- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐘 -

tryna wash away all the blood i split.

THE CALL WASN'T FROM the Council after all: it was from Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Regina stared at the Jedi Master, surprise on her face. Yes, he was a Council member—he'd been promoted over six months ago—but the first words out of his mouth were, "The Council doesn't know that I'm contacting you." A bold move for the rule-stickler Kenobi. "But I'm going to tell them that I contacted you very soon."

"Is something wrong, Master?" Regina asked, trying to hide her worry. Obi-Wan wouldn't be calling her under these conditions if everything was fine. She caught the faintest trace of emotion flash across the Jedi's face before he returned to his usual composure.

"There's been a bombing at the Temple," he hesitantly explained. He sighed, shaking his head as if the words he had to say next were difficult. "The evidence is pointing toward Ahsoka."

Regina's eyebrows shot up at both the fact that someone had bombed the Temple and that it was supposedly Anakin's Padawan. "Ahsoka?" she repeated, disbelief and shock breaking her calm.  Over the hologram, Regina saw Kenobi's façade waver. This was difficult for him; Regina knew he loved Ahsoka almost as much as Anakin did. But Regina also got the feeling that there was more to this whole thing, almost as if more than Ahsoka's apparent criminal activities were bothering him. Something was wrong with the Jedi Master; he was greatly upset but was burying his emotions.  

"Yes," he said carefully. "We all find it terribly hard to believe, especially Anakin." The Jedi paused as if wondering how to phrase his next words. "I realize that you are tied up on Kashyyyk, but I was wondering if you could come here and provide assistance to Anakin. It will look good if you do come, for Ahsoka. You're an outside source and haven't been on Coruscant in some time. Your presence could prove effective."

He pursed his lips before continuing. "However, I assume by the time you arrive here Ahsoka will be brought into custody..." Regina tensed at that; she couldn't believe Ahsoka Tano was capable of bombing the Jedi Temple and whatever else she was accused of. "...But I have a feeling that Anakin will try everything in his power to prove his Padawan innocent."

Regina thought about it, then nodded. "You think she's innocent too." She sensed that wasn't the main source of Kenobi's pain. He was hiding something. Some sort of loss. 

Obi-Wan didn't reply for a second then sighed. "To be honest, I don't know what to believe. The evidence is piling up around her, and with her on the run... It seems she is to blame for the whole situation."

Regina raised an eyebrow. "But Anakin doesn't think so."

"No, he does not."

Regina sucked in a deep breath, thinking this whole thing through. She could fly back to Coruscant, help Anakin free Ahsoka, then come back and help Quillow and the clones on Kashyyyk. She could leave Blue in charge. Sometimes it was nice having a commander who was responsible and a lot like her, if more serious.

"I'll see what I can do, Obi-Wan," Regina promised. "I'll talk it over with Quillow and Blue. If they don't need my immediate help, then I'll come."

Obi-Wan nodded then smiled softly. "Thank you, Regina. Let me know as soon as possible."

"I will, Master."

She cut the transmission. Inhaling slowly, she closed her eyes and turned to the door. Regina stepped out of the room and found Quillow in the one opposite, studying some maps. She hesitantly walked over to her former master, not knowing how to approach the topic. She stood across from him, waiting for him to finish.