DISCLAIMERS
1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by Disney/Lucasfilm. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.
2. This is a quite different version of the final Clone Wars episodes, "Shattered" and "Victory and Death".
PART 3
"OK… I think we're clear." Ahsoka's words came out breathlessly, as she held her wife close. They slunk further into the darkness of the alley, with the Togruta warily keeping one eye on the street.
Through some miracle, Ahsoka managed to aim their airspeeder as it plunged down the underworld portal, just enough to perform a turbulent crashlanding. The Offee-Tanos landed hard on the edge of a level, on the very wall of the pit. Ahsoka's heart broke at the pained yelp Barriss released upon impact, but they could not stop and dwell. She managed to lift her pregnant wife out the wrecked speeder - through a combination of adrenaline and the Force, just as she did a few minutes ago when Rex fired on them - and led them into the undercity level. Just in time, as the speeder quickly lost its balance and plummeted further into the depths.
The women managed to get clear of the crowd quickly forming around the crashsite, but not without difficulty: Ahsoka could only carry Barriss so far, and the Mirialan could only run so much in her condition. Fortunately, Ahsoka spotted a darkened alley and headed there. She could not think about facing the underworld security force: not now, not with so many unanswered questions.
Which Barriss was now voicing tiredly. "Wh… what's going on? Ahsoka, what's happening?!"
"You're asking me?" answered the Togruta. "I have absolutely no idea. Rex was fine and then he… " Her words trailed.
"Not just Rex," said Barriss. "The lieutenant tried to shoot me in the kitchen."
"What?" Ahsoka's jaw dropped. "Why didn't you say anything?!"
"I didn't exactly have time! You said something about Anakin, and then… "
"Anakin." Ahsoka closed her eyes, needing a moment to focus. Something happened to her former Master. Something happened to Rex. And she and Barriss nearly died. What was going on? Ahsoka took a breath and cleared her mind as best she could. "I'm sorry, love. I shouldn't have snapped."
Barriss looked down. "No, I.. " She stopped and closed her eyes.
Not noticing, Ahsoka took a moment to survey the street. "Listen, I'm going to find a comm unit. I'll try and contact Anakin, or Obi-Wan, or Luminara… find out what exactly is happening. Will you be alright? It'll be easier to dodge security if I'm on my own."
Barriss nodded. "Just… be careful." The two shared a quick and somewhat desperate kiss, then Ahsoka reluctantly left the alley. Thankfully, she did not have to venture far to find a comm unit. However, as she hurried towards it, she was stopped in her tracks by a voice filling the street.
"It has been confirmed that the Jedi - the warriors to whom we entrusted the safety of the Republic and democracy, attempted to assassinate the Supreme Chancellor."
Ahsoka's mouth hung open. "What… ?" She stood from a distance as a group of citizens gathered around a news screen. It showed an image of the Senate Chamber where Palpatine - deformed to an-almost unrecognisable degree - proclaimed a New Order. Worse, he branded the Jedi traitors.
The Togruta was at a loss for thought, but then it got worse: the screen changed to show the outside of the Jedi temple. What Ahsoka saw cut through to her core. The home of the Order was in flames.
Ahsoka put a hand to her mouth and tears poured as she watched the scene. The night sky was lit up by the burning temple. Her entire body shook as she continued to weep, and an unimaginable wave of despair engulfed her. She stood on the spot for several moments, the news voiceover muffling to nothing in head. This had to be a nightmare.
Realising she left Barriss alone for too long, Ahsoka made herself move. She put off calling for help for the moment and returned to the alley. Her lip trembled as she looked at her wife, who was at least still safely hidden. "Barriss, the… the temple… oh my… " What were they going to do now?
She realised Barriss was not reacting, instead remaining silent with her head down. "Barriss… ?"
"I… I'm sorry… " came the tiny voice. "I'm so… sorry… I can't… I can't… "
Ahsoka dashed to her beloved, and noticed the Mirialan was holding her stomach. "Barriss, what… ?"
"I tried to igno… uuuuhhhhn… " Barriss let out a guttural moan and doubled over.
Ahsoka's heart skipped. "Darling… !"
Barriss hauntingly looked up at her wife, pure fear in her eyes. "The baby's coming… "
TO BE CONTINUED
