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'What is this place?' Anakin asked, as he made his way along the dimly lit tunnel, fallen stones crumbling under his boots, following Jethik by the faint glow of his light-stick.

'Honestly, we don't know,' the Bith said, without looking round. 'It appears to have been a settlement, but we don't have any solid evidence for who built it or why…'

'Why was it abandoned?' Ahsoka asked from where she was walking one pace behind Anakin.

'We don't know,' Jethik repeated. 'However, seeing as we found several partly decayed sets of remains that seemed to have been killed by blaster fire, we have a few theories…'

'And, how long ago did you find the…artefact…?'

'We uncovered the chamber two days ago, Master Skywalker' Jethik said, as they reached a triangular stone archway. 'This is it…'

'Wait here,' Anakin said, he and Ahsoka stepping through the archway. Inside was a small chamber with a raised pedestal in the middle. On it sat a silver pyramid-shaped device with a blue glow radiating from it.

'Do you think it's really a Holocron, Master?' Ahsoka asked, as Anakjn reached out to pick it up.

'It looks like it. Either way, it'll be for the Temple Archivists to decide….' he added, placing it into the container that Ahsoka was carrying, snapping the clasps closed. 'Come on, Snips…'

'We've secured the package, Master,' Anakin said and the hologram of Obi-Wan being projected above the Twilight's console nodded.

'Congratulations, Anakin. Return to Coruscant as soon as you…'

'Yes, Master,' Anakin said, the hologram flickering out and he turned to Ahsoka. 'Strap in, Snips…'

'Yes, Master,' Ahsoka said, fastening her harness as Anakin eased the actuator forward, the stars elongating before the swirling maelstrom of hyperspace enveloped the ship.

'We'll be at Coruscant in a few hours,' Anakin said, standing up. 'Keep watch here, Snips. I'm going to check that the package is secure…'

Leaving the cockpit, Anakin headed for the cargo hold, glancing over his shoulder before opening the container and picking up the Holocron, cradling it in his palm. He hesitated for a moment before reaching out towards it with his other hand, just as Ahsoka called from the cockpit.

'Master, we have a problem…'

Quickly, Anakin stores the Holocron back in the container, hurrying back to the cockpit.

'What's the matter, Snips?' he asked, as he dropped into the pilot's seat.

'One of the Alluvial Dampers has failed. Can we still make it to Coruscant…?'

'Possibly, if we have to. I need to know what our options are, though. Artoo, what's the closest planet where we can set down for repairs…?'

Artoo beeped, extending his control arm to access the computer module, calling up a holomap above the console.

'Denon, huh?' Anakin said, peering at the map. 'Well, it's closer than Coruscant. Alright, Artoo, plot us a new course…'

'How long will the repairs take?' Ahsoka asked as she followed Anakin down the ramp, pulling her cloak around her.

'About an hour. Why…?'

'Could I…have a look around…? I won't go far…'

'Okay, Snips, but there won't be much to see. And remember, we're here on a mission, not for sightseeing…'

'Yes, Master,' Ahsoka said, pulling up her hood as she left the spaceport. Dark spires and imposing edifices towered over her and the streets were thronged with myriad species. Moving through the crowds were white armoured Republic Troopers, occasionally stopping people and asking for their IDs. Not wanting them to recognise her and blow her cover, Ahsoka pulled her hood tighter over her head, ducking into a side street, emerging into a wider thoroughfare on the other side. Ahead of her, she saw a Mandalorian in silver armour walking towards her. As she watched, he aimed his wrist launcher at a Duros who had been bartering with a nearby stallholder, a whipcord lashing out to ensnare him.

'Let him go,' Ahsoka said, drawing her lightsaber and igniting it with a snap-hiss.

'Stay out of this, Jedi,' he said, drawing his blaster and kneeling down to drag the Duros to his feet. 'This isn't Republic territory and I'm a member of the Hunter's Guild carrying out a contract…'

'Ahsoka!' Anakin barked, as he arrived at a run. 'Stand down!'

'But…'

'Now, Ahsoka!' Anakin snapped, turning to the Mandalorian. 'I apologise for my apprentice…'

The Mandalorian stared at him for a second before hauling the Duros over his shoulder and striding away.

'Master…'

'I don't like it either, Snips. But the Hunter's Guild is sanctioned in the Inner Rim. Come on, the repairs are complete and we're behind schedule…'

'…did you see the Clone Troopers checking people's IDs?' Ahsoka asked, as they left Denon's atmosphere.

'Yeah, I saw them…'

'…doesn't it trouble you, seeing them…questioning innocent citizens…?'

'Not all of them will be innocent, Snips. These patrols are necessary to safeguard the Republic…'

'…yes, Master…'

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.