ANOTHER CHAPTER! IT'S LATE. I NEED TO SLEEP NOW. I'M SOOOOO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG TO UPDATE, MY SUMMER JOB TAKES UP A LOT OF TIME, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.
HOPE YOU ENJOY HOW I START TO PLAY A BIT WITH THE CHARACTER OF OBI-WAN. I CAN ALREADY TELL IT WON'T BE FOR EVERYONE BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO PORTRAY HIM AS BEST I SEE HIM IN THE MOVIES AND TV SERIES
PLEASE COMMENT, FAVORITE AND FOLLOW, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.
Obi-Wan couldn't believe his eyes. Ashoka and Rex were alive, and the three of them were sitting on supply crates in the Rebel Alliance's secret base while everyone around them prepared for the upcoming attack on the Death-Star. Obi-Wan had been quickly introduced to the Ghost's crew before they all left to prep their ship. They'd offered that Obi-Wan fly with them for the upcoming battle, which he'd eagerly accepted. He would need their help for an important plan he wanted to pull off.
But for now, he needed reconnect with two of his closest friends from the days before the Empire. Obi-Wan wouldn't correct anyone who called Rex and Ashoka his family. In his eyes they were like his brother and sister.
"I still can't believe you're both here," Obi-Wan said, grasping Rex and Ashoka's hand, as if to make sure he wasn't dreaming. In a different age such a gesture would have been considered overly sentimental, but today, it felt prefect. "How did you both end up here?"
Rex turned to Ashoka, a smile visible under his thick beard.
"You want to tell it?" the Clone Captain asked.
"Sure," Ashoka replied with a small smile, leaning forward, bringing her knees up under her chin as she did her best to recall their painful past. "After I left the Temple, I spent some time working as a bounty hunter. Delivering supplies, bringing back escaped criminals, etc.… When Order 66 was issued, I was helping a relief mission on Florum alongside a Jedi Knight and his Padawan. Rex was there too, leading a company of the 501st. By then he'd removed the inhibitor chip that forced Clone Troopers to enact Order 66."
"That blasted chip was the spark that burned down the Old Republic and the Jedi Order," Obi-Wan murmured, thinking back to when the plot had first been unearthed, only to be smothered out by Palpatine. "It was right under our noses, yet we were powerless to stop it."
"With all due respect, General Kenobi," Rex interrupted. The old Clone's eyes still held an intensity that Obi-Wan had always admired and felt was very unique among Clones. "You had no way of knowing. It was only a suspicion but I couldn't ignore what I'd seen. Myself and Commanders Gregor and Wolffe removed our chips before the order was issued. When my brothers murdered the Jedi knight and his Padawan, I knew I had to keep Ashoka safe. The battle was tough, but we eventually escaped and went into hiding. She went her own way while I rejoined Gregor and Wolffe on Seelos. Later, through our mutual connections with the Spectre cell, we reconnected and now here we are."
Obi-Wan mulled over all this new information. The memory of what he'd felt through the Force when Order 66 was carried out still gave him sleepless nights. All those familiar presences disappearing one by one; murdered by those they trusted the most. Obi-Wan's own Clone Commander and friend, Cody, ordering his troops to fire at him on Utapau. Those memories still haunted him.
"I'm glad to see you both safe," Obi-Wan said, trying to show on a strong face. "It reminds me of… a different time."
A painful silence fell over the group for several seconds before Ashoka spoke up:
"That time is not over, Master. With you at our side, you can help lead the Rebellion to victory and train the new generation of Jedi. My training could definitely use some polish, as could Kanan's, not to mention Ezra is still basically a Padawan. We can still restore balance to the Force and save Anakin from the Emperor's grip."
Obi-Wan chest welled up with pride at seeing Ashoka's confidence and determination. That was always one of her most endearing quality which she'd obviously inherited from her Master: staying strong even when facing near-impossible odds.
Even so, Obi-Wan couldn't shake the feeling that the young Togruta's hopes were misplaced.
"I've fought him, Ashoka," Obi-Wan said, his tone low. "On the Death Star, I dueled him. He knows about Luke. He knows I hid him from him all this time. He feels betrayed. I fear I may have irreversibly pushed him over the edge."
"I've served alongside general Skywalker for many years, sir," Rex said. "I can't believe he's all gone. A part of him must still want to do the righ thing."
"I pray you're right Rex. More than anything, I pray you're right." Obi-Wan said as he stood up to stretch his limbs.
No need to dwell on this matter any longer, he thought. If the Force wills it to be, then it will be so.
Out of the corner of his eye, Obi-Wan spotted Luke jogging towards them. He was dressed in full pilot gear, a flight helmet under his arm and an ear-to-ear smile on his face.
"Here comes Luke," Obi-Wan said with a smirk. "I haven't told him the whole truth about Anakin. I said he was murdered by a Jedi named Darth Vador. It's too soon for him to know the truth."
Ashoka and Rex both nodded.
"Ben! Ben!" Luke said as he reached his side, barely able to keep two feet on the ground. "I just got assigned to my squad and met an old friend from Tattooine, Biggs. I can't believe this is happening. We're finally taking the fight to the Empire. Are these your friends?"
Ashoka reached out her hand, which Luke shook.
"I… worked alongside your father," she explained, discreetly picking up all the similarities between Luke and Anakin. She had to make sure not to compulsively wrap Luke in a hug. "He was my master, taught me everything I know. When he was killed, I felt… lost. It's a pleasure to meet you, Luke. I'm Ashoka."
"Pleased to meet you too, Ashoka." Luke replied, moving to shake Rex's hand.
"I fought under you father during the Clone Wars," Rex said. "Followed him into more battles than I can count and we always managed to come out on top. I'm Rex. Good to meet you, Luke."
Luke shook his hand, but his expression was dubious.
"That's Clone armor, right?" Luke said, pointing out Rex's battered blue and white breast plate. "Didn't the Clones murder all the Jedi."
Ashoka and Obi-Wan exchanged a worried look but Rex stayed unflinching as he stared back at Luke.
"That's right. Us Clones were implanted with neural chips that could hijack our brains and make us act against our will. Myself and a couple of other Clones were able to remove our chips before Order 66 was given."
To punctuate his point, Rex parted his hair to reveal the long scar that ran along the top of his skull. Luke nodded and bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry Rex. I meant no disrespect," the young man said. "Will the three of you be joining the attack?"
"We will," Obi-Wan said, leading the group towards the flight hangar. "I've managed to find a ship that's willing to make room for an old relic like myself. We'll be right alongside you to lend a hand when you begin your attack."
"I wish Han had stayed," Luke admitted, his eyes fixed to the ground. "I feel like he's betraying us by leaving right before the fight."
Obi-Wan smiled, laying a comforting hand on Luke's shoulder.
"Do no judge Han too harshly," Obi-Wan said. "When you most need him, he'll answer present."
Luke was about to enquire how he could say that before a command over the loud speaker told all pilots to join their fighters. They were taking off in five minutes.
"Best get going, Luke," Obi-Wan said, giving him a final pat on the back. "May the Force be with you."
"Thanks Ben, you too," Luke replied. "Rex, Ashoka, may the Force be with you."
The two friends both nodded and watched the young man run towards his fighter.
"Master Yoda would be proud." Ashoka whispered in Obi-Wan's ear.
"He never liked my choices of Padawan." Obi-Wan said with a smirk.
"We'd best get to the Ghost, General," Rex said. "Wouldn't want them to start the party without us.
"You're right. It would be impolite to keep the Empire waiting," Obi-Wan chuckled at the old Clone's enthusiasm. "And Rex, please stop calling me General."
They were approaching the Death Star. All the X-Wings were in attack formation and the Y-Wings were getting ready to start their bombing run.
However, Obi-Wan wasn't concerned with that for now. He and the Ghost crew had another very important assignment he'd discussed with Mon Mothma when they were leaving Yavin base.
"So, General," Rex asked, emphasizing the last word and smirking when it drew a sigh from Obi-Wan. "Are you going to share this secret plan of yours with us or do we have to beg?"
Obi-Wan smiled, casting his gaze around the room where the whole Ghost crew, Ashoka, Rex and himself were crammed. Obi-Wan's plan was a very selfish one. He knew that all too well, but he had a duty as a Jedi to preserve life, whether it was Rebel or Imperial.
Everyone present seemed to be on separate trains of thought. Kanan and Ezra both seemed nervous and intimidated by Obi-Wan's presence. The old Master hoped to talk to them later to hopefully clear the air hear their stories of how they came to be here.
Sabine and Zeb, who sat in the back, were seemingly trying to decide what to make of the unassuming Jedi Master. Meanwhile, the captain of the Ghost, Hera Syndulla was waiting intently on Obi-Wan's plan. Her long green lekku brought Obi-Wan back to the retaking of Ryloth during the Clone Wars and the barbary the Separatists had inflicted on the Twi'leks. Based off her name, Obi-Wan assumed she was related to the Resistance fighter Chan Sindula alongside whom Mace Windu had fought.
The present is never far from the past…
Clearing his throat, Obi-Wan got everyone's attention before he began his explanation:
"When we were on the Death Star to free Princess Leia, I was able to implant a small exploit into the mainframe of the station. So small, nobody would notice it, and located inside the station's alert system. My plan is for us to board the Death Star, get Chopper here to a terminal and have him set off an urgent evacuation code. This will create chaos among the station's personnel and give those who believe their lives shouldn't end in service to the Empire, a chance to escape. We will have to act quickly since our comrades will be simultaneiously attempting to blow the entire station to bits and it would be truly unfortunate if we were onboard when it happened."
The room was as silent as the vacuum of space. It was Chopper, the Ghost's maverick droid, that broke it:
Sorry I think my power levels are low. I have to shut down now.
Hera gave a firm punch to the top of Chopper's dome.
"Be nice, Chop," She turned to Obi-Wan, matching the confidence in his eyes with her own. "It's a risky plan, General, but if anyone can help you pull it off, it'll be our crew. What do you need us to do?"
Everyone else around the room nodded and leaned in to hear Obi-Wan's plan. The old Master was amazed to see them place their trust in him so easily. I'd forgotten what it was like to have people to count on, Obi-Wan reflected.
Obi-Wan snapped out of his thoughts and activated a holo-map of the Death Star that appeared in front of him.
"Here's what we're going to do…"
Obi-Wan sensed a dark presence onboard the Death Star; and it wasn't Darth Vador. Of course his fallen apprentice was still on the station but his attention was more focused on the squad of X-Wings that had begun their attack, and among them, a familiar presence he wanted to identify. This left Vader completely oblivious to Obi-Wan's disguised Force presence.
"It's an Inquisitor," Kanan Jarrus said, answering Obi-Wan's thought. "The Emperor's personal assassins."
The spite with which he said this and the scorn on young Ezra's face gave Obi-Wan a clear idea of the kind of foe they were dealing with.
Like Assaj Ventress and Savaj Opress during the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan immediately banished the thought. No need to bring back those memories.
The old Master paused and looked back at the two Jedi accompanying him. He'd asked them and Chopper to follow him to the control panel. Meanwhile, he'd sent Ashoka and Sabine to blow up one of the Death Star's power couplings to help lend some credibility to the ensuing evacuation order.
So far everything seemed to be going according to plan. Obi-Wan put a hand on Kanan and Ezra's shoulder, who both still looked at him with nervousness and uncertainty.
"What is troubling you both?" the old master asked, his tone light and carefree.
Kanan seemed unable or unwilling to word his concerns so his apprentice did it for him.
"Kanan's ashamed that he turned away from the Jedi way for so long. He thinks it makes him unworthy, or unqualified to teach me."
Kanan was visibly embarrassed by his Padawan's bluntness but he didn't try to correct it.
Obi-Wan understood the situation the young Jedi was in. He remembered Kanan from back when the Jedi Order still existed but he didn't remember him being a Knight, which meant he was likely a Padawan when Order 66 was issued. Perhaps his Master was with him that day… Obi-Wan wondered.
"I believe your master has made a grave mistake," Obi-Wan said to Ezra, his tone strangely ominous.
Obi-Wan paused; and with a large smile, empathy radiating in his voice, said:
"He thought he had to bear all the pain of the galaxy on his shoulders. That a moment he perceived as weakness made him unfit to pass on what he'd learned and guide others on the right path."
Obi-Wan locked eyes with Kanan who stared back, awestruck.
"Kanan Jarrus, I KNOW what you are feeling. What you call weakness, another would call rationality. In times such as these we cannot afford to be tethered by our past. We must learn from it, grow from it and accept it as a part of us. You lost a family once, you lost so many dear friends and you were forced to run away. Well, today you've found a new family, and new friends; so now I ask you this Kanan Jarrus: are you still going to run?"
Obi-Wan held his hand out towards the young man who, after an awestruck pause, shook the old master's hand a determined smirk on his face.
"I will stand and fight, Master Kenobi," he said. "As long as there is life in me I will continue to fight for the light and continue my apprentice's training, as well as my own."
"That is good to hear," Obi-Wan said cheerfully. "Because we have company."
As he said this, a squad of Stormtroopers rounded the corner, followed by the ominous silhouette of an Imperial Inquisitor. Obi-Wan recognized the distinctive head tails of the Twi'lek race but that was where the resemblance stopped. The female Inquisitor's skin was a sickly gray, peppered with countless scars and boils. She wore a black tunic that left her arms and legs uncovered, revealing intricate tribal tattoos. Of course her physical appearance was a perfect match for her Force signature. Obi-Wan could barely make out anything intelligible. Her mind was closer to that of a wild animal, acting solely on instinct rather than rational thought.
The squad of Stormtrooper fanned out on either side of her, aiming their blasters at the three Jedi. Kanan and Ezra both ignited their lightsabers but Obi-Wan kept his on his belt, gazing at the Imperials impassively.
"You're sorely outmatched, Jedi," the Inquisitor spat out the last word like an insult. "Surrender now and the Emperor may grant you a swift death."
Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile at a line he must have heard hundreds of times in his life.
"I'd love to take your word for it," the old Jedi replied evenly. "But I'm afraid I don't know you well enough to ascertain whether or not you're being truthful. I'd hate to accept a deal where the terms aren't an absolute guaranty."
Everyone present paused for a second at Obi-Wan's casual answer to the Inquisitor's threat. They were more used to a fight breaking out instantly, not for their to be a discussion about trust issues.
Ezra and Kanan adjusted their footing slightly but Obi-Wan held out his hand to ease them off.
There will be no fighting here, he communicated to them through the Force.
The Inquisitor finally mustered a response to Obi-Wan's quip by drawing a single lightsaber from behind her back and igniting its blood red blade. She then produced a smaller hilt from her belt and ignited a second red blade about the length of a dagger.
What ever happened to using a normal lightsaber, Obi-Wan wondered.
"You won't be given a second chance, Rebel scum," the Inquisitor growled. "Surrender or die."
"Well if you're going to be so direct about it. We'll pick the second one, please." Obi-Wan replied with a smirk.
The Inquisitor's yellow eyes glowed like molten metal. Kanan and Ezra angled their sabers, ready to deflect the oncoming fire.
"Master," Kanan whispered to Obi-Wan. "What's the plan?"
"It never changed," Obi-Wan replied. "Trust in the Force."
"OPEN FIRE!" the Inquisitor yelled.
The guns fired, but the shots never hit anything. Instead they were stuck hovering between the two groups, held in place by some invisible force. The Stormtroopers, terrified at the supernatural display, looked to the Inquisitor, but she simply stared in shock.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Obi-Wan said, taking a step towards the Imperials. As he moved, the lasers moved with him. "It's an incredible difficult and physically taxing technique. It's actually the first time I've tried it with this many, so I'm not entirely sure how long I can hold them."
To punctuate his point, one of the lasers escaped Obi-Wan's grip, but flying in the direction from which it came. It hit a wall a couple inches away from a terrified Stormtrooper.
"I'd recommend that those who do not wish to die as servants of a corrupt Empire, lay down your weapons and get yourselves to a ship."
Kanan and Ezra watched in awe as every soldier threw down his weapon and ran away, leaving only the Inquisitor to face the three Jedi and the barrage of frozen lasers.
She snarled defiantly, dropping into the stance of Ataru.
"I certainly admire your perseverance," Obi-Wan said, his voice carrying a frightening edge. "If only it were placed in service of a better master."
Obi-Wan sent two laser bolts flying towards the Inquisitor who parried them away, flinching from the extra power they were imbued with. Obi-Wan continued to advance, releasing lasers regularly to keep his opponent on the defensive.
Eventually, Obi-Wan ran out of shots, just as he got within striking distance of the Inquisitor. Seizing the opportunity, she swung her lightsaber will all her remaining strength straight at the old master's neck.
The strike couldn't hit its target. Like the lasers, the Inquisitor's blade was stuck motionless, a couple inches away from Obi-Wan's cheek.
Kanan and Ezra came up on either side of the old master, watching the frozen Inquisitor in disbelief as she desperately tried to free herself from Obi-Wan's Force grip.
"You are strong with the Dark Side, young one," Obi-Wan acknowledged, breathing heavily from the exertion. "But not that strong."
Obi-Wan used the Force to turn off the Inquisitor's swords and called them to his hand. He then let go of the grip he held on her body, letting her fall to the ground. She stared up at the old Jedi with a mix of hatred and fear.
"Please. Surrender." Obi-Wan asked, desperate to avoid any more killing.
The young woman stayed motionless for several seconds. She reached her hand to the base of her neck and started scratching furiously.
"I… surr— never… No… I must… DIE !"
The Inquisitor fell on the floor, writhing in agony.
"She's faking it, Master." Ezra said, defensively pointing his lightsaber towards her.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Obi-Wan replied evenly.
He knelt next to the convulsing woman and examined her neck, which seemed to be where the pain was coming from. At the very top of spinal cord, Obi-Wan spotted a small round device, pulsating with unknown energy.
Obi-Wan used the Force to call forth the Inquisitor's "light-dagger", as he decided to call it, and ignited the small blade. With a steady hand, he used it to cut the device away from the neck of the Inquisitor.
Her screams of pain and agony echoed through the empty corridors of the Death Star until, after a few seconds, the device was removed and she fell unconscious. Obi-Wan examined the offending device before storing it away. He also attached the light-dagger to the back of his belt, impressed by the handy-device.
"An elegant weapon for an uncivilized age?" the old Jedi mused.
Obi-Wan removed his comlink from his belt and opened a channel to Ashoka and Sabine.
"Have the charges been planted?" he asked over the coms.
Obi-Wan waited several seconds but no response came. Not good.
"Ashoka, Sabine! Come in!" he repeated. "Blast it!"
Obi-Wan turned to the worried faces of Kana and Ezra.
"Activate the evacuation order. When you're done, put the Inquisitor on a ship and send it on autopilot. Wait for us on The Ghost as long as you can but if it comes down to it, leave without us."
The two Jedi didn't like what Obi-Wan had in mind but knew better than to argue.
"We know you'll make it, Master," Ezra said with a faint smirk. "We still need you to teach us that move you pulled."
With a final smile, both Knight and Apprentice raced towards the control panel, leaving Chopper to whirr and buzz frantically behind them.
Obi-Wan watched their retreating figures, unable to shake the unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach. After several seconds, he broke off into a run, following Ashoka and Sabine's locator signal.
When Obi-Wan reached the large blast door behind which the power couplings were located, his comlink suddenly started receiving a transmission.
"Ashoka? Sabine? Are you all right?" the old master asked in a worried tone.
"General…" Sabine's voice came back weak and tired. "Vader's here. He found us."
Without wasting a second, Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber and sent a powerful Force wave that shattered the thick metal door in front of him.
SO THERE WE GO! THAT'S A THING THAT JUST HAPPENED. NEXT CHAPTER I FEEL I'M GOING TO TRY SOMETHING PRETTY CONTROVERSIAL THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY GET TRIGGERED AT BUT PLEASE BARE WITH ME, AGAIN THIS IS ALL MY INTERPRETATION.
THANKS FOR STICKING WITH IT TILL NOW. PLEASE FAVORITE, FOLLOW AND COMMENT IF YOU ENJOY IT. IF YOU DIDN'T, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHY.