Thank you to the 10 people who reviewed the last chapter. In answer to Sanna Black Slytherin's review, there are approximately fifteen chapters left before I go on to Revenge of the Sith. It might be more, it might be less. It depends on how long the Labyrinth of Evil arc takes. Here is chapter 41, which is covering "Counterattack" with a very different ending and reviews, as always, are much appreciated.
Chapter 41
Sparks of fire drifted upward from the lava as Anakin led the way along the ridge with Captain Tarkin and the rest of the group just behind him; they moved at a leisurely pace keeping an eye on their surroundings as well as on what was ahead of them. The last thing anyone of them wanted was a misstep that might send them falling into the river of lava that flowed quietly but deadly next to them.
Anakin lifted his arm to his lips as he activated his comlink. "Artoo, are you and your battle droids ready?" he asked.
Artoo beeped in response.
"All right. Get the ship fired up. We'll meet you at the pipeline exit after you've picked up Obi-Wan," Anakin said. "Assuming he's still on schedule." He disconnected the transmission before lowering his arm as they continued to walk onward.
Back in the Citadel, Obi-Wan and Even Piell were traveling through the ventilation shafts having gone up there soon after unleashing the distraction that would buy Anakin and his group enough time to get out of the Citadel. He and Piell waited until the droids beneath them were gone before they began moving again.
He moved quickly but as quietly as possible. When they reached the vertical passage that Obi-Wan knew would lead to the landing pad, he gazed up at it. He had to hope that he wouldn't lose anyone else while attempting to escape the Citadel. There were as many as six causalities the first time around and Obi-Wan was hoping to prevent any causalities.
"This should take us to the landing pad," he said before he began climbing up the vertical shaft with the clones and Even just behind him. They went upward quickly and Obi-Wan, keeping an eye out for that droid that caused the security systems in the shaft to be turned on, pulled himself into the horizontal shaft one floor above the one they had been in before turning the comlink on to contact Artoo.
"Artoo," he said into it. "Bring the shuttle to the rear landing platform."
Artoo beeped in response.
"We've already been given the go-ahead by General Skywalker," the reprogrammed battle droid said. "Assuming you were still on schedule."
Obi-Wan smiled faintly. "The trick will be if Anakin arrives on time," he said before he deactivated the comlink and began to climb upward again.
"Probe droid," Cody shouted and Obi-Wan, igniting his lightsaber, sliced through the probe droid just as it would have flown past him. "The security doors are going to be activated. Move quickly."
He dropped down on the small ledge that was above the security door and he watched as Even and the rest of the clones quickly did the same thing. The security doors shut above him and below him and Obi-Wan tensed waiting to see if someone would lose their life but, thankfully, he felt nothing and he was relieved.
He glanced at the security door as Even's lightsaber cut a circle through the durasteel door before the plug fell and Even pulled his way into the little chamber. "Looks like we've got some cutting to do," he said igniting his lightsaber again.
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement before igniting his lightsaber as well.
Sobeck was examining the security measures hoping to find some sign of the Jedi and the escaped prisoners when K2-B4 walked to his side. "Count Dooku wishes to speak with you immediately, Commander," the droid said.
Sobeck pushed himself away from the console. "Well, let's not keep him waiting," he said walking away from the console he had been standing in front of.
"He is already waiting sir."
Sobeck glared at the droid as the door leading into the communication chamber opened to reveal that Dooku was, indeed, there. His hologram stood in the middle of the room and he had his hands clasped behind his back. Sobeck, a little irritated with his droid, walked into the chamber before bowing slightly.
"Count Dooku, my lord, how unexpected," he said.
"You may cease with the proprietary, Commander," Dooku said examining his cuticles as if he was bored. "I understand there is a problem with the Jedi prisoner."
"An excursion team attempted a rescue," Sobeck said as the hologram began to pace, "but the situation is taking care of."
"Are you in possession of the information the prisoner is carrying?"
"Not yet," Sobeck admitted, "but we will soon have it."
"You are aware that this information will tip the scale of the war in favor of whoever holds it," Dooku said. "Perhaps this is a matter that requires my presence."
"No my lord," the commander said a little too quickly.
"Then, commander, get the information," Dooku said before he turned around and added, "Then kill them all."
Sobeck bowed again as Dooku's hologram disappeared before he turned around, grabbed K2-B4 by the neck and slamming him into the wall. "Don't ever surprise me with a transmission from Count Dooku. I need time to prepare," he said angrily.
"Yes commander," K2-B4 replied.
Ahsoka peered around the corner of the path the group was currently following before starting to move cautiously forward already knowing they were being followed. Anakin sensed as much and sent her on ahead to lead the group while he took care of the probe droid. Sure enough, a probe droid appeared almost as soon as the last clone stepped around the corner and was sliced in half by Anakin. Anakin checked to see if anyone else was following them before he walked after the group.
"I am beginning to admire the design of this fortress," Tarkin said walking alongside Ahsoka after she paused to check the area. "It is rather formidable to evade."
Ahsoka frowned. "How can you admire such a horrible place?" she asked.
"Ah, you reveal your shortsightedness," Tarkin said. "This ordeal only demonstrates how effective facilities like the Citadel are. Pity it ended up in Separatist hands and not ours." He walked onward while Ahsoka gazed after him surprised by his words.
Anakin walked to her side gazing after Tarkin before he sighed. "In a way, he has a point," he said.
Ahsoka looked at her master as if he was crazy but he merely shrugged. "All right Snips," he said changing the subject, "I'm going to need you to lead the group. Keep following the tunnel. I'll catch up."
"Hey," Ahsoka protested when Anakin began to walk away. "Where are you going?"
Anakin glanced at her. "Obi-Wan's not here so someone's got to protect our flank," he replied.
"I guess it's a good thing I came along after all," Ahsoka said with a faint smile.
Jedi Master Plo Koon examined the hologram of the Citadel as Mace Windu and Saesee Tiin joined him. "We've received a coded transmission," he said. "Apparently, they split up into two groups. The rendezvous points are at the landing field behind the tower where Artoo will pick up Obi-Wan Kenobi and the pipeline exit where they'll find Anakin Skywalker." He gestured to the hologram as it showed a stimulation of the escape plan.
"And what if things don't go according to plan?" asked Mace.
Plo glanced at him. "Then we would have to send an entire fleet to get them out of there," he said gravelly.
Ahsoka led the way down the tunnel just ahead of Rex and Tarkin although she was just close enough to hear Tarkin's words as he began to speak. "I am concerned that the Jedi has elected this child to lead the group," he said.
Ahsoka bristled a little at that before releasing that annoyance into the Force so that she could better focus on the task at hand.
"I've served with her many times," Rex said, "and I trust her, Captain."
Ahsoka rounded the corner only to find herself faced with a dead end and dread filled her. "Uh oh," she said.
"Dead-end," Rex said and Ahsoka had a feeling he was grimacing beneath his helmet.
"It looks like there are security droids there," one of the battle droids Artoo reprogrammed said.
Artoo ordered the droids to continue with the original plan.
"All right, we'll land there and wait for General Kenobi," the battle droid said before guiding the ship to a landing on the landing field behind the tower. Artoo then led the way down the boarding ramp with the battle droids just behind him.
"Uh oh," the battle droid said as the commander droid walked over to join them, "that doesn't look like General Kenobi. We'll have to improvise."
The commander droid came to a stop in front of them. "Your arrival is long overdue," the commander droid said. "Where have you been?"
Artoo beeped and whistled as the battle droids suddenly pointed their weapons at him.
"Even so," the commander droid said, "the odds are three to one that you are a traitor."
Artoo beeped in feigned surprise.
"We will take you to interrogation below," the commander droid said.
"Yes sir, move it," the battle droid ordered before kicking Artoo.
Artoo whistled in protest but started to roll forward with the battle droids just behind him.
"Don't talk back to me, droid, I'm in charge," the battle droid snapped kicking him again.
Artoo beeped again in protest. The group made their way across the platform and into the turbolift. Once the door slide closed behind them, Artoo beeped and rolled forward to slam into the back of the battle droid.
The battle droid glanced at him. "Sorry commander, just wanted to fool them. What are your orders?" it asked.
Artoo beeped and whistled a response.
"You're right," the battle droid said, "if we're not at the shuttle then General Kenobi could be walking into a trap. We'll try to locate them if they get captured."
Artoo beeped in response.
Ahsoka continued to stare at the wall unsure of what it was she was supposed to do. Echo glanced around the corner just as a blaster bolt shot past him. "Look out," he called ducking backward to avoid the blaster bolts.
Ahsoka ignited one of her lightsabers before dashing forward to block the incoming blasterfire while urging Tarkin and the rest of his crew to get clear. Ahsoka deflected a blaster bolt back into one of the super battle droids and they fell off the ledge. Two more arrived but were promptly sliced in half by Anakin's blade.
"What happened? Why didn't you blow the wall?" he asked glancing over his shoulder at Ahsoka. "That part of the plan was your job."
The special units of droids, with their shields about them, arrived and began firing at the group. Rex fired back while Anakin and Ahsoka deflected the blaster bolts back at the special units.
"I thought it was a dead end," Ahsoka protested blocking another blaster bolt.
"If Master Plo had really assigned you to this mission then he would have briefed you on the plan," Anakin said as Ahsoka took the pack of thermal detonators and dashed toward the wall. She sighed inwardly. She had been hoping that her joining the group without approval wouldn't have been found out. Hopefully, Anakin wasn't getting too suspicious or wouldn't be too angry when he did discover the truth.
She began putting the thermal detonators on the wall but paused as she held one in her hands the battle still going strong behind her. An idea came into her mind and she dashed backwards before activating two of the detonators and rolling them toward the special units. They came to a stop directly beneath the units before exploding and, at the exact same time, the detonators on the wall exploded sending stone fragments and dust flying in all directions. Both blasts also ended up knocking almost everyone to the ground.
Ahsoka followed the clones as they got to their feet and led the way through the hole created in the wall. Anakin brought up the rear of the group.
Obi-Wan peered out of the ventilation shaft at the shuttle eyes narrowed as he thought about what occurred the first time around. He had to wonder how he could prevent him and his group from getting captured by Sobeck and began to think about what occurred and what could be changed.
"Well, the shuttle's there but there's no sign of Artoo," Cody said.
"That's not good," Obi-Wan murmured. "This is likely a trap. It might be best to remain where we are."
"Are you sure that is wise?" Even asked.
"If we remain here then there is a chance Artoo will be able to get back to the shuttle. But if we keep going then we may walk right into the middle of a trap. We are unnoticed right here and if we remain here then we will remain unnoticed by the droids." It was a good explanation that hid the real reason why Obi-Wan wanted to stay put.
"It is risky just staying here, Master Kenobi," Even said.
"Yes but it is not as risky as walking right where the droids are most likely going to expect us to be."
"How would they know of where it is we are going to go?"
"Based on the fact that Artoo isn't here, it stands to reason that the droids know that shuttle is our way off this planet. That may be why Artoo is not here. Whoever is in charge of the droids could have predicted that we would try to get a better view of the landing pad and so that would be the best place to set up an ambush."
Even was silent for a long moment. "You do have a good point, Obi-Wan," he said. "I agree with you. Staying here poses less risk then walking right into an ambush."
Obi-Wan turned his gaze to the landing pad fervently hoping that Anakin was on his way to his rendezvous point since he knew there was no point in trying to contact Anakin. If he did that then Sobeck would be able to trace his signal to his current location and that was something Obi-Wan wasn't going to risk.
Anakin led the way forward until they reached the pipe that would lead out of the tunnel they were walking down and to the top of the ridge. Ahsoka moved forward to examine the pipe before glancing back at Anakin as he gestured to the pipe. "This pipe will lead us to the top of the ridge where Artoo will be waiting to get us out of here," he said before he spotted the hatch. "There's the hatch." He leapt upward before opening up the pipe and wincing at the rank stench that drifted out of it.
"Let's go, let's go, everyone in," Anakin ordered after covering his nose briefly. Ahsoka stepped into the pile with Tarkin and the crew members that were with him just behind her. He also glanced at the clones. "Keep your lights off and make sure your weapons are locked. The slightest electronic pulse can ignite this whole tube."
The clones nodded before making their way into the pipe and Tarkin glanced at Anakin. "I hope somebody tells the droids that," he said before he made his way deeper into the pipe and Anakin brought up the rear of the group.
Sobeck narrowed his eyes for he thought for sure the Jedi still within the Citadel would go try to get another view of the landing platform and thus get caught in the ambush but they were nowhere in sight. What is going on here? He thought angrily before glancing at K2-B4. "Where are the Jedi now?" he asked.
"I am unsure, commander, of the first group. We have located the second group and have sent our droids in pursuit," K2-B4 replied.
At least we can get half the intel if these droids do their job right, Sobeck thought cursing the Jedi in the lead of the group still within the Citadel and his unpredictable moves.
Artoo connected with the computer mainframe to see where Obi-Wan and the others might be located. He latched on to Obi-Wan's comlink frequency to track the Jedi while his battle droids stood guard at his side. He beeped in surprise when he found that the frequency was originating above the landing platform they had left minutes earlier. He said as much to his battle droids.
"We were just there though," the battle droid said. "I guess General Kenobi was running a little behind schedule. Let's get to the landing platform and help General Kenobi."
The other battle droids nodded in agreement and Artoo disconnected from the computer's mainframe before leading the way back toward the landing platform where the shuttle was parked.
Ahsoka followed Tarkin as they continued to climb upward to the ridge before she climbed on ahead and swung up on top of the pipe. She dashed along the pipe after making sure the others were all right.
"How much longer are we going to wander through this tunnel in the dark?" Tarkin asked.
"Captain Tarkin, haven't you learned to trust me by now?" Anakin asked pointedly.
"You may have earned my trust, General Skywalker, but my faith in your comrades is somewhat lacking," Tarkin replied.
Anakin glanced at him. "You lack faith in the Jedi," he said matter-of-factly.
"I find their tactics ineffective," Tarkin said. "The Jedi Code prevents them from going far enough to achieve victory. To do whatever it takes to win. The very reason why peacekeepers should not be leading a war."
Anakin glanced at him and Ahsoka noticed he was deep in thought. "You might have a point there but bureaucrats shouldn't run a war from their office," he replied.
Tarkin grimaced a little at that. "And here I thought I offended you," he said.
"As a people, we have fallen short of what our real goal should be. As a government, how can you run a war when you can't fight everything that contributes to the war?"
Ahsoka frowned because that sounded like something Obi-Wan would say.
"Although I do agree that peacekeepers should not be leading a war," Anakin added.
"Well at least we agree on that," Tarkin said.
Ahsoka ran a few more feet before coming to a stop when she spotted the ladder. "I think I might have found a way out of here," she said glancing at the group before she ran ahead to the ladder. She climbed it before pushing open the hatch and gazing around but she couldn't see anything.
"What do you see, Snips?" Anakin asked.
"The coast is clear," she replied.
"See any sign of Obi-Wan or the shuttle?"
"No I don't see them." She pushed the hatch open all the way before starting to pull herself out of the pipe. That was when she saw, out of the corner of her eye, a blaster being pointed at her. Ignited her lightsabers, she destroyed the droids and turned around to find more droids making their way toward them.
This is not good, she thought. "We've got to go," she called down blocking a blaster bolt.
"There could be a whole battalion of droids out there," Tarkin protested.
"Better than hiding in a fuel line," Anakin said before he climbed out of the pipeline. He joined Ahsoka in blocking the blaster bolts while the rest of the people in the group left the pipeline and dashed away from it. Once they were clear, Ahsoka and Anakin leapt off the pipe and dashed over to join the rest of the group.
"The plan's been compromised," Tarkin said, "the shuttle's not coming."
"Throw me a charge," Anakin ordered before catching the charge that Rex tossed at him. He activated it before tossing it into the pipeline before ducking behind the rock wall just in time as the pipe exploded.
"Let's go," Anakin added dusting himself off. "Time for plan B."
"There's a plan B?" Tarkin echoed.
"There's always a backup plan. We'll meet Artoo at Obi-Wan's position," Anakin said walking away from the carnage the exploding pipe had caused.
Obi-Wan peered downward just in time to see Artoo roll out of the building with the reprogrammed battle droids just behind him. "Well, looks like Artoo has finally arrived," he said before he glanced at Cody. "Let's get down there."
Cody nodded before handing him the grappling hook and Obi-Wan connected it with the edge of the shaft before propelling himself downward to the next level. Once everyone joined him, he crouched down before examining the turrets; the same turrets that caused their ride to explode. If he could take those turrets out then he wouldn't have to worry about everything that occurs after the shuttle's destruction.
"Master Piell," he said quietly, "those turrets are going to pose a problem. I think we should take them out while we have the advantage of them not knowing we are here."
"A good idea, Master Kenobi," Even agreed.
Obi-Wan glanced at Cody. "Wait here until I give you the signal," he said.
"Yes sir."
Obi-Wan and Even dashed forward before leaping off the ledge and, somersaulting in mid air, landing lightly on the ground just behind the turrets. Obi-Wan and Even took one gun each; taking out the droid as quietly as possible and then proceeding to disable the turrets with a clean swipe through the control panel. Once the first two turrets were out of commission, Obi-Wan and Even leapt over to the other side of the landing platform and proceeding to put the other turrets out of commission. Once they were disabled, Obi-Wan saluted to Cody signaling to the rest of the group to begin their descent.
"A good idea, Obi-Wan," Even said, "but now they know we are here."
Sure enough, the droids in the platform had noticed the destruction of the turrets and were now looking for the culprit. At least that was the way it was until Artoo's reprogrammed droids took them out. Obi-Wan leapt off the ledge where the turrets were located with Even just behind him and Cody and the rest of the group joined them a moment later.
Unfortunately, more droids, crab droids as well as the skinny battle droids, made their way into the courtyard and began firing at the group. Obi-Wan and Even, lightsabers blocking the blaster bolts, were forced away from the shuttle and over to join the rest of the group.
They took shelter behind the cargo boxes that lay scattered along the edge of the platform. With the turrets out of commission, Obi-Wan knew they only had to worry about the droids and getting to the ship. He knew they would have to be quick before the droids destroy the shuttle in a different fashion. And since he wanted to prevent Even Piell's death, getting onboard the shuttle and leaving before the shuttle could be destroyed was a good idea.
Anakin and Ahsoka dashed over to join them with their clones, Tarkin and the rest of the crew just behind them firing or deflecting blaster bolts at the droids. "Sorry I'm late," Anakin said crouching beside Obi-Wan.
"How nice of you to join us," Obi-Wan could resist saying smiling faintly and Anakin smiled in reply.
"The ship is surrounded," Ahsoka said after peering around the edge of the cargo box before ducking back to avoid a blaster bolt.
"We need to launch a full-forward assault and take that vessel," Tarkin said.
With the turrets out of commission, Obi-Wan could see that Tarkin's idea had merit. "It's risky," he said, "but we have little other choice. Get to the shuttle as quickly as possible, Ahsoka, Anakin, Master Piell and I as well as the clones will cover you. Artoo, get onboard and get the ship ready for takeoff."
Artoo beeped in response and Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber before he, Anakin, Even and Ahsoka charged forward with the clones just behind them. They sliced and stabbed through the droids while the clones fired upon them. Echo, Fives and Charger remained behind to guard Tarkin, Artoo and the crew members as they hurried across the platform to the shuttle.
They dashed up the boarding ramp into the shuttle while Obi-Wan continued to deflect blaster fire and sliced through any droid that got too close to them. The droids Artoo reprogrammed were also keeping the enemy droids at bay although a couple of them were shot to pieces; only one of the three reprogrammed droids remained and it, too, was taken out of the equation by a couple of blaster shots to the head.
Anakin glanced over his shoulder. "Everyone but us is onboard, master," he said deflecting another blaster bolt.
"Then that is our cue to leave," Obi-Wan said with a faint smile before he ordered the clones to head back to the shuttle while keeping an eye out for anything that could take the shuttle out. Once all the clones were on board, and Obi-Wan, Anakin, Master Piell and Ahsoka were beside the boarding ramp, they dashed up the ramp.
"Artoo, get us out of here," Anakin shouted.
Artoo beeped in response before lifting the boarding ramp and the shuttle rose into the air and turned around.
"Artoo, activate the weapons' system," Anakin ordered as he and Obi-Wan walked into the cockpit. Obi-Wan watched as the weapons' systems came online and Artoo began laying waste to the droids in the courtyards. Once there were no more droids in the courtyard, Artoo turned the shuttle around and flew toward and past the atmosphere of Lola Sayu.
"Let me take over, Artoo," Anakin said slipping into the pilot's seat.
Obi-Wan grimaced. "Well, our current situation does call for your rather extravagant way of flying," he said slipping into the co-pilot's seat.
Anakin tossed him a good-humored scowl. "Strap yourselves in. This is going to be a bumpy ride."
Even though it was a very bumpy ride and they nearly lost their hyperdrive as well as their plasma conduits had Anakin not managed to perform a reckless, life-endangering move to prevent that from happening, they managed to break free from the blockade. Once they were clear of the blockade, Anakin made the jump into the safety of hyperspace.
Obi-Wan leaned back in his seat with a soft sigh of relief. The Citadel was behind them, Master Piell was still alive as was the majority of the rescue team. It was definitely an accomplishment.
Sobeck was angry beyond belief. "What do you mean?" he demanded.
"The Jedi have escaped," K2-B4 said. "They made the jump to hyperspace recently."'
Sobeck snarled angrily.
"Count Dooku also wishes for an update."
Sobeck gritted his teeth but he knew he would have to get it over with. Keeping Count Dooku waiting, especially when he had no reason to keep him waiting, was not a good idea. He stalked to the communication chamber and Dooku's hologram gazed at him.
"Have you captured the Jedi yet?" Dooku asked.
Sobeck swallowed. "Ah, no my lord," he said. "They, uh, they escaped."
"Escaped?"
"Yes my lord. They just made the jump to hyperspace."
"And you did nothing to stop them?"
"We tried, my lord, but the Jedi took out the turrets and managed to make it onboard the shuttle before destroying the droids I sent to the courtyard with the weapons' systems of the shuttle. Then they managed to make it past the blockade and make the jump to hyperspace," Sobeck said.
"So, in other words, you failed to get the intel," Dooku stated matter-of-factly.
Sobeck answered anyway. "Yes my lord. I am sorry."
"Sorry does not cut it. With the location of the Nexus Route in the hands of the Jedi, the war is going to turn in favor of the Republic. And you let it slip from your slimy little fingers." Dooku's voice was soft but Sobeck knew that he was enraged.
"I, my lord, I will make it up to you," he said quickly.
"You have failed, Sobeck, and I do not tolerate failure," Dooku growled and Sobeck gasped when he suddenly realized he couldn't breathe and it wasn't long before the darkness claimed him.
"Blasted Jedi!" Count Dooku snarled once he cut the transmission with the now dead Osi Sobeck before he began to pace. He was unsure of which Jedi were the ones in charge of the rescue of Even Piell and his crew but he knew that there was only one pilot daring enough to actually make it past a blockade and that was Skywalker. And wherever Skywalker went, there was a good chance Kenobi had gone with him.
Those two are becoming a big thorn in my side, Dooku thought angrily before he noticed he was receiving an incoming transmission from his master. He answered it before kneeling down as Sidious's hologram appeared before him.
"My lord," he greeted him.
"Lord Tyranus, did you get the information you needed?"
"No, my lord. Sobeck failed to get it and the Jedi managed to escape Lola Sayu with the person with the intel," Dooku replied.
Sidious's lips thinned. "This is surprising," he murmured and he sounded as though he was speaking about more than the events on Lola Sayu. He was silent for a long moment before he finally turned his gaze to Dooku. "The loss of the intel is most distressing. However, we must continue with our current plans. This is a setback but it will not lose us this war."
"I understand, my lord," Dooku replied lowering his head respectfully. Sidious was right; the loss of the information would not lose them the war.
At least, that was what he hoped but he didn't dare repeat his thought out loud.
Master Yoda met the group on the landing platform outside the Jedi Temple as the shuttle glided to a stop and Obi-Wan was the first out of the shuttle. Yoda was joined by Mace Windu, Kit Fisto and Plo Koon.
"A success the mission was," Yoda said.
"Yes Master," Obi-Wan said.
"Good it is to see you alive and well, Master Piell," Yoda said to the Jedi Master.
"It is good to finally be out of the Citadel, Master Yoda," Piell replied.
"At least we now have the Nexus Route coordinates," Plo said.
"I have half of it, my captain has the other half," Piell said.
"Debrief you both we must," Yoda said.
"With all due respect, Master Jedi, I was ordered by Chancellor Palpatine to bring the intel to him for debriefing," Tarkin said.
"I am going to speak the information to the Jedi Council only," Piell said calmly.
Yoda was silent for a moment. "Personally meet with the Chancellor I will," he said. "Decide what is best to do we shall." He began to walk away and the clones parted to let him through.
"Master Plo, there is something we want to ask you," Anakin said when the group began to break up. Ahsoka also started to walk away but stopped when Anakin asked, "Did you assign Ahsoka to the mission?"
Ahsoka glanced at Plo before lowering her eyes.
Plo examined her for a moment. "It appears that I did," he said before he walked to Ahsoka's side and guided her away.
Obi-Wan glanced at Tarkin as he looked at the two of them; he still didn't like Tarkin and he doubt he ever would.
"A job well done, General Skywalker," Tarkin said and stretched out a hand to Anakin who shook it. "I think I shall inform the Chancellor of your valor." He then walked away to the shuttle that would take him to the Senate building.
Obi-Wan gazed after Tarkin with narrowed eyes as he thought about what Tarkin would do in the future. "I am unsure of what to really think about Tarkin," he murmured.
Anakin glanced at him. "Honestly, I don't know what to think about Tarkin either," he admitted.
Obi-Wan watched as Tarkin stepped onto the shuttle and it flew away before he looked at Anakin. "Come on," he said before the two of them turned around and walked side by side into the Jedi Temple.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: since the ending of "Counterattack" happened so differently, I made the ending of this chapter the ending of "Citadel Rescue" sort of. I did warn you that the ending would be different and the next chapter will NOT cover "Citadel Rescue" since there is no point in doing that chapter
Darth: so what is the next chapter going to cover?
Blaze: (grins) a surprise for Siri and then the beginning of the Deception arc
Darth: surprise? As in…?
Blaze: exactly
Harry: WHAT?
Severus: like she will tell you, blabbermouth
Harry: stop calling me that!
Blaze: I hope that you liked this chapter. Please review and I will post the chapter covering the surprise for Siri and then the events of "Deception" as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it will be anytime soon.