Chapter 11: Ambush

The dark space outside of the Invisible Hand's conning tower was calm, as the small fleet of Count Dooku's remaining Confederate ships slowly glided forward. The former Jedi Master, and now a prominent Sith Lord Dooku silently stood inside the conning tower's general's quarters, his weequay ally and apprentice Sora Bulq standing right beside him. Previously General Grievous' ship, Dooku had requisitioned the Invisible Hand from the kaleesh cyborg, taking control of it, as the Separatist Alliance was quickly falling apart around them.

As Utapau had been attacked just recently, contact with General Grievous had ceased after a while. Dooku figured that his personal assassin, bodyguard and apprentice had met his end, most likely at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was the former Jedi Padawan of his own Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn, whom he had taught decades ago. Qui-Gon's death had been the catalyst for the Count to embrace the Dark Side, and bring himself under the teaching of Darth Sidious.

The elder human man silently stared out of the large windows, his hands behind his back. His weequay apprentice had his arms crossed, gently tapping his foot on the floor in impatience. They could then hear the sound of the quarters' doors opening, and someone walking in, their footsteps echoing in the silent room.

As Dooku and Bulq turned around, they could see Lord Sidious' newest Sith apprentice Barriss Offee approaching them. The weequay man's face immediately turned sour, his human master having a calm and collected expression on his face though. Barriss walked to the two men with a confident smile, which turned into a slight smirk, as she glanced at her rival Bulq.

"Lord Sidious asked me to come here.. so let's get down to business; what is my mission?" The mirialan woman asked, placing her hand on her hip. Bulq frowned deeply, wanting to lash out at the arrogant young woman. Dooku simply cleared his throat, and motioned Barriss to step over to a nearby table.

"This mission is not only for you, Barriss.. we'll all be part of this." The Sith Lord explained, as he walked over to the conference table.

As Barriss and Bulq did the same, the weequay man walked over to the hologram projector on the table, and turned it on. A holographic picture of an elder human man, donned in traditional Jedi robes appeared. Barriss' eyes immediately widened, as she recognized the man.

"Master Altis..." She said, almost whispering. Dooku nodded his head, placing his hands behind his back again.

"Master Djinn Altis, the leader of the Altisian Jedi, is our target. He, along with his entire little faction of Jedi must be destroyed..." He explained, to which Barriss raised her eyebrows.

The Altisian Jedi were a rogue faction of the Jedi Order, consisting of former Jedi, who left the Order to join Djinn Altis, and his community. Altis had been a prominent Jedi Master for years, before he decided to seek a different path in life, and left the Order to found his own. Dozens of non-Jedi were part of the organization as well, and they allowed anyone to join their ranks, regardless of their background.

The Jedi in the faction rejected the formal Jedi Code, allowing love and families amongst their community, whilst thriving towards compassion and kindness. Even though they had their hearts in the right place, the Jedi Order still denounced Altis and his flock. But, despite that, the relationship between the two orders was still warm enough, that they kept occasional contact with each other.

"Why are we targeting them? They're not in our way, are they?" Barriss asked, not sure about why they'd need to attack the Altisian Jedi. Bulq then frowned and leaned on the table.

"Because they are Jedi, and they need to die. And this will apparently be one of your tests again.." The weequay Dark Jedi said, rolling his eyes. Barriss frowned then too, and turned her glance at Dooku, her expression slightly outraged.

"Another test!? I thought I proved myself to Darth Sidious already!" She exclaimed, to which the human Sith Lord frowned slightly, and hummed.

"Just because you are my master's new apprentice, it does not mean that you won't continue to be tested, Barriss. A Sith will always be tested for their power and resolve.. don't think you are in some special position now, young one..." Dooku replied in a calm, yet strong voice.

Barriss squeezed her hands into fists, clenching her teeth together. The amount of hate she had for both Dooku and Bulq was stronger than the mirialan woman wanted to admit, and she wanted nothing else but to be able to kill them both, so that she could rise to the top, when it came to the Sith power ladder. But, she knew that her master wanted her to cooperate with the two men, for now at least. Letting out a slight sigh, Barriss leaned on the table, biting her lip.

"Fine... how do we proceed then?" She asked, glancing between Dooku and Bulq. As the weequay man crossed his arms, the human Sith Lord pressed a few buttons on the console near him on the table. The holographic image of Djinn Altis disappeared, and an image of a dreadnaught-class cruiser appeared on its place.

"We have informants onboard Altis' ship, the Peacemaker. They have informed us that the ship is heading towards Belsavis, but will make a refueling stop at Hoth. We will intercept them there, board the Peacemaker, and kill everyone inside.. including our informants..." Dooku explained calmly, which caused both Barriss and Bulq to smirk devilishly. The both of them were clearly looking forward to some violence.

"After dealing with these rogue Jedi, we'll be one step closer to initiating the Gran Plan, and wipe out the entire Jedi Order. I trust that both of you are ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to reach that goal?" The Sith Lord then asked, to which both of the acolytes nodded their heads.

"I've been ready for a long time! The Altisian Jedi will be no match for us.. and the rest of the Jedi will follow them soon after!" Barriss declared confidently, squeezing her hand, and smirking. Bulq rolled his eyes again, seeing that the young woman boasted more every time he saw her.

"You definitely were ready back when I beat you on Yavin.." The weequay man said, which caused Barriss to frown, and squeeze her hands tighter.

"I'll show you how prepared I am, Bulq.. I hope you're ready to be embarrassed in front of your master!" She said louder, taking a step towards the man next to her, ready to lash out at him. Dooku frowned now as well, and lifted his hand up.

"Enough! You two are acting like children, and it ends now! We will travel to Hoth, and take out Altis and his flock.. am I understood? Everything else can wait... am I understood?" The old human Sith Lord asked loudly, acting as if he were the two acolyte's strict father. Both Bulq and Barriss frowned at each other, before the mirialan sighed, and took a step back.

"Yes.. Lord Tyranus..." She said, bowing her head slightly. Barriss absolutely hated being humble in front of Dooku, but she knew that if she jeopardized the mission by attacking him or Bulq, she would surely face the wrath of her master.

"Of course, master.." Bulq said, doing the same as the mirialan Sith apprentice. Dooku exhaled, nodding his head in relief.

"Good. Now.. go prepare for the mission, will you, Barriss? We will inform you when we reach Hoth.." The Sith Lord said, to which Barriss bit her lip, still clearly distasted. She however sighed, and nodded, before turning around, and walking back towards the exit.

After the mirialan woman left the general's quarters, walking up the stairs, and exiting through the door, heading to the elevators, that lied beyond a short hallway. Bulq walked over to his Sith Master, crossing his arms, as he looked at Barriss leaving.

"Just let me kill her, while we're on the mission, master... she'll be nothing but trouble for us.." The weequay man said, but Dooku calmly placed his hand on his apprentice's shoulder.

"Be patient just a bit longer, Sora.. you'll get your chance soon enough. Barriss will bring about her own downfall with her actions... don't worry about that.." He assured to his eager apprentice, who sighed, and nodded in understanding.

"If you say so, master..." Bulq replied, wanting so badly to just drive his lightsaber through Barriss' back, but he knew better not to question his master.

Even though he had been a prominent Jedi Master in the Order, Bulq knew that Dooku was way stronger than him, and that he needed to stay humble in front of him, and do everything he could to please him. If being a Jedi for decades had taught him anything, it was that being a good apprentice was the best way to get far in life, and have the best chances at becoming the master himself one day.

The two men then stayed on the conning tower's quarters, preparing themselves for the upcoming mission, and the challenges they'd have to face. Both Dooku and Bulq had killed plenty of Jedi in their time, yet it never became any less challenging. Jedi would always be their greatest adversaries, and people whose talents could never be taken for granted. The Altisian Jedi, even though not being part of the proper Order, were still Jedi. They had the same training, and would be just as dangerous, if not even more dangerous, compared to other Jedi.

...

Slight chatter filled the air inside the Stellar Envoy's main hold. The young togruta woman Ahsoka Tano, was crouched down next to the faithful, and loyal astromech droid R2-D2, cleaning out his hull, and some of the inner parts, as well as doing slight maintenance. The dathomiri bounty hunter and former assassin Asajj Ventress, was sitting on the nearby couch, playing a game of Dejarik with the ship's young co-pilot, Han Solo.

As Ahsoka used a rag to wipe off some oil from R2's leg, Ventress groaned in frustration, throwing her arms in the air, before falling back on the couch, her face stale and annoyed. Han had a wide smirk on his face.

"Oh come on! You have to be cheating in some way, kid..." The woman said with a slight frown, crossing her arms like a grumpy little girl. Han chuckled, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Or maybe I'm just better than you?" The young boy asked with a smirk, to which Ventress rolled her eyes, not wanting to admit defeat. Ahsoka laughed, and glanced at the two.

"About time someone put you in your place.." She said, winking her eye at the dathomiri woman, who groaned again.

"Oh, don't you even start.." Ventress replied in annoyance, returning her attention to Han, as Ahsoka continued to laugh in the background.

"I've got to hand it to you, kid... you can definitely play Dejarik. But are you as good at pazaak, I wonder?" She asked the young boy, winking her eye slightly. Han smirked, and leaned back on his seat.

"You don't want to test it... I'll let you know that even my dad can't beat me on pazaak.." He replied with a smug smile, which made the dathomirian woman laugh.

"Your dad can't beat anyone at pazaak, Han... and I talk from experience.." Ventress stated, laughing wholeheartedly, as the young boy bit his lip, before smiling in a smug way again.

"Well.. I can promise you that I'm nothing like my father, when it comes to gambling..." Han replied, smirking. Ventress raised her eyebrows, before chuckling quietly, and leaning forward against the Dejarik table.

"Is that a challenge, little Solo? Be careful what you wish for.. cause when there's money involved, I'm a lot tougher opponent than this..." She said with a wink, wishing that the young boy would not heed her warning, and instead would challenge her for a game.

Ahsoka heard that, and raised her brows as she turned to glance at Ventress. R2 chirped quietly, making a sarcastic remark, which caused the young togruta to smile a bit, as she put away the rag, and closed all of the small droid's hatches.

"Don't try to scam him, Ventress... we both know you'd use the Force to win that game." She said with a smile, to which the dathomirian scoffed quietly, and rubbed her forehead.

"You just have to spoil all the fun, Tano..." Ventress replied, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. Ahsoka laughed at that, standing up, and walking over to the table. Han chuckled as well, shutting down the holographic board game.

"You know, it's fun to have some passengers every now and then... it gets rather boring to only be with my dad here.." The boy explained, his hands leaned on the table. Ahsoka smiled warmly, thinking that the bright young lad was likeable.

"You don't have many friends I assume? You spend most of your time on this ship, travelling across the Galaxy with your father?" The togruta girl asked, crossing her arms as she looked at Han, who nodded silently.

"Yeah... I haven't been to our home on Corellia for years. After my mom died, dad has just kept us smuggling nonstop. I don't mind it too much... but it would be nice to spend some time at home as well.." He replied, sighing ever so slightly. Ahsoka could understand Han's feelings. For months, she had missed being with Anakin and the Jedi after she had left. It took her such a long time to finally move on with her life, and she couldn't imagine how hard such things would be for a boy half her age.

"What kind of a home do you have on Corellia? I bet its way nicer than being stuck on the Envoy.." Ahsoka then said, to which Han scoffed quietly, and nodded again.

"Hanging around in a ship for months isn't exactly leisure... and I don't even like the name Stellar Envoy.. I don't know why dad named her that way..." He said, looking around the main hold. Ahsoka raised her eyebrows, and quickly glanced at Ventress.

"Oh? What would you have named the ship then?" She asked with a smile, looking back at the boy, who bit his lip, and shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know... I guess I'd want it to be something unique.. something that will stick to peoples' minds... like.. Millennium Falcon.. or something like that.." Han answered, stroking his chin a bit. Ahsoka began to smile widely, showing her white teeth as well, as she grinned.

"Ooh! I like that.. it's very catchy!" She said with a slight laugh, really thinking that the young boy had come up with a good name. Ventress rolled her eyes, and sighed ever so slightly.

"Oh for crying out loud..." The woman whispered to herself, which Ahsoka could only barely hear. The togruta girl rolled her eyes as well, though still smiling, as she knew that the formerly evil woman had made a complete change of character over the years they had known each other.

The Envoy shook slightly after a short moment, causing Ahsoka to stagger on her feet a bit. She raised her eyebrow, looking around. Han chuckled, and waved his hand dismissively.

"No worries.. the ship is just having some turbulence. She likes to jump around a bit in hyperspace... nothing to worry about." He reassured the two women, after which Ventress scoffed, and crossed her arms.

"I hope this all was worth it... I certainly have had enough of this old junk of a ship already.." The dathomirian mercenary said, leaning back on the seat again. Ahsoka chuckled, and glanced at her former rival.

"Do something different for a change, and think positively... okay, Ventress?" She asked, winking her eye at the woman, who frowned, and rolled her eyes, letting out a silent sigh as well.

The three of them stayed in the main hold, socializing for the next several moments, as R2 rolled his way to a nearby wall, and shut himself down to rest. In the meanwhile, the Stellar Envoy raced in hyperspace towards Bespin, and towards their next objective.

...

Quiet sounds of dining filled the atmosphere inside the Queen Mother of the Hapes Cluster's personal warship's dining hall. Seated on the opposite sides of a dinner table, filled with all sorts of hapan cuisine, were Ta'a Chume, and the young Jedi Padawan Kriza Willsaam, who was the Queen Mother's prisoner.

The young human woman silently stared at the nearby Queen Mother, and took a bite off some hapan vegetables, served together with hapan river fish. Ta'a Chume had an eerily happy look on her face, as she gracefully ate her meal, while Kriza was being very careful and held back, slowly eating the contents of her plate. The Queen Mother hummed quietly, smiling as she glanced at Kriza.

"Relax a bit, dear.. the food isn't poisoned or anything.. I'm just trying to be a good hostess." She assured, taking another bite of her food. Kriza raised her eyebrow, swallowing the piece that she had been chewing on.

"It's a bit funny for you to be such a gracious host now.. considering that I spent days inside a cell at first, roughed up and not being fed at all..." The young woman answered, to which the Queen Mother bit her lip, and sighed.

"You're being a bit unfair to me, Kriza... you know that prisoners aren't usually treated like royalty. And I did order my men to feed you, but they defied that order... and I will deal with them in time.." Ta'a Chume explained, her voice sounding sincere. Kriza could sense with her powers, that the Queen Mother was telling the truth, but that only made her more suspicious.

"If you say so... Queen Mother..." She replied quietly, taking another bite of her food. The Queen Mother clenched her teeth together, before scoffing quietly, and starting to smile again.

"Let's change the subject... I want to talk about your powers more.." Ta'a Chume said, leaning forward slightly, as Kriza sighed deeply, placing her cutlery on the table.

"What is there to talk about it? You've seen my powers in action.. what more do you want?" She asked, not being excited at all with the idea of entertaining the Queen Mother, who was smirking right now.

"I've read that your ancestor, Jaesa Willsaam was able to scan entire planets or quadrants of the Galaxy with her powers... sensing all sorts of things about the people inside those fields.." Ta'a Chume said, crossing her hands with a smile. The young woman in front of her raised her eyebrows, and crossed her arms.

"I don't think that I could ever be as strong as my ancestor Jaesa.. but I'm the only Willsaam with these powers currently..." Kriza answered, not exactly knowing where the rest of her family were, as she had been cut off from them since her infancy. But she knew that no one else in the Willsaam family was Force sensitive, other than her.

"Don't sell yourself short, dearie.. I'm sure you can be just as powerful as your ancestor, if you just give yourself that chance." The Queen Mother stated, smiling and taking a glass of wine into her hand, and taking a sip of it. Kriza frowned slightly, leaning back on her seat.

"Well, kind of hard to give it a chance, since I'm your captive..." She replied, to which the Queen chuckled, and took another sip of her drink.

"Oh, but you wouldn't need to be my captive, Kriza. If you'd join my cause, I could put your powers to use..." Ta'a Chume suggested, the wineglass still in her hands. The young Jedi Padawan scoffed, and shook her head.

"Yeah... I'll pass, your highness.." Kriza said, not wanting anything to do with the fallen Jedi Knight turned Queen Mother. The red haired woman in front of her laughed, and placed the glass down, slowly getting up from her seat.

"You'd be making a mistake, Kriza. Your true potential can never be unlocked, while you're with the Jedi... they will always hold you down.." Ta'a Chume assured, slowly walking past the table, and towards Kriza, who frowned deeper, as she looked at the Queen Mother.

"A Jedi does not care for glory... a Jedi does not go seek fortune, or work to further their own interests. A Jedi only works to help others.. and never only themselves. You used to know all of this, your highness..." She said quietly, looking at Ta'a Chume's eyes, who raised her eyebrow, and bit her lip.

"Yes... I did.. but I realized that the Jedi were holding be back. With them, I could have never achieved any of this, and I'm much better off without them.." The hapan woman answered, to which Kriza scoffed quietly, looking into her eyes.

"You're telling the truth, but I also sense how unsure you are about all this... I can sense how conflicted you are about your feelings toward the Jedi... not so much about the Republic.." She said, using her powers to detect the Queen Mother's feelings. Ta'a Chume smirked, and hummed quietly.

"I think that was easy for you to determine. But I suggest that you still think about my offer, Kriza.. we could go far together. Join me, and we can end the wars of the Republic, and bring peace to the Galaxy.." She offered, her voice filled with ambition. Kriza shook her head, knowing all too well what ambition could cause a Jedi to become.

"Only Jedi can bring peace to the Galaxy... and you're not one of us.." The young Jedi Padawan replied, her face stern and collected. The Queen Mother frowned slightly, standing right next to the young woman. She then sighed, and gently touched Kriza's cheek.

"You're wasting so much potential, Kriza... I can see how powerful you are.. you could become so much more, if you only joined me in my effort to restore the Galaxy to peace and order.." She explained, to which the Jedi Padawan scoffed quietly, and looked into her eyes. Kriza slowly moved her hand to a knife on the table, while continuing to stare into Ta'a Chume's eyes.

"Unlike you, I won't betray the Jedi... ever.. my lady..." The young woman said quietly, frowning slightly. The Queen Mother raised her eyebrow, but started to smile then.

Out of the blue, Kriza grabbed the knife on the table, and with lightning speed struck it into Ta'a Chume's thigh. The hapan woman clenched her teeth together, and groaned, falling on her knee. Kriza in the meanwhile quickly jumped up from the seat, and turned towards the dining hall's exit.

The two Royal Guardsmen at the door saw the entire ordeal, and grabbed their weapons, charging at the young Jedi.

"My Queen!" One of the guards shouted, as he attempted to attack Kriza. She however quickly pushed the two guards against the nearby wall with the Force, smashing them violently against the walls.

As the guards fell on the floor, incapacitated, the young Jedi Padawan grabbed one of their pistols, and quickly ran through the dining hall's doors, starting to head towards the escape pods, which would be nearby.

After a moment, the Queen Mother groaned again, and grabbed the knife stuck in her thigh. Clenching her teeth together, she pulled the weapon out of her skin, allowing blood to start dripping from the wound. Not paying attention to that, Ta'a Chume took a deep breath, and stood up, breathing heavier.

"She's feisty.. I give her that..." She said to herself, grinning slightly, as she began to walk into the direction that Kriza had taken.

Quickening her pace slightly, the Queen Mother grabbed her lightsaber from her belt, activating its yellowish-orange blade. She had given Kriza a chance to change her ways, and become something great, but the young girl had rejected her in quite an unique fashion. The Queen Mother smiled, as she knew she wouldn't kill her, but she definitely wanted to teach the young and brash girl a lesson. A lesson which would hurt, and quite a lot.

...

The Stellar Envoy jumped out of hyperspace, entering "real space" near the icy planet of Hoth. The icy and barren planet had never been inhabited by organized settlers in the thousands of years it had been charted by the Republic, and the other governments in the Outer Rim. Hoth had not been unsettled completely however, as thousands of talz and ortolans attempted to colonize it in the decades leading to the Cold War, thousands of years ago. Their attempts were thwarted by the Sith Empire, however.

Inside the Corellian freighter's cockpit, Anakin Skywalker raised his eyebrows, as he noticed the ice planet in front of the windows. The Jedi Knight turned towards the human man sitting next to him, Jonash Solo, who was piloting the Envoy.

"What are we doing on Hoth? I told you that we need to get to Bespin.." Anakin said to Solo, who nodded in agreement, lifting his hand up slightly.

"No worries... I'm just stopping to get some fuel.. it seems that the reserves are quite low. We wouldn't get to Bespin with just fumes, so I hope you can be patient for slightly longer still..." The pilot replied calmly, his hands on the ship's controls. Anakin frowned slightly, and sighed, nodding.

"Yeah.. take your time..." He responded quietly, not liking to wait longer, but knew it was necessary.

As Solo steered the Envoy towards the nearby fueling station, Anakin's eyes scanned the station, and the many ships docked in with it, all in the process of refueling. After a moment, the human man's eyes widened, and locked in on one such ship, which was docked with the station.

"Woah, woah.. what is that?" He said, pointing at the ship. Solo raised his eyebrows, and stared at the large vessel, before opening his mouth.

"Uuh.. that is a Dreadnaught-class cruiser, Master Jedi..." The pilot answered, not sure what Anakin was getting at. A smirk appeared on the Jedi Knight's face, as he recognized the ship after a moment.

"Well, seems like we don't need to get to Bespin after all... we just need to dock with that ship." Anakin said with a smile, still pointing at the Dreadnaught-class cruiser. Solo raised his eyebrows again.

"What, the cruiser? That's your destination..?" He asked, to which the human Jedi chuckled, and nodded, getting up from his seat.

"Sure is.. I'll go inform Ahsoka and Ventress. You hail them, and get us a docking permission... we need to board the ship as soon as possible." Anakin ordered, as he turned to head out of the cockpit. Solo got up slightly as well, stopping the Jedi.

"Wait, what? What am I supposed to say to them?" He asked, after which Anakin turned around, and smirked.

"Tell them that Anakin Skywalker wants an audience with Djinn Altis... they'll let the Envoy dock with the Peacemaker.. I assure you." The young human man responded with a wink of his eye, after which he left the cockpit, leaving the befuddled pilot alone. Solo sat back down on his pilot's seat, letting out an exhale, and starting to press many buttons.

"This job is getting weirder by the minute..." He said to himself, steering the Envoy towards the Dreadnaught-class cruiser, and pressing many buttons to prepare to hail the ship.

The human pilot hoped that the young Jedi's plan would work; he surely did not want to embarrass himself in front of some dignitaries, or otherwise important people. Who else would the Jedi want to meet? They were amongst the most revered and respected people in the Galaxy.

Letting out another sigh, Jonash shook his head, and sent out a hailing signal to the Peacemaker, and stayed quiet afterwards, wishing for the best. The last thing he needed was to have the ship decline his communications request. He wanted to be rid of the Jedi as soon as possible, and return to his smuggling ways with his son, and hopefully doing that while being eighteen thousand credits richer.

...

Alarms rang through Ta'a Chume's Battle Dragon's intercom system, as Kriza ran along the endless hallways of the ship, attempting to locate an escape pod. The young woman panted heavily, her legs sprinting at full strength. She tightly squeezed the blaster pistol in her hands, being the only weapon she possessed right now.

Kriza ran around a corner, coming to a hallway that had many escaped pods in it. She sighed in relief, attempting to approach one of the pods. As soon as she got to one pod, however, she could hear heavy footsteps behind her. The young woman bit her lip, her heartbeat increasing.

As she turned around slowly, Kriza could see the hulking cyborg bodyguard of Ta'a Chume, Draco S'Krill, approaching her, an all too satisfied smirk on his face. She knew that the cyborg wanted nothing more than to just crush her under his foot, and Kriza figured that this would be his opportunity to do just that.

"Nowhere left to run, girl... you meet your end here. Hear those alarms? They're the sign that your death is near.." The man said, smirking widely, and approaching Kriza, who backed away to a wall behind her, which was a dead end. The young woman breathed heavier, raising her pistol, and aiming it at Draco.

"Don't come any closer!" She ordered, but the cyborg simply laughed, and continued to walk towards her.

"Oh, don't make me laugh, girl... you couldn't even scrape me with that thing.." He answered, getting closer to the young Jedi Padawan.

Kriza clenched her teeth together, and opened fire upon the cyborg, hitting his body and armor several times. Draco didn't even flinch, as the shots hit him, and instead just laughed.

"Pathetic..." The man said, shaking his head. The cyborg then violently grabbed the pistol out of Kriza's hand, crushing it with his strong mechanical hands.

The young woman gasped, and backed against the wall. Draco smirked, and suddenly grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground, and strangling her. Kriza tried to get the cyborg man's hand off her throat, but wasn't successful. She quickly began to lose her air, as the man relentlessly continued to strangle her.

"Go on... try to scream.. no one will hear..." Draco taunted, knowing that the girl would die rather soon.

Kriza put all her effort into moving her body, as she was quickly losing consciousness. She suddenly used all her energy on her legs, strongly kicking the cyborg man in his stomach. Draco grunted, and staggered back, letting go of his victim. As the young woman fell on her knees on the floor, she coughed and breathed heavily.

The cyborg man got to his feet again, growling quietly, as he approached Kriza again. The young girl looked up, still trying to get her breathing back to normal. She noticed her lightsaber hilt hanging on Draco's belt, and her eyes widened. Kriza quickly got to her feet, and called the lightsaber hilt to her using the Force. She immediately activated her weapon, brandishing its cyan colored blade. The cyborg didn't seem to mind.

"Go ahead, use your Jedi weapon... it won't do you any good.." Draco stated confidently, before lunging at the young Jedi Padawan.

Kriza jumped up in the air, rolling over the cyborg man, and landing behind him. As Draco turned around, the Jedi Padawan swiftly slashed at his legs, hitting his cybernetic knee. The man groaned in pain, and staggered slightly, but Kriza didn't stop there. With lightning speed, she slashed at the cyborg man's chest twice, slicing two deep cuts on his armor. Draco groaned louder, dropping on one knee.

He then tried to punch Kriza, but missed easily, as the young Padawan quickly dodged, and moved in behind him again. Draco tried to turn, and get back on his feet, but Kriza pushed him on the ground with the Force.

Now having the upper hand, Kriza sighed deeply, her mind calming finally. Holding her weapon tightly, she waited for Draco to slowly try to get up. The crawling man turned back towards her, as he attempted to get up, breathing heavily. Kriza bit her lip, and lifted her lightsaber slightly, readying herself.

"Go on... kill me, girl.. you know I'll never let you live after this..." The man said quietly, huffing slightly. Kriza began to breathe heavier again, not knowing what to do. She wanted to kill the monstrous cyborg, but her Jedi training kept her from doing it.

Before she could decide, Draco frowned, and attempted to lunge at her again. As he tried to reach her with his hand, Kriza quickly brought her lightsaber blade down, cutting off the cyborg's right hand. Groaning loudly, Draco grabbed his stump of an arm, which was being cauterized by the burning plasma energy from the lightsaber. Kriza quickly swung her lightsaber around, before suddenly aiming it at her enemy. She then drove the blade through Draco's neck, causing the man's eyes to widen, and his body shudder slightly.

Realizing what she had done, Kriza immediately pulled the blade out of the man's neck. Draco silently fell on the ground, dying almost instantly. The young woman's breath fastened immensely, and she deactivated her lightsaber. She had just killed a man, an unarmed, beaten man.

Kriza began to feel sick, breathing extremely heavy now. She rubbed her forehead, sweat beginning to roll down it. She had never executed someone like that, not even a droid, and it made the young Padawan feel so sick, and uncomfortable. Feeling like she was about to barf, she bowed slightly, trying to ease her breathing. Kriza felt like she had slaughtered an entire planet full of innocent people; she had never killed anyone so suddenly, without a cause. Draco was her enemy, and tried to kill her, but she had already beaten him, and she still executed him, and that was exactly what was bothering her the most.

After a moment, she finally regained her focus, and breathed calmer. The alarms around her were still quite distracting, but Kriza was able to block her mind off of them. Standing up, she looked towards the other end of the hallway again, and could now see the Hapan Queen Mother standing several meters away from her, a lightsaber in her hand. Ta'a Chume had a stale look on her face, as she began to approach Kriza. The young Jedi could see how the hapan woman's leg was stained with blood, caused by her stabbing earlier.

"Good job.. you killed my closest bodyguard. I hope you're proud, Kriza." The Queen Mother said calmly, stopping over her former bodyguard's dead body. Kriza backed away against the wall again, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I am not proud.. but... I had no choice.." She answered, trying to reason her actions. Ta'a Chume simply chuckled, and came closer to the girl again.

"Keep telling that to yourself, if it makes you feel better. Now... I can't let you escape, but I won't kill you.." The Queen Mother said, bringing her lightsaber blade near her face, performing the Makashi opening salute.

"But I will hurt you..." She then assured, a stern, yet vicious and vile look on her face. Kriza sighed deeply, and activated her lightsaber, preparing to duel the Queen Mother.

Backed to the wall, Kriza had nowhere to run. Ta'a Chume smirked, and made her move, charging at the young Padawan. The Queen Mother immediately went for an impaling strike, attempting to drive her lightsaber through Kriza's chest. The young girl gasped, and quickly jumped over the Queen, a move that was predicted by her.

Immediately after landing behind her, Kriza had to defend herself from Ta'a Chume's attack, as the Queen quickly turned around, slashing her lightsaber at the Padawan. Kriza deflected the attack, and proceeded to back away slowly, as the hapan woman pressed on the vicious attacks, slashing her blade at the young girl remorselessly.

As the two of them walked over the hulking dead body of Draco S'Krill, Ta'a Chume made another powerful attack against Kriza, attempting to get her to stagger enough, so that she could cut the girl's unprotected lightsaber hilt in half, if not even cutting off her entire hand. She failed however, as Kriza athletically did a back flip, jumping back from the attacking hapan woman. Annoyed, the Queen Mother attempted to strike her again, but Kriza managed to block the attack with her lightsaber, initiating a blade lock with the Queen.

"You could avoid all of this, if you only joined me, Kriza!" The hapan woman said, breathing slightly heavy as she tried to push her blade more powerfully against Kriza's, who clenched her teeth together.

"I will never betray and abandon the Jedi! They're my family, and my life!" She shouted back, her faith in the Jedi still remaining strong, despite the Queen's best efforts at manipulating her.

"You're wasting everything you are if you stay with them! With me you could have real purpose, a real cause to fight for!" Ta'a Chume continued, still tried to get the young woman on her side, but Kriza shook her head.

"Fighting is not the Jedi way! Violence is not the answer... no matter if we have to resort to violence sometimes. I know what I want to commit my life to.. and it's certainly not you, or your war of aggression!" She responded defiantly, which caused the Queen Mother to frown deeply, as she held her lightsaber tighter.

"Aggression?! How can you look at what the Republic is doing, and not call that aggression? Your Jedi are feeding Chancellor Palpatine's power hungry appetite.. and have been doing that for years!" The hapan woman replied loudly, the anger showing on her face. Kriza bit her lip, knowing that the Supreme Chancellor was suspicious, but that she'd need to stay loyal to the Jedi, and the Republic.

"Even so, the Jedi will always protect the Republic.. and we'll never give up on that, not even if the Chancellor does questionable things!" She responded, to which the Queen Mother sighed, shaking her head.

"Oh, how naive you are, Kriza... open your eyes! Use your powers on the Supreme Chancellor, and you'll see the truth! He will lead the Jedi to ruin!" Ta'a Chume assured, after which her Jedi opponent scoffed, drops of sweat rolling down her forehead.

"And what are you doing right now? You're killing Jedi, attacking the Republic! You'd bring us to ruin as well!" Kriza shouted in response, remembering how the Queen Mother had killed her master on Tanaab. Ta'a Chume frowned, getting angrier.

"I'd leave the Jedi alone, if you'd stop defending the Republic! I will bring them down, and I will bring security and order to the Galaxy, under my just rule!" The hapan woman yelled, clenching her teeth together. Kriza felt the anger and hatred pulsating out of the Queen Mother, she could feel how the hapan Force user was drifting towards the Dark Side.

"You'll have to through me, and every other Jedi first..." The young Jedi responded in defiance however, which only angered the Queen more.

"And so I shall.." She answered, before ending the blade lock, and initiating a brutal and vicious attack against Kriza.

Pushing her back, Ta'a Chume kept striking at Kriza with her lightsaber, making the young woman put all her effort into just staying alive, and doing her best to try and deflect every attack the Queen Mother was making.

Kriza felt how much anger and rage Ta'a Chume put in her attacks, completely immersing herself in the Dark Side. Letting out a desperate moan, the young woman staggered back, losing her footing. She had lost all her energy in deflecting the last attacks the Queen had landed on her, and she feared that her end was really near.

With a vicious slash, the Queen Mother struck Kriza's lightsaber off her hands, disarming her. Gasping, the young Padawan took a few steps back, being completely at the mercy of the enraged former Jedi Knight. With a smirk, Ta'a Chume swung her lightsaber, but did not strike Kriza down. Instead, she suddenly reached out with her hand, and began choking the young girl through the Force.

"I told you I won't kill you, dear... but bringing you close to death.. that I can do..." She said quietly, strangling the Jedi Padawan stronger.

Kriza fell on her knees, grasping at her throat, and trying to gasp for air. The Queen Mother kept choking her, bringing her closer and closer to unconsciousness, and death. A smile on her face, the hapan woman looked upon her tortured victim. She kept on choking Kriza, allowing her vision to get blurry, as death crept up on her. After a moment, the young girl stopped resisting, having lost all air.

Ta'a Chume let go of her, after which the limp body of the young woman fell on the cold floor. With a slight sigh, the Queen Mother deactivated her lightsaber, and put it away, as she looked at the unconscious body of her Jedi captive.

"Look at the mess you've made, silly child. Now you have to be locked up again... such waste.." She said to herself, looking between Kriza's and Draco's bodies.

Sighing, and shaking her head, the Queen Mother then turned around, and made her way out of the small hallway. Several guardsmen from her Royal Guard arrived, ready to do her bidding. Ta'a Chume calmly signaled the men to take both Kriza and Draco away, while she nonchalantly walked back towards the nearby dinner hall, intending on continuing her interrupted meal. She had given Kriza a lesson, a lesson the young woman would not soon forget.

...

The door to the airlock inside the Stellar Envoy opened, creating a pathway to the Dreadnaught-class cruiser Peacemaker, as the Corellian freighter had docked in with the ship moments earlier. After explaining whom he had aboard his vessel, Captain Solo had been granted access to the Peacemaker's airlock.

Anakin took a deep breath, standing in the airlock. Ahsoka stood next to him, with Ventress and R2 behind the two of them. Jonash and Han were standing nearby as well, the human pilot having his arms crossed. As the doors to the Peacemaker opened, Anakin squeezed his hands slightly, being nervous. Ahsoka gently touched his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"It'll be fine, Ani.. I'm just surprised that you brought us here." She said quietly, to which her human lover let out a quiet scoff.

"I never thought of coming her either... but I think that this is the only place where we can be together, and not worry about the rest of the Order.." Anakin replied, not exactly wanting to be part of the Altisian Jedi, but he saw no other option.

Some time ago, during the early years of the Clone Wars, Anakin and Ahsoka had worked with the Altisian Jedi to rescue a Republic agent in the JanFathal system. The unorthodox traditions of the rogue Jedi community had taken both of the two young Jedi by surprise, and Ahsoka herself had felt uneasy around them at first. Getting to know some of them, and understanding their feelings and values, the young togruta had grown a sense of respect for them.

She also remembered that the leader of the community, Djinn Altis, had offered to take Anakin to live with them, and join the Altisian Jedi. Her master had refused however, preferring to continue to fight in the War with his fellow Jedi of the proper Order. Ahsoka knew well about the Jedi community's views on love and affection. As her love had just said, Anakin had brought them here to join the Altisian Jedi, and have a chance of living together in peace.

As the group entered the cruiser, they were immediately greeted by armed security guards, who were waiting them beyond the ship's airlock. The human man leading the guards saluted them, most than likely knowing who they were.

"Master Skywalker, welcome to the Peacemaker. I am Captain Ren Zallow... I lead the security forces aboard this vessel." The bearded man with a scar on his face said, proceeding to shake Anakin's hand, who had his eyebrow raised. The young Jedi Knight wondered if the guard was somehow distantly related to the legendary Jedi Master Ven Zallow, who had died during the Sacking of Coruscant, nearly four thousand years ago.

"Nice to meet you. I need to see Master Altis.. can you point me to him?" He responded, to which the guard smiled, and nodded.

"Absolutely.. Master Altis is eagerly waiting for you. I'll take you to his office right away.." Zallow replied in a cheery way, which was slightly weird for Anakin. As the guard nodded his head to the other direction, signaling the Jedi Knight to come with him, Anakin quickly opened his mouth.

"Where will my companions go for the time being? They travel with me.." He stated, after which Zallow glanced at the small group behind the Jedi Knight.

"Oh.. right. My men will show them to the common room.. they can wait for you there." The man explained, after which he quickly tapped one of the guards accompanying him on the shoulder, causing the man to stand in attention, and salute Ahsoka and the others.

With a quiet sigh, Anakin began to follow the human security guard, as they walked in to the distance along the hallways. Ahsoka glanced at her lover with slight worry, knowing how stressed the man had been lately. Her thoughts were interrupted by Ventress, who walked next to her, and let out a quiet hum.

"The Altisian Jedi, huh? Guess you can't get away from the Order, no matter how hard you try.." The dathomirian woman said, to which Ahsoka bit her lip.

"They're not like the rest of the Order.. I've worked with them before." She replied, which only made her former rival laugh.

"They're still Jedi, love... you can't erase that fact, no matter how many times you try to wash it off. And I was under the impression that you never wanted to return to the Jedi.." Ventress responded, which widened Ahsoka's eyes. For months she really had not wanted to be part of the Jedi in any way. But Anakin's return had changed that, at least in some way.

"You're right... I don't want to return to them. But these are not the Jedi of the proper Order, and the only thing I care about now, is to be with Anakin... nothing else matters but our love.." She explained quietly, wanting nothing more than to be with the man she loved, until the end of times. Ventress chuckled, patting the togruta's back.

"So disgustingly corny... you really are head over your heels in love with him.." The woman replied, laughing more, as Ahsoka rolled her eyes, and smiled slightly.

As the two of them walked behind the two security guards, Ventress glanced behind them, and could see the two Solos following them, right behind R2, who rolled on his small wheels. The dathomirian smirked, as she looked at Jonash.

"You're going to stick with us, Solo?" She asked, winking her eye at the man, who frowned slightly in annoyance.

"Yeah... I'll follow you until I get paid." The pilot from Corellia answered in a rather stale voice, clearly starting to get suspicious about his hefty salary. Ventress chuckled, and nodded.

"Well, just keep on following us then.. you'll get your money eventually." She assured with a laugh, which only increased the human pilot's suspicion. Ahsoka sighed quietly, as Ventress walked closer to her again.

"We really don't have the kind of money we owe him.." The young woman whispered to her former rival, who chuckled ever so slightly, and nudged the girl's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it... even if Anakin can't procure the credits for Solo, it'll be fine.. I'll handle him..." Ventress reassured her, which made Ahsoka raise her eyebrow.

"Handle him? Not through your usual means... right..?" She asked, slightly worried. The dathomirian woman laughed, and shook her head.

"You know I'm a changed woman, Ahsoka... so yeah, I'll handle him with something else than violence... I promise you.." Ventress replied, nudging Ahsoka's arm again, who rolled her eyes, and smiled slightly.

The group then continued to follow the two security guards, who led them towards the nearby common room, while Anakin would have an audience with Djinn Altis. Even though Ahsoka didn't know how she'd be able to get used to living with the Altisian Jedi, she was ready to do anything to make sure that she could stay with her love. Nothing would come between them anymore, and she was ready to do everything she could to keep it that way.

...

The two doors to the private office of Master Djinn Altis slid open, allowing Anakin and security guard Zallow to enter. The human Jedi Knight's heart beat faster and faster, as he approached the elder Jedi Master, whose back was faced at him. Master Altis silently looked out the large windows of his officer, his hands behind his back.

"Master Altis... he's here." Zallow announced, allowing Anakin to walk past him. The Jedi Master slowly turned around, a warm smile forming on his face, as he saw the young man in front of him.

"Anakin... welcome back." He said in a calm and friendly tone, spreading his arms slightly. Anakin bit his lip, and bowed to the Jedi Master slightly.

"Thank you for meeting with me, Master Altis.." He replied in a humble voice, to which Altis chuckled ever so slightly, and made a small wave with his hand.

"Of course, my boy.. you are always welcome aboard the Peacemaker. I've heard that the Republic is looking for you... shall we contact the Jedi Council?" The elder man asked, to which Anakin's eyes immediately widened, and he took a step forward.

"No! I... that's the reason I came to you, master.." He answered, causing the Jedi Master to raise his eyebrows in surprise, but let out an understanding hum, as he then glanced at Zallow.

"Leave us." Master Altis ordered, to which the security guard nodded, and saluted the two Jedi, before quickly leaving the office, and closing the doors after him. The elder human man then looked back at Anakin, smiling.

"Now... tell me everything, Anakin." He said with a smile, after which the young Jedi Knight sighed long, and nodded.

"Well... I.. I've decided that I want to leave the Order.. and join your community. Do you remember Ahsoka..?" Anakin asked, stuttering slightly, as he felt embarrassed and nervous. Master Altis had his eyebrows raised, before smiling again.

"Yes, I remember her. I heard that she left the Order a while back... although I sense that she's aboard my ship right now. You met her again, I take it?" The Jedi Master asked calmly, still smiling warmly. Anakin sighed again, scratching the back of his neck.

"Yeah.. I met her on Tatooine, and we've stuck together since. I... we're romantically involved, Ahsoka and I... and we want to stay together.. and not worry about the Jedi harassing us..." He explained to the Jedi Master, who looked really surprised. Master Altis however returned to his warm expression, smiling again.

"I see." The man responded calmly, a warm and understanding smile on his face. Anakin bit his lip, scratching his head again.

"So... yeah.. I came here to ask if the two of us could join your community.. and stay here until the war ends." He said, to which Master Altis smiled wider, and nodded, humming quietly.

"Of course! You're absolutely welcome to stay with us, Anakin... no question about it. However, we do need to contact the Jedi Council, and let them know that you're alive and well. Not to worry.. I won't let them take you back to Coruscant." The Jedi Master said with a short chuckle, reassuringly patting Anakin's shoulder, who sighed in relief.

"Thank you, master... I just feel a bit lost here. Master Vos told me that I'm still needed in the Order, because I'm the Chosen One... and that just makes me feel a bit uncertain.." He answered to the elder man, who then stroked his chin.

"I know how the Order feel about the prophecy.. but I believe that if it actually is true, it will be fulfilled no matter what you are. Whether you are a Jedi or not shouldn't change the prophecy in any way..." Master Altis explained, placing his hand on the young Jedi Knight's shoulder then.

"In the end, you will destroy the Sith, and bring balance to the Force. I will explain to the Order, that you will not be returning to them... don't worry about it, Anakin. They will not force you to stay... that's not our way." The aged man continued, smiling warmly at Anakin, who sighed, and nodded.

"I suppose you're right, master... thank you for doing this.. Ahsoka and I need a place to stay, until the war has ended.." He explained, to which the Jedi Master smiled at, and nodded in understanding.

"Of course... you two will always have a place here. But what will you do, when the war ends?" Master Altis asked, placing his hands behind his back. Anakin bit his lip, having not thought of that.

"I don't know... I know that I want to be with Ahsoka.. but other than that, I'm not sure. I guess we could go and live on some nice, remote world.. and become farmers or something... I really don't know yet.." He answered, rubbing the back of his neck. Master Altis hummed quietly, and smiled again.

"Well... we can help you find the answers to those kinds of questions as well. We are all a big family, and will help each other out however we can." The man assured, to which the young Jedi Knight smiled, and slightly bowed to him.

"Thank you, Master Altis..." Anakin said in a humbled manner, after which the Jedi Master simply smiled, and touched his shoulder.

Before Master Altis could reply, the holocommunicator on his desk started beeping. Frowning slightly, the elder human turned around, and quickly stepped over to his desk, activating the communicator.

"This is Altis speaking... what is it?" He asked, which was followed by a few seconds of silence. After that, a male voice came through the device.

"Master Altis! Several Confederate ships just jumped into the system... they're now heading right for us!" The distressed voice stated, which caused Anakin's heart to jump to his throat. Altis frowned, and stroked his bearded chin.

"Quickly detach us from the fueling station, and then set course towards the edges of the system.. we need to jump to hyperspace as soon as we can, or those Separatist ships will chew us to pieces.." The Jedi Master ordered, his voice collected and calm, despite the dire situation.

"Uh... yes, sir! We'll engage the hyperdrive as soon as possible!" The voice answered, before ending the transmission with Master Altis. After that, the elder human man walked over to Anakin again, who sighed deeply.

"They're here for me... I just know it.." He said quietly, wondering if General Grievous had found him, and was now looking for retaliation. Master Altis calmly lifted his hand up.

"Let's not jump to conclusions, Anakin. However, should they catch us... I sense that they'll board this ship. So I trust that you are prepared to fight?" The man asked, walking over to a nearby locker. Anakin sighed again, and squeezed his lightsaber hilt on his waist.

"Yeah... I won't let them have me, or any of you, master.." He said, knowing that he'd never allow the Separatist to harm anyone aboard the Peacemaker. Master Altis opened the locker nearby, and took out an elegantly designed lightsaber hilt out of it.

"Good... I fear that this battle will be a challenge, for all of us. But trust in the Force, young one.. and we'll be alright. Now.. go to Ahsoka, Anakin... protect yourself and her; we all must fight the hardest for the people we love.." The Jedi Master stated, to which Anakin nodded in agreement, as he took a step back towards the doors.

"I will. Thank you for everything, master... we'll speak soon again.." He said, as he made his way to the doors. Master Altis smiled, and walked back to his desk.

"Yes, we shall, Anakin. Good luck, and may the Force be with you..." The elder man replied, as Anakin quickly glanced at him, and gave him a quick nod with a smile.

"You too, master.." The young Jedi Knight answered, after which he opened the doors, and quickly ran out to the hallway. Master Altis silently then sat down at his desk, beginning to meditate, and prepare for the possible upcoming battle.

Outside, Anakin ran as fast as he could towards the common room, which lied several hundreds of meters ahead. He'd need to get there as quick as he could, but the size of the Peacemaker would make it slightly difficult. All that was going on in his mind, was his concern for the safety of Ahsoka, R2, his ally Ventress, the Solos, as well as all the other beings aboard the Dreadnaught-class ship. He wouldn't let them down, not now, not ever.

...

Ahsoka and Ventress silently looked around themselves, feeling slightly awkward to be inside the common room of the Peacemaker. Plenty of the ship's residents, both Jedi and non-Jedi were there, minding their own business, and going about their daily chores. The dathomirian woman especially looked uncomfortable, Ahsoka almost being able to see a small twitch in her eye.

"I'll never ever want to visit the Jedi Temple again, if I get this uncomfortable by just being around a handful Jedi.." Ventress said, biting her lip, and scratching her head slightly. Ahsoka felt the same way, to some extent.

"I'm more nervous than uncomfortable... I feel like I have something to explain.. that I should regret leaving all of this behind. I guess that's the main reason why I don't want to return to the Temple either..." She answered to her former rival, who hummed quietly, looking at the nearby Jedi, who minded their own business.

"One thing the Jedi need to learn, is to allow their own people to have their own choices, and not shun them for it. They shunned you for your decision, and they shun these rogue Jedi for theirs..." Ventress observes, crossing her arms. Ahsoka bit her lip, agreeing with the woman on some level, though not fully.

"The Jedi are all about the freedom of the innocent.. the freedom of choice for everyone. They always want what's best for all of the Jedi.. but once you choose to leave... you're rarely welcomed back. They would have welcomed me, after pretty much betraying me.. but I doubt that the Order would take me back now." She noted, to which Ventress shrugged her shoulders.

"Hard to say... but it's not like you'd want to return to them anyway. You and Skywalker can now live your lives free from the Jedi.. do whatever you want. You won, Ahsoka..." The dathomirian said, slightly smiling as she quickly tapped Ahsoka's shoulder, who raised her eyebrow.

"I don't exactly feel like I've won anything, Ventress.. except a future with Anakin." She answered. Ventress hummed quietly, and patted the togruta's shoulder again.

"That's what I meant, Ahsoka. You can finally settle down for real.." She explained, which made Ahsoka chuckle slightly, as she turned to glance at her former enemy.

"You've really turned soft, haven't you, Ventress?" The togruta girl asked, laughing quietly. Ventress frowned slightly, rolling her eyes.

"Don't assume too much, Ahsoka.. I can still be just as bad and mean as I was years ago.." She answered in a more serious voice, after which her former rival chuckled, and nodded in acknowledgment. Ahsoka was sure that Ventress could still be a real menace, if she was provoked enough.

As the young togruta looked around, she could see Jonash sit down on a nearby couch with his son, Han. Ahsoka felt bad for the two of them, as she knew that Anakin could not pay them for their service, at least yet. And since they had not even contacted Senator Amidala, she doubted that they were ever going to pay back the Solos, which meant that Ventress would have to persuade them to let it go.

Ahsoka could then hear approaching footsteps behind her. A quiet female voice chuckled then, which caused the young woman's eyes widen. She recognized that voice. Turning around, Ahsoka could then see a human female, donned in brownish Jedi robe type clothing, though it was not actual Jedi apparel. She was around her mid twenties, and had dark brown hair, and grayish colored eyes.

"Well, there's a face I never thought to see again. What brings you here, Ahsoka?" The woman asked with a slight smirk, placing her hand on her waist. The young togruta bit her lip, raising her eyebrow.

"I just arrived here with Anakin, Callista... nice to see that you're doing well." Ahsoka replied to the woman, who let out a quiet scoff.

The woman was Callista Masana, one of the strongest and most skilled members of the Altisian Jedi. Unlike most of the Jedi in the community, Callista had never been part of the main Jedi Order, having been recruited by Djinn Altis after his departure, and founding of the rogue Jedi community. Master Altis had however trained her with as much success as any other Jedi, guiding her to become a Jedi Knight after years of studying.

Callista was the image of an Altisian Jedi, not having much regard towards the Jedi Code, and the Order's rules. She still held her own principles of morality and goodwill in high regard, wanting to be as much like a proper Jedi as she could. Callista was also one of the examples of Jedi marrying, as she was married to a fellow Altisian Jedi, Geith Eris, whom she herself had initiated to the Order.

"I heard that you left the Jedi Order. Since you're with Anakin, I assume that you want to join our community? Can't say that I'm not at least a bit surprised..." The human female said, a small, slightly smug smirk on her face. Ahsoka frowned, starting to feel annoyed.

She had not seen eye to eye with Callista years back, when she had worked with her during the mission to rescue the Republic agent. Ahsoka felt like the human female was smug, and thought of herself being above regular Jedi. The young togruta knew that last time she had been a bit shocked to see such unorthodox Jedi, who threw the Jedi Code out of their lives. However, now that she was happily in a romantic relationship, and had loved Anakin for years, Ahsoka understood why she seemed ironic right now, as she had been against Callista's worldview, at least in the beginning.

"Well... things change, Callista. I wouldn't have expected Anakin to bring me here either.. but here we are..." She replied to Callista, who chuckled slightly, and nodded.

"True that. Well... make yourself at home.. we have all the time in the Galaxy to get reacquainted.." The woman said, her voice sounding just a hint of sarcasm. Ahsoka frowned slightly, knowing that she and Callista would not get along so well.

"Yeah... can't wait. I suppose that you're still together with Geith?" She then asked, to which the human female smiled, and nodded, glancing over to the common room's living area, where her husband was located in.

Geith Eris was a human man, a few years younger than Callista. He had light brown hair, green eyes, and was built in an average way. As he had never been part of the Jedi Order, his training had not been as physically demanding, as a proper Jedi's. However, he too was strong in the Force, and not someone who would be defeated easily.

"Yep.. still happily married. You know, now that you're not a Jedi anymore, you can marry as well, Ahsoka. Don't worry about the Jedi Code, and all that boring stuff... you're free now." Callista then said, winking her eye at Ahsoka, who bit her lip.

"Well.. I'll definitely keep that in mind, Callista. But I'll proceed slowly with Anakin.. we're in no rush to get married or anything like that." She answered, to which the human female hummed quietly, crossing her arms.

"True.. but the war isn't over yet... anything could happen to either of you. I wouldn't waste any time, if I was you... we only have so much life and time to give to the people we love the most.." Callista explained, making a good point in Ahsoka's opinion, even though she still didn't want to rush things with Anakin, no matter what happened. After a moment, the human Jedi looked around, and clasped her hands together.

"I need to go... see you around, Ahsoka." She said, before walking away from the togruta and Ventress. Ahsoka rolled her eyes slightly.

"Looking forward to it..." She answered quietly, being a bit sarcastic. Ahsoka didn't hate Callista, or have much against her, but she still just didn't see eye to eye with the woman. As Callista walked away, Ventress scoffed quietly, crossing her arms as she looked after the human female.

"I don't envy you staying here... I couldn't stand being around that woman for ten minutes longer.." The dathomirian stated, shaking her head. Ahsoka chuckled, agreeing with her.

Not many seconds later, the Peacemaker's alarms suddenly began to broadcast through the ship's intercom system. Ahsoka and Ventress raised their eyebrows, the Solos getting a little antsy as well, looking around as the ship's residents began to run around the area.

"All hands to battle stations, all hands to battle stations! This is not a drill! I repeat, this is not a drill!" A distressed male voice announced through the loudspeakers, which only made the crew of the ship move faster.

A second later, the ship suddenly shook violently, and the muffled sounds of explosions could be heard. Ahsoka nearly lost her footing, staggering as the ship shook. Jonash took a hold of his young son, standing up from the nearby seat.

"What's going on?" The human pilot asked, holding his son's hand, and making sure that he wouldn't lose his balance. Ventress scratched the back of her head, sighing.

"Well, sounds like the ship is being attacked. My guess is that the Hutts have gotten our scent, and are now looking to avenge Jabba's death..." She said, stroking her chin. The Corellian pilot's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped wide open.

"Jabba is dead?!" He asked, his voice breaking. Jonash held his son even closer, a desperate look on his face, though Ventress didn't even acknowledge him. Ahsoka looked around quickly, seeing that they were the only ones left in the common room.

"Whoever it is, we can't stay here! We need to go find Anakin, now!" The togruta girl said loudly, her heart racing. The dathomirian woman nodded in agreement next to her.

"Right, but we don't know where he is exactly, or do we?" Ventress noted, which caused Ahsoka to fiddle with her hands, clenching her teeth together.

The young woman then closed her eyes, and let the Force surround her. She searched through the surrounding Force energy for Anakin's aura, so that she could locate her. A few seconds later, she could feel Anakin's energy and presence, approaching them in a nearby hallway. Sighing in relief, Ahsoka opened her eyes, a smile appearing on her face.

"Come on! I sensed him this way!" She said quickly, pointing at the hallway to the group's left. Without hesitation, the young woman then began to sprint towards the hallway, Ventress raising her eyebrow.

Letting out a sigh, and shaking her head quickly, the dathomirian then glanced at R2, and the two Solos, motioning them to follow her, as she quickly got herself on Ahsoka's trail, running several meters behind her. In the following short moments, the group swiftly left the common room, as the Peacemaker's alarms continued to play through the loudspeakers, with the muffled sounds of explosions continuing as well.

...

A few minutes later, Ahsoka, Ventress and the Solos arrived to a junction, which opened up four hallways, going to different directions. One of the hallways led to the airlocks, where the Stellar Envoy was docked at. Another hallway led to a nearby engineering bay. At the other end of the room, a door opened, a human man running to the junction as well.

Ahsoka's heart nearly jumped to her throat, as she noticed that the man was Anakin. As the Jedi Knight noticed her as well, the togruta girl immediately sprinted at him, a smile on her face. Ahsoka jumped into her lover's arms, embracing him tightly.

"Oh, how I missed you already, Ani.." She whispered to Anakin's ear, who embraced her even tighter, his hand rubbing her back.

"I was gone ten minutes.. you're quite clinging, aren't you?" He joked quietly, to which his togruta girlfriend sighed, and rolled her eyes.

"Oh, shut up.." Ahsoka replied, giving the man a gentle kiss on his cheek. As the two of the slowly parted from each other, Ventress cleared her throat.

"If you two are done smooching, we should probably get out of here before the ship is attacked.." The woman suggested, placing her hand on her waist. Anakin let go of Ahsoka, and quickly nodded.

"Indeed, but the ship has already been boarded... the Separatists are fighting the crew right now, and we have to help them." He explained, which made Ahsoka raise her eyebrow.

"The Separatists? What are they doing here?" She asked in a surprised voice. Anakin shrugged his shoulders.

"I've no idea, but we have to help the Altisian Jedi in beating them back..." He answered. Jonash Solo then took a step forward, getting the Jedi's attention.

"Separatists? Are you kidding me? Look, Skywalker.. Han and I are not cut out for something like this... we won't stand a chance against battle droids!" The human pilot said, his voice trembling slightly. He definitely did not want to join the battle against the Separatists. Anakin nodded, seemingly agreeing.

"I know, which is why you and Han need to get out of here... Ahsoka, you'll go with them, and see that they leave aboard the Envoy safely." The Jedi Knight ordered, placing a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder, who quickly glanced at him.

"What?! Anakin, I want to be by your side! We're in this together.." She protested, but Anakin bit his lip, and pulled her closer, looking into her eyes.

"I know, and you will join with me and Ventress after you've escorted Jonash and Han out of here. We won't be separated for long..." He assured, his voice soft and comforting. Ahsoka stared into his blue eyes, sighing quietly.

"Okay... I'll go take them to the ship." The young woman replied, nodding her head. Her former master smiled, and patted her shoulder gently, as he turned his attention to the small astromech droid, who stood around next to them.

"You go with them too, R2." Anakin said to the droid, who replied with a cheery, acknowledging chirp. As he turned towards Ventress, who was waiting around, Ahsoka suddenly grabbed him by his collar.

The togruta girl pulled him strongly against her, pressing her lips against his. Ahsoka kissed him with all her might, quickly moving her hand through his hair. Anakin returned the kiss, tightly holding his lover against his body. Ventress rolled her eyes, as she witnessed that, while Jonash covered his son's eyes, clearing his throat. The two lovers ended their passionate kiss after a few seconds, Ahsoka smiling as she looked into Anakin's eyes.

"You'll get more of that after this is done.." She whispered to him, to which the man chuckled at quietly.

"I can't wait." Anakin replied, whispering as well.

The two of them then separated, after which Ahsoka quickly turned towards the Solos. She walked past them, patting Jonash's shoulder with a smile.

"Come on.. let's go." She said to the pilot, who responded with an acknowledging nod.

The man then quickly glanced at Anakin and Ventress, giving them a small finger salute, before turning around, and starting to follow Ahsoka. As the group left toward the nearby door, Anakin turned to Ventress, smirking slightly.

"Ready for action, Ventress?" He asked, to which the dathomirian replied with a laugh, and a nod.

"You even have to ask? Let's get them!" Ventress answered, chuckling as she grabbed her lightsabers.

As the two of them prepared to leave, and walk to the other direction, Ahsoka turned back at the end of the hallway she and the Solos were standing in. Her back was faced towards the door, which lied less than a meter away from her.

"Anakin!" She called out, which got the human man's attention, who turned back towards her. There were several meters of distance between them, but Anakin could still see the smile on his love's face.

"I love you!" Ahsoka then proclaimed, her voice filled with joy. Anakin smiled widely, his heart feeling so much warmth right now. He loved the girl so much, and he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

"I know.." He answered back, winking his eye at the beautiful togruta, who grinned, and blushed ever so slightly.

It was then that the door behind Ahsoka's back suddenly opened. Anakin's smile faded, and he frowned slightly, squinting his eyes as he looked at the hallway behind the door. A dark cloaked figure was standing right behind Ahsoka. His eyes widening, Anakin immediately lunged forward, sprinting towards his togruta lover.

"Ahsoka, look out!" He shouted, running towards the young togruta, whose smile faded as well.

Before Ahsoka could react further, the sound of a lightsaber activating could be heard. In an instant, a red plasma blade of a lightsaber was driven through Ahsoka's back, impaling her through her upper stomach. She gasped loudly, as the blade stuck out of her insides. Anakin's heart felt like it was stopping, as he witnessed that.

"NO!" He screamed loudly, grabbing his lightsaber hilt from his belt, and activating the weapon.

The cloaked assailant withdrew their blade from Ahsoka's back, allowing the shocked togruta to fall on her knees. A few tears rolled down her cheeks, as she stared at her lover, who was charging towards her.

"Ani..." She whispered under her breath, before her eyes rolled back, and she fell on the floor, a smoking hole on her upper stomach, and back.

Jonash quickly placed himself in front of his son, grabbing his DL-44 blaster pistol from his waist. The pilot was in sheer shock, his hand shaking, as he opened fire on the dark figure, who deflected all his shots. The attacker then quickly used the Force to push the pilot against the nearby wall, momentarily incapacitating him.

Anakin roared in sheer rage, as he lunged at the lightsaber wielding attacker. He brutally struck the figure, proceeding to land swift and strong strikes at them. The cloaked figure blocked the Jedi Knight's attacks, but was forced to fall back, as Anakin wouldn't let down his attack. The two of the dueled past the door, when Anakin's one savage strike missed the attacker, and struck the door controls on the wall. The door closed and locked behind them, sealing them away from the rest of the human man's group.

After the door closed, Ventress immediately sprinted to Ahsoka, kneeling down beside her unmoving body. R2 chirped in a panicky manner, his dome head spinning around erratically. Jonash got up from the floor, sweat rolling down his forehead, as he breathed heavier, his son Han shaking slightly, as he was tearing up.

"Oh goodness..." The human pilot said quietly, looking at the unmoving togruta girl. Han began to sob, which made his father quickly put away his pistol, and pull him against him. Ventress was slightly hyperventilating, taking a hold of Ahsoka, and turning her on her back.

"No, no no no no no! Damn it, don't you do this, Ahsoka! Crap!" The dathomirian woman said quickly, her voice trembling ever so slightly, as she touched Ahsoka's cheek, trying to wake her up. She then touched the girl's neck, and found her pulse.

"She's still alive.. Solo, help me!" Ventress shouted, glancing at the pilot, whose hands were shaking, as he stepped over to them.

"Ah, geez... I don't know how! I don't know what to do to a lightsaber wound!" He answered, panicking slightly, as he clearly had no idea what to do. Ventress bit her lip, and tried to think for a solution.

"There's a medical bay on the Envoy, right!? We have to take her there, and then get as far away from here as possible!" She then said, to which Jonash raised his eyebrow, his lower lip trembling.

"Uh.. yeah, but it's not a hospital... I don't have any lifesaving equipment!" The pilot answered, but the dathomirian shook her head.

"Doesn't matter! We just need to keep her alive until we can get her to a medical center!" She explained, trying her best to keep herself collected. Ventress knew that they could not save Ahsoka's life themselves, but she was willing to do whatever it took, to get the togruta girl to safety, to receive proper treatment.

"I... yeah.. yeah, okay!" Jonash then answered, also having come to a decision to help as much as he could. Ventress took a deep breath, and motioned the pilot to pick Ahsoka from her hands.

"Here... you carry her. I'll keep us safe." She said quickly, offering the unconscious togruta to the human pilot, who nodded his head, but quickly turned to his son, who was still sobbing nearby.

"Han! Come over here, son.." Jonash told the boy, who walked over to him, wiping his eyes and cheeks from tears. As Han got to his father, the man handed his blaster pistol to him.

"Take this, Han... you're a big boy now. Keep the bad guys off of us.. alright?" He asked, to which his shaking son quietly nodded his head, his trembling hands taking the DL-44 pistol. After that, the pilot lifted his son's chin up.

"Hey.. it'll be fine, son... I promise." Jonash assured, after which Han took a deep breath, and nodded, his sobbing having stopped, though his face was red and wet from the tears he had earlier.

After that, the human pilot proceeded to lift Ahsoka's limp body in his arms, and carry her. Ventress got up as well, and took out her lightsabers. She then walked in front of the rest of the group, motioning them to follow her, as she began to make her way to the other direction, so that they could take another route to the Stellar Envoy.

As soon as they were about to leave, the clanking noise of approaching droids got Ventress' attention. She bit her lip, and activated her lightsabers, as two BX-series commando droids ran from behind the corner. The droids immediately aimed their blasters at the former Separatist assassin and Nightsister, and opened fire. As Ventress deflected the shots, the droids were suddenly destroyed by two lightsaber wielding assailants, who appeared from behind another corner.

Letting out a relieved sigh, Ventress deactivated her lightsabers. The two lightsaber wielders were Callista and her husband Geith Eris. The human Altisian Jedi immediately noticed Ahsoka's unmoving body in Jonash's hands, as she and Geith approached the group.

"By the Force, what happened?" Callista asked in a shocked voice, her eyes fixated on Ahsoka. Ventress sighed audibly, rubbing her forehead.

"Some Dark Jedi... Skywalker's dealing with them. But we need to get Ahsoka out of here.. we're escaping aboard the Stellar Envoy." She explained to the human female, who clenched her teeth together, looking at the group. She then glanced at her husband, who stared back at her, and nodded.

"Okay.. we'll escort you there, and keep you safe. Hurry up, though.. the Separatists are slaughtering us, and Geith and I need to rejoin the battle..." Callista replied, looking around quickly. Ventress frowned slightly, but nodded in agreement.

"Lead the way." She answered, after which the two Altisian Jedi began to lead them to the other direction, along one of the hallways.

Ahsoka wouldn't have much time left, and Ventress knew that. They'd need to get her to a proper medical station as soon as possible. All she could do, was try to keep the young woman alive to the best of her abilities. She certainly had not ever thought that she'd one day give all her strength to keeping one of her bitterest rivals alive.

The dathomirian woman felt conflicted; she had been a servant of the darkness for so many years, and the way she had changed in the course of less than two years really made her feel uncertain. However, the sheer panic she had felt just a few moments ago, seeing Ahsoka being stabbed in the back had really filled her with unprecedented determination. She had to save the togruta girl, no matter what their history was. She had to save Ahsoka's life, or she could never live with herself again, no matter how weird and uncomfortable it sounded to her.

...

With another enraged roar, Anakin pressed on his attack against the cloaked figure, who had just moments ago stabbed his lover Ahsoka in the back. Seething with rage and hatred, the young Jedi Knight brutally kept striking at the smaller figure, who desperately did their best to deflect his attacks.

After a moment of pushing the cloaked person back, Anakin savagely struck at them, causing the figure to stagger back. The dark cloak's hood fell off the person's head, revealing them to have greenish skin. Anakin didn't pay attention to it, and instead attack the Dark Jedi again, initiating a blade lock with them. He now got a much better look at the person, his eyes widening as he noticed her being a very familiar looking mirialan.

"Hello, Anakin.." The mirialan woman, Barriss Offee said, a small smirk on her face. Anakin's eyes were wide, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Barriss!? It's you!? How..?" He asked, breathing heavier. The former Jedi Knight turned traitor Barriss had escaped from Republic custody? But how, was what Anakin wanted to know.

"Oh, it's very simple, really... I was let out of custody by my new master, Anakin.. I am a Sith now..." The young woman explained, her voice filled with sheer arrogance, and self-entitlement. Anakin frowned deeply. Barriss had betrayed the Jedi in the worst possible way, and now she had made the biggest mistake of her life; enraging Anakin Skywalker.

"No matter what you've become, Barriss.. I will kill you for what you just did... I'll kill you!" He shouted back, before brutally ending the blade lock with a powerful strike. Barriss jumped back, swinging her red-bladed lightsaber around in a defensive manner.

Anakin pressed on his attack again, slashing his lightsaber savagely at Barriss, who blocked the strike. The mirialan then suddenly jumped into the air, flying over the Jedi Knight, and landing behind him. As Barriss attempted to slash at Anakin, he skillfully blocked the attack by moving his hands over his head, effectively covering his back, as his lightsaber pointed down towards the ground.

After the failed attack, Barriss bit her lip, and took a step back. Anakin however went on the offensive immediately, spinning around, and attempting to strike at the mirialan's legs, doing a low slashing strike. The young woman saw that coming, and quickly jumped up slightly, and performed a strong kick at Anakin, which hit him in his jaw. The man grunted, and staggered back, grabbing his chin gently.

Barriss immediately took advantage of the situation, and attempted to attack the distracted Jedi. She slashed at Anakin, trying to slice a deep wound in his chest. Anakin managed just barely to block the attack, however, and was able to counter with a strong strike, which in turn now made the young woman to stagger back.

The two of them then stared at each other for a moment. Barriss could see how enraged and full of hatred Anakin was, huffing and panting, and holding his lightsaber firmly in his hand. She took a few steps back, starting to question the logic in attacking the Jedi Knight.

"I can sense your overwhelming anger and hatred, Anakin... but you don't use them yet..." Barriss said quietly, her heart pounding in her chest. Anakin frowned deeply, taking a long breath.

"Oh, I can start using them, Barriss... I can kill you in so many different ways.. all you have to do is choose which one..." He answered, to which the mirialan bit her lip, and shook her head.

"Not this time, Anakin.." She replied, before quickly deactivating her lightsaber, and putting it on her belt.

Barriss then suddenly turned to her left, and began sprinting towards the nearby door. Using the Force, she swiped the door open, and proceeded to run into the hallway beyond. Anakin watched the Dark Jedi run, his anger only increasing. Breathing heavily, the Dark Side crept up to the young man.

"You can run... but you'll never get away from me..." He said to himself quietly, his voice especially low, and menacing.

The enraged man then proceeded to run after the escaping mirialan, keeping his lightsaber activated and ready for killing. Anakin was filled with dark determination, and overwhelming bloodthirstiness. He wanted Barriss dead, and he would stop at nothing to achieve that goal. She had to suffer for what she had just done; Anakin would not let the potential killer of the love of his life get away. He'd kill her, and of that, the man was certain.

...

The muffled sounds of blaster fire and explosions made the elder Jedi Master Djinn Altis hum in concern. He was seated at his desk in his office, the human security guard captain Zallow at his side, standing prepared. Two other guards were stationed near the office's doors, weapons in their hands. The guard captain clenched his teeth together, as the sounds of battle got closer.

"We should join the fight, master... our people can't defeat the Separatists alone." He said to the passive Jedi Master, who silently sat in his seat, his eyes closed.

"We will indeed join the battle shortly, Captain... I sense a presence approaching us.. a presence I haven't felt in decades..." The man answered, calmly continuing to sit, as the guard captain raised his eyebrows.

Seconds later, the office's doors suddenly opened. As the two guards turned towards the entrance, they were swiftly cut down by a lightsaber wielding foe. Zallow gasped, and immediately stepped in front of Master Altis' desk, raising his blaster rifle at the intruder. He could recognize the attacker being the Separatist leader Count Dooku, who now turned his gaze at the Captain, two magnaguard droids walking into the office to support him.

"Master Altis.." Dooku said in a polite manner, holding his lightsaber to his side. The Jedi Master sighed deeply, and opened his eyes, getting up from his seat.

"Count Dooku. How long has it been? Fifteen years..?" Altis asked, taking out his lightsaber hilt, as he walked past Zallow, and approached the former prestigious Jedi Master turned Sith Lord.

"More or less, Djinn. What an unfortunate turn of events, that we need to meet like this.." Dooku replied, his polite, courteous personality of a gentleman apparent. The Sith Lord often employed one of his two primary personalities; that of a refined gentleman, and that of a ruthless, vile and cruel Dark Lord of the Sith.

"That it is... however, your unwarranted aggression towards us cannot go unpunished, Count. I've sensed the deaths of many of my people... more than one by your hand..." The elder Jedi Master noted, activating his dark green colored lightsaber. Dooku inhaled quickly, nodding his head, and performing the "Makashi salute" with his lightsaber.

"It is regrettable that things have to go this way... but it's all necessary.." The Sith Lord replied, taking a step back to prepare for the duel, his magnaguards standing back as well.

Master Altis lifted his lightsaber higher, holding it close to his face. The human man took a deep breath, and was ready to duel his former Jedi colleague. Before the Jedi Master could initiate the duel, two loud gunshots rang out in the room. Master Altis jerked forward slightly, grunting audibly, as he felt stinging and burning pain on his back. Count Dooku simply smiled, and deactivated his lightsaber. Behind Altis, Captain Zallow was breathing heavily, his rifle's barrel smoking. He had just shot the Jedi Master in the back.

"A pity your senses aren't what they used to be, Djinn.. otherwise you would have seen that coming." Dooku said quietly, as Altis grasped for air, and fell on his knees, his lightsaber falling out of his hand as well. Captain Zallow slowly walked next to the Jedi Master, looking down at him.

"I'm sorry, master... but I had to do it.." The traitorous man tried to explain, but the sheer look of disbelief on Altis' face made him go silent. Dooku hummed quietly, still smiling.

"It was a logical decision, Captain... most people would do whatever it takes to survive, rather than face certain doom." The Sith Lord noted, sounding almost smug. Altis breathed heavier, feeling weak.

"Is this... part of your plan, Dooku? Do the Altisian Jedi have to die, along with the rest of the Order..? We're... not part of them.." He said weakly, knowing that he sounded cold and uninterested about the Jedi Order's survival. The Sith Lord silently nodded.

"That is the unfortunate reality, Master Altis. Every single Jedi in the Galaxy has to be eliminated... the ultimate Sith victory will not be complete before that.." Dooku explained, before activating his lightsaber again, and lifting it up.

"Goodbye, Djinn Altis.." He then said, preparing to execute the Jedi. Master Altis sighed, and closed his eyes.

"There is no death..." The elder man said quietly, accepting defeat. Count Dooku then swiftly brought down his blade, slaying the leader of the Altisian Jedi. As Master Altis' body fell on the floor, Captain Zallow closed his eyes in remorse, sighing quietly.

"...only the Force.." He whispered, completing the unfinished sentence of his former employer.

After that, Dooku put away his lightsaber, and turned towards the guardsman. The elder human man placed his hand on Zallow's shoulder, smiling in an awfully calm manner.

"Well done, Captain... you have served your purpose well." The Dark Lord said with a smile, but the traitorous captain didn't seem proud.

"Thank you... though I only did this out of necessity" Zallow replied, to which the Sith Lord hummed quietly, and nodded.

"As we all do, Captain. It has been a pleasure doing business with you.." Dooku assured, before suddenly reaching out with his hand, and squeezing the air. Zallow frowned, and was immediately lifted up in the air, grasping at his throat, which was being strangled.

"No.. we.. had... a deal..." The Captain attempted to say, as he was losing air. Dooku simply chuckled, and kept strangling the man through the Force.

"Oh, don't be so surprised, Captain... another reality of the Sith is that elimination is the fate of every spy.." The Sith Lord said emotionlessly, before squeezing his hand into a fist, crushing Zallow's throat, and killing him instantly.

As the human man's dead body fell on the floor, blood coming out of his mouth and nose, Dooku simply exhaled, and dusted off his elegant and expensive robes. The Sith Lord then laid a final glance on his former Jedi colleague, before turning around, and walking out of the office, his magnaguard droids following him.

The leader of the Altisian Jedi had been killed, and the rest of the community was sure to follow. This was only one part of the Sith Grand Plan of the systematic extermination of the Jedi. It'd take a lot more effort, and all the might of the Sith to completely destroy the Jedi. But if things would be this favorable for the Sith in the future, the final destruction of the Jedi could in fact be possible.

...

The alarms inside the Peacemaker were still ringing, as the group led by Callista and Ventress got to the airlock, beyond which was the smuggler freighter, Stellar Envoy. The dathomirian woman had constantly glanced over her shoulder, looking back at Jonash, who was carrying the unconscious body of Ahsoka in his arms. She felt fear, stress, despair, and anger all at once because of the situation.

As they got to the airtight doors, Ventress quickly pressed the buttons on a nearby control panel, opening the door. She then motioned the Solos and R2 to make their way aboard the Envoy, as Callista and her husband Geith stood by the door with her.

"Come on, hurry! Get her inside, Solo!" The pale skinned woman ordered, almost pushing the human man into the airlock. As Solo and his son, being backed by R2 boarded the Envoy, Ventress turned her attention towards the married Jedi couple.

"Thank you for your help... but we need to leave as soon as we can. Ahsoka won't last long.." She said to the human female, who nodded her head in understanding.

"Of course.. just get out of here. We'll handle the Separatists." Callista replied assuredly, patting her husband's shoulder, who also gave Ventress an acknowledging nod.

Only seconds later, all three Force users could suddenly sense a great disturbance in the Force. The feeling of loss and anxiousness filled Ventress for a moment, making her grab her chest, as she felt a slight sting in her heart. She could see that Callista and Geith were far more affected by the disturbance, nearly losing their balance, as they seemed dizzy.

"Geith..." Callista whispered, glancing at her husband, who seemed just as shocked.

"Master Altis... he.. he's..." Geith answered, his breathing getting heavier. Ventress could then realize, what had just happened.

"He's dead." A strong male voice then suddenly announced. Ventress raised her eyebrows, and turned to look towards the source of the voice.

At the other end of the hallway stood a weequay man, donned in dark brown Jedi robes. She immediately recognized the man being Sora Bulq; a former Jedi Master in the Order, who later turned to the Dark Side, and became an acolyte of Count Dooku. Ventress herself had worked with Bulq on some occasions, back when she was aligned with the Separatists as well.

"Bulq!" The dathomirian woman shouted angrily, and attempted to charge at the weequay Dark Jedi. Before she could grab her lightsabers, Callista moved her arm in front of her, stopping Ventress.

"No! You must stay at Ahsoka's side! Get her to safety, and treat her... we'll handle this!" The human female said in a strong voice, her expression now collected and determined, after the initial shock of sensing Master Altis' death.

Ventress bit her lip, glancing between Callista, and Bulq, who still stood several meters away from them. She wanted to attack the weequay so badly, but she realized that her allies, Ahsoka especially, needed her the most right now. With an appreciative smile and nod to the two Altisian Jedi, Ventress quickly turned around, and ran inside the airlock, sealing the doors after her.

As the two Altisian Jedi were left alone in the hallway, Bulq chuckled quietly, approaching the two. Callista took a deep breath, and glanced at her husband, who gave her a supporting pat on the shoulder. The two of them then activated their lightsabers, Callista's hilt emitting a yellow blade, while Geith's projected a green one.

"Your precious leader lies dead.. just like the two of you will be in a moment." Bulq taunted, taking out his main lightsaber hilt, as well as his shoto hilt. Callista and Geith didn't listen to the weequay's attempts at distracting them, and instead laid one last loving glance at each other.

"Whatever happens... know that I love you more than anything.." Geith said to Callista, who sighed quietly, and gave her husband a slight smile.

"No matter what.. we'll always be together, my love..." She replied, before the both of them returned their attention to the weequay Dark Jedi, who chuckled.

"This will be fun.. killing two Jedi who are married. There's a first time for everything..." Bulq remarked, activating his two lightsabers, a devilish grin on his face.

The two Altisian Jedi prepared for battle, raising their lightsabers, while the weequay man simply approached them, confident in his abilities. He had reason to not worry about anything, as he was once a prominent Jedi Master in the Order, and had co-designed the brutal and effective lightsaber form Vapaad. Bulq was sure that he'd make quick work of the married Jedi couple.

Outside, the Stellar Envoy detached from the Peacemaker, its engines powering on. The Corellian YT-1300 light freighter quickly warmed up its sublight engines, before steering itself away from the Dreadnaught-class cruiser. The blue light from the ship's engines strengthened, becoming more illuminating, as the Envoy pushed itself forwards, increasing its speed at every second.

Several droid vulture fighters flew past the freighter, but paid no attention to it, instead attacking the Peacemaker. The cruisers and frigates of the Separatist flee also gave no attempt at firing upon the Envoy, most likely viewing it as an unimportant target. This gave the Corellian ship a safe and free passage away from the area, as it increased its distance from the battle, leaving the Peacemaker's and its inhabitants behind.

...

The mirialan Sith apprentice Barriss Offee panted slightly, as she sprinted through the long hallways of the Peacemaker. She frantically looked around, trying to find an escape route, but could only see closed doors, and bodies lying on the floor. After a moment, she located an open door, and made a run for it.

As soon as she ran into the room, she noticed it being a small break room, used by the security guards. He heart skipped a beat, as she realized that she had hit a dead end. Turning around, Barriss' eyes widened, and she let out a quiet gasp, seeing the enraged Anakin standing at the doorway. The Jedi Knight seemed to be fully immersed in the Dark Side, though he did not possess the yellow glowing eyes, that usually indicated a Force user's immersion in the darkness.

"Nowhere left to run, Barriss..." Anakin said in a low, menacing, almost psychotic voice, his eyes staring at the mirialan woman, who bit her lip, and stepped back.

"Anakin.. you're not thinking straight now. This is not how a Jedi acts..." Barriss tried to reason with the young man, who simply scoffed, and shook his head.

"You should know all about it then, Barriss..." He answered, before slowly walking towards her, ready for the kill. Barriss took a deep breath, and activated her Sith lightsaber. She was now feeling fear and uncertainty, believing that her skills could not save her from the enraged Chosen One.

Anakin quickly lunged forward, performing a powerful strike, bringing his lightsaber down from over his head. Barriss blocked the attack, initiating a blade lock with him. Drips of sweat rolled down her forehead, as she looked at the frowning Jedi Knight.

"You don't have to do this, Anakin! Maybe Ahsoka is still alive! Maybe the wound was not fatal.." She tried to reason with him again, but Anakin frowned deeper. The mirialan woman's pleading was getting on his nerves.

"You call yourself a Sith, and yet you act like a complete coward? You're nothing more than a useless failure, Barriss! Now die with some dignity at least!" He shouted back, before ending the blade lock, and proceeding to brutally assault her, striking her several times, each time putting in more anger and hatred to the attack.

Barriss desperately put in all her effort to blocking the ruthless Jedi's attacks, but was slowly starting to be overwhelmed. Anakin kept striking his lightsaber at her, now causing the mirialan woman to lean back slightly, her energy diminishing. The human would soon be able to strike her down once and for all.

As he struck his blade down, Anakin managed to Force Barriss on one knee. She moaned in desperation, fearful that this was her end. The enraged Jedi Knight wouldn't back down, he'd kill the young woman for sure. As he was successful at pushing Barriss down, Anakin then prepared to finish her off. He lifted his hands up, readying to strike his lightsaber down, and execute the weak mirialan.

As he brought the lightsaber blade down, Barriss reached out with her hand, and used the Force to push Anakin away. The human man slid on his feet on the metallic floor, grunting in frustration, as his execution was ruined. Before he could charge at Barriss again, he heard the clanking noise of approaching droids behind him. Turning around quickly, to his great surprise, Anakin could see two magnaguard droids, as well as Count Dooku at the doorway.

"Master Skywalker... what a surprise seeing you here. I see that you escaped the injuries General Grievous inflicted upon you." The well mannered elder man said with a slight smile. Anakin frowned deeply, raising his lightsaber.

"I'm not so easy to kill, Dooku.. as you've seen time and time again. You on the other hand, are not.." He said simply, before lunging at the Sith Lord, who quickly activated his lightsaber, and blocked the attack.

As Anakin pressed on his attack against the Sith Lord, Barriss stayed back, trying to ease her breath, as she stood up. Dooku and Anakin kept on dueling, the elder Sith Lord surprised at how aggressive the young Jedi acted right now. The two of them initiated a blade lock after a few seconds, Anakin huffing slightly, sweat rolling down his frowning forehead.

"I sense so much anger and hatred in you, Skywalker... you'd make a fine acolyte, should you renounce the Jedi, and turn to the Dark Side.." Dooku suggested, smirking deviously. The young man frowned deeper, knowing that he was drifting towards the dark right now, but he still wanted nothing to do with the Sith.

"That would be the last thing I do! I'd rather die than join you!" He shouted back, ending the blade lock by overpowering Dooku, and causing him to stagger back slightly.

Anakin immediately went on the offensive, swinging around wildly, and preparing to strike at Dooku with no mercy. As he swung around, he was suddenly interrupted by Barriss activating her lightsaber, and landing a strike on the human Jedi, which forced him to defend himself, ending his offensive.

Dooku then immediately attacked as well, managing to cut a small wound on the back of Anakin's right leg. The young man hissed in pain, and turned at the Sith Lord, swinging his lightsaber at him. The two Dark Side users were surprised at his stubbornness and resilience, but they knew that the young Jedi Knight could be taken down, if they worked together.

For the next several seconds, Barriss and Dooku took turns in attacking Anakin, trying to either poke at him with their lightsabers, or taking wild swings at him. The slightly wounded Jedi managed to hold his ground, though getting exhausted at deflecting the dozens of attacks he had to defend himself against. He managed to do so by pouring in all his emotion, all his fear and stress into strengthening his powers. Using emotion as your primary power source was strictly forbidden for the Jedi, as it led to the Dark Side, but Anakin didn't care right now.

After a moment, as Barriss struck against him, the young man blocked her attack. Anakin could hear Dooku swinging his lightsaber behind him, which caused the Jedi to quickly turn around, and attempt to slash at the elder Sith Lord. Dooku managed to dodge the attack, jumping back slightly. As Anakin was left unprotected, the Count struck, cutting a small slice on the young man's chest.

Anakin clenched his teeth together, and staggered back, grabbing his chest with his hand. As he regained his focus, he could hear the sound of a moving lightsaber behind him; Barriss had the perfect opportunity to attack him.

Before he could react, Anakin could feel a stinging, burning and gripping pain on his back. Not even a second later, Barriss' red lightsaber blade came through his stomach, much like had happened to Ahsoka earlier. Gasping and groaning, the wounded Jedi pulled himself out of the grinning mirialan's blade, attempting to fight back at Dooku, who stood ahead.

The Sith Lord countered by severing Anakin's cybernetic arm, as he attempted to slash at him. The severed robotic arm fell on the floor, still holding the man's lightsaber. Anakin weakly groaned, and fell on his knees. As Dooku walked right in front of him, the young man looked up. The Sith Lord smiled, and offered his hand.

"We can save you, Skywalker. All you have to do... is join us.." He offered, to which the young, rebellious man scoffed, and shook his head.

"Like I said... I'll rather die than join you, Dooku.." Anakin replied with a scoff, weakly smiling, and shaking his head, looking down. The elder human man's smile faded, and he hummed quietly.

"So be it.." Dooku answered quietly, deactivating his curved lightsaber, and putting it away. As Anakin sighed, and closed his eyes, he could hear Barriss chuckle behind him.

The mirialan woman used the situation to her advantage, wanting to strike down the young Jedi once and for all. She raised her lightsaber up, and brought it down, proceeding to execute Anakin. Just as she was about to hit the man's neck, her hands stopped. Barriss' eyes widened, and she looked at Dooku with shock, as the Sith Lord reached out with his hand, having stopped her with the Force.

"Did I give you permission to execute him?" The elderly man asked, raising his eyebrow. Barriss gasped, not believing her ears.

"What!? He's already a dead man! Let me finish this!" She said loudly, frowning now. Dooku simply shook his head slowly.

"You failed to defeat Sora Bulq on Yavin 4, and you just failed to defeat Skywalker by yourself. Only thing you did was stab him in the back... and I will not let you get a cheap victory over him, by letting you kill him this way.." The Sith Lord explained, before abruptly pulling Barriss' lightsaber out of her hands. She breathed heavily, huffing with both anger, and fear.

"I'll be sure to inform my master of your incompetence... now come on.." Dooku said, turning around, and walking away from the room. Barriss' heart pounded in her chest.

She was deathly afraid of Darth Sidious killing her for her inability to kill both Anakin, and Bulq, but she also felt extreme anger and hatred for Dooku. She wanted to kill the old man so badly, but knew that she would only die herself, if she tried it now.

The two Dark Side users then left the break room, as Anakin stayed on his knees on the floor. After Barriss walked out of the room, the magnaguards following, the young Jedi Knight closed his eyes, and his body fell on the floor. The dying human man stayed still, accepting his fate, as he was falling unconscious.

"I'm sorry, Soka... my love..." He whispered quietly, after which he fell unconscious. Anakin's breathing became slower, as his heart rate dropped more and more. His body temperature was also falling fast, as death crept up on him.

As Barriss and Dooku walked on the hallway near the break room, the roughed and battle-worn Bulq suddenly appeared, walking from behind a corner in a fast pace. The weequay slightly bowed to his human master, showing him respect.

"Good, I found the two of you. We need to leave; a Republic fleet just jumped into the system. We're outgunned, so we should get out of here..." He explained, to which the elder Sith Lord simply nodded, quickly glancing at Barriss, and handing her lightsaber back to her.

"We're finished here. Let us return to the Invisible Hand. The rest of the occupants of this ship will die as we destroy it... Skywalker included. Come.." Dooku said, as he began to walk his way along the hallway. Bulq and Barriss followed the Sith Lord, the magnaguards also accompanying them.

In the following moments, the three Dark Side users exited the Peacemaker, boarding the Providence-class cruiser the Invisible Hand. They left behind a wake of death and absolute destruction, having caused the extinction of the Altisian Jedi. The handful of survivors still aboard the ship would be killed soon, as the Invisible Hand would blast the cruiser to space dust after a few minutes. The Sith had achieved a victory, a significant one in their quest to exterminate the entirety of the Jedi Order, and wipe out all Jedi in the Galaxy.

...

Ventress and Jonash hovered around Ahsoka's unmoving body, as they had just placed her on the medical bed inside the Stellar Envoy. The dathomirian woman panted slightly, getting all sort of life support equipment plugged into the unconscious togruta, who was in critical condition.

"We need to get her to a medical facility soon! These equipment won't keep her alive for long!" Ventress said in slight frustration, placing a breathing mask on Ahsoka's face. Jonash nodded, breathing heavily as he placed a kolto injector into the girl's arm, pushing the small needle into her skin.

"Kolto's all I have... but it's better than nothing.." He explained, sighing quietly, and rubbing his forehead.

Kolto was one of the two healing liquids used all over the Galaxy. Thousands of years ago, it was the main medical substance used to treat wounds both minor and critical. It was eventually replaced by the more effective bacta, although kolto would still be used as a secondary substance to this day.

"She needs a bacta tank at least! Let's just find a medical station.. and quickly!" Ventress replied, still doing all she could to give Ahsoka better chances at survival. Jonash nodded in agreement, before turning around to look at his son, who stood by.

"Han, get us to lightspeed! We need to get out of here!" He ordered, to which his son bit his lip, and rubbed his arm.

"Uh.. but to where?" The young boy asked, not knowing what to do. His father sighed, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Anywhere! Just hurry, son! I'm needed here for now.." Jonash replied, before returning his attention to trying to treat Ahsoka. Han nodded quickly, and then sprinted to the Envoy's cockpit, R2 following him.

As the boy and the astromech droid got to the cockpit after a short moment, Han immediately sat down. He frantically pressed dozens of buttons on the dashboard, turning off the ship's autopilot as well. As he took controls of the ship, R2 plugged himself in on the computer, accessing the hyperspace charts.

"Just pick some coordinates from the star charts, R2! Hurry!" Han said to the small droid, who chirped in an acknowledging response. R2 then picked the first coordinates that came up in the computers, and punched them in to the ship's navicomputer. After that, he chirped again, letting the young pilot know that everything was ready.

"Ready? Let's go then!" The boy said, tightly grabbing the hyperspace lever with his hand. He pushed the lever up, launching the Envoy to lightspeed.

The star elongated, as the Corellian freighter jumped to hyperspace, and left the Hoth system behind it. Han had no idea where R2 had set the ship's coordinates to, but the most important thing for them now, was to get away from the Separatists, and set course to the nearest medical station.

Ahsoka was still alive, barely. But the equipment aboard the Envoy could not keep her going for long, as they needed much more advanced supplies and equipment to save her life. Ventress, along with the Solos and R2, was determined to do just that, however. The dathomirian had not come this far, changed this much, to let one of her oldest rivals, and newest friends to die this way.

She, along with the rest of her group, had to do all they could, in order to save the young togruta, and they were determined to try their hardest. They were all in this together now, and leaving someone behind wasn't an option. They had however left Anakin behind, but Ventress was confident, that the young Jedi Knight would deal with Ahsoka's attacked easily, and find them after all had passed. She however had no idea, what had actually happened on the Peacemaker since they left...