Chapter 4 Cloak of Darkness
The Republic is on edge. After countless defeats at the hands of the Guardians many are beginning to wonder if victory is at all possible against them or the Separatists.
Fortunately the Republic has scored a huge victory in capturing Nut Gunray thanks to Senator Amidala. The Jedi council wanting to secure Gunray at all costs send Luminara Unduli and Padawan Ahsoka Tano to make sure he is secure.
"Captain, have you made contact with the cruiser?" Luminara asked the Pilot.
"Yes, General we're patching through now." The Pilot said as a transmission came through.
"This is General Unduli requesting permission to dock." Luminara said.
"Yes General we await your arrival." A senate commando said.
"Senate commandos? How does Gunray rate all this security?" Ahsoka asked.
"It's more of a security increase incase the Guardians try to capture him. After all with all our losses as of late the Republic needs reassurance." Luminara said as they docked with the cruiser and handed Gunray over.
"Master I need to ask you something." Ahsoka said.
"Oh? And what about?" Luminara asked in curiosity.
"Sean Ashburn Kruger. Why does he hate us so much and what did he used to be like before he left?" Ahsoka said making Luminara look at her in surprise before a soft smile appeared on her face.
"Sean was...Special in many ways during his time as a Jedi. His sister seven years older then him said he had the greatest amount of potential in a Jedi since the days of Master Revan during the days of the old Republic. He admired his sister for her accomplishments. She wanted to change the code not just for the Jedi but for him so he would have a different future. But a month after he became a knight at the age of ten Krell killed her because of the Senate. After nothing was done to give her justice a crisis erupted within the order." Luminara said.
"What kind of Crisis?" Ahsoka asked.
"The Jedi were split in two. One side demanded Justice for Sarah's death and suggested Krell should be sentenced to death while the other half said to let the matter go and forget about her saying every Jedi passes away. I was on the side that wanted justice for Sarah. I was three years older than she was and knew her ideals would forever change the Jedi forever. To hear she would not be given justice for her murder was unthinkable. I was even more shocked that Master Windu did nothing since both she and Sean were his students." Luminara said.
"I guess that explains why he hates Master Windu so much more then the rest of us." Ahsoka said.
"He doesn't hate all of us. Just the ones who believed Krell was innocent and said his sister's death meant nothing. However enough was enough. Sean and half the order left the Jedi to start the Guardians. No one could have ever imagined they would forge a massive army of this size. Their countless victories should be no surprise since Sean is perhaps the greatest expert on warfare in the galaxy. Once Earth had learned about what happened they severed all ties with the Republic. And you can guess the rest." Luminara said.
"Do you think theres a chance we can get him to stop and help us against the Separatists?" Ahsoka asked.
"No, I don't. He'll only stop till there are no more Jedi till they are dead or joined him." Luminara said knowing how his mind worked.
Meanwhile
A separatists fleet far away from Gunray was floating through space. On the Flagship was Dooku talking to his master.
"Gunray's capture could prove a problem. The Viceroy will not last long under Jedi Interrogation and the Guardians might be planning to capture him." Sidious said to his apprentice.
"I have already put a plan into action my master. Ventress will either free Gunray or silence him." Dooku said.
"Ventress? You are putting a great deal of faith in an operative who has failed us in the past." Sidious said.
"She is a gifted assassin. She will complete her mission to the letter." Dooku said.
"Very well you may proceed." Sidious said as his transmission ended and Ventress walked in.
"You summoned me master?" Ventress asked.
"There is no room for error this time child. Prove you are worthy of being my apprentice." Dooku said.
"I am worthy as you shall see." Ventress said.
Meanwhile
The Guardians with their massive fleet of different ships including a fully repaired Malevolence were floating through a system waiting for orders. Sean of course was on his flag ship the Spirit of fire.
"So Nut Gunray has finally been captured eh?" Sean asked his council that mostly consisted of former Jedi and great warriors and soldiers.
"Indeed. This is an opportunity we cannot pass up." Tartarus said.
"With Gunray in our custody we could end the war against the Separatists much sooner. And if one of our targets is there all the better to send someone in." Kota said.
"Intel suggests that Master Luminara and Ahsoka are there interrogating the Viceroy. This could work to our advantage." Plo said.
"Luminara was one of the Jedi who knew Krell was guilty 15 years ago. But getting her to join us will not be easy." Aayla said.
"Indeed. Nevertheless we have to capture the Viceroy." Sean said.
Later
Luminara and Ahsoka were interrogating Gunray for any information but he just refused to give them anything out of fear.
"Ok I've had enough!" Ahsoka yelled before pointing her lightsaber at him. "Tell us everything you know right now!" Ahsoka yelled making him yelp and fall backwards before Luminara grabbed her.
"Ahsoka. Terror is not a tactic Jedi use." Luminara said strictly.
"I wasn't serious but the only way we're gonna get anything out of him is scared enough and time is running out. The Guardians are obviously planning a way to capture him." Ahsoka said before Gunray stood up.
"Perhaps I was to hasty. Let us negotiate." Gunray said more corporative before the Cruiser shook.
"General we're under attack by Separatists they brought boarding craft." A clone technician said before the boarding craft crashed right into the hanger letting out super battle droids.
"You stay here and keep Gunray secure. I will handle this." Luminara said making Ahsoak pout which she found rather amusing despite the situation.
"It appears you are in not position to negotiate after all, Padawan. Perhaps after my rescue..." Gunray tried to say.
"Rescue? Maybe they're here to make sure you won't talk." Ahsoka said with a smirk making him gulp since that was a high possibility.
In the hanger however a clone managed to survive the assault before out of one of the craft was Ventress who jumped down before the clone saw her and started blasting her.
"All unites theres a bald AHHH!" The clone yelled as Ventress cut his head clean off before taking his communicator.
However once she left through the vents a portal opened up and someone stepped through.
"Hmm. This is going to be easy." The person said.
After the droids were destroyed Ahsoka decided to tell Gunray to rub it in his face.
"Looks like you're so called Rescue failed." Ahsoka said making him sigh in defeat.
"I am ready to discuss our bargain again." Gunray said.
"Padawan Tano a word of you would?" Commander Argyus said.
"Certainly." Ahsoka said approaching him.
"The clones have destroyed the remaining droids." Argyus said.
"And their attempt to free Gunray has...Failed?" Ahsoka said before two red lightsabers cut through the vents on top before Ventress jumped down.
"If it isn't the hairless harpy." Ahsoka said activating her lightsaber. Ventress just smirked before attacking her.
"Skywalker isn't here to save you now." Ventress said.
"Good thing I don't need saving." Ahsoka said before Ventress used the force to deactivate the cell Gunray was in and force pushed Ahsoka in before he closed it making him laugh.
"Such delicious irony." Gunray said.
"Exuse me." A familiar voice said making them turn and widen their eyes seeing Sean with his Star saber out. "Ventress right? Would you do me a favor and hand him over. I won't kill you if you do." Sean said making her growl before charging at him in anger but Sean quickly and swiftly knocked out her lightsabers from her hands making her widen her eyes in shock.
"You have much to learn. Hand over the Viceroy and I might let you live." Sean said making her growl. However suddenly Luminara came from the elevator and widened her eyes seeing Sean and Ventress. She quickly charged in.
"Sean stand down now!" Luminara yelled making him turn and face her which gave Ventress a chance to use to force to get her lightsabers back before attacking him and Luminara used the force to free Ahsoka. Sean just chuckled before kicking Ventress into a wall before blocking Ahsoka's strikes with ease.
"Come now Ahsoka. Do you truly believe you can take me on? Master Plo believes you and your master will make fine additions to the Guardians." Sean said before he blocked her next strike.
"I will never abandon the Jedi!" Ahsoka yelled.
"Oh? Not even after the Truth was revealed about how they let my sister's killer walk free?" Sean asked making her freeze since that news still bothered her to learn another Jedi could kill someone who could have changed the order.
"I..." Ahsoka tried to say but Sean quickly turned to block Luminara's strikes.
"Sean do not make me do this." Luminara said before he kicked her back.
"Sorry Luminara but I came here for him." Sean said before Ventress pressed a button on her wrest and the ships engines blew up before she used this as an opportunity to leave but Sean quickly followed her.
Rushing to the elevator Luminara and Ahsoka saw him go down.
"What are we waiting for?" Ahsoka said about to go down but Luminara pulled her back just as the elevator came crashing down.
"Have patience Ahsoka. They're not going anywhere." Luminara said.
"She's crippled the entire ship." Argyus said.
"I will go after them myself." Luminara said.
"Master Ventress is one thing but he on the other hand killed a few Jedi already all of them were Jedi masters." Ahsoka said.
"I don't have much of a choice. If even one of them gets away they'll cause nothing but trouble." Luminara said before jumping down.
Sean was in the Engine room looking for Ventress when she suddenly jumped down and tried to strike him but he easily blocked her before kicking her back.
"Now you are on my list of people to kill since you cause nothing but trouble and kill innocent people." Sean said making her growl.
"After I kill you the Guardians will fall. Just like your sister." Ventress said making him narrow his eyes.
"That was a mistake." Sean said before charging at her with each strike getting stronger with each strike before Sean kicked her leg hard breaking it making her cry out before cutting it off making her scream in pain.
"AHHH!" Ventress yelled before Sean cut off her arms and other leg making her scream in pain and he grabbed her lightsabers.
"Not bad. Dooku always did have good taste in lightsabers." Sean said before pointing his blade at her neck. "And as for you witch. Have a nice trip in hell." Sean said before cutting her head off before grabbing it and placed it on his waist as a trophy.
Luminara walked in and saw Ventress's body and gasped.
"Oh my. What have you done?" Luminara asked as Sean jumped down in front of her.
"I did what was required." Sean said before she pointed her lightsaber at him.
"Sean surrender now. Don't make me kill you." Luminara said making him chuckle before he walked closer to her before her lightsaber was an inch away from penetrating his heart.
"Luminara if you truly wish to stop me then by all means thrust your sword into my heart. Go on do it. Kill me and anger the rest of the Guardians and make sure my kids grow up without a father." Sean said before he noticed her hands shaking. "Do it." Sean said as her body shook.
"Sean please." Luminara tried to say.
"DO IT!" Sean yelled before she deactivated her lightsaber and fell to her knees. "You can't do it because of my sister. And I have no interest to kill you or your Padawan." Sean said before turning to leave. "Be seeing you around." Sean said before he created a portal.
Sean appeared in the detention center before knocking out Ahsoka and the senate commandos before unlocking Gunray's cell making him whimper.
"No please don't!" Gunray yelled before Sean grabbed him and both appeared on the ship that brought Gunray in the first place.
"Now then. Time to head home." Sean said as Gunray was knocked out and cuffed before Sean entered hyperspace.
Later
"I don't know how Sean managed to get on the ship but whatever device he used has a limited range." Luminara said to Mace, Anakin and Yoda.
"I believe I recall Sean building a device that would be on his wrest before the incident. He must have completed it. The portal that brought him on board had a larger range while the device on his wrest is limited. Hence the reason he stole a shuttle to escape." Mace said.
"If he stole a shuttle then it can be tracked." Anakin said.
"Indeed it can. We may still have Gunray in our grasp." Mace said.
"Send Master Fisto we will yes." Yoda said before their transmission ended while Luminara sighed.
"Master? Are you ok?" Ahsoka asked in concern.
"I had a chance to end him but I couldn't do it. Sean was just...To important in my life to kill him." Luminara said.
"He could have killed you as well. Shows he won't kill every Jedi he sees." Ahsoka said.
"Yes indeed. I only hope there is still a chance he will stop this." Luminara said.
Meanwhile
Sean slammed the head of Ventress down on his desk.
"Thats one less problem we have to deal with." Sean said.
"Without Ventress the Separatists will be at a small disadvantage." Kota said.
"And Gunray?" Plo asked.
"On High Charity being interrogated for any and all valuable information. As for the shuttle well...I placed the tracking beacon in a place that will be found by the Jedi. They will be in for a rather unpleasant surprise." Sean said chuckling.
"What about Ahsoka and Luminara?" Plo asked.
"They are beginning to doubt the system of the Jedi and the Republic. It's only a matter of time. Soon the Republic and the Jedi will be no more and the Separatists will lose even with Grievous leading the Droid army." Sean said looking out the window seeing the clones from the medical station training with second and third Generation spartans.
Authors Note: Now where exactly will Master Fisto and his Padawan end up? Not with Grievous I assure you since thats to obvious. No someone who's strength rivals that of a spartan. HEHEHEHEHE! Anyway Next Chapter is the Lair. Oh and just to give you guys a heads up expect some real extreme death in this chapter. Read, Review, Fav and follow. REVIEW MY LOYAL FANS FOR THE NEXT ASWOME CHAPTER! See ya!