Chapter 14 – The Malevolence
Author's Note: I feel like the altered conversation in here is actually way, way closer to what happened in canon… erg, it's so hard to figure out exactly how Anakin should handle these conversations versus how he probably really did last time. -~-
~ Rivana Rita
Remember how I said that everything wouldn't be the same? Well that starts now. :)
~ Amina Gila
By the Force, he hates this messed up sense of déjà vu more than anything.
Okay, almost everything. Slavers and Seppies' torture rooms are higher.
Ahsoka is back again, hovering at Anakin's side, but it still feels wrong.
It's been a few weeks since his last battle, and Anakin had honestly expected it to be longer. Even so, it was enough time for him to get himself together – finally – and focus on the war. If the war is done, it will give him all the time he needs to train Ahsoka properly. He hasn't had time to talk to the Chancellor yet – aside from when the man briefly warned him to be careful, for the same reason Padme and Rex and Ahsoka did, and Anakin would much rather not think about it – but Anakin wants to talk to him once they finish dealing with the Malevolence.
Ahsoka may have been with Obi-Wan as of late, but it doesn't change Anakin is her master. Obi-Wan is not someone she can have a close emotional connection with, the one Anakin knows she craves for very much, even if she ought not to. Anakin never discouraged it, even if he should have. He doesn't know if he should, though. It felt so, so wrong.
Anakin had warned Master Plo, or at least he'd tried to, before the man had left for the Abregado system. It had been all Anakin was able to offer in advance, even if he has been dropping warnings off here and there whenever he can, if he can. It doesn't feel like enough.
Ventress is down, though. It's one good thing that's come. Even if they haven't been able to get anything out of her, Anakin is still certain it was worth it. Ventress killed many Jedi, and to have her out of the picture is… a good thing, Anakin thinks, even if he knows Dooku will likely replace her with another. Hopefully not Savage, but that would be just his luck.
So, yes. While Anakin knows he did everything he could, it still feels like a personal failure to not have succeeded in saving Plo's fleet. It feels familiar though, this time, to be standing in front of a hologram of the Chancellor, Obi-Wan, Master Yoda and Master Windu. "Tragic are these losses, but prevent more, we must," Yoda declares.
It irks him to hear, but Anakin has long become accustomed to the Jedi's willingness to let one another die if it means helping others. It contrasts drastically with one of the few truths Anakin has always clung to: that everyone must be cared for. Not because of who or what they are, but simply because they're… alive. It's what all Jedi do, isn't it? Even if they never show it.
"All our battle groups will be reassigned to guard our supply convoys, including yours, Skywalker," Master Windu states. "I'm afraid we can't risk any more ships with a rescue mission."
Anakin starts opening his mouth to agree – even though he already intends to go out himself, once his fleet is in position – but Ahsoka suddenly jolts forwards. "Wait!" she protests loudly, with a hint of desperation. "Just because there haven't been any survivors before doesn't mean there won't be any this time!"
"Padawan!" Obi-Wan snaps, making Anakin wince. He knows that tone; his master has used it on him, many, many times in the past, that 'I-am-so-done-with-putting-up-with-your-nonsense' attitude that – that he never, ever would have expected to be used on Ahsoka. Anakin, of course, knows the best way to deal with it. It means he's gotten out of line, and therefore should hastily backtrack and apologize and stay as quiet and invisible as possible until Obi-Wan's calmed down.
Ahsoka, though, is new to this. She seems to have realized her error almost immediately – Anakin had told her to be quiet right before they entered, to avoid this very situation – but she doesn't backtrack, even if she does take a step back.
"You will learn your place, young one."
She looks stung, hurt and angry at once, not unlike what Anakin himself knows so well.
"Boldly spoken for one so young," the Chancellor remarks, before the conversation can spiral into an argument.
"Excuse my padawan," Anakin interjects, hurriedly. "We will deploy as you have instructed, Masters." He cuts the connection immediately, even if he knows Obi-Wan will likely be getting after them both for it later.
He sighs quietly, turning towards Ahsoka who is already stalking towards the door. "Ahsoka," he tiredly calls after her. He feels like walking dead right now and Force knows why his arm is burning. This hasn't happened for a long time, but it's throbbing, and it often happens after – after he's electrocuted, because electricity is always drawn to his arm, but that hasn't happened in a long while, from what he remembers. "I told you to remain quiet." He knows what Obi-Wan would say, but he won't – he won't follow that. She's already hurt, as it is, but his master is right. It's completely improper for her – or anyone – to backtalk the Council in such a manner.
"If anyone could survive, Master Plo could!" Ahsoka exclaims frustratedly. "I don't understand why…"
"What you don't understand," Anakin replies, with about as much patience as he can find in himself right now – it's not much, but he forces it to the surface anyway, for her. "Is Jedi protocol. I understand you're upset right now, but that is no excuse to disrespect the Council."
"Disrespect?!"
"If you must bring up an objection to orders, first request permission to speak your mind. And –" He shouldn't say this. He shouldn't say it! Why does he want to? "For the record, I agree, but it is not our place to question the Council."
Ahsoka is quiet when they leave for the Twilight – he just finished it and gave it a few practice flights, to ensure it's in good order. "Master, I should tell you why I spoke up before," she says at last, settled in the seat behind Anakin.
"You have nothing to explain, Ahsoka. I understand." He knows. It feels like not that long ago when he was her age, when other Jedi would tell him the same thing. Sometimes his own master. It hadn't made sense to him at first, how they could turn their backs on those in need, if it was "for the greater good".
He'll never forget the times he's been forced to leave mostly destroyed planets to their fate, because the Council ordered him back since the Republic had no further use for them. He didn't understand, and he doesn't even now, but he has to believe. He has to believe that this is good and right, because it's everything he's served for. It's what he dedicated his life to.
He'd struggled with it for so long, but his master had said so, and Obi-Wan would never tell him something that would mislead him. He's not always right though, Anakin knows. It could not possibly have been right to leave his mother behind, because it was what his master told him to do.
They exit hyperspace at the Abregado system to the very, very familiar sight of destroyed ships. A wave of guilt slams into him full force, but he focuses on flying the ship forwards. Fast. Now that he's here again, he does remember – vaguely – the direction Master Plo's escape pod was. Of course, Anakin has no guarantee the Jedi Master is in the same place.
"Artoo, set up the scanner. Modulate for incoming mystery weapons," Ahsoka orders, drearily.
"No. Artoo, tune the scanners for life forms. Highest sensitivity. Hurry, we don't have much time." He knows Master Plo – and truthfully, no one – would never do this for him and Ahsoka. It was one of the first thing he learned as a Jedi, that his life will be thrown away without hesitation if it means the mission. It's fine, too, if it means helping others.
Not Ahsoka, though. Never Ahsoka. She is not… expendable. She's – she's too good for that.
"Why should we scan for life forms to spot an enemy weapon probably just filled with battle droids?" Ahsoka asks, standing and moving forwards, freezing beside him. "The Abregado system?! Oh, so it's okay when you don't follow what the Council says."
"No, it's not," he replies, "But lives are in danger, Ahsoka. We can't just turn our backs on them."
"That's what I said back in the briefing room!" Ahsoka throws herself into the co-pilot's seat, her frustration rapidly mounting.
"I know."
Really, this is exactly what he should not be teaching his padawan. This is why Anakin didn't want to train Ahsoka in the first place; because she could become too much like him, too… wild and arrogant or whatever else Obi-Wan constantly complained to him about. He could fail her again, not give her what she needs, because he doesn't know what. He doesn't have what she needs.
If only he'd been strong enough to turn her down back on Christophsis, the second time. Then he remembers the desperate look on Ahsoka's face back then and wonders if there is any right way out of this situation, because he cannot willingly let someone die if he has a way to stop it. Besides, they needed Master Plo to destroy the Malevolence before.
Doesn't matter now, though. It's too late for regrets. He feels guilty already for disobeying the Council. It's only worse because he has a child to care for. He should have left her behind, but for some reason, the Force whispers a firm objection to that.
He'll have time for regrets later. Now, he'll focus on saving Master Plo. Anakin will deal with the Council's anger later. He'd do it a thousand times, if it means saving lives. That doesn't answer for the times in which nothing goes as planned, though.
"Keep on eye on the viewport, Snips," Anakin instructs as she looks down at the scanners again. "His pod might be out there, and it might not be active."
"It's hard to see, out there in space."
"Ahsoka, you know we might find something you don't want to find."
"I know, Master, but I have to believe."
"Of course," he agrees. "I know he's your friend. How do you know him?" It's not as if he doesn't know, but it will give Ahsoka something to distract herself with.
"He's one of my oldest friends. It was Master Plo Koon who found me and brought me to the temple, where I belonged." – I can't stay here any longer. Not now – "Now he's lost, so I thought maybe I could find him."
Their conversation is interrupted by a flashing on the control panel. "Incoming transmission, Master," Ahsoka says, voice rising every syllable and going slightly nervous, "I think someone noticed we're gone."
"Put it through," he sighs, and a hologram of Obi-Wan flickers to life between them.
"Anakin, where are you?" he asks, knowingly.
"We made a quick stop in the Abregado system," Anakin answers, honestly.
"A rescue mission, I suppose. You had other orders." There's a reprimanding note in it, but he – thankfully – doesn't call Anakin out on it, yet.
"It was my idea, Master Obi-Wan," Ahsoka admits, leaning over.
"Oh, I'm sure," Obi-Wan acknowledges, turning back to Anakin. "Have you found any survivors?"
"No. You were right. The Separatists don't want any survivors, but I'm certain he's alive here, somewhere."
"We cannot endanger more lives to save one," Obi-Wan reminds. It's a complete disregard to the fact that there are clones with him, but Anakin has long become accustomed to this.
"Master," he requests, even knowing that this is too much to ask, "Please trust me on this."
There is a heartbeat of silence before the Jedi Master finally nods. "Very well. Hurry back, Anakin. We need you out here."
"We'll be there," Anakin promises, cutting the connection. They don't have time for this. It'd be best if they could leave before being spotted, if possible. Last time… "Ahsoka, can you sense Master Plo? Can you try to contact him through your bond, and see where he is?"
"I can try," she replies, uncertainly, closing her eyes.
"Reach inwards. If you search for him, you can find him."
"I know." Ahsoka does as he says, and Anakin flies in silence for a moment – just a moment, before Artoo beeps, saying he's found something on the emergency channel. It's weak, but it's there, and Artoo tries to trace it, while Ahsoka goes back to… meditating. "I feel him," she breathes. "Not far."
The signal finally makes it through to Plo's pod, and Anakin lets out a relieved sigh. "Artoo, try to boost the reception."
Ahsoka jerks back to herself in the same moment, diving for the controls. "I know where he is," she blurts out in a rush, turning the ship.
That, of course, is the same moment another transmission comes through. It's Palpatine. "Anakin, the Council is furious. Why have you left your post?" The chiding note in his voice has far from the same affect it always does for Obi-Wan. It makes him feel… guilty, but not in the same all-consuming way that's accompanied by so much anger, whether for himself or Obi-Wan or the Council.
"I couldn't give up on Master Plo Koon," he admits, willing himself not to back down and shrink away. This is the Chancellor. Anakin has nothing to fear. This is the one person who has never found something… unworthy in him, and it makes Anakin wonder, sometimes, because that's never been true for anyone else. He wasn't enough for Obi-Wan or Ahsoka.
"A noble gesture, Anakin, but the Council feels your daring may put others in danger." The rest of his words are lost as Anakin glances out the viewport, and Plo's pod comes into view. He lets out a quiet sigh of relief. He was beginning to fear the Jedi Master may have died, after all.
"We'll be on our way," Anakin replies, "We just found Master Plo Koon. We'll be out of here in minutes."
Okay… That's not true, Anakin realizes, as soon as the connection cuts. The Malevolence nearly found them last time, and he has little doubt they'll manage now as well. Personally, he'd much prefer not to risk barely managing to escape with their lives again. It would be easier to sit through it without being spotted.
A few minutes later, Master Plo is on board with his three surviving clones. "Tell me, were there any survivors?" he asks as he leans against his pod.
Anakin shakes his head, a pang of guilt shooting through him. His fault. "We couldn't find anybody else."
"The hunters must have destroyed the rest," he realizes, and Anakin senses his grief. Of all the Jedi he's known, Master Plo is one of the very, very few who genuinely cared for his clones. For the others, they were just soldiers.
"I'm sorry, Master Plo," Ahsoka murmurs, standing from where she was seated next to him and leaning over to hug him.
Anakin rises, turning to head back to the cockpit. He doesn't know how long it will take for the Malevolence to find them, and he won't take risks. Besides, staying with the others right now feels like he's intruding on something private. They aren't the people he used to know anymore, and he was never close with Master Plo.
Anakin flies the Twilight a short distance from the escape pod – hopefully large enough not to be noticed from amidst the other debris – before stopping.
"What are we doing?" Ahsoka asks, walking into the cockpit.
"If the enemy weapon is still out there, we could be spotted."
"We tracked the mystery weapon to this system," Master Plo relates as he enters the room. "That is when we found out it was an ion cannon."
"An ion cannon?" Ahsoka inquires, worriedly.
"A weapon that neutralizes all power to our ships, leaving the target defenseless."
"I suspect they're still here," Anakin explains, right before the scanners flash, indicating the ship's approach. This was not supposed to happen so soon.
"Ahsoka, get the medical droid," Anakin orders, flipping levers on the control panel to shut down the engine and power. The ship won't last long in space, but it shouldn't have to, unless they get very unlucky.
"I'm on it!" Ahsoka calls, running out of the room.
He turns off Artoo last, and the droid stills in the back of the cockpit.
Ahsoka sprints back into the room, settling back into the co-pilot's seat to wait, radiating tension into the Force. If they were alone, Anakin would have given her advice on how to calm herself, but he doesn't. Not since they have company. He's never felt comfortable enough in other Jedi's presence to teach Ahsoka in front of them.
Anakin watches the viewport as the Malevolence slowly comes into view. Even now, it's still one of the biggest Separatist ships he's ever seen. He's fought enough battles to remain perfectly calm, though. He knows how to do it.
Something feels… unsettled in the Force that he can't put a name to, but Anakin choses not to center on it.
"That's one big cruiser crusher," Ahsoka states, radiating apprehension.
And… instead of passing on, it stops moving. Right in front of them. What…?
Instead of continuing to move, it just sits there.
"What's happening?" Ahsoka asks quieter.
"I don't know," Anakin admits. This doesn't make sense. The Malevolence shouldn't have been able to scan them unless they were scanning for life-forms… right?
The answer hits him suddenly, in the form of a much too familiar presence in the Force. He would recognize that presence anywhere, along with everything that came with it. He remembers – distinctly – being trapped in place, jolts of electricity running through him, and most of all the burning, searing agony as Dooku's blade cut through his arm.
"Dooku's here," Anakin declares, voice firm and steady despite the shiver that runs down his spine. He breathes out and lets it go, though, because it doesn't matter. He's not there yet. If he gets that far, he'll survive like always – okay, almost always – and deal with it afterwards, like he always has. What matters is that the Sith might sense them, and this rescue attempt could completely backfire. Maybe… he should have listened to the Council. It would be better for Plo to die than for everyone to be captured.
Force no. Not Ahsoka. Not his little Snips.
"We must leave," he realizes suddenly. He senses a prickle of energy gathering in the Force, as the Malevolence prepares to fire, even though they shouldn't know where they are. Maybe he was wrong, and the Separatists were scanning for life-forms, after all.
"Can we make it?" Master Plo inquires.
"If we must."
Offering a silent plea into the Force that this be the correct choice, Anakin flips the levers back on, powering up the ship. The engine is just restarting when the Separatists fire.
And yes, he tries to, but for the first time in his life, it's not fast enough. Anakin senses it's approach, but even heading straight into the debris field isn't fast enough. The ion pulse passes over the ship, leaving nothing but a sparking control panel and a ruined escape plan in its wake.
At war, he always has to be prepared to lose his ships – it's a simple fact of life. Even his favorites and the ones he's put the most effort into. Still, he thinks the last time he was so upset about something like this was way back when he lost Artoo. The Twilight was supposed to be a place of home, and now he went and ruined it. Great job, Skywalker.
He spins around and jumps up, turning on Artoo before heading for the door. "Master, what are you doing?" Ahsoka calls urgently.
He stops in his tracks but doesn't turn around. "Preparing for battle."
"The battle is over," Plo points out. "It appears we lost."
"Not yet. Master, I don't think they can afford to blow us out of the sky." Anakin turns around, crossing his arms. "It would be a huge loss for them. You're a Council member, and I'm not far behind. We're too valuable." At least he hopes it's the truth, because at least this way they might still have the chance to escape. He refuses to believe this is going to be the end. He has a destiny to fulfill – something he still fights against, even now – and he can't just accept Ahsoka will die. He'll fight to the death to keep her safe if he must.
Artoo beeps his agreement, racing forwards. "Anything for you, Master Anakin."
He smiles despite the seriousness of the situation and pats the trusty droid's dome, ever grateful for his faithfulness. "Thanks buddy. Everyone in? If they pull us aboard, we can fight our way through the lines and maybe sabotage the Malevolence before they attack anywhere else."
"When a scouting mission turns into a destroying mission…" Ahsoka sighs and jumps up. "I'm in."
"Of course," Plo agrees. Anakin gives him a nod before heading to the entrance. The ship suddenly jolts, as though it was caught in a tractor beam. Good. That's what he expected to happen. He wishes Ahsoka wasn't here. She's not nearly as good as he remembers, and he sometimes forgets her abilities. To be fair, it is one thing that never changed. He always put too much trust in her when she was young, expecting her to handle difficult situations properly. It only got her in trouble more times than not.
Anakin gives the clones a brief run-down of the situation when he collects whatever available explosives they have – thankfully, that's one thing he's always sure to stockpile. While he knows how easy it would be for the Separatists to shoot them down, he somehow doubts they will.
**w**
Ahsoka's heart is pounding as the six of them stand, weapons in hand, in front of the door, waiting. She trusts her master knows what he's talking about but she's afraid, anyway. No. Jedi don't get scared. They aren't going to die here. They'll fight their way out, like her master said. Somehow. Even if Dooku is apparently there.
"What do we do?" she asks, trying to feign a sense of calmness. For as much as she's trying to stay in the moment, it's not working.
Her master looks at her, almost as if he's looking through her. It's unsettling, but somehow, he always seems to know exactly how she feels, even if she's trying to hide it. "If they pull us on board, we'll fight our way out," he replies. "We need to split up and damage both ion cannons to cover our escape. I'll distract Dooku… and Grievous. If I can, I'll get to the bridge and hotwire the hyperdrive to destroy the ship. Someone will have to sabotage it to delay them and give us time to escape. We'll have to bomb the hangers before we escape so they don't chase us. If we don't make it… we'll have to stow away on board or take action despite the risks."
Something inside her clenches. Ahsoka has heard about Grievous. He's deadly. He's one of the few people who can kill Jedi with ease, and while she has no doubt in her master's abilities, she knows – suspects – it would be a dangerously close match-off. And Dooku defeated him before… What her master is suggesting could literally be a suicide mission.
"I'll stay with you," she declares.
"No," he refuses, firmly. "We'll need three groups. We can't stay together." He holds her gaze, demanding mingled with regret in his eyes, which she appreciates, but she won't back down.
"You know what this means, Master," she argues. She didn't come to save Master Plo only to get her own master killed. They never should have come this far.
"I do."
"I must agree with Skywalker," Master Plo speaks up. "This may be our only way of destroying the ship."
"We need to take this ship down, Ahsoka," her master continues. The ship lurches suddenly, probably from being caught in a tractor beam, nearly throwing her off-balance. "We must be ready to do what must be done. For the galaxy."
"I can't let you die!"
"You won't have to." He doesn't look away, as if he's waiting for some sort of response. Finally, Ahsoka offers the tiniest nod, understanding his request even if she won't consent to it.
Ahsoka can only hope they're truly ready for this battle – it's by far the hardest she's ever fought – as the droid start cutting through the door.
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