INTRODUCING THE LATEST CHAPTER OF OBI-WAN AND EVERYONE ELSE'S ADVENTURE!
In this chapter I start to mess around my the cannon timelines but I feel it's necessary to get some awesome character interactions.
Anyways, that's about all I need to say. Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to favorite, comment and follow.
Obi-Wan leaned on Luke's shoulder as the boy led him through the ship and into the large common room where he'd first practiced his lightsaber skills.
After sitting down, Obi-Wan let the tenseness in muscles and the turbulence in his mind slowly dissipate. That fight had been extremely draining but Obi-Wan had good stamina from his continued training on Tattooine; he'd recover quickly. The more pressing matter was the wound on his shoulder which Luke was already on top of.
"I'll go ask Han for the first aid kit," he said. "Try not to move, Ben. I'll be right back."
Obi-Wan gave an appreciative smile as Luke left the room. The old Jedi shifted himself into a cross legged positon and began to meditate. He could sense all the life forms onboard the ship, even the one approaching him while he had his eyes closed.
"I am glad to see you are safe, princess Leia." Obi-Wan said, startling the young woman.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked at Leia for the first time in nearly twenty years. He immediately spotted the similarities between her and Padme. The same hair and eye color. The profile of their faces shared many similarities but Obi-Wan knew it was their spirits that most resembled each other. They shared an indomitable will that made them natural born leaders and a strong sense of empathy that made them love and admired by all.
As Obi-Wan silently observed the princess, the latter avoided his gaze, fidgeting nervously with her hands. Obi-Wan gestured towards a chair next to him.
"Please sit, your highness. I'm sure whatever is troubling you can be said at eye level."
Leia snapped out of her awkward ticks, and quickly sat where Obi-Wan indicated, doing her best to look the Jedi master in the eye.
"I wanted to thank you, general Kenobi, for answering my call. I also want to apologize for having sent it. I compromised your location and put you and others in dangers on my account. I don't know how to— "
"You have nothing to apologize for, your highness," Obi-Wan interrupted. "Despite my lackluster appearance, I am still a Jedi. As such, it is my duty to help those in need. Now, I simply wish to return to Tattooine and not draw any more attention to myself or other Jedi that are still in hiding."
"I fear it may not be so easy, general Kenobi," Leia said, her eyes lowered. "When it becomes known that a Jedi master who sat on the High Council survived the Purge it won't take long for Rebel command to use it as propaganda to attract more volunteers."
"Yes, and subsequently reignite the Emperor's will to eradicate the Jedi once and for all." Obi-Wan stated somberly.
They both stayed a couple seconds in silence, until Luke returned with the med kit.
"Sorry, Ben. For some reason Han doesn't have any bacta and is lacking some pretty basic first aid material," Luke said, trying to restrain his exasperation towards the stingy smuggler. "So we're going to have to do this the old, old, old way."
"That sounds about right for me." said Obi-Wan with a good-natured chuckle.
"Here, let me do it, Luke." Leia said, holding her hand out for the needle and thread.
Luke looked at her uncertainly.
"Are you sure prince – I mean, Leia. Have you ever…"
"Have YOU?" the princess retorted with a devilish smirk.
"Well… no." Luke admitted.
"I was a nurse in a field hospital when I was young," she said, snatching the needle and thread out of Luke's hand and coming to sit next to Obi-Wan. "It's just like riding a speeder."
"THAT I guarantee I'm much better at than you." Luke shot back with a cocky grin.
"If it matches your skills for coming up with an escape plan, it's a miracle you're still alive." the princess fired back, leaving Luke stumped for a comeback and forced to sit down in a sulk.
Obi-Wan tried to hide his smile at seeing their bickering. He was sure he'd never see both siblings finally reunited, but he was glad to still be alive to see it. But Obi-Wan also worried about the day they would both find out the truth.
At least for now, the secret must remain. the old Jedi reflected.
Obi-Wan removed his top robes, revealing the many scars covering the toned and well defined muscles. Leia was sensible enough to distract herself with prepping the surgery tools but Luke stared at Obi-Wan's physique like he'd just discovered a closely guarded secret.
"Luke, stop staring. It's rude." Leia said without looking at him or Obi-Wan.
Luke quickly averted his gaze and proceeded to examine his father's lightsaber closely. Likely wondering how all the internal components worked.
Obi-Wan kept a smile off his face and focused on his meditation as Leia slipped the needle in and out of his flesh. Within a couple minutes, the wound was sewn shut and a clean compress was applied over it. Thanks to the Force, Obi-Wan had barely felt a thing.
"You'll need to avoid any strenuous movement until we can get some bacta on it at Yavin base." Leia said as she rinsed her hands of Obi-Wan's blood.
"Thank you, your highness." Obi-Wan said, gratefully.
Before Leia could tell him to stop calling her 'your highness', Han ran into the room and stopped when he saw the scene that was unfolding.
"Wow, old man. You've got guns." Han noted with a self-satisfied smirk.
"Is there a problem, Han?" Obi-Wan asked, slipping his robes back on.
"You can say that again," the smuggler said with an annoyed tone. "We've got fighters closing in. Luke, I need you to man the second turret. Old man, you go in the cockpit, help Chewie keep the ship level."
"Watch your tongue, Captain," Leia snapped, catching Han off-guard. "Obi-Wan Kenobi was and still is a Jedi general, one the most powerful and respected of his generation. From now on you will address him as general Kenobi, or as Obi-Wan if he permits it. Certainly do not call him 'old man' ever again. Clear?"
Once again, Han cursed himself that she had the ability to make him forget how to talk so easily. Han tried to fire back but Leia wasn't done.
"Also, he's injured. He's in no position to move around right now. I'll go in the cockpit, you boys man the guns."
And with that, Leia departed towards the cockpit while Han and Luke looked at each other dumbfounded. They looked to Obi-Wan for his opinion, but the Jedi had already returned to his meditation.
As Han and Luke went to man their posts, a small smile spread on Obi-Wan's face.
Oh, how I've missed this.
Luckily for Obi-Wan and the others, the Empire had only been able to dispatch four TIE-fighters to pursue them. After a tense couple minutes, Han and Luke were able to destroy their pursuers and the Millennium Faulcon made its jump to light speed.
After a half-hour of flight, during which Obi-Wan was able to fully recuperate from his fight with Vader, the Millennium Faulcon reemerged from hyperspace over the planet Yavin, the location of the Rebel Base. The constant thorn in the Empire's side.
As Leia showed Han where to land and made sure that Rebel command didn't shoot them out of the sky, Obi-Wan sensed familiar Force presences on the planet. They were presences he hadn't felt in a long time. Some from the Clone Wars, others more recent.
Could it be…, Obi-Wan quickly stamped out his anxiety. Whoever it was, he would meet them soon.
Once Rebel Command had confirmed the Millennium Faulcon wasn't hostile and that princess Leia was onboard, they gave the ship a docking bay where it could land.
While everyone gathered their things and prepared to disembark, Obi-Wan made his way to the holding bay where their four Imperial prisoners were. They all glared at him as he entered their makeshift cell.
"We've arrived," Obi-Wan announced. "If you'll follow me, the Rebel Alliance will take you into custody."
"We won't reveal a thing, Rebel scum." one of the Stormtroopers spat out.
"He's no rebel," Tuyin Reagyn, the boy Obi-Wan had talked to, said in a low voice. "He's a Jedi. He's the one who annihilated the squad on Tattooine. He killed my brothers."
The other Imperials looked at Obi-Wan in disbelief which was quickly replaced by even stronger hatred towards him. Obi-Wan knew better than to feed their resentment and simply gestured towards the door.
"Shall we?" he asked.
Begrudgingly, the soldiers exited the holding bay, single file. The four of them and Obi-Wan joined Luke and the other others at the top of the boarding ramp.
Obi-Wan moved closer to Han, gesturing to the Imperials behind him.
"I believe the capture of any Imperial troops is rewarded by the Rebel Alliance," Obi-Wan whispered to Han in a conspiring tone. "They're all yours."
Han looked at Obi-Wan strangely for a second, before pointing his blaster at the prisoners to have them pass before him.
"Very generous of you old m—" Han caught himself reflexively. "I mean… general Kenobi."
"Don't mention it, Han," the old Jedi said with a smile. "And please, it's Obi-Wan."
Once the boarding ramp was fully extended, the prisoners and Han went out first, followed by Chewie, Luke and Leia. Obi-Wan waited a couple seconds before exiting the ship.
The Jedi master was impressed with the set up the Rebels had going. They were using an old temple as their base, which offered many escape routes in case of an evacuation. The jungle and fog surrounding them offered plenty of natural cover. It was as perfect a location for a secret base as one could imagine.
There was a small delegation to greet them. Obi-Wan recognized some prominent members of the Rebel Alliance he'd seen on Imperial wanted posters, such as Mon Mothma and Jan Dodonna.
When Leia stepped forward, Mon Mothma stepped forward and wrapped her in a strong embrace.
"It's so good to see you safe, Leia." she said, like a mother to her child.
"When we heard about Alderaan we feared the worse." Jan Dodonna added.
"These men helped me escape," Leia said, gesturing to Luke and the others. "They… intercepted a distress signal I'd sent and mounted a rescue mission."
The leaders of the Rebel Alliance looked at the group skeptically, their eyes moving from the tall Wookie to the old man with a hood hiding his eyes. They couldn't quite believe it but knew the princess wouldn't lie about such a thing.
"This young man is Luke Skywalker," Leia said, gesturing to Luke who bowed nervously to Mon Mothma and the others. "He's a capable fighter and a very sharps mind for solving problems. He'd be a priceless addition to the Rebel Army if he accepts to join us."
Leia then gestured to Han and Chewie:
"This is captain Han Solo and his first mate Chewbacca. They provided their ship for the rescue mission and were… instrumental in our successful escape. We will pay them fifteen thousand credits and extend a proposition to join us if they so desire."
Cries of outrage erupted from some of the Rebel Leaders. Han seemed to enjoy every second of it, moving forward with his four prisoners.
"You may want to add to the fifteen whatever you boys charge for capturing Imperial soldiers. These guys put up quite a fight. It wasn't easy to capture them alive."
The Rebel leaders looked at the prisoners with a critical eye before gesturing for some soldiers to take them away.
As they were being led away, a chorus of voices caught everyone's attention:
"Tuyin? Is that you little brother?"
"Is that him?"
Obi-Wan recognized the voices before he saw the three men he had spared on Tattooine approaching the group of Imperial prisoners. Everyone observed the scene and watched as the three brothers, who were now dressed as soldiers of the Rebellion, fiercely hugged Tuyin who still had his handcuffs on.
"We thought we'd never see you again. Thank God you're safe." the oldest brother sobbed, looking over Tuyin who stared back at them in disbelief.
"Brann, Koris, Jake… you're alive?" Tuyin asked, his eyes tearing up.
"We were saved, little brother," said Koris, the second oldest, wrapping an arm around his brother. "A Jedi Master spared our lives and gave us credits to escape off Tattooine."
"But we decided to stay," Jake, the second youngest, added. "After asking around the cantinas we were able to find a Rebel Pilot who accepted our enlistment."
Tuyin was at a loss for words. His gaze shifted to each of his older brothers who all smiled brightly. He'd never seen them like this when they'd fought for the Empire. They'd carry these long, beaten faces when they returned from deployment but always tried to smile or crack a joke when their youngest brother was around.
Tuyin looked back towards Obi-Wan, who hid his face deeper in the shadows of his cloak.
"It was you…" Tuyin whispered. "You saved them."
"What are you mumbling about?" Brann asked, following Tuyin's gaze.
He froze. As did Koris and Jake when they saw the familiar cloaked figure. Within seconds, the three older brothers were on their knees, dragging Tuyin down with them, bowing at Obi-Wan's feet.
"Master Jedi!" Brann exclaimed so loud people started to come on the landing pad to see what all the commotion was about. "Thank you for saving our little brother. It was a miracle what you did for us on Tattooine and now you've reunited our family. You are an angel, master Jedi. We will lay down our lives for you and swear eternal fealty— "
"—That isn't necessary, Brann," Obi-Wan cut him off. Inhaling sharply, Obi-Wan removed his cloak, revealing his sparkling eyes and kind face. "Rise, all of you. I do not need your fealty. Fight for what you believe in and for each other, that is enough."
The four brothers got to their feet. Brann gave a low bow, which the others emulated, before following Tuyin and the Rebel soldiers, who were taking him to be questioned.
Once the four brothers had left, Obi-Wan turned his attention back to the Rebel High Command who was staring at him. Obi-Wan also noticed some of the Rebel pilots and soldiers whispering amongst themselves. How did it come to this? Obi-Wan asked himself.
Obi-Wan locked eyes with the only familiar face in the Rebel High Command: Mon Mothma. She'd been a strong ally to both Padme Amidala and Bale Organa in the Galactic Senate. Obi-Wan had only briefly interacted with her and she'd reminded him a lot of Padme and Leia. Determined, strong-willed and a steady presence when things got hectic.
Mon Mothma observed Obi-Wan's face closely. She recognized the eyes, the smile, the distinct accent she'd heard from the younger Obi-Wan when they'd met. A small tear rolled down her cheek as she walked up to Obi-Wan and wrapped him in a strong embrace.
Obi-Wan responded in kind, both ignoring everyone around them who were staring in shock and outrage. Seeing a familiar face from before the Emperor's regime of terror was a profound relief for them.
After a couple seconds, they broke apart. Mon Mothma paused for a second before turning to the incredulous leaders of the Rebel Alliance.
"I believe we should go somewhere we can talk privately."
As everyone moved inside the base, Han leaned over to Luke and whispered:
"Kenobi's got some game."
The group had moved to an empty conference room where they would get much more privacy than on the landing pad.
The only addition to the already present Rebel Leaders was Admiral Ackbar who'd just returned from an assignment. The leaders all sat at a crescent shaped table, while Luke, Han and Chewbacca sat in front of them. Obi-Wan hung back near the door to the room.
The first matter up for discussion, per Han's request, was the smuggler's reward for getting princess Leia and the Death Star plans safely to the Rebellion. While many of the Rebel leaders were outraged by Han's insistence on claiming a reward at such a desperate hour, Mon Mothma conceded to Han's demands and gave him the reward as well as the money for the four captures Imperials. She even extended an offer for him to join the Rebellion in the upcoming battle.
"I appreciate the offer but with or without the Empire, the price on my head will stand." Han's response garnered an understanding nod from Mon Mothma and Obi-wan while everyone else cursed Han's decision for various reasons.
Once Han and Chewie had left the room to prep the Faulcon for departure, Mon Motham quickly brought up the four brothers who had escaped the Empire. She did this mainly to reassure Obi-Wan whom she could tell was concerned for their future. The three oldest brothers were already Rebel Infantrymen and the youngest would be offered a post as a technician once he'd been interrogated and vetted by Rebel Intelligence.
As Mon Mothma got ready to move on to the last topic, Leia stood up from her chair, causing everyone to turn towards her.
"I'd like to propose the instigation of someone else into the Army of the Rebellion."
Everyone looked to Mon Mothma who nodded for her to continue.
"I say, without hyperbole, that without the courage and resourcefulness of one man, I would most likely be dead and the Death Star plans would have fallen back into the Empire's hands," she said as everyone watched her move around the table. "I believe that this man would make a fine addition as a pilot in the Rebel fleet: Luke Skywalker!"
She pointed to Luke who sat up and bowed to the room who mostly regarded him with uncertainty and skepticism.
Mon Mothma immediately locked eyes with Obi-Wan who nodded slightly at her silent question. She'd met Anakin Skywalker when he was tasked with guarding Senator Amidala a long time ago. She was part of the few people who knew what Anakin had become following Order 66.
She crossed eyes with Admiral Gial Ackbar who'd fought alongside Skywalker to liberate his home planet of Mon Cala during the Clone Wars. He knew better than to bring it up and stayed silent as Jan Dodonna got up to speak.
"Princess Leia, long be it for me to criticize your judgement," Jan Dodonna said in a measured tone. "But it takes several months before someone can be considered for a pilot post. Those ships are expensive and…"
"I see you still value economics over ability, Dodonna." Ackbar commented, looking at the old man with slight scorn.
"Don't patronize me, Ackbar," Dodonna shot back at the Mon Calamari. "I simply need to know if this boy can be trusted…"
"I trust him."
Obi-Wan's voice shifted the attention of the whole room on him. The Jedi's grey blue eyes stood out against the shadows he was draped in. His voice commanded such a presence that not a single one of the seasoned Rebel Leaders dared speak before Obi-Wan.
"He is one of the finest pilots I have seen in all my years of combat," the Jedi master continued. "He is brave, a fast thinker, knows how to improvise and possesses a strong moral compass. You'd be foolish not to accept him as a pilot."
A heavy silence filled the room. The Rebel leaders were unsure how to push back on Obi-Wan's glowing praise of Luke who was feeling even more anxious with these extra commendations. Mon Mothma and Ackbar both exchanged a knowing smile.
"I support princess Leia's proposition," Ackbar said, gesturing to her with his webbed hand. "Anyone who would refute a Jedi General and Master as a judge character should have their head examined I say."
Most of the High Command scowled at Ackbar's phrasing. Mon Mothma didn't give any of them a chance to protest.
"I also agree with princess Leia," she said. "We would be fools to pass up such a clearly gifted young man. If that means waving 'ancestral' Alliance protocol to accept him as a pilot, so be it. I elect to induct Luke Skywalker into the Rebel Army and give him the rank of pilot."
"Seconded." Ackbar chipped in.
The insane ping-pong action that had just taken place left most of the room speechless. In less than a minute, Mothma and Ackbar had turned the possibility of Luke becoming a pilot into a certainty.
And as such, no one contested it. The Rebel leaders all nodded or grunted in consent, and so Luke was now a member of the Rebel Alliance and their newest X-Wing pilot.
"Pilot Skywalker," Mon Mothma said to Luke who snapped to attention. "Please follow princess Leia, she will show you to your squad commander and get you familiar with how we operate. Welcome to the Rebel Alliance. May the Force be with you."
"Thank you, m'am." Luke said with a stiff bow, which he then unnecessarily topped with a clumsy salute. Leia quickly dragged him out of the room before he made the situation any more awkward.
Once they were both gone and everyone was seated again, Mon Mothma cleared her throat to get everyone's attention.
"There is one more item we need to address today," she said. "That is Jedi General Kenobi's role, if any, in the Rebel Alliance. Let us first hear what he wishes to do."
Everyone around the table nodded, turning their eyes towards Obi-Wan. The old man moved into the light and took a seat in front of the Rebel leaders.
"My wish it to join the Rebel Alliance, but only as an adviser. Not as a fighter, and certainly not as a Jedi," these words created whispers around the room which quickly fizzled out as Obi-Wan continued. "There are many Jedi scattered across the galaxy who are hiding from the Empire, much like I was. Their survival depends on complete anonymity and discression. If it becomes widely known that a former Jedi Master is fighting for the Rebel Alliance, it will push the Emperor to start another Purge and put all surviving Jedi at risk. I cannot, in good conscience, allow that to happen."
Silence weighed on the room for several seconds as everyone exchanged worried looks, even Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar.
It was Mon Mothma who finally broke the silence.
"Obi-Wan, we understand your position and if you wish to go through with it we'll respect it but I'd like you to realize the power that your image conveys. Despite the Empire's efforts to paint the Jedi as corrupt and evil, their memory carries on untarnished as symbols of peace and justice. Having you as one of our leaders and fighters would likely rally many systems to our cause within a couple days. Your name carries power, Obi-Wan, and with it, we can use it as a first step towards taking back the galaxy from the Empire."
Obi-Wan thought over Mon Mothma's words. Due to being isolated so long on a desert planet, he'd never really thought about how the Jedi were perceived by people across the galaxy. Although he couldn't deny what'd he'd seen over the past couple days had shown him that the Jedi were still revered and mystified by many.
"And as for surviving Jedi, what best way to insure their safety then by showing them that a master has decided to rise up and fight," Admiral Ackbar joined in. "It would give them the courage to come out of exile and fight alongside the Rebel Alliance. And do not worry, once we launch our REAL attack on the Empire, they won't have time to worry about hunting down surviving Jedi. In fact, some of them have already joined our ranks as part of a special squad.
Obi-Wan stared at Ackbar, completely caught off-guard.
"What?"
Just as he said that word, the doors to the conference room hissed open and in entered a diverse cast of characters.
At its head, a beautiful female Twi'lek with jade coloured skin and eyes. Either side of her was a tough looking purple Lasat and a young female dressed in colourful Mandalorian armor. Behind them was a tall man with a visor covering his eyes and at his side, a young boy whom Obi-Wan had met before.
"Ezra Bridger." Obi-Wan said with a smile.
The boy looked different from when Obi-Wan last saw him. His hair was cut short and his eyes projected a new-found confidence and experience. Obi-Wan could sense that his Force presence was much calmer and more under his control.
"We will all gladly fight by your side, General Kenobi." a familiar yet older voice spoke from behind the group.
"Us and all other Jedi." a distinct female voice said, which Obi-Wan recognized immediately.
A female Togruta with distinct orange skin and white markings alongside a bearded man in Clone armor with blue markings emerged from behind the group.
"Ahsoka? Rex?" Obi-Wan asked, tears welling in his eyes.
"Yes, master. It's good to see you again." Ahsoka replied, a tear rolling down her cheek.
And there we go!
What did you think? Like how I played around with the cannon to make those interactions happen? Did you like Star Wars Rebels and are excited for the new season of Clone Wars or are you a heartless bastard? ;)
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