Proxy made sure the execution of the Jedi and the Republic's soldiers was done live so even the citizens of Coruscant could witness the C.I.S and the fact they meant business. The President of the Confederacy, Rey Hemp, announced all traitors to the C.I.S will cower in fear under the watch of the Count and his assassins.

The Jedi Council watched, their stomachs churning seeing one of their own cut down while defenseless. "I knew the Separatists never had honor...-" Shaak Ti was so appalled she could not finish her sentence. "But to be this barbaric." Master Yoda remained calm, his heart filling with sadness. He ordered the feed to be switched off.

"To the soldiers, what happened?"

"Dooku and the Separatists have formed an alliance with the Zygerrians. Likely involving their once great slave trade. The prisoners were transported somewhere we do not know." Windu informs everyone. "The trail has gone cold. The Zygerrians largely auction off Togrutas, perhaps we can find answers on one of their home planets of Shili or Kiros."

Yoda contemplates his next move, his eyes becoming unfocused. "Contact the governor of Kiros, personally I will. Protected by the Republic, Shili is, the most vulnerable is Kiros."

"To inspect Kiros redirect Obi-Wan and his team. Right time to leave tell them I will."

"Yes, Master."

(Scene break)

The governor had wished the Jedi contacted him sooner. He remorsefully told Master Yoda the C.I.S already arrived on the planet's surface anticipating their deal being cemented. "Trust Dooku you cannot. Send help I will." Yoda warns. The weary governor deep down knows this, but is caught in a bind.

"The negotiations have advanced too far to turn back now. The Separatists surround my home and are already holding my people hostage. This is a beast I have to compromise with, Master Jedi." Yoda hums to himself, nodding. "We have chosen to remain neutral in this war. We will seek survival through diplomacy." The governor sees the Separatists have already arrived landing on the flat-top pad.

The governor was ailing, both physically and mentally. The stress the of the war brewing near his boarders wore him down. Kiros did not have an army to defend itself, and he did everything in his power to keep it that way believing it's the best route to keeping his people safe. Today his ideology is put to the test and everyone will see if it'll have its desired effect.

"Count Dooku," the governor makes sure to pay the necessary respect to the Sith Lord. "Why have you invaded us? We are a peaceful planet that has remained out of your way." Dooku seemed unbothered, welcoming the fair question across his bow. His disarming smile unsettled the governor.

"Governor, this is only a mere precautionary measure to ensure your protection. Of course you will remain neutral in this conflict. We'll see to it." The governor bows his head in gratitude.

"Thank you, Count. But all we ask is to be left to our own devices-" Dooku silences the governor by placing a mere hand on his shoulder.

"I insist." He looks to a athletically powerful Zygerrian. "Round up the citizens." Dooku orders coldly. Before the governor can ask what for, he was shoved off from the Sith. Battle droids rounded up the aggrieved citizens of Kiros and marched them to who know where.

(Scene break)

The Jedi have kept tabs on Kiros for ten rotations since Master Yoda's transmission, which on Kiros means two weeks, and Anakin was growing antsy. Obi-Wan wasn't any calmer, though he hid his worry behind a cool exterior. "I just hope we aren't too late." Even though the governor of Kiros casted his lot with the C.I.S, the Galactic Republic wished to assist his people. To the cynical mind this was all to generate good publicity. In the eyes of the credulous, this was a selfless act the Jedi are known to commit.

"We'll head down to the surface shortly." Tera tells them. Off to the side, Kyle could tell Ahsoka was looking unsure, of what he did not know. He walks up to her handing her a bottle of ice water.

"You're looking nice." He comments on her new outfit. The most noticeable about her new attire is the cutouts in the front and back and matching leggings. Her skirt covering up to her thigh, her leggings concealing the rest. "What's wrong?"

"Keeping my eye out for the Malevolence." She said. "The navy's been practicing maneuvers in case of encountering the super weapon."

"Yes, I heard. Do you think they'll work?" Ahsoka was doubtful. The relays went at a high speed rivaling that of a Republic cruiser. Maybe a starfighter could outrun it, but it'll take expert level piloting to survive. "Our mission here is mostly on the surface so the Malevolence is a non-factor." He tries to dissuade Ahsoka's reservations.

"Thanks." Her reply served as off-putting to Kyle. "For noticing." She gestures to attire. Kyle mouths a response "oh"

(Scene break)

The Jedi rolled through the empty villages of Kiros, taken aback at the sight of empty teepees and the unpopulated areas. "It's unusually quiet." Ahsoka comments to Skywalker. They are riding together, Ahsoka on the right hand side of the motorcycle riding in the passenger seat. Anakin concurred, but believed the colonists were only hiding.

Their route to the city center was blockaded by biker droids, who preemptively opened fire. Anakin looked at his small squadron and ordered them to tighten up. While Tera and Obi-Wan rode in the same motorcycle as Anakin and Ahsoka, equipped with a sidecar, Kyle got his own due to it being the only one without it. Plus, he knew how to operate one. He did make a comment about how it's difficult to drive and shoot.

"Put down your blaster." Tera ordered. Even in the heat of battle Tera took her new rule seriously. Kyle reminded her of his limitations, only to be ignored as the droids introduced a tanker to the equation.

Ahsoka made quick work of the biker droids. Her sidecar came with a mini-gun, and Anakin excellently positioned his Padawan to get great shots. "We're all clear, Master." She said, feeling herself get back into her stride. Kyle noticed the tanker hadn't been dealt with, and intended to speed out of the convoy and bomb it with the two thermal annihilators he stored in his pouch. Tera ordered her student to stay in formation and gave the pouch to Ahsoka, who instinctively knew what to do next. Leaving the sidecar, leaping in the air she dodged a blast and opened the latch on top of the tanker and tossed the bombs inside, quick to leave the scene and land back in the sidecar standing to watch it burst into flames.

Kyle watched and felt his old sense of insecurity kick-in. Remembering of his days prior to his apprenticeship where Ahsoka would one-up him on a seemingly consistent basis. "Why didn't your master let you do that?" Jania suddenly asked. Kyle didn't know her, but decided to answer her question anyway.

"I've been dealing with tendinitis in my knees." He tells her, rubbing the tendons for effect. "Been stuck in rehab." Jania didn't believe him, though she did not press further.

(Scene break)

Captain Panaka had his irregulars establish a perimeter around the Governor's Tower. Kenobi was pleased. The area was secure and the Separatists is barricaded. "Nice work, Captain. Pedro, any word on the enemy commander?"

"His name is Darts D'Nar. He wishes to speak with you, sir." A small hologram of D'Nar appears, looking untroubled at his current situation.

"Master Kenobi, come to the tower and we will discuss terms of surrender." His eyes are drawn to Kyle who was helping Ahsoka repair one of the bikes. "Bring your Padawan." He points to Kyle, who overhears the conversation and perks up. Before Obi-Wan could object, the transmission ended.

"Why does he want to see you?" Ahsoka asks. Kyle was just as confused, if not more. The Jedi were befuddled. Anakin, on the other hand was filled with rage at the sight of the Zygerrian and pulled the holoprojector from Pedro's palm.

"Zygerrian scum! I'll handle that slave trader." He is about to depart when Kenobi and Tera put their hands on him to stop.

"Anakin he asked for me. I'll need you to remain on the outside to find the Togruta colonists." Kenobi explains. Reluctantly, Anakin relented.

"Fine. But why does he want him?" Anakin was equally confused.

"I don't know. But I won't take him. It could be a trap." Obi-Wan answers.

"I respect you value my Padawan's life, but we are in the middle of a war zone. Everywhere we go is potentially a trap." Tera retorts. Playing the tie-breaking vote, Anakin contemplates the odd request.

"Why not just ask Kyle?"

"I can handle it, Master." He promises. "I'll make sure Obi-Wan has his six watched." His attempt at humor fell on deaf ears, they looked at him like there was supposed to be something else said. "Yes, I'll do it." He reiterated.

"I'll watch him." Kenobi assures Tera. "You help Anakin find the colonists."

When Anakin and Tera left, Ahsoka approaches Obi-Wan asking him why was Anakin so enraged earlier. "He's never spoken about his past, has he?" Ahsoka shrugs.

"Only to tell me he doesn't want to talk about it." She replies. Kyle fills in the blanks for Ahsoka.

"Yeah, Anakin was born into slavery on Tatooine by the Hutt clan." Kyle recounts. "He escaped to the Jedi Order when he was nine or ten..." Kyle was fuzzy on the last detail. Obi-Wan gives Kyle a quizzical look, his expression wondering how did he know that. "What? A few years ago my local news station ran a mini-documentary on Anakin. I think I still have the tape somewhere..."

"So Anakin's never been able to put his past behind him." Kenobi finishes.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him." Ahsoka tells him. Obi-Wan is unsure whether Ahsoka could keep Anakin in the straight and narrow, giving only mild words of encouragement.