Chapter 33 - The New Sith Order

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Anakin stands in the cockpit, watching the stars streak by. Any minute they'll be exiting from hyperspace, and he'll have to contact the Separatist fleet protecting Serenno to inform them they have permission to land. A quiet sigh escapes him. Who could have thought that everything would come to this? He pulls the black hood up over his head. It's somewhat superfluous since his voice can still be recognized, but it still provides some measure of anonymity which he appreciates.

The star streaks fade into the blackness of space as they exit hyperspace. Ahead, Anakin sees the looming fleet of Separatist ships guarding the planet. Serenno is a Separatist stronghold. It's obvious the planet would be heavily defended. It relieves him to know that Sidious hasn't been able to remove all their defenses. True, Dooku had promised to the contrary, but seeing and hearing are very, very different.

"Hail them," orders Anakin tensely. The clone pilot moves to follow the instructions.

"Identity yourselves," the words crackle through the comm.

"This is Lord Vader demanding immediate entry to the planet," Anakin replies, a hard edge to his voice. He has to play the part of a Sith, right?

"Permission granted," the commander answers as the connection is disconnected.

"Land on the platform near Dooku's mansion," instructs Anakin.

"Yes, sir," the clones respond in unison.

Turning, Anakin leaves the cockpit, reentering the main area. He should be feeling something else – perhaps relief that they've almost reached their destination without incident, but he's not, and he doesn't know why. He feels moody, not that he'd ever admit it aloud. The Dark Side increases in its whisperings, urging him to do something with his feelings. He forces them aside, focusing his mind instead on feeling the vibrations of the ship, trying to find a semblance of calm.

Dooku will notice, of course; he often seems to, and Obi-Wan will sense it as well. He doesn't want to deal with them right now – with their questions or concerns. Now that they've reached their destination, he doesn't have any further distractions. There's nothing for him to plan without talking to the others, but it's not like he can keep his feelings at bay forever.

It would come out eventually. He knows it, but that doesn't mean he's ready. What the Council did – it was simply unexpected. Unthinkable. How could they do that to him? Did he really mean nothing to them? After all the sacrifices he's endured? This line of thinking – it's not helping. He needs to find something to distract himself.

He can feel depression creeping up, but at least this time, he won't be facing it alone. As the ship comes to a stop, Anakin shakes off his thoughts, forcing himself to return to the present. He makes sure his hood is still in place as he steps off the transport ship and glances around. The shuttle still hasn't arrived. Probably, they left after the clones were safely in hyperspace. Reaching out to the Force, Anakin can sense Obi-Wan's Force signature not too far away. It shouldn't be long before they arrive.

**b**

"When I agreed to come here, I never said I would become a Sith!" protests Ahsoka, looking between the other three.

"It's either that, or you return to the Temple to complete your Jedi training," Anakin points out, raising an eyebrow at her, "I can't make you a Jedi anymore, Snips."

"That's just wrong, what they did," the Togruta grumbles.

"My sentiments exactly," Obi-Wan agrees dryly, "But that doesn't change the decision you need to make."

"By joining the Sith Order, you can help us start an Order in which we can correct the mistakes the Jedi have made," Dooku continues smoothly, "The choice is yours."

Everyone is quiet, while Ahsoka contemplates their words. Anakin is fairly certain she'll agree; Obi-Wan already did. A feeling akin to excitement surges through him. This is their first step in taking on the task of repairing the galaxy. By creating a new Sith Order, Anakin hopes they'll actually succeed in making changes.

"Will I have to use a red lightsaber?" questions Ahsoka.

"No," Anakin and Dooku chorus, glancing at each other for a moment.

"The Count's is blue again," Obi-Wan explains, "We'll get crystals the same way Jedi do."

"Okay, then yes, I'll join," she decides finally.

Dooku and Anakin exchange another look. Neither Obi-Wan nor Ahsoka really have any idea how Sith get their names – and they will be getting them. Anakin had agreed it would be best to follow that tradition, at least for now. Slowly and deliberately, Dooku rises, and Anakin can feel the Dark Side flooding through him. Now that he's more attuned to the Sith Lord, Anakin senses that he's reaching deeply into the Force as a whole, not just the Dark Side.

"Master Kenobi," Dooku intones, sounding more like the Sith Lord he is, "Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth…" he pauses as the Force surges. Anakin can almost hear it whispering to Dooku. "Aristaeus." Anakin turns the name over in his mind. It fits. It matches Obi-Wan, just like the name Vader matches him.

Dooku meets Anakin's eyes as Obi-Wan seems to be thoughtfully considering his new name. If he feels uncomfortable, it's well covered up under his stoic "Jedi Master" face as Anakin likes to call it.

"Skywalker, I can lead you in naming your Padawan," Dooku speaks, "It seems fitting that you name her."

Anakin agrees. He rises slowly, standing near Dooku and facing Ahsoka. "Embrace the Force in its entirety," murmurs the Count, "Let it tell you her name."

He inhales, letting the Force flood through him, suppressing the call of the Dark Side. The lure is almost irresistible, and it takes all his self-control not to succumb. He reaches into the Force itself, asking it silently what an appropriate name for Ahsoka would be. The responding whisper strikes him with the rightness. Veritas.

He meets Ahsoka's eyes as she watches him curiously. "Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth Veritas," he speaks, noting how his voice sounds more like Vader's than his own. He pulls back from the depths of the Force as quickly as he can, trying to block off the persistent taunts of the Dark Side. He won't fall, no matter what the Council believes. He won't.

"Very well, you will need to wear a black hood or armor if you intend to move around inside," cautions Dooku, "Skywalker does both."

"I'm not wearing armor," states Ahsoka firmly, crossing her arms, "It will impede my movements and ability to fight."

Anakin snorts. "If only Dooku listened to those arguments when I tried them on him, but no. He gave it to me anyways, and then forced me to wear it."

"It was for your protection," interjects Dooku, giving Anakin a pointed look.

"I can have armor," Obi-Wan interrupts before an argument can break out.

Dooku nods to him before turning to Ahsoka. "If we'll be leaving the planet, I would really recommend armor."

"No," she replies stubbornly, "A cloak can conceal my identity well enough."

Anakin can tell that Dooku wants to argue but decides to concede the point. Good choice. Ahsoka can be as stubborn as Anakin, and he knows that when the topic came up with him, he wasn't in the mood to insist. Now is a totally different story.

"I will instruct the clones to use your Sith names when addressing you," Dooku continues, turning towards the door, "Even though Sidious probably already knows you are with me, it will provide additional protection and hopefully prevent the Republic from discovering your identities. It goes without saying that is tantamount to our success."

Everyone nods silently, letting Dooku continue, "I will be giving a live address to the Senate very soon. Hopefully, I will be able to persuade them to our position. At least we won't have to concern ourselves with pursuit by Republic forces for obtaining the aid of the clones."

"That would be prudent," Obi-Wan agrees, a faintly amused expression on his face.

As Anakin listens to the conversation, the Dark Side continues its relentless attack on him. Every time he uses it, the whispers grow exponentially stronger. Or maybe it's simply his guilt. Despite everything Dooku has said, he can't help but feel guilty on some level for succumbing to the power it provides. It goes against everything he's ever been taught, and he feels as though he's unworthy to be a Jedi. He failed everyone, didn't he?

The Order doesn't care about him anymore. The Republic will just as soon demonize as praise him, and he's not stupid enough to think that he can't lose whatever hero status he has obtained in the public eye. People are too easily manipulated. What's the point of all this? To stop Sidious and save the galaxy, but is it really worth it? Anakin winces. Why is he even thinking that? Of course, it is! That's why he agreed to join Dooku in the first place.

And he's wrong about failing everyone. He has to be. Surely Obi-Wan doesn't love him enough to stay with him if he failed. And maybe – maybe he does. He thinks Ahsoka does too. He reminds himself harshly that he's not alone. Not anymore. He has Obi-Wan and Ahsoka and Padme. And Dooku too, strange though that may be.