Master Kenobi was currently away on another mission in the Clone Wars. I wasn't with him right now because I was still recovering and going through therapy with my left arm...
I still couldn't believe that I no longer had a left arm, instead having it replaced by a metal prosthetic, similar to Anakin's except mine was larger. His was cut off by Dooku, leaving just his forearm up to the elbow as his prosthetic. My mechanical limb stretched all the way up to just underneath my shoulder bone, and I could still feel the phantom pain of it, once again reminding me that it was gone. I hissed in pain, grabbing my mechanical arm in an attempt to sooth it, knowing it wouldn't do anything when another bout of pain overcame me. The door then opened up and Ahsoka came in.
"You doing alright?" she asks in concern, sitting on the bed beside me. I rolled my shoulder a little bit as the pain faded and let out a sigh.
"Could be better," I replied glumly. She puts a hand on what remains of my shoulder and rubs it a little in a form of comfort, helping to disperse the fading pain across our bond. I send her a small smile of gratitude.
"Well if it helps, we do have the woman responsible for this in custody," she said in satisfaction.
"Definitely good, but it won't bring back everyone else who died," I say sadly, and she sighs in exasperation, a wave of sadness overcoming her.
"Jarik, please stop with the gloomy attitude! You'll get better!" she says in an attempt to reassure me.
"But my arm is gone! How am I supposed to recover from that?!" I cry out suddenly, and she jumps slightly in surprise, eyes widening at my outburst.
"Anakin has a mechanical arm," she points out. I roll my eyes.
"Yeah, that's just his forearm. I'm missing the entire thing, excusing my shoulder!" I exclaim, tears threatening to come to my eyes. "How do people even deal with this?!"
Ahsoka's eyes water up slightly at my distraught state, and she wraps her arms around me to calm me down. I latch onto her tightly and cry into her shoulder, feeling so helpless at the loss of one of my limbs.
"It's ok Jarik, please, you'll be ok," she says, doing her best to keep it together. I feel like such a jerk for putting her in this forced position to hold it together for me, when she's clearly not alright either, but I can't help it. I'm just a cripple now, unable to protect even myself from an explosion, unable to protect my troops from Krell... unable to save Master Piell... unable to keep Ahsoka from being kidnapped by Hondo...
"Stop it!" Ahsoka suddenly exclaims and she pulls me away, glaring angrily into my eyes. I blink at her in shock, surprised by her outburst.
"You're not a cripple, you're not a failure, none of those things were your fault!" she shouts, gripping my shoulders tightly as she glares at me. Was I projecting those thoughts...?
"I don't care what happens to you, or what happens to me. You're my best friend Jarik! I couldn't stand to lose you, and I won't lose you to your own misery!" she continues.
"Well I can't lose you either!" I shoot back. "You always seem to be kidnapped or lost and I can't do anything about it! What does that make me?!"
"As long as you try your best that's all that matters to me," she says. "But if you go blaming yourself now for everything that was out of your control then you only truly turn yourself into what you think you are, but you're not!" small tears are coming from her eyes now. "So stop, blaming, yourself, for things nobody can control!"
I'm silent for another few seconds, Ahsoka's words cutting deep. I look back up at her with teary eyes, feeling how worried and upset she is that I'm succumbing to my own despair because I don't think I'm good enough...
"I'm sorry," I say quietly, and she pulls me into another tight hug.
The next day we were holding the funeral session for the Jedi who were killed in the hanger bay explosion. We all had our cloaks and hoods up as Master Yoda gave the eulogy, walking around the coffins. Even members of the Senate, such as the Chancellor and Mas Amedda were there, as well as... oh killjoy. "Admiral" Tarkin, as he likes to so proudly boast.
"One with the Force, they are." Master Yoda says. "And our job it is, to remember that we will in time, also pass on. Luminous beings are we, but temporary vessels, our bodies are. And we shall all find ourselves here, in time. A moment of silence I ask, to remember, and to move on." he says, and we all incline our heads slightly.
Ahsoka glances over at Barriss, who looks upset, although she's hiding it the best she can. "You were close to one of them?" she asks.
"Tutso Mara," she answers. "We trained together. He taught me how to hold my lightsaber correctly."
"I'm sorry for your loss," I say quietly.
"Live, for the living Jedi, we must." Master Yoda continues. "Live through us, forever they will."
The coffins then all lower into the floor one by one, the panels closing to unleash a white beam of light that shoots into the ceiling, signifying that they are one with the Force.
After the funeral session, Ahsoka and I, as well as Barris and Anakin were heading down the hallway, followed by the greatest person in the world, Wilhuff Tarkin.
Please note the sarcasm.
"So what happens to Letta now?" Ahsoka questions.
"The bomber has been moved." Tarkin replies swiftly.
"What?" I ask in surprise. "Where and why is that a thing?"
"Why would she be moved?" Ahsoka asks in confusion.
"The Republic military has taken her into custody." Is all Tarkin has to say in his sniveling, condescending tone.
"But, why?" she demands. "This is a Jedi matter isn't it?"
"The JEDI Temple was the building bombed, not the Senate," I add in, emphasizing the word Jedi.
"Clones were killed, which makes this attack a military matter," he retorts, and I roll my eyes, crossing my arms angrily. As if he actually cared about the lives of those soldiers and civilians. He treats them all like dirt! "An attack on the Jedi, is an attack on the Senate!" he states proudly.
I glare angrily at him. "Are you implying that the Senate rules the Jedi?" I demand.
"The Jedi serve the Republic, and last I checked, the Senate governed the Republic, which gives the military and the Senate jurisdiction over this matter," he replies smugly. "I would recommend learning your place before questioning what is fact."
I gape at him in outrage, so close to lashing out at him to see just how hard this metal arm can punch something. Ahsoka is just as angry, staring at Tarkin incredulously.
"That doesn't give you the right to barge in here like you own the place!" I exclaim.
"Jarik, just stop." Anakin says sternly. "Admiral Tarkin is right. Letta isn't a Jedi. It's not for us to be judge and jury over a citizen of the Republic," he says in defense of Tarkin.
I stare up at him in shock and slight betrayal, surprised that he would willingly agree with this sleemo over what isn't right. The Jedi Temple is what was attacked, not the Senate. Jedi were killed in the attack, Jedi who cared about the clones and civilians who also died, not the self-righteous senators and admirals lounging it up in their fancy houses with credits lining the walls.
"If Letta's guilty, she's guilty!" Ahsoka says angrily. "And she should be dealt with!"
"Calm down Ahsoka. Remember, revenge is not the Jedi way." Anakin tells her sternly, and she eyes him with a displeased frown.
"Hypocrite," I mutter under my breathe in irritation. It's as if he forgot how he was planning to kill the disguised Rako Hardeen to get revenge for Obi-Wan, not realizing that was Master Kenobi. Sure, I almost killed him too, but at least I'm not a hypocrite about it.
"Ahsoka, Jarik, the evidence seems clear." Barris says timidly, rubbing her arm. "Nothing will ever change."
Ahsoka and I stare at her too, bewildered by how everyone seems so at ease with how things are playing out with Letta, not seeming to realize how much more the Jedi are being swallowed up by the corrupt Senate.
"The Chancellor feels very strongly that the Jedi should be removed from as many military matters as possible." Tarkin says, striding forwards toward the elevator. "You yourselves said that you are peacekeepers, not soldiers," he says condescendingly with a smug grin.
"And yet it was the Senate who put the Jedi in charge of most military matters in this war," I pointed out.
"Things have changed Padawan Shan. And the Jedi have shown to be incapable of leading us to assured victory in this war," he retorts, entering the elevator.
"I hope Chancellor Palpatine knows what he's doing." Ahsoka says with a glare.
"I assure you, that he rarely does anything without a strategy." Tarkin responds, condescending as ever.
"Well there's something that you and the Chancellor do not have in common, Admiral Tarkin," I say bitterly, giving him a mock bow before storming off. I barely catch his face turn red as it contorts in rage and I smirk to myself. So the leech doesn't like it when someone insults him back, yet he feels he has the right to do whatever he wants to people.
"That was funny." Ahsoka admits, a small amount of amusement shared across the bond.
"Of course it was. The almighty Tarkin is nothing more than a smug #$!" I respond, and she snickers mentally in amusement. "Well, I'll see you in a little bit Ahsoka."
"Of course Jarik," she responds.
I head off down the hall by myself to try and calm down, lower my temper. I'm still on edge and short-tempered ever since losing my arm, and Ahsoka knew this, deciding it would be best to give me some space for the moment.
Of course, not to much later, I was in the war room with Ahsoka, Anakin and a few other Jedi Masters, discussing the Separatists next big plan of attack. Master Kenobi was on the hologram, surrounded by other planets that he was nearby as he explained the situation.
"We've uncovered a Separatist plan of attack. We shall travel to the Anoat system here, then move across to Saleucami," he explains, pointing at the different planets.
"So far out of our way?" Master Windu notices.
"Unfortunately we must avoid these neutral systems," he replies. To our great surprise and annoyance, Tarkin suddenly interrupts in the hologram, gaining our attention.
"Excuse me Master Jedi," he says.
"Yes Admiral?" Master Windu asks.
"Commander Tano, your presence is requested by prisoner Letta Turmond," he says, much to our surprise.
"The prisoner from the hanger bombing?" Ahsoka questions in confusion.
"Why is she asking for Ahsoka?" Anakin asks.
"Not exactly sure, but Commander Tano is the only person the prisoner will speak too," he informs us.
Ahsoka's face turns to one of determination. "I'll report back with whatever I find out," she says, heading out of the war meeting.
"Be careful Sweetie Horns," I tell her in concern across the bond.
"I'll be fine Jarik, thanks," she says gratefully.
There are two words to describe my current situation and feelings from what just happened.
Pissed. Off.
About an hour after Ahsoka reported to the Republic prison to interrogate Letta Turmond, the Temple bomber, we were all informed that she had been arrested for the murder of the prisoner and was now being accused of the Temple bombing to my utter shock and rage. Apparently during her interrogation, Letta revealed that she wasn't the mastermind, that another Jedi was the one who set up the plan for the bombing, threatening Letta's life. And now Ahsoka has been set up and falsely accused as well!
I couldn't contact Ahsoka through our bond either, which meant she was most likely held in Force binders or a prison cell designed for blocking the powers of a Force wielder.
Me and Anakin were currently at the prison, requesting to speak to Ahsoka, but this clone Commander Fox is absolutely infuriating us.
"I said, my Padawan is in there! Now step aside," Anakin growls dangerously for the millionth time. I had my arms crossed, slightly shaking in rage as my eyes flickered between gold and blue.
General Skywalker, Admiral Tarkin has ordered that no one, be allowed in there." Fox says defiantly, not an ounce of sympathy or compassion in his body, his demeanor cold from being a Coruscant trooper. The problem with these guys is that they never get the chance to lighten up or be actual people, because nobody except the Jedi actually see them as real people, so the Senators and civilians they're assigned to guard and protect treat them like garbage.
"Kriff the scumbag Tarkin Fox! We have a right to be in there!" I exclaim furiously.
"Unless you have clearance from Admiral Tarkin, you don't have the right to go further," he fires back coldly. I am visibly shaking with rage right now., and so is Anakin as he lifts a hand, closing it into a fist.
"I don't care what she's accused of! Let, us, in!" Anakin yells, jabbing a finger against the glass with a furious expression on his face.
Fox jumps back, slightly fearful before regaining his composure. He looks over to the side, and two clones with electrostaffs step forward threateningly behind us, weapons raised and activated. I uncross my arms and clench my fists, glaring at the two guards on either side of us.
"Sorry sir, the admiral's orders stand. This is now a military operation, and under his jurisdiction." Fox tells us, and Anakin eyes him with a glare that could kill the Dark Side itself, his eyes flashing yellow just like mine. We both back up, and he smacks off one of the guards staffs angrily as they lead us away. One of the guards pokes their staff a little too close to my head for comfort, and I stop his advance, grabbing it with my mechanical hand in a harsh grip, which actually makes the metal crack under the strength of the prosthetic.
"Don't even touch me," I hiss dangerously, eyes flashing gold. The clones get the message, backing off slightly once I let go of the staff, but still making sure we exit the prison.
Once they felt we were at a satisfactory distance, which was basically outside of the prison complex, the guards left us alone.
"Still best buddies with Tarkin now Master Skywalker?" I say angrily.
"Why are you bringing that up now?" he asks in surprise and anger. "Don't even get started right now!"
"'Oh look, it's not for us to be judge and jury over this! Tarkin is right.'" I mock him with exaggerated movements. "Well your best buddy has gone and arrested Ahsoka for completely false reasons and we can't do $&%# about it!" I exclaim angrily.
He scowls at me. "My views on how things work in this war have nothing to do with Ahsoka's arrest, so don't you even dare!" he says, raising his voice.
"Whatever!" I fire back. "How are we supposed to help Ahsoka now that Tarkin's declared himself the overseer of this 'military operation?' He won't let any of us step one foot outside the Temple at this point!"
"Don't say that! I'm sure I'll be able to convince him that Ahsoka isn't responsible!" he proclaims, and I scoff at him as we both head towards the speeder.
"If you think he'll agree to that just because you think you're best buddies then you're just as blinded as a corrupt senator/" I declare furiously, refusing to look at him. I can sense Anakin's rage increase at my comments, and my anger flares to match his own, leaving us both simmering in rage. As Anakin powers up the speeder and drives us back to the Temple, we both manage to calm down over the fact that our anger is stemming from our close relationship with Ahsoka, and that we're just outraged by her false imprisonment. So we manage to come to an unspoken agreement with each other to get along for Ahsoka's sake. We will prove her innocent.
The next morning, I learned that Ahsoka somehow escaped from prison with her lightsabers in hand much to my surprise,and was now in the underbelly of Coruscant. According to reports she killed a whole bunch of troopers in the prison, which I refused to believe for a fraction of a second. When I realized that Anakin had gone after Ahsoka with the prison forces in his panic to catch her so they could prove her innocent, I was outraged that he didn't bring me with him, but I forced myself to calm down. Arguing with Anakin wouldn't do Ahsoka any good, and I was just glad that Anakin realized how dumb Tarkin was being in this matter.
He returned back to the Temple with her shoto blade, which she apparently dropped while on the run, and told me that Ahsoka had gone into the underworld of Coruscant in her search for answers. With that in mind, I secretly began to plan my next move. Ahsoka was blocking me off from our bond, feeling the need to uncover the real culprit by herself according to Anakin.
No kriffing way she's doing it without me. If I'm not assigned in the chase that the Council is undoubtedly setting up to capture her, I'm leaving the Temple to go and help her find answers regardless. The fact that we had another Jedi traitor in our midst is now all too clear, and I was swiftly reminded of Pong Krell.
The door to my quarters opened, and in walked Barris to my surprise.
"Barris?" I ask in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"O came to see how you were doing," she replied. "With Ahsoka on the run, I'm just really worried."
"You don't believe she's behind the bombing do you?" I ask with narrowed eyes. She shakes her head.
"No... I don't want too, but it's out of our hands right now," she says.
"You're not going to help uncover the real person behind this?!" I asked incredulously.
"I didn't say that!" she says defensively. "I just, I'm not sure what help I could be in this situation."
I let out a frustrated sigh. "Well, please just help. she's you're friend too you know. And when I find out who decided to frame Ahsoka and kill all those people..." I start to say, voice becoming dangerous.
"They'd better wish they'd never been found by the Order," I finish, clenching my left hand tightly, reminded of the loss of my arm as well as the other dead Jedi and civilians, and clones.
I didn't notice the nervous and hesitant look Barris had when I said that, to distracted by my rage and shock at how things turned around so quickly, just like that.
