Chapter 15 - Before It All Starts

Somehow, Anakin thinks they're going to walk into a living nightmare. He can't even say why. He just... senses it. They land in the hangar by the Marauder, and he feels it even stronger.

"Something wrong?" Fives asks dryly.

"Yeah. I don't know what," Anakin tells him, "But I think they've gotten... caught up in something in our absence." Something decidedly unpleasant goes without saying.

"I'd almost be more surprised if they hadn't," Fives says with an amused huff.

Anakin can't even say what it is, but he just... knows. It's actually Wrecker and Tech they run into first, which strikes him as odd. They're near the ship, though doing well at staying hidden about it.

"Let me guess," Fives says the moment he lays eyes on him, "Something's gone wrong?"

"I would say 'wrong' is a mild understatement," Tech grumbles.

Anakin sighs. "What happened?" he queries, "I'm here to return Fives, but if there's something you need me for..."

"Somebody stole Cid's parlor," Wrecker complains, "We tried to help her get it back, an' it didn't go so well."

Gangsters, no doubt. That happens all the time in the crime world.

"So, where's Hunter?" Fives asks, "And Omega?"

"They... got captured," Wrecker supplies.

"Are they still on planet?" Anakin queries. He has no idea what they're getting into but considering the severity of what's happening in the Outer Rim, it's not surprising many crime lords are moving inward. He doesn't know what it is they walked into, but it's nothing good.

"Well, no," Tech replies, "We attempted to intercept, but we arrived too late."

... He's not even going ask what exactly happened. "Who do we need to look for?" Anakin asks, "Who took the parlor?"

"Their names were Maul and Savage Oppress," Tech says, "They were making a deal with the Hutts."

Anakin sighs. Loudly. He knows the Huts, and he dials Asajj's frequency. "Asajj," he says dryly, "Your horned friends are getting into trouble."

"What?" she asks, confused.

"The Zabraks you freed from the Malevolence are causing trouble here. We're on another mission." He looks up at Wrecker at Tech. "Which Hutt were they dealing with? I can't imagine there's many left."

"The one they were dealing with was Ziro."

"He's based off Coruscant," Anakin replies, "Guess we're heading back there. I know the Hutts. I have dealt with them before. What happened to Cid?"

"Cid's dead," Wrecker supplies.

Ah. That explains it – they probably got captured, Maul labeled Cid as the culprit and sent Hunter and Omega off into slavery. The clones always have been slaves, but at least it wasn't... like that. Anakin knows how the Hutts are. He can only imagine what's happening to them, what could happen to them, and they have to move fast.

Force. Omega's just a child. Hunter isn't much older. The clones have never had anybody to take care of them, and somehow, that makes it even worse. They've never had anyone to protect them, to shelter them, and Hunter certainly hasn't. Fives may have, somewhat, but it's not the same. It's not...

Omega's so small, the Hutts wouldn't risk hurting her too much yet. They're picky about permanently damaging their property. They wouldn't make that kind of mistake. Hunter, though... they probably don't have much time.

"We should go with more than just the four of us," Anakin decides. They're dealing with Hutts, after all. "I'll see if anyone else wants to come." He's certain Ahsoka will. The others are probably too busy with the Rebellion, but at least asking wouldn't hurt.

**w**

In the end, Ahsoka is the only one to join them on the Marauder. Padme, Qui-Gon, and Asajj head back for the Rebel base. Anakin just hopes they won't encounter anything... equally unpleasant without him. He's not sure how this will all play out, but he already knows they need to talk to Hunter about... moving. They can't stay on Ord Mantell anymore, anyway, and Anakin would rather keep them close. He doesn't want to risk something happening to them, losing them.

Fives is – he might not be the one Anakin knew, but he's still Fives, and he's still important. Anakin is perfectly self-aware enough to know he wouldn't deal with it well if he lost Fives a second time.

Wrecker and Tech reluctantly agree to wait outside, while Anakin goes in alone with Fives. There's a chance, however unlikely, that Ziro or his guards are already on lookout for Wrecker and Tech to show up. Fives should be a little more... unexpected and could easily pass as a normal clone.

Slipping past the entrance into the back holding area isn't too difficult, though Anakin knows it won't stay this easy.

"I left for five days, and this is what happens?" Fives grumbles in a whisper when they finally spot Hunter – he and Omega are locked in a cell together, and despite their worry, they seem fine. Uninjured, at least.

Hunter sighs.

Anakin unlocks the door, keeping watch. Omega jumps up, running to Fives who crouches to pull her into a tight embrace. "Told you I'd come back," Anakin hears him saying.

"We better hurry," Anakin cautions. He feels danger whispering in the Force – if they don't hurry, this will go wrong. Probably, it will even if they do.

Fives pulls Hunter to his feet – he doesn't look hurt, but he's still moving a little unsteadily – which makes Anakin wonder if he was electrocuted, and even what that would do to him with his electric senses and everything. Doesn't have time to ask, though.

They round the corner into an assassin droid. Oh, right. Ziro had many of these working for him. Possibly partly related to the ones involved in his escape in the first place.

Anakin jumps at it, shoving its arm aside and dodging the blaster fire. Great – just what he was hoping to avoid. The shooting will draw attention. It tries to hit him, and Anakin grabs its arm, digging his mechanical fingers into it and crushing, half with his hand, half with the Force. It's probably something Wrecker would do, but well, he doesn't want to use a lightsaber on it.

Hunter jumps it with his knife, taking its head off.

Anakin lowers it to the ground, so it doesn't thump too loud, but with the blaster fire, their cover is already blown.

Their weapons and comms were in the room, on the other side of the barred door. Good thing, too, because there really wasn't time to pick them up.

They make it almost to the exit before coming face to face with a group of guards, both droids and non-droids.

Omega squeaks, taking a step back, her bow fired up and ready. Hunter and Fives have their blasters out, but there's nothing they can do against so many with no immediate cover. Unless Anakin gives away that he's a Jedi.

Doesn't mean they don't try.

Anakin jumps at them, anyway, until one of the droids grabs onto Omega, dragging her away from the others.

Her frantic "let me go" is drowned out over the blaster fire and the droid snapping "surrender, or I will terminate her."

Hunter freezes, and Fives outright growls. Anakin didn't quite know a person could make that sound, but he's furious.

This is the second time someone's threatened to hurt Omega to make him stand down. It's only happened twice, but it's still a little... odd. Either way, his answer is the same, no matter how reluctant he is about it.

Worry is gnawing at him, but the fury burning inside him is far more prominent. He shouldn't get angry. Anakin knows that, but being confronted with his past has always made him angry. He's been here before. He knows what it feels to be nothing. He is terrified of being trapped here again. Of being... nothing again, and someone doing the same to his friends is...

The guards shove them up front, to Ziro. Anakin hasn't seen him before, but he's heard enough about him to recognize him.

"I would suggest you release us," Fives warns, nearly growling.

Ziro is studying them, and Anakin has almost forgotten how ugly those things are. They feel slippery and slimy in the Force, and it makes him sick.

"These were breaking into the prison levels," one of the droids says, their blasters still trained on them.

Anakin delves into the Force, reaching deeper, preparing to lash out. It's a risk, but they don't have much choice.

"Send the girl back to the prison," Ziro says, "She's too small to be useful."

The rage bubbling up inside him is something nearly tangible, begging to lash out and hurt.

One of the droids grabs her arm, and Omega struggles against it.

The sound of igniting lightsabers silences the room. "Hey!" Ahsoka yells. Oh, Force. Anakin had been worried about her coming in the first place, because she's a Togruta, and he knows what that could mean. He doesn't want her to have to know what it's like to be treated like – like an object. Anakin knows what that's like. He couldn't prevent his own padawan from learning that, either – Zygerria will always be prominent in their minds – but that doesn't mean he couldn't still protect her.

"Let them go," Ahsoka barks, fiercely. Anakin has heard her angry before, but this carries the tone of... well, a commander.

It's almost hard to remember she once was one.

"These idiots are with me." Idiots? Really? Okay, that's fair. She's radiating fury, though, and it makes Anakin suddenly, warily wonder if she knows what this is like, already. If he's too late to protect her.

"And who are you?" Ziro asks, and Anakin wants to strangle him for looking at her like that. He can't remember the last time he felt tempted to snap somebody's neck. That's not – it's not normal of him. Maybe he's changed in this reality, too. In this life. Or maybe it's just how dark the galaxy feels.

"Imperial Commander. Inquisitor. Take your pick. But turn them over, or you'll cross the Empire. And in case you don't know what the Empire looks like..." The Dark Side washes over the room, cold and flaring and burning. It's smothering. Oppressive.

Ziro gasps, flailing as Ahsoka lifts him and nearly all organic beings in the room in a Force-choke. The strain of that must be extreme, but when Anakin turns around, he sees her eyes golden again. She's dressed in the same black Inquisitor clothes as when they first got her, the ones she changed out of a long time ago.

And Anakin doesn't wait. He draws his lightsaber – they're outed, anyway – and beheads the droid holding Omega. Hunter and Fives take their weapons back, and they sprint for the door.

Ahsoka drops them, growling, before whirling on her heel and stalking out.

Anakin lays a hand on her back in an effort to calm her as they head back for the Marauder where they landed a short distance out. "I didn't realize you brought those clothes," Anakin says finally, trying to distract her. He's never dealt with someone touching the Dark Side before. He may have struggled with it, and... he might have known people who have, but he's never... seen this before.

He has no idea how to help her, how to make her feel better. How to help Ahsoka re-find herself. He isn't entirely certain she ever has from the start.

The grin Ahsoka gives him is near feral. "Figured something would go wrong," she says snippily, "And I've been waiting to pull the ex-Imperial thing for a while. It's about time I could use my status to benefit someone for once."

"We're far from the first people you've helped, Ahsoka," Anakin objects, "I can assure you of that."

"I don't want to talk about that right now."

Anakin certainly doesn't think that sounds like a good sign, but he can worry about it later when they have more cover and time to talk about it. Ahsoka was hurting them, and he certainly doesn't blame her, but he's still worried. It makes him wonder what kind of things she was used to as a Sith, that the Empire taught her. That they told her was right.

Wrecker is the first to greet them when they make it back, scooping Omega into his arms.

Anakin lingers back a bit to give them enough privacy to reunite properly, but he and Ahsoka board the ramp after the others.

"Where are we heading now?" Fives inquires.

"Don't know," Hunter sighs, "Ord Mantell isn't safe for us anymore."

"Nowhere is," Anakin cuts in, "We have to leave... everything. You have to leave the Outer Rim. Stay in the Core. I know exactly how dangerous this is, but we don't have any other choice. Even the Rebellion operates out of the Core now."

"What's wrong?" Hunter inquires. "Did... something happen?" Wrecker and Tech gather close, Wrecker still holding Omega.

"Worse than happen," Anakin tells them. He has to be blunt about this. It's their galaxy, and they deserve to know the truth. "It's been happening a long time, but no one's talking about it. I don't know what's wrong, or what's causing it, but the galaxy is dying."

Wrecker's eyes widen and he looks at Tech, who seems as clueless as Hunter, though worried.

"What does that mean?" Tech demands.

"We don't know," Fives admits, "But entire star systems are disappearing without a trace."

"It's showing up as black hole," Anakin adds, "I didn't understand at the time, but when we went to Kamino, something was showing up as a black hole nearby. The ship systems were warning against exiting hyperspace. We did it, anyway, but I don't know how far in it's going to come."

"That does sound concerning," Tech acknowledges.

"It's more than concerning," Anakin replies fiercely, "People are dying. I've felt it since we came here, and we have no idea why it's happening."

"We have heard rumors," Tech admits, "Though I had no reason to believe them."

"They're true," Anakin tells him wearily, "I don't know what this will mean for all of us, but we have to be careful. I'm trying to find a way to stop it, but right now... we don't even know where to start." He's so tired sometimes. He wants to stop fighting. He doesn't want to constantly feel like the very fate of the galaxy is depending on him. He wants... to settle down.

"We don't have anywhere to go right now," Hunter confesses, "I know there will be risk, but if we could come with you, at least temporarily... we might be able to help."

At least if they're with him they'll be safe, away from the Galactic Shrink, even if Anakin doesn't want to have to drag them into a fight if they don't want to fight. He understands them just wanting to stay out of it to keep each other alive, even if he's never been able to do the same. Never could do the same because he always wants to help. "If that is what you want," he replies, "You do not need to officially join in as members of the Rebellion. They will offer you aid and be grateful for your help, regardless."

"Thank you," Hunter says, exchanging glances with his brothers again. "We'll stick around, at least for now."

**w**

When he's landing at the base, Anakin's not expecting to see half the ships cleared out of the hangar, and everyone else scrambling around as though they're preparing for something. Did the Empire track them here again? He can sense the tension in the air, but it's not outright fear. It's not the kind of panic that was gripping everyone when they were trying to get off Mustafar as fast as possible.

"What's going on?" Anakin asks, approaching the Lost Familiar crew, all of whom are standing around the ship.

"You're back right on time, Skykid," Asajj greets. Her gaze darts past him to the Batch who are still standing on the ramp of their ship. "Why are they here?"

"Long story, but they don't have anywhere else to go. The Hutts took over their former home."

"I thought it was my horned friends who were causing trouble," Asajj drawls.

"Both, actually," Anakin replies.

"Due to risks of the Empire potentially locating this base, the Alliance Council intends to relocate," Qui-Gon explains, "But someone also uncovered the schematics for the Malevolence. They believe it would be an ideal time to destroy the ship, especially since the clone troopers that formerly operated it have been replaced with recruited soldiers who are not as good at their posts yet."

It's both a clever plan and extremely dangerous. And it makes him feel a little better that to help them with this, he won't have to hurt the clones. There were thousands on board before. That's why he refused to try to destroy it last time he was aboard, not that he would've really had the chance. "How are they planning to locate the Malevolence? Or are they... luring it out here?"

That would explain why they're already evacuating.

"That's the plan," Padme confirms, expression tense. "I don't think this is a good idea, but after the CIS's official destruction, people are desperate. I just hope they don't destroy themselves entirely in their quest for an actual victory."

And hopefully they don't all kill themselves in a fight that won't matter if pretty much the entire galaxy is gone by the time the Galactic Shrink stops.

Anakin reaches out with the Force, trying to sense for the future. It's a reckless plan, but it doesn't feel like that part of it will go badly. Still, all he can sense right into the future is destruction and chaos and death,and he doesn't really know what to make of that. It scares him. "I believe there is a chance we will succeed, but it will not be without many losses."

"That's what I was afraid of," Padme sighs.

"Either way, the decision has already been made," Qui-Gon points out, "We can only decide if we will participate. They've already sent as many resources as they can off-world." That would explain why the hangar already looked half abandoned when he showed up.

"Of course, we're in," Anakin replies, "What's the plan?"

"The briefing is starting within the hour," Padme says.

Anakin pauses to glance back at the Batch. "I assume you want to wait this out here?"

"The Marauder won't be much good in a space battle," Hunter replies.

He nods – he can entirely understand Hunter not wanting to drag the rest of them into a fight this dangerous, especially when their ship really doesn't have much protection in space; they're good for ground missions – heading after the others.

For whatever reason, this mission feels like the beginning of the end. Whatever that means. He's scared to know what.

**w**

The plan for taking out the Malevolence is simple enough. Destroy the ion cannons and the hyperdrive immediately, then distract the Empire with a space battle while several crews sneak on board and blow up the main reactor, which should effectively destroy the ship. Hopefully.

Now, they'll just have to hope that the Malevolence is going to show up instead of an entire Imperial fleet. That's... a very big, foolish risk. You can't do those things based on pure hope. There has to be some sort of reason for assuming, and Anakin hopes it's something logical, even if they never told him.

They don't have to wait for long. The ships that are going to engage it are already waiting in space, including Lost Familiar, when the Malevolence finally comes out of hyperspace.

The ion cannon is already charging up as they and the other fighters circle in, shooting at it. Anakin goes for the guns, aiming for the ion cannon. But they have to get in close enough, and the cannon is already charging up.

The first blast fires before they're able to fully penetrate the shields, and Asajj sends their ship spinning out of the way barely in time.

Half the fighters are caught in the blast as the electricity spreads, angled down for the surface. It's going to take out all the ships that were coming up through the atmosphere, too. This is not good – so many of their forces were just rendered entirely defenseless. They'll just have to take the ship out before it shoots them all down.

Asajj brings Lost Familiar around again as the ion cannon begins recharging, with Anakin concentrating all his fire on it. Laser blasts from the massive ship streak past them, some repeatedly hitting the shields. They're taking quite a beating, and he doesn't know how much longer they'll be able to hold out against it, but all the fighters who are trying to even come anywhere close are being shot down.

They have to be the ones to do this.

His shots finally penetrate through the Malevolence's shields just enough, and they fly away seconds before the ion blast is about to go off, in a blinding explosion. The ship almost trembles from the sheer strength of the blast and but he knows well from his own reality that that's not nearly enough to render the ship inoperable.

"Take us down," Anakin calls to Asajj.

"Already on it," she yells back, abruptly lowering the ship to land in airlock before someone spots them, docking hopefully off-range of the scanners.

They'll have to leave the rest of the rebel forces to blow up the hyperdrive.

They wait inside the airlock for a moment to make sure no one's passing by outside before they dart out and take off down the hall. It's most important that no one sees them on board, or the Empire is going to realize that something's up.

"Can you handle blowing the main reactor?" Anakin asks breathlessly, as they run.

"Sure. Why?" Ahsoka asks.

"I hotwired the hyperdrive before in my reality, so when they tried to jump, they were directed into the nearest moon. I could so the same here in case the main reactor blast doesn't destroy the entire ship." It's enormous and considering how massive it is, there's still a chance that some of it could survive the blast. The ship is... designed to withstand almost anything, and he doesn't think taking a chance is worth it.

"Good thinking," Qui-Gon replies, "We can handle the rest."

"I can go with you," Padme volunteers, "You're more likely to run into resistance up there than in the reactor."

That's true – that's why he volunteered to go in the first place. Having some help wouldn't hurt, even if he doesn't want to drag Padme into that potential level of danger. He doesn't think it'll go wrong, though. "Alright. Let's go."

He throws a final glance at Qui-Gon, Asajj, and Ahsoka – why does he have an odd... feeling about watching them go? Almost as though it'll be a little while before he sees them again. Longer than the battle should last. It doesn't feel like it will be long enough for him to have a reason to worry, but either way, he can't let himself worry about that right now. Anakin takes off, Padme close behind.

They have to keep dodging patrols to make it to the hyperdrive room. The floor is vibrating faintly from the distant explosions in here. This is where the damage is heaviest.

They stun everyone who's in the hyperdrive room, and Padme works on clearing everyone out – so the next person to come in here won't find anything amiss – as Anakin reprograms it to fly into the nearest star, regardless of what hyperspace coordinates anyone tries to enter. It's not likely anyone will notice that it's been tampered with.

But it's then that Anakin suddenly senses something else. He sensed that familiar darkness of stormy rain reaching for him enough times to recognize it instantly.

Obi-Wan.

He's on board.

Of course, he is. It is the ship he's in command of, but Anakin hadn't sensed him earlier, so he didn't even know if he was here.

But if he's here and they're about to destroy the ship, that means...

He's not going to let Obi-Wan die. Even if it's unlikely that the Sith would actually let himself go down with the ship. But if Obi-Wan is trying to latch onto Anakin's Force presence that means he's going to know he's on board and that could blow their entire mission.

There's really only one thing he can think of to... cover for everyone else and do what he was planning to the next time he saw Obi-Wan. He has no idea what's going to go from here, if this is even something he's going to come back from, but he can't not do it either.

For both his family here, and... Obi-Wan.

"Padme," Anakin murmurs, standing and turning to her, "The... Sith is here. Right now."

She stiffens. "How do you know?"

"I felt his presence and he's going to come for me. So long as I am here, I am endangering the entire mission."

Padme doesn't look any happier. "But you've already fought him several times, and you... didn't win, did you? If you just go to him, in the middle of a ship of Imperials –"

He steps closer, laying a hand on her arm. Considering that he's really one of the last people she has left, he can understand her... fear. "I'll be fine," he promises, "I... don't believe he'll kill me. That's not what he wants."

She frowns, confused. "Then what does he want?"

He's never had a reason to talk to anyone about this other than Qui-Gon, but she deserves to at least know enough that she won't worry as much. "He – he wants me to join him. We knew each other, in my reality. And I can't believe there's nothing left of the person he used to be, in him." And even if there wasn't, that doesn't mean Anakin doesn't still care about him. Doesn't mean he's... ready to let him die, regardless of what the Jedi teach about that.

Padme sighs, still looking unhappy. "I know that worked with Ahsoka, but I don't know if it would with someone so much older."

"I have to try," he replies firmly.

She steps forwards, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him. He returns it, though only for a moment, before he pulls back. It – he wants that, a family, a future with someone, so much, but they already know it's impossible. Continuing to act otherwise isn't going to make ending it any easier.

"Good luck," she says, softly.

He nods, before sprinting out the door.

Time to intercept Obi-Wan before he intercepts the rebels.

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