Chapter 37 - Lethal Trackdown

DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P

Author's Note: You were warned that things would change. ;)

To Guest (who reviewed chapter 18): It literally doesn't matter how Anakin was born, okay? There's nothing to argue about. What matters is what Palpatine thinks happened. Is he right? Wrong? It doesn't matter. It doesn't change anything in the story. :)

Thank you, loldelegate! :)

~ Amina Gila

"I can't believe this happened," Barriss says, her usually constant calm mixed with an obvious note of incredulity and horror.

"I can't either." Anakin's hardly sure how this is possible.

Windu is dead.

No one really knows how it happened, but there was an explosion in his quarters on a Star Destroyer during his visit to Kamino. No one even knows how it happened, because there was no one suspicious seen on board.

"Do you think a clone could be behind it?" Barriss asks.

"We have had clone traitors in the past," Anakin states, frowning. He has no idea, but everyone is thoroughly shaken from this. It's worse that all Anakin can remember are the Father's words from Mortis. He wasn't so sure before, but the war is getting worse. In one of the worst ways it could.

Windu has always been there, and it doesn't seem real that he isn't anymore. It feels impossible.

Barriss sighs quietly. "This would never have happened if not for the war."

"Hundreds of Jedi have been lost because of the war," Anakin replies quietly, but he knows what she means. He does agree with her points about the war, but he doesn't see how else the Jedi could be handling it. Obi-Wan insists they're doing everything they can.

"That's what I mean. This isn't a war we should be involved in, and now, Windu is gone because of it." They've just left the funeral room – so many were there, and Anakin doesn't think he'll ever be able to unsee it. The others are leaving as well, and they're currently standing off to the side to avoid anyone overhearing.

"Master Obi-Wan says the Council is doing everything they can."

"I know." She sounds frustrated, and he wonders if she truly agrees – they don't openly question the Council; they just don't. It's against how they were raised, but Anakin can admit to sometimes questioning things way deep inside, even if he won't outwardly speak of it. "But I don't.. see it. If the Sith are out there, this is probably what they want us to be doing."

What? "Why do you say that?"

"We're only helping spread chaos. I imagine that's only helping them."

"We're fighting to stop the Sith."

"Maybe this isn't the way to do it."

Now that she mentions it... But he doesn't know what else they ought to be doing. There's so much he doesn't know. "Maybe," Anakin agrees, "But at this point, we cannot... simply back out. But I understand your point. Chaos would... fuel the Dark Side." Maybe. He has no idea how that works.

And somehow, Anakin is supposed to balance this. He has no idea how, and it fills him with an overwhelming sense of desperation. All he can try to do is be better. His master seems to want that anyway.

"I just think we should be doing something differently, but I don't know what."

He completely relates to that. "The Chosen One is supposed to destroy the Sith. That's... what I should do, but I do not know how to go about it."

She turns, eyeing him. "Those rumors are everywhere. Is it really true that it's you?"

He tries not to groan aloud. "It appears so."

"If the Chosen One prophecy is as simple as they say," she muses.

"...What do you mean?

"There's many who question if it's as straightforward as some view it as."

Anakin knows that, but the Council seems to believe it, at least now that the Sith are back. "What do you think?"

"I don't know," Barriss says, thoughtfully, "What about you?"

It never occurred to him that it might not be real. But from what he saw on Mortis, he doesn't see how it could be anything else. "I don't understand what it is I'm supposed to do." Whatever it is, he'll have to figure it out.

"If this is a... destiny, I imagine the Force will guide you there when the time comes."

"But what does that mean?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. I suppose no one really does."

It doesn't really help, but at least she's not crazy-worshiping him or something. The Force will guide him, but... he doesn't know what that will mean. He was created to destroy something, and that means he needs to be ready to do it. Somehow.

**w**

Ahsoka has no idea what to think of this. She was hardly on speaking terms with Windu, but that doesn't mean she didn't still somewhat respect him, as the head of the Order. Besides, he was always there, the face of the Order for decades, and now he's gone.

Just... gone. Dead.

She's still processing the implications, even if it's already been a short while since the funeral. But what jars her the most of all this is...

"War will escalate in the galaxy... so have the Sith gained strength."

And it seems like that's exactly what's happening. She doesn't know what that means, but it scares her. Things are supposed to be getting better, not worse. What will that mean for the future, for how the war will turn out?

"Did you find anything?" Ahsoka inquires. She immediately went to her sources in the Underworld to see what she could determine about who did it.

"'Bout as much as there is to find," Ventress replies, "All my sources indicate Boba is the most likely culprit."

"Jango's... son?" she clarifies, and the Nightsister nods.

Windu killed Jango, and that definitely explains why he'd go through all of this to take him out. (She can't say she doesn't understand that same desire for revenge, considering what happened with her own mother; she made the exact same choice.)

It also explains how he was able to sneak onto the cruiser. The only sources that the Jedi had, indicated a young clone occasionally leaving the groups he was supposed to be with, and wandering the halls alone, but there was nothing concrete. This answers everything, though, so she'll take the report to the Council. Whatever they do with it from there is up to them.

Speaking of the Council... she wonders for a moment what things will be like between her and them now. Windu was one of the main ones who never trusted her, but so many of the others don't either. In the end, it doesn't really matter. Palpatine will give her the answers that they never will.

**w**

In some ways, Mortis had often seemed like nothing more than a much too vivid dream, but Obi-Wan can see clearly that it wasn't,now. The Father had warned them of what the future could hold, and he spoke the truth. It's visible now.

It's strange being in the Council chambers, with Mundi now in Windu's seat. Luminara was assigned to the Council, also. Having new members is common enough, but being without someone like Windu is entirely different. Mundi will be the official face of the Order now, and it's... strange. Obi-Wan was never that close with Windu, but the weight of having him gone is something every member of the Order feels, especially those on the Council. They were never prepared for such an event. They had no reason to be.

Mundi is determined that they eliminate any threats to the Order as soon as possible in light of what just happened, and Obi-Wan can agree with that – but he can't say he likes where this part of the conversation is going. Even if he knows there is reason to be concerned.

"We must be prepared to deal with her if she goes further," Mundi insists.

"We talked about this in the past," Obi-Wan reminds, "We are already... watching her closely."

"That may not be enough. If she continues this way, we may need to make a move in advance."

"She has not proven an actual threat to the Order, yet," Plo reminds.

"Her actions are enough, even if not directly." Mundi counters, "We cannot wait until it's too late."

"We will never reach such a point," Obi-Wan argues, trying to quell his growing anger. "I am certain Ahsoka's loyalty lies with the Order, even if she has become arrogant." He doesn't know why he didn't see it earlier. He should have trained her out of it long before her Knighting. She wasn't ready.

"But where will this arrogance lead her?" he responds.

"Act against her when she has done nothing, we cannot," Yoda replies, "But with great caution, we must proceed."

"Perhaps Tano should be placed on meditative leave again," Shaak Ti proposes.

"It only appeared to make the problem worse," Mundi counters, "And we do not have resources right now. Her range of skills could benefit us more in frontline combat."

Obi-Wan can't argue that point; Ahsoka is very good at what she does, though her successes only seem to make her even more... arrogant. And he can't ignore the tiny part of his mind telling him the real reason Mundi said that is he wants... something else. He banishes that thought as quickly as it comes. Mundi is a Jedi Master. He would never do something of that nature.

**w**

It hasn't been long since Windu was gone, but in some ways it feels like a lifetime ago, with how busy they've all been with the war. The only reason Obi-Wan's not attending important Council work right now or training Anakin is because of what just happened.

Ahsoka was injured during her now seemingly constant missions to the front lines – for one morbid moment he wonders if this was intentional on Mundi's part – and it wasn't that serious, but it was enough that she was brought back to the Temple for a short time to recover. He hasn't seen her in a while anyway, so it's a good chance to stop and see how she's doing, and talk to her about... everything.

She's continuing to do exactly as she was before, even if she doesn't seem to always blatantly flaunt the Council's direct orders like she might once have. Or maybe it's just that the Council doesn't have as much time to pay attention to what she's doing, he's not sure.

"Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan asks, stepping into the room.

"What?" She's sitting up, even if she doesn't look so good. "Whatever it is, the healer says I'm on mandatory bedrest right now."

"So I can see, and I'm not here to give you another assignment." It's pretty much the only reason they talk to each other anymore, even if Obi-Wan doesn't like it. He cares for her – more than he should, by the Code – but the time he spends with Anakin is... It means more than it did with his first padawan, even if he can't say why, or if it's simply an issue on both ends. Ahsoka doesn't seem to mind the distance, and Obi-Wan doesn't really have time to talk to her about it; really, he shouldn't anyway. The masters and padawans should go their separate ways once their partnership is over. They're no longer tethered together.

"Do not ask if I'm alright," she says, flatly, "Because I am clearly not, even if I feel fine."

"You feel fine when you still have broken bones?"

"Ever heard of pain medication?" she shoots back.

"You're that high on drugs?" He could almost wonder, given the momentary lightness of the conversation. That rarely lasts, not with her. There's never this much tension with Anakin.

She rolls her eyes. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Master."

"Are you?" Because now he can really see that she was clearly not ready to be a Knight. He doesn't know how he missed so much of this while training her.

Her expression hardens instantly. "I've won more battles than any other Knight. Is that still not enough for you?"

"Being a Jedi isn't only about winning the war."

"I don't need another lecture about this, Obi-Wan."

And it's this attitude that the Council is so worried about. It's more than a little aggravating, because he's only trying to help her, and he finds his patience wearing very thin. "I know you're only doing everything you are to win the war, but we cannot... sacrifice our Code even for victory, or we may lose what is more important."

"If we don't act far enough, we may lose everything," Ahsoka retorts.

The words are unsettling, with everything he's been reflecting on since Windu's death – but there's no way things could get that bad. Not... It's impossible. "Worse, yes. But there's far too many Jedi for the Sith to defeat."

"They don't have to do it one at a time. The war seems to be doing it for them," she snaps.

"As I said, we may need to take more... extreme measures at times, but if we betray our beliefs, we will still lose in the end." He thought he taught her to be more loyal to the Code than this.

"I'm already doing everything I can. You refuse to see it."

"That's completely beside the point," he retorts, voice rising slightly.

"Then what is your point?"

"You know how much you disregard the Council, and you know that's completely inappropriate, regardless of the reason."

She glares at him. "The Chancellor is in charge of the war effort, and the Jedi serve the Senate."

She's not going to stop, and he's beginning to think trying to press her about it anymore is pointless. "And as part of the Order, you answer to the Council first, and they to the Senate," he retorts sharply, "I don't need to explain that to you."

"If I had, most of the battles I've won may have been lost," she snaps.

"That is completely untrue," he retaliates sharply, "We do everything we can, and you yourself have lost before because of your attitude."

"If this is all you have to say, I understood your point from the start."

He knows it's intended as a polite way of telling him to leave, and maybe that's for the best. If nothing will make her listen to reason, maybe the only thing that will is if she makes a serious enough mistake that she can't ignore it herself. "I didn't come here only for this," he retorts, icily, "I'd only prefer not to have a repeat of this." he gestures to her present condition.

"That had nothing to do with what I've been doing," she shoots back.

"Maybe not this time, but when will it?" He leaves it at that, heading for the door.

He doesn't know what to think of how things between them are, now. Even if Ahsoka isn't the Chosen One, she was still his promise to Qui-Gon. And he failed it. This wasn't the kind of Jedi Qui-Gon would've wanted her to be.

He doesn't know how he didn't realize how serious her problems were when she was still a padawan, but it's too late now. She isn't his responsibility anymore, even if he still feels... she is. They had been far closer once, after he'd lost Qui-Gon and she'd just come to the Temple knowing no one, but now... It's a part of the past now, something he doesn't think will change. So for now, he's going to leave it. There's little else he can do anyway.

(It still feels like he's lost her already, just like he did Qui-Gon, even if she's still alive. The only one left is... Anakin.)

"Hey, Master," his padawan chirps as he steps into their apartment. He's working on some of his pretty much endless schoolwork that he has little time to do thanks to the war. It might be easier if Obi-Wan wasn't also on the Council so he could give him fewer other duties, but it's not possible right now.

"How are your classes?" he asks, taking a seat next to him. His presence feels like a star, that's especially true it seems when he's cheerful about something, like right now. It's more violent – but in a way that somehow manages not to burn – when he's fighting.

Anakin promptly launches into a long ramble about his current classes ending with the class he's currently doing.

Obi-Wan raises an eyebrow. "You're learning more about starfighters and hyperspace rings than you already know?"

"It was an optional class!" Anakin defends, "I had to pick one of them."

"Yes, though I don't see when you've had time for your regular studies." They are designed for padawans who are constantly on missions, but war is still more extreme than that.

"I'm finding time," Anakin objects, "And this is... extra credit."

"I suppose I should have expected you'd pick the most confusing and unnecessary course for that," Obi-Wan says flatly.

Anakin grins, devilishly. (Force, he should not love him as much as he does.) "I can explain it to you if you want, Master."

"No. I assure you I have far more important matters to attend to."

"If might be important, if we ever have to deal with that model –"

"I find that unlikely," he replies dryly, standing, hastily cutting Anakin off before he can start to ramble what sounds like literal nonsense.

"Hey, this one works especially well for flying inside of cruisers – not that it's supposed to be used for that," Anakin adds smirking, gesturing to whatever's currently on his datapad.

"And why would we be doing that?"

"Maybe if we need to fly into a Separatist cruiser."

"A prime way to end up as space dust," Obi-Wan retorts.

"It would be a controlled flight inside," Anakin protests.

No thanks. Obi-Wan has a few not so fond memories in that regard, from many years ago. "I tried that one time. I do not advise you to repeat the experience."

"You went on a blind flight in a Separatist cruiser?" he repeats dubiously.

"It wasn't a Separatist cruiser. It... happened when I was still a padawan, and I lost control of the ship." It's minorly embarrassing to even think about, looking back. He was trying to stage a technically illegal rescue of a slave from Czerka Corporation, that he and Qui-Gon had accidentally gotten re-captured, and nothing went as planned. At all.

"That won't happen if you know what you're doing."

"Either way, it's not something I want to watch you repeating," Obi-Wan replies flatly.

"Don't worry," Anakin says cheerfully, "I'll make sure you're there for the ride when I do."

**w**

Ahsoka finds herself in her usual less than pleasant mood after Obi-Wan leaves. This is why she never likes talking to him. It always leaves her feeling extremely upset. She was having questions about what she'd been doing, but inevitably, dealing with the Council always makes her want to keep doing what she is. It's not as if they're doing any better, are they?

She tries to ignore her irritation; she has more important things to focus on. For a moment she has to wonder, though, if Mundi didn't intentionally give her that mission. Not that she's complaining about having a chance to fight the Separatists, but still. It doesn't really matter, because Palpatine is supporting her, and she'll find her own way.

When she's walking through the halls of the Temple right after getting out of the Halls of Healing, she runs right into Ferus. "I've been... watching you," he comments.

She raises an eye-marking. "And?"

He shifts slightly. "I can see that your tactics are... effective."

Ahsoka dips her head a little in acquiescence. She doesn't know exactly where he stands on this, though – they have a strange tentative respect, she supposes. "I do what I can to end this war."

Ferus nods. "I may not always agree with... how you do it, but I can see why you are."

"I see no other way to. We must do what's effective if we're going to win. If we don't, we may lose everything in the end – and it will all have been for nothing."

"I can't imagine how we could lose," Ferus says, bluntly.

Seriously?!

She turns, facing him. "Have you not seen how the war is going? It's only getting worse. Windu is dead. Siri is dead." (Maybe it's a low blow, mentioning her, but she needs to make her point.) "Who's next? We have to take action, and I'm not going to wait for things to get worse to do something about it."

He frowns. "I know things are becoming more serious, but... "

"And it will only keep getting worse, unless more people will do what needs to be done."

He doesn't reply immediately to that, not that she's surprised. "Perhaps we'll work together again in the future."

"Perhaps," Ahsoka agrees. Is she... seriously gaining another ally? To be sure, she won't get her hopes up, but it's... a chance. That's good. She could certainly use some. Working alone is not as effective as working together. Maybe if more Jedi listen to her, they'll be able to make the Council understand. She can hope.

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