Price of a Galaxy (Final pt12)
What's a few lives compared to a million? Everything.
Steele stood with Lux and his fellow colleague, Saw Gerrera, in an open office in the capital palace of Onderon. Both Lux and Saw were typing furiously on a large tabular computer, getting down everything that Steele was telling them.
"…All started with an incident at Operation Ringo Vinda, where 501st clone trooper Tup shot Jedi Master Tiplar…"
Outside the capital palace, several ships were parked nearby. The entire place was heavily guarded and had minimal staff working. Only those whom Lux trusted most deeply were present, because currently, the palace was housing the surviving soldiers of the 304th, ex-Jedi Ahsoka Tano, and ex-Separatists of the CIS and their personnel.
Lux continued to type as Steele continued to explain everything he knew of Order 66 and more. He paced about.
"An investigation conducted by 501st ARC-Trooper Fives led to the discovery of the inhibitor chips, which is now confirmed to be related to the secret protocol."
"Can you explain again how the chips work exactly?" Saw asked Steele.
Lux notified his people of his and all his allies' arrival beforehand, and Saw Gerrera was quick in making preparations. The Onderonians received them all quickly and swiftly. They offered them hospitality, medical treatment, and a safe place to plan their next set of moves against their new common enemy: Chancellor Palpatine.
Steele was nearing the end of his detailed retelling of Order 66, the chips, and the potential fate of the Jedi. Lux and Saw had filled up their manuscript to the brim.
"All I can say is this," Steele faced the two Onderon men. "The Chancellor obviously wants the Jedi gone for good, it doesn't take a genius to figure that out. What I don't get is why. What has the Jedi done to him to warrant this level of hate? I just…I can't understand it."
Saw saves the documents he and Lux made and turned off the computer set. He answered, "The galaxy is filled with all types of people. Some are good, some bad, and some just downright crazy."
"Palpatine's not crazy," Lux corrected. "He's scary intelligent, that's what he is. And in order to compete with him, we need to step up our game."
"We're already doing so," said Steele.
~ O O O ~
The majority of the allies were gathered in the great hall of the palace. They surrounded Dr. Elav, who was standing amidst a makeshift surgical station, demonstrating the chip-removal procedure on the still-affected Coal. Everyone was watching intently. A holorecorder hovered above them, recording the entire operation from start to finish. The rest of Coal's group was being taken care of by Dr. Elav's research team, who were removing their chips one by one.
Dr. Elav neared the most epitomic part of the operation. "Now watch closely everyone, this is how you remove a clone's inhibitor chip!"
Smooth as ice, Dr. Elav inserted the extractor into Coal's head through an incision, right where the location of the chip was. Moments later, he took out the extractor and the tiny chip was seen right within the suction tip. Everyone clapped as he sighed in relief. It was the first time he did this without the pressure of pleasing Trench or Dooku.
"There," Dr. Elav announced. "Controlled no more."
"Told y'all he was a genius," said Kal to his surrounding comrades. He was currently wheelchair-bound and lost the use of both his legs. But at least he was alive.
Dr. Elav cleaned up the station and Coal was wheeled away to a recovery room, finally free of the protocol that was taking over his mind for so long. Steele came out of the office he was in with Lux and Saw. From where he stood, he could see the demonstration from a distance.
"Now, who'd like to go first?" Dr. Elav turned to the lot of everyone. "The purpose of this demonstration is to teach you the procedure of removing a clone's chip. So that when time comes, you can free another soldier from the Chancellor's grand scheme of things."
The entire hall became a little grey. Though everyone agreed with what Dr. Elav said, attempting any sort of brain operation for the first time was intimidating. But eventually, Ahsoka stood up.
"I'll go," she said.
Dr. Elav praised her as she walked over. "Excellent." He returned his focus to the lot. "And the subject?"
This time, the clones became twice as weary. But Egad decided to take one for the team. "Fine. I'll do it." He walked over to the surgical station. "Try not to scramble my brain, kid."
"Gee, I wasn't nervous before but now?" Ahsoka made a face.
A couple of assisting Onderonion physicians prepared Egad for being operated on while Dr. Elav prepared Ahsoka. He whistled over an R7-series astromech. The little droid wheeled itself to them.
"Since this is your first attempt," Dr. Elav patted the R7 droid on its head. "R7-M1 will aid you in performing the procedure."
Ahsoka looked at the droid in awe. "I didn't know astromechs can do medical procedures."
"They don't actually," Dr. Elav corrected. "But ever since the galaxy fell into war, they've kinda became a jack-of-a-trades kind of droid. These guys are equipped with a good range of substitute equipments and sterilizers for emergency treatment. As well as an insane amount of memory for learning new procedures and picking up skills quickly."
"I feel more confident already," Ahsoka patted R7 on the head.
"You'll still need to do the scanning and locating of the inhibitor chip yourself though," Dr. Elav revealed. "There's no way around that step."
"Isn't that the hardest part of the operation?" Ahsoka asked.
"Yes," said Dr. Elav. He handed her a pair of gloves.
~ O O O ~
Egad was laid down on the operating table and ready to go down under. Dr. Elav prepared more necessary instruments and double-checked R7's performance level before assisting Ahsoka to man the station.
Steele began watching more intently from where he stood across the great hall, and Lux and Saw were about come out to join him. They've finished preparing the manuscripts for sending out.
Dr. Elav guided Ahsoka's hand. "Alright…let's walk through step one."
They prepared the sedative. Suddenly, several Onderon palace guards barged into the the vicinity. The guard at the front had on a terrified face.
"CHANCELLOR PALPATINE AND AN ENVOY OF KAMINOANS JUST ARRIVED!" He shouted.
Steele reacted almost instantaneously. The whole place became high-time alert. Everyone rushed to arm themselves and rolled the medical equipment away. Back in the office, Lux and made sure the communications system was working and Steele had him and Saw prepare the manuscripts to be sent to the Jedi at moment's notice. The entire palace prepared to 'welcome' their not-so-honoured guest.
They held Palpatine and his entourage at blasterpoint, the moment they entered.
"That's far enough!" Steele bellowed.
"Now now, everyone, there's no need for such violence." Palpatine was expectedly calm despite all the hostilities aiming at him.
"GET OUT. GET OUT RIGHT NOW," Steele demanded.
"Easy there, commander. I'm not here to kill you," said Palpatine. But Steele wasn't having any of it. "I've only come to bargain. That is all."
"As if we'd believe that!" Ahsoka spat.
"Well you should." Palpatine's eyes flashed for a second and it became clear to everyone, that this man meant business. "I've underestimated you, commander, and as it stands right now, neither of us are at an advantage and both of us hold rather valuable leverage against each other."
"What leverage?" Steele glared.
Palpatine stood up straight. His plan was improvisatory until he arrived here. And now, he knew exactly what to do. "You and several of the people here hold knowledge of Order 66: which is leverage against me. And I…" he gestured to Nala Se and a few others behind him, "…and the Kaminoans hold the power to heal someone very precious to you from the brink of death. Leverage against you."
There was not a sound made in the room. Everyone's memories went back to a few days ago, when Aliyah was flown in here near lifeless and immediately hooked up to life support. She was still alive, but only by a thread. How in the galaxy did Palpatine know of her state?
Steele showed no reaction whatsoever. He shook his head. "No bargain."
"Now that's a real shame…if you were the one I was bargaining with," Palpatine revealed.
"What?"
"You've already proven to me that despite what your so-called 'love' towards Korentayer, you're willing to choose duty first if presented with drastic situations such as this." Palpatine grumbled in frustration. "If only Krell had taken more than just your sight at the beginning of the war, we wouldn't have to deal with this today."
The entire hall erupted when Palpatine said that.
"How dare you!" Ahsoka shouted
"You're unbelievable!" Dogma threw.
Even Lux could not contain his shock. "You know, for a man who's supposed to represent the people, you're really heartless!"
"I'd like to think I have some heart," Palpatine answered calmly once the shouting quieted down. "After all, I'm here to negotiated for a better solution with you people." He addressed the ex-Separatists and their personnel, Ahsoka, and the rest of the 304th soldiers. "My bargain is with the lot of you. Not Commander Steele, so I ask you, commander. To please leave us."
Steele looked around the room. He assessed the situation. What Palpatine said about neither of them holding the advantage was true. Palpatine couldn't harm them right here, right now. And they couldn't harm him. But still, they had a little more leverage than he did.
"Senator!" Steele shouted. "Pass me the controller!"
Lux threw over the communication computer's remote to Steele. He caught it with ease. "Any funny business and I'm sending everything we know to the Jedi."
"No funny business. You have my word," Palpatine promised.
Glancing at his legion and allies one more time, Steele left the great hall. He disappeared out the door.
Palpatine ordered Nala Se and a few other Kaminoans to follow him before turning his attention to the remaining people.
"Now. Let's talk."
~ O O O ~
"Don't think for a second of trying to con us," Dogma threatened.
"I wouldn't dare," Palpatine assured. "I'm not at the advantage here so it'd be unwise for me. Now, would you all please put your weapons down, it would be a lot easier to talk if we act like civil people."
Slowly and wearily, everyone in the hall lowered their weapons, putting them on the floor but just within reach in case Palpatine tried anything. They all continued giving him icy stares.
But Palpatine was used to that. "Good." He cleared his throat. "Now before I present my proposal, I'm going to let you all know I have no intention of breaking my word. Your commander's already taken half of my cards so we're at a draw here. What I'm asking from you is simple. I want from all to remain absolutely silent on this matter, no more no less."
Everyone refrained from rolling their eyes. They knew Palpatine was going to want this.
"Ex-members of the Separatist Alliance," Palpatine addressed the ex-Separatists first. "Keep these facts to yourselves and I'll make sure Dooku does not hunt you down. You know as well as I what he does to traitors."
Kron Kushi and his fellow Senators all squeeze their fists tightly. They knew that it wouldn't be just them whom Dooku would target, it'd be their loved ones too.
Palpatine turned his attention to Ahsoka. "As for you, Ahsoka Tano…I'm afraid that due to your once closeness to the Jedi, especially Anakin Skywalker, I'll need to have your mind selectively erased."
"What!?" Ahsoka exclaimed.
"So to prevent accidental leakage of Order 66." Palpatine glowered at former Jedi Padawan. "I know it was you who brought the ex-Separatists to these clones, and because of that, I'm assuming you somehow got in contact with one of the Jedi Order one way or another. I don't trust your silence on this topic."
"Don't do it, Ahsoka!" A voice rang out, it was Dogma. "Seriously, you saw what Coal and his group did to General Korentayer! You're only endangering yourself if you forget everything about Order 66!"
"I'm not finished yet!" Palpatine snapped. He finally turned his attention to the clone soldiers. "And now onto you lot, the most bothersome legion in all the army…I can't have you killed or your minds wiped without triggering another private investigation done by a curious group of clones. So I'm going to have to rely on your word of secrecy. You will not reveal any hints or implications of Order 66 to anyone—ESPECIALLY, to the Jedi."
The 304th clones said nothing. They were not in the mood for promising anything to this man. Palpatine thought as much. But he also knew that out of everyone in the galaxy, the ones these soldiers cared for most, were their two main leading figures.
Palpatine addressed the entire hall. "Agree to all of these terms, and I'll have the Kaminoans properly treat Aliyah Korentayer, as well as once Order 66 rolls around, I won't issue the protocol to any of you. You'll all be free to do as you like during that time. And you won't be subject for elimination either."
Murmurs and small-talk filled the room. But many of them were still skeptical of Palpatine's so-called promises.
"Well? Do you all comply?" Palpatine asked.
"We're gonna need some time, in private, to think this over," Dogma answered.
"Of course, of course," Palpatine stepped back. "Go right ahead."
The allies cleared the hall.
~ O O O ~
Lux took everyone to another large meeting space on the upper levels of the palace. There, they all began discussing a mile a minute over what to do.
"This is ludicrous!" Saw shouted.
"Are we really gonna believe what he says?" Egad added.
"I can see how that man even got elected in the first place," Kron Kushi sighed. "This is corruption at its finest…"
Lux agreed. He put his hand down on the table. "If what Palpatine says is true, and Commander Steele's really got him in stalemate, then we have guarantee he won't back out on his word. He'll keep his end of the bargain, as long as we keep ours."
Senator Kushi rubbed the back of his head. "This man is making more enemies than allies as the war progresses. And sooner or later, those enemies will overpower him. He's going to get his due come eventually."
"I agree," said Ahsoka. "Which is why I'm gonna go forward with the mind-wipe."
"What!?" Vito exclaimed.
"Ahsoka, no!" Kal warned.
Dogma turned her around to face him. "You realize if you lose your memories, you'll only set yourself as target for elimination by the time Order 66 rolls around."
"I came here to help out Aliyah as an old friend," Ahsoka pressed. "I'm not about to let her die. And besides, I trust that I'll know enough subconsciously, to keep both myself, and those I care for from being hurt by the Order."
Reluctantly, Dogma and the rest of the protesting clone soldiers stop trying to persuade Ahsoka otherwise. For Palpatine to agree to heal Aliyah, they'd all need to comply.
Kron Kushi and the ex-Separatists looked at each other. They came to an agreement as well. "We're willing to comply with the proposal to remain silent," said Kushi.
That just left the 304th. The clones were silent for a long time. Thinking long and deliberate. Steele was not here. He was not allowed to be here because Palpatine knew he wouldn't agree to the terms. So why should they? Oh right.
"The commander chose to save me first back on the Moon," Kal began speaking slowly, "He chose me…because he didn't want to bear the guilt of dooming us all when you return without me. He wasn't ready to let General Korentayer go. Nor will he ever be. And now we have the chance to give them the happiness they both deserve."
The soldiers slowly nodded. They owed much to both Steele and Aliyah. It was about time to return the favour.
"Chancellor Palpatine said he won't issue us Order 66 once the time comes for him to release it," Dogma added. "But it doesn't matter. As we should have removed each other's chips long before that happens, thanks to Dr. Elav being on our side now."
Dr. Elav at long last, made a small smile. It felt nice, finally being able to truly help others instead of harming them.
"But more than that!" Dogma got everyone's attention. "We hold the advantage over Palpatine right now: we know Order 66, which is the most dangerous piece of blackmail he's ever had to face, probably." Everyone opened their ears. "As long as we hold this knowledge against him, we can do what we need to prepare, for when Order 66 is finally executed."
Saw was finally beginning to see the picture Dogma was painting. He nodded enthusiastically. Everyone soon followed suit. They agree with what Dogma was saying, or at least implying. They have the advantage. They can still make a difference, even if they comply.
~ O O O ~
Palpatine waited impatiently for the clones and everyone else to return. Lama Su commended him for the way he handled the situation.
"I must say, when you told me your plan was improvisatory, I didn't think it'd work at all," Lama Su confessed.
Palpatine paid him little mind. "It was improvisatory until I knew that Korentayer was still alive. From there on out, it was all part of a pre-existing plan."
"How did you know she was still alive? Lama Su asked.
Palpatine smirked. "I sensed it."
The doors that led to the floor upstairs opened and the entire group of allies re-entered the great hall. Palpatine welcomed them back courteously.
Dogma stood at the forefront. "We comply."
Palpatine smiled. "Good. Very good."
~ O O O ~
Elsewhere in the palace medical bay, Steele sat next to the heavily bandaged Aliyah. He held onto her gauze-covered hand, wishing that Nala Se and her fellow colleagues would just leave. Suddenly, the gauze-covered hand squeezed him back. And he felt his pulse spike enormously.
~ O O O ~
"What have you said to Anakin this time?" Obi-Wan asked Mace Windu. He heard about the minor spat from a few days ago.
"Nothing improper, he insisted we send reinforcements to the Raxus Moon and I said no," Mace said simply. "He insisted that Aliyah and her men needed assistance."
Obi-Wan nodded. He too, had visited Plo Koon just days ago, after Anakin's visit. Plo did mention that he felt a mild disturbance in the Force, so Anakin wasn't exaggerating there.
"Perhaps Aliyah really does need assistance," Obi-Wan suggested.
"Well, we can't send forces to Raxus, that's a given," Mace answered.
"No, we can't," Obi-Wan agreed. "But we should reinstate her despite the results of the rescue. And we should investigate the 304th a little more, instead of just allowing the Chancellor to do what he pleases on baseless accusations. We were too hasty in our judgement of them last time."
Mace thought long and hard. "I agree."
The two Jedi Masters stand about the outside of the Temple, enjoying the fresh air. Then suddenly, they saw an incoming transport carrying an entourage of Senate Guards approach the Temple gates. The two immediately go down to see what was going on this time.
The transport opened, and the Senate Guards took out someone very familiar.
"Master Plo!" Mace cried. He and Obi-Wan rushed up to greet their friend and colleague.
Plo's handcuffs were removed and he was looking healthier than expected. He warmly greeted the two Jedi Masters. "Master Windu, Master Kenobi. It's good to see you again."
"You're released?" Obi-Wan was ecstatic.
"Yes," Plo nodded. "Aliyah and her men did it. They rescued Kal from Trench." He gave them a strong look. "I knew they could do it."
More Jedi, including Council Members, came out of the Temple. All of them were shocked and joyous over the release of one of their most beloved Masters.
"Master Plo!" Anakin embraced openly.
"You're finally out again," Kit Fisto regarded.
"Welcome back, Master," Shaak Ti said warmly.
"Good to see you again, it is," Yoda walked up to Plo, who nodded in agreement.
"It's good to be back."
Eventually, Wolffe received word of this and he and several soldiers of the 104th rushed over to the Temple. They nearly knocked Plo off his feet.
"GENERAL!"
Plo returned their enthusiastic embrace. "Haha. Easy there, everyone. I'm not going anywhere anymore. It's alright now."
Then the sound of an incoming ship came over their heads. Everyone looked up to see a Republic-issue transporter going towards the Senate hangar. Immediately, they all left to welcome back Aliyah and the 304th from their long rescue mission, not knowing what to expect once they reach there.
Next time on The Clone's Hero, tangled in with the fate of the galaxy, the 304th does what they can given their power and their situation. Because even if they can't save everyone from their fates, they can at least ensure they'll avenge them…
A/N. Alright. Next chapter will the last and the most likely the longest of all chapters. I'm not sure it'll be out on time to be honest, I've been exceptionally busy lately, but I will make damn sure I'll my hardest.
Thank you all for reading this far. I really can't show my love and appreciation enough. No, seriously, thank you all.
Until the next time we meet ~MiraLake