𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | anakin skywalker

✰ 48: right and wrong

"Bo-Katan had been tracking Maul's movements for several months," explained Ahsoka, as she, the Mandalorian, and the three Jedi stood around a holo-table which displayed a set of planets in Mandalore's system. "I was able to obtain some transmission codes from the Pykes on Oba Diah, which helped her pinpoint some of his previous locations."

Anakin scrunched his brows.  "What were you doing on Oba Diah?"

Ahsoka looked down.  "That's a long story," she said, "and not really relevant right now."

Lady Bo-Katan stepped forward. "What is relevant, is that we know Maul is on Mandalore in the city of Sundari."  She pressed a button on the holo-table which changed the display to the northern hemisphere of Mandalore, their capital city pointed out with a couple of small renderings of buildings.

"You're certain of this?" asked Obi-Wan.

Bo-Katan nodded.  "He arrived two days ago."

Mandalorians were known for their skill and weaponry, and Akya knew for a fact that there were many of them.  Even if they weren't all warriors, every person living on Mandalore had the ability to be one. What did they need from three Jedi and a bunch of clones?  "So why not take him yourself?" she asked the Mandalorian. "Why have you come to the Republic for help?"

Bo-Katan and Ahsoka glanced at each other, and Ahsoka nodded.  Bo-Katan looked down.  "I don't have the numbers needed for a siege." She looked back up at the Jedi.  "Without a complete lockdown of the city, Maul will escape again." She turned the display to focus in on a map of Sundari.  "That's why I'm proposing a joint operation. If we are successful, you'll have Maul, and I'll have Mandalore."

Obi-Wan looked at Anakin, then at his Padawan.  They conversed silently.  All of them knew that however much they wanted to help, the Republic was already in the middle of a war that was at quite the stalemate, and didn't seem to be going anywhere. 

"If Republic forces aid you in your assault, it will break treaties that are a hundred years old.  We will effectively be drawn into yet another war," Obi-Wan said.

"What's one more?" asked Bo-Katan.

"With all due respect, My Lady, we haven't finished our first one yet," said Akya.

"I will advise the Jedi Council of this development," said Obi-Wan.  He turned around to go, and Akya was about to follow him before Bo-Katan called back, her voice desperate.

"There's no time!" she said. The Jedi master turned back around. "Maul's influence on Mandalore is destroying my people. He murdered their ruler.  My sister."  Her eyes thinned as she gave a desperate attempt to convince Kenobi.  "I thought she meant something to you."  Her voice was lower now. 

Anakin and Akya both looked at their master. He looked down and his face softened, remembering the duchess.

When Akya had asked if her master had ever been in love, Obi-Wan had answered a simple yes, and told her what it had felt like.  But she never obtained any details about the relationship until her first time on Mandalore, where she finally realized that love had been the duchess.  She had been with her master on Mandalore when the duchess died in his arms, and she had seen Maul's influence over the planet.  If it had been her, she would have probably left the Jedi Order right then and there.  To have a loved one die in your arms, and after all she had seen of their relationship... it would be the worst pain she'd ever felt.  She did feel it.  She was sitting right next to him.  Obi-Wan tried to mask his emotions, but Akya knew him too well to not know what he was feeling.  He hadn't wanted to answer any more questions about Satine after that.

"She did," Obi-Wan said, his voice low.  "And still does." His voice became solemn again as he crossed his arms. "But I cannot allow my feelings to cloud my judgement.  The Council will decide what our course of action will be."

Bo-Katan watched Obi-Wan and his Padawan leave the room through thinned eyes and scrunched brows.

— ★ ✰ ☆ —

Obi-Wan and Akya ran into the hangar as alarms sounded throughout the halls.  The blast doors opened and Anakin and Ahsoka spun around, eyes wide at the sudden alarms.  Half a battalion of clones was lined up at attention, all of their helmets painted orange with markings that mimicked the ones on Ahsoka's face, in honor of their returned commander.

"Anakin, Rex, prepare all forces," Obi-Wan said urgently.  "We're jumping to hyperspace immediately."

"Yes, sir," replied Rex quickly.  "Men! With me!" he turned to the clones and said.

"So, the attack on Mandalore was approved?" asked Anakin.

"No," Akya shook her head, as she and Obi-Wan hadn't even had time to ask.  The Council had more urgent matters at hand.  "It's Coruscant. Grevious has attacked the capital."

"What about the Chancellor?" Anakin asked.

"Shaak Ti has been sent to protect him, but Master Windu has lost contact with her," explained Obi-Wan.

Anakin scrunched his brows and looked down, anxiety overcoming his thoughts.

"Not to worry," said Obi-Wan. "Our fleet can be there within the hour."

"So that's it?" Ahsoka said. The three Jedi turned to face her. She crossed her arms. "You're going to abandon Bo-Katan and her people?"

"Ahsoka, surely you understand this is a pivotal moment in the Clone Wars," said Obi-Wan. "The heart of the Republic is under attack."

Ahsoka thinned her eyes at the Jedi Master. "I understand that, as usual, you're playing politics." She put her hands on her hips. "This is why the people have lost faith in the Jedi. I had too, until I was reminded of what the Order means to people who truly need us."

"Right now, people on Coruscant need us."

"No," Ahsoka said. "The Chancellor needs you."

"That's not fair," said Obi-Wan softly.

Ahsoka crossed her arms again. "I'm not trying to be."

Anakin looked from his former Padawan to the Jedi Master. "I'll... divide the 501st," he said, stepping forward, "make a new division under Ahsoka's command."

"Unfortunately, Ahsoka is no longer a part of the Grand Army of the Republic," said Obi-Wan.

Anakin thought for a moment.  "We'll... promote Rex to Commander and have him lead the new division. Ahsoka can go with him as an adviser." He looked to Ahsoka.  "What do you say?"

"I accept," she said. "That is, if Obi-Wan agrees."

Obi-Wan looked from Anakin to Ahsoka.  "Very well," he said. Ahsoka smiled.  "May the Force be with you," he nodded to her, then turned around to go.

"Oh, one other thing," he said, turning back around before he reached the door.  "I killed Maul once. Best to capture him.  He doesn't seem to stay dead."  Then he looked at Akya, a silent, "Are you coming?"

Akya nodded, her eyes saying, "Just a minute."

He turned back around and left.

Akya turned to her friend.  She was taller than she'd last seen her, and they nearly matched in height. She looked so much older, and yet she was only seventeen.  "Ahsoka," she said, crossing her arms.  "Before I go, I just wanted to wish you well.  And good luck."  It was her formal, Jedi way of saying, I'm going to miss you.

Ahsoka seemed to understand.  "Obi-Wan says there's no such thing as luck."

Akya smiled.  "Obi-Wan isn't right all the time."  Then she turned around and left.

a.n.:

no because i was literally looking at this yesterday and editing it and i finished but i must have closed the app bc i didn't publish 😭

happy friday though. love you!!!

don't forget to vote :)

molly