Author's Note: The idea for this novella was taken from an episode of my favorite classic Western TV series. I used the script as for the base of this fanfiction and filled in the gaps along the way, fleshing out the story as well as adapting it to the Clone Wars era. I do not own any of the characters from the Clone Wars or the setting for the story. I also don't own the TV script used throughout this novella.

I hope you all enjoy! And if anyone out there can guess the TV show or episode, be sure to comment with your answer. ;)

The briefing pad listed one—and only one—instruction: Take out Separatist forces on Sarrish.

Easy, Anakin thought as he reclined against the cool metal exterior of his Jedi starfighter. Why do we even need two full battalions?

"Back up is always the better option. How many times must I remind you, you're better safe than sorry?"

More than a little startled, Anakin glanced up at Obi-Wan's approaching figure.

Stang! I could've sworn I was shielding…

"Of course, I agree," Anakin began, hopping down from his ship. "But how did you… I thought I was protecting my thoughts pretty well."

Crossing his arms, Obi-Wan smirked. "Honestly, Anakin, I raised you. Do you really think I need to rely on a Force-bond to know what you're thinking?"

"Well, since you seem to know everything, why don't you fill me in on why both the 212th and the 501st are needed for this mission. It's just, what, a handful of battle droids? The 501st can take it, no problem."

"I wouldn't classify approximately five hundred as a mere handful. Besides, the 212th was assigned to this mission first."

If Anakin wasn't confused before, he certainly was now. "Then why bring me and Ahsoka along?"

"Perhaps I simply enjoy your company," Obi-Wan replied with a sly smile.

Anakin smirked, placing a playful hand over his heart. "Aw, Master, I'm touched."

"Yes, well, in all seriousness, I would prefer to have backup on this mission, in case things get ugly."

"Are you saying you can't handle a few brainless battle droids?"

"I'm saying,"—Obi-Wan's face took on a more serious tone, letting Anakin know the time for joking around had come to a close—"I need you, Anakin."

"Hey," Anakin smiled, "all you ever have to do is ask."

"Thank you." Clearing his throat, Obi-Wan surveyed Coruscant's military docking bay. Dozens of clone troopers clad in either blue- or orange-painted armor traveled about, prepping for their noon departure. "This mission is… well, let's just say, the fewer of those who know about it, the better."

Anakin raised a skeptical brow. "And why is that?"

"Removing battle droids is only half the mission. The second part is delivering credits to the failing Sarrish government. A Republic loan, you could call it. With any luck, it will help the people rebuild their economy, making them less susceptible to Separatist attack."

"How many credits?"

Anakin didn't particularly like the way Obi-Wan hesitated.

"A decent amount."

"Okay, so no one needs to know we have credits. Continue," he prompted with the flick of his metal hand.

"I'll leave first with half the fleet, and you'll follow no less than an hour later, only you'll depart from Coruscant in the opposite direction. Once a good distance away from the planet, you'll turn your ships around and make the jump to hyperspace."

"Got it. Though, your plan does put me and Ahsoka at a disadvantage."

"How so?"

"Well, you get such a good head start, how are we ever gonna beat you? It just doesn't seem like a fair race to me."

"Not by a long shot." Ahsoka's chipper voice floated through the bay's ambiance as she skipped up to her Master.

"Hey, Snips," Anakin greeted the young Togruta. "See? She agrees: it's not fair."

"Totally not fair."

"Fair or not, this is a mission, not a race," Obi-Wan reminded, though Anakin could've sworn he noticed a hint of a smile hiding behind his Master's stern expression.

"When is it not a race?"

"Anakin." And there was that warning tone, clearly telling Anakin to back off.

He held his hands up in defense. "Okay, okay! I was just trying to make things fun."

"This is a war," Obi-Wan replied, "it's not supposed to be fun."

But there was that hint of a smile again.

The Jedi were supposed to be keepers of the peace, not soldiers, yet Anakin knew for a fact that he and Ahsoka weren't the only ones who received their fair share of thrills from cutting down battle droids. He supposed Obi-Wan must've found it more thrilling than himself, mainly because every droid the Master Jedi cut down meant one less villain terrorizing the innocents of the galaxy.

And Obi-Wan is all about protecting the innocents.

I mean, so was Anakin, but there was just something about Obi-Wan that was… different. His soul was softer, caring, taking each civilian and soldier death alike as a personal loss. Anakin often found himself wondering how many more innocents Obi-Wan could watch suffer needlessly until he snapped.

Could Obi-Wan even snap?

Nope, he couldn't picture it—not that he wanted to, anyway. It was his level-headedness, his strong will, and his ever-calm battle presence that made Obi-Wan, well, Obi-Wan.

"I'll see you two on Sarrish," Obi-Wan said. "And try not to be late, will you? Cody and I don't want to wait for you any longer than we have to."

"No more than an hour," Anakin repeated before clapping his friend on the shoulder.

"No less than an hour," Obi-Wan corrected. "Really, Anakin, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"That's the last thing on my mind, Master. And hey, you never know. Snips and I might beat you to Sarrish even with our handicap."

"It's a strategy, not a handicap, Anakin. But I must say, I'll be quite impressed if you can beat me there."

Anakin's eyes sparkled, thrilled at the aspect of friendly competition. "You're on."

As Obi-Wan took his leave, Anakin heaved a satisfied sigh.

"Well, Snips, we best start gathering the troops so we can be ready for take-off right on the one hour mark."

Ahsoka gave him a mock salute and a smirk. "I'll go find Rex."

Anakin nodded at his Padawan before glancing back at the retreating silhouette of his Master.

"I've got such a good feeling about this."

He had a bad feeling about this mission.

Not the mission itself, per se, rather, it was the getting there he felt concerned about.

Something just… didn't feel right.

And the Republic credits they were transporting did nothing to put the Jedi Master at ease. In fact, it only worsened the feeling.

"General Kenobi!"

Cody's raised voice pulled Obi-Wan out of his mind and back to the bridge of the Negotiator.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I've been calling your name for the last half-minute, sir," the 212th commander responded, a touch of worry coating his accented voice.

"Oh." That was sobering. Obi-Wan gave his friend a little sideways glance. "I'm sorry, I suppose I sunk myself a little too deep in thought."

"Anything, uh, on your mind, sir?"

Obi-Wan forced a smile. "Not particularly."

Cody removed his helmet and eyed his general.

"It's those blasted credits, Cody," Obi-Wan found himself admitting with a sigh. "They're… Well, let's just say they're setting me on edge."

"I have several guards posted," Cody reassured. "We shouldn't have any problems. Besides, we're halfway to Sarrish, and we're in hyperspace. What could go wrong?"

Obi-Wan turned his gaze back out to the blur of stars ahead. "That's what worries me."

"Would it help to check in with General Skywalker?"

"No, no, that's alright. I'm sure it's nothing."

"General, in my own experience with the Jedi, a bad feeling usually doesn't end up being 'nothing.'"

Obi-Wan's gaze never left the viewscreen. "I do hope you're wrong."