HELLO THERE! Welcome to another chapter of Never Too Old When You Have the High Ground. It's been a while, but I think I should be able to make uploads more regular and frequent now that my other BM/WW fanfiction has been completed (as usual, no promises ;)
This chapter could be considered filler-esque. It's sort of a bridge between chap 9 which was pretty hardcore and chapter 11 which I hope will have some good action and stuff happening.
Before I answer any comments from my last chapter, I just want to say for the record that I will be modifying slightly an established character's story (mainly the fact that he's alive here, even though he's supposed to be dead in cannon). So yeah, if you're wondering 'but wait, that guy died", here's your answer.
Also, did anybody see the new Mandalorian trailer! Holy heck I'm excited! It's annoying I still need to wait for Disney + to reach Europe. I NEED CLONE WARS SEASON 7 NOW!
Alright! COMMENTS TIME!
BIGTLKSWFAN: Thanks so much! I'm really glad to hear you're enjoying it. I have so many ideas for how far I want to take the story down the line. I hope you stick with me till then because I really want to see it through to the end. Might take a while, but it'll be fun ;)
RKF22: Funny you should ask ;) I can't promise we'll see Obi-Wan's power in this chapter, but chap 11, I've got an idea for some nice crazy Force power use. Got to keep the balance of powerful and unbeatable.
Alright, I've answered all comments, either publically or via PM. Without further ado do, let's get chapter 11 out there!
Enjoy and please favorite, follow and comment!
Several weeks after the Battle of Yavin…
Obi-Wan felt completely at peace. He was in tune with his surroundings. Any errant thoughts were banished from his mind allowing him to focus entirely on feeling the Force around him. He felt a slight disturbance, the brief flash of a Force presence. Above!
Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber, just in time to block an attack from Ezra. The young padawan ground his teeth at seeing Obi-Wan so easily block his strike while keeping his eyes closed.
"Do not let impatience give away your position, Ezra," Obi-Wan rebuked, pushing the boy's blade back. "Against an accomplished Force user, even a half-a-second is enough for them to know where you are."
As he said this, Obi-Wan swung his blade behind him where it connected with another blue lightsaber. A sharp yelp of surprise followed, as the saber's owner took several steps back and set her stance in an aggressive defense.
Obi-Wan disengaged his lightsaber and opened his eyes. Without a word, the two students deactivated their own sabers, bowed to Obi-Wan and returned to sit with the others. Ezra had been paired with a human girl several years older than him. Her name was Kiko Buyana and she was one of many new young Jedi who had joined the Resistance over the past few weeks.
Obi-Wan addressed the small group of padawans sitting in front of him:
"Be mindful of your presence. Once, a Jedi only concealed his Force presence when fighting another Force user, but now, it must become as natural as breathing. While we are together on this ship, I can help mask your presence, but I will not always be here. Concentrate, breath, focus on your presence in the Force, and like smoke, let it disappear. Let it blend away into the living Force that surrounds you. Only once you have mastered this technique will your Jedi training be able to continue."
The group of students all nodded glumly, understanding the importance of masking their presence but frustrated at how hard it was to maintain complete invisibility in the Force.
Obi-Wan smiled at his ambitious padawans and kneeled in front of them so they were at eye level.
"It took me months to completely conceal my Force presence," he said reassuringly. "You have made more progress over these past weeks than I would ever have dreamed possible. Do not get frustrated about having to master the fundamentals. After all, even a Master isn't perfect."
For emphasis, Obi-Wan showed them all his severed left hand which was covered by the folded up sleeve of his Jedi tunic. The young padawans bowed their heads reverently, embarrassed that they'd let their emotions be so visible.
"Alright then," Obi-Wan announced, clapping his hand on his knee and rising to his feet. "That'll be all for today. Continue to practice and make sure you get in a least one hour with the training remote per day. Class dismissed."
All the padawans smiled and got up, breaking away into small groups or alone, each heading towards a different exit of the large hangar they were all in.
Obi-Wan turned around to look at the vast expanse of space on the other side of the hangar shields. He let his mind wander, thinking about the different people that were currently out there, somewhere among these millions and billions of stars and planets.
Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca and Rex were together on a sabotage mission. Obi-Wan had hesitated about letting Luke go on a mission without him but the boy had progressed so fast in his training and Obi-Wan didn't want him to feel he was holding back his potential. That was one painful mistake Obi-Wan was still dealing with to this day.
Hera, Sabine, Kanan, Zeb and Chopper were also on a mission, though it was a diplomatic one this time around. Another world had expressed the wish to support the Rebellion, so the Ghost crew had been sent to conduct a meeting and determine what aid they could bring to the Rebel Alliance. Obi-Wan had been able to have some one-on-one time with Kanan, during which they'd meditated together and helped him come to grip with his past, as well as train him in some more advanced Force techniques.
Ahsoka was currently working closely with the Rebel Alliance's recon team, helping them find a new world to set up their secret base. She was trying to find one that also shared a strong connection to the Force, since it would be beneficial to the fledgling Jedi they were training, but could also be some of the first planets the Empire would search.
Obi-Wan had thought about Anakin a lot. After his conversation with Yoda, he had often meditated to try and sense where his fallen apprentice was and what he was doing. However, it seemed that Anakin was as proficient with hiding his Force signature as Obi-Wan was. He had been able to sense vague tremors and flashes but nothing concrete that would allow him to find him. Even if he could figure out where he was, Obi-Wan knew that he had lost the right to try to reclaim Anakin from the Dark Side. It would have to be someone else, someone who shared a unique relationship with him, and who had no idea he even shared that relationship with him…
What an old fool I've been, Obi-Wan ruminated.
"Well, well! If it isn't Obi-Wan Kenobi!" a gruff, old-sounding voice barked from the other end of the hangar.
Obi-Wan let out a low sigh before turning towards the speaker. Walking towards him was a grey-haired man, whose face was covered in small scars. His eyes were a milky grey, indicating partial or complete blindness. He was dressed in militia battle fatigues and carried a lightsaber on his belt. On either side of him was the most unlikely pair of individuals. A blond human woman dressed in the worn-out remains of an Imperial officer's uniform, and a short-haired man, carrying two lightsabers on his belt, dressed in a strange patchwork of leather and brown wool fabric.
Behind these three, were about thirty men and women, dressed in green combat gear and armed to the teeth. While some of their equipment was similar to other Resistance fighters, their experience and strength were incomparable. They carried the scars and weathered faces of soldiers who'd seen and done things that would drive normal people insane. They were raw steel that had been beaten into shape by war to become one of the most proficient fighting forces in the galaxy.
And the man who led them, and who'd led some of them since the Clone Wars, was Rham Kota. One of the few Jedi who'd rejected the idea of using the Clone army of the Republic and had instead formed his own militia under his direct command. It was, therefore, no surprise that he had survived Order 66.
"So you finally decided to get in on this crusade of ours," Kota asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he stalked up to Obi-Wan. The man and woman stayed at his side, while the rest of his troops broke away to eat or rest.
"It's good to see you Rham," Obi-Wan said genuinely. "I had sensed your Force presence falter many years ago and feared you'd been killed. I'm glad I was wrong."
Rham sneered at Obi-Wan's concern for his wellbeing. He paced around the old Jedi, looking at him through the Force. The man and woman remained unmoving, looking at Rham with barely concealed fatigue.
"I'm not going to tell you I told you so," Rham spoke evenly. "Truth is I didn't accept to lead the Clones because I didn't like them. I prefer the unadulterated human spirit in battle, rather than test-tube grown clones. But the fact those bastards would lead us here, how the hell could anyone know that?"
Obi-Wan said nothing. He could tell that Rham was venting his anger before he got to what he really wanted to tell him.
"No, if I were to blame you for something, it'd be for being a damn coward." Rham spat out. "We were fighting for our lives! Sacrificed so much to form this Rebellion, all the while you and Yoda hide away in a self-imposed exile! And now we're supposed to open our arms to you? Where were you when our brothers and sisters were cut down by YOUR apprentice, Kenobi?! No, you thought it was more important to meditate and reflect on your failure instead of fighting to right that failure! Give me one reason why I shouldn't cut you down for betraying the Jedi Order and the Rebellion?!"
Rham's yelling had drawn many people to the hangar. Some of Obi-Wan's padawans, Ezra and Kiko, some of Rham's commandos and members of the ship's crew intently watched the confrontation between the two veteran Jedi. Everyone in the room instantly tensed up when Rham purposefully laid his hand in the hilt of his lightsaber.
All the while, Obi-Wan did not budge an inch. The silence in the hangar was crushing as Obi-Wan held Rham's gaze for several seconds before he spoke:
"You are right Rham, I've been a fool. I had to place my duties on Tatooine above my duties to the Order, and as a result many Jedi, whom I perhaps could have saved, have died. It was my arrogance and failure that contributed to my padawan's fall to the Dark Side, who in turn corrupted your own apprentice Galan Marek and set him out to kill more Jedi."
Galen, the young man, clenched his fists and looked to the ground, remembering the Jedi he'd mercilessly cut down, all to please his Master: Darth Vader. He felt his pain and sorrow dissolve into the Force as Juno Eclipse, the former Imperial officer, grasped his hand and laid her head against his temple. The woman who had saved him from the darkness, and since recently, his wife.
Obi-Wan could sense the closeness of their Force presences, as well as the surprise and frustration he felt coming from Rham. He continued:
"Perhaps I have no right to be here... Perhaps what you see as cowardice gives me no right to serve in this Rebellion. But it was never meant to be comprised of perfect individuals. It was formed to gather those who wished to fight against the tyrannical order that has oppressed the galaxy. No matter if you are a smuggler, an old hermit, a Dark Lord's apprentice or a blind and drunk Jedi who's given up on everything."
Obi-Wan emphasized those last words as he looked at Rham, who listened to him with an inscrutable expression.
"As long as you are willing to fight for freedom and justice, you have a place in the Rebellion." Obi-Wan finished.
Around him, everyone nodded in agreement. Their eyes were now on Rham who let the silence sit for several seconds before letting out a boisterous laugh and wrapping Obi-Wan in a tight hug.
"Good to see those years spent on that sandy hellhole were for something." he joked.
"Good to see you haven't lost your affinity for memorable reunions."
The two men exchanged a laugh as everyone else started to disperse, seeing that everything was alright.
Rham went to reach out for Obi-Wan's hand until he realized it wasn't there. He let out a sigh before leading Obi-Wan over to Galen and Juno.
"I'd like you to meet Galen and Juno," Rham said. Obi-Wan shook hands with both of them who smiled back at him. "Though he doesn't like me saying it, Galen essentially started the Rebellion by accident."
"It was a bit more complicated than that." Galen lamented.
"But you were certainly a key founder." Juno added with a smile.
"From the reports I've read, it was you who gave the initial impulse to found the Rebel Alliance," Obi-Wan said. "That isn't nothing."
"Maybe, but it was for all the wrong reasons," Galen spoke slowly, looking sadly at the ground. "Ultimately I wish you luck in saving your apprentice. He may have tortured and manipulated me but I'd be a hypocrite if I said he didn't deserve a second chance."
There was a heavy silence after Galen spoke, as they all nodded in agreement. Juno was the first to speak:
"Well, gentlemen! After such a long and arduous mission, I feel I deserve a shower and a massage. Give me a hand will you, Galen."
"Which part do you need help with?" he asked with a slight smirk.
"Maybe I'll let you rub my feet." Juno shot back a slight grin as they both left for their quarters after giving a respectful bow to Rham and Obi-Wan.
"And I've still got to give my report to the Alliance High Command." Kota lamented with a sigh. "Man, I miss the days when I was the one who called all the shots. Someone else did the reports." Kota clapped Obi-Wan on the back before walking towards the main exit from the hangar. "Take care Kenobi. Catch you later."
"See you soon, Rham." Obi-Wan acknowledged, watching the blind Jedi leave the hangar.
Our numbers grow by the day, Obi-Wan thought proudly. The tide is slowly turning in our favor.
"Clear the landing zone!" a hangar engineer called out several feet behind Obi-Wan. "Incoming ship."
Obi-Wan watched the approaching starship and immediately recognized the Millenium Faulcon. The old Master waited for the ship to finish its landing maneuver before approaching the boarding ramp to greet its passengers.
Han and Chewie were the first ones out, joking with each other about who was the hero of the mission. Their banter let Obi-Wan breathe a sigh of relief. They wouldn't be this cheerful if something had gone wrong.
When the two smugglers saw Obi-Wan waiting to greet them, Chewie let out a guttural roar of joy that echoed across the hangar and grabbed Obi-Wan in a "larger-than-a-bear-hug". The old Master responded to the Wookiee's greeting with equal enthusiasm and strength.
They had both had a strong connection since after the battle of Yavin when Obi-Wan had told Chewie he had studied under Master Yoda. The Wookie knew the former Grand Master well, having been by his side at the battle of Kashyk during the Clone Wars and helping him escape after Order 66. Obi-Wan and Chewie had conversed for hours about Yoda, the Old Republic, Kashyk, which Obi-Wan has been to several times, and the state of the galaxy in general.
Though Obi-Wan didn't speak a word of Chewie's language, he found his mode of communication was closely linked to the Force. His words made sense to those the Wookie trusted and considered his friends.
Since then, Obi-Wan and Chewie always greeted each other like old war friends, which in a strange way, they were.
After several seconds of growls, pats and hugs, Han let out a sharp cough.
"Oh don't mind me." the smuggler said with mock outrage. "I guess a hero's welcome isn't what it used to be."
"Luke was the hero; he gets the welcome." Chewie groaned, letting go of Obi-Wan to deliver the Wookie equivalent of a smirk to Han.
"Yeah the kid was good, but that's because he had a great leader." Han retorted. "Don't start putting him on a pedestal Chewie. He'll get complacent."
"Oh no. One over-inflated ego is already enough." the Wookie joked, letting out a grumbling laugh.
"Alright fur ball. Next time, you lead the mission. See how easy it is." Han said to the Wookie with a glare. He turned to Obi-Wan, exchanging a firm handshake with the old Jedi. "How you doing, Ben?"
"Just finished a training session with the padawans and reunited with an old friend," Obi-Wan replied. "I trust the mission went well?"
"The Empire won't be producing any TIE Fighters from that place for a while, that's for sure." the smuggler replied with a smirk. "Hopefully that'll keep the princess off my case for a while."
"If you're going to talk behind my back, at least try to act like you're hiding it." Leia's voice spoke from over Han's shoulder. The princess joined the group, shooting a sharp glare towards the smuggler who simply rolled his eyes. Leia's expression immediately turned into a bright smile as she turned to Obi-Wan and the exchanged an embrace.
"It's so good to see you again, general Kenobi," she said, her gaze growing sad as her hand fell on Obi-Wan severed arm. "I still can't convince you to use a prosthetic?"
"A penance is born for life, your highness. Otherwise, it is just an inconvenience." Obi-Wan spoke with a kind smile.
Leia nodded slowly before refocusing her attention on Han.
"Alright mister team leader, shall we go deliver our report?" Leia asked rhetorically.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, princess." Han ground out through a fake smile.
Without another word, they both stalked off towards the bridge of the ship, a two-meter gap between them.
"Humans do enjoy playing with their food rather than eating it." Chewie said with a laugh as he clapped Obi-Wan on the shoulder and headed off to his quarters.
Obi-Wan didn't want to dwell too much on the subtext of the Wookiee's metaphor, so he was glad to see Rex and Luke disembarked the Faulcon.
"Good to see you, general," Rex spoke, straightening up and giving a salute. "Anything happen while we were away?"
Obi-Wan sighed inwardly. He had eventually stopped trying to correct people who called him general. If it made people comfortable to give him a title, so be it.
"Certainly not as much excitement as you all, it seems," Obi-Wan said with a smirk, running his hand through his beard, which he realized he hadn't shaved in a while. He nodded to Luke who smiled and gave a slight bow. "Ahsoka is busy searching for our new base, and the rest of the Ghost crew are still on a mission."
"How about the training of the padawans?" Luke asked.
Obi-Wan took a minute to appreciate the transformation in Luke's skills and character over the past several weeks. While he had all the impatience and impetuousness of a boy his age, he was at least aware of it and always tried to take the pragmatic approach to a problem.
Luke's Force abilities and lightsabre skills were also developing well. He wasn't even close to being able to face a proficient Force user in combat, but against most of the Empire's troops, he was evenly matched.
"We are close to having everyone up to speed on masking their Force presence," Obi-wan said. "After that, I will be able to start teaching them fighting styles and Force techniques. How about you, Luke? Have you been minding your training?"
Luke looked away, clearly embarrassed by something. Obi-Wan noticed him tightening his hand around his arm.
"You were injured." Obi-Wan stated, matter-of-factly.
Luke glanced up, surprised that he'd been able to see through him so clearly. Embarrassed, he removed his hand to reveal a shallow cut on his left arm.
"It was the end of the mission; we were heading back to the—" Rex began.
"It was a lucky shot, Ben. One in a million." Luke explained.
"Luke, one in million is more than enough if that laser bolt's destination is on your forehead. There is no such thing as a lucky shot."
Luke did not answer. His shame was mixing in with anger, which he quickly let fizzle away. He was smart enough to know that that anger was directed at himself, not Obi-Wan. He had been reckless, overconfident, and had been humbled twice: once from the wound, and once by Obi-Wan.
The old Master sighed and placed a firm hand on Luke's shoulder. They locked eyes.
"Dying a hero and dying a fool is too often the same thing," Obi-Wan spoke gently. "A Jedi protects himself and others and stands for justice and peace. Live by these principals, and let history worry about if you'll be remembered as a hero."
"Alright, Ben." Luke said, nodding his agreement.
Obi-Wan pulled the young man into an embrace with his good arm, which Luke returned.
"I'm glad to see you're safe," Obi-Wan whispered. "Now go get that wound looked at."
Luke nodded, exchanged goodbyes with Rex and left a jog towards the ship's medical bay.
"Is it strange if I had flashes of déjà vu, general?" Rex asked with a smirk.
"No, Rex. It appears the shuura does not fall far from the tree." Obi-Wan replied.
Both men shared a soft laugh, but Obi-Wan sensed something was troubling the old Clone.
"Something on your mind?"
"I stumbled across some… worrying intel during our mission, sir. It's about Vader. Well… partly."
Obi-Wan stiffened when Rex mentioned his name. He turned cautiously towards the Clone who continued his explanation:
"He decimated a native uprising on Fraze. It's an important Tibanna Gas producer and a small Rebel cell was providing the locals with equipment and weapons to sabotage the refineries. But Vader tracked them back to their home village, massacred them, and burned beyond recognition. He took only one prisoner: the Rebel who supported the insurrection."
"I gather it's someone we know." Obi-Wan said carefully.
"I hope that I'm wrong, sir, but I think it was Commander Cody. He's being held in the Citadel on Lola Sayu. I don't know if he's still alive."
Cody…
Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to calmly assimilate all this new information but he couldn't and didn't have to. He knew exactly what needed to be done. Obi-Wan kept his anger at bay, but his voice carried an aggressive edge:
"We broke into that infernal place once, and we'll damned well do it again."