Unnatural Events

Palpatine glared intensely at his screen, his fingers pressed together, the silence entombed within his office, the dark side humming with patience.

Concern furrow his brow as he read a sudden message, it frustrated him that it could not be traced back to where it was sent from, it was an unknown contact, yet how it could not easily be traced or even have an inkling of where it came from, the technology they must have obtained for such secrecy, only a very small few would have such technology, his spies and also himself whenever he needs to coordinate with Darth Tyrannous but what cause great concern is what was within it's contents of the message that was sent.

To the mighty Lord and Darth Sidious,

We know who you are, we know what your greatest desire,
Our employer wishes to convey his congratulations in securing such a pivotal role and holding on to it for many years, we have come across data that have recently came into our possession, although it is at great risk that both of us would be detected under the Jedi due to actions no fault of our own but towards those that we employed to retrieve something dire.

The traitor to your rise have been dealt with, since he had the data attached to this message, we wish to extend our loyalty towards you, to see the Sith rise, with you on top with the access of Immortality.

One of our esteemed inner circle member, someone you are very familiar with will attend shortly after you read this message, secrecy is at the up most importance but we have a request that our contact will convey and plans to deal with loose ends.

The loose ends are known as StarKiller who is currently in Republic custody along with StarDust who is already in the esteemed Chosen One presence, rest assured we have no desire to derail your plans for the Chosen One, more so we may have gave you an advantage overall, a gift to show our loyalty towards you.

We look forward to see your rise as our Emperor.

Palpatine read through, twice, maybe three times, whoever these people are, they are influential, but what alarmed him is how they know his real identity without his notice, he had been careful, ever since he became senator, and when he killed his master on the eve of his election to be Chancellor, he had been discreet, he had planned for everything, the backup plans to his backup plans, intriguing though about this gift they have mentioned, what it could be? Would it actually benefit him towards his plans and his own desire to cheat death.

The file in front, he recognise it instantly, Ancient Sith Language, how he studied it during his apprenticeship to his late Master, but the lure of Immortality, how tempting, but he is not stupid, everyone has an ulterior motive, he will wait for this contact before even agreeing to their terms, he needs more information on these people before even finding a solution to cut these loose ends, but if they prove to be very beneficial he would play them until they are no longer useful.

The doors slide open as the figure walked in, the dark side momentarily pulsed to indicate their status before closing off, Palpatine eyes bulged at the contact, what a marvellous gift indeed, now let's see what they have to offer him before deciding what to do with them.

Coruscant Slums

The four travelled through the alleyways, unbeknownst to Ahsoka the tension was strained between the Master and the Lady, Proxy was watching, the testosterone was starting to overload his scanners, the male, his glances were sharp and distrusting, while his Lady StarDust was doing the same, quite fascinating how it was a silent battle of wills, both planning to topple the other, piecing together Proxy can assume that they both are involving the Master into their plans.

How delightful, even when he is not around physically, the Master seem to cause more trouble without realising it, strange how he is the main focus, note to self, must evaluate recent human emotions and how the Master seem to influence the minds of others without being there physically.

Anakin paused as they approach the area, Ahsoka seemed tensed seeing how she took the lead, but the closer they got, the more slow pace she took, as if anxious and very reluctant.

Sending a small comfort of the force into their force bond, relaxed her slightly, as Anakin gave her the strength and comfort needed to press on, glancing to the woman, even she was anxious as she glanced left to right, feeling very vulnerable, her hand moved to her back, only to find it to be her blouse, grumbling of feeling exposed.

Anakin narrowed his features, have something to hide? Or rather that her identity has not been revealed, she must have a codename, perhaps Ahsoka might have more information, but for now he has to catch this creep that seem to be strong in the dark side.

The walls are filthy, passing by a few disgruntled citizens watching their step, moving to a clearing, a square plaza of a sorts, blaster marks and blood smears stained the area, if Anakin could guess, this might be the fight Ahsoka gotten herself into, both Ahsoka and Marisa glared at the door, which ironically stood at a flight of stairs, Anakin can nearly scoff at the gesture.

Pressing forward, climbing the stairs Anakin ignored sudden warnings from the women.

"Are you seriously going to waltz into there?" Marisa barked in disbelief "For all we could know it would be a trap"

Anakin paused, that does sound like he was going to do something stupid, turning his head his eyes meeting hers.

"All we could know your brother might be behind this door" Anakin bit back, meeting the same tone she gave him, hiding the fact he knew where he is.

"Wait" Ahsoka brightened up with an idea "Couldn't your droid tell us if he is in the vicinity? He did know if he was in hotel or not"

Marisa blinked, that's because Galen told him he be sneaking out, isn't like Proxy had a find idiot scanner on him, then again that gave her an idea, if she could… no need to get carried away, she could jot the idea down later.

Frowning towards Ahsoka "That because he told Proxy where he would be going, and I have cameras installed watching him at all times, in case he does something stupid"

Anakin raised his eye at that, funny if she were to check on them now she will find out he has been there, still it would be amusing to see her reaction to it all.

"Can he sense lifeforms behind this door? Or traps?" Anakin asked, seeing her eye raise a bit, interesting how she piqued when the right questions are asked.

"That he can do" Marisa confirmed, before looking to Proxy, pointing her head to the door, as told Proxy looked at the door for a few seconds, analysing, running a good few hacking protocols, getting security access if possible, standard procedure but a complete waste of time since there is nothing great behind the door, nor is there any lifeforms residing inside.

Five minute have passed as Proxy 'Assess' the situation, bringing Anakin and Ahsoka on edge, Marisa slightly tapping her foot, her patience already starting to grow thin.

"Assessment Complete" proxy announced.

"So what have you got?" Anakin asked, if it took the droid long it have to be a very complex system even for the droid.

Proxy remained silent, before turning towards him.

"Nothing, no technology and no life forms reside inside, no traps encased behind the door, it is basically vacant"

A sound of someone slapping their own head resonated in the silence, both Anakin and Marisa did so in unison, Ahsoka looking confused.

"There could be a scrambler messing with his systems" Ahsoka suggested, suddenly flinched at the intense glare from her friend as if her pride was shot and the droid becoming very offended "Did I say something wrong?"

"Just wounded pride" Anakin frowned before putting his hand on the door, sliding it open, peering inside, his head became light, forcing himself out, nearly toppling backwards on the stairs, Ahsoka and Marisa catching him before he breaks his neck.

"Master are you..." Ahsoka paled as her senses screeched, feeling light headed as well.

Marisa instantly closes the door, the atmposhpere lessened from the Dark side that oozed out of the building.

"What the heck was that?" Ahsoka blurted out, regaining her composure.

"That would be an intense feeling of the Dark Side" Marisa pointed out, being used to the first time meeting the creep, she held out long enough to shut that door, last thing she needs is to explain why two Jedi are out cold.

"Putting it lightly" Anakin muttered "Is it possible for that to scramble his sensors?"

Looking over to Proxy, as it's eyes blinked, looking to the door and back to them.

"Negative" Proxy simply said.

"Force residue doesn't affect him, he just waited just to annoy me" Marisa shot at him, the droid simply shrugged, is he doing it out of spite again or alleviating his boredom, either way she couldn't be more proud that Proxy is developing on his own, sadly he isn't doing it productively.

Anakin scoffed "Well it would have been helpful to know that before opening this door" his eyes drifting back to the door, as if waiting for something to pop out, sighing in defeat of the situation, the perpetrator would be long gone after grabbing hold of the main instigator of his wife's scandal.

"Still we have to find my brother, he could be getting himself in more danger" Marisa pointed out, as she pushed back Anakin to get through the door, hoping to find some clue on his where abouts, usually she would see some sign of him, but then again, his codename developed a reputation of leaving no traces of him coming through, one of many jobs she despise of leaving no witnesses, one StarKiller took a liking too, a shudder crept down her spine, there were times where they have to take individual contracts down to their expertise, where she goes the more hands on approach involving tech or subtlety, then there's Galen, the master of Chaos, thankfully killing Galen detest killing those that very innocent such as children and women, or men that can't defend themselves, but one job he took involve a whole settlement being obliterated, his naivety died that day, no matter how hard you try, innocents always gets killed.

They avoided the best they can in taking contracts that would involve innocents, but it couldn't be avoided as much as she prefers too.

Anakin held her arm while her mind wondered, stopping her from going any further, the sudden firm grasp shook her back to see his eyes looking down, avoiding her gaze.

"Mind telling me why your stopping me from finding my brother?" She asked, why all of a sudden he stopped her, unless?

Marisa's eyes widened "You know where he is?" Anakin face scowled, before pulling something out of his satchel, pointing it towards Proxy.

In an instant Proxy turned hostile as his sensors went on full alert.

"Master what are you….?" before Ahsoka can finish a pulse shot from the device Anakin was holding and Proxy fell flat, motionless.

Marisa grabbed hold of Anakin's grasp, without warning her fist came flying, connecting his jaw.

Anakin caught off guard, stumbled catching his balance before he could topple from the top of the stairs, the woman launching herself on top of him, as they both tumbled down the stairs, as they yelp and grunted from the impact of a few steps and the ground after flying for a few seconds.

Anakin groaned as his eyes shot open to see her on top of him, straddling as her fist came swinging down, with quick reflexes catching her fist, and holding it in place, doing the same with the other fist come flying, he have to give her credit, in the dress she was wearing she could move quickly, resisting the temptation for his eyes to look down.

Ahsoka gaped before rushing to her master's aid holding Marisa's arms.

"Calm down Marisa, why are you attacking Skyguy all of a sudden?" Ahsoka asked, flinching as the threatening glare shot towards her as Marisa's dishevelled hair making her look physiocratic.

"Did you seriously asked that Ahsoka?" Marisa spat "He just deactivated Proxy and he damn fucking know he had something to do with my brother"

Ahsoka gaped as she connected the two together "So your brother was the one involved with my friend?"

Silence again fallen, the tension rose, in her anger Marisa forgotten the investigation that was involved, unless… shifting her gaze towards the arsehole beneath her, disgust filled her nerves, he didn't.

"You distrust me for using your Padawan to get what I want" Marisa face scowled without leaving his gaze, her arms still locked "Ahsoka did you really take me out today as friends or did he tell you to do it so he can get to my brother?"

Silence was the answer "No wonder Galen distrust you Jedi" spitting the last word with venom, stopping her struggle, forcing herself up, before heading towards Proxy who is still motionless on the floor.

"What did you do?" Marisa demanded, as she can heard Anakin getting himself up, the beep of his comms alerting him, ignoring it just to answer her.

"Short EMP burst, he's not fried, just enough to shut him down" Anakin stated, before answering his comm "Skywalker here"

Marisa looked over Proxy's corpse, her heart ache, her baby deactivated from a little portable EMP, the thought making her blood boil, oh how she wants to smack him right in his jaw once again.

Ahsoka watched as Marisa knelt next to the droid she cherish a lot, feeling guilty in bringing her away, yet couldn't help but feel betrayed at the same time, both from her master and her, Marisa kept the one they are looking for hidden, yet couldn't blame her because he's her brother, Anakin pretended to not need her help and have her take her out as an apology just so he could sneak in and capture him, yet it is his dearest friend life nearly turning upside down and the secrecy is needed to do so, Marisa would have caught on since she already felt guilty taking her out but not on her terms.

"I see" hearing her master answer, his eyes darted dangerously to Marisa "I will bring her in" putting away his comms he moved swiftly.

"What's wrong master?" Ahsoka asked as she kept up to his speed.

Anakin sighed as he looked at the state, the droid is a magnificent piece, it was a shame he had to deactivate it, he will have the clones bring it in to the lock-up, no doubt remain lock and key.

"StarDust" Anakin declared, Marisa whipped her head to his eye level, shock that he spoken that name out loud "you are under arrest, come quietly and you will not be harmed" his hand hovering over his lightsaber.

"Master she is unarmed" Ahsoka spoke concern at the sudden movement and declaration.

"And? I underestimated StarKiller" Anakin growled, wait StarKiller? Ahsoka gasped turning to Marisa, her shock and his knowledge of who they are, obvious "Surprised? your not as subtle as you think, as I said come quietly and you picked the wrong Jedi and Senator to pull of your stunts"

Marisa stood her ground, her options now closed, she knew she should have gotten off planet as soon as she had a bad feeling with this place, hoping Galen is ok even under stressful situations.

Still Restrained in the Chair

"Nobody knows, the trouble I have done, nobody knows my sorrow" Galen sang, his voice deep and solemn, accepting his imprisonment, the collar remaining around his neck and the boredom, oh the boredom is mentally killing him.

Another thought, as he sat there, letting his mind wonder, to previous events, his eyes shot open upon realisation.

"That was an Insult!" Note to self kick the shit out of Proxy.

Hearing voices from outside, something like, not to be trusted, lock up… keep restrained, oh force it's going to happen all over again.

The sound of the door slide open as Galen slowly glanced, the boredom still there, to his amusement an older looking man, his robes red and black, senator maybe? Followed by ah great baldy is back with his never ending miserable stare, guy needs to relax, have a few drinks and a woman, that would bring a smile to that face, would be creepy, did they guy ever smile?

Returning his focus to the elder man, his eye's roaming over Galen, a real bad feeling washed over, he's hiding something.

"Have you come to sentence my execution?" Galen suddenly spoke until his eyes widened "Or are you undressing me with your eye's and planning to have your way with me"

The man blinked before turning to Master Windu, confused and slightly disturbed at the first choice of words.

"Pay no heed to his words chancellor, his mind have been pushed to gather information we needed" Mace spoken professionally and with courtesy.

"I see, well I hope you haven't damaged his mind too much" Palpatine joked, turning to the restrained prisoner "You have caused quite a ruckus haven't you StarKiller?"

Galen remained silent, well shit, the big guy of the Republic have personally came to greet him and worse of all he knew who he was, how? Did he mess up somewhere? Oh wait he fucked over one of the big senators, dammit Proxy why did he agree and follow his ingenious plan to stem his boredom.

"Chancellor Palpatine" StarKiller greeted back "An influential man such as yourself waste your time with a low reputation mercenary such as I" no point in lying, since baldy is here, he would attempt to rape him again if he wouldn't tell the truth, that or he's just going to keep staring at him.

"Oh I highly doubt it, since your name carries weight, the wrong type of weight, how unfortunate you targeted our prominent senator" Palpatine countered, the guy knows how to play ball, no shit, he's the freaking chancellor "You could be facing life in prison along with StarDust" pausing to see the fear, delicious.

"She had nothing to do with me!" Galen spoke "Everything I did she had no hand in what I do on my jobs"

Palpatine resist the urge to smile, he has him where he needs him, now to give that extra push and he will be begging to what ever he needs to be done.

"Yet she collaborated with you, thus making you both equally guilty, she is on her way here with a guard, her droid deactivated..."

Proxy deactivated? Impossible, that droid doesn't know the meaning or the word of deactivated, Galen thought hard Proxy what the actual fuck are you planning now, ignoring the dribble the old guy is spewing out.

"Everything balances on the end if you agree" Palpatine finished, as he studied the reaction, the guy look lost all of a sudden, as if trying to recall something, is this a new phycological defence mechanism when it comes to interrogation.

His mouth opened "I did not have a clue on what you just said" blurting out, Palpatine stood there, did this insignificant creature ignore him? Resisting the urge not to blow his cover, StarKiller is clever, he heard that he avoided capture by outsmarting Skywalker, he should not underestimate him.

"I have come with a proposition, with the Master Jedi as witness, we came to an agreement that something needs to be done" Palpatine stated, the short version this time "To avoid life in prison we wish to have you under employment to the Republic, Master Jedi will inform you once you agreed, no doubt your sister would do the same"

"What's the catch?" Galen asked, Palpatine resist to groan, he could feel Master Windu's patience wearing thin, how many times do they have to explain it to him.

"You won't be going away for along time, you will be working for the republic and any hints of leaving Republic service, you and StarDust will be separated and behind bars" Mace Windu stated.

"I recommend that you accept, it is not like you have much choice" Palpatine urged "You will gain full pardon at the end of the war, depending on how much you have contributed"

Mace glanced, uncomfortable with the offer the Chancellor is offering, still it is needed to be done, they have came to an agreement after all.

"Chancellor, with no disrespect, it is unwise to give them pardon after everything they have done" Mace Windu urged, Yoda sitting on the chair as they are called to an urgent meeting with the Chancellor.

"I can understand your concern, but these are trying times, as much as I would have them put away for a long time, I have came across something that have great need of your expertise"

Palpatine handed over the data pad, Mace studying it, concern and alarm disturbing the force.

"This is Ancient Sith language, where did you get this?" Mace demanded. Unaware that Yoda recognises the writing, but remain silent, couldn't help have the feeling this is the very same he saw from the woman that he found skulking about, dangerous path they are now walking upon now.

"Sith language?" Palpatine feign shock "Forgive me, I had no idea, this was sent to me by someone anonymous, it could not be traced and whoever left it in my office, either wishes me to be removed or something far grave"

"Troubling this is, resurfacing they are" Yoda spoke quietly.

"Could it be the culprit you are looking for?" Palpatine inquired "Whoever it was, this has caused great distress to our security"

"Have no fear Chancellor, you are right to bring this to our attention, the prisoner have informed us of a being powerful in the dark side" Windu spoke, controlling the sense of distress in the room "We will be having a report once Knight Skywalker have located it's last position, I have a team of Jedi on standby if it is the one we are looking for"

"I hope so, I rather not have any more enemies" Palpatine frowned, internally gleefully seeing how they do not suspect him for even having it, short sighted fool, "Do you know who it maybe. If I so inquire?"

Yoda and Mace glance to each other, should they tell him it be Darth Sidious, no, it is too soon.

"We are unsure, it is a being powerful in the dark side" Mace spoke "but why have need of StarKiller, he has a reputation of chaos and destruction, we may come to believe he may have been responsible for a few settlements and outposts going dark"

"I highly doubt it, but that is not all, I have information from my spies, that a cult is in search of a device of sorts that could cause catastrophic events" Palpatine spoke, the atmosphere in the room disappeared.

"Accurate, the information is? Hmm" Yoda spoke up again "This Cult? Dangerous are they?"

"I assure you Master Yoda, it is something I wouldn't bring up if I didn't think it is just rumour, this cult I have ignored due to the war are up to something dangerous, I have eyes on them ready to have evidence to go against them, but they have ventured out into neutral space" The Chancellor sighed, standing up as he turned his back, peering through the window "I do not think it is coincidence any more, the sudden reports and this language appearing at the same time"

"You believe the Sith language and the sudden device are related?" Mace spoke, something is not right, it is all too sudden.

"Since you recognise this monstrosity" Palpatine pointed to the data pad with said language "The neutral space, I could not send a fleet into the outer rims without causing alarm, it would be an act of war and would more likely bolster the Separatist army, no we need something that would allow to slip in unnoticed"

"Very risky, if we do offer them, what are the chances they would run, we be setting free a very dangerous criminal" Windu reprimanded, not liking the plan, or the direction it is being sent.

Palpatine paused, as if thinking up a solution, it is truly risky unless.

"We could simply have one republic cruiser patrol neutral space, passing it off as keeping the peace, we are not allowed to fight, but we are allowed to move freely" Palpatine said out loud in thought "As for having them escape, we could have them under watch with Jedi, their ship impounded on the cruiser, like a private contract, with their freedom and full pardon as the reward"

Mace frowned, as Yoda kept silent, listening he is, reasonable to allow a single cruiser to investigate, but which Jedi should stand guard over the most dangerous being imaginable.

"We will decide on who, even though I don't like the idea, we will respect your wishes Chancellor" Windu agreed, a feeling on who the Jedi would be standing guard, internally sighing, why does Skywalker always inadvertently get caught into this mess.

"Thank you master Jedi, the sooner we recover this device, the better it stays out of hands that would consider greater harm to the Republic"

Galen weighed his options, who is he kidding he has no options, the worse that would happen is that they get locked up and he will truly be the King of the Shower's, he prefer to fuck the arse of a woman, not a man, still making someone his bitch, but it is not the same.

"I see I have no choice" Galen grumbled.

"Excellent, I leave you to Master Windu seeing how you are both well acquainted" Palpatine clapped his hands and proceed to leave them be.

"OH HELL NO!" Galen yelled "he raped me!"

Palpatine stopped, processing the information and kept walking, eager to leave the idiot's presence, if he have to clarify or repeat himself one more time he might as well reveal himself just to kill the fool, but soon enough the plan that he devised will ensure his demise soon enough, leaving the imbecile whimpering, due to being left alone with Master Windu.

Council Chambers

The Jedi council convened at their meeting with Anakin Skywalker standing in the middle, to say his day have gotten worse it certainly has.

"Master's, is it wise to allow them to be free?" Anakin questioned, a few days he had spent in catching them, turning out to be very notorious Mercenary's, only to have them be on the job, contracted to work for the Republic, only for him to babysit them while they go on some stupid mission.

"I agree, it does sound like a recipe for disaster" a blue holo of Obi wan Kenobi, who is currently returning from his mission on the outer rim.

"Troubling these events are" Yoda hummed, not too easy with what transpired, since day one since they have arrived, the force have been rippled, like a chain of events have been cast, to what he does not know "This cult, wary the Chancellor is, the artefact holds danger, the dark side it might"

"If I may Master Yoda" Obi wan spoke up, waiting for approval, only the silent gaze Yoda had for him, showing his attention before continuing "This dark side being, how did we not sense them? Surely by Anakin's report, the potency the presence left behind, we could have sensed it"

Murmurs of agreement amongst the council, it is a fair question, how did they not?

"Shrouded by the Dark side, we have" Yoda admitted "Blind we are, unravel the mystery we must, this lead, all we have"

"Perhaps this may unravel many mysteries that need answering" Plo Koon spoke, as if he was telling it to himself "There is more, ships, all republic, separatist, even those not involved in the war, their ships brought down by an unknown machine or entity"

"That can't be coincident, can it?" Obi wan scoffed, perplexed by even more bizarre information brought forward, only now is he hearing all of this, the senator scandal, Ancient Sith Language, ships being brought from the space towards the planet and the infamous StarKiller within their hands.

"Possibly, it is quite unnatural how all of this all come to light when it came to the Chancellors office" a tall man spoke his head pointed high, with only a long moustache and beard, Master Ki Adi Mundi spoke.

Anakin felt the urge to show a stare of anger to the master, how could his friend suddenly be involved, if he were truly responsible he would not have come to the Jedi when he received something he didn't understand, fuck it, he had to defend his friend there.

"Unlikely, someone slipped it to him, wanting to either frame him if anyone were to come across it or they want it to come to our attention" Anakin spoke, some tension in his voice as he controlled his frustration.

Obi wan fidgeted as some of the council members huffed with disapproval.

"Be as it may Knight Skywalker, it is all of a sudden this Cult have started to move and a dark side user have suddenly turned up out of the blue" Ki Adi spoke, hinting his displeasure at the sudden attitude.

"I believe it started since the Star's came planet side, is it not them that visited the dark side user? I highly believe they may have something to do with it" Anakin bit back again.

"Anakin as much as I would like to believe, apparently the Chancellor have devise a loop hole to work some operations in neutral space, if these cult members are up to no good, even though I loathe the thought of using mercenaries, it is a simple solution to be able to move more freely, and gain more information" Obi wan pointed out, sensing his friend would blow his top off if the masters accuse the chancellor again.

Breathing in Anakin nodded, it is needed after all, the Chancellor could not risk a fleet or operations to carry out in neutral space in fear they would join the separatists, but using one single cruiser, wouldn't they see that as an act of war?

"Tread lightly we must, Skywalker to the neutral space you will go, oversee the Star's, your mission it is now" Yoda spoke, as he glanced around, no rejections from the other master's.

"What about the war?" Anakin asked, not liking the idea with the war going about he have to chase down a ghost lead that may or may not be a complete waste of time.

"This device or artefact has great power, if it does exist, we prefer it does not go into the wrong hands, if the Chancellor deem it of importance, it is best to be safe than sorry" Plo Koon stated "I believe the war will be around when you return"

"Orders you have, see Master Windu, collect the male, restrained he must be until your discretion, the female and her droid, your Padawan will see too" Yoda spoke, seeing Anakin nod and bowed, signalling his leave, watching him go, too much anger in the young knight, distrust of them both, another difficult trial he must overcome, learn he must, Yoda turned his head to Obi wan.

"When you come, important mission I have for you"

"I take it I will be briefed when I get back" Obi wan murmured, only to receive a nod.

The council adjourned, Yoda sat in silence, strange events happening right now, the force is now in motion, disturbed by many unnatural events, meditate on the matter, the twin's, their timing no coincidence there is.