Chapter 7: New Threats and New Allies
While the Imperial forces did decimate some of these Rebel soldiers, the reality of the situation being that while a large majority of the troops were diminished as they got away. The reality of this fact was not something that Lord Vader would take lightly. Especially upon hearing the words that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano were evaded by the ground assault. While sitting in his chair awaiting the hologram he would have to break the news soon, as he awaited the response. Before appearing before him in the blue hologram was the Sith Lord himself. The menacing breathing as much like that of a terrifying beast. The coldness of his presence was felt by the evilness that seeped into his very being. Causing even the strong demeanor of the Grand Inquisitor to be shaken.
"Lord Vader, it is wonderful to see you in your presence sir. It is always a gift to work for you and the good of the Empire."
"Enough with the pleasantries Grand Inquisitor. I want your mission report on the attack."
"I am sorry to disappoint you Lord Vader, but we were unable to take down the rogue citizens led by Saw Gerrera. He recruited two Jedi by the names of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano." Vader was taken aback from hearing the names of the two Jedi that had come from the past of Anakin Skywalker.
"I see Grand Admiral. I am disappointed in your lack of skill to takedown this threat to the Empire although I do recognize that the powerful Jedi stopped you on your mission. Only Anakin Skywalker would have been able to stop them in his great power, but enough fairy tales. You will join me on my ship. I will need you to work with me to find them. Nothing matters more than going after Kenobi and Tano."
"Yes Lord Vader, I will make my way to meet you as soon as possible." Then as the transmission ended with the Inquisitor, Vader had his armor removed as he was lowered into the bacta tank. Dwelling on the loss of his limbs and the burning of the flames of Mustafar. The pain and anger fueling his connection to the Dark Side of the Force.
Reveling in the memories of his past brought him to that fateful battle of Mustafar a battle in which the newly appointed Sith Lord sought to show off his own abilities. Even with his cocky nature taking over with the flustering emotions of dealing with his former friend seemingly taking away his dearly beloved wife by making him look like the bad guy.
Upon the completion of the time in his bacta tank and the renewed interest to pursue the two Jedi. Knowing his time will come, a time of reckoning, showing the power of the Dark Side. The obsession of wanting to eliminate the last remnants of Anakin Skywalker.
Elsewhere on the ship currently departing on the crew escaping Tatooine as the crew called and debated about the appearance of these two Jedi. Many wondering what they will be for them and why they got involved with Saw Gerrera and his company. Meanwhile Ashoka and Obi-Wan sat in a corner by themselves meditating and reconnecting to the Force.
"Not that I was not happy to see you come to my rescue, but why were you on the planet Tatooine Ahsoka?"
"I have been on the run from many different Inquisitors across the Outer Rim territories when I arrived on this planet. I never planned on coming here, especially with the history this place had with Anakin. As I landed, I was called by the Force and behold it brought me to you."
Obi-Wan was surprised by this revelation. The ways by which Ahsoka was willing to protect him even as he was one of the people who caused her to be distressed and ultimately leave the order. So having her show up in his own moment of need despite the tragic past is something he never thought that he would have seen.
Ahsoka could sense the troubles that were coming from her friend who even though she had an issue with the handling of the council, but her love and support of a friend who she learned so much from alongside Anakin. Always making sure to teach her some of his own knowledge of the Force and what he has learned even if she was not his padawan. Seeing the look in his eyes she knew this wasn't a time to talk about the wounds of her own heart, but to help the older Jedi herself.
"Why are you here Obi-Wan? It is not like you to be on such a forsaken planet."
"I have been tasked with keeping an eye on one of the twins. Anakin had two kids a boy and a girl. The boy named Luke and the girl named Leia."
Ahsoka was taken aback from this news, she had not thought of Anakin having a family. She knew that Padme and Anakin were close, best friends even (Although she recognized right away how close Obi-Wan and Anakin were even from the first time she met them all those years ago).
"Anakin has kids? How did no one sense this?"
"I suspected, but I never was able to fully put it together until the fall of the order. By that time I had to go take Anakin down, after learning about that from Padme myself."
"You attacked Anakin? There is no way that you could do that! Do you know how much he meant to me! To us? I thought that he was like a brother to you! I thought that you loved him or cared for him!" Ahsoka upon hearing that Anakin was attacked over the misstep didn't want to think about how he could have turned to the Dark Side. She could not imagine herself how she could see him being a part of the thing that Anakin, Obi-Wan, and herself could not possibly imagine.
"Ahsoka. Anakin was gone, Master Yoda himself said when we infiltrated the Jedi Temple to warn all Jedi to stay away. I watched the holograms and saw him kill younglings. He himself led the attack on the Temple and left it in smoke."
Ahsoka sensing that Obi-Wan was telling the truth fell to her knees and began to cry. Obi-Wan pulled her into his arms and allowed her to mourn as he had done for the last 10 years. Anyone who had been watching the two Jedi had now left them to their private and intimate conversation.
Saw took a moment before interrupting the two Jedi and looking at them before breaking the news to them.
"Master Jedi, we are about to leave hyperspace and I have some news. We will need to lay low for a while some place close to the midrim territories. We will be meeting another fellow Jedi of mine, Cal Kestis and their crew who have just returned from a mission on their own. We could use your help and give you a chance to get back at the Empire."
"Cal Kestis, now that is a name I have not heard from in quite a while. A very promising padawan during those times. Studied under the tutelage of Master Jaro Topal if I recall." Leaving Obi-Wan pondering the fact that so many people from his past have now gone back into the fold. The new allies and foes being a part of the Force once again calling him on an adventure whether he wanted it or not. The word of Tano and Kenobi being alive will certainly bring the Emperor to dispatch many different inquisitors after them. Obi-Wan knew he would once again need to fully open himself up to the Force, which will also open up his old wounds.