Chapter 1 "Priority task"

The month-long leave granted to Obi Wan by the Jedi Council and the Grand Army of the Republic was coming to an end. A great period during which the Jedi master allowed himself to just relax, doing quiet meditations, practicing combat skills or visiting his brother.

Although most often Obi Wan didn't find Anakin in his room, and he wondered where the young man could have disappeared to? Perhaps he was visiting someone or designing something, Anakin didn't talk much about what he did during his vacation. In addition, he was not the kind of person who would immediately answer the comlink, which sometimes annoyed the Jedi master very much.

Anyway, Obi Wan was giving Anakin the freedom he loved so much. Sometimes the Jedi Master worried about him, but almost immediately remembered that he was already a grown boy with the right to a private life. The main thing is that the young man does not do anything stupid. The bubbling blood that showed up in him from time to time bothered Obi Wan. Making a decision under the influence of emotions is one of the fears of a Jedi master.

Master Yoda summoned Obi Wan to the rock garden in the morning, when the first rays of the sun had just appeared. Entering the Grand Master's room, Obi Wan noticed that Yoda was sitting in his usual place meditating. The windows were almost completely closed with blinds, the rays of the sun slightly illuminated the room. Relying on experience, Obi Wan quietly sat down in front of the old grand master. He could feel the incense floating among them, which calmed him and helped him concentrate better.

"The vacation a good effect on you, Obi Wan, has had," Yoda said.

"Yes, Master, I feel ready to work," Obi Wan replied with a nod.

"Young Skywalker have you visited?"

"I try to support him and guide him. War is not an easy matter for a newly knighted Jedi."

"How is he feeling?"

"I didn't notice him feeling very bad," Obi-Wan replied. "Sometimes I can feel he blames himself, but after our conversations with him, it passes. Anakin is worried about his troopers, as are many of us."

"A mission for you I have. A special mission that about no one must know."

The Jedi Master's eyebrows rose. "What mission, Master Yoda?"

"Suspicions I have. Romantic relationship your former padawan can have."

Obi Wan shook his head, frowning. "I don't understand. Anakin has never felt anything like this for anyone. I watched him carefully and taught him well what is forbidden to a real Jedi."

"Not so long ago a love interest could have arisen. To the newly Senator Amidala met. Feelings his for her are strong."

Memories of Anakin's excitement before meeting Padmé came to Obi Wan. The Jedi Master sensed how strong the young man's feelings for her were. What touching glances they exchanged after Dooku left, and they, wounded, lay on the floor. How Padmé held his good hand when they flew to the base. However, this cannot fully speak of their love. To make such a bold conclusion, Obi Wan needed more evidence.

"They have known each other for a long time. Anakin helped Padmé out when he was still a child. They're great friends."

"Perhaps it is. To find out you I am asking. Love feelings to the Dark Side can lead. The boy you raised, I am afraid we may lose."

"As you wish, Master Yoda. I will do your bidding," Obi Wan nodded slowly.

"At the briefing tomorrow for you and Skywalker we will be waiting. Now you can go."

Once in his room, Obi Wan began to think clearly. Did Master Yoda just ask him to spy on his former Padawan? An unpleasant shiver went through Obi Wan at the thought of spying on his brother. It was wrong, it was... absurd.

However, Yoda's words came to Obi Wan: " Love feelings to the Dark Side can lead." No, he couldn't let Anakin fall to the Dark Side. He is the Chosen One, he must restore the balance of the Force, as Qui-Gon said. Obi Wan must fulfill the last will of his dead Master, because he believed in Anakin, just as Qui-Gon believed in Obi Wan when he took him as a padawan.

If Obi Wan has to spy on a young Jedi Knight in order to prevent him from falling to the Dark Side, he will do so. The price is too high, and it's better if Anakin doesn't find out about it. After all, it's for his own good.

A Jedi can't have attachments.

Although there were still doubts in Obi Wan's mind about his decision, he was almost sure that he was doing the right thing. However, something deep down was bothering him, which made Obi Wan feel guilty. The Jedi Master took a meditation pose and plunged in the Force in search of answers. As Qui-Gon had said, the Force could always provide an answer, and Obi-Wan planned to find it.

Anakin spent all vacations in his wife's apartment. Sadly, Padmé wasn't granted leave in the Senate, which is why they could not go anywhere together to get lost somewhere just the two of them. But spending evenings with her was much more pleasant than sitting in a command post and planning an attack plan.

Almost every their evening was filled with passion and romance. Every morning they looked at each other in love before Padmé left for the Senate, then she returned, and they continued their love games, which warmed Anakin's soul.

"Ani, you're kidding me," Padmé said happily, taking off that annoying wig. "Do you mean to say that you cooked dinner yourself?" Her wide-open eyes looked at all the little things that were on the table.

"I have to pass the time while you're in the Senate somehow," Anakin replied with a smile. "Besides, I know my lady comes home hungry." He slowly approached her, pulling her by the waist, Padmé's arms instinctively wrapped around his neck. She kissed him chastily on the lips.

"I think I must thank my devoted Jedi protector for taking such good care of me," she said sweetly, batting her eyelashes. Her gaze became seductive as Padmé looked up at him.

"Absolutely. But I want you to taste everything I have prepared for you."

"Then give me 5 minutes to change, and I'll do whatever you say," she quickly kissed him on the cheek and disappeared into their bedroom.

Anakin planned to surprise his wife, it seems he succeeded. He liked to see her so... happy. It also gave him pleasure to feel her excitement mixed with immense joy in the Force.

Padmé returned a few minutes later, dressed in a red and white dress, a skirt decorated with various flowers rustling behind her. Her hair was combed and arranged in a ponytail, and behind her ear was a small flower with buds like white bells.

Frozen for a few seconds, Anakin didn't have time to consider all the quintessence of beauty in her. Padmé was multi-faceted beautiful from every side, wherever he looked at her. Anakin remembered how, long ago, when he was still a slave in Watto's shop, he called her an Angel. This word appeared to him again.

Overcoming his stupor, Anakin pulled out a chair for her, and sat down at the head of the table, next to her. The food was laid out on plates, Padmé almost salivated at the mere sight of the food, this effect was enhanced by the wonderful smell. It seems she hasn't eaten all day.

Having tasted the first piece of meat, Padmé moaned, feeling the magnificent taste on her tongue. "If it wasn't for your Jedi career, I think you'd be a great chef."

"Maybe so," Anakin agreed. "It turned out not bad."

"I think I know who's going to cook our dinners now," Padmé said, narrowing her eyes.

"Oh, no, no. I've killed a whole day to cook this according to the recipes from the Holonet. What you're eating now, I've redone twice because I did something wrong."

"It must have been worth it, Ani. I'm so grateful to you."

"By the way, how are things in the Senate? Any progress?" he asked.

"I wouldn't say great, but the Loyalist Committee is doing everything possible to stop the war. Vicious circle in which some senators accuse others of having ties with Separatists, and then take their places. It looks like I can't see anyone as an ally, except for a few people I've been working with for a long time," Padmé pouted.

"Obi Wan always told me not to trust politicians, but I know some great senators," the young man smiled. "Everything about power is a dirty business, you know that better than me."

"We are trying to come to peace agreements, but the other senators and the Chancellor himself do not want to listen to us. It's like they like this war, like putting innocent people's lives in mortal danger. Violence begets violence."

"Chancellor Palpatine is a wise man who knows his business. He's just trying to protect people. But it will never be possible to please everyone."

"Many senators criticize us for our views. More and more often I hear unflattering expressions in my address that other people pass on to me. You know, I'm just offended that some people completely reject the opinions of others."

"Just tell me their names, Angel," Anakin smiled maliciously.

Padmé looked at him in surprise. "What did you call me?"

"Angel?" It seems he didn't notice himself, as he said it to her, being carried away by the conversation. Anakin didn't know she would react like that, so he frowned.

However, the corners of her lips lifted in a gentle smile, her eyes shone in the lamplight, and she put her hands to her chest. "You haven't called me that since our first meeting on Tatooine," Padmé whispered softly. "Why did you remember that?"

"You've always reminded me of that," Anakin smirked. "Your face, your figure, the sound of your voice have always betrayed an Angel in you."

"Do they live on the moons of Iego, and are they the most beautiful creatures in the galaxy?" smiled Padmé.

"Absolutely right," Anakin laughed softly. "You remember that."

"I never forgot. And I will always remember," her words sounded like a promise that made his heart stop.

"Skywalker, you are late again," Mace Windu said sternly. His heavy gaze rested on the young Jedi who entered the briefing room.

"My apologies, Master Windu. I will not allow this to happen again," Anakin replied, standing near the holotable, where a hologram of the planet had already been opened. For a moment, the question flashed through his mind whether the strict Jedi master would take these words into account, since it wasn't the first time Anakin was late.

He winked imperceptibly at Ahsoka and Obi Wan.

"Let's continue," Windu said. "Before us is the planet Vinsoth in the system of the same name. The landscape consists of plains, mountains, green meadows. Inhabited by a race of Chevin and Chev. The former are engaged in hunting, the latter are their slaves. The relationship between them is not simple. They can be hostile to outsiders. We are interested in a separatist factory, which, according to intelligence information, produces modified droids capable of turning the tide of war. Master Secura and Master Plo Koon have kindly cleared the way for you. You will have to perform the ground operation."

Windu enlarged the hologram, and a huge network of underground tunnels appeared in front of everyone. The base was a system of tunnels, as if created by some animal.

It went down about 70 meters, hiding from prying eyes everything that was happening inside, as a result, the facility had a strictly limited number of entrances, which were probably exits.

"The so-called revolutionary weapons of the Confederation of Independent Systems are being produced here," Windu announced. "The facility can survive under siege for years, having at its disposal an autonomous life support system that provides all the resources a person needs. Seizure such a factory directly will take an unacceptably long time, so you must do it secretly. Next, I give the floor to Master Kenobi."

Obi Wan nodded, folding his arms across his chest. "The factory can exist and work thanks to the reactor located here," the Jedi master pointed to a cube-shaped figure almost at the bottom of the tunnels. "The path directly is too thorny, so Padawan Tano's squad will go through the ventilation system."

"Are there any traps or security system in there?" asked Ahsoka.

"Unfortunately, we do not have such information," Obi Wan hung his head. "Therefore, you will have to act on the circumstances."

Frowning, the young togruta pursed her lips, which earned a disapproving look from Luminara Unduli, which Anakin noticed.

"Padawan Offee's squad will disable the command post while the Jedi Knight Skywalker and his squad will be able to take everything that is possible and destroy all the developments in the production block," Obi Wan pointed to a huge parallelepiped highlighted in red.

"Master Luminara and I will take care of the military base that serves as support in case of an attack on the factory." The holographic image was replaced by a large structure hidden by mountain massifs. "Master Luminara, your task is to capture the command post when my forces distract attention."

Obi Wan looked around at everyone in the room, waiting for questions. However, everyone was silent, seemingly lost in their own thoughts. "If there are no questions, then it's time to move forward."

Anakin was in his cabin when Resolute was traveling through hyperspace with the other ships. It had been several hours since he had said goodbye to Padmé, and now he missed her very much, remembering how tightly she hugged him, how her hot breath burned his neck, soft lips kissed his own.

In the Force, Anakin felt how worried his wife was, it seemed that she could have already gotten used to it for her husband's numerous business trips to the front, but every time Padmé worried about him, which made Anakin's heart tremble with love for her. They had agreed that he would contact her upon arrival, however, Anakin was already burning with impatience.

Suddenly someone knocked on the room, and he responded with permission to enter. Ahsoka entered the cabin, her face slightly worried.

"What's wrong, Snips?" Anakin asked, frowning.

"Can I sit next to you, Master?" There was a note of sadness in her voice as she looked down as if she was ashamed. The Jedi Knight moved over, patting next to him, and the young Togruta sat down next to him.

"I'm still worried," Ahsoka said. "Master Kenobi entrusted me with such a responsible task, and I'm afraid I might not be able to cope with it."

Anakin leaned forward to see her face. "Hey, Snips, you've done tasks before. Why did you decide that you couldn't do it this time?" he put on a friendly tone so that the young togruta wouldn't feel sad.

"I have a minimum of information about what awaits my squad. What if there's a security system that I don't know how to get past? What if things don't go according to plan?"

"Calm down, Ahsoka," Anakin lightly patted her shoulder. "Obi Wan sent Rex with you, and we all know that he is the most experienced trooper in the 501st. He'll back you up in case of anything."

"Perhaps," sighed togruta. "But I'm afraid of... failing. A lot depends on me."

Anakin's lips tightened into a thin line. They sank into languid silence for a few seconds. "Do you know what Obi Wan told me when I was afraid to do a task?"

Ahsoka shook her head.

"Anakin, use your feelings, follow your instincts. The Force will tell you what to do. Just let it guide you. I believe in you, Anakin, as Qui-Gon believed in you," the Jedi knight said with a gentle smile. After these words, Ahsoka became more animated, which brought the expected result.

"And did it help?"

"Always," Anakin nodded. "Even now I sometimes hear these words in my head, and it helps me."

"Thank you, Master," Ahsoka said with a smile, looking at him. "I feel better."

"I believe you can handle it, Snips," Anakin smiled broadly.

Preparations for the landing were carried out successfully, all the fighters, led by their commanders, took their places in the LAAT-S gunboats. Under the silver light of the full moon, 5 ships left the hangars of the Venators and moved to occupy the agreed positions. The scant light from the dashboards illuminated the yellow-painted helmets of the pilots. Heerdik has always found this time of day so romantic and quiet. Even as a boy on Kamino, he stayed up late and watched the wonderful weather, seasoned with the sounds of endless expanses of water.

The heavy plates of the ship were closed, through the slits flying mountain ranges covered with snow could be seen. The frosty fresh air touched Anakin's skin, his face illuminated by dark scarlet light and soft blue with a slight smile was turned to the small holographic figure in his hands.

"May the Force be with you, Obi Wan. Be careful, I don't want to risk my life saving you once again," the Jedi knight said with a cheerful grin.

"Anakin, you'll definitely become a Master of Audacity someday." Obi Wan's eyebrow lifted in a sarcastic, teasing grimace. "May the Force be with you, my friend."

"Hey, does anyone wish me luck? In case you forgot, I also have an important task!" Ahsoka pouted, frowning.

A soft chuckle came from the comlink. "May the Force be with you, Ahsoka. Let it guide you, and you'll succeed."

Anakin winked at the young togruta as a smile graced her full lips. "It's definitely calmer this way."

The blue light disappeared, and the Jedi knight put the holoprojector in the pocket of his robes. He examined all the faceless passengers that he could distinguish by the marks on the armor. All of them were holding onto the handrails, an ominous scarlet light fell on their shaded helmets.

"30 seconds," the pilot's voice came from the speakers. The clones, as one, shifted from one foot to the other, their figures became tense.

"Let's do this, boys, as we've always done," Anakin said.

"10 seconds." All the passengers felt how much the ship slowed down, preparing to land. Ahsoka did not take her eyes off the approaching land.

"Good luck to us" - with these words, the plates of the ship opened, and the troopers with two Jedi poured out of the transport, holding their weapons at the ready. They spread out, making sure the sector was safe.

Anakin's gaze stopped at the huge doors leading into the factory. Thanks to the electrobinoculars, he managed to detect half a dozen B1 battle droids monitoring the surrounding environment. Judging by their calm demeanor, it was clear that they had not spotted the landing.

"What are your orders, General?" asked Rex, who came up, his helmet-mounted electrobinoculars were lowered.

"Let's go head-on," Anakin muttered. "Get the hooks ready, we'll go down."

"Head-on?" Ahsoka asked, surprised. "Master, are you sure this is a good plan? We risk violating secrecy, and I remind you that this is a covert operation."

"Calm down, Ahsoka. I know what I'm doing. Soon we'll enter the factory territory secretly."

The hooks between which the cable stretched were securely fastened, and both groups began to descend the uneven slope. They all kept within a meter of each other. Sometimes Anakin would look around to check on Ahsoka and the fighters.

The wind died down as they descended, finally reaching the colossal doors, they jumped down, hiding behind the convex relief.

"What's next, Master?" whispered Togruta.

"There should be a changing of the guard now, and we will have a little time before the gates close again."

"I recognize Skywalker's style," Brick nudged Focus.

"No one doubted that the task wouldn't be simple and not quiet," Arch replied.

After a few minutes, the gate opened slightly so that the battle droids could switch, both groups slipped inside, finding themselves among the ships. It was definitely warmer here than outside, Anakin and Ahsoka lowered their masks from their faces.

The groups moved along the wall, keeping in the shadows, and reached the fork. In the gray, well-lit corridors, battle droids rarely flashed patrolling the facility. It looked like the garrison here was too small for a thorough patrol.

"All right, Ahsoka, you go on according to your task, Anakin whispered. "Good luck."

"Thank you, Master," Togruta smiled briefly. "Boys, follow me." A few seconds later, her squad was lost in the corridors.

Anakin's group made their way into the production block, where machines and conveyors were making and transporting parts of battle droids. It reminded the Jedi knight of the factory on Geonosis, which made his skin crawl, but also with these memories came a kiss with Padmé. Focus on the task, he told himself.

Hiding in the shadows, moving invisible to the mechanics, they reached a special department. In the center of the great hall, a group of scientists was conducting some kind of experiment with a huge combat droid, the size of which was comparable to the five-meter-high ARC-170, perhaps even more. The broad back reinforced with armor, tapering to the pelvis, turned in different directions, following the instructions of the person in front of him.

Large powerful arms protected by metal plates rose and fell with amazing speed for such a droid. Legs capable of crushing several people at once squatted and lifted the entire mass held on them. The helmet, revealing only the eyes glowing red, slowly and methodically turned from side to side.

The sight startled Anakin, causing an unpleasant shiver to run through him. From his own experience, he knew that the Separatists were sometimes very resourceful, since they managed to create such a... metal monster, it means that the Republic could well have problems. Who knew what developments they might still have?

"Brick, Arch, install explosives on these machines and conveyors. Focus and I will get the information. Meet me at the pick-up point in 7 minutes."

The troopers went to perform the task they received, Anakin and Focus secretly made their way to the terminal where the data was stored. The Jedi Knight jumped a level higher to catch the enemy by surprise when detected. He also wondered what this battle droid was capable of.

It looks like his equipment included a huge durasteel sword. Without much effort, such a one could destroy any fighter, or even a cruiser. As a mechanic, Anakin found it impressive, from a trooper's point of view, terrifying and formidable.

Suddenly, an alarm pierced his ears as red emergency lights lit up the room. "Shadow 3, report back, what happened?"

"The alarm is caused by an activated motion sensor in the area of the... reactor," Offee replied.

"This is Shadow 2. We have touched the motion sensor. Explosives are installed on the reactor. I advise you to finish here faster," Ahsoka's voice came from the comlink.

"Understood," Anakin nodded. "Barris, help them out, and get out now."

"Copy that, Shadow 2, a platoon of combat droids is moving towards you along the eastern corridor," Offee warned. "I'm blocking doors, plotting a safe route for you."

Kriff, Ahsoka, you need to get out of there. Anakin looked around. The droid stood motionless in place, the scientists and mechanics who worked with it disappeared from sight. "Focus, are you done? We need to get out of here!"

"I have the data, sir." Anakin jumped down, and the two moved along the conveyor belts, wary of the light, as if they were rats on Tatooine. Brick and Arch were waiting for them at the rendezvous point when super battle droids surfaced next to them, which the troopers immediately opened fire on. Anakin, activating his lightsaber, beat off blaster bolts, approaching the opponents, he cut each of them with a few deft movements, and the metal fell to the ground with a clanking sound.

Following his instinct, the Jedi Knight turned around to see a metal monster with burning fury in mechanical photocells persistently approaching them. "Go go go! Now!" ordered Anakin.

In the corridor, they were met by reinforcements of battle droids, who opened fire on them, forcing the troopers to hold their position. The Jedi Knight was gripped tightly by a metal hand, preventing him from activating his lightsaber. Anakin squirmed vigorously, trying to free his hand.

Brick, Focus, and Arch pressed themselves into the walls of the corridor, periodically leaning out to spit out another series of blaster bolts. The droids moved forward slowly and steadily, without stopping firing. "Arch, throw EMP grenades!"

The clone nodded, taking out one of the last grenades for the whole squad and threw it at the feet of the battle droids. The discharge hit several targets around it, forming a gap in the formations, which was filled with other B1. Then the trooper threw two more grenades, the number of opponents decreased significantly, and the clones got out, opening dagger fire on the combat droids. "Focus, Arch, go ahead and clear the way, I'll cover the General!"

"Just amazing!" exclaimed the dark-haired woman in front of whom the Jedi knight was forced to hang. "Look, he managed to catch a Jedi!"

Overcoming the pain, Anakin didn't give up trying to free himself.

"Capture the clones, while I'm only interested in General Skywalker." The Jedi knight's eyebrows jumped, he felt pain due to the compression of his internal organs.

"I can't believe that. Right now I have the famous Jedi Skywalker in my hands," the woman chuckled. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Doctor Ruana Roidd. One of the great minds of the Confederation of Independent Systems," she said with a slight bow. "And my creation, concurrently your tormentor, is called Hercules. Judging by his eyes, he is pleased to meet you."

Activating the blade, Anakin severed the wrist of the metal monster and landed next to it, taking a fighting stance. He saw the mechanics activate something on the panel, he had a bad feeling.

"I see you're not the talkative type. Serious as Count Dooku, honestly," Roidd grumbled. Perhaps a few words by Anakin could get this woman to talk.

"Do you serve Count Dooku?" The Jedi knight asked boldly. "Do you know what he does to people who have failed?"

"Oh, so you can talk!" Roidd exclaimed. "I don't know, I'm not particularly interested in this information. I valiantly serve the CIS just as you serve the Republic."

"So you're not afraid to accept death from Dooku? Because it's inevitable, it's only a matter of time. Maybe if you work with the Republic, Dooku won't kill you. You will be under reliable protection and will work for the benefit of a common good cause."

Ruana laughed softly. "I know you Jedi like to negotiate and all that, but that's not going to work with me. I always have a backup plan, Skywalker," she said. "Hercules, deal with him, please. And defuse these bombs already!"

The metal droid grabbed the sword in a whole hand before getting into a fighting stance. The difference in the size of the two opponents was ridiculous. Anakin looked so small compared to this monster droid that it seemed as if he wouldn't be able to do him any harm. There is no defense against a lightsaber, the Jedi knight thought to himself.

With a swing, Hercules was about to cut his opponent in half, however, Anakin jumped forward, hitting the shoulder plate, but his saber ricocheted. He landed behind the battle droid on one of the machines, looking at the metal monster in disbelief. The lightsaber never failed.

Hercules' hands began to move faster, as if the accelerators were helping them, but Anakin was quicker, delivering quick but ineffectual blows. It seemed to him that some kind of protective field absorbed the touch of his lightsaber.

The battle droid's face was hidden behind a black metal helmet, which made him look even more intimidating and emotionless. It attacks made Anakin's heart tremble as the monster droid's giant sword flew inches from the Jedi knight's face. The scariest thing was that Anakin was not able to inflict any damage on the enemy.

The Jedi knight jumped on the head of the metal monster, plunged his saber into it, and the droid flickered, but still kept on his feet. Anakin swung a second time, but a heavy blow knocked him down, and he ended up on the conveyor, feeling pain in his ribs, he focused on it, allowing himself to be fed.

The battle droid's beep accompanied his approach to the Jedi Knight as he concentrated, summoning the Force to his aid. Anakin left the huge monster's blade a few centimeters from his head, then he stripped it of it weapon, jumped on his head and cut it with a lightsaber. A waning sound accompanied its shutdown, and then the metal body fell with a crash.

Looking around, Anakin didn't see any of the mechanics nearby, nor did Dr. Roidd. "Master, where are you?" came Ahsoka's anxious voice from the comlink. "You don't have much time!"

"On the way, Snips," Anakin replied.

Muffled explosions were heard from the depths of the mountain, causing the earth to tremble. The Jedi Knight left the factory grounds and looked around. A rumble came from somewhere above, as if thunder dominated the sky, he turned his gaze to the top of the mountain, seeing how thick snow pressed against him. "Ahsoka, I need an immediate evacuation!"

"We're looking for you!" she replied. "Pilot, come down!"

Anakin felt the warnings of the Force, which became more insistent with every second. He ran forward, straight to the cliff, where the sky was not covered with clouds of snow. Adrenaline pulsed in his blood, the wind burned his sweaty face, his feet clung to the crisp snow, trying to get as far away from danger as possible.

"I see you, Master!"

LAAT-S began to fall, the avalanche was dangerously close to them. Anakin, using the Force, jumped forward, clinging to the ship, he climbed inside and stretched out on the cold floor in relief. Ahsoka and Rex bent over him, examining him for wounds. Everyone felt the ship lurch sharply, and the Jedi knight hit his head on the durasteel plate with a groan. He could hear LAAT-S instruments blaring, warning of the unstable position of the ship.

"I'm losing control!" shouted Heerdik. "Hang on!"

All the passengers grabbed onto the first interior of the ship when an unknown force pulled them away. The snow was inexorably approaching, threatening to collapse and bury everyone under the layers of white cold powder.

"Stabilizing, stabilizing," the pilot said through his teeth. They came out of the dangerous sector, Heerdick and Hyman breathed a sigh of relief, directing the ship to the Star Destroyer.

"I'm fine," Anakin replied. "Did you pick everyone up?" he got up to see his squad, but none of them were there.

"All who survived," sighed togruta. "Arch reported that they were pinned down by dense fire, he did not get in touch again."

Anakin squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his fist. Damn it, how did he not take care of his troopers? He didn't pull them out, didn't bring the data, didn't complete the mission. Their sacrifices were in vain. How could he?!

"Focus managed to send only part of the data that has yet to be decrypted. Perhaps all is not lost yet," Ahsoka soothed, but Anakin hardly listened to her. The Jedi Knight blamed himself for their needless deaths.

At first, he promised to protect people from death, then from sacrifice, and each time he failed, which made Anakin imagine how his mother was dissatisfied with him, how she scolded him for an unfulfilled commitment.

Obi Wan looked upset when he found out that they had received virtually no data. All they had were the coordinates of the research laboratory on Ord Radama and the introductory data about it. Anakin felt like he had let Obi Wan down, realizing it better by the second, being in his cabin on Resolute.

As usual, it all started with self-contempt, smoothly flowing into acceptance of reality. Anakin went through this path time after time, when the mission entrusted to him was not fulfilled. Although this process was not long-term enough, it was compensated by the mental pain that he experienced going through these stages.

The fear of letting down his Master, the people who need him, was one of the main fears for Anakin. He felt the responsibility placed on him, did his best, but for some reason, Anakin was defeated, which made him feel guilty.

He contacted the only person who could calm him down. Anakin closed his eyes and smiled tenderly as the holographic figure of his wife appeared in front of him in full growth, illuminating the dark room.

"Oh, Ani, what happened?" She immediately asked, her voice full of excitement when Padmé saw her husband's depressed state.

"I..." he sighed, unable to admit defeat. Of course, he wanted to tell her everything, but something inside prevented him from doing it, and he overcame himself. "I failed. I lost 3 excellent fighters in the operation and did not complete the mission. They stayed there, I... I didn't even help them," Anakin stuttered, trying to swallow the damn lump in his throat.

Padmé's hologram touched his cheek while her other hand rested on his heart. She looked at him with eyes full of regret that said more than words. "Ani," Padmé called his name so gently that his heart skipped a few beats. "The Jedi and no one in the Galaxy is omnipotent. Even a unique Jedi like you. Sometimes we have to accept defeats, but they are necessary for our spiritual growth."

"They were attacked by battle droids when I was dealing with... a huge metal battle droid they were testing there. I didn't even try to find them and help... time was running out."

Padmé frowned for a few moments. "They wanted to kill you, you were dealing with a problem that could kill you all. Don't underestimate the threat you're dealing with alone. The enemy may be stronger," she said. "Ani, look at me. Please."

Hesitating, he raised his eyes, in which there were tears. Padmé was almost the only person who saw him cry. It seemed to him a weakness when vulnerability let him go. But he was in that state right now.

"You did everything you could. I'm proud of you. Not everyone would have the courage to fight with... a huge metal battle droid. You know, sometimes I think about the years when I was Queen of Naboo. It may sound silly, but I don't think I wouldn't be who I am if it weren't for the threat of occupation from the Trade Federation. Those terrible days made me strong, I had to be like this for my people, for their protection."

"Are you saying that a failed mission made me stronger?" Anakin snorted in disbelief.

"A bad experience is better reflected in memory. Now you've become a slightly better version of yourself," Padmé replied.

"Maybe your words make sense." Suddenly, Anakin sensed Obi Wan approaching. If he sees him with Padmé, then... the consequences could be serious.

"Obi Wan is coming. I love you," Anakin quickly told her.

"I do love you, Anakin," Padmé replied.

The Jedi Knight put the holoprojector in his robe pocket and sat down on the bed, as if he had been sitting there for long minutes, thinking about recent events. A few seconds later, the door hissed open and Obi Wan entered the dark room. "Am I interrupting?" he asked softly.

"It's all right," Anakin replied dryly.

The Jedi Master sat down next to his brother and looked him up and down. "Are you okay?" There was a note of concern in his voice.

"I'm fine. Obi Wan, I understand that I failed and I..."

"I just came to ask how you're feeling," the Jedi master interrupted. "None of us have ever met large battle droids that are very difficult to hit with a lightsaber." Although Obi Wan was curious about this incident, the real reason for his visit was different.

"Did you find out what protected him? I was confused when the lightsaber didn't do any damage to him."

"For now, this remains a mystery for us, which we have to solve," Obi Wan sighed. "The council has assigned us both to deal with this Doctor Roidd."

"Who is she?"

"Doctor Roidd was engaged in the development of... exclusive weapons with her husband before the war. I heard about her a few times when I was a padawan. She is one of the developers of the new generation deflector shields that we use to this day, and also has merits in the field of implantation. During the war, the Republic blew up the ship where her husband was, and Roidd herself was severely damaged, which caused her limbs and some internal parts to be replaced with durasteel."

"So she harbors a grudge against the Republic," Anakin mused.

"Most likely it is," Obi Wan nodded. "Are you ready for a new assignment?"

"Where are we going?" Anakin was ready and full of strength to atone for his mistakes. Nothing short of a successful mission could revive him in the eyes of Obi Wan and especially his own padawan.

"Ord Radama."