Clone Effect - Hail Mary

Disclaimer: I do not own either Star Wars or Mass Effect. They're just two of my favorite franchises and I wanted to play in the sandbox.

The door to her quarters slid shut with several minutes to spare before the ever punctual Taun We was set to arrive. Shepard ripped off her helmet and quickly checked her quarters to make sure the few personal effects she brought were on her person. If there was one thing life had taught her, it was to keep what mattered in her pockets at all times. Purely out of habit, she checked her terminal as she did upon waking every morning in the hope of receiving a message from Rex. As it was every other time, his name was absent from her inbox. Chewing the inside of her cheek, she sent him one last message.

Rex - I don't know what the future will hold, but above all else, know that I love you. I hope this war will be over soon so we can have the future we talked about, if you still want it with me. I miss you. I love you. I'm sorry. - JS

She hesitated even sending it, knowing full well the message would likely be received by Chancellor Palpatine himself rather than Rex but if the worst should happen, she wanted to have at least made one last attempt to reach him. As she closed down her terminal, there was a knock at her door. Knowing who it was, Shepard tucked her helmet under her arm, calmed her nerves with a deep breath, and focused her mind. Just as when she faced off against Saren, The Collectors and The Reapers, she set her game face for the final push. It was all or nothing from then on in.

Several hours later, as Sigma squad was in the middle of their final test, the signal came in. As Shepard looked out over the simulator, as the five man team fought off waves of battle droids, her Omni-Tool flashed once.

She feigned confusion under Grin's curious gaze, treating the incident as a malfunction. Returning her attention to the arena, she watched the group complete their objective within their allotted time. With nods of approval, she turned to her counterpart.

"Another squad for the field," she commented with a wince and squinted eyes.

"Are you okay, Captain?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, my amp seems to be giving me some trouble. I think I'm getting a migraine. Would you mind if I returned to my quarters for a bit?"

"Certainly, I'm sure the next team will do fine. Do you need to go to the medbay?"

"No, just some time in the dark. I'll be back in a couple hours."

With a nod, she exited the observation deck and turned right. She walked close to the wall on her right side, keeping a steady pace. As she approached the range of the security cameras, the indicator briefly flicked from green to red, as they had the night before. Kina Ha was doing her part to ensure their tracks were covered for as long as she could. Rounding the corner, she saw Lama Su emerge from his office with a holopad in hand, walking away from her toward the growth labs at the other end of the facility where he had falsely been summoned.

Once he was out of sight, she strode to the door and paused at the control panel. As inconspicuously as she could, she activated her Omni-Tool and hacked the lock. The door slid open with a swish to an unassuming room with the same white aesthetic as the rest of the facility. Upon entering, the lights came up and the door closed. At the end of the room was a stark desk with sloping edges, two pedestal seats on one side and a teardrop shaped chair at the other, which was suspended from the ceiling. Atop the desk was the terminal she needed.

With no time to waste, she used her Omni-Tool once more to gain access. The moment she was in, she started a timer. She wouldn't have long to work before her presence was going to be flagged. Fortunately, the Prime Minister kept his terminal neatly organized and she quickly found the cloning files for the Grand Army of the Republic. After searching through a number of documents and images of generic maps without success, she found a search function and tried several keywords: Order 66, Contingency Orders, Training Orders. None yielded a hit.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she tried a different approach. The cloning process began some 13 years prior. Reordering the files chronologically, she began searching through the older documents, finding the name Master Sifo-Diays mentioned numerous times before abruptly changing to Lord Tyrannus without mention as to why. Although a curious development, she continued after glancing at her chrono. She was running out of time. Lama Su would have likely reached the labs and realized his presence wasn't needed after all.

Just when it seemed as though her endeavor was a failure she found an inconspicuous memo addressed to Nala Se, dated for the early stages of the program. On the surface it was an inconsequential addition to the programming process, however seeing the words Inhibitor Chip made Shepard realize she was close.

Memorandum

RE: Inhibitor Chip Programming - Update

Prior chip programming superseded. Final protocol instructions are as follows:

"In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Commander (Chancellor), GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Commander (Chancellor) until a new command structure is established."

INSTRUCTIONS: Immediately execute reprogramming.

Although she'd had her suspicions for months, crossing the bridge from theory to fact made her blood run cold and boil at the same time. She was face to face with the information that got Fives killed, the reason Tup murdered a Jedi. The order which stood to topple the entirety of the Republic felt so close to her finger tips, though her ultimate goal of stopping it was still so far out of reach. Those fifty words were the crux of the Supreme Chancellor's plan and she couldn't help but wonder why he had not yet used them. What event could he be waiting for? Grabbing a data tape from her belt, she inserted it into the drive and downloaded the information.

Once the transfer was complete, she grabbed the data tape and returned to the door. Sliding it open manually, she peered down the hall to make sure the coast was clear and entered the corridor as though nothing were a miss. Although her heart raced in her chest, she kept her breaths and strides even as she navigated the opaque, rounded hallways toward the hangar where Kina Ha was waiting. Troopers and Kaminoans alike passed her without acknowledgement, though. It all began to feel too easy. As the doors to the hangar opened, she saw her ship waiting beyond the overhang with the ramp down.

"I'm at a station to your left," Kina Ha whispered over her internal comm once she was within range. "Continue to your ship and I'll be right behind you."

Her target was within striking distance. The sight of her ship, her home away from home, was a welcomed one. It was difficult to maintain a steady, unassuming pace as her heart raced in her chest. On the periphery she saw the movement of her ally from behind several crates, preparing to make an inconspicuous departure. She was so close to her end goal, she could nearly feel it tingling in her fingertips, just a dozen yards away.

"Captain Shepard," Taun We called from behind.

She ignored the summons, continuing without breaking her stride. Over her shoulder, her name was repeated with increasing urgency until she couldn't ignore it any longer. Stopping her in her tracks near a cluster of crates, she turned and leaned against the crate with a straightened arm, depositing the palmed data tape as she did so.

"Yes, what is it?" she didn't hide the annoyance in her voice.

"Your presence is required. Please follow me."

"Why?"

"You have received an urgent message from Coruscant."

"It's a trap," she murmured over the comm. "Don't go with her."

It was a fact she recognized immediately as well. She'd been in the dark for three months and only when she stood to finally throw light onto the Chancellor's plan did she receive a call. Her eyes flicked to Kina Ha, who stood inconspicuously at a terminal stand, watching the interaction closely. Tapping her fingers against the data tape, she paused a moment, quickly running through the possible outcomes if she refused and left anyway. With the guards posted around the hangar, as well as the fleet patrolling the sector, the odds were stacked against her.

"I'll meet you in the comm room," Shepard tried to divert with persuasion.

"I have been instructed to collect you, Captain," the patient politeness of her voice, and beckoning gesture of her hand toward the door left no room for civil protest.

"Very well. Lead the way," her hand left the crate and likewise gestured to the door, having left the data tape behind.

Rather than cause a scene, and potentially undermine the ultimate goal, she acquiesced. Under the circumstances, it seemed the only real option. As she departed the hangar a pace behind her handler, Shepard chanced a glance over her shoulder. Her ally had collected the data tape and was boarding her ship. The thought crossed her mind that she may have just been played, but at that junction it didn't really matter. What was done, was done and it was out of her hands.

It came as no surprise, when she was led to the Prime Minister's office rather than the comm room. In actuality, she expected to be led directly to the brig, though she knew better than to even entertain the idea that she had gotten away with her crime. The door swished open and, unsurprisingly, Lama Su was sitting at his desk. His long fingers were folded neatly, and shoulders relaxed. It was only the slight narrowing of his eyes and tightness around his mouth that gave away his internal state. Tuan We gestured for her to sit and promptly left the room once receiving a dismissive wave from her superior.

Shepard remained standing, despite his motion for her to sit. She had played the game long enough and was done. "I was told I have a message from Coruscant."

"Indeed you do, Captain Shepard," there was an almost mocking playfulness in his tone. "I had made contact with the Supreme Chancellor regarding your theft of proprietary information vital to the Grand Army's cloning process, unfortunately it seems our call was interrupted by the Separatist invasion of Coruscant."

Her gut twisted at the amount of information in his statement. Coruscant was under attack? If Palpatine was behind the war, why would he want the capital attacked? Strategically, it didn't make sense to her, what could he stand to gain? As questions raced through her mind, the Prime Minister seized her attention with an accusation.

"Where is the information you stole, Captain?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she replied, feigning a measure of disinterest. "I'd like to speak with Master Nema."

"She is presently…indisposed in the medical bay," his right eye twitched slightly, "As entertaining as your presence has been in our facility, I no longer have an interest in your game. You will be detained until such time that the Supreme Chancellor can make a decision of your fate."

A final wave of his large hand prompted the opening of the door. The firm hand of Sergeant Grin took hold of her upper arm and removed her sidearm before pulling her from the room. A pair of guards walked behind them as a precaution. Walking in silence, Shepard made a mental map of the path she was taking, piecing it together with her walk from the hangar. She had no intention of remaining on Kamino.

"Grin, please listen to me," she whispered. "You have to let me go, I can stop what's about to happen to you and your brothers."

He gave no reply, but she saw his helmeted face drop slightly before straightening again and keying open the door to the brig, "I can't help you, Shepard. I want to believe you but…"

A tired sigh escaped her lips, "I understand."

She couldn't fault him for his confliction, though she had hoped for a different outcome. In her time on Kamino, they had become friends, often taking meals together and commiserating about the war. His company was easy to keep, even comforting as she ran blindly without the anchoring, centering presence of Rex in her life. But, with all she had learned about the training and conditioning of the clone army, she knew that deep down they were loyal to one another and their chain of command above all else.

"I am to relieve you of your gear, Captain," Grin stated.

Reluctantly, she doffed her kit, being left in her compression suit. Although it was insulated, a cold chill settled into her bones as she was ushered into a large cell and the barrier activated via a toggle on the pedestal at the middle of the room. Her kit was placed into a crate and stored on a bench at the far side of the room. Unbeknownst to them, she retained her Omni-Tool, thanks to her request to have the device implanted during her brief return home.

Before he left, Grin turned and offered a singular condolence to her situation, "I will make sure General Nema is aware of this. Perhaps she can speak to the Jedi Council."

Shepard nodded in thanks and settled into her cell. With nothing but time once more, she laid on the bench and laced her fingers behind her head. She hummed to herself quietly, the song being one that helped her maintain control over her spinning thoughts as they threatened to run off with all rationality. Reminding herself the trip from Kamino to Coruscant would take more than a cycle, she needed to settle her nerves, if she was going to stay in control.

Her lips moved faintly as she began to mutter to herself, "I am the very model of a scientist Salarian…"

The sound of her name spoken in a gentle voice woke her from her slumber. Opening her eyes, Shepard was momentarily confused by her surroundings. She had been in the cell for just over nearly two cycles, discreetly checking the local time on her OT when the guards weren't looking. By her estimation, Kina Ha and Vod should have made it to Coruscant and hopefully been able to reach General Windu. Sitting up, she removed the sleep from her eyes and approached the barrier to speak with General Nema as Grin stood by the pedestal.

"I spoke with the Jedi Council this morning regarding your detainment," she informed. "A secure transmission was received from Salecumai. You have been requested to give a formal statement regarding your actions."

Grin dropped the barrier and opened the crate of her gear, which she promptly began donning.

"What's happening with the invasion?" She was desperate for an update.

"Master Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker rescued the Supreme Chancellor. Count Dooku has been killed. At present, Master Kenobi is pursuing General Grievous on Utapau."

As she donned her armor, she put the pieces together. Kina Ha and Vod were closer than expected. It seemed, under the circumstances they may return for her. The sudden, bold action of staging an invasion of the Republic capital was a telling move. She knew in her gut it wouldn't be long. Master Nema continued to relay Winud's message as they walked through the facility with Grin following behind.

"Has the Council made a decision?"

"The situation will be handled appropriately soon. Your ship should be arriving shortly to take you back to Coruscant. You are to report to the Jedi Temple to give a statement."

"The Prime Minister won't like this," she replied with a sidelong glance.

"I will handle the Prime Minister's protests," Master Nema assured. "After you have departed."

Shepard took a relieved breath as they passed the mess hall where thousands of cadets and troopers were taking their evening meal. Knowing that the plot against the Jedi and the Republic had been revealed and prevented gave her a measure of vindication for Fives' death. Painful as his loss was, it wasn't without purpose and served as a catalyst in the end. His sacrifice wouldn't be forgotten.

Master Nema stopped abruptly, sensing something was amiss. The flicker of her Omni-Tool pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced down, expecting it to be Vod or Kina Ha making contact that they had arrived. Instead, her tool was pulsing red. Shepard's blood ran cold. From behind she heard the distinct ziiiip of a charging blaster. They turned to see Grin with his weapon drawn on Master Nema.

"Sargeant, what are you-"

Without a word, he opened fire before the Jedi could draw her saber as Shepard launched the countermeasure from her Omni-Tool. Master Nema fell and lay motionless, her trusted weapon bouncing out of her limp hand. Grin staggered back and shook head, as though trying to clear the fog consuming his judgment. He trained his weapon on her despite the biotic field forming around her body. After the program cooled down, she launched the countermeasure a second time, which dropped him to a knee.

Behind her, the thundering of running boots echoed down the hallways as more troopers ran to their location. Shepard slammed her helmet on and drew her pistol as a squad rounded the corner. She didn't want to kill them, knowing they weren't acting of their own free will. Her hesitation was clear as Grin's blaster slid across the floor to her feet.

"Run," he grunted, holding his head through his bucket, struggling against the active chip. "We have orders to kill you."

Picking it up, seeing it was already set to stun, she launched a biotic throw to knock the troopers back before she ran the opposite direction. As she fled, she tapped into their comms to track their position in relation to hers. She was cut off from the main hangar, which was being locked down anyway. Ducking into a storage room, she caught her breath and pulled up her map of the facility on her OT. Based on the information she had at hand, there was a small, exterior landing pad at the far end of the adjacent building. As she deliberated her chances of finding a ship, her comm crackled in her ear and Kina Ha's voice was a welcomed sound.

"Captain Shepard, do you copy?" The tension was palpable. "Are you alright?"

"I'm copy, I'm alright. Order 66 is active, Master Nema is dead. I need an evac. Where are you?" She kept her voice low as she heard footfalls pass outside the door.

"We're within fifteen minutes of Tipoca City."

"There's a landing pad at the south entrance of building seven. I'll meet you there."

"Roger that, Captain. See you there."

Closing her comm, she took a deep breath and gripped the blaster before sliding the door open. The corridor was empty, though she knew that wouldn't last. Seizing the opportunity, she activated her tactical cloak and sprinted down the hallway. She charged through the junction and made it to the exterior door before her cloak dropped. Much to her chagrin, the doors were sealed, not that it surprised her much. Her Omni-Tool made quick work of the lock, though she knew the breach would cause an alert.

Wasting no time, she ran into the surging storm and was nearly knocked off her feet by the gale force winds and ocean spray. The sheer onslaught of natural forces overwhelmed her shields, which crackled and failed under the bombardment of sea water. Trudging forward as fast as she could, Shepard tucked her head low, tasting the salt through her clogged filters. A large tidal wave broke against the stilling pillars and crashed into her as she worked to open the lock on the other side of the bridge.

On the periphery, she could hear shouts over the tapped comm, but the howling wind and relentless ocean drowned out all clear sound. Blaster bolts shot over her shoulder, making her flinch and duck as the shots left carbon scoring on the building. Looking back, she saw a squad running forward with blasters blazing. Without hesitation, she used a shockwave to destabilize their footing. Several unfortunate souls fell over the side of the rail-less bridge to their untimely deaths. As soon as the door slid open, she bolted through without stopping to make sure it closed behind her. Ultimately it likely wouldn't matter.

Activating her cloak again, she sprinted forward, lungs burning and legs pumping. She was in a race against time. It was hardly the first time she had been in such dire circumstances, that her life hung by a hair's breadth. Her actions came without conscious thought as she ducked into an entry way and quickly fired stun rounds at the approaching troopers to stop their advance. It couldn't escape her attention that their aim was markedly worse having seen their honed, trained expertise first hand. Rather than landing precise shots, their more erratic pattern of suppressing fire was a stark contrast to their prior training. Perhaps the inhibitor chips dulled their skills while seizing their capacity for independent thought.

As she ran through the rounded, white corridors, she saw the landing platform through the windows. Her destination was close. Over her comm, she received confirmation from Vod that they were on approach, only to have her escape threatened by a squad which rallied to the landing platform to stop her departure. Taking down trooper after trooper with stun shots, she came to the near exit to the arching walkway and spotted a cluster of troopers near the platform, poised and ready to fend off anyone who approached. Undeterred, she charged forward, blaster and biotics blazing.

Over her right shoulder, she saw her ship approach and Kina Ha leap into the fray, saber ignited and poised to aid in her escape. The troopers quickly rallied and reformed their ranks as an additional squad appeared from the far exit to bolster their position. Although the Jedi defended her ship well, deflecting the blaster bolts into the air or sea rather than directly back at the troopers themselves, she was overwhelmed. Shepard fired stun shots as quickly and as she could, but the poor accuracy of the weapon left her with little option but to switch to her pistol as shots failed to meet their target in extreme conditions of survival.

The Kaminoan Jedi was struck and fell to a knee, despite her efforts to hold her position without causing loss of life. No sooner had she faltered than the troopers seized the opportunity and completed their objective by opening fire on Kina Ha until she fell. With a primal battle cry, Shepard surged ahead and used a biotic throw, sending the men she once revered hurtling to their demise in the churning seas below. Her rage and pain at her efforts being for naught overrode the knowledge that the troopers were not acting of their own volition. With the platform cleared, she raced to her fallen ally, desperate that she might still be alive, but was met with disappointment.

"Captain!" A voice rang through the torrent.

Shepard turned and, through the sheeting rain, saw the pauldroned silhouette of Grin approaching with a blaster held high. Her visor fogged momentarily as she huffed a hopeless breath, unsure if the man before her was of his own mind or not. Tempting fate, she moved to raise her weapon, but was met with the flash of a warning shot nearly grazing her helmet.

"On your knees, Shepard," he demanded. "Drop the blaster."

Complying, if reluctantly, she released her grip on the weapon and it clattered to the deck. It was hard to fight the defeated wave of exhaustion that lapped at her limbs, but she held her stance against him. Holding her hands in plain view, she pressed her luck with persuasion.

"This isn't you, Grin," she shouted back through the distortion of her helmet, before ripping it off in an effort to truly reach him, the man beneath the programming. "You don't want to do this."

His brows pinched in the middle, the conflict was clearly still raging within, "I have to...My orders…."

"You're more than your orders!" She asserted in reply. "This is a chip in your head, not YOU!"

He edged closer, though the aiming of his blaster was wavering. Shepard wasn't sure if the countermeasure had worked or not, but her Omni-Tool wasn't flashing in alarm, so perhaps it was. Even in the darkness of the stormy, God forsaken night on Kamino, she could see the conflict brewing in his body language . Pain was mixed with regret and determination as his grip firmed on the blaster, despite his dipping shoulders. Whatever he was battling internally, he was at a stalemate.

"Drop the blaster, Grin. I can help you!" She made one last attempt to reach him.

His comm illuminated, and he spoke into it, though she couldn't make out the words. When the transmission ended, he bolstered his aim and voice.

"On. Your. Knees," he repeated.

Shepard breathed his name, without compliance. In a flash she was on her back, visor cracked and ears ringing, raindrops distorting her vision. From her vulnerable position, she felt the approach of her once friend. He stood over her, blaster raised. She stared down the hollow barrel, waiting for a final shot, the last flash before finally greeting death, the old friend who long trailed in her shadow. Tasting the bitter twinge of blood on her tongue and slipping down her throat, her breaths were frantic in the face of the end.

Grin pulled the trigger one last time after a breath's hesitation. Satisfied with his work, he opened the comm and reported that Captain Shepard had been terminated, her body falling into the sea though her ship escaped capture. She listened to the false report through her damaged helmet in disbelief. With a single nod of his shielded face, he turned and stiffly departed. He had risked everything to allow her escape.

Staggering to her feet, Shepard stumbled aboard her ship. As soon as her boots met the ramp, she shouted for Vod to take off. Water dripped off her soaked armor and compression suit, chilling her to the bone. The ship rose from the platform and slipped away into the darkness, their clearance miraculously still accepted. She was shaking from the high of adrenaline, stims, and metabolic drain. Once she made her way to the cockpit, she instructed Vod to set course for Coruscant, without delay. Surely, someone else had survived.

The Jedi Temple was quiet, like a tomb. Shepard knew her worst fears were realized upon their arrival, seeing black, billowing smoke against the light pollution of the Coruscant skyline. Nonetheless, they pressed forward, unwilling to abandon hope without confirmation that all was indeed lost. With her rifle in hand, they systematically moved through the thickly silent corridors where life once existed in abundance. Her damaged visor offered no HUD, but Vod's scanner detected life signs inside.

The polished stone walls and pillars were marred with scorch marks from blasters and sabers alike. Seeing the bodies of troopers in weathered, battle-worn armor adorned with a telling shade of blue laying alongside Jedi of varying ages, from the newest padawans to the most aged of masters made her stomach roll. There was no denying the implication of who was leading their march on the temple. Shards of glass cracked and ground under her boots as she carefully maneuvered through the killing field. Although the purge was long since over, Shepard could still hear the screams and cries of the dead echoing among the exposed beams of the vaulted ceilings. Her eyes burned with tears of rage as she peered through the open doorway of the council chambers, seeing that not even the most innocent had been spared.

What kind of monster would demand such slaughter?

She immediately knew the answer. As she contemplated the probability of being able to reach, much less defeat Palpatine, the sound of blasters from deeper in the temple grabbed their attention. Hopeful some were still alive, Shepard and Vod rushed toward the sounds of battle. Drawing near, the distinct hummm and searing crack of a lightsaber striking plastoid propelled them forward. A blur of blue and green rushed through the flurry of blaster fire, striking down troopers until none remained. They charged into the room as the last troopers fell, but skidded to a halt as Masters Yoda and Kenobi pivoted toward them, prompting them to throw their hands up in surrender.

"Captain Shepard?" Kenobi asked, slightly out.of breath, though his tone was laced with disbelief.

"Generals, it's a relief to see you," she removed her helmet. "Are there any others left alive?"

"Unknown, that is. Warn others must," Yoda answered, leading the way forward.

Once the communications room was cleared, Obi-Wan set about recalibrating the beacon to warn any surviving Jedi to stay away and go into hiding. As he worked, Shepard examined a slain trooper, scanning him with her Omni-Tool, shocked to find weal vital signs. With Vod's help, she carefully removed his helmet, revealing his fearful eyes and tear stained face. Scanning his head, she found the inhibitor chip wasn't active as he slowly expired. He tried to speak, but a grieving sob seized his voice. The weight and awareness of what he had done, what he had been unwillingly forced to do came flooding back. Knowing the truth and desperate to keep his last moments from being drenched in turmoil, she removed her helmet, took one of his hands in a firm grip, and cradled his face.

"This wasn't your fault, trooper. This wasn't who you are," she fought to keep her voice steady but as a result could only speak in a whisper. "You're a good soldier."

As the words left her mouth, her Omni-Tool flickered red and his grip stiffened briefly as he sighed his final words, "Good soldiers follow orders…"

Shepard took a wavering breath and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Gently placing his hand on his chest, she felt the pressure of a comforting hand on her shoulder. She turned to Yoda, struggling to keep her composure through the weight of the prior days. If she asked, perhaps she could finally get an answer to the question that had been a source of anxiety since her failed escape from Kamino. The words got stuck between her mind and her mouth, sitting like a choking lump in her throat.

"Master Nema is dead," she began, finally coaxing the question out. "I've been trying to reach Rex for months. Where….is he…"

"Among the dead here, he is not," Yoda answered gravely. "Departing Mandalore with Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex was."

From a terminal, Obi-Wan provided clarity, "The Tribunal reported a sudden, unplanned break from hyperspace. A distress beacon was deployed, however there are no active calls for assistance. Survivors are…unlikely."

Undeterred, Shepard got to her feet and input the last known coordinates into her Omni-Tool. Although she knew it was what she would find there would haunt her for the rest of her lift, she couldn't accept Rex was truly gone until finding his body and laying him to rest. Collecting her helmet from Vod, she refocused herself, putting her emotions in her mental box to unpack later. There was still much work to be done before she could grieve. Turning back to Obi-Wan and Yoda, the question she formed died in her mouth as she caught sight of the security hologram they were viewing.

The truth she wasn't ready to face, the gut feeling she hadn't wanted to be right about all along was unequivocally confirmed. Anakin Skywalker, the prodigy, the Chosen One, had been manipulated and twisted into committing the atrocity around them at the behest of the Supreme Chancellor. Part of her was furious with the Jedi, with Obi-Wan and General Windu. She had done everything she could to warn them, help them before it was too late, yet there they were. It had all been for naught.

Upon closing the hologram, the two Jedi spoke as though they weren't there, eventually settling on their plan of action. Yoda would face the Supreme Chancellor. Kenobi would find Anakin and stop him by any means necessary. Shepard and Vod, the outsiders that they were, knew full well there was nothing they could do to help, and prepared to depart the way they came.

"Shepard, thank you for trying to prevent this," Obi-Wan offered his mea culpa. "I hope you can find your way home."

"Good luck," she offered sincerely, then paused. "May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you."