Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars (warning! dirty scene in this chapter!)
Crushed
Mace had his hands clasped behind his back as he heard Eeth's report.
"It was most unfortunate that that riot occurred at the same time as they were all there. We could have done with finding out what they were up to." Mace said thoughtfully.
"Unfortunate? Mace you know as well as I do that the cause of the riot was most likely Exaz. Rex reported that both she and Shaak Ti were in the club first. It's what they did after she enabled their escape that bothers me. Do you think they are on to us?" Eeth hissed.
Mace turned to his friend.
"If they are it matters little. We will soon execute Operation Abstinence and they will cease to be a factor anyway my friend. Events are on the move and we shall soon rule the Order, and stamp out all forms of attachment for the greater good." Mace said, raising his hands to emphasise his point.
Eeth was about to respond when the door binged, and Rex entered.
"Captain Rex. You have news for us?" Mace asked, sitting down.
"Well I tried to follow them last night, but that riot prevented me from doing so. But, I checked the bugs you had me plant earlier and all of the ones in all of the rooms have been removed, aside from the one in General Skywalkers." He reported.
While he had promised Anakin and Ahsoka he would not report on them anymore, he could see that their love for each other was actually a very serious threat to everyone concerned. As such, he was determined to stamp it out, utilising Mace's help to try and save his general from himself.
"Really? We knew about the deactivation, but I find it highly unlikely that they found the bugs and left his. Why keep his there?" Mace pondered.
"I don't know, but I replaced the bugs, but as soon as I got back to check they'd all been taken down again." Eeth said in distaste.
Mace got up and paced the room, hands clasped, pondering.
"They must have allies. I fear you may be right Eeth. They are on to us. We must accelerate our plans further. If they take what they think, or at least suspect, to Yoda...then we will at least be under suspicion." Mace said, looking at Eeth.
Eeth growled, showing his teeth.
"Mace, we cannot move too quickly. We have many of our shadows here, yes, but not enough to effect the takeover. If we move them any quicker, Yoda will get suspicious." He grumbled.
Mace scoffed.
"Yoda knows what I want him to know." He said smugly, and Rex felt a pang of worry.
Master Windu could control what Master Yoda knew? Perhaps that would explain how they'd been getting away with all they'd been doing, if the leader was being kept in the dark.
"Sirs, may I ask what you intend to do about General Skywalker?" Rex asked worriedly.
Because now that he was here, he was beginning to think they weren't quite so good as he believed.
Eeth looked at Mace.
"Well, we do sort of need him against the Sith. But if he continues on the path he is on, we will not hesitate to remove him."
Rex looked at the Jedi Master intently.
"Remove him from command?" he asked, and both Mace and Eeth laughed at his naiveté.
"Remove him from existence captain. Attachment cannot be tolerated. It is a danger to the entire Order, and must be stopped for the greater good." Mace said firmly.
"What kill him? Sirs, with all due respect, I don't want him dead..."
And then for the second time in his life, Rex felt the Force close around his neck. Mace stepped forward, his hand outstretched, while Eeth looked on as if he were enjoying the show.
"Listen to me captain. You are the one who came to us, because you didn't like the fact that he was falling in love with Ahsoka. As such, you signed up to our views. If we decide to kill him, then he must be killed. Do I make myself clear?" Mace demanded, a hint of madness in his eyes, and Rex gagged in agreement, and fell to the floor.
"But since you asked so nicely, and since Eeth does raise a good point, we will try to dissuade him from his chosen course. If not...he will be killed." Mace said, nodding to Eeth, who bowed in acknowledgement.
"Continue to watch Skywalker and Ahsoka. Report anything, however small, to us, and with all urgency. Times are changing around Captain. You had best not be left behind, because we will not come back for you." Mace warned and turned to gaze out at the city, while Eeth showed Rex out.
Outside, worry filled Rex. Mace was insane, he had to be. He hadn't wanted Anakin killed...just stopped from letting his love life affect his professional one. But, would Anakin listen to him since his betrayal? Rex sighed. No matter what, he was with Mace now. He had made his bed, now he had to lie in it.
XX
"He is a useful source, but that usefulness is coming to an end..." Mace said darkly.
"Perhaps Mace. But it seems to me that a fair bit of Anakin's problems are caused by his attraction to Ahsoka. If she were to be removed...Skywalker might fall into line." Eeth suggested.
Mace nodded irritably.
"Very well. Assemble the Triad this afternoon. We need to persuade them to okay Abstinence." Mace ordered.
"Oppo is still reluctant..." Eeth said, but Mace cut him off.
"I don't care. We will force him to support it if necessary...if not we will ignore him. We must take over the Order. The threat of exposure is too great for our plans to unravel now. We must take over the Order and stamp out all forms of attachment. It is our destiny my friend." Mace said, smiling at the thought.
Eeth grinned. Their time was close now.
XX
Ahsoka looked at her naked lover, asleep beside her. He was so attractive, so strong, he was just the sort of person they needed to try and lead them out of the mess they had gotten themselves in. Obi Wan had been right to make him leader. She stroked a strand of hair off of his handsome face then kissed his cheek gently.
"Hmph?" Anakin grunted.
"We need to go. You need to be seen leading our little rebellion, and I need to keep an eye on what Rex is up to." She said, stroking her hand down his bare chest.
"I'd rather stay here with you. That is our part after all." He said teasingly, turning over and revealing his naked body to his young Padawan.
Ahsoka smiled and climbed on top of him, kissing him deeply, and she felt him go hard beneath her. The temptation of making love to him for the fourth time in twenty four hours was very enticing...but the others were all out doing their bit, it was only right that they do the same.
"Rex isn't here sadly. So, we actually do need to make a move. And the others are all out..." she said, and Anakin shook his head.
"I know. I put them in danger Ahsoka, giving them those missions." He said worriedly.
Ahsoka gently stroked his cheek with one hand, while the other snaked down his body.
"They know the risks. And its Mace that put them all into danger anyway by creating the Concordat. You're trying to protect them." She soothed.
Anakin sighed and reluctantly got up.
"Alright, I'm going." He said, his dedication to the ones he put in danger shining through his own selfish desires, as she knew they would.
Ahsoka then gripped his arm as he went to go and get his robes.
"Honey, you may want to shower. You sort of stink of sex...and besides, your hair will give you away if it hasn't been washed, it wont look as good as it normally does." She said teasingly, and he grinned at her, kissing her deeply, giving her a good view of his erect cock before he headed to the shower.
A while later he was dressed and ready to go. He sat down beside his naked Padawan.
"Be careful coming out of here. Stay in big crowds, and be alert for someone following you ok? Dont take unnecessary risks. Stay safe." He implored her, and she nodded so he didn't worry.
"I wont." She promised.
"Good. I love you." He said, kissing her deeply, and then he departed.
Ahsoka then reluctantly got out of bed and got ready herself. As she left the apartment half an hour later, she immediately made good on her promise to her lover and melded in with the crowds and began to climb the various, multilayered planet of Coruscant. However, as she entered her fourth level of her journey, she felt a dark presence at the back of her mind, and was pretty sure that the presence had been following her since she had left the apartment she and Anakin had slept in the previous night. She didn't want to risk looking back, but she kept an eye on windows that she passed, looking for anyone who looked vaguely Jedi like. While she saw no one, the feeling of unease was getting stronger as she continued her push upward. The shadow was still following her, and she knew this could be no random mugger. This was a Concordat operative that was following her, and they weren't giving up. Had he been watching them the night before? She doubted it. The riot had covered their tracks relatively well. It was more likely that whoever was in charge of such operations for the Concordat had sent someone there in order to find any stragglers. They probably hadn't followed Anakin because he would shake them too easily. But Ahsoka on the other hand would have a bit more trouble.
She stayed in the crowds, weaving in and out of the masses as she headed up to the top. Would they kill her? It was a very real possibility. Or would they torture her for information? Or, if they did somehow know about their group, would they use her as leverage against Anakin? These questions plagued her as she pressed on.
XX
Makis'shaalas frowned as Ahsoka weaved through the crowds. She knew she was being followed. He had been careless.
He had been sent to the apartment area by Eeth the night before, after the riot had started. They had lost contact with Cin Drallig, one of the shadows, and Eeth suspected that the pro-attachment group that Rex had spotted had been a part of the trouble. He had watched all night, but had seen only K'kruhk, Jeisel, Kit Fisto and Aayla Secura leave the block he was watching. However, Eeth had kept him there, saying that all of them couldn't have left yet. Hours had passed, and he had started to consider disobeying a direct order and going home when he had seen Skywalker leave the apartment that morning. Despite soap and deodorant smelling off him, Makis could still smell sex upon him, and the only woman he could smell was his Padawan. They had both totally abandoned all hope of ever truly following the true path last night. As such, he had waited, and his patience had been rewarded as Ahsoka had left the apartment. Skywalker, due to his status as the Chosen One, may still be useful. She however, would be a permanent distraction, preventing him from following the true path. As a result, a higher price had been placed on her head than there was on Skywalker's.
Makis began to close the gap, getting all the closer to Ahsoka. As such, the fact that she was so close, a defenceless little Padawan, who would be no match for him. And, if as Mace and Eeth suspected, the pro-attachment group were on to the existence of the Concordat, killing Skywalker's lover would go a long way to removing their threat to their plans. Makis knew Eeth had begun preparations for Operation Abstinence, but it would take a couple more days to assemble all the operatives necessary. As such, if they could eliminate some competition early, so much the better.
"This is Makis. I have Ahsoka in my sights. Should I engage?" he asked.
To his surprise, Mace answered rather than Eeth.
"Are there many people about?" he asked curiously, profoundly wishing Makis would be able to kill the whelp.
"A few. Various species though." Makis grunted.
"Too risky then. Where is she headed?" Mace asked.
"The Flyover." He responded, eagerly following his prey.
He may not be allowed to kill her, but...
"Master Mundi is also there. And we know what he is. So, if you can, do what is necessary." Mace ordered.
Makis grinned. He wouldn't get the satisfaction of sticking his blade into Ahsoka or Ki's gut, but he would kill them. Using the Force, he leapt upwards, cutting in front of Ahsoka, and onto the Flyover.
XX
Ahsoka could still feel the dark presence, but now it seemed like it was in front of her. And that worried her endlessly as she entered the Flyover, a massive bridge full of speeder berths. She looked around, slightly frightened. The area was fairly open, but she still had to get back to the temple, and she didn't see a taxi that looked free. She then jumped slightly, actually taking her saber off her belt as she felt the shadow retreat behind her again. She was about to turn to investigate, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Leaping forward in fright, she lit her saber and spun around, only to be blocked by a blue blade, and meet the startled gaze of Ki Adi Mundi.
"Master Mundi!" she hissed in irritation as she shut off her saber, before they attracted anymore looks.
"Good morning to you too Ahsoka. Feeling jumpy?" he asked, frowning at her in worry.
Ahsoka sighed, trying to get her heart rate back to normal, and she found watching the valets run around was quite soothing.
"Sorry master. But yes. I was followed all the way up from the apartment we were in last night, and they were far too good to be anyone but a you-know-what operative." She muttered, and Ki frowned deeply.
"Are you alright?" he asked in concern.
"Aside from my heart rate, yeah. But whoever they were, they were good, and the feeling I got from him...was excitement, with anticipation. Which cant mean anything good." She whispered, and Ki nodded as they headed to his speeder.
"I agree. Hang on, why were you down there again?" he asked curiously.
Ahsoka blushed a brighter red than usual.
"Um...Anakin and I never left." She admitted sheepishly.
"Dirty devils." Ki said disapprovingly, clucking his tongue, but winking at the same time.
He reached down to open the door for her, when Ahsoka felt the warning in the Force, and blasted him away from the speeder with a Force push. The speeder then exploded, knocking her sprawling, and screams echoed up around them as the fiery wreck plunged into the chasm below.
"Ahsoka, are you alright?" Ki asked gravely, helping her to her feet.
"Yes master, I'm fine." She said, shaken.
"That was too close. Thank you Ahsoka." Ki said as worried citizens started to cluster around them.
"You're welcome." She replied breathlessly, wanting nothing more than to go back to the temple and feel Anakin hugging her to him protectively.
"Citizens, did any of you happen to see anyone who was around my speeder?" Ki asked, and most shook their heads, full of worry that someone was targeting a Jedi.
"Could it be the Separatists?" a Bothan asked loudly.
Ki shrugged.
"Your guess is as good as mine friend." Ki said, though Ahsoka could see that he knew as well as she did that it was the Concordat that had engineered the attack.
"Master Jedi, I spotted a Nikto actually sitting in your speeder. I didn't think anything of it at the time, I assumed he was one of the valets..." an Arcona said.
"A Nikto you say? Thank you citizen, you have been most helpful. What sort of Nikto was he pray tell?" Ki asked as the rest of the crowd started to stream off.
"A red Nikto, one of the Kajain'sa ones if I remember rightly." The Arcona said, and Ki smiled at him and pressed a fifty credit note into his hand.
"Thank you my friend. You have been most helpful." He said, and the Arcona bowed respectfully and departed.
"Back to the temple by taxi?" Ahsoka asked, looking around nervously.
Ki nodded.
"Yes. When Anakin hears of this he'll want to make sure you are alright, and I don't want to be the one who increases his blood pressure like that. And once he has ascertained that you are safe, I shall pass the news onto the appropriate people so we can figure out who just tried to kill us." Ki said kindly, and led her, still quivering slightly, to a taxi.
XX
Makis cursed as the blast failed to take out Ki and Ahsoka.
"I failed my master." He reported irritably.
Mace clucked his tongue.
"It matters not Makis. Fortunately several of our operatives have already returned. I have them deployed keeping an eye on those Rex spotted last night. I think we can safely assume that they are on to us, and that they seek to stop us. We cannot allow this. Return to the temple and tail Exaz. We are close now my friend. Very close. Fear not for your failure. It will soon be rectified." Mace promised, and Makis grinned.
XX
Plo nodded to himself. He had assigned Shadday and Koffi to dealing with two drug dens that had sprung up in the lower levels. A little bit of overkill, but it kept them away from the temple so that they could try to lure out other Concordat operatives. The question was...how many were fanatics, and how many were duped or not realising the true extent of the Concordat's mania? As he pondered that question, he headed to find Tra and inform her that his part was done.
XX
Aayla threw the last of the bugs that she had found in the group's rooms over the balcony. They would be replaced soon enough, but she had done her part. Now she had to sound out potential support, after informing Tra that her first mission was complete.
XX
Tra strolled up the corridor, looking for Anakin. So far, Plo and Aayla had done their part, and now that they had, she had to inform Anakin and Obi Wan. Which was easier said than done, as she couldn't find either of them. Jeisel then approached her, and Tra slowed to hear her report.
"Well?" Tra asked, her datapad at the ready.
"I investigated some of our clone commanders. Rex and Bly are both reporting to Mace. Cody isn't doing anything as far as I could ascertain. Jag and Bacarra are both innocent as well. Exaz's one knows it isn't worth the bother so isn't doing anything. Etain and Bardan's troops, the Nulls, wont betray them, they're part of Skirata's little clan. My commander apparently was, but he's dead now so it doesn't matter much, and Pits isnt. Galle was as well, Barriss' clone. Yours wasn't, and neither is Tholme's or Kit's. Serra's commander isn't involved and neither is Shaak Ti's. You will pass that on I trust?" she asked quietly as they strolled up the corridor.
"Of course. What will you do now?" Tra asked.
"I'll cool my heels for a while, and then I'll investigate Mace's quarters. Later Tra." Jeisel said cheerily and vanished.
Tra nodded. This was good. Now, if only could find everyone these clones were reporting to, they could bust open the Concordat and get back to their lives.
XX
Ahsoka and Ki had barely left the taxi when Anakin was there, kissing Ahsoka passionately and holding her to him at the same time.
"Are you alright?" he asked huskily, looking intently at her.
"I'm fine sweetie." She said, patting his hand, and looking around.
The only ones who had noticed their kiss were a couple of droids...and Rex, who was working at a station nearby. Good.
"I'm fine too Anakin thank you for asking." Ki said with a grin, and Anakin grinned at him.
"Thank you for looking after her Master Mundi. Are you alright?" he asked sheepishly.
"I'm fine as I said. I will leave Ahsoka in your capable hands my boy. I must go and look up the archives for red Nikto Jedi who may be after us." Ki said, inclining his head, then left.
Anakin laid his head against Ahsoka's as he departed, enjoying the touch of her skin.
"When I heard..." he muttered.
"Shh. I'm okay." She soothed, and she allowed herself to be pulled into his firm grip and enjoyed the feeling of him just holding her.
"Come on. We need to play our part. I did my other part." He said, slipping his arm around her waist as they walked.
"What did Master Altis say?" she asked quietly as they passed Rex, who quickly began to follow, looking guilty as he did so.
They ignored him as they continued. Anakin could feel that Rex was worried, and was debating whether to approach them or not, but a strong feeling of fear was keeping him from doing it. Ignoring him, Anakin turned to look at Ahsoka as they walked.
"He was shocked to say the least. Dont worry, I used a secure channel. But he has said that if push comes to shove he'll help us go against them. He's en route here now, he'll arrive in the morning." He explained, looking at his beautiful lover.
He had been so fearful when he had heard of the attack, and he couldn't describe the powerful feeling of relief that had swept through him when he had heard that she was alright. He was worried that he would lose her, and he wanted to lock her away somewhere safe until this was all over. But she wasn't that sort of person, and he couldn't do that to her. They arrived at his quarters and entered, locking the door.
"Were you scared?" he asked with a slight grin.
Ahsoka nodded meekly.
"Yeah. Didnt help someone was shadowing me before hand either." She grumbled.
Anakin brought her lithe body close to him, feeling her cool half clad frame against his and kissed her passionately. He stuck her tongue down her throat, his hand running down her lekku, letting her know how much he loved her. Ahsoka let out a little moan and reached up, running her hands through his soft brown hair, stroking down through it, until wrapping her hands in a clump at the bottom. He broke off gently, looking intently at her.
"Made you feel better?" he asked in a hoarse voice, stroking her cheek.
"Much." Ahsoka said, smiling cunningly and slowly pushed Anakin to the bed, making him smile in anticipation as his cock went hard.
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her down on top of him and engaging in a deep kiss. She moaned, stroking his hair as she did so, and he undid her top with one hand, revealing her red breasts to him, which he kissed tenderly. Ahsoka slid her hand in between his robes, pulling them apart to reveal his strong, hairless, muscular chest, his nipples erect and sweat beginning to gather. Ahsoka stroked her hand down his chest, then kissed his six pack, before kissing each nipple. Anakin grinned in delight and raised his hand to stroke her navel. Ahsoka moaned in enjoyment and held his arm, forcing it backwards gently, so his arms were splayed over the bed. She then stroked the clumps of soft hair beneath his arms, making him groan at the touch. She kissed his armpits, then moved to his six pack, before returning to his mouth. Anakin moaned in delight as she did so, and felt her snake her hand down his trousers, pulling them down and leaving him naked, revealing his large cock and strong legs. Anakin pulled her down firmly, and pulled her skirt off, revealing her own naked body. Anakin kissed her chest, then her neck, then her lips, wrapping his hands in her lekku as he did so. Ahsoka moaned lovingly as she slipped her hands back into Anakin's hair, running her fingers through it as he began to sweat.
"I love you Ahsoka." He whispered as he entered her.
He didn't want to ever lose her, he thought as he slowly began to pump into her. He rubbed his hands down her back, enjoying the feel of her slim body as he began to move quicker, pumping into her. Ahsoka groaned in ecstasy as he did so, kissing his chest and his neck, before tracing her finger up his chin while she entered her tongue into his mouth. He slid his hand down her thigh, making her make a noise as he started to get faster. He kissed her passionately, moaning in the back of his throat as he did so, his hands entwined within her lekku as he pounded into her, getting faster all the time. Sweat was streaming off of him, and she herself was beginning to glow with what they were doing, her eyes looking lovingly at Anakin. She caressed her finger down his sculpted body, making his body writhe in excitement as he continued. She started panting heavily as she bent down, kissing his armpits, then shoulders, before lovingly nibbling his ear and sucking a strand of hair that was hanging down. Anakin kissed the tips of her lekku, smiling in excitement as he did so, getting closer to erupting into his gorgeous lover. The two of them were panting, and covered in sweat as Anakin reached his end.
Ahsoka kissed him deeply, and he locked his tongue with hers as he got nearer. Ahsoka straddled with chest with her hands, then slid her hand back around his neck, grabbing a fistful of his sweaty hair as he continued to pound. Anakin kissed her navel as they broke off, then kissed her jaw and her lekku as he reached his end. He stroked her central lekku lovingly and then erupted into her, warm fluid flooding into her as he cried out and he let her breath out in ecstasy.
"Wow..." she panted as his torrent continued.
"Yeah..." he whispered to her as she kissed his hard nipples before she laid down on top of him.
He closed his eyes in enjoyment as she did so, stroking her back absent mindedly, his finger trickling down her central lekku, making it twitch in response.
"You know, I feel a lot better." She said, grinning at him as she started to run her fingers through his hair, detangling what had moulded together with his sweat, his enticing odour filling her nostrils.
"Good. I think we performed our part admirably." He said with a satisfied smile letting Ahsoka stroke his hair.
"Yeah, we did. You reckon Rex knows?" she asked quietly into his ear.
"Yeah. It's only a camera in here I checked. I could sense him outside...which is slightly sick I admit, listening to us doing it, but he ran off before I went. Now, he'll run to Mace...then we'll see what happens next." He said confidently.
"I'm glad you're our leader." Ahsoka said, settling into his armpit, detaching herself from his cock as she did o.
"I love you Ahsoka. And I wont let anything happen to you." He promised, kissing her forehead.
"I know."
XX
The door went as Mace went over the preliminary reports. The clones were all in position, the fleet admiral had been rotated to the appropriate position, and 75% of the Jedi support he needed was in place, with the other five he needed to take achieve his ends while lacking some supporters arriving in the morning. It was all going well.
"Enter." Mace said, and he turned to see Rex.
"Yes captain?" Mace asked, going back to the report.
"General Skywalker and Ahsoka...are at it." Rex said delicately.
Mace looked at him sharply.
"What do you mean, at it?" he asked as Eeth strolled in.
"Meaning..." Rex said awkwardly, a part of him not wishing to divulge something personal about his general.
"Meaning they have just had sex. I was in the spying room with Master Sev when it became apparent what they were doing. Disgusting show." Eeth said, looking faintly sick.
Mace crushed the datapad in his hand furiously. They were performing that disgusting act within his temple so blatantly? They would pay for that outrage.
"They have both now fallen completely off the true path, without hope of redemption. They may as well have become Sith. They must be killed as soon as possible." He said firmly, and Eeth started to nod, but Rex cut him off.
"Sir, you said..."
Mace blasted him to the floor with the Force.
"Be quiet Captain. I am in command here." He snarled, and Rex looked up at him in fear.
Eeth raised a finger to his lips.
"Sev did say that the dark side is getting stronger though. And the war can last much longer. It's a pity we need to move now, or we could just initiate Abstinence after the war ends. But, as it is, we cant, and that means we still need Skywalker. We cant kill him until he defeats the Sith." Eeth said irritably, as though that fact had been created just to vex him.
Mace harrumphed as Rex struggled back to his feet.
"Very well. Go and try to dissuade him. See to it personally Eeth. There can be nothing to stop us at this time. We are so close to achieving our destiny, initiating Abstinence, and eradicating all forms of attachment within the Order. Our time is at hand...are all the leaders in agreement?" Mace asked.
"Yes. Sev was all for it, he's as anxious to achieve our destiny as I am. Z'Meer has yet to reply, but she's been stuck teaching geography all afternoon."
Mace nodded. Sev headed the Satele Ring, meaning that they had their support. Only one of the three should have made any opposition to the move on that ring, and most Jedi ignored her anyway. Z'Meer headed the Atris Ring, and he knew that ring would be the most resistant to the entire idea. The other two members did not like the idea at all, and were relatively reluctant supporters, and only joined the Concordat in order to try and get closer to the power in the Order to try and bring the war to an end.
"What about the Vrook Ring?" Mace asked curiously.
Eeth frowned.
"Olana is en route, so she hasn't given the ok yet, her ship hasn't arrived back here yet. Du Mahn has been instructing younglings all morning, and the other has been keeping an eye on a potential security leak." Eeth reported darkly.
Mace nodded.
"What security threat?" he asked suddenly, a feeling of foreboding creeping in, just as the comm beeped.
XX
Ki nodded. So, Makis'shaalas was the only such Jedi stationed on Coruscant. Meaning, he was also working for the Concordat. Got him.
He departed, and Jocasta Nu, the leader of the archives, frowned. This had to be reported.
XX
"Ki Adi Mundi looked very triumphant when he left my friends. I believe he is on to us." She reported.
"Thank you Jocasta. You have done well to inform us of this. We shall speak soon." Mace promised, though that was a lie.
She had a final part to play within Abstinence, and then her usefulness would be at an end. She merely thought she was part of a secretive pressure group, not the revolutionary group that the Concordat truly was. She would never stay quiet if she knew. As such, Mace had arranged for her to be an integral part of Abstinence when it was initiated.
"The pro-attachment lot have formed a group to oppose us, there can be no doubt of that now." Eeth said angrily.
"Peace Eeth. It doesn't matter, they are too late to stop us now. But, assemble the Triad within two hours, just so we can get the true go-ahead for Abstinence. Nothing can get in our way, but this pathetic little group, which I suspect Skywalker is leading, cannot be allowed to delay us. If they go to Yoda with their suspicions, they might reveal a bit too much. That cannot be allowed. If we are to do what must be done for the greater good, they must be stopped before they can threaten our plans. If they identify members of the Concordat, it could upset our plans. Eeth, go and persuade Skywalker to keep Rex happy, and tell the Triad they need to hurry up. And while you do that...I will visit Yoda." Mace said, smiling at the thought.
"Why?" Eeth asked curiously as he headed to the door.
"If Skywalker is the leader as I believe, we can remove him in one swift stroke...we tell Yoda he is sleeping with his Padawan. Rex, you stay here and come if I call you. Our time is now. Abstinence is at hand!" he cried gleefully, and both he and Eeth smiled as he swept from the room.
XX
Barriss looked at what she had found by cross referencing the Temple money records with the Republic's banks reports. It wasn't much, barely even noticeable, but tiny amounts from the donations and taxes that paid for the Order had gone missing, as had one or two aurodium ingots from the temple stores. That meant someone was getting a lot of money behind the scenes.
"Gotcha." She said triumphantly, and continued to match up her suspicions.
XX
Exaz entered the main stairway, and smiled as she saw Tra up ahead, being talked to by Ki. Tra nodded and turned away, and smiled as she headed in Exaz's direction.
"Master Saa, I believe I have identified another one of our opponents." She whispered as she swept along the raised banister with the Neti.
"Oh, who?" Tra asked as a class of younglings ambled past with a very harassed looking teacher.
"Maki'shaalas appears to be part of the Concordat." The Sullustan said darkly.
"I know. He's the one who set the bomb that could have killed Ki and Ahsoka. I'm going to report to Anakin once he and Ahsoka are finished what they are doing." Tra said with a sly smile.
"Hmph. Alright for some. We're out here flogging our pans and they're doing the dirty business." Exaz grumbled huffily.
Tra smiled at her friends disgruntlement.
"Well I'm away to try and goad him into revealing something. Cheerio." Exaz said and toddled off, and Tra watched in interest as Makis slyly took up his trail of her again.
XX
Tholme finally figured out the password to get into Yoda's mailbox. Now that he was in, he had to find what he was looking for. Aside from a few emails from ebay and Yoda's phone bill, there was nothing of interest in his personal folder. However, his work folder was full of reports from across the galaxy, from various different Jedi and other operatives who were leading the armies in war. Tholme accessed one, and saw that the report, which was from Quinlan, which he had also received himself, was all there. However, as Tholme filtered down reports, there were subtle hints of things missing, like words that didn't quite fit in with the rest of the sentence, missing punctuation marks and the such like. They were miniscule details, but Tholme supposed that Yoda just dismissed them as a Jedi having bad grammar. But how was the Concordat changing the information Yoda was getting? Unless....Yoda's mail was being intercepted.
Intelligence had a very sophisticated software which would deliver a message so that it still appeared unread, which they used to check for Separatist informants and to censor sensitive information. Fortunately, Tholme, who had agents working for the Separatists, had acquired a way with which to track this. While the agents used it to actually catch the spies within the Republic, Tholme could use it to identify if any of the reports had been played with. He quickly installed it, aware that as Yoda would soon be returning to the temple after his meeting with the Chancellor, he had best move quickly.
And then, as it finished installing, he activated the program, and found the true extent of Mace's treachery. Vital data that was in several reports had been sliced out, so Yoda was only getting half the picture, thus explaining how he had not sent troops to those Jedi Mace was trying to quietly get rid of. Mace was not just endangering the lives of Jedi and clones by doing all this, he was endangering the entire Republic because he was basically ceding planets to the Separatists. This was far worse than he had feared. Tholme looked at what he had, and nodded to himself. Yoda would have to do something when he saw this. Confident that his bit was done, he started to head out, until he had an idea. If he could track the registry number, which his program should give him, of the place where the messages were altered, he should be able to find where Mace was doing all this. Excellent.
Settling back in, he began to track the location, while sending a mental message to Tra to inform her that he was onto them.
XX
"So, you are in favour of attachment?" Aayla asked Tsui Choi, an Aleena Jedi, as they sat together in the Room of a Thousand Fountains.
Tsui nodded.
"Yes. It is my belief that our attachments actually make us stronger and better Jedi. But what is all this about Aayla?" Tsui asked curiously.
Aayla smiled at him.
"I hope you don't have to find out my friend." She said, and added another supporter to her list.
XX
"So, you think attachment is a good idea Master Sinube?" K'kruhk asked the elder Jedi curiously.
"Yes young K'kruhk. Albeit, it can lead to some problems, I admit...but in the long run, I think it can actually bring Jedi closer together...and it helps make them less grumpy." He said with a wink as he hobbled off.
K'kruhk looked after Tera Sinbue as he vanished. But the enigmatic old Jedi seemed to be in favour of attachment, meaning that if push came to shove he would hopefully side with their group. That was good. Another name for the list. As such, K'kruhk headed to find another possibly pro-attachment Jedi.
XX
Kit looked at the Kel Dor penetratingly. She was Sha Koon, Plo's niece. Now all he had to do was convince her that attachment was a good thing.
She raised her hand as he opened his mouth to try again.
"Master Fisto, yes, I am pro attachment. Attachment doesn't just mean falling in love you know. It can also mean that I can be considered too close to my uncle. As such, I am rather pro attachment, as it would let me and him enjoy an afternoon off together without anyone getting grumpy." She said, and walked off.
Kit nodded. Good, another one had joined the cause. He only hoped he did not have to call them on their support.
XX
Etain winced slightly as Kal fumed. Being told that they had a good idea of who had killed some of his boys and why but not being able to do anything about it was infuriating him endlessly.
"Kal, Anakin is a good man. If push comes to shove and we have to go up against them, he will call you so you can even the score." She tried to soothe.
Kal just glared.
"One of those hutuun Jedi killed them all, even your Darman, and we need to wait until some other Jedi says so! How do we know he isn't in on this?" Kal demanded furiously.
"He isn't Kal'buir. Trust me, Anakin is probably one of the furthest away from the Council and the Concordat. He's on our side" Bardan soothed, and Kal looked slightly calmer.
"Bard'ika, someone is watching the apartment from over the way." Ordo told them as he entered.
"Who is it?" Bardan asked.
"Some woman with a Red Ankh Group tattoo across her face. She's been standing there since you two arrived." He said grimly.
Etain narrowed her eyes in anger.
"Is nowhere and no one safe? That's Z'Meer Bothu." She growled.
"Want me to stick a blaster bolt in the middle of that ankh?" Mereel asked.
Etain shook her head.
"No. Bard'ika, go back to the temple and tell Tra we've got their help provided they get to waste Kota. And tell her Bothu is in with Mace. If she follows, we'll go and get supplies. If not, you'll have to do it, and I'll come meet you later. Either that...or we set them loose." She said venomously, and Bardan grinned.
No one assassinated one of Skirata's boys on her watch. Kota had done four. And Darman had been one of them. Her Darman. And for that, the Concordat would pay.
XX
Obi Wan smiled as the Bulk Transport, the Chu'unthor set down at the landing pad. It wasn't the ship Djinn Altis had used on JanFathal as he had brought his entire sect of Jedi with him in case things got ugly.
Djinn Altis, an old man, exited his ship and smiled. A Jedi who practiced many things that the Concordat, and even the Council, had forbidden, he was one of the Concordat's biggest enemies in Obi Wan's opinion, but here he was, strolling up to meet him as if he'd been here for years.
"Master Obi Wan. It has been far too long." Altis said, shaking Obi Wan's hand jovially.
"Master Altis, welcome back to Coruscant." He said happily.
"The last time I saw you you had just started your training under Qui-Gon. Oh my boy, look how you've grown! You've gotten old." He said with a chuckle.
Obi Wan smiled.
"Training Anakin and fighting the war does that to you Master Altis." Obi Wan said and the two walked to the edge of the platform so they would not be overheard.
"Anakin told you of what is going on?" Obi Wan asked.
"Yes, he told me all of it. The Concordat...I mean, Yoda and I have had our differences, but for him to allow something like this to spring up...a group bent on destroying all attachment in the Order...its madness!" Altis hissed.
Obi Wan nodded, but looked slightly put out.
"We don't actually believe Yoda knows. We believe Yoda has not been receiving all the information he is meant to, as it is somehow being rerouted to the Concordat before he gets to it. Ignorance may not be an excuse usually, but the Concordat is rather good at hiding its tracks, and we think Yoda is unaware of how bad the situation truly is." Obi Wan said.
Altis smiled sadly.
"The fact that this has become a battle between the attachment argument, which I've argued with Yoda about for years, does sort of appeal to my humour, though it is terrible that things have gotten so bad, killing innocents...that is not the Jedi way. We must stop the Concordat my friend."
Obi Wan nodded gravely.
"I know. Anakin has formed quite the little crew, and we are trying to get enough information to expose the Concordat and its dealing so we can take it to Yoda and let it be destroyed." Obi Wan said.
Altis nodded in understanding.
"Good. Well, if you should need me, I have forty five Jedi, my entire sect, ready and waiting for Anakin's orders." Altis said.
Obi Wan smiled.
"That means a great deal Master Altis. Thank you." He said with a smile.
"You are quite welcome. And it is nice to see Coruscant and the Temple again. I just wish it could be under better circumstances." He lamented.
"I concur. Master Altis, we don't know how far the Concordat's influence extends. I suggest you maintain low orbit until if and when you are called." Obi Wan advised, and Altis nodded.
"I had thought the same. If these fanatics are trying to destroy all attachment, wiping out my forty five Jedi, which they seem to be quite capable of doing from what I've heard of them, will be a great victory for them. I await Anakin's signal." He said bowing, and Obi Wan did the same.
He may be totally different from what he was used to, but he reminded him a little of Qui Gon. And besides, if all Jedi were like Altis, they wouldn't be involved in this war or have to form secret pro and anti attachment groups, and everything would be much simpler.
"Where is he anyway?" Altis asked as he headed back to his ship.
Obi Wan smiled.
"Fulfilling his part I expect. Which translates as taking your advice Master Altis." Obi Wan said with a wink, and Altis laughed as Obi Wan left.
Altis looked up as Obi Wan's speeder vanished into the traffic of Coruscant. A secret group trying to stamp out attachment...Yoda, for all his strengths and weaknesses, was a fine leader for the Order. But, eight hundred off years in the job had made him complacent. Either that or the fact that he had let Mace accumulate too much power, and that was now threatening innocent lives, the Order, and the Republic as a whole. And the fact that this entire mess was over attachment gave Altis just a teeny bit of satisfaction. Altis had been telling Yoda for years that he would either have to totally outlaw attachment, or approve it, rather than leaving it in the curious state of flux that it was in at present, as it would only create resentment and further problems. And now it had. A secret group had emerged, fanatically determined to totally eradicate attachment within the Order. And that threatened everyone. A small part of Altis feared that Anakin's group was too late. But he had watched the young man, and he had impressed him. Perhaps his group, and attachment within the Order, under him, stood a chance against Windu's sinister organisation.
"Back into orbit then Geith." Altis said, clapping his student's shoulder.
"This isn't our fight master. This is between the mainstream Order and its opponents within itself. Why are we getting involved?" he asked reluctantly as he got the ship ready by comm.
"Because Geith, it is the right thing to do. If we sat back, things would simply get worse and eventually, if the Concordat succeed in what they are up to, we would be destroyed. And also...it may be the chance I've been long awaiting...the chance to right the wrongs within the Order. This may be what we need for our philosophies to become widespread, so we no longer have to hide. And besides...there's something about Skywalker that intrigues me. And also, a small part of me is human, and would like to see Mace Windu and his ilk brought low, and Master Yoda, shall we say, enlightened." He said with a wink.
Geith grinned and headed to the cockpit, and Altis chuckled to himself. Dire straits they may all be in, but the entire situation was quite ludicrous. And, a Jedi he may be...but a small part of him was quite looking forward to saying 'told you so' to Yoda when all this was over.
XX
Serra sighed as yet another class left. Sometimes, she seriously wondered why she didn't volunteer for front line duty. When she had been asking questions on the value of a defensive stance, a young lad had said to prevent injury to the privates. A girl had then argued that that wasn't needed for girls, and hence wasn't the answer. However, several boys had then said it was as good an answer as any. A particularly forward girl had then challenged a boy to substantiate the original claim, and had promptly floored the volunteer with a well placed kick. That however, had started a riot, with boys pulling the girls hair and the girls going for the boys privates. Serra by this point had sat down and had started smacking her head against her desk, realising it was pointless to try and stop the fight.
"You look exhausted my Padawan." Cin Drallig said with a smile.
Serra looked at him. Was he as fanatical as the others? She hoped not. And for now, she could keep him here, out of the way.
"Why do I do this to myself? I'd be better fighting on the front lines." She sighed.
Cin laughed.
"Come. Let's go get a coffee." He said kindly, and he led her away.
Serra smiled slightly. A fanatic he may possibly be, but he was still her master. And this was fulfilling her mission. He wouldn't be able to hurt her. As such, she was quite safe. Smiling she headed after him.
XX
Mace was about to enter Yoda's quarters to report Anakin when Agen slipped out from the shadows.
"Mace, I caught you just in time. I do not believe alerting Yoda to what Skywalker is up to is the most prudent course of action." He said warningly.
Mace raised an eyebrow. Agen was by far the most useful ally upon the Triad, and so Mace listened to him more than he did to the other two, who were still rather tepid in their support.
"How so?" Mace asked, coming to a stop.
"Well...if you report it to Yoda, he will act yes...but he will eventually wonder how you knew about it before he did...and that could lead to complications when we are so close." Agen said conspirationally.
Mace popped his lips, and had to agree Agen had a point.
"Oh very well." Mace said, and they walked in the opposite direction.
And within Yoda's quarters, Tholme took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. That had been too close. But, now he had their secret spy station. This had to be reported. As such, he scuttled out of the room before anything else happened.
XX
Eeth was still trying to find Anakin when his comm went off.
"Go." Eeth said curtly.
"This is Coleman. The Chu'unthor is here." He snarled.
Eeth stopped abruptly. If they were here, it meant that there was a group that was opposed to the Concordat, and they were sounding out allies in order to try and stop Abstinence. But, on the bright side, it meant that all their enemies could be stopped in one swift stroke, as they could exterminate Altis nest of vermin along with all the others.
"Thank you Coleman. We shall respond accordingly. You have done well." He said thankfully, and hung up.
Most interesting. He would have to tell Mace. But first, he had to deal with Skywalker.
XX
Anakin and Ahsoka, newly dressed and showered after their love making, were heading up the corridor, when Eeth Koth appeared before them.
"Master Skywalker, may I have a word?" he asked coming forwards.
"Certainly Master Koth." He said, and Ahsoka took a step behind, as was her place when a senior master addressed her master.
"Anakin...I am only going to tell you this once. I strongly advise you to stop what you are doing...before it is too late. Your...extra curricular activities and late night antics....they are a threat to your position as a Jedi. So, I am imploring you to see sense and to stop...before things get out of control." Eeth advised with a sinister smile, and an odd glint in his eye.
Anakin narrowed his blue eyes, and raised his arm to cover from Ahsoka. He knew full well what that meant. Conform...or you and your lover will be killed.
"Master Koth...what I get up to outside of my active hours is of no concern of yours, or anyone elses. And just so as you know...I advise you to stop too, before things get ugly." Anakin growled.
Eeth looked Anakin square in the eyes, and Ahsoka's hand fell to her lightsaber, ready to spring into action as the two Jedi stared each other down. Eeth glowered at Anakin, his own hand twitching, and then he took a step back and nodded respectfully, but Ahsoka could see that he was being condescending towards her lover.
"As you wish it Master Skywalker. Dont say I didn't warn you." He said simply, turned and swept majestically up the corridor.
And for the first time in living memory, Anakin shivered through fear. Ahsoka wrapped her arms around his waist gently.
"Did he just threaten us?" she asked, not wanting to admit her own fear.
"Yeah. He did sweetheart. Very politely, very gently, but he was most definitely threatening us, and doing it well. Come on." He said, his eyes darkening as he took her hand protectively.
"Where are we going?" she asked as he headed towards the classrooms.
"To find one of our lot, to let them know. The fact that he came himself has to mean that he is Mace's second. Which means we are all in severe danger. Come on." He said, and they headed for the classroom levels.
XX
Mace had returned to his quarters and was sitting in quiet contemplation as Eeth entered.
"I did not go to Yoda. Agen pointed out that he might get suspicious." He informed his comrade.
Eeth snorted.
"A fine thing you didn't go to Yoda anyway. You forgot he was meeting with the Chancellor this morning." He said.
"Oh so he was. Ah well. Did you talk to Skywalker?" Mace asked.
Eeth nodded, his lip curling in distaste.
"Yes. I doubt he will listen. You know what he is like. But at least we can tell Rex we made an attempt." Eeth said.
Mace sniffed.
"His usefulness, along with that of several of our operatives, is coming to an end. After we initiate Abstinence, a new dawn will begin, and we will no longer need the ones who have been holding us back. How many of us have arrived in order to affect the takeover?"
Eeth did a mental sum.
"Around 80%, but if its all the same to you, I would prefer to wait until I have all of us here. It will make thing easier." Eeth said, and Mace nodded.
"Fair enough."
"Oh, and Altis' group has appeared. That means that they have definitely formed a group to try and counter us. He has returned to low orbit, so all we need to do is change Abstinence a bit and we can destroy all our enemies in a single, glorious day, and wipe out attachment forever!" Eeth said excitedly.
Mace chuckled at his friends enthusiasm.
"Good. Saves us tracking him down when all this is over. We are on the precipice of glory my old friend. Soon...the order will be ours, and attachment will be gone." Mace said in dark satisfaction and began to laugh, as did Eeth.
XX
Anakin and Ahsoka were heading along the corridor and finally found a member of their own group, which Anakin had just dubbed the Entente.
"Next time we shall discuss the Battle of Toprawa, which has an effect on one of our later topics. And remember your essays! And no, a Separatist attack will not excuse you from handing it. You may go." Shaak Ti's voice came from within and her history class filed out, and they shot in.
"Anakin, Ahsoka, what can I do for you?" she asked curiously.
Anakin then activated a jammer and the two of them leaned in close.
"Eeth is working with Mace." Anakin said darkly.
Shaak Ti's eyes widened in shock.
"Eeth? You're sure?" she asked in surprise.
"Yep. He just came up to us and politely threatened us. 'Stop seeing Anakin or you'll both be in danger' about covers it." Ahsoka growled.
Shaak Ti closed her eyes as the implications hit her.
"Of course. It makes terrible sense! Eeth is probably Mace's best friend in the Order, as such their spending more time with one another wont be remotely suspicious. You think he's Mace's right hand man?" she demanded.
"Yeah, its the only position he could conceivably have unless his council is stronger than we think but I doubt it. He has to be Mace's henchman." Anakin theorised, and she nodded.
"Of course. So, where does that leave the rest of the Council though? Even, Oppo, Saesee and Adi, we still don't know how they fit into all this. We must ascertain that quickly. I fear we're running out of time my dears." She said, worry creasing her face.
"I know Master Ti, so do I. We need to find the other four members of the Council and sound them out, try and figure out which side they support. And we need to know now." Anakin said fiercely, and the other two nodded.
"Correct. I believe Adi is teaching some of the older students politics in the communications room, we can start with her. Come." Shaak Ti said, and led the way from the room.
Ahsoka grabbed Anakin's arm slightly as they followed Shaak Ti.
"I...have a bad feeling about this love. I don't what but..." she said nervously.
Anakin kissed her cheek.
"We'll be all right. Come on. Stay close to me and you'll be safe." He promised and they followed Shaak Ti, not heeding the figure in the shadows behind them.
XX
The comm beeped, and Eeth frowned. The Triad had better not be delaying again...
"What is it?" he asked irritably.
"Master Koth, its the Dark Woman. I fear Skywalker and Shaak Ti are on to us. They seem to have figured out that you are the second in command of the Concordat. They're on the way to talk to other Council members from what I heard." She reported.
Mace and Eeth exchanged dark looks. They should have known they would be in it together. But...if they revealed too much to the non-Concordat members of the Council, it could be enough to alert Yoda, and hence interfere with their plans. They were too close now to achieving their goal to let the pro-attachment group that had sprung up interfere now.
"Thank you Dark Woman. We shall deal with this ourselves." Mace said, entering a code into the safe he had on his wall.
"Really? How? The way I want to deal with this wont work, I can tell you that." Eeth said, wanting nothing more than to kill the three of them.
How could they spring up and act against the Concordat so quickly? How could they interfere now when they were so close to achieving their wishes and their destiny?
"We only have to delay them Eeth. As such, this will serve our needs." Mace said smugly, revealing a handful of syringes filled with clear fluid.
"Glitteryll. Mace, that's risky. We might not even get close enough to inject it..." Eeth protested, but Mace shook his head.
"They cannot interfere now. All we need to do is make them forget for a few hours, until we actually initiate Abstinence. After that time, they will be unable to stop us, and then you my friend can take pleasure in killing them. This will serve to hold them up long enough to suit our ends." He said, and Eeth nodded.
"Come." And the two swept towards where Shaak Ti and Anakin would undoubtedly be heading.
XX
Anakin cursed as they entered the communications room. They hadn't long missed Master Gallia.
"Blast. I cant remember the rest of her timetable either." Shaak Ti grumbled.
Anakin then felt a dark warning from the Force, and the other door out of the room slammed shut. Narrowing his eyes, he knew what it must mean. The Concordat had come for them.
Shaak Ti walked in front of him, protecting both him and Ahsoka as two figures appeared at the top of the stairs, two silhouettes against the bright light that was shining behind them.
"Master Windu, Master Koth, I'm afraid you have caught us at a bad moment. We are in something of a hurry." She said, trying to bluff their way out, but her hand was on her saber.
Mace closed the door behind him.
"Please Master Ti. We know what you are truly doing here. And it cannot be allowed to continue." He said as he and Eeth advanced down the stairs, smiling menacingly.
Anakin's own hand went to his lightsaber. The Concordat was on to them, and now the zealots were going to try and stop them. He would protect Ahsoka no matter what the cost.
"I do not know what you mean Mace." She said disdainfully, as Ahsoka sidled up to Anakin as Eeth prowled around the holo generator to face them.
"Your little group, trying to stop what is to come. You cannot be allowed to ruin our plans now. Abstinence must be achieved." Mace said, his own hand going his saber.
"You've lost it." Anakin said certainly, and Eeth laughed, a terrible sound, not at all like the sound you would expect from a fellow Jedi.
"I needn't have wasted my breath should I Skywalker? It's obvious to me now that you are the leader of this little rebellion against the true path of the Jedi. It is time to end that oversight." Eeth growled, and lit his green lightsaber.
"You cannot be allowed to interfere when we are so close. It is time to stop attachment once and for all. And you three are threats to our designs. That ends now." Mace said, his purple blade springing to life.
Shaak Ti shook her head.
"You have gone insane Mace. Why are you doing this?" she demanded, though igniting her own blue blade.
"Jedi cannot be allowed to fall off of the true path. Attachment causes that. As such it must be forced into extinction. And that is what we will do." Mace declared, his eyes shining in anticipation.
"See an answer like that just begs for a smack in the mouth." Shaak Ti hissed.
"We will stop you." Anakin promised as he and Ahsoka lit their sabers.
"We'll kill you if we have to Master Koth." Ahsoka promised.
And with a sinister laugh, the two Concordat members sprang at their opponents.
Shaak Ti blocked Mace's vicious attack, flipping over him and elegantly turning to parry his heavy backhanded strike. She forced the blade backwards, then twirled out of the way se he swung the saber at her, before she arced her blade to try and cut his arm. Mace took a step back and forced his saber into hers, blocking her attack.
"I did not wish to harm you Shaak Ti, but you have left me no choice with your refusal to keep to the true path." Mace said, forcing her backwards and coming at her from on high.
"True path my arse. You're a fanatic who's gotten out of control." She said blocking his attack.
She leapt over him, and he grinned maliciously as the battle commenced. Shaak Ti was one of the six best blades in the order, along with Yoda, Anakin, Kit, Cin and of course Mace. Her problem was that he was better. Mace unleashed Vaapad upon her, and the ferocious style started batting away at her elegant Makashi defences. Shaak Ti kept up an impenetrable wave of defence as purple laser energy kept trying to break through her defences. Shaak Ti then blocked high, and lashed out with her foot, kicking Mace backwards, and giving her the opportunity she needed to flip up to the top viewing tier. Mace recovered and sprang at her, a ferocious snarl on his face, but she blasted him with a Force push that sent him crashing to the floor. Shaak Ti then angled her blade and leapt down at Mace with the intention of pinning him to the floor with her blade. Mace was too quick however and back flipped onto his feet, slamming his saber against hers. He cackled menacingly, and she knew she was overmatched.
Anakin and Ahsoka both came at Eeth at the same time, but Eeth went on an aggressive defence, parrying Anakin's blows while hammering away at Ahsoka's. Ahsoka retreated, and Eeth pressed his advantage, battering away at her defences. Ahsoka grimaced as the Concordat Jedi pressed his advantage, and he scored a hit, scoring her shoulder. But then, her champion, Anakin, leapt to her rescue, kicking Eeth in the jaw and sending him flipping backwards. As Eeth recovered, Anakin blasted him with a Force push, blowing Eeth into the holo projector, before coming around to try and cleave off Eeth's arm. Eeth let out a Force scream and Anakin staggered, his arm falling and giving Eeth the chance he needed. He dove in, determined to kill him no matter what Mace said, but Ahsoka's blade stopped his attack. The Togruta hissed like a predator then leapt forward, sticking her sharp teeth into Eeth's hand. Eeth howled and tried to stab down at her, but Anakin came in, blocking the attack. As Eeth's hand bled, Anakin and Ahsoka, the perfect couple, worked together, coming at him both high and low, both weak and strong, forcing Eeth across the room. Eeth was hard pressed to stop their joint attack. They worked in perfect tandem with each other, and Eeth was tiring. This was getting old. Ahsoka swung up at him with her peculiar grip, and he used the chance to kick her in the wrist, making her drop her blade. As she dove to catch it, Eeth spiralled to where she had been standing, and pressed his sudden advantage against Anakin. Anakin however merely blocked the attack, glaring in contempt at Eeth as the Concordat master tried to break his foe's defence. Eeth was becoming frustrated. Skywalker was good, and the fact that the brat was helping him was keeping him off balance. Eeth then kicked Anakin in the stomach, and rather and try to go in for the kill, he flipped over the room to where Mace was duelling Shaak Ti.
Shaak Ti blocked Mace's thrust, then bent backwards to avoid a blow from Eeth as he arrived to reinforce his ally. Anakin and Ahsoka both growled, and sprang across the room, and the three Entente members started battering away at ther Concordat member's defence. Shaak Ti blocked a high swing from Eeth, and Ahsoka took advantage of his distraction in order to stick he rblade through his leg.
Eeth screamed and fell back, and Shaak Ti and Anakin both pressed the advantage against Mace, while Ahsoka knocked Eeth's blade away, and pressed her saber to his throat.
"I should kill you now." She sneered, but contented herself with kicking him in the head, knocking him unconscious.
She then flipped over to where Mace was battling Shaak Ti and Anakin, and both the elder Jedi came at him, trapping his saber in a lock. Ahsoka then sliced upwards, scoring his chest. Mace growled, and as Anakin brought his blade back to follow up on Ahsoka's attack, Mace let out a massive Force wave that blew them over the room. Mace snarled as the three got back to their feet. Ahsoka was the trouble. She could get through his defences while he was holding off Anakin and Shaak Ti. She had to go. Ahsoka then surprised him, coming at him first, and catching him off guard with the ferocity of her attack. She slammed her blade into his, pushing back against it.
"You three cannot stop us! It's far too late!" Mace said triumphantly.
"Oh do shut up." Shaak Ti growled as she sprang to Ahsoka's aid, while Anakin jumped up to the top of the room so he could come at Mace from behind.
Mace then spun, blasting Anakin with a Force push while holding off the other two. Anakin skidded to a stop on the top tier, and Mace then smashed his fist into one of Shaak Ti's montrals, before swinging at her head. Ahsoka shouldered her out of the way to save the dazed Jedi, and Mace grinned in triumph, blasting her to the bottom of the stair where she lay defeated. Ahsoka was on her own, and Mace pressed an advantage, crashing his blade against hers. Despite this, Ahsoka glared at him, and maintained a decent defence. Anakin then leapt back into the battle, catching the new attack against Ahsoka on his own blade.
"Leave her alone!" he roared.
Mace glowered at him.
"The fact that you've allowed yourself to fall in love with your own student sickens me Skywalker. It is the fault of people like you that it has come to this. I will destroy attachment, and then you and your sickening little relationship will be brought to an end." He said, locking his blade horizontally with Anakin's.
"You are so full of it." Anakin grumbled, and kicked Mace in the chin.
Mace staggered back, and Ahsoka sprang at him, her blade coming in to cleave off his arm. Mace avoided it, but he was once again forced onto the defensive as the two combined their attacks, forcing him backwards. Mace grunted, and then blasted Ahsoka with a push that knocked her to the floor. He then slammed his hilt into Anakin's their blue and purple beams just missing each other in their horizontal angle.
"You will fail boy. And your relationship will come to an end." Mace vowed, his eyes boring into Anakin's, as Ahsoka collected her saber.
"Not it wont." Anakin promised, as Ahsoka leapt.
Mace saw this, and took his chance, sliding his hilt along Anakin's and bringing the saber further out. And that made Ahsoka land right on top of it.
"NO!" Anakin yelled, releasing a massive Force push that sent Mace hurtling across the room as Ahsoka dropped to the ground, a lightsaber wounded through her stomach.
"Ahsoka..." he said, panicking slightly as he went to his knees beside her broken body.
"Anakin...I...love..." she said, wincing slightly as she tried to finish her sentence.
"No honey, save your strength, I'll save you..." he said in despair.
But then, the hand he had taken hold off went limp, and Anakin knew she was gone.
"No...." he pleaded.
Mace then got to his feet, and sprang over the room, kicking Anakin unconscious as he did so. Anakin toppled beside his dead lover, his hand still wrapped in hers as her eyes closed and she became one with the Force. Mace gave a sigh of exhaustion. That had been too close.
As such, he went and shook Eeth awake.
"Wake up. We have a problem." Mace said to his groggy friend.
Eeth looked at Ahsoka in shock.
"Yes, it appears we do." Eeth conceded, and both he and Mace injected Anakin and Shaak Ti with the glitteryll, and made their escape.
XX
Plo was walking up the corridor when he noticed something strange.
"Odd. I cant feel Shaak Ti." He commented to Obi Wan.
Obi Wan stretched out with his own feelings, and did find her usual light lacking. But that wasn't all.
"I cant feel Anakin and Ahsoka either." He said worriedly.
"Come. Let us find them. Time may be of the essence." Plo said, and they dashed to find the others.
XX
They finally found them in the communications room, and the terrible scene met their eyes. A battle had clearly been fought here.
"Shaak Ti..." Plo said, rushing to her side and rousing her.
"Anakin." Obi Wan said in concern, then saw what had happened to Ahsoka.
Grief clutched at his heart. A smart, brave, beautiful young woman, and she had been killed, her light snuffed out.
"Oh my head...oh my. Plo...what happened?" Shaak Ti demanded as she saw Ahsoka's body.
"I don't know my dear." Plo said sadly.
Anakin awoke, pushing his hair out of his eyes. And then he saw his dead lover.
"Ahsoka....Ahsoka!" he cried, trying desperately to rouse her.
"Anakin...I'm so sorry...she's gone..." Obi Wan said, his hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"No....no....how did this happen?" Anakin demanded, tears streaming down his face.
"What, you don't know?" Obi Wan asked.
Anakin shook his head, as he lifted Ahsoka's broken body up to him and cradled her head on his lap. The rest looked on sadly as Anakin stroked her cheek, trying to wake her, but to no avail.
"No..." he moaned slightly, kissing her forehead.
At that minute, the door opened, and Yoda entered, and seemed surprised to see them all there. His surprise changed to horror when he saw Ahsoka.
"Oh my, what happened here has?" he asked, coming down the stairs.
"We don't know. Anakin and I...we cant remember." Shaak Ti said, as Plo held her close.
"Anakin? Know anything do you?" Yoda asked, his voice kind and sympathetic.
"No master...I...I don't know anything..." Anakin said, tears still in his voice.
"A terrible tragedy is this...find the cause we must." Yoda said, and at that moment, Mace entered, looked down at the scene, and closed his eyes.
Shaak Ti looked up at Mace...and couldn't remember the last time she had seen him. Did that mean anything?
Plo and Obi Wan looked up at him as he came down the stairs. There was something wrong with this. Ahsoka was dead, and Anakin and Shaak Ti couldn't remember what had happened. The two glared at him as he inclined his head to Yoda, who touched Anakin's head gently as he wept over his lover.
"Master Yoda...I came as soon as I saw..." he said, his voice sad, though inside he was celebrating.
"Information do you have Mace, that to unravel this mystery will aid us?" Yoda asked.
The door opened again, revealing Saesee and Adi, who looked at the scene in shock.
"Oh my..." Adi gasped.
"What happened?" Saesee demanded as they came to the bottom of the tier.
Mace looked down at Anakin. In one swift stroke, he had killed Ahsoka, and had broken Anakin. Excellent.
"It appears as if Anakin and Ahsoka were having a practice duel in here. Shaak Ti came across them and tried to get them to stop. She started Anakin, and he let loose a Force wave in his fright which seems to have knocked her out. He then turned to meet Ahsoka's attack, but it wasn't coming as she had dashed forward to aid Master Ti. And she ran onto his blade." Mace said grimly.
He then activated a holo that showed the same events he had just described. It was flawless, as if it had truly happened. Sev had done very well, he thought happily.
Yoda looked intently at the image. Something wasn't quite right about it. He couldn't quite figure it out. Something in the way Anakin and Ahsoka were duelling jarred with him, as did when Ahsoka got stabbed. That too didn't seem right. And taking a look at Anakin, crying over his Padawan's dead body, Yoda knew that Anakin could never have killed her. Something else was at play here.
"I...I killed Ahsoka?" Anakin asked weakly.
Yoda grunted as he turned to face him.
"Hmm. Possible it is. But...know I do not. Believe I do, that kill her, you did not." Yoda said.
Mace looked at the old master in shock.
"What?" he demanded.
Plo looked at Mace, as worry flashed over his face. Interesting.
Yoda turned to Adi.
"Master Gallia, tampered with, could this have been?" Yoda asked, indicating the holo.
Adi, who was looking at Anakin in shock, turned to face Yoda, and nodded slightly.
"Possibly." She said, conceding the point, as now she looked at Anakin, the devastated look in his eyes, something didn't quite add up.
"Then investigate you shall. Find the truth of this image you must." Yoda said, and Adi bowed respectfully.
Mace looked at Yoda. It was most unfortunate that the others weren't taking the bait. But...it wouldn't matter as after tomorrow, the Order would change forever.
"Master Tiin, to a place of rest take young Ahsoka. Mourn her, we will." Yoda said, and Saesee inclined his head.
"I...I killed her...." Anakin gasped.
"No you didn't." Obi Wan whispered into his ear.
Anakin had loved Ahsoka. There was no way that he could have killed her. And Obi Wan knew that.
Yoda turned to Anakin.
"Anakin, until unravelled this tragedy is, return to your quarters to recover you should." He said kindly.
Obi Wan nodded and managed to get Anakin to his feet, then led him from the room. Saesee then picked up Ahsoka's body and carried her off, while Adi vanished.
"And Master Koon, help Master Ti can you? If remembers anything she does, night or day, hesitate not to tell me you shouldn't." Yoda said, and Plo nodded, lifting up Shaak Ti, and taking her out.
"Grave danger I sense...a coiled threat ready to pounce there is...and Jedi blood, spilled within the temple there has been. A sad day for the order it is. Meditate on this, I will." Yoda said as he went past Mace.
As there was definitely something wrong with this scenario. Something didn't add up. And he had to find out what it was before it was too late.
Mace looked on as Yoda vanished. The fact that he hadn't bought the edit was very irritating. But it didn't matter. After tomorrow, what Yoda thought would be irrelevant. Mace looked at the place where Ahsoka had died.
Excellent. He had killed a Jedi who had fallen from the true path, and had dealt a mortal blow to the spirit of her lover, which if all went well, would be a mortal blow to the group opposed to them as well. Ahsoka's death had been for the greater good. And he had enjoyed it.
All was going to plan, he thought with a smile.
And soon, attachment would be destroyed.
Oh my...Ahsoka is gone.
The Concordat have struck a severe blow to the Entente. What will this mean for our secret resistance to Mace's evil plans?
What does Operation Abstinence entail? Will Adi find the truth? Will Shaak Ti remember what truly happened? Will Anakin be convinced he actually didnt kill the one he loved? Will there one day be another love for him? Will Yoda realise the truth?
Time will reveal the answer to all these questions! I've got exams for the next two days, but after that I should have more time with which to write stories! So hopefully, chapter four will be uploaded soon, and it should be a short one before the final chapter.
Until then, please read and review!
