A/N: Hello! Thank you to all the followers and reviewers! It pleases me to no end that y'all are enjoying my story. I don't know if I've mention before now but I'm using scripts from the movies posted online along with the novelizations of the movies (since there is more detail given in those and that helps me write). So here we go, things will move pretty fast for a bit now but don't worry; I'm not done. I plan to extend the story beyond the end of Episode III. I hope you enjoy!

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SpeechBubbleMe: Thanks! We're getting into the action of Revenge of the Sith now.

ColdOnePaul: Yes, that ball is picking up speed now.

LoveFiction2016: Thank you!

Kaia: Your wish is my command! :)

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I don't own Star Wars. I can't even imagine being that cool. Only Kat is mine and her story line. :)

Once a ball is rolling down a hill there comes a point in its decent when nothing can stop it; its momentum has made it too powerful to halt. One can either get out of its way or stand in its path in a foolish effort to slow it down, knowing all the while that you will soon be caught up in it destruction as it hurtles towards its end. And it will reach an end eventually, even if that final destination is so far in the future you believe it doesn't exist. So the choice is whether to stand in its way or step aside and live on to fight another day.

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In the early morning light speeders and air taxes rushed by overhead. The denizens of Coruscant went about their daily lives as they had every day before that without a thought that everything could change in an instant. Kat stood by Kane's memorial stone. She didn't see the flowers and trees his uncle had planted around it, she only saw the reminder of her first failure. Her first real mission for the Jedi had been a failure in her eyes. Yes, she'd found Master Sifo-Dyas's ship but she'd lost a friend in the process. He'd joined her willingly, knowing there were possible dangers, but she still felt responsible. She was the one with a connection to the Force. Why had she not seen what was going to happen? And this most recent trip to Kamino. She had been unable to uncover the secret code or person that would activate the orders contained within the biochips. Had she done any good? Ever? Why had Master Yoda entrusted such tasks to her? No matter what anyone said she was not a Jedi, had not undergone the decade and more of training and had not faced the Trials. She was no more than a Force sensitive that had only agreed to some training to avoid falling prey to the Dark Side.

She placed the palm of her hand on the stone, still cool to the touch. "I am sorry, my friend." With a final glance at his name, Kat turned and made her way back towards the Senate Apartment Complex, a sense of despondency sliding onto her shoulders like a cloak she didn't want. She should never have left Naboo. Perhaps it was time to go home.

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Kat paced the width of her room. Night had now fallen, she had been in here for quite some time, but had yet to be able to sleep. Something was wrong. Something felt ... off and the feeling filled her with dread. Pacing wasn't going to help and for the first time while not within the walls of the Temple she reached out tentatively into the Force. She could see ... nothing. Trying slightly harder she came up with the same result; she couldn't sense anything in the Force. She could still feel the Force around her but it now seemed like there was a veil between her and its guiding light, hindering her from being able to find what she sought. She shook her head. Something was not right. Giving up on the idea of sleeping that night, she wrapped a robe around her and stalked out to the sitting room, hoping that just the sight of the Temple in the distance would help sooth her.

"Could you not sleep either?" Padmé asked from where she was sitting on a couch.

"No. I'm restless this evening and I can't explain why." Kat didn't sit but stood next to her friend. "It's almost as if the Force is just holding its breath, waiting for whatever is going to happen next."

"What is going to happen next?"

"I cannot say. Things seem clouded now in a way they never have before."

Padmé began to speak but she only heard the first couple of words. A sudden pain shot through her body, causing her to stumble. She gripped the back of the chair in front of her as the waves washed over her.

"Kat?! What is wrong?" She could feel gentle hands on her arm and around her waist but she couldn't really see anything the pain was so great.

"I - "she faltered as another wave crashed down upon her. Her friend helped her to sit but she wasn't aware of it. Visions were flashing before her eyes and she gasped out in horror and disbelief at what she saw.

"No ... no! No!"

"Kat?!"

"I saw - the Jedi - the clones ... they turned on the Jedi. They've been killed. Massacred. They're all gone ..." She could barely get the words out over the pain that was still shooting through her. It was like she could feel the pain - the confusion and disbelief - of each Jedi as they fell, could sense as they became one with the Force and as each one fell she could almost see a small light go out. All around her it was like thousands of lights suddenly being swallowed by darkness one by one. The sensation was almost overpowering and she doubled over, whimpering slightly.

Padmé stared at her, terror filling her eyes. "Where?"

"Everywhere."

" ... Anakin ... Obi-Wan?"

"I don't know. Something has gone horribly wrong."

Another vision flashed across her consciousness and she almost fell from her seat from the sensation. She gasped, not wanting to believe what she saw, then stumbled to her feet.

"Kat, where are you going? You are not well!"

"I need ... to see - " She found her way out onto the veranda and stared across the expanse of Coruscant to the one place that had always been a source of comfort. Kat heard Padmé's quick intake of breath and reached out for her hand. There were flames visible and smoke billowing from its walls.

The Temple was on fire.

Her knees gave way and she slumped against a pillar, Padmé lowering herself to sit beside her. She rocked slowly, her arms wrapped around her middle as tremors flashed through her body; not as strong as the original pain but pain nonetheless and she wanted to cry.

"What - how ...?"

All Kat could do was shake her head, having no energy to speak. She covered her face with her hands as Padmé turned to where the burning Temple was clearly visible in the night sky.

Morning did not bring any answers. All that the Holonet had was that troops had been sent to the Jedi Temple the night before in response to an attack but that the Chancellor would be releasing a statement later in the day. Kat's level of anxiety slowly rose as the hours passed. She again broke her own rule of not reaching into the Force away from the Temple and tried to find Obi-Wan. That black veil would not let her. She left her room even more concerned, encountering Padmé as she rushed towards the veranda. When she made it to the doorway she saw her friend in her husband's arms. Usually she would disappear back into their private rooms but she wanted to know what was going on and so remained still, keeping to the shadows. There was something in the air around Anakin that she had never felt before, an edginess, a nervousness ... a darkness.

"Are you alright? We heard there was an attack at the Temple ... you can see the smoke from here."

"I'm fine. I came to see if you and the baby were safe."

"Captain Typho is here. We're all fine. What is happening?"

"The Jedi have tried to overthrow the Republic."

"I can't believe that!" Padmé sounded as horrified as she felt. Kat tried to keep her breathing normal to fight off the dizziness that suddenly wanted to overtake her.

"I saw Master Windu attempt to assassinate the Chancellor. Troopers were sent to secure the Temple last night and take care of any traitors."

That was when the shaking started. Kat dug her fingernails into her palms, trying to calm down as she watched the two converse quietly for a moment. This was not right. This did not make sense. She could feel that something was not right.

"What about Obi-Wan?" Padmé's words cut through her thoughts and her attention was again squarely on the couple before her. Anakin did not answer right away and her heart almost stopped beating as she waited to hear what he had to say.

"I don't know ... many Jedi have been killed. We can only hope he has remained loyal to the Chancellor." She narrowed her eyes. To the Chancellor? Wasn't the Jedi's loyalty to the Republic? Again that sense of darkness seemed to be swirling around him.

"Are you sure? It just seems so ... unbelievable."

"All Jedi are required to surrender immediately. Those who resist ... are being dealt with." Kat wanted to be sick at his words. Padmé was right; this was completely unbelievable. How could Anakin think any of this was true?

"Anakin, they're your family - "

"No. They're traitors. You're my family. You and the baby." That was when Kat knew he had abandoned the Jedi Order. If he could distance himself from the ones that had sheltered him, trained him, helped him grow into a great warrior, not standing up to protect them in the face of obvious bias, then he was lost. It made her a trifle sad, he had such potential, but for some reason she was not very surprised. He had chafed under the rules for years and now that he and Padmé had a child on the way it was not completely shocking that he had chosen to leave ... but to believe such lies?

"How can all of them be traitors - ?"

"The Republic is unstable. There are traitors in the Senate as well." He looked down at his wife who was now very still. "You need to distance yourself from your 'friends.' The Chancellor has said they will be dealt with when all this is over." Padmé stared at him silently, briefly, then wrapped her arms around her middle.

"I've openly opposed this war. What will you do if I become a suspect?"

"That won't happen. I won't let it. As long as you are with me you will be safe."

"Oh, Anakin, I'm afraid." He hugged her tightly. Again he spoke to her in a voice she could not hear but whatever he said didn't seem to ease her friend's agitation. He began to back away from her, heading towards his docked speeder.

"Wait for me, please."

"I will." The two shared a last look and then he was gone. Silence descended upon them and Kat quickly made her way to Padmé's side. She dismissed Threepio, who left the room muttering about feeling useless. She could sympathize with the droid as she felt the same.

"Oh, Kat! How could this be happening? The Jedi ... trying to take over power from the Chancellor? I would never have thought ... "

"Think, Padmé!" she said, placing her hands on the other woman's arms. "It doesn't make sense for the Jedi to rise against the Chancellor as he's said. A grab for power? Does that sound like the Jedi to you? If they moved against him they must have had a very good reason. Think! What could make them act against the head of the government they've always protected?"

There was no immediate answer though it didn't take long for the Senator's mask to slip in place and Padmé met her gaze steadily.

"They suspected him of something."

"That's the only thing that makes sense to me. You are married to him, has Anakin ever mentioned anything about the Jedi and the Chancellor?"

A slight hesitation then, "He told me not long ago that the Council did not trust Palpatine and wanted him to spy on him, report back to them."

Kat bit her lip in thought. What could Palpatine have done to bring the suspicion of the Council down on him? Yes, he was a slimy, greedy politician and she'd never liked or trusted him, but to be suspected of ... something ... by the Jedi that would cause them to attempt to remove him?

"Padmé, you know Master Yoda and Master Windu. You are familiar with many on the Council. We have been close to the Jedi since the invasion of Naboo. Do you honestly think they would try to overthrow the government simply because they wanted to control everything?"

A slight shake of the head. "No. You are right, Kat, though if that is what the Chancellor believes I'm not surprised that is all Anakin has heard. Something else is at work here. We need to - " She was cut off by a beep from her com. With quick steps she walked over and pressed the button, a blue image of Mas Amedda appearing when she did so.

"Senator Amidala, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic requests your presence at a special session of the Congress."

"Of course. Tell the Chancellor I will be there."

"He will be expecting you." His image flickered off and the two women looked at each other in silence.

"I believe we will discover the truth behind what has happened in this meeting," Padmé said in a low voice.

Kat nodded. "While you are there I think I am going to try and slip into the Temple. I need to see what I can uncover there, perhaps from the security screens - "

"No." Her friend's voice was firm. "I want you to come with me to the Senate. I need you there for support. And ... I feel the Temple is unsafe now."

She had a feeling Padmé was right and though she desperately wanted to get to the Temple, to see if she could uncover any hint of what happened, to see if she could find ... survivors ... it mostly likely would be prudent to wait. She had her answer though she didn't particularly like it. Waiting to see if anything was heard from Master Yoda or Obi-Wan would be the wisest move ... even if she had never been exactly wise.

"As you wish. I will let Dormé know that we have an important Senate session to prepare for."

"Thank you, Kat." Padmé wrapped her arms around her middle tightly and strolled slowly out towards the veranda obviously desiring some moments alone. Kat sighed and left the room to find Dormé and to begin prepping what the Senator would wear.

It was worse than either of them had imagined.

Kat sat there gripping the sides of her purple velvet gown as she tried to contain her horror at what was unfolded before them. She wanted to pull at the wrap around her neck - it felt too tight now and itched - but she did not want to draw any attention to their pod. Bail Organa's appearance had not made her feel much better, though he had met her gaze when he'd entered and it seemed like he had been trying to communicate something. Glancing around their pod she could see concern on Jar Jar's features and Captain Typho's face was set in a deep frown. Padmé was in front of her so all she could see was the back of her black gown but she could easily read the other woman's thoughts.

This really could not be happening.

She did not believe a word the Chancellor was saying about the Jedi. As she had with Anakin she could almost see darkness swirling around the man and as the cheering in the Senate chamber escalated the swirls around him seemed to speed up.

"In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire. An empire that will be ruled by this august body and a sovereign ruler chosen for life. An empire ruled by the majority, ruled by a new constitution." The cheers in the chamber were almost deafening and Kat really couldn't believe what she was witnessing. Were the Senators really applauding the loss of the Republic? The loss of democracy?

"So this is how democracy dies ... with thunderous applause," Padmé commented sadly.

"We cannot allow this to happen! We can still enter a motion - " Bail urged, making a move to come to his feet. Padmé's hand shot out and she grabbed his arm, forcing him to remain seated.

"No. No, Bail, you cannot enter a motion. Many of the Senators from the Delegation of Two Thousand have already been arrested. You stayed off that list for good reason."

"But I can't stand by and watch - "

"You're right. You can't just watch, you have to vote for him." Bail's shocked expression most likely matched the one on her own face as she stared at her friend.

"What?"

"Bail, its the only way. It's the only hope you have of staying in a position to do anyone any good. Vote for Palpatine, vote for the Empire, make Mon Mothma do the same. Be good little Senators, mind your manners and keep your heads down. Keep doing ... all the things we can't talk about. Promise me, Bail."

Kat was beginning to understand what her friend meant. There was no way Padmé, Bail, and the others would be able to defeat Palpatine now; he was too strong. But if they waited, bided their time, let the new government show the people it was no good, support for an overthrow would grow.

Understanding was dawning in Bail's eyes but there was still a frown on his face. He wasn't quite ready to concede the point. "Padmé, what you're talking about - what we're not talking about - it could take twenty years! What are you going to do?"

The Naboo Senator almost seemed to deflate before their eyes.

"Don't worry about me. I don't know I'll live that long."

Bail looked horrified but Kat, having heard the conversation with Anakin earlier in the day knew what Padmé was thinking. There was no way Palpatine would allow the strongest supporters of democracy remain free ... or alive. Even Anakin, despite what he thought, would not be able to hide her forever.

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Bail stood with them as they waited for Padmé's transport. Kat kept a close eye on her friend, who had chosen to stand a bit apart from them. The worry and despondency in someone usually so upbeat and confident was heartbreaking to witness.

"Lady Diaanti," he said in a very low voice. "I was asked to pass on the information that someone who cares about you survived this purge." Her breath caught and her heart skipped a beat but she remained facing calmly forward. There was no way of knowing who was watching or listening.

"Thank you, Senator Organa. If you can please pass along my wishes of continued safety."

"I will and if you or Padmé need anything, don't hesitate to come to me. I fear we are moving into very dangerous and uncertain times." She met his eyes and nodded. Their transport arrived and he helped them aboard then left to make his way to his own ship. There was nothing said as they trekked across the city. There was nothing to be said and the three women stared out the windows, worry laying heavy on them. It felt like a noose had been slipped over their heads and there was no way of knowing when it would tighten.