A/N: I've decided something- this story isn't quite done yet, so we have two chapters left not counting this one. Huzzah! And I won't be just drawing it out for attachments sake- those will end on a cliff hanger so staggering it shall lead right into the Anakin-starring, galaxy shaking, jaw dropping sequel. In fact, I have canceled the epilogue since we'll be going right into the sequel and won't need it. Now, read on!
Chapter Eleven: Assault
Anakin let out a sigh of relief as their ship slid into hyperspace with no trouble, nothing more than a small tremor vibrating through the ship. He flopped into his chair, closing his eyes for just a moment as he relaxed for the first time in almost 24 hours. The junker's cockpit wasn't exactly a warm bed, with the insistent scent of fuel weaving its way into his senses and the stiff chair rubbing against his spine.
He wanted nothing more than to fall asleep like the two deeply breathing padawans nearby, but he knew his mission wasn't quite over. There were still many things to explain and mysteries to untangle, and he almost developed a headache simply thinking about all the testimonies he'd have to give the Mandolorian Government and the Senate.
"Master?" a voice asked quietly, shattering the silence.
Anakin's head snapped up, his eyes meeting the tired ones of his padawan. "Yes, Ahsoka?" he asked. I thought she was asleep…
"What's going to happen to Farah after this?" Ahsoka picked at the stitching on her top, leaning against the side of her seat as she glanced at her still sleeping friend.
"I don't know…" Anakin answered.
"You don't think you could-"
"No, Ahsoka," Anakin shook his head, a finality in his voice. "Even if the council allowed more than one apprentice per master, I wouldn't do it."
"Why?" Ahsoka looked genuinely confused.
"Because it would be hindering to your development as a Jedi- and as always, you are my first priority," Anakin said, glancing up as Padmè walked by the cockpit's doorway. She'd gone to another part of the ship and was trying to contact the Chancellor.
Ahsoka smiled, following Anakin's gaze. "Sometimes I wonder how true that is."
Anakin frowned. "Excuse me?"
"Anakin, anyone that knows you probably also knows you can't just care about someone," Ahsoka paused. "You have to obsess, and to some extent… control them."
Anakin stiffened. "That's not true."
"Are you calling me a liar, master?"
"Well, considering your record…"Anakin trailed off, more than a few instances coming to mind.
"I learned from the best," Ahsoka replied, her voice low.
Anakin glared at her. Even though he found her ability to decode him annoying, it was mostly because it was true; not that he'd ever admit that to her face. "What's Farah so upset about, exactly?" He changed the subject. "Losing her master is bad, but I can tell there's something else…"
Ahsoka shook her head. "No, Farah doesn't want me to tell, I know that much."
Anakin regarded his padawan, who stared right back. Finally, he sighed. "Fine, we all have our secrets…" With a glance over his shoulder, he stood, turning towards the door.
"Oh, you'd know better than anyone, wouldn't you?"
Anakin froze at this question for a moment, but pretended to ignore it as he left the room. If there was one thing he'd learned from that conversation, it was that Ahsoka knew more than she let on…
Obi-Wan and Mace landed their escape pod outside of the Mandolorian Royal Palace. But it wasn't peaceful, as they'd expected. Smoke curled up from the building, wafting towards the sky.
Mace glanced around as they squeezed out the small craft. "Something's wrong."
"I believe you're right…" Obi-Wan said quietly, touching his partner on the shoulder. He pointed as a ripped; fluttering flag came into view on the roof.
"Death Watch…" Mace hissed, drawing his amethyst colored saber. "I think we'll need backup…"
"Yes, but we can't call Anakin back- he's completed his mission, and I think it's time to take up our own," Obi-Wan muttered, activating his own weapon as they slipped into some nearby shadows, looking for another entrance.
Mace frowned. "It was a bold move for them to storm the palace."
Obi-Wan nodded. "He hopes to draw Anakin in and retrieve the darksaber- that or he's on the 'If I can't, no one can' mentality."
"Lovely…" Mace muttered. "Here, I think this will suffice." He pointed at a large vent a few feet over their heads.
Obi-Wan nodded. With a wave of the Force, he dislodged the grate, which fell to the ground with a clang. He looked at his partner. "Shall we?"
Chancellor Palpatine smiled as Yoda ended their transmission. As soon as the signal was gone, it transformed, being hurled away by the angry glare that took its place. Pulling his cloak on, he contacted Count Dooku, demanding a report.
"What is the meaning of this?" He snarled. "That insufferable Master Yoda just called and told me Skywalker and his mission succeeded!"
"My Lord, all is going according to plan- mine, that is," Dooku smiled smugly.
"Is that so?" Sidious paused, creating a dangerous silence. "Does this mean you were so sure my own would fail?"
Dooku's angular face grew ashen. "My Lord, I would never-"
"What about Vizsla?" Sidious ignored his apprentice's attempt at an explanation.
Dooku's lip curled in contempt. "I knew it was foolish of me to try and work with him- and his Lieutenant was even more of a failure."
Sidious nodded, saying, "Return to Sereno, Count."
"Excus-"
"This situation is no longer of your concern," Sidious cut his apprentice off again, suddenly ending their transmission. And now, my real plan shall begin…
He smiled to himself. It was never about the darksaber, though that would be nice to have. No- it was to get rid of those closest to Skywalker on one mission, driving him all the further into his -or more accurately, Palpatine's- arms. It was the perfect plan, and would accomplish all his goals in one fell swoop- now it was time to put it into action.
"Leib, slow down," Duchess Satine cried, panting as she rushed after Leib. The boy had finally come to a stop in the throne room, and was staring at the sight before him. Perched on Satine's throne was none other than Pre Vizsla.
"Hello Duchess," he smiled, standing up, "so nice to see you again."
"The pleasure is yours," Satine retorted.
Vizsla laughed. "I beg to differ."
Satine frowned. "What is the meaning of this?"
"The Jedi had the nerve to steal my darksaber, a prized heirloom of the Vizsla clan- and the Death Watch, at that. What better way to get them to return it than taking the Duchess of Mandalore herself hostage?"
"You've picked a dangerous fight, Vizsla; with me and the Jedi. I hope you live to regret it," Satine said quietly as Bo-Katan prodded her in the back with the barrel of her blaster.
"You can't do this!" Leib glared.
"That's the second time you've said that today, boy, and look how it turned out before," Vizsla said, smirking as he sat smugly back down on the throne. He waved his hand, and a ring of his men suddenly formed out of nowhere, surrounding Leib and Satine. "Execute them. Hostages are for failures."
"Actually, don't," said a familiar voice. Before anyone could figure out what was going on, a vent clanged to the ground. Obi-Wan and Mace dropped down from the ceiling, lightsabers at the ready.
Ahsoka sat in her seat, feeling guilty. Even though all the things she'd said were true, she shouldn't have said them- no matter how much her master really was obsessive, controlling and a little shellfish. She knew he only wanted to protect her and the rest of the people he loved, but she didn't like being just about kept in a bubble either. She couldn't spend her whole life not going on certain missions just because Anakin needed peace of mind… could she?
"You really shouldn't fight with your master," Farah's low voice murmured quietly as she rolled over.
Ahsoka blinked. "You were… awake?"
"Yes, awake enough to hear you arguing a lost cause," Farah said, a shadow of a smile tugging at the edges of her mouth.
Ahsoka sighed. "I know, but the council would say no because it's against the rules; Anakin said no for himself, with the rules as an excuse."
"You don't get it, do you? I wish I had a master to overprotect me and do all kinds of annoying things."
"You're kidding, right?" Ahsoka started to laugh, but the urge faded away as she caught sight of Farah's expression. "Sorry…"
Farah shook her head. "Don't be."
Ahsoka looked at the girl for a moment. "Are you sure there isn't anything I could do, though?"
"No. Well… not something you could do."
"What?" Ahsoka asked, curious.
"I once read something that said your subconscious mind notices a lot more than your conscious one- it takes everything in, not just your point of-" Farah stopped, "Oh, hello Master Skywalker."
Anakin marched up to her. "No, you will not convince my padawan to help you access your subconscious with the Force."
"Mas-" Ahsoka started.
Anakin rounded on his padawan so fast air whooshed around him. "Over half of the cases where people have tried a stunt like that put both parties into a coma."
Ahsoka glared. "You won't even listen to us."
"Well, a 50 percent chance of success is something," Farah deadpanned, discreetly taking Ahsoka's hand.
"No. And that is my final decision." Anakin turned to go, but stopped as he realized Ahsoka and Farah didn't reply. He turned around, and to his horror, they were both on the floor, out cold. "Ahsoka, Farah?" He stared, reaching down and shaking them. Oddly enough, he sensed their Force signatures as if they were awake. That wasn't right- if they'd fainted, their signatures should have dimmed. Then it hit him.
"No…" he whispered, looking at his inanimate padawan. He had no idea how she'd literally done that in the time it took him the time to turn around, but she had. And now he had to figure out how to undo it- before it was too late.
Padmè peeked into the room. "Anakin, are you- what happened?"
Anakin sighed. "Nothing, Padmè… I'll take care of this."
Padmè frowned. "At least move them. Here, I'll help you." Grabbing Farah by the arms, she lifted the surprisingly heavy girl, heaving her into a chair. She lifted Farah's arm, watching as it dropped down with a thump. "Are you sure everything's okay with them?"
"No, everything's rainbow sprinkles," Anakin muttered sarcastically, carefully setting Ahsoka down. "Kidding… they tried something with the Force. They'll be fine."
Padmè raised an eyebrow. "You don't look so sure of that."
Anakin sighed, putting his head in his hands. "It's because I'm not."
"Anakin, it'll be fine-"
"How do you know that? How do you know this isn't the time Ahsoka messed up- permanently?" Anakin glared at his wife.
Padmè sighed. "I don't. But have a little faith, Ani. Most everything turns out for the best."
Anakin looked away. "I wish I could believe that."
Vizsla stared at Mace and Obi-Wan. "You," he growled. "This is not of your concern."
"Oh, but it is," Obi-Wan smiled, effortlessly blocking the few blaster bolts some Death Watchmen half-heartedly fired off.
"All we ask is for you to leave Mandalore," Mace glared.
"And why would I do that? It's everything Death Watch has hoped to accomplish…" Vizsla said, smirking.
"You won't be so smug for long- how would you like to know we plan to destroy the darksaber?" Obi-Wan cocked a ginger eyebrow.
Vizsla's face drained of all color. "You wouldn't."
"Oh, I won't- but my friend will," Obi-Wan smiled, lifting his comlink to his mouth. "Anakin, come in."
"Now's not a good time, Obi-Wan… Ahsoka and Farah just attempted subconscious infiltration… and it worked," Anakin said, his voice crackling with stress.
Obi-Wan stared. "What happened?"
"How could you let your padawan do that?" Mace glared into the comlink. "You were obviously right there! Don't you have any control over your apprentice?"
"I would like to believe so. But at least mine is still alive- and if I don't get back to her, she won't be for long…" Anakin hissed, shutting off the transmission.
Mace stared, his jaw clenched. "I'm going to have a… talk with Skywalker when this is over."
Obi-Wan sighed. "You and me both…"
"Enough!" Vizsla glared. "What were you trying to do, stall us?"
Obi-Wan smiled devilishly. "Actually, yes," before Vizsla could wonder what he meant, clones rushed into the room, blasters at the ready. "Now, I suggest we'll negotiate the terms of your… surrender?"
Ahsoka slowly opened her eyes- if it could even be called that. She had a feeling she wasn't really in her body anymore. Anakin is going to kill me.
And me, a voice replied. Ahsoka looked up, coming face to face with Farah. But at this rate, we're too far gone to worry about that right now.
Yeah, Ahsoka responded, looking around. They seemed to be in a fairly large clearing, and judging from the position of the sun, it was late in the afternoon. She watched as a breeze rustled the leaves on nearby trees, but felt nothing. This place is- she stopped, her montrals picking up on voices. She stared as a tall man with thick black hair and grey eyes enter the clearing. In tow he had a girl who looked about 14, with short, chin length red hair and dancing hazel eyes. They both wore Jedi robes, with lightsabers clipped to their belts.
That's master Exo… Farah's said quietly. The girl's me.
Ahsoka almost laughed. She looked from Farah to the animated, chattering girl across the clearing. You're kidding, right?
Farah didn't answer.
Ahsoka sighed, turning back to the other Farah and her master. It seemed the action had started, because now they were surrounded by several Death Watch members. They all appeared to be female.
Bo-Katan removed her helmet. "Surrender, Jedi." She sneered. For some reason, she looked less menacing than she had when Ahsoka had faced her. Young Farah looked at her master, nodding. Swiftly, they activated their lightsabers, Farah's green and Exo's the distinctive yellow of a Jedi sentinel's. Within a few minutes, they had incapacitated or disposed of more than half of their Night Owls. Only two remained.
"Farah, take the other one," Exo grunted, Force pushing the unnamed one away. Younger Farah blinked, but turned to Katan, who smirked.
"Oh, don't tell me you're afraid. Aren't all you Jedi supposed to be fearless?" Katan laughed, shooting lazily in her opponent's direction.
Younger Farah glared, blocking the bolts. "I'm not afraid of you." Something in her eyes told this was a lie.
"Oh, you will be. Give it a minute."
"We'll see, then." With a smirk, Younger Farah rushed forward. Rolling her eyes, Katan grabbed her by the shoulders, kicking her aside. With a yelp, Younger Farah hit the ground, skidding to a stop over some rocks.
"You are the weakest thing I've ever faced. I should blast you to one of the nine Corellian hells and spare you the embarrassment." Katan taunted, grabbing the girl by the hair and tossing her across the clearing.
Exo looked up, done with the other Mandolorian. His expression hardened. "Leave her alone."
Katan stood between master and padawan. "Not unless you surrender."
Exo's eyes traveled over Kantan's shoulder to Younger Farah. "Fine," he said, tossing down his lightsaber, slowly walking forward.
Katan laughed. "Big mistake…" She fired a bolt from both wrist gauntlets, one for each Jedi.
Younger Farah, determined to protect her master, tried to ignore blaster bolt as it passed through her shoulder. But it was painful, and she stumbled, accidentally hitting the emitter on her lightsaber as she fell in Katan's direction. Katan stepped aside at the last second, the lightsaber plunging not into her- but Calix Exo.
Hazel eyes met grey. As what had happened dawned on master and padawan, blood drained from each face- one from pain, the other from shock.
"No!" Younger Farah screamed as her master crumpled to the ground, dead.
Originally, the way Calix Exo's death happened was less… brutal, but it occurred to me Farah would have toned it down or not remembered clearly. I had fun with Ahsoka and Anakin- and for those of you who are wondering, I don't even know how she and Farah pulled off that stunt! ;)