Chapter: 57 Capital Crisis

"When a stone plummets into water, ripples are inevitable."

A devastating breakout! Bounty hunters have escaped from one of the Republic's maximum security prisons. After leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, the hunters disappear into the unknown and leave their pursuers defeated. As the people of Coruscant try to move forward with this news, Padawan Dellian and her team perform one of the hardest acts of service imaginable...

Hardship and sacrifice go hand in hand. To endure is to surrender a part of yourself to the greater good. It is to commit your wellbeing to those you care about...sometimes for an unknown outcome. Failure is far more common than success. This makes it all the more important to embrace the small victories from time to time. Still, not every defeat is reparable. You can't replace every loss. The dead will tell you that...at least if they could. But what is every day but a new beginning? Not a change or forget all that was, but to grant oneself a second chance. A chance to be patient and understanding amidst such difficult times. Like the rising sun over Coruscant on a misty morning, hope dwindles betwixt the darkness. It's ever present to those who seek it, yet many struggle to begin looking.

While known to be a center for elite business and trade, Coruscant's Fobosi District also had one of the lowest crime rates. It was considered an ideal sector for members of the upper middle class to live safely. But it mattered not what social ranking a person possessed. No one was free of inevitable tribulation. In one way or another, these defining moments crept into everyone's lives. In a modest home on the district's main street, a young boy remained completely awestruck. With curiously wide eyes, he sat atop his couch and observed the unique ARF troopers standing before him.

One of the clones' cybernetics whirred as he knelt beside the boy. He knocked on his metallic legs and said, "And these let me jump up super high."

"Woah," the child gasped. "It's like your part droid!"

Speedy chuckled at the boy's remark while his sergeant gave him a nudge. "Maybe we can call him 'Clanker-man' hm?" Blazer teased.

"If it makes little Eddi here happy," Speedy jested. "He can call me whatever he wants."

"I've never met clones before," Eddi said. "This is so cool! Just wait until I tell my dad!"

The clones froze and subtly looked to one another. Lieutenant Sparx was quick to change the subject. "Hey kid," he said. "There's a gift we really wanted you to have."

Eddi yelped in amazement at the sight of Blazer hauling a giant Jawa plush. "That's for me?" he uttered and the clones nodded. He ran up to the plush and hugged it tight. "You guys are the best! Thank you!" It was a good thing the clones were wearing helmets, for none of them could keep their composure. "Dad's gonna flip when he sees this."

Blazer and Sparx hung their heads until Speedy came closer. "Eddi," the trooper said. "Do you know what being brave means?"

"Sure," the boy replied. "It's about being fearless! Like you guys!"

Speedy almost choked and chose to remove his helmet. He let Eddi see him as his true self. Creeping sunlight struck his short, buzzed hair. His solemn, brown eyes had grown teary as he placed a hand on Eddi's shoulder. "Don't let my helmet or even my cool legs fool you, kid. I'm not fearless. None of us are. But being brave is about holding on. It's about finding a reason to continue even when you think nothing could possibly go right. That's true valiance."

"I...think I understand," the boy said.

"Can you be valiant for me, Eddi?" Speedy asked. "Can I count on you to be valiant?"

Eddi held on to his Jawa plush and nodded. "Yes sir," he said and Speedy patted his head.

The doors behind them opened as Anna and Mattias emerged from the kitchen. Eddi's mother trailed behind them and hastily wiped her tears. "If there's anything we can do for you, Mrs. Waylan." Mattias whispered. "Please let us know."

"Thank you," she sniffled. "But right now, I just want to talk to our...my son."

"Of course," Anna assured and looked to the Deathchasers. "Come on, brothers." she said. "It's time to go." She motioned that they needed to give the Waylan family some space.

While Blazer and Sparx were quick to depart, Speedy took an extra moment with Eddi. "Whenever you feel alone or scared," the clone told him. "Just give this Jawa plush a big squeeze, okay?" The boy nodded nervously as Speedy saluted him. "Take care...Eddi Valiant."

Speedy somberly exited as Anna rubbed his back. The doors shut behind them and little Eddi was left to hear the truth from his mother. The very concept of such a truth had Anna pacing out into the street. Her nostrils flared as she pursed her lips. The Padawan wanted to get as far away from the home and its festering sadness as possible. Just reliving the pain of telling Mrs. Waylan what had become of her husband was enough to have her choking up.

"Anna?" Mattias worried.

"This is all my fault," Anna uttered and spun towards her master.

"Oh, Padawan." Mattias sighed and opened his arms. "Come here."

Anna fell into his embrace and poured her aching heart against his chest. Her tears were profuse as she wept over the young officer's death. "I should've gotten that pardon. I-...could've...it-"

As Mattias held her close, a lone tear trickled down his cheek. "I know it may be hard to believe-" he whispered. "-but you did everything you could. We just...can't save everyone."

"We're Jedi," Anna contested. "We should be able to."

"And we won't stop trying," Mattias assured while hugging her tight. "So long as there is wickedness in the galaxy, we must be ready to rise up and meet it. No matter the cost."

"We're with you, Anna." Sparx affirmed.

"It's like Mattias said back on Ilum," Blazer added. "We take our wins and our losses together."

"Thanks guys," Anna murmured as the clones closed in.

"Deathchasers," Blazer commanded. "Group hug. On the double!"

Before Anna or Mattias could move, they immediately found themselves captured in the troopers' united embrace. While her master comically grunted, Anna lost herself in the group hug. She accepted their unity and glanced at the rising sun, hoping for a brighter day ahead.


As a new day dawned over Coruscant, slivers of sunlight even found a way into its underworld portals. Hundreds of decrepit homes were built into the portal walls and their inhabitants were just waking up. At least...the fortunate ones were. Theo Martez hobbled through his front door and rubbed his aching back. "Honey?" he groaned playfully. "I'm home!"

"Another extended shift?" Rubi fretted from the kitchen. "My dear...they're working you to death in that factory."

Theo glanced at the nearby mirror and observed the dark circles around his eyes. He faintly smiled for the sake of his family and pulled Rubi into an embrace. "I can handle the factory," he boasted. "It's the walk back that does a number on my ankles."

"Perhaps we can rent you a speeder bike," Rubi considered.

"With what credits, my love?" Theo queried. "We're barely going to pay this month's rent as it is."

"I'll take another job," Rubi said. "And-"

"We already barely able to see this. They need their parents in their lives. I don't mind walking to work, dear. Trust me." Rubi's frown faded as someone scurried from the other room. Theo put on his best smile and sought to shroud all exhaustion. "Is that who I think it is?" he cheered.

"Dad's home!" Trace rejoiced and lunged into his arms.

"Hey, Pops." Rafa greeted from the doorway.

"How are my superstars this morning?" Theo asked while concealing a yawn. "Did you sleep well?"

"Out cold," Rafa bragged.

"Dad," Trace began ever so dramatically. "You gotta hear me out. I had the most incredible dream last night."

"Well lay it on me, kiddo!" Theo urged and leaned over the table.

"I was a Jedi," Trace eagerly whispered. "I had a bright blue lightsaber and everything! I didn't buy us a new airspeeder. I built us a starship and we flew across the galaxy!" She excitedly withdrew an outmoded datapad and dropped a stencil beside it. "I even drew what I looked like!"

Theo chuckled and observed the image of his lightsaber-wielding daughter. He wrapped an arm around her and said, "This is amazing, Trace. They say you should always hold on to your dreams, because they may come true some day."

Rafa's gentle grin shifted when she noticed something on their old datascreen. "Um...Mom?" she beckoned. "Dad?"

Rubi cautiously set her beverage down and joined Rafa by the doorway. Theo and Trace slowly advanced as all eyes focused on the datascreen. Rubi reached for the remote and turned up the volume as a HoloNews report continued.

"For those of you just joining us-" a reporter said. "-we have breaking news. Members of the Jedi Order have identified the 'Coruscant Killers'. Zygerrian mercenary Jobun Gorbati and Umbaran assassin Nel Sabwu. Both of these suspects are considered armed and extremely dangerous. As law enforcement continues to work diligently with this new information, all citizens are advised to remain indoors and report any suspicious activity."

While Theo, Rubi, and Rafa appeared concerned over the news...Trace had other plans. "This is my chance!" she cheered. "We can go out and patrol the streets. Once we find those no-good crooks, the Jedi will thank us and-"

"And what?" Rafa teased. "Send you a gift box with cookies and a lightsaber?"

"Rafa," Theo intoned. "Be nice to your sister. Trace, while I admire your eagerness...I need you to channel it elsewhere."

Trace raised a brow and hugged herself for comfort. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"We need to look out for each other," Theo said. "Now more than ever."

"And we do that by sticking together," Rubi explained and shook her daughters' shoulders. She pulled them close and said, "You can be our Jedi, Trace. And Rafa...where would we be without your leadership?"

"Leadersh-" Rafa nearly choked. "Please, Mom. I'm no boss."

"I see it in you," Rubi persisted. "You just need to as well."

"It's settled then," Theo jested. "We'll stay in today and keep each other safe." He made a bold proclamation with a dramatic swish of his hands, "All hands on deck! I'll put on the holodramas. Trace, pop the popcorn. Rafa, we're gonna need the 'snuggliest' blankets you can find. And Rubi..." Theo wrapped his arms around her and they stared longingly into each other's eyes. With their kids gone, they let themselves share a tender kiss...for all of five seconds.

"Gross!" Trace blurted from the doorway and left both her parents snickering.


Padawan Elsa Dellian teetered between a sense of accomplishment and one of anxious dread as she neared the Republic Executive Building. Belle O'Har wasn't kidding when she said that news outlets would run with a story. All Elsa and Yelena had to do was drop the information at one station...and suddenly every network on Coruscant was broadcasting the killers' names. Elsa could even hear HoloNews on the subject from peoples' portable devices as she ascended the Senate Building's steps. Wall-mounted datascreens flashed eye-catching, 'BREAKING NEWS' headlines on almost every channel. Viewers couldn't get far without seeing a dreadful Zygerrian and Umbaran's faces on display. As Elsa returned to the senate's illustrious halls, she noticed a familiar...yet unexpected face watching one of the datascreens.

His name escaped her lips along with her disbelief. "Master Skywalker?" she inquired.

Anakin's bright, blue eyes widened as he quickly spun to meet her. "Padawan Dellian?" he blurted and nervously scratched his head. "Wh-...what are you doing here?"

"I'm Senator Veritaz's political assistant," Elsa explained. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm-" Anakin pursed his lips and clenched a fist. "Well...Senator Amidala asked for my opinion on some...policies."

"Ah," Elsa acknowledged. "Well that's exciting! I do hope you provide insight to-" She couldn't help but notice Anakin's body language. As polite as Skywalker was trying to be, he was ready to bolt at the first chance he received. Unwilling to be the 'annoying Padawan'...Elsa cut him loose. "Well best of luck," she sighed.

"Thanks," Anakin hastily replied. "Same to you." He departed for the east wing while Elsa headed west. As she glanced behind her, she could sense the knight's rising anxieties.

What's got him so worked up? Elsa thought. Maybe it's the news. I'd better hurry and get to Dia.

The Padawan was nearly to Dia's office when she noticed two more familiar faces heading away from it. Senators Detro and Bertz seemed to be in quite a hurry as they sped down the hall. Elsa had cleared her mind since their failed negotiations over Jee's pardon. As a show of warm feelings, she waved to the senators as they approached. "Good morning," she said kindly.

"Mhm," Detro muttered. The Sullustan didn't even bother looking at her and Bertz merely nodded.

Elsa was left feeling both astonished and perplexed. "What's gotten into everyone today?" she whispered. "Is this really just about the news?" Elsa pressed the chime on Dia's door panel and Taline was quick to answer. The Mirialan handmaiden appeared exhausted as she opened the door. Elsa was surprised to see a unique, new layer of violet makeup shining against her green skin. Its thick, glittery patterns lined her cheeks just above her geometric tattoos. "Good morning, Taline." Elsa greeted.

"Good morning...Padawan Dellian," she murmured.

Elsa's brows furrowed confusedly. "You know you can call me Elsa."

It was as if a light switch had been turned on within Taline as her eyes fluttered in alarm. She shook her head repeatedly and beckoned Elsa in. "R-right, Elsa," she said in a hushed tone. "I'm sorry. Sorry, Elsa."

Elsa leaned towards the stuttering handmaiden and asked, "Are you alright?"

"How could anyone be alright?" Senator Dia Veritaz wailed from her desk. "Just look at this madness!" She was about to pour herself a drink when Elsa Force-pulled the bottle away. The Padawan followed Dia's finger to her personal datascreen and saw the 'Coruscant Killers' report. "What the hell was your Jedi Order thinking?"

Elsa was dumbfounded. "With all due respect," she said. "They're trying to get the word out and bring those monsters to justice."

"By exposing their names, they now know the law is on to them." Dia warned. "They could lash out or go even deeper into hiding."

"They blew up an office to try and stop this exposure," Elsa retorted. "I doubt they'll keep hiding."

Dia rolled her eyes and grabbed a pitcher of water. "Ahhh yes. Where would we be without the undying optimism of the Jedi?" She watered her buaroshade until its dark, toxic leaves were quenched. The pitcher trembled in Dia's nervous palm until she finally set it down. "Why does it feel like I'm the only one with some common sense around here?"

Elsa tried to avoid her wallowing and made an effort to be insightful. "I noticed Senators Detro and Bertz," she said. "Detro said you only call them when things are serious."

"Look around, Elsa." Dia groaned while rubbing her temples. "It's all serious and everyone is scared. Detro, Bertz...all of them. So where do they go?" Dia jabbed a finger at her chest until it wrinkled her seafoam dress. "To the queen of stress herself. I can't handle all of this, Elsa!"

The Padawan bit her lip and tried to find the right words. "You're doing the best you can," she assured in a soothing tone. "The only reason that members of the Senate come to you for guidance is because they see you as a pillar of strength. You have more power than you give yourself credit for."

Dia glanced at Taline and returned her gaze to Elsa. "I suppose you're right," she sighed. Just as the senator's tone became more relaxed, the police scanner on her desk started to beep. All eyes turned to the device and the room fell silent as a transmission came through.

"Attention...Attention. This is a restricted area. No landing is permitted without permission. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

"Senator," Elsa inquired. "Where is that coming from?"

Dia tensed up as she examined the frequency. "Our building," she uttered.

Elsa's first instinct was to speed over to their window and check outside. "I can't see anything from here," she said.

"If anything it'd be from the main platform," Dia answered and leaned closer to the scanner. In that instant, a series of distant bangs echoed from beyond the glass. They could've been anything from faulty speeders to daily construction...or even blaster bolts.

"Do you hear that?" Elsa whispered.

"Shhh," Dia insisted and focused on the scanner. Her foot nervously tapped as she glared at the speakers, waiting for any kind of response. The heavy, deafening silence was all the more daunting as everyone held their breath.

"Base to platform," a voice finally called in. "What was all that? Report."

Dia and Elsa exchanged nervous glances until another voice answered. "Protesters against the war. We've taken care of them."

Dia reclined in her seat and breathed a sigh of relief. "Kriff," she cursed. "If it wasn't for my sworn duty to the Senate, I'd take a blasted vacation. That was too close."

Despite the resolved situation, Elsa still felt uneasy about it all. She instead focused on helping Dia and stood at her side. Taline merely stared at the senator too long and Dia snapped. "And what are you looking at?" she barked and Elsa quickly intervened.

"Dia," the Padawan intoned. "There's no need for that."

Dia stressfully rubbed her temples and huffed. "Oh Elsa," she sighed. "Everyone needs me to be strong for them but I can't be strong for myself. The second that call came in, I immediately thought it was the 'Coruscant Killers'. I'm paranoid...I'm skittish. I'm not sleeping and barely eating! And amidst all of this banthacrap, Senator Philo and his little entourage are actually voting against the Chancellor's Enhanced Privacy Invasion Bill. Are you kidding me? What the hell is wrong with people?" Dia furiously slammed a fist on her desk. "The bill would give Chancellor Palpatine the unprecedented power to spy on Republic citizens that are suspected of being Separatists. And the first thing Organa, Amidala, and Philo want to cry about is 'jeapordized privacy'. Lemme tell you something, Elsa. As a prominent member of the Ethics Committee, I don't give a damn if Palpatine knows where suspected Separatists brush their teeth. They're Separatists for crying out loud. Are we willing to keep our Republic safe or not?"

While Elsa had conflicting opinions regarding the chancellor's invasive power, she was also aware of Dia's shifting mental state. Seeking to aid the stressful senator, Elsa proposed a solution. "Dia," she said. "Why don't we try meditating?"

Dia knitted her brows and crossed her arms. "Are you serious?" she grumbled.

"I have no reason not to be," Elsa insisted. "It might help you feel better. Please...if nothing else, humor me."

Dia huffed but ultimately obliged. "I've never even meditated before," she griped while rising to meet Elsa.

"Oh," the Padawan winced. "We're actually going to get on the floor. Kneeling works and it helps to minimize distractions in the room."

Dia rolled her eyes and gestured Taline. "Get the shades," she murmured and the Mirialan obliged. At the touch of a button, a mechanical set of shades soon shrouded the office in darkness. Gone was Coruscant's bustling traffic as Dia and Elsa knelt in the shadows.

Seeking to be inclusive and thinking of their stressful encounter earlier, Elsa beckoned the handmaiden over. "Would you like to join us, Taline?" she asked. "Meditation can be very cleansing."

"Oh no," Taline insisted. "I-...I'll just watch."

"Oh come on," Dia growled. "If I have to do this, then she-"

"That's not how this works," Elsa negotiated. "Now close your eyes and take a deep breath." Dia followed Elsa's instructions and tried to slow her breathing. "Good," the Padawan whispered. "Now, I want you to think about the things that you can't control and then gently let them go. Just like any other thought...let them arrive and depart."

"But I can control everything," Dia contested. "All which gives me stress is also influenced by me."

"The keyword there is influenced," Elsa answered. "You may have a say, but you are never fully in control. I'm currently learning this concept as well."

"So what is this?" Dia scoffed. "Students teaching students?"

Elsa pouted while trying to remain patient. "This works a lot better if you don't refute everything I say," she muttered.

"Very well," Dia relented. "Carry on."

"Let yourself sink deeper into your mind with each breath," Elsa instructed. "You don't have to be a Jedi to feel the Force around you. It's an energy field made up of-" There was a long and chilling pause which made Dia open her eyes. The senator watched as Elsa seemed to be struggling with something. Her brows twitched as her eyes rolled beneath their lids.

"You...okay?" Dia grumbled.

Elsa delved into her senses and winced. "I'm not sure," she responded. "There's some sort of...disturbance. Panic...fear...death. Sudden death." Elsa shivered as these senses took hold of her.

"What are you, a fortuneteller now?" Dia teased. "Though I suppose your reading would make you a misfortuneteller."

"Something's wrong," Elsa said. "I don't know what or where but-"

In that instant, a powerful bang reverberated throughout the building. Crimson-hued emergency lights flickered from beneath the office door as the duo rose. Dia's first reaction was to try and open the shades, but the automated switch wouldn't function. In fact, her computer and any personal lighting systems had also shut down. After observing the emergency lights, Dia made her conclusion. "It's a blackout," she said.

In the Jedi Temple gardens, Master Mattias had taken his Padawan for a private conversation. Hearing "We need to have a talk. A long talk." wasn't the most reassuring for Anna. After everything she'd endured over the last few days, Mattias words only had her further on edge. She stood alongside him amidst the thriving greenery. His gentle gaze stared out to the city while he leaned against a balcony.

"Master," Anna blurted. "As beautiful and tranquil as all of this is, can you please say what you want to say? It's stressing me out to no end and well...I'm not okay! It's that simple."

"I'm sorry, apprentice." Mattias confessed. "I haven't spoken sooner because I'm still trying to find the right words myself. When I struggle, I like to slow things down and observe the beauty of the world around us."

"Backed up skylane traffic is beautiful?" Anna teased.

"Beauty depends on where you're looking," Mattias quipped. "That skylane traffic is teeming with untold stories. Think of how many people are flying by every second. Lives just beginning or ending. Potential being tapped into...or just wasting away. But the thing that all stories have in common is a beginning and an end."

"Master?" Anna worried.

"We've had a lot of close calls as of late," Mattias lamented. "The Battle of Bespin put my age to the test, and the chase on Nar Shaddaa-" Mattias cringed. "Well...I could've lived in a bacta tank for a year after that." They shared a brief chuckle before Mattias came to a somber realization. "I'm not the Jedi Guardian I once was."

"Don't talk like that, master!" Anna snapped. "You'll always be hardcore. I mean, you were able to-"

"Anna," Mattias intoned. "This isn't about confidence nor is this necessarily a bad thing. This is about acceptance on my end and growth on yours. Growing old is a natural part of life, but it is important to understand your body's limitations. Cybernetics and all. Make no mistake, I'm still hardcore," he jested and playfully nudged his Padawan. "But I need to make sure you're ready. The torch will soon be passed to you, Anna. Knighthood will be upon you and you must be prepared to accept that responsibility. I've taught you everything I know and then some."

"Heck yeah, you have," Anna replied. "And I would never have made it this far without you."

Mattias' grin faded as he said. "After all I've seen, you have the qualities to become a great leader."

Anna gulped. "But?"

"But you have to step up and be more responsible. When you're young, it's fun to think about all of the glory and praise. I know I'm guilty of praising you plenty. However, you must focus on working with others for a greater good. Because others are counting on you for answers. The Deathchasers...civilians...anyone you're partnered with. You will be looking out for them as much as they'll be doing so for you. It's a weird balance," Mattias said. "Should you choose to further engage in the war, you must never forget that you are a Jedi."

"I think I understand," Anna admitted.

"Remember the Corellian Cup?" Mattias began. "When Nelani was falling from that bridge and she asked for your help? You chose to keep racing and she fell. Now I'm not saying that it was right or wrong in the competition, but I am saying that you can't do that in a real situation. As Jedi, we have to believe that we'll find a way to make things right in the end. If it means saving a companion today and fighting a foe tomorrow, so be it. Because the alternative to that outcome can be devastating."

"You've taught me well, master." Anna assured. "Whatever comes next...I'll be ready for it." Their bliss was short-lived as Anna sighed. "Just as soon as I work some things out."

"Oh?" Mattias inquired.

Anna bit her lip and tugged at her Padawan braid. "I just...need to make peace with someone in my life."

Mattias squinted at her and tried to sense her feelings. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Anything."

"I know," Anna said. "But there's not that much to it. I just have to sort some things out. Thank you for your wise words, master." Anna bowed to Mattias and left the gardens.

Once she was out of earshot, Mattias smiled and whispered to himself. "I just hope he makes you happy, Anna."

The situation at the Republic Executive Building had become all the more bewildering. "This is more than a power outage," Elsa said while tapping on her comlink. "Communications are down too."

Just for good measure, Dia checked her communicator and frustratedly found the same result. "Damn it," she cursed. "What the hell is going on?" A heavy thud had both women turning towards the door. Elsa sparked up her lightsaber, illuminating the room and startling the noisemaker.

Taline gasped and backed away from the main door. "For the love of," Dia huffed. "You're gonna give me a heart attack."

"The doors are sealed shut," Taline warned.

"An outage will do that," Elsa said. "Everything's locked down."

"Maybe I was right after all," Dia proposed. "And the 'Coruscant Killers' are retaliating."

"At this point, everything's on the table," Elsa considered. "Even Detro and Bertz looked a little suspicious scurrying from your office. Did they say anything odd?"

"Please," Dia scoffed. "Those geezers couldn't sabotage a datapad if they wanted to. But make no mistake, there's something going on. Bring that lightsaber over here, will ya?" Elsa dipped her blade towards Dia as she rummaged through one of her drawers. "I am not gonna sit around waiting for whatever's going on to reach us. It's not that I doubt your abilities, Elsa. It's just that I'd rather-" Dia withdrew a formidable, heavy blaster pistol. "-have my own back too."

"By the Force," Elsa gasped.

"DL-44," Dia boasted and patted its thick frame. "This bad boy holds fifty shots worth of pure 'Go Away' lasers."

"That's an interesting way to put it," Elsa remarked. "You have a license to carry that, right?"

"Of course I do," Dia assured. "Somewhere," she muttered under her breath. "Now let's get out of here and find out what's going on."

Elsa's heart raced as they approached the sealed door. Great, she thought. As if this emergency wasn't stressful enough. Now I have to hope Senator Veritaz isn't trigger-happy.

"I'll lead," Elsa insisted and raised her blade to the door. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked. "We may be safer sealed in here."

"Doors can be replaced," Dia asserted. "I'll take my chances on the move."

"Right then," the Padawan murmured and proceeded to dig her saber into the door. She delicately sliced an opening for her and the others. Once the cuts were made, Elsa dislodged the door fragments and set them down gently with the Force. She was the first to step into the dark and crimson-lit corridor. An eerie silence filled the vacuous void around her as Dia and Taline emerged.

"Where is everyone?" Elsa whispered.

"Why don't you tell us?" Dia asked. "Can you use Force-locationator or something?" She shook her hand and pretended to wield the Force.

"That's not how the Force works," Elsa replied. "My vision is clouded and all I sense is a growing darkness. It is wrong to stay here and we should leave." Dia raised a brow until Elsa continued. "As your personal assistant, you and Taline's safety is my highest priority."

Dia and Taline followed Elsa into the abandoned, west wing atrium. It was unsettling to see a once crowded locale appearing so vacant. "Okay," Dia said. "This is getting creepy." Suddenly, a series of blaster shots echoed from across the hall. "Son of a-" Dia took aim but Elsa leapt in front of her.

"Back up," the Padawan ordered. "We'll take the stairs and get outside."

"You seriously want to leave?" Dia blurted. "It sounds like there's an active shooter in the building! Aren't you supposed to stop him, Jedi?"

"Bold of you to assume there's only one shooter," Elsa said. "Of course I want to help. But I'm no good to anyone if I don't know what I'm up against. Plus, heading towards danger means putting the two of you at risk."

"I mean..." Dia chuckled nervously. "I wasn't suggesting we all go. I just meant...since you're a Jedi-"

Elsa rolled her eyes and nudged Dia towards the stairs. "Come on," the Padawan urged. As the trio headed downstairs, the blasterfire intensified. Anakin Skywalker rounded a corner and dashed into the atrium. A Weequay bounty hunter and an IG assassin droid weren't far behind. Their scarlet lasers zipped over Anakin's head as he narrowly evaded death. Rather than unknowingly head in Elsa's direction, Anakin fled upstairs instead.

Elsa, Dia, and Taline reached the lower halls. The Padawan grimaced as a charred odor reached her nose. The dark sense of death she'd picked up on intensified when they approached a smoking chamber. "What happened here?" Elsa queried.

"That's the guard barracks," Dia explained as they snuck over. Elsa almost dropped her lightsaber out of shock after peeking inside. Taline gasped and Dia froze at the sight of blasted Senate Commandos. Their scorched, navy blue armor sizzled from their sprawled out corpses. "That explains the lack of security," Dia said.

Elsa knelt beside the nearest body and gently touched the commando's helm. "Who could do something like this?" she whispered.

More blasterfire echoed from the upper floors and Dia clenched her pistol. "I'm not sure-" she replied. "-but I don't think they're finished. We should keep moving." The trio left the carnage behind them and made for the landing platform. Even the sounds of skylane traffic were eerily dull after all they'd experienced. As their eyes adjusted to the midday sun, they glimpsed a pair of blue-armored figures patrolling the platform. "And then you have these idiots," Dia snarked and waved a hand. "Hey!" she snapped.

The pair of Senate Commandos looked to her, glanced at each other, and then cautiously approached. Elsa squinted at the oddly stiff commandos and tried to beckon her friend. "Um...Dia?"

"What's going on?" one of the commandos asked.

"You tell me!" Dia argued. "Are you two high on deathsticks or something? The barracks is blown to bits and halls are getting shot up in there. What the hell are you two-" Dia stopped herself as she too became suspicious. "-doing out here?"

"There is an emergency lockdown," the Senate Commando said. His partner nodded as he continued. "We have the situation under control and all citizens are advised to remain inside the building."

"There are active shooters inside," the other commando explained. His helmet tilted towards Dia's pistol and she scoffed.

"W-wait," Dia stuttered and clenched her pistol. "Oh no. Not me! Elsa, tell him!"

"I'm a member of the Jedi Order," Elsa declared. "I was getting Senator Veritaz and her handmaiden to safety when-"

"Put up your hands," the commando ordered and raised his rifle. "All three of you."

While Elsa obliged and slowly raised her hands, Dia remained suspicious. "You can't be serious," the senator scolded. "Elsa, how can you-"

"Just do it," the Padawan said. "We'll figure this out." Taline put up her hands while Dia reluctantly followed suit. From the moment Dia dropped her weapon, Elsa tried negotiating with the commandos. "Whatever is going on, the real perpetrators are inside."

It was as if the commandos didn't even care. While one focused on Dia and Taline, the other kept his rifle on Elsa. "Drop the lightsaber," he said. "This is procedure."

"Since when?" Dia growled.

Elsa followed their orders and dropped her weapon. "Turn around," the commando asserted. As the women turned, the commandos exchanged words. "Set for stun," he told his partner.

"Roger roger," the other replied.

From the moment those words were uttered, Elsa hastily spun and Force-pushed both commandos into a parked speeder. They struck the vehicle with a resounding thud and Elsa quickly approached. "Kriffing hell, Elsa!" Dia yelped.

"That phrase," the Padawan said. "Only one type of being says that." She removed a Senate Commando's helmet and found a metallic head beneath it. The pale photoreceptors of a BX-series commando droid flickered from the impact. "Droids," she mumbled.

"The Separatists are getting bolder every day," Dia said.

"There isn't a moment to waste," Elsa replied and rebooted her comlink. "We need to get clear and call the Jedi Temple. They need to know what's going on!" Elsa activated her comlink and placed a direct transmission to the temple's communications center. It wasn't long before her signal was received and she immediately began speaking. "Come in, Jedi Temple! This is Padawan Elsa Dellian calling from the Galactic Senate."

"Padawan Dellian," Master Mace Windu's voice crackled through. "We read you."

"Something's going on," she said. "I can't make heads or tails of the situation, but we've downed two commando droids. I've managed to escape with Senator Veritaz and her handmaiden."

"Elsa?" Master Yelena spoke through the call. "Padawan, I'm so glad you're safe. We've been monitoring the situation from here, but hostages have made it difficult to intervene."

Elsa's heart sank as she asked, "Hostages?"

"From what we've been able to gather, bounty hunters have seized control of the east wing. They've taken multiple senators hostage and have been negotiating terms with Chancellor Palpatine himself. If the bounty hunters' threats are real, they've already killed a hostage."

Elsa's eyes widened. "They can't get away with this!" she exclaimed. "What do they want?"

"We're working on figuring that out," Master Mattias answered. "The chancellor is playing things safe with so many lives on the line. Right now, the best thing you can do is get Senator Veritaz as far away from there as possible. Her safety must remain your priority. The council is going to assemble a strike team to deal with these bounty hunters."

"Understood," Elsa answered as a sudden whirring sounded from behind her. "We-" Suddenly, the commando droids recovered from their Force-push. They sprung to their feet and opened fire as Elsa assumed a defensive stance. She deflected their incoming shots while Dia recovered her pistol. "Don't shoot!" Elsa yelled, afraid that her friend would become another casualty. "Just run!"

"Run where?" Dia shouted as she and Taline stood on the platform's ledge. Realizing they were trapped, Elsa Force-pushed the droids away and lunged at her companions. She grabbed them as they plummeted off the platform and down to the second level. Before striking the duracrete, Elsa emitted a sporadic Force-repulse. This burst of unseen energy acted like a bubble and merely lessened the impact of their collision. It didn't stop them from rigorously tumbling into one another, but at least they were safe.

"Is everyone alright?" Elsa panted.

"The next time you want to give me a near-death experience-" Dia huffed while clutching her disheveled bun. "-just give me a heads up."

Rather than pursue them, the commando droids remained at their post. One of them put its Senate Commando helmet back on and recalibrated to a human voice. It then activated a personal communicator and said, "Sir, three personnel escaped."

Cad Bane's gritty voice was quick to answer. "Forget them and just be ready to move. The transfer is already underway."

Speeders and pedestrians echoed from outside a pub in Coruscant's Collective Commerce District. The CoCo Town establishment didn't have many patrons that early in the afternoon, but that didn't stop a certain Jedi. A bewildered Mon Calamari bartender shot Hans Westgard a judgmental glare. Hans finished chugging his beverage and slammed the empty glass on the counter. The knight wiped his moist lips and said, "Well what are you waiting for? Keep'em coming."

"Don't you think you've had enough?" the bartender considered.

Hans sneered and exaggeratedly jabbed a finger. "Don't you want my credits?" The Mon Calamari rolled his eyes as Hans snapped his fingers. "Now get me another one." The doors behind him opened and he groaned. The brightened outdoors highlighted a slender silhouette in the doorway. "Well, well..." Hans mumbled. "Look who it is."

Anna was about to enter when Blazer placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked. "I just want you to know, you don't owe him anything."

The Padawan peered at her reflection in Blazer's visor. His armor gleamed alongside the sunlit sidewalk as she glanced into the dark bar. "I know," she told the clone. "But I need to clear things up...for me. Wait here and I won't be long." Blazer waited with the other clones while Anna entered the shadowy pub. "Hans," she greeted and plopped into the stool beside him.

He wouldn't even look at her as he clasped a fresh drink. "Anna," he grumbled.

Impatient and frustrated, Anna jumped right to the point. "What is your problem?" she snapped.

"Hmm," Hans snarked. "Let's see. I found us a lead and then you all took it from me."

"It was what Korbi wanted."

Hans scoffed. "I love the first name basis by the way. He could be stringing you all along and you just went with it. But here's what hurt the most." Hans took a swig of his drink. As he turned to Anna, the heavy stench of alcohol lurked on his breath. "You of all people didn't even have my back. I thought you were different."

"Please don't make this about us," Anna sighed and nervously looked around the pub.

"Why shouldn't I?" Hans snapped. "And why are you so nervous? It's not like anyone in here gives a damn about someone other than themselves. You should know-"

"That's enough!" Anna scolded and slammed a fist on the counter. It was enough to shake Hans out of his lackadaisical stupor.

"Hey miss," the bartender winced. "I don't want no trouble."

"There won't be any," Anna huffed and unclenched her fist.

Hans' grumpy demeanor transitioned into one of sadness. "Oh who am I kidding?" he sighed. "I'm a failure and you all see it."

"You're not a failure," Anna insisted.

"Please," Hans retorted. "You nor I couldn't even name a fight that I've won."

"Okay but..." Anna fidgeted with her braid as she tried to find the right words. "You still look great." Her eyes lit up when she was able to coax a faint smile out of Hans. "I mean it! Seriously, look at you. You're a stud!" She leaned in and brought her voice down to a whisper. "My stud." She soothingly rubbed his back and gestured to the glass in front of him. "You don't need to drown your sorrows away in some drink."

"It's quite effective though," Hans remarked. "You ever try one of these?" He smirked at her silent expression. "Have you ever had any alcohol?"

"Hans," Anna blurted. "I'm eighteen. The drinking age is-"

"People actually wait until their twenty-one?" Hans chuckled. "Oh, sweetheart. We're about to change that." His spirits livened and he waved to the bartender. "You wanna leave your troubles behind and disappear for a little bit? This is where you-"

"Hans," Anna asserted. "No." The knight sulked and surrendered. He reached for his own glass until Anna swatted his hand. "And I think you've had enough."

The pub doors opened again as Blazer stormed in. "What the hell?" Hans groaned. "Is this some kind of set up?"

"Sarge," Anna sharply whispered. "I told you to wait outside."

"I'm sorry, Anna." Blazer said. "But this couldn't wait. Someone's here to see you. Both of you."

Anna and Hans exchanged perplexed glances before following Blazer out. As they neared the door, Anna helped make Hans look presentable and thought, Please don't be someone important. Please don't be someone important. Upon exiting the pub, they found a pair of Jedi standing by the Deathchasers. They were both Mirialan, each sporting their own unique set of geometric facial tattoos. Anna recognized the hooded Padawan as Barriss Offee, which only made her heart race towards the second Jedi. Dark robes and a prominent headdress made Master Luminara Unduli easily distinguishable. Kriff, Anna thought and hoped Hans didn't pass out on the spot.

"Knight Westgard," Luminara proclaimed. Her voice was calm, yet authoritative. "The Jedi Order needs you." Luminara's inquisitive blue gaze fell to Anna. "Aren't you Master Mattias' Padawan?" she queried.

"Anna Dellian," she introduced herself.

"A peculiar setting for knight and Padawan," Luminara said while observing the pub.

"We were casing the place for information," Hans explained only to belch.

Luminara ignored his response and focused on a more pressing matter. "I'm leading a strike team," she said. "And I need all available Jedi in the area."

"What's going on?" Anna asked.

"I'll explain on the way," Luminara replied. "Have your troopers follow my airspeeder. You two will be riding with us." Anna cautiously nodded to Blazer as they parted ways. She and Hans slid into he backseats while Barriss rode shotgun. Once Luminara took control of the vehicle, she proceeded to brief the duo. Barriss patched comms to the Deatchchasers' airspeeder so the clones could hear her as well. "We have a hostage situation at the Galactic Senate." Luminara activated a holoprojector in the speeder's center console. A stern-faced Duros in a wide-brimmed hat flickered into view. "The group of bounty hunters responsible for this crisis is being led by the man seen here."

"Cad Bane," Hans recognized.

"Senate forces were unable to stop them," Luminara explained and switched holograms. Anna grimaced as a grotesque and green-eyed Hutt emerged. "Bane's demanded the release of Ziro the Hutt from Republic custody in exchange for senators' lives."

"Please tell me they're not going through with it," Anna lamented.

"Chancellor Palpatine has made arrangements for the transfer," Luminara said. "But that's where we come in. These crimes cannot go unanswered. Even as we speak, the Coruscant Guard is being assembled to storm the Senate Building. Should they fail-"

"And they will," Hans already anticipated. Luminara didn't take kindly to his interruption. Even Barriss glared at the knight while he shrugged. "What?" he muttered. "We've recently had a prison breakout and crime rates might as well be on this planet's traveling brochure. Forgive me if I don't have faith in the Coruscant Guard or-"

"As I was saying," Luminara intoned. "We are to intercept the bounty hunters and recapture Ziro should all else fail. We are the final line of defense."

Anna's comlink chimed moments later and she rushed to answer it. "Padawan," Mattias said. "This is sheer madness. Where are you right now? Are you safe?"

"I'm alright," she said. Anna couldn't help but chuckle over her current predicament. She peered back at the Deathchasers in the speeder behind her. "It looks like I'm gonna start being that leader we were talking about, Master."

A pair of Republic gunships soared towards the Senate Building. Their hatches hissed open and the red-armored clones of the Coruscant Guard poured out. Commander Fox and his detachment took aim as Cad Bane emerged with his team of bounty hunters. Aurra Sing was among those in his crew and she sneered at the troopers. Bane remained calm and collected as he activated his holoprojector. "You were foolish to think you could get away with this, bounty hunter," Chancellor Palpatine said. "Now lay down your arms and come quietly."

"No, Chancellor." Bane intoned. "I'm afraid it is you who have been foolish with your senators' lives. One false move and the east wing of the Senate Building goes up in smoke."

There was a long and chilling pause until Palpatine finally responded. "You win, bounty hunter," he relented.

Bane cut the transmission and raised a finger to the trigger on his vambrace. "Holster'em!" he barked as the clones remained unfazed. Despite their urge to carry out justice, the risk was too great.

"Stand down," Commander Fox ordered as he and his troops lowered their weapons.

While keeping his finger hovering over the detonator, Bane led his posse across the platform. It was only a matter of time before a scheduled airspeeder hovered by. Piloted by an IG assassin droid, the vehicle also carried a very impatient Hutt via bolt-tether.

Commander Fox watched with seething rage as the bounty hunters escaped with their prize and flew across the city skyline. He activated his comlink and placed a call to Chancellor Palpatine. "It's over, sir." he grieved. "They're gone." Once the bounty hunters were far enough away, Cad Bane still triggered the detonator. A tremendous blast shook the platform and had the Coruscant Guard struggling to maintain their balance. "Karabast!" Fox cursed while observing smoke from inside the Senate Building. Amidst the turmoil, a sudden call came through to him.

"This is Master Luminara Unduli of the Jedi Order. See to those inside, commander. We are in pursuit.

Fox watched as a pair of Republic speeders soared overhead in Cad Bane's direction. "Go get'em!" Fox cheered and shook his fist to the clouds. "Make the sleemos pay!"

Master Luminara and Lieutenant Sparx accelerated their respective speeders. "What's the plan?" Barriss asked.

"We'll focus on neutralizing their transports," Luminara said. "If we can ground them, Ziro the Hutt won't get very far."

Cad Bane observed his pursuers and sneered. "They just don't know when to quit," he growled and pointed towards the droid pilot. "Keep us at full speed. Miss Sing..." Aurra looked to him as he tipped his hat. "The floor is yours."

Aurra smirked and stood up from the backseat. She steadied her sniper rifle and adjusted her scope. Barriss noticed the glint of her weapon and shouted, "Look out!" Aurra fired just as Luminara took evasive action. A steaming, scarlet laser shot through their windscreen and scorched the cushion by Anna.

"Anna," Blazer called in while scanning through his visor. "It's Aurra Sing!"

"Of course it is," she griped. "Why am I not even surprised? Well come on then! It's payback time." Another one of Aurra's sniper shots pierced their speeder's windscreen and forced Luminara downward.

"She's pushing us towards skylane traffic," Hans realized.

Luminara weaved away from incoming vehicles and tried to get them back on course. She noticed Blazer's group heading elsewhere and looked to Anna. "Where are your clones going?" she asked. "I gave no such order to break off the pursuit."

"Blazer," Anna called in. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

"We're improvising," the sergeant responded. "We're gonna get fried if we stay the course. See if you can keep them distracted and we're gonna flank. Just trust us!"

"I hope your clones know what they're doing," Barriss murmured.

Luminara kept darting between Aurra's sniper blasts and tried to keep up with their ships. For every shot she evaded, two more struck her speeder. "We can't take many more hits like that," Hans grunted while clenching his seatbelt. "It's only a matter of time before she hits something vital."

Come on, brothers, Anna thought. Don't let me down.

As Luminara's airspeeder leveled out, so too did Aurra's scope. The Palliduvan zoomed in and placed Anna in her crosshairs. "Long time now see," Aurra chuckled to herself. She was about to pull the trigger when a roaring engine sounded beside her.

"Incoming!" Sparx screeched while forcing his speeder forward. They bolted in from between two buildings and caught the bounty hunters completely off guard. So much so, that Aurra lost her balance and nearly fell out of the speeder.

"Sniper is down for now," Blazer reported. "Move in!"

Luminara accelerated while Cad Bane assessed the situation. "How can you be foiled now you blithering buffoons?" Ziro the Hutt whined. "I can't go back to prison! Do something!"

Bane placed a call to their secondary transport. The pair of commando droids who had once been disguised now sat at its controls. "You two," he said. "Deal with our guests." He then turned to his own driver and said. "Take us into an underworld portal. We'll lose them in there."

The commando droids flew their speeder straight towards the Deathchasers. "Sarge...Speedy," Sparx said from the controls. "It's all you, brothers!"

Blazer and Speedy popped open their speeder's windows and took aim. Their bold, blue bolts zipped towards the droids who were attempting to ram them. "I have an idea," Blazer said. "It's a little crazy, but it'll minimize casualties and stop that speeder from crashing."

Speedy gulped. "You don't mean-"

"Oh I mean," Blazer asserted and tapped Sparx's seat. "Take us straight up!"

"Oh boy," the lieutenant fretted and flew them upward. Once the droids gave chase, Blazer opened his door entirely. Speedy mimicked his motion and Blazer nodded to him.

"For the Republic!" the sergeant shouted and leapt out of the vehicle.

Speedy mustered his courage and also threw himself out. "For the Repub-OH KRIFF!" he shrieked while freefalling through the air. The duo crashed against the droids' roofless vehicle and blasted their foes' heads clean off. Once the commandos were neutralized, Blazer quickly grabbed the controls and steadied the speeder so it wouldn't crash.

The pursuit continued elsewhere as the rest of Cad Bane's posse descended into an underworld portal. Luminara tried to keep up the pursuit, but Aurra's blasts were slowly taking their toll. "We're losing altitude," the master declared and eyed a steady flow of traffic. "I'm gonna set us down on a nearby platform, but everyone get ready to jump!"

"This is insane," Anna whispered.

"You're a Jedi," Hans groused. "You've signed up for a lifetime of insane."

"Here we go!" Luminara warned as their speeder skidded across a platform.

From Cad Bane's perspective, the Jedi appeared to have crashed. His scarlet eyes slightly widened when four lightsabers ignited through the air. Luminara, Barriss, Hans, and Anna sprung into action. They leapt from speeder to speeder and continued to chase Bane's ship down the portal. "Smoke them," Bane commanded. His crew of bounty hunters rose from their seats and blasted away, gathering the attention of countless citizens.

Inside the portal wall, a set of reverberating rumbles had Rubi Martez muting their holodrama. "Theo," she whispered. "Do you hear that?"

"It's coming from outside," Trace said and ran towards the window.

"Sweetheart, wait!" Theo warned as his daughter pulled back the curtains. The entire Martez family watched in shock as they viewed the wild pursuit.

"Oh my gosh," Trace gasped yet slowly started to smile. "It's the Jedi! Look, Rafa! There's a whole bunch of them!"

"Four, but okay." Rafa teased. "Any popcorn left? This is better than that sappy holodrama."

Speeder drivers yelled and swerved as Jedi boots tromped against their windscreens. "Sorry!" Anna hollered back. "Pardon us! Emergency!" She deflected shots away from civilians and frontflipped to a lower speeder. "It's payback time, Aurra!"

"Just try and get me, kid!" the Palliduvan taunted.

"Enough of this," Bane said. He eyed an ascending cargo transport and fired several shots into its engine. The ensuing blast was ear-splitting as smoke and fuselage spewed across the portal. Shrieks sounded as the transport spiraled out of control.

"Stop that ship!" Luminara shouted.

Anna was nearly to Bane's posse and fired back, "But-"

"That's an order...not a suggestion!" the master asserted.

Anna thought about Mattias' words and thought about those aboard the transport. She hated letting Bane, Aurra, and the others go...but sacrifices had to be made. She and Hans reluctantly leapt to the spinning transport to join the other Jedi. Together, the group ran to the control room and found a panicking Ithorian. His translating vocoder strobed as he tried to speak up. "Jedi!" he hollered. "Help me!"

Luminara's first reaction was to pull the Ithorian away from the controls. She put one of his arms around her and beckoned Barriss to assist. Sparx arrived and flew alongside the transport's broken ramp. "Come on!" the lieutenant urged. Luminara and Barriss rushed over, carrying the Ithorian into the speeder. While they got the pilot to safety, Anna and Hans tried to stop the transport.

"What do we do?" Anna huffed as her eyes frantically scoured the controls. "This thing's going down."

"I couldn't tell," Hans snarked. "Let's try emergency boosters." Hans flipped a switch on the dashboard, but the boosters had been damaged. Multiple screens flashed with warnings regarding system failures. "Damn it."

"Maybe we can land it!" Anna considered.

"Where?" Hans snapped.

"I don't know!" Anna screamed back at him as the ship continued to fall apart. She nervously gripped the controls and steered it towards the nearest platform. Her heart sank when she noticed the amount of civilians crowding it.

"No!" Hans shouted in her ear. "Not there! Turn!"

"Where?" she yelled.

"Anywhere!" Hans panicked with her. Everything was happening so quickly. Anna's heart raced as the ship's controls trembled in her sweaty palms. She furiously steered away from the platform and crashed directly into the portal wall. The explosion from such an impact was deafening and metal shards plummeted into the undercity.

"Anna!" Blazer gasped from his speeder. "No!" Tremendous clouds of thick, black smoke rose from the portal wall. Civilians watched in horror from the nearby platform while Sparx landed his speeder.

Luminara helped the Ithorian disembark while Barriss observed the crash. "By the Force," the Padawan whispered.

Blazer couldn't have landed his speeder any quicker. He and Speedy immediately leapt out and began rummaging through piles of charred debris. "Anna!" he called into the wreckage. "Kid!"

Speedy used his cybernetics to kick away large chunks of metal. "Where are you?" he hollered. As Luminara and Barriss arrived at the crash site, something hissed amidst the crackling flames. All eyes turned towards a heap of metal as two green lightsabers emerged. Working together to cut a hole, Anna and Hans emerged from the debris.

Exhausted beyond comprehension, they leaned on each other while their companions rejoiced. "I'll be damned!" Blazer nearly choked and rushed towards Anna. He pulled her away from Hans and into an embrace of his own. "You've got to stop scaring me like that, kid! I thought you were toast!"

"I'm alright, big guy," Anna sighed and patted his back. She raised a brow when she heard a sniffle beneath his helmet. "Are you...crying?"

"Of course not," Blazer defended.

"He's totally crying," Speedy informed until Blazer shoved him.

As Anna and Hans emerged from the smoke, they found themselves greeted by a host of applause. Those on the crowded landing platform were cheering their heads off. "What are they so happy about?" Anna winced. "We lost."

"Those sleemos may have gotten away," Hans said. "But hey, take in adoring fans whenever you can get them." They were about to start waving back when a sudden, bloodcurdling screech had them flinching. Their heads turned to a pair of hunched and swaying silhouettes laying amidst the smoke. "What the?" Hans uttered.

As the group went in for a closer look, they found a young girl weeping on her knees. Trace could hardly get a breath in as she sobbed and screamed uncontrollably. Her older sister Rafa desperately tried to hold on to her. Her cheeks glistened with tears as she tilted her head up towards the Jedi. Her reddened, puffy eyes twitched while she tried to be strong for her little sister. Anna was about to ask what had happened, but that gruesome reality was slowly setting in. The Padawan's eyes widened as she observed what was beneath the transport's wreckage. Broken datascreens, cracked furniture, and burnt clothes littered the area. Anna thought she was about to throw up when Trace cried out, "Mom!" The young girl stretched a trembling hand towards their ravaged home while tears streamed down her face. "Dad!"

"No," Anna whispered as shock took hold of her. She staggered back and started fidgeting with her braid. "I did things right. I did...things...right."

"Anna?" Blazer worried.

"We went to Ilum," Anna affirmed. "We trained. I got a new lightsaber." She started nervously laughing as her eyes swelled with tears. "I'm better now. I don't let these things happen. Jee was a one time mistake. I-...I-"

"Anna," Blazer beckoned.

"No!" Anna snapped and a pair of tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt awful for reacting as such and almost lost her footing. Staring at the destroyed dwelling and listening to Trace's cries only dragged her deeper into despair.

"Why don't we get out of here?" Blazer softly suggested. "Let's take a break from this place, yeah?"

"At least..." Anna sniffled. "Let me..talk to them."

"I'll handle this," Luminara insisted.

"I'm responsible for this," Anna growled. "Those kids need-"

"Padawan," Luminara countered. "You will mind your tone and report back to the Jedi Temple. You are in no condition to speak with anyone right now."

Blazer helped guide Anna away while Speedy approached Luminara. "Master Jedi," the trooper said. "I tend to connect well with younger folks. If I may-"

"You may not, trooper." Luminara commanded. "As I told Padawan Dellian, I shall handle this."

Speedy reluctantly departed while Hans lingered around. He and Barriss watched as Luminara approached the grieving orphans. Trace gasped while Rafa remained stern. "S-s-sis," Trace stuttered. "It's a Jedi. She'll know what to do."

Rafa was less naive, yet still listened to what Luminara had to say. The master knelt before the sisters, but mostly focused on the eldest. She took a deep breath and said, "You have to make a choice." Rafa raised a twitching brow as Luminara faintly smiled. "But do not worry. The Force...will be with you." And just like that, Luminara didn't bother with any other words. She rose to her feet and departed, leaving the sisters in tears. Barriss appeared concerned in her own, reserved way. Hans huffed and tried to block out Trace's sobbing. He stepped away until their hunched figures became smoky silhouettes again. Hans was almost out when something crunched beneath his boot. He peered down at a cracked and outmoded datapad. Its flickering screen displayed a lightsaber-wielding child before it powered down forever.


Police sirens rang out across Coruscant's vast districts. Elsa remained on guard in an alley not too far from the Senate Building. Her signal had finally been received and a Republic gunship hovered towards her position. "Come on," Elsa beckoned as the Coruscant Guard emerged from the gunship.

As Dia and Taline slowly made their way over, they remained cautious about the helmeted troopers. "Are these actually clones?" Dia inquired.

"Yes ma'am," Commander Fox assured and removed his helmet as proof. "No clankers here. We've cleared the Executive Building and it's safe to return."

"Was anyone hurt?" Elsa asked.

"Unfortunately, Senator Philo was killed." Fox lamented. "Everyone else was saved thanks to General Skywalker."

Elsa breathed a sigh of relief, yet was saddened over even a single death. "I have to believe we'll see an end to these dark days," she told Fox.

"I sure hope so," the commander concurred as Dia prepared to leave.

"Well Elsa," the senator said. "If nothing else, I hope today has proven you wrong." The Padawan was initially confused until Dia continued. "You used to believe you weren't strong enough to protect me." She looked to Taline and smiled. "To protect us. But your actions in the face off adversity prove otherwise. Job well done, Senator Dellian." Dia winked and made for the gunship. Taline was about to join, but instead stopped midway.

The Mirialan's vibrant, purple makeup had been smudged and revealed a dark bruise across her cheek. "Taline," Elsa gasped. "Your face. Are...you alright?"

Taline shuddered after realizing her makeup had smudged. She hurriedly caressed her cheek and said, "I must've hit it when we fell from the platform." The handmaiden's lower lip quivered as Elsa approached.

"Taline," she intoned. "What's wrong?"

The Mirialan swallowed hard and looked as though she might say something. "Taline!" Dia snapped and the handmaiden shuddered. "It's been a crazy day and I'd like to get home at some point in this lifetime."

"Right," Taline relented. "Coming." Elsa was left to watch Taline and Dia depart alongside the Coruscant Guard. She observed them until the gunship's hatch finally shrouded them from view. As Elsa stood in a curious silence, she was soon met by a Jedi Temple airspeeder.

Her overthinking quelled at the sight of Master Yelena in the driver's seat. "Padawan," her master rejoiced. "Am I glad to see you. At first I was so worried, but I ultimately had faith in your abilities."

Elsa faintly smiled and slid into the passenger seat. "Thanks," she replied.

Yelena's brows furrowed as she sensed her apprentice's inner conflict. "What's on your mind?" she asked.

"I'm not quite sure," Elsa confessed. "But despite all that's happened, something still doesn't feel right."

Anna succumbed to the darkness of her room. The blinds were shut and her door was locked. Anna had switched off all of her communicators and wrapped herself in multiple blankets. She rolled over in her bed and stared up at the shadowy ceiling. Despite her room's blaring silence, Anna couldn't get Trace's wails out of her head. The painful memories had her wincing and clenching at her blankets. Utter disgust took hold as she imagined Aurra Sing and the others...laughing. Their insidious cackles were a testimony to her failure. She didn't even know if Jee was involved and that consideration just prompted more regret.

A sudden knock at the door made Anna shudder. Her tired, bloodshot eyes slowly listed over as she heard her master's voice. "Anna?" Mattias spoke up. His demeanor was somber and sorrowful. "Please, I know you're in there. The others are asking where you've been. They say you aren't answering your calls and-" Mattias sighed awkwardly. "Well I know that. I tried calling too. Look, I heard about what happened." Mattias considered how Anna must've been blaming herself just as she had with Jee. Given this inference, he chose a different approach. "I am so, so sorry," he grieved. "Sometimes, we really don't know what life is going to throw our way. What it's going to give...or take. Please just know that the troopers and I are here for you. Take all of the time you need, but understand that you don't have to do this alone." Mattias paused and waited to see if Anna would do anything. He listened for a single word or even a hiss of the door opening. But all remained silent. The most Anna had done was stare at her door and Mattias respected her choice. "We'll get through this," he affirmed and withdrew a package. "I want to make sure you're eating, so I grabbed you a little something from the cafeteria. It'll be out here for whenever you're ready." He set it down by her door and said, "Should you ever need me, I'll never be far away as it seems. My help is always there." Mattias departed with the sunset while Anna slowly shuffled.

She found the strength to prop her door open and quickly grabbed the package. As she resealed the door and whiffed a series of delectable aromas, she softly whispered, "Thanks, master." Her stomach growled as she popped open the package. Her eyes drifted towards a pile of pastries, but her mind went elsewhere. It wasn't a pile of crisp sweets, but was instead a heap of charred debris. The same heap that young Trace was screaming into, wishing her parents were still alive. Anna gasped and flung the pastry box away. As she did so, another knock came to her door. "Not now, master!" she snapped amidst her panic.

"Master?" a young man's voice responded. "A bit late for flattery, isn't it?"

"Hans?" Anna gasped and flung open the door.

The knight was leaning on her doorframe when he said, "I wanted to check in on-" Anna practically dragged him inside. "Woah! What's-"

"Just hold me," Anna intoned. Hans lowered his arms and slowly wrapped them around Anna. As he did so, she pressed her head into his chest and let the tears flow.

"Hey," Hans whispered and patted her back. "It's all good."

"How is anything 'all good' Hans?" Anna sniffled. "I killed two innocent people."

"Technically you got them killed," Hans answered. "There's a difference." Anna's deathly glare had Hans huffing. "Okay," he insisted as they both sat on her bed. "If you got them killed, so did I."

"And that's supposed to make it better?" Anna inquired. "How are you so alright with this?"

"Because I have to be," Hans intoned. "Otherwise I'll be a wreck like you. Anna, that ship was gonna crash. You did everything you could to save the maximum amount of lives. Collateral damage is an unfortunate thing, but it happens."

"That can't be right."

"I never said it was right," Hans explained. "But it is a reality. One which those at war-" Hans pointed at her and himself. "-must accept. I mean come on. Do you really think every Republic airstrike on a Separatist planet only destroys droids? Maybe that's what the HoloNews says, but we've bombed civilian targets into oblivion and it just gets swept under the rug. When you're a Sentinel, you see how the other side reports the news."

"If that's true-" Anna considered. "-how does the Republic just accept that?"

"Because Separatists," Hans said. "The Republic doesn't care, Anna. If they bomb an entire town but managed to kill their target, that's the only part that'll make the headlines. The same is true for today. Coruscant news will be blathering on about how the Senate was held hostage and then sugarcoat it with how the Jedi Order saved a crowded landing platform."

"But those girls," Anna grieved. "Their parents are gone. How are they supposed to move on in our system? How do we-"

"Anna," Hans asserted. "That's not your problem. You protect the peace and carry out justice, but you can't be everyone's savior-nanny. By the Force, you'd have to be stopping by every damn impoverished household in Coruscant's slum district. If it's any consolation, this whole situation has me bent out of shape in my own ways too. But we'll get through this together." Hans wrapped an arm around her and she sighed.

"Maybe you were on to something," Anna admitted and Hans raised a brow. "About that drink. I wouldn't mind forgetting this pain and getting lost in something right about now."

Hans gently smiled. "It's funny that you say that," he jested and reached into his satchel. Anna's eyes widened as he withdrew a personal flask. "Here," he said. "Try it."

Anna cautiously whiffed the uncapped flask and was curious about its oddly sweet odor. She took a swig of the beverage and Hans snickered when she started gagging. "Holy kriff," Anna grimaced. "What the hell is that?"

"Juri juice," Hans teased and snatched the flask back from her. He proceeded to chug it and grinned proudly. "Don't be embarrassed. Alcohol's not for everyone. You gotta build up a tolerance."

"Oh please," Anna countered. "The way I see it, that juri juice is no different than you are." Hans tilted his head with intrigue as Anna leaned in. "Mysterious," she whispered. "Perhaps even nasty to some."

"Only to the wrong people," Hans whispered back. His emerald gaze drifted towards her lips as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Well I've built up quite a tolerance to you," Anna insisted and ran her fingers up to his shoulders. "So maybe you can help me with my...predicament." She let one of her hands sneak behind his head and tugged at his auburn locks. In a single, powerful motion, Hans scooped Anna up and brought her onto his lap. Losing herself in the moment, Anna straddled Hans and pulled his face into a kiss. The pain of her past faded, even if just for a moment as she focused on Hans. They couldn't keep their hands off of each other as they collapsed against the mattress. Every kiss had a toxic flare to it, leaving Anna and Hans hungry for more. That hunger only grew as they disappeared beneath the blankets and became lost in each other's passion.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's installment of "The Frozen Force!" It's been a ride and we are now down to the FINAL THREE CHAPTERS of Season 2! Secrets shall be revealed as dark forces continue to rise! Can our heroes withstand the rising shadows and turn the tide? Find out next week as this non-stop adventure continues! I appreciate all of you so much and thank you for your constant support. It is an honor to come on here every Friday and bring you new content! If you're ever looking for more adventures, you can follow me for story updates at GoldenHeart Stories on Twitter GoldenHeartHQ. And if you're ever looking for gaming entertainment, I also stream on Twitch under the username 'JettSparx' on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays! I am consistently looking to entertain you wonderful people and let's see how far we can grow! Thanks again for being a Frozen Force fan and making this adventure possible. It's only a matter of time before this story becomes my most viewed one on my account. We're getting closer to beating my Zootopia fanfic. I appreciate all of the love you've shown me and this story so much. I'll see you next week for more fun!

Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You,

~ Michael