OBI-WAN
"We have surveyed all systems in the Republic, but have found no sign of General Grievous." Master Plo Koon said via hologram transmission.
The Jedi Council was in session and with so many of the Masters off world on missions, only four of them were physically in the room; Obi-Wan, Anakin, Master Windu and Yoda.
"Hiding in the outer rim Grievous is." Yoda corrected. "The outlying systems you must sweep."
"We do not have many ships to spare." Obi-Wan warned.
"What about the droid attack on the Wookiees? It is critical we send an attack group there immediately." Master Fay advised and Yoda nodded in agreement. "It's a system we cannot afford to lose."
"Go I will. Good relations with the Wookiees I have." He decided.
"Masters?" Anakin began tentatively beside Obi-Wan and every decerning eye in the chamber turned to him. "Chancellor Palpatine has reason to believe General Grievous in on Utapau."
"How would he know this?" Obi-Wan asked, remembering what Thalia had told him after their most recent encounter with Count Dooku. The Senate is under the control of the Dark Lord of the Sith.
"A partial message was intercepted in a diplomatic packet from the chairman of Utapau." Anakin replied with every air and grace of an experienced Jedi Master. It was times like this when Obi-Wan no longer saw the young boy from Tatooine who was too emotionally invested in everything he did, but a man who would become one of the galaxies finest Jedi Knights and a brilliant Master to a few lucky Padawans.
"Act on this we must." Yoda said and Anakin swelled with pride at the credit to his work. "The capture of General Grievous will end this war. Quickly and decisively, we should proceed."
"The Chancellor has requested…that I lead the campaign." Anakin said, but his hesitation showed he already knew how his statement would come across.
"The council will make up its own mind who is to go, not the Chancellor." Master Windu replied with such a glare that even Obi-Wan dropped his gaze.
"A master is needed, with more experience." Yoda agreed.
"I concur. Master Kenobi should go." Plo Koon seconded.
"It's settled then. Master Yoda will assist the Wookiees on Kashyyk and Master Kenobi will go to Utapau." Windu concluded. "May the force be with us all."
As the remaining Jedi who weren't attending via hologram left the chambers, Obi-Wan lingered to speak to his former Padawan.
"You did well, Anakin." He said. "Master Windu will never say it, but you've done very well indeed."
"Thank you, Master." He replied, his mouth stretching into a genuine smile. "You're gonna need me on this one." He said, watching the steady stream of ships float past.
"Oh, I agree." Obi-Wan nodded. "However, it may turn out just to be a wild bantha chase."
"Master." Anakin began, the sincerity in his voice capturing Obi-Wan's attention immediately. "I've disappointed you. I haven't been very appreciative of your training. I've been arrogant, and I apologise. I've just been so frustrated with the council."
Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile proudly at Anakin. It was true, he had been all those things, but it would take more than a little reckless behaviour to dissuade Obi-Wan. He stepped forward and placed his hand on Anakin's shoulders.
"You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you." He assured him. "I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know. And you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be…But be patient, Anakin. It will not be long before the council makes you a Jedi Master."
Obi-Wan gave his Apprentice one, last reassuring smile before turning away to head for the hanger bay where a team of Clone Troopers were no doubt itching to get going to Utapau.
"Obi-Wan." Anakin called after him. "May the force be with you."
"Goodbye, old friend. May the force be with you." He smiled. They pair bowed to each other before parting ways.
. . .
Obi-Wan had been right. Commander Cody had his squads waiting at attention by the time he entered the hanger bay.
"Good to see you, General." Cody greeted with a salute. "We'll follow your lead."
"Excellent." Obi-Wan nodded. "I'll keep Grievous distracted until you get there. Just don't take too long."
"Come on. When have I ever let you down?" Cody grinned.
"Very well." Obi-Wan laughed. "The burden will be on me not to destroy all the droids until you arrive." He promised, stepping onto the wing of his star fighter.
He gave R4 the coordinates of Utapau and flew out of the hanger, ahead of his troops. Out of Coruscant air space, the fighter locked into a free hyperdrive ring and waited for control to give him the go-ahead.
"Hold there, Master Kenobi." A voice said over his comms. "We have a Naboo Cruiser leaving the air space bound for Troska."
"Copy that." He replied and watched out his window as the sleek, silver ship glided past his fighter and launched into hyperspace.
Padme was headed for Troska. Thalia had invited her on what she'd called 'a diplomatic holiday'. It had been weeks since Obi-Wan had seen Thalia and after their recent extended time to together, he found he missed her profoundly. Sometimes he'd thought of turning to her for advice, especially when it concerned Anakin who hadn't been the same since Dooku's demise, but then he'd remember that she was all the way on the other side of the galaxy, on Troska, and asking for her advice would seem like an odd transmission to anyone that might hear of it.
It seemed a silly thing to worry about, but after their mission to Akiva something seemed to have changed. She'd all but admitted she still cared for him when they were hanging over the lift shaft. And the embrace they'd shared on Troska was probably the most intimate moment he'd ever experienced in his life. Those memories crept up on him when he was least expected it and since he'd left Troska he felt like he was living two lives. One was here, on Coruscant working to secure a victory with the Republic, while the other was with Thalia on Troska. It was unnerving to say the least but seeing his inner turmoil play out in front of him, in the form of a very conspicuous Anakin and Padme, had given him some perspective.
It all came down to choice. One choice that Obi-Wan was familiar with. He had to choose between the two lives he was living. He knew he should advise Anakin in such a way too, but knowing his friend, he'd want to have both at the same time. So did Obi-Wan, of course. But he didn't want them at the same time.
If he were honest with himself, Obi-Wan knew his mind was made up when he'd flown away from Troska. He'd be back. When the war was over. He intended to keep the promise he'd made fifteen years ago. The mere thought of it filled his heart with so much joy that it took every fibre of his being not to burst into a grin every time he thought about it. And he couldn't wait to tell Thalia.
But General Grevious had to take priority, otherwise the war would never be over, and the future would not be so certain.
. . .
Unbeknownst to Padme, her Naboo Cruiser was watched longingly by Master Kenobi as the ship jetted out of Coruscant air space. She knew Anakin disapproved of her travels, but she desperately needed some time away from the pressures and drama of the Senate. As if Thalia had somehow known, she'd received an invitation from her dear friend to spend some time on Troska.
When the ship glided up to the landing platform, Padme could see Thalia waiting for her arrival surrounded by her guards. A warm smile spread across her face as Padme descended the ramp and she opened her arms to embrace her friend.
"Padme, it is so good to see you." Thalia beamed, holding her close.
"You have no idea how grateful I was to receive your invitation." Padme replied, taking Thalia's hand and squeezing it.
"I know things are difficult in the Senate now. The war is not going the way of the Republic, even though we're told things are 'going very well'." Thalia said, as they boarded a small, open-topped shuttle.
"I thought pacifists weren't supposed to choose a side." Padme teased.
"The point of our neutrality is to protect the people. That doesn't mean we do not care what side wins the war." Thalia replied patronisingly, giving Padme a chastising look as well.
"Alright, alright." Padme laughed, looking out of the shuttle at their surroundings. Troska was just as colourful as she remembered it and at this time of year, the trees were out in force, their green leaves dotted with spots of orange fruits and white flowers. "This isn't the way to the palace." She realised.
"We're not going to the palace." Thalia smiled. "We're going home."
They soon turned away from the main street and glided up a long drive lined with orange trees. Standing tall and proud at the end of the drive was a beautiful, sandstone house overlooking a small pond and carefully curated garden.
"It's beautiful." Padme said in awe as she stepped out of the shuttle.
"Let's walk. I'm sure you're tired of sitting after your journey." Thalia suggested and gestured towards the sweeping gardens.
As they wondered amongst the flowers, Padme watched as Thalia trailed her hand over the honeysuckle, a distance smile on her lips. She was deep in thought about something, but Padme didn't have the chance to ask when the Queen turned to her first.
"How are you, Padme? With the war, with everything?" She asked.
"It's so complicated." Padme sighed. "As you know, the Chancellor says it's 'going very well', but it isn't…" She drifted off and looked at the ground. She didn't see Thalia studying her closely. In truth, the Queen already knew what Padme was truly worried about. She'd felt it when they'd embraced.
"Padme…can I ask you something. You don't have to answer, and you certainly don't have to elaborate if you don't want to." Thalia began and Padme looked up, surprised by the sudden hope that had filled her. She needed to tell someone, but she hoped upon hope that someone would just guess so she wouldn't have to do it herself.
"Padme, are you expecting?" Thalia asked and the relief that washed over her was enough to bring tears to her eyes. Thalia looked horrified and immediately apologised for thinking she'd upset Padme.
"Yes, I am." She practically burst out. "I was too afraid to tell you, so hoped you'd use some force thing and guess." She added with a laugh. "I don't have long, maybe a month or so."
"You hide it well." Thalia almost laughed, taking in how artfully Padme's gown was draped around her figure.
"Oh, Padme." She cried and wrapped her arms around her friend. "Are you…happy?"
"Yes, of course, yes." Padme assured her. "It's just…complicated."
"Isn't it always?" Thalia smiled. "But…are you well, supported, are they looking after you?"
"Yes, he is." Padme nodded. "It's just that…his position makes any future complicated."
She was surprised when a look of understanding crossed Thalia's face, as if she knew the predicament well.
"Padme, please believe me when I say I empathise with you." She said. "So, don't feel like I will judge you."
"No, I know you won't." Padme nodded. "I'm just afraid we never expected it to be as complicated as it is. When we decided to marry, we knew it could very well spell the end for all we'd known, but the chance of a new future was too wonderful to pass up. We just never expected the war to go for this long." Padme finished, dancing around the last announcement she needed to make to Thalia, but she didn't know if she could bring herself to say it.
"Anakin's the father, isn't he?" She suddenly asked and all Padme could bring herself to do was nod. She felt like the entire weight of the galaxy had been lifted off her shoulders. Someone knew, who wouldn't judge, who wouldn't shake their head in disappointment. Someone who would support her, always.
"Padme, congratulations." Thalia said with a smile. "And I'm here, whatever either of you need."
"Thank you." Padme smiled weakly and Thalia grinned.
"Padme, this is exciting." She beamed. "Yes, it's complicated but it will all be wonderful."
And it would. Padme believed it. This baby was a blessing, a light amongst so much darkness and a new hope that was sorely needed.