❝ do not speak to me about what is best
for my son. ❞

―

VADER STARED AHEAD into the vast space, no emotion found in his eyes that were hidden behind his mask. The male softly exhaled, the thought that his wife was actually alive nerving him.

Ten years, for ten years he mourned the love of his life. Allowed dreams to consume him as it was all he had left of her, he was afraid. Afraid that he might just be dreaming, living out another nightmare just to wake up before her grave.

Even if his wife was alive, the two hadn't exactly been on the best of terms the last they interacted. It was part of the reason he held much guilt, he knew Sidious would scold him for containing such emotions but he didn't care.

When it came to Carina nothing else mattered.

"My Lord."

The voice broke Vader out of his trance, irritation taking over his expression as he turned to face the captain that continued, "The Third Sister is here."

Darth Vader watched Reva enter the main bridge, "It is my great honor to be invited aboard, Lord Vader."

The Sith Lord raised his head slightly, "I am not interested in civilities. Where is he?"

"The tracker worked. He's arriving on Jabiim as we speak." Reva swallowed thickly, "Algora will no doubt be with him."

Vader narrowed his eyes at her, "You have done well. Kneel."

Reva blinked before hesitantly getting down on her knee as she bowed her head slightly. The male nodded at the captain that moved to clip Reva's new ranking on, "Grand Inquisitor."

The Third Sister let out a soft sigh as Vader spoke, his voice holding authority, "How is it that you had not caught sight of Algora all this time that you've been hunting Kenobi?"

Nerves racked through Reva as she searched for a believable lie, "Kenobi had been hiding her, keeping her from sight as he knew what would happen if we knew she was alive."

Vader crossed his arms over his chest, pursing his lips as he decided to believe the lie, "Mapuzo, the Sixth Brother disappeared from sight and returned with a saber wound on his leg, but Kenobi was with me. Do you know anything of that?"

Reve kept her head down, her eyes hidden as she controlled her breathing, "No, my Lord. I had gone to search for the princess."

Darth Vader took a step towards the woman, gazing down at her, "If I discover that you are lying to me, I will have you begging me to kill you."

Reva gave the Sith Lord a nod, "Yes, my Lord."

"Rise."

The Third Sister stood up to her full height once again as Vader intently watched her, "Algora is to be brought to me alive and unharmed. If I find out she has been injured, I will return the pain onto you and it will be much worse. Do we have an understanding?"

Reva kept her head up, containing her fear as she simply nodded, "Of course, Lord Vader."

The Sith Lord turned towards the Captain, "Set a course, Captain. We leave for Jabiim at once."

―

Carina watched the ramp begin to lower, her eyes beginning to feel a little heavy as she began to feel a bit tired. The brunette watched a crowd of people come into view as if they had been waiting for them.

Roken stepped out first, "We got her."

Soft cheers spread around the room as relieved expressions caressed multiple faces. Carina's eyes landed on Haja, surprise flushing through her gaze as she and Kenobi began to approach the known male with Leia following shortly behind.

"Haja?"

Carina furrowed her brows in confusion, "What are you doing here?"

"I had nowhere else to go. Right after I saw you, I got into a fight with that scary lady Inquisitor. Now, I'm wanted by the Empire." The male softly chuckled, "But now, I know what it feels like being a real Jedi. It's not easy."

Carina shook her head as Haja glanced around at their surroundings, "This place is a good business opportunity though." the man walked off and the mother rolled her eyes before looking down at Leia who was giggling softly.

Carina gently pushed her youngest towards Tala, "Go on." The princess ran off as the mother looked up at Roken as Obi-Wan began speaking, "Roken, that transport, we need to get her back to Alderaan."

"Once we get all these people out of here, I'll do whatever you want. They've been waiting for months. We used an old trade route to get them out but the window's closing. We held it to help you get the kid. We only have a few hours."

Carina glanced around to see families huddled together, comforting one another and the brunette slightly smiled at the sight of it. The Algora girl looked over at Roken, "We'll do what we can to help."

Roken nodded before walking off, Obi-Wan and Carina shared a glance as the male began to speak loudly, his voice echoing through the room, "All right, all right, let's hurry it up. Get ready for dust-off. Leave anything you don't need."

Carina's eyes landed on a wall that held carvings on it, the two friends moved towards it. The mother gazed over the writing, inching closer as she delicately traced her fingertips over the indents as she read out loud, "The light will fade, but is never forgotten."

Carina hummed softly, "Sometimes I wonder if we ever really did help people."

"We did—"

"Did we though? From the start the whole war was a ploy, it was being controlled from the inside and no one knew, every move made to benefit the other side. So, did we?"

Carina turned towards her friend, vulnerability shining in her eyes as she spoke, "A year. For a year I couldn't look at any reflection of myself, because every time I did... I would see the people I let down, the people that are now dead because of my ignorance."

"Carina, you can't—"

"Order 66 wiped out so many innocents. Padme is dead, people who were our friends." Carina's lower lip trembled as she fought back tears, glimpses of her old friend flashing through her mind as she thought of her, "And that's on me."

Obi-Wan parted his lips to speak before electricity crackling cut him short. The brunette's expression now flushed with worry as she watched the opening above them begin to creak closed on it's own.

The two friend began to move towards the front as Obi-Wan questioned, "What's happening?"

"The controls aren't responding."

Carina looked over at Roken who spoke up, "An Imperial Destroyer just arrived in orbit above us." Tala darted her attention between Obi-Wan and Carina, "She must have tracked us."

Carina shook her head, a feeling inside of her screaming that her husband had something to do with this, "It was Vader."

"He wants us to surrender."

"If we surrender, he'll kill us all."

Carina clenched her jaw, "He'll attack next." Obi-Wan nodded in agreement with the brunette, "He hasn't the patience for a siege."

Roken glanced between the two friends, "How do you two know?"

Carina's eyes dropped to the ground, audibly swallowing as she muttered, "Patience was never his best quality."

Obi-Wan glanced around at the panicked families, his chapped lips pursed together as he felt a need to reassure them, "Everyone."

Kenobi's loud voice caught the attention of everyone in the room, all eyes falling onto him as he spoke, "I understand you're scared. The Empire will attack soon. They're stronger than us, better equipped, better trained. If we try and fight them, we will not survive."

Carina blinked at the male's blunt words, watching as small chatter erupted around her before the Jedi continued, "But we do not need to fight them. We just need to hold them off long enough to get you all out."

Obi-Wan glanced over at Roken who's eyes were already on him, "Roken, how much time do you need to override the doors?"

"Three, four hours."

"You have one. And block every other remote access." Kenobi turned to gaze at the others in the room, "Everyone else, we're gonna lock down every other entrance in this facility. If we defend our position together, then by the time they get inside, we'll be gone."

Carina couldn't stop the slight smile that tugged on her lips, she watched as everyone fell silent so the brunette took it upon herself to chime up, "You heard the general. Let's move it."

―

Carina's eyes scanned over the map before her as people moving and chatter filled the large area, everyone was moving to secure the window as much as they could. But everyone knew at one point the Empire would get in.

The mothers eyes went to huddled parents that were comforting their children, Carina's mind immediately went to Leia as she began to look for her daughter to find her looking under Obi-Wan's arm at the control table.

A small smile spread across her tainted lips, she loved seeing Leia act so familiar with Kenobi, he was technically her uncle.

One hour seemed to be flying out of there grasp as families huddling near the transport they were to board, Carina looked over at her youngest to see her perched upon a crate.

The mother crossed her arms over her chest as Sully ran towards them having come from the back, "It's a heavy gun. They're trying to blast through the outside door."

Tala gazed over at Roken with an urgent glint shining in her eyes, "Roken, we need the hangar roof open." The male began tapping onto his device before glancing up at the gear that lied above to see them straining while it emitted clanking noises, "Come on, come one, come on."

The gear suddenly stopped moving and Roken let out a frustrated grunt as Haja chimed in, "That was underwhelming."

"I don't need your opinion."

Carina looked over at Obi-Wan who wore the same expression she did.

"Did you try going in the vents to see what's going on?"

"I'm a little too big to be crawling around in the vents. Would you like to try?"

Leia rolled her eyes at them before pushing herself off of the crate as she began walking towards Roken, "I'm gonna need a ladder."

The male gave the child a look, "It's not playtime right now, Princess." Carina turned her attention over to Roken, "I believe she asked you for something."

Roken raised an incredulous brow as the mother continued, "You trust my judgment and I trust Leia. Get her the ladder."

Leia glanced back at woman to smile brightly at her, Carina sent her child a wink before Roken turned towards a few workers, "Get her a ladder. Quick."

"Right away."

Carina pursed her lips as she looked at her only daughter, "Leia." the princess peered back at the brunette who slightly nodded, "Do be careful."

Leia firmly nodded before turning to head towards the vents as a beeper sounded. Carina glanced back to see Obi-Wan pulling out his communicator before looking up at Haja, "Haja, will you keep your eye on her?"

"I'm not a babysitter guys."

Carina gave the male a look before beginning to walk away with Kenobi, "You are now."

Carina watched her friend pull out the device before setting it on a latter as a holographic message of Bail appeared, "I know we said no communication, but your silence worries me. If he's found you, if he's learned of the children and Carina... If I don't hear from both of you soon, I'll head to Tatooine. Owen will need help with the boy. I pray you're safe. The three of you."

Carina pressed her chapped lips firmly together as she now thought of her oldest, Luke. The mother ran her hands through her hair as she let out a heavy sigh.

Tala carefully approached the duo as she darted her attention between them, "Is everything all right?" Carina didn't even reply as her eyes held a distant look.

Obi-Wan slipped his device back into his pocket before answering, "It will be."

Tala noticed the tense atmosphere, "I was following orders on Garel." Carina raised her head to meet Tala's eyes as the woman continued talking, "The Empire said it was a roundup. People not paying their way, taxes for the cause."

Tala swallowed thickly, "They lied." the woman closed her eyes for a short moment as she rethought of the tragedy, "There were four families, all Force-sensitive, and we, we gathered them up. I didn't know who they were. I didn't know what the Inquisitors would do."

Carina's gaze faltered as she watched the woman who inhaled softly, "Fourteen people died, and six of them were children, and I couldn't do anything to help them."

Tala gestured at their surroundings, "So now, I do this." she showed the two a blaster, "One for every one I get through." Tala raised her head, glancing between Carina and Obi-Wan, "Some things you can't forget. But you can fight to make them better."

Carina's lips slightly parted when Roken rushed towards the trio, holding a concerned expression, "We're in trouble."

The area began to rumble harshly as explosions could be heard. Carina immediately moved after the male as the group headed into the area where the back door was, rocks fell from above as the hits on the gate got harder and harder.

Roken glanced between the two people that were once general's, "I don't know how long it's gonna hold. We got a plan B here?"

Carina roamed her mind for any quick solutions as Kenobi spoke, "We're going to have to slow them down. Tell the Inquisitor I want to talk." Roken blinked at the male before looking back at the others.

The brunette looked over at her friend who's eyes were already set on her, "She started this when she kidnapped Leia."

Carina pursed her lips, "I'll follow." Obi-Wan gave the woman a slightly smile before the two treaded towards the door. Carina clenched her hands as she prayed this would work.

The mother rested her hand upon the door as Reva's distant voice could be heard, "If this is you stalling for time, it won't work. Lord Vader will have you at any cost."

Carina softly breathed as Kenobi spoke, "You mean, Anakin. You knew who Vader was."

The Algora thought intently, no one knew Vader was Anakin. At least, no one from after the Republic. Obi-Wan pursed his lips, "Back on Daiyu, how did you know that?"

Carina's jaw went slack as she realized something, but Obi-Wan was yet to catch on, "Vader would have kept that hidden, and you're too young to have known him."

Carina swallowed anxiously as she spoke up, "You were a youngling."

Reva's heavy breathing could be heard as Obi-Wan's eyes widened slightly, it made perfect sense, "The night of Order 66, you were a youngling. That's how you knew. You saw him."

"Stop." Reva's hoarse tone could be heard from the other side.

Obi-Wan thought out loud, "Anakin killed the others."

"That's enough."

"He killed the other younglings, but somehow you su—"

"Enough!"

Carina stared at the door with wide eyes as she listened to Reva's inhales and exhales. The Inquisitor stayed silent for a moment, "We thought he was there to help us."

Carina felt her chest tighten at she thought of the younglings, the children that were helpless that cursed night.

Reva swallowed audibly, "I tried to help them, but I couldn't. I was too weak." Carina glanced up at Obi-Wan as Reva continued, "When he left, I played dead. Hid with the bodies."

Carina visibly cringed at the mere thought of having to do such a thing. She didn't want to imagine how scarred that would leave someone.

"Felt them go cold. They were the only family I knew." Reva shuddered slightly, "And he slaughtered them."

Carina licked her dried lips, "You were never serving him, were you?"

Obi-Wan breathed as it all fell into place, "You're hunting him. Let me help you."

Reva's harsh scoff could be heard, "Why would I ever trust you?"

Obi-Wan pursed his lips, "Because we want the same thing." Carina's gaze faltered as Reva spoke up, "Do we, Obi-Wan? Do you really want Anakin dead?"

Carina closed her eyes as she lowered her head slightly, that was always the question she was terrified of having to answer, because she hated herself for what her answer would be.

"Where were you? Where were you two while he was slaughtering my friends? Obi-Wan, he was your padawan."

Obi-Wan lips slightly shook as he closed his eyes. Reva breathed heavily, "I want to make him feel what I went through, and he gave me just the opening for it. I was ordered to bring in Carina unharmed."

Carina's head shot up in panic as she glanced over at Obi-Wan, Vader knew?

"You can imagine my surprise as to why Lord Vader would care so much if one person was hurt, then it clicked."

Carina clenched her trembling hands as her chest heaved up and down. The brunette listened to Reva who continued, "Back in the Republic days you two were good friends, everyone could see it, but why would he still care this much about you?"

Carina clenched her jaw, exhaling softly whilst Reva breathed, "Unless of course, you two had been more than just friends. So, now I know how to hurt him. I got everything taken from me, so I'm going to take everything from him."

Carina gaped in shock as a red ignited saber suddenly stabbed through the door, slashing downwards as Obi-Wan and Carina backed away. The door was suddenly pushed open and Kenobi extended his hand out to push the Inquisitor back a few feet before slipping his saber out before glancing over at the brunette that made no move to grab her own.

"Carina."

The mother swallowed a lump in her throat, "I can't."

Fire began erupting as everyone fought to defend themselves, Obi-Wan slashed his saber around, dodging whatever gunfire he could as the troopers did not stop. "Fall back to second position."

Carina watched a male get hit in the arm and she grit her teeth. The Algora let out a groan, irritated with herself for still feeling resentment upon the weapon, "Just grab the damn thing."

The brunette forced herself to move as she reached for her saber that was awaiting in her utility belt, Carina ignited the ember saber and began spinning the weapon around, planting herself the people that were falling back to protect them for incoming fire.

"Hold your ground!"

"Don't let them get through."

Carina twisted her wrist as she deflected the shots fired at her to bounce back to the troopers. The woman fell into Obi-Wan's side as the two stood at the front, providing a shield for those who were using blasters behind them.

Reva clenched her jaw, "Squad eight, advance!"

Carina watched as troopers began to pile in and the woman spun on her heel, twisting her saber backwards as she cut through a soldier before kicking her leg out to send another off balance. The mother jutted her elbow backwards before stabbing her weapon through a troopers chest just as she retreated back into Kenobi's side where the two continued deflecting shots.

Carina glanced back at Tala and Roken, "Get everyone out of here!"

The two old friends stayed in their place as they slashed through the troopers. Once everyone was out of the back side Carina cut her saber through two soldiers before retreating back with Obi-Wan, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to dodge another blast.

Carina noticed a woman who had fallen on the floor and gently helped her back up, "Come on."

Tala glanced over the crowd as she led people, "Retreat! Everyone, get back!"

Carina glanced back to see Obi-Wan handling the incoming fire so she wrapped the woman's arm around her neck since she hand been injured in the leg with a blast. The mother slowly approached the main hangar when she instinctively flinched as a sudden explosion occurred behind her.

Carina breathed heavily as she gave the woman over to a medic before spinning on her heel to see Obi-Wan's distressed figure entering the hangar as the doors slid closed behind him.

Carina glanced around before setting her eyes back on her friend, worry shining in them, "Where's Tala?"

Obi-Wan lowered his head, his chest heaving as he relived the explosion that just happened. Tala bought them time, but she wouldn't be there to see them make it.

Carina's lips slightly parted as realization settled in, Tala wasn't coming back.

Roken inhaled before looking over at Haja, "Please, tell me we're close." Haja pursed his lips before looking up at the vent young Leia was in, "Leia, you close?"

"Working on it."

Carina took small steps towards her friend who looked in disbelief, the brunette placed her hand on his shoulder. By the look in his eyes she knew what he was going to do, "You can't beat him, Obi."

Obi-Wan turned abruptly, "It's over. I'm going back." the male began heading towards doors as Roken stopped him, "You can't quit. I fought for too long. You can't just throw that away. It won't make a difference. They want all of us."

Obi-Wan clenched his jaw, "Vader wants me." Roken gestured towards the door, "If you surrender, she died for nothing. He'll keep coming."

"That's why I have to stop him."

Haja gave the man an incredulous look, "You're going to fight him?" Obi-Wan glanced over at the hangar, "He expects me to surrender. He knows I'll do everything I can to protect these people."

"You'll be on your own."

Kenobi shook his head, "No." the male moved, approaching Carina as he handed her his saber, blaster and his communicator. The mother looked up at him, "Don't do this."

Obi-Wan smiled softly at her, "I won't let Vader get to you, stay with Leia." Carina pursed her lips as she merely nodded, feeling herself at loss for words at the mere fact that she might have to see her husband face to face.

Her friend pulled away before disappearing behind the iron doors. Carina struggled to contain her spiraling emotions as she looked down at his lightsaber.

"May the force be with you." barely a whisper left her lips. Carina glanced up at the vent as she slipped her friends items into her coat, "Leia."

"I got it!"

Carina gazed up to see the doors creak open, a breathless laugh escaped her lips before looking back at the crowd, "Everyone, get onboard."

Carina caught sight of her daughter getting down the latter and quickly rushed to her, not taking notice of Obi-Wan's communicator that slipped out of her pocket. The brunette crouched down as Leia wrapped her arms around the woman.

"Well done."

Leia pulled back with a smile as she glanced around, "Where's Tala?" Carina's smile fell from her lips as she softly shook her head, a saddened glint shining in her eyes as the doors beside them opened.

The brunette stood to see Obi-Wan entering again, quickly approaching the girl as he placed a gentle hand on her arm, "It's been taken care of."

Carina furrowed her brows, "And Reva?"

"I don't think she'll be coming after you now."

Carina felt a familiar chill crawl up her spine and the woman breathed heavily, "He's here, we need to go."

Carina grabbed ahold of Leia's hand as Roken was rushing them to get onboard. The last of the group treaded up the ramp before falling into their seats. Carina placed a hand on her chest as she calmed her breathing.

Obi-Wan slid into the seat beside her. The brunette side eyed Kenobi, "Do you think he'll fall for it?"

Rumbling suddenly occurred beside them as a decoy ship had begun to take off only for straining and clanking to purge the atmosphere. Obi-Wan nodded, "He took the bait."

Once the ground rumbled, signaling Vader had crashed the ship back onto the ground, theirs took off in a flash. Quickly darting up the sky and Carina closed her eyes with her head leaned back as she imagined Vader merely gazing up at them.

Carina clasped her trembling hands as the dark space engulfed them, darkness being the only thing you could see out the windows with a few scattered stars.

Leia leaned her slightly upon her mothers shoulder, the brunette looked down at the princess when Roken suddenly took the empty seat beside Kenobi, "Our hyperdrive is down, and they're behind us."

Carina pursed her lips in worry before looking over at Kenobi who looked distant, distressed, and concerned. The brunette tilted her head slightly, "Obi-Wan?"

Heavy pants left his lips, "Something's wrong." Carina knitted her brows together, "Obi-Wan, what is it?"

The male shuddered slightly, blinking a few times before setting his gaze on young Leia's resting figure. Carina followed his line of sight and felt her panic grow upon it, Obi-Wan met the mothers gaze, swallowing thickly as he whispered a name.

"Luke."

―

AUTHORS NOTE,
one episode left lets go