Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 34 "Infuration and Deceit."
The search for the truth ! With Darth Enigma and Zai'shira planting doubt and curiosity, Ahsoka Tano and General Grievous want to learn the truth on their own account.
While the young padawan decides to ask the former Jedi Council member Jocasta Nu about Zai'shira's past, General Grievous prepares himself for the travel to the InterGalactic Banking Clan headquarters on Planet Scipio to talk with its chairman, San Hill.
Vassek System, Third Moon of Planet Vassek, Grievous's Castle, Repair Room.
Grievous's castle was built into the rockface of a large gorge. Shrouded by the moon's heavy fog, the castle was specifically designed to cater to the needs of the general, with an operating and repair room, a hangar for his starfighter, and several booby traps intended for intruders. Aside from Grievous, the castle was the home to the droid A4-D, Gor, Grievous's pet roggwart, and a cadre of IG-100 MagnaGuards who protected the lair.
"There, I've finished your repairs, Master," said A4-D, an EV-series supervisor droid who served General Grievous as his repair droid. The cyborg's right arm was now fully functional, but there still was one thing that Grievous needed to check.
"Run a full detailed scan of my head," ordered the General, still lying the on the repair table. "I want to know about every little chip, wire, and processor in my brain. And after that, tell me what's their function."
"That's the first time you wanted me to perform such task," A4-D pointed out. "Is there something wrong with your processors ?"
"Just do it !" Grievous snapped.
"As you wish, Master," the droid complied. Reaching for Grievous's metallic brain case, he started to dismantle it.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Jedi Archives, The Rotunda.
The Jedi Archives was a fathomless collection of ancient knowledge and research dating back thousands of standard years. The Archives served as a repository for journals and artifacts. Located in the First Knowledge quarter of the Jedi Temple, the Archives was open at all hours and were accessible to all Jedi in need of information... and Ahsoka needed all the information she could get.
At the center of the Archives was the great rotunda, the access point from which any Jedi could explore the vast chamber. A massive, circular chamber, the rotunda's arching doorways stretched to the ceiling, granting anyone in the area a view of the entire Archives room. Terminals in the rotunda allowed Jedi to access any of the four halls, narrowing down their searches to a specific area.
At first, the young Togruta tried to find some information about her mother there. Since she was a former Jedi Knight, Ahsoka believed that there would be some information about her. But to her disappointment, she found nothing.
With a loud groan, she leaned back in her chair. "How's that possible ?" She asked frustrated.
"You seem troubled. Can I help you young one ?" Asked the Chief Librarian, Jocasta Nu, approaching the young Togruta.
Ahsoka smiled and bowed her head. "Madame Jocasta, I just... cannot find the information I'm looking for," she replied with a discouraged look.
"My dear, if an information about a person or an item does not appear in our records, then it does not exist. There is more knowledge here than anywhere else in the galaxy," the old female stated with a slight chuckle.
"I'm looking for an information about a certain person, a former Jedi Knight," said Ahsoka. "She is a Togruta named Zai'shira."
Jocasta's face got serious and a little sad. "Oh, Zai'shira Kessen," she said. It was the first time Ahsoka heard her mother's full name. "Kessen was probably her maiden's name," Ahsoka thought. Jocasta took a seat next to Ashoka. "Why does she interest you ?" She asked suspiciously.
"She's a Master of my friend, Deiven," Ahsoka replied quickly, not telling the whole truth. "I just want to know what kind of a person she is. I heard that she was a strong Jedi."
"That's an understatement, to say the least," said Jocasta. "She attained a rank of the Jedi Knight at the age of sixteen, and at the age of nineteen the rank of the Jedi Master."
Ahsoka smiled and her eyes sparkled. The young Togruta felt awe and her chest was bursting with pride hearing that she was a daughter of such strong and skilled Jedi Master.
"We had a few missions together," Jocasta continued. "And when I became the Chief Librarian, she always came to talk about her adventures. She was always energetic and cheerful, helping others and fighting against all odds. But then... she broke the Jedi Code."
Ahsoka's face expression changed from happy to concern. "What happened ?" She asked.
"She fell in love," Jocasta replied simply, confusing Ahsoka.
Vassek System, Third Moon of Planet Vassek, Grievous's Castle, Repair Room.
"All done Master," declared A4-D. The droid moved away from the General and handed him a datapad, which contained all detailed information he desired. With his brain case still opened, Grievous began to check the datapad. What he found, really displeased him.
"This chip here, and the one here," Grievous coughed and he showed the locations of the small chips in his brain on the datapad. "Remove them !" He ordered.
"Master, that's the behavior tampering and the memory impeding chip," stated A4-D. "Are you sure ? This will be extremally painfull."
"Do it !" Grievous growled. "I will not be manipulated by some stupid chip."
Without a word, A4-D reached for Grievous's brain. Memorizing where the chips were located he used his small, metallic claws to forcefully removed the chips from the brain tissue. Grievous's screams could be heard in the entire castle. Normally, a medical droid should give one a medicine to mitigate the pain, but that wasn't in A4-D's sadistic nature.
"There," said A4-D, "quick and very painful." The droid placed the chips on the table. "What do you fell, Master ? I mean besides the pain."
Grievous breathed hoarsely from the pain but managed to get down from the repair table quite nimbly. Reaching out for the chips, at first, he wanted to destroy them, but then, he noticed a small writing.
"Property of InterGalactic Banking Clan," Grievous read out loud. At first, A4-D suspected that the General will burst out in rage, but he slowly turned his head towards him, which was even more menacing. "Close my brain case and prepare my ship," he ordered, "I'm heading to Scipio."
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Jedi Archives, The Rotunda.
"As you already know attachments are forbidden," said Jocasta Nu. "And Zai'shira fell in love with another Togruta male, I never actually got to know his name. But then happened something very good and bad for her."
"What's that ?" Ahsoka asked.
"She became pregnant," answered the human female. "You're too young to actually know this, but the Jedi have simple, yet very strict rule regarding pregnant female Jedi Knights. In very, very rare occasions sometimes, a female Jedi is allowed to have a baby in order to give the order a strong force-sensitive child. But the Jedi Council knew, Zai'shira won't give that baby away. She loved it too much."
"What happened with the baby ?" Ahsoka asked. The young Togruta started to have a bad feeling about this.
"The Jedi Council gave Zai'shira a choice," replied Jocasta. "Leaving the Jedi Order was one, the second was submitting to the abortion."
Ahsoka's whole body felt as if it was placed in an ice-cold bath. The young Togruta was shocked. "The Jedi Council wanted to kill... the baby ?" She asked with a trembling voice.
"Yes," Jocasta replied. "The whole Council agreed and Zai'shira decided to leave the Jedi Order."
"The Jedi are supposed to protect all life !" Ahsoka stated, raising her voice. "How could they be willing to kill an innocent baby ?!"
Jocasta Nu was a little surprised by her outburst, but she understood her. "I know you find that decision grim and cruel, but that's the Jedi Code," stated the old female. The serenity in her voice and words was driving Ahsoka mad. The young Togruta clenched her fists. Her whole word crumbling. She stood up abruptly and dashed out of the Archives without a word. The Chief Librarian decided to leave her alone but also to inform her Master about this.
Hyperspace Tunnel, The Invisible Hand's Command Deck.
"General we'll reach planet Scipio in three minutes," proclaimed the B1 battle droid.
"Good," said Grievous, resting on his seat.
"General, Count Dooku is calling via holo," said the second B1 battle droid.
"Put him through," ordered Grievous.
When the holographic image of Count Dooku appeared on the display, the General only nodded to the Sith Lord. "Word is that you've taken the fleet to Scipio, General," said Count Dooku. "Why wasn't I informed ?"
"I have taken only my ship, Count," corrected Grievous. "I have a small business with the Banking Clan and I don't want to burthen the Sith with my personal affairs. I will finish this quickly and return to my duties."
Dooku stroked his beard. The Sith Lord was unsure what to think about Grievous's recent behavior. But he considered this as his momentary mood, because of the loss at the young Togruta's hands."I understand," said the Count, decided to humor the General and allow him to do as he pleased. This time.
When Dooku ended the call, Grievous growled and intertwined his metallic claws. "When I get to the bottom of this, then 'you' will understand," the cyborg muttered and coughed.
"General we're entering the Albario System," announced the B1 battle droid.
"Finally," Grievous stood up from his seat. "You know what to say ?"
"Yes, General," replied the B1 droid. Grievous left the command deck and headed to the hangar bay, leaving the rest to the droids.
Albario System, Planet Scipio's Outer Atmosphere, The Invisible Hand's Command Deck.
When the Invisible Hand came out from hyperspace, the planet's security immediately tried to establish a communication. The droids put them through and immediately a male voice echoed from the ship communications console.
"This is the InterGalactic Banking Clan security division to the unscheduled Separatist ship, state your business," demanded the security officer.
"This TT-94D, the captain of the ship," the droid said formally. "Our leader, Count Dooku, is here to discuss an important business with the Chairman of the Banking Clan, San Hill. Large amounts of credits are involved." The droid knew that there was nothing more important for the Muuns than the credits. "Count Dooku has already sent General Grievous in the shuttle in order to pick up the Chairman."
There was a brief moment of silence before the male security guard spoke once again. "Understood, we'll notify the Chairman right away."
Planet Scipio, InterGalactic Banking Clan Headquarters, Landing Platform.
Grievous landed with his shuttle and descended the ramp with two MagnaGuards. Now, he waited for the Chairman San Hill to arrive. Just as Grievous predicted, he didn't have to wait long. The smell of credits was the best bait for the greedy Muuns. Accompanied by two human guards, the Muun San Hill approached General Grievous with a smile. "Welcome General," greeted the Muun. "Why did Count Dooku invited me to his ship instead meeting me here ?"
"You know the Sith Lords," replied Grievous. "They want to make sure that no one interrupts their affairs." The cyborg beckoned the Muun to board the shuttle. Just as the six of them boarded the shuttle and the ramp closed itself behind them, Grievous grabbed the two human guards by their heads. In a flash, he rammed their heads together, crushing their skulls in the process.
"What are you doing General ?!" San Hill yelled in terror, looking at the two dead guards. Grievous slowly approached the Muun and reaching for his own waist, the cyborg showed him the two chips still covered in his blood. The Muun's eyes widened in shock.
"Judging by your reaction you know what those chip are," Grievous stated with an angry tone. "You did this to me ! Not the Jedi !"
"It was Dooku and Poggle the Lesser who planted the bomb on your shuttle !" The Muun screamed in fear and panic. "I just wanted you to be loyal to us, just as you've promised."
Grievous grabbed the Muun by the throat and lifted him into the air. "And that gave you the right to erase my memories and control my emotions ?! Who else was involved in this scheme ?"
"Count Dooku, Darth Sidious, Poggle the Lesser and me," replied the Muun, gasping for air. The Chairman was holding Grievous's arms, trying to pull them away from his throat.
Grievous growled, his eyes full of rage. Not caused by the chip, but by his own. "They will all pay dearly with their blood," With a quick turn of his wrist, the cyborg snapped the Chairman's neck. He confirmed Zai'shira's words so he didn't need the Muun alive anymore.
Tossing the body aside, Grievous turn to face his MagnaGuards. "Take us back to the Invisible Hand," he ordered.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Ahsoka's Quarters.
The young Togruta was angry, to say the least. Lying prone on her mattress, she felt betrayed and deceived, by the Jedi Council. "They wanted me death," Ahsoka muttered into her pillow. Ahsoka started to realize that the number of people she could trust grew smaller and smaller. Even the Jedi Code grew to be something she couldn't trust. How could she follow the rules that dictated killing unborn babies ?
Ahsoka turned around and looked at the ceiling. She really didn't know what to do. Suddenly, she decided to blow off some steam. Getting up, she grabbed her lightsabers and headed to the training grounds.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Main Entrance Hall.
Anakin has just returned from the unsuccessful search of Darth Enigma. Obi-Wan was waiting for his friend in the hall, his thoughts partly preoccupied with recent events.
"Let me quess," started Obi-Wan, "Enigma has escaped."
Anakin approached Obi-Wan and groaned. "No signs of him or Cad Bane," replied the younger human. "He has probably already left Coruscant. Ghhhh, I just can't believe how elusive this guy is."
"I'm really curious what are his intentions," said Obi-Wan, looking at the ground and stroking his beard.
"What do you mean ?" Anakin looked at Obi-Wan with a puzzled look.
"He saved Ahsoka's life three times if I'm counting correctly," the human pointed out. "Any other Sith would just kill her or wouldn't even raise a finger in order to save her."
"Sooo, you're saying he's a good guy ?" Anakin asked dubiously.
"I'm saying that he saved her because he had a specific reason for that. I don't know what are his intentions, but you need to keep an eye on her," Obi-Wan warned. Anakin nodded understandably and was about to check on his padawan when they heard a female voice addressed to them. "Excuse me, Master Kenobi."
Turning their heads the two Jedi looked at the approaching Chief Librarian. "Ahh, Madame Jocasta," Obi-Wan greeted and smiled at the woman. "How can I be of assist ?"
"Actually I'm here to talk with the young Anakin Skywalker, "said Jocasta looking at the young human. "A blue-eyed, orange-skinned Togruta girl."
Anakin immediately recognized the description of his padawan. "Ahsoka Tano, she's my padawan," he stated worryingly. "What happened to her ?"
"She was in the Jedi Archives not so long ago, looking for information about Zai'shira Kessen's past," replied Jocasta. "I've told your padawan Zai'shira's story, which included the abortion rule. She didn't take it well. I thought you should know."
"T-thank you Madame Jocasta," Anakin said, bowing his head. The Chief Librarian smiled slightly and wandered off, returning to the Jedi Archives.
"You were also displeased hearing that rule," said Obi-Wan.
"I'm not even asking anymore. I'm going to check on her," Anakin stated with a deep sigh. Kenobi nodded and got back to his own duties.
Albario System, Planet Scipio's Outer Atmosphere, The Invisible Hand's Command Deck.
When Grievous returned to the Invisible Hand, he sat down and his seat and started to think about his next move. He wanted the revenge, but he wasn't stupid. The cyborg was fully aware that if he would attack Dooku head on, the Sith Lord would simply destroy him. And a surprise attack was something extremely risky, especially against someone as paranoid as a Sith Lord.
He couldn't use the droids because Dooku and Darth Sidious were superior leaders. The only option that was left for him, was to join another faction. The Republic and the Jedi would put him in jail. And although his rage for the Jedi was subsiding, thanks to the lack of the chip, he still despised them.
But there still was a third, powerful faction. Neutral, but still. "Clear the deck," Grievous ordered. The droid complied and quickly left the General alone. Pushing the buttons on the console, the General tried to establish a connection with Shili. After a few tries, a male Togruta appeared on the display. It was non-other than the King of Shili, Aven Tunalen. The Togruta didn't hide his surprised expression. "General Grievous ? This is a surprise," said the King.
"Greetings King Tunalen," Grievous bowed his head. "I would like to speak with ArchKnight, Zai'shira Kessen."
The Togruta narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "About what if I may ask ?"
"I would like to talk about her offer of joining the Kingdom of the Force," replied the General.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Training Grounds.
The training ground was a large courtyard located near the base of the temple's central spire and was used for the training of Jedi, including younglings. At its heart was an ancient tree that was imbued with the powers of the Force.
Anakin learned that his padawan was practicing on the training grounds, so without any further delays, he headed straight there. The human spotted Ahsoka lying on the ground and breathing heavily from exhaustion.
"Try not to overtrain yourself, Snips," Anakin chuckled.
"Hello, Master," Ahsoka got up and looked at Anakin. Just then, Skywalker noticed that she had dark circles under her eyes, a proof that she was crying.
"Ahsoka, what happened ?" Anakin asked, looking at her worryingly. He approached Ahsoka and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Is this about Madame Jocasta ?"
"Yes," Ahsoka replied. "She told me what happens to the unborn babies."
"I know you're upset Ahsoka and I don't blame you," reassured her Anakin. "I was also shocked when I've learned about it and trust me, I still don't like it. But those are the rules, that we cannot change and we have to just live with them."
Ahsoka was clearly sulking, so Anakin decided to do something that will get her mind of the Jedi Order and the war. At least for a short while. "Hey, I was planning to take a break from this whole Sith Lord chasing and fighting," said Anakin. "How about I'll take you and Senator Padme for some sweats, my treat."
"Alright," Ahsoka said with a slight smile. On the outside, she looked calmly, but inside, Ahsoka had a large, aggregated charge of rage, that ached for release.
Please R&R ;)