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Crushed
"You asked for reinforcements but weren't given them? On a strategic world like Brentaal?" Saesee asked as his Star Destroyer took them back to Coruscant.
"Yes. And surely a world like Brentaal deserves reinforcements no matter what general is leading the operation." Anakin said.
Saesee frowned, and Ahsoka, who was sitting beside her lover, thought that he had gone too far, because he was suggesting that Master Windu hadn't sent reinforcements because he didn't like Anakin.
Saesee leaned back in his chair.
"Anakin...this is not the only report of such things happening. Other generals, such as Aayla Secura, Tra Saa and K'kruhk have all reported similar happenings." He admitted gravely.
"Really? What's being done about it?" Ahsoka asked, seeing Anakin's furious look.
Saesee narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing. Yoda says that much of this is coincidence. Others are not so lenient."
He leaned close to the two of them.
"Many Jedi are beginning to fear something is off with the entire order. Something is happening to it. I don't know what, but something is off. It could be the war. Or it could be something that's been bad for a very long time going rotten. Several of us are beginning to ask questions, and I dont like it. Be wary when we land on Coruscant. Dont go blurting things out and keep your heads down, until we can find out what's going on. Many Jedi are becoming unpopular when they have no reason to be. Be careful, and do not make any accusations." He advised.
As he left, Ahsoka turned to Anakin.
"Things must be bad. Jedi being denied reinforcements by Master Windu? What is he up to?" she asked worriedly.
Anakin took her hand and pulled her so she sat on his lap.
"I don't know. We'll talk to Obi Wan and see what he says. It'll be okay." He said, kissing her cheek.
And from the shadows, Rex frowned. They were on to Master Windu. This would have to be reported, and quickly.
XX
Mace Windu read the report from a clone who had been on Drongar, and now served under Barriss Offee. Apparently, she was very close to one of the doctors who had been at the Rimsoo with her, one Uli Divini. Another Jedi being tempted to fall into the trap of attachment. However, Barriss Offee had to be kept on their side. She was a healer, and would be very useful if the worst ever had to happen. As such, the only thing that stopped her conforming was Uli. Mace commed Eeth Koth, the head of security for the Concordat, the secret group Mace had created in order to discourage and if at all possible, stamp out attachment within the Jedi Order. Jedi should not have attachments. Those who did normally went bad and turned to the dark side, or killed other Jedi. And that could not be allowed, especially in these troubled times with Jedi dying daily due to the war. As such, all attachment had to be stamped out.
Unfortunately, that wasn't as easy as it sounded. Many Jedi felt attachment was the right way for the Jedi to go, including some on the Council, who Mace considered traitors to their own cause. But the fact was, in these times where most people wanted someone to be there for them, more and more Jedi were falling prey to the dangers of attachment and it was very worrying.
Mace sat back in the chair of his quarters, and called up the profile on Barriss. A fine young Jedi, an excellent healer, and a true and dedicated friend. She was also quite attractive, which would explain why a certain other Jedi had once been attracted to her. But the problem was, one such as she, the Concordat could not afford to lose to attachment. Not if they had to do what Mace feared they would in order to save the Order. So, as such, something had to be done about Uli Divini.
Eeth entered at that moment, and Mace nodded to his Zabrak friend. He had been with Mace since the beginning, helping him set up the Concordat and had been responsible for security since day one. Though Mace was in charge, there was an overall advisory group that also suggested courses of action and ran the Concordat day-to-day, and they were called the Triad. They acted as seconds and also identified trouble spots and got Eeth and his shadows to act. There were three other rings of Jedi in the Concordat, each advising on a specific field. The Atris Ring identified attachment where it was already strong and monitored it, and when they sensed an opportunity, got Eeth to deal with it. The Vrook Ring was dedicated to stamping out attachment in the younglings, persuading them it was a bad idea and all such thoughts should be discouraged. And finally the Satele Ring identified new attachments that were springing up and advised on how to act against it. Beneath them were many shadows, who were Eeth's agents and carried out the will of the Concordat. And there was also their causal support, from those who didn't know about the group, but still supported its ideals.
"You rang?" Eeth asked, shutting the door.
"Barriss Offee looks to be straying from the true path. The reason for this is a young surgeon by the name of Uli Divini. We must...take care of him. Barriss is a good healer, one we cannot afford to lose if we ever have to initiate Operation Abstinence."
Eeth pursed his lips.
"'When' you mean. The Order cannot be fixed Mace. We will most likely have to initiate it soon."
Mace nodded gravely.
"I've been fearing as much. What do the Triad think?"
"They are, for the moment, neutral to the idea. Master Rancisis is most opposed to the idea at the moment. But once we convince him, the other two shouldn't be a problem."
Mace nodded understandingly.
"Very well."
Eeth looked at Barriss' profile.
"Only two men have come close to swaying her off the true path...this boy and Skywalker." Eeth commented with disdain.
Mace scowled at the name.
"Skywalker. He should not have escaped Brentaal. Saesee has a lot to answer for." He grumbled.
Eeth snorted.
"The Rings aren't happy that he managed to escape, especially with the news that he actually has been with his Padawan now. But due to the circumstances, could we not just report this one to Yoda?"
Mace pondered this.
"It is a possibility. But for now, we must focus on other matters. Young Uli Divini. Dissuading him will not be enough. He must meet...an accident if we are to shock Barriss back onto the true path." He said.
Eeth nodded.
"Very well."
Eeth left, and Mace went on to read a report from Commander Bly. Secura and Fisto again. Something would have to be done.
XX
Ahsoka kissed him deeply.
"I love you." She said, stroking his cheek.
Anakin smiled at her lovingly.
"I love you too. But we need to be careful honey. Even Saesee is worried. Something is off here, and I'm beginning to think its been off for a while. So, be careful about showing that you love me when we're around others." He said, but while he did so he snaked his arm around Ahsoka's lithe waist.
"I will. What about Obi Wan?" she asked curiously.
After his talk with Saesee, Anakin had contacted his old master and asked to talk to him about what he felt was happening to the Order. Obi Wan had agreed, and they were now meeting at the Outlander club in the lower city.
"Obi Wan...lets see what he knows first."
They entered the club, and found Obi Wan in a quiet corner. Anakin and Ahsoka nodded in greeting then slipped into the booth beside him.
"Hello Anakin, hello Ahsoka. How are you?"
"A damn site better than we would be if we'd stayed on Brentaal." Ahsoka grumbled.
Obi Wan frowned.
"I heard what happened there." He said.
"Yeah, but how the hell was it allowed to happen though? Obi Wan, we were nearly the latest victims of whatever is going on. Why are certain Jedi being denied reinforcements?" Anakin demanded.
Obi Wan pursed his lips, then leant close to them both.
"Look, I know you think Mace is behind you not getting reinforcements. Perhaps he is. But I'm sure that there were no insidious reasons other than the fact that there are few troops to spare." He said.
Ahsoka shook her head.
"I don't think so. Rex has been reporting to Mace for months about me and Anakin." She said in a fiery voice.
Obi Wan looked at her, surprised.
"Really, what about?" he asked curiously.
"About the fact that Ahsoka and I are in love. He's been telling Mace all about it." Anakin mumbled as a servant droid went past.
Obi Wan scratched his beard.
"Anakin, most people could see you were falling for each other. But why was Rex reporting it?"
Ahsoka took a deep breath and went in.
"Obi Wan, I think the reason we were denied reinforcements was because we were in love." She said.
Obi Wan and Anakin looked at her in surprise.
"Ahsoka...that is a very serious accusation. And against a senior member of the Council..."
Anakin snorted derisively.
"Obi Wan, ever since you joined the Council you've found that they aren't as squeaky clean as they pretend to be. And I reckon Ahsoka has a point. Tra Saa, Aayla, K'kruhk...all of them have 'attachment' issues. I think she might be on to something."
Obi Wan sipped his drink.
"Anakin, I'm not going to pretend that this isn't a very serious accusation, as it is. And...I also think there is...a measure of truth to what you are saying. However, we cannot do anything. We cant go to Yoda with this. It's circumstantial at best. If we can get proper proof that there is something going on, we may be able to do something. But until then...we're stuck. Unless..." he began.
"Unless?" Ahsoka asked curiously.
Obi Wan winked at her.
"Unless we can see if we can draw out whatever is happening, if there is anything. Duchess Satine arrives tomorrow for a conference." He said.
Anakin looked at Obi Wan in surprise. He knew he still had feelings for the Duchess, but to use her as bait...
"You're using her as bait?" he asked incredulously.
"It was her idea actually. I said something was...not quite right and she offered her help. As such, we are going to try and draw out this unseen feeling and see if we can identify it." He said.
"That's risky Obi Wan." Ahsoka warned.
Obi Wan looked worried.
"I know. But, she insisted. So, let us hope we can see what is going on here, or she will be in deadly danger." He said, then left, waving as he did so.
Anakin looked worriedly after his master.
"He'll be fine." Ahsoka soothed, stroking his leg.
"Yeah, but will the Duchess?" he asked.
He nestled into the booth, and Ahsoka laid her head against his shoulder and started to stroke his hair.
"I think you're right Ahsoka. Something is bad here. And it's getting worse." He said sadly.
"Stop worrying. The Jedi can do without you for one night. Relax tonight, and we can worry about secret plots in the morning." She whispered, kissing him lightly.
Anakin smiled lovingly at her.
"True. Come on. With things the way they are, we cant use my lightsaber in the temple. We'll hire a hotel." He said, kissing her montral.
Ahsoka looked at him in confusion as he left, beckoning for her to follow. Then she got his innuendo, smiled and followed her lover.
And at the bar, Rex watched them as they disappeared. Yes, he may have told Anakin that he had acted wrong, but this was getting out of hand. They were still seeing one another, despite having slept together. This was serious. They were putting his troops at risk. So, he would stop them.
Mace would have to be told. Rex knew now that Mace knew what was best for Anakin and Ahsoka...even if he was up to something.
XX
Eeth looked at the list of shadows he could use. All reported to him, and all carried out the Concordat's bidding.
"You will do." He said, choosing one and telling him about the job.
XX
Uli smiled as they reached where Barriss headed for the Temple.
"Night Barriss." He said, kissing her cheek.
Barriss smiled, then properly kissed him on the lips.
"Third date. You can move to the lips." She said mischievously.
Uli kissed her deeply, before she broke off.
"Good night." She said and headed for home.
Uli then headed back for his barracks. He and Barriss had started flirting on Drongar, and ever since he had been part of her army, and they had been seeing each other for the last two weeks. She was beautiful and kind, a little older than Uli was, but that didn't matter. He had a good feeling about her.
Which was more than he could say for his trip home. As he walked, he couldn't quite shake the thought that someone was tailing him. As such, he back pedalled a few times, but found no one. Strange. He must be getting paranoid.
He reached for his key when he heard something fall softly behind him. He turned to see an Ongree, an orange skinned species who's eyes were below their mouth from the Skullet cluster, leering at him.
"Yes, can I help you?" Uli asked, eyeing the Ongree's attire and seeing that they were Jedi robes.
"I am Coleman Kcaj. You are trying to lure a Jedi from the true path. And that will not be tolerated." He rasped.
He then lit his lightsaber and plunged it right through Uli's chest before Uli could react. Uli gasped slightly, and he could feel that the wound was fatal. He gagged for air, looking pleadingly at Coleman, who retracted his saber. Uli fell against his door and slid down to the floor, blackness reaching up to claim him.
"Barriss..." he whispered, and then his life left him.
Coleman looked down at the boy with satisfaction. Job done.
"This is Shadow Three. Target eliminated." He said into his comm.
"Excellent work. Return here." Eeth's voice came from the comm.
"At once."
And Coleman turned away and headed for home. A necessary sacrifice to keep a Jedi on the true path...and away from the temptation of the dark side.
XX
Aayla watched in horror as Coleman Kcaj, a Jedi she knew, walked away from the man he had just brutally murdered. She reached for her comm, dialling the emergency services, but knowing it was futile. She had felt the boy's life get snuffed out.
"There's been a murder and Tristar Barracks, Block Fifteen. Hurry." She said, then switched to a private channel.
"Kit, know how we were looking for proof that there's something wrong with the Order? I think I just got some." She said.
Hello there! Here is the start of the sequel to Crush. As you can see, this isnt going to be solely about love. Other factors are most definately at play here.
The sinister Concordat is behind all that is wrong with the Order. What will those not in it do to stop it? Will Obi Wan's plan work?
Things will only get darker for our heroes as they struggle to battle the unseen Concordat. Who else is a member? Who can be trusted and who cant? Where will we go from here? And what do the Sith think about this?
All will be revealed in the fullness of time! Please read and review until next time!