Clone Wars Gambit: Siege (36 page)

T
WELVE 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 Lanteeb 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 Kenobi—
”

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 gratitude, 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 ships 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 have 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 Padmé’s image appeared on the holodisplay. Feeling Anakin’s swift interest, Obi-Wan flicked him a glance.
Settle down
.

Padmé was smiling. Radiant. “
Master Kenobi, 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.”

“
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.

Padmé 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 on 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 shining 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?”

He was far from all right. And of course Taria knew that, which was why she’d asked. But there’d be time for debriefings back at the Temple. Time to think of the fallen, and mourn them, and find ways to honor those who’d made mistakes—and paid a terrible price to undo them. Time to come to terms with the loss of his friend. It was a journey he’d started in Torbel’s sick house, but he still had a long way to go.

I’m not even sure it’s a journey I can finish
.

Knowing she’d let him, just this once, he lied. “Yes. I’m fine.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “You need more rest.”

“After the war. Taria—” Palpatine hadn’t acknowledged what she’d done. What she’d sacrificed. It made him angry. “You saved so many lives. And now—”

“No regrets,” she said, under her breath. Her fingers tightened on his arm, and she tried to smile. “How can there be? Obi-Wan—”

Then Master Windu returned, and the moment was lost.

“Right,” Windu said, as Yularen toggled the bridge and told them he was on his way. “I think we’re done here. Anakin!”

Anakin joined them. “Master.”

“You’ve spoken to your Padawan?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good.” Master Windu smiled, fiercely. “Then let’s go. We’ll hop a gunship over to
Dagger
and make best speed for home.”

Turning, he headed for the hatch, Taria falling into step beside him. One warm, affectionate glance over her shoulder, and she was gone.

“
Home,
” said Anakin. “That’s got a nice ring to it.” He was smiling broadly, a hint of mischief in his eyes and a sense of excitement, quickly tamped down. And then the smile faded. “So, Obi-Wan. We survived another one.”

Not all of us
.

But that wasn’t Anakin’s problem. With a wrenching effort, he pulled his mind from the pain and loss that were crouched ahead in the shadows, waiting. Inescapable.

“Yes, we did, Anakin,” he agreed. “By the skin of our teeth.”

“Yeah…” Anakin shook his head. “Y’know, I’m starting to think we need a new hobby.”

He was tired, he was sad, but still—“
Trust
me, Anakin,” he said lightly, “on that score, you’ll get no argument from me.”

And then they grinned at each other. No need to say more.

“Kenobi!” Master Windu shouted from the corridor. “Have you forgotten what
best speed
means?”

“Oops,” said Anakin, and extended his hand with a flourish. “After you, Master Kenobi.”

“No, no, Master Skywalker,” he replied. “I insist. After
you.
”

Side by side, they walked out of the room.