Brotherhood

Chapter 15 - Interrogation

While he finds sparring enjoyable, Obi-Wan doesn't get the same thrill that Ahsoka does or that Anakin seems to. It should be obvious. They both prefer aggressive forms, while he usually uses defensive ones. Watching Anakin fight off the MagnaGuards yesterday, Obi-Wan was able to get a feel for the other man's style. He clearly favors Djem So, while Obi-Wan has become used to Soresu. Ahsoka, on the other hand, uses a form of Shien enabling reverse grip and dual lightsaber usage.

Anakin and Ahsoka circle one another, their lightsabers ignited. Obi-Wan is careful to keep his distance from the two Sith standing next to each other near the arena. If the stakes weren't so high, he might actually be able to enjoy the duel. Anakin attacks first, his red lightsaber slicing towards Ahsoka's side. She blocks him, following the strike with one of her own which Anakin readily parries.

Though neither of them talks, their eyes track each other with a detached calculatedness, betraying their complete absorption with the fight. Obi-Wan knows he's supposed to join, but Sidious didn't want him to participate immediately. He's waiting for the signal to be given. The pair trade a few more leisurely blows back and forth, before Anakin grins, eyes glinting yellow as he lunges. He rains blows on Ahsoka so fast that Obi-Wan can't even keep track of them. She hastily accommodates by backing up when necessary as she struggles to hold her ground. Even with two lightsabers, she's clearly at a disadvantage.

Dooku motions to him, and he ignites his own lightsaber, the blue blade hissing to life as he leaps to Ahsoka's aid. Blue meets red, and as Obi-Wan looks at Anakin, the expression on the other's face can only be described as challenging. He's so clearly enjoying this. Anakin slows down the pace of his assault, keeping his movements quick and deliberate as he blocks their combined attacks, clearly working to lull them into a false security.

Obi-Wan presses the dual, moving more quickly and taking the initiative to attack first to draw Anakin fully into the fight. After parrying several strikes, Anakin spins his lightsaber, nearly hitting Ahsoka's arm and forcing her to leap back to protect herself. He doesn't give her a chance to recover, pressing the attack until one of her lightsabers is knocked from her hand, sending it skittering across the floor.

Humiliating is probably the word to use for their defeat. Obi-Wan still isn't entirely sure how Anakin managed, but he did. Though his face is neutral as he bows to Sidious, Obi-Wan can sense a hint of smugness through the Force. He beat both Obi-Wan and Ahsoka in record time, and he's proud of it. Really, Obi-Wan should have known he couldn't expect anything else. Anakin was trained as a warrior, as an assassin. With his Force sensitivity to boot, he would have to be a stellar duelist, especially since Dooku, who was known as one of the best duelists in the Order, has trained him.

Sidious looks inordinately pleased at the results. "This is the true power of the Dark Side," he hisses gleefully. "Embrace it, and you will be stronger than any Jedi."

Despite the hood pulled up over his head, Obi-Wan can almost feel those cold yellow eyes burrowing into him. Unlike Anakin, who is all passion, Sidious seems to suck emotions right out of the air and into a void. Cold. Calculating. Emotionless. Does he even have a heart? Can he feel? Obi-Wan pushes the thoughts away. That line of questioning will get him nowhere, and Ahsoka right. One of them needs to remain level-headed and untouched by the horrors and guilt all around them.

He rubs his hands together, grinning darkly. "We have an issue with the prisoners," he declares. "It is not a secret that Lord Vader has aided in their training –" Obi-Wan glances sharply at Anakin, who is staring down at the floor, subdued. "– and it is important that we know who else is aware. Normally, clones do not discuss their trainers with the Jedi, but it is a possibility I am not willing to overlook."