A/N: Hello, welcome, and thank you to all the followers and reviewers. This was a very difficult chapter for me to write and I changed the major section of it a couple of times but I still managed to get it done a bit early. And so to make up for being a bit late with the last chapter, I'm posting early. I hope you like it. This will be the last chapter of filler; we will get into the action of Revenge of the Sith in the next.
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lolistarkiller: No, I've never watched the series but I always intended to include some of what happened in it in my story. :)
GreenonBlack: I'm glad you found me! Hope you continue to enjoy!
silentdove93: Thank you!
ColdOnePaul: I don't think she'll be constructing her own lightsaber in this but at least she'll be able to fix one. Hope you enjoy!
PrincessLeiaD: Your wish is granted. :)
highwayblues1: Umm...thanks? :) Hope that was a good "can't even."
KoraKendalls: I'm sorry! :)
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Only Kat and her story are mine. I'm merely inspired by George Lucas and the actors on screen.
Kat switched off the holonet. It was disheartening to say the least. So many battles. So many lives lost, so many altered forever. And for what? She just couldn't wrap her mind around the destruction and loss being inflicted upon the galaxy. So much had happened in the past several months. Dathomir, Onderon, the discovery of the survival of Darth Maul, the attack on the Jedi Temple and Ahsoka leaving the Order after being framed, Sundari ... What it would take to end it she did not know. More and more seemed to be hidden from her as the war stretched on. It seemed to correspond with the growing darkness she felt and she knew she wasn't alone. Obi-Wan had mentioned that he, along with many other Jedi, were feeling that their vision through the Force was being hindered by something. She did not like what it might portend but she tried not to dwell on it; it would cause her to go mad if she did.
At least she knew Obi-Wan was alive. Ever since that kiss on the veranda and all they had revealed to one another, she was easily able to hear him through the Force. She did not dare reach out to him, even from within the Temple, but he would find her, assuring her he was alright. It certainly relieved some of the tension she felt, though she dreaded the day when that connection might fall silent. She'd already suffered through his death once, she did not know how she would fare a second time. Kat forced her mind back to something much more pleasing. Thinking of those precious, stolen moments together caused a shiver of pleasure to wash over her. Even now her legs wanted to turn to some kind of gelatin substance at the thought of his kiss, the warmth of his body pressed against hers and his hands holding her close, the sensation of the Force swirling around them. That first kiss they'd shared before he'd left for Kamino had taken her breath away but she couldn't put into words all she had felt this time. The way Obi-Wan had allowed her in, had allowed her to see him had touched her in a way she'd never expected. To know how he felt about her, some of the thoughts he had harbored deep inside still took her breath away. She craved the end of this war so they could, hopefully, find a way to truly be together in every sense of the word.
A beep from her comlink pulled her from those thoughts. When she saw who it was from and listened to the message she became very still. Even Padmé, who was coming into the sitting room from her private office noticed and came hurriedly to her side.
"What is it? Is something wrong? Have you gotten bad news?"
Taking a deep breath, Kat shook her head. "No. It is from the Temple. Yoda and Mace Windu have asked me to come immediately ... and they've sent for Kane as well. They have a mission for us."
Worry flashed across Padmé's face for a brief second then she followed into her room, sitting on the bed while she watched Kat quickly change out of her dress. She was used to Anakin leaving like this but he was a Jedi, trained since he was nine years old, and he had Obi-Wan by his side. They were accustomed to battles and subterfuge and all the things that went into war. Not that she didn't think Kat was unprepared but ... she wasn't technically a Jedi and hadn't gone through nearly as much training. She was concerned for her friend's safety.
"Where will you be headed?"
"There were no details in the message, just the summons." She slipped her black vest on over the grey tunic and slipped her lightsaber into one of the hidden pockets before quickly pulling her hair up in a tail.
Kat turned and looked at her friend. "Don't think I am not aware of the risks, I am, but I have to trust in the judgment of Master Yoda and Master Windu. If I can't trust them to believe in me, how can I believe in myself?"
"Sometimes I forget you can read me as easily as Anakin. If you were going into this with him or Obi-Wan at your side, I would not be concerned in the least bit."
"I'd prefer to be doing this with Obi-Wan as well," Kat quipped, bringing a grin to the other woman's face. "I'm not completely unprepared and I will have to trust in the Force to guide me the rest of the way."
"I will still worry."
"I would hope so! What kind of a friend would you be if you didn't?"
Padmé laughed and followed Kat back out of the room and to the turbolift. She waited for Kat to throw her cloak over her shoulders and then gave her a tight hug of farewell.
"May the Force be with you, Katavé."
They stood before Masters Yoda and Windu, hands clasped respectfully behind their backs, waiting for the orders they were sure to come. Kat could feel it around her; this was what she had been working towards all this time. She only hoped she would not fail the Jedi.
"We have received a distress signal from one of the moons of Oba Diah," Mace began. "It is from a Jedi vessel that disappeared over ten years ago."
"Piloted by Master Sifo-Dyas this ship was." Kat felt a slight jolt at the mention of the long dead Jedi, though Kane showed no visible signs of recognition. Yoda's eyes remained on her as he continued. "Long have Finis Valorum and I searched for information on Sifo-Dyas. Thought him dead on Felucia. Tells us a different story, this beacon does."
"The two of you, along with a small squad of clones, will travel to the moon, and possibly Oba Diah itself, locate the ship, and see what information you can uncover about Master Sifo-Dyas's fate." Kat could hear the unspoken order behind Mace's words: find any information on who continued to control the clone production after his death. She nodded slightly. "Katavé, you are the commander for this mission and the clones will do nothing without your order."
"Great. When do we leave?" Kane asked with a good-natured smile.
It was not a one day trip to Oba Diah. Once again Kat found herself stuck in a ship, hurtling through the hyperspace lanes for days. Kane teased her a bit over that but other than their back and forth verbal sparring the trip was boring and uneventful. He tried to teach her how to play sabacc but she was just no good at it, something that drew some laughs from the five clone troopers with them. Still, it kept her occupied and it was at least fun to attempt to learn the game. She also discovered he had a wicked sense of humor, which kept her thoroughly entertained.
"Looking at my uncle you would never expect me to have such a hidden side, would you?" he queried with a grin as they once again were sitting at a table with the sabacc cards in front of them.
"I try not to make any judgments based on looks; they can be quite deceiving." She looked up at him with a smile. "I could see the energy in your eyes the first time we met."
"Life is too short to be dull and sedate." He leaned over the table with a smirk. "So what secrets do you still hold, Lady Diaanti?"
She wasn't fooled. "I guess you'll just have to find out as they pop up." He produced a winning card and she sighed. "Skill at sabacc is not one, however."
Kane threw back his head and laughed.
"I believe you will surprise me someday, Kat. I've caught that devious sparkle in your eyes on more than one occasion so I know there's more than just a Senator's attendant lurking in there."
She pursed her lips primly, trying not to laugh, and handed him her cards. "Like I said, I guess you will have to wait and see."
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When the alarms sounded, alerting them to their imminent arrival at Oba Diah, she and Kane quickly prepared themselves for landing before heading to join their pilot. Checking their position Kat initiated the cloaking device on the ship before they exited hyperspace near the planet.
"One of the perks of using a Jedi vessel I suppose," Kane remarked, standing behind her seat in the cockpit. The streaming lines of stars came to a sudden halt and the blue planet loomed before them.
"We have not been spotted, Commander, and I have located the position of the crash site," the pilot, Captain Bicc, told her. "Should I land on the moon now?"
She reached out lightly, searching to see if they had indeed arrived unspotted, and was content with what she felt in the Force. "Yes, but remain alert. I don't know what kind of sensors the Pyke Syndicate may have. It would not suit my tastes if we were shot down now."
"Nor mine. I wouldn't want to deprive the ladies of Coruscant of my dashing good looks and gentlemanly manner."
Kat merely snorted and she thought she heard a chuckle from within the depths of Captain Bicc's helmet.
Once the ship was set down she sent a quick communication to the Council to inform them they had landed safely and were about to approach the shuttle, keeping the channel on so they could watch via hologram. The clones followed Kat and Kane down the ramp, blasters at the ready. She quickly checked the chrono before they headed down. It would soon be night and the loss of the sun would plunge the temperature to a point where they would have to retreat back to the ship. There wasn't much time. They stepped out onto a desert planet that vaguely reminded her of Tatooine, however without the two suns it wasn't nearly as hot. There was no lack of sand, though, and she wrapped a thin scarf around her face and head in the hopes that it would keep some of the grit out of her mouth. For a moment she envied the clones in their full head helmets; at least they didn't have to worry about sand in their eyes.
"The crash site is just over there beyond that sand dune, Commander Diaanti," Bicc said, gesturing with his blaster.
Though it was somewhat submerged in a sand drift there was no mistaking the make or the markings. It was unquestionably a T-6 shuttle. Stumbling around it they located the hatch and the clones quickly shoveled away the sand blocking it. With some prying they were able to get it open and Kat, after telling the clones to investigate the surrounding area, cautiously entered. Sand had even managed to find ways inside as there was a thin coating on most of the surfaces and controls.
"Uncle sent his aid, Silman, with Master Sifo-Dyas. He said if we came across any of his belongings he would be grateful for their return."
"I suppose the living quarters are back this way," she said in a hushed voice. It seemed wrong to speak loudly where two people had lost their lives. She dug around in the two bunks while Kane sifted through some of the things that had been thrown onto the floor. There wasn't much there.
"I believe this is Silman's datapad." She glanced over her shoulder to where Kane was wiping sand off the device. "Perhaps this can give uncle and the Council some information as to what happened." He slipped it into the bag over his shoulder and began searching through the few cabinets. Kat had come up empty in her search and was turning away from the bunks when something whispered at her to look again. She turned back and eyed the bottom bunk. Then, hardly knowing why she did it, she ran her fingers along the inside of the bed frame. There was a quiet click and a narrow compartment slid open. Inside lay a lightsaber. She picked it up reverently and closed her eyes as she held it. There was a quick vision of a dark haired man stowing the saber in the compartment and she thought she detected the sound of an explosion.
"Kat? What are you doing? Did you find something?" Kane pulled her from her reverie. She approached him, holding out the saber hilt. He gave a low whistle. "Well, that certainly confirms that this was the ship he was on."
Thinking of what she had seen in that short vision, she headed towards the front of the ship. She wanted to see the controls.
"Kane, tell the troopers to inspect the outside of the hull. I want to know if there is clear evidence of it being shot by something."
"Why would you think that?" he asked skeptically.
"Just do it."
Once she was in the cockpit she pulled the cover off one of the control panels, knowing the proof she needed would be under it.
"How did you know?"
She didn't even look back at Kane, just stared at the singed and melted wiring and circuits. "A T-6 is a very reliable shuttle or else the Jedi would not utilize them. All we knew was that the ship crashed. There is nothing in the moon's atmosphere that could cause such a thing to happen."
He mulled over her words as she inserted a datachip to download any information Sifo-Dyas or Silman had entered into the computer. "He and Silman were on their way to Felucia. Why would someone shoot them down?"
"Why indeed?" She came to her feet and returned to the main hold of the ship, running her hands along the walls, hoping to sense something through the Force. "There's something else missing here."
Kane glanced around then shrugged.
"If they died as the result of a random crash caused by something in the atmosphere, the door was sealed, so where are they?"
"There are no bodies," he said, his eyes wide as the realization hit him.
"This was done on purpose." Closing her eyes she strengthened her touch into the Force, pleading with it to show her who had killed Sifo-Dyas. All she saw was the Pyke Syndicate and she didn't believe for one moment that they would just shoot down a Jedi shuttle randomly.
"Kat ...?" She opened her eyes to find Kane staring at her, his face full of confusion. His thoughts were easily read but she didn't bother to answer.
"We need to get this ship back to the Temple so it can be thoroughly looked over." As the words left her mouth she was suddenly aware that something was approaching outside and turned towards the shuttle's entrance.
"Kat, what were - "
"Commander!" one of the clones yelled. They dashed back out of the ship and came to an abrupt halt.
It was almost like something out of one of her normal nightmares, the ones where she recalled the Battle for Naboo. There before them was a white skinned Twi'lek, clothed in black, her red lightsaber now hovering over the lifeless body of the clone.
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Obi-Wan strolled back through the Temple, slowly making his way away from the speeder hanger. The older Jedi knew where his former apprentice wanted to go, he'd never been able to conceal his emotions where Padmé was concerned, but he had refrained from saying anything. Anakin was a man grown and would have to deal with any consequences himself if their secret was discovered. He would have made a trip to the same destination but it would have raised too many questions that he didn't want to answer at the moment.
"Master Kenobi." He turned to see a young Jedi, one he vaguely recognized as training with Jocasta Nu in the Archives approaching him.
"How can I help you, young one?"
"I know you are friends with Lady Diaanti and I was wondering if there had been any word from her?"
"I'm not sure I quite understand."
"Master Yoda and Master Windu had me bring her here several days ago. I believe they sent her off planet. I had not been called to return her to the Senator's apartment and I was curious if you had any information."
He hoped his face was impassive even though a sickening weight had suddenly settled in his middle. "I have just returned from off planet myself, I'm afraid, so I can be of no help to you at the moment. However I was just on my way to speak with Master Yoda and if I learn anything I will be sure to let you know."
"Thank you, Master Kenobi." The young man gave him a bow and turned in the direction of the Archives. Obi-Wan didn't even wait for him to be out of sight before heading to the Council's communication control room. He now wished he had reached out to her days ago but he and Anakin had been busy finishing up their own mission and he hadn't considered the possibility she wouldn't be safe on Coruscant. When the door slid open he pushed most of his anxiety away; the Council members would be able to sense his worry and he didn't want them to see anything more than a concerned friend. Yoda and Mace were there along with Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"Returned you have, Master Kenobi. Successful your mission was?"
"Indeed. The planet has vouched its support for the Republic." He knew they were waiting for him to explain his presence. "I encountered one of the young Jedi training under Jocasta Nu who asked me if I had heard from Lady Diaanti. I was unaware that she was not on the capital."
Mace answered though Obi-Wan knew Yoda was watching him closely. "Yes, she was sent with Kane Valorum to investigate a distress beacon we received from the moon of Oba Diah."
"Who is in trouble?"
"From the long lost ship of Master Sifo-Dyas this signal came."
"How is that possible?"
"That is what she was sent to find out," Ki-Adi-Mundi replied, never turning from the control panel he was watching.
"We are hoping there will be some answers to be found within the shuttle that will tell us more about what happened and possibly even clues as to who took control of the clones' production after Sifo-Dyas's death," Mace explained.
Obi-Wan nodded and opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by a cry from over the com.
"Commander!"
The title surprised him and his heart almost jumped into his throat when they heard the unmistakable sound of a lightsaber and a dark robed form appeared in the hologram. Kat and Kane's forms rushed into view and Obi-Wan cringed when he watched her ignite her own lightsaber. They heard a few words pass between the two and then the creature leapt at her. As their blades met all communication went black.
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"Well, well, what an interesting thing to discover in such a place," the figure purred.
Kat felt what she knew was the Force hum with strength within her and it seemed like all her senses were suddenly extremely aware of everything. She could sense the Twi'lek's Force sensitivity and instantly recognized that while she was not highly trained she was strong in the Force. She stared at the dark figure, memories of that moment in the Naboo hanger rushing back to her. Then, it had been Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stepping up to engage their adversary. This time ... she was alone. Kane would not be much help in this. She was not worried for herself; she had known the risks in accepting a mission from the Council. No, she was worried that they would be cut down before being able to transmit the information they had discovered to the Temple. Kat could not allow that to happen. All she needed to do was keep her occupied while moving in the direction of their ship and perhaps that would allow Kane the cover he needed to get on board and send the transmission. All that flashed through her mind in the scant moment the two eyed each other. Taking a steadying breath she pulled her lightsaber from its hiding place, igniting the blade, its silvery glow illuminating the rapidly darkening air around them.
"Kat?" She could hear the shock and confusion in Kane's voice behind her but she ignored him, her attention never wavering from the female in front of her. She had felt her momentary surprise when she'd revealed her weapon. That could work in her favor.
"Stay behind me," was all she said to her companion as she brought her blade up to a defensive position. She would not make the first move; she wanted to have as much time as possible to assess her opponent's skill and strength.
"Who are you?" The voice purred again, though Kat caught the slightest hint of confusion behind the words.
"I'm no one."
A smirk. "My master was correct. He said the Jedi would come snooping around eventually. I will enjoy this." Flinging a hand in the direction of the ship they had arrived in, she leapt at Kat, her orange eyes bright and the red of her lightsaber making an arc in the growing darkness. There was a spark as her silver blade made contact with the other and she easily parried the blow. Taking a step backwards she blocked the next attack but did not try to make one of her own, electing to remain on the defensive until she knew what the Twi'lek was capable of. She had hoped to be able to move the fight closer to their ship but her opponent wasn't taking the bait. As she blocked another strong thrust she realized she wouldn't be able to keep Kane safe like this.
"Get back to the ship!" she yelled. She felt, rather than saw, him comply. However before Kat knew what was happening the Twi'lek managed to get a Force push on her and pulled a blaster out, firing at Kane.
"No!" she cried as she saw him collapse. Anger bloomed in her chest as she glared at the figure turning back to her.
She felt it.
For the first time she felt the temptation that tried to slither its way in like a Kodashi viper. The temptation of revenge. As she pulled herself to her feet, Kat felt something urging her to use that anger, to draw from it to get her more strength.
She felt it and recognized it for what it was: the Dark Side. That knowledge made her grit her teeth together in irritation. How dare it assume she could be so easily tempted? Bringing her blade up once more she took a deep breath, concentrating on the Light, and let its warmth and clarity guide her. Without someone behind her to protect, she quickly went on the offensive. Kat had expected to be nervous or afraid when or if she ever had to face a lightsaber wielding adversary but instead she only felt a sense of purpose and calm.
Back and forth they went. She could feel something thrumming through her veins and it felt like her lightsaber truly was an extension of her body, seeming to move where needed without conscious thought on her part. It allowed her to focus on the female on the other side of the red blade. Her original perception of the Twi'lek's lack of formal training was holding firm but that did not take away from the natural strength and skill she possessed. This was not someone swinging around a lightsaber they had just happened to find lying around. She knew how to use it. It almost felt like a dance as they moved around each other, each trying to get past the other's defenses. Kat hissed in pain but did not falter when the red blade managed to slip by and slashed towards her side. Only a quick push through the Force that caused her adversary to stumble back a few steps gave her a chance to spin away in time to avoid a fatal blow.
A cold wind kicked up sand, blowing it around them and she realized they were about to be plunged into darkness. She needed to see to Kane. This needed to end. Almost as if the Force was telling her what to do, the memory of her lightsaber duel with Obi-Wan came to mind. Even before the thought was formed she acted on it. Thrusting her blade hard to the side she brought her leg up and landed a hard kick in the Twi'lek's midsection. In the split second she was doubled over Kat thrust upwards, sending her blade through the other's chest. There was a long pause as those orange eyes stared at her, disbelief clear in them. Then she crumpled to the ground and was still.
Kat was frozen in place for a moment, trying to take in what had just happened. Never before had she taken a life; the droids she'd shot in Theed palace did not count. She wasn't exactly sure how she felt about it but knew now was not the time to be analytical. Thumbing off her lightsaber she ran to where her friend had fallen.
"Kane!" she cried, falling to her knees in the sand next to him. Amazingly he opened his eyes to look up at her. She ran her hands over him quickly, trying to find where he'd been hit. She sucked in a deep breath when she did. It didn't require a healer to see that he would not be able to survive the injury. She thumbed her comlink and hailed Commander Bicc, urging him to hurry.
"You have to get this information back to my uncle and Master Yoda." His voice was weak and she took his hand, hoping to give him some comfort.
"Just hold on, Kane. I'll get you to the ship and we can - "
"No. It's alright. I know I don't have long." He gripped her hand. "I am glad I met you, Kat. Though I am aware you couldn't return my feelings, I've been in love with you since the moment you walked into my uncle's estate."
Tears stung at her eyes. "I am so sorry, Kane," she whispered.
He gave her a small smile. "Don't feel guilty. I was just thrilled to gain your friendship." Kane captured her gaze. "You must let them know what we uncovered here. They must send someone back."
She nodded, holding his hand tighter. "I will, do not worry." Leaning over she pressed a gentle kiss on his lips. He smiled up at her and then his eyes closed.
"Commander!" Bicc ran to her side, the other clones behind him. "I couldn't hail you on the com. Something was jamming the transmission."
She nodded, remembering how the Twi'lek had flung her hand in the direction of their ship, apparently using the Force to disrupt communications. Which meant the Council had no idea what was going on.
"We must get him to the ship," was all she said though.
Once they were back on board she directed them to retrieve the body of their fallen comrade and then to haul the crashed shuttle into their holding bay. Everything was done as she commanded and it wasn't long before Captain Bicc had them making the jump into hyperspace. One of the clones offered her a mug of something but she declined. She just needed to be alone. When she was in her small room she pulled Sifo-Dyas's lightsaber and the datapad from Kane's bag and sat them on the table before her. For quite some time she just sat there, staring at them. A few tears finally escaped as she thought about Kane. Had she failed? Yes, they had located the shuttle but in the process two people had lost their lives. Shouldn't she have been able to stop that? Closing her eyes she reached out into the Force, needing the comfort it could provide. It had been some time since she had meditated. Almost immediately she felt a calmness settle over her.
She had not failed and she had done what was needed. Taking a life was not something done lightly and her worry was natural but her actions were not wrong. More importantly she had sensed and identified and then denied the influence of the Dark Side.
Opening her eyes Kat could tell the tenseness was gone from her body. She placed the lightsaber and datapad back in Kane's bag and left the room. The communication system had been messed with and she needed let the Council know what had happened in the sands of Oba Diah.