Part 44 (2/2)

he said at last. ”I hope it is. ” Then he sighed. ”I wonder how much longer we'll be stuck here. There's very little I wouldn't give right now for a hot shower and a bed. ”

But Ahsoka could tell it wasn't himself he was worried about, it was Taria. And he was right to be worried. Even full of painkillers.

Master Damsin felt... wrong.

”Ahsoka, ” said Anakin, his tired eyes shadowed with concern. ”Since we're grounded, why don't you go and find out?”

She nodded. ”Yes, Master. Love to. ”

Because the sooner we're off this rock, the happier we'll all he.

And they did get off it, eventually, once all the farewells were done with. The skinny girl Greti clung to Master Ken.o.bi, trying hard not to weep. Her mother did weep, thanking him for saving her hand, and her life. The bossy woman Sufi hugged him, nearly hard enough to break his ribs, and another woman, in an ancient antigrav harness, hugged Anakin as hard, and Master Ken.o.bi, too. The village speaker Rikkard was sad to see them go. They were all polite to Taria, but it wasn't the same.

Watching, Ahsoka realized that Anakin and Master Ken.o.bi must have done amazing things in Torbel, that they were loved by these odd, unsophisticated villagers.

I hope this time Skyguy tells me properly what happened.

180.

Leaving Master Windu and the villagers behind to their discussions and decisions, they flew to Indomitable with Captain Rex and a clone medic for escort. Master Ken.o.bi sat on a portable soft-seat, with Taria dozing against his shoulder. Standing beside Anakin, Ahsoka stared out of the guns.h.i.+p's rear viewport at Lanteeb, falling fast behind them. Lifting his hand, Anakin wriggled his lingers.

”Good-bye, and good riddance, ” he murmured. Which pretty much said it all.

Twelve hours after boarding Indomitable, having bathed and slept and eaten a decent meal in the first time since, well, it felt like forever, Obi-Wan reported to the Battle Operations Room for a holoconference with Palpatine. Anakin and Taria went with him.

Master Windu returned from Lanteeb to attend, and of course Yularen was there. Not Ahsoka, though. She'd gone back to Lantech with Rex. There was still a deal of work planetside to be done.

Catching himself worrying about Greti, again, Obi-Wan pulled his focus back where it belonged. Waifs and strays. He was getting as bad as Qui-Gon.

”...disappointing that Lok Durd managed to reach General Grievous and escape, ” the Supreme Chancellor was saying, ”but all in all, I think it's best we count our blessings. Master Ken.o.bi...”

Obi-Wan bowed. ”Supreme Chancellor. ”

”As the senior Jedi on this mission, you are to be congratulated on its success. And you have my most heartfelt personal grat.i.tude, for managing to keep young Anakin in one piece. ”

He bowed again, acutely aware of Anakin beside him. ”It was my pleasure, Supreme Chancellor. Though this entire mission was very much a joint effort. ”

”It certainly was, ” said Palpatine. ”And I have expressed my appreciation to the captains of the s.h.i.+ps who joined you in your hour of need. Admiral Yularen. Senators Organa and Amidala are certainly to be commended for their ingenuity. But I must say, I am concerned that what they've done here sets a precedent that might in the future represent a threat to the security of the Republic. We do hare a Grand Army-and of course, our splendid Jedi. So I think it's fair to say that this mission was one for the books, and not to be repeated. ”

”I'm pleased to hear you say so, Supreme Chancellor, ” said Admiral Yularen. ”I couldn't agree more about the danger it implies. ”

”We'll discuss that further at a later date. Admiral, ” said Palpatine. ”For now, let us just appreciate the results of a job well done, shall we? Master Windu?”

Master Windu's face went still. ”Supreme Chancellor. ”

”I'd appreciate your immediate return to Kothlis, ” said Palpatine. ”The Ruling Council has been most understanding, but I prefer not to impose on their good graces any longer. ”

Obi-Wan felt the Jedi Master's irritation. ”I'll do that, Supreme Chancellor, ” Windu said. 'But with Admiral Yularen's battle group still mopping up on Lanteeb, perhaps you'd permit me a slight detour via Coruscant?”

”To bring our triumphant Jedi home? Of course, ” said Palpatine, broadly smiling. ”In fact. Master Windu, I believe I insist. Anakin...”

”Supreme Chancellor, ” Anakin said, almost wary. But Palpatine had himself in hand. ”My dear boy-what can I say but well done, and thank the Force you're all right. ”

”Thank you. Supreme Chancellor. ”

”Now, ” said Palpatine, ”before we conclude, I have someone with me who'd like a quick word. ”

A pause, and then Padme's image appeared on the holodisplay. Feeling Anakin's swift interest, Obi-Wan flicked him a glance. Settle down.

Padme was smiling. Radiant. ”Master Ken.o.bi, it's so good to see you. I understand the people of Torbel have accepted Queen Jamillia's offer to resettle on Naboo?”

”They have, Senator. And I thank you for arranging it. ”

181.

”It was the least I could do, after what they did for you and-and Anakin. I look forward to hearing the full story upon your return. So does Senator Organa. He asked me to compliment you on yet another remarkable escape. ”

Obi-Wan nodded. I'll bet he did. ”Thank you, Senator. And we look forward to telling you all about the mission-when time permits. ”

Which wouldn't be soon, if he had his way. The less time she and Anakin spent together, the better... for all their sakes.

Padme was a phenomenally intelligent woman. She knew what he meant. ”Yes, ” she said, after a moment. ”Of course. ”

And on that note, the holoconference ended.

”Anakin, ” said Master Windu. ”Yoda wants you back in the Temple, but I'd like to leave your Padawan down on Lanteeb to keep an eye 011 the Five Hundred First. I think you'll agree she can handle herself. ”

Obi-Wan waited for Anakin to object, but instead he nodded. ”Yes, Master Windu. I trust her implicitly. ”

”As you should, ” said Windu, briskly pleased. ”Now, I need to sort out a few things with the admiral. Don't go far. ”

As Master Windu took Yularen aside, Obi-Wan turned to Taria. ”Still got your comlink?”

Pumped full of chemicals by Indomitable's med droids, she looked almost healthy again. It was a terrible lie. Dressed like him, in drab gray Fleet overalls, her fabulous hair clean and s.h.i.+ning and strictly contained, not a soul looking at her would guess she had only weeks to live.

But I'm not going to spoil this. I'm not.

”My comlink?” she said, raising an eyebrow. ”Yes. Why?”

”Anakin needs to give Ahsoka the good news. ”

She gave Anakin her comlink. ”Tell her well done from me. Go Green team. She'll understand. ”

”Will do, ” said Anakin, and withdrew to comm Ahsoka.

”So, Obi-Wan, ” Taria said softly, and rested her hand on his arm. ”Are you all right?”

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