Summary

Ahsoka and friends meet on Atollon.

Ahsoka assigns Slick to setup a new base and prepares a message for the 501st and 212nd.

Ahsoka sends Fives and Ezra to go look for Obi-Wan and friends.

Ahsoka and Rex pick up Padme to help them reach Anakin.

Ventress loses her temper.

Obi-Wan and friends make trouble.

Jinn has a talk with Barriss.

Anakin confronts Dooku.

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Across the stars, Ahsoka and her two companions arrived at the rendezvous point on Atollon. It was a strange dry world with a hot climate and rocky terrain. Though, despite the dry weather, the surface was covered in large plated tree corals. The soil as red and gave the world a soft pink tone.

She was glad to see that the other ships had already arrived before them. Fives was already setting up a new base in the caves. Fives stopped what he was doing when he saw her, Rex, and Ezra approach him from their ship. Slick also noticed and joined him.

Fives said, "Commander! I'm glad to see you made it."

She hugged him and said, "I'm glad to see you too, Fives. Is everyone here?"

The ARC trooper lowered his gaze and said, "I'm afraid not. Master Jinn, Ventress, General Kenobi and Padawan Offee still aren't here."

Rex said, "Did you try contacting them yet?"

Fives said, "Yes, but we haven't made contact. I think something might have happened to them."

Ezra reassuringly said, "Don't worry. We can go look for them. I can track Jinn with our training bond."

Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest and said, "Agreed. Ezra and Fives can go look for JInn and the others. Rex and I will continue our mission to go find Anakin. Slick will remain here and setting up base."

Slick frowned and said, "There isn't much to work with. We need more supplies and more men. We also have a few loose ends. Like what about these Jedi younglings? What am I supposed to do with them? And the Martez sisters. It's clear that Rafa ratted us out. We can't afford to keep a traitor in our ranks. There is also the matter of Maul. What happens when he wakes up and finds you all gone?"

Ahsoka placed her hand under her chin and said, "Jinn told me that he wanted Maul in charge of the Jedi members interested in establishing the New Order. In the meantime, they can help set up the base. Quinlan can give you a hand with Maul if he gives you trouble. As for supplies and men, I think it's time we bring in the 501st and the 212th. I'll prepare a message for you to send to them."

Fives smiled and said, "I like the sound of that, Commander. It's about time we brought everyone on board. Come on, kid. Let's go find Master Jinn."

Ezra nodded his head and replied, "Right." The teen then paused and turned around and said, "Oh, Slick. Be care of spiders. They're pretty big around here. Oh, and if you happen to see a big guy named Bendu, don't be afraid. He's friendly."

Slick narrowed his brow in confusion. He had no idea what the kid was talking about. He already knew about the spiders. They did a recon on Atollon before they even decided to make it their next base. The Commander chose it because it was out of the way. They even had extra equipment sent ahead of time in case they had to excavate.

Slick was glad that the Commander was competent. His opinion of her had grown since he left the ship. He could understand why so many of his brothers respected her. Though, her plan did leave one detail out.

"Commander, what about the Martez sisters?"

Ahsoka said, "Get them out of here. We can't afford to give them another chance."

Ahsoka wished with all her heart that she could. However, rushing head long on a decision based on her past feelings and not this reality had cost them the base on Endor. She couldn't afford to jeopardize their mission again.

XXX

It was a long trip back to Coruscant, but Ahsoka decided to take Jinn's advice and get in contact with Padme. She knew that she'd have no problem finding Anakin's location through their Force bond but convincing him to do what they wanted was going to be hard work. Padme could hopeful get through to him. The fight in the Chancellor's office already proved to her that her words weren't enough to reach him. Ahsoka suspected it was because Anakin still saw himself as her master.

It was already night when they landed and found themselves in front of Padme's apartment door. She reached over to press the door chime.

Padme was already in bed when she heard the door chime. She didn't know who it could be at such a late hour. She put on her long white house robe when she answered the door. Her hair was down and messy. The light from the hall stung her eyes. She didn't recognize the two hooded strangers at her door at first, but then she realized who it was.

"Ahsoka?"

The Senator then stepped back and allowed Ahsoka and Rex in. She shut the door behind them. She then turned on the lights in the seating room and turned to face them.

"You two shouldn't be here. It's all over the holos. You two are wanted for attempting to assassinate the Chancellor."

Ahsoka pulled back her hood and said, "Please, Padme. We need your help."

Padme said, "Of course. You're my friend Ahsoka. I'll do everything I can to clear your names."

She shook her head and said, "No, Padme. You don't understand. The Chancellor is the Sith Lord the Jedi have been looking for. Anakin went to confront him, and we tried to stop him. However, we did try to assassinate the Sith Lord."

Padme was stunned. She couldn't believe that Palpatine was the Sith Lord. She shook her head and said, "No, I trusted him. Anakin trusted him. How could I have been so foolish? His ambitions are greater than I could have imagined." She then paused and said, "You knew."

Ahsoka said, "Yes."

"How?"

The Togruta teen shook her head and said, "It's a long story, but it can wait. I need you to get dressed. We need to find Anakin. He wants to find Dooku and confirm that he has connections with the Chancellor."

Padme's expression turned serious. She turned towards her bedroom and said, "Give me a few minutes to change."

Rex caught her arm and said, "Don't leave Representative Binks in charge while you're gone, Senator. You should assign your handmaiden to impersonate you."

Padme thought it was a strange request. If she was going to be gone from the Senate for an extended amount of time, then leaving Representative Binks in charge would be better than leaving a decoy. A decoy didn't have authority in the Senate.

Rex must have read the confusion on her face because he added, "Binks isn't a leader. He's a follower. Don't leave him in the Chancellor's hands."

Padme lowered her gaze in thought and said, "I understand. I'll leave word with Bail Organa. I'll have him keep an eye on Representative Binks. I'll instruct Sabe to be my decoy for as long as I can."

It didn't take long for Padme to leave her messages and get dressed. She left C3PO behind but took R2D2 with her. Together, they followed Ahsoka and Rex to their ship. She noticed they took extra precaution not to get caught by the local authorities. They were dressed as civilians and kept their faces hidden.

"You two seem used to this."

Rex smiled and said, "Let's just say we've got experience. Come on. I'll prep the ship. Why don't you take a seat?"

She smiled back and said, "Thank you, Captain."

Padme sighed in relief once they broke orbit. She couldn't imagine what Anakin was thinking by going after the Count alone. She just hoped that they weren't too late.

XXX

Elsewhere in space, Obi-Wan was done being pawed at by the slave queen and awkwardly extracted himself and moved to stand beside Ventress. He felt too exposed in his slave outfit. The sheer white fabric that made up his loincloth did very little to cover him. He wondered how Jinn could be so relaxed. He watched as he bowed to the slave queen and gestured towards the seating area.

"Shall we join Mistress Ventress, your majesty?

"Of course," she purred.

Queen Scintel then took Jinn's arm and allowed him to escort her back to her seat. Once she was settled, he moved to sit next to Ventress. However, the slave queen had other plans. Before Jinn could move out of her reach, she took his hand. She pulled him towards her until he had no choice but to kneel in front of her.

"Now, where do you think you're going?"

"I need to tend to my Mistress."

"And what about tending to your Queen?"

She reached out to caress his face. Jinn took her hand and said, "You flatter me, but I am unworthy of tending to you."

"Such sweet words. I wonder if you taste just as sweet."

"Thank you, your majesty. I am grateful to receive your praise, but my Mistress-"

She said, "Your Mistress can wait a bit longer."

She placed her hand behind his head and leaned forward to give him a kiss. His lips were soft and gentle. His reaction didn't match his bravado. Queen Scintel expected fire and passion, but instead she saw surprise in his golden eyes.

Meanwhile, Ventress had seen enough. She clutched the metal cup in her hand in vise grip and tossed it onto the floor before rising from her seat. The contents of the cup spilled across the floor. She raised her hand and with a flick of her wrist, she knocked the slave queen off her seat and onto the floor.

In a dark voice, Ventress said, "Who told you, you could touch what's mine?"

Queen Scintel was stunned. It took her a moment to collect herself and get back onto her feet. She glared at Ventress and said, "You will regret this, you bounty hunting pig!"

Ventress frowned and raised her hand to lift the slave queen up and pressed her up against the wall. She struggled to break free from the invisible hold around her neck, but she couldn't move. She couldn't even speak. She gasped and coughed, but no sound came out.

Jinn approached the slave queen. She strained to face him groaned out the word, "Please…help…"

He ignored her and took the slave collar control from her belt and disabled it. He then took her communicator and broke it as well. He then approached Obi-Wan and raised his hands over the collar and used the Force to break it. When he was done, he moved to free Barriss next.

"Obi-Wan, get this blasted thing off of me."

The Jedi Master used the Force to remove Jinn's slave collar. He saw that he truly despised the device. He could feel through their bond that he associated it with feelings of powerlessness and fear. It reminded him of when he was Dooku's prisoner.

Obi-Wan turned to Ventress and said, "Don't kill her. We can negotiate terms for our escape."

Ventress kept her eyes on the slave queen and said, "Don't tell me what do to, Jedi."

Obi-Wan frowned and said, "Jinn, please tell Ventress to be reasonable."

Jinn raised his brow and said, "Are you serious? She's the reasonable one in our relationship. Besides, I'm the one in the doghouse for letting that cat kiss me. And we are not negotiating with slavers."

Barriss said, "Then, what are we going to do?"

Jinn said, "We're going to commandeer the ship."

The green beauty said, "How? We don't have any weapons. I'm sure the guards will come to check on their queen."

Jinn said, "We'll improvise."

Obi-Wan groaned and said, "Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this?"

Jinn smiled and walked towards the slave queen and raised his hand over her face and commanded, "Sleep."

In an instant, Queen Scintel was passed out. Ventress let her drop to the floor like a dead weight. She watched as Jinn picked the slave queen up and said, "I'll take the queen and create a distraction. In the meantime, you can seize control of the bridge. I recommend we disable the long-range communicators in the escape pods before dumping them into space."

Obi-Wan nodded his head and said, "Alright. Barriss and I will take the bridge. Ventress can go with you in case you run into trouble."

Jinn said, "Agreed. May the Force be with you."

Obi-Wan was startled by Jinn's words. He almost sounded like a Jedi. However, a second later Jinn shifted the queen over to his shoulder and summoned his black sword from somewhere inside the ship. It came crashing through the metal plating of the ship walls and into his hand.

Barriss was dumbfounded and said, "How did you do that?"

Jinn said, "I'll explain some other time, Miss Offee. Here, darling. Take it."

Ventress took the sword and headed out the door. Jinn followed behind her with the sleeping slave queen as their hostage. She made quick work of the Zygerrian guards. It helped her release her rage at seeing the slave queen steal a kiss from her husband. She just needed to get rid of her. She hated every minute Jinn had to carry that handsy feline.

It didn't take them long to reach the escape pods. Ventress opened the hatch and disabled the long-range communications system and stepped back for Jinn to toss her in. Jinn dumped her inside the seat and secured her straps. His movements woke her up and she blinked a few times until she realized what was happening. She struggled to get free from the straps.

"Wait! You can't do this to me. I am a Queen."

Jinn stood back and said, "I'm afraid the only queen in my life is my wife."

Queen Scintel narrowed her brow in confusion and exclaimed, "Your wife?"

Ventress said, "He means me."

She gave Queen Scintel an evil smile before she turned to reach for the launch button for the escape pod. The slave queen was horrified. Her eyes widened with fear as she was jettison out into space. The sound of her scream was the last thing the couple heard before the hatch door closed against the vacuum of space.

Jinn said, "I love your blue eyes, darling but right now they appear to be green."

She glared at him and said, "Later, lover boy. It looks like we've got company."

Ventress raised her hand and used the Force to shove the Zygerrian guards back. She then turned around and deflected blaster fire from behind them. Jinn used the Force to rip a piece of metal from the ship's wall and used it to knock the Zygerrian guards over.

He turned to her and said, "Have I told you much I love being married to you?"

She smiled at him and said, "Come on, let's clean up this mess."

Jinn beamed at the sight of her smile. Together, they used their Force powers to open more escape pods. They then deactivated all the long-range communicators in each of the pods before tossing the Zygerrians in. Jinn was certain someone would pick them up eventually.

XXX

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Barriss tried to act naturally as the chaos Jinn and Ventress created distracted the Zygerrian guards. They didn't even give them a second look as they ran to help their queen. Though, it was a different matter when they got near the bridge. Obi-Wan discovered that the doors were locked. They needed an access code to enter the bridge.

Barriss used the Force to pull the control panel open by the wall and started yanking the wires.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to short the controls. Hopefully it will trigger the doors to open."

Obi-Wan sighed and crossed his arms over his bare chest and said, "I'm beginning to envy the fact that Jinn can summon his sword from anywhere."

Suddenly, the doors opened and Barriss exclaimed, "I got it!"

However, once the doors opened, they were faced with a group of armed Zygerrians. They were puzzled at first by Obi-Wan's slave outfit until one of the Zygerrians shouted, "Kill them!"

The two Jedi ran for cover. Blaster fire zoomed by them in every direction as the Zygerrians drew near. Obi-Wan used the Force to pull a blaster out from one the Zygerrian's hands and shoved it into his face. Barriss Force-pushed a group of them back.

Obi-Wan shouted to Barriss, "Quick, before they seal the doors."

The two rushed onto the bridge. They ducked against the workstations to avoid getting shot. There were only a few Zygerrians left. Obi-Wan knew one of them had to act as the decoy to draw their fire while the other disabled them. Obi-Wan knew it had to be him. He silently signaled his plan to Barriss with his hand. The Padawan nodded her head in understanding and her face took on a determined look.

Obi-Wan got up and shouted, "Hey! Over here!"

The Zygerrians turned to him as he shouted and waved his arms. Barriss rushed out behind them and used the Force to slam them against the wall. Two were still able to move and Obi-Wan punched one of them out while Barriss slammed the other against the wall again.

He turned to her and said, "Well, that takes care of that. Barriss help me disarm these men and secure them. Then we can dispose them in the escape pods."

"Alright, but what about Master Jinn and Ventress?"

"Don't worry. Those two can take care of themselves."

Obi-Wan then bent down to pick up the legs of one of the Zygerrians and dragged him across the floor and away from the others. He then took off the Zygerrian's belt and rolled him over to tie his hands behind his back. Barriss went to help him. Between the two of them, it wasn't long before they gathered all the Zygerrians and sent them on their way in escape pods.

Obi-Wan turned to Barriss and said, "By any chance, did Ventress tell you where the rendezvous point was?"

"Yes, she said we were going to Atollon."

"Then, I better start plotting a course. It will take us a while until we reach Atollon."

Barriss nodded her head in agreement and said, "Alright, I'll go see what's keeping Master Jinn and Ventress."

Obi-Wan turned to go and said, "Fine, but on your way back, do you think you could pick up my clothes? I'd rather not wear this ridiculous outfit any longer then I have to."

Barriss smiled and said, "Really? I think you and Master Jinn look rather fetching."

Obi-Wan narrowed his brow and said, "Please, I'd rather pretend this incident never happened."

XXX

The green beauty did her best not to laugh as he walked back towards the bridge. Barriss used the Force to locate her two companions. They were near the rear of the ship. She didn't sense anyone else on board and assumed they were finishing up.

She rounded the corner and saw that Jinn had just launched the last pod. His hand lifted off the button. He turned to face Ventress and reached out to take her hand.

"I just wanted you to know that there's no reason for you to be jealous. The slave queen meant nothing to me."

Ventress lowered her gaze and said, "I know that, but I still don't like watching other people touch what's mine. You belong to me. I don't care if that makes me dark. I can't change how I feel."

Jinn took her by the wrist and said, "I'm not asking you to change. In fact, I like it. If another man ever dared to touch you, I'd cut off his hand."

She huffed and said, "You wouldn't have to. I'd cut his hand off first."

He said, "I know you could, and I found it highly attractive."

She placed her hand on his chest and asked, "Why?"

He said, "I told you. I like strong women. I like knowing that you could slay me, but instead you chose to be with me. It's exhilarating."

She said, "Are you sure you're not just a thrill seeker?"

He smiled mischievously and said, "I don't have to go looking for a thrill when I'm with you, darling."

She raised her brow and said, "That's where you're wrong. You're the one who usually ends up in trouble."

"Then, I'm glad I have you to rescue me."

"Always."

Ventress raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck and gave him a kiss. Jinn drew her close with his hands on her hips and deepened the kiss. Ventress raised her hand and raked her fingers through his red-brown hair. Jinn broke the kiss and moved to trail kisses across her jaw and up to her ear. His beard tickled her ear and caused her to laugh.

In response, Barriss looked away in shock. She felt her face flush at witnessing something so intimate, but another part of her was disappointed. She admired Master Jinn. His ideas were extraordinary, but his attachment to Ventress didn't make any sense. She didn't seem good for him at all. Barriss decided to go, but she tripped over a Zygerrian helmet and caused it to clang across the floor.

Before she knew it, Ventress appeared with her red lightsaber drawn at her throat. Barriss gasped in surprise. Ventress frowned when she saw who it was and deactivated her lightsaber and clipped them back onto her belt.

"Are you are spying on us?"

"No! No, I wasn't-"

Jinn placed his hand on Ventress' shoulder and said, "It's alright. I'm sure if Miss Offee is here then you were successful in taking over the bridge."

Barriss said, "Yes, Master Kenobi was concerned."

Ventress rolled her eyes and said, "Sure he was."

Barriss glared at the ex-assassin and said, "He asked that I retrieve his clothes."

Jinn said, "Darling, why don't you go meet Obi-Wan on the bridge? I'll accompany, Miss Offee. I want a word with her."

Ventress glanced at the green beauty before replying. "Fine, go talk to the youngling."

XXX

Barriss felt awkward as they walked back to the queen's quarters. She couldn't help thinking about what she saw or more importantly what she heard. It sounded like Jinn and Ventress had more than a physical relationship. It was no wonder that Jinn wanted the New Order to permit attachments. Yet, she couldn't figure out why he'd form an attachment with her. She was a dark acolyte.

"Does my wife disturb you, Miss Offee?"

The green beauty was startled by Jinn's question. She was do deep in thought that she had forgotten that he was a skilled master. He could probably read her thoughts easily.

"I didn't know you two were married."

"Yes, with a little one on the way."

Barriss stopped walking and exclaimed, "She's pregnant?"

"Yes, is there a problem, Miss Offee?"

Exasperated, she said, "Yes! You're a Jedi. She is Sith."

Jinn calmly replied, "I'm not a Jedi and Asajj Ventress is not a Sith."

"Yes, but you could both fall to the Darkness. Isn't that why attachments are forbidden?"

He turned to face her and said, "Barriss, loving someone meaning putting yourself at risk of getting hurt. The Jedi don't want you to risk getting hurt because you're a Force-user and that means you're more powerful than other people. It means when you're hurt and lash out, it could hurt other people as well. The Jedi think it is wiser for you to live alone and without attachments. However, I can't. And I don't wish for you to be alone either. I want you to have everything I ever hoped for my own sister. I want you to become a great Jedi. I want you to become a great warrior. I want you to surpass me. I want you to have the freedom to find someone to love. Don't let the fear of getting hurt stop you from living."

Barriss was stunned. She could understand Jinn wanting her to be a great Jedi, but he wanted her to form attachments. He wanted her to fall in love. He wanted her to take risks. Such things went against the Jedi teachings. Yet, Jinn said he wanted her to have everything. No one ever said that to her before, not even Master Luminara. Though, Barriss didn't know if she could be that fearless. With great risk came great danger.

"You make it sound easy, Master Jinn."

"It's not. A lot of people will tell you what you can and can't do, Miss Offee. Only you can decide what you are capable of. Now, let's go find my things. It's chilly in this outfit."

Barriss smiled and said, "Right. I think your advice would sound more impressive if you weren't wearing those clothes."

XXX

Meanwhile, elsewhere Anakin and the 501st had decided to pay Count Dooku a visit on Geonosis. Anakin hadn't reported his movements to the GAR. He didn't want anyone to know his mission. He wanted to capture Dooku and get the answer he sought. Only Dooku could tell him his master's identity.

The Geonosians were caught off guard when they made their attack. Anakin led a small group of men in with stealth. He cut off their defenses in the cover of night. It was too late for them to make a counterattack. One by one their shields fell, and Anakin was free to fire on them from space from his ship.

Anakin wasted no time. He searched through the Force for his adversary. He ignored the shake of the cavern walls from the bombardment. It wasn't long before he found the Sith waiting in a large chamber lit by torch light.

With his back still turned towards him, Dooku said, "I did not expect you, young Skywalker. Where is your master?"

Anakin ignited his lightsaber and said, "I don't need Obi-Wan to face you, Dooku."

Dooku looked over his shoulder and said, "Such confidence will be your undoing. Or perhaps, you'd like me to take your other hand?"

Anakin flexed his grip on his lightsaber and said, "Enough. I need you to answer my question."

The Sith narrowed his brow and said, "You may ask your question, Skywalker but in exchange I want you to answer a question in return."

"Fair enough. Ask your question."

"Do you want to save your mother?"

XXX

TBC

XXX

Note:

• Atollon planet appeared in Star Wars Rebels and is the home of the Bendu.

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