Chapter 25 - The Investigation Begins

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD

Author's Note: In which things fall apart. I will not apologize for the cliffhanger, but I will warn you that the one in the next chapter is even worse, because I'm nice like that. :)

~ Amina Gila

Ahsoka turns to the other Jedi as soon as they leave the room. "As I mentioned before, Sidious has plans to destroy the Jedi. I'm beginning to wonder if this doesn't have something to do with it."

Anakin frowns. "How is that possible? Echo is the only one who has ever acted like this." How could Sidious have control of the clones, anyway? They're only loyal to the Republic.

"I don't know," Ahsoka admits, "But it seems possible. He was acting like – like there's something else controlling him. I'm just wondering if whatever that was is in all clones, but for him, it happened early."

"Whatever is going on, this must be investigated by the Council itself," decides Obi-Wan, before adding as an afterthought, "And it would be better if the news of it didn't reach anyone else, but it's probably a little late for that."

"Which means the Sith Lord will be hearing about it," Ahsoka mutters, expression concerned. Yes, the Sith Lord she still stubbornly refuses to tell Anakin a single word about. Anakin hastily forces away his sudden surge of resentment. It will do no good dwelling on right now.

"Perhaps we should try having someone other than a Jedi talk to Echo?" Obi-Wan suggests.

"That would be a good idea," Ahsoka agrees, looking thoughtful. "Actually, I have an idea. It should be one of the other clones. We should be there too but stay out of sight."

Anakin nods in agreement. At least that might show if whatever is wrong with him has anything to do with the Jedi. "Fives, probably," he decides. "He's the one who knew him best."

Within a few minutes, they're with Fives in the room where Echo is being restrained. He looks around, seeming confused. "What's happening to me?" he queries, concern and confusion slipping into his voice as he tugs on the straps trapping him to the bed. Clearly, he doesn't remember what happened.

"You don't remember?" demands Fives as he steps forwards.

His brother shakes his head. "No."

"You murdered General Piell, then attacked Commander Tano," Fives explains.

"What?" he cries. "That's not possible! I would never! I could never do that! I don't understand how this could happen!" Anakin is really beginning to think Ahsoka might have been right. It's obvious that something is wrong. It's like something inside him snapped for whatever reason, and it, at least temporarily, fixed itself when he lost consciousness. His mind is functioning a little more normally, but something is definitely wrong. They need to get to the bottom of this, sooner rather than later.

"Echo, it's gonna be fine. I promise. They'll fix you up really good. We'll be having a drink together in no time," Fives attempts to reassure him.

Something in Echo's expression starts changing again, maybe as he remembers what happened. "Good soldiers follow orders..." he mumbles. What is he talking about?

"You are a good soldier, Echo," Fives assures him, "What orders are you talking about?"

"The mission," he murmurs, "The mission..."

"Brother, what mission?"

"You – you know the one. The mission, the one in our dreams that never ends," he continues, voice fairly quiet. What?

"What is he talking about?" Obi-Wan asks finally, voicing Anakin's thoughts.

"We... often have nightmares about killing people, but being unable to stop it," Fives explains hesitantly. "All the clones do." They do? He's never heard about that before. Although he supposes it isn't really something someone would want to talk about.

"Approach him. Slowly," Ahsoka whispers to Anakin, going tense at Fives' words.

Anakin doesn't understand why she asks, but he slowly crosses the room towards Echo, moving into his line of vision. Nothing happens. He steps closer until he's within a few feet, but the clone still doesn't react. Now this is weird. He didn't react to Anakin, but maybe whatever it was isn't active right now? Or maybe it's just that Anakin is his general...?

"Now you try it," she whispers to Obi-Wan.

Something about his expression indicates that he isn't nearly as confused as Anakin is. He doesn't like this. What does he know that Anakin doesn't? Now is hardly the time to be keeping secrets, especially ones so dangerous. He will be talking to them about this later. And he will get some answers.

Obi-Wan slowly approaches Echo. The second the clone catches sight of him, he starts jerking wildly again. Why? Why is he reacting to Obi-Wan and not Anakin? This doesn't make any sense. The realization on Ahsoka's face makes him even more upset. Clearly, she knows exactly what's going on but doesn't want to tell him.

Obi-Wan hastily backs out of the clone's line of sight and he instantly stops struggling. "Good soldiers follow orders..." Echo mumbles again.

"Come on. We need to talk about this," Anakin states with finality.

**w**

As they follow Anakin out of the room, Ahsoka can feel his anger growing by the moment. He's been upset for a long time, but now it seems like it's all about to boil over. This does not bode well for the information she knows he's about to be demanding. And Ahsoka agrees that he needs to know. Now that Sidious' plans are about to be uncovered, he's going to be moving even faster to carry them out. She's still hesitant, but Anakin has to know now. Not that he'll let her get out of telling him this time, anyway.

The moment the door closes behind us, Anakin rounds on them. "I want answers," he snaps, "You've been keeping secrets from me for months, now. And things are only getting even worse. Tell me what's happening."

Ahsoka takes a deep breath, bracing herself for his reaction. "It won't be easy to hear this," she warns, "And I don't blame you if you don't believe me, but... Sidious is Palpatine."

At first, he looks like he's not sure he heard her right. He's in denial. "That's impossible," he insists, though he doesn't sound convinced of his own words. Ahsoka isn't even surprised by his reaction. All she feels is a surge of rage at Sidious for making Anakin reach this point

"It makes sense," Obi-Wan interjects. "He's been manipulating both sides of the war from the start. There have been times the Separatists seem to get information it would be nearly impossible for them to get ahold of otherwise. Every chance at bringing peace seems to mysteriously be ruined as though it's intentional. Besides, the longer the war goes on, the longer Palpatine gets to stay in power. What does he have to lose?"

"I've seen him myself, Anakin," Ahsoka adds, "You know I would know who he is." She wishes she knew what he was thinking. His face is pale, and he's leaning against the wall, though she can't tell if he's exhausted or simply in shock.

"You seemed to have an idea why Echo didn't react to seeing me, but he did to Obi-Wan. Why?" Anakin asks after a long moment of silence, though his disbelief is obvious. She's worried at how little he's talking. You can't bottle up emotions this deep without hurting yourself in the end.

"Sidious has an interest in you," she says finally. "He wants to make you his new apprentice."

Anakin shakes his head slightly in disbelief. He doesn't object. "I would never join the Dark Side willingly," he whispers finally, voice almost inaudible.

"I know," Ahsoka promises, and she's suddenly overcome with the urge to pull her master... her brother into a hug and never let go. He's the best person she's ever known, yet he's being hurt and used like he's some sort of tool and weapon by... everyone. The Jedi are doing it, and that's all Sidious wants. The only reason Ahsoka wanted to become a Jedi in the first place was because, in some way, she felt duty bound to try repairing the damage she caused, not because she agrees with them... on anything.

A heavy silence settles over them, which is finally broken by Obi-Wan. "When we get back to Coruscant, we should be able to continue the investigation with Echo, and hopefully determine what's wrong."

"Without Sidious realizing what we're up to," Ahsoka mumbles. If he knows that his plans are being interfered with to that extent, she has no doubt that he'll do something to destroy the Jedi immediately.

**w**

Anakin stumbles into his cabin the first chance he gets, all but collapsing onto his bunk. It makes so much sense, but he can't accept that the person he's considered a friend – a mentor – for so long, one of the few people he trusts, has been manipulating him this whole time. Yes, the thought may have crossed his mind previously, but he didn't actually think it was possible. It's not... it feels like his mind itself is shattering at the implications, the possibility that one of the only people he cared for would really do something like this. It doesn't make any sense. Anakin trusted him, and... who can he trust?

Some part of his mind is viciously insisting that Ahsoka's lying, that she's not telling the truth to him for whatever reason, stubbornly refusing to believe that – that Palpatine could really be a Sith, could be someone evil. He can't – can't process this. He knows she's telling the truth, but it doesn't make any sense. He wants to cry, but he feels too numb, too worn out to do anything but lay here, curled on his bunk and silently begging the Force to let him wake up tomorrow and find out it's nothing more than some horrible nightmare.

It makes sense why they didn't want to tell him, but that doesn't mean it was... right, or was it? If he had known, he could have done something about it, instead of giving the Sith Lord two more months to continue spinning his web around him.

If he is a Sith. There's always the possibility that Ahsoka's lying to you, too, you know, a quiet voice in the back of his mind whispers. How do you know she's not tricking everyone, and this isn't some sort of master plan she concocted with Dooku?

No. He can't believe that, either. He took care of her. She's his padawan, and...

Would you really take the word of someone you've known little more than a year over the man who looked out for you since childhood?

Why? Why does it have to be so confusing?

But... are Sith – Dark Siders really evil? Ahsoka wasn't. Why does... no. He can't think that. Ahsoka was an assassin, and more of a Fallen Jedi than an actual Sith. She doesn't count, and if he questions that, he'll be questioning the very basis of all his beliefs.

That doesn't mean it doesn't feel like something is shattering, like his life is being ripped apart at the seams. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. He wonders if it'll ever stop.

**w**

The trio walk into the Council chambers, stepping to the center of the circle. Obi-Wan gives them a brief update on everything that happened since they got to Citadel. It's been hours since he found out, and even after spending most of his time locked in his cabin and trying to sleep, Anakin doesn't feel any better. By the time Obi-Wan is completed, everyone is looking more than a little concerned.

"Disturbing, this is," murmurs Yoda, his ears twitching.

"We will have a brain scan completed on the clone immediately," Windu decides, "And we will check to ensure he is otherwise fine."

"Perhaps he was brainwashed?" suggests Shaak Ti, "Or has a virus like the Geonosian mind-control worms."

"I don't think so," Anakin retorts, somehow keeping his tone level. He's struggling to keep all his emotions carefully tucked away. "He hardly seemed sure of what he was doing, and that doesn't explain why he was reacting to only Jedi." He carefully leaves out the part about how Echo hadn't reacted to him. That's still a possibility he doesn't want to consider. "He was fine around the other clones. If that was really true, he should have reacted towards all Separatist enemies."

"Someone needs to report to the Chancellor," says Windu, and Anakin struggles not to flinch at the mention of his name. "He is requesting a report on what happened."

"Go to see him, I shall," Yoda decides. "Dismissed, you are. Attend to the investigation, you should." They bow and exit the room. Anakin can't help but take a moment to be grateful they didn't tell him to do it. He'd never be able to hold himself together convincingly. He wants this all to be over.

It's not long later that they find themselves inside the room in the Temple where Echo is being scanned. They have him unconscious for now, lest whatever is wrong with him get set off again. Anakin hopes this won't take long. The faster they find out what happened, the better. The longer this takes, the more time Sidious will have to figure out what to do next.

"There appears to be no signs of infection in his blood," the healer conducting the examination finally reports. "It appears that he is in perfect health." Good. That means there's many possibilities ruled out. More and more, Anakin is beginning to think that Ahsoka may have been right.

"But it appears," she adds after a few moments, "That there is a small tumor in his brain." Really? That is strange. It's completely unheard of in clones and for this to have happened at the same time is weird. Anakin knows better than to brush it off as a coincidence.

"Can you examine it?" he asks, frowning.

"We'd have to remove it," she answers, inspecting the scanner screens.

"Is that possible without killing him?" he inquires.

"It is, though it's risky," she confirms. "It shouldn't take long." Good, because the sooner they get answers, the better. It wouldn't exactly surprise Anakin if Palpatine demands that Echo be moved to a medical station on Coruscant where he can have his own people examine the clone. It's a complicated situation. Given that a Jedi was killed, it's a Jedi matter to investigate, but given that the clones are property of the Republic – he shudders at the thought – the Senate also has authority to do their own investigation if they chose to. It's so hard to remember that it would be a bad thing. He has to keep reminding himself.

"It almost looks like some sort of biochip," the healer says finally once the surgery is finished, "It was obviously implanted at a very young age, possibly while during development." During development?! That would actually make sense. The Kaminoans very easily could have implanted the clones with this – whatever exactly it is – to control them. There are many possibilities, but first they need to know if he's the only one who has it.

"We should see if the other clones have it," Anakin decides immediately. If they do, he can't help but wonder if the chips have the order to kill Jedi programmed into it, but it's been lying dormant until Sidious gives the order. Anakin doesn't know what exactly these chips are, but he strongly suspects they have something to do with what happened to Echo.

**w**

It's early morning, far too early to be getting up, but they are being dragged back to the medical wing of the Temple to see what has been found about Echo. Obi-Wan came to wake up Ahsoka and Anakin, because apparently, the healers made a very important discovery. They went to bed shortly after learning about the biochip, because it was getting insanely late, and they were all pretty sure today was going to end up being a long day. Somehow, Anakin doesn't exactly have a very good feeling about the next few days. Maybe even longer than that, like a few months. Something in the Force feels... off, as if what he's currently dealing with isn't enough. He's been feeling it for a while, but it's getting progressively worse. He should consider meditating on it, maybe. Ahsoka feels it too. He thinks everyone does.

"It appears that all of the clones have these chips installed in them," the healer explains when they arrive. "Echo's malfunctioned, while the others are all appear completely healthy."

"How is Echo doing now that his chip has been removed?" Anakin asks.

"He still appears to be disoriented, but is no longer reacting every time he sees Jedi," she answers. That about explains it. Ahsoka was right. The chips were meant to control the clones. They were programmed, like they're nothing more than droids. The thought itself is sickening. Clones are not expendable. They are people, even if they all look and sound the same. Even if no one else seems to think so.

"Someone needs to study these chips and figure out what they do," he tells her.

Before the healer can respond, Obi-Wan walks up, pulling Anakin and Ahsoka aside. "Anakin, Palpatine is demanding an update from the Council, and he wants the investigation on Echo to be moved out of the Jedi Temple to a medcenter elsewhere on Coruscant. He insists that since the clones are the Republic's army, the matter should be investigated by the Republic. We need to prevent this from happening before we gather the evidence we need." Of course, he did. Anakin knows he should be angry at him, but instead, all he can feel is crippling pain and betrayal. He wishes he was angry. It's so much easier to deal with.

"I assume since you're telling us this, they've stupidly decided to send Anakin," interjects Ahsoka, scowling.

"They feel that he would be the best choice," Obi-Wan asserts, "And I am not any happier about this than you." Of course, the Council would do something so stupid. Anakin can't face him again. Not yet. Everything is far too fresh, and he would never be able to keep up the proper act, but it's not even a question. The Council ordered him to go, so he has to go, even if – even if it'll destroy him.

Anakin dips his head and looks away, gaze dropping to the floor as a surge of bitterness washes over him. Obi-Wan told them he knows, right? So... why is he being asked to do this? Or is he somehow supposed to act like nothing is wrong not even a day after finding out the truth? It doesn't matter how hard this is for him. He has to fight past it, like he always does, but however this turns out, it won't have been good enough anyway. Sometimes, he has to wonder why he even bothers.

Why keep fighting when no one acknowledges it, anyway?

"I'm coming," Ahsoka volunteers.

Anakin simply nods again, not trusting himself to speak. He half expects Obi-Wan to say something else, some sort of reassurance maybe, but he doesn't. Somehow, the pain and desperation and resentment seem to dig deeper. He heads for the door, not looking back, struggling to keep his heartrate level. He's scared, suddenly. He's terrified that he'll mess up and alert Sidious, and then – then the Jedi will be destroyed because of a stupid mistake he made.

Before they know it, they find themselves standing outside the office. Anakin has a very bad feeling about this. Why does it almost feel like the next few days will change the course of the galaxy? It reminds him of the feeling he had shortly before the start of the Clone Wars, only... worse and better in a way he can't really understand.

"Hello, Anakin," Palpatine greets him in his usual tone as they step inside. It's been a while since Anakin talked to him, which he thinks is a good thing. The anger and betrayal overwhelm him instantly, the wounds still so fresh, feeling as though they're being ripped open again, but he struggles to keep his emotions back. He can't let himself snap and do something stupid. He won't let Ahsoka get killed because he couldn't control himself.

What if he's not Sidious? part of Anakin's mind whispers, but he ruthlessly forces the thought away. No, it's the truth. He knows it, even if he doesn't want to believe it.

"You can wait out here," Palpatine tells Ahsoka with a surprising amount of feigned politeness when she starts moving to come in. The tone sends another stab of anger shooting through Anakin, but he tightens his shields as much as he can, struggling to focus on something else.

"I'm coming. The Council asked that I be present," she retorts.

"Very well," Palpatine answers courteously after a moment, motioning for them to come inside. He's can't believe that the man who's been his friend all this time, the one person he was certain would always be there when he needed him was a Sith Lord, was using him the entire time. Is that what he is to everyone? Just a tool to be cast aside when it's no longer needed? Of course, he is. He already knows that, somewhere deep inside, even if it's not something he wants to accept.

"How the investigation of CT-1409 going?" Palpatine inquires as he slowly begins to pace around the office. It's how everyone speaks of the clones, but it still angers him.

"It's still in the works," the Jedi Knight replies hastily, forcing himself to walk alongside the Chancellor like he always does, Ahsoka hanging a few feet behind them. Anakin doesn't want to tell him anything more than absolutely necessary. The faster they get out of here, the better. He doesn't want to end up getting charged with murder... or get murdered, for that matter.

**w**

"I have made it clear to the Jedi Council that I want this investigation moved to a Republic-owned medcenter on Coruscant. The clones are property of the Republic," Palpatine continues.

"With all due respect," Ahsoka all but snaps, going completely rigid as she attempts to control her rising rage. "The clones are no one's property."

Anakin sends her a warning look. Of course. He wants her to keep control of her own temper. She's sure between the two of them, the Sith Lord knows something is very wrong here. After all, it's not every day the Jedi he talks to are spending the entire time suppressing thoughts about stabbing him in the back. Ahsoka will probably have bounty hunters on her heels the second she gets out of here. Great. Just what she needs. On the bright side, they might have something to take down Sidious before he can do anything to her. Hopefully. She does need to stay calm, though. She's here to support Anakin, not have a rage-party with him.

"Perhaps not," acknowledges Palpatine, "But the Senate sees it that way."

"There was a Jedi killed in the attack," Anakin reminds slowly. It's taking every inch of Ahsoka's willpower not to do something stupid, and she takes a step back in the hopes of calming herself. Finally, at a lack of anything else to do, she reaches for the Dark Side, something she hasn't done in a long time. It lets her harness her emotions in a moment, her anger morphing into a sort of calm fury instead of the blinding rage it was a moment before. "The Jedi have the right to investigate the matter."

"But it was a clone who carried out the attack," Palpatine argues.

Ahsoka still can't believe the Jedi Council was foolish enough to send Anakin here. He hasn't known for long enough, and his anger and betrayal are still so fresh. She's certain it's only going to be a matter of time before he slips. He could easily get killed, and she can't bear the thought. No. She will not let this Sith touch her master.

"It was a Jedi, not a citizen of the Republic or another clone, who died, which puts it under the Jedi's jurisdiction," Anakin points out. "Perhaps once the Council is finished, it can be moved elsewhere on Coruscant." Ahsoka gets the feeling Palpatine is not exactly happy Anakin is arguing instead of agreeing with him. More than likely, it's something that almost never, if ever, happens.

"Because of the nature of this matter, it falls under the jurisdiction of both the Jedi and the Republic. Perhaps it should be moved to a Republic medcenter and the Jedi can oversee the procedure?" proposes Palpatine as he stops at the window, looking out at the endlessly passing traffic outside. The heavy gray clouds, threatening rain, look altogether too appropriate a background for the meeting. Anakin pauses next to him, though maybe a little further away then he usually stands. Ahsoka has definitely noticed now he's being careful to keep his distance, which she's fairly sure is not normal.

Ahsoka takes up a spot behind both of them, scowling up at the sky. This meeting is getting nowhere. Palpatine isn't going to change his mind because he knows the Jedi are far too close to discovering his most crucial secret. She's had enough waiting for the Council to do something, to collect enough evidence to move. It's taking way too long, and they're already out of time.

Ahsoka was raised and trained as an assassin, not for negotiation. This is not her kind of thing. Sidious wanted her to be a mindless, cold-blooded killer who murdered simply at his order. Never happening. She hates killing people, even now. But sometimes, there are people who deserve it.

Before the thought even finishes formulating in her mind, her hand moves almost on its own accord, closing around the ignition button of her lightsaber. With a sudden hiss the white blade springs to life, straight through Palpatine.

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