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Star Wars - Fruits of Betrayal Episode Ten: ….Forever Will It Dominate Your Destiny?
By
Celgress
19 BBY
Jedi Temple on Coruscant two days after the Separatist Attack, morning
"There is no possible doubt. You are certain of this?" Plo Koon asked.
"Quite," Ahsoka said standing before the Jedi Council in her smart red security uniform with matching gloves and boots hands folded behind her back. "Republic Intelligence assets have located General Grievous. He's hiding on Utapau, along with the other Separatist Leaders."
"What of Dooku's Sith apprentice is there any news?" Luminara Unduli said. "Has she also been located?"
"Not yet," Ahsoka admitted a hint of disappointment in her voice. "We are confident she'll soon be found. Without Count Dooku the CIS is in shambles. They are directionless. They're end is only a matter of time."
"Not so sure am I." Yoda said shaking his head regretfully. "Great motion the future is in, much uncertainty there be. In turmoil the Force remains, proceed with utmost caution we all must."
"Thank you for the latest intelligence briefing Ahsoka." Obi-wan said with a warm smile. "You are dismissed."
With a curt bow Ahsoka turned on her heels and departed the council chamber. Unnoticed by Ahsoka, or anyone else present, Quinlan Vos watched the young Togruta leave with great interest. Something about Ahsoka's current state in the Force tickled tantalisingly at the back of his mind. It was something vaguely familiar, something elusively out of reach but what? Was Ahsoka practicing a form of Quey'tek so as to hide her true force signature? That is what it almost felt like. She couldn't be. The very notion was ridiculous, right?
Outside Ahsoka paused a strange sensation seemed to assault her mind. Was it merely her imagination playing tricks or had one of the Jedi council members sensed her presence in the Dark Side? She shook her head. No, it was impossible. The techniques she'd been taught by Sidious and Tyranus to mask her true nature were impenetrable. None could detect her, at least not without extensive knowledge of Quey'tek meditation. A style of meditation normal Jedi shunned due to its close association with Sith and Dark Jedi. Once more secure in her concealed nature Ahsoka smiled smugly before going on her way. Lord Sidious was awaiting her report and the last thing she wanted to do was anger her master by an unnecessary delay.
Office of the Supreme Chancellor, an hour later
"I thought they'd never leave." Darth Cyrin grumbled leaning against a wall. She made no effort to disguise her disgust at the long wait she'd endured while her master pretended to placate a gathering of sycophant senators and equally detestable lesser officials.
"Soon those parasites in the Senate will become nothing more than a rubber stamp Lady Cyrin." Darth Sidious said from behind his ornate desk where he was seated.
"I don't understand master why you are keeping them around at all." Cyrin said. "They are useless, arrogant and treacherous. They should be sweep away with the rest of the old rotten order."
"Ah rash youth," Sidious laughed. "Someday you'll appreciate what I have accomplished with the senators. Now that they have been properly tamed their institution will provide centuries of loyal service to our Order. The quickest is often the messiest way my apprentice. Patience is an invaluable skill amongst Sith as is flexibility. You'd be wise to lean and eventually master both."
"Yes master." Cyrin said her eyes downcast. "I meant no respect."
"Of course you didn't." Sidious said. "I was like you once. My master often had to remind me that excessive speed breeds recklessness. Fear not Lady Cyrin our wait is nearing an end. Soon we shall have our revenge and a millennium of hiding will end in glorious, absolute victory."
"Yes master, I understand." Cyrin said once more daring to meet Sidious intimidating gaze.
"I have been informed Obi-wan is being dispatched to confront our friend General Grievous on Utapau, as I planned. Congratulations my apprentice you have done well." Sidious said.
"Thank you master, I live to serve the Sith Order." Cyrin said with a quick bow.
"Yoda is also leaving Coruscant soon. Word has it he'll be assisting the Wookiees lift the Separatist siege of their home world Kashyyyk." Sidious said with a predatory grin. "All is unfolding as I have foreseen. The day is nearly ours. With the positive influences of both Kenobi and Yoda removed from his access Skywalker will surely soon join us on the Dark Side. Then we shall issue Order Sixty-Six and the Jedi will at long last be no more."
"I'm glad." Cyrin said. "I grow anxious to destroy those who so thoughtlessly betrayed me." Cyrin then hesitated for a moment as if considering a point before she again spoke. "Master do you think Grievous will be capable of terminating Obi-wan?"
"It matters not." Sidious said dismissively. "If Obi-wan somehow survives his encounter with the good general and then the clones rest assured, he'll wish he hadn't. He'll find the galaxy has become a much less friendly place for his kind." Sidious and Cyrin then both burst into maniacal laughter.
Meditation Room in the Jedi Temple, afternoon
Anakin sat crossed legged across from a placid looking cross legged Yoda. Fidgeting Anakin silently wished he could find peace drifting in the currents of the Force as easily as the diminutive Grand Master did. After some considerable time Yoda opened his eyes.
"Tell me of these visions you have Anakin?" Yoda said.
"There isn't much I can tell you don't already know master." Anakin said wishing he was anywhere else in the universe right now. "They are of pain, suffering and death. They haunt my dreams and more recently even torment me during my waking hours."
"Fear," Yoda said pointing a clawed finger at Anakin. "I sense great fear in you. Threaten to consume you it does. Tell me of your fears you must. Fear to lose your family you do, yet more I sense there is."
Anakin took a deep breath. Best tell Yoda the truth and get it out he thought. Lay all his cards on the table. Treat this situation like he would a game of Sabacc, be it an extremely high stakes game of Sabacc.
"I fear many things. I fear once this present crisis has passed I will no longer be allowed to remain a Jedi. Most of all I fear myself. What I might be capable of doing in my quest to save those I hold dear, my lost family." Anakin said. "I've felt the tug of the Dark Side master. It feels stronger than ever. It wants me to give in use its power, save them through it. I don't know how much longer I can resist its siren song." Anakin put his head down he ran his hands through his thick hair. Once more making eye contact with Yoda he went on. "I'm not the Jedi I should be. I never have been. I know that now."
"An easy path have you not." Yoda said thoughtfully. "A great burden of history is your fate. When return from Kashyyyk I do if not found the Senator and her twins Obi-wan has go with you I will. Search together we shall."
"You'd do that master?" Anakin said shocked by Yoda's words.
"Promise I do." Yoda said. "In meantime meditate on these matters twice daily you must. Concerned for you I am Skywalker. In grave danger we all are, but you face special peril I sense. Grounded firmly in the light you must remain, or all is lost."
"I will do as you advise master." Anakin said.
"Go I must." Yoda said hopping off his small seat. "Walk with me will you?"
"Of course master." Anakin said following Yoda out of the chamber.
Anakin felt better than he had in days, lighter of step somehow. It was a great feeling. He only hoped it would last and see him through what trials lay ahead, no matter how terrible they may prove.
Utapau, night
General Grievous paced back and forth hands clasped behind his back in front of a circular conference table seated around which were the troubled, frightened and irritated members of the Separatist Council. "I suspect it won't be long before the armies of the Republic track us here to Utapau. Which is why it has been decided you should travel to the Mustafar System in the Outer Rim, it is a volcanic planet you'll be safe there."
At Grievous' proclamation Nute Gunray who experiencing an uncharacteristic surge of bravery leapt to his feet. "Safe, I doubt it. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine managed to escape from your grasp General. Without Count Dooku I have serious doubts about the ability of you and that Sithling Cyrin to protect us."
"Be thankful Viceroy you have not found yourself in either of our grasps." General Grievous snarled. "Furthermore I'd strongly suggest you do not antagonize Lady Cyrin in a similar fashion when she meets with you on Mustafar. She is not nearly as forgiving of stupidity as am I. Go your transport awaits, I grow tired of your endless prattle." Grievous waved the council members off. He had more important matters which required his undivided attention, namely Kenobi's impending death by his blades.
Streets of Coruscant Upper Level, dusk
"Hello Ahsoka how are things?" Quinlan Vos said a broad smile on his face. He fell in besides the head of Palpatine's personal security detail while she talked with a group of six red guards. Quinlan slung his left arm around Ahsoka's shoulders eliciting a scowl from the young officer.
Shrugging off Quinlan's arm Ahsoka said with in a cranky fashion. "What do you want? I'm very busy. Maybe you should come back later. I have no free time tonight."
"I think you should make time." Quinlan Vos said his goofy grin having never left his face. "In fact I would suggest it is in your best interest to do so."
"Why," Ahsoka said her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Dismiss your friends and we'll chat." Quinlan Vos whispered leaning in close his expression having turned serious. "Trust me you don't want them hearing what I have to say."
"I'll be back in five." Ahsoka said to the guards who all nodded their understanding. She then followed Quinlan to a more private area. "Happy," Ahsoka huffed.
"Somewhat," Quinlan Vos said.
"What do you want, out with it." Ahsoka snapped.
"I know the truth." Quinlan Vos said not beating around the bush.
"What truth," Ahsoka said her voice calm.
"You've used the Dark Side and you're probably using it now." Quinlan Vos accused.
"Don't be absurd," Ahsoka said laughing.
Quinlan Vos was momentarily taken aback by Ahsoka's actions. He hadn't expected this sort of reaction. Rather he'd assumed Ahsoka would have been angry rather than mildly amused at his allegations. In fact he'd counted on her rage to definitively prove his point, because he still wasn't completely sure Ahsoka had fallen. It would seem he'd have to retool his strategy. Thinking on the fly he said in an overly friendly manner.
"You're right, guess I got a tad carried away huh Ahsoka?"
"You did, although I'm curious." Ahsoka said her voice even her expression unreadable. "What made you suspect I was in touch with the Dark Side?"
"Forgot it Ahsoka, I was wrong." Quinlan Vos said brushing off her question. "I should leave stop distracting you. Beside I'm sure I'll find something else to occupy my time. The work of a Jedi is never done."
"Wait, answer my question before you go. I must know the answer." Ahsoka said to the retreating Jedi.
"It isn't that important, trust me." Quinlan Vos said over his shoulder.
"It is to me." Ahsoka contended not being dissuaded. "Please tell me."
"Oh very well," Quinlan Vos said feigning annoyance. He turned back around to face Ahsoka. "I fell to the Dark Side. It isn't a secret." Ahsoka nodded urging him to continue. "See once you've touched the darkness you never truly forget its feel. It has a certain texture which causes a sort of yarning that never goes away, it fades but never disappears. Stupid me I mistakenly thought this morning I sensed such a taint coming from you, silly huh?"
"Silly indeed," Ahsoka said although for an instant her body seemed to stiffen involuntarily.
"See you around Ahsoka." Quinlan Vos said heading off he waved goodbye.
Once he was out of sight a murderous look overcame Ahsoka's features. Her eyes flashed a sickly yellow. Barely constrained rage surged within her being. Damn Quinlan Vos somehow he knew. Her master would have to be told of this development at once. Briefly she wondered why Sidious hadn't sensed such an important matter was afoot. Could the old man be slipping, losing his legendary touch? Whatever the case might be this latest Jedi pest must be dealt with before he could compromised their designs. The Grand Plan faced an unexpected peril. One, if need be, she vowed to personally crushed and ground into dust beneath her heel.
To Be Continued