Chapter 13 - Geonosis
Author's Note: Enjoy the Second Battle of Geonosis. Some things are similar. Some things are very different. ;)
~ Amina Gila
Anakin was not looking forward to coming back to Geonosis, but he knew it was pretty much inevitable. At least it should give them the chance to destroy the droid's main production factories. It will be a serious setback. That's what's most important right now.
"I can't believe we're back here again," Ahsoka remarks, standing with her arms crossed on the bridge of the cruiser next to him.
"Nor can I," Luke agrees, obviously no happier.
"It was inevitable," Anakin replies, "But I am no more keen on our presence here." It doesn't much help that it's a sand planet, either – even after all these years, the memories that bring up never really fade. It's a reminder of time when he had been... nothing, and for all the years that he's spent trying to be something more than that, sometimes he doesn't know if he truly is.
"But we can make sure we do not need to return a third time," Anakin adds.
"Everyone will be happy to do that," Ahsoka says, flatly.
"Were you a part of the first battle?" Anakin asks, looking at Ahsoka's clone commander. He's been hovering close by, silently – the way the clones usually are.
"No, sir," Cody replies, "I was still on Kamino."
"There wasn't anything to see," Luke assures. "Just endless sand and more droids."
"And us chained to poles trying to escape from being eaten," Ahsoka adds, dryly.
"That would have been... something to see," Cody answers.
It might have been amusing, if Anakin could remember anything other than his fear that Luke was going to be lost in the fight. Or even Ahsoka, though he was less worried for her – at least she knew how to fight. It was also where he lost his hand to Maul. He clenches his hand reflectively, thinking about it.
"I'd prefer not to have a repeat of it," she remarks, smirking.
"That's for sure," Luke agrees.
"Been a while since we last saw each other, Skyguys," Ahsoka comments, grinning.
"Skyguys?" Anakin echoes, amused.
"That sounds..." Luke trails off.
"Like the perfect name for you," she finishes, right as the bridge door opens, another boy stepping in, "And I believe we haven't gotten introduced yet. Luke, this is my padawan, Jai Kell."
"You have a padawan?" Luke asks, incredulously.
Anakin knew that, of course Ahsoka finally decided to take one – mostly because of the war, that they're sending more padawans to the front lines, and Anakin still doesn't know what to think of that. It's not the place for any of them, even if they're needed. But there's nothing he can do about it."
"Nice to meet you," Jai says, politely.
Luke nods. "You too."
"This isn't the place for either of them," Anakin comments, quietly, watching as the two talk. Luke seems... a little less friendly with him than Ezra, though, probably quickly realizing that Jai is a relatively normal Jedi.
"It's not, but we all have to do our duty," Ahsoka replies.
"This was not what the Jedi were ever... meant to do." He never really feels comfortable expressing his opinions on any of these things to anyone, with a few exceptions. It made training Ahsoka hard. He always had to... go somewhere private so that he could talk to her. It may have been many years, but no matter how respected he is now by the younger Jedi, it doesn't change that quiet knowledge that he's still different, that he doesn't belong. He still wishes he could've left long ago.
The Togurta eyes him. "We are defending the Republic, as we always have. Even if things have gone further than they should have." She doesn't really see it, he doesn't think. Sometimes, Anakin is afraid for how many of the Jedi are losing their way in the war, and... he can say the same for Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, and that's what worries him so much. Especially because he doesn't know what he can do about it.
"That's why we have to end the war as soon as possible, right?" Luke interjects, approaching. He must've overheard the last bit.
"Yes, it is," Anakin agrees, barely refraining from touching him. He can't do that in front of Ahsoka's padawan... or her clones either.
Sometimes, he's worried about how much this is changing Luke, too, though. In truth, he doesn't really know what his son used to be like, beyond the occasional hours they were able to spend with each other. But he's definitely... hardened throughout the war, even if that's expected. That doesn't mean Anakin doesn't miss the time he was... too innocent for this. Even if this maturity may have come with adulthood, regardless.
There's a sudden beeping on the scanners, as the cruiser slowly moves closer to Geonosis.
"General, we are picking up a highly unusual reading," Cody speaks up.
"What do you mean?" she demands, immediately moving over to the scanners, Anakin next to her.
"It's a massive object, not just an asteroid," he replies, "It has energy readings like an enormous space station."
That... doesn't sound good.
The object on the scanners is unclear, but out of the viewport, Anakin can just make out a tiny, silverish object, a distance away from the planet. Up close, it would probably be huge. It looks a little like a moon, but that doesn't make sense, from their readings.
"Send a probe to get a closer look," Anakin instructs, immediately. He has a very bad feeling about this.
Except, they don't get nearly that far, because then, suddenly, the thing just vanishes.
"I can't pick it up anywhere," Cody reports, frowning.
"It jumped to hyperspace," Anakin says, almost reflexively.
"How could a station that big even have a hyperdrive?" Ahsoka argues.
Anakin shakes his head. "I do not know. But we must keep an eye out for anything. And prepare for the upcoming battle." Whatever's going on out there, they'll have to find it, but now, they need to focus on taking Geonosis.
**w**
Getting through the Geonosian lines is just as hard as Anakin suspected it would be. They'd prepared for the worse, and the worst is what they encountered, but they made it through. Anakin and Luke were shot down on the way – from what he heard, Ahsoka was, too – and they had to fight their way through the fortress wall.
They blew it up. Not that it was hard once they started climbing.
But it's getting late, and the sunlight is getting less clear, and the shadows are growing longer. Sand and smoke are still heavily lingering in the air, but the initial part of the battle is over, and in their favor.
Now that the immediate fighting has died down, and the Geonosians retreated back towards their factory, Rex was finally able to get a location from Cody.
Anakin is accustomed to being worried about people, especially about Ahsoka. But in the end, she's a Jedi Knight, and he doesn't have to worry about her constantly. That doesn't mean he's ever stopped, or that he entirely thinks himself capable. Not after his mother died, and... so much happened. So much changed. He lost Padme, too.
He could've lost Luke and Leia. It's... hard sometimes, knowing that Ahsoka is off fighting in a war, and any moment could be the end. Or any moment, she could lose her own padawan, and she may not know Jai well, but she's still his master. Losing him would be devastating.
"Hey, Skyguy," Ahsoka calls from where she's leaning against a pile of crates in the sand. Her clothes are dark in numerous places, and Anakin just hopes it's from smoke and soot, not injuries.
"Are you alright?" Luke inquires, darting forwards.
Jai himself is nearby, though he's unconscious. Anakin can sense he's alive – he must have been injured badly when they crashed.
"Did you get shot down, too?" he guesses, somehow managing to feel a slight trace of amusement as he rounds Ahsoka, crouching at her other side.
"Yes," Ahsoka replies, "To both of you. I'll be fine. We'll be taken back up to the cruiser to be treated, and we'll be right back. Just give us a few days."
Quietly, Anakin suspects it'll be longer than that. He won't call her out on it, though. "We'll get you as long as you need," he assures.
"What about Jai?" Anakin asks.
Ahsoka's eyes dart to him, and he senses her worry, even if she keeps it clear from her expression. "Most of his injuries were internal," she replies, "We won't know anything for sure until we get a better look. The medics don't think it was too serious, but..."
She trails off, and Anakin reaches over to squeeze her hand. "Take whatever time you need," he tells her.
"Won't we need someone else here?" Luke inquires, looking up at Anakin. "Unless we split our forces?"
Of course, he's already thinking about continuing the battle. Still, it's not fair that he has to. Luke should never have had to participate in the war. It's not fair to him, or any of them. He's... he deserves better than this. "Yes," Anakin confirms, "We'll have to request reinforcements and wait until they arrive to press forwards. Until then, we'll hold our position."
"That'll give them time to mount another attack," Luke points out.
"This is their home," Anakin reminds, "They know it better than we do. I'm sure they've been preparing. Our holding back temporarily won't change anything." Except getting our men killed, a dark part of his mind adds, and he forces it away. They do everything they can to defend the clones, but in the end, they have a mission to carry out – that's most important to everyone. The clones are willing to die for the Republic.
Even if they have never had another choice. What bothers Anakin most is that it doesn't bother anyone else.
But tragedies, losses, are a given in every battle. Geonosis will be no different.
"Alright," Luke says, standing and brushing himself off, or trying to. Sand doesn't brush off. Anakin learned that years ago. "I'll help set up camp."
Anakin nods to him, and he takes off in search of Rex.
"He's a good child," Ahsoka remarks, watching him disappear, "He'd have made a good Jedi."
"Maybe. But that life wouldn't be fair to him. Not that this is any better." Anakin would've given them anything if he had the choice, but he never has. He's wanted nothing more than for Luke and Leia to grow up and live in an environment where they don't have to worry about anything, to be afraid of anything, but that... was out of his control.
He couldn't give them that life.
He couldn't stop the Clone Wars, that no doubt have been carefully planned by the Sith for years.
"There was nothing you could've done to help that, Anakin," Ahsoka points out. "The Clone Wars was something none of us could stop. Or we would've."
"He's changing," Anakin blurts out. "But I never knew him well enough before. He's... his grief is making him desperate. I don't want him to go down the same path I did." When his mother died, Anakin had lashed out. He'd hurt people, many people, none innocent, but still those who weren't involved. He used the Dark Side. Luke may not be a Jedi, but the Dark Side is still dangerous, and it's something he needs to be careful with.
Anakin saw how Luke had grieved Dorme's death, how he reacted to Maul hurting him. And he doesn't like what he sees. It's too much...
Too much himself. In all the wrong ways.
And it's not fair that Luke should've had to deal with this.
"Do you trust him?" Ahsoka asks.
Anakin gaze snaps back to hers from where he'd been watching Luke talk to Rex and some of the other clones. He looks happy, at least, though Anakin's not sure how long it'll last. "Of course."
"Then trust he won't let you down. Just like you did for me."
She says it so simply, and it... unwinds something inside him. "Everything was different with you, Ahsoka."
"Was it?"
"He's my son. You... you're family, but you were my padawan. I... was responsible for you, but it was... different. You were fourteen when we met. And Luke's not a Jedi."
"He's learning like one now," Ahsoka replies.
"Only to a point," Anakin reminds, "It's still different for him."
"Some padawans are having a hard time, too," Ahsoka says, finally, "But I'm sure you can... guide him."
"I... do not know if it will be enough." Because what he probably needs is to be away from all this, but that's Luke's choice.
"You did a good job with me," Ahsoka offers again. It doesn't help much, but what else can they say, really? "I know it wasn't in war, but it was similar."
"You should get back to the ship," Anakin declares, glancing over to the Togruta again. Maybe she wasn't hurt badly, but still. "You... should get treated."
"This is what I mean," she says, lightly, "You still fret over me incessantly. I doubt you could go wrong with Luke."
He only gives her a small smile in return – he wishes he shared half her certainty. But for now, all he can do again is turn his focus back to the battle.
**w**
"Why does it have to be Reva?" Luke can't help but complain. He is definitely not whining, and this isn't an important concern, but he can't help being annoyed.
"We have worked with her in the past, and she is most available right now," Anakin replies, "But I know she is... not always an easy person to work with."
Luke keeps the remaining unflattering comments to himself, turning as the Jedi Knight approaches.
"What's the situation?" Reva asks, getting down to business immediately.
"Their main hold out now is the factory," Anakin says, "Until that's destroyed, they'll have an endless supply of weaponry. We need to take it out."
"I studied the map," Reva replies, "If we blow up the main reactor, it will destroy the facility."
Anakin nods. "Someone will have to enter through the catacombs, and follow the holomap to reach the reactor."
It would be very easy to get lost in something like that, but at least they'd have a map to follow. "I can do it," Luke offers.
"Not alone," Anakin objects, "Perhaps you can go as well, Reva? I will hold Poggle's attention at the bridge."
"Very well," she agrees, "But how do you intend to hold his attention?"
"You'll be exposed there," Luke concurs, concerned.
"At least their attention will be diverted from you," he replies, "And it will be an ideal time to destroy many of their weapons." Likely, his father is already considering a plan that isn't total suicide, so Luke let's it go.
"We should get going then, right?" he asks, moving to collect detonators to take along. This will mean working closely with Reva, but... Well, the lives of the clones and winning this battle are a lot more important than the fact that he doesn't much like her.
"Be cautious. The Geonosians know it far better than you," Anakin reminds, before they head off.
They reach the base of the factory quickly enough, cutting through the wall and clamoring into the dark hall. Luke slips out the small holomap displaying their location as they start forwards.
It's creepy down here, and he can sense life nearby, even though he can't see anything. They move stealthily through the darkness, turning another corner. Luke stills at the Geonosians up by the ceiling, sleeping.
He and Reva exchange a glance – they'll have to be very careful.
"Is there no way around?" she whispers.
Mutely, he shakes his head. This will have to do.
Except, they barely make it past the Geonosians to the end of the hall when he senses the shift in the Force of a quiet presence brightening, as though someone woke up. That's... not good.
Discreetly, he throws a glance over his shoulder as they keep walking, and he's almost certain he sees a Geonosian fly out of sight. When they're extremely quiet, he's also certain he hears the faint sound of beating wings. They're being followed.
Reva must've sensed it too, because she motions for them to duck into one of the side tunnels and stay very still, waiting until the bug following them finally flies into view in the main hall.
Igniting his lightsaber would make too much noise, but they have to do something –
Reva reacts first, reaching out with the Force, and the bug suddenly freezes mid air, squawking as it tries to free itself from the invisible force wrapped around its neck.
It takes Luke only a moment to realize that she's the one doing it, before she snaps its neck, letting it fall silently to the floor.
For a heartbeat, no one moves. No more Geonosians come into view following them either. Luke is accustomed to violence by now, to the point that he rarely even blinks at it. That's true about this, too. It's not the Jedi way to use the Force for violence, and he knows that, but they're in a war now. Things... aren't going to be the same, and somehow, he isn't even surprised. Reva is dark.
"We have to keep moving," she tells him, spurring them both into motion.
They manage to make it the rest of the way through the tunnels without incident, finally reaching the control room.
"Hopefully they don't have security cameras in here," Luke mutters, scrambling to start installing bombs around the generator.
"I doubt they would see a reason for such security in here. There should be nothing to see," Reva points out. He can only hope she's right.
They continue forwards, until all the bombs are in place before they retreat for the exit. He's almost expecting someone to come in for a moment, but nothing happens, and they slip silently back into the catacombs. Hopefully, no one will find and deactivate the bombs before they're able to set them off, because they'd never be able to make it back inside again.
They have to get out as fast as possible now. This is really the tensest part, but it's dark, and the Geonosians are mostly sleeping. They make it out easily enough that it makes Luke more uneasy than anything else – plans rarely work this smoothly.
"We're clear from the factory," he calls into his comm, as they head back to the others.
Anakin confirms that they are, too, and Luke pushes the button, watching with no small measure of relief as the ground begins trembling from the force of the explosions inside, before the building itself begins to tremble. The walls collapse in on themselves, finally, in a blinding shower of smoke, fire, sand, and debris.
He hastily ducks back away to shield himself, coughing at the sand whirling around him. It takes a few moments before it starts settling.
"Are you well?" Reva asks, in a tone that somehow sounds the opposite of concerned, even if he doubts she'd bother to ask if that were true.
He nods. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
**w**
Ahsoka is back on the surface before long, though Jai is still recovering up in the cruiser. "We have to find Poggle," she asserts, arms crossed as they stand by a holomap, looking over what's left to take on Geonosis.
"Yes," Anakin agrees, "The clones are out searching, but we should join them."
"I can handle it," Ahsoka offers, "You deserve some rest after the battle you just fought, and besides, someone needs to stay here to maintain our positions in case they try attacking again."
He doesn't have a good feeling about letting her be out there alone, but she has a point. Luke, especially, needs the rest.
Except, they don't have long for rest, because Anakin stays close to the scanners, keeping an eye out in case something's happening, and then picks up on an approaching sandstorm. He calls Ahsoka immediately to give her the warning.
Sand is already blowing around the Togruta, when she picks up the call. "Don't worry," Ahsoka assures, "Poggle is out in the open, too. I'll just have to get him before the sandstorm does."
"You can easily be lost in the storm, Ahsoka," Anakin reminds, "I know how dangerous those can be." Far more personally than he wants to think about. There were plenty of instances on Tatooine when he'd nearly been caught in one, and... one of his friends had been killed in one, thrown out of the house by her master and left to die. It's something he's never forgotten, and chasing Poggle is not worth Ahsoka senselessly getting herself killed.
Anakin was caught in a storm with his mother once, too. It was terrifying. He was almost entirely certain they'd lose each other.
"I'll be careful," she assures, unconcerned, "But I think it's a risk worth taking."
"I agree," Reva asserts, and Anakin tries to suppress his instant surge of bitterness at the words. He does not want her out in this kind of danger, but of course, the other Jedi are never worried about that. They would say his... attachment is holding him back.
He can see the look Luke is discreetly giving Reva, before he shifts a little closer to Anakin, though he says nothing.
"I'll be in touch, Skyguy," Ahsoka says, lightly, before the call ends.
Anakin can only hope that will be true. Ahsoka is reckless, and that's not something he was ever able to train her out of. She's been a Knight for years, yes, but that doesn't mean something couldn't go wrong now. He could never forget the fragility of everything and everyone he has now. Not after he lost his mother, and Padme, and... the chance to raise his children from childhood.
"I don't like this," Luke mutters, pacing back and forth.
Nor does Anakin, especially because he can sense the danger Ahsoka's in – and it feels like it's only growing. "I will watch. You should rest," Anakin tells him. Even if it's unlikely he'd be able to do that right now, anyway.
"I am sure Knight Tano will be fine," Reva agrees, "Besides, we must find Poggle no matter the cost, or we will be back here a third time."
That is true, but that doesn't stop Anakin from being worried. He can't help it. Ahsoka is... his padawan. Adult or no, he should still protect her.
Luke doesn't seem inclined to go, though, and they don't end up waiting long before Ahsoka contacts them again. "I tracked Poggle to the Progate Temple," she says, breathlessly. The wind is howling in the distance, but she looks unharmed... for now. "But there's no sign of him."
"Wait there. I will arrive shortly," Anakin asserts.
"You're certain he's there?" Reva asks.
"Yes, but I think he's in the catacombs."
"Those things go on for miles, and we have no maps of them. Get out of there," he orders. She doesn't need to be searching blindly for him, somewhere she'll definitely never come out of.
"I –" Ahsoka starts to say, except then something moves off to the side of the hologram, before it abruptly flickers off.
"Ahsoka!" Anakin starts to call, but she's already gone. He turns to the others, instantly. "We have to go find her."
"We need to think about this realistically," Reva objects, "If General Tano was captured, we can't rush in blindly. It could destroy our chance of winning Geonosis."
"If we lose her, that will destroy our chance even faster," Luke throws back. sharply.
"If all of us are lost in a blind effort to find her, there is a guarantee we will lose the planet," she retorts.
"You can wait here," Anakin offers, "Luke and I will go in with a squad of clones."
He senses Reva's unhappiness, but she surprisingly doesn't object.
"How can she think that?" Luke demands, frustrated. "How can she act like Ahsoka doesn't matter?!"
"It's the Jedi way not to risk multiple lives for one," Anakin replies.
"That's messed up."
"In a sense," Anakin agrees, because it's true – it really is in some ways. "But there is... more at stake than Ahsoka's life. Reva's not wrong about that." That doesn't mean Anakin likes hearing it, or that it's not wrong.
"That doesn't mean we can't even try," Luke protests, vehemently.
"No, it doesn't," Anakin concurs, "That is... not something I have ever understood either." It's one of the most common conflicts he has with other Jedi, and he can never understand their tendency to just leave someone behind because it's... easier.
And Luke is right – that doesn't mean it's wrong to try.
Final Notes: Reviews are always appreciated! ^-^
Come hang out on Discord (delete spaces), discord . gg / nqSxuz2 or find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes)
We've got a YT channel for tributes! (delete the spaces) youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
ALSO: We have SW gift request forms for General, Anakin-Clones-centric, and Bad Batch fics. :D (delete spaces) bit . ly / CourtesyTrefflinFicRequests