Memories

Chapter 27.

Obi-Wan's POV

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"So, where are we going, Master Kenobi?" Ahsoka asked as she walked next to me, heading for the ships.

"We're going to Geonosis." I smiled a little at the inquisitive look that my response prompted. "Asajj has been talking about Count Dooku being involved in this, so I figure Geonosis is a good place to start."

She nodded, then froze, her eyes flicking to me. "Can I go and grab something? I'll be two ticks."

I wondered briefly what she needed, but waved her on. "Certainly – I'll get the ship ready."

It was a little more than "two ticks" by the time Ahsoka arrived, but it gave me time to start our ship and prepare things for take-off. She dropped into the co-pilot's seat and swung herself around, then began flipping important switches and pressing the necessary buttons. A minute later, she glanced at me, her hand hovering over the button to ignite the thrusters. "Are we ready?"

I nodded. "Let's go."

We took to the skies silently, maintaining the silence until around halfway through the flight, when Ahsoka sighed. "We should have gone to find Anakin, shouldn't we?"

I didn't take my eyes off the front window. "We probably should have, but we didn't know. We can only do what we can with what we have. There's no point in worrying about what could have happened; it's much better to think about how we can change what could be happening."

She allowed herself a small smile. "Yes, Master. Do we have a game plan?"

"We need to find out where Anakin is first. Once we find him, hopefully we can get him out and come back to Coruscant. If things are going very well – which I don't really expect them to – then we might have a look around and see if we can figure out what Dooku's up to. But our first mission is rescuing Anakin."

"We came to rescue you."

I faltered. 

"Good job."

I had meant it jokingly. I'm sure he took it jokingly. But there was always that part of me that wondered if he had taken some of it to heart. He had come to help me, to save me. The three of us had nearly died that day. All of us had come away different. Anakin, especially, had changed, leaving him with a secrecy that I had never discovered. That time had showed me the deep care my padawan had for me. Had I ever shown it back to him? I was beginning to doubt. But such thoughts had to wait: we had a mission to do.

We landed on the outskirts of the droid factory, then sneaked inside, being careful to stay out of sight of any Geonosians. I sensed Anakin's Force signature glowing very faintly from somewhere further in, and I was both relieved and concerned. He was here, but he didn't seem to be good shape. His signature was so vague and fuzzy, I almost wondered if I was mistaken about sensing it. But delight and excitement warmed the Force, and I knew Ahsoka had felt the same as me.

I silently motioned for her to follow me, heading down a dark hallway with a couple of rusted doors built into the end opposite us. Grabbing my lightsaber off my belt, I pressed my back against a wall and stealthily checked around the corner. Both of us froze when we heard one of the doors opening, then dashed to find somewhere to hide. But it was too late.

Asajj wandered out, casually tossing some device from hand to hand, but she stopped when she saw us. Distinct pleasure glimmered in the Force, sparkling like a long-sought diamond. She chuckled happily. "Hello, Kenobi," she cooed, flopping her wrist back and dangling the device from her fingers. "I see you've taken the little lady with you. I'm sure Dooku won't mind an audience. I'm so glad you came to join the party."