Chapter XII – Chasing Ghosts

Darkness flows in and betwixt the passages of the mind of Asajj Ventress, mingling and dancing with pain and fear creating one question followed by the next. There are still corners of her body asking her to accept the offer of power and a return to the dark side of the force to be strong again. But is it true strength or just an illusion, can you really be strong if you are left in solitude with no one to depend on but yourself? But when you care for others and make their fate your own, do you open yourself up to more pain, is it true strength to die for another.

Thoughts continue to swirl about her mind until they become visions, which turn to memories of darkness and flames tearing at her body as it begins to recall its travails against her former master.

"NO, I WON'T GO BACK," she screams as her eyes open and seek to adjust to the light about the room in which she rests. Her breaths are quick and heavy as she sits up in the bed and looks around the medical ward where she sees Aayla Secura sitting in a chair.

"Asajj, calm down, you are safe," Aayla Secura says with concern etched on her face, as she rises from the chair and approaches the bed.

"Where, where am I?" Ventress asks confused as she continues to look around the room, her head pounding and her eyes still strained.

"You're on a medical frigate, on your way back to Coruscant," Secura answers her.

"The last thing I remember is being on the listening post, and it collapsing all around us from all the explosions," Ventress says laying back on the bed and looking up at the ceiling.

"It seems the clones carried us both from the station, but they say if you had not held the door, none of us would have made it," Secura says bowing her head to Ventress.

"You need not bow to me Master Secura," Ventress says shaking her head and extending her hand to the Twi'lek Jedi who she has come to consider one of the only Jedi she can trust in the temple as well as a friend.

"I know that Master Kenobi has told you to let go of your pride, but that does not mean that you cannot accept the gratitude of the one whose life you saved."

"But why was it necessary, Count Dooku should not have been there without us knowing," Ventress says angrily as she sits up on her elbows and forearms. "Whoever gave the Jedi that intelligence led us into that trap, we need to find out where it came from," she continues.

"Perhaps you can ask the Jedi Council when you reach Coruscant."

"I think the question would be better coming from you Aayla," Ventress says looking away.

"I would if I were returning to Coruscant with you, but I have been given orders to take a battle group to Felucia to reinforce the troops there," Secura explains, and she begins to loathe the idea of returning to the Jedi Temple alone, without either of the people who make her feel like she belongs there.

"I wish you were returning to the temple with me Aayla."

"Because you do not think you have anyone there who wishes to see you become a Jedi Knight, or that those on the council will not believe you because they distrust you," Secura says, and Ventress can only nod her head.

"The Council has been sent reports of our encounter on the listening post by Captain Hunter as well as myself, they will not look past what you did upon that station," Secura says, but even her words are not enough to sway Ventress to the idea that she will ever be fully accepted or trusted in the temple.

"If you truly wish to walk this path then you must trust them eventually," Secura says rising from the bed. "Master Yoda is of fair mind, he will listen to you and not judge, but you may want to stay away from Master Windu," she continues with a smile. "It will be hard to gain his trust."

"Someone is coming," Ventress says as both Jedi look to the door, where Commander Bly enters the room.

"Good to see you up and around sir," Rex says nodding his head to Ventress. "General Kenobi has just completed his most recent mission and has asked to speak with you," Bly informs them.

"Your Master worries for you so, that he has sought to see of your welfare before even contacting the temple," Secura says as Ventress tries to slide out of the bed only to discover that she still has not recovered from her injuries. Her side is on fire with pain as she swings her feet onto the floor and tries to stand straight up.

"You may require another session in the bacta tank before you return to Coruscant," Bly says.

"I will be fine Commander," Ventress says as they follow Bly from the medical ward through the corridors of the ship to the communication room where holo images of Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker sit above the transmitter.

"Greetings Master," Ventress says bowing her head to Obi-Wan. "Skywalker," she says bowing her head to him as well.

Obi-Wan shakes his head as he looks at her before he begins to rub his beard, she is not sure what to make of his demeanor until a small grin grows on his face.

"Why am I not surprised to see my padawan in a medical robe," Obi-Wan says shaking his head again. "But since you are both standing there in one piece, can I assume that your mission was a success?" He asks, but the Ventress only turns her head and looks at Secura.

"Yes Master, but it was more complicated then we first thought, when we reached the command computer Count Dooku was waiting for us," Ventress says, causing a look of disbelief and confusion to jump upon the face of Obi-Wan Kenobi, as the face Anakin Skywalker contorts in anger.

"Dooku, but we're supposed to be on the trail of Count Dooku, how could he be on the listening post," Obi-Wan asks with hints of anger and frustration in his voice.

"I cannot be a coincidence, you on a wild Bantha chase, and Count Dooku being at the very place I was sent on a mission," Ventress says trying to hold back her anger and remove the accusatory tone from her voice.

"What do you mean?" Anakin questions.

"We believe it was a trap, set so that Dooku could turn Ventress back to the dark side of the force," Aayla Secura responds.

There is a moment of silence as Obi-Wan and Anakin look at each other with confusion on both their faces, mixing with anger.

"I could have just been bad intelligence," Anakin says shaking his head.

"No Skywalker, Dooku was there for me. When we dueled he was not trying to kill me, he was trying to turn me back to the dark side, it was his only goal in our encounter," Ventress says slamming the bottom of her fist into her hand.

"I must agree with the padawan, Dooku had a chance to kill me, but instead he chose to torture me in front of Ventress to seek to anger her," Secura says dropping her head and looking off to her left.

"But here you stand, how is it that you were able to escape without falling into your anger as you did on Malis?" Obi-Wan asks as visions of her in the clearing on Malis swirl in her head and begin to mingle with memories of facing Dooku upon the listening post.

"I made my focus saving Master Secura rather than killing Dooku," Ventress responds as she looks over at Secura who raises her head and smiles. "I was able to keep him occupied until Master Secura recovered and could aid me," she adds.

"But we could not defeat the Sith, so I ordered the ARC's set of the charges while we were still aboard the station, and Dooku fled so that he would not be caught in the explosion," Master Secura explains.

"But Master I have no doubt in my mind that it was a trap, everything from us being split apart, and you being sent far away, to me being sent to that station," Ventress says.

"The Jedi gave those orders," Anakin blurts angrily as he steps closer to the screen. "Are you accusing the Jedi of sending you into a trap with Count Dooku?" He questions.

"That was not Jedi intelligence," Ventress responds. "It came from someone close to chancellor, and I believe it is someone in his inner circle that is aiding the Sith, perhaps even…"

"Don't you dare finish that," Anakin shouts, his lips trembling and his fist clinched tightly at his side. "The chancellor is a good man, and the leader of the Republic, you will not disparage him, you serve him."

"Calm down Anakin, this is not helping us find out what happened," Obi-Wan pleads with Anakin, before Commander Rex steps up behind them.

"Sir, there is an incoming message from the Jedi Temple," Rex says coming to attention.

"Patch into this one Rex," Obi-Wan says as Rex nods his head and signals another clone to patch in the message. They all look to their left where an image of Master Yoda and Master Windu appear.

"Greetings Masters," Ventress says bowing her head.

"Greetings padawan, read the report of the ARC troopers and Master Secura we have, very impressed by your actions on the station we are," Yoda says.

"We are still trying to discover how an intelligence error so large could have been made, that we did not know that Count Dooku would be there," Master Windu says.

"I do not feel that it was a mistake Masters, Dooku knew that I would be there, he was waiting for me, to attempt to turn me back to the dark side," Ventress says.

"There is nothing to prove that anyone involved in gathering that intelligence has any ties to the Sith," Anakin says angrily.

"True that is not," Yoda says, causing a look of utter confusion to fall over the faces of all the Jedi.

"What do you mean Master Yoda?" Obi-Wan asks with his voice breaking.

"We have been investigating the possibility of a Sith Lord controlling the Senate, and our intelligence led us to the LiMerge Power building in the Works, and there we found evidence that the Sith have been using that building for some time, perhaps even to train," Windu explains before he shakes his head. "There were destroyed combat droids all around the building, all having been destroyed by lightsaber," he continues.

"How could we have missed this for so long?" Obi-Wan asks.

"That is of no concern now, we have just received word that our clone battalion on Tythe has come under attack by General Grievous," Master Windu says.

"What does this have to do with finding the Sith?" Master Secura asks.

"The headquarters of LiMerge Power is on Tythe, and we also have intelligence that Count Dooku has made his way there after the encounter on the listening post," Windu replies.

"Trying to cover their tracks they are," Master Yoda says.

"Master Kenobi we need you and Skywalker to take your battle group to Tythe and retake the planet before they Sith can destroy the evidence of the Sith Lord and his ties to the Senate," Master Windu orders.

"Will I be allowed to rejoin my Master, he will need my help on this mission?" Ventress asks.

"Return to the Jedi Temple you will, still injured you are," Yoda says shaking his head.

"But Master," Ventress pleads.

"Even if you were not still injured, it would take too long for you join with Obi-Wan's battle group, and time is of the essence," Master Windu explains, and given the circumstances she must concede.

"I understand Master," Ventress says bowing her head.

She is overcome suddenly with fear, and her thoughts are filled with questions of the words she has just heard and the mission they are setting the Jedi upon.

"My Masters, don't you feel this is all a little too convenient?" Ventress asks, her thoughts becoming darker, her feelings uneasy.

"You think this intelligence is false as well my padawan?' Obi-Wan asks.

"Remember what I told you on Boz Pity Master. Some of my last words to you?"

"You told me to protect the core worlds," Obi-Wan replies.

"Yes Master, for the Sith are all about diversion and misdirection, they will show you one thing, but the obvious is never their true intention," Ventress explains as her mind seeks to recall visions of her days as the apprentice of Count Dooku.

"What are you saying?" Master Secura asks.

"I think it is the plan of the Sith to attack the core worlds, maybe even Coruscant itself," Ventress answers.

"That is outrageous, it makes no sense," Anakin says angrily.

"There are less and less Jedi on Coruscant, and even now the two of you leave for Tythe, and Aayla is on her way to Felucia, they may be spreading our forces out and keeping them outside of the range of help should they be needed," Ventress counters looking at Anakin, whose face still shows signs of anger.

"All hyperspace routes leading into Coruscant are monitored, we would have ample notice of a Separatist attack should they seek to invade Coruscant, so be at ease padawan," Master Windu says.

"We will leave for Tythe immediately masters," Obi-Wan says.

"Very well, may the Force be with you," Master Windu says before the image of Master Windu and Master Yoda disappears.

"Anakin, go and prepare the men, I will be there shortly," Obi-Wan says to Anakin who bows his head and exits the image. "Master Secura, may I have a word with my padawan?" Obi-Wan asks of Master Secura who bows her head to Master Kenobi.

"I will be in the hanger if you wish to see me off," Master Secura says before she exits the room.

"Yes Master, you wished a word with me," Ventress says bowing her head.

"Yes my padawan, I wish to ask you to be more careful in the choice of your words, especially when it comes to the chancellor, for Anakin considers him a friend and our words may make their way back to him," Obi-Wan says.

"I knew it Master, you do not trust the Chancellor or those around him anymore than I."

"No, there is something about this mission that makes me very uneasy as well, especially given the circumstances of your last missions, I have no doubt in my mind it was a trap," he says rubbing his beard with his hand. "But I have not sensed the dark side when I am around the Senate or those who serve the Chancellor."

"Because the dark side has clouded your minds so that you and the other Jedi can no longer see it," Ventress replies. "But having been part of it so I can feel it, and it surrounded your mission the moment I heard Master Windu assign it to you." Ventress explains and for a few moments Obi-Wan stands in silence.

"Be mindful when you return to Coruscant Ventress, I will return as soon as we have accomplished our mission," Obi-Wan says.

"Yes Master Kenobi, may the force be with you," Ventress says bowing her head before the transmission stops and the holo image of her master vanishes.

Ventress returns to her quarters and though still in some pain discards her medical robe to once again dawn the garb of the Jedi. She makes her way down the hallway to the lift, which she takes down to the hanger where she sees Aayla Secura talking with Commander Bly and Captain Hunter.

"Are you going to Felucia as well?" Ventress asks of Captain Hunter.

"No, we are being sent on missions throughout the outer rim," Captian Hunter answers. "But we will not forget working with you Commander Ventress, or that you are the reason we can still aid the Republic."

"You returned the favor Captain, I would not be here right now if not for you and the rest of Omicron Squad," Ventress says bowing her head.

"If you ever require our aid, we have a dedicated frequency just for our squad, call us and we will be there Commander," Captain Hunter says handing a data pad to Ventress, who nods her head.

"May the force be with you Captian," Ventress says before Captain Hunter walks away towards a cruiser.

"I have something to give you as well," Secura says, before she reaches into a pouch and pulls out a stone that looks to be ablaze.

"What is it?" Ventress asks, her gaze fixated upon the stone.

"It is called the Heart of Fire, they come from the planet Kiffu, where it is tradition to give them to someone you consider a close friend," Secura says placing the stone in Ventress' hand and closing it around it. "Perhaps it will be a reminder of the acceptance that awaits you should you complete your journey to become a Jedi."

"Thank you, I will treasure it always," Ventress says continuing to stare at the stone. "I do not know what to say."

"Say that you will give the Jedi a chance with an open mind," Secura pleads with Ventress. "They are not bad people Asajj and they are worthy of your trust, you have left all of your past behind except your disdain for the Jedi Order," she continues amidst the words of Commander Bly informing General Secura that it is time to join the battle group so that they can depart for Felucia. "It has been my honor to fight alongside you Asajj Ventress," Secura says bowing her head. "Until the force sees it fit to bring us together again."

"May the force be with you Aayla," Ventress says bowing her head, before Aayla Secura turns and boards a cruiser along with Commander Bly.

Ventress watches as the cruiser exits the hanger and speeds the nearest Venator Class star destroyer. She looks down at the stone burning like fire in her hand, and thinks about the words of the one who gifted it to her.

"Be well my friend."