Tatooine, later that afternoon:
There was so much on the mind of the pacing Jedi Knight, Kenobi had carried Aether for more than an hour or two, and his legs and arms were growing tired. She had peered upwards in his grasp with a look on her face that she was beginning to become hungry. A small face was seen from Kenobi as he approached a nearby diner, it seemed friendly enough to handle; opening the double doors to enter inside. Kenobi had lowered her to the metallic floor, as she had began to walk around to stretch her feet. This brought a soft laugh from the elder Knight as he began to pace towards a free booth. Gazing upon the direction of various creatures that were coming in and out of the diner. Taking a seat, he stretched out his limbs as far as they could, to begin rubbing the side of his neck as the girl did the same nearby. Lifting the menu sheet, he gazed upon it before he heard a rather familiar voice.
"Obi-Wan!" This brought him to freeze, it took him a few minutes to think before turning his gaze towards a rather elder, large looking alien inhabitant. And straight away, a large smile spreaded across the Jedi's face. "Dex! Well, well!" Kenobi had held a high smile, watching him pace forward with his multiple sets of large orange arms as he approached. Obi-Wan stood, and extended out his arms to squeeze and give a friendly welcoming to his old friend. Dex had moved to squeeze himself into the booth, sitting down as the owner of the diner had gently slapped the Knight's arm. "Well, well indeed old friend!" His many eyes gazed upon Kenobi and he returned to sit down opposite of the table. Folding his hands together.
"Dex, what on Earth are you doing all the way out here? Last time I saw you, you were over at the Rebellion!" Kenobi chuckled, noticing the elder alien laugh to have rubbed the side of his thick neck. "Well y'see here, funny thing actually. I moved from that old diner and made myself here in Tatooine! The amount of imperial soldiers that come in and out of that damn place was just too much for my customers!" He explained, noticing the sudden worry upon Kenobi's face.
"Why would imperials come inside the diner in the first place? Here on Tatooine it is just as bad."
"See that's what I've been wondering about, not only back at the older place I was at but now they're coming all in here searching the cargo of supplies I have each week. I'm not stashing anything if that's what you're wondering. They come in here to check on and off for something that they're looking for." Dex had announced, giving vital information to the Jedi across the table; whom seemed puzzled. "Well, I had one of the captain's ask me in the market place if I have seen two particular droids, but the only ones I could think of was that of Amidala's. "
"Funny thing, droids! I haven't seen one of them astro robots since the fall of Jedi Council that you used to be in. Whatever happened to them, anyhow?" There, Obi-Wan fell silent. He had not thought of them in a long, long time. There was too much on his mind at this time, he had a child to look after; and one to watch over with his Aunt and Uncle. This brought him to sigh, rustling his digits through his bearded chin. "Ever since my apprentice had fallen, the council failed to bring the Dark Emperor to his death. Most of us, died. But, there are very few of us now... We remained in exile, hiding. I haven't withdrawn my saber in... almost 5 years, Dex." There, at this time the small girl had approached Kenobi, lifting a hand to tug against his pant's before she gazed over at the large creature. He chuckled to peer upon her small figure.
"Is this one yours, Obi-Wan?" He asked, and the elder Knight had smiled to set a hand upon her head, her brown locks tickling her as she had nervously watched Dex.
"You could say that, yes. This is Aether, Aether; I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine. This is Dex." Skywalker approached him carefully upon the floor, lifting a hand to wave at him in greeting. And instantly, Dex leaned forward to grab at her with his large palms, lifting her up to sit her upon his lap. She blinked to being carried, but then looked up at the alien and laughed, giggling all about as his large digits tickled her stomach. "I never thought you would be a father someday, Obi-Wan!" The human Jedi smiled, watching this enjoyment before leaning forward. "What do you know about these clones?" He spoke, knowing now would be no time to hide away the thoughts of much of the empire.
"Well, from what rumors are going on in Mos Eisley, about 4 years ago the Empire had sent out these 'Storm Troopers' to each of the distant planets, again in search for these droids. From what the customers tell me, they are holding some blueprints that they want. Apparently they escaped aboard one of the scouting ships and landed somewhere in a far planet. Not sure how and when, but they have been missing since. Perhaps they went into hiding, I'm not entirely sure." Dex had sighed, before Obi-Wan had tilted his head in curiosity. "Well, if the droids keep hiding; then we have nothing to fear." He watched the smaller girl play around with Dex's fingers, and he simply smiled for a brief moment, then fading. "So these 'Storm Troopers', landed here for over 4 years ago; and just remained here since? Kamino has been busy."
"Yes, Kamino are the experts in clone makers. They created those clones so long ago, do you remember? Now they're upgraded and can fire and use their equipment more effectively. Though I have not seen the Hutts complain about them being here, they have no choice. This is the Empire we're talking about." Dex answered, using his free digits to sneak another tickle to the girl's sides as she stirred with laughter, and Obi-Wan chuckled further. "You sure know how to handle young-lings, Dex!" With a barfed laugh, he had lifted her small frame to set her down upon Kenobi's lap. Standing to stretch out his limbs. "I could say the same for yourself, now... who is hungry? I'll whip up something and it will be on me!"
Tatooine, 2 days later; evening:
"Aether? Come on, time to clean your teeth and head for bed! We have another big day tomorrow, you know it's the annual time for the Pod Racing." Obi-Wan called from the kitchen, washing bowls from their prepared meals after eating as Aether was somewhere around the house. Possibly playing with her toys as the elder Jedi had began to dry the remaining. Setting it down as he heard no answer, and straight away his parenting instincts kicked in; poking his head into the dining room he saw no sign of the little Skywalker. He became worried, panicking he moved to her bedroom to huff, finding no body of the toddler before he turned to notice the front door was wide open. Gasping, Obi-Wan darted outside to call for her name. "Aether!? Aether!" He searched the outer house, and found no signs of his little girl.
Suddenly, he heard a distant scream over the sand dunes far away. Instantly, he raced towards his Speeder, jumping into the floating vehicle to begin the engine, and darted off at top speed in the direction he sensed her small force power. Upon catching up, he approached a group of Storm Troopers who were gathering a variety of people together holding hostage. They were all gathered together in a circle around on the sand floor, their hands binded; and he spotted the girl being carried by a Storm Trooper, and she was wailing in such a scared and panicked scream. Obi-Wan jumped out, running towards them before the white clones stopped him. "Halt! You are not permitted here!"
"What is this? What are you doing?!" Kenobi complained, shouting at the commander who had readied his weapon at his chest. Attempting to reason with the angered Jedi. "These people are under arrest and are being taken to the Empire for further interrogation!"
"And you believe that little girl is part of this? She's just a youngling!" Straight away, the commander turned his head to gaze upon the screaming child; and there Obi-Wan withdrew a blade. The blue aura creating the Jedi Knight's main weapon, a Light Saber. Straight away he lunged forth, destroying the cone and many others began to open fire. His arms moved in swift motions to defend and return the fired bullets in their direction. The clone which held the little girl commanded everyone to move. "Get the hostages onboard the shuttle!" He signaled, and the area of troopers fired to keep Kenobi busy, and Aether had screamed with a hand reaching over the white clone's shoulder to attempt to escape from his arms. "N-No! Let me go!"
The latches opened to the ship, and the remaining clones began to push the hostages on board, including the Storm Trooper which carried the girl inside, before long Kenobi dashed forward; defending those around him until the sound of engines emitted. The shuttle extended it's wings, and straight away it darted off and took off instantly. "NO!" he shouted, turning his body around to swipe the glowing blade at the remaining soldiers, till they all lied lifeless upon the sand dunes. Breathing heavily, he dropped to his knees in the direction the ship left. Panting to shut down the glowing blue blade, his eyes now staining with tears. Gripping his first to slam it down in the sand, and he felt a surge of unbearable pain within his chest.
"No... I failed you, Padme. I'm so, so sorry..."
It is slowly piecing together! There is plenty more on the way, leave a review or Follow/Favorite if you enjoyed!