Disclaimer: I do not own any of Star Wars, the right of ownership of Star Wars belong to Lucasfilm and I guess Disney too. The only thing I own is the characters you do not notice and the plot.
Chapter 38: Unexpected Evidence
News about the attack on the Jedi Temple spread like news. While that spread like news, the fact that no workers and the Jedi themselves were killed. The only deaths that were happen to the invaders. The public also got news that only one person is hurt and is recovery from their injuries. The only names they know about where the dead invaders and the Jedi who stop them.
Mark walk down halls of the Senate Rotunda that have Holoscreens with the news on it. There was also news that some people think that the Jedi are unfit to protect the Republic due what happen. They really do not have a good standing on that topic since the only damage was to the temple.
Already some members of the Senate were trying to get government money to go to rebuilding the home and school of the Jedi. That was turned down by Palpatine who stated that their money should be going to supplies for the army and those who need. That right there was another piece of the metaphorical chessboard that was taken by him.
Instead of making the Jedi look weak, the attack may them look stronger even where most of their strongest members were out in the field. Since Palpatine and his groups of loyal Senators did not let the money go to them, that turned even more of the loyalty that Palpatine has.
Mark was watching some of the screens that show Padme presenting evidence that Palpatine is not as great as they thought. Mark has a strong feeling that the public would want her to be Chancellor. He already got news from Naboo's Queen Apailana that she wants Padme to run for Chancellor. Some how she has found out about Mark's plan and turns out that she does not like the Chancellor.
She even offers support of the Naboo military to help them if they need too. Apparent Palpatine have made a lot of enemies in this universe that keep themselves hidden. Mark has to think that they are some very powerful people.
Mark was walking down the hall when someone pushes something into his hand. Mark looks down and notices it was a blue holodisk. Mark activates it and notice it has something to do with Palpatine's banking account. He looks around to find the person who gave it to him. Mark saw the person who smiles at him slightly. Mark follows him and grabs his shoulder.
"How did you get this? Who are you?" ask Mark. "I got from some of my friends in the InterGalactic Banking Clan. Let just say the Hutts are not happy with that two face Chancellor. You also look in their you will find your Sith Lord and Chancellor is one and the same base upon their signatures." say the guy in a whisper.
"Jabba the Hutt sent you?" ask Mark. "Hell no, another Hutt. Sorry I cannot say whom, they do not want to be known. Trust me Jabba is in a lot of trouble as is. Apparently the money from the attack was supposed to go to the whole Hutts Clan. Last time I check Jabba wants you dead. Another thing he has done and letting the Senator of Bakura be held at his palace as a prisoner. The Hutts have a law stating that Bakura is off limits. " say the person before leaving. "Hey tell who ever you are working for, that Master Jedi Mark Zane is thankful." say Mark.
"They already know. Unlike Jabba the Hutt they hardly work for the Dark Side of the Force. You cannot trust them. Oh one more than Master Zane, if you fail and manage to live, you will be hunted down by not only the Sith but the Hutt I work for." say the guy with a slight trace of a smile before walking out of sight.
Mark just shakes his head and laughs slightly at this. Must be pretty bad when you upset the Hutts. That proves one thing; the Hutts are greedy and only cares for themselves. For once in his life, he is grateful for the slime balls that are the Hutts.
Mark pockets the device into his robe pocket. He was not expecting the Hutts help. Even with their help, Mark still does not like the Hutt at all. Mark turns to face a Holoscreen. It was zooms onto Palpatine's face as he was talking.
It was his fault that Rachelle is in a Bacta Tank for the past 3 days and look like she might be in there longer. If people prevent Palpatine getting a powerful position like he did, then there would be no planning to protect the Jedi Order and the Republic. There would not have been a Clone Wars. Mark is going to make sure Palpatine pays for all his troubles.
Mark tears his eyes away from the screen to walk out of the building. The wind blows his robe hard as he walks into a guy in a red armor with dark red clothing. Mark right away find out he is a Bakuran Guard of his mother. "Master Zane what are you doing here?" ask the Guard. "I need to head back to the temple. I got some very important message to give to my mother. Tell her to make sure she view it in private, it part of the plan." say Mark. "Yes sir, I will do it right away." say the Guard.
Mark walks away from the guard. He called for a Taxi Speeder. He got into the back seat and look ahead. "To the Jedi Temple, now do your job. I know you are a Bounty Hunter to come after me. You value living unharmed, I advise you not even try to poison me with that gas. I am a Bakura, so your poison or gas would not work on me." say Mark lowly as he notices the driver going to press a button.
"Then maybe I will kill you with a blaster." say the driver. "I would you, I wouldn't try that. You do that, I might activate my Lightsaber which might cut the Speeder and will send us falling to our death." say Mark as if death does not phase him. "So you will be dead." say the driver. "So would you, but I got a question are you smart enough to accept death as I have. Plus my chance of living is greater than yours. Even if you manage to live and I do not, I already have me location being traced, and you really do not want to meet any of the Clone Troopers that are loyal to me. I can promise you there are not as easy going as I am." say Mark softly as he put his hands behind his head.
The Bounty Hunter mumbles and complains as he put the Speeder into gear and drives toward the Jedi Temple. His finger keeps inching toward the hidden blaster, but Mark keep saying you wouldn't want to do that. The fourth time he pull it out, but the Blaster was pulled out of his hand and into Mark's awaiting hand. Mark throws it out the window.
Mark then hears beeping noise and notice there was a bomb in his seat. He also notices that the Speeder has two parts. The driver seat is in one part, so even if one part explodes, then the driving part can still be drive. Mark us the Force and jump out the door.
Mark was falling through the air traffic of Coruscant gathering speed as he approaches. He uses the Force to slow his speed down as he landed hard onto the surface of the planet. He was in the Lower Coruscant, the parts of the planet that is hidden from the sky by large buildings. It is a common place for scums to be at.
Slowly, Mark got up from the ground he landed on. The Force slowed him enough to do any major physical damage. "That was not one of my wisest idea." say Mark as he dusts himself off and stretch his muscles out a bit.
Mark touches his Comlink and notice it is damage. Mark shakes his head and walks away. That is when he senses someone dangerous nearby. Before Mark could draw his Lightsaber, Blaster fire in front of him went pass him. Behind Mark he heard ten people fall down. Mark looks up and sees some of Bakuran Guards along with a Clone Trooper that has a red X over the front.
"Sir, I got one major question. What were you thinking about getting into a Taxi with a Bounty Hunter? We had got warning there was a Bounty Hunter out to get you." say Captain Kia as he crosses his arms and stares at Mark through the visor of his helmet.
"Really, I did not know he was a Bounty Hunter until I got into the Speeder. How did you know where I was anyway? Have you been tailing me?" say Mark. "Yes, I have been since the attack on the Jedi Temple. Those people did not just attack the Jedi Temple for the fun of it, but also to kill you. We have found a kill order on one of them. You were their target. So I took upon myself to talk to Senator Zane to borrow some of her guards to look after you." say Captain Kia.
Mark cracks a smile as he pats Captain Kia on the shoulder. "Good job, I am glad when I am off track, I know you have my back." say Mark. "Cannot let my troops without a General and then we have to put up with your commander. No offense sir, but boy Commander Rachelle can be a handful." say Captain Kia.
Mark looks at Captain Kia. "I know she can be a handful, but her heart is in the right place. I respect you a lot Kia, but do not make me lose respect. During the attack, she put her life on the line to protect younglings. She as much as a solider as you are." say Mark lowly as they keep walking around.
Being a Jedi, Mark is not use to having a guard like this around him. Protecting him from any trouble that might comes their way. "Sir, I respect Commander Hunter a lot, but you have to admit that she sometimes act without thinking." say Captain Kia. Mark sighs and nods to this. Rachelle is a great person, but Captain Kia is right about Rachelle. She still has a lot to learn about her own limits and various other stuff.
A Speeder came by them. It was a basic Speeder of a normal color, but it got the attention of all the bystanders that are around them. Mark got into the Speeder. They drive him to the Jedi Temple. After getting there, Captain Kia walks with Mark through the doors of the temple. "Oh before I forgot, you drop this sir." say Captain Kia handing Mark his Lightsaber back.
Mark nods his head to Captain Kia and walks away to the Halls of Healing. He notices the lights were off. Mark turns the lights on and looks at Rachelle in the Bacta Tank. She looks a bit better then she did when she first enter the tank. "I promise you Rachelle, I will finish this mission and I will not die. I will live and I will train you to be the best Jedi that you can be." say Mark.
He sits down against the opposite wall and stares at Rachelle. He would always come to the Halls of Healing to spend some time with Rachelle. He says little and just sits there. He will sometimes tell her what is going on. He always tells her what is going on with the plan if they are alone. They are usually alone at this time of night. He cannot just blame Palpatine for this; he needs to take some of the blame. Rachelle is in danger because of him. He should have kept her in the dark of his entire plan, but he knows Rachelle will begin to suspect something and that will make her lose his trust. If she loses his trust, then she loses her chance to become a Jedi Knight.
He knows that Rachelle cannot hear a word he is saying, but it does beats down the guilt he feels that she would not be in such as much trouble if he has not agree to be her mentor. This thought of bouncing off the walls of his mind since the attack of the Jedi Temple. It was obvious that he should not feel any guilt of her getting hurt in order to protect the younglings; he would do the same thing. Still knowing that this attack was thanks to Palpatine and that the whole attack was not only to make the Jedi look weak but also to get him killed.
Mark stands up after an hour of sitting and walks out of the room. Rachelle is in no condition to help him anymore. Excluding the Senators, he is once again alone in his plan. It is not the first time he felt alone in a mission, and it does not bother him that much. Another way he views about Rachelle get hurt and has to be in a Bacta Tank is that it will prevent her from coming to help him in his battle with Palpatine.