Chain Reaction

~ Four - A Secret Ally - Obi-Wan ~

It has been a few months since Ahsoka and Anakin left the Order, and everything hasn't been quite the same. The 501st battalion has joined the 212th, since they are used to working together. Master Plo had insisted upon it, which I am utterly grateful for. It would have been what Anakin wanted after all. 

I had assumed that Anakin and maybe even Ahsoka had gone to live with Senator Amidala, but a quick 'diplomatic' visit told me otherwise. As far as I am aware, my brother and niece are gone forever. Since Satine's death, their departure has been the most painful event I have had to experience, and I still struggle with remaining detached from their memory. Although it is not as difficult as it was for him, now I understand Anakin's issues with attachment. 

The men have suffered as well. Captain Rex and the 501st are struggling with the loss of their general and commander. They deeply cared for the pair and had an entire celebration waiting for after they heard the news of Ahsoka's innocence. The memory of telling them that their general and commander had left will eternally haunt my mind. The stunned grief that grew on each soldier's face, including the new ones who had barely known the two. 

I was the one who cleaned their quarters at the Temple, wishing it were different. Master Plo had briefly assisted, the same loss written on his face, despite his mask. The Council had allowed me, and the men leave for a few days before we were, once again, thrown onto the battlefield. This time however, the distraction of war did not compensate for the pain lodged in my heart. No matter how many attempts to rid of it, as it was against the code, it remained. 

However, things changed. There was a disturbance in the Force, one so subtle, it almost seemed imperceptible. An alteration that no one seemed to notice. 

Then, came the gift. 

Several lightsabers that all belonged to Grevious' collection in a box. The Temple Guards alerted and presented it to the Council before attending to other matters, leaving us to unveil the mystery behind it. Master Yoda, using the Force to levitate one of the sabers, analyzes it, and calls it to his hands. Activating the green light of the blade, his eyes close for a moment. 

"Ur-Sema Du's lightsaber, this was." Murmurs rise within the Council, the tension with it. Master Du was the first to encounter Grevious and died during said meeting. It was that monster's most prized lightsaber in his collection. After a few moments, each saber analyzed and confirmed by Master Yoda, it was evident. Each saber was from the collection of the cyborg. 

"What could this mean Master Yoda? Grevious would never let so many lightsabers leave his grasp." I glance at Master Windu, whose expression and presence are deep in thought, concerned on the matter. All the masters, even those only in holographic call, turn to Master Yoda, who himself, has his eyes closed. The expression any jedi, even younglings, recognize from a brief glance. A meditative trance, used often by the grand master of the Order whenever prompting advice from the Force. 

"A possible ally or dangerous threat this is. Find the source, we must. Think of them as an ally, we can; unless proven otherwise, they are. The Force, clouded it is. Proceed with caution, we must." My mind wanders to Anakin once again, on how he would approach this news. Most likely, thinking with his lightsaber on the matter. However, he would probably be at least pleased that the stolen sabers had been returned. I sigh. All this time, and yet I still do not understand how his mind would work, on any matter. 

"Master Kenobi?" I jolt from my thoughts, startled. Master Windu and the rest of the Council are staring at me, obviously one of them having asked a question that I never heard. Internally scolding my mind for retreating back to them, I clear my throat. "Apologizes, what was the question?" Master Shaak Ti speaks, which surprises me. Usually, she is quiet on matters unless she deems the topic important.

"I had asked what your thoughts were on this matter; you seemed deep within them Master Kenobi." Contemplating my reply, my voice speaks before my mind can process my words. "We might have an ally, or an enemy for that matter, but I agree with Master Yoda. We have enough enemies in this war as it is. We don't need suspicion to cloud our judgement. It happened before and reaped consequences." The rest of the Council is taken aback by my tone, including myself. It was raw but cold, as if grieving and angry. A tone of voice often heard used by Anakin or even Ahsoka. 

There is no emotion, there is peace. 

Why had my voice become emotional? It is against the Code to form attachments, yet my voice betrays that I did have one. Wincing slightly, I apologize once more for my tone. Windu gives a slight glare, speaking in a tone all too familiar. 

"It was the will of the Force, Citizens Tano and Skywalker could not accept that. Yes, it was not a good decision to rely on politics, however we had little choice. They left. The issue is no longer in our hands. We must learn from that mistake and move on, not dwell on the past." The conversation returns to the topic at hand, but I barely hear the discussion. It is against the Code to dwell on the past and form attachments, so why am I doing so? I made a commitment to the Jedi Order, and I vowed my former master to continue. 

Qui-Gon. 

I had promised him I would train Anakin, and I failed. 

My brother and niece are gone. Dwelling on the past will not help win this war. Nor will it bring them back. I can only hope that they are doing well in their own lives, away from the battlefield. 

It is time to move on.