ladyofleithian | Murder the Dawn: Chapter Twenty Eight: This Is Where The Fun Begins

In which Anakin and Obi-Wan begin the mission to rescue Chancellor Palpatine.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: Hope this chapter doesn't come off too rushed or anything.

Anakin Skywalker always loved to fly.

Even now, out in the heat of battle, in one of the most dire circumstances one could imagine -- the Chancellor being in danger -- he still loved to fly. The thrill of flying, the thrill of simply being in space -- the thought of flying away from Tatooine was a common dream when he was still a slave. Even here, it never seemed to get old.

And even now, with Obi-Wan Kenobi as his wingmate, R4-P17 as his companion, doing something that he loved -- it was worth the risk. Worth the terror of the droids that seemed to be getting increasingly smarter. Worth almost everything.

“We’re nearly there,” he said to Obi-Wan over his comm. “Straight ahead. It’s crawling with vulture droids; I doubt you can miss -- ’’

It was even now that a blast shook Anakin’s fighter, knocking out Arfour effectively. Even now, still shaken slightly from the blast, Anakin shouted, “Arfour! Are you okay?”

No answer. Breathing hard, almost panicking, Anakin proceeded to blast the other Separatist ships in his way, before Obi-Wan’s, “Anakin, Anakin! It’s all right!”

“Right. Sorry.” He could only pray that they could get Arfour to repairs after this was all over. If he wasn’t damaged beyond repair. He could only hope. Arfour had been one of his most loyal friends throughout his adventures. The thought of losing him would be almost too much.

“Just focus on the mission, Anakin. Rescuing the Chancellor. Nothing more.”

“Right.”

And they headed straight towards the Invisible Hand, into the heart of the hangar, before leaping out of their ships, effortlessly slicing apart battle droids that attacked them. Even now, Anakin sighed in relief. “That was almost easier than I thought it would be. Are you all right, Master?”

“Perfectly fine.” Obi-Wan gave Anakin a weary smile. Then he turned to his own droid companion, R2-D2. “Artoo -- can you give us a schematics reading of the ship?”

Minutes later, R2-D2 began to whirr and beep in excitement. Obi-Wan’s brow furrowed. “What is it, Artoo? What did you find?”

It was later examining the schematics that Anakin realized it. “It’s the Chancellor’s beacon. If we get to the General’s quarters in time, we might have a chance.”

“Might,” Obi-Wan said, softly. “Very well. Follow my lead.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Anakin said, chuckling, if slightly.

But even now, something in him could not help but be at the very least somewhat afraid. He had lost so many of those close to him in the war. He had even come close to thinking he had lost Obi-Wan, more than once.

He couldn’t afford to take any chances.