It had been one and a half months ever since Anakin had spoken with Rex and Fives about forming a rebellion. So far, the entire 501st had been treated and fortunately, every soldier who had been treated and told the story had sworn loyalty to Anakin Skywalker. The entire 212th under Commander Cody as well as the entire 104th legion under Commander Wolffe had also been treated and had chosen to join Anakin Skywalker's rebellion.
The 327th Star Corps had been contacted and fortunately Commander Bly had agreed to join their cause after getting his chip removed. Interestingly, when he had been contacted and told about the situation, he had burst into tears and bemoaned how he had turned on his Jedi General Aayla Secura and in doing so had confessed that he had been in love with her. Luckily it turned out that there was a chance that she had escaped death on Felucia because the shots aimed at her had not hit her directly but had caused her to fall from a high ledge and that she had been presumed dead.
Added to that, was the fact that Jedi Master Plo Koon had been declared a traitor after breaking Ahsoka out by Palpatine and his starfighter had been shot down on Corellia by Admiral Wilhulff Tarkin. However, there had been no sign of the body, only a flaming wreckage. Wolffe and the other clones of the 104th had prevented any further investigation and had convinced the clones led by Tarkin that no one could have survived such a crash.
Admiral Markus Piett had conducted his own investigation and had found most of the naval officers and technicians to be loyal to 'Vader'. For those who were not, Piett had seen to it that they were reassigned to different ships, away from Anakin.
Apart from that, Padmé and Ahsoka had become fast friends with Rex and Fives. Rex and Fives had been glad to assist Ahsoka in training and on multiple occasions, Anakin had even allowed Rex and Fives to come inside for a game of dejarik with Ahsoka, which surprisingly, Ahsoka had won, impressing Anakin to the point that he had stated she would make an excellent commander.
Plus, Anakin had given Mace Windu's lightsaber to Padmé as a gift and had requested Ahsoka to train Padmé to defend herself with it in case he wasn't able to due to time constraints. Of course, he made some time to teach Padmé himself, who joyfully took it up and on one occasion, singed his shoulder.
And now, on this day, Anakin and Padmé were standing on the bridge of the Devastator, with Padmé wearing a black cloak and a hood, as not all clones were aware of what had happened to Padmé, and Anakin in his suit and mask and helmet.
Ahsoka was standing by their side, on Anakin's right, and Padmé on his left.
The clones were all assembled there, some of them in the hallway outside, with the bridge doors open.
Vader announced, "My most trustworthy men, I hear Commander Rex and Captain Fives have filled you in on everything about the biochips that were implanted inside you before your birth and have removed them, and that you have all sworn loyalty to me."
The clones all stood at attention and cried out, "We are with you Lord Vader!" even as Rex and Fives stepped forward and stood on either side of Vader.
Vader then said, "You may have also heard that Darth Vader was once a Jedi."
Some of the clones nodded, while a few others looked at each other in confusion.
Anakin removed his helmet and mask, allowed them to fall to the floor, and then announced in his real voice, "My real name is Anakin Skywalker, and I was once a Jedi Padawan of the Jedi Knight Obi Wan Kenobi who left the Jedi Order a few years ago. I was framed for the murders of a few Jedi and Senators which I never committed and sentenced to death. Actually, someone set it up to destroy my public image. Palpatine took advantage of it and had me sentenced to death to get me within his range. He then kidnapped me, tortured me brutally, tried to have my mother assassinated, and then lied to me that the Jedi had slain my mother in cold blood!"
A clone cried out, "That's disgraceful!"
Anakin continued, "I have recently been told the truth, that it was the Emperor and not the Jedi that tried to murder my mother, and that it was Obi Wan Kenobi who saved my mother, and it made me see Palpatine for who he really is. Palpatine is the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious who was playing both sides of the war, as some of you may know. And now, he intends to strike fear into the hearts of the people to rule the galaxy, and replace the clones with human transitions. Palpatine sees every one of you as expendable, each and every one of us in this galaxy. As soon as he gets something better, he discards what he had earlier like filth, like a mere tool."
As soon as he said this, there was a loud cry of rage from the clones, who proceeded to pump their fists in the air and yell all sorts of curses.
"OUR EMPEROR IS A MONSTER!"
"HE MADE US KILL THE JEDI!"
"HE TRIED TO MURDER A MOTHER IN COLD BLOOD! I'LL BLAST HIM FROM HIS THRONE!"
"HE CONTROLLED US! HE USED US!"
Anakin raised his hands, and the clones immediately ceased their cries out of respect.
Anakin continued, "He used us all like slaves! He made me do his bidding to the core, just like he did to you! And now he treats the people of the galaxy as his slaves, to be discriminated against as he pleases, tortured physically and mentally, beaten bloody, raped, murdered! Shall we allow such tyranny any longer?!"
"NO! NO! WE WON'T!" The clones cried out, "WE ARE MEN! NOT DROIDS OR SLAVES OR TOOLS!"
Anakin cried out, "WE ARE FREE MEN, NOT MONSTERS OR SLAVES OR TOOLS! I ASK YOU ALL TO JOIN ME AND BRING EMPEROR PALPATINE TO JUSTICE!"
Meanwhile, on the bridge of another Venator class star destroyer, several clones, all in white and yellow armor to whom Anakin's speech was being broadcasted to yelled out, "WE'RE WITH YOU COMMANDER CODY! WE'RE WITH YOU LORD SKYWALKER!"
And the same thing happened on a few other star destroyers being commanded by Commander Bly, and Commander Wolffe.
Meanwhile, on the Devastator Anakin announced, "And I have one more person to introduce."
With that, he nodded to Padmé who removed her hood and exposed her face.
Anakin announced, "This is Padmé Amidala, a senator like no other who has done nothing but fight for peace, freedom and justice, and for that, our Emperor has declared her to be a traitor. I wish to announce that Padmé Amidala and myself shall be the Supreme Leaders of this newly formed rebellion! I ask you all to please give Supreme General Padmé Amidala a round of applause!"
The entire assembly began to cheer and clap for Padmé, who looked at Anakin, mouth open in amazement.
Anakin smiled at her and said, "You're the perfect one to lead Angel."
He then turned back to the crowd and said, "And I wish to announce that Ahsoka Tano, as some of you may know as my apprentice, shall from now on be a Commander. All applaud Commander Tano."
And with that, the clones all shouted and clapped for Ahsoka.
It seemed they had grown to like her.
As for Ahsoka, she was stunned to say the least.
Sure, she had been a commander during the clone wars before being framed, but she had not been expecting Anakin to just make her a commander.
She looked at him, and in response, he looked at her and smilingly said, "I believe in you Snips."
Ahsoka looked at Anakin gratefully, remembering a flashback.
Commander Vader, Rex, Commander Appo, Admiral Yularen and Jedi Master Pong Krell were standing around a holographic demonstration of the blockade of Christophsis, trying to devise a plan to safeguard their starfighters from the Separatist cruisers.
Ahsoka spoke up, "Here's my idea. We come in close, then adjust the ship so that the bottom of the hull is facing those cruisers. We concentrate shields at the bottom hull while our starfighters launch. That way, not only do we protect our starfighters better while launching, but we stand more of a chance at giving them a surprise. The Seppies will never know what hit them."
Just then, she heard a male voice sneer, "And what do you think you know about battle tactics, 'child'?! You're supposed to just obey as I tell you, not play games with my men, insolent brat!"
Ahsoka, feeling hurt by the words of her master, Pong Krell, hung her head and said, "I'm sorry, I was just trying to help."
Pong Krell started, "You're more of a burden than a…" but suddenly he was interrupted by a deep sounding voice, "That's enough, General Pong Krell! I find your attitude to be disturbing for a Jedi."
Pong Krell turned towards Vader, who had spoken and was fingering a blaster by his side, even as his breathing could be heard loudly, 'Kihhhhh, Ohhhhh….'.
He sneered, "Just who do you think you are, Commander Vader, that you dare to interrupt me?!"
Vader retorted, "Don't you dare think you have full control here. Remember that I was appointed by the Chancellor, and if I wish to, I can report you to the Senate as a traitor."
Pong Krell snarled, "You would dare frame me?!"
Vader replied, "Oh, so reporting a Master who dared to betray and verbally abuse his own Padawan is framing is it? You sicken me. And don't think you can kill me and get away with it, I know how to fight Jedi, and I can assure you that I will take arms against you if I have to. Now cease your ranting Krell."
He then turned to Ahsoka and said, "You are quite an insightful young one. It is a pity that your master doesn't see it. Let us follow your strategy."
Ultimately, Ahsoka's strategy had worked, and the blockade had been successfully breached with minimal casualties.
She didn't feel sorry for Krell. He had just abused her throughout their time together, and Mace Windu, while being a better master for sure, had simply cast her aside when the council had expelled her for the sake of the Senate.
But while Anakin had been Darth Vader, he was certainly so different. He cared about her, he loved her, and although she still was not inclined to call him Master unless it was absolutely needed to fool Palpatine, she certainly had started to see him as the older brother she had never had.
Almost like Plo Koon, except he had been like a father to her.
She hoped he was okay.
Later on, in Anakin's headquarters…
Padmé was watching Anakin and Ahsoka spar, with Ahsoka using a lightsaber she had crafted with a green blade in one hand, and one with a red blade in the other hand, that had once belonged to an inquisitor that Anakin had recently killed for trying to massacre a whole village on Ryloth.
He had then lied to Palpatine that a Jedi had killed the inquisitor.
Currently, Ahsoka was engaged in a cross lock of sabers against Anakin's red blade.
She swiftly ducked and rolled out of the way, then brought her sabers to Anakin's ankles, but then noticed a red lightsaber by her arms and legs.
If the sabers had continued on their paths in full power mode, Ahsoka would have lost her limbs, but not without cutting off Anakin's feet.
"Dead", they cried out at the same time.
"Impressive," Anakin said as he turned off his lightsaber, "But you need to work on your defenses."
Ahsoka replied, "You're aggressive as well, Skyguy, and you always win."
Padmé remarked, "Not always. Last time, the two of us disarmed him."
Anakin smirked and said, "I just let you two win."
Padmé glared at him and said, "And we just let you live!"
Ahsoka smilingly and jokingly saying, "Yeah, next time you get disarmed, she's going to have you for dinner and me for dessert."
Anakin made a face like a small boy who had been told he was going to be 'eaten' and was about to say something when suddenly, a loud beeping sound resonated throughout the room.
Anakin's expression changed to one of real horror as he heard that, knowing what it meant.
"Quickly," he cried out, "Padmé, get inside!"
Padmé ran inside the bedroom and closed the door, even as Anakin and Ahsoka moved to the center of the room. Anakin pressed a button to answer the call, and then he and Ahsoka got on one knee each.
The large hologram of Darth Sidious materialized and Sidious smiled at them evilly before saying, "Ah, my old friend and my grand apprentice, such a pleasure it is to see you. How goes the training of your apprentice, Lord Vader?"
'Vader' responded, "I have succeeded in making her turn to the dark side, and she is proving to be a worthy Sith apprentice."
Ahsoka suddenly hissed in a sinister sounding voice, "I live to serve Lord Vader and the galaxy. I crave for the blood of the Jedi and all those who dare to oppose us!"
With that, she licked her lips like some evil demoness.
Inwardly, Anakin couldn't help feeling proud of what a good actor Ahsoka was, but he managed to force his proud smile into an evil one.
Ahsoka's expression would surely scare any youngling.
He said, "Master, my apprentice craves for blood. She has turned out to be bloodthirsty."
Sidious smiled wickedly and said, "Excellent Lord Vader. Have you given her a name?"
Vader replied, "I have."
Sidious said, "Rise my old friend."
Vader stood up, turned to Ahsoka and said commandingly, "Rise, Darth Cyrin!"
'Darth Cyrin' stood up and turned to face the Emperor.
The Emperor smiled and said, "An interesting choice of name."
His smile then turned into a scowl and he said, "And Lord Vader, why are you not wearing your mask? Why have you revealed your face to her?"
Vader replied, "Revealing who I once was and how I came to be Darth Vader made her realize just how the Jedi had betrayed her. It made the whole process easier and she readily accepted afterwards."
Sidious's scowl softened slightly and he nodded his head in acknowledgement.
Just then, the hologram of Darth Tyrannus also materialized, from another holo-device embedded in the floor, but unlike Sidious' it was normal sized.
Sidious asked, "Ah, Darth Tyrannus, what news do you bring?"
Tyrannus responded, "It is about the recent incidents connected to the sudden breach in security on Corellia."
Sidious turned to Vader and said, "Speaking of which, you told me the rebels were as good as destroyed."
Vader replied, "They are scattered and leaderless. I am pursuing the remnants as we speak."
Sidious turned to Tyrannus and said, "Well, what about Corellia?"
Tyrannus replied, "It seems there are two Jedi on Corellia, and it is rumored that one of them was declared a traitor last year and the other had left the Order before the clone wars."
Sidious snarled, "Is one of them Koon?"
Tyrannus replied, "Yes, and it is rumored the other one is none other than Obi Wan Kenobi."
Anakin's eyes widened with shock and he let his mouth fall open, stunned by the news.
Tyrannus continued, "And it is also rumored that Jedi Masters Shaak Ti and Aayla Secura are alive and in hiding on Felucia."
Sidious snarled, "This is not good at all. Those Jedi could ruin everything."
He then turned to Tyrannus and said, "These Jedi, especially Koon and Kenobi must be dealt with at once. Go Tyrannus to Corellia and wipe them out."
Vader suddenly spoke up, "Master, send me to Corellia. I must deal with Obi Wan Kenobi for what he did to my mother!"
Sidious smiled and said, "I appreciate your desire for revenge, but I am afraid he might find a weakness to exploit. Besides, I want you to take care of the other two Jedi Masters on Felucia. And anyway, Kenobi was not the one who actually struck the killing blow, it was Mace Windu, and you have slain him, have you not?"
"Yes Master," Vader replied.
Sidious immediately ordered, "Then do not question me on my orders for Tyrannus to deal with Kenobi. Now go to Felucia, and slay the last of the Jedi."
With that, the hologram of the Emperor faded as the communication was terminated, and the same went for Tyrannus as well.
Anakin breathed a sigh of relief that the session was over, but stood rooted to the spot.
Padmé came out of the bedroom and said, "Anakin, Ahsoka, I heard everything! Obi Wan is on Corellia! He'll need your help!"
Anakin stood rooted even as Padmé pulled him back by a few steps and then stood in front of him, holding his shoulders.
She said, "Anakin, say something."
Anakin said in a monotone voice, "Obi Wan's an experienced Jedi. He can take care of himself."
Padmé cried out, "Anakin, you know how Dooku fights! Dooku will kill him! Are you just going to stand there and do nothing?! Are you just going to let the man who raised you since you were nine die like that?!"
Anakin looked at his beloved with an expression that radiated shame, fear and sadness.
He said, "Obi Wan will never forgive me. He'll hate me for what I've become, what I've done."
Padmé cried out, "Obi Wan loves you like his own brother! Do you think he of all people would cast you aside easily?! Look at me. I wasn't in contact with you for years, and when I finally spoke to you again, you were different, but look at us now! You're the love of my life! I love you for who you are, and I'm not just going to stand there and let you lose yourself like this! Obi Wan will not hate you! Once he knows what truly happened, at the most, he'll probably scold you a little, but that's all!"
Anakin asked, "How do you know? How do I know he will not hate me?"
Padmé replied, "You'll never know if you don't find out."
Ahsoka, who was watching, spoke up, "Master Koon will not hate you once he knows what happened. He always believed in you, and I'm sure he will want to help you."
Padmé looked at Ahsoka for a moment, then turned back to Anakin and said, "Anakin, go, Obi Wan needs you. I know you can do it."
Anakin took a deep breath, then pulled Padmé into a hug and whispered, "I don't know what I would do without you."
He allowed Padmé to kiss his cheek and hold him even as his thoughts swam in his head, wondering how to get to Obi Wan.
After the hug, he said, "Only thing, I can't go as Vader, and I certainly can't go like this either."
Ahsoka smiled and suggested, "Who said you had to? Why not just go in Phase I clone armor? No one's going to be expecting a rogue imperial stormtrooper to just butt in, are they?"
Anakin's eyes widened at the suggestion and he immediately activated a wrist-comm and cried out, "Rex, I need you to get me a set of Phase I clone armor at once! And prepare a shuttle for me right away!"
Some hours later, on Corellia…
Obi Wan Kenobi who was standing on a balcony of a high rise building observed the gray cloudy skies of Corellia as several v-wings could be seen entering the atmosphere, nearing the city.
He turned to a hooded figure standing next to him and said, "Master Koon, it seems we've been found."
"Ratted out more likely," the figure, removing his hood to reveal the face of Plo Koon replied, "I knew that bartender was up to no good."
Just then, they heard a third male voice crying out, "Masters, we need to get out of here right now! Imperials are coming in hot and I've just heard they're giving orders for an immediate curfew and a lockdown of all spaceports!"
Obi Wan turned to a young tan skinned young man with long hair up to his shoulders and said, "We need to get out of here as quickly as possible, now."
A short while later, an imperial shuttle touched down on one of the landing platforms of Coronet City and Darth Tyrannus, flanked by TK stormtroopers, stepped out of the shuttle.
Meanwhile, another imperial shuttle that had just dropped out of hyperspace above Corellia was beginning to make its way through the atmosphere.
Tyrannus who was on the ground said, "Search the Coronet Hyatt at once. Restrain any Kel Dor or Human male that may look like Kenobi."
"Yes Sir," the leading stormtrooper responded, even as the men began to fan out.
Meanwhile, Three cloaked figures were climbing down the last few steps of a catwalk staircase.
The one leading approached the bottom, looked around carefully to make sure no troopers were in the alleyway, and then began to make their way through.
Just as they were nearing the end of the alleyway after going past a fork in the corridor, there suddenly came the sound of a lightsaber igniting, and they looked ahead in horror to see a red lightsaber blade emanating from a curved hilt, barely a few yards away, right in front of the alleyway.
"Jedi Master Plo Koon," came the voice of Count Dooku, a.k.a Darth Tyrannus, "We meet again for the last time. And you Kenobi, a shame you left the Order. Your master would be so ashamed of you. And who are you, boy?"
The three cloaked figures removed their hoods and Obi Wan Kenobi spoke in response, "My master could never be as vile as you!"
Tyrannus smiled wickedly and responded, "Your master perhaps, in your own words. What about your padawan, or should I say, ex-Padawan?"
Plo Koon hissed, "You have no right to speak of him! Don't think I don't know what you've done to him!"
Tyrannus snarled, "That is why I cannot allow you to live. You as well as the last of the Jedi must die. But perhaps I shall do you a last favor and tell you the fate of the girl you cared about, going against your Jedi code."
Plo Koon hissed, "Don't dare talk about Ahsoka like she's some sort of tool!"
Tyrannus mocked, "Ah, playing the role of a father, go on, defend your 'daughter' and yet she stands by the side of none other than Vader now."
Plo Koon shouted, "You're wrong! And don't you dare mock her like that! She is my daughter in all but blood!"
Obi Wan ignited his lightsaber and Plo Koon did the same.
Tyrannus swung his saber in a circle and said, "Let's dance, shall we?"
With that, he held his lightsaber at the ready even as Obi Wan and Plo Koon charged him.
Obi Wan's blade met Dooku's, but before Plo Koon's could, another red blade intercepted it.
He looked to his right and saw that it was an inquisitor, and not just any inquisitor.
"Barriss," Plo Koon cried out, "What has happened to you?!"
Barriss Offee hissed, "I'm finally on the right side of the whole war. The Jedi are too corrupt and must be wiped out from the galaxy."
Plo Koon cried out, "You were once Ahsoka's best friend! What happened to all that? Does it not mean anything to you?" even as he swung his blade to intercept a strike for the chest.
Barriss hissed, "She means nothing to me! Our friendship was a weakness which held me from becoming as powerful as I am today."
She attempted to strike back at him, but Plo Koon used a force push which threw her backwards out of the alleyway and into a parked vehicle, the impact knocking her out. However, another inquisitor showed up and charged Plo Koon.
He then turned to the young man with them and jumped in to prevent another inquisitor from slicing off his head even as the young man attempted to defend himself and the Jedi with a blaster.
Meanwhile, as Obi Wan and Tyrannus fought, the latter sneered, "What if I told you that your former apprentice is now a Sith Lord?"
Obi Wan cried out, "You're lying Tyrannus! I will not believe you!"
Tyrannus said, "So be it Jedi," and with that, suddenly moved to intercept Obi Wan's leg, and although Obi Wan managed to catch the blow and barely dodge, he was unable to dodge a sudden kick on the legs which sent him falling down.
Obi Wan saw his lightsaber on the ground, deactivated and tried to reach for it, but it suddenly flew into Tyrannus's hands.
"Ah ah ah," Tyrannus sneered, "I cannot allow any chances. You know, if only you would listen to me, I would tell you all about what happened to your apprentice before you die, but if you will not believe me, then I think I will just have to…"
But before he could complete his sentence, someone suddenly slammed into him, causing him to fall down on his side and roll till his face was touching the ground.
"Who did that?" Tyrannus muttered as he got up slowly, and his eyes widened with disbelief as he saw the sight before him.
A clone wearing phase I armor was helping Obi Wan up, and there was a lightsaber attached to the clone's utility belt.
And he could hear the clone crying out, "Come on, no time to explain, come on!"
"What are you doing?" Obi Wan cried out, even as he was pulled to his feet and his lightsaber thrust into his hands.
The clone cried out, "Saving your life! Let's go!"
Meanwhile, Plo Koon was still locked in blades with the inquisitor.
The inquisitor jumped over Plo Koon and was about to turn around when he suddenly found himself being impaled by a violet lightsaber being held by a clone in phase I armor.
Plo Koon turned around and was stunned at the sight before his eyes.
The 'clone' pulled the lightsaber out and cried out, "Come on, run if you want to live! Come on!"
With that, he and Obi Wan broke off into a run, followed by Plo Koon and the young man even as Tyrannus who was now standing up, cried out to his TK stormtroopers, "After them!"
The group ran back to a fork and took to the other corridor leading away from the hotel.
Plo Koon asked, "Why are you helping us?"
The 'clone' replied, "Escape now, answers later."
Suddenly, there was an explosion just up ahead and the group turned back and ducked into a narrow alleyway.
Just as they were entering the alleyway, Obi Wan and the young man noticed a boy looking around 11 years of age, in dirty brown pants, cream long sleeved shirt and a torn vest who looked like he was going to get caught in the crossfire.
Without any hesitation, Obi Wan reached out and used the force to pull the boy in, just as dozens of blaster bolts began flying through the corridor past the alleyway.
Obi Wan gripped the young boy's shoulders and asked, "Are you alright?"
The boy responded, "I'm okay."
The young man asked, "Listen, this is a very dangerous area. Where are your parents?"
The boy replied, "I don't know. I don't have parents. I stay with the white worms gang and the boss isn't pretty kind to me."
The 'clone' turned to them and asked, "What's happening?"
Obi Wan replied, "This boy's saying he doesn't have parents."
The young man asked, "We can't leave him here. What do we do?"
The 'clone' stared at the young man for a while and replied, "He's coming with us. If you have a spare blaster, give him one."
Even as the young man nodded and pulled a small blaster out for the boy, Obi Wan nodded and turned to him saying, "You're coming with us. It's not safe for you here. What's your name?"
The boy replied, "Han."
The young man asked, "Just Han?"
Han said, "I have no family. I'm just solo."
The young man said, "Alright, we're going to call you Han Solo."
Han's eyes brightened up and he said, "Sounds cool! I like that!"
The 'clone' replied, "Alright, Han Solo, stay close to Obi Wan. Let's move, lightsabers out now!"
The group drew their lightsabers and, running out of the alleyway at the other end, began to deflect blaster bolts and cut down the stormtroopers that came in their way.
Han Solo helped by shooting at the troopers whenever he could, and turned out to be a good shooter.
Meanwhile, Tyrannus was slowly but surely catching up to them.
The 'clone', Obi Wan, Plo Koon, the young man, and Han all ran through a couple of pathways, led by the clone, and then a platform with an imperial shuttle standing by came into sight.
The clone cried out, "There's an imperial shuttle over there! If we get to it, we can escape!"
Tyrannus, who was not far behind them, cried out to his soldiers, "Don't let them get to the shuttle!"
Almost as if on cue, two v-wings suddenly appeared out of nowhere and fired on the shuttle, destroying it with a series of blaster bolts before the group could reach the platform.
Even as the shuttle exploded, the young man cried out, "Oh no, our ride's gone! What do we do?"
Han suddenly pointed to another platform and cried out, "What about that ship? She looks pretty cool!"
The clone looked in the direction that Han was pointing in and cried out, "Everyone run for that ship over there! Run!"
They ran towards a nearby platform that Han had just pointed out, on which stood a YT-1300 freighter, unguarded.
Even as the group boarded the freighter, the clone cried out, "Look for the gunner's position, I'll start the engines!"
Even as Obi Wan spotted a ladder and went down it, no doubt towards a gun turret, and the young man went up it, the clone, followed by Plo Koon, and Han Solo rushed to the cockpit.
The clone took the pilot's seat and Plo Koon made his way towards the copilot's seat, and Han the one behind the pilot's seat.
The clone began to remove his helmet even as Plo Koon asked, "Are you sure you can handle this…" only to trail off in shock at the sight he saw.
The 'clone''s head was not that of a typical clone, but it was clearly that of a man whom he had once known, now with long sandy blonde hair.
And the face looked all too familiar.
Plo Koon gasped, "Anakin?"
Anakin cried out, "I'll explain later, let's get out of here first."
And with that, he began to quickly analyze the controls, hitting various buttons and flipping switches as he did so.
Meanwhile, Tyrannus was running, trying to reach the ship.
Anakin finally flipped a switch, heard the sound of the engines turning on, and opened the throttle, causing the ship to lift off.
Tyrannus watched in rage as the ship took off and began to fly horizontally before beginning to climb.
He activated a wrist comm and cried out, "They're escaping in a YT-1300, go after them! Destroy that ship!"
Just then, a man with the bearings of a pirate came running out of a nearby bar and cried out, "HEY! THAT'S MINE!"
Meanwhile, in the ship, Anakin was starting to climb when Obi Wan suddenly cried out, "Don't climb just yet. I think we're about to be intercepted."
No sooner had the words left Obi Wan's mouth, half a dozen V-wings cut across the ship's path.
Anakin announced, "Master Koon, get the deflection shields on. Obi Wan, and whoever you are young man, start shooting at them until I'm ready to jump to hyperspace."
"Copy," Obi Wan replied, then frowned as he realized that there was something about this man.
But he had no time to dwell on that as the V-wings began shooting at the ship and he had to return their fire.
There was a sound as a blaster bolt from a V-wing hit the ship, but luckily, causing minimal damage.
Plo Koon asked, "Anakin, where are we headed?"
Anakin said as he began to adjust the coordinates, "I know you're not to like it, but just trust me. I can't tell you just yet."
Plo Koon acknowledged with a nod.
Meanwhile, Obi Wan fired as well as he could, using the force to enhance his senses. He suddenly turned to the right, and blasted a couple of V-wings.
He suddenly heard a cry from the young man, "Woohoo, I got one!"
Obi Wan replied, "Nice one. Three more to go. But I think we're about to have more on us."
Anakin announced, "I'm going to take us out of here into outer space, then blast off into hyperspace. Fend off those fighters as best as you can."
"I read you," the young man replied.
Anakin noticed an imperial star destroyer in the sky and opening the throttle wide, he raced towards it.
At the last second, he cut the throttle and pulled the control column all the way into his stomach, causing the ship to suddenly do a half loop 180 degrees before opening the throttle once again and blasting off. The V-wings were not so lucky and most of them crashed into the hull while two managed to avoid crashing but lost the ship within their line of fire.
Plo Koon breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That was incredible. Very few can pull off something like this."
Anakin smiled and replied, "Thanks Master Koon, all's done and well, let's go home."
With that, he pushed the hyperspace lever, and the ship blasted off into hyperspace.
Anakin sighed in relief and relaxed against the back of the seat.
He then got up and moved out of the cockpit even as Obi Wan and the young man emerged from the gunners' positions.
Obi Wan was saying, "What flying that was! It almost feels like…."
He trailed off as he suddenly noticed the face in front of him.
At first, he just stared out of surprise, then, his jaw fell.
The young man was saying, "What's wrong?" when he trailed off, noticing the familiar face.
A minute later, Obi Wan slowly muttered, "Anakin? Is that you?"
Anakin replied, "It is me, Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi."
Obi Wan rushed towards him and pulled him into a bear hug, catching Anakin by surprise.
Obi Wan had tears in his eyes as he cried out, "Anakin, you're alive! You're alive! I thought I had lost you forever!"
Anakin returned the hug, although not with as much strength as Obi Wan.
After the hug ended, Obi Wan cried out, "This is Anakin Skywalker. I have been reunited with my brother finally!"
Anakin felt a hand clasp his shoulder affectionately and the next moment, he was being hugged by Plo Koon who was saying, "It's good to have you back with us Anakin. I'm so sorry I failed in helping you all these years ago."
After the hug, Anakin found himself facing the young man, and for the first time, he was observing him carefully, like there was something he knew about him, completely oblivious to Han who was standing nearby and watching the whole thing.
A few minutes later, his jaw fell open.
And a few moments later, he gasped, "Banai? Kitster Banai? Is that you?"
The young man suddenly burst into a smile and hugged Anakin crying out, "It is you Ani! It is you! After all these years! I never thought I'd see you again!"
Anakin's eyes were filled with tears as he embraced his old friend, half out of joy and half out of guilt.
What would they all think when they found out who he had been for the past two years?
After the hug ended, the expected question came from Obi Wan, "Anakin, where have you been all those years? What happened to you after you were sentenced?"
Clearly, none of them were expecting to see Anakin's expression change to one of fear, remorse and shame.
Anakin slowly said, "It's not something you'd be proud of. I'll tell you once we reach our destination, but first there are two more Jedi masters to pick up on Felucia."
