The Union of 600. Birth.
Author's note: This is my 1st fan fiction story on this page. Quite strangely I want it to have multiple chapters. This feat will not be easy, no doubt. This is a Star Wars fan fiction, based in around the time before R.O.T.S. Of course, there is no profit claim in this story. Anyway, hope you enjoy this work.
Chapter 1. The Threat Continues
Master Yoda has just finished giving a eulogy to the fallen Jedi of the bombing and everyone is moving in their specific speed through the halls of the temple. Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, Admiral Tarkin & Barriss Offee were all walking in a straight line. After Ahsoka's inquiry of the whereabouts of the bomber, things get quite tense between her and the Admiral. Consequently, a group of three people notice there ongoing dissension.
"I hope the Chancellor Palpatine knows, what he is doing." – says Ahsoka.
"I assure you, he rarely does anything without a strategy." – Tarkin fires back.
"Ahsoka, it is so nice to see you again."
Three of the four turn to the direction of the voice, only Barriss is maintaining her head in the same position.
"Oswald."
Ahsoka looks at the approaching being with warmth. Oswald Menson – 19 year old padawan of Ki-Adi-Mundi, standing at 6ft tall, semi-toned build, blonde hair, blue eyes, race – human.
"Master Skywalker."
He bows his head to him, Anakin acknowledges the statement. Soon he reads the facial expressions of the remaining two. Barriss seems to be uneasy to him, while Tarkin shows somewhat intriguing. This in turn makes Oswald a bit confused. Rarely did he ever see the Admiral, let alone – intrigued.
"Ah, padawan Menson. What brings you into this discussion?"
"Discussion of what, Admiral?"
"Of the movement of Letta Trumond to the Republic Military's cell."
"So she's been transferred?"
"Correct."
Quick thinking courses through his mind.
"I just hope she doesn't escape. That is my concern on the matter."
"Not to worry, padawan. The Republic Military will make sure of that."
"Very well, Admiral. Until next time."
"Yes. Until next time."
Tarkin takes a glance at all of the people, who are close to him, then presses the button to call the lift. Luckily, it shows up for him quite soon. The others don't make another sound until he leaves. Then Ahsoka says:
"You didn't have to cut in our conversation like that, Oswald."
"I didn't mean any…disrespect if that's what you're getting at, Ahsoka."
"That's not it. There was actually no need for you to entertain the Admiral in a conversation."
"Maybe. I think I handled it well."
"Well enough, padawan." – remarks Anakin.
His voice showed a mixture of uncertainty and surprise. Usually, only Ahsoka would engage in disputes with high ranking officials and here was another padawan, who took that action just now. Although, the goal was a mystery to him.
"So. How long do you plan on being at the temple, Master Skywalker?"
"I don't know exactly. We'll probably just stay here for a couple of days before our next mission."
"Well, what can you do. The war isn't going to end itselft."
"Not so long as the separatists are at large."
"Excuse me, Masters. I have many things to attend to." – Barriss states.
Everyone's gazes shot to her.
"Understood" – said both Anakin & Oswald.
They immediately looked at each other, few second later retracted their stare. Padawan Offee bowed and went forward, past Oswald. Before she could pass the others, she tilted her head towards Ahsoka and in a sad way just said:
"Ahsoka."
After the mirialian went about 30 steps Anakin chose to change the status quo.
"I think you should let my padawan go talk to Barriss. She looks like she needs it."
"You're right, Master Skywalker."
"I trust you don't take this as a slight at you, Oswald."
"Not at all, Ahsoka. I still might catch up with you before you're next mission. Goodbye."
With that said the blond haired padawan bowed to Anakin, took a half circle around him and disappeared out of their seight.
"Go. Be with your friend, Ahsoka.
She looked at him with distain of the current situation, but followed Bariss's direction. He didn't stay there long after Ahsoka was a good distance away from him.
Roughly 10 minutes had passed since the conversation had ended. Oswald was now sitting in one of the rooms of the Jedi Temple, massaging his head. Apart from him, there were two other beings in the same room.
"How is Ahsoka?" – asked one of them.
"What I could gather – conflicted."
"Isn't it normal to expect such kind of reaction from her? She is, if I'm correct, only sixteen years old".
"You might be wright, Zane".
"And Bariss? What about her?"
Oswald knew this question would come eventually. While Zane's take on Ahsoka's emotional well-being was logical, reasonable, Barriss posed more questions than answers. Therefore, this worried him.
"She felt more confused than Ahsoka, Kelan."
"Well that makes two of us, Oswald. I don't get, what are you overthinking in that head of yours. Both Ahsoka and Bariss acted normally to the current circumstances. Remember, Tutso Mara was one of Bariss's closest friend within the Order. Maybe his loss is impacting her more than we could imagine."
"That's just it, Kelan. When I used the Force to sense her emotional make up, the results were…not…
"Not what?"
"For lack of a better word – conclusive."
"You sense something more going on?"
This is what Ki-Adi-Mundi's padawan was considering to be the most likely thing.
"Yes, Zane."
"What? What could possibly be more in the bombing?"
"The threat."
"It has been dealt with."
"Has it? Completely?"
The two other's took in the last two sentences with great care. The general consensus among the Jedi, the Jedi Council or even the high ranking military officers was that the culprit had been gone and the threat eliminated. However, padawan Menson thought differently. The mere accomplishment of this action was hard to be attributed to just Letta Trumond and her husband, even though he was a worker in the Jedi Temple. Was she the mastermind or was she subordinate of someone greater?
"You believe that the threat is still lingering?"
"That I do, Zane. I think Barriss thinks the same way."
"So she's been questioning the findings as thoroughly as you?"
"That… I don't know. Yet…we should assume that that is the case."
"Well, the fact that she is still mourning the loss of a close friend means we should not approach her."
"Maybe approach with caution, Kelan."
"That might not be good enough."
"Whatever the case maybe,…"
They looked at Menson, quietly waiting for him to finish his sentence. After almost a minute he stated:
"…the menace might be diminished, but not finished.