A/N) A longer chapter today… I just couldn't stop writing! Thank you for the reviews!

A Jedi's Love

Chapter 24

About six hours after Obi-Wan had been woken in the High Dependency Ward, the anaesthetic had finally worn off. He was not surprised to find Anakin sitting by his bed, his hair unruly and a wide smile crossing his face.

"Hey," his brother said by way of greeting.

Obi-Wan blinked, focusing his eyes. "How's life without the Force?"

Anakin groaned. "You had to pick that up, didn't you?"

How could he miss the Force suppressor around Anakin's neck? "Of course."

"It's hard but it is nice being able to relax and spend time with my family without having interfering Council members call me every few hours," answered Anakin. "And I don't have responsibility for Ahsoka either. She's on a diplomatic mission with Master Gallia. Better for her to have her skills tested than wait for weeks for you to recover so I can get my Force connection back."

Obi-Wan shifted on his back, trying to sit himself up but pain spread up his abdomen. He winced. "Ow."

"Bant told me to not let you move on your own," warned Anakin. "I can help you sit up… And you can't get up on your own feet either. Not for another five days and that depends on how well your internal injuries are healing."

"That sounds fun…" replied Obi-Wan. "I hope you've brought me a datapad. At least let me surf the Galactic Web."

Anakin sniggered. "Of course." He pointed to the table to Obi-Wan's right. "It's there."

"Thanks." Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "I assume this really is happening and I'm not dead, correct?" It was a valid question. He hadn't expected to survive. He had thought he would die. He noticed Anakin's expression. Something had happened to him during the surgery. He swallowed. "What happened?"

"Erm… well…" Anakin tried to project the aura he did not know what Obi-Wan meant but he was failing miserably. If their bond was active, then Obi-Wan would have sensed his discomfort.

"You may as well tell me," pressured Obi-Wan, reaching for the glass of water on the table beside him. His hand shook and his fingers struggled to hold the cup. He was still weak from lack of use for nearly a week. Anakin leaned forward and helped, placing the cup back down onto the table once Obi-Wan had had his fill. "Thanks." He gave his friend a pointed look.

Anakin sighed.

"I'm going to find out anyway. You may as well tell me," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"Fine." Anakin almost sounded like a stroppy child who didn't want to do what someone was asking of him. His shoulders slumped as he leaned back in his chair, his expression wary. "Your heart stopped twice during surgery. They nearly lost you twice… but they managed to save you. Their scans while you were in intensive care show no damage to the heart however there could be delayed damage that may materialise over the next few days or week or months… You will need to be monitored for that as heart damage is treatable as long as it's not severe."

His heart had stopped? He looked down at his chest, even though the hospital gown he wore obscured his skin. That scared him. His body had died… twice. He really shouldn't be here then…

"I may not have the Force right now but I know what you are thinking."

"I'm not thinking anything," responded Obi-Wan, glaring at Anakin.

Anakin crossed his arms across his chest. "Really? You're not thinking that your heart stopped twice is a sign that you should not have survived?" He looked smug.

Obi-Wan scowled. They knew each other too well to not be able to instinctively know what the other was thinking or feeling. "I hate you."

Grinning the younger man laughed. "No, you don't."

Obi-Wan cursed inwardly. "You can be so frustrating!"

"I know."

Anakin was impossible.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, exasperated.

If there was one thing Ahsoka had learnt so far on Onderon was that Lux Bonteri was a spoiled child. He had lived his life in luxury however he had a lingering dislike for the Republic, something his mother had once shared until it had been revealed that Count Dooku had been manipulating the various Confederacy-supporting worlds on the instructions of the former Chancellor of the Republic. His dislike stemmed from a personal loss he had suffered during the war between the two sides.

His father had been killed by Republic troopers. It was an event he had not been so easily to forget or forgive the perpetrators for.

Ahsoka found he was a strange lad: quiet, unenthusiastic but quite intelligent. Losing his father had harmed him emotionally.

She was walking with him through the gardens of the palace of King Rash. Unfortunately Ahsoka's research had led her to discover the horrible truth of King Rash's ascension to the throne. He had overthrown the former King Dendup, who had originally left Onderon out of the Clone Wars, but Rash's policies had been different. She suspected he was a puppet of Dooku's which was why Mina Bonteri was finding it difficult to bring her world back into the Republic.

Currently Adi Gallia and Mina Bonteri were negotiating with King Rash, using a speech that Ahsoka had written herself. She didn't think that it would help. If Rash had been installed as Dooku's puppet on Onderon then he was unlikely to back down and allow a referendum to the people to decide whether the planet would formally rejoin the Republic.

The former King Dendup had been executed for treason against the reign of King Rash who claimed he had taken the throne legitimately, though it was difficult to defend his actions as it had been proven that he had no direct link to the former royal family and was the son of a former Separatist Commander. Rash's connections to the Separatists laid the ground work for Dooku to be hiding on Onderon after his interference on Mandalore.

Lux was quiet, his mood sullen. A slight curl of hair fell over his forehead and his pale blue eyes rested on his feet as they walked. What could she say to him?

Before she could even contemplate what to discuss, he spoke up. His voice was almost emotionless but there was a hint of curiosity within it.

"What's it like to be a Jedi?"

The question threw Ahsoka. She had not expected that. "Well… erm…" She struggled to find an answer. "It's hard work."

Lux glanced at her, his pale blue eyes inspecting her.

She felt vulnerable as she noticed he was running his eyes down her body. She folded her arms across her chest, twisting away.

"You look good," he said. "At least in athletic ability I mean." Lux flushed. "You must be good with your lightsabers if you have two of them. I didn't know Jedi could use two. I haven't really seen many Jedi throughout my life."

Ahsoka relaxed a little. She didn't know why she had got so defensive when he had rolled his eyes over her. "It is something I chose to learn the technique of. Two lightsabers are difficult to handle and you need to have the right concentration to be able to handle it. Many Jedi prefer just one lightsaber as its just as effective as two. The second one does enable defence of my back if I am surrounded. Though I have yet to achieve the level of capability to be considered a Knight of this lightsaber technique. I use a rather unusual style that most Jedi shun but it called to me when I was first taught how to use my lightsaber."

Lux leaned back against a tree, folding his arms. "Come on then. Show me how you handle your lightsabers."

Ahsoka cocked her eyes upwards. "Jedi do not demonstrate their skills on a whim."

"I know why you are escorting me. I'm old enough to be left on my own," replied Lux knowledgeably. "You are here to talk to me about why I am more against the Republic then my mother. And because I have a standing on planet, if you can turn me to your way of thinking, I may be able to talk to other youngsters of my generation and so bring Onderon back into the Republic."

Ahsoka stayed silent. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of realising that he was correct.

"But…" he continued, "…show me your lightsaber stance and I may just listen to you."

Ahsoka smirked. "You believe the Republic is corrupt, don't you?" Would he answer?

"No matter what you say, it still is," responded Lux.

"You're bribing me," pointed out Ahsoka. "You will only listen to me if I show you my lightsabers and my technique… and you complain the Republic is still corrupt, yet bribery leads to corruption. Surely that means you are already corrupted since you are using the same skills to get your own way. What makes you different from the Republic? Bribery is still a form of corruption whether you believe it or not. How do you think former Chancellor Palpatine convinced Senators to turn against the Republic or to support him in various legislations? He may not have issued the deals himself but his lackey's did. The same for Dooku and the planets that initially joined the Confederacy. King Rash, himself, is suspected of being installed by Dooku, does that not show that what you preach against was also happening – and still is – within the systems that still support not being part of the Republic?"

Lux opened his mouth to reply but no words came out.

Ahsoka smiled. She had stumped him, giving him facts over how the Confederacy was corrupt and how he was corrupt by attempting to bribe her. Lux Bonteri hadn't considered that. She stretched her arms out in front of her and started to walk off, her arms behind her back.

The palace's garden was full of a variety of different plants with many different shades of colour. The most prominent one was red, one of most universally used colours in gardens. The grass was soft beneath her boots and small white butterflies flew around the garden. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Lux trailing her, looking a bit lost, as if her words had had an impact on him.

"You didn't realise you supported a corrupted government either, did you?" she asked gently, stopping to allow him to catch up.

Lux sighed, his shoulders relaxing. "No. I hadn't considered that before. My mother had tried to explain things to me… but I daily read the news reports and with King Rash in power, I know he is controlling what is fed to the people about the Republic. Both sides are corrupt."

"Were," corrected Ahsoka. "Our new Chancellor has ensured that corruption has been outlawed."

"How is that possible? Money can still change hands or demands made to ensure loyalty," said Lux.

Ahsoka shook her head. "Bail Organa has made it illegal for huge money transfers from Republic officials. This was a policy he put in place without the Senators approval because if he had put it to the table they would have voted against it. All major banks now have an alert in place if a huge sum is taken out or put into a Senator's account then they are immediately investigated. It has been very effective in jailing quite a few Senators for acting illegally. Once it was known this policy existed, it has greatly cut down on bribes and corruption."

Lux frowned, his right hand underneath his chin. "But what if they open up different bank accounts under a different name so it isn't associated with their official duties?"

Ahsoka bit her lip. "That is difficult to stop… however the banks do investigate any movement of a large amount of money or an account opening which could be used for bribery among Republic officials. The way this matter has been dealt with does prove the Republic is actively trying to stop further bribes or any corruption from taking hold of the Senate ever again. We are acting against it and polices are in place to deal with officials who are determined to continue to be bought by money."

"It does show progress… and the commitment the Republic has with having a fair democracy," admitted Lux, almost reluctantly. "What about planets who do not wish to be a part of the Republic? I know most of the Confederacy systems rejoined the Republic but a few still have not, Onderon being one of them."

Ahsoka walked underneath a bridge where a stream was running. Lux came alongside her. "Mandalore has a neutrality deal with the Republic. They do not get all the benefits of being a full member… but they do get some by contributing to the Republic in some form. The intricacies of that particular deal I am unaware of, however like your mother is trying to do, the Duchess Satine wishes to bring her world fully into the Republic… however unrest on her world is preventing that currently."

"I know about Mandalore. There is still a Council of neutral systems but the members are fewer then it was during the Clone Wars," replied Lux. They stepped out into the blazing sunshine again, the rays hitting their faces.

"It is better for the people on world if they gained full benefits of Republic membership," continued Ahsoka. "I know I cannot convince you to change your mind but the Senate is not what it used to be when Palpatine was in power. He truly was corrupt. And he wanted absolute power. Kill all the Jedi, everything. Turn the Republic into a dictatorship. The Clone Wars was his own personal chess game. He controlled all of it. That is true corruption of power." She stopped, stepping in front of Lux to look at him full on. They were almost the same height, though her montrals were taller than his head. "The only way Onderon is going to see for themselves if the Republic is still corrupt is if they rejoin it."

"Once we rejoin we can't step away," pointed out Lux. "We return, our people have no way of getting out again if we do not like what we see."

Ahsoka shook her head, her lekku swaying lightly from side-to-side. "No. There is a provisional contract you can sign that allows any new member, whether they are re-joining or completely new member, to step out of the Republic within five years at any time. This is a policy that is being used by all those systems that returned to the Republic. After those five years it may become difficult to leave however there is a clause which states that if any system does wish to leave the sovereignty of the Republic after they have been a part of the government for over five years then negotiations can be entered in to, to allow a safe and smooth transition to a neutral position if they so wish to take that path." She patted Lux on the shoulder. "We have learnt from the Clone Wars that policy needed to be changed, to adapt to the changing moods. We cannot keep people within the Republic if they truly do not want to be. As long as there is mutual agreement it can still work… Palpatine was opposed to splitting the Republic because this fed his plans to make war on the galaxy. And he was such a good and inspirational speaker that it was impossible for people to not agree with him." Her shoulders slumped. "Lessons have been learnt."

Lux's face twisted. She could sense that he now felt conflicted, that her words had, had an impact on him.

"Just think about what I've said," she intoned. "It's the least you can do. Don't blindly hate the Republic because of what happened to your father. We were all manipulated. And we are trying our best to fix that, even if it cannot bring back our loved ones."

Lux moved to sit down one a bench, facing the bridge they had just walked under. The sun was starting to dip, below the trees as sunset drew closer. "You've made some good points… I will think about them."

"That is all I could ask for," she smiled, her eyes catching his. "Now, you wanted to see my lightsaber style?"

Over the next few days Obi-Wan recovered quickly, his injuries healing quicker than they had hoped for. His cells were working hard to heal the damage inflicted upon them. He was up on his feet quicker than predicted. He had even been discharged however he had to live with Anakin and Padmé while he continued with the rest of his healing. His wounds were almost healed and pale pink scars decorated his abdomen. His muscles were still healing inside however they needed building up but it was deemed not safe for Obi-Wan to exercise just yet.

Bant was coming to the apartment to remove Anakin's Force-suppressor. Doctor Hesein had deemed Obi-Wan recovered and it was now time to test a theory. Considering Obi-Wan had healed without Anakin's aid, the results were a forgone conclusion.

"It will be good to get this thing off," said Anakin.

Obi-Wan laughed. "I bet the first thing you do will be to annoy me over the bond."

"Now why would I ever do that?" enquired Anakin, acting like he was completely innocent.

"Don't try to be innocent with me," responded Obi-Wan. "You did it all the time. Still got the headache?"

"A dull thump," replied Anakin. "You get used to it after a while."

"Maybe we should keep the Force suppressor on you for good," joked Obi-Wan. "I might be able to live my life without you poking into my thoughts or annoying me constantly."

Anakin frowned. "I'd like to be worthy of my title of Jedi Master, Obi-Wan."

"And killing a Sith Lord isn't enough to justify that?" teased Obi-Wan, raising his eyebrows.

The younger Jedi shook his head.

"Are you two arguing again?" Bant asked, as she walked up to the table. Padmé was beside her who had clearly admitted the Mon Calamari Jedi to the apartment.

"No," replied Anakin.

"Yes," said Obi-Wan.

"Hey!" Anakin glared.

Obi-Wan grinned.

"I think I'll leave the three of you alone," said Padmé. "I'll go and get the twins from C-3PO. It's nearly time for their lunch anyway."

"I'll be out as soon as this is done," called Anakin as his wife walked away.

Bant sat herself down at the table. "Ok. I have here the latest scan results."

"Right." Obi-Wan leaned forward expectedly. Before he had left hospital a day ago, he'd had another scan, just to ensure his body had completely healed. Though he had been told last night that Anakin's Force suppressor could be removed, Obi-Wan still wanted to hear the report in detail first.

"Can't we remove this first?" interrupted Anakin, indicating his collar.

"No," said Obi-Wan. "I'm more important than you."

Bant sniggered. "You two really do act like children."

Obi-Wan pointed at Anakin. "It's his fault. He made me like this."

She shook her head and looked down at the report. "Do you want the basics or full detail?" she asked.

"Full detail, please. I'd like to know the specifics."

Bant passed him the scan images. "As you can see on the images, you are completed healed. The first part of your body we repaired was your aorta. That was part of the surgery that was the most difficult since so much blood was leaking from it. And, it is, what we believe caused your heart to stop. A new experimental chemical was used on you to encourage the aorta lining to grow at a fast rate which stemmed the bleeding allowing the remaining harder lining of the aorta to be fixed. It was effectively glued together. You've rested enough now that it is back to the strength it should be. Strenuous activity shouldn't cause it to rupture."

"That's good then. My ability to participate in assignments that may require confrontation will not be hindered then," mused Obi-Wan. He was pleased about that. "Please continue, Bant."

She nodded. "Your pancreas was next on the list to repair. Once again we injected a drug to help the pancreas repair itself and it started to repair and begin functioning again before the covering of the organ was reconnected. The drug did stimulate it to function too. Your liver was more simple. The liver regenerates. We removed the damage parts of the liver and allowed it to regenerate. It has now returned to full size and functioning at one hundred percent. And, finally, your stomach. Your lining was pierced both sides of your stomach however both sides were repaired, as well as injecting antibodies to help stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and muscle to allow the stomach to work. That has now healed. You have recovered. The only thing you have to do is to build up your stomach muscles through gentle exercises. The scan also showed us, as well as blood results taken yesterday, that your body is no longer working to heal your injuries. The Force aided you in your recovery which was a great benefit to getting you discharged quicker than we had originally intended." Bant looked at Anakin. "I can therefore now recommend that the Force suppression collar be removed from Anakin."

"YES!" Anakin pumped a fist into the air, and then his cheeks reddened as he realised exactly how he had come across.

"I really hope you do not demonstrate that behaviour in front of your children, Anakin," mooted Obi-Wan. "I would hate having to train a mini-version of you when I take on Luke's training."

"But I was the best student the Temple ever had!" grinned Anakin widely.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "You wish."

Bant sighed. She stood from her chair and went round to behind Anakin. With her webbed hands, she flicked a few switches and the Force suppressor released itself.

With relish, Anakin removed it.

Obi-Wan felt Anakin's presence rushing back into his mind. It felt strange to feel his brother again. Anakin made a point of prodding the bond, sending a wave of warmth through it. Obi-Wan observed as Anakin made a point of levitating Bant into the air who ordered him to put her down.

"Don't you dare, Anakin," warned Obi-Wan, knowing that he were very likely to be Anakin's next victim.

Anakin visibly pouted. "Aww."

"Go and levitate Luke and Leia. They enjoy that," suggested Obi-Wan.

Anakin grinned. "Oh… they will like daddy using his Force powers for them again." He pushed his chair back and quickly rushed from the room. He seemed to be full of sugar.

Bant just stared after the back of the younger Jedi before turning to Obi-Wan. "I can't believe he is one of the Order's most revered Master's."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Sometimes it surprises me too."

Anakin found Padmé and the twins in the kitchen. She was trying to spoon-feed them both with mushy baby food. Luke's face was a mess. Apparently one spoonful of food had somehow managed to get onto the baby's cheek and it was now dripping down his face. He was giggling madly, his bright blue eyes shining up at his mother, his pudgy arms reaching for the next mouthful. Leia was just as messy and had somehow managed to get food in her hair.

Anakin smiled as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. "Would you like some help?"

Padmé glanced over her shoulder, holding the spoon to Luke's mouth. She was alternating between the two babies. "You can finish feeding Leia."

Walking over to stand beside Leia, Anakin picked up the spoon and bowl of mushed baby food and proceeded to feed his daughter.

"You've got the collar off then," noted Padmé.

Anakin grinned. "Yep! Obi-Wan is healed. I suppose he will be going back to his quarters in the Temple today."

"You came running in here like an excited child," accused Padmé lightly. "I saw you out of the corner of my eye. What were you going to do with the twins?"

Anakin almost blushed. "Well… they… err… like me to levitate them… so I was… going… to… do… that…"

"Hmm," Padmé shook her head. "I'm sure I can trust you to do that… I do worry when you use your Force powers on the twins."

Anakin laughed. He could understand her worry. "When the twins start to use their own Force powers they will soon be doing that. That is when you need to worry because they won't know how to control their powers. My mum told me that when I was younger she used to find me levitating things in the air but I stopped doing that when I became more aware."

"And when may the twins start levitating one another?" asked Padmé, exasperated.

"Probably within the next few months," shrugged Anakin. "They can't really harm one another…"

"They could if they just dropped one another!" retorted Padmé, spoon-feeding Luke.

"They won't," said Anakin. "I never levitated anything too high. Just slightly off the ground but it was enough for my mum to notice and realise I was different. They won't have the physical strength to lift each other off the ground just yet but they will do." He faced Padmé catching her with his eyes. "Look. Trust me. They won't be harmed."

Padmé sighed. "I will never stop trusting you, Anakin. But a mother can't help but worry." She glanced back at the twins. "Are you doing something to them? They're behaving."

"You said that in a way that makes me think they never behave…" Anakin felt slightly hurt though he was joking.

"Anakin."

"I'm soothing them with the Force. They can sense me again. It's making them calmer. I'm just applying a little bit of Force pressure. They know it is me," replied Anakin. "They like that."

Padmé shook her head. "I sometimes wish I could do what you do. It makes me wonder how much closer you will be to our children as they grow up since you will have bonds with them whereas I do not."

"You do have a bond with them though," explained Anakin. "You just can't sense it as you are not sensitive to the Force. But you have the mother's intuition. That is practically the same thing. Just my senses are slightly enhanced."

"Ani…" Padmé shook her head.

"It's true," replied Anakin. "I have a bond with you. I can sense it. But you just can't sense it yourself. It will be the same with Luke and Leia. Not being able to sense your bond you have with your children does not make them closer to me. We are equal in this… and… sometimes it is better to have the mother's intuition then being able to sense bonds. Trust me, Obi-Wan and I are so deeply entwined we get on each other's nerves. A lot." That was true. Though Anakin was more partly to blame. He did like to tease the older man. But it was so much fun. Why shouldn't he make Obi-Wan's life as uncomfortable as he could? After all, it wasn't serious banter…

"You do know you've been projecting to me this whole time, don't you?" asked Obi-Wan.

Anakin whirled, spoon in hand close to Luke's mouth who was reaching for the food. "I did not know you were there…"

Obi-Wan smirked. "Yes, you do annoy me. But I've got used to it. Before I leave with Bant, we have one more test to conduct."

"Oh. What's that?" Anakin felt wary. What did they need to find out now?

"We know I healed while you were blocked off from the Force… but will I still fall apart the next time we are blocked from one another?" Obi-Wan held up the neck suppressor. "The last few weeks could have been for nothing if I still start to die each time we are separated from one another."

Anakin reached for the collar. He hated that thing. It had been so strange to not touch the Force for weeks while Obi-Wan fought to heal himself. "How long do I have to wear this again?"

"Only a few minutes," answered Bant. "We will know pretty quickly if something is going to happen to Obi-Wan. Better to test this out now then wait for something to happen on a field mission."

Anakin accepted that. It was important for them to know if Obi-Wan would still die despite having surgery to fix his injuries. He put down the spoon and lifted up the Force suppressor. He shuddered and clipped it around his neck. Instantly he felt the Force leave him, his connections to Obi-Wan, his children, Padmé, Ahsoka and his mother all gone in an instant. A slight throbbing headache began in his head. "It's that headache again."

"I think that will be a common side-effect that you two will continue to have if you are faced with this situation in future. You sustain one another," explained Bant cordially. She glanced at Obi-Wan. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. No pain, nothing, apart from the slight headache Anakin has," he answered. He turned around and lifted up his shirt. There was no sign of any forming injury on his abdomen. All that was present was a very thin scar left by Doctor Hesein. "Usually there would be signs by now in the skin if I was falling apart."

Whilst Padmé continued to feed the twins, they waited for ten minutes to pass before Bant gave the go-ahead for Anakin to remove the collar. Handing it back to her, Anakin couldn't help but grin widely.

"Well, that means we have successfully healed you, Obi-Wan. Anakin is no more sustaining you to this world." Bant smiled. She faced Obi-Wan. "You are now discharged officially from my care and can resume most duties. But please keep up with the exercises to strengthen your abdomen muscles. I would advise no sparring for at least another two weeks. I would also expect you to be ready to return to full duties after those two weeks."

Obi-Wan smiled at his childhood friend. "Thank you."

Anakin walked forwards and shook Bant's hand. "You did an amazing job. At least we now have an advantage over Dooku. He tries to block the Force from us again, the dear Count will get a big surprise when you do not start to bleed to death."

"There is that," mused Obi-Wan. He folded his arms across his chest. "In a way, I'm looking forward to meeting him again. I am certain he will try the Force suppressor again." He grinned sharply. "Though, this time, the joke is on him."

The residents of Dathomir had been, at first, hostile to Ventress when she had landed her ship on the planet's surface, near to the village where she had been born. The sisterhood warriors had tried to execute her before the leader of their people, Mother Talzin, called for them to stop.

The mother's voice was deep and eerie with an otherworldly echo to it. She was the leader and the shaman of the Nightsisters, acting as a conduit and a mouthpiece of the spirits of which the Nightsisters worshipped.

In the days following Ventress' arrival on Dathomir, Mother Talzin had been instructing her and had initiated her back into the Nightsisters coven. Ventress was now accepted by the people that had, had to give her away as a young child. She was a Nightsister.

But there was one thing constantly on her mind. She wanted Dooku to pay. It was a matter of locating him was proving to be a problem. As a fugitive on the run, the Count was not as easily traced as Ventress had hoped he would be.

"We will find him in time…. When he is ready to, Dooku will reveal himself to the Jedi," hissed Mother Talzin enigmatically.

"And then we will attack and I can have my revenge?" asked Ventress. Only once Dooku was dead could she put the past behind her.

"Yes… we will…" Talzin answered. "But you must train your sisters… They will help you…"

Ventress nodded. She wouldn't be able to take Dooku on alone. She would need help. There was no way she was going to ask the Jedi for help as they were likely to lock her up again. Her sisters needed instruction in the way of Sith tactics. Ventress had to prepare them for an assault on Dooku if her revenge was going to succeed.

"A teacher is harsh otherwise they do not learn," instructed Talzin.

Ventress nodded. Tomorrow she would begin her training.

King Rash was cruel and a tyrant. His polices were not in favour of the people and he deeply opposed the Republic. Even after Dooku's capture two years ago he had continued his opposition to the Republic. And he had kept up production of battle droids to help defend his world against would-be attackers from the Galactic Republic and Rebels hidden in the jungle.

Dooku had watched via video-link as Rash shot down the Jedi negotiator and Senator Bonteri's propositions for joining the Republic. He refused to listen, giving them only a short time to speak. As soon as they suggest an opposite policy that was already in force he dismissed them.

The Jedi and Senator kept coming back.

Fleeing to Onderon had been his best option. There was already Separatist forces on world and Dooku had already reached out to his friends in the Trade Federation and the Commerce Guild seeking to reform their alliance. Neither of the two parties had yet to respond, possibly fearing the ramifications of what the Republic would do if it became public knowledge they were working towards separating from the Republic once again.

He was here on Onderon, laying low whilst he waited for the opportune moment to strike.

He would start a war on this world which would quickly spread to neighbouring systems as King Rash sought to extend his power. With worlds being overrun, the Clone Wars would very quickly reignite and the galaxy would be engulfed in war.

And while the galaxy spread bloodshed, Dooku would make the ultimate play for power.

It may mean disposing of a few Republic senators and the Chancellor but it would pave the way for Dooku to ascend. He would become the ultimate law in the galaxy… And he would show them that he could end the war and bring peace back to the galaxy.

His plan was simple: start a war and then become the hero who ended it all.

The Jedi would stand in his way but he had a plan to deal with them. He had made certain to steal highly confidential information about the Jedi Temple before he escaped. His former friends would not see their deaths coming.

They would be gone within the blink of an eye.

If only his former Master had considered this option instead of using the Clones as the executioners.

A satisfied smile crossed Dooku's face.

Eventually he would win.

The Jedi would fall and the Republic would be his.

To be continued…

Please let me know what you think!

Ok… there are bits and pieces of plot in this chapter. Ahsoka and Lux's conversation for one, Dooku's plans for Onderon, Ventress' revenge and of course just finishing off the surgery storyline for Obi-Wan and Anakin! A lot was covered and this chapter was set over about a week in total.

In the next chapter… Obi-Wan and Satine reunite…

Until next time,

the-writer1988