Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 25 "The Seeds of Corruption – part 4."
The Silver Tounge, Medical Bay.
Master Plo Koon woke up to the sounds of blaster fire coming from outside of the medical bay. The Kel Dor immediately noticed that in a spot where his antiox breath mask should be, he had some kind of respirator that provided him with dorim gas and helium. But he spotted his specialized mask on the table right next to him. Grabbing the mask, he detached the respirator and put his antiox breath mask back on.
The Jedi Master spotted Anakin lying on the nearby table. After getting up he walked over to the human and put a hand on his shoulder. "Skywalker, are you alright ?" Asked the Kel Dor, shaking Anakin's shoulder.
The young Jedi groaned and slowly opened his eyes. "Ughhh... Master Plo Koon ?" Anakin slowly sit up looking very sleepyheaded.
"Where are we and where is Ahsoka ?" Asked Master Plo.
Anakin's eyes snapped open, recalling what happened. "Darth Enigma took my energy for some healing technique, in order to heal you," he replied, following up with questions. "What's happening ? Why I keep hearing blaster fire ?"
"I don't know," replied Master Plo. "I just woke up just like you."
Suddenly the door opened with a hiss and a B1-S droid quickly entered the medical bay, closing the door behind him and aiming at the two Jedi with a modified model 434 heavy blaster pistol. "Recommendation: Freeze meatbags !"
"Those words... HK ?!" Anakin opened his eyes wide.
"Confirmation: Yes it is I, HK - X8. Statement: The young Master Deiven has given me a task to save you pathetic meatbags from the clutches of the Separatists." HK lowered his blaster and reached for his holster inbuilt in his thigh plate. Pulling out two lightsabers he tossed them to Anakin and Plo Koon.
"You're a lifesaver HK," said Anakin catching his own lightsaber. He still was feeling very tired, but he knew he had to endure it for everyone's sake. "Do you happen to know where is Ahsoka ?"
"Statement: The bonebag's last know location is the maximum security prison section."
"We need to get there quick," said Anakin, getting up from the medical bed and slapping himself in the face in order to not fall asleep again.
"I agree," said Master Plo.
"Advice: Follow my trail of scraped droids that I left. It will lead you to the hangar and a shuttle that has the coordinates of the prison."
"Did you came here alone ?" Master Plo asked, still hearing a blaster fire outside
"Confirmation: Yes I did. Explanation: The commotion you're hearing outside is the fight between the Separatist droids and the Republic clone troopers, that I've liberated."
"You're coming with us ?" Asked Master Plo.
"Negative: My mission was to free you and the clones, so you could escape on your own. The Separatist cannot find out that I was here. I will return to the Silent Shadow and departure."
"We understand," said Plo Koon. "Anyhow, you've done enough droid."
HK nodded and stormed out of the medical bay in the holographic disguise of B1-S droid. Anakin and Plo Koon activated their lightsabers. "Let's get out of here," said Anakin.
"After you Skywalker," said Plo Koon.
Planet Belsavis, Belsavis Prison, Maximum Security Section – Underground Corridors.
All three corridors that led off to the junction were just full of screaming and laughing psychopaths. Some of them were even attacking each other in an animalistic frenzy. Ahsoka, Darth Enigma, and B1-S droid were standing in the middle of the corridor junction, each one defending one corridor entrance, except the one from which they came.
"How many of those maniacs are here ?!" Exclaimed Darth Enigma, cutting down the crazy convicts one after another. B1-S droid was aiming precisely at the heads, killing the convicts without any remorse just like Darth Enigma, who didn't pull any punches, whereas Ahsoka was using the Shii-Cho lightsaber form in conjunction with Jar'Kai style and precise force-pushes to incapacitate them. It was difficult for Ahsoka to fight so many people and not to hurt them at the same time. For her, it was much easier to fight droids, than living, sentient beings.
Maybe it was the darkness limiting the visibility, maybe it was the fatigue or maybe Ahsoka was just deconcentrated by the throng of thoughts, but when one of the inmates lunged at the young Togruta with a knife, she swung her lightsaber to aggressively. Thereby cutting in half not only the knife but also the human's hand.
Ahsoka opened her eyes in shock and for a second she was just gawking at the screaming inmate. It was enough time for an another human to jump at the young Togruta knocking her down, whereby she dropped her lightsabers.
Turning his head, Darth Enigma saw how the inmates started leaping on Ahsoka one after another, beating, biting, scratching and even groping the much younger alien in intimate places. "Noo! Let me go ! Ahhh !" The young Togruta screamed, pinned to the ground, unable to escape from the convict's grasps.
Turning on his heel, Darth Enigma released a powerful force push in the direction of the inmates and Ahsoka, sending the humans flying backward. Running up to the Togruta, he picked her up bride style and turned to the B1-S droid. "We can't just stay here, we need to push through !" He exclaimed, using the force to pull Ahsoka's lightsabers to him and put them into his pocket.
"Roger, roger," the droid begun to charge forward and simultaneously shooting the inmates, while Darth Enigma was running behind him, holding Ahsoka in his arms. The prisoners were relentlessly chasing them, screaming and cursing maniacally all the time.
After a few minutes of a wild chase, B1-S droid finally spotted a door. Hitting a door panel he opened it and took a step aside, letting in Darth Enigma, who was still holding Ahsoka. Aiming and shooting at the door panel he dashed into the room, just before the door closed behind him.
Shortly after that, all three could hear a rough bashing at the door accompanied by the screams and laughter. "The door is very solid and the panel is destroyed, they won't get in," stated the droid.
"Good, a breather," said Darth Enigma. When he tried to put Ahsoka down he noticed that the young Togruta was clinging to him strongly. He couldn't see her face very clearly, because of the darkness. "Find me some light," he ordered turning his face towards the droid.
"Roger, roger," the droid complied and started to look around.
"Hey youngling, wake up," Darth Enigma teased Ahsoka, trying to provoke some reaction from her, but to no avail. A sudden flash of light momentarily blinded him, when the B1-S droid found and pressed the light switch. When Darth Enigma's eyes got used to the light, he looked at Ahsoka once again.
The Togruta had tears running down her cheeks, her face along with her montrals and lekku was full of scratches and bite marks, which stung her painfully. Here clothes, especially her cloak was torn in a few places. The Anzat knew those injuries weren't the problem. The inmates wanted to rape Ahsoka, Darth Enigma knew this... and so did she. It was the first time the young Togruta experienced such thing.
Darth Enigma placed his hand gently on Ahsoka's cheek "It's okay, they won't hurt you anymore," he reassured the young girl. Ahsoka looked at the Anzat and slowly let him go. When she was standing on her own feet, she quickly turned and vomited from the stress.
"Ughh... tfu !" Ahsoka spat at the floor and started to breathe heavily. "Go ahead... laugh at me !" she snapped. "Tell me that I'm a weak youngling !"
"Actually, you're a tough, little padawan," said Darth Enigma. "Any other peers in your place would've been death by now. Here," The Sith took off his black cloak. "Your cloak is ruined, take mine, you'll need it more than I will it's coldly in here. Your lightsabers are in my pockets by the way."
Ahsoka turned to face the Anzat, not believing what did she just heard. "What did you just say ?" She asked still shaking from the horrific experience. "I think I'm getting crazy," Ahsoka said grabbing the cloak from the Sith. When she looked into his yellow eyes she saw compassion and concern. "Stand still," said Darth Enigma, very gently placing his palms on the sides of her montrals. The Anzat began to use the same healing technique he did on the ship. The montrals were the most sensitive part of Togruta's body, so the pain relief was almost heavenly for Ahsoka. When the Sith finished, she wanted to say something, but the B1-S droid was first.
"My Lord, I think I've found something of use," said the droid, pointing at the metal board fastened to the wall.
Darth Enigma turned and walked over to the droid, looking at the board. "This is a layout of the prison," stated the Sith. "Good job !"
Ahsoka disrobed her cloak and put the one Darth Enigma gave her. When she approached the Sith and the droid, Darth Enigma had already a plan ready. "Where here... -1B," the Sith pointed at the board. "Every floor has the same layout, so there is a power station room exactly below us in -2B. The monitoring system is in the room -3B. So if we can get to the power station and turn the power on."
"We can use the cameras to find the Jedi Master," Ahsoka finished the sentence for Darth Enigma.
"Exactly," said the Anzat. "The best and the fastest way will be... the way down. If I could cut a hole in the floor here, it would be a good shortcut. But one thing at the time," the Sith reached into his pocket and pull out a holoprojector. "The comlinks won't work here, but a holoprojector should have enough range," said the Anzat trying to make a call. After a few second, a blue image of a T-series tactical droid appeared before him.
"My Lord, I was about to call you," said the droid. "The Jedi and the clones are attempting to hijack a shuttle from the Silver Tounge hangar and escape.
"They are ?" Darth Enigma asked raising an eyebrow and turning his face towards Ahsoka, who shrugged with a slight innocent smile. "No matter, leave them," ordered the Sith. "Gather the forces and come to the Maximum Security Section in Belsavis prison... I need a backup here."
"I understand my Lord," the droid complied. Darth Enigma ended the call and put the holoprojector in his pocket. "I made a mistake," said the Anzat with a deep sigh.
"What mistake ?" Ahsoka asked.
The Anzat came closer to Ahsoka and wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I've brought you here and now you're injured, not to mention you almost got raped," replied Darth Enigma. "I'm sorry."
Ahsoka lowered her gaze. "It's not your fault," she replied. "I wanted to come here and my lack of skill has almost cost me my life or worse."
"It wasn't your lack of skill," Darth Enigma disagreed, making Ahsoka raise her head in confusion. "It was your philosophy. Your Jedi teachings. If you wouldn't be focused on not hurting them, they wouldn't be able to get you. Think about that deeply for a second. Those convicts are here for a reason and maybe it's not their fault for being in this state, but they've been evil in the first place. So they deserve death."
The Togruta didn't respond. A few weeks back she would've argued relentlessly, but now... for her, the difference between the Jedi and the Sith started to become much less distinct.
The Silver Tounge, Hangar Bay.
"There's too many of them !" Yelled Rex shooting at the droids from behind the crates which he was using as a cover. He and the three remaining clones along with Master Plo Koon were defending the entrance to the shuttle, while Anakin was inside the shuttle trying to bypass it's security systems.
"Skywalker how much longer ?!" Asked loudly Master Plo, while deflecting the blaster bolts.
"Give me a minute !" Anakin yelled back.
"We won't last a minute General !" Yelled one of the clones. "The droids are going to overwhelm us !"
Master Plo Koon noticed that one of the B1-S droids that were running towards them suddenly stoped and pulled out a holoprojector. The Kel Dor Jedi Master recognized the T-series model droid that appeared as a blue holo-image. When the image disappeared the B1-S droid started to talk to the other droid and suddenly all of them turned and started to run towards the exit.
"What the... ?! Where are they going ?!" Rex was baffled.
"I think the tactical droid conveyed them a more important task from Darth Enigma," Plo Koon inferred.
"This is our chance. Everyone to the shuttle !" Rex ordered his troopers. The three clones complied and quickly boarded the shuttle. Master Plo ascended the ramp last securing the rear.
When the whole five of them entered the cockpit, Anakin has just finished hacking into the systems. "I got it !" He exclaimed starting the shuttle. "Now let's get outta here !" The thrusters of the shuttle roared to life, lifting the whole spacecraft, which flew out of the hangar.
"Won't the droids shoot us out of the sky, Sir ?" Asked one of the clones.
"They have another order right now, said Master Plo. "If it weren't for that they wouldn't have left us here alone, we have to risk it."
"We will," assured him Anakin. "I have to help Ahsoka. There is no telling what is she going through right now with Darth Enigma."
"You must have faith in her Skywalker," said Master Plo. "She's brave and talented."
"I have," replied Anakin, but deep inside the young human wasn't entirely sure if that was true.
Planet Belsavis, Belsavis Prison, Maximum Security Section – Floor -3B, Surveillance Room.
Thanks to Ahsoka, who quickly restored the power to the whole facility by fixing the generators in the power station, Darth Enigma was able to use the surveillance cameras in order to look for the Jedi Master Plett. Working in the lighted rooms was much better that roaming in the dark.
"Do you need help ?" Ahsoka asked approaching the Anzat, who was leaning over the console.
"The Jedi is hiding his force signature. See if you can find him on any of the cameras," replied Darth Enigma. "There's like over thirty monitors here and twice as many cameras."
Ahsoka nodded and began toggle trough the cameras along with Darth Enigma, while B1-S droid was searching for anything useful in the room. "Been meaning to ask you something," said Ahsoka.
"Ask," said Darth Enigma.
"Why did you join the Sith ?" Ahsoka asked. "You're a good and caring person, you don't belong with them".
"There is no such thing as a good person," replied Darth Enigma. "There is no evil or good people in this world, there are only those that will do what's right. The world is more complicated than you think Ahsoka."
"But you-HEY! I found him !" Ahsoka exclaimed pointing at one of the screens. Darth Enigma leaned over and checked. The Ho'Din was pacing in the large room full of corpses, just below them, guarding a large, red Holocron. "I think that's the 'stone' Amy was talking about," Ahsoka assumed.
"Yeah, and look," Darth Enigma pointed at the adult blonde human female, crying over a male's body in the corner. "Maybe I'm wrong, but she could be Amy's mother."
"We have to get down there !" Exclaimed Ahsoka, "I need to talk with Master Plett !"
"I doubt he'll listen to you Ahsoka," said Darth Enigma. "But I won't stop you. Just know that after you've done talking, he's mine. And once we start fighting, protect the woman." Ahsoka sighed and nodded resignedly.
Darth Enigma ignited his lightsaber and just like two times earlier, he cut out a hole in the floor and jumped through it with Ahsoka and B1-S droid right behind him. The large room was full of death bodies and most of them belonged to the townsfolk. The stench from their corpses was just overwhelming.
"Master Plett !" Ahsoka yelled at the Ho'Din Jedi Master gaining his attention. He was very tall, multi-color-skinned humanoid with the prevalence of green. Like all Ho'Din he had long, suction cup-tipped fingers used for climbing trees and, on his head, red-violet snake-like "hair" which acted as thermal sensors.
"Master Plett what happened to the town ?" Ahsoka asked. "What happened to the prison ?"
The black eyes of the Ho'Din Jedi Master were hard to read, but Darth Enigma noticed that his eyelids were twitching. He knew that the Jedi Master's sanity was long gone.
"I've killed them... hahaha... The Jedi Council orders... no one is allowed to know..." The Ho'Din Jedi Master babbled and giggled like a mentally broken nut. "The Holocron... created by the... hahaha... Council... is making...inmates crazy."
Ahsoka couldn't believe what she was hearing. "The Jedi Council created this thing and... and you killed innocent people just to keep it a secret ?! Even children ?!"
"Yes... hahaha... and no one can know... kill everyone... hahaha...and now you die !" With a maniacal scream, the Ho'Din Jedi Master lunged at Ahsoka, his purple lightsaber ignited.
Ahsoka felt Darth Enigma's hand on her shoulder, pushing her to the side. His red lightsaber blocked Plett's purple one in a loud clash. The young Togruta could only watch as Darth Enigma and Master Plett started to fight. Remembering the Anzat words she quickly ran up to the woman, the B1-S droid was right behind her. "Hey, do you know Amy ? A blonde human girl ?" Ahsoka asked.
"Yes, that my daughter," the woman replied. "Where is she ? Is she okay ?"
"Yes, she's fine," Ahsoka replied with a reassuring smile. "When this will be over you'll see her again."
"Oh, thank you," said the woman, tears running down her cheeks. Ahsoka turned her face, looking at the laughing Ho'din and the silent, calm Anzat. If she didn't know who Darth Enigma was, she would be convinced that he was the Jedi and that Master Plett was a Sith Lord. Again she didn't saw the difference between the Jedi and the Sith.
Please R&R ;)