Chapter 129: Friends and Enemies

Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.

Recap: Fugitives on the run! Disguised as Jedi killer, Rako Hardeen, Obi-Wan Kenobi works undercover to solve a Separatist plot against Chancellor Palpatine. Obi-Wan meets the plot's mastermind, Moralo Eval, breaking him out of jail to gain his trust. But now, Kenobi faces another obstacle, bounty hunter Cad Bane. Can Obi-Wan Kenobi overcome Bane's suspicions? Or will the ruthless criminal see through his disguise and expose the Jedi? Only time will tell.

After escaping from Courscant, the criminals headed straight for a planet. They entered the planet's orbit, coming in so fast that alarms began ringing throughout the ship.

"We're coming in too fast, Hardeen," asked Bane as he was in the pilot seat. "Are you trying to kill us?"

"They'll be waiting for us at every spaceport. We have to ditch the ship," said Rako, still Obi-wan in disguise.

"You mean you're going to intentionally crash us into the swamp?" asked Bane in disbelief.

"Yeah, that is exactly what I'm gonna do," said Rako.

"He's right. We have no choice," said Eval as he seemed to agree with Rako's idea.

"Get ready for a fast exit," responded Rako.

Within moments, the ship crashed into the planet's surface, Nal Hatta. The criminals emerged from the ship as it didn't seem they would use it anymore. All around, animal sounds screeched as they were startled by the sudden ship entering their home.

"Nobody can trace us here. The swamp will swallow up the ship. So we leave no trace of our crash." said Rako.

"Moralo Eval likes a man who plans ahead. You do have a plan?" asked Eval.

"Yeah, I know Nal Hutta. We can get a new ship at the Bilbousa Bazaar, but this time, we buy one. Otherwise, we'll have the authorities back on our tail." said Rako as they began to head to the bazaar.

"Not so fast. We need to ditch these prison fatigues. We'll have a bounty on our heads for escaping, and I don't like to stand out." said Bane.

It wasn't long before the three prisoners arrived at their destination. They entered the bazaar as people around were going about their business. However, they also had to stay alert to avoid the nearby guards.

"That's local security. Keep moving," said Eval as they noticed some guards beating up on some drunks as they kept their heads low and slipped past them.

They soon were coming up to their destination.

"We'll get some new gear and equipment. Pablo's pawn shop has everything a bounty hunter needs and more," said Bane as they entered the shop and browsed about. "Now all I need's a new hat."

"For trying to blend in, your hat sure makes you stand out," said Rako as Bane picked a hat he would normally wear.

"I don't like to hide under a helmet," replied the bounty hunter as he put the hat on.

"Is there anything else you desire? A new ship?" asked the shop owner.

"Your choice of weapon is lousy, Pablo. Where can I get some quality blasters?" asked Bane.

"I wouldn't be too picky being on the run like you obviously are," snickered Pablo to Bane.

Bane didn't take too kindly to that as he grabbed Pablo by the throat and pinned him against a shelf as he held the toothpick in his mouth to his throat.

"I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you, Pablo. We'll get our w*apon elsewhere," said Bane as he let go of the shop owner as his lover checked on the man.

"Thanks for the hat," Bane said as he left.

Rako looked at his comrade before offering some money to the shopowners.

"For your trouble."

The woman swatted away the money as she spoke in her native language, which translated to the men leaving the shop before she called the authorities. He simply left as he exited the shop.

"That trader's heard worse threats than yours, Bane. Probably calling the Hutts right now, seeing what kind of bounty there is on us," said Rako, as that made Eval fearful a bit.

"Relax. On this slime pool, everybody's an outlaw," said Bane as he put his hand on Eval's shoulder to ease his worries, "Besides, they'll be looking for three of us. So we're splitting up. You find a ship; we'll get weapons."

"Not so fast. If it's all the same to you, I'll get the weapons," said Rako as he addressed Bane.

"It's not the same to me. You crashed the ship. You get us a new one." Bane stood his ground.

"It does seem fair," said Eval as he and Bane left to find some weapons.

"Soon as we have a ship, we ditch Hardeen," Bane said as they walked.

"Really?" asked Eval.

"We'll throw him to the Hutts. While they interrogate him, we'll be long gone."

"Tell me, is this business or personal?" questioned Eval.

"Both," stated Bane.

While the pair went to find weapons, Rako did what he was tasked with as he was speaking with a trader and negotiating a price for the ship. As he passed under the ship, he put a small track on it as it beeped.

"No, no, no. That's my final offer," said Rako as he wasn't trying to go over what he had. The person spoke as he seemed to agree with that deal. "All right then, it's a deal."

Just then, Bane and Eval were approaching him as they managed to find themselves some weapons.

"Good timing. Soon as you pay for the ship, we can get moving," said Rako.

"With pleasure," stated Eval as he pulled out some money and paid the man.

"Hey, where's my weapon?" asked Rako.

"Won't need it. You're not coming," responded Bane.

"Says who?" asked Rako.

"He doesn't want to split his fee for breaking me out of prison. And also, he despises you," explained Eval as he began walking up the ship's ramp.

"All I know is I'm not going anywhere without my reward," stated Rako.

"I'm sorry. This is between you two," said Eval as he entered the ship, leaving the two to settle their differences.

"What's it gonna be, Bane?" asked Rako.

Just then, the girl and Pablo appeared as they were with some guards. She informed the guards of what happened with the three prisoners who entered their shop and threatened her lover. Rako and Bane saw them as they were coming at them.

"Here's your reward. I'm not killing you," said Bane as he aimed his glove at him and fired some gas to blind him.

Bane then kicked Rako off the ramp, and he fell to the ground, clutching his eyes and rubbing them to get the gas. All the while, Bane closed the door as the ship started to leave. He was still dizzy, and the last image was of the guards standing over him as one of them brought their staff down to knock him out.

Sometime later, Rajo woke up and found himself handing upside down as his legs were chained to a beam overhead. Some guards stood in front of him.

"Where am I?" asked Rako as he was slowly coming to.

"You're a guest of the Hutts. If you do not answer my questions about your two partners, we will not be so hospitable," said the guard in charge as he rammed his staff into Rako, sending a jolt throughout his body.

"You call this hospitable?" asked Rako, as a guard was looking to shock him again. "Wait. Torture won't be necessary. My partners double-crossed me, but I put a tracking device on their ship. Let me down, and I'll tell you the frequency."

The guard did what Rako said as he fell to the floor.

"Now, tell us the tracking frequency," asked the guard.

Bane and Eval were looking to escape this planet in the ship as the latter communicated with his boss about where he was.

"Yes, Count Dooku. I'm sorry I was delayed. I'm free now. I'll try to reach Serenno as soon as possible."

"No more excuses, Eval. Time is running short," stated Dooku to his ally.

"Yes, Count Dooku, no more excuses," replied the criminal to the Sith Lord.

He ended the transmission as he sat back down in his seat.

"You said it yourself, Eval. You're free now. I want my money." demanded Bane.

"After the weapons and the ship, I have very few credits left. You'll be paid when we reach Serenno," assured Eval to Bane.

At that moment, their ship began to rumble as it shook. It got the two criminals off guard.

"What is this? Who is attacking us?" asked Eval.

"The Hutts!" said Bane as he saw some fighters zoom by and shoot at them as he knew they belonged to the crimelords.

"How did they find us so quickly?" stated Eval.

"Hardeen, trying to even the score," explained Bane as he figured their comrade they ditched, snitched on them, and were trying to kill them.

The fighters managed to shoot the engines as the ship was starting to lose altitude and was descending.

"The engines are fried. We'll have to turn back," stated Bane.

At the same time, Rako was now hanging back upside as, after telling the guards of the tracker, they put him back up. He overheard from the guard's comlink about what had just occurred.

"Their ship will crash soon on Na! Hutta," said one of the fighters.

"Be there to capture the fugitives," said the guard.

"You found the ship like I said. Our deal was you'd let me go now," stated Rako to the guard.

"The deal has changed," said the guard as he laughed menacingly.

Seeing how the guard changed his mind, Rako began to take matters into his own hands. He looked up and put his arms out as he used the Force to pull the binds apart and allow him to fall. He landed on his feet and pulled a nearby staff next to the guard. He then slammed it on the ground to get the guard's attention, and when he turned, he whacked him and knocked him out. Rako then grabbed his helmet as he began to leave. He slipped past some guards when he jumped onto a roof and pulled out the communicator he still kept as he began to contact his comrades.

"This is Ben. I apologize for being out of communication, but the situation was rather tenuous. Although, it now appears things may be on track soon. Here's what I need, have the bounty on us removed. If I can win over Cad Bane, I can learn more about Eval's plot. But there can be no more complications. So no matter what reports you hear, do not contact me or send help. And one more thing, I shall need enough credits to buy a new ship."

With that, Obi-wan ended the call as Yoda, Windu, Celestia, and Luna all looked at each other. Though they didn't like this idea by Obi-wan, it seemed like this was the best card they could play without revealing their full hand.

"I hope he knows what he's doing," said Celestia.

Soon Master Windu began to contact the Chancellor as he heard about the Jedi removing the bounty on the three prisoners that escaped and were looking to kidnap him.

"Why are you removing the bounty on the three fugitives?" asked Palpatine.

"If they're free to move, they could lead us back to Eval's operation," explained Windu.

"Very well. Keep me apprised," said the Chancellor as he ended the transmission. He then looked to his side as Anakin happened to be in the room sitting in one of the chairs. "You look troubled, Anakin."

"How can they expect me to just sit here and do nothing with Obi-Wan's murderer on the loose?" said Anakin as that part was still eating at him.

"It is possible that they do not trust you to control your feelings?" questioned Palpatine.

"Hardeen killed my master, my best friend! And now he's escaping with Cad Bane and Moralo Eval, and the Jedi Council won't do anything about it!" shouted Anakin as he was letting his anger out.

The Chancellor smiled as he leaned back and spoke.

"I have it from a reliable source that the fugitives were last headed towards Nal Hutta. You cannot deny your feelings, Anakin. They are what make you special. If you believe you can stop this plot against me, I trust you." said the Chancellor as he gave Anakin permission to go on this special mission.

"Thank you, Chancellor. You won't regret this," stated Anakin as he was grateful to the Chancellor for giving him this info to track down the person who killed his teacher.

"No. I won't," snickered Palpatine, exploit Anakin's feelings to his advantage.

Storm was currently trying to take his mind off things; unlike Anakin, he had faith that his master and her fellow brethren had a plan. But... he still couldn't deny that knowing that Obi-wan was gone still shocked him. To think a Jedi as great as him could be taken out by a simple thug. In a way, it didn't make any sense, but if he knew anything about death, it was that no one is invincible.

If anything, he should know that. Seeing as how he died and came to life. So I guess the possibility of someone getting a lucky shot against Kenobi wasn't that unbelievable. And then the sudden news the other day of the riot and how he managed to escape along with Bane and Eval; it seemed things were getting worse.

"Still thinking?" asked Twilight as she spoke.

The boy looked up as the girl sat beside her partner with a small plate of food.

"It's still impossible to believe that Obi-wan is gone. I always figured he'd be invincible, but I know firsthand that death can come to anyone," said Storm.

"Yeah, and... I know firsthand how it feels to lose someone you care about," sighed Twilight as she recalled how she felt when Discord speared Storm right in his heart as he fell, protecting her.

That cold feeling, the thought that you were the one to blame for why the person was gone, ate at her. Still, to this day, it was a feeling she didn't want to experience again. Maybe... it was one of the reasons she confessed her feelings at the wedding, cause she felt like Chrysalis was going to kill Storm, and that would be another opportunity where she would never get to tell the boy how she felt.

"All we can do now is wait to see what happens. Our masters say they have a plan. We should trust them." said Twilight as she picked up a piece of fruit.

"I guess so," sighed Storm when a hand entered his field of vision.

"Here," spoke Twilight,

"Wha? Twilight?" said the boy as he saw the girl offering him a piece of fruit in her hand.

"You haven't eaten anything in quite a while. You know I don't want you to go through that experience of malnutrition again," the girl recalled that incident.

"Sparky..."

The boy merely looked at the girl holding the piece of food to him with a smile. He didn't protest it as he opened his mouth, closed his eyes, and allowed the princess to feed him the fruit. He munched on it for a bit before swallowing it.

"Well?" asked Twilight.

"I think I need another one," smiled the boy slyly.

Twilight chuckled as she reached to grab another piece of fruit. Storm has his hand on the table as the girl puts her other hand on his. They looked at each other as the princess was about to feed her partner another piece when his comlink went off. Storm quickly answered it.

"Storm."

"Anakin?" said the boy, shocked to find his friend was contacting him.

"Grab Twilight! We got a mission."

"Be right there," said Storm as he ended the transmission.

"Mission? What mission?" asked the princess.

Back on Nal Hatta, Bane and Eval managed to survive the ship crashing and escaped from all the guards looking for them. They made it back to the bazaar, and waiting for them was Rako.

"Oh, back so soon? Let me guess? You missed me?" said Rako as he sat at a table with a drink in hand.

Bane approached him and knocked the drink away before picking him up.

"Watch it!" shouted the restaurant owner when Bane knocked him away.

"Kill me, and you won't get off Nal Hutta," said Rako.

"Moralo Eval is running out of time and patience. Let the man talk," stated Eval as Bane released his hold on Rako.

"Look, I've got a ship. You've got the Hutts on your tail, so you make me a partner in everything," demanded Rako.

"Your deal is accepted," sighed Eval as he figured it'd be best to agree with Rako's demand to avoid any more tension and delays.

"No. First, I wanna know where you got the credits to buy a ship?" asked Bane with a demanding tone.

"You thought you left me for dead, but the Hutts owed me a favor," lied Rako.

"So you had them shoot us down?" yelled Bane.

"You would've done the same thing, Bane. The way I see it, we're even now," glared Rako.

"Now that we're all friends get me off this festering stink-hole," stated Eval as they began to leave to where Rako's ship was.

"Wait, who's going to pay for this mess?" asked the restaurant owner as the trio left.

"So about your fee from Eval, a 50/50 split sounds fair to me," said Rako.

"Over my dead corpse," stated Bane.

"Don't tempt me."

The three all got on Rako's ship as they took off. Above them, the ship holding Anakin, Ahsoka, Storm, and Twilight was shown. After getting the message from his friend, Anakin informed his pal and princess about the special mission the Chancellor was sending him on.

"What makes you think Obi-Wan's murderer is on Nal Hutta?" asked Ahsoka, as she was the only one that wasn't informed.

"I got a tip from the Chancellor himself," responded Anakin.

Their ship landed just as the ship carrying the fugitives took off next to them and left. The Jedi exited the ship as they were walking about the bazaar.

"How are we gonna find them?"

"Ahsoka, you should know by now. If you want to find a lowlife..." said Anakin.

"You start at the saloon," said the girl as she finished her master's sentence as they stood in front of the building.

"I think that's just a cliche," said Storm.

The three ignored his witty and fourth-breaking remark as they entered the saloon. They made their way to the bar; Anakin put his hand out to knock the guards to the floor.

"The fugitives are already gone," said the bartender to the Jedi

"All three of them were here?" asked Anakin.

"Two came in, met the third," responded the bartender.

"When did they leave?" asked Ahsoka.

"Nothing's free on Nal Hutta, especially information."

"I don't have time for games!"

"Anakin!" shouted Storm as he had to again restrain his friend and put his hand out to use his Force powers to fight against his friend.

"You just missed them," gagged the bartender.

"Keep talking," threatened Anakin.

"I heard one of them say they just bought a ship."

Soon the bartender was released as Anakin turned.

"Let's go, girls."

The pair looked at Anakin as they were shocked by what he did. Ahsoka began walking as Twilight turned to look at Storm leaning against the bar. The boy threw some glasses to the floor as they shattered. The look on his face showed that he was starting to have it up to here with his friend. He left some money to pay for the damages as he stomped out with Twilight following close by.

Back on Courscant, it was nighttime as Rex was standing outside the Chancellor's door. He pulled out his communicator as the image of Luna and Windu appeared.

"Captain Rex, we need to speak with General Skywalker," said Windu.

"He's not responding to our calls," said Luna.

"Sirs, General Skywalker is unavailable," responded Rex.

"Where is he, Captain?" asked Windu with a stern look.

"I can't say, sir."

"You can't or you won't?!" shouted Luna, as she wasn't here to play guessing games with the clone.

The door of the Chancellor opened as out emerged Palpatine himself.

"Anakin is on Nal Hutta. I overheard him talking with Storm and the girls to go with him," said the Chancellor.

"Nal Hutta?" asked Windu as he and Luna didn't know about this or that the Jedi Knights left without telling anyone.

"Protecting me is only postponing the problem, not solving it," stated Palpatine.

"With all due respect, Chancellor, the Council has a plan in place," responded Luna.

"Yes, and so does Moralo Eval, who appears to be several steps ahead of you. For that reason, I asked Anakin to take action. He is confident he can find the fugitives and stop this plot against me. I suggest you have more faith in young Skywalker." said the Chancellor to both Jedi Masters. "Captain, if you must escort me home, I'm leaving now."

"Yes, sir," replied Rex as the transmission ended.

"This is exactly what Obi-Wan didn't want to happen," said Celestia as she and Yoda were nearby as they overheard the conversation.

"If I warn him, it could blow his cover, get him killed," stated Windu.

"Kill Hardeen, Skywalker might. Or die trying, he may. Warn them both, you must." said Yoda. "Overdue, the truth is."

"Oh, he's in big trouble when he returns!" growled Luna as she was going to talk sternly with her son. At least, this time, it wasn't Twilight's fault for him disobeying her.

Speaking of the Jedi, they tracked down the buyer who sold the fugitives their ship.

"How do you know they couldn't have gotten very far?" asked Anakin to the buyer as he replied in his native tongue. "So you only gave them enough fuel to reach the nearest filling station on Orondia, which is owned by your brother? Well, that's a nice little money-making scam." smiled Anakin as he paid the buyer for the info.

"Now that's a hustle. Nice one, bud. Here's a tip." said Storm as even he was impressed by that scheme and was thinking of using that for a potential future idea.

"We better get going. Orondia's pretty deserted," said Ahsoka.

"They may steal a ship there to throw us off their trail," suggested Twilight.

"I like your thinking, princess," responded Anakin as all four left began to board their ship and head for Orondia.

And on Orondia, the fugitives had to stop for fuel as the buyer suggested. Their little scam worked as Eval was forced to pay the brother some money for the fuel.

"Here, take it. I just want to get out of here," complained Eval as he walked away to where Bane and Rako were. "We're being swindled. Who sells a ship with only enough fuel to get to this lousy rock?"

"The way I see it, you keep paying off everybody but me," stated Bane as he didn't like that he wasn't getting any money for all he's been doing.

"Yeah, why is that?" asked Rako as they all boarded their ship.

At that moment, the Jedi emerged from hyperspace as they approached the planet Orondia. They saw the gas station where their targets were as they began to take off.

"Look! It's Cad Bane!" said Ahsoka.

"Are you sure?" asked Anakin.

"Ugh, who else wears a hat like that?" replied the Padawan.

"Good point," confirmed Storm.

"I thought criminals were supposed to keep a low profile," said Twilight as she found it stupid that Bane would give themselves away because he couldn't bear to go without his signature hat.

The Jedi were now chasing after the ship as Anakin bumped their ship on top of the fugitive as they felt it.

"Now what?" said Eval.

"Jedi!" said Bane as he saw their ship flying in front of them.

Anakin soon made another pass at the ship, and he bumped into them again. The two ships flew high as the fugitives tried to escape the Jedi.

"Take over! I'll bring them down!" shouted Anakin to Ahsoka as he quickly got up.

"Anakin, wait!" shouted Storm to his friend, but he was long gone.

Anakin opened the door as the wind blew in his face. He then leaped as he landed on the fugitives' ships and ran. Obi-wan saw him land as he started to get up.

"I'll take care of him," replied Rako.

"No! It's my turn to kill a Jedi!" said Bane as he stood up and stopped Rako from having another chance to upstage him.

Anakin was on the ship when he turned on his lightsaber and ran it through the wing of the ship in an attempt to bring it down. However, Bane, now suited up, activated his rocket boots as he fired a cable to attach to the ship's underside and swung to the other side where Anakin was. He fired at the Jedi, who deflected a shot back at the bounty hunter as he took out one of his rocket boots and began to lose control. He landed in front of the ship as they were heading down; Anakin jumped and landed before Bane. The bounty hunter backed up on the floor while firing at the Jedi Knight approaching him while deflecting his shots.

Just as he was about to strike down the bounty hunter, Rako made the ship go up, as Anakin had momentarily lost his balance. Ahsoka saw this and had the undership of their vessel bump the roof of their ship as it stopped them from escaping. Bane took that moment to activate his last rocket boots as he slid back while firing at Anakin, who rushed toward him while deflecting. Eventually, Bane slid off to the nose part of the ship with Anakin on his tail. He landed and was firing in place at the Jedi, closing the distance.

Rako saw his ally in trouble as he began to take some evasive actions. As Anakin wobbled, he made the ship move from side to side, to which he turned and saw the man who killed his master. Rako then fired the guns to make several rock formations in front of them explode. When he went upward, he collided with Ahsoka as both ships were now spinning out of control and crashed below, flinging Bane and Anakin off the nose of the ship.

Eval was flung forward as he was knocked out, with Rako flying back and landing on his back. While with the Jedi, Ahsoka collided headfirst with the steering wheel and was knocked out. Storm pulled Twilight into his arms as he took the brute of the hit and cushioned the impact of the princess with his back.

"Ugg. Anakin," said Obi-wan as he quickly exited the ship to check on his apprentice.

He jumped down to a smoke of dust with a blaster aimed while he walked. Ahsoka was coming as she put her hand to her head. She saw Twilight coming to as Storm was still knocked unconscious. The princess told her friend to check on Anakin as she would keep an eye on Storm. She nodded and began to head out to assist her teacher.

"Storm... wake up, please!" pleaded the girl.

The princess was concerned for her partner since he used his body to ensure she wasn't hurt. Soon, some grumbling was heard as Storm was slowly coming.

"Sparky..."

"Thank goodness," said Twilight as she hugged her partner tightly. "I was worried about you."

At that moment, her comlink went off as she looked at it beeping and answered it. The voice of Celestia was heard.

Back with Obi-wan, still wearing his disguise, he was carefully walking about in the smoke, looking for his student to ensure he was okay. The Jedi Master paused as his senses went off. He turned and emerged from the smoke as Anakin tackled Rako over the edge and to the level below. They tumbled before they got up and looked at each other.

"You're going to pay for what you did," stated Anakin, looking at the man who killed his master, unaware that it was Obi-wan disguised as the person who shot him.

"You shouldn't have gotten involved," stated Obi-wan to his student as they put their arms to grab ahold of each other.

Anakin backed up Rako into the wall behind him; he kneed him in the gut to drop him to his knees. The Jedi then pulled out his lightsaber.

"This is for Obi-Wan," said Anakin, about to strike down the man.

At that moment, Bane recovered as he fired a cable wrapped around Anakin.

"You can thank me later, Hardeen," said Bane as he flew over Anakin and a few feet away while dragging the Jedi toward him, "You had your chance to kill him. Now it's my turn."

Anakin rolled back, so his legs kicked Bane away when he was pulled in. He was free and called his lightsaber as he turned to Bane and started deflecting his shots. Ahsoka was now jumping and climbing up the machinery to get to where her master was as she saw him fighting on the cliff ahead of her.

Anakin deflected Bane's shots to where he disarmed him as Bane stumbled back. The Jedi was about to strike him when Rako tackled him, and they tumbled a bit in the dirt. Obi-wan put Anakin on a hold as he was looking to pass him out.

"Anakin, don't follow me," whispered Obi-wan to his student.

Anakin's eyes widened when he heard that, and he soon passed out. Obi-wan released the hold on his student as he sighed. He tossed his apprentice off as Bane stood up and dusted himself. He grabbed his blaster and was looking to finish off Anakin when Ahsoka yelled as she emerged from the smoke and landed. Bane moved to the side as he stared down the Padawan.

He fired some shots, and Ahsoka deflected them while protecting Anakin. At that moment, Eval emerged from the ship as he recovered and started it up for them to escape.

"The ship is still operational. I got it working. Now let's get out of here." state Eval to his allies.

"You're lucky we're in a hurry, little lady. We'll have to dance another time," said Bane as he and Rako headed to board their ship.

"Master! Master, are you all right?" called out Ashoka to Anakin.

He soon began to stir as he sat up. The engines started as the fugitives took off while Ahsoka helped her teacher up.

"What is it? What's wrong?" asked the Padawan as she saw how Anakin acted.

"That's why I felt a connection. Obi-Wan is still alive," responded Anakin as he coughed.

"I-I-I don't understand," replied Ahsoka.

"I don't, either. But we're gonna get to the bottom of this. Believe me." responded Anakin.

As the pair were slowly making their way back to their ship, Celestia finished informing the pair of the details. Both were shocked to find out that Obi-wan was alive this whole time. The Jedi Master told them to inform Anakin and Ahsoka to return to Courscant, where she and the others would tell the group the entire story.

Author's Note: And so it seems the truth has come out. Somewhat. There's still some secrets that the Jedi Council hasn't told about the plan. And in some ways, the war is making the Jedi do things they don't normally do, like be spies, be warriors, not be honest, etc... And the little scene at the end showing how important Obi-wan is to Anakin, not just because it's his friend, but because Obi-wan knows how to control and keep Anakin's head from blowing up. Not to mention, more descentation between the friendship between Storm and Anakin, the cracks showing that will eventually be broken beyond repair. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.