Chapter 1: Chapter 1 - Change in Plans
Chapter Text
The world slowly crept back into Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi’s senses. It took a few seconds for his brain to catch up to the events of what was going on. As his hearing came back slowly and his awareness sluggishly came back, he realized he heard a klaxon going off and for the life of him could not figure out what it was. Without even thinking about what he was saying he mumbled under his breath, “Anakin please tell me you did not crash another ship.” When he was greeted with the sound of the alarm still going off and continue to do nothing for the headache that was pressing onto his senses, he slowly cracked open one of his eyes. ‘Why did he hear a baby, or was that two?’ That couldn’t be right. When did they start bringing babies into their war campaigns?
As his eye focused, he tried to open the other one but found it was unwilling. He slowly brought his hand up not sure what he would find or lack off and brought it back to his one eye that was open to find blood on his hand. ‘Great,’ he thought. He had apparently a nasty headwound that was forcing one of his eyes to stay closed.
A baby cried out again, piercing the air and able to penetrate the fogginess that had hit Kenobi’s mind which was refusing to let go until now.
Everything came rushing back in a huge wave of emotion and images. Mustafar, Anakin turning to the dark side, Padme giving birth to twins, babies that had the blood of Skywalker flowing through their veins. One warning from the pilot of the ship and all hell had broken loose. Obi-Wan couldn’t remember much after that, he must have lost consciousness right after that. As his brain processed all that happened he started looking around.
What had happened to Yoda, Padme and even Senator Bail Organa? Coming to his knees and testing out his strength Obi-Wan stood to his full height getting his bearings slowly looking for one of the babies he kept hearing screaming either in pain or fear or just all the above. The floor shook violently, and he almost was brought back down. He caught his bearing into what looked like use to be part of a wall, and that is when he saw him. Under the wreckage of some part of the ship, laid Senator Bail Organa. One did not have to be force sensitive to know the man was dead. Nobody could have survived that. That’s when he heard the crying again and sprung back into action. It was close to the body of Bail Organa. He quickly removed debris and tried to be careful and being respectful of the late Senator. Under under the wreckage and miraculously protected with his body was Leia Skywalker. Bail had given his life to protect her. He picked up the small infant into his arms and began soothing the upset baby girl. He sent comfort through the force and instantly Leia stopped fussing and looked up at him with those honey brown eyes. Her little fingers wrapped around his bigger pinkie finger and he knew right then and there he would do anything and everything to protect her from any harm that came her way. Taking one sad glimpse at Senator Bail Organa he would morn his loss and celebrate his life when he had time, now was not the time to lose focus.
Looking around quickly he found a thermal blanket. Taking it, he wrapped Leia’s little body in it to make sure he kept the newborn comfortable. As he held her, he turned around. It hit him like a ton of cement bricks. Where was Yoda? Or even Padme? He had yet to see their bodies, even though he really did not want their deaths confirmed by seeing their remains. He had seen enough death to last him a lifetime he did not need to see such a sight. He knew that would haunt him.
The smoke was making it harder to see by the minute. Closing his eyes, he reached out through the force, trying to feel for the Grandmaster, the force signature that he had known all his life. Yet in return he got nothing, emptiness greeted him. He opened his eyes and felt his shoulders sag. Obi-Wan Kenobi was truly alone now, possibly the last. The only one to keep him company was Leia. With that thought lingering in is head he heard a soft whimper from the side of the destroyed room. He made his way over cautiously to avoid any sparks or flames that were still covering the delivery room. There in the protected arms of the birthing robot was Luke Skywalker wrapped up in a bundle. Looking up at him with big beautiful blue eyes. Some how sending a comfort out to the older master that he was not alone, he had them. Picking up Luke Skywalker gently Kenobi now had two babies in his arms. Glancing around at the complete mayhem and destruction he thanked the force that they had survived to live another day, to fight for hope and the future.
He was once again pulled out of his thought process and knew he had to get off the ship. He suddenly felt a warning through the force, something was letting him know to leave the area immediately. As he slowly made his way through the dying ship he felt and heard a boarding party. He needed to leave now. He picked up the pace the infants started to cry feeling his panic through the force and him jostling them as he began to run. A lone whistle came from behind him and not having to look back he called out, “Artoo, see if there are any escape pods left.” R2 made a few chirping noises as Obi-Wan stopped and came to a corner. Least R2D2 made it through the carnage but he had no idea if C-3PO made it and quite frankly he had no time to even go looking for the humanoid that seemed to find itself in trouble more often than not, and it took considerable skill to out trouble Kenobi which seem to follow him at every turn.
He heard sound of voices coming around the corridor. Slowly he bent down onto his knees and peaked his head around the corner to see members of the 212th entering from the docking station.
“Search the ship. Scans show survivors. The Emperor’s instructions are clear.”
Obi-Wan’s gut turned at the mention of the Emperor and not to mention seeing the 212th again after being nearly killed by his own men. He knew though he could not risk showing himself or risking the babies in his arms while getting into the middle of a fire fight. It was not like his hands were free to wield his lightsaber. Turning around he looked at R2 to see if he had found them an escape route. The whistle from the droid made his heart sing as R2 took off and Obi-Wan leapt back onto his feet. He used force speed to get around the corner before the stormtroopers saw him.
He saw the escape pod as R2 opened the door for them both. He climbed in placing the two most important things in his life down gently. The two infants had no idea what was even going on or the danger that they were in, they had enter this world only a few hours ago and now were at risk of being captured by the one person who had turned their father. Obi-Wan would not allow this to happen. He’d face Order 66 and Mustafar every single day if that meant protecting these babies.
Turning on the engine and the lights flicked to life he started the sequence. He detached from the ill-fated ship. He sent out a prayer through the force that nobody would pay attention to their little shuttle as they took off. Obi-Wan pulled away and was finally able to see what had come of their ship and saw the complete and utter destruction. He saw ships turning to intercept him and their tiny shuttle, but he had gotten enough space between them as he punched in coordinates. The stars slowly began streaking as they jumped into hyperspace.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Emperor watched over Darth Vader as they placed the crippled man in the suit that would help keep him alive. Rage filled him at what had become of his perfect apprentice. This was not how it was supposed to go down, this is not what he had seen for either one of them. He did not anticipate the Jedi being so bold, going on the offense to strike him or his newly appointed apprentice down. He expected them to all go into immediate hiding or even perhaps hoping none of them survived the purge however that was apparently asking to much. Not to mention he completely underestimated them, particularly Kenobi. That man had been a thorn in his side for many years, refusing to roll over and just die. Many times, his plans had been thwarted by that annoying Jedi. If he had to redo it all over again, he would have taken the Jedi as a young child turned him into one of the greatest Sith the galaxy had ever seen, all those skills put to good use for once, not wasted on the likes of the Jedi. For the first time Darth Sidious could see why Count Dooku held Obi-Wan in such high regard and why the Count wanted his grand padawan to be coursed over to the darkside of the force. The possibilities could have been endless. However, the future was never set, and one could not predict the ever-current events that would change, something as simple as throwing a rock into a stream would change the entire course of a river.
“Sir?”
“Yes, what is it? Don’t you see I’m busy?” He snarled, annoyed his thoughts were interrupted.
“We found the shuttle that held the traitors. However, we could only recover a few bodies one of them being Senator Bail Organa.” The stormtrooper paused, scared to give more information at the possible outcome of the news.
“Go on, you are hesitating.” Darth Sidious noticing the hesitation by the stormtrooper.
“When we boarded, an escape shuttle launched. We do not know who was on it, but our scans indicated only that three lifeforms and a droid were on it. It left before we could apprehend them.”
At that very moment Darth Sidious felt Darth Vader let out a scream in the force as they placed another part of the suit over his burned body. The dark lord turned to look and concentrate on his new apprentice, leaving the Stormtrooper to take his leave. Knowing very well he was able to escape with his life, seeing as a good time to get away, since the Emperor’s full attention was on the person inside the medical bay.
Darth Sidious wanted to believe the two last remaining Jedi Council died in the attack, but the force told him otherwise. He had no doubt that one of those lifeforms was Kenobi, the one who had the ability to survive anything it seemed. Didn’t matter. For now, he would concentrate on Darth Vader and building his empire and once that was complete, he would switch focus. He would have that Jedi found and brought to him and make the Jedi wish he had never survived Order 66.
TBC…..
Chapter 2: Chapter 2 – Two Babies, A Man, and A Funeral – Part 1
Notes:
Anything in italics was either a memory or taken directly from The Clone Wars series or the trilogy. My warning to y’all, I’ve been working 12 on, 12 off shifts, the last few days and then yesterday I had to pull a damn 24-hour duty and then I go back into my 12 on 12 off shifts. Lord, help me now so if mistakes were made, I’m sorry I truly tried to catch them all. No more babbling that will be left for the end! Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Slowly coming out of the refresher Obi-Wan was finally able to see clearly with both eyes. He was able to clean the head wound that had gushed blood down his face when he had been making his escape. As he made his way to the pilot seat, he glanced at the sleeping babies and wondered how long before they were going to need either food or even attention. As a Jedi he rarely saw or handled babies, that is what the Creche Master was for. Not that he ever frowned upon them as though they didn’t have a significant role to play, because everyone knew or remembered their Creche Master. They were the first introduction to the Jedi Order and the Jedi life they were soon going to lead. They were pivotal in keeping the younglings healthy and teaching them how to become future Jedi. Making sure they stayed out of trouble until they were chosen to be either Padawans to Jedi Masters or if Jedi Knighthood was not in their future, there were many other ways to serve, such as the medical field or even the agriculture.
The only few times Obi-Wan could remember handling a baby was on missions where he interacted with the locals or when Anakin and himself went on a mission to pick up a potential force user. That only lasted a few days though, and all he had to do was give it to the humanoid or an assistance that had come along with them to check the vitals and take care of the baby till they got back to the Jedi Temple. They were there to protect the infant just in case someone got a wise idea. To get a potential force user was big money for those on the black market.
Obi-Wan’s thoughts came back to the two tiny Skywalkers. He knew nothing about taking care of an infant let alone two! Eventually he knew he was going to need help and fast if he stood a chance against the babies and not do something to screw it up. Mess them up like he had did their father. ‘No,’ he thought forcefully he would not allow his mind to go down that path. He had left the sleeping babies not wanting to risk waking them after they had been upset for most of the flight, he went to sit in the pilot seat. As the shuttle came out of hyperspace, he saw the blue green beautiful planet of Alderaan. He had punched the coordinates in earlier without even thinking about it, he just allowed the force to guide him. Now here he was. He started preparing the shuttle to enter the atmosphere of the planet. As he broke the atmosphere, he realized he had never seen Organa’s home planet before. It was definitely a sight to behold. It reminded him a lot of Naboo, yet somehow it felt richer. The mountains had snow on them, to the lushes green standing against the backdrop of the bright blue sky. It was one of the more picturesque planets he had ever been on. Even the buildings even looked luscious as they loomed ahead.
He was pulled out of thoughts as the sound of him being hailed as he got closer to the castle in which Bail Organa lived with his wife, Queen Breha Organa. ‘Did,’ he thought sadly. He flipped the switch,
“Shuttle, identify yourself.”
“This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, could you please inform the Queen I need to speak to her, it’s urgent. I have some terrible news about her husband Senator Bail Organa.” In the future he would not be so casual with saying his name to anyone he did not know. He had to be careful. With the fall of the Republic who knew who would be looking for him. Yet, he knew here was probably one of the safer places to be. The reach of the Empire had yet to make its way here or so he hoped.
He was given permission to land on the pad. As he brought the shuttle in and landed, he was able to catch a glimpse of the Queen and her guards. Standing there not knowing what he was about to tell her. Having no idea that her entire world was about to be turned upside down. This was never his duty to show up on somebody’s door step and tell them their whole life was about to be changed. Honestly though with the fall of the Republic and the Jedi where was he to go? Not like he always had a back up plan, his home was always the Jedi Temple he could always fall back on that. Who was he supposed to turn to now? Who could he trust? He truly was alone in the galaxy for the first time. He always thought he would have Anakin, Ahsoka, Master Windu, Yoda and that was just the quickest names he could think of. Yet here he was, alone with two babies that he was now the soul protector of. R2D2 started chirping at him, and he realized he had got lost in his own thoughts.
He stood up and made his way towards the shuttle door. He took a deep breath and opened it. The sound of the hydraulics and air that was compressed into the tiny shuttle making a distinct sound as he released it and the shuttle’s ramp came down. The guards were forming a protection barrier around her as she stood behind them.
Queen Breha Organa was a strong slender woman who stood as though a thousand worlds rested on her petite shoulders. Her flowing yellow gown could rival the sun itself as it sparkled and shimmered in the receding sun. Her hair was placed in a beautiful elaborate headdress that matched her evening dress, and in a lot of respects reminded him of Padme when she was still the young Queen of Naboo. Yet she held weight behind her eyes. Responsibility and honor of her rank and position. A burden that was placed upon her shoulders and yet still able to hold her ground against those around her.
Walking up he gave a slight bow, showing his respect to her. She waved her guards to move so that way she could face him directly. She took a few steps towards him. Then something flashed as she took in his appearance. He still had the cut above his eye and not to mention his clothes were completely ruined from the duel on Mustafar. He probably looked rather unkept from his normal stature of tidiness. Deep down he was bone weary tired and his normal mask of being able to hide everything was probably showing in full color for everyone to see.
“What is the news you bring of my husband, it can’t be good if the Jedi are informing me directly?”
His lips tighten. His mouth went dry. He had practiced in his mind the entire time how he was going to tell her but now he was completely utterly lost for words.
“I,” his eyes casted down not being able to bear the weight of her eyes as she tried to find the answer but deep down, she knew.
Before he could respond or utter at least a full sentence without stumbling on his words, R2D2 came down the ramp whistling at Obi-Wan. Understanding Artoo’s distress, Obi-Wan gave a quick and quiet apology to the Queen as he turned around, running back up the ramp disappearing onto the ship. He would return with the two Skywalkers in his arms who were now screaming and were for all certain purposes very unhappy babies. She stared at them. The look on Obi-Wan’s face said it all. General of the Clone Wars, a High Council of the Jedi Order, a very capable Jedi Master that was easily able to give out destruction and even death if needed, was at a complete loss of what to do with the babies that he held in his arms.
“Say no more,” she snapped her fingers and a few assistances appeared out of nowhere to take the infants from him. He held on to them, not ready to give them up so easily. He took a step backwards without even realizing it, almost in a fight or flight mode. The assistances gave a small smile and instead of reaching for the babies they made the motion for him to place the baby in their arms, for him to make the choice of letting go. Obi-Wan found ease in this and taking a glance at them and back at the welcoming arms he placed Luke and Leia into the arms of the Queen’s aids. They hurried away to take care of the crying Skywalkers. He watched until the backs disappeared into the castle.
“Come, rest, your safe for now Master Jedi.”
The Queen gave a soft smile and turned around expecting the Jedi to follow her and knowing that Obi-Wan Kenobi would take her offer.
~*~*~*~*~*
Queen Breha Organa stared out at the nightly sky as she tried to come over the shock, that she would never see her husband in the nightly sky, making his way back to her like he promised every time he left. Her family, everything she had ever known was gone, instantly taken by the Emperor and the rise of the Empire. She had watched it on the holonet, the collapse of the Republic and sat there wondering what that meant for the rest of the galaxy, and most importantly, for herself and Alderaan?
Bail loved being a Senator, loved helping those that he could, and he had grown quite fond of the Jedi. Especially one Jedi in particular, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He talked about Obi-Wan a lot to her, but never really talked about the time he went with Obi-Wan to Wild Space, she knew it had a profound effect on him. She would try and get him to speak about it what they both had endured however he would never budge. He would simply smile and tell her “maybe for another time,” his way of saying it was never going to happen. So, she respected it. Maybe, some day she could get it from the Master Jedi, that’s if he wanted to speak or talk about it. She would respect her late husband’s wishes. Why push the issue or topic? Not like it was a great conversation starter, “I know my husband died but what happened during the Wild Space mission he never talked about it, feel like talking about it over this casual dinner?” Nope, she could not see that going over well.
As Bail grew closer to the Jedi and his role as a Senator took him away longer from Alderaan and from her, it almost came as no shock or surprise to her to know that he was finally killed in the cross fire. She found herself asking, why him? Why did he have to be the one to die? Why couldn’t he arrived with one of the babies in his arms, saying he had found the perfect child for them to raise as their own. She had not been able to bare children and they wanted to adopt, to pass on their names and their legacy they were just hoping with the end of the Clone Wars they could start their family. But now, that was just a dream, one that was cruelly ripped from her.
As she moved away from the window she sat down on her bed, her eyes glanced over to the spot were Bail would sleep. The bed never looked so big and vacant. Tears started to spring into her eyes, but she forced them down. ‘No,’ she would not do this. Too much had to go into the celebration of Bail’s life. She would mourn him later, to many arrangements would have to be made.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anakin Skywalker now Darth Vader moved through the halls of the ship. He didn’t like how this suit made him feel. He had a hard time walking in it, getting use to his new legs. He had been in and out of consciousness ever since the fight with his old Master on Mustafar. However, the dark side was able to help him heal faster than ever before. He never was able to get up and move so quickly after such a debilitating injury when he was a Jedi. No, truly the dark side had many wonders. The door swished opened and he entered where his new Master sat. He came down onto one knee showing his submission to the new Emperor.
“Darth Vader, rise.” Rising back to his height, Darth Sidious stood up from his chair motioning for his new apprentice to follow him. They went to stare out at their vastly growing battleships, the building of their new Empire.
“I have your first mission for you my apprentice.”
“What would you have me do my Master?”
“You will find force sensitive children, turn them if you must and if they don’t, kill them. The ones that survive will turn to do our bidding. Help the Empire, they will track down those that survived the Purge.”
“Yes, my Master.”
Darth Vader turned on his heel waiting for no further instructions. He would do exactly as he was told without hesitation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“You were the chosen one! It said you were to destroy the Sith not become them, not leave it in darkness….you were my brother Anakin, I loved you.”
“I HATE YOU!”
“Anakin, Chancellor Palpatine is evil,”
“WE’RE HIT, WE’RE GOING DOWN. BRACE YOURSELFS!”
“Master Jedi?”
“I will make sure you stay awake long enough to feel every single cut, your death will be beyond excruciating. You will suffer... as I have suffered.”
“Master Jedi,” a feeling of moving, of somebody touching him.
“KENOBIIIIII.” Maul’s voice ringing through his ears.
Obi-Wan came out of his dream with such ferociousness, still having Darth Maul in the back of his mind not realizing he was awake sitting in bed with his lightsaber ignited and the entire room levitating. His eyes were widely looking around trying to figure out where he was, what was going on and why a man was standing few feet away with the most petrified look of fear on his face. The sound of everything crashing to the floor as he released it. He watched as the man nearly jump out of his skin when everything hit the ground with a deafening sound.
“I’m…,” shutting down his lightsaber, “I.” He had no explanation he still was utterly confused; the dreams had wrapped their tentacles around him and would not let go. It was as though he was back in the moment living through his memories as a watcher. He felt submerged under water and he was struggling to figure out why his heart was still pumping.
The man standing before him, the one who was unlucky to try and awake the sleeping Jedi gulped nervously and tried to control his face, but fear was racking his entire body and it was very evident.
“The Queen is offering you refreshments in the main dining hall, that’s if you would like to Master Jedi.”
“Yes, tell her I’ll be there. I just need a few moments.”
The man nodded and scurried out of the room a little faster than most of the assistances seem to walk. Obi-Wan looked around the grand chamber and realized he had completely drenched the sheets with sweat. He pushed the blankets off him and moved to the refresher feeling bad when he saw the damage his dream had caused.
Turning on the hot water he stepped in after disregarding his sleeping clothes. It felt good to feel the water pressing down onto his body. He slowly sat down, letting the water roll off his back as he tried to collect his thoughts, clear everything and allow it to move its way into the force.
He honestly could not remember the last time he woke up and having caused havoc with a dream, making things float in midair. He felt like he was slowly slipping, his reality was taking a toll on him. When was the last time he took a moment for himself? Again, no answer. He couldn’t remember the last time he took a breath, a moment for himself to relax and not think about the war. Then again, as a General in the Grand Republic, who had time for that? No one.
He was allowing his mind to wander again, and he shut off the water. Drying off quickly he found his robes had been pressed and cleaned. They must have done it while he was sleeping. He couldn’t remember the last time they looked as clean as they did. The last time he changed and got a full night’s rest was the day before he arrived to face General Grievous and effectively ending the Clone Wars. Not knowing that would kick off the rise of the Empire and everything he would know, and love would come crashing down.
Not wanting to be alone with his thoughts no longer he rushed to put on his robes and made his way to where the Queen waited. He blushed when he realized she was almost done eating and he was now just showing up.
“How did you sleep?”
He barely had sat down before she asked. He tried to find words, to apologize for the destruction in his room, for scaring her assistance who dared to wake a sleeping battle warn Jedi, and for being late. He was just completely forgetting his manners. He was off center.
“Don’t worry, I’ve been meaning to redecorate in that room.” She said with a small smile. Her assistance had already told her about what had happened. Next time they would have to find a better way to awake him.
He nodded to the servant that brought him food. He slowly grabbed an eating utensil and realized though he should be hungry he had no appetite and found himself playing with his food as he tried to force himself to be hungry.
“I appreciate you for everything but,” trying to find the courage to say he needed to leave. His first full sentences to her and he was already trying to find a way to leave this world. Yet he knew staying here to long was putting everyone at risk.
Knowing what he was going to say
“Please, before you say you must go, I would like you to attend my husband’s funeral. I think he would have wanted it that way. Please Master Jedi?” Her eyes desperately pleading to him.
“Ben,….” He paused and saw hope flash before her eyes, “Please call me Ben. Yes, I would be honored to attend.”
The Queen nodded accepting this answer. The two sat in silence nothing else to talk about or wanting to make small talk. Obi-Wan playing with his food to the point of rudeness and feeling it, Obi-Wan cleared his throat getting attention of Breha Organa. “If you will excuse me, I do not have much of an appetite at the moment, if you do not mind, I’d like to go see the children.” Obi-Wan stood up and with the grace that he was taught gave a polite bow to Queen Organa and left the room.
He made it to where the babies were and stopped where they were looking up, still not able to be on their tummies they were looking out at the world above them. They immediately responded though when Obi-Wan came into their peripheral. They got more vocal, kicking and squirming. A soft smile came to his lips.
“Hello innocent ones.”
He gently pushed soothing thoughts through the force, knowing they would be able to feel him. He watched as they stopped squirming for a few seconds as they felt it and responded to his force signature. As he continued to stand over them, he realized his smile had slowly disappeared. His thoughts drifted about them and how was he going to protect these little ones? How was he going to make sure nobody knew about them? Where would he go next? How would he hide himself and them? To many questions not enough answers. How much time did he have before he would have to leave? He would have to meditate and allow himself to be guided. Right now, he was in flight mode and last thing he wanted to do was miss the warning from the force. He gave one last reassuring glance at the babies and turned to go find a quiet place within the castle grounds. Maybe that way he could find a way to center himself.
(Few Hours Later)
Breha Organa went searching for the elusive Jedi. She thought she would find him with the babies but found they were asleep and that he had left quite sometime ago. She had her staff looking for him it wasn’t until a few hours later that he was found in her garden. She made her way into the beautiful courtyard and found him sitting under her favorite tree. His legs were crossed, and he looked very peaceful. She didn’t want to disturb him, so she turned to walk away and talk to him later however he opened his eyes and a soft smile came to his lips.
“You felt me coming?” Knowing he wouldn’t answer that she continued, “The arrangements have been made and the private funeral is set for tomorrow. We will hold a celebration of his life in the coming months so that way the people of Alderaan can mourn him but for his family tomorrow will be private. It is not custom for our people to mourn in public.
“I’m impressed your Majesty.” He spoke uncrossing his legs and stretching his back as he stood up.
“We’ll, we were always ready for the inevitable. Especially after the Clone Wars broke out across the galaxy, one could never not be certain. Hope for the best but prepare for the worse.” She gave a soft smile.
“He was a good man, your husband.” Obi-Wan looked down. He hadn’t really had a chance to mourn the man that had become an unlikely friend and ally. Someone he resisted at first due to him being a politician but soon saw him for the true man he was. A devoted man to the cause, a faithful man to his wife and all-around upstanding citizen. The galaxy lost someone special with Bail Organa passing. No telling what he would have achieved if he had not had a untimely death.
“How did he…?” Breha asked not wanting to say the words death yet finding the courage and wanting and needing the answer and finally nothing to distract them from the question that had been lingering in her thoughts.
Obi-Wan knew the question would come. He saw a small bench and directed them to it they both sat down. He knew he did not want to go into the full details from him fighting Anakin to Yoda going face to face with Darth Sidious or as everyone had known him as Chancellor Palpatine.
“After the fall of the Republic and Chancellor Palpatine became Emperor, a few others and I regrouped to figure out what we would do next. Senator Padme went into labor. We had taken her to a medical facility where she gave birth to Luke and Leia. Leia was in your husband’s arms when they attacked us. He died protecting Leia.”
He watched as the Queen took this in. She gave a soft smile. “We always wanted a baby girl of our own. I haven’t been able to carry to full term, so we wanted to wait, you know? After the Clone Wars were done. We did not want to raise our children in war. Guess we shouldn’t have waited.” She felt a wave of grief hit her suddenly and the harder she tried to hold onto the tidal wave of emotions she realized it was going to surge forward without her consent. “Excuse me.” She stood up as did Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan watched the retreating back of the Queen as she made her way back into the Palace before Obi-Wan could help reassure her or at least try and comfort her. Then a sudden idea came to his mind. What if he left the babies here? They would be safe, protected. Nobody would know they were here. He could move on. Try and figure out what he was going to do next with his life. Try and restore the Jedi Order? Fight the Empire? Or give up the dream of the Jedi all together and just simply move on and settle down somewhere and be lost on a planet for the rest of his days? How was he going to raise two children when he didn’t know the first thing about raising infants? He had no training in such a task. Besides what kind of life would he be giving them by dragging them along? That was it then. He would leave the babies with Queen Breha Organa. They would be safe and far away from the evil Empire and the clutches of Darth Sidious. Yet, for some reason. When he came to his decision, it didn’t sound right. Something was off. No matter what he did, he couldn’t shake it. Maybe the force was trying to tell him something, not to settle down on that idea so quickly. Obi-Wan knew though, time would only tell the path he would lead and which road he was going to go down. He would continue to meditate on the matter and hope that he was not making the wrong choice for all three of them.
TBC….
Notes:
Chapter Notes: Few things. Thank you so much for the amazing reviews. I never thought so many would be interested, so thank you. I will say this is probably the fastest story I’ve ever written in my life that I can remember, I’m actually having to slow myself down as the ideas are just flowing. I’m already up in the 16,000 words and climbing. So hopefully I can keep up the momentum. I was shocked how much I wrote of Breha, but then again, I killed her husband I guess I owe her a little limelight. Really, I think it came down to I watched to much of The Crown and other royal stuff lately that I guess I wanted to write some royalty shit, it fascinates the crap out of me what can I say lol. Told you I’d ramble. The next few chapters are a bit slow but Obi-Wan is trying to find himself and figure shit out the poor man is not going to have it easy, of course. Hope you liked it and let me know. Also, may everyone have an amazing Holiday and I’ll see y’all next year!
Chapter 3: Chapter 3 – Two Babies, A Man, and A Funeral – Part 2
Notes:
Notes: See ending notes for more information. Do not own any of these characters. Also, I used a new editing system, not trusting my own eyes anymore to find mistakes, so I hope it worked let me know!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The day came and went, and before Obi-Wan knew it, he was alone facing the idea of going to sleep and dreaming. After last night's escapade, the last thing he needed was a repeat occurrence. During the height of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan had learned how to go without little to no sleep. He had found out quickly if he got a power nap in, that was enough for him to survive. As long as he kept moving and stayed up on his feet, but if he did get too tired, he would find a quiet place and meditate using the force to help push his body. It had become quite a vicious cycle, to the point the Jedi Council would call him off the line a few times so that he could get rest. Yet, who had time for that when a war was going on?
Looking at his bed and not wanting to face the nightmares that he knew were waiting to greet him with open arms like a lover, he decided to check on the babies, that would keep him preoccupied for a few hours. The night would consist of him in no particular order, being thrown up on, changing diapers burping, and even feeding them. Though in the beginning, he tried to resist sleeping, he would end up falling fast asleep in a chair with both babies lying on his chest.
He didn't know he had fallen asleep till an assistance had come to wake him up, no touching this time just a soft cough to disturb his sleep and awaken him from his slumber.
Obi-Wan cracked open his eyes to see the same assistance who had woken him the first time was standing much further away this time. The man was taking no chances.
"Master Jedi, it is morning, and the funeral will begin in a few hours. Might I suggest you get ready?"
"Oh, yes, right, right. Thank you." Obi-Wan looked down and realized the last thing he wanted to do was wake Leia or Luke up. Feeling his distress, a nursemaid practically appeared out of nowhere and helped the Jedi Master out. The babies began to wake to sense something was amiss, no longer in the comfort of their protector; they began to wiggle and squirm in defiance.
They began crying the minute Obi-Wan began to step out of the room. For never being around babies, he was getting attached rather quickly, which though frowned upon in the Jedi Order, was one of Obi-Wan's bad habits. He had been devoted to his Master Qui-Gon to Satine Kryze to even his Padawan, no matter how hard he tried and pretended not to be attached, it was quite the opposite. It took everything in him to continue walking down the hall when he heard the babies start to cry. He wanted to soothe them, comfort them let them know there was nothing in the world that was going to hurt them, that he would be there for them. Yet he knew he had to get ready and be there for his friend. He pressed on down the hallway, and soon the crying became a distant thought as he made his way to his room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Everyone had made their way down to the great lake where the memorial service was taking place. It had been Bail's favorite place to go when he wanted to unwind and relax and try and not think about all the tragedies happening across the galaxy. He would just sit and look out at the water reflecting. It was his most treasured spot, and no one could think of a better way than to show their respect and love for the man that gave them so much.
Queen Breha Organa's stunning black dress flowed like a gentle black night sky. Her face hidden behind a black veil. Obi-Wan also was given black attire to wear as well, which he was grateful for.
Usually, he would not be bothered with changing his clothes, and he would typically just be wearing his Jedi robes and the hood drawn over his features from prying eyes. Yet, it was a tradition on Alderaan to wear black, so today he would be one of them, fitting in.
The small funeral was only meant for the royals and those closest to Bail Organa, to give a farewell to him and not have the world watching every move, that way they could mourn in peace. No words, just silence. No eulogy. The only sound that crept on everyone's ears was that of someone crying yet it was distinctively muffled and a few coughs here and there that would break the eerie quietness of those reflecting in the past. Everyone was to reflect on their memories and thoughts on Bail Organa. How the man had impacted and served Alderaan and what he did for those while serving as Senator.
Then Queen Organa, without a single sound, moved towards the water. She kissed something and put it down on the memorial. As she pushed the memorial craft out onto the water, Obi-Wan felt something, a warning, a cry in the force. His body immediately tensed up. His eyes began to scan, to look for what was warning him. Then a shuttle shot over their heads, casting a shadow over the memorial as the sound caught up. The little makeshift memorial tipped over from the engines as they flew by. No one had to see Queen Organa's face to know that the quiet fury that was ready to break like a dame in the water was coursing through her body. The complete and lack of disrespect for her late husband. As everyone turned to face the shuttle that was landing further away, Obi-Wan looked around to see if anyone was paying attention. Yet, everyone had directed their interest to the newcomers to see who dare to interrupt such a somber event. Knowing no one was paying him any thought or the little object floating on its side, Obi-Wan used the force quickly bringing the memorial back up and then gave it a slight push sending it out on its merry way. He gave a soft smile. Then he turned around himself, making sure to blend into the background of the other people.
The clone troopers ran out, creating a protective barrier as the man exited the shuttle. None other than Wilhuff Tarkin showed his presence. Making sure to hide behind a much taller man, knowing full well if Tarkin saw him he would be finished, he'd either be killed right then and there or taken in, imprisoned and only the force knew what they would do to him. Force only knew if Tarkin or any of the Clone troopers found the Skywalker babies. Obi-wan shuddered to think such a thing. The last time Kenobi had seen this man was when Ahsoka Tano was on trial. Another memory Obi-Wan was guilty over and how that whole thing was handled and how he contributed to everything or lack of in particular. There was not a day that went by that Obi-Wan didn't think he could have done more, protected his Grand Padawan more. Yet, he was still dealing with the pain of Duchess Satine's death. Queen Organa's voice interrupted his line of thought as she moved her way to intercept the man who dared to interfere with her late husband's memorial service.
"You have a lot of kriffing nerve Tarkin, showing up on the day of my husband's funeral. What could you possibly want with Alderaan? We want nothing to do with you or this new thing you call the Empire."
The man, with his hands behind his back, smiled, and glanced down at the many eyes staring at him. His eyes were scanning, looking for someone in particular.
"We have reasons to believe some traitors may have stopped here to recoup. Know anything about this? Mrs. Bail Organa?" She noticed how she said her late husband's name. She wanted to slap him for even daring to utter her husband's name in his slimy tongue.
Odd, Obi-Wan thought. Such a man of his caliber looking for fugitives seemed beneath him. Yet, it was highly likely that Tarkin was just trying to make a name for himself under the new regime that had taken over the galaxy. No telling with Tarkin. Obi-Wan never really liked the man from the beginning when he first met him at the citadel. He was too eerily similar to the politicians that Obi-Wan could not stand to be around. This man would push a child in front of a speeder, no doubt, if that meant gaining the advantage.
"No, we are not harvesting any fugitives, and if we were, what's to say we would tell you?" Crossing her arms.
"Because if we find that you have, I can rest assure you, Queen Organa, you and the rest of those on Alderaan will soon live to regret it."
"Big, bold threats and nothing to show for it. Do what you have and leave my planet. Your stench is ruining my husband's funeral."
Tarkin made the motion with his fingers. The troopers started in a few different directions, some headed for the landing pad, others toward the Palace. Obi-Wan knew they wouldn't find the shuttle, and they had already taken the measures to hide it. However, that is not what concerned him. It was the group that was coming towards them. As they began their search, everyone else had turned back around include Queen Organa, as they wanted to finish their memorial service. Yet as they walked back to the water, they were started to get spread out so they could see everyone's faces. Obi-Wan knew for sure he would be seen and indisputably recognized. Without even thinking about it, he started coughing harshly, to the point he covered his face with his elbow. Using his other hand, he created a fist to pounding on his chest to act as though he had something caught in his airway from being sick. He moved quickly to leave the area to try and disappear from the searching eyes; however, they were not all fooled, and two troopers chased after him when they realized they had not seen his face.
"Hey, let me see your face."
He continued coughing dramatically and keeping his stride to the Palace. He needed to make sure what he did next; nobody was paying him any attention. As he rounded the corner where the palace steps started to form, they caught up to him. They grabbed his shoulder and turned him around.
"Hey I know you, you're a Jedi, your Obi-"
"You do not recognize me." Raising his hand in front of them.
"I do not recognize you." Both storm troopers replied with no emotion in their voice.
"You will go back to your ship and inform your squad leader there are no fugitives on this planet.”
"Nothing to find here." The two clone troopers spun around and headed back. Obi-Wan watched them as they told their squad leader and their lack of findings. The squad leader agreed and informed Tarkin. The man gave the signal for everyone to board the ship; they would try their luck somewhere else. As everyone boarded, he continued to stare at the Queen, and from even where Obi-Wan stood, he could see a sinister smile across his lips. The hair on the back of Obi-Wan's neck stood up on end, and for whatever reason, he felt a foreboding feeling from them both. Tarkin, with his arms still behind his back, turned on his heel, got back up on the shuttle, and left. Obi-Wan followed the trajectory as it left the atmosphere.
With the excitement done and the funeral now over, Obi-Wan intercepted the Queen as she made her way back to the Palace, the group of mourners dispersing going their separate ways.
"I'm truly sorry your Majesty, if I would have known," Obi-Wan started but stopped she put her hand up to stop him in midsentence.
"Master Jedi," Stopping to correct herself, "Ben. You had no idea they would come at this moment in time, did you? Even if you weren't here, they would have still come regardless. Do not apologize for something you had no control over. Now, say we get out of these melancholy clothes and slip into something more comfortable?" She then left, leaving Obi-Wan to follow her.
It wouldn't be till that dinner that Obi-Wan would announce he was leaving Alderaan and taking the babies with him. The sadness that came over Queen Bail Organa's face almost made Obi-Wan rethink the entire situation at hand. But he knew he was doing the right thing, especially after the events that happened earlier in the day. He could not risk it. He had to do what was best for the children, and he was their highest chance of survival.
"Want you rethink it over? I can protect them. Educate them? A life better than what you could provide them." She looked down, "I'm sorry that came out wrong."
"Yes, I do believe you could give them a brighter future," she looked back up as he spoke, "However, what if they come back? Or worse someone who is force sensitive comes with them next time. You have no one to protect their force signatures, do you?" He knew he couldn't stay there because he knew he'd bring the Empire down on their heads, and he couldn't do that to them. 'No,' shaking his head at the mere thought of them falling into the wrong hands.
"I have to keep moving, keep them out of the reach of the Empire. I don't know what Darth Sidious would even do if he found out about them. Turn them. Kill them. I can't take that chance, and I can't make the same mistake with them as I did with their father. The whole galaxy is burning because of me." Obi-Wan looked down away from the judging eyes of the Queen. He was surprised to hear her get up, move beside him, pulling a chair and grabbing his hands into hers.
"Master Jedi, with all due respect, the galaxy was burning long before you were even a wink in the Jedi's eye, and it will burn long after you have passed into the great beyond. I can't begin to understand what you have been through, but I do know we were a lot safer with the Jedi looking after us. The galaxy seemed to go a lot darker without them in it. Please do not give in or give up. You are our only hope."
Obi-Wan looked up, and for the first time since Order 66, since the fall of the Republic, he felt a renewed strength in him once more. An inner fight to survive, to live to see the future play out.
"I do hope you will not forget about us and that your path will lead you back here."
"I can't promise you because I do not know what the future holds, changing it always is. However, anytime I can, I will bring them here. You will be our haven, that is if you will have us."
The Queen smiled for the first time since finding out her husband died. "Of course." The two found solace in one another and a possible new friendship. Both had something in common. Both had their worlds turned upside down yet somehow was able to find the light. With nothing left to say between them at that moment, Obi-Wan would stand up, give a respectable bow and leave.
They wouldn't reunite until they were out on the landing pad.
"I gave you one of our medical droids. I think it will help you with the new babies. We also stocked your shuttle with as many supplies as we could. Please Ben, if you ever need anything,"
"I know your just a jump away. I promise, thank you for everything, your Majesty."
"Please, it's Bre."
Obi-Wan climbed aboard the ship. He moved the ship into position and piloted it out of orbit and into space. Checking the systems to make sure there were no enemies, he turned his seat to look back. "So, where to? Luke, Leia, any suggestions? How about you, Artoo?"
R2-D2 whistled and chimed. "Yeah, I don't think I want to do a desert anytime soon." Obi-Wan smiled as the droid chattered at him. "Guess you're not a fan of sand either. We'll let the force guide hasn't let me down so far." Obi-Wan turned back around in his chair, typed some coordinates into the ship, and before they knew it, they were jumping into hyperspace.
(Alderaan)
Queen Breha Oranga was standing once again at her window, looking up at the sky. She had a small smile on her face. She did have hope. There would be peace in the galaxy, maybe not right away a lot of uncertainty, but there was optimism for the future. She knew after how the Empire had shown up on their doorstep, and she would do everything to fund and help out with any resistance because she knew for a fact that is what Bail would have done, and she would be damned if she sat idly by, not when she had fight left in her.
TBC…..
Notes:
Well, I wasn't going to do an update so quickly, but I had a little time, and I saw what's coming up on my schedule and realized I was not going to be probably in the mood or energy to write. I seriously have multiple field exercises coming up, and I want to pull my freaking hair out, but I will take my notebook and continue to write in it. I did a few nods to the originals, and the prequels hoped you liked my fan services nods, don’t think they were too damn campy. Hope y'all enjoy the new Star Wars Episode is about to come out, and may everyone have an amazing holiday season. P.S. Thank you for the few reviews that I have gotten. You genuinely push me to continue to be a better writer!!!
Chapter Text
Still don't own crap! If you see mistakes, honestly, I'm sorry! I hope it's not too distracting. I put it through grammarly and see if that doesn't help! It's hard to read one's work and find all the corrections that are required, so hopefully, it flows well, and you find some little enjoyment out of it.
Chapter Four - Home Sweet Home…For Now – Part 1
"Obi-Wan, have you done what I have instructed, have you trained the boy?"
Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open. It took a few seconds for him to get his bearing, and he realized he had fallen asleep in the pilot seat. He didn't know he had drifted off. Twisting his stiff neck, he moved his body, cracking his back in the process. R2 was dormant until Obi-Wan started to move around and make noise. The little astro droid began chirping.
"Yes, we are nearly there, Artoo."
Obi-Wan went back and forth, trying to decide where he could hide them. Every planet was a gamble. If he took them to any core planets, they were sure to be overrun by the Empire. If he took them to an outer-rim world, they were sure to have to dodge general scum of the universe and maybe a bounty hunter if they even sent one out looking for him. Perhaps they would just forget all about him, get on with creating their new Empire, and just leave him out of it. Nobody would hunt for him or search for him. He would be left to raise the new babies. Obi-Wan almost snorted out loud with that line of thinking. There was no way they would just forget about him. If anything, he'd probably be on the top of their list. Which means he would have to be even extra careful. Try and always think one step ahead of them, which, if anyone knew how to do it was Obi-Wan. It would not be an easy road, but then again, Obi-Wan always liked to go the hard road; it was wired into him from a very young age. Besides, the enemy always suspected one to take the easier route, not try and come at them sideways and take the much harder path to get to them. It was a very unpredictable move.
"Obi-Wan, I'm curious. Why take the route to get to your objective? It would have been easier to have gone this route like the other younglings."
Obi-Wan, with his small frame, hands clasped behind his back, completely standing at ease but able to stare the much larger Jedi Master without hesitation.
"Because it was just that, easy. Besides, the enemy would expect you to take the easier way, it would be a good place to ambush, and it's a choke point that the enemy could use against you, attack with their forces."
The master nodded and smiled. He placed his large hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders. "My that is very strategic thinking. Taking the harder road, not going the easier route, most masters would even make that mistake. Very impressive, youngling."
Obi-Wan smiled brightly.
Sounds from the ship pulled him out of the memory. He flipped a few switches, they dropped out of hyperspace, and the planet of Ryloth snapped into view. "Home sweet home Artoo."
R2D2 chirped back at him, taking the sight in and processing the new home. "I know, I know. Least it's not Tatooine, I can't imagine living on that planet for the rest of my life." Starting the preparation to land, "Besides, it's one of the few planets we can go to Artoo without risk of being caught. The Twi'lek people are very kind, and they are pacifists for the most part."
His mind flashed to the battle on Ryloth. It was quick flashes from the battle leading into the village to even picking up the little girl and finding the villagers. The sound of the robot laughing training the gun on him. Obi-Wan came back to the present again. He took in a deep breath. He was thinking about how things could change so quickly and rapidly. It truly felt like yesterday he was here helping to free the planet from the Separatist, and now he was returning to try and hide and fit in as much as he could without drawing too much unnecessary attention to himself.
It would be a few hours later, and he was able to secure a small hut that had been abandoned by its previous owner. He quickly did work to give Leia and Luke a spot in the shelter and to make sure they were warm and fed and still in good health from the journey. He knew his credits would run dry quickly, and he would have to find some form of work. However, what would he do with the tiny Skywalkers? He couldn't leave them unguarded, unprotected. He had seen a nice size village further up the road when he had been landing the shuttle. He would make his way up there and see if someone was looking for a hand. He decided he needed something to carry the newborns. Looking to see if Luke and Leia were still asleep, he went back to the ship, looking through the stuff the Alderaan people had given him. He almost gave up until he found something that might work. Grabbing the wrap of material and walking back out. Gently and carefully so as not to wake the sleeping babies, he wrapped them up, securing them to his chest. He tested it out, moving around. It took a few moments to trust his work and to remove his hands for fear of not doing it correctly. He had gotten the idea from seeing other mothers carrying their infants in the bazaars and markets across the many different planets.
"What do you think, Artoo?"
He was turning around with his hands on his hips and a proud smile. R2 chirped at him, and he gave a glare at the asteroid droid. "Well, if you can come up with something better, be my guest." Only sound R2 made was a low whistle, "That's what I thought." Obi-Wan satisfied he had won that little argument.
Obi-Wan turned to leave the hut and heard R2D2 making his way to follow. "No, Artoo. I need you to stay here, watch over the home. Guard it. Let me know of anything suspicious." Obi-Wan left, not hearing R2 let out a sad cry at being left alone.
(Village)
The walk wasn't very long, and before he knew it, he was in town, moving among the locals. Thankfully he wasn't the only human walking around, but they were the minority. He had his hood up to keep the sun out of his face and to keep any wanting eyes getting a glance at him.
Obi-Wan Kenobi made it to the village. He glanced down at the infants who were pretty content in their bundle next to his warm chest. He looked around and started walking onto the street to cross it when he heard a Twi'lek calling to her brother,
"Nerra, Nerra!"
Obi-Wan stopped and stared at the child running across the street, chasing after an older male Twi'lek. Instantly he was no longer in the village but trapped in a memory. Instead of the road, he was staring down a tank barrel. He tried to move, to get out of the way, but he couldn't. The little green Twi'lek was trying to help him up.
"You lose, Kenobi, hahaha," the droid laughing, realizing it was able to kill the famous General of the Clone Wars. Able to outmaneuver a Jedi by its calculations.
"OUTTA THE WAY!"
Obi-Wan blinked the memory and instinctively stepped back to avoid the collision with the Twi'lek passing by in a speeding vehicle. He could feel his heart pounding like it always did during any battle. He couldn't understand what was going on and why he couldn't stop these memories and thoughts racing through his head. It was like he had no self-control suddenly. 'Great, Kenobi, good job in not creating a scene for yourself.' Noticing eyes on him and the small scene he had just created.
Why were these memories suddenly affecting him, he never knew when and where and why they would come on so strong. The mind healers would tell him all the time he should deal with his pain, come to terms with it. He just never felt like he had time to heal or deal with it in general. So he did what he always did with everything that happened in his life, place it at the back of his mind, refusing to think about it. Get on with the mission. Who had time to take a knee and talk about one's feelings and past horrors when he was a General in the biggest war the universe had seen?
Maybe he was having a mental break down. Great timing! Besides, could even Jedi have those? He couldn't remember ever hearing about a Jedi having psychological issues. Then again, it's not like they discussed their feelings with one another openly. Though, after all, he'd had been through, he would merit one. But who had time for one of those?
Moving away from where he had the episode, he started walking down the street, stopping ever so slightly to either look at what type of refreshments they offered and other material they sold at the bazaar. He walked by a shop and saw the help wanted sign. Hopefully, the force was on his side. He walked into the little shop where a large and tall red Twi'lek stood. There was no doubt the Twi'lek looked at him with suspicion. Then again, it's not like Obi-Wan didn't stand out. A human male with two infants strapped to his chest. It was probably a sight to see.
"What brings you in?"
"I saw the help wanted sign, Seeing if I could give my assistance for some food and money."
"Not often we see your kind around here, last time we had the separatists and republic coming down on our heads. A lot of good Twi'leks died."
"I can assure you I am not here to make trouble. Just to get by and get back up on my feet."
Before the male could speak another word to Obi-Wan, a child female Twi'lek came running in with arms out, rushing to the red Twi'lek. She began to jump up and down, craving her father's attention, not taking no for an answer. He quickly picked her up, giving a disapproving look, but she was happy just to be up in his arms.
Obi-Wan gave a soft smile. She looked around the age of Ahsoka when she was found and brought to the temple by Master Plo Koon. The father hugged his child and looked back at Obi-Wan and dropped his guard down. "Her mother was killed in the Clone Wars when the Separatists had attacked and held us hostage." The little one finally let go of her father's neck, he then placed her down where she then stood behind his leg.
"The mother, where is she?" Finally, asking about the little ones that Obi-Wan continued to hold. He could feel one of the babies starting to stir, beginning to become restless. It was about that time to feed them.
"There mother died, I'm all they have left." From a certain point of view, he wasn't lying. Then again, what if Padme was still alive? Impossible. He quickly got his mind off that train of thought.
"In that case, a father to another father. Welcome."
Obi-Wan smiled. "Thank you, when can I start?"
"Now, if you so like?"
The soft sound coming from baby Luke told him otherwise. "Uhh, I still have to find someone to watch them, and it's almost feeding time."
"That's okay you can bring them here, what is your name again?"
"Ben," for half a second he panicked he hadn't even thought of the last name. "Waken, Ben Waken" Putting out his hand to shake the Twi'lek's hand.
"Mitccha Gilsoll, this little one here is Gawnarin," The little one looked up at Obi-Wan's eyes. Her red skin and white lines and beautiful green eyes stood against her vibrant colors.
Getting onto his knees, almost feeling like he would topple over with the babies, he spoke to Gawnarin in her language, saying hello that he was Ben, and it was a pleasure to meet such a beautiful Twi'lek. She smiled and pulled on her father's leg; even at her age, knowing for someone not of their race to speak their language was rare. Obi-Wan stood back up and saw the shock on Mitccha's face.
"You know…you know our language, not many do. Where did you say you are from?"
"I didn't, Stewjon, great education."
Obi-Wan realized he'd have to try a little harder and not fall into old habits. Everything he was used to doing as a Jedi, he would have to reverse it and think about how he was going to approach every situation. Have a backstory ready. Like everything in life, it came with a power curve, and it was a lesson he had to adapt quickly, or he would not survive in his new life. Thankfully Obi-Wan was one of the few that excelled and was able to adapt to any situation he was thrown in. However, one never wanted to be unprepared, and that is how Obi-Wan had felt the last few days. The sound of Luke's crying penetrating his thoughts.
"Oh bother, I forgot their stuff. I shall be back to start work?"
Mitccha nodded his head in approval and watched them leave. He looked down at his little one and brought her back up into his arms. There was something about Ben; he just could not put his finger on. Maybe it will come to him later. He turned to the window to take the help sign down now that he had found his support.
~*~**~*~*~
Obi-Wan walked through the door. Luke had been crying for some time now, and he tried calming him down, but then Leia was now crying as well. Both babies were hungry and wanting attention. R2D2 whistled at the idea of him coming through the door, greeting him, and chirping at him.
"Yes, Artoo, I'm happy to see you as well."
He walked over to the table and unwrapped the babies and gently placed them down. Both Leia and Luke were screaming in protest, not happy with their situation at all. Since Luke was the first to start crying, he felt the diaper and realized it was full. Obi-Wan hadn't even realized, but R2 had taken off and suddenly was next to him, bumping his leg. He turned around to see him handing him more cloth to change out the babies.
"Oh right, thank you, Artoo."
What Obi-Wan Kenobi failed to know since this was his first official time changing a babies' dipper was little boys you had to watch out for one particular nuisance. They had a habit of peeing on those who are ill-prepared. Obi-Wan released the cloth and heard it before he saw it as Luke Skywalker child of Anakin Skywalker, peed on the once highly respected General of the Clone Wars and High Council member, Master Obi-wan Kenobi.
Luke was still crying; he looked down at himself and let out a sigh. The universe sure had a funny way of putting things into perspective. As he cleaned up Luke, he knew the baby would want food next; it was about time for that. Leia was still crying as well.
He quickly did the same routine for Leia, cleaning her up Obi-Wan used the force to bring the babies bottles to him. He then did the same thing undressing quickly and discarding his clothes to put on new ones he placed the babies into his arms as they were looking up at him as they were drinking their milk. It would be a few hours before he would show back up at the shop with them.
"No, Artoo, stay here like last time." The protocol droid made the most pathetic sound that Obi-Wan had ever head come from the thing. Deciding it might be okay to have the little space droid with him, Obi-Wan nodded his head, "fine, you can come, but you're going to stay with the babies understood." R2D2 practically danced, and as Obi-Wan turned on his heel, R2 sped after him.
(The Shop)
"Ahh, so your back, and you brought a friend?" R2D2 stayed behind Obi-Wan, being protected by the Jedi Master. He was mimicking what Gawnarin had done earlier with her father.
"Yes, sorry, I had a bit of a delay with the babies. He'll be no trouble. Artoo will just watch the babies and alert me if they need anything."
"Here, follow me, I'll show you where to put them."
The room Mitccha brought him looked like a spot for younglings; that's for sure. There was a helpful section for the babies. Gawnarin was already in there playing with something. As he placed the babies into a pretty little makeshift crib and taking a glance back at them, he followed Mitccha out as Gawnarin came over to R2D2. She started walking around him, feeling him, and then tried to touch R2's eye. R2 backed up and whistled at her. She then giggled now, seeing the droid as a new plaything.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Obi-Wan, now Ben, set into his daily routine of helping out at the shop. It had been a few cycles, and he found himself for once at peace. He didn't have much time to dwell on things, helping running a shop kept his mind preoccupied. He was either run ragged by the babies and always blocking their force signatures, and then when he wasn't doing that, he was helping Mitccha out. It would be something simple as sweeping, and Obi-Wan would jump to it. As strange as it sounded, it was having a purpose again. With the fall of the Jedi, what was his purpose in life? Obviously, it was to protect the Skywalkers, but he needed to do something, keep his hands moving. If he's on his feet moving his hands, it will keep his mind focused on the task at hand, and he would be too busy or too tired to be thinking about the past. When he had time, he would try and meditate and center himself like a good Jedi ought to do. Yet, it seemed, the harder he tried, the worse it got for him. So he did what he did best, focusing on the task at hand, and everything was going well for the most part. Obi-Wan knew better than anyone else; if things were going well and running smoothly, always expect the unexpected and prepare for something. Which of course, the day finally came.
It had been a regular day; for the most part, Ben was to watch over the store as Mitccha went into the central city to pick up a few things. He was tinkering away on some droid and felt it flash before him. Something hit him in the force, something unsettling. He rose from his seat and immediately checking on the baby Skywalkers. He knew it wasn't them that was putting him on edge. It was something else. He had to temper the feeling of wanting to take the Skywalkers and just leave. Get out of there before everything hits the fan. Yet why was he being warned? It wasn't screaming him to go, so what was causing him to be on edge. He knew whatever was telling him to be on guard would come to a head, but when?
(Main City)
Mitccha had been looking for a particular part so they could fix the machine for their consumer. He had been so focused on his goal; he turned and ran into a trooper. The same stark white uniforms he had seen before. The ones that had been on Ryloth, the ones that still give him nightmares. "Hey, watch it." The trooper was speaking loudly.
"Pardon me." Mitccha dropped his eyes, showing submission, not wanting them to bother him or give them a reason to start anything with him. He began to move away when he felt a grasp on his arm; he turned so Mitccha could see who had a hold of him. It was the same trooper he had accidentally bumped into now fear began to hit his gut. 'What did they want?' He had apologized!
"Hey, have you seen this individual?" The trooper's hand came up, holding out a wanted beacon. There, in a blue hue, was Ben's face. Yet, his name wasn't Ben Wardin. It was Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. He looked at the details about Obi-Wan. He is considered to be very dangerous—approach with extreme caution. The man on this wanted beacon is a traitor to the new Empire, and a ridiculous bounty was on his head, large enough that Mitccha would never have to worry about life for himself or his daughter again. He pursed his lips. Wetting them. His eyes came off the wanted beacon and looked up he knew the decision he had to make, Mitccha just hoped he was making the right one.
TBC….
Notes:
Authors Notes: Soooooo it's been a while. I honestly had quite a bit written just a few things that happened during the months perusing after the last chapter update. Not to mention the unthinkable happened, I just kind of fell out of love with Star Wars. I guess the latest episodes didn't go the way I wanted them to go, and it was hard to stay in touch with this story and others. Then I was told I was going to deploy, which I was excited about that, then….dreaded COVID-19 happened…thank you sooooo freaking much. So, with all that during the last few months, I've started the question…why am I writing this…this is shit…no one thinks this is good, do they…do I even want to continue? You know the usual shit, lol. I'll try and maintain, but I'm having a hard time, so least I gave you the fair warning, but at least I've done Part 2 to this. I had to split this chapter up; it was getting longer and longer. The next one won't be as super long.
Chapter Text
"Hey, have you seen this individual?"
Mitccha did not know what made his mind finally click, but he suddenly realized where he had seen Ben Wardin from; Ben was the legendary High General Obi-Wan Kenobi. The man who helped liberate his planet, Ryloth.
The sounds of screaming, the smell of burning crops, the sound of destruction everywhere, and those of his people dying right there in front of Mitccha. The Separatists had attacked, deciding their planet was the next one to be occupied. Mitccha remembered being rounded up and held against his will. All seemed lost for the people of Ryloth, with no hope the Republic would break through the barricade that the Separatists had placed around his planet. Yet, the Jedi and his troops showed up, releasing them, and almost got himself killed in the process. His people, including Mitccha, rallied against the battle droids taking out the TX-20 that had pointed its giant cannon at Kenobi, bent on killing the General.
It was because of the Jedi, and General Kenobi and his troops that he was alive and free and not in the hands of some slaver or, worse, killed. He owed everything to this Jedi. The last thing he would do was give up the man who saved his life to something as cruel as the Empire.
Though it felt like an eternity in Mitccha's head before he responded to the trooper standing there waiting for an acceptable response, it was only mere seconds. Quickly he answered so as not to raise suspicion, "A Jedi, huh? Nope haven't seen em."
Then, for whatever reason, the dumbest luck possible, one of the most annoying Twi'lek that Mitccha had ever met stuck his business where it did not belong.
"Hey, isn't that Ben that works with you? Looks just like him I think, you have a criminal working for you Mitccha!"
Mitccha wanted to roll his eyes, punch the living shit out of Cipsaho, and walk away from this drama escalating way too quickly. Cipsaho had no friends in the village, which was a prime example of why everyone hated this Twi'lek. "No, you fool, I think I would know if I had a Master Jedi working with me. They look nothing alike. Frang! You think all humans look alike you ignorant bantha."
The clone trooper stood there, looking for some truth to either Mitccha's story or Cipsaho"s. Not being able to read the trooper's body language due to the armor they wore, Mitccha hoped his desperate attempt to make them not believe was enough. Yet Cipsaho kept talking.
"I mean who doesn't get humans mixed up but come on even you can't deny it's uncanny how similar they look."
Mitccha knew murder was a crime, but in this instant, he was pretty sure he could get many of his fellow villagers on his side. All he would have to do is explain that Cipsaho was the reason the Empire killed Obi-Wan Kenobi due to the stupidity of one Twi'lek. He was pretty sure no one would ever know or put him up on crimes for the murder. Everyone would agree, Cipsaho needed to die a horrible death.
More troopers walked up, and the one who had been asking the question about Obi-Wan's location snapped to attention. Their leader had walked up, and the situation went from bad to worse. Mitccha tried to salvage the whole mess one more time, so he could walk away from this burning ship, "Cipsaho probably had one too many at the tavern, if you know what I mean?" No response from the troopers, "you know when you had one too many, say things get everyone riled up. I think it's safe to say there are no Jedi here."
The clone trooper seemed to ignore Mitccha's last words, for he looked at his leader.
"Sir, we may have a lead," pointing to Cipsaho, "says there is a male that looks like Kenobi working for," now pointing at Mitccha "at his shop."
"Take us to your village, now." This was not a request but a demand and Mitccha now knew he had no choice but to comply.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Obi-Wan finished the last of what was required of him. He figured if Mitccha didn't show up soon enough, he would take the twins and head home for the evening. He was trying to get them into a sound sleep pattern and normal cycle for himself and them. He had downloaded all the material he could on babies. Taking the information in as though he was studying the enemy and planning a siege, he made notes and learned until his eyes hurt and he had to nurse a migraine. If there was one thing Obi-Wan Kenobi was known for, if he didn't know something or was unfamiliar with a subject, he would study the crap out of it until he was a Master. After all, he was a perfectionist. From all his studies, one of the biggest takeaways was getting them on a schedule and keeping it.
Thinking back to his first memories, how much they had set times of what they could do and when they could do it.
As he finished up, closed the shop, and grabbed the babies, something pinged in the force. A warning. Something foreboding, warning him. He looked around and didn't sense anything but the babies and R2. He walked out of the door when he heard a commanding voice.
"MOVE."
As Twi'leks scrambled out of the way, Obi-Wan could spot the starking almost blinding white of a clone trooper's armor. He saw Mitccha in front of them, leading them right towards himself and the twins. He only had seconds to see them and make his move before he was spotted. Obi-Wan knew if he took off, he would be spotted, so the only choice was to step back into the shop. R2D2 following as the door shut, Obi-Wan tried to think quickly. He moved into the back, where they stored all their supplies and parts.
"Artoo," whispering, fearing how close they may be and not wanting to speak too loud, "go dormant." R2D2 powered down instantly without a question or a chirp, sensing the urgency in the manner. Obi-Wan called upon the force and jumped high, disappearing quickly into the back part of the shelves where it was dark and hard to see if someone was hiding—thanking the force that Leia and Luke were still fast asleep and had not waken up for what seemed their hundred snack of the day. Just as the soldiers walked into the back, Obi-Wan used the force to throw a cover over R2D2, hiding him from any prying eyes that may recognize the droid.
"Spread out, check the back." A commanding voice could be heard as the sound of footsteps shuffling as they moved into where Obi-Wan was hiding with the children.
Obi-Wan had to wonder, 'had Mitccha betrayed him? For what? How much? Would they go to his home next? Did they know where it was in the first place? How would he get off the planet if they destroyed his ship? He could hear the troopers opening the door and not being subtle at all about looking for him. Leia let out a soft whimper; it was time for them to be fed. It was a gentle warning before all hell broke loose, and Leia made it known she was hungry. The panic almost hit Obi-Wan instantly.
'No, no, no, no, this couldn't be the time.' Without even a slight hesitation, he sent Luke and Leia a sleep suggestion. He felt terrible for having to do it but it was life or death for himself and possibly them. The babies had no choice in the manner and fell asleep, not knowing the type of danger they were all in.
"Where does he live?" He could hear one of the clone troopers bark at Mitccha. He could listen to Mitccha's voice quivering. "I don't know, he never told me. Please, I don't think he is the Jedi you are looking for. Please, my people, have suffered enough. What else more do you want from me?"
Obi-Wan's ears strained to listen to the rest of the conversation as the clone troopers moved out of the supply room, what sounded like them talking and hopefully the sound of them leaving. Obi-Wan stayed up there. He dared not move and give away his position. He could hear Mitccha coming back and looking around, trying to find where Obi-Wan must have hidden or where he thought he had hidden.
"You can come out Ben, they have gone. I know how this looks, I didn't sell you out."
Reaching into the force, Obi-Wan no longer felt the warning; he felt no danger. Nothing said Mitccha was lying to him. What Mitccha spoke was the truth, for now. Deciding he could no longer hold his position, he came out from his spot and jumped down directly behind Mitccha without a sound. It wasn't till he spoke that Mitccha spun around, surprised to find Obi-Wan standing behind.
"I'm listening." Obi-Wan crossed his arms. A slight eyebrow up.
Mitccha put his hands up as though in defense, trying to show his innocence as though Obi-Wan was going to strike him down right then and there. Of course, it was absurd even to think Obi-Wan would do something so heinous, but Mitccha wanted Obi-Wan to know without a doubt that there indeed was nothing he could have done to prevent them from following him home.
"Some troopers stopped me and showed me a wanted beacon with your face on it, I…I tried to tell them I didn't want them coming this way, but Cipsaho, a town fool, said something and said he recognized you, and well, you know the rest. But, I swear, Obi-Wan, I would never give you up." Mitccha went on the hope by actually saying the Jedi's name; he could show that he meant the Jedi no will harm and that his secrete was safe with him.
Obi-Wan eyes flashed. 'He knows my real name. He knows who I am and probably why I'm on the run.' He shifted his weight and studied Mitccha intently. Nothing told Obi-Wan the Twi'lek was lying to him. Yet his survivor instincts made him want to flee, not to get settled, that he should abandon this notion of ever being able to rest for longer than a few months. "Now you know who I am; what do you plan on doing with that information?"
"Look, can we go sit down and have a drink?" Finally, dropping his hands that had still been up since this entire conversation started.
Not feeling threatened or pending danger from doing so, he nodded in acceptance of the offer.
A few minutes later, after retrieving the sleeping babies from the shelves and awakening R2, the two males sat face to face, with drinks in their hands as they slowly sipped.
"You know, I'm kind of glad I know who you are. Took me a second, but once I saw the name it all came back to me."
Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow, unsure where this conversation would lead.
"See, I never got to thank you and your men for helping us. I was part of the group you helped rescue that day from the Separatists. Kam'koru, or Koru, Gawnarin's mother resisted and tried hiding her away when she resisted and was killed in the process. Didn't need anyone being rebellious amongst our group." Looking down at his drink, he was grasped in the memory, holding onto him tightly, "We didn't know what was going to happen to us. Not sure if we would be traded into slavery or just killed once the Separatists were done. Yet, then you and the troopers showed up and freed us. I wish it were something we should or could have done before you even got there but we," shaking his head, correcting himself, "I was too afraid to do what was needed to be done. But, you inspired us when you took down those tanks. You and your men showed no fear. It was probably one of the bravest acts I've seen besides Koru."
He could feel tears threatening. He shook his head and took a drink, and looked at Obi-Wan. "Anyways, I'm glad I get to thank the man that rescued me and was the true hero that day."
Obi-Wan, not looking at him with any type of judgment, gave a slight smile.
"I would disagree. You had a child to look out for; that is the true hero. But, sometimes, doing nothing is doing the best thing. I'm sorry you lost Koru. The war claimed too many lives, especially those not even a part of it. The true innocent. They deserved to live peacefully, not be pulled into a senseless war. I just wish I could have done more." Obi-Wan said his heart heavy with the burden.
The two sat in silence until Mitccha had to ask the question. He heard about the clone troopers turning on the Jedi; the Jedi were now the enemy of the new Empire that came from the ashes of the Republic. It didn't seem authentic, and he didn't believe it until the holonet, and everything changed for the worse.
"Begs the question, what happened? Why are you now hunted down and considered the enemy. Always seemed the Jedi where good, not on the side of evil."
Obi-Wan took a swig of his drink, letting the cold hit his throat. He knew the question eventually would come up, but it's not like he wanted to discuss it. Making it so real again in his mind.
"We were betrayed and deceived. We were blinded, and we didn't see the end game until it was too late. Our clone troopers turned on us, killing hundreds if not thousands of us ordered by the new Emperor. We all went into hiding, or so I hope. I don't know who all survived. I could be the only one left." Obi-Wan said the last sentence, feeling a heavy weight. To not know if he was the only surviving Jedi was heart-wrenching. However, he would hope and trust in the force that he wasn't the only one to escape with his life; he just couldn't be. "I sent out a warning message, but not sure if anyone received it, only time would tell. Till then, I will continue to hide and protect the babies as long as I live, or until my dying last breath if I must."
"…the babies. They are not yours, are they? Who's do they belong too?"
Obi-Wan debated for a few seconds in his head. "No, I can't tell you their identity it must remain a secrete, I am sorry friend. If you were to be caught, there are powerful people who could make you give up that name even if your heart was not too. I'm sorry, just know they are special, and I must protect them with my life."
If on cue, the babies awoke from their force suggestion and started wailing.
"That's enough excitement for one day, don't you think?" Obi-Wan left his drink as Mitccha continued to sit at his seat, watching as the Jedi left the room to go and retrieve the children. R2 started chirping, recognizing that it was time to leave and return home. Mitccha stood up as Obi-Wan headed towards the door.
"Obi-Wan," who stopped and turned back around to look at Mitccha, "Ben. I do hope you decide to stay and do not run after this. I will protect you and them, 'glancing at the fussy babies, then directly at the tired Jedi, "you protected my people with your life, as I shall do the same. You are welcome to stay until you feel it's no longer safe for you and them.
Not wanting to answer, Obi-Wan would have to think about what he wanted to do next and his options. Meditate on it. Seek out what the force directed him to do before he made any decisions on the manner. He gave a small smile, "thank you, Mitccha." With that, he was out the door and into the night.
TBC…..
Well...it has been quite some time since the last time I updated this. Two years and some change, huh? To be honest, after the sequels, I fell out of SW. It just did me in, I guess. So then, we got the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, which of course, I LOVED, and here I am. One of the stories I enjoyed writing was this silly little thing. So hopefully, you still want this, and well....see y'all around till next time. Promise I won't take two years to update a new chapter.
Notes:
Well...it has been quite some time since the last time I updated this. Two years and some change, huh? To be honest, after the sequels, I fell out of SW. It just did me in, I guess. So then, we got the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, which of course, I LOVED, and here I am. One of the stories I enjoyed writing was this silly little thing. So hopefully, you still want this, and well....see y'all around till next time. Promise I won't take two years to update a new chapter.
Chapter 6: Chapter 5 – Down with the Sickness
Summary:
R2-D2 is an asshole, that is all.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 5 – Down with the Sickness
Chapter 5 – Down with the Sickness
Obi-Wan Kenobi felt like a bantha had run over his entire body multiple times and left him to die in the desert sands of Tatooine as he cracked one eye open for the first time that day. He felt like his entire body was lacking any energy to get up and see the baby Skywalkers that were now crying out in the Force and with their tiny lungs. He could not remember the last time he got this sick this fast.
He felt incredibly hot, and no matter how much he tried to tell himself to get up and move, he just lacked the will. It was like his entire body was stuck in slow-mo as he sat up and regretted it already. The pounding in his head made him want to vomit as the world spun around a few times before he could get his bearings. Finally, putting one foot down, he moved to stand up. He honestly could not remember the last time he felt like this, and though Jedi hardly got sick, it was inevitable, and apparently, it was his turn. It was the worst timing because he was the only soul giver of the Skywalkers.
As he put another foot down and continued to find the energy to stand up and make his way to the tiny screaming infants, he felt he was getting sick prelude to the headache. Yet he thought he could stubborn through it and somehow get miraculously better on his own. Happened all the time during the Clone Wars and even before that. He would be fine if he willed away an injury or illness and didn't pay close attention. Though thinking about those memories and could hear loud as day Cody, his Commander, going on a tangent about not taking care of himself or even Anakin mentioning how well he didn't take care of himself. 'No, no, I don't want to think about them.' When he was vulnerable, the overwhelming guilt and pain hit him, and he didn't have enough energy to dwell on such horrific parts of his past. Not to mention he had yet to think of where was Ahsoka Tano in all this mess and what had become of her?
As a cough rattled his head and made him wince, grabbing it to try and steady his own body from causing more pain, he finally began to stand up. He looked for something to put over his face. Though the babies had some vaccinations, they were still susceptible to his human flu, cold, or whatever Obi-Wan Kenobi had that day. He didn't want to risk giving them something they couldn't fight off, though he suspected the Force would take care of them. Then again, he was not a nursemaid or knew enough about babies to be confident, and he'd rather be safe than sorry.
Putting complete determination to do this, he finally stood up with something over his face; he moved to the babies. Though it felt like an entire day went by just to complete one simple task. It felt like by the time he could change them and feed them, he swore they were crying again for either attention or something else. He dropped the thing over his face. Yet all he wanted to do was fall asleep and get rid of this sickness that had taken his body so quickly and rapidly. Not to mention how he would let Mitccha know he wouldn't be there to help at the store? Though it seemed ridiculous, his comm was on the other side of the room, which felt like that would take too much energy from him.
Once again, as he put one foot in front of another, all his decisions were taken away from him before he could even make it back to his bed. As he took a few steps to his salvation of where he would find rest, his whole vision began to swarm again and tilt on its axes. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed his body so hard to try and take care of the children? Then again, he had been shielding himself and the babies for fear someone in the Force who was not friendly would be looking for them. He was always on guard, always on the move, and always prepared to fight. Never fully resting, it was no wonder his body finally had enough and decided for the great General of the High Republic Army. It had betrayed him. The one thing he had counted on had finally had enough.
'Funny,' he thought, 'where did his hearing go?' he suddenly realized his hearing had sounded like it was sucked out of a vacuum into space, and tiny little dark spots danced across his vision. 'Well, sithspit, I think I'm about to pass out.' Obi-Wan realized very slowly, and with that last thought lingering, Obi-Wan's knees collapsed out from under him. His head hit the ground viciously but fortunate for the Jedi Master, he was utterly unconscious before his head ever impacted the floor.
R2-D2, who had been dormant, whistled awake. He had come alert the minute Obi-Wan had fallen to the ground. He whistled and chattered, trying to figure out what had bothered him until he saw Obi-Wan on the floor. Knowing this was not right for their species, he rolled up and a few times bumped into him, trying to awake the fallen Jedi but found nothing worked. Moving away, R2 looked around the room, analyzing the situation, his little droid mind working. Finally, he buzzed over to the medical droid Queen Organa had given them. Obi-Wan, who in the past had turned it on a few times, but mostly he left it discarded in the corner. Turning it on, R2-D2 instructed it to tell him the diagnoses of the unconscious Jedi. The medical droid sprung to life, racing over to Obi-Wan Kenobi to check his vitals, and started talking to no one in particular as it gave its analysis.
"Fever above normal for human species. Body showing symptoms of chill, need medical attention." R2-D2 grabbed a blanket and dropped it off the unconscious Jedi. As the medical droid kept giving off data, the space droid had heard enough and knew without a doubt needed to get help. So without wasting another minute, R2-D2 took off through the door of their tiny home. It took him far longer than he wanted to, but he arrived in the little town where he followed Obi-Wan every day. He saw the little Twi'lek girl playing near the street and whistled as she looked up, noticing the droid coming in fast like a Gutkurr was hot on his wheels.
"Hi, Artoo!" Gawnarin called to the space droid. However, R2-D2, like most of his kind, had a personality, and R2 could be a downright asshole when he wanted and or needed attention. Hearing the commotion outside his shop, Mitccha stepped out to see his daughter on the ground screaming and grabbing her leg. She was pointing at the space droid, effectively pointing out her attacker.
Mitccha came over and gently picked her up, dusted her off, and held her in his arms as he scanned around, looking for Ben, knowing wherever the droid was, Ben was not too far off. Yet to not see him with his human was most concerning.
"Artoo, what are, where is Ben?" R2-D2 used all his gears and slammed into the much taller Twi'lek. This time nothing happened because of the much bigger stature of Mitccha. "What are you," R2D2 raced behind him and began nudging him, making or trying to at least move towards the street and towards where Obi-Wan was. It finally dawned on Mitccha what the little droid was trying to get him to do.
"Gawnarin, go get my med pack." Going off a hunch that the human may be injured. His daughter took off with no argument, and R2-D2 had already started making his way down the road, whistling and making tons of noise as it backtracked to Obi-Wan's dwelling, expecting Mitccha to keep up and follow. The two Twi'leks followed as best as they could, and R2-D2 turned back around, and it did not escape Mitccha that the droid was giving a very annoying whistle at having to turn back around, wasting time in the process. When they finally arrived, it was late afternoon when they reached the small tiny hut hidden well in the woods. Mitccha could see why Obi-Wan had picked it.
As he entered the hut, he felt like he hit something invisible, something very thick in the air. His eyes went wide as he saw anything not cemented to the ground floating in the air, levitating. The tiny babies that had been in the care of Ben were crying out loudly, screaming. He rushed over to where the Jedi lay on the ground, and beads of sweat started forming on Obi-Wan's face. His face was skewered in pain, and his head was moving back and forth as though he was fighting something within. Not wanting to waste any time being shocked by the events that were playing out in front of him,
"Rin," shortening her name, one of his many nicknames for his daughter, "I need you to reach into the bag and give me a hypo, and then I need you to take the babies out of here."
"But papa," wanting to help and see what happened with all the floating objects in the air.
"Do not argue, do as I say."
The little girl was nervously still looking at the floating wonder as she walked over, handed over the hypo, and grabbed one of the floating toys that floated by her.
"Rin now child."
She dropped the baby toy onto the ground, not paying attention as it never hit the floor, and started back into the floating circle of objects around the unconscious Jedi. The babies were almost too big for her to carry, but somehow she was able to clumsily get them outside the house without any serious incidents. She put the babies on the ground on a small blanket, and R2-D2 appeared suddenly, watching her back and looking out towards the forest, pulling security as always taught by his masters when one of them was down.
In the hut, Obi-Wan started thrashing his body and fighting Mitccha off. His legs and hands moved as though he was fighting with someone in his mind, and Mitccha dove for the Jedi's neck, slamming the hypo needle into place and dumping the much-needed medication into the tired body of Ben. However, it had the reverse effect of what Mitccha thought should happen. Instead of the Jedi falling instantly into oblivion that was unconsciousness and everything falling to the ground, Obi-Wan's eyes shot open, but there was no recognition.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU TAKE THEM."
Mitccha only had a second to comprehend what Obi-Wan had yelled when he put his hand out and used the Force. Then, everything around Obi-Wan that had been in the air slammed into the walls, including Mitccha. He covered his head as other parts floating earlier had become deadly projectiles. Suddenly everything went still as Obi-Wan's eyes fluttered like something hit him, and then they shut, and his arm went down, and he fell into a medicated sleep as the medication kicked into his system.
The Twi'lek dared not move or leave his safety position until he realized nothing else would be flung at him. Mitccha then lay there trying to process everything he just saw in a matter of seconds. He had seen the wonders that the Jedi could do with their Force. Yet he was never this close to the action, and it never ceased to amaze him. Finally, knowing the Jedi was absolutely out, Mitccha sat up. Gawnarin came rushing in, hearing the commotion from outside, fearing the worse for her father. She ran over, put her hand on his back, helping him stand up.
"I'm okay; I'm okay; tend to the babies. You can bring them back in and will take care of them." He could still hear them crying. Mitccha wondered if they sensed something was wrong with Obi-Wan through the Force. 'Could Jedi or Force Sensitives do that?"
As his daughter raced back out to grab the twins, Mitccha went over to Ben, and going down on one knee, he reached for the human. Ben still felt hot to the touch, which he knew for the human species was not good. Knowing the man would probably prefer his bed instead of the ground gently reached down and picked the Jedi up in his arms and carried him to the bed. What surprised Mitccha, though, was how heavy the Jedi felt. From appearances, he looked thin and definitely not the most intimidating Jedi ever; however, he found that the man was made of pure muscle. Rigorous training and war would do that to an individual. He had to shift the man a few times before putting him on the bed and making him comfortable, hopefully. Mitccha breathed heavily from the exertion of moving the man and finally moved Ben's legs, so he was laying on his back. Mitccha heard the door open as Gawnarin brought the babies back into the hut. R2-D2 followed close behind, ensuring she didn't do anything to the tiny infants. Mitccha felt R2-D2 was a very loyal droid and would fight like hell for those around him that he deemed his charge. He could respect that.
"Now," he said to the unconscious Jedi, "let's see what we can do about that temperature of yours."
~*~*~*~*~
"Padawan, you were having a dream again my young one."
Obi-Wan's eyes slid awake, and he saw the concern written all over Qui-Gon's face. He looked around and realized he was in his room. The nightmare slowly crept away from his memory as he came to full alertness. Why couldn't he remember the dream, and why had it scared him so? He must have been screaming within the Force to make Qui-Gon appear at his bedside. Obi-Wan winced inside. He thought he had gotten much better at his shielding so as not to disturb his Master or anyone for that matter. He didn't like the sympathy or attention from anyone when he would like one of his random force visions.
"I'm sorry Master I'm not sure I," trying to find the words to excuse his nightmare and for waking his Master up in the process.
"Obi-Wan, what were you dreaming of? Can you remember?" The older man looked down with a gentle face, worry filling his gaze.
"No, I just…all I see is yellow eyes, someone breathing in a ventilator, and a red lightsaber," Obi-Wan winced, realizing how childish it must sound to the ground adult Jedi Master, "what could they mean, Master?"
"I'm not sure, but that is all they are, just dreams. You may see the events of one future, but every step we take changes the future for us all. Do not be troubled by what you see, I would like you to mediate on this my young apprentice. You will see they will disappear over time."
"Thank you, Master, I will."
"Now get up, you have saber practice. We do not want you to be late again, I know how grumpy Master Cin Drallig can be."
"Ah yes, I still am nursing a bruise from Master Drallig and his foul mood." Obi-Wan said with a smile. It may sound like they didn't care for the Master, but that was definitely not the case. The Jedi were just very particular and had taken an interest in Obi-Wan due to his ability to be so stubborn and not want to give up in a fight. To find a fighter that would get up without having to be told to rest was definitely not in every child or Jedi of the Order. Obi-Wan slowly pushed the sweat-soaked cover off of him as he heard someone say his name, but it wasn't his given name. It was another name he had used before.
"Ben?"
He took his shirt off and pants and ran towards the refresher. He needed to hurry and be the first to show up.
"Ben, wake up. Come on, you need to eat something."
Obi-Wan felt the water hit him as the cold water from the refresher hit his hot face shocking him awake.
Obi-Wan's eyes shot open as he realized he was once again grasped in a distant memory from his past. He guiltily wanted to stay in that dream just a little longer. He could still feel the warmth from the bond Qui-Gon had sent him after his nightmare.
However, as he tried to get his bearings, he could feel as though a thousand Oggdo Bogdo's were jumping his head for fun and to just annoy him, and it clearly was working. His whole body ached along with why did he feel so cold? He felt movement and sluggishly brought his eyes open that he hadn't realized had closed again. He saw Mitccha staring down at him. When did Mitccha get there?
"Ah, you're awake. Finally." Mitccha said under his breath as he took the hot soaked washcloth away from Obi-Wan to drop it in cold water again and put it on Obi-Wan's head to try and cool down his temperature.
Obi-Wan was confused. Why was Mitccha in his house? Why was he in his bed, and why was it night? What had happened? Why did his entire body feel like hot garbage, like he had been drugged? But wait, where were the kids? Why didn't he feel them through the Force? Why were they so quiet? He looked around too fast and realized he felt his eyes and body swimming, and his vision was coming out of focus.
Mitccha saw the look cross Obi-Wan's face; recognizing it quickly, grabbing a basin, he gave it to Obi-Wan, who dumped all that he had in his stomach. Even when Obi-Wan had nothing in his body, he still continued to convulse. Mitccha feeling bad, gently stroked the Jedi's back as he would do his young daughter. Trying to soothe the man.
"Well, I think that's a good sign." As Obi-Wan stopped, finally unloading his guts, and fell back down, closing his eyes. Yet why did he still feel nauseous? He quickly sat back up and surprisingly still had more to expel from his stomach. Finally quitting, he spits out what he thought was still in his mouth or what remained.
"Do tell, feel quite the opposite." Finally, Obi-Wan was able to respond back after Mitccha's comment.
"Means your system is trying to get rid of whatever you have."
Once Obi-Wan was done, he laid back down, trying to get back his train of thought before his stomach rudely interrupted it. Then, shooting up from his bed, he put his hand on his head from the quick movement as his body protested adamantly, "Leia and Luke!"
"They're fine. They're asleep along with Gawnarin, which was hard enough, so please, can you keep it down and not wake them back up. They're like little Gundarks." Mitccha said softly, pushing Obi-Wan down, trying to convince him to save his energy. Yet Mitccha did not know he was dealing with the King of stubbornness. If there had been a prize for who could out stubborn who, Obi-Wan would have gotten the vote every time.
Obi-Wan felt again through the Force and could feel the babies, sending them love and comfort. They must have sensed something was wrong with him and could not do a damn thing about it. Finally feeling somewhat reassured the babies were taken care of, he laid back down. Then, reclosing his eyes and putting his hand over his eyes, realizing even the soft light was killing him now, "How did you know to come look for me?"
"Your little droid," R2D2, hearing he was being talked about, whistled softly and came to bump the bed, checking on the Jedi. Not having to open his eyes, Obi-Wan felt out and patted the droid and gave R2-D2 reassurance. It seemed that he was not much into droids the way Anakin had been, but he could admit Artoo definitely had a soft spot in Obi-Wan's heart. Maybe deep down, Artoo somewhat reminded him of better times, of Anakin and his life before everything went so wrong. "Little bugger came and pushed Rin over and then practically did the same thing to me, only I was much bigger; anyways, he brought us to you."
"Thank you, Artoo." R2-D2 whistled in approval and moved back to his spot near the babies. He knew where he was to be stationed at all times.
A quiet silence broke out between Obi-Wan and Mitccha, and the Jedi did not have to open his eyes to feel Mitccha staring at him. Trying to get the courage to ask something, but not sure if it was his place or would be considered rude.
"What is it?"
"Well, umm," looking away at the disaster he had tried to pick up while Ben was dead to the world, "when I found you. You were levitating everything in here. You pushed everything violently towards the walls, including me. I was, I've just never seen anything like that, is that….is that normal when Jedi get sick?"
"I'm sorry if I hurt you or scared you, Mitccha. Forgive me, and thank you for coming to my rescue." Obi-Wan opened his eyes and gave his sincere apology. "No, it's not common for me or Jedi to do this even when sick. Just been having a bit of an issue with things." Obi-Wan didn't want to go into the details any further. Not that he didn't trust Mitccha with the information, just not sure what Mitccha would think of Obi-Wan. Really, Obi-Wan had started experiencing it after the events on Mustafar. It had happened a few times now, and though he thought it would eventually correct itself, unfortunately, it seemed like it was getting worse. He felt unbalanced for quite some time and couldn't mediate it away. It appeared he was unleashing whatever was going on into his dreams. It could also be him overtasking himself by shielding Leia and Luke. He wasn't just protecting one force user; he was now straining to shield himself, Luke, and Leia, and that was no easy task. How long could he keep this up before he left himself with nothing to spare and would have to fight another Force user. He had to think of something and pretty fast. It was only a matter of time before someone recognized him.
"Do you know what you dreamed of? What was it?" Mitccha asked, pulling Obi-Wan out of his line of thinking.
"No, I can't say I remember it." Lies. Obi-Wan's memories never faded; they only worsened over time. But he wasn't going to tell Mitccha about it. Why bother him with such trivial nonsense? It wasn't like the Twi'lek could help him with Force Exhaustion or anything related to the Force.
"Well, let's hope that doesn't happen again." Obi-Wan wanted to reassure him, but he had learned a long time ago not to get comfortable. Because just as you did, something was bound to flip everything upside down.
(Planets away)
Two very different planets, two Force Users looked up. They both had felt the Force, had heard it cry out, and they knew exactly who the individual had spoken to them. Due to the Jedi Purge, there were not many Force users out in the galaxy that was projecting anymore. It must have been something to allow his guard to come down and for others now to sense him; even if it was for only a few seconds, it was enough. For two very different individuals, they now both knew for certain Jedi Master High Council Member Obi-Wan Kenobi was, in fact, very much alive.
Notes:
Author Note: Thank you to everyone who gave this thing kudos and/or added it to a bookmark or even subscribed. I half the time think nobody really cares for this story, and I’m just writing it to write. I have one more chapter to go, and then I’m at a total loss for what to do next for this story. I’m trying to decide if I want some other people to show up. I honestly have no idea lol…so yeah, hopefully, that doesn’t stop me from writing more. I also have another story idea that is starting to pull me in another direction. Till then, see you on the flipside! I hope you like this latest chapter and the little cliffhanger.
Chapter 7: Chapter 6 – Like Old Times
Summary:
...here comes the action!
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 6 – Like Old Times
Months went by without much of a fuss. In a sense, it was almost too quiet. Obi couldn't remember a time when he had a moment to breathe, to really relax. To try and come down from the high of battle. He was constantly on guard, ready for a fight even when there wasn't one, and if he wasn't deployed with the 212th Attack Battalion, he was sitting with the High Council, trying to figure out their next move. Trying to figure out what the Sith Lord's plans were up to.
It, indeed, was never-ending. Yet, now, all he had was time to think. Quite frankly, that could be the worse demon than anything he had faced in life. It meant he would ultimately have to come to terms with everything that had happened. Yet, his new job kept him from going to the inner depth into the reaches of his mind where his true feelings lay. Anakin always accused him of never having deep feelings that he was emotionally challenged and had the range of emotion of a droid, which was, of course, the furthermost from the truth. Obi-Wan felt very intensely; it just took years of practice to put it so far down deep that he couldn't find a way to bring it back up again. He didn't have time for emotions. He had too many people count on him and was looking to him to guide them. Once again, he was in charge of two younglings that would look to him and not expect him to break. He did not want to fail them like he felt as though he had ultimately failed Anakin. Even if everyone told him until they were blue in the face, he would always feel like he had some part in destroying the universe. Because of him, everything had come crumbling down.
Trying to get off that line of thought and not allowing his mind to start spiraling into the abyss that was his mind, he smiled at the thought of Luke beginning to crawl and then, shortly afterward, Leia. Their harrowing escape and first few weeks seemed touch and go. There were many times he was convinced he was doing the wrong thing, that he should have just left them in the care of someone else and watched from afar. He had already messed up one Skywalker; now, he had the chance to mess up two twins.
Shifting from the twins again, he circled back to the war. Not that he wanted to, just sometimes dealing with all the trauma that had been dealt his way had a way of always coming back. Demanding his attention, wanting to heal and make peace with what happened in the past. He remembered how quickly he had started to feel drained and exhausted, like his voice was being ignored. Anakin and others began to believe he did whatever the High Council directed him to do. Subordinates never knew behind closed doors the arguments one would have with other leaders and how one would stand up for the people that fell under one's command. When Obi-Wan would stand on the carpet and try not to lose his collective cool and destroy everything he had worked for in a blink of an eye because he had enough and could no longer accept the world they were contributing to and wanted to be a part of. But, alas, they only saw the failed results of every meeting and Obi-Wan just following orders.
Not the anger one had to swallow after having another meeting that he felt the Jedi were putting their heads in the sand and refusing to look at what was happening around them. Too many times, Obi-Wan felt like he was undoubtedly the sword for the High Council because no one else would get the job done to their satisfaction. Too often, it was only himself or a select few other Masters that saw they were starting to lose their way. Most of the time, unfortunately, more often than not, he was the only one that saw it from a certain point of view. He started to wonder if it had to do with his age. They, as in the High Council, were too indoctrinated in their ways, and Obi-Wan, who had been through much in his thirty-plus years, had different ways of taking things on.
Though, it was easy to sit there and criticizes one's choices after the fact now that one had high sight of the events. Though didn't change the fact that Obi-Wan felt it all started to go downhill when Ahsoka Tano left the Jedi Order. It felt like after Ahosoka left everything collapsed in on itself, and Obi-Wan lost everything. Sometimes Obi-Wan wondered if Anakin would have fallen faster if not for Ahsoka and being his Padawan.
But, with everything that had transpired, all the misery, hurt, and suffering deep down in the far back reaches of his mind was a part that Obi-Wan Kenobi would never admit to. He missed it. Of course, he did not miss the death of civilians or holding a dying Clone as a land mine had blown off half his body. The clone asking him if he did his brothers proud, more concerned about his fellow brothers than his doom and zero chance of survival. The unnecessary part of violence, when all he wanted to do was bring peace to people who couldn't do it for themselves.
No, Obi-Wan missed feeling alive. The adrenaline coursing through every vein in his body, and the sound of outgoing weapons firing overhead as they surged ahead in the battle. The vehicles flew overhead as he gave out commands to his troops, coming up with plans in quick succession without hesitation and question. Getting a mission brief at the last moment by the High Council, analyzing it until his eyes were bloodshot, and executing it without failure. The long nights he would be by himself and look up at the stars and peer into them, wondering where his life would lead him next. Sitting around and talking to the troops as though he was one of them, forgetting for a few moments he was a High General and a Jedi Knight of the Republic; no, at that moment in time, he was one of the boys with his troops. But, even if he loved pushing his body to the extreme. Knowing he was in his prime and at the very top peak of his performance and was one of the best battle-tested Jedi out there, there was something he missed even more than the actual battle itself. His friends. They weren't just his friends; they were his family. He missed and longed for his family.
He missed talking to Anakin at all hours of the day and night. Thankful for his comradery and bravery, and comfort in the Force. To lose Anakin was the equivalent of losing one's sibling. Obi-Wan was the older brother who failed to do what he was supposed to, protecting Anakin at all costs. Obi-Wan was not sure he would ever be able to forgive himself. When he found himself thinking about the last fight on Mustafar, he would quickly shift his memory to the last great memory of Anakin, which was of him standing smiling back at Obi-Wan. Telling him how proud he was of Anakin, of his younger brother. That was the memory he had of Anakin and would till the day he died. Usually, after Anakin, his brain would shift to Ahsoka. Wondering what she was up to, where she was hiding out, how she was doing, and if she was okay. Obi-Wan had thought about trying to reach out to her to see if she was safe. But he knew if she was in hiding, the worse thing he could do was expose her and get her killed. Everything he touched seemed to go to sithspit, so why endanger her just to make himself feel better? Maybe someday he would run into her and he could ask for forgiveness. Till then, all he had were his memories. The good and the bad, but they were his and his alone.
Coming up on the village, he did not realize how lost in thought he had gotten until something brushed up against his senses; something was wrong. The twins nestled against his chest were sensing as well as they began to squirm and become fussy. It wasn't until he heard the screaming and saw smoke reaching up into the sky that his instincts were right. He distinctively knew that sound. The sound of pain and agony reached Obi-Wan's ears, and one did not have to be Force-sensitive to know something had happened, and those beings were suffering and crying out for some type of relief or answer.
Just as he came to a stop in front of the shop and stepped off the speeder, Obi-Wan almost fell as the big red Twi'lek that was Mitccha came roaring out of the shop, nearly plowing into Obi-Wan Kenobi, not paying any attention was ahead of him.
"What has happened? What is going on?" Obi-Wan asked as he put his hands out to try and stop Mitccha, who was on a mission. He was clearly upset and holding onto a blaster. The Twi'lek was ready to fight, but who?
"Them. They came and took her!"
Obi-Wan did not need to ask who he was referring to and who had been taken. He knew immediately Mitccha was speaking about his daughter. Any father who gave a damn about their child would go to war with everyone and anything if that meant rescuing their beloved offspring.
"Who's they?" Obi-Wan looked down the street to see if he could catch sight of the kidnappers. Who had found them and disrupted their peace?
"Slavers! They,.." whatever Mitccha had just said to Obi-Wan was lost as he was suddenly in the moment, and his memories slammed into him. Flashes of being pushed into an arena, to the feeling of an electric whip biting his skin. The sound of Anakin screaming out as they tried to subdue him. The sound of the colonists crying out in pain in the mines and him powerless to stop it. So much pain. So much suffering. All his fault.
Then suddenly as it had happened Obi-Wan was back in the moment. He saw Mitccha utter words as his brain began to register to try and comprehend what the Twi'lek had just spoken.
"Please Obi-Wan, can you save her?"
Had he given himself karma by wanting action? He couldn't do this. He wouldn't dare leave little Leia and Luke by themselves. What if something happened to him? Who would defend them if not him? Before it was just himself, now he had two children to think about. Not to mention if he was captured and taken to Palpatine. Obi-Wan was strong in the Force, but he would not be able to withstand a Sith Lord rattling around in his brain. The idea that they would be taken and warped into Sith made him want to crawl out of his own skin. No! Obi-Wan would have undoubtedly failed Anakin and Padme all over again if that had happened to them. No, he couldn't do that. Not again! They were put into his care to correct his wrongs and fix what he had failed to do in the past.
Dread at having to tell Mitccha that isn't who he was anymore. Slowly shaking his head no as Obi-Wan looked down at the twins gently soothing them through the Force and trying to rock them a little to try and get them to fall back asleep. His eyes glanced back at the Twi'lek.
"I can't,…you can't ask this of me. I'm not a Jedi….if I fight…I risk exposing myself and, more importantly, them." The babies were now becoming fussier, starting to make sounds at Obi-Wan. They could feel the conflicting feelings of the Jedi Master that they were strapped to. Obi-Wan was trying to shield himself and try not to have such raw emotions, but with the chaos all around him and a pleading father in front of him, it was almost too much to bear.
"Ben…," pleading green eyes as tears start forming at the idea the Jedi wouldn't risk helping his child, "Obi-Wan, please, I beg you. I will watch the little ones, but she's all I have left. I thought this is what the Jedi do, protect the innocent. My child is innocent and will be tortured, please," dropping to his knees, "I beg you with everything I have. Please, Master Jedi."
Obi-Wan felt the conflicting thoughts running fast through his brain. He couldn't bare the thought of little Gwen and knowing what the slavers would do to her. No, he could not allow it. Not if he could do something about it. Knowing that if he thought about it too long, he would take the twins and run away from this ordeal. Adding another regret to his growing resume.
No longer wanting to think about it, he decided to just take action and go through the motions like he was back in the war. He unhinged Leia and Luke and gave them gently over to Mitccha. R2D2 started whistling behind him, getting ready to go with Obi-Wan.
"If I don't make it back, please leave and take them to," he hesitated. Who would he want the children to be with? Who could protect them and hide their Force signatures when they got older or far enough away from the reach of the New Empire? Tattoine, didn't Anakin have family there? He remembered vaguely him speaking about it, someone named Owen Lars, and for the life of him, could not remember his wife's name. No, he couldn't do that, not with two Force Sensitive Children and the type of slimeballs that would be drawn and visited there. Not to mention the Hutts still owned and ran that planet. It was just asking for trouble. What about Ahsoka? No, as much as Obi-Wan knew she was absolutely the best bet, he didn't want to bring her back into things. She had made a clean break, she didn't need to bare now such a huge task and responsibility. Not to mention how would Mitccha ever find her? It's not like she was going to be announcing her location and where she was living nowadays.
Then, an idea formed in Obi-Wan's head suddenly. He could hear Senator Bail loud and clear in his mind, "We always wanted children, but Breha, sadly…I mean, we tried, but it just was not meant to be. Maybe someday, when things settle down, we can look at a child with no parents who needs a home. We could provide them with an amazing upbringing."
"Take them to Queen Breha on Alderaan and once you have done that, I have one more mission once you have given them over to her. Find Ahsoka Tano. She needs to know about them and possibly someday need to train and protect them."
R2-D2 chose to whistle suddenly, angry for being ignored, but Obi-Wan, in return, gave a soft smile to the space droid. He put his hand down on the space droid. "Of course, Artoo. I know I don't even have to ask you to protect them."
Artoo began to talk fast and started walking towards the speeder, intending to follow Obi-Wan. But not wanting to be left behind.
"No, this is too dangerous for you Artoo and I appreciate it. Protect them Artoo." Nodding his head towards the twins, "That is your mission."
R2D2 began to dance. Accepting the responsibility and mission of the Jedi Master.
Mitccha had closed his eyes, nodded in approval, and sent a prayer to his Gods, then opened his eyes and looked down with great sadness at the twins in his arms. Knowing he was asking so much of Obi-Wan, yet it was his's daughter's life at stake. What kind of father would he be if he didn't try everything in his power?
Obi-Wan nodded and gave the twins one solid glance before jumping back on the speeder and heading into town quickly. He could catch screaming, wailing, and the destruction left by those taking the Twi'leks as he whipped by at breakneck speeds. It sounded like they were getting ready to depart from the sound of the engines made by the spacecraft. Knowing if he lost them from the ground would be much harder to track once they reached space. He needed to get to them now!
With years of practice and grace, he jumped from the speeder and vaulted high enough to land on top of a building's roof, using the Force to guide him. The speeder crashing on the side of the building could be heard as smoke climbed into the air. Then quickly sprinting, he jumped from building top to the next as he caught wind of the rumbling sounds of engines taking off. With one final leap of faith, he launched himself onto the ship, starting to move and gain ground and speed into the air. He would have lost his footing and almost toppled over if he hadn't quickly brought his lightsaber out and dug into the side of the ship. Looking up, he saw he didn't have much time to get in before he lost atmosphere and froze to death in space. Moving rather quickly, he found an access hatch and gained entry. As the access hatch promptly closed behind him, he heard the distinct sound of breaking atmosphere, and they had entered space. He hid his lightsaber. He did not want to bare it again if he had to. If unsheathed it, there would be no choice but to leave. He would bring everyone down on their heads.
'Great, now that we have entered space, what are you going to do? How are you going to free everyone and get everyone back to their home?'
He was taking a page out of Anakin's playbook. Though, it wouldn't be too far fetch to say it was his playbook as well. However, he would never admit to it. Anakin had learned from the best and saw his own Master do reckless shit all the time. Knowing this was not the time to get lost in his thoughts and how easily he could, he cleared them and centered himself in the Force. Obi-Wan began to creep through the ship. Constantly looking for anyone to sneak up on him or come around the corner.
He started trying to form a plan as he inched through the ship when he could suddenly feel his heart beginning to pump faster than expected. He could feel beads of sweat start trying to escape out of any pour possible. He could not have an episode right now! What had triggered it?
"My friends, my good friends, do not fear the Jedi. They are no different from others we have forced into submission, for they have forsaken their ideals to serve a corrupt senate. Every Jedi has become a slave to the Republic.
"Now that I have your attention Jedi, be aware that it will not be you who suffers should you defy me."
"Keep away from me. Jedi only make things worse."
He realized suddenly. He didn't know who the slavers were when he took on rescuing the Twi'leks and Mitccha's daughter. Not until he heard the voice and saw one of the guards walking by. It was the Zygerrians.
As Obi-Wan was plagued by images and thoughts dashing quickly through his mind, he tried to breathe in and out refusing to feed into the madness that had become his brain of late. He had been so good the last few months! He was starting to be able to mediate again without losing himself, and now when he needed to focus, his mind and body were betraying him at the wrong time. 'Find your center. You have done this a thousand times. Push it to the back of your mind and let it into the Force.' Obi-Wan kept rushing through his brain. Trying to calm everything. Breathing in deeply, he found his heart soothing, and whatever anxiety he had previously started to calm and soothe out. When he finally opened his eyes again, he found a weapon in his face.
'How in blazes had this Zygerrian creep up on him, and no warning from the Force?!' Maybe he just hadn't heard the warning due to his sudden episode.
"Raise your hands where I can see them." The Zygerrian growled and demanded.
"Of course, I mean no harm," Obi-Wan said quietly, trying to show he was defenseless and unarmed.
Then without even a slight hesitation, he took a step forward, grabbed the hands of the Zygerrian and the weapon, and pushed it so the barrel was facing up toward the ceiling. It discharged and, using the moment of surprise from his would-be hostage taker, ripped the weapon from his hands and then, in one swift motion, used it to crack the side of the Zygerrian's head.
He looked at the weapon with a little smidge of disgust, dismantled it so it would no longer be of use, threw it down, and then grabbed the Zygerrian. Obi-Wan pulled the unconscious creature into a room where he secured it. Then, knowing he had to create a resourceful diversion, he moved to the cell blocks where the Twi'leks were being kept. His adrenaline started pumping again. It went into overdrive when he heard someone shout.
"HEY! STOP RIGHT THERE."
Obi-Wan looked up and saw another Zygerrian standing above a catwalk that overlooked all the cells. A sudden warning came through the Force as he moved out of the way as an electric whip whizzed by him. Another one snapped near his foot trying to capture him as he backed up and tried to get separation from the two Zygerrians that had suddenly appeared before him and had closed the distance rather quickly to his liking. He wondered where the third one went when an alarm started blaring.
"Great, just like old times, I suppose." He said to himself out loud. Then, knowing he had a clock ticking, he used the Force and brought both off their feet and collided with each other. Knocking them out quickly and proficiently.
Surprisingly there were not many guards down by the prisoners. They must have been getting ready for other tasks laid out before them and never thought someone would be able to fight back or they would show resistance. It probably had been far too long since they encountered anything, so the Zygerrians probably figured there was no reason to have as many on detail. The other positive, they had yet to move into hyper space, which meant they were still above Ryloth. With alarms blaring, that would more than likely put the ship on lockdown and give Obi-Wan a chance to take care of the prisoners and get them out of this mess. Once he freed them, the only issue was that he would have to find a way to sabotage the ship or figure out how to get them to leave and not try and come back. But, the first order of precedence was to get the Twi'leks out of the holding cells.
It didn't take Obi-Wan to find where the Twi'leks were being held. The ship was pretty standard to most of the Star cruisers, and it wasn't like the Zygerrians had a lot of different vessels in their arsenal. The group of Twi'leks that had been captured was in two giant holding cells. He ran to one of the doors and quickly dodged a blast aimed at him. He quickly sliced the controls and opened the doors. He saw wide eye Twi'lek's looking at him. Not expecting him to open the doors and have someone rescue them.
"Get to the escape pods."
Dodging another blast he turned around and threw a powerful Force push toward the Zygerrian. It was the one that had raised the alarm. The Zygerrian, surprised by the sudden Force push, slammed into the wall unconscious. Obi-Wan turned back around and realized the Twi'leks had not moved as though they were waiting for more guidance or fear of retaliating, even though they completely outnumbered him and the Zygerrians. They were scared beyond belief. He had seen it countless times in a battle. You either had it in you to fight, or you got scared stiff, which was never good in the heat of battle, especially during a time like this. Obi-Wan needed them to get going or risk being caught again, and everything would be for nothing.
He sensed danger and knew more Zygerrians would be making their presence known; knowing he didn't have time to cuddle scared Twi'lek, he pointed his finger towards their freedom. "MOVE NOW." Bringing back General Kenobi, he put bass into his diaphragm and ensured it carried the full authority he had used countless times.
It worked because they started running past him and moving to the escape pods; he just hoped that the Zygerrians were not looking to kill their captives. The Twi'leks began to scramble, yelling and screaming as Obi-Wan got lost in the crowd, moved to another cell block, and released another ton of Twi'leks. He suddenly heard his name.
"Ben!"
Obi-Wan had mere seconds before Gawnarin's little red body slammed into legs, latching on and having the strength of ten men. He gently pulled her little fingers away from clutching his leg, so he could bend down and put his arms out. She then grasped a hold of his neck tightly and buried her face into his neck. He stood up and gently put his hand over where her lekku's started to form out of her head.
"I got you little one. Let's get you home."
He could hear her soft whimpers crying over the loudness of the alarm and the panic-stricken Twi'leks as they moved to their escape pods. Fire blasts started hitting Twi'leks in and around Obi-Wan, and as he glanced back, he realized the Zygerrians had grown in significant numbers. It seemed the entire ship had answered the call of the alarm. He knew he had to stop them from reaching the escaping Twi'leks, so without thinking about Obi-Wan looked to the closes Twi'lek, which happened to be a green female, and he spoke to her quickly.
"Here, take this little one I'm going to make sure they do not follow."
The young female didn't even think about taking Gawnarin into her arms as he passed her off.
"No Ben!" She called out to him as he stopped and she continued moving forward in the arms of the young green Twi'lek.
"I'll be right behind you!" He called to her as he watched her big green eyes until he could no longer see her as she blended in with the group of other Twi'leks and finally around another corner.
Obi-Wan waited till the last Twi'leks had moved past him and beyond the blast door before he used the Force to block the doors with heavy metal that he had ripped from the wall of the ship. Then, he turned around as the Zygerrians had finally closed the distance and allowed them to encircle him. One barged forward, obviously one of the leaders who held more ranking.
"You just signed your death wish human."
"Have I? Or maybe it's your actually lucky day."
"Why is that?"
"Well, if you know who I am, then you will know I'm worth ten times a Twi'lek is worth out on the market."
"Speak clearly before I decide to remove your head."
Obi-Wan holding one hand out just in case a Zygerrian got an itchy trigger finger, removed his lightsaber and activated it. This action of displaying the very weapon that would get anyone's attention had every Zygerrian looking at one another. The Jedi had put a stop to their slave trade and had destroyed their Empire. But with so few Jedi left and in hiding, it seemed like a great idea to restart their Empire again and prosper in this new world without Jedi to stop them.
Suddenly whispers began to get louder as Obi-Wan felt a twinge of fear, and the bad feeling hit as he saw someone moving from the back and the Zygerrians moving out of the way of this individual. The Zygerrian, who was in charge of this operation, had moved forward. Obi-Wan started to get another sickening feeling that hit him. He knew this Zygerrian, but where? His brain quickly scanned through his memories, and it stopped on one memory, in particular, he wasn't too fond of. It was the day he had gotten caught trying to save Governor Roshti. He had been subjected to hours of torture, and they were trying to get him to talk and explain why he had tried to free the Governor in the first place. He had been posing as a slaver, and they couldn't figure out why a slaver would rescue a slave.
But Obi-Wan was a steel trap, good at going somewhere in his brain that didn't feel the pain of each electric whip. Yet, it was Prime Minster to the Queen wrenching his face back and recognizing him as the Jedi that had been "Negotiating" with Darts D'Nar.
It was the same Zygerrian now! Shit, shit, shit, shit. He thought this one had died how could he be still alive?!
"I recognize you. I never forget a face, Master Jedi." Saying almost the same thing, he said last time to Obi-Wan when they had met for the first-time face to face.
"Are you sure? I do have one of those faces. You know us humans, we all look the same."
The Zygerrian got a wicked toothy smile. "No, what shame that these other fools do not recognize the fame Negotiator of the Clone Wars, the famous High General Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan's eyes moved from the Commander standing in front of him to quickly glance among the other Zygerrians as they whispered the revelation of who was standing before them. Obi-Wan shifted his weight, trying to prepare for whatever was coming his way.
"Yes, you are right Master Jedi. You are worth more than ten thousand of those pathetic Twi'leks down on that planet. But, death is to easy and simple and turning you over would just not be satisfying. No, I think I have a better idea what to do with you, Master Jedi." Letting the last two words slither as he nodded his head to someone behind Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan felt the shrill in the Force before it was too late. He could not prepare or move out of the way as something hit his neck. He grabbed at it, whatever bit him. He pulled his hand away to find a dart. Great. The entire world titled on its axes, and he immediately knew it was going to knock him out in seconds, and there was nothing he could do now about it. He looked at the Prime Minster as his knees collapsed out from under him and as he crumbled to the floor and lost the grip on his lightsaber, and it deactivated and rolled towards the grinning Zygerrian; Obi-Wan's last thoughts for some reason were, 'how rude.'
(Somewhere else in the galaxy)
"I hear you are the best." A deep voice asked, not turning around to look at the individual that had walked into the room.
"I am. I don't come cheap." However, the Bounty Hunter was not intimidated by their surroundings and knowing whom they stood in front of.
"Money is not an issue, Bounty Hunter. What I want to know if you think you can capture someone, a very hard target indeed, probably your hardest to date. Bring him to me without killing him or hurting him."
"Who am I going after?" The Bounty Hunter finally inquired about their potential target. Throwing a holo chip, the Bounty Hunter grabbed it and opened it in his palm. The face of High Council Member Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi appeared.
"Consider it done."
"Good, I expect you not to disappoint. That is all Bounty Hunter you are dismissed."
The Bounty Hunter said more as he walked out the door leaving Darth Vader to sit in his seat as he turned around to glance at the stars. Though he knew it to be foolish, he still sometimes reached out, seeing if he could sense his old Master from the great distance between them. But that bond had been snapped, and though Darth Vader had sensed him earlier, it had gone silent again. A few moments passed when he heard the door opening and someone stepping in and clearing their throat to get his attention.
"What is it, speak quickly."
The man was nervous as his voice spoke much higher obtain than usual. "My lord, the next bounty hunter is here to see you."
Darth Vader gave a slight hand gesture to give the okay to send the person in. Darth Vader knew his older Master better than anyone in the galaxy. It would take more than one Bounty Hunter to find and capture the old Jedi. Yes, Darth Vader would hire every Bounty Hunter out in the galaxy until one of them succeeded in locating and bringing him his old Master. If the Bounty Hunters failed, there were others out there that were much deadlier and could be trained solely for the sole purpose of hunting the remaining Jedi.
The door opened as the Lieutenant left, and the new Bounty Hunter walks in and presents themselves.
"Ahh, I hear you the best bounty hunter out there."
TBC….
Notes:
Welp…hope you liked this latest and greatest chapter. Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and stayed safe! Thanks for the bookmarks, the kudos and the new subscriptions. Still trying to figure out where I want to go with this and where it will end up. Anything you want to see, that hasn’t been done before? Till next time! Tootles!
francis1 on Chapter 1 Tue 26 Nov 2019 08:35AM UTC
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CCA03 on Chapter 1 Wed 27 Nov 2019 02:29AM UTC
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WindSage on Chapter 1 Fri 29 Nov 2019 08:49AM UTC
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CCA03 on Chapter 1 Thu 12 Dec 2019 10:06PM UTC
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francis1 on Chapter 3 Sat 21 Dec 2019 10:03AM UTC
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Azteka_WaterDog on Chapter 6 Sun 20 Nov 2022 12:39AM UTC
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CCA03 on Chapter 6 Fri 09 Dec 2022 04:03AM UTC
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White2 (Guest) on Chapter 6 Wed 30 Nov 2022 03:04AM UTC
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Just_Hear_to_Read on Chapter 7 Wed 08 May 2024 05:48PM UTC
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