Inner Rim
Coruscant
500 Republica

"I'm pregnant?" Padme whispered, staring in shock at the medical droid who nodded. "But-but…How is…"

"What?" Ahsoka repeated, just as shocked as Padme was.

"I assure you, my lady you are indeed pregnant." The medical droid answered calmly.

Padme's mind was going so fast that she couldn't form a single sentence. How was this possible? Of course she knew how and it was likely when she and Anakin were reunited after his return from his travel through time. She thought they would be safe but…

She couldn't keep this a secret. It would be known eventually and when it did people would be asking who the father was. She would have to retire as senator of Naboo eventually and ensure someone could take over for her.

But what happened when everyone found out?

How could she face Obi-Wan and Ahsoka when they find out about the relationship she had with Anakin behind their backs?

And what happened when enemies she and Anakin had made found out?

Gunray, Dooku, they would all be ready to attack her children when they were born to make her suffer.

They might not even wait for the children to be born.

Ahsoka looked at Padme, unable to form a sentence. "…Padme?"

"Oh Annie." Padme brought her hands over her face.

Ahsoka's eyes widened when she heard Padme say that. "You mean you and my master…"

Padme looked at Ahsoka who stared back at her, shocked and speechless. She didn't mean for this. Here they were, both having lost someone important to them and now this happens. She just exposed her relationship with Ahsoka's mentor right to her face at the worst possible time.

Padme knew just how unfair this was to Ahsoka so she nodded.

"B-but…" Ahsoka trailed off as she thought about all the times she thought of how Padme and her master acted together.

How could she not see it?

"Ahsoka, I'm so sorry." Padme said, looking away. "I know this comes as a surprise, especially since we both kept it a secret from you and I don't blame you for feeling angry and upset for not being told but please, can you not tell the Council about this?"

Ahsoka saw how much Padme was begging her not to tell the Jedi Council and what she felt wasn't anger.

It was guilt.

She could have helped Anakin against the Iconian, even used her staff and its Megan magic to help save him but she didn't and because of that his child would never its father.

Ahsoka nodded. "All right. I won't tell the Council."

Padme smiled, looking so happy she reached out and hugged Ahsoka, shocking the Togruta even further. "Thank you, Ahsoka. Thank you so much."

Ahsoka awkwardly hugged Padme back, not use to how she was acting.

Then again it was a surprise for them both.

"Padme, I-" Ahsoka was cut off as her wrist communicator beeped and she answered.

"Ahsoka, we need you back at the temple." Obi-Wan's voice answered. "There has been a bombing."

Jedi Temple
Council Chamber

'Who could successfully bomb the Jedi Temple?' Ahsoka wondered as she approached the temple and saw the smoking hangar.

She stood in the Council Chamber, looking at each of the Jedi Masters and saw how worried they seemed to be. To her surprise Captain Shon of the Enterprise was there as well, for reasons Ahsoka did not know.

"Padawan Tano, I'm sure you remember Captain Shon of the Enterprise." Windu stated.

"Yes, Master." Ahsoka nodded in Shon's direction which he returned.

"We have asked him and his people for help in finding the source of the bombing." Windu answered.

"But why? I am sure we can find the bomber on our own. No offence to Captain Shon." Ahsoka said quickly.

Shon didn't seem to take any offence as Windu answered. "We have asked for help because we have to assume that it could have been anyone in the Temple, even a Jedi."

"If a Jedi this is, gone to the dark side they have." Yoda stated, causing a few masters to bow their heads.

"I…Can't believe a Jedi would attack a place this sacred." Ahsoka said, shocked to hear such an accusation.

"We'd like you to work with Captain Shon in this investigation. We can't trust anyone who was here, even a Jedi. You and Captain Shon will provide an impartial point of view, free of assumptions" Mace stated.

"We will do everything we can." Ahsoka answered.

"Careful you must be, Padawan Tano. If willing to destroy the Temple this attack is, to great lengths they will go to keep from being caught." Yoda advised.

Temple Hangar

Ahsoka and Shon walked into the hangar, already seeing Starfleet crewmembers scanning the debris.

"I am sorry to hear about your master, Miss Tano. Believe me when I say I have seen enough to know how you feel." Shon said quietly.

Ahsoka nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Captain Shon. I just wish he was here. I can't believe a Jedi could carry out something like this."

"I may not have this Force of yours but I've seen enough war to see how it effects people. Not all Jedi would agree with the war just as not all Starfleet and Klingons agreed to how things played out when the Khitomer Accords broke down. If I recall correctly Count Dooku was a Jedi with political ideas and look how that turned out." Shon spoke.

Ahsoka had to admit Shon had valid points as she remembered the incident between the 501st and General Pong Krell who was revealed to be a traitor. And then there was rumors of some Jedi actually leaving the Order, abandoning the Republic or even joining the Separatists. That was a stain on the Order's reputation for sure and she herself had found that the Jedi were not perfect when she was part of the trial Q had placed on the Council along with herself and her master.

"So Captain, why did the Jedi ask for your help?" Ahsoka asked.

"We were originally on our way to speak with the Senate regarding the Iconian attack. When the bombing happened the Council was afraid of the possibility that it was another Iconian attack. After it was proved that it wasn't the Council asked for our help since we're an unbiased party." Shon answered as they walked up to Jirelle Kav. "Have you found anything?"

"Yes, Captain." Jirelle answered. "We know where the explosion originated and that it left no bomb residue. It left this."

She showed them her scans of the debris and zoomed in, showing millions of tiny energy readings.

"Are those…" Shon trailed off.

"Nano-machines. Thankfully not Borg but I believe they were the source of the bomb." Jirelle answered.

"Nano-machines?" Ahsoka asked.

"Specifically modified to simulate an explosion, and it was done close to the munitions which made for an even bigger explosion." Jirelle answered. "And there's something else…"

"Yes Lieutenant." Shon prompted.

"We found this." Jirelle pointed to a corner of the hangar and lying on the floor was a hand.

"Is that a hand?" Ahsoka asked, silently surprised as Jirelle ran a scan over it.

"We are just about to turn it over to security. We have confirmed that whose ever hand that was had the machines inside their body." Jirelle continued as she showed the results to Shon and Ahsoka.

"They were turned into a living bomb?" Shon asked to which Jirelle nodded. "That would explain how a bomb got here."

"But where would someone get nano-droids?" Ahsoka asked.

Shon frowned as his left antenna curled. "Hmm…Perhaps by interviewing those on shift we'll know who was there. If we can't find anyone than it is likely we will have found the unintended bomber."

Medical Center

The interviews did not go well as either would have hoped but a lead soon came up. One worker suspected someone named Jackar Bowmani was responsible for the attack since he was in the location of the explosion when anyone last saw him.

A quick blood test confirmed that Jackar Bowmani was the one infested with the nano-droids. His files confirmed he was a munitions expert who speacialized in nano-droids.

"So now we know the how the bomb was smuggled in but we do not know who and why." Shon said once the interviews were over. "Do we know of any friends or family that Jackar Bowmani had?"

"They are all in the file, Captain." The droid Master Windu, Russo-ISC had assigned to help. "The files states he has a wife, Letta."

"Does it have an address?" Ahsoka asked.

Outside the Temple

"Stop the clones! End the war! End the violence!"

Shon, Jirelle and Ahsoka looked out at the crowd, holding up signs and pictures of clonetrooper helmets that had big red Xs on them.

"I feel a lot of anger and confusion from them…I think these are families to the people in the hangar who were attacked." Jirelle whispered to the two as they approached Cin Drallig.

The Jedi Battlemaster spotted the three approaching. "Padawan Tano. Captain."

"Master, do you know anything about this man?" Ahsoka held up the image of Jackar Bowmari.

A woman in the crowd saw the image and stepped forward. "Jackar? Is that Jackar?"

"You know this man?" Shon asked.

"He's my husband." The woman said.

Shon shared a glance with Ahsoka. "You are Letta Turmond."

"Yes." The woman nodded. "I've been trying to reach him since I heard about the explosion. Is he all right?"

"You better come with us."

Jedi Temple
Storage Room

Letta gasped in horror at seeing all that was left of her husband. She fell back onto the table behind her and Shon quickly helped her sit down as she started crying.

"I'm so sorry for your loss." Shon said, patting her softly on the back. "Do you know anyone who might have wanted to hurt him?"

"No." Letta shook her head. "He was a good man. He loved working here in this temple. He passed all the required tests."

Jirelle sent a hidden glance at Shon and gestured from him to speak with her.

"Excuse me. Miss Tano, could you bring Miss Leta something to drink?" Shon asked as he stood up.

Shon followed Jirelle over the other side of the room where they would not be heard.

"She's hiding something, Captain." Jirelle said, her Betazoid heritage allowing her to sense Leeta's emotions. "She knows something about the bombing and is very afraid."

Shon glanced back at Leeta as she accepted a glass of water. "You believe she is connected to this?"

"Yes, Captain." Jirelle nodded.

Shon waited a second before walking back to Leeta. "Miss Leeta, my Lieutenant wishes to look over any personal items your husband might have in this temple. If it's not so much trouble would you be able to look over them with her and see if there is anything that might be able to identify just who set him up?"

Leeta put the glass down. "Uh…Yes, of course. I will help in any way I can, Captain."

Shon nodded as Jirelle came and escorted Leeta out of the room before looking at Ahsoka who noticed everything.

"You noticed something?" Ahsoka asked.

"My Lieutenant believes Leeta is not telling the whole truth. We need to check her home for evidence." Shon replied quietly, in case anyone heard him.

Ahsoka nodded. "Right."

Leeta's Apartment

"You'd think working for the Jedi means getting paid better." Ahsoka grumbled, unable to believe that the wife of someone who has worked in the Jedi Temple for years could live in such a rotten neighborhood.

Shon held his tricorder up to the panel next to the door and scanned it, easily deciphering the code that allowed them in. "All right. It is possible that Bowman's wife had access to the nano-droids and if so hopefully she kept them here."

Ahsoka nodded as she and Shon split up and looked around the apartment. Shon came into Letta's room, noticing a table with devices on it and when he moved one over the holographic image of a sign used by people protesting the war appeared.

"Captain!" Shon heard Ahsoka call from the kitchen and quickly went over. "I found something."

"What is it?" Shon asked as Ashoka showed him the scans she took of the table. "Nano-droids."

"It's in the food." Ahsoka said, looking at the table.

Shon looked at the table, seeing the cold breakfast. "She fed him the nano-droids that turned him into a bomb."

Jedi Temple

Letta was instantly apprehended once Ahsoka and Shon returned to the temple. She tried to flee but Shon stunned her with his phaser and she was taken into custody. A day had passed since the bombing and a funeral was being held for the people who died in the bombing. Among those present aside from the majority of the Jedi Order were Chancellor Palpatine, Padme, Bail, Shon, Jirelle and Tarkin.

"One with the Force, they are." Yoda began, walking past each body. "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." He then paused for a moment. "A moment of silence I ask. So we may remember, and to move on."

As the others bowed their heads in silence, Ahsoka looked to her side and saw her best friend Barriss Offee, who looked even sadder.

"You were close to one of them?" Ahsoka asked.

"Tutso Mara..." Barriss answered. "We trained together. He taught me how to hold my Lightsaber correctly."

"Live for the living Jedi, we must," Yoda continued, as he came to a stop. "Live through us... forever they will."

With that he tapped his cane and the cloth covered bodies of the six fallen Jedi lowered below and six lights glowed, showing them being cremated.

After the funeral procession, the people who attended left while Shon, Ahsoka and Barriss walked down the halls of the temple along with Tarkin.

"So what happens to Letta now?" Ahsoka asked.

"The bomber has been moved," Tarkin said, causing Ahsoka to blink in surprise.

"Moved?" she asked. "Where? Why should she be moved?"

"The Republic military has taken her into custody."

"But why?" Ahsoka asked, surprised that Letta was being moved after everything that happened. "This is a Jedi matter, isn't it?"

"Clones were killed, which makes this terrorist attack a military matter." Tarkin replied with a small smirk on his features. "An attack on the Jedi is an attack on the Senate."

"If Letta's guilty, she's guilty and she should be dealt with." Ahsoka protested.

"The evidence seems clear, Ahsoka." Barriss said, looking away. "Nothing will ever change."

Jirelle felt something off with Barriss but her Betazoid senses were partially blocked. Still though, it was enough to feel like something was wrong.

"And the Jedi are after all 'peacekeepers' so the Chancellor has concluded that the Jedi be removed from as many military functions as possible." Tarkin stated.

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes. "I just hope the Chancellor knows what he's doing."

"I assure you Padawan Tano, that what the Chancellor decides, it rarely isn't without a strategy." he said as they stopped at an elevator.

Once Tarkin stepped on and the doors closed Shon glanced at Ahsoka. "Bit overconfident isn't he? As if this is something he wanted to happen. I remember him from Q's trial."

"Yeah and to think my master got along with him." Ahsoka said, showing her annoyance with Tarkin.

"I don't like this man either. His emotions…He believes he can use this tragedy as a benefit to him." Jirelle said.

"You can read his thoughts?" Barriss asked, sounding surprised.

"I can feel his emotions as well. He is someone without morals and is not afraid to use anyone who might be useful to him. I recommend that we be careful around him, Captain. He does not respect Jedi and from what I sense he is not fond of us either." Jirelle stated.

"Noted. For now though, we have solved the mystery of the bombing at least." Shon said. "Perhaps this will go a long way to mending fences."

"Perhaps. I have many things to do. Captain, Ahsoka." Barriss said as she began walking away.

Jirelle watched as Barriss walked away, her expression earning the attention of Captain Shon who then turned to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, Jirelle and I are going to turn in our report. Perhaps we will meet up later."

Ahsoka nodded as Shon and Jirelle walked, leaving her to go after Barriss.

"Is something wrong?" Shon asked when they were alone.

"I know we caught the bomber but I felt something with the young girl, Barriss. I sensed feelings of disappointment along with anger and grief." Jirelle whispered. "She seemed…Too detached from the fact that friends of hers died in the bombing."

"She could just be coming to terms." Shon suggested.

"No…Something seems really wrong here, Captain." Jirelle was concerned. "I believe there's more to this bombing than what we know."

Shon frowned as they walked out of the temple. "What do you suggest? We can't intervene since the case is now considered closed."

"As far as we know." Jirelle pointed out.

Shon looked at the temple before looking at his Lieutenant. "Well, if you believe there is more to this than we can take a look…Unofficially."

Orbit
USS Enterprise
Bridge

Captain's Log 87109.33: We have just returned from aiding in a mission to discover the perpetrator of a bombing on the Jedi Temple and it has come to the attention of my Lieutenant that there might be more to this bombing, specifically when she felt the emotions of Admiral Tarkin and Jedi Knight Barriss Offee. However since the case is now considered closed we cannot launch any more official investigations into the matter. That brings us to the next best way to discover the truth.

End Log

"You have located her?" Shon asked as he stepped onto the bridge.

Lieutenant Commander Tem Inasi, Chief Science Officer nodded. "Yes, Captain. We are monitoring Letta's life signs in the prison. Fortunately the Republic does not have the equipment to detect a deep precision scan." She brought up an image of the prison. "As far the scanners can tell all seems normal in the prison."

"Very well. Keep a close eye on the prison. There is more to this." Shon nodded.

Inasi looked at the screen. "Wait, Captain. I'm picking up two new life forms near the prison."

"Identify."

"Both humanoid. One matches Togruta life signs and is armed with two lightsabers." Inasi reported. "The other is armed with simply one."

"The Togruta must be Ahsoka. Can you identify the other one?" Shon asked.

"Negative. It's too similar to any human anatomy to make any difference." Inasi said as Ahsoka entered the prison. "Why would Miss Tano go to the prison?"

"Likely to speak with Letta." Shon said, looking at the screen and watched as Ahsoka's life sign entered Letta's cell. "All right, let's see if this goes anywhere."

A moment later Letta's life signs dropped so quickly and clone life signs entered the cell.

"What happened?" Shon asked urgently.

"Letta's life signs just went down. She's dead, sir." Inasi reported quickly.

Shon frowned as he watched Ahsoka's signature being escorted to another cell. "And the other Jedi?"

The other Jedi was hidden near the prison, staying out of sight.

"Keep an eye on that sign." Shon said, frowning. "There's a lot more than we thought happening."

He could try and beam that other Jedi up but without any proof it was mere speculation if they were truly involved. They were unofficially investigating, working to avoid breaking the Prime Directive in this matter.

"It seems Miss Tano is being interrogated right now." Inasi reported just as they left. "That didn't last long."

Shon frowned. "Now I am sure there is a lot more to this. Keep an eye on her. I need to inform Starfleet Command."

()

A short while later, less than a day on Coruscant, Shon was called from his quarters to the bridge.

"What seems to be the issue now?" Shon inquired as he stepped into the room and approached his chair, which was quickly vacated by Samuel Winters.

"Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano has apparently escaped from Republic custody and is being pursued by clone forces as well as at least two Jedi." Winters explained, pointing to the forward view screen which showed a layout of the compound which Ahsoka was fleeing through. "However, I believe that there is more to this, sir. We detected another life sign in the control station at the prison, the same one that we picked up when Letta Turmond was killed."

"So Ahsoka either had assistance in escaping…or has been made to look like she was escaping when she was really set up." Shon concluded. "Are you able to acquire a lock on her?"

"Not yet, she's entered a series of pipes which lead to one of the large, open gaps on the surface which are used by ships to traverse the different sub levels of Coruscant." Winters shook his head. "As soon as she's in the open we can beam her up on your command…if that is your intention sir."

Shon watched as the blinking green sphere representing Ahsoka continued to move along the pipe network, followed closely by a swarm of clone troopers appearing as a herd of blue spheres with several yellow spheres representing life signs armed with lightsabers that confirmed that they were Jedi. Ahsoka was beginning to run out of room to maneuver, with only the long drop into Coruscant's underbelly left as her avenue of escape.

"If she jumps, lock on and beam her to the bridge." Shon decided, "Something is going on and I think it may be in our best interests if we get to the bottom of it before Ahsoka Tano ends up being lynched by her own people."

"Aye, sir."

They watched in silence for several more minutes until Ahsoka stopped at one of the openings to the outside world. She would be standing over a fall several miles high with clone troopers and Jedi closing in on her from behind. The clones remained behind but the Jedi were closing in on her. After another thirty seconds the green sphere fell off the edge of the pipe and plummeted down towards the roof of a waiting transport ship passing beneath.

"Now!"

A transporter lock was made before Shon had even spoken, compliments of a highly experienced officer who beamed Ahsoka away in mid plummet. Before the clone troopers and Jedi could reach the edge of the pipe Ahsoka had plopped down onto the transporter pad built directly into the bridge. The young Togruta appeared startled by her sudden change in environment, but then exhaled a sigh of relief as she saw Captain Shon, who moved from his chair to greet her and help her to her feet.

"Transport successful Captain, and I dare say that nobody even saw it down there." Winters stated confidently.

"Excellent work," Shon offered Ahsoka a hand and pulled her to her feet. "Forgive the surprise, Miss Tano, but we felt it necessary to pull you out of harm's way when we were informed of your circumstance."

"Are you the ones who unlocked my cell?" Ahsoka asked.

Shon shook his head. "No, but we were monitoring the prison at the time of your timely release, and we found something quite interesting. A Jedi, or another person capable of wielding the Force was located in the control station for your cell block at the time that you were released. This same person was within proximity of the prison when you were interrogating Letta Turmond."

"Letta…" Ahsoka looked down. "She was strangled to death with the Force, the guards thought I was responsible."

"Apparently so did Admiral Tarkin and almost everyone else who viewed the footage." Winters informed them. "They've put out the word that you are to be arrested…or put down. I would trust the clones to aim for the former but if there are any bounty hunters present then they may be tempted by the reward placed on you."

Ahsoka rubbed her brow as the weight of her situation struck her. She was a fugitive now, with a bounty on her head like some common criminal…like many of the criminals she had fought in the past.

"Well, it is fortunate that the Federation is not in the habit of dealing with bounty hunters." Shon shrugged and returned to his seat.

Ahsoka followed him. "Captain, as thankful as I am…aren't you violating the Prime Directive?"

"Not exactly," Shon smiled. "Your Council asked us to assist in locating the person responsible for the temple bombing and that person has not yet been found. They only believe that Letta Turmond was responsible, and that you are guilty of her murder. I doubt both of these ideas to be true. Letta Turmond's psych profile contradicts any claim that she would turn her own husband into a walking bomb of her own volition, and I know you more than enough to doubt anyone who would accuse you of cold blooded murder."

Shon looked at the forward view screen. "So, in the interest of clearing your name and gaining justice for both the victims of the temple bombing and Letta Turmond herself I think it would be prudent to find the true mastermind of these events. That person would be a Force user of some strength based on our scans, strong enough that they would be able to use the Sith 'Force Choke' technique without being directly present while concealing themselves from detection. Can you think of any who might fit these characteristics, Knight Tano?"

"Only a few," Ahsoka admitted. "We've encountered dark Jedi over the course of the war, even a few Dathomiri witches like the Nightsisters and...I'd say Ventress but she's not with the Separatists anymore. It couldn't be her." She shook her head, "I can't think of anybody who would want to frame me for this."

"Then perhaps it is time we begin our own investigation, starting with those Nano-Droids." Shon proposed. "If the person responsible for all of this acquired those Nano-Droids and compelled Letta to feed them to her husband then there may be more samples to be found. Based on our understanding of advancements in the field of micro-machinery in this galaxy such technology could not easily be purchased, even in small amounts. It would need to be stolen."

Ahsoka nodded. "That's what I thought too."

"So, with that in mind, we need only look at the organizations capable of manufacturing these Nano-Droids and examine the Holo-Net for any reports of thefts among their commercial shipments." Shon looked at Winters, who began to access the Holo-Net from his station and display the information on the forward screen. "Let's see who would invest in such deadly little killing machines…"

Most of the companies listed were parts of the Corporate Alliance or the Confederacy of Independent Systems. However there were at least three companies based on Coruscant that produced Nano-Droids.

"This company produces medical specialized Nano-Droids, so I doubt they could be repurposed easily to create explosive compounds." Shon said, analyzing the three candidates. "And this second one has had no reported thefts in its stock, and has a thorough system for keeping careful track of all products. But this one here…it creates weapons directly for the Grand Army of the Republic and previously for the Judicial Department before the war."

He expanded the file on the third company.

"Primarily small arms weapons, non-lethal riot equipment…but recently it entered the field of micro machinery with the idea of using Nano-Droids to enhance armor alloys and repair equipment in the field." Ahsoka read from the rows of text displayed before them. "How are you getting all of this info so easily?"

Shon's smile grew just a bit. "If you refrain from asking me that I'll refrain from telling you something that could make members of your Senate more paranoid, Miss Tano. The point is that Core Armaments seems like the most likely place where our culprit acquired the Nano-Droids from. They have had dozens of reported thefts every year from their main branch here and in every other sector. Their security systems have suffered from budget cuts since the start of the war in order for them to produce larger quantities to supply the Republic armies with."

He walked up to the screen and traced two fingers down a list of theft reports. Winters cut out any reports not originating directly from the Coruscant military branch, and soon Shon was left with a smaller stack of reports.

"No reports of recent thefts, and it would have taken at least upwards of several days for the culprit to plan out the bombing." Shon murmured and looked at Winters. "Bring up all data we have on all known designs for Nano-Droids in this galaxy."

Several seconds later a heavily magnified image of one of the Nano-Droids appeared on the screen.

"There are different models, but here…each model is capable of sending out a small electrical pulse designed to self destruct to prevent capture by the enemy, blowing whatever or whoever they are infested from the inside. However the power of the detonation would be weaker than that of an underpowered thermal detonator." Shon nodded. "And since Bowmani was working with ammunitions in the hangar when it exploded the detonation would have triggered a chain reaction, making it seem like an actual explosive was used. A clever tactic, moral implications aside."

"Then this must be what we're looking for." Ahsoka said. "If we find it I bet the person who stole them would have left some kind of evidence behind, a print or something that we could use to identify them!"

"Perhaps, Miss Tano, perhaps." Shon agreed. "But perhaps there is a way to locate them. The self destruct function on these droids is usually automated so we know that when Letta fed the nano-droids to her husband they already had be programmed to explode when Bowmani's shift started. I believe we just need to figure out how he and his wife met with our mystery conspirator and it's through the people protesting the war."

"There may be a way, sir." Winters spoke up. "We can use the Holo-Net to monitor the war protestors. See how they met."

Shon nodded. "Do it."

The view screen showed various messages between people who were protesting the Clone Wars, blaming the Jedi for all the violence.

"All these people…Don't they realize what will happen if the Separatists win?" Ahsoka wondered.

"People will always look for someone to blame in wars. It happened in the Dominion War and it happened for the last decade when Romulus was destroyed, the Klingons invaded the Gorn, and when Khitomer Accords broke down." Shon said, looking at the messages. "Look for anything that indicates someone wanting to make some sort of political statement."

"I found something." Winters zoomed on a few message. "Look at these few messages. They speak of attempting to force the Jedi to stand down as generals of the Republic Army, claiming they have become warmongers. And they set up a place to meet."

"Letta's apartment." Ahsoka said, recognizing the location.

"Can we trace those messages?" Shon asked.

Winters adjusted the search parameters and it showed a location in the Jedi Temple that Ahsoka recognized. "The Temple library."

"The messages continued till the last few days until the day before the bombing." Shon said and glanced at Ahsoka. "Can it be confirmed you were never in the library at the time of these messages, Miss Tano?"

Ahsoka nodded. "Yes, I was in my room on a few of these days after…" She trailed off but everyone knew what she was talking about. "At the time of the bombing I was with Senator Amidala."

"Now we need to know to just who the messages came from." Shon said, looking back at the screen. "If we had this at the beginning of the investigation we could have checked the temple security footage and see who was in the library. Miss Tano, can you think of people who frequently spend time in the library?"

"There's Madame Jocasta. She manages all the archives there but dozens of Jedi can be seen there." Ahsoka answered. "There's no way Madame Jocasta is responsible. She's been the keeper of the archives for years. She's too loyal to commit murder of any kind in the Temple."

"Maybe there's another way." Winters suggested. "If the bomber went out of their way to frame you then they will probably be monitoring any news about you. We can use that."

"How?" Shon asked.

"I should warn you, Miss Tano that it would be extremely risky." Winters quickly pointed out.

"At this point I'm willing to give anything a chance." Ahsoka stated.

"Can you think of someone to contact in the temple, inform them you have escaped and are looking for any evidence to clear your name? You could ask them to check the security footage of the libraries if they can and look for any leads. We can then monitor for movements inside the Jedi Temple, especially anyone who suddenly leaves, believing that Miss Tano will follow any sort of lead she finds and try to cut her off." Winters explained his plan. "It's a long shot but given how well this bomber has covered their tracks it's possible they can even monitor communications coming in and out of the temple."

"And if you find anyone leaving the temple you can track them." Ahsoka caught on. "…I know someone we can talk to."

Jedi Temple
Barriss Offee's Room

"Barriss, its Ahsoka."

Barriss held up her wrist communicator. "Ahsoka, I'm so glad you're safe."

"Safe, but on the run."

"Where?"

"I can't tell you, but someone is definitely trying to frame me."

"It's not safe for to you call me using the Jedi communicator. Find another way to contact me." Barriss lightly paced around her room.

"I will."

"In the meantime, I'll do some digging and see if I can find anything out to help you on my end."

"Thank you, Barriss."

"Be safe."

Orbit
USS Enterprise
Bridge

"Well, at least I know I can count on Barriss." Ahsoka said once she ended call.

"You believe this Barriss will truly help?" Shon asked.

Ahsoka nodded. "We've been close friends for a long time now, Captain. She would never believe that I would responsible for all those crimes."

Shon looked back at the main screen. "At the very least now we have the temple under survelliance. But if she alerts the Council or the Senate we'll be getting some angry calls along with possibly the threat of being boarded."

"Shall I order us to Yellow Alert, Captain?" Winters asked.

"No...Not yet. But keep us ready and monitor the temple along with whoever leaves." Shon answered and looked at Ahsoka. "I guess in the meantime you can consider yourself a guest on the Enterprise, Miss Tano. I'll have guest quarters set up for you as we wait for your friend to call you back."

"Thank you, Captain." Ahsoka nodded, grateful that at he and his people had come to help her.

"Sam, can you escort Miss Tano?" Shon asked.

"Yes, Captain."

Deck 9
Guest Quarters

Ahsoka laid on the bed of the guest room, a room that looked even more luxurious than even an admiral's quarters on a Republic ship, and stared up at the ceiling. The last few days had been stressing to say the least. The bombing of the Temple, the murder of the supposed bomber, and her being framed by said murder. No one from the Jedi Order had even come to see her, despite Tarkin ordering that no one would be allowed to see her but Ahsoka refused to believe that actually could have stopped the Jedi from coming to see her.

And then someone killed the clones outside her cell before letting her out and framing her for all their deaths. Ahsoka had been terrified and fled from the prison, fleeing the clones and Jedi led by Master Plo Koon that pursued and shot at her. Luckily they were only stun bolts Ahsoka just could not believe everything that had happened and wondered things would have been if her master had been alive. At the very least the crew of the Enterprise had come to help her and had come up with a plan to capture the bomber.

How could anyone even think she would commit these crimes? It was as if everything she had done for the Republic meant absolutely nothing to everyone she knew.

'Master, I wish you were here now.' Ahsoka closed her eyes and turned over on the bed. 'I could really use your help right now.'

Bridge

"Captain, we are being hailed from the Jedi Temple." Jirelle reported.

Shon looked away from Winters' station. "Let's hear it."

The transmission came through the speakers. "Enterprise, this is Mace WIndu of the Jedi Order."

"We hear you, Master Windu." Shon answered, warily aware it was possible that they had figured out that Ahsoka was on the Enterprise.

"We like to thank you for helping us solve who was responsible for the bombing of the temple and we have a request."

"What is your request?" Shon asked, ignoring the irritation he felt at the fact that the Jedi had made a huge mistake in apprehending the wrong person.

Did they not even care about finding the truth?

"We'd like to send a Jedi Master to the Klingon home world in your galaxy to speak with the High Council, regarding Asajj Ventress who is working with them now."

Shon raised an eyebrow. "For what reason?"

"Information on the Separatists and their leader. Ventress was Count Dooku's apprentice for a time and we believe she could be instrumental in helping us."

Shon thought it over before answering. "I will speak with the Klingon High Council and inform them of your request."

"Thank you, Captain." Windu said before ending the transmission.

"They didn't even bother to ask us if we suspected Miss Tano of being the bomber or not." Winters remarked, not pleased with Mace Windu's attitude. "Do they seriously believe that she would carry out such an act?"

"I am not sure…" Shon trailed off, having trouble understanding the actions of the Jedi Order. "They try to act as peacekeepers and I've seen their skills but they continue to remind me of a cult. I know of a few cults that have tried to act like them in our galaxy but they fell apart."

Winters nodded. "Yes, they are similar to some cults on Earth in ancient times and most of them ended in mass suicide. They even put children on the front lines in this war of theirs."

It was without saying that most people in the Milky Way considered that action by the Jedi Order to be at the height of irresponsibility, bordering on reckless endangerment. Many had read on their Code and while some of it was agreeable the fact is it reminded them too much of some older societies that tried to enforce the same but it backfired in the most spectacular way.

"I'll inform Miss Tano of their request." Shon said before leaving the bridge.

Deck 9
Ahsoka's Guest Quarters

When Barriss told Ahsoka to get rid of her Jedi communicator Ahsoka did stop using it but she left it on the bridge to see if any calls between her and Barriss had been monitored. It was precaution in case the bomber knew how close she and Barriss were as friends. Lieutenant Commander Tem Inasi had tapped into one of the public channels on Coruscant and they would use it to contact Barriss when enough time had passed.

The door beeped, causing Ahsoka to sit up. "Hello?"

The door opened, revealing Captain Shon. "Miss Tano, is it all right if I come on?"

Ahsoka stood up. "Yes, come in. Did something happen?"

Shon stepped into the room, glancing at the door that just closed. "No word on finding the bomber yet but we were just contacted by the Jedi Temple."

Ahsoka at first thought it meant she had been found but Shon quickly spoke. "They still don't know you are here, Miss Tano. The caller, Jedi Master Mace Windu made a request to transport a Jedi to the Klingon homeworld Qo'nos to meet with the Klingon High Council and speak to them regarding Asajj Ventress."

"Ventress?" Ahsoka asked, confused at why the Jedi would make such a request. "I don't understand."

"Apparently they want her help in supplying them with vital information but I get the feeling there is more to it than that." Shon admitted.

"Ventress is a Separatist war criminal and a Sith. I can't believe the Order would think of working with her. I know they weren't happy to find out she was now working with the Klingons and a lot of people were demanding her to be handed over. If they are considering working with Ventress they must be really desperate." Ahsoka stated, unable to believe that they would consider working with Ventress while believing her to be capable of murder.

"Perhaps but Count Dooku did try to kill her and he was responsible for wiping out her people if I remember correctly. It's possible that they believe her need of revenge will overpower any dislikes she has to the Jedi." Shon pointed out. "I stalled them, saying I needed to speak with the Klingon High Council so that will buy us at least a day before they start getting suspicious."

Ahsoka nodded. "Yes, I should contact Barriss and see what she knows."

She walked over to the wall computer and looked it over. Shon walked up and tapped a few key interfaces.

"They won't be able to trace it." Shon said.

Ahsoka nodded and opened a channel. "Barriss, it's me."

A second later there was an answer. "It's so good to hear you, Ahsoka. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." Ahsoka answered.

"Where are you?"

"I can't say, Barriss."

"I believe I've found a clue."

"A clue? How? From where?" Ahsoka asked.

"We don't have much time, Ahsoka."

"Fine. What is it?"

"There's an abandoned warehouse on level 1315 where Letta used to visit during the time she was getting access to the nano-droids."

Shon frowned as Ahsoka spoke. "How did you find this out?"

"I told you I would do some checking." Barriss answered like it obvious.

Ahsoka sighed in relief. "Thank you, Barriss."

"Be careful, Ahsoka." Barriss said before ending the transmission.

"Something's not right." Shon said once the conversation was done. "We had access to Letta Turmond's records and there was no information on her visiting a warehouse."

"Maybe she tried to cover her tracks and was sloppy." Ahsoka suggested.

"Perhaps but let's run a deep scan on this place before we make any visits." Shon replied. "Computer, search Coruscant surface for nano-droids matching the design found in Jedi Temple, narrow the search down to level 1315."

The computer scanned for a second before showing the level and highlighted a warehouse. "Match found."

"Pinpoint."

The computer then showed highlighted cases in the basement of the warehouse.

"At the very bottom of the warehouse." Shon stated. "This explains why there were no theft reports from any companies producing any nano-machines. The warehouse likely had no security surveillance. Still, it doesn't explain why Letta's file didn't report her visiting this warehouse…Unless it wasn't her."

"What do you mean?" Ahsoka asked.

"It's possible that the Jedi responsible for the murders was the one who supplied Letta with the nano-droids who then fed them to her husband." Shon suggested. "Does your library have information on where to get nano-droids?"

"I think so…The archives contain information on almost every planet in the galaxy along with species, corporations and what they major in." Ahsoka answered.

"There's our connection then. The bomber uses the archives to find a suitable weapon to smuggle into the temple, then finds someone connected to the war-protestors with a connection to one of the workers inside the temple. Letta Turmond was the perfect cover since she was a war protestor and was married to a munitions expert who worked inside the temple. He works in the hangar, near the munitions pile and the nano-droids explode, creating an ever larger explosion." Shon stated, going through everything they know. "The only person who knows what really happened other than the real perpetrator is Letta Turmond who is then arrested, but the bomber likely predicted she would try to confess everything to save herself and the bomber knew they had to kill her before she talked. Letta Turmond asked to speak with you, possibly because she did not trust the military to believe her but the bomber predicted that and waited for you to be there so they could kill Letta and implicate you in all the crimes."

"But why kill all the clones outside my cell?" Ahsoka asked. "If Tarkin was keeping anyone from seeing me I wouldn't be able to defend myself."

Shon closed his eyes. "Likely because they wanted you to escape to eliminate any doubt. If you were on the run it made you look guilty, especially if all evidence pointed in your direction. If that's the case perhaps the bomber allowed this lead we now have to be found."

Ahsoka's eyes widened at what Shon just said. "Allowed it to be found? Why would they do that?"

"Possibly because if they know you are there they can set you up by making it look like you were returning for more nano-droids, to plan another bombing. They want you to be caught red-handed, to eliminate any doubt of your guilt in this crime." Shon answered.

"Captain, that sounds like a bit of a stretch." Ahsoka said, not willing to believe this easily due to the source of the lead. "I mean Barriss was the one to provide the lead, and she's been my friend for years."

"Indeed she has been, Miss Tano…which is why you are making the mistake of discounting her as a suspect." Shon pointed out.

Ahsoka shook her head. "What? No, she's been loyal to the Jedi for her entire life!"

"So has every other Jedi until one point or another." Shon countered calmly, "Count Dooku was loyal until he was well into the latter half of his life. Other Jedi throughout the Order's history turned for one reason or another, regardless of how many years of service or perhaps because of them. Ahsoka…there is too much coincidence and convenience in this and I am not willing to fully trust Barriss because she has always been on the list of potential suspects alongside every other member of the Jedi Order present on Coruscant at the time of the bombing. I don't mean to say that it is her when we have so little to go on, but the fact that she was able to find out this one key fact about Letta Turmond that we never would have otherwise found leaves me…weary of her."

Ahsoka didn't want to want believe what Shon was implying, especially since Barriss was her friend. "Please Captain, don't ask me to think of Barriss as an enemy. She can't be the bomber. We fought together and I saved her life when she was infected by Geonosian parasites. She just can't be someone who would commit murder and frame someone, me for all of it."

Shon could see how much Ahsoka didn't want to believe that Barriss may be the one who set her up so he relented. "All right. At the very least we can still discover who stole the nano-droids from that warehouse. We can simply beam down to the basement without anyone noticing."

"I can just go down myself and collect the evidence." Ahsoka pointed out.

"And what if it's a trap, Ahsoka? There's still a chance the perpetrator is on the lookout for anyone who is looking any clues to the bombing." Shon pointed out. "An away team could just beam down into the basement, looking for any fingerprints and identify anyone who has been in there."

"I was the one who was framed, Captain. I should be the one to go down there. If anyone finds out you are helping me they could tip off the Council and the Senate and you'll be in trouble." Ahsoka protested. "I can be in and out in a minute. That's all I need."

Shon saw that Ahsoka wasn't going to give and relented. "Very well, you can go in alone but we'll be keeping a lock on you at all times."

"Thank you." Ahsoka nodded gratefully.

Coruscant
Surface
Level 1315
Abandoned Warehouse

Ahsoka looked around the basement of the warehouse and saw the crates containing the nano-droids. "This is it."

She ran a tri-corder over the crates, scanning for fingerprints. 'Come on, come on…'

Once every crate had been scanned she then programmed it to scan the security database for any matching prints. The list slowly came up, showing the names of workers who had likely placed the crates in the warehouse as none of them have any connections to the war protestors.

It was the last name that made Ahsoka's eyes widen in horror, almost dropping the scanner but couldn't.

Print Matches:

Name: Barriss Offee

Occupation: Jedi Knight

"Barriss…" Ahsoka whispered in horror.

"So you figured it out."

Ahsoka spun around and saw the one who spoke at the door, dressed in black cloak and black skin-tight outfight. "You…"

"You had help from the Enterprise. I see, that's how you managed to evade all of the military's attempts to find you." Barriss stated, looking Ahsoka with a cold, calculating look. "But you still came here by yourself."

"Barriss, what have you done?" Ahsoka trembled slightly. "Tell me you did not bomb the Temple, murder Letta and all those clones. Tell me you did not frame me for all those crimes. Tell me!"

Barriss closed her eyes and sighed. "You already know the truth, Ahsoka. You just refuse to accept it…You know it's true."

"No, it can't be. I know you, Barriss. I know you wouldn't bomb the Temple that has been our home since we were young and commit cold blooded murder like a Sith would." Ahsoka shook her head. "Or frame me for all those crimes."

"But I can and I did." Barriss took a step forward. "I supplied Letta with the nano-droids and forced her to feed them to her husband. I programmed the droids to detonate when Bowmani would be in the hangar, handling the munitions and I killed Letta when she tried to tell you everything before I snuck into the prison and killed the clones guarding you and set you loose to run and make you look guilty in the eyes of the Jedi Order and the Senate."

"Y-You killed those people? You murdered fellow Jedi and innocent people? Why, Barris? Why?!" Ahsoka shouted, her voice filled with despair.

"Innocent…" Barriss said, the word rolling off the tip of her tongue like she tasted something repulsive. "Innocent is a strong word to describe the Jedi, Ahsoka. We are supposed to act as peacekeepers but we have done nothing but wage a pointless war, wasting countless lives. The Jedi are now warmongers, leading an army that should never have existed, bringing destruction and devastation to any world. The Jedi started this war and we have become the very thing we've been fighting to destroy."

"W-What?! Barriss, you're not making any sense!" Ahsoka exclaimed. "How are we responsible for the war? It was Dooku who started the war! Him, Sidious, and Grievous started this entire war, they killed millions of people and they haven't stopped!"

"And yet it was because of the Jedi that Grievous became who he is today." Barriss cut Ahsoka off. "The Jedi forced his people into poverty and he came to hate us when we intervened on the side of slavers. And what about the slaughter of the Mandalorians in the Galidraan Massacre? The Jedi murdered innocents in the name of a corrupt government that cares nothing for the people it is supposed to protect, just as Dooku had realized."

"That's not true, Barriss. Yes, mistakes were made but you can't excuse Grievous and Dooku for the murders they committed on people who were innocent. We are fighting to save the Republic because billions will die if they win." Ahsoka argued, trying to make her friend see reason. "We all fight to save the Republic. How can you simply say the Jedi Order is responsible for the war?"

"Because it is true, Ahsoka. The Order started this war, becoming an army of darksiders who willfully destroy lives to suit its goals." Barriss shook her head. "That is why it became necessary for me to ensure the Order reforms which starts when it is forced to stand down as generals in the clone army. Once the Senate realizes how dangerous the Order has become we will be replaced and once again become peacekeepers."

"So you committed murder and framed me for it?!" Ahsoka shouted. "How does that help?"

"Because you are everything that's wrong with the Jedi." Barriss answered.

Ahsoka was caught off guard by her friend's accusation. "W-What?!"

"The Jedi Order first allowed Anakin Skywalker, a child who was too old into the Order who became reckless, arrogant, disregarding the Code for his own arrogant beliefs. He gave in to his emotions and had no regard for whomever he hurt. He had even tortured prisoners and yet he was never punished for it. The Order overlooked his crimes and allowed him to continue leading us down a spiral into darkness." Barriss spat. "And even worse, he corrupted you with his arrogant and violent approach to life. He murdered men, woman, and children and still the Council allowed him to stay as a Jedi when he should have been expelled for such an atrocity."

"That's not true!" Ahsoka shouted. "My master was the most courageous man I have ever met. He fought in the name of democracy harder than all of the Jedi combined. He died saving everyone in the Senate from the Iconians and the Council forgave him because he didn't make excuses about what he did. Yes, he did make a horrible a mistake but his mother was tortured to death and he tried to save her."

"And thus proving he was never the Chosen One to begin with, wasting the Order's efforts. It was a pity that I could not have implicated him when I had the chance. I could have exposed him for the fraud that he was." Barriss stated coldly.

Ahsoka shut her eyes, gritting her teeth. "And because of that you frame me for all the deaths? If you really believed in what you are saying why frame me? How can you justify that?"

"Sometimes one must be sacrificed for the good of the many." Barriss said simply.

"Sacrificed?!" Ahsoka shouted. "You call framing me and setting me up to be tried by the Senate sacrifice?!"

Barriss held out a hand, summoning her lightsaber that she ignited, glowing bright blue in the dark warehouse. "Yes and thanks to you the Order will be saved from itself."

Ahsoka quickly ignited her one lightsaber, her shoto having been lost during her escape from the Republic prison. "I'm taking you in, Barriss. Come with me willingly and I'll speak with the Council and ask them to grant you leniency."

"And that just shows just how far you and the Order have fallen." Barriss replied.

With that said Barriss rushed forward, slashing at Ahsoka who blocked, holding her lightsaber in one hand and a reverse grip. The two engaged, their slashes moving so fast their lightsabers became bright blurs. Ahsoka had grown used to fighting with two lightsabers that she was slightly off-balance but she kept on fighting. What surprised Ahsoka was just how different Barriss's fighting style was since the last time they had met.

It was more aggressive while at the same time maintaining coordination. It was if Ahsoka wasn't fighting Barriss at all but someone else. Barriss saw an opening and took a chance to run up to the next level of the building.

"Come and get me, Ahsoka. It's only a matter of time before the authorities find us. Do you really believe you can capture me and prove your innocence?" Barriss called down.

Ahsoka followed Barriss up onto the ground level of the warehouse and continued the fight. Ahsoka went on the offensive, attacking Barriss as she gave ground, blocking and parrying her blows as she fell back until she ran up to the next floor and released a pile of barrels on Ahsoka who tried to chase after her.

"Is this it, Ahsoka? Is this all you have to offer?" Barriss laughed darkly as she slipped away into the shadows.

Ahsoka climbed up to the top floor and looked around. "Where are you, Barriss?"

Barriss hid behind a pillar and left up two fingers, moving a few pieces on the floor with Force to surprise Ahsoka who spun around. Barriss leapt out, igniting her lightsaber and clashed with Ahsoka's, pushing her back.

"Why don't you use it?" Barriss asked as she pushed Ahsoka back.

"Use what?" Ahsoka's arm was trembling.

"Your staff." Barriss looked at the small rod still attached to Ahsoka's belt. "I sense its power. I don't know where you got it but I know it's powerful. So powerful that the Council should have confiscated it from you in the first place!"

Barriss pushed Ahsoka's lightsaber aside and kicked her in chest, knocking Ahsoka down and causing her to lose her lightsaber. Ahsoka rolled away and leapt to her feet, pulling out the rod that transformed into its true form.

"Is that why you framed me too? My staff?" Ahsoka asked, holding her staff in both hands. "Masters Yoda and Kenobi already know about it."

"Even further proof of their foolishness!" Barriss rushed forward, swinging her lightsaber at Ahsoka who blocked her staff. "So it can block lightsabers as well."

"It can do more than that!" Ahsoka said as she pushed Barriss back and went on the offensive.

Ahsoka had already been trained by her master to use a staff as a weapon and she had continued learning once she received her staff from the Megans. Spinning her staff in her hands Ahsoka slowly pushed Barriss back who seemed surprised by just how strong Ahsoka had become. The energy from the staff had slowly revitalized Ahsoka, giving her the strength to fight back against Barriss who fell back. As they fought a surge of blue energy travelled through Ahsoka's staff, reflecting her emotional state in the face of her best friend's betrayal that made her stronger to the point that as Ahsoka swung again the staff created a small shockwave that knocked Barriss' lightsaber out of her hands and sent her skidding across the floor and into the wall.

Barriss groaned slightly as she struggled to stand and watched as Ahsoka approached.

"You are beaten, Barriss." Ahsoka stated, pointing her staff at Barriss. "It's over now. You are coming with me to confess your crimes to the Council."

Barriss narrowed her eyes. "So they can execute me? You truly are blinded, Ahsoka."

"It doesn't have to be that way, Barriss." Ahsoka replied, only for Barriss to start laughing.

Barriss wiped a hand across her forehead as she calmed down, still smiling. "You really are naïve, aren't you? You really believe the Council or the Senate will show mercy to me, to you, to any Jedi they think is a traitor?"

"You're a Jedi. The Council will not hand you over to the Senate." Ahsoka stated.

Barriss heard sounds outside the warehouse. "Sure they won't."

Barriss lashed out with both hands, sending a powerful Force push at Ahsoka who braced herself as she fell back. Barriss then jumped down to the ground floor and ran for the exit.

"Barriss, get back here!" Ahsoka shouted.

That was when she saw clone troopers entering the warehouse and they saw her at the top. "There she is!"

Ahsoka quickly started running as they took their first shots, seeing an exit and ran towards it but was cut off as more clone troopers appeared. With them was Jedi Master Plo Koon and held his lightsaber ready.

"Hands up, Commander!" The lead trooper shouted, pointing his rifle at her.

"You are mistaking! The real bomber is getting away!" Ahsoka shouted. "It's Barriss Offee!"

"I said hands up, Commander!" The clone barked, not listening to her.

"Ahsoka, turn yourself in. The Jedi Order will be lenient if you come with us willingly." Plo Koon stated. "You cannot run anymore and we will not allow you to leave after everything you have done. Come with us you may be given the chance to reform."

Ahsoka held her staff tightly as she was surrounded by the clones who all had their rifles aimed at her. She had no idea what to do since the clones and Plo Koon were not even listening to her. She couldn't let them take her in now or the military would keep her locked up with no way to escape. She stared at Plo Koon, silently begging him to believe her but to her shock and horror he held his lightsaber ready.

Ready to attack her if she tried to flee.

"Last chance, Commander. Hands up!" The clone captain barked.

Before Ahsoka could do anything there was blast of orange from all directions that hit the clones along with Plo Koon and they all collapsed.

Ahsoka gasped in shock and looked up, seeing Commander Samuel Winters along with several Starfleet crewmembers who came out of their hiding place. "Miss Tano, you are all right?"

Ahsoka numbly nodded. "Y-Yes."

Winters nodded and tabbed his badge. "Winters to Enterprise. We need an emergency beam-up now."

A second later they were beamed back to the Federation flagship in orbit before anyone could see them.

Orbit
USS Enterprise
Bridge

Captain Shon watched as the away team appeared with Ahsoka who looked very upset. "Miss Tano, are you all right? We were monitoring what happened. You were attacked by a Jedi and we barely had the time to assemble an away team to help you."

"It-It was Barriss…" Ahsoka stuttered as she slowly walked forward, dropping her staff. "Barriss set me up."

"Ahsoka…" Shon placed a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder softly.

The mere touch that was so soft caused the expected breakdown as Ahsoka, a person who tried to hold herself together as someone who was strong as expected of her, latched onto Shon, burying her face in his torso and cried silently. Shon placed one arm on her back, patting her slightly as he simply let her cry out all the grief and pain she had endured for the last few days. Neither Shon nor the crew said anything, only allowing the young girl to have her moment of grief. After a few moments Ahsoka was composed enough to allow Shon to escort her back to her guest quarters, believing she needed to get some actual sleep.

This time Ahsoka did not attempt to argue.