Chapter Two
Obi-Wan's Decision
Ahsoka Tano waited on the landing platform on Utapau. She had been sent there on her first mission: To finish off the Separatist forces while Obi-Wan returned to the Temple for meditative leave. Now, however, the Separatists were gone, and Obi-Wan had contacted her, instructing her that he was returning to seek her assistance in his mission to find Anakin. She had agreed to help him. How couldn't she? She was his Padawan, after all, and as Anakin had told her many times before never to leave his side in a conflict when he needed help most, she didn't dare leave now. It was then that she saw Master Obi-Wan's ship approach, but it wasn't a ship she had expected him to have come in. As soon as the ship landed, she understood why he had taken a Naboo Starcruiser when Padme emerged with him.
"Master Kenobi, what's going on? I sensed a disturbance in the Force. A big one that I really don't think I want to feel again." Ahsoka inquired.
"What you sensed is true, Ahsoka. Palpatine is the Sith Lord we've been looking for. Most of the clones have followed his orders and exterminated the Jedi. Few of us remain. Shaak Ti, Yoda, and myself are all that remain of the Council." Obi-Wan informed her.
"I was afraid you'd say that. I also felt...." Ahsoka started, but failed to finish.
"Yes, that has come to pass as well I'm afraid. Anakin has turned to the dark side. We've been instructed by the Council to...well..." Obi-Wan said, but he need not finish, for he saw the understanding dawn in Ahsoka's eyes.
"But, he's my Master! He's practically my best friend!" Ahsoka protested, and immediately scolded herself for letting her emotions get the better of her before regaining her calm.
"I know that, Ahsoka. It is because of this, and one other reason, that we must try to save him, but we'd be disobeying instructions and thereby breaking the Code. You must realize that by helping me, you and me both may very well be banished from the Order should we fail." Obi-Wan replied calmly.
"I understand, Master. And I know the risks. Besides, since when has my Master not needed our help to get out of situations like this?" Ahsoka replied with a smile.
"Oh, I know. Don't remind me. He's done the same for me time and again. Remember when I told you of how he rescued, or should I say nearly failed, to rescue me from Geonosis." Obi-Wan said.
"I remember. I was back at the Temple when Master Windu went away with just about everyone to save you two." Ahsoka said.
"I know. And I am forgetting my manners, as are you, little one. Senator?" Obi-Wan inquired.
"I'm Senator Padme Amidala from Naboo." Padme said, introducing herself.
"Ahsoka Tano. I'm Anakin's Padawan. Or at least I was." Ahsoka replied.
"We should be going. Rex has informed me that Anakin was sent to Mustafar. To kill the Separatist leaders, apparently. And they are dead, I sensed him killing them, but I also sensed a hint of pain and confusion, as well as resistance to something. To what I am unsure." Obi-Wan said.
"Resistance to something. What isn't he resisting these days." Ahsoka replied. Obi-Wan, however, was not amused, so she let it go at that. A rather unintended silence ensued, with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka both looking at each other, hoping the other would speak first. After a moment, Ahsoka broke the silence.
"So...what happened with Grievous?" Ahsoka asked, hoping Master Obi-Wan was up to discussing the subject. Obi-Wan considered not discussing it, especially with a Padawan that wasn't his to begin with. She was Anakin's Padawan, and Anakin was like a brother to him, which in turn made Obi-Wan feel like a brother to Ahsoka. He decided he would tell her.
"Well, to be honest Ahsoka, everything, that is almost everything, went according to plan. I went in ahead of the clones to face Grievous and either arrest or destroy him. Since we both no there's no arresting General Grievous while he's alive, I elected to destroy him instead. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped. The whole planet was surrounded with droids. I barely got off the landing pad unnoticed." Obi-Wan began.
"How did you conceal yourself with all those droids around anyway?" Ahsoka asked.
"Fortunately, I was met at the landing pad by civilians loyal to the Republic. They sheltered me and gave me what I needed to complete my mission. Of course with Grievous, nothing is easy. He was just adjourning the Separatist Council when I intruded as I had planned. That's when I noticed the whole level was crawling with droids. I was surprised I didn't see them there until I confronted Grievous," Obi-Wan continued. he told her how Grievous had used four lightsabers against his one and how he managed to sever two of Grievous' four arms. "Of course, Grievous got onto one of his wheel bikes and fled. I nearly lost him. I caught up with him as he was preparing to board his ship to escape. He nearly killed me, but he made one vital error."
"What error was that, Master?" Ahsoka inquired.
"He forgot about our use of the Force and allowed me to grab a blaster. I used it to shoot him down, and he practically exploded into pieces." Obi-Wan replied.
"Wow. You had it a lot harder than I did on Skytop Station." Ahsoka said. She had run into Grievous, although intentionally, in order to buy her Master the time he needed to place charges to destroy the station, and also hopefully find Artoo.
"I most certainly did," Obi-Wan stated. He then decided it was time to find out how Ahsoka had survived Order 66 while Senator Amidala was resting. "Ahsoka, something I am curious about. From your written report, you were alone with Cody, Rex, and the 212th together in one place when Sidious ordered the clones to destroy the Jedi. How did you manage to survive without killing a single clone?" Obi-Wan asked.
"You wouldn't believe it, Master Obi-Wan, but they ignored Palpatine's order. Some of them tried to kill me, but the more experienced clones killed them before they could fire a shot." Ahsoka said.
"You should be thankful for that, Ahsoka. Now all we have to do is find Anakin and save him from himself. Assuming he can be saved." Obi-Wan told her.
"It shouldn't be a problem, Master. If I know my Master, he's probably already come up with a plan." she replied with a grin.
"You're probably right. Besides, you said it yourself. When is Anakin not in a dire situation and in need of our help?" Obi-Wan replied. Kenobi and Ahsoka talked for a while as the ship sped for Mustafar. Afterwards, they spoke to Padme for a time. Ahsoka had figured that Anakin had been involved with her, ever since they had met on Naboo during the Blue Shadow Virus crisis. Then, without warning, the Force called out to her. Her Master wanted to see her. Alone. He was asking for her help.
'Don't worry, Master, I'm coming.' She sent back.
