Chapter 23: Not Our Fight

Rogue Shadow

Galen hadn't allowed himself the luxury of sleeping after the intense passionate session. If anything, he felt the need to get out of there the moment she fell asleep. He even faked going to sleep for a time, only leaving when he knew she wasn't awake. No, he wasn't concerned about what they did. He didn't regret that action itself that they took. If anything, he felt a bit more relaxed, more satisfied. His body felt like it had released something that made his overall physical and mental mood better.

But no matter how much of a good feeling it brought, it wasn't enough to outweigh the things on his mind.

What he was more distressed about was the potential consequences of such action. Darth Vader had spoken about this once. PROXY had talked about it as well. The former ordered he not partake in this and the latter highly discouraged him.

Like him, they said the act itself wasn't in question. It was what effects mentally they had on a person. Sexual intimacy was the mark of two people who cared about each other, enough to see each other bare, to see each other in earnest. No more facades, no more deception, and no more secrets.

The former Sith assassin was all about secrecy. He trusted no one but his master and PROXY, and that was how he was still alive.

And from both his ever-present Sith instinct and his ever-budding Jedi instinct, emotional attachment had no place in his life. There were just too many factors he had to account for. If he was to continue this act, he needed to make sure it was purely for physical reasons; no attachment could be involved.

But first, he'd need to discover if such a thing existed to begin with, but not right now or anytime in the immediate future.

Right now, he had to check with PROXY.

Entering the cockpit, Galen sat into his usual chair, a hand over his forehead, letting out possibly the most emotion he'd ever let out at once in the form of a sigh. If this was what lovers had to deal with, he already disliked it very much.

"Master." PROXY was in the pilot seat, still working at the controls. "I see you've discovered something new."

"And I'm beginning to reconsider it." Galen sucked in another breath, then sat up straight. "But I couldn't stop myself, and I don't think Ahsoka was in any position to stop herself either."

"I should have warned you master." PROXY tapped a few commands into the console before facing the Jedi. "Instinct can't be ignored forever."

"And why am I just learning about this now?" The boy clenched his fists and stared at his friend in mild disapproval. "What stopped you from telling me?"

"Nothing did." PROXY responded in a normal voice. "I just wanted to see how far you'd go to stop yourself."

Galen only could shake his head, mulling over the droid's words. He was upset that PROXY had technically lied to him. Had he known more about this, he would've properly prepared for it, done something to make sure it wouldn't be the problem that it was slowly becoming.

Alas, it was not so.

"Next time something affects my life profoundly," Galen said with annoyance, "I'd appreciate it if you told me everything that would help me better deal with it."

"I will take note of that, master." PROXY returned to piloting. "Though at the time, you were only in the beginning of your pubescent stages. I didn't feel the need to tell you because the chance of you actually being involved were infinitesimal."

"Right." Galen tapped a control so that he could view the galaxy map. "PROXY, I have a question."

"By all means, master. What do you want to know?"

"Did you know that Darth Vader was Anakin Skywalker?"

"No. I did not know that."

"I see."

More and more, Galen tried to figure out the reasons for the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker to become the Sith Lord Darth Vader. How did Darth Sidious play into this? There was no doubt in the young Jedi's mind that Skywalker wasn't one to be manipulated with a simple mind trick. He was too strong-willed and powerful in the Force to be made into such a simple puppet, and yet he was a Sith.

That Force presence was unmistakable.

So was Anakin bribed or tricked into the Dark Side? Was he promised something? It wasn't above Sith to force individuals to serve them in exchange for doing or not doing something. Starkiller knew these methods quite well, and he himself had used them in previous years gone by.

"Is there a reason that you wished to know about Darth Vader's identity?" PROXY guided the ship smoothly while maintain the conversation. "You don't just ask questions casually."

"I don't know what led me here, but it's no coincidence that I'm here some years into the past." Galen clasped his hands together. "I'm not one to believe in the Force guiding destiny, but…"

Everything that had happened ever since his arrival was more or less according to history with some tweaks. That seemed too easy, and the boy knew that life was anything but easy. Anyone who said otherwise was a fool and a liar.

"The Jedi and Sith are at war as they have been ever since the beginning." Recounting history, while trivial on its surface, could prove to shine some light. "But for over a 1000 years, the Sith were thought to be extinct, when in actuality, the Sith never died."

"The Rule of Two was very strict." PROXY understood what his master was trying to do. "Although it was much riskier with only two Sith, it was successful in keeping the Sith alive and able to fight back."

"But with only two, they would have to develop along different lines that don't involve lightsaber combat and the Force." Galen muttered. "Thus they became businessmen, politicians, people with positions of influence and power."

"And the Jedi were too late to change with the Sith, leaving them in an unfit state." PROXY finished.

"But out of all the Jedi in the temple to corrupt into a Sith Lord, why Skywalker?" Galen leaned his head on his hand. "From what I can see, he's too headstrong, too arrogant, and clearly cares about the people he's close to."

"Even the most stubborn of people can change, master." PROXY suggested. "Take a look at yourself."

"PROXY, that's not the best comparison to make. He's been trained as a Jedi from the start. I've been trained as a Sith from the start."

"There are many similarities that the Jedi and Sith both face."

"So I've heard and noticed." The former Jedi-hunter commented quietly, though the words felt far from his mind. "Jedi and Sith, black and white, so stark at face value, yet similar the deeper one goes."

"Master, why is that you question Jedi and Sith ways?" PROXY only shifted his to gauge the boy's demeanor. "You've never been one to question this much."

"But that was before… certain events took place." The mere thought of what had happened prior to the time slip was not a pleasant one. "Frankly, I should be dead, yet I', not. That has led me to question a lot."

"Hmm." PROXY hummed before returning to piloting.

"Maybe I should just find a quiet corner to meditate in." Galen announced, pulling up the galaxy map. "Until I figure out whatever's eating at me."

"Where will you go?" PROXY stared at the holographic galaxy map. "There are a thousand systems within the galaxy, and so many planets you could go to."

(X)(X)(X)(X)

Ahsoka awoke to the silent interior of Starkiller's room. She shivered, realizing that the covers had come off of her.

Then she realized that it wasn't just the covers that were missing. She wasn't wearing anything at all. Panicked, she reached for the covers and quickly hid her body from sight. There was nobody here, and there were no surveillance cameras here, but she still did it.

Her eyes did a quick scan of the room, noting just how spartan Starkiller's quarters were. It was so bare and minimalist, with not a single trace of material things; every single thing in this room served a purpose. Everything from the single faucet of water to the bed to the desk. It was utilitarian.

Ahsoka was use to colors and a bit of flair. Though she was quite familiar with how bland the military could be, having served in one for most of the war, this seemed to take that idea to the next level. Even she couldn't say that there was any sort of personalization of any kind. Even her clone friends and comrades had at least something to call their own. Their armor, their names, something that identified them as an individual.

Who could possibly be content with nothing to call their own?

Ahsoka freshened herself up and got dressed. She felt… like a different person. Of course she knew what she and he had done wasn't something done lightly. It had undoubtedly changed them both.

It was the first step into a new world that she was sure neither of them had even anticipated going through, at least not for some time.

As she left the room, the unmistakable presence of her fellow Force-user was felt by her, but something in the signature felt… unwelcoming, like he was contemplating something with a negative attitude.

Now she was seriously contemplating if it was a good idea to see him or not. The best should could manage when reading him was his most prominent moods, which were neutral, silent anger, and indifference, not necessarily in that order of importance.

Did he ever smile?

She ignored her feelings of dread and made her way to the cockpit. Just as she was reaching the door to the cockpit, she felt a momentary jolt from all around her. She knew that feeling quite well.

The ship had just transitioned into hyperspace.

So where were they going?

"So where are we going?" Ahsoka voiced her question as she entered. "What's the plan?"

"Just to a quiet corner so to speak." Starkiller informer her, his seat's back to her. "I need some time to process some things."

"Can't you just go to the Jedi Temple for that?" Ahsoka sat down in the only remaining empty chair. "It's not like the masters will disturb you."

"The presence of Jedi is a distraction in itself." The former Sith argued back. "I need solitude to figure things out."

"What things?" Ashoka probed further, even knowing that she risked getting an unfavorable reaction.

"The past, the present, the future." His answer was truthful, yet it was vague. "As well as some… personal issues."

"Which I can't know about?" Ahsoka let a bit of annoyance into her tone. "C'mon, after what we just did, I think we can talk a bit more personal."

"I thought I was being personal for all the time we've spent together." His reply was collected, albeit tense. "I have been honest about my origins, have I not?"

"No, you've told me an overview." Ahsoka replied back. "You'll tell me everything but the details."

"I'm not ready to share those details." He finalized. "Getting myself sorted out might even allow me to share more without me doing…"

"Without you doing what?" Ahsoka demanded.

The Force around them was filled with their emotions, and any form of control on their faces didn't mask what they felt inside. Objects that were not secured or held down were beginning to levitate into the air. PROXY took note of this, his head moving to track each one.

"...why do you care so much about my life?" Starkiller finally turned his seat to face her. "Nobody else has cared."

"Because who you were in the past matters right now." Ahsoka crossed her arms, and sat up straight. "The past always matters, because it's how events in the present and possibly the future are shaped."

Starkiller nodded once in partial agreement. "Be that as it may, I've nothing to talk about. If you want the details, ask me when I've got some peace of mind."

He closed the conversation effectively and left no room for negotiation. Ahsoka liked to push and prod. That was how she was taught by Anakin and it had gotten her results in the past, but now was not one of those times.

"Fine." She sighed as she sat back. "Guess I'll do some meditation."

"In here?" He intoned, not sounding pleased. "It's not ideal."

"I really don't feel like getting up now." Ahsoka just closed her eyes and leaned her head back. "Besides, I'm not going to be talking."

She was spiting him in a last ditch attempt to see if he would open up about who he was really was. Of course it ate away at her; she was little more than a child despite her moments of maturity. The Jedi nor her master had tempered her emotions, not like Vader had done with him. In that way, he didn't like her.

But how would a submissive companion be? Easier? Boring? Did he subconsciously like having her around because it somehow challenged him? Galen Marek, Starkiller, both of them appreciated a good challenge. It was in his nature to overcome the odds. He had defeated Master Shaak Ti in combat for Force's sake. His expectations of battle had increased thusly and because he wasn't likely to receive a battle of such caliber anytime in the near future, he had to seek challenge elsewhere.

Perhaps he was looking at everything the wrong way. This physical need, this emotional investment, it should be thought of solely as a weakness. It should be thought of a challenge, and it was his job and within his own being to find a way to deal with it. Problems never went away when swept under the rug.

However, that would also mean that he would have to be more open with Ahsoka. As easy as that sounded, he still wasn't willing to part with his life. He was being held back, and he knew it well.

This ship was no place to be.

"PROXY, are there any planets that exhibit a connection to the force?" Galen released a breath. "A planet that has no population that we could go?"

"We're already in hyperspace, master." PROXY conveyed as he worked the controls. "We'd have to exit Hyperspace, and I don't recommend that now."

"Are we passing over dangerous territory?"

"No, master, a cluster of red stars."

"Even worse." The warrior of the Force mumbled. "How far are we to our destination?"

"Another few minutes and we should arrive." PROXY checked the scanners. "But master, do you think it wise to alter course?"

"What's all this about?" Ahsoka was trying to listen and make sense of the conversation. "Where are we going? What are we doing?"

"..." Neither pilot nor copilot said anything.

"Oh, don't give me the silent treatment." Ahsoka grabbed a stray wrench with the Force. "Unless you're both hiding something from me."

"We intended to go to the planet where we believe that General Grievous has gone into hiding."

"Wait, what?" She sat up straighter. "Have you told anyone about this?"

"Not yet." Galen wrung his wrists. "We don't have absolute proof yet, and until we get said proof, I say nothing."

"But don't you think the Jedi Council could aid our search if we told them of any leads?" Ahsoka spoke up in worry.

"I thought you said that you renounced your place in the Jedi order." Galen commented idly. "Why do you want to help them."

"Yes, I did." Ahsoka repeated. "But that doesn't mean I hate them for it. I'm just not meant to be there anymore."

"So where are you meant to be?"

"..."

"PROXY, stay in the system long enough to get a reading, then plot a course to here." The man was already staring at an astrography chart. "This planet was deleted from the archive's memory."

"Wait, is that the Jedi Archives map?" Ahsoka looked closer at the hologram. "How did you get a hand of those?"

"I made a copy of the data before leaving." Galen explained as he continued to chart a new course. "I am a Jedi Knight officially."

"Right." Ahsoka felt a little stupid for asking that question. "So what's this planet that doesn't exist?"

"It's called Dagobah." Galen enlarged the image on the planet. "This is just one of thirty-eight planets that were deleted from the archives. That leads me to believe that this planet is unknown to most of the galaxy."

"It took the better part of a day to recover this deleted data." PROXY sounded quite proud of himself. "Whoever did this was quite thorough. The data was almost impossible to reconstruct."

"How did you manage it?"

"You forget who you're talking to Ahsoka." The Force prodigy took a look at his own gloved hands. "I am the best for a reason, and because of that, our equipment was the best of the best. The best for the best."

"Right, overconfident much?" Ahsoka shook her head.

"Who said anything about overconfidence?" The boy sounded firm, but not arrogant. "I am merely confident."

"We're coming up on Utapau." PROXY began to cut the sublight engines. "Prepare for entry. Engaging stealth drive."

The streak of stars slowed to a still as the ship transitioned into normal space. A planet came into view, displaying colors of green and sand-tan. Readings of the planet came up on the main console. Everyone leaned in for a closer view.

"There seems to be a heavy Separatist presence." Starkiller analyzed the data. "But there's no firm proof that he's here. We should leave a probe to monitor the system."

"Understood." PROXY acknowledge. "Probe away. I suggest that we stay a few minutes in the system before leaving. We need to make sure our presence wasn't detected."

Why did this take so long to update? Well, the primary reason is because I lost motivation. For over a year, I've been saying that I wanted to get back to it, but I honestly was lost on what to do. Then I saw Rogue One and I rediscovered my love for Star Wars. That film gave me a push.

For the sake of the story, I want to make it clear that I don't intend to give it up. That being said, I've realized just how much I've changed as a person and as a writer. What I'm writing at present compares not to this story during the times I updated it. That means that it's probably going to have to go through a lot of revisions. Rereading it, I see just how much it doesn't live up to my higher expectations of myself.

With all of that out of the way, this chapter is setting up for testing Starkiller and Ahsoka as people as users of the Force. I'm no hardcore fan, but I'd at least like to respect the lore, so it's a mix of wiki-reading and my own interpretation.

If you review, let me know what ideas past, present, or future that you would like to say. Reader feedback is important to me. I've been receiving unanimous praise, but I'd like to think you guys want to see something that I haven't done yet.

Thanks to loyal readers. I am deeply sorry for keeping this story in limbo for so long. Apologies for any errors you see. Let me know if see anything wrong in the review. I will be going through the entire story to fix it. I will update the whole story at once, not chapter by chapter.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

-Ktyou