"What did you learn?"

"Grievous knew we know about the chips, just as I thought," Soph rubbed her face tiredly. They hadn't been able to get him to say anything, so Echo had connected to his memory bank and gotten his most recent memories.

Apparently, a clone had told him.

"Another Slick," Anakin said. He was pissed.

"At least we know who did it," Soph sighed. "I just don't understand why Dogma did it. Last time… he refused to disobey orders. Refused. Why would he betray us?"

Obi Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps deactivating his chip allowed him to do what he'd always wanted to do - turn on us."

"Regardless, we've got him, as well. And it looks like the only person Grievous told was Dooku," Echo explained. "Which is good."

"You're sure Dooku won't-,"

"He won't," Soph said firmly. "You know he just wants to be left alone, Master."

"It certainly did seem that way," Obi Wan agreed. "Well, this complicates things."

"It's too risky," Anakin told them. "We have to arrest Palpatine."

"Agreed. You both will take Ahsoka, Domino, and Epsilon and arrest Palpatine. Make sure the only clones he sees or speaks to are deactivated."

"While we're there, we'll try to free Thorn, Thire, and Fox," Soph nodded. "We'll leave one of our transmitters with them so they can free every clone on Coruscant."

"Good. Get going," Obi Wan told them. "We need this done as quickly as possible."

Once he turned off his holo projector, Soph tipped her head back. "Well, this isn't how I wanted it to happen, but I am relieved that this is finally happening. Are you going to be okay, Ani?"

His lips thinned, and his eyes darkened. She tried not to flinch at the sight. "Palpatine betrayed not only the Republic and the Jedi, but he betrayed me."

"I'll take that as a no," she decided. Her eyes slipped to Rex and Fives. "I want you both watching him. If he moves at Palpatine, stun him."

"Soph-,"

"I'll be arresting him," she told Anakin sharply. Her gaze dared him to argue. He didn't. "Good. I'll go grab Ahsoka."

Soph made her way out of the comm deck and through the halls. Her mind was a mess, and she knew she should meditate before going after Palpatine, but she was too wound up. Her hard work was finally paying off. They'd captured Grievous and were arresting the despicable man responsible for all of the death and pain in the galaxy.

Ahsoka wasn't in her quarters, so she made her way toward the mess hall. When she didn't find her there either, she frowned and headed toward the barracks - maybe her squad had seen her.

Stepping inside, she smiled at the sight of Ahsoka sitting by her men, moving animatedly as she told a story - one of Naboo, likely something she was asked about.

"Hey, 'Soka," she greeted. "I see you guys are getting along well."

"Yeah," Ahsoka smiled brightly. "I heard you caught Grievous."

"I was just coming to talk to you about that, actually," Soph took a seat on the floor next to Ahsoka. Epsilon was gathered on the floor in a half circle around Ahsoka, and now Soph, too. "Because of some information Echo got from Grievous, we're arresting Palpatine."

"What?"

Soph snorted at the surprised look on Scope's face. He hadn't meant to speak to her so sharply, but she certainly didn't seem upset. "Palpatine is the one responsible for the chips. He's the Sith Lord we've been searching for - the one in charge of the Separatists."

"So this war… could end?" Hotshot wondered. Nax shook his head.

"It's unlikely," Zeer told him.

"Yeah, I mean, there's Dooku," Attie agreed. "Plus whoever's under him."

"Wat Tambor," Soph grimaced. After accidentally seeing everything he'd done to Echo, she held true hatred for the monster. Echo hadn't deserved what had happened to him - she wasn't sure anyone did. "Even though this won't end the war, it'll be a crippling blow."

"Which is good," Del assured the shinies. "We might win this war yet, men."

"So, it'll be you, me, and Anakin with Rex, Domino, and Epsilon," Soph told Ahsoka. "We have to make sure the only clones that Palpatine comes in contact with are freed ones. For their sake and ours."

"Of course," Ahsoka agreed. "I'll get ready."

"Everyone needs to be at the Twilight in an hour," she told them. "We can do this, guys."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Palpatine was called to the Jedi temple.

It seemed like the best way to keep him away from most clones. The issue came in the fact that he brought Fox with him as a guard. It certainly complicated things. When they walked into the room, Soph tapped her foot anxiously. They'd brought a few devices with them, but they'd been given to Masters Plo Koon and Luminara. Plo Koon had taken one and he'd also given one to Wolffe. The three of them separated to find as many clones as possible to free them. While they were gone, Palpatine had been lured into the main hall of the temple.

"Anakin, Soph, what a pleasant surprise," Palpatine smiled at them. He noticed their grim faces and frowned. "Is everything alright?"

"Frankly, chancellor, no," Soph said, stepping closer. The large group were spread out around the hall, and she felt Rex's eyes firmly on her. "We've discovered a horrible plot to take out the Jedi, and we need your help to end it."

If she hadn't known the truth, she would've thought that the widening of his eyes was in concern. She knew better, though.

"Oh, dear," Palpatine said. "Who's behind it?"

"Dooku," she lied. "Of course."

"Well, what can I do?"

She stood firmly in front of him. Her eyes slipped between Palpatine and Fox nervously. She knew if she hadn't lied, if she'd made her way over and was honest, things would've turned ugly quickly.

Fox was directly at Palpatine's side. He watched those he could see - Soph, Anakin, and Epsilon, all of whom acted as distractions. Behind them was Ahsoka with Domino.

Soph gave a miniscule nod, one that could've been interpreted as gratefulness. She watched quietly as Domino walked forward silently, their ARC training obvious as they moved undetected. It was a mere moment later when Fives grabbed Palpatine and slammed cuffs onto him while Cutup slipped the man's lightsaber from his robes. Meanwhile, Echo grabbed Fox and put him in cuffs too, taking his pistols from him.

"Sorry, Fox, but it's for the best," Echo said quietly.

"What are you doing?" Palpatine asked sharply. Soph's eyes turned cold as she stared at him.

"Did you really think you could do this? You thought you could run both sides of this war and turn it to your favor. You were wrong."

"Anakin, talk some sense into her," Palpatine ordered. "I've done nothing!"

"You deserve worse than death for the men you've gotten killed," Anakin spat. "They were good men."

Palpatine looked shocked at the venom in Anakin's voice. Of all the people he thought would help him, it would've been Anakin. Finally, he leveled his eyes at Soph and spoke. "Soldiers, execute Order 66."

Fox jerked. His eyes sharpened on Soph, and he struggled heavily against his restraints. No one else moved.

"We know about the chips," she snapped. "You've enslaved millions of men. They're being freed as we speak."

"This is impossible," Palpatine told her. "You couldn't know about the chips."

"People are in pain," she said quietly, overwhelmed with the amount of people he'd harmed. "What's wrong with you?"

"You're not ending anything," he snarled. "This war continues without me."

"Oh, I know," she assured him. "But we've got you, Palpatine."

Fox was still struggling. When he'd fully broken the restraints, Scope raised his gun and stunned Fox without hesitation. It was a well placed hit, slamming into Fox's stomach to avoid his chest - it was dangerous to stun someone's chest, as it often hit their heart. Fox slumped and Hevy caught him.

"You've lost," Anakin told Palpatine with loathing in his eyes. "You lost, chancellor."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"So… what now?"

Soph shrugged. "We stay on Coruscant for the moment. I have to explain to the council why we arrested the chancellor. After that, we go back to Serreno."

"What's on Serenno?" Hardcase wondered.

"With luck, Dooku."

"Are we arresting him, too?" Attie asked with an excited grin. "We're on a roll. Grievous, Palpatine, now Dooku."

Soph laughed. "We're not arresting Dooku. He's the one that gave us the proof about Palpatine. I'm going there to let him know he's been pardoned."

"You're that sure they're going to forgive him?" Del wondered.

"Not forgive him, no. But they won't arrest him. He won't be welcome back into the Jedi order, and he doesn't want to be there. He just wants to be free."

"I don't know if he deserves to be free," Ahsoka said quietly. "After everything he's done-,"

"Free and forgiven are two different things," Soph told her. "Dooku will go to his grave without being forgiven. In the meantime, he's… useful. For better or worse, he's a powerful ally."

"Politics," Nax made a face. "This is why we stick to the fighting. I don't have a diplomatic bone in my body."

"I don't know," Coric said. "You seem pretty diplomatic when Attie and Zeer are going at it."

"Someone has to before Del notices," Nax replied. Their leader raised an eyebrow. "It's for the best, Del."

"I'm sure it is."

"How are you guys settling in?" Soph asked the newest members of Epsilon.

"Honestly, I still can't believe we're here," Hotshot admitted. "Felt like we'd never get off Kamino."

"And now that you are?"

"We're doing important work," Scope said. "That's all we can really ask for."

"You could ask for more," Soph disagreed. "This war is going to end eventually, one way or another. Maybe you should think about what you want to do when it does."

"Luckily, we've got time to figure it out," Del said when he noticed how overwhelmed his younger brothers seemed.

"You do," she agreed. She glanced down at her datapad and sighed. "Well, that's my cue. Wish me luck, boys."

"Master," Ahsoka frowned uneasily and grabbed Soph's arm. "You should take Domino with you."

Soph tipped her head to the side curiously. "Why? It's just the Jedi temple. No one's going to attack me there."

"I just…" Ahsoka shook her head. "Please. It's important. You don't feel that?"

Soph frowned and closed her eyes. When she focused, she felt it.

"Force," she whispered, shivers rolling through her body aggressively. "I'll bring them, 'Soka. Find Anakin and Rex and stay here. Don't let Rex come after me."

Ahsoka nodded. "May the Force be with you, Master."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

The Council was… confused.

"I think it's time I let you know what's been going on," Soph decided. She had Cutup on her left and Echo on her right. Fives was positioned at the door behind them while Hevy was sitting on a ledge - Soph wasn't entirely sure how he'd even gotten up there, and she didn't want to ask - and he was watching the whole room with sharp eyes.

When she'd told Domino to join her, there'd been questions. All she'd told them was that something was going to happen. What that was, she had no idea. That fact alone had them on edge and hyper aware of her safety.

"I think that would be for the best," Obi Wan agreed. The 212th was still in the Outer Rim, but Obi Wan had gotten on the holo when she'd called for the full Council's presence. Obi Wan honestly looked relieved. She absently realized that it must've been difficult for her master to keep such a secret from his friends.

"Let's start with the chips," she decided, looking around. "Some here are already aware, but there are inhibitor chips inside of every clone's brain. The Kaminoans claim that they inhibit aggression and ensure loyalty - that alone is despicable, forcing them to be loyal to the republic.

"In reality, these chips are designed to make the clones similar to sleeper agents," she explained. "The only order I know of is one to kill any and all Jedi they see. With millions of clones and only ten thousand Jedi, we'd be… decimated."

"Oh, Force," Master Tiplar breathed.

"Anakin and I, Obi Wan, Master Koon, Master Windu, and Master Yoda have been using some transmitters that some amazing clones on the Resolute made to free everyone. The men have noted that they feel different when their chips are no longer active. It's impossible to deny the truth of the chips. We have the data to back up these claims."

Kit Fisto looked disturbed. "Can your men make more of these transmitters? We need to get the GAR freed immediately."

"Of course," she agreed.

"And what of Palpatine?" Master Windu wondered. "The chips are one thing, but arresting the Chancellor is another."

Soph steeled herself. "I went to Dooku."

"Soph-Katarina," Plo Koon said sharply. She grimaced. He was not only a good friend, but a mentor as well. She'd spent time training under him while Obi Wan had taken Anakin on a diplomatic mission, and she was very fond of the man.

"Sorry, Master," she shrugged. She hated the disappointed look he sent at her - not disappointed in her, but disappointed that she'd put herself in danger. "But it was important. I wanted him to tell me who Sidious is. With some… convincing, he gave me all the proof I need that Palpatine is, in fact, Sidious."

She wasn't sure if their silence was good or bad.

"The supreme chancellor," Quinlan Vos whispered. "Force."

"Echo, can you pull it up for me?"

"I'd prefer to watch your back, sir," Echo told her honestly. She laughed, ignoring the slightly miffed looks a few people gave him.

"Fair enough," she stepped forward, ignoring the way Echo and Cutup moved with her, and flipped on the holo projector. She connected her datapad and let files upon files of data filter through. Everything she had was compressed into that folder, and she showed it all to them. They were quiet as they watched, listened, and read all of her proof. "Because of the chips in the men, we decided it would be safest to lure him here and arrest him. He did try to activate the chips, but it only affected Commander Fox, and my men stunned him before he could attack us."

"You have done all of this alone," Master Secura said sadly. "Did you not trust us, child?"

Soph tensed. She should've expected the question, but it didn't mean she knew how to answer it. Because she did trust them - most of them - but she also knew that things would've been infinitely more difficult if the entire Council had been involved. "I think… this was the simplest, most efficient, and most effective way this could've gone down. While I don't regret acting as I did, I do regret the lack of faith my actions have shown."

"A major blow to the separatists, this is," Yoda told them. "Proud, you have made us."

Soph was pretty sure she could've cried at that alone. Master Yoda's approval was something every youngling, padawan, knight, and even Master wanted. The thought that she'd made him proud after everything she'd been through? It was almost too much. It was almost enough to make her tell them about the time travel - almost, but not quite.

"I did tell Dooku that we wouldn't be arresting him," she admitted. She got some irritated glares. "I think this information warrants his freedom, do you not?"

"It does," Master Windu agreed. Yoda nodded, along with Plo Koon. "He will not be welcomed back into the Order."

"I think that's more than fair," she agreed.

"Did someone invite Thire?" Fives called, not bothering to look away from the man in question. Soph's eyes shot to the door, where an agitated Thire was trying to push past Fives.

It seemed to happen in slow motion. Fives shoved Thire back. Thire raised his blaster. He pulled the trigger.

Soph tossed Fives out of the way just in time, and winced as he fell to the ground. He rolled out of it easily and jumped to his feet, pointing his own blaster at Thire, who was trying to make his way to Soph.

"Another at the door!" Hevy called. He took a shot, taking down another clone.

"What the hell is happening?" Master Secura asked sharply.

"Someone activated- how is this possible?" Soph asked sharply.

"Soph, we need to get you back to the Twilight," Cutup told her, pulling her to the side to duck a shot another clone had sent toward them. She stumbled into him a little, but quickly righted herself with his help. Echo stunned that one, taking another shot in quick succession at the wave of clones that was approaching.

"Shit," she cursed. She dug into her pockets and grabbed the transmitter she'd plucked from the Resolute and pressed the button.

The clones still trying to get in froze as the device did its job. They looked confused and didn't waste time apologizing and asking questions.

"Someone knows about the chips," she realized. "Someone must've activated them. How many men are…?"

"We need more of those transmitters immediately," Master Windu said. "I'll have the one used for the 187th brought down. Soph, take your team and find as many clones as possible."

Soph bowed her head. "Be safe, Masters."

OoOoOoOoOoOo