Author's Note: Hello all! Work on the next chapter in The Grand Rebellion is being worked on but I had postgraduate exams as well as my thesis preparations going so it was delayed. Nevertheless, with the release of Obi Wan Kenobi series, I'm back with my take based on my clones never betrayed the Jedi but this time centred around Obi Wan.
Spoiler Note: If you haven't watched the first two episodes, the first two chapters will be based on them and I highly recommend watching them. Also read The Grand Rebellion Episode I, which is still in the works, the first four chapters have some relevant info to this series.
So here in this series, we will explore Obi Wan and his mission on Tatooine. As you all know, I swapped Luke and Leia because there aren't simply enough stories about their role swap (At least from what I could see). So Leia is at this point a 10 year old girl with an adventurous spirit like Anakin and the 212th has been tasked alongside Obi Wan to look after her and her family as well as stay hidden and build up their numbers. In the main series, Obi Wan lives in a small cave but here, he lives with his battalion in the hidden base. I don't want to give away too much so without further due, let's dive right into the story!
10 years ago, Jedi Temple, Coruscant
A group of Jedi younglings were training with their master on one of the many balconies of the Jedi Temple. They were going through lightsaber motions and reflexes until two 501st clones came through the door and rushed out.
"Ma'am, we have to go now! We have been betrayed. Our orders are to take the younglings away to safety. Let's move!" said one of the clones as he readied his blaster.
The Jedi Master Minas Velti quickly brandished her lightsaber and ushered the younglings out of the balcony. In the corrider, the two 501st clones fired on their black armoured brothers of the 481st Legion. They managed to kill two of them with Velti deflecting multiple blaster bolts back onto the brainwashed clones. The two boys in blue turned away and moved to usher the younglings onwards with Velti providing cover. However two more 481st clones popped around the corner and shot one down with the other shooting the two.
"Quickly, young ones! We have to move!" shouted the lone 501st clone.
He took point and fired multiple blue blaster bolts at the enemy clones. Valti continued to provide cover from the back but there were too many of the black armoured clones. She cut as many of them down before taking a shot to the gut but managing to kill the one who shot her before she collapsed dead.
The younglings rushed back to her and mourned her death.
"What do we do now?" said one of the younglings.
The clone then came forward and said, "Come on, young ones. Let's get you all out of here!"
The group immediately ran with the clone to the exit while the chaos surrounding the temple increased with some 501st clones choosing to stay behind and fight alongside their Jedi brothers/sisters in arm but more were falling by the minute to the 481st. In the background, a sinister voice kept repeating three words. Execute Order 66
Obi Wan Kenobi and the 212th: A Star Wars AU Series
Part I
10 Years Later, Tatooine, Outer Rim
Many people went about their business on the streets of Mos Eisley, happily going about their business until a large ship with two wedges sticking out in the front came down in the middle Out of the ship came three figures. One was a bald, pale Pau'an male and had markings on his forehead. Another had a hat and looked pale with the last figure having a ridge like hair with a ponytail. The crowd moved away from the figures as they went to a nearby saloon. In the crowd, a figure with a cloak started to move away from the event. Moving into a nearby alley, he took out his arm that had his communicator on his left arm.
"Sir, we have inquisitors here...They seem to be looking for a fugitive Jedi. Should we move to rescue and retrieval once identified?" said the figure.
"Negative, Rooster. Keep an eye on the inquisitors. Don't let them catch a whiff of our base or the General…. I'll brief him when he comes back." Replied the voice.
"Yes, Commander." Replied Rooster as he removes his hood to wipe his sweat from his forehead. Rooster was a clone of the 212th, one of the 'shinies'. He was one of the Grand Army of the New Republic's ARF troopers and a part of a special unit to have eyes and ears in the towns and cities of Tatooine.
Jundland Waste, Tatooine
A man chops meat up at a meat processing plant that is processing meat of a carcass of a creature in the desert. This man was Obi-Wan Kenobi. He had a short beard and now sports a much longer hair. When the work bell rung, Obi Wan cleaned up his workplace and tools and set about leaving. Arriving in Mos Eisley, he took his Eopie and headed to the desert to return home. He came upon a cave and as he approached the cave, he lifted a fake rock and put in the pin code. Setting his Eopie in another nearby cave, he went inside and went into a white elevator. As the elevator went down, Obi-Wan could not help but still be marvelled at the sight of the hidden base of the 212th. There were many sections where he could see clones training, drilling, pilot training, eating and doing recreational activities. But there were also patrols with small squads of 212th as well as the Jedi Guards doing routine inspections.
Obi-Wan then, exited the lift and as he walked down the white corridor, which was similar to Tipoca City corridors, clones saluted and greeted him at the same time. He then, turned to the mess hall where many of his men were eating and conversing about the upcoming war and regaling tales of the Clone Wars to many new clones. As he approached the canteen, a clone cook came up to him.
"General, Sir! Good to see you." Said Cook as that was his name and position.
"Good to see you too, Cook. Here, I got you something for the boys." Said Obi-Wan as he brought out the slab he cut at the meat processing.
Cook looked at the slab of meat and said, "Sir, you know you didn't have to. The Commander could have asked one of us to do the job instead of you…"
"The job gives me a peace of mind and some distraction. Hope the boys enjoy it. I'll come by to eat. I have to meet with Waxer." Said Obi-Wan as he left the catina. He headed down another corridor until he arrived a set of sliding doors. He entered and saw Boil and Waxer looking at the holographic map of Tatooine.
"General, Sir!" Waxer said as he saluted with Boil doing the same.
"Waxer. Boil. Good to see you two. What are you two looking at?" asked Obi-Wan as he came around the table.
"We had reports of Inquisitors around Mos Eisley. They seemed to be searching for a Jedi but luckily for us, it wasn't you they were looking for. Yet, we have concerning reports that one of them seems to be fixated on you for some reason. This one…the one they call the Third Sister. Looking through the database taken from the Jedi Archives, her name is Reva Sevander. A former Jedi youngling now Inquisitor." Briefed Waxer as he presented the location of the Inquisitors as well as an image of Reva.
"I told the boys to stay frosty and to keep out of sight. They are not to engage with the Inquisitors or with the Jedi they are hunting unless ordered to." Said Boil, now a Captain and leader of the 212th's ARF troopers.
"Hmmm, yes, I think that's wise. We are not yet ready…and I'm not ready either." Said Obi Wan in a weary voice.
The two clones looked at each other in concern and Waxer then asked, "Sir, is everything alright?"
"Yes, I'm alright. I'm just going to grab something to eat at the canteen and head to my room to rest. Got another day of work." Said Obi Wan as he turned to the door.
"You know, Sir, you don't have to keep working there. We are getting good supplies and our own crops are bountiful. We could help you find something to do instead." Said Waxer as he looked on in concern.
"Thank you for the thought but honestly, it's alright. It gives me something to think about." Replied Obi Wan as he exited the room.
During the night, Obi-Wan was trying to sleep but kept tossing and turning his head as he dreamt of the memories with Anakin, Qui-Gonn, Padme and Yoda.
'I know there's still….'
'You were my brother, Anakin.'
'Promise me you'll train the boy'
'Obi-Wan..'
'Only pain will you find'
'There's good in him. I know there's…'
'You were the Chosen One!'
'I hate all of you!'
He inhaled sharply as he woke up from his nightmare. Looking around, he looked at his room. His room was the same as many rooms in the base. White and pristine with black lines. His room had a desk, a shower and many amenities afforded for his rank as the leader of the 212th. As he sat up on the bed, a communicator, which connected to a doorbell, rang. "Sir, is everything alright?" asked a clone who was on night duty.
"Yes…yes…everything is fine. You can continue with your patrol." Replied Obi-Wan as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Very well, Sir." Replied the clone as he returned to his patrol.
The next day, Obi-Wan rode a BARC together with Boil and Trapper following close. He parked his BARC at a small rock structure where a lookout was made. He approached the structure and greeted two clones who were looking through their electrobinoculars at a specific homestead.
"Tag, Bink, anything new?" asked Obi-Wan as he, Boil and Trapper entered the structure.
The two clones turned and saluted their General. Tag wore the traditional colours of the 212th but had the aurebesh, Empire be gone, written on his helmet. Bink had an image of Yoda with his hand on his face in an annoyed manner on his helmet.
"No, Sir. Everything is normal. The kid is currently helping her Uncle but she seems sneak away every now and then to enjoy 'piloting' haha' Tag said with a small laugh.
Obi-Wan went up and looked. There, he could see the Lars Homestead. Owen calling out Leia's name but Leia was on one of the roof, just imagining that she's flying. Obi-Wan then put the electrobinculars down and said, "Thank you. Keep up the good work."
The two clones saluted and went back to observing the last hope they had of defeating the Empire.
The next day, Obi-Wan returned to work and once again at the end of his shift, he cut a slab for Cook to have for the clones to eat at the canteen. Just as he arrived at his Eopie stand, he was greeted by Boil.
"Boil, what are you doing here?" asked Obi-Wan as he went to his Eopie.
"Just checking on the boys here in Mos Eisley. Since the Inquisitors are still here, we put the base on yellow alert for the time being. Increased patrols in the Jundland Waste. Got to make sure that they do not discover us." Said Boil as he held his DC-15A Carbine.
Just as Obi-Wan was about to reply, a satchel landed on his feet. The satchel contained a model of a ship. Looking down at the satchel, he then quickly looked up and saw Owen Lars standing at the entrance of the stand.
"I want you and the clones to stay away from her." Said Owen in a very unhappy tone. "We don't need anything from you, Ben."
"It's just a toy…" said Obi-Wan as he picked it up.
"It's a lot more than that." Owen said as he put his hands on his hips.
"There's more to life than your farm, Owen. She needs to see that. There's a whole galaxy out there." Obi-Wan explained, trying to reason with him.
"I'm asking you to leave us alone, Ben. I mean it." Said Owen in a firm tone as he turned to leave.
"Is she okay?" asked Obi-Wan.
Owen turned and said, "You don't care if she's okay. You care if she's showing."
"She's my responsibility, Owen. Our responsibility." Said Obi-Wan.
"I'm her uncle." Replied Owen.
"We talked about this. When the time comes, she must be trained at our base." Said Obi-Wan as he continued to try and reason with Owen.
"Like you trained her father?" replied Owen in a snarky tone. "Anakin is dead, Ben, and I won't let you make the same mistake twice. So, leave her on the farm with her family, where she belongs." Owen turned and left Obi-Wan standing with the toy.
Boil stood at the back but observed the whole conversation. On the one hand, he was furious at Owen but on the other, he could see that Owen wanted to protect Leia. Boil went up to Obi Wan and placed his hand on his shoulder. Obi-Wan appreciated the gesture but then, two Inquisitors walked on the street, ordering the crowd to move. Boil and Obi-Wan turned to hide. Boil had his blaster carbine set at the two former Jedi, moving to cover Obi-Wan should he be discovered.
"You know why we are here." Said the Fifth Brother. "There is a Jedi hiding on this planet. We need to know where he is. You'll be rewarded well."
"Or you'll be punished." Finished Reva
"Reva!" shouted the Fifth Brother.
"Hands go first. That way, when you reach for anything, you think of us." Said Reva as she walked through the crowd.
One person in the crowd said, "This is the Outer Rim. You have no rights here. We're not under the Empire's…" Just as she was about to continue, her right hand was cut off by Reva's red lightsaber. This caused many in the crowd to gasp and exclaim.
"All we want is information. If anyone knows anything about a Jedi." Said Reva as she continued to walk through the crowd.
Boil still had his eyes set on two inquisitors until a call came through, "Sir, Rooster and I have our sniper rifles locked at the target. Are we clear to engage?"
Two ARF troopers took positions on the roof of one of the houses and readied their 773 Firepuncher rifle. The ARF troopers had training of all kinds from the ARC troopers as well as sniper training from Crosshair of Clone Force 99.
"Negative. Hold your fire. Wait for my command." Said Boil as he tapped his helmet to get the order through before going back to aiming at the enemy.
Reva turned to Owen and asked, "You know something?" She walked up to him. Boil and Obi-Wan watched this and their hearts sank a bit. Boil then tapped the side of his helmet. "Rooster, have the Third Sister in your sight. Wait for my command."
Rooster then adjusted his sight from the Fifth Brother to Reva and zoomed in. "I have her in my sight. Awaiting your order, Sir."
"Farmer, right? Wife? Kids?" asked Reva.
"My family is of no concern to you" said Owen.
Reva quickly replied, "They might be. You got a Jedi on that farm, too?"
"No." Owen replied quickly.
"Why should I believe you?" Reva said as she squinted her eyes at Owen.
"I have no love for the Jedi. Jedi are vermin. I kill vermin on my farm." Owen said.
"You protect your family…I like that, Owen. It's important. You think you could protect them from me? TELL ME WHERE THE JEDI IS, OR THIS MAN AND HIS FAMILY DIES!" shouted Reva. "The Jedi are cowards. They failed you, abandoned you. There is no point in protecting them. They would not do the same for you. But you can save this man. Save his family." She finished as she ignited her lightsaber at Owen's neck.
Boil tensed up and said, "Rooster, you still got that shot?"
"Yes Sir. Ready on your count." Rooster replied as he put his finger on the trigger.
"Ready on my mark….3…2…" Boil counted as he too readied his carbine. Until a shout from the Fifth Brother interrupted them.
"ENOUGH!" The Fifth Brother placed a hologram device on a shop stall that had the face of the Jedi they were hunting. "If you remember anything, rewards will be given. Stand down, Third Sister…NOW!"
Reva then glared at Owen. "Next time." And she turned her lightsaber off and moved to regroup with the Fifth Brother.
"Stand down, boys. Looks like we are in the clear for now. Continue with your current duties." Said Boil.
"Yes Sir." came the reply from the two ARF troopers as they packed up their sniper rifles and moved on with their mission.
Boil turned to Obi-Wan and nodded. Obi-Wan then walked next to Owen and said, "Thank you, Owen."
Owen scoffed and then turned, "I didn't do it for you."
Obi-Wan looked up and turned back to his Eopie.
Back at base, the white lights were turned yellow due to the base being on alert after the sighting of the Inquisitors. There were more patrols and many of the clones were armed and ready to go should there be a mission. Waxer was going through some of the datapads containing the list of supplies as well as training schedules. Ever since he was made Commander of the 212th replacing Cody's position since Cody was now the Supreme Commander of the whole army, he has been a bit restless but then again, most of them were. The new clones were itching for action while the veterans were trying to teach the new generation of clones what they had learned during the Clone Wars. As Waxer went through the multitudes of paperwork, his communicator embedded on his desk lit up. He answered it and Cody appeared.
"Cody, Sir, what is it?" asked Waxer, surprised to see his old friend.
"Good to see you in good health, Commander." Said Cody as he smirked and emphasised his rank.
"Don't remind me. I still can't believe you promoted me on the spot. Real smooth, Cody." Said Waxer with a groan and a laugh. "So what is it?"
"Is General Kenobi here? He's going to want to see this." Cody replied as he moved out of the way to reveal the Organas. Waxer paled and said, "Something happened otherwise you wouldn't be calling us, Senator."
"Yes…We need to speak to Kenobi. Immediately." Said Bail Organa.
"Right away, Senator. Get the General here now and call all the officers in meeting room 22." Said Waxer.
Meeting Room 22
Obi-Wan sat at the head of the table with Waxer and Boil sitting on his sides. The other clone officers Trapper, Wooley, Davijaan and another clone officer by the name of Wooster, sat down as well for the debriefing of the crisis.
"We don't know who it was. Commander Stone lost one of his men as they looked for the kidnappers. No ransom, no leads. Whoever they were, they knew where he would be. They…they were waiting." Bail briefed the group.
"He needs you, Obi-Wan." Said Breha Organa in a pleading tone.
Obi-Wan looked down with Waxer and Boil looking on in concern. "What about the others? Have they managed to find him?"
"Cody and the remaining Jedi on Yavin IV has begun the search as we speak but…it'll be quicker and quieter if you were to go. Ahsoka and Plo Koon can't go as they are currently on a mission. Aayla Secura is currently on the search for any remaining Jedi with her men. You are the only one." Bail said.
"What about the Commandos? Or even Stone?" asked Obi-Wan
"You know how important he really is. All of you do. Cody said that the only men available was the 212th. Cody has sent word to one of the special unit to help but so far, no reply. So only you and your battalion can help." Pleaded Bail. "If Luke is discovered…"
"I can't leave here, Bail. My duty is to the girl…"said Obi-Wan hesitantly.
"What about your duty to her brother?" asked Bail in an almost angry tone. "He's as important as she is."
Obi-Wan sighed and said, "It's been 10 years…I'm not who I used to be…Get the others to do it. They are better than me."
The meeting finished with Obi-Wan leaving the room first. Waxer was really concerned about Obi-Wan and turned to the Senator's holographic figure. "I'm sorry, Sir. It's true…he hasn't been his usual self for the past 10 years."
Bail nodded and turned his communicator off. Waxer then turned to Boil, "Contact Clone Force 99 and get them here as soon as possible." Boil nodded and moved out of the room.
The next day, Obi-Wan contemplated his quarters on the recent event. The base went back to normal with the yellow alert taken off after seeing the fugitive Jedi being hung up. Just as he was about to leave his room, Trapper rang his communicator. "Sir, Commander Waxer has asked to see you immediately. It's important."
"Thank you, Trapper. I'm on my way." Said Obi-Wan as he left his quarters. Coming into Waxer's office, he was greeted by the sight of Bail Organa with Waxer and Boil behind the desk.
Bail turned to Obi-Wan, "He's headed for Daiyu."
"You should not have come here." Said Obi-Wan as moved around the table.
"They hid their signature behind a freight transport. Stone and his men are currently tracking it as we speak. They are here now co-ordinating with your Intelligence Bureau headed by your old friend, Yularen. They said the ship is on their way there now."
"I can't." insisted Obi-Wan.
"He's my son, Obi-Wan." Said Bail
"I told you…I'm not the man you remember." Replied Obi-Wan in a tired voice.
"You are going to have to be." Bail said.
"I can't leave the girl." Said Obi-Wan.
"This isn't about the girl and you know it. You've made mistakes. We all did. It's the past. Move on. Be done with it. You couldn't save Anakin, but you can save him. Your soldiers can keep an eye on the girl." Said Bail.
Obi-Wan looked down briefly and replied, "What if I can't?"
"There is no one I trust more with my child than you." Said Bail with admiration in his voice. "Please, old friend. For him. One last fight."
Obi-Wan thought through it and nodded. He turned to Waxer and said, "Waxer, make preparations for me to leave for Daiyu."
"Yes Sir!" said Waxer as he moved to organise a ship.
Obi-Wan then moved to the lift to go down the main hangar level. He then headed to the armoury place and walked over to the counter. "Toma."
The clone Sergeant who was in charge of the armoury, Toma, sported a ridge haircut in the middle of his head as well as aurebesh tattoos on each side of his head saying 'A good stormtrooper is a dead one'.
"Sir, what can I do for you?" asked Toma as he moved to the counter.
"It's time…" said Obi-Wan tiredly.
Toma looked at his General with wide eyes and asked, "You sure, Sir?"
"Yes, Toma…I'm sure. And get me a DC-17 please." Said Obi-Wan.
Toma nodded and moved to the back. In the armoury were rows of DC-15s, DC-15As, DC-17s, DC-17ms, Z-6s, 773s and rocket launchers but at the very back, laid a box. Toma picked the box up and a single DC-17. "Here you are, Sir. A DC-17 and this."
Obi-Wan opened the box slowly and in the box, revealed his lightsaber as well as Anakin's. He picked his lightsaber up, feeling it and still very unsure. He turned to Toma and said, "Thank you, Toma."
Toma nodded solemnly and took the box back to the back of the armoury with Anakin's lightsaber still inside. Obi-Wan then walked to the hangar bay to see a lot of technicians as well as Waxer, Boil and Stone who were in a conversation.
"Waxer, Boil, what's going on?" asked Obi-Wan.
Waxer then turned to Obi-Wan from Boil. "Sir, Boil and Stone will be going with you. We have another group coming in and…just in time."
A ship came through the hangar and many technicians as well as patrolling clones ducked. The Omicron-class Shuttle came landing just a few feet away from the three and Obi-Wan widened his eyes and said, "They are here?"
"Yes Sir, they will be with you for this mission. The Bad Batch are perfect for this mission." Said Waxer with a smile.
The shuttle door opened with six figures coming out of the shuttle. A large figure took his helmet off and shouted, "THE CAVALRY HAS ARRIVED!"
The leader, Hunter, took his helmet off and greeted the three. "Good to see you again, Waxer, Boil, General."
"Good to see you too. I take it you've been briefed?" asked Obi-Wan, shaking hands with Hunter.
"Yes Sir. Since time is of the essence, we'll discuss further plans on the way there. I suggest we all go now. It'll be a tight fit." Said Hunter as he turned away with the group following him. A lone figure looked at Obi-Wan. This figure wore a much slender version of the Katarn-class Commando Armour with the grey and red colours of Clone Force 99. The helmet was smaller in size compared with the other clones' helmet and the visor was similar to the Stormtroopers but was connected. The figure followed the group with Boil and Stone boarding as well. Obi-Wan was about to board the ship until Waxer shouted, "General! May the Force be with you!" Waxer saluted as too did the clones who were in the hangar. Obi-Wan nodded and replied back, "And you, my old friend."
The Marauder's door closed and lifted off, on their way to Daiyu to rescue Prince Luke Organa.
Author's Note: That's it for this one! The next chapter will be based on Part II but the events will be different due to the presence of Clone Force 99 as well as Boil and Stone! But we'll come to that. I should have the next chapter of both this series as well as the Grand Rebellion by next week hopefully! Until then, may the Force be with you!