Chapter 13

Bothawui, Mid Rim

Expansive and vibrant, the main spaceport on Bothawui rivaled that of Coruscant. The magnitude and vastness of this major transport hub was awe inspiring. So many ships entered and left throughout the day and well into the night that it was hard to keep track. Time was meaningless as business continued on an endless cycle. And that's what made it so ideal. Ahsoka and Obi Wan pulled into one of the small hubs as they watched the bustling traffic above them. A chaotic mess. Lanes of speeders crisscrossed with large freighter ships, and even a republic cruiser or two passed above them, somehow avoiding a collision with one another.

A center for espionage with their renowned Spynet, Bothawui provided intelligence for the Republic and the Separatists. Historically neutral, they have no loyalties to whom they provide information; therefore, they were also not above bribery. The Bothans prized gathering information above all else. What happens to that information is of no concern to them.

"How are we going to find the contact in this place? It'll take days just to get around this spaceport!" Ashoka stated frustratedly as she unbuckled herself out of her seat.

Rolling the silver puck in his hand, Obi Wan responded, "Let's hope that our unfortunate early termination with our business partners hasn't gone noticed, and this puck is still viable. It contains the coordinates and time we're supposed to rendezvous."

"What if Choira or someone worse knows what happened or who we really are?"

"Then we may be heading into a trap."

"That's just wonderful. Any way we can avoid this?"

"Not unless you want to frighten them away and risk any leads to Maul?"

Ahsoka chewed on her bottom lip.

Obi Wan offered some comfort, "Rest assured, Choira made it clear that he didn't care who actually did the transaction-only that it gets done. That means someone will most likely show up. If they have any awareness about our plan, then the worst case scenario will be that they'll kill us." He states this as casually as he would be remarking about the weather that day.

"Are we allowed to kill them first?" She joked sarcastically, not really putting any meaning into her words.

"Not if you want to find Maul." He quipped back just as quickly.

"No offense, Master Kenobi but I really wish Anakin was here right now." Ahsoka teased lightly.

"No offense taken. I agree his methods are more direct than mine. I apologize that you are left to persevere through my more particular and fickle way of handling things." He smiled, returning the light hearted tease.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Alright, lead us to our doom," she added with a dramatic flair that would make Anakin proud.

They navigated the seemingly endless winding corridors in the spaceport. Had they been accompanied by a droid, this would have gone a lot smoother—Obi Wan's stubbornness shown through as he refused to ask for directions. Ahsoka, however, had no issues and asked the nearest droid for the building they seek. It was vague enough so that their true intentions on the planet wouldn't be revealed and would get them to the right place in a timely manner.

"This is it. 3A-1313. I do not sense any disturbances in the Force." Obi Wan remarked with more relief in his words than he expected.

"It's now or never." Ahsoka steeled herself for whatever awaited them behind that door.

Obi Wan nodded to Ahsoka then punched in the passcode to unlock the door. Sliding open with a silent swoosh, they cautiously stepped into the room. Each step was slowly and intentionally taken as they reached out into the Force to help brace them for any potential threats.

The room was a decently sized waiting area barren of any aesthetics or comfort. Designed to be functional, it lacked any decor or windows, just bare, cold durasteel walls lit with an unkind florescent white light from above. A large rectangular flat cargo lifter sat in the corner, powered up it would levitate and move cargo from the waiting area and down the dark corridor that leads to the private landing pad on the other side. Or vice versa.

They stopped in the middle of the room, sensing a presence in the corridor. Still dressed as the spice runners, their blasters hung on their sides visibly. With a Jedi's disciple, they willed their hands to be still by their sides while their focus laid on their blasters.

The voice in the dark hallway called out to them. "Drop your blasters on the ground!"

"How do we know you don't have one pointed at us?" Ahsoka questioned in a calm, steady tone.

"You don't." The voice replied.

There was little room for negotiations as they knew this person held all the cards. They refuse, and the person walks away-end of the transaction. Wearily, they glanced at each other and slowly pulled off their blasters and slid it across the floor towards the darkened hallway.

"Do you have the puck?" The voice responded.

Obi Wan produced the silver round object. "We do. And you?"

Stepping into the light, the male human wearing a red shirt and worn out trousers displayed his puck. Something felt off about this person, but Obi Wan couldn't figure out why. The clothes didn't match the face, which was well kempt and clean shaven while his face held a sharp and stern composure. He sensed a great discipline from this individual, far more than the average spice runners he's run into the past.

Obi Wan played along and brought the two pucks together. With a quick glance over, he noticed the young man's hands were clean, absent of dirt or grime around his fingernails, which were well trimmed. Obi Wan's focus shifted as a soft ping emitted from both pucks, which briefly illuminated green before returning to its previous color. Despite himself, Obi Wan let out a soft sigh, noticing the other party did as well, then winched as the man's fist intersected with his abdomen. Hunched over more in surprise, he was impressed with the man's speed as he felt him quickly twist the hand holding the puck behind Obi Wan's back, stepped behind, and pointed the end of a blaster at his head.

The man barked, "Hands on your head! Or your friend here is toast!"

Ahsoka dropped into ready position as soon as the red shirt man punch Obi Wan in the gut. The second before she drew her hidden lightsaber, she made eye contact with Obi Wan. He gave her the briefest of head shake as his eyes were trained on her.

There's something wrong with the situation and Obi Wan wanted to see it play out, "Do as he says."

She thinned her lips, and although she was in disagreement with his course of action, she trusted him. Obi Wan could easily disarm the man holding him, but he withheld intentionally waging that he wouldn't be shot in the head. Slowly she put her hands up in the air, hoping Obi Wan won't regret this.

The man ordered firmly, "Now, turn around."

She did as she was told and faced away from them with her hands on her montrals. Looking up at the ceiling, she could feel Obi Wan calm through the Force. Irritated wouldn't be the word to describe Ahsoka's feelings with how tranquil Obi Wan currently was. Her gut told her this was wrong. Per their previous conversation on their ship, she expressed concerns about getting caught. Now it seems that their cover was blown and they would be executed.

Obi Wan felt the man reach for his puck then slid in front of Obi Wan with his blaster now pointed at his face. Even before the young man had asked, he put both of his hands upon his head the same way Ahsoka had. Gesturing with the blaster, the man ordered Obi Wan to turn around. He did as he was told and smiled at Ahsoka as he faced her, causing her to share an annoyed look with him. Metal clinking together caught his attention as the man swiftly put away Obi Wan's puck, pulled out some binders, pulled down the Jedi's arms one by one to secure his hands behind his back. Stepping on the back of Obi Wan's knees, he yanked the spice runner to the ground by his bounded arms. Thoughtfully, Obi Wan was impressed by the man's clean, swift movements. It spoke to him of being well trained. The man exuded prudence by the way he secured him both quickly and efficiently, and how well he held his internal fear at bay.

Ahsoka obeyed as the same was done to her. She fell to her knees with a grunt adjusting her shoulders with her hands cuffed with binders. She noted the amused look on Obi Wan's face failing to understand what was so funny.

Commander Ageelil, breathing hard from the endeavor, stood back up admiring his handiwork and faced them, "You are under arrest by order of the Naboo Royal Security Force!"

Obi Wan eyes went wide, "Wait, what? Oh no, you…" Commander Ageelil punched him in the face for his insolence.

He snapped at him, "Silence! You've been caught in illegal spice smuggling. You'll have to answer to the Head of Naboo Security."

Obi Wan stretched out his jaw, it still stung from his punch. Opting, for now, to keep his mouth shut.

Ahsoka scooted over to Obi Wan as Retep spoke into the comm on his wrist. "Are you ok?"

Obi Wan leaned over, offered a small smile, and whispered, "Yes, but I think we have a small problem with our plan."

Ahsoka let out a small laugh, "I suppose this is better than getting offed by Choira's goons." She glanced over at the officer arresting them thinking what a terrible mistake this is. "Maybe we can talk to whoever this Head of Security is? They must know Anakin and…."

Ahsoka stopped mid sentence, their heads spinning as they watched the young officer saluted his Captain. A tall and dark shadow materialized from the hallway.

"Well. Well. Well. What do we have here?" Anakin crossed his arms with an amused smirk on his face. He chuckled to himself as he knelt down in front of them.

"I was expecting someone else. Why are you here?"

Obi Wan let out a massive sigh of relief, "Thank goodness it's you Anakin. We…wait. You're the head of Naboo Royal Security Force?"

Anakin frowned, "You don't have to look so surprised." A touch of hurt embedded in his words.

"Oh, no. Anakin!" Obi Wan recalled a faint, familiar tremor in the Force but ignored it as he dealt with the situation on hand. Despite his current condition, he found himself smiling broadly. "I'm very proud of you. That's a great accomplishment." He paused for a moment, "I thought you would have told me that's all."

Anakin looked away a little guilty. It was his intent to surprise Obi Wan the next time he visited Naboo, "Well, you have been hard to get a hold of lately."

"Oh, yes. I have been busy." Obi Wan offered a shrug in his captive state.

"I can see that." Anakin added lightly as he raised an eyebrow.

Leaning forward, Ahsoka interjected delightfully, "It's good to see you again, Anakin. Congratulations on your position." She stated sincerely.

Anakin laid eyes on his former padawan and gave her a warm, brotherly smile, "What are you doing getting mixed up with this guy?" Pointing at Obi Wan with his thumb. "Wherever he goes, trouble seems to follow him." He quipped ironically, knowing full well it's usually Obi Wan that remarks that about Anakin.

Ahsoka let out a quiet chuckle.

Obi Wan rolled his eyes and retorted, "Oh, I'm so glad you guys are having a laugh at my expense."

Retep cleared his throat off to the side, clearly confused by the interactions.

Anakin had forgotten about him amidst their little reunion. He stood back up and ushered Retep to come closer.

"This is Commander Retep Ageelil. He's my second in command." He put his arm around Retep's shoulders, pointing to the two knelt on the ground, "And these troublemakers, are my friends, Obi Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano."

The color drained from Retep's face as he recognized the names of Anakin's famous friends, "I'm sorry that I punched you in the stomach, sir!" He added sheepishly. "And…in the face."

Anakin laughed heartily as he patted Retep on the back, "It's alright! I've wanted to do that to Obi Wan for years!"

Obi Wan just glared with icy blue eyes as Anakin looked away and shrugged it off with a half smirk.

"So this reunion is touching and all but," Ahsoka gestured to her hands bound behind her. "Anakin, are you going to uncuff us?"

Silence.

Anakin just stared at them thoughtfully, at his dear long time friends which whom he shared some of the most challenging times and happiest. Helplessly, they knelt before him with their hands cuffed behind them on their knees-at his mercy.

Obi Wan and Ahsoka berated him together, "Anakin!"

Anakin snorted, having way too much fun at his friends' expense, "Alright." He stated exasperatedly as if it was a horrible, difficult task. He rolled his eyes, "I suppose I should release you two." He motioned to Retep to come over.

As Retep uncuffed them, Anakin watched his friends tenderly rubbed their sore wrists from the binders. He chuckled to himself as he reminisced. It's only been a couple months since he last saw Ahsoka and even longer since he conversed with Obi Wan, but he felt different now. His life changed dramatically; he felt like a different person now yet he couldn't deny the comfortable familiarity of being around them. And that was so often the case with good friends. Time or distance couldn't break the bonds formed, and it was so easy to shift back into the familiarness of deep, profound friendships.

A smirk crossed Anakin's face more appropriate to a Sith. "I know times have been hard for you two but falling into spice smuggling?" He shook his head in a teasing manner as he clicked his tongue. "I mean, if you needed credits, you could have just asked me and I would have helped you out."

"Your sense of humor is as dry as ever," Obi Wan replied wearily as he stood up and rubbed his sore jaw. "We were on the trail of someone before we ran into you."

"Let me guess. Crimson Dawn? Yeah, they were smuggling spice from one of Naboo's mining colonies. We traced them here to you guys hoping to find out more about the Crimson Dawn connection."

Ahsoka stepped in, "We were sent here by a dealer by the name of Choira. Our hope was to complete the transaction and find out the location of Crimson Dawn's whereabouts."

Anakin raised a troubled eyebrow, "Going after crime lords? Man, you guys must be awfully bored or overconfident. Even for you two, trying to taking down Crimson Dawn is risky business. I don't know if I like you guys getting so involved with them."

"We're not looking to dismantle Crimson Dawn. We're looking for a particular individual," Ahsoka countered.

"Dryden Vos?"

"No, Anakin. Maul." Obi Wan stated darkly.

Anakin couldn't hold back his astonishment. "Maul!? I thought he was being held captive on Coruscant."

Obi Wan flashed him one of his wise all knowing stares like he did when he held the winning hand at sabacc, "I see you haven't heard the news."

Anakin recalled briefly hearing about Maul's escape, but with everything happening on Naboo he didn't pay too much attention to it.

"This sounds like a really bad idea. You two are in way over your heads. You're only going to get yourselves killed," Anakin stated as concern rose in his voice.

Ahsoka offered, "That's why you should join us. It's by the will of the Force that we ended up here together. Like you said, Maul is a dangerous person. We need your help!"

Anakin shifted his weight, his back to his friends, as he brushed his hand through his hair with his conscious riddled with conflict. Remembering the vision he had in his meditation, the red and black that he saw, it must have been a warning about Maul. His lips thinned and he clenched his fists as he turned around.

"Look, I want Maul just as bad as you guys do but I didn't come here looking for this."

Obi Wan stated flatly, "Rarely do these things happen when we are prepared for them."

Anakin found himself saying, "I can't just drop everything and go with you! I have a planet to protect. I have responsibilities!" And his children and wife waiting at home for him. Padmé is going to be so upset if she knew about this.

Obi Wan's voice was filled with compassion as he placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I'm sorry to spring this on you, old friend. It puts you in a difficult position. I understand if you can't join us."

Anakin regarded his former Master's words with sadness. His understanding of Anakin's position only made his guilt worse. "I have prisoners to take back to Naboo." Anakin offered weakly-his voice hinting at the conflict inside.

Undoubtedly, they will need his help. This was absolutely dangerous and yet he couldn't abandon his responsibilities or Retep. Torn between his logical mind and the beseeching of his heart, he was paralyzed by the lack of a better option.

In that instant, Retep spoke up, announcing his presence, as he had been quietly watching. "Sir, I can take them back for you."

Anakin rubbed his temple with both his hands at the outrageous request, "How? You barely learned how to fly!"

Right then, R2D2 came rolling in proudly right on cue. His timing always immaculate. If he could puff out his droid chest he would. Offering his assistance, R2 beeped that he can fly Anakin's ship back to Naboo and how he had done that for Anakin in his starfighter several times, in the past, when he was knocked unconscious.

The latter earning a winch on Anakin's face as he wished R2 didn't reveal that fact to them or to anyone for that matter. His pride took a hit.

Ahsoka chimed in, "Artoo is right. Anakin did get knocked out a lot come to think of it." As she recalled, pensively tapping a finger to the side of her cheek.

Anakin looked at her incredulously as she added insult to injury. "Was that really necessary?"

Ahsoka just shrugged innocently at him. "I'm only stating the facts."

Retep felt the uncomfortable tension in the room and cleared his throat, "It's ok, sir. I can handle this. I can watch over things while you are gone. I wouldn't do anything you wouldn't do, sir."

Obi Wan amusingly watched the interactions. At Retep's comments, he held his tongue about the unwise choices Anakin had made in the past. Perhaps Anakin had finally grown up. As much as Obi Wan wanted Anakin's help, he understood his hesitation and felt a sense of pride with the caution Anakin was exhibiting. The young gentlemen with him seemed to look up to Anakin a great deal, and from the short interaction he had with him, he surmised that he was quite capable. Ultimately, the decision would still be Anakin's

After all these years, Obi Wan still felt the need to protect Anakin, whether physically or emotionally, even though he wasn't that nine year old boy from Tatooine anymore. Old habits die hard.

Not wanting to make it harder for Anakin, he pivoted towards the door, "We'll be on our way then."

Ready with a protest, Ahsoka stood her ground and met with Obi Wan's slight shake of his head again and she was wise enough to yield to the moment and ask questions later. After sharing a glance with Anakin she made her way to the door with Obi Wan.

Watching as they departed, Anakin clenched his jaw and made his decision.

"Wait, Obi Wan." He looked at Retep then back at his two friends.

Turning to Retep and pointing at the comm on his wrist, "You contact me the moment you run into any trouble. Go straight to Naboo and nothing else. Is that clear?"

R2 rolled up to Anakin promising to watch over Retep. It warmed his heart as he adored this little droid. Obi Wan saw R2 as just another droid and replaceable but he wasn't. A wedding present from Padmé, R2 was the only real possession he had as a Jedi and the little droid never let him down. In fact, he was more reliable than most living beings.

"You too, Artoo. I'm counting on you, buddy. Get Retep safely to Theed and keep an eye on those prisoners."

R2D2 rolled up to his master's feet and whirled his head unit around. There was a time for sass and a time for sincerity and the little droid understood the situation's seriousness. Anakin's shoulder's relaxed visibly as he patted the droid's head affectionately.

"Oh, one more thing." Anakin turned once again to Retep. "If Advisor Amidala asks about me-" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Let her know I'll home in a couple days."

Anakin sealed his fate with those words hoping not to regret them. He planned to be home in a couple days. That was his intention and he will make sure that happens. Retep gave him a slow nod before saluting him respectfully then disappeared down the darkened corridor with R2D2 in tow.

Turning back to face his friends-Ahsoka Tano and Obi Wan Kenobi-Anakin took in the magnitude of what they were about to attempt. They regarded each other's presence silently cherishing the moment. The three of them were together again.

Anakin broke the silence, "Alright. Let's go get Maul."

A/N: Anakin is definitely in trouble with Padmé. There's a scene with Padmé where this gets hashed out once things are said and done. I have it partially written. Anakin isn't a perfect guy and still learning how to navigate an open marriage and communicating with his wife. The problems with a secret marriage is that they can't ask anyone for advice how marriage works.

I have an outline of the full story and I fill in the blanks. I tend to jump around and write bits and pieces of the story as inspiration hits me. Sometimes it's hard to sit down and write a full chapter in a linear fashion. Does anyone else do that?