Title: I Saw the News Today, Oh Boy
Author: patientalien
Challenge: SWMININANO
Prompt: Hoax
Word Count: 577
Characters: Anakin, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan
Rating: PG
Summary: The Holonet spreads a rumor
Author's Notes: Yeah, so this happened.

Across the galaxy, beings watched as history unfolded on their holoscreens. "Ladies and gentlebeings," the reporter said with the utmost gravitas, "We come to you live from Bos Pity, where our sources have informed us that General Anakin Skywalker, hero of the Republic, has died." There were tears in her eyes, though if from the news she was imparting or from the harsh wind whipping across the open field she was standing it, it wasn't clear.

"General Skywalker has led the Grand Army against the Separatists since the beginning of the war, and was working here," she motioned behind her to the remains of a Separatist fort, "when his team was ambushed. Reports have come through that General Skywalker perished protecting his men from Asajj Ventress. We will follow this story as it develops but this is indeed a dark day for the Republi-"

The holonet receiver in the medical barracks flipped off amidst protests. "Oh shut it," Anakin Skywalker snapped. "Did you really want to see the end of it?" He smirked. "I'll give you a hint: I'm actually alive."

Alive, but beaten. He'd scored a victory against the Separatists, but Ventress had gotten him good, much as he hated to admit it. He'd been too tired, too unfocused, and she'd gotten the best of him - but hadn't killed him, not by a long shot. He had a feeling she was the one who'd leaked the story, to give her a leg up with Dooku, and credibility with the rest of the Separatists.

"So are you going to go out there and prove them wrong?" Ahsoka asked, perched on a crate of supplies. "Because the whole galaxy is mourning you right now." She paused, tilted her head. "Well, except us." She held out his commlink. "Shouldn't you at least tell Master Kenobi - or Senator Amidala?"

Anakins scowled. His apprentice was far too observant for her own good. "I'll call Obi-Wan," he said, not wanting an audience for the message to Padme. Keying in Obi-Wan's familiar comm code, he flipped the receiver back on for the rest of the men.

" - from the age of nine, when he was brought to the Temple by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jin - "

"Kenobi here." Obi-Wan sounded tired, worn, even... was that sadness?

"Can you believe what passes as entertainment these days?" Anakin asked, deciding to cut the pleasantries.

" - apprenticed to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Jinn's own apprentice -"

He could practically feel Obi-Wan's shock through the Force. "Anakin?"

" - Knighted after the Battle of Genosis - "

"Yeah. Somebody really needs to do some quality control on these reports, this is ridiculous." Anakin couldn't help feeling somewhat warmed. It wasn't the Jedi way, by any stretch, but he felt a little... glad. The galaxy would care if he died. Obi-Wan would care if he died.

" - commended publically by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine for valor in battle - "

"Anakin... You're, Ventress didn't?"

" - Battle of Kothlis... Battle of Bothowei... Battle of Teth... Battle of Christophsis... Battle of Kamino... Battle of Ryloth... - "

"Of course not, Master," Anakin replied, warmed. "You can't believe everything you see on the Holonet."

Obi-Wan sounded somewhat chagrined, and Anakin smiled. "Of course not," he said.

" - Anakin Skywalker, Hero with no -"

"Oh, can it," Anakin said. "We're watching something else now." And he changed the channel. He'd let Obi-Wan worry about correcting the report. For now, he was going to enjoy some mindless entertainment.