Chapter 3 – Mission on Teth
Author's Note: In which Anakin, Ahsoka, and Theseus go to Teth. :P
~ Amina Gila
"So, what's it like to be Master Kenobi's padawan?" Ahsoka asks as she and Theseus walk together through the cruiser.
"I could answer that better if we hadn't been in battle almost the whole time," he replies dryly. He's tense from it even now, part of him still feeling sickened. He's a padawan, and he's not used to this, but he's a commander now. Get together, he orders himself. He needs to hold himself together. The clones need him now.
"I heard what happened," Ahsoka says after a moment of pause.
Of course, she did. Obi-Wan probably told her. Him or Yoda. He can't help a flicker of hurt at remembering his former master again. It's not something he wants to talk about, at least not now when there's so many other things they could be discussing. "How's Anakin?"
"Well," She looks slightly surprised, "Fine? I mean, he's a great master but he seems... I don't know."
He frowns. "What?"
"I don't know. Upset, maybe? Not at me, just..."
"I know," Theseus cuts her off. Of course. Anakin is obviously extremely hurt right now.
"What? You know what's wrong?" asks Ahsoka with a frown.
A quiet sigh escapes him. "Yes, I do. He was just knighted and didn't really want Master Obi-Wan to get another padawan so soon. I think he feels... hurt." Rejected, like Theseus has been feeling about Yoda. He knows that's something Ahsoka can relate with, considering the number of masters that have turned her down.
"Oh," she murmurs, looking away.
A heavy silence falls over the two of them for several long moments as they continue walking.
"Hey, we should be able to see each other more now," Ahsoka pipes up finally, "Since Master Kenobi and Master Anakin go places together a lot. Or at least I've heard they did before."
"I hope so," he agrees. "It's been rather lonely not being able to see you like we used to." Attachment or not, he can't help but admit it. She's been his closest friend for years, after all.
"Maybe we should go check on the clones now?" Ahsoka suggests. "They seem rather wary about the mission."
"Sure," he agrees.
**w**
By the time Anakin tracks them down, Ahsoka is over excitedly telling the gathered clones the story of how she apparently picked up a wall and set it down over Anakin's head, which Theseus isn't quite so sure he believes.
One of the clones in the back turns to Anakin. "Is that true, sir?"
"Well, most of it," he offers.
Theseus snorts. "I knew you were getting too carried away in story-telling."
"Hey!" protests Ahsoka.
"All right, men, we still got a job to do," the Jedi Knight reminds.
"Yes, sir. You heard the General, move it!" Rex orders, making a scatter motion. Everyone starts moving away and Ahsoka falls in step next to Anakin as they head to find the gunships. Theseus follows. They'll be exiting hyperspace above Teth and have to get there as soon as possible.
"Would this be a good time to teach you that a Jedi is humble, my young padawan?" Anakin huffs, but there's a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.
"Sorry," she answers remorselessly, "Just trying to keep the boys inspired is all."
"Sure, you were," Theseus smirks.
They've already arrived at the gunships and start heading down towards the surface by the time Obi-Wan finally contacts them again. "All right, Anakin, here's the story. Jabba has given us only one planetary rotation to get his son back home to Tatooine safe and sound."
"Won't take us that long, Master," Anakin assures.
"Well, take extreme care. We have no idea who's holding Jabba's son. When I've finished negotiations with him, I will join you," Obi-Wan declares before the hologram disappears.
"Stay close to me if you can. Both of you," Anakin instructs, glancing at them.
Theseus can't help but be slightly surprised at his seeming concern. Now that Obi-Wan isn't here, he seems a little less tense.
"It won't be a problem, Master," Ahsoka insists.
"This isn't practice, Ahsoka." He sounds genuinely worried.
"I know, and I'll try not to get you killed," she smirks.
"Only try?" Theseus mumbles. The ship suddenly jolts violently, and he's grateful for his tight grip on the handhold. or he would have faceplanted into someone. It's all he needs to remind him that this isn't only a mission; this is war. Another battle, the first without his master. And the second battle he's ever been in.
"Sir! We're taking heavy fire!" the piloting clone calls urgently. A nearby shot jolts the ship once more.
"Close the blast shields, Lieutenant!" Anakin commands. "Get us under those guns."
"Yes, sir!" The doors slide closed, plunging the ship into darkness, only for it to be illuminated by a red light moments later. Theseus blinks at the sudden change in lighting, looking around from beneath his hood to see the clones raising their blasters into a battle-ready position. They're about to land, and with the amount of fire the ship was taking, there must be a lot of droids there. He'd be lying to say he wasn't nervous about this. Ahsoka's eyes are wide, even in the dark, as she looks up at her master.
The ship lands, the lights flash green, and the doors open. Light floods Theseus' vision, and by the time his eyes have adjusted to it, Anakin has already thrown off his outer robes, letting them fall to the ground. He's the first to jump to the ground, the clones following.
Theseus shrugs off his own outer robes – assuming that's what he's supposed to be doing. Ahsoka drops her own to the floor. Theseus leaps out of the ship, Ahsoka following a moment later, her eyes darting about nervously.
He ignites his lightsaber, bolting up the slope after the clones. Blaster shots are already raining down around them. Ahsoka runs after, coming to a stop as she looks up at the top of the wall far ahead of them. An explosion suddenly tears through the air above them, smoke billowing everywhere.
The moment it clears, the droids on top of the wall start shooting down at them. He skids to a stop, joining Ahsoka in deflecting the blaster bolts. A nearby walker fires up at the wall, allowing a temporary pause in the firing.
The two of them race forwards, quickly catching up with Anakin. It doesn't take them much longer to reach the wall and hastily back against it to avoid the worst of the blasterfire. Blaster bolts are still raining down nearby, but it's a safe enough distance away from them. A battle droid falls to the ground in front of them and starts getting up, only to be murdered by its own macrobinoculars which reach the ground a moment later.
Theseus has to withhold a snort. "I'll take this as a lesson to not drop macrobinoculars, ever."
"Good idea," Anakin agrees.
"So, this is where the fun begins," Ahsoka remarks with a grin.
"Race you to the top," her master shoots back.
"I'll give you a head start," the Togruta snips.
"Not a good idea," Theseus warns.
"Your mistake," Anakin retorts.
Everyone sprints away from the wall and Anakin Force-leaps into the air, catching onto an accession cable. Theseus darts over, beginning to pull himself up one nearby.
"I'm right behind you, Master!" Ahsoka yells from Anakin's other side.
Bracing himself against the wall and tightly holding onto the cable with his other hand, he spins the lightsaber to block bolts that the droids start firing down at them. This is going to be a lot more difficult than fighting on level ground. The fact that Anakin is right next to him makes him feel oddly better about it.
They all begin pulling themselves up the wall. Theseus does his best not to imagine what might happen if he slipped and fell, focusing his attention on clinging to the cable and pulling himself up, foot by foot. He does not excel in climbing. Why did it have to be so important in his second battle?
The walkers have started ascending, and he can see the blaster bolts barely missing it. They'll need to keep those things intact on the way up. They'll be really useful against all those droids. That gives him an idea.
"Those might give us a free lift," he calls over to Ahsoka, motioning to the walkers.
"Yeah, good point. And we could help cover them," she agrees.
"Be careful," Anakin warns from above. "You'll be right in the center of fire."
"I'm insulted you thought I could be Master Yoda's padawan and not know how to take care of myself," he calls back.
"Just a fair warning!" he yells back over the shooting.
Pushing herself off the wall, Ahsoka flies through the air, landing right next to a nearby walker and pulling herself onto it.
Theseus swings over to her walker, landing on top. He glances to the other which is currently taking heavier fire. He kicks off the wall, using the force of it to swing over to the walker while holding onto the cable. He pulls himself up towards the front of the walker, instantly jumping forwards to block several blasts from one of the large droids on the top that would probably have otherwise severely damaged it.
The walker fires up at the top of the wall, an explosion sending droid parts flying everywhere, one of the falling parts nearly dislodging him from his position. He continues spinning the lightsaber defensively as the walker slowly continues ascending. This isn't his favorite position to be in, but at least it's better than climbing with only a cable to hold onto.
Danger sudden flares through the Force and he turns to see several battle droids on speeders zooming towards the walkers, shooting. They whiz straight over Ahsoka while they fire, dislodging the walker's front feet from the wall. Then, they come for him. Ahsoka's walker is slowly starting to tip backwards and his panic is rapidly rising – because she just can't fall and and and – but he raises his emerald blade to deflect the first shot.
The other walker tips back far enough to send Ahsoka tumbling, frantically catching a grip on the back side of it. His moment of distraction and a sudden jolt from the walker throws him off balance. Theseus stumbles, struggling to regain his balance as the walker struggles to properly reattach itself. The droids sail past him and turn around, flying back. Another blast nearby is enough to throw him off backwards, but he manages to catch the side, barely.
The droid's next blast hits Ahsoka's walker, nearly dislodging her. Anakin kicks himself off the wall, landing on Ahsoka's walker for a moment before flipping onto one of the approaching droid's speeders. He moves almost in a blur, cutting the droid in half before jumping onto the next one. Finally, he reaches the last one, spinning around and taking control of it himself.
"Gotta keep up!" Anakin calls as whizzes past Ahsoka and Theseus, speeding for the top of the wall.
"Hey! No fair!" Ahsoka shouts.
"I told you not to give him a head start!" Theseus reminds.
"You don't need to rub it in," she huffs.
Anakin speeds up towards the top of the wall, shooting down a bunch of the droids along the way. With most of the droids along the wall taken care of, it's a lot easier for the walker to continue its way up the wall. Moments later, Anakin disappears over the top of the wall.
"Well, we're definitely losing this round," he grumbles.
"I can still race you to the top," Ahsoka shoots back, leaning down to look in the window of the walker, "Get this thing moving!"
"Don't count on it," he warns.
Just then, pieces of destroyed droids come flying over the top of the wall, a random battle droid piece nearly bonking him on the heal.
Of course, Ahsoka has to beat him to the top by a few moments, blasting apart the three destroyer droids that rolled up in front of Anakin. Theseus doesn't quite catch their brief exchange as his walker makes its way over the edge.
He hurries to join Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex where they're standing in the center of the platform, surrounded by destroyed droids.
"Beat you," Ahsoka states with a smirk.
"Don't get cocky about it," Theseus quips, "You won't next time."
"Too many droids here for them to be renegades," remarks Rex, looking around.
"I sense Count Dooku's hand in this," Anakin notes, "Let's find Jabba's son and get out of here."
"No problem," Ahsoka chirps, "The hard part's over."
"I wish you wouldn't say that," Anakin mumbles.
"We don't know what's waiting in there for us," Theseus points out. Hopefully not as many droids as there were out here, because even with all his training, the battle is seriously beginning to wear him out.
Without further hassle, the three Jedi head for the entrance of the monastery, the clones following them. The door slides open, revealing the almost completely dark interior. As they enter, Theseus is almost certain that for a moment he senses a very dark presence nearby, but he doesn't see anyone anywhere. He's completely tense again. It feels like there's something waiting in the shadows. Like this was a trap.
"I don't like this place," Rex asserts from behind him. "It gives me the creeps." Theseus cautiously reaches out with the Force, trying to sense for any nearby life forms.
The sudden sound of approaching footsteps ends Anakin and Ahsoka's quiet conversation about the type of monastery this is. They all look up to see a protocol droid approaching them.
"Good guy or bad guy, master?" Ahsoka asks.
"Who are you?" Anakin demands, igniting his lightsaber and pointing it at the droid.
"Merely the humble caretaker, O might sir, You have liberated me from those dreadful battlebots. I am most thankful," it replies. Well, at least it doesn't seem to be hostile, not that there's much a protocol droid could do against them anyway.
"Where is the Hutt?" Anakin demands.
"The battlebots kept their prisoners on the detention level. I must warn you it is very dangerous down there, my friend." The protocol droid looks over at Ahsoka. "Not a place for a servant girl."
Anger flashes through Ahsoka's eyes as she ignites her lightsaber by the droid's face. "Do servant girls carry these?" she snaps, "I am a Jedi Knight, or soon will be."
"A thousand apologies, young one," the droid hastily amends.
It retreats back down the hall and Anakin turns to the others. "Captain, we'll get the Hutt. Stay here and keep your eyes open."
"Copy that, sir."
"Theseus, stay with them," Anakin adds, heading down the dark hallway, Ahsoka one step behind.
Theseus waits until they disappear from sight before returning outside. They have to wait for the others' return now. He can't shake off the gloomy feel hanging in the air from the deaths of the clones during the assent, though. It's lingering in the Force, permeating the atmosphere.
It isn't long before the two return, Ahsoka carrying a very small slug-like creature. It smells horrible. Theseus has to refrain from grumbling about it when they go to call Obi-Wan.
"Did you locate Jabba's son?" he inquires.
"We have him, but it looks like the Separatists are behind his abduction," declares Anakin.
"This smells like Count Dooku to me," Obi-Wan murmurs.
"I think it's little Stinky you smell," Ahsoka chirps, holding up the Huttlet.
Theseus snorts at the name. "I happen to agree." She must be going through one of her nickname-creating phases again.
"I'll bet Dooku is using this to get Jabba to join the Separatists," Anakin remarks.
"Master Kenobi, we have another problem," Ahsoka says. Another problem? What this time? "This Huttlet is very sick. I'm not sure if we can get him back to Tatooine alive." And if he dies... then they're probably going to end up creating problems for the Republic instead of finding solutions, since Hutts are pretty unreasonable like that. This doesn't sound good at all.
"This whole operation may backfire on us," Obi-Wan mutters, obviously thinking along the same lines.
"I still don't think dealing with Hutts is a good idea," Anakin grumbles.
"Anakin, you know they control the shipping routes in the Outer Rim," Obi-Wan reminds, "Jabba's cooperation is crucial to the war effort. If anything happens to his son, our chances of a treaty will disappear with him."
Just then, Theseus hears the sudden sound of approaching engines. Ahsoka is already looking up, scanning the sky. "Master? We've got trouble," she warns. A group of vulture droids swoop down towards the platform.
"Defensive positions," Anakin yells, looking over at the clones. Everyone immediately scrambles to get into position as the droids open fire.
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asks urgently.
"I'll have to call you back," he says. "We're under attack and could use a little help here if you have time."
"I'll get there as soon as I can. Protect the Huttlet at all costs," the Jedi Master cautions before the connection breaks.
Anakin instantly ignites his lightsaber, swinging it to deflect the shots from the vulture droids. Theseus positions himself in front of Ahsoka and the Huttlet, reigniting his emerald lightsaber.
"We've got spiders inbound!" shouts a clone. Looking up, Theseus sees a large group of droids marching towards through a nearby entrance, including several spider droids and long lines of super battle droids. Not again.
Artoo quickly flies out of the ship they were using to talk to Obi-Wan as a blast strikes it, and it explodes into flames.
"Get inside," Anakin calls over his shoulder as the walkers they brought start firing back at the Separatist forces.
Dodging the blaster bolts raining down around him, Theseus runs into the monastery after Ahsoka. The clones slowly begin backing into the building as well, with Anakin still in the front. The Knight finally ducks under the closing entrance door before it slams shut, locking the droids out. For now. Theseus knows they don't have long before they break through.
"Captain, we'll stay here until General Kenobi arrives with reinforcements," Anakin decides.
"I'm not sure if we have that long," Theseus murmurs with a frown, the darkness of the interior of the building only serving to set him more on edge. What if they end up getting over run? He doesn't think that would happen, but it's still a possibility. Many of the clones have been killed already.
"Master, do you honestly think we can hold them off that long?" Ahsoka agrees. "We've got to find a way out of here."
"Our mandate is to protect this Huttlet, and that's what we're going to do," Anakin decides.
"Our mandate was to get the Huttlet back to Tatooine, and time is running out," the Togruta protests.
"I suppose you have a plan," Anakin states more than asks.
"Yes, or I think so, Artoo willing," she replies.
"Alright, Snips, I'll trust you on this one," her master agrees, looking faintly amused, before turning to Rex. "Captain, hold them off here as long as you can."
"You heard the General," Rex orders, turning to his brothers. "Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal!"
"So, what's your plan?" Theseus asks as the three Jedi make their way into another room of the building, one where they finally spot a computer port.
"If there's a way out of here, Artooie will find it," she explains. Artoo rolls over, plugging into a computer port.
"Make it quick," Anakin advises.
"Looks like... Stinky is finally sleeping," Theseus observes, eyeing the Huttlet.
"Put him down," Anakin says, taking a seat on ledge nearby. "Get some rest yourself. It's been a long day for you, little one." Theseus sits down nearby, careful to keep his distance. Anakin certainly wasn't very happy about him being there earlier, and he doesn't want to risk upsetting him even more. Besides, he's exhausted. He isn't used to this. Long days are one thing, but he hasn't slept other than a short nap on the way to Teth. There wasn't time for much other than that. Or there was, except he didn't realize how important it would be.
"I can hold him, Master," Ahsoka insists, "I'm not tired." For some reason, Theseus seriously doubts that. Even he's tried, and he's fought in one more battle than Ahsoka has. He's pretty sure she's probably trying to prove herself.
"Okay, suit yourself," Anakin sighs, "I don't see why you won't listen to me."
"I do listen to you, Master," she objects. "I just don't like being treated like a youngling." Oh, so Theseus was right. That is the problem, then. He's tempted to interject but decides against it. It's best to let the two of them bond in peace.
"You must have patience. What are you trying to prove anyway?"
"That I'm not too young to be your padawan."
Anakin sighs, standing up and stepping over to her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Ahsoka, a very wise Jedi once said, 'nothing happens by accident.' It is the will of the Force that you are at my side. I just want to keep you there in one piece."
Her fears finally seeming placated, Ahsoka moves to sit down on the ledge, in between Anakin and Theseus. Through the silence and without anything to distract himself with, his concerns start resurfacing. What if the Separatist forces are too much for the clones to hold off? Many people have died already, and only more are going to go down.
Artoo suddenly whistles, projecting a small hologram of the layout of the building. "A backdoor landing platform," Anakin realizes as he looks down at it.
"I guess we found our escape route," Theseus chirps.
"Lead the way, Artoo," the Jedi Knight says. The droid beeps in acknowledge, rolling towards the door, the padawans hurrying after.
"Wait!" Anakin calls after them, "Where's Stinky?" They both look back to see Anakin holding an empty backpack.
"You told me to put him down!" the Togruta protests.
"Well, we better find him," Theseus mumbles, glancing around the room. He couldn't be far. A sudden quiet sound draws everyone's attention to the floor. They kneel down to look under the nearby ledge. Sure enough, the Huttlet is crawling around underneath it. Anakin reaches under, pulling it out by its tail.
"Get outta there, you grubby little slug," he grumbles under his breath.
"That's like, very rude," Theseus interjects.
"He can't even understand Basic."
"Still. Your tone got the point across. And picking him up by his tail."
Stinky wails as Anakin places him back in the backpack which Ahsoka is wearing again.
"It didn't hurt him," Anakin insists.
"If you say so." They're about to head for the door again when Anakin's comm beeps.
"Anakin, come in," Rex calls. All three Jedi stop, frowning at each other.
"Anakin?" repeats Ahsoka in confusion.
"We've held the droids, sir," Rex says, and Theseus gets the distinct feeling that something is very wrong.
"That's not like Rex," Anakin frowns.
"What is your location?" the Captain presses.
"Ventress," he realizes suddenly.
"Dooku's assassin?" Theseus and Ahsoka exclaim at once.
Anakin nods. "She's here to kill the Hutt. Come on."
Final Notes: If you want to join our Discord to receive updates or just hang out, here's the invite link, and please delete the spaces! :) discord . gg / nqSxuz2
We also have a tumblr account (and delete the spaces): fanfictasia . tumblr . com
And! We have a YT channel for tributes! Please delete the spaces in the link. :D youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
Finally, if you're interested, you can submit a SW gift fic request via the following form (delete the spaces): forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6