Shadow of Trust

Chapter 15 - Depression

Chapter 15 - Depression

Ahsoka ran down the hallways of the temple, glancing nervously at her commlink. Damn Obi Wan! Finally answer! Could it be that difficult to answer a call? Apparently. She had to find Master Kenobi as soon as possible. A lot depended on it. But Obi-Wan had better intentions than taking her call today. Couldn't he have at least left her a short message?

I'm sorry Ahsoka, but I'm pretty busy right now.

That would have been enough. Annoyed, Ahsoka shook her head and stopped in front of Kenobi's quarters. She pounded on the metal door like a madman.

After a while, the door finally opened - if only for a crack - and a pale Obi-Wan peeked out. "Ahsoka," he whispered, finally opening the door fully. "What a surprise."

A shiver ran down Ahsoka's spine. All anger at Anakin's former master had evaporated. Instead, she was genuinely worried about him. "Master Obi-Wan. Are you all right?"

He just nodded. "I'm fine, but I don't think that's why you came here." Ahsoka shook her head, feeling uneasy. She was absolutely certain that Obi-Wan was not well. Should she still burden him with her worries? After all, this wasn't about her, it was about Anakin. And Padmé, of course. "I can feel it from here," he said, looking at her with tired eyes. "What's the matter?"

Now she had to tell Obi-Wan. She sighed and started talking.

oOo

Meanwhile, Padmé and Anakin had arrived on another level. They had managed to get safely to the secret tunnels. How they did it, Padmé couldn't answer. She had suddenly become nauseated and simply collapsed. Luckily Anakin had quick reflexes and was able to catch her. Most of the time she had been carried by him while she herself had reveled in a motley world between powerlessness and reality.

The tunnels were passages built about two thousand years ago so that the temple could be evacuated in case of an emergency. A hundred years before the great Sith army attacked. But the tunnels had never been used. And over the millennia they had fallen into oblivion. Only the Jedi Council knew of the tunnels at the dawn of Palpatine's empire. Gradually, however, other important Jedi had been told, like himself. Outside of the temple, nothing but legends were told about these fabulous tunnels. Palpatine had always ignored these legends, for him the mysterious corridors seemed to have nothing to do with reality. However, after the Jedi had barricaded themselves in the temple for months, he began to doubt his theory. Often enough he had sent troops to find the mouths of the tunnels in Coruscant's underworld. Without success. Because he and his advisors were groping in the dark. The temple and its subterranean expanses were an unsolved mystery.

Before Anakin and Padmé could walk the corridors undisturbed, they first had to take out the guards who were posted everywhere. Not an easy task.

oOo

But Ahsoka wasn't doing much better. She sat on a carved-wood chair and stared into Obi- Wan's tired face. "Please Master Kenobi, you must listen to me. It is important!"

Obi- Wan's gaze was blank, as if someone had reprimanded him. Dazed, he shook his head. "No ... I can't help you ..." the distraught Jedi murmured and turned away.

Ahsoka found her time was running out. And gave a soft sigh and decided to take it harder now. In one swift movement, the Togruta grabbed Obi-Wan's shoulder and turned him over with a jerk. She looked at Obi-Wan in surprise. He hadn't made any intentions of fighting back. But she didn't care now. "Obi-Wan! Wake up! Anakin needs you now! He's on the run with Padmé! We have to do something!"

Obi-Wan grimaced indecisively and finally whispered, "What could you possibly do?"

Was she dreaming or wasn't that Obi-Wan before her? Angrily, Ahsoka lit her lightsaber and held it to Obi-Wan's throat. "You're not Obi-Wan!"

Startled, Kenobi jumped back. "Ahsoka!? What's that?! Of course I'm Obi-Wan!"

"I don't think so though. Obi-Wan would never back down when it came to his former Padawan," Ahsoka growled, heading for the door. Then she turned back to Obi-Wan and gave him a sad look. "He needs you , Obi-Wan. Master Windu will do everything to track him down. You must decide which side you are on!" With a jerky movement she opened the door and stepped out "Because I'm on Anakin's side." Without closing the door, Ahsoka left.

Now he was alone in his room. His heart ached. Finally, Obi-Wan woke up. He realized that if he didn't act now, he would be making another mistake with his depression. He quickly grabbed his lightsaber with the Force and clipped it to his belt. With quick steps he gave chase and came to a halt in front of Ahsoka with a puff of air.

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes suspiciously and regarded him. "You're right," Obi-Wan ground out, sounding like the Obi-Wan who feared no danger. Ahsoka looked at him hopefully. Obi-Wan adopted his signature pose, crossing his arms behind his back. He smiled at her kindly as if nothing had happened. "Let's not waste any time," the Jedi said, strutting past the Padawan.

Surprised she turned around. "Where do you want to go?"

Now Obi-Wan looked surprised. Nevertheless he smiled. "Somebody has to bail Anakin out."

Ahsoka grinned and ran after her master's mentor.

-

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