Chapter 30 – Death Squadron

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD

Author's Note: In which Obi-Wan gets a mission, and a speech is given... ;)

We have finished a second tribute for Vader on our YT channel. Check it out if you're interested. :P No spaces in the link: youtu . be / TrRylvLR0fE

~ Amina Gila

It's only been a few hours since Obi-Wan has managed to get Anakin settled in his quarters when Dooku comes to the door. The Count's expression is serious, and the faint hint of concern whispering into the Force worries Obi-Wan. What could have happened now?

"How is he?" queries Dooku.

"Better," Obi-Wan answers honestly, "I talked to him, and I think it helped. He needs some time to recover himself. I don't think he should be alone for now either." While Anakin isn't suicidal that he's seen, leaving him to stew in his own thoughts isn't the best idea. Obi-Wan doesn't want to make Anakin's depression worse by leaving him be. He seems to thrive under personal, undivided attention, and it makes Obi-Wan glad to see Anakin acting more… normal.

Dooku's relief is palpable. "Good," he declares firmly, hesitating slightly. "Sidious contacted me," he admits finally. "He has a new mission for you, and it's one which I don't believe you will like." He inhales slowly before continuing, and the fact that he's putting off speaking is making Obi-Wan feel antsy.

"Within a week, you, Anakin, and Tano are to record a public broadcast decrying the corruption within the Republic and maintaining that the Jedi Order has fallen into the trap and become complacent. It will be released on news outlets across the galaxy," Dooku explains. "You must state your intention to join forces with the Confederacy of Independent Systems until such time as the Republic and Order can correct their failings."

Obi-Wan is struck speechless. He had expected an undercover mission, but this is something else entirely. It's going public with a narrative which can only hurt their future cause. Is this Sidious' attempt to discredit them in the eyes of the galaxy and the Republic when they later try to defeat him? Or is it something else? Something bigger which none of them can see? "I don't really understand what Sidious has to gain by such a move," he admits.

The Count inclines his head in quiet agreement. "It is possible that he wishes to be able to use you more openly, and also, the Republic is now aware that Anakin and Tano have allied with me. The Council likely suspects that you have as well."

Obi-Wan sighs lightly, stroking his beard. "Well, it could have been worse," he concedes.

Dooku raises an eyebrow. "Sidious also intends to plan for another Jedi to be captured, and he wants you to discreetly aid in the subsequent escape. You are meant, for all intents and purposes, to appear to be a Republic spy. He wants the Council to believe you are still sympathetic and working undercover to thwart the Sith's plans."

That… isn't going to be difficult either, but Obi-Wan isn't terribly keen on the thought of deceiving the Jedi and Republic in such a manner. It's one thing to ally with Anakin and Dooku against Sidious. It's quite another to begin playing manipulative games. This is what Sidious wants, he reminds himself. The Sith Master wants everything to be solely under his control, and they'll have to try and remain one step ahead of him which is hard, considering that they don't even know what he's planning. If nothing else, Obi-Wan can take consolation in the knowledge that whatever he does will be at Dooku's direction. His game of being a spy won't be done alone.

"I'll do it, of course, but I think there's a reason behind this which is going to hurt us," Obi-Wan confesses. "It's to be expected, I suppose."

"Yes," Dooku murmurs, "You had best relay the news to Anakin."

**w**

It takes a few days of planning and preparation before Obi-Wan decides that they can record their broadcast, one which will naturally need approval from Sidious before it can be released. He's standing in the center, slightly in the front, Anakin on his right and Ahsoka on his left. They're wearing their normal clothing, lightsabers clipped in plain sight. As per their agreement, Obi-Wan will be doing most of the talking.

"This is Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi," he begins. "I followed Anakin Skywalker away from Geonosis with my Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. I have been given a unique opportunity to better understand the conflict which is tearing the galaxy apart while I have traveled to numerous systems. All my life, I have supported the Republic as a member of the Jedi Order, but time has given me the benefit of hindsight."

He raises his chin ever so slightly, eyes hardening. While he might not fully believe every word he is speaking, he does feel that the essence of his message is the truth. The Republic is corrupt, possibly even beyond saving, and the Order is complacent now, allowing crime to run unchecked in the Outer Rim. Anakin's story should serve as an example of what can be, not as an exception.

"I can no longer in good faith continue to support the Republic and fight in a war, when the system has become corrupt," Obi-Wan continues with conviction. "The Senate no longer serves the will of the people. It no longer looks out for their best interests. Certainly, there are many Senators who do their best to help their systems, and I can only applaud their efforts in the face of great adversity." He smiles slightly, thinking of Padme, of the passion she has for justice, a passion which even time hasn't dulled.

"Count Dooku, the head of the Separatist Alliance has recognized this. It is why he left the Republic to form his own system where the people rule, where their voices are not suppressed. There are many systems who want the freedom to act in their own interests to help their people without the crushing oversight of the Republic. Why should they not be afforded that luxury? Why must they be burdened by bureaucracy and the many faults which the Republic currently has? How is that justice? How is that democracy?" The more he speaks, the more impassioned his words become. He has little doubt that Sidious will be pleased with this propaganda piece.

"The Jedi Order has not been spared the trap of complacency either," Obi-Wan adds with fervor, deliberately looking back at Anakin and then turning towards Ahsoka. "Slavery and crime abound in the Outer Rim, and the Jedi do nothing. If the Council can now devote resources and lives to leading soldiers in a galactic war, why could they not have done the same for the millions of sentients suffering in the bondage of slavery? How can they allow such horrors to be perpetrated without doing anything? Naturally, they cannot help everyone, but why not even help a few, so they can go on to help others?"

He pauses, letting his words, his accusations hang in the air for a long moment, before gesturing to Anakin. Anakin steps forwards, a myriad of unnamable emotions flickering across his face. "I was born a slave," he declares, probably starting in such a way so as to grab attention. It's not a well-known fact about him. "I grew up believing that freedom was only for those who were so lucky, but then, a Jedi came to the planet." His expression twists with bitterness, and Obi-Wan longs to reach out and comfort him. He doesn't, settling instead for soothing him through the Force. Anakin never deserved to bear this burden.

"He didn't intend to free me, until he learned of my Force sensitivity," Anakin explains, voice level, almost detached now. "So, he gambled on my freedom in a pod race – a race which I did win – and took me with him to Coruscant, leaving my mother behind in slavery. The Council could have accepted me, helped me learn how to control my power. It was… scary. I could feel and see so much, and not just with my eyes. I was in an entirely new world, trying to understand for the first time what it means to be free, to be able to choose my own destiny. Instead, the Jedi rejected me, and I was fortunate enough to be adopted by Chancellor Palpatine."

He takes a deep breath, hands clenching. "Had I been trained as a Jedi, I would have fulfilled my childhood dream of freeing the slaves. They didn't even try to help me, dumping me off as if I was simply another burden to be disposed of." Some of his emotions are bleeding into his words, and Obi-Wan knows that years of resentments are finally coming out. He can only imagine how much this will turn the public opinion against the Jedi.

"Count Dooku found me," Anakin elaborates, never once taking his eyes off the camera, "And he taught me. He showed me how to use the Force to protect myself and to protect others. Many might consider him evil, but I will never be able to view him as such. He is the one who has enabled me to one day fulfill my dreams."

He sucks in a sharp breath. "No child should be born into a life of slavery, never knowing when the next meal will come or if the mother will be ripped away and sold without warning. No child should have to lose friend and family alike to the slave auctions or cruel masters, who believe death a fitting punishment for misbehavior. No child should have to fear being assaulted by a free adult, simply because that child is a slave. Children are the most precious and innocent ones in this world. We should strive to keep it that way as long as we can."

It's only experience that keeps Obi-Wan from gaping at Anakin's words. Not only is he going off their original script – in a good way though – but also, he's so much more a public speaker than he'd ever imagined. He can feel in the Force a raw wound of pain, hurt, confusion, fear. Something happened, and if he were to venture a guess, it's about the added lines. This is probably something they ought to discuss. Maybe the Jedi never helped Anakin move past his many childhood traumas – and why would they when he was no longer their problem? – but Obi-Wan can and will.

Anakin slowly steps back into place beside Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka moves forwards to claim the center stage. "I was raised as a Jedi, believing that we were always supposed to help others, but looking at the galaxy now, I don't really see how they're doing that." She sounds young, innocent, and that's the point. Her youth will do much for their cause. "I know that they're now helping the Republic in the war, but what about before? Why did they not reach out to those fighting for their freedom, the slaves who haven't given up and broken?"

She hesitates, as if trying to find the right words to express herself. "I just – I don't understand," she confesses. "What Anakin has been through was horrible, and that's only a fraction of what millions of other children are experiencing. How can it be so hard to muster a force of a few hundred Jedi to take down at least one slave cartel? So many systems would support it, even if the Senate didn't, and the Jedi aren't beholden to the Senate. They can still act freely. This galaxy needs more people who work for the benefit of all, who won't rest until every sentient is free, who try to help as many struggling systems as possible."

Obi-Wan gives Ahsoka a light nudge of approval through the Force as she moves back to her own spot. "The Republic has failed the people," he summarizes succinctly, "And until such time as its flaws are corrected, the Confederacy of Independent Systems has succeeded where the Republic has not. From here onwards, Anakin, Ahsoka, and myself will be allying ourselves with the Separatist cause and fight for the freedom of all."

With those closing words, Obi-Wan turns off the holorecorder before looking at Anakin and Ahsoka. He doesn't even try to suppress his pride at their accomplishment. He knows that this is a masterpiece. It will do everything Sidious wants and probably so much more. He himself can't even begin to imagine what the consequences will be. "You both did good," he says simply.

Anakin huffs out a mirthless laugh, expression distant. "Let's hope Sidious agrees," he mutters. Yes, that's the key, isn't it?

Obi-Wan waits until they're in the living room, settled down on the couches, before asking the question, even though he's hardly sure how to broach the subject. "Anakin, those lines you added into the speech, they – it sounded… personal." He keeps himself open to the Force, so he'll sense any sudden mood changes and adjust his words and tone accordingly.

Anakin is still for a long moment, expression almost completely impassive, though it does nothing to hide the maelstrom of emotions swirling around him. "It is," he answers almost casually, hands clenching.

"Do you… want to talk about it?" Obi-Wan queries carefully. Anakin's words echo though his mind again. Hunger, or even near starvation at times. Fear of losing his mother. Losing friends to auctions and slavers. Assault. It makes him sick, even to think about it. How can any sentient do that to another? And why haven't more people taken action against slavery? Even small acts are better than none.

Anakin seems to shrink in on himself, crossing his arms tightly over his chest as he mutely shakes his head. It's obvious that he's reliving some of his most traumatic moments – and the Force alone knows how many more have been added since he was "adopted" by Sidious. Obi-Wan exchanges a look with Ahsoka; her eyes are sad and pained, filled with a grief as she, too, likely thinks about what Anakin said. As if in sync, they move to the couch where Anakin is, sitting on either side of him, close enough that they're touching him as they offer silent support. Obi-Wan doesn't know what else they can do, so maybe this will be enough.

**w**

Dooku approves the broadcast immediately upon hearing it, and Sidious does likewise not even a day later. For that, Obi-Wan is relieved. He had thought it would be harder to please the Sith Master, though he's glad it wasn't. Before the week is over, Dooku has officially and publicly declared Anakin and Obi-Wan to be generals in the Separatist army. Their fleet is larger than any other Separatist's except General Grievous.

Ahsoka was appointed as Anakin's commander, while Asajj is Obi-Wan's. Honestly, he's not too surprised by the decision. He and Ahsoka both have the best stability, while he and Anakin are the best equipped to be military leaders. It's only natural that they be paired up as they are.

Unlike the other Separatist leaders, they share a joint command over the Death Squadron, which Obi-Wan is fairly certain was named by Anakin. His flagship is the Devastator, while Anakin's is the Executor. They're new prototypes designed, in part, by Anakin from what he's heard. Either way, Anakin is incredibly proud of them, and his enthusiasm is all but contagious. It's a relief to see him acting so much more light-hearted compared to the past few days.

Anakin brings Rex with them, when the four take a tour of their new flagships. "Battle droids are effective, because they're numerically superior to the clones," Anakin states as he looks around the bridge.

Obi-Wan imagines that both of them will end up spending significant amounts of time here in their respective ships unless they're heading into battle. He hopes they don't. It'll be bad enough to feel the lives disappearing in the Force; he doesn't want to be one of the ones who takes them as well. While Anakin and Asajj haven't explicitly agreed with him, their attitudes speak loudly enough. They don't want to kill clones either. That doesn't mean they won't, however.

"But they don't really think well," he continues. None of the battle droids standing around even respond to his statement, seeing as they're all currently deactivated. "I was thinking that we should try to fix that. Obviously not for all the droids, but maybe for some of them? The MagnaGuards could use a good update. Jedi will cut right through them otherwise."

Obi-Wan hums, stroking his beard. "Do you intend to rewrite their programming then?"

"Actually, yes," Anakin confirms, "And maybe add in some hand-made adjustments to their weapons systems and whatnot."

"I don't know anything about reconfiguring droids," Ahsoka points out.

"I don't like messing with their insides at all," Asajj agrees, smirking.

"Wear gloves if you don't like the grease," Anakin shoots back at her with a grin, "And as for the rest of you, I'll be giving you instructions if you want to help."

"MagnaGuards are more for bodyguard protection, correct?" queries Rex, continuing when Anakin and Obi-Wan nod. "Then yes, I'll help with them."

Asajj glances at him briefly, her eyes lingering on him though she says nothing. There's nothing which they need to say anyways. They all know the reason behind Rex's question. He doesn't want to be responsible for the deaths of his brothers. Not for the first time Obi-Wan wishes that they had the choice of fighting for the Republic. He'd much rather help defend the clones – his men – than lead an army of lifeless killing machines to kill those same men.

"Great!" declares Anakin cheerfully, "So, that's settled. If I have to lead a bunch of droids, then they're going to be the best droids." His face becomes determined. "And yes, it might be a bit of an overkill… but what do you say to painting a black or white mark on all the droids? Death Squadron, you know. We ought to have our own personal touch."

"How morbid," drawls Asajj.

"Noted," Anakin says, not even looking at her.

"I have no objections," Obi-Wan tells him, "Though you need to consider the cost. I don't know if Dooku will think that to be a problem."

"I'd like it," Ahsoka comments. "It would make us stand out a lot. Not sure if that's something we want, though." She shrugs slightly.

"Decorating clankers," Rex chuckles and shakes his head. "I never thought I'd see the day. I have no qualms with doing that. Might as well give them a target to be shot at."

Obi-Wan can't help the flare of amusement at Rex's words. "Might I suggest that you limit all improvements to the droids on our flagships?"

Anakin grins at him. "You might."

After finishing their tour, Anakin contacts Dooku with his inquires, and to Obi-Wan's surprise, the Count concedes that they can spare the resources for the inane painting jobs as well as whatever improvements Anakin has in mind for the MagnaGuards. But still, this is one step closer to being sent to the battlefield, and Obi-Wan doesn't quite know how to feel about that.