So this is just a chapter I came up with as a treat as I considered this story finished but much was left unsaid. The Force nexus was only part of what Anakin had to do to help the Republic and the Jedi. It would be the thing to let the Jedi realize that most of the Senate was completely loyal to Sidious and his minions. Mas Amedda, Sly Moore, Sate Pestage Janus Greejatus, Ars Dangor, Kren Blista-Vanee, Verge and all of his red guard.
This also not what I had been thinking at the time as the beginning was more to do with Mand'alor. Maybe some day I will add more to it, but that could be a completely different story or just more of this one.
Feel free to check out Ebon Hawk Rises (Actively writing) and Phantom Splinters (on hold but I am still thinking of finishing.) There is a sliver of an idea to rewrite my Darth Vader redemption story, but that might be too much at the moment.
Enjoy! and comment.
Evan nodded just before he followed his hand that had for so long held on to his mask, let it go. Quietly it landed in a pile of dust, unheard and unseen by the others. The trek back to the more modern areas of the temple took relatively less time then it had getting there as old switching stations came online and old lights blinked back into use. Droids that had been on stand by for decades creaked and left their stations to perform duties given to them long ago. A few fell victim to old age and fell apart or others fell through holes that their circuits stated were not there. The group weaved around them as some attempted to clean and others inspected ancient damage and decay before starting to repair the section they were at.
Six Force users sighed in relief as they found a working turbolift. They leaned against another or against the wall as the lift began the long journey to the top. As the door opened a bit of energy had returned to them as they saw chaos in front of them as what few padawans and knights ran in several different directions.
"Should we find out what is going on?"
Mand'alor's gaze raised just slightly from the report he was reading as the door on the very end of the throne room opened. Light from the windows made the floor a perfect mirror as Canderous scowl grew a hair darker as a bald Jedi calmly entered. The door silently shut behind him as the few working around the large holo map that now took up most of the center of the room. Canderous did not need the Force to know that the others with him had all activated their weapons. His grin was not concealed by his bucket, but it sat under the arm that held the datapad in his hand.
"I am Master Mace Windu of Jedi High Council. I come to..."
"I know who you are Master Jedi." Mace scowled internally at the contempt in his voice. This would be a difficult negotiation. He watched as the proclaimed Mand'alor stood and smoothly dropped the helm on his head. The etching and carvings matched exactly to the old Jedi records and this was either a very good fake or the real thing. The holo map vanished as he jumped up on the table.
"You come to fight me to release the hold I have taken over my clans."
"I have come to negotiate not to fight."
"Shame I was hoping for a good fight, but then again I hear you are not the Jedi of old. Now those were the days. Glorious to face off against a pair of Jedi. Sweet when the master stumbled when his weaker apprentice fell. How much more interesting they were when they screamed out in anger. Such a rush. No one could compare to a fully trained Jedi who had seen combat. Fought and won their battles to cross blades with one was a thrill a bigger thrill when they fell to your feet bleeding out the last of their life. Crushing their hand as they desperately reached for their lightsaber."
Canderous grinned behind his helmet as the Jedi twitched. He had hit a nerve though this one was cooler than most. He could tell the master was ready to spring at him in a split second and all he needed was a reason. A small sign that talking was a waste. This one was no pacifist like most Jedi proclaimed before they attempted to take your life. He was not on Revan's level, but close. There was this sweet smell of danger coming from him. The way he nearly fought to contain the aggression hiding right under his dark skin.
"I have come to speak on the behalf of the Republic and ask that you let those that wish leave to do so. To ask that you continue to remain neutral or to come to the Republic's aid." Canderous thought about this and he knew that something like this would come about. He had been visited by several droid messengers and he sent all but one back to the Confederacy in pieces. The one left partially intact was missing both arms, one optical sensor, and very dented. They sent a delegate and the worm didn't make it out of the space port. Then Ventress showed up and she got as far as the arena that was set up out side of the palace. She got challenged and curiously accepted. The battle was a bit longer than Canderous predicted but her defeat was evident the minute she faced against the clan leader of Cadera. He was reviewing the footage of the arena just before Windu entered the throne room. That he had seen many of his warriors come close to him to challenge him but he took the coward's way and did something to them. Though the fights would have been short if his feeling about this Jedi was right.
"I hope you have a big budget. Mandalorians don't come cheap, and I have already had an offer from the Confederacy of Independent Systems."
"The separatists will not honor their deals or put you in battles you can not win. With the Republic you will lead the battles."
"I think I will choose the third option."
"Neutrality?"
"Oh who said anything about neutrality. I am Mand'alor and Mandalorians live for battle. I am sure some of the clans will join one side or another if the price is right, but only after I am finished securing Mandalorian Space. By that time your little squabble will be finished and the real fighting can begin."
"You think a Galactic War is a squabble?"
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out both sides are being play by one person. Problem is with only one player either neither side wins or the one most in favor wins suddenly."
Mace had been thinking about this on how many times they had been countered when intelligence reports were saying the opposite, or how easily they got intelligence on a battle about to begin or how certain commanders just happened to go to the right system just as it was about to get attacked or leave a system defenseless. The Force had been silent on this matter and now it was screaming that this was most likely true. For the first time since entering this hall Mace relaxed. This Mand'alor maybe an enemy in time but right now he just might have the solution.
"How many units do you have available?"
"None as they are all out recruiting. Give us a few weeks and we might have a division ready to spare." The doors flew open and a female Mando entered followed by several others. Mace tensed as they all held drawn weapons.
"Su cuy'gar, Mand'alor. Why was I not informed a Jedi representative was here from the Republic?" Mace looked from the female in full armor back to Mand'alor. He felt annoyed at her intrusion. As she took off her helmet it became clear who she was and this shocked Mace as she was no one other than Duchess Satine.
"Duchess Satine I am glad you are well, but this..."
"I am still the Duchess and he is Mand'alor. The leader of our people. We who follow the Resol'nare follow Mand'alor. My father taught me, but his methods lacked the true spirit of the Resol'nare." Mace looked a bit closer and saw that her formerly flawless face was bruised and battered. It showed signs of bacta treatments covering other damage, but her entire stance was more combative.
"Mand'alor! Coruscanta ramorla!" Mace frowned as the color drained from Satine's face.
"You better get back to your temple it is under attack." Canderous jumped down off the table and it activated with several different views from the holonet. He shook his head in bewilderment at how the net was still functioning. In his time the net would go down when a battle began or soon after to limit the chance of a warning getting out. This was like a drama unfolding as a huge fleet entered the system. The footage was sped up to real time and from what Canderous could see it was not going to go very well for the home fleet. If he could read Mace's mind he was thinking along the same lines.
"May the Force be with them." That it came from a Mandalorian surprised him until he turned just enough to see history settle in right next to him. The older man radiated the Force much like Master Yoda did at times. The Cathar was not only rare but by her robes a Jedi as well and if she was with Master Bindo, then she was Juhani. The large Wookie and young Twi'lek were an unknown.
"Old man you come here to stop me as well?"
"Hehe, me stop you. No old man I did not. Reason never swayed you once you set a course of action. Though the Revanite Ascendancy may want to, as you took half their ships." Bindo turned back to the holo table and the battle being shown there.
"Mand'alor!" another entered the hall as the board suddenly shifted. A large mass of ship markers suddenly replaced the holo battle. By the size of the new fleet and the codes that appeared Coruscanta was no longer a curiosity. Canderous now had his own battle to win.
Get my shuttle ready and use Alpha Delta Victor formation. His fleet lit up the board as his command reached them and he was running for the landing pad.
Would not staying to command his forces have been better?" Mace Windu questioned. Jolee raised an eyebrow as Juhani giggled.
"You know not the Mand'alor or his people's ways. He could not command from here even if all the equipment was a hundreds times better and guaranteed victory. He would be seen as a coward and not Mand'alor."
"He won't be in the dark for long and the CNC of the Perseverance is surpassed by no other ship." Satine explained as she watched the battle. "Now see how Mandalore defends herself."
They moved through the Temple as the initiates, padawans, and knights rushed to various parts of the Temple under the barking orders of the Temple Guard and the intercom system relaying the order of the Gate Keeper. Evan was followed by Eris, Obi Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Bastila as he wandered along taking in all the chaos of the Jedi.
"I really should get to the Council Chambers."
"Better you go to the hanger and join the battle up in space. Unless you would rather join us on my ship."
"We have not properly eaten in several days. I do not see them performing well in a battle."
"True, but I think a quick bit will help." Eris then raised her hand and the door to a dining hall opened. Ahsoka and Anakin rushed in using their hands and the Force to gather food. Eris did as well just before Evan and Bastila copied them all to the surprised look of Obi Wan.
"I do have to protest."
"Protest after the battle, master." Anakin called out nearly on the other side of the room as several food items were flung at him. He caught them with Force as they would have hit him if he did not. The foods may not have gone together but what Anakin had tossed him was quick to eat and packed the most energy. Though not a nutritional as he normally would eat, but then again after so many battles and war zones you ate what you got. In less than five minutes they were in and out.
"I am going to the room of a Thousand Fountains."
"Why, Bastila?"
"I will be Battle Meditation. I will not be disturb there."
"Oh but isn't that a group thing?"
"No her ability affects an entire battle no matter how big."
"Not much it will do against droids."
"Then I will concentrate on giving those of the Republic the edge."
"Take care my love."
"You as well, and no taking unusual risks."
"That depends on how risky it will be to get to the fleet command ship."
"We have the codes for that and being a master that I will make sure the clone commanders and the judicial commanders will know who you are."
"So are you coming with on the Ebon Hawk?"
"We have our fighters here. We'll escort you up."
"Very well. Lead away."
"Better to be in a fighter."
"But I doubt HK will allow me to prevent him from sitting this out." They all moved off in the directions they needed to go. Evan felt it as Bastila started her battle meditation. Ahsoka and Eris had followed him to the Ebon Hawk and he only somewhat noticed that the Jedi Defender was gone. He entered the ship and T3 whistled at him happy to see him.
"Everyone this is Ahsoka. Ahsoka this is T3M4 and HK 47." T3 whistled even more as he came up to Ahsoka.
"Master, must we really keep adding more meatbags to the ship."
"Only temporary, HK." Evan raced to the cockpit.
"Meat bag?"
"It is the droids programming as an assassin droid. You'll get used to it."
"I hope not. The droid is full of the dark side."
"True it was created by the Rakatan Star Forge." Ahsoka looks shocked and Eris can feel a certain amount of fear from the young girl. The sound of the landing gear moving was the only thing noticeable as the ship lifted off and raced for orbit.
Sidious was furious but he could do nothing as a dozen Magna guard droids had stormed into his office. Following right behind them was none other than General Grievous. They were not only early, but he had called off the attack on Coruscant as Anakin was no where to be found.
"I demand to know the meaning of this."
"You demand nothing Chancellor. Secure the human and if he resists kill him." Sidious wanted to yell at him and then cover him with Force lightning for his disobedience, but there were too many onlookers and somewhat important people that he needed to remain as chancellor. He would not have a problem voicing himself once they were in the ship up to the Invisible Hand. Palpatine waited bore with the pain of being manhandled and put in stun cuffs. Not that he would have any problem freeing himself. He would bide his time. The shuttle lifted off as other landing craft came down and deposited entire companies of droids. Palpatine did not say anything about a full ground assault. What was Tyranus planning? He was prepared just in case as Grievous lost two of his collection without even noticing. Several blast jarred the ship as it rose in to orbit and not long after the ship arrives the ramp drops and more magna guards board.
Palpatine bides his time until they reach the observation deck that held only one other being and another dozen magna droids. He is pushed forward until he is placed on a low dais. Stumbling as he barely makes it up the small step. He can now finally release his senses and spread out through the room. He would be confused with the presence Count Dooku had been radiating. Count Dooku turns as his hand raises and this force shield envelopes Palpatine.
"This is not a very nice way to hold a prisoner."
"Oh I assure you it is the perfect thing to hold a Sith Lord."
"You have not learned everything you need from me."
"On the contrary Grand Chancellor Palpatine or should I say Darth Sidious."
"Darth Sidious is the Chancellor? This whole war is for nothing!" Grievous began to cough. He knew Darth Sidious, but he had never seen his face.
"Calm down general. We are going to kill two birds with one stone." Count Dooku smiled slightly as Palpatine was lifted in the air as the artificial gravity under the dais was turned off a split second before another series of units pulled Palpatine into an X position.
"Do you really think that this can hold me Darth Tyranus."
"Trust me I have had it extensively tested. I do hope you remain as the Jedi or should I say Anakin has joined the battle. Where ever they disappeared to must be finished. Though there is a presence that I have not felt before near them and I do say that the entire planet has change in the Force."
"I felt the shroud failing. So what it is too late for them to recover. I own the Senate and they nearly all hate the Jedi for their actions in the war."
"That maybe true from a certain point of view. General Grievous be so kind as to direct the battle on board and make sure Anakin and Kenobi make their way here." General Grievous coughs as he sort of bows. "And leave all the Magna guards here."
"Yes, Count Dooku."
I feel you think you can turn young Skywalker and then have both of you kill me."
"Oh nothing so plain as that. Try as you might, but I suggest you just have to wait." Sidious reached out with the Force as he was going to choke Count Dooku. He turned as Count Dooku's eye grew just before he laughed.
"My shields are even stronger than ever, Darth Sidious."
"Then you will die." Lightning burst around Sidious only to be reflected around him as he was held in the center of the shields.
"And you will have to wait and be a good little Chancellor." Sidious was furious as there had been no way to foresee this betrayal. The way the Force had suddenly been released was in total chaos as it swirled around the Jedi Temple and sent shock waves radiating even now up to this ship through the Force. No, this was not going to happen and this prison would not hold him long. Better to bide his time for now.
Twenty minutes passed before the large doors opened again only to have General Grievous flying into the room leaving a smoking trail behind him. Anakin and the Kenobi came into the room followed by Ahsoka and two others. No this was not what should have happened. Sidious smiled as there was no way the two dozen magna droids could compete with the five Jedi. Though they might as the two behind Ahsoka were unknown. No, it was two of the three that had come out of that ancient freighter.
"Hello there."
"Master really?"
"What I always say that."
"You said that to Grievous, too." Lightning suddenly shot out from behind the two raising Dooku's eyebrows and making Sidious smile. Nearly all the droids were caught in two powerful blast from the unknown Jedi.
"Woah, what power is that, Force Lightning?"
"No padawan that is Destroy Droid. Similar but different."
"I know that voice." Palpatine declared. "Darth Revan."
"Ah and you seem to have me at a disadvantage. Though at least I am not bound." Evan counters.
"Chancellor how do you know him?" Kenobi wonders as they all jump down off the balcony, and spreading out.
"I am sure he heard that voice on a Sith holocron. Chancellor Palpatine was my Sith Master, Darth Sidious."
"You fool now I will have to kill you all." Lightning bursts all around Sidious as two lightsabers taken from Grievous ignite and burn through the shield below the Sith Lord. Dooku just crosses his arms as the two magna droids to either side of him wait to be attacked.
"I suggest you five attack him with everything you have or he will kill us all. Anakin he twisted the Tusken Raiders to capturing your mother."
"No impossible."
"Who do you think has been filling you mind with nightmares about Padme dying in child birth?"
"You lie?"
"I don't have to lie. All I have to do is show you the proof. Every single conversation. Every single document I have saved and copied. The entire war and everything from the creation of the clones to now."
"Darth Tyranus they will not let you live."
"I am sorry Darth Sidious, but I am a Jedi Master or have you never wondered why my eyes never changed?" Sidious screamed in rage and the shielding failed filling the entire observation deck with the dark side Force Lightning a virtual Force Storm as it extended out side of the ship and striking fighters and droid fighters as they flew too close. Light all down the tower failed as they exploded. The five Jedi shielded each other with the Force and their lightsabers as Evan Rybath's personal shield activated as well as the Force shield he projected around them all.
Count Dooku held his lightsaber up, but there was no way for him to block all the lightning that Sidious was generating. His clothing started to smoke as his body was twisting and jerking just like the two droids next to him. Than both droids exploded firing shrapnel through the room, but more fully into nearly every inch of his body. The five Jedi moved as one and the bubble of lightning failed and turned into a whirling sphere of color as the crystal in the two lightsabers he had stolen began to bleed and turn red. Purple, blue, green, and yellow spheres of rapidly blocking the attacks that replaced the lightning. Loose objects flew around the room crashing into things and bouncing off of Evan's shields.
The room darkens as more and more power is drawn in by Darth Sidious. This was nothing like the battle he had foreseen with Master Windu. It was also barely keeping the Jedi from striking him down. The Force was easily at his beck and call, but these Jedi. No not all of them just Revan and Anakin. They were the beacons in the light side of the Force yet there was this under lying shadow that mixed in with the light as it pulsed around them. The young Ahsoka and the unknown female glow purely in the light just as much a Kenobi did.
A few minutes turned into five and then ten and then thirty before he felt a sixth presence. A presence that not only looked over this fight, but the entire battle around the system. He drew on the death that he felt to boost his power and it was barely enough to hold them. An hour passed turning into two and then the ship rocked from hundreds of blasts. The power failed all over the ship and he slipped. A blue blade slipped through his perfect defense and pierced Sidious's heart. It did not stop the battle, but it slowed him down leaving little openings that nicked him here and their as he had to devote power to healing his heart. An ability that took more power as it was not a power of the dark side.
Then he felt just as his heart was healed. Four attacks from four different directions and his limbs flew away from his body. No mater as he burst out with the dark side and the Force lightning, but it failed to generate more than a few sparks as every Darth and Lord of the Sith laughed out in the Force. They laughed at him as his power faded. His eyes slowly going dark as that blade had never left his chest and had only been moved slightly away from his heart. Then nothing as the blade was forced up splitting Palpatine's head in two as Anakin screamed out. Dooku raised his head just slightly as his last breath left his lips, but the five Jedi were sure they heard the old man's laughter.
