Hey everyone, I'm back at it with another update. I know I didn't include any authors notes in the previous chapter. It'd been so long, I mainly just wanted to test the waters to see how people react. Between everything going on in real life with trying to balance a work life relationship, and with me hitting a pretty solid mental block with the last chapter, it took some time to get through it. But, this chapter came to me far more easily, and I expect all future chapters to do so as well.
This chapter is far less action packed than my usual, but, a change of pace isn't a bad thing, and it still covers a lot, getting us all up to date to continue forwards.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy.
May the Force be with You.
The Sundered Heart thrummed as it dropped from hyperspace, a soft vibration Obi-Wan felt through his boots. The blue light that hyperspace showered everything in faded away to the natural light of the ship's command deck. Through its front viewport, the blackness of space was broken up by an asteroid field and, in the distance, a small planetoid.
"That's our destination." Captain Antilles pointed out the planetoid, specifically the research complex on its surface.
"Captain, Master Jedi, we're receiving comms from in system, it's the Liberation." The Comms officer spoke up suddenly. "They're saying that Grand Master Yoda has transferred to the base, Master Skywalker is already there as well."
Obi-Wan nodded, "Notify them that we'll be landing soon to offload wounded at the station and that both the Sundered Heart and the Ranger will then rejoin the fleet." He explained, mentioning the Arquietens that Kitani had captured and their original corvette. "And notify the station that we'll have some wounded that could use additional care." He added. They'd managed to get their wounded stable. Still, they'd had to conserve their supply of Bacta, so many of them, Kittani included, needed extra care.
"Captain Antilles." Obi-Wan explained. "It's been an honor to be aboard your ship. Thank you for all the aid you've given us." He smiled. The Sundered Heart's Captain had served admirably and was, without doubt, a valued asset to their group.
"Thank you, Master Jedi, it's an honor to hear you say that." Antilles replied, saluting Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan returned with a bow, the show of respect that was customary for the Jedi.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be joining my padawan. I want to ensure that she gets to the medical facility safely." He said, with a nod from the Captain in reply. Obi-Wan turned away and made his way through the ship to its cargo bay, where the wounded were assembling.
It didn't take long for Obi-Wan to find Kittani. She was gathered near the other Jedi they'd helped save, far too few, but was also surrounded by Boil and his squad. She had been in the Bacta and under medical care long enough for the worst damage to be healed, as had most of their wounded, but she still had her arm wrapped in a bandage and held in a sling.
Obi-Wan placed a hand on the shoulder of her good arm, squeezing it softly as he looked at her. "Kittani, how are you feeling?" He asked.
She gave a slight but tired smile. "I'm okay, Master… my arm hurts, but Boil and the guys are taking care of me." She reassured him. "But, I'll feel better once my arm is fully healed."
"I understand, my Padawan," Obi-Wan reassured. "And from what Anakin has told me, you aren't the only one. When I last spoke with Anakin, you were asleep. He and Gant engaged three inquisitors on Corellia. They defeated the three, but Gant was wounded. He's likely receiving or has already received treatment by now."
She immediately perked up at that, something Obi-Wan took note of. "Gant was hurt!?" She asked. "I… is he going… was he… what happened?" She finally got out, and Obi-Wan reassured her through the force.
"Anakin said his padawan is just fine. Gant was hit in the leg by one of the inquisitors blades, but he'll make a full recovery." He said.
Obi-Wan knew how Kittani was feeling. He'd been filled with worry for Anakin after their battle with Dooku on Geonosis, and among several other incidents as well. It was undeniable that Kittani and Gant had some sort of bond together, something they had forged. Obi-Wan encouraged it.
He'd suffered loss as a Jedi many times. Still, he couldn't deny that his relationships with friends and loved ones had helped him get through those times.
Obi-Wan especially knew that had Anakin not been there for them, not even his training as a Jedi might have saved him after the loss of Satine. Same as it had been with Siri Tachi.
"Thank the Force." Kittani murmured, breaking Obi-Wan from his thoughts.
Obi-Wan smiled, "You and Gant are quite close, aren't you, Kittani?" He said.
His padawan's face flushed some, her cheeks going from their usual blue to a darker purple. "I… I mean, well, we were in the same class, and we were often put together… we're friends!" She replied hurriedly.
Obi-Wan grinned, "And I'm glad you and Gant are good friends." He replied, meaning it. "Kittani, I know the Jedi teach to not become attached, and, there is a key teaching in that about not becoming overly attached." He said. "But… build up relationships, gain friends, friendship, and the love it provides… it is such an important thing." He told her.
Kittani nodded after a moment, still a bit flushed. "I understand Master, I will. Besides, I've got a lot of super important people in my life." She grinned.
Boil spoke up from where his squad was seated nearby. "Ain't that right, Commander. You hear that boys, we're important." He replied, joking with some sarcasm.
Kittani smiled back, "Of course you are, Boil. After all, who else would clean up after me?" She retorted.
The others chuckled some but quieted down some when they felt the ship shudder as it landed. They were now inside the artificial bubble of atmosphere generated for the space station.
The cargo bay door opened up with a hiss as filtered atmosphere escaped and mixed in with the atmosphere of the planetary base. Obi-Wan took a breath of fresher air and nodded, "As lovely as it was, I will be glad to be off of the Sundered Heart, or any ship for that matter, for a while.
Ahsoka nodded, slipping up alongside them. "I agree. It'll be nice to see Anakin and the others again." She added.
Obi-Wan nodded. It really would. He made sure to help Kittani along, not that she needed it, but it was a matter of support. Several of the clones helped their wounded brothers, either by carrying stretchers or by helping to support the walking wounded.
He noticed that Gree was staying near Luminara, almost in a protective sense. Luminara herself had requested that Gree have his weapons returned to him, and Obi-Wan had obliged. It'd been a choice that they hadn't regretted.
As they moved, Obi-Wan watched as the Ranger moved to rejoin the rest of their small fleet, and his eyes widened at the sight. It seemed that both Anakin and General Kota had been busy establishing their fleet presence.
In addition to the Liberation, there was a dreadnaught class heavy cruiser, the Arquietens class cruiser that Kittani had captured, and a few more CR-90 corvettes. But what surprised Obi-Wan the most was the looming forms of two Munificent class frigates, Separatist ships.
Obi-Wan's attention was pulled back to the base they were about to enter once he heard the hangar door open before them. He smiled at Anakin and Master Yoda standing before them. He watched as Gant walked towards Kittani with a slight limp, his leg bandaged. Kittani hurried towards him too.
Obi-Wan shot a knowing look at Anakin when the two Padawans reached each other and, carefully, pulled one another into a hug.
"Master, Ahsoka, it's good to see you both back safely. And it seems you found some friends." Anakin commented.
Obi-Wan nodded, "Far fewer than we'd hoped, but, a welcome thing nonetheless." He said. "Is everyone here?" He asked.
Anakin nodded, "Yes. Master Yoda is with Padme and the others. Master Kota made it back a few hours ago, bringing those two Munificent frigates with him. He's got some ex-Separatists on his crew, and it seems like they were able to talk the crew and captains of those two ships into joining us."
"Any enemy of the Empire, so long as they've not committed war crimes, is an ally of ours." Obi-Wan said in agreement.
Anakin ran a hand through his hair but was in agreement from what Obi-Wan could tell. But then, his friend turned his attention to their Padawans. "Alright, you two, come on. Both of you need some time in bacta."
Obi-Wan nodded, "Anakin is right, you both have faced many trials in the past two months." He explained. "You've both earned some rest, and we'll need you both in top shape for the coming battles."
The two Padawans nodded, a bit reluctant, but it seemed they could accept that their masters were right. Kittani nodded to Obi-Wan, and the two headed towards the medical bay, Gant leading the way.
Anakin turned his attention back to Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. "Come with me, Master Yoda wants the council to meet." He told them.
It was only fitting that the council would meet in one of the few conference rooms on Polis Massa.
Grand Master Yoda was seated at the head of the table, and Obi-Wan sat to his right, across from Anakin and Padme. Master's Mundi and Kota sat next to him while Master Ti faced Master Yoda.
"Good to see you all in person, it is." Master Yoda started. "Changed, much has. Here from each of you, I wish to."
Anakin started off, "Padme and I established contact with some more allies. Specifically, Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrilla, and Senator Bel Iblis of Corellia. Mothma promised us future support in the form of food shipments, credits, and military aid when possible. She has already contributed some of the ships that are above us at this moment." He said. "In addition, Padme here has a plan." He said, turning the floor over to her.
"After the incident on Corellia, where Anakin and Gant had a run in with the inquisitors, we chose to end our diplomatic voyage. I was not able to talk to everyone I had hoped to. I would like to see about arranging a meeting using heavy encryption that would let me speak with some of my old Senate allies. If done properly, it would be more than safe enough that no one but us would know who was in that meeting, and that the encryption would hide all locations." She stated.
Master Yoda nodded, "Understand, I do. Acceptable, this is. Although, need my permission, you do not." The Grand Master took a breath. "Belong to the Jedi, this fleet should not." He stated in his usual calm tone.
There was a pregnant moment of silence at the table, everyone loaded with questions just waiting to be asked. "W…what do you mean, Master Yoda?" Anakin finally asked. Even Obi-Wan was worried. Had the Grand Master withdrawn his support in some way, did he plan to remove the Jedi from any efforts to stop Palpatine?
Yoda chuckled some, "Worry not. Remove the Jedi from this conflict I will not. Against our oldest enemy, it is." He started. "But, be its leader, the Jedi Order should not. If, restore the Republic we will, then by the people's hand it must be. Hold the Republic's ideals, the leader of this Rebellion must. Lady Skywalker, uphold the Republic's ideas, you always have. The civilian leader of this resistance against the Empire, you must be." He said. "Fight for themselves, the people must."
The table was silent again as the Grand Master's words sank in. Obi-Wan watched Padme curiously as a series of emotions crossed her face. He noticed Anakin place his hand over hers and gave her a nod. Padme took a breath but nodded. "I… I agree, and I accept. After my pregnancy, I'll assume full leadership of our non-Jedi forces, including the clones." She replied.
Master Yoda nodded, "Good, good. Jedi support, you shall have, but lead this war, the Jedi cannot." He said. "Now, Master Kenobi, for us, what news do you have?"
Obi-Wan nodded, "Kittani and I went in search of any remaining Jedi out in the field, and traveled to Kashyyk and Ryloth to do so. We were able to successfully rescue Master Luminara from Kashyyk, but were engaged by Barriss Offee as well. In addition, we tried to rescue a group of Jedi and loyal clones from Ryloth, but we were engaged by heavy inquisitor forces there, and were only able to rescue a few of the group of Jedi." He said.
Master Yoda nodded in understanding, "Rescue as many as possible, you did, thankful, the order is." Master Yoda reassured before turning to Master Kota. "Master Kota, your missions, go, how did they?"
Master Kota stood, stretching some, "My militia has met with relative success in its raids of Imperial targets. We've secured more weapons, supplies, and foodstuffs, including additional proton torpedoes and ion torpedoes." He informed them. "However, our best victories have been in the recovery of several starfighters from salvage yards before they were scrapped. We have been able to recover a large number of V-Wings and Z-95 headhunters. Based on this, we can only expect that the Empire is rapidly retooling factories for its new TIE fighter and is bringing it in as its primary starfighter." He said before smiling. "Our biggest victories, though, came from one of my officers. He was an ex-separatist who defected to me during the war. He returned to his planet covertly and was able to make contact with some separatist remnants there. The captains of those two Munificent frigates agreed to join us. Their crews are made up of living beings mostly, and the few battle droids have been replaced with some astromechs we got ahold of."
"Finally, I've had the starfighter compliments of our fleet reorganized. The Liberation's compliment now consists of Z-95 Headhunters as our primary multi-role starfighter, the continued use of Y-Wing bombers as our main strike starfighter, ARC-170's as a heavy fighter and scout fighter, and Eta-II's as a general space superiority starfighter, although we can only deploy them in a select few squadrons, as their speed and limited armor requires a skilled pilot to make effective use of."
It made sense to Obi-Wan. The Z-95s were more mass-produced than the V-Wings and were faster than the V-19s. In addition, the Eta's were built with Jedi in mind. It would take a skilled non-force sensitive pilot to effectively use one.
"Our other capital ships have each received a squadron of V-Wings. The Arquitens and the CR-90's due to limited hangar space, won't have fighter compliments and will focus on providing point defense for the fleet." He finished.
Anakin was the one to speak up here, "How are the regular pilots going to manage the Eta's agility?" He asked.
Kota smiled, "Well, each Eta unit is going to have a dedicated Astro-Mech that will help the pilot in flight, and we've had our mechanical crews add in any missing instruments that were left out because Jedi didn't need them. In addition, the Eta's will only be piloted by our most able pilots, who are extensively training with them to get used to the fighter."
Master Yoda nodded, satisfied at the answer, before turning to Master Mundi.
Master Mundi nodded, "We've found a suitable planet, it's beyond the outer Rim, but it has plentiful space for plant life, a good atmosphere that is safe for oxygen breathing life forms. It has native flora and fauna that are safe for consumption and that meet the required nutritional requirements we would need. It has good soil and good supplies of fresh water as well, however there were no signs of advanced life on the planet." He said. "With the permission of Master Yoda, and in cooperation with Fulcrum and the refugee group leader Mas, we have prepared to establish a colony there. Supplies have been diverted there in secret, and a group of the Jedi Agri-Corps that came with me has stayed behind to begin preparing an area for a colony to settle there, as well as to begin planting crops. Finally, the planet is strong in the force, it is a place of beauty."
The group all nodded at that, and Obi-Wan spoke his mind. "It will be an excellent place for a new Jedi Temple to be built, for the Order to rebuild itself. In addition, we would be beyond the reach of the Empire. Maybe not forever, but, for the foreseeable future. If we can farm there, it would ease our resource requirements from our allies. And finally, it would give us a location to launch attacks into the galaxy from. Until that planet has the necessary infrastructure, we'll be reliant on outside help to maintain the fleet."
"Obi-Wan's right, but, it's a start for now." Anakin added in. "We need to just be able to have a safe space away from the prying eyes of Sidious."
There was resounding agreement about that at the table.
"Speaking of the Sith, Skywalker, what was this you reported about engaging one?" Kota questioned.
Anakin seemed to deflate some but nodded slowly. "I did. Palpatine's apprentice. It… it isn't Dooku anymore, and if I had to guess, Dooku is dead." He said. "It's… it was Master Windu," Anakin admitted.
Obi-Wan had already known this, Anakin had informed him, but to hear it again made his heart sink and left a sickening feeling in his stomach.
"Were you sure, Anakin?" Master Ti asked. "Mace was so strong in the light side. He embodied much of the Order's ideals." She said.
"I am. I could feel it in the force, as twisted as he had become. It was Master Windu." Anakin reaffirmed. "Whatever they did to him, the end results were bad. He looked to be partially augmented, including a partial mask over his face." Anakin said, holding up his own arm. "But the true darkness that rolled off of him made it clear. Palpatine must have captured Mace and, through whatever means, turned him to the dark side." He said, shivering some.
Master Yoda nodded, "Grave this is, grave indeed." He spoke softly. "Be on our guard we must, determined, Master Windu always was, and, at risk he was at times due to his use of Vaapad. A powerful opponent, he will be."
There was silence for a moment before Padme spoke up again. "I think with that… it may be best to adjourn the meeting." She suggested. "Even though I'm not a Jedi, I can tell when a room full of officials is tired and when the discussion has ended." She said.
Obi-Wan nodded, "I second that motion." He proposed.
Yoda nodded, "Agree, I do. Adjourn, for the time being we shall. Prepare for her own meetings, Lady Skywalker must, and rest, we all should." He added.
It was the middle of the night when Obi-Wan's wrist communicator started to go off and pulled him from sleep. With a slightly irritated sigh, Obi-Wan activated it. "Obi-Wan here." He said.
"Kenobi." Came the voice of Bo Katan Kryze on the other end. Obi-Wan snapped awake at this, sitting up.
"Bo Katan." He started. "What do you need? Are you ready to take Mandalore?" He asked.
There was a slight chuckle, "No, nothing like that quite yet Kenobi, we'll contact your group more officially when it's time for that. All I need is your help specifically right now. We have a person who is wounded. Our own medical facilities can't take care of her wounds fully, and there's no one else I can turn to."
Obi-Wan sighed, "Alright, I'll send out a freigh…." He was interrupted.
"No, trust me on this one, Jedi. You'll want to come in person for this." She said.
It sparked Obi-Wan's curiosity at that moment. Why him personally, beyond his history with Mandalore. He let out another breath. "Alright, I will bring a ship. Just tell me where to meet you." He said.
"Sending the coordinates." Bo Katan said before cutting the call.
Obi-Wan ran a hand through his hair but pushed himself to get up and get dressed. He hated having to do so, but he would have to borrow a ship from Anakin. He quickly dressed and tugged his boots on before grabbing his lightsaber and heading out. Thankfully, Anakin's room was next door.
The door opened before its chime had finished ringing, and Anakin was surprisingly already dressed. "I felt your worry through the force." He explained. "What's up, Obi-Wan?" He asked.
"Bo Katan contacted me. It's not time for the invasion, but she said that they had someone badly wounded that they couldn't take care of fully, I'm guessing she was hoping that the medical bays on the Liberation would be better equipped. I wanted to borrow the Twilight off of you." He said.
Anakin nodded, and, casting one look behind him where Padme stood and nodded at him approvingly, he stepped out of the door. "Then let's go." He said, already starting down the hall.
"What? Anakin, no, you should be here with Padme given how close she is." Obi-Wan explained, knowing how protective Anakin was of his wife and friends.
"And I will be." He smiled. "But you're important to both of us Obi-Wan, and besides, you might need backup this time." Anakin said, his look serious. They both knew what happened the last time Obi-Wan had gone off on his own on a Mandalorian venture.
Obi-Wan let out a breath and nodded, accepting his brother's help. As they made for the ship, however, his mind couldn't help but venture back to his past with Mandalore. Pain welled up that he let pass through him, feeling it and accepting it before letting it pass on to the force. Satine. He could see her face so clearly, and she still appeared in dreams at times. He'd lost her because he'd gone alone. He'd walked into Maul's trap. It was something he still hadn't fully forgiven himself for. He'd lost her.
They dropped from hyperspace near a small space station, tucked away in a field of asteroids. Obi-Wan perked up as Anakin pointed the space station out. It didn't take long for them to be raised on communications.
"Declare yourself or be fired upon." The voice called out.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, here on request." He said.
There was silence for a moment before the voice came back on. "Land at Bay 02, it's marked. No funny business or you won't leave." The voice warned before their communications were cut.
Obi-Wan sighed, Mandalorians, always so direct and willing to threaten. "Well, I guess that's as warm a welcome as we'll be getting." He said.
Anakin nodded, "The usual welcoming from what I've gathered." He said. "Obi-Wan, I know this brings up some bad memories for you, but… just know that you have friends to support you. I won't leave you alone." He said.
Obi-Wan nodded, giving Anakin a look of appreciation. "Thank you, Anakin." He said as their ship touched down in the Hangar itself. "Stay here. I'll recover whoever this wounded person is and be back." He said. "Besides, this way, I've got some backup." He nodded. It wasn't that Obi-Wan feared that he'd be attacked by Bo Katan's troops. It was more the worry that something would go wrong. Force knows it always seemed to. Obi-Wan stood and made his way to the ship's exit ramp.
Bo Katan was waiting there for him along with two of her warriors. "Glad to see you made it in good time Kenobi. I take it you Jedi are managing to keep it together?" She asked.
Obi-Wan nodded, "Oh yes, we've built ourselves up somewhat, actually." He said. "We'll be ready to aid you when the time comes." He explained.
Bo nodded, "I hope so, Jedi. We both underestimated Maul once, but hopefully we can redeem ourselves this time. Come with me. You'll need to meet our patient. She's in Bacta right now, and has been for a while. We've gotten her stable, but, our supplies are running low, and we can't risk the drain with the coming battle. We don't have a surgeon, not even a surgical droid, here. That's why we need your help."
Obi-Wan nodded, "The wound sounds serious." The Mandalorians usually relied on their Beskar armor to protect them from severe wounds. No one usually had to stay in Bacta for a long while.
"It is. We've managed to bring her to a stable state, but the wound still needs care." Bo said as she opened a door for Obi-Wan, letting him into the medical bay. As they made their way back to the bacta tanks, which were separated from the rest of the medical bay by a retractable curtain, she stopped Obi-Wan suddenly.
"There's one final thing. We figured she would want to see you first when she wakes up from the anesthetics." She said before parting the curtain.
Obi-Wan was confused at her words but looked up when the curtain was pulled to the side. Everything in him ground to a halt. His feelings, his emotions, his walls. It all came tumbling down. It felt like his heart stopped for a moment before a mixed series of warmth and regret, of hope and sadness, passed through him.
Floating before him in the tank, her torso wrapped in bandages except for where the angry burn of a lightsaber blade had been left, was Duchess Satine Kryze. Obi-Wan did a good imitation of a fish. His usual calm demeanor cracked open.
"I… wha… how?" He asked.
"We were able to rescue her body before Maul could dispose of it. Her vitals were barely there, but they were there." Bo said, shaking her head. "I allied with him, and it nearly cost me my sister. When I found out she was still living, I did all I could to heal her. She's been in bacta for a long time now." She said. "We'd hoped to heal her, but, as it turns out, lightsaber wounds are far harder to heal than blasters."
Obi-Wan nodded, "She'll need force healing." He said. "We have a healer with us who can help her." He said.
Bo nodded, "Good, then take her with you." She smirked. "After all, you two were lovers. That's why I asked for you to come here. She'll want to see you when she wakes up."
Obi-Wan nodded, "I'm ready." He said.
Bo made a motion, and two other Nite Owl members brought in a grav-litter. Obi-Wan prepared himself. "I'll make sure she doesn't fall." He said, taking a moment to remove his outer cloak. The coverings she was in may have given her some decency, but she'd be freezing when she came out of the tank.
Bo nodded and began to drain the tank. Obi-Wan carefully reached out with the force, wrapping it around Satine as the liquid drain and gravity began to apply to her body again. He waited for the machine to give the all-clear, and the tubes and monitoring systems were removed from her.
Satine began to stir, coughing some from the Bacta and taking in fresher air after so long on life support. Obi-Wan held her up. "Don't worry, Satine, I've got you." He murmured.
The tank door hissed open softly, and Obi-Wan carefully removed Satine from it. He lay his cloak out on the litter and then gently placed Satine down, finally supporting her with his arms as he worked to wrap the cloak around her shivering form.
"Satine?" He asked softly to see if she could hear him. It was clear she was still adjusting to the light, likely still shocked at where she was. But, his voice calmed her.
"O…Obi-Wan?" She asked back.
"Yes, it's me, I'm here." He murmured. "You're going to be okay." his voice trembled far more than he'd hoped it would have.
Her eyes managed to focus on him and on Bo just behind him. "I… I'm so happy to… see you both." She breathed out, the exhaustion and pain starting to hit her. Obi-Wan eased her back onto the stretcher. The Nite Owl's medical officer came in and quickly placed a Bacta patch on both the entrance and exit wound and gave her a shot of something to ease the pain.
Obi-Wan was fighting back tears now. She was back, but he might lose her again if he didn't act quickly. Making sure she was secure in the litter and making sure his cloak was wrapped around her fully, Obi-Wan nodded. "Just rest, Satine. You'll be okay."
"Don't leave me… please, Obi-Wan." She shivered. Obi-Wan could feel everything she was processing. Amazement at being alive. Fear of what was going on. The pain of her wounds. But also an amount of comfort at having him there.
Obi-Wan did the only thing he could think of. Something he'd thought about more than once. He leaned down and kissed Satine's forehead, sending a wave of reassurance and comfort through the force as he spoke. "I'm not going anywhere." He whispered as they moved her towards the ship.
Had she asked, he'd been ready to leave the Jedi order for her. He'd tried to help her when she'd asked. He'd nearly lost her. Now, this was one request he was going to keep in full. Obi-Wan was going to stay by Satine's side. As a Jedi. As a friend. And as someone who loved her. And, so long as the force continued to feel as it did now, in agreement with him, that would be a promise he would never break.
