives to watch them be re-enslaved months later by vengeful people. We need Dooku, and he is old enough that I do not fear him being able to rule forever."

"So what is your long term plan?" Cody asked, which he would never have dared to ask that before.

"Dooku is grooming myself, Ashoka, Asajj, Padme, Bail Organa, who has yet to join us, Ponds, and you, Cody, to fill in his shoes. He has been playing with the idea of a Council of Advisors to the Emperor or Empress's throne, a more centralized and smaller government of the Republic's Senate and supreme Chancellor with a more active military."

"And you're okay with that?" Ahsoka asked.

"Can you think of something better? The Outer Rim is the hardest region to stabilize and rule. Our cutting tradelines to the Core has been forcing economic trade between the Inner Rim and Outer Rim, keeping the wealth returning to the people rather than disappearing to enrich the Core."

"You care about this," Cody noted.

He frowned at him, "Of course I do. We are helping people."

"But why is comming the Republic illegal?"Ahsoka asked.

"Because Dooku gave us everything, he literally gave us the keys to the kingdom, and this is the only thing he asked of us. Trust is a fragile thing, and while I know we cannot trust Dooku wholly, it sets a precedent that we keep our word on this one thing. To go back on it…" he shook his head, "Would you really risk a three sided war for a com call knowing that it could escalate to that?"

"Force, Master Kenobi, what did you get us into?" Ahsoka asked.

Fives shrugged, "It sounds like a better deal than the Republic. Also, why you are waging war makes more sense than what we killed for. Dooku is and was a monster, but the Senate wasn't better. What were we doing for the Outer Rim systems? And they enslaved us."

Ahsoka looked at Obi-Wan, "There is more, isn't there?"

Obi-Wan nodded, "The Republic calls it 'Going Dark' when a system joins us. The Republic, theoretically, has the wealth and numbers to outmatch us. The sheer amount of citizens they have who could be drafted dwarfs ours, even with the droids. Keeping them from knowing our numbers, our placements, it makes it difficult for them to prepare attacks or for them to know what to prepare for."

"But you're making us an easy target to be hated!" Ahsoka exclaimed

"Propaganda is propaganda, Ahsoka," Senator Amidala said, speaking for the first time at Obi-Wan's side. "It would be bad even if we were just giving wealth to every person. But it has remained true that of the Republic systems, only those who have reached out to us to join the separatists have been included. Certainly, the Core is disturbed and afraid. But before Going Dark, a notice is put out a month in advance, telling their trade partners that all deals between them and the Republic have been nullified. We are not taking them by force and any system near our territories knows that."

"Is the Republic building an army?" Bly asked.

"Yes, but our silence has prevented the Senate from agreeing on a draft," Senator Amidala said. "Nothing of our doing has been confirmed one way or the other."

"Couldn't the High Chancellor push it?" Cody asked, "As Palpatine has before in the past."

"He could," Obi-Wan agreed, "if he wants to be the most unpopular politician ever. It doesn't help that the Jedi Order has washed their hands of the issue. The Knights have been pushed to join the corps to help direct trade routes and bring aid to those who have been cut off. The Republic systems outside the Core adores them because the Senate has not prioritized the disruptions our trade blockages have caused."

Ahsoka's eyes went wide, "So you are still helping the Jedi?

"Of course. I don't think that's how they see it but yes."

"Why not?" she asked simply.

"Dooku is forcing the Order's hand. I believe he perversely felt that a Sith making the Jedi get off their collective arses was always his purpose. He sees himself as necessary."

"So do you," Rex said boldly

Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes, I do, if the Jedi condone slavery then they are wrong. Besides, the Sith are in the Republic too, we have always coexisted, willingly or otherwise. My goal is to do as much good as possible."

"This is weird," Ahsoka said.

"Perhaps," Obi-Wan paused, then asked, "Will you stay?

She sighed, "Skyguy is safe?"

"Probably not, but he has Plo and Sifo-Dyas and if war does happen, the Jedi will be a neutral party," he said.

"Why would the Jedi let a Sith empire grow?" Wolffe asked.

"Because the Jedi serve the Republic and until the Separatists start taking Mid Rim planets by force, they will not act."

"But it will lead to that eventually," Fives stated.

"Not so long as I am High General," Obi-Wan stated, his will unwavering, "and just as Dooku has made himself irreplaceable so have I. Dooku is the first Sith since Revan who has chosen not to make the Jedi his enemy. The Jedi will be able to coexist with us."

"That's a pretty piece of idealism," Ahsoka said bitterly.

Obi-Wan raised his brows at her, "If our goals are not so much as well-intentioned, if our methods are not humane, then what is the point of being a Jedi, Ahsoka? Will you let hate blind you to the good we could achieve?"

"What if Dooku turns traitor?"

"I mean, can you really betray someone when all the cards are on the table?" Asajj Kriffing Ventress said as she sauntered into the room.

Cody was glad to have his blaster back

Ashoka actually smiled, "You're still Dooku's apprentice?"

Cody knew these two had teamed up during Ahsoka's trial where she had been framed by another Padawan. But it was still odd to see these two comfortable with each other.

"The one and only," the Dathomirian purred.

"Not true," Obi-Wan said, "there is still Rael Averross."

Asajj waved it aside as she hopped on the bed beside Ahsoka, "You good?"

Ahsoka nodded, "I'm getting there?"

"Are you staying?"

She looked at Obi-Wan, "Yes, I think I am."

Cody knew that meant the same for the rest, but really, where else would they have gone instead?

Cody looked around the room.

He caught Sabe's gaze, and she turned away from him.

Great, he thought sardonically, the one female I had a shot with and I can't even remember our time together.

Rex gave him a pitying look, from the corner of his eye.

Cody planned to beat his sheb into the training mats.

Senator Bail Organa startled as a Jedi Knight sped by him in the grand gardens behind the palace.

The Knight in question, Anakin Skywalker, screamed, falling down on his stomach, and just barely catching himself before eating dirt.

Ten small bodies pinned him down and he pretended to struggle underneath them, crying out, "No! Ahhh! Master Yoda, help me!"

Yoda tapped his gimmer stick on the ground and said solemnly, "Brought this upon yourself, you did. Consequences, there are."

Anakin let out a piteous whimper that sounded something like a squeak.

Bail hid a smile, his eyes flicking over to Master Sifo-Dyas who was grinning unabashedly.

Anakin let out another dramatic silly sound before going very still.

The younglings cheered. The little might-be Jedi, none older than seven years of age, sat on the Jedi Knight's back, butt, and limbs like hunters posing with their predatory kill.

Bail spoke softly so he wouldn't be overheard as he, Master Sifo-Dyas, and Master Plo Koon stopped near a marble pillar. "Obi-Wan has been a close friend of mine for years, and I must say, I am surprised; I didn't think Knight Skywalker would be handling this all as well as he is."

Plo answered, "Anakin didn't get along well with his own agemates, he was very different from them. But about a month after Obi-Wan left, Yoda stuck him with the younglings during a craft period. It didn't end well for the room or the crafts, but while even the most experienced crechemasters had trouble keeping up with the little ones, Anakin was running circles around them all."

Sifo-Dyas smiled brighter, "We have never seen him so happy. Strange what age does to a person. For a boy who never wanted to be a child when he was one, he is quite extraordinary with children now."

As Anakin continued to play dead, the younglings started to get nervous. Climbing off him, they called that they had won the game and Master Skywalker could get up now.

But he didn't move.

"As I remember, Obi-Wan wasn't quite this talented with children," Bail noted mildly.

"Obi-Wan is better with animals and actual babies, he is patient, kind, and at ease with the world around him, but no, he didn't quite have the same playfulness or exuberant energy that draws the young ones to our young Knight," Plo said.

One of the younglings kicked Anakin in the side, and he flopped over, limp, his expression contorted into what could best be described as a 'bleh' face, like a theatre mask.

"Do you think Obi-Wan would believe us that Anakin's first solo missions have widely ranged between taking the younglings on field trips to escorting initiates to Illum?" Bail asked.

Sifo-Dyas laughed, "I doubt it. But he would be proud nonetheless, few of us know our true potential until we are given the opportunity. The Council had widely believed that Anakin's power level would make him a sort of hero to face off with the Sith, yet we are discovering that for the younglings to be exposed to such a strong Force-user, their own abilities are manifesting more easily."

"Translation," Plo said, "the young ones are finding it easy to meditate after Anakin runs them around for a few hours."

One of the younglings had asked to borrow Yoda's gimmer stick. Said youngling then pulled the stick over their head to slam down toward Anakin's skull.

Anakin rolled away in the nick of time and he exclaimed, "Not nice, Zander! Not nice!"

The Wookie youngling howled in laughter.

Yoda's ears perked up as he began to advise the younglings in how they could have taken Anakin down faster.

Bail shook his head, "So, I'm guessing Yoda will keep him with the younglings?"

"Actually," Sifo-Dyas said, "Master Che has taken him as her official apprentice. Anakin found himself becoming quite invested in the healing arts after the accident on Ilum three months ago."

Bail smiled, "Now that I wish I could tell Obi-Wan, he always worried…"

"That Anakin was overtly drawn to violence," Sifo-Dyas said, expression falling. "The Chancellor is pushing for a war."

Anakin started laughing at some metaphor Bail was too distracted to decipher, his face was awash of happiness and more relaxed than Bail had ever seen him.

A chill ran down his spine as Sifo-Dyas said, "Things are moving too fast, the Senate will attempt to Force our hand to join the conflict. I do believe we will be successful in staying neutral. However, my heart is comforted to know that Anakin will either be a defender of our children that will be kept safe, or as a healer, not a weapon for the Senate."

"The Republic is fracturing, Masters," Bail said, "More and more Inner Rim systems are choosing to join Confederacy of Independent Systems, it has only been a year. That does not bode well. Soon, the Senate will demand a draft, the academies' numbers are growing but not enough to break and hold a single blockade."

"We do not know what is happening to the planets that go dark," Plo stated, "I think it foolish to assume the worst."

Bail sighed, "No, it is not the worst, but it is ill news for the Republic. The Separatist planets have remained loyal to their new government, not a single person has broken the silence with a few exceptions to family members asking them to join them back home."

Sifo-Dyas raised a dark brow at him, "Happy and contented civilians scare you, Senator Organa?"

"A confederation is an organization of separate parties united, but this complete silence, this ever looming veil that cuts us off from the further reaches of the galaxy… it is singular."

Plo tilted his head, "I did not think you abided by the propaganda. Not when you offered your own system to us when the Senate shut down the Temple after we refused to join the Republic military."

Bail looked at the laughing Knight who sat cross legged in the grass, the younglings hanging all over him as Yoda began to tell them a story, and worry tugged at Bail's heart, "I do not believe the Separatists are evil, but I do fear that Obi-Wan is too gifted."

Sifo-Dyas sighed heavily, "Too many gifts is like too much rain, it leads to drowning." The man's hand twitched and Plo rested his own clawed hand on the other's shoulder, settling him even as the man babbled, "Too much, don't drink the ocean, my gut is far too small, I am not a fountain…"

Bail, used to this, continued speaking, "Dooku was one of the finest of your Order, and I believe Obi-Wan follows too closely in his footsteps."

"As I have told Anakin," Plo said, "Obi-Wan will not fall to the Dark Side."

"I'm not worried about the metaphysics," Bail said with a touch of heat, "I am worried about them making an empire."

Sifo-Dyas giggled, "Empire."

Bail couldn't tell if the Council Member agreed or was laughing at them all.

AN: Thoughts on the chapter, sharks, or feedback on the chapter, please?