Hello there! Welcome to chapter 11 of Never Too Old When You Have the High Ground!
I realize that chap 10 was a bit of a strange transition from the chapter that preceded it and disappointed some people. I won't apologize or anything, jut reassure you that I've got ideas I'm really excited to develop in chap 12 and some of them are setup in this chapter.
After looking over some of the exchanges and character dynamics in this chapter, I realize that one in particular feels like it transitions in a way that's a bit too sudden or forced. I told myself it could make sense in a certain way, but it also feels out of left field. Anyway, I'll talk about it at the end once you've read it.
Now let's answer some comments!
-RKF22: Thanks so much! I was really happy to be able to include the Force Unleashed characters. It always bothered me that they weren't more explored. I hope I'll be able to bring them into the story later on as well.
-Midwinter's-Night-Dream-86: *borrows the megaphone*: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Yeah Obi-Wan is easily one of my my favourite SW characters, and I was always frustrated that there weren't more "old Obi-Wan" fanfics.
The whole "Ashoka"/"Ahsoka" debacle also drives me insane. I only realized part way through how her name was actually spelt. I'll try to go back and correct it.
I'm glad the transition fooled at least for a little bit, it was the goal. I like switching perspectives to break away from the familiar setting, and there's a cool one that happens in this chapter that I like. Tell me what you think ;).
Obi-Wan will continue to be the Jedi we all love, and I hope he'll really get to shine in this "mini-arc" of chapters 11 and 12.
-gdvp111: I somewhat agree in retrospect that last chapter lacked some of the polish of its predecessors and it was definitely in part due to me wanting to put it out fast. Yeah the whole Resistance/Rebel Alliance mix-up is a lot like the Ashoka/Ahsoka one. I'll do my best to keep it as consistent as possible.
I see what you mean about showing Obi-Wan recruit and train Jedi. That definitely isn't off the table for later. Since 3 years pass between ep 4 and 5 I want to make sure not to do big time jumps until I'm sure I place all the story elements I want between the events of 4 and 5 (which will be modified from the movie's events of course but still retain some of the original locations and events).
The relationship between Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker is again something I didn't handle in the most graceful way. Especially considering they are supposed to be 2 different people in Luke's mind. I guess I see it that Force users can recognize his Force presence and therefore know that Vader is Anakin, like it would make sense for Rahm to know. But you're right, they shouldn't discuss that within earshot of everyone else.
Yeah… Lola Sayu… I'll let you read and tell me what you think ;)
And as for the time travel thing, that's for much later. Nothing to worry about for now ;)
-Genesis09: Thanks a lot, I'm really glad you like it so far. Concerning Rham and Obi-Wan addressing themselves differently, I guess I just went for what sounded best. I just felt that Kota's attitude made it more logical for him to address Obi-Wan by his last name. But they still respect each other, despite the way they address each other.
Concerning Obi-Wan's reaction to Cody's capture, I think I address it in this chapter. Please tell me if I treated it adequately or not.
I love writing this fanfic, and I hope you continue to enjoy it too. Thanks so much for the support.
All right well that's it for the comments, so I propose to move directly to what we're all here for. Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy chapter 11 of Never Too Old When You Have the High Ground! Please favourite, comment and follow.
"General Kenobi, we're approaching Lola Sayu," Juno Eclipse called over her shoulder. She slowed their approach and killed the engines to avoid being prematurely detected.
Obi-Wan moved up to the glass of the cockpit to look at the broken volcanic planet he'd helped Master Peel escape from during the Clone Wars. Back then, the Citadel was a prison meant to hold and break Jedi. Now, it was mainly used for holding and interrogating high-value prisoners.
Obi-Wan was glad they had been able to leave the Rebel fleet so quickly. He hadn't wanted to run this by the Rebel High Command since he knew they'd either refuse or debate it for so long, Cody would be dead by the time they reached a decision. Thankfully, Juno had agreed to transport them to Lola Sayu, and Rahm had offered that some of his commandos accompany them.
The planet hadn't changed much in twenty years. It was still effectively half a planet, fissured by streams of molten lava, and dotted with craters and volcanos spurting out combustible gasses. Its aesthetic was a good symbol of everything that happened on it. Death and suffering were the only things that Lola Sayu was synonymous with. A broken world that broke anyone who was brought to it.
"Thank you, captain," Obi-Wan nodded to Juno. He pointed to a giant canyon that ran along a third of the planet like a scar. "Take us in slowly and make for that ravine. It should provide us with sufficient cover."
"Copy that, general." Juno switched the power back on and diverted most of it to the on-board cloaking shield. The Rogue Shadow was one of the most covert ships in the entire Rebel fleet. Since Juno was a former Imperial, she knew all the best ways to sneak past their defences.
Obi-Wan proceeded to the back of the ship, where ten of Rahm's commandos were seated. They were as colourful a gang of misfits as Obi-Wan had ever seen. They each carried strange customized weapons, alongside elaborate tattoos and paint works on their armour. Most of them exchanged banter or glared distastefully at Rex, who stared back unflinching.
"You looking at something, Clone?" a burly female soldier growled at Rex. Her name was June You, the platoon's leader. She had short brown hair and a scar that ran from under her left eye, over her nose, to under her right eye.
"I get the feeling you were looking first, soldier." Rex shot back, a threatening gleam in his eyes.
"The hell did you just say to me?" she asked, getting out of her seat, her hand hovering over her blaster.
"Lieutenant You, that's enough," Obi-Wan broke in. He stood in the middle of the troops, eying June with a cool gaze. "If we're going to fight amongst ourselves, we might as well surrender to the Empire."
June held Rex's defiant gaze for several seconds before easing her hand off her holster and turning to Obi-Wan.
"If you're going to bring a goddam Clone with us on this assignment, I'd like to know what it is you're dragging me and my men into." June spoke with a tone that was respectful yet noticeably hostile.
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement and took a couple steps back to address the other commandos.
"We are here to rescue a Rebel spy who has been captured by the Empire," Obi-Wan spoke. "He was helping a native uprising on Fraze and has been brought here to be questioned."
"They brought a Rebel spy to the Citadel?" a gangly looking soldier asked in disbelief. "This guy must know some pretty important stuff if the Empire puts him in their biggest and baddest interrogation prison."
Obi-Wan shot a glance towards Rex who gave him an uncertain look.
"The Rebel spy is a Kaminoan Clone." Obi-Wan announced.
Rex watched impassively as the room devolved into complete pandemonium. The commandos were looking to their neighbours in outrage and to their lieutenant for an explanation.
"Shut up!" June bellowed, silencing everyone in less than two seconds. Obi-Wan was impressed in the level of respect and fear she had instilled in her men.
"Now look here, Jedi," June's voice was like a razor's edge. She turned on Obi-Wan with a piercing glare. "A Clone accompanying us on a mission is one thing. My men risking their lives to RESCUE a Clone?! You're out of your goddam mind!"
"Easy there, lieutenant. Don't make me remind you who you're speaking to." Obi-Wan's voice matched June's. It was calm but carried a clear warning not to push him any further.
June held Obi-Wan's gaze for several seconds, unflinching, before breaking it and taking several steps back.
"Those Clones killed my sister," June ground out. "Hell, they killed most of the Jedi! They probably tried to kill you too, right! And you want to risk your life and ours to save one of them?!"
"My brothers had no control over their actions that day," Rex's voice turned everyone's eyes on him. He stood up and produced a biochip encased in a test tube from his belt. "We were all implanted at birth with an inhibitor chip that could rewire us to do anything we were ordered to do. When Palpatine executed Order 66, those chips activated and millions of Clones murdered their Jedi generals."
"The man we are going to rescue was my second in command during the war," Obi-Wan said. "His name is Cody. He had my back through years of combat. Never once let me down. Together, we liberated worlds, fought back invasions and brought aid to those in need. When I lost my lightsaber during a fight on Utapau, he found it and returned it to me. 'I think you'll be needing this' he said… and less than a minute later, he ordered his men to fire at me. In a split-second, we went from close friends to predator and prey. Nothing can erase what they have done, but they are victims as much as us and I will not let them be used as scapegoats by the one who is truly responsible: Palpatine."
Obi-Wan took two deliberate steps towards June and looked straight into her eyes.
"If you and your men feel this mission is so morally reprehensible, you are welcome to stay with the ship until we get back."
June held Obi-Wan's gaze before turning away to think. The other commandos looked at each other uncertainly.
"We'll help you."
June's men all looked at her, surprised. She turned around to look at Obi-Wan, the menace in her eyes not yet gone.
"But I'm warning you. If it comes down to saving my men or this Clone. I won't hesitate for a second."
Obi-Wan nodded seriously and reached his hand out, which June shook firmly.
"Glad to have you onboard, lieutenant."
Once they'd landed the Rogue Shadow, all the ship's occupants stepped out to stretch their legs after the long journey. Though considering the planet they were on, it wasn't exactly a relaxing stroll. The air was thick with the smell of sulphur, charred rock, and just overwhelming heat. Less than a minute after exiting the ship, everyone was covered in sweat and grime.
The smells and the distinct terrain brought Obi-Wan back to the first and only time he'd been here. Back then, their mission had been a vital one, and they'd almost not made it out alive. The fact that Lola Sayu was a planet covered in lava also brought another planet to mind, but Obi-Wan pushed that memory out of his head. This was no time for distractions.
"Excuse me, general. Mind if I have a word?" Rex's voice broke Obi-Wan away from his thoughts.
"What is it, Rex?" he asked, turning to face him.
Rex couldn't hold Obi-Wan's gaze. His eyes were moving from his, to the ground, and back to his.
"I don't want you to take this the wrong way, sir, but you do know this is a trap?" Rex finally managed to speak out. "What were the chances that I'd overhear that specific piece of information? And Vader is the one who spares Cody after he slaughters all the natives he was helping? And brings him here? One of the Empire's most secure and inescapable prisons."
"What are you saying, Rex?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I'm saying, general…" Rex let out a sigh. "You always talked about how Jedi must never let their judgement be clouded. How that could mean death or worse. Are we risking our lives, and the lives of these commandos, because we let our judgement be clouded? This isn't a deeply important or strategic rescue; we're saving a friend. The Rebel Alliance doesn't even know we're out here. What'll happen if in a couple of days they see general Kenobi being ransomed, or worse, executed for the entire Empire to see? We're running too high a risk, general. And if Cody were here, he'd tell you the same thing."
Obi-Wan paused, taking in Rex's words. He cast his gaze down at the flowing river of lava at the bottom of the ravine. The way it ebbed and flowed, with different textures of molten magma, all merging and swirling together in a rainbow of warm colours. Something so beautiful, yet instantly deadly. Part of something bigger…
"I haven't stopped thinking about it since we left," Obi-Wan finally replied in an even tone. "About how I may be doing something terribly wrong, and that no matter how well I try to plan this rescue, the enemy will have already thought of it and found a way to counter it. That we'll all be surrounded, with no hope of escape or rescue, and it will all have been my fault. I will have let my emotions guide my actions and dealt a crippling blow to the Rebellion's fight against the Empire."
Obi-Wan turned to Rex and locked eyes with his trusted friend.
"I've tried to analyse this every way I know how. Call upon my years of Jedi training to try to find something that could help me say to myself 'this is the right choice!'. 'What would Master Yoda say?', 'What would the Council do?', I kept wondering. And I haven't found an answer, because I believe it is an unanswerable question. Master Yoda once read me a quote, when I was studying as his padawan, from a far-world philosopher, and only now do I fully understand what it meant. "The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing". My logic and reason have taken me as far they can go. This is now only an affair of the heart. I am going to save Cody not because it makes sense, but because he is my friend, and I cannot leave him to be tortured and killed by the Empire. I will do it alone if I have to, and if I die, I die. My life is in the hands in the Force now."
Obi-Wan suddenly noticed that June and the rest of her platoon were standing a few feet away and had heard his entire monologue. But their faces were all solemn and respectful. No scorn or apathy; just compassion.
June stepped forward to stand between Rex and Obi-Wan.
"Every rational sense I have is telling me that is crazy, but my gut is saying that I still need to do it. My men and I have all lived through so much loss, grief, pain; we've forfeited ever returning to a normal life. We're soldiers, and we'll die soldiers. We'll die while on some mission or in an inconsequential battle, be classed as a casualty rate, and never be heard from again. We've been fighting for so long, most of us have forgotten why. We don't fear death, we fear dying for nothing and being forgotten. That all these years we've sacrificed will have been for nothing. Dying to save a friend; hell, even a Clone, might as well be how we go out. I'll follow you on this crazy rescue, just make sure the galaxy remembers the 65th commando platoon!"
June flashed a wide smirk at Obi-Wan who couldn't help but smile back.
"The commandos who fought beside the Clone Wars legend: Obi-Wan Kenobi." one soldier said with a toothy grin.
All the soldiers whooped and thumped their chests in agreement. Juno watched them all from the Rogue Shadow with a smile, giving Obi-Wan a nod.
The old master felt Rex lay a hand on his shoulder.
"We're all with you, general," the Clone said. "And if Cody were in your place, I know he'd do the same for you."
Obi-Wan's grey-blue eyes looked over every single person in front of him, and he felt his heart swell with profound gratitude. Spending so many years alone on Tattooine had long accustomed him to the notion that he needed to do things alone in order to keep everyone safe. That was no longer the case. There were people who were again willing to fight by his side.
"I feel that thanks are woefully inadequate for what you are doing," Obi-Wan spoke slowly. "This day will stay embedded in the galaxy's memory forever. And the Empire will not soon forget the day that the Citadel fell!"
"Sir, it's probably redundant to ask, but the Citadel is that way." Rex mentioned, pointing in the opposite direction to where the group was currently walking.
"I'd hope it is, because we aren't going to the Citadel." Obi-Wan replied with a smirk.
Rex knew better than to ask the obvious follow-up question. He just kept following the Jedi Master, knowing he'd get his answer soon enough.
After another hour of walking, Obi-Wan stopped, bringing the entire column behind him to a halt. Rex and June scoped out their immediate surroundings but couldn't find anything of note. They were on a plane, with a giant lava lake in its centre.
"Lieutenant, would you hand me a charge?" Obi-Wan asked June, holding out his hand.
June paused, casting a critical gaze at the Jedi before reaching to her belt and throwing him a thermal detonator.
With one hand, Obi-Wan primed the detonator and threw it towards the lake of lava. Just before it hit, he caught it with the Force and let it hover a couple inches over the molten magma, until it exploded. The blast displaced a tiny bit of lava but ultimately left the lake unchanged.
"Well, you sure showed that lava who's boss. Anything else you want to waste my detonators on?" June asked sarcastically.
Obi-Wan smiled to himself, and after a couple seconds, the earth underneath them began to rumble. The commandos desperately tried not to get thrown off their feet by the overwhelming power of the vibrations.
Then, the surface of the lake started to move. It ebbed and flowed unnaturally, and eventually lifted upward as a gargantuan creature rose out from the lake of fire. Its entire body was made out of cooled black chunks of magma that continuously fell off to reveal the fresh glowing liquid underneath, which in turn solidified again. It was about a third the height of the Citadel and as wide as a hangar door, with two arms and legs. Its face was a twisted mass that formed only the most basic outline of a mouth and eyes.
June and her platoon were completely dumbfounded. Some tentatively raised their weapons but they were unsure of where to aim or if it would even affect this thing.
"Now, now, let's all remain calm," Obi-Wan spoke evenly, taking a step towards the beast. "We don't want to scare it, now do we?"
Reaching out through the Force, Obi-Wan could sense the beast's imposing presence. He had sensed it almost as soon as he'd set foot on the planet. This primordial force that had laid dormant for who knew how many years.
How had I not notice it the first time I was here? Obi-Wan wondered. Was I not well enough tuned to the voices of the living Force?
He could sense the beast's anger and fear, as it opened its mind to Obi-Wan. Using the Force, the Jedi Master eased its raging emotions and brought its mind into his. He made it understand exactly why he was here.
You do not want to hurt me, any more than I want to hurt you. Obi-Wan spoke to it through their bond.
The beast paused. Several seconds passed where the only sounds were the bubbling magma and the clumps of dried lava peeling off the beast and hitting the ground.
Eventually, the creature's legs bent as it dropped to its knee and gave a formal bow to the group of humans.
Obi-Wan turned to June, a familiar smile on his face.
"I don't think the Empire will ever forget this."
Commander Poin didn't like this feeling. He'd been running the Citadel for seven years now with expert precision and rigour. He liked everything to be in its place and to KNOW its place; that went double for the prisoners he had under his care. He craved order, and if a single thing felt off to him, he'd get an instant tug in his stomach. It was like an instinctual reflex that activated whenever something unplanned was going to happen.
However, this past week had been nothing but unplanned events for the Citadel. Lord Vader had made an unscheduled arrival to deliver a Clone prisoner which Poin was ordered to simply keep here; no interrogation necessary. Then the day after that, several battalions of Stormtroopers were sent in to reinforce the base; still with no explanation. And the day after that, three Inquisitors had arrived with a mysterious crate containing who knows what and effectively high jacked his running of the Citadel.
All this to say that commander Poin was not pleased, and today the tug in his gut had gotten even stronger.
Whatever all of this is preparing for, it's happening today, he thought.
As he watched over the barren and hostile wasteland from the command centre at the top of the Citadel, the three Inquisitors entered, each followed by a pair of Death Troopers. They were an elite variant of Stormtroopers who excelled at stealth and espionage, and generally served as bodyguards for high-ranking or important Imperial figures. It was often said that a single Death Trooper equalled ten Stormtroopers in combat, and some argued it was even higher than that.
"Any movement on the radars?" the Seventh Sister asked. She was a female Milirian with yellow skin that matched her eyes. She reminded commander Poin of a venomous snake he'd been bitten by when he was a child.
"You asked me to inform you if there was any activity," Poin replied, trying to keep his tone polite. "If I did not call you, it means there is nothing to report."
"You better mind you tone," the Eighth Brother muttered menacingly behind his mask, moving closer to Poin. He walked with a strange slouch, that meant he was always talking to the feet of the person he was speaking to. "Don't make me have to kill you for insubordination."
Commander Poin straightened up and flexed his jaw muscles slowly. He was obviously trying to intimidate him, and he would have none of it.
"It is you who would do best to mind your tone," Poin shot back with equal menace. "For one I outrank you, and second, my life readings are directly tied to the self-destruct systems of the Citadel. Would you like to explain to the Emperor why his strongest prison was destroyed because his lapdog could not follow orders?"
The Eighth Brother let out a low guttural growl as he stooped lower to the ground, only to be stopped by the Fifth Brother, who laid a firm hand on his shoulder. He had grey skin and eyes that made him look like he was carved out of stone.
"This petty quarrel is futile," he said in a tone that didn't accept any disagreement. "We are here to kill any Jedi or Rebel that comes here. No one else."
The Eighth Brother paused, visibly frustrated at having been undermined, but he eventually eased down and slunk back a couple of feet.
"Of course. No one else." he spoke in a fake conciliatory tone.
Commander Poin held his gaze on the three Inquisitors. Suddenly, one of his officers urgently spoke up from his control panel:
"Sir, I think you'll want to see this."
Commander Poin and the three Inquisitors stepped up to the glass, spotting a strange glowing mass that was approaching the Citadel.
"Get me a visual." Poin ordered his officer.
"Yes, sir." he replied, pulling up a screen and magnifying the image.
"Jedi." the Seventh Sister muttered in disgust.
"We will take care of this," the Fifth Brother spoke to Poin. "Have the garrison ready to engage, and make sure the asset is secure."
Poin didn't like being told what to do but he knew better than to start such a petty argument. As he gave his orders, the three Inquisitors moved towards the exit.
"You six, stay with him." the Seventh Sister told the Death Troopers, gesturing towards Poin. "Keep him alive at all costs."
The Troopers replied affirmatively through their voice scramblers. The Inquisitors left the command centre, ready for battle.
"Get the weapon ready." the Eighth Brother spoke into his commlink.
And here we are.
So the part about the commandos changing their view and accepting to risk their lives might feel a bit sudden but I can see it working since they are well-worn veterans of war, so as soon as they see that this cause is noble, they feel better about following it. I don't know, tell me what you think.
Can't wait for chapter 12, I've got some stuff I want to bring in that really gets me excited. But anyway, I'll let you discover it when it comes out. It might take a bit longer to be uploaded since I expect it to be a big chapter and one I'll want to really get right.
Please follow, favorite and comment if you enjoyed. And if you didn't, please feel free to tell me why in a respectful and constructive matter.