The Dark is Patient [a.s]

Echo

  The weight of the ship shifted as it landed and Anakin adjusted his footing to avoid lurching forward and he gave a sideways glance to the pilot. Even though the man wore a helmet, he could tell the trooper must've had a frightened and embarrassed expression on his face. He then looked to La'vena as well as a few other of his Inquisitors and gave them a nod, one by one they drew their cloaks up as the hangar door lowered and the blinding light of the suns filtered into the ship.

Anakin squinted his eyes and heat hit his face like a punch as he lifted his own cloak and lowered his head. Even though his new world was covered in lava, it never felt quite as hot as Tatooine and he clenched his metal fist before walking off the ship. Storm troopers flanked both sides as he marched his way down the aisle, all of them standing as still as stone. Though they were as well trained as they could be, he couldn't help but miss the clones. But, his Master was adamant they weren't of any use any more and that their loyalty should be questioned.

He didn't believe it for a second, much like how he didn't believe anything that came out of Darth Sidious' mouth these days but he had to bite his tongue. Be patient. A virtue that was never his to bear but with the particular plot he had in mind he knew it was necessary. So now, littered across the galaxy were old clones retired from war and not being able to find good work. Anakin knew Rex was out there somewhere. His helmet wasn't with the rest of the 332nd company and he knew damn well Ahsoka wouldn't forget Rex, not in a million lifetimes would she leave the Captain behind.

As they marched through the town, the sand shifted unevenly beneath his feet but he walked with smooth and well practiced steps. He had grown up here and it seemed the desert had welcomed him back, easing his steps and carrying him across the sands while others shifted their weight awkwardly as they trudged on. His face was hidden in shadow much like the civilians of the town who were hiding in their homes and alleys as they watched the Empire march through their tiny little town.

He could feel their fear and hear their thoughts, wondering why the Empire would come here, of all places? The prayers of Anakin Skywalker had been smudged out by the frightful whispers and screams of Darth Vader and all who were watching had the dread to realize they were in his presence. He wasn't here for them, he couldn't care less about them. They were like insects beneath his feet that he could crush and keep walking without even blinking.

Anakin could sense her everywhere and it felt like every single one of his nerves was on fire, eating at him and begging him to just let go. Let it out. Tear the whole fucking town apart to find her.

Where are you, Ahsoka? His voice called out but it was actually a scream that ripped into the Force. He had been reaching out to her, he could feel her but she would never answer and he hated where his thoughts went when she wouldn't. Did she already hate him? Was she ignoring him? Was someone keeping her from responding? Was she doing it on purpose? Was she hurt?

He was going insane and he just needed to see her to know everything was okay.

-

  Where are you, Ahsoka?

She screamed in pain as his voice tore through her head and her speeder spun out of control, whipping sideways and throwing her off of it at a dangerously high speed and all she could feel was his rage and the wind before the ground slammed into her body. Pain ripped across her body, the sand doing extremely little to soften her fall and she faintly heard the dull crash of her speeder tumbling into the sand and the crunch of metal.

"He's here," she gasped out and her lungs hurt as she breathed in the hot and dry air. She blinked up at the sky and could see the blurry shadow of a massive star destroyer high up in the atmosphere and a chill ran through her body despite the scorching weather. "He's here," she mumbled again and tried to sit up but got so dizzy she fell back to the ground heavily.