Anakin's Fortress - Book II (temporary cover)

Forty-six - Oneiric

Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, Palpatine holds the power.
Year 14

—————

Anakin

We freed hundreds. The rendezvous point was a long distance away and took us three times as long to reach as we transported the injured and scavenged supplies—including the two full crates I saved.

Two ships were commandeered for the critically injured and the youngest few Wookiees. Turning the first one over had everyone holding their breath, but whatever surge Kitten's invention caused was over.

Now, Obi-Wan and I are head to head, unable to agree. As Gungi stands behind us, watching us, I have to work to ignore him. It was his words that caused our argument. When he said it is time to fight, to find the Force-sensitive children and train them, well. I didn't like it—it's Obi-Wan that agrees. He even has the nerve to try to say Kat thinks so too! Yoda, at least, is on my side, though I think he simply regrets his failures and doesn't wish to repeat them.

Me? I won't make children fight. I won't. Ahsoka was fourteen when she came to me—fourteen! The same age as my kids!

"Go, we must," Yoda interrupts. Obi-Wan and I both snap our attention to him and glare. "Fight elsewhere, you may."

"He's right," Obi-Wan mutters. "We can't be here when reinforcements come."

"We can't leave them here undefended," I argue.

"They don't want to go, Anakin! They're not leaving their home, but we're of more help to them out there, where we have contact with the outside world. They have the advantage right now, but leaving once Imperials arrive will be almost impossible."

"Father," Luke says, tapping my shoulder. I shift to look at him. "Kat will be really worried."

My fight begins to simmer out. He's right. They're right.

Instead of answering, I give Gungi a bitter nod and board the ship—the one Obi-Wan and Yoda had no problem landing when they got here.

"I can fly, sir." I shift to see who is speaking and almost choke when I see a familiar clone.

"Rex?" I breathe.

"Hello, sir. It's good to see you."

"What..." I trail off, not sure what to say.

"We can talk later," he says with a nod and works his way past me and into the cockpit.

What the kriff? I thought that old man was dead. Does Ahsoka know he's alive?

"—understand that, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan is saying as he boards the ship.

"Did you know Rex was alive?" I snap.

I went to the crash site. I saw Rex's grave. I saw Ahsoka's grave—I still have her lightsabers!

"What?" Obi-Wan says in irritation, not missing my accusing tone. "How would I have known anything of the sort, Anakin? I've spent the last fourteen years in a desert!"

"You knew my children were alive. You know, the ones you want to send into war."

"Oh come off it. I do not regret my decisions in keeping them safe."

"But you're willing to endanger them now," I argue before he's even finished speaking. I can't believe this. I can't believe he's suddenly changed his mind! It's not time to fight!

"Guys," Leia says.

"I am not suggesting we throw them into battle! But we must be prepared."

"Training Luke is for his protection—not to fight the Empire."