And the Truth Shall set us Free
Chapter One
A/N: 01/05/06 This story is now Betaed...thank you to my lovely beta's. I really appreciate you for seeing what I couldn't and helping me make this story even better.
not mine don't sue.
My first Star Wars fic.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder while deflecting yet another energy bolt, "Watch my back"
Always. "Of course Master."
Anakin's lightsaber spun rapidly blocking a barrage of enemy fire. He really hated this planet. It hadn't changed. The constant rain, the trees, the sounds of explosions in the distance and the stench of death. It was the same, and that was part of the problem. Too many memories.
"It would be quite unfortunate if this cloak got singed you know, I am quite fond of it," He felt his Padawan's amusement like a breath of fresh air course through him. He couldn't ask for a better student…or friend.
"Yes Master," Anakin smiled while moving in sync with Obi-Wan as they leapt over two battle droids, slicing them in half with one fluid strike. His teacher's dry sense of humor was one of many things he had missed. No other Jedi master seemed to have even a basic grasp of how to joke. Not in anyway I found amusing at least.
"Don't worry, I'm sure the rain would take care of that," His blue blade cut through another droid's power core; he dodged to the left as it crashed into the muddy ground.
"You always find the bright side of any situation don't you." Obi-Wan warmed at his apprentice's small smile; but he was still worried for he knew his Padawan was troubled. And I know why. He too felt some of the unease, but they couldn't allow their memories of the past to guide them in the present. It was better to face their fears and move past them. Master Yoda didn't pick us for this mission by coincidence. Fear was an emotion a Jedi couldn't afford for it led you down a path that was never anything but destructive.
Anakin ran along side his Master as the rain pelted against his exposed face. He tried not to think about the last time they had been here. One of the worst times in my life. And that's saying something.
Months ago, he'd believed the closest person he'd ever had to a father had been lost at the battle of Jabiim. Anakin tried again to shake off the horrible feeling that had haunted him since Master Yoda had given them this mission. I can not lose him again.
Obi-Wan had died here, or so they had thought. In reality, he'd been kidnapped by Asajj Ventress. Her very name left and acrid taste in his mouth. Fortunately Obi-Wan had escaped and thanks to their exceptionally strong bond, Anakin had sensed him through the Force.
He hadn't realized how alone he'd been until they'd been reunited. Obi-Wan never spoke much of what happened during his imprisonment. That told Anakin more than he wanted to know. If I ever meet her….only one of us will survive.
That had been roughly eight months ago and now they were here again. Only this time they were on a rescue mission, not trying to win a losing battle.
Their goal was in sight. Weaving in and out of the large trees that surrounded the complex, they found themselves standing only feet away from a heavily guarded door. According to the schematics the Jedi Council had managed to acquire from a disgruntled ex-employee, it was the only way inside. But they were Jedi.
There is always another way. His Master's words echoed in the back of his racing mind.
"There it is," Obi-Wan pointed toward the large building in front of them. "Jabiim's weapons manufacturing plant."
It was a fortress. Ten battle droids patrolled this section of the enormous structure alone. They were armed to the teeth with blasters, shields, and possibly even thermal detonators from the looks of it. Anakin reached out with the Force and could sense more all around the complex, as well as Jabiimi warriors. He knew how tough they could be from experience. Images of dozens of dead Jedi assaulted him. Fists clenched, he banished the memories deep into his subconscious. To a place he kept hidden, even from himself. Drawing on the Force, he drew in a calming breath, and released his anxieties as he had been taught.
"Master, is this scientist really worth all this trouble?" He tried to keep his voice calm.
His master studied him for a moment, then raised one eyebrow, "It is not our place to decide those things, it is the Council's."
Anakin sighed and nodded. Of course. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder, "But I do understand your doubts." He tried to keep the surprise off his face, but knew he had failed when he saw Obi-Wan's mouth turn up in amusement.
"I know it is hard to believe, but I do not blindly follow orders my young friend." Obi-Wan's melodic voice turned despondent, "I do know how dangerous this is Anakin."
"No, that's not what I meant…"
Obi-Wan held up his hand as he reached out with his other and squeezed Anakin's arm. Wise blue eyes shimmered with hidden emotions. "We have been sent to a planet where many fellow Jedi were killed, the Republic has no control, and we are, to put it bluntly…alone. The man we are to retrieve has created many of the weapons that were used against us."
As he spoke his voice remained level, but Anakin saw right through it. He's just as uneasy as I am.
"But," he continued, " He claims he knows the identity of the Sith Lord. Anakin, that is something you know we cannot pass up on, no matter the cost." He gave him one last squeeze then let go.
Somehow he felt appeased just knowing his Master agreed with him on some level. Obi-Wan was right. They had no choice, they had to have this information.
He felt his companion's heavy stare and sensed his worry. Smiling, he turned to face Obi-Wan. "Well what are we waiting for then? Let's go get Dr. Kreyu, before his boss figures out he's been contacting the Republic," he flashed a cocky grin.
"Patience, my over eager Padawan," Obi-Wan's tone was gentle.
"Now Master, you know that's not one of my strong suites," he wiped some of the water from his brow.
"I do believe a plan is in order." His eyes narrowed, "Or were you just going to run in there and take on all those droids yourself?"
No, of course not." His eyes danced mischievously, " I thought we'd run in there and take on all the droids."
His comrade shook his head in mock frustration. "You know, I'm glad I didn't get a normal apprentice. I cannot imagine life without your sarcasm," his loving gaze warmed Anakin.
"The feeling is mutual Master. I don't know what you'd do without me either." They shared a tired smile.
"I think the best approach would be to avoid a confrontation if possible."
"Agreed, maybe there's another way in," Anakin offered.
Obi-Wan held up the data pad, "That is the only door, according to this."
"Perhaps, we should make our own then Master," Anakin's hand rested on his holstered lightsaber.
Obi-Wan shook his drenched hair from his face, "I like the way you think."
They both unsheathed their weapons and began creeping forward through dense foliage. Gnarled branches lashed out and grabbed their cloaks, tall grass struck their boots, and fallen leaves brushed against their damp skin.
The plant life dwindled as they neared the front of the building. Obi-Wan paused. "There."
Anakin already knew what he had seen. "That's a better opening than I'd hoped for," he commented as he pushed his learners braid behind his ear since it insisted on clinging to his wet skin. "We should be able to run past without alerting security."
"Let us just hope one of those damned droids doesn't stumble upon us cutting a hole in that wall," Obi-Wan's eyes constantly tracked the patrolling machines. "We'll have to move quickly; see that surveillance camera, it rotates, I'd say we have maybe ten seconds to reach that section of the structure, and then make our door."
"We can do it," Anakin said with a confidence he didn't feel.
"We have no choice. It's the only way. Ready yourself, as soon as that camera turns all the way…."
" I am ready, and I know what must be done," he said a little more harshly than he intended.
"I know you do Ani."
Ani. He bit back the tears that threatened. Only those he loved and that loved him in return were allowed to call him that. And that was very short list: his mother, Qui-Gon, Padme', and now…Obi-Wan. They were only names, but they meant so much to him. Two of them were already gone. He wasn't sure his heart could take losing another.
Ani. It was something others would consider trivial, but to Anakin it was far from it. In his own words his Master had just admitted something out loud that a Jedi Knight was forbidden to do.
Attachments are forbidden. Those words constantly had been drilled into him at the Temple. That was one lesson he had never learned; and his secret marriage to Senator Amidala had pretty much insured that he never would. But his Master… he'd always wondered. Sometimes he thought he saw it, or felt it, but talking about emotions and love was not something his Master had an easy time with. That had always been one of their biggest differences. Now he knew. Obi-Wan loved him. In one word, he had let Anakin know. But why now?
That dark cloud of foreboding was back in full force. He feels it to. A disturbance in the force. Something bad is going to happen.
Anakin reacted with his heart-as he always did. He crossed the small space between them, threw his arms around Obi-Wan's neck, and buried his face against his Master's shoulder. Any other Jedi Knight would have shoved him away and scolded him for letting his emotions control him. But not Obi-Wan.
He returned the embrace, even pulled him a little closer. The warmth of his Master's affections drifted over him and eased some of the dread he felt in his soul.
They pulled away and for the first time since setting foot on this planet Anakin was glad it was raining.
Obi-Wan blinked rapidly, "May the Force be with us."
Anakin nodded.
"Now back to the task at hand." He bumped his companion's shoulder with his elbow. "So we can get off this blasted planet."
"Yes, Master." I couldn't agree more.
They both turned and waited. The camera panned past their hiding spot.
"Now," Obi-Wan whispered.
end chapter one
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