Star Wars : Chapter 23 : Interlude II

"This would mean Coruscant will be under siege days from now.", Plo Koon mused grimly, but he knew he couldn't participate in the attack due to his presence needed at Cato Neimodia.

"What about the Chancellor?"

"Shaak Ti has been sent to protect him, but Master Windu has lost contact with her. Not to worry. Our fleet can be there within the hour."

...

Anakin became visibly worried for Palpatine's safety at this, fearing for the worst for him.

Shaak Ti became concerned at this, a flash of anxiousness on her faces when she remembered about the first time when she, Ki-Adi, and others fought the Droid General back at the Battle of Hypori. And they barely escaped with their lives at that matter.

Ki-Adi Mundi frowned at the mention of the General, remembering the very time he was at the mercy of the Cyborg until they were rescued by ARC Troopers led by Commander Fordo. He could still remember the anger and the fury he had mustered after Grievous murdered several fellow Jedi.

Ahsoka meanwhile, frowned at this, meaning they would have to abandon Mandalore.

"So that's it? You're going to abandon Bo-Katan and her people?", Ahsoka snarked at Obi-Wan.

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

"We should contact every available Admiral if Coruscant is to be under siege.", Mace suggested with urgency on his voice. "Should the Seperatists win the war, then there would be no stopping of the Empire."

"I understand that, as usual, you're playing politics. This is why the people have lost faith in the Jedi. I had too, until I was reminded of what the Order means to people who truly need us."

The audience were all taken back at her response, but they cannot deny that she was wrong either. They had been wrong to try her at the first place, and had made plenty of mistakes that have their members' faith within the order shakened.

"So, I'm guessing you'll do otherwise?", Ahsoka asked, as everyone mentally said yes. The fact that the heart of the Republic is under attack made it more pivotal that they be sent there and they all saw the need for every available combatant in defense of the Coruscant. So, for short, Mandalore would have to be less of a priority, despite Maul's presence in the planet.

"Right now, people on Coruscant need us.", Obi-Wan pointed out.

"No. The Chancellor needs you."

And from the look on Obi-Wan's face, she knew she had struck a chord. For the Master knew it was true. It really wasn't the people of Coruscant that needed them, it was the Chancellor who had gathered up power for himself, taking over more and more of the day-to-day dealings of the Republic. His popularity was unwavering.

The Jedi had little time to spare but they as protectors of peace, have to tread carefully on their next move.

'Failed we may have...' Yoda thought the same, sadly understanding how the war not only changed the entire galaxy but also the Jedi and how the public viewed them. He and the others were concerned with the way the war was going due to Palpatine's actions as well.

"That's not fair."

"I'm not trying to be."

Anakin quickly jumped in before the two each said something that they would regret. That was never a good idea before heading into a battle with little chance of return.

"I'll divide the 501st, make a new division under Ahsoka's command.", Anakin proposed.

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

"We'll promote Rex to Commander and have him lead the new division. Ahsoka can go with him as an adviser. What do you say?", Anakin suggested.

The audience agreed with the idea, being sure that Rex definitely deserved the rank of Commander by now. He is among the the most efficient and exemplar Clone who ever served the republic along with the likes of Wolffe, Bacara, Bly, and Fordo.

"I accept.", Ahsoka said, looking at Obi-Wan. "That is, if Obi-Wan agrees."

It wasn't the best plan and Obi-Wan couldn't to let Ahsoka travel to Mandalore and risk facing Maul on her own with no other Jedi backup. However due to the urgency of the situation, they needed to compromise, even if it was risky.

'Bare in mind that this takes place days from now, so if we know the rest, we can surely devise a plan to change it.', Anakin thought to himself. He wanted nothing more than to avert the future that they were shown, and to be the father that Luke never had.

Seeing no other option, Obi-Wan caved in. "Very well. May the Force be with you."

He turned to go and made it to the door before stopped. Obi-Wan turned back to Ahsoka. "Oh, one other thing: I killed Maul once. Best to capture him. He doesn't seem to stay dead."

"Was that a joke, Master Kenobi?", Luminara asked, a little startled of his dark humor.

Obi-Wan rubbed his chin. "Maybe..."

"Thanks for the support. As always.", Ahsoka said as Anakin smiled at her.

"That's what friends are for. If you're going to face Maul, you'll need these." He glanced at the box in his hands and held it out to Ahsoka. Her eyes widened and Ahsoka opened the box. There, nestled on soft fabric, were her lightsabers.

"You were planning for this, are you?", Ahsoka asked Anakin who merely smirked at her.

Ahsoka smiled brightly at Anakin as she took them from the box. Immediately she could feel the song that the crystals sang only to her. They were like friends who had been apart for far too long. The metal even felt warm in her hands as though the crystals were reaching out with the Force to greet her again.

"I took care of them.", Anakin assured her. "They're good as new."

She knew what he really meant. Keeping her sabers with him was like a promise, a guarantee that she would perhaps someday return safe and sound.

"Thanks for always being there for me, Master." Ahsoka told him, recognizing the bond they still had together.

Ahsoka switched on the sabers and the crystals' song rang in the Force and through her body.

But instead of the usual colors they held previously, both lightsabers now had a blue blade. Just like Anakin and Obi-Wan's.

"Maybe a little better.", Anakin added with a little pride.

"Of course I would.", Anakin told himself in a lowly tone.

Ahsoka smiled back, amused at this as she stepped back a few feet, and weaved her sabers through the air in some basic patterns. Anakin watched her with a proud smile on his face.

"You capture Maul. I'll take care of Grievous. With any luck, this will all be over soon."

"Wait...if this is going to be the near-end of the war, does that mean the Republic would fall here?", Shaak Ti asked in worry, while the rest winced at the thought. If Coruscant had fallen and the Seperatists won the war, then it would mean that the Empire was formed by them under their dominion.

"It appeared so, Master Ti.", Mace agreed, though he still couldn't believe it. "We'll have to formulate a proper strategy if the Republic is to survive the onslaught.

However, that is what they all thought anyways.

"Master Kenobi always said there's no such thing as luck.", Ahsoka remarked as she switched off her sabers, attaching the hilts to her belt. It felt so wonderful to feel their weight as the metal hilts brushed against her sides.

"Good thing I taught you otherwise.", Anakin replied. With a tranquil smile, he turned and headed towards the door, to the battle that was waiting for him.

"Anakin!"

He stopped and turned back to his former Padawan.

"Good luck."

Anakin looked down but he regained his usual outlook and gave her a confident smile, knowing that he would her again.

Ahsoka gave a sad smile as she watched Anakin walk out into the still bustling corridor. She then proceeds to regroup with Rex and the 332nd Company.

Anakin felt his chest heavy suddenly. Why does it appear that way? Based on their interaction, it is as if something was wrong here and Ahsoka knew this as well. Is this going to be the last time that he would be able to see her again?

NO! Anakin thought. He couldn't imagine what was going to happen to her without him, and given that a future Sith Lord is in the making, he dared not to imagine that she is among Darth Vader's victims when he destroyed the Jedi. He can't have that, not ever. He had already promised that he won't allow anyone to hurt her.

Because if he did, he cannot imagine on what is he going to do to him. Jedi way or not, he doesn't care anymore.

They have a future to change and with little time. And he is going to make sure that he would use it wisely to save everyone.

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