The Meaning of Chosen

IV. A Brief Reunion

"Stay inside the ship, Ahsoka," Anakin instructed. "And try not to let your force presence stand out."

"But the Emperor isn't here, who is going to sense my presence?" she complained.

"You can never be too careful," Anakin said.

"You can if you neglect the people you care about because of it," Ahsoka mumbled, but Anakin sensed her presence in the force diminishing.

"I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I'll get you to Padmé as soon as possible, then you can get out of there with her."

"I hope you'll think about telling her Anakin, it's not right to keep this from her."

Anakin left the shuttle without giving an answer, and made his way to the control room of the central imperial facility on Lothal.

"Lord Vader," an admiral greeted. Vader suspected he had solely been sent here to find these associates of Obi-Wan.

"What is the status, Admiral?"

"We have received a report from the inquisitors," he answered. "I can have it uploaded for you–"

"Spare me the details, Admiral," Vader interrupted.

"Of course, Lord Vader," the Admiral said hastily. "We have located a small house beyond the outskirts of the city, which Kenobi seems to have visited most often. A squad of storm troopers has surrounded it, no one leaves or comes without our notice."

"Good work, Admiral, we will monitor them, until we have proof of Kenobi's coming there."

"With all do respect, Lord Vader," the Admiral said, "the Emperor ordered their immediate capture upon your arrival."

"Then it seems you have everything under control," Vader growled and turned to the door.

"Lord Vader?" the Admiral called after him, but Vader didn't listen.

He quickly made his way back to his shuttle and found Ahsoka in his quarters.

"What is it?" she asked when he stepped through the door.

"You have to go, now!" Anakin said.

"Why? What happened?" she asked and quickly got to her feet.

"The Emperor has ordered their immediate capture," he told her.

"What?" Ahsoka exclaimed. "What are we gonna do?"

"You have to get to them as fast as possible and get them out of there!" Anakin said as he led her out of the ship.

They walked down a few narrow passage ways until they reached the back entrance to the building. With a quick wave of Anakin's hand, the guard next to the door passed out.

"How did you...?"

"Not important, Snips," Anakin said through clenched teeth as he pulled down his hood and stepped outside.

He led them through the streets of Lothal's capital city. In some back alley he stopped before a speeder and mounted it. Ahsoka got on behind him and he sped off. As soon as they got past the last building, Anakin went faster in an attempt to reach Padmé and the twins before the order for capture was given.

"You think you can handle a squad of troopers on your own?" he shouted to Ahsoka at some point.

"Where will you be?" she asked back.

"Answering my com, so no one will get suspicious."

"Why do you have to answer your com when some troopers are in trouble?" she asked. "Seriously, what position are you in with the imperials?"