A Priceless Bounty | Anakin Skywalker

Chapter Sixteen | Anakin

I suffered, silently. I sat on my bed, trying to hold my emotions in. I wanted to call Adea and ask her again why she would do this, but I knew her answers wouldn't change so instead I chose to let it all out.

I laid down in the fetal position and sobbed until I couldn't breathe. I watched as everything around me went dark, leaving me stuck in my own thoughts.

Over the next few days, I spent most of my time in my quarters. I skipped briefings and sat out of missions, claiming I wasn't feeling well. Obi-Wan vouched for my mysterious illness, but many of the masters began to worry, sending him to check on me every day.

"Something is going on, Master Kenobi." I heard Master Plo say outside of my room. "Master Yoda has reason to believe Skywalker isn't truly ill."

"I never said he was physically sick. He's been battling some things mentally." He told him. "He's been spending a lot of time meditating, sorting through his thoughts."

"We can't keep allowing him to stay back from missions. There's a war going on." I heard another master say. "He's one of our best generals. We can't afford to go another fight without him."

"Can you guys be a little quieter? I was trying to meditate." I groaned as my door slid open, revealing a large group of people standing outside. I frowned. "What are you all doing here? Master Yoda normally just sends Master Kenobi."

"So sorry to bother you, Skywalker." Master Plo said. "We've all come to see how you were feeling."

"I've been feeling much better. I just needed to contemplate heavily and look inward." I smiled. "I'll be at tonight's briefing, though. I'm excited to get back out there with a clear and stable conscience."

"Good to hear." Master Tiin nodded, leading the group away from my door. Obi-Wan stayed behind to talk to me. He followed me back into my room, letting the door close before opening his mouth.

"How are you really feeling?" He asked sincerely.

"Betrayed. Hurt. Angry. Mad at you." I sighed, choosing to be honest. "The same things I've been feeling all week."

"Mad at me? Shoot the messenger, why don't you." He rolled his eyes. "You should be mad at her, if anything."

"I am mad at her! But you knew this would destroy me and you still chose to tell me anyway. That's just as bad." I snapped.

"Don't let those emotions take control of you, Anakin. It can lead you down a dark path."

"Yeah, yeah. You tell me this everyday." I scowled. "Maybe if you didn't ruin my life, I wouldn't feel this way."

"I still don't see how am I to blame for this?" He argued. "She's the one that sold you out. She lied to you the whole time."

"Yeah, and I wish you never told me. We were doing great. She was going to join the Republic and put her old life behind." I snapped back.

"And you trusted that?" He scolded me.

"I'll see you at the briefing."

Later that evening was our briefing. I stood in the back of the room, alone, listening to the plans. We were set to head to Berchest in two days in hopes of stopping the Separatist's advancements and providing relief to what used to be a tourist location. I could barely pay attention, so in my head about my conversation with Obi-Wan.

"Skywalker, how nice of you to join us. Will you be attending the mission as well?" Master Windu asked.

"Yes, Master." I nodded.

"Good to hear." He smiled. "We've really been held back by your absence."

"I'm sorry about that, Master. I just needed to get into a better headspace before getting back on the battlefield."

Obi-Wan walked over to us to discuss some more details of the mission. The goal was to reestablish the city center, which had been overrun by the Separatists. I dreaded the possibility of seeing Adea there. While I still had strong feelings for her, I felt betrayed and lied to. My fingers were crossed that her father wouldn't return her to her original task.

We gathered in the ship hangar two days later to prepare for takeoff. Obi-Wan and I were set to lead the mission. We both took separate transports up to our Venators, me on the Resolute and him on the Negotiator. As soon as my transport docked on the Resolute, I headed to the bridge to find Captain Rex.

"General, what do you propose we do about the blockade? We can't get the supplies through." He asked me.

"Not with the Resolute, that's for sure. I'll take a team and sneak down in a small ship with the supplies. You distract the Separatists."

"You got it, boss." He nodded. "Hey, General?"

"Yeah, Rex?" I turned around.

"Are you doing okay? It's been a while since you've been out in the field."

"I'll survive, don't worry about me." I smiled weakly.

I ran to the hangar to oversee the loading of supplies onto a smaller ship. As soon as it was loaded, I took off, hoping Rex would have my back.

I managed to get through the blockade unnoticed. I landed on Berchest and helped provide relief supplies. Rex did as he promised, keeping the Separatists distracted long enough for Obi-Wan and the Negotiator to arrive.

The rest of the fleet carried out their duty in the airspace above the planet, allowing Rex and Commander Cody's squadrons to come down. We stood in a circle, making a plan to reclaim the area, starting with the city center.

It was laid out that the clones would enter first and clear out the B1 battle droids, allowing Obi-Wan and I to deal with the bigger droids and anyone else the Separatists sent.

"If she's waiting for us in there, you're on your own." Obi-Wan laughed as we snuck up to the city center, hiding behind some trees.

"Very funny, Master."

"I'm serious, Anakin. While I am here to fight, that's not my battle." He told me. "It's obvious there are some things between you too that need to be resolved."

"And I'll resolve them." I said angrily. "Hopefully I won't have to do it here."

"I want you to be mentally prepared for it, just in case." He frowned. "Don't let your emotions get the better of you."

"I'm prepared." I glared at him. "I'll do what I need to do."

We entered a large building, following behind the clones closely as they took out the battle droids. Obi-Wan and I cleared out each room, one by one.

I slowly walked into a pitch black room near the back of the base. I ignited my lightsaber and was met with the only set of eyes I didn't want to see, a blade held out in front of them to block any move I made. I gasped loudly, almost frightened.

"Anakin, are you alright?" Obi-Wan called out to me from the hallway.

"Yes, Master!" I shouted back. "Uhh, I wouldn't come in here though."