- On the run! Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano escapes from the grasp of her Master Anakin Skywalker to conduct her own investigation and free her name. Back at the Jedi Temple, the sympathizers of her innocence are narrowing down their search for the true criminal. Will there be enough time for both parties to achieve their goal? -
Chapter 9. Confinement once again
While the conversation between Jedi Master Shaak Ti and his friend Oswald Menson was happening, Zane sat in the circular object that was closest to the window. From the previous sitting positions he assumed the one, which was Kelan's. The Force sensitive had a sandstorm resembling piece of paper lying in front of him, on the ground; a blue pen in close vicinity gave the paper company. Technological advancement in the Galaxy made paper and ink as a way to pass on information from one place to another quite ancient, especially in the rich classes. The Republic Army and Jedi Order members usually transferred anything noteworthy 3 ways: by mouth, by a hologram or by a call through a communicator. The technologically advanced method had a flaw – material value, it required metals, which cost more than wood and some chemical liquids, paints. Fairly frequently letters were still exchanged between beings in the Outer Rim, because they weren't major trade spots, didn't exist in a mid-way point within a crucial Hyperspace route, lacked resources. Being on a military campaign in that section of the Galaxy, Oswald got a small box filled with paper and two blue pens, they were a gift from a native for the salvation of his hometown. The blue eyed, semi-toned human male accepted the gift, but didn't know what further action to take. Should I get rid of it? Where should I use it? Zane remembered these questions from the day he found them in his friend's arms. After a bit of convincing, Oswald gave Zane half of everything. The same day Padawan Farnos didn't manage to think of a reason for his action, before entering the dream world he settled on instinct.
"It must be it again."
He smiled at the thought of using the same unconfident reasoning as he did in the past. The answer 'instinct' made some sense, yet not the maximum amount.
"That is not important."
Suddenly the eyes turned toward the paper, concentrated on the top line. There was a name written there, it was Admiral Tarkin. Ah, that's not all. Several question marks were written next to it, each was of different size, and the whole set was disorganized.
"You don't … feel … like the one. I'm not happy with that opinion."
Still thinking about the Admiral as the culprit of the bombing, plus, the one, who framed Ahsoka as the criminal mastermind, he sensed a signal from the Force. It was of noteworthy origin, not necessarily harm. At that moment, Kelan walks in.
"Hey."
"Hey." – he says with a smile.
"I brought some delight."
"Oh, yeah. I see that."
Both Padawans laugh for some seconds.
"Any progress?"
"Maybe."
"Oh? Not sure, are we?"
The female twi'lek walks over the closest circular object, lowers the trey to a height, which would be easy for Zane to get his class without moving a lot.
"Thanks."
"Cheers."
The lightly hit each other's glasses and take a sip of the deep orange liquid.
"Ahhh! Good."
"So?"
Kelan crosses her legs, so the meditation could begin quickly in the near future. The glass object changes hands – the left one now hold it.
"What have you been up to?"
"This."
Zane grabs his paper from the ground and holds two of his fingers near the top name on it.
"Tarkin?"
"Exactly. I'm beginning to doubt that he's actually behind this plot."
The female's face expresses seriousness.
"I believe that also."
"You do? Why?"
"Rumors amongst other Padawans. On my way back from speaking to Oswald, I interrupted a conversation with 3 of our peers. One of them had in a mysterious, unknown fashion found out something prevalent."
"It directly affects our investigation?"
She nods in agreement.
"Alright. What is it?"
"Ahsoka Tano has escaped the grasp of both Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker and the Clones."
"To where?"
"By him, to the underground levels of Corousant."
Zane was in turmoil over this news. On one hand, the white chocolate skinned male felt joy for Ahsoka's escape, since she was now away from the skeptical judgement riddled Jedi Council and the military with Admiral Tarkin at the top. Just today Oswald described him as a 'power hungry animal, hostile to people on the same step of authority as himself'. On the other hand, this further increases the pressure on the 'higher powers'. Public opinion has certainly swayed toward believing she is the criminal mastermind.
"They probably go by one simple rhetorical question. It sounded similarly to: 'If you aren't guilty, then why run away?' "
Simplicity is an anomaly, not the norm. Zane believed that talking from a non-empathetic position clouds you of the dangerous conditions in which a suspect must operate. The painting of the current situations picture was halted by the twi'lek.
"Good or bad?"
"More good than bad, Kelan." – Zane answers.
"It encourages me to believe that a positive result is still on the table."
"Don't get complacent. We are still on the clock."
"That much hasn't changed."
"Indeed."
Zane remembers the reason, why Kelan wasn't here with him for a while.
"So? Did you succeed in giving Oswald everything?"
"Everything that needed to be said."
"Kelan. Trust me, when I tell you that being silent about anything important to Oswald doesn't end well for the other one."
The female rearranged the words in her reply.
"I gave him everything. You and Oswald both trust me, right?"
"We do, Kelan."
"Well than let's wait for Katooni's awakening. I'm guaranteed that she and Oswald will have a talk about the same topic soon after that."
"Oh yeah."
Her face changed a bit.
"Where do we go from here?"
"If we cross Tarkin's name out, then we are left with an unhappy Padawan. He or she probably steers anger and resentment towards her for the praise she gets in the War."
"To how many we should narrow it down?"
"Top 3."
"Agreed."
The glasses reach the ground, a paper sheet lands back on his spot. In no time at all, both Force sensitives start meditating.
Just before Tano's decent into the lower levels of Corousant.
"Of course. At the most important moment the cameras were turned off." – Captain Trend stated.
"Someone managed to cut the signal off for a few minutes. During that time, the Clones were left either wounded or killed."
"Did Commander Fox examine the markings?"
"Yes, Captain."
"What type of weapon made those injuries?"
"From what I, he, Captain Rex and Master Skywalker could gather, the injuries were dealt by a lightsaber."
This assessment frustrated Captain Trend. Ordinary people would label him as an 'experienced' fighter in the War. He did not see himself that way. Every battlefield is different, so to expect an ideal replica of a past one is foolish. The more things are treated as factors, the sum of time to prepare increases proportionally. Obviously, knowledge of the Jedi and their triumphs on the battlefield had been heard, some alien even evaluated the worth of a Jedi compared to a battle droid. Captain Trend did not care much for some alien's opinion; he firmly believed that the overseeing of a Jedi General's campaign is a significant piece in the puzzle to end this conflict. Where the Jedi flawed in battle? Yes. Did they compensate their military deficiencies from time to time? Also correct. The male clone viewed the Jedi Order & its Knights as extremely valuable allies, so a viewpoint of an opposite nature was met with disgust.
"I … am … confused."
"At least you're honest with yourself, Captain."
He very quickly turns to the new dialogue participant.
"Admiral Tarkin. All finished with your task I assume?"
"Quite right."
The highest ranked in the nearest vicinity man was guarded by two clone troopers. Their armor color pattern resembled the same one as Commander Fox's men; rifles were aimed to left side.
"So, Captain Trend? Still believe in Missis Tano's innocence?"
"Yes, yet the marks on the wounded men have created … alternatives."
"Alternatives you say? What kind are they?"
"In a similar place, where yours are. I believe someone broke Padawan Tano out of her cell."
"Well, at least you don't treat it like an unimaginable idea. I'll give credit where it's dew."
"Thank you, Admiral."
"Where is Commander Fox, Admiral? Still chasing the escapee?" – The Commander asked, jumping back into the conversation.
Tarkin happily accepted the change of direction.
"Yes. Last I heard, he, Captain Rex and General Skywalker went after the fleeing Miss Tano to the sewers near the base."
"Great. Soon she will be back in the place, where she belongs."
"Don't be so sure, trooper. This hole … fiasco … might have more turns in the future."
"With small pleasantness I agree with Captain Trend. In light of recent events, to think any of this will end soon is not logical."
The trio of clones in the main security room nodded together.
The darkness of the evening had already begun its establishment, the ongoing change of the environment led to buildings, streets being light up, shinning with a constantly ascending presence. Jedi Master Eeth Koth saw fragments of it from a window in the ante-room, yet that was not the thing that had his attention. The Force was sending various types of signals, some positive, some negative. All of a sudden, a familiar Force presence appeared a couple of steps behind him.
"Something wrong, Eeth?"
"Hmmm … Kenobi." – The being answered non-directly.
The black haired zabrak opened his eyes and swept the signals from the Force under the carpet.
"I was just concentrating on my connection to the Force."
"May I ask why?"
He turned around, Obi Wan closed the distance between them by a noticeable amount.
"During one of our day's sessions, I sensed something through the Force. This is why I decided to leave the Council's chamber for a bit."
"What was it?"
The latest question proved to Koth that Kenobi was truly curious.
"I'm … not certain. But if I had to guess, I would … treat it as animosity."
"That is a serious emotion, friend. Have you managed to identify the strength of it?"
"No."
The Zabrak's head lowers a bit.
"That only increases my wish to understand the … grievous substance."
Anakin's Former Master strokes his beard with his left arm.
"Something is going wrong simultaneously to Ahsoka's case. If you truly sense animosity through the Force, it might be coming from closer than we think."
The head goes back to its normal position.
"Correct, friend. The detected antagonism is more or less coming from within the Temple."
"An expected outcome. Ahsoka Tano is the shining star in the War effort, huge appraisal through media sources. Any kind of diminishment of her or her achievements, especially in a circumstantial style, might cause uproar between Padawans. Obviously, they will deny this if questioned about it."
"The 'diminishing' might be worse than previously conceived, she might … she might …"
"Don't you say it." – Obi Wan says coldly.
"I understand your position in this … mechanism, Kenobi. The outcome might prove to be devastating for you."
"True. This is why we mustn't allow it come to that."
Master Koth starts walking, passing through the other Jedi Master, he gives him a closing remark.
"Whatever we find, the Order must remain intact. With or without Padawan Tano.
Anakin's arguably closest person within the Jedi Order felt displeased with his fellow Council member. Most days he did not have a negative take on the common slogan: 'For the Greater good!' On the other hand, most days one person, who he truly believed & trusted, wasn't in such a serious situation. That was just the tip of the iceberg. What kind of damage can this be done to Anakin's psyche? The ideas surrounding that omitted a depressing feel; therefore, they were left aside at this moment. Soon he returned to Council's chamber.
"Fantastic. Now we have our Top 3 suspects." – says Zane.
"Even better that 2 of them match."
"That makes only 4 possible people."
Abruptly Padawan Farnos' communicator started to detect an incoming call.
"Hello."
"Zane."
"Oswald?"
"Mhmmm."
"What's happened?"
"I got caught in some high risk stuff after our talk. Luckily, now I have time to take a much needed and agreed rest."
"Good to hear that, friend."
"That's not all. I intend on sleeping for about 6 hours."
Zane felt a negligible shock. Sure, he wanted his friend to take some time off, because, according to him, Oswald put too much strain on his mind far too often. 2 is not 6. The tripling sum of recuperation was not in his envisioned scenarios.
"Are you sure that much time is wise? We are still on the clock, when it comes to our … important person."
"I completely agree. Although do not mistake my decision as neglect, Zane."
"Relax, Oswald. I know you are not a brash guy."
"Thanks. I'm betting that I can do more good by sleeping for a while. My connection to the Force remains, maybe some new signs will be shown to me during my rest. Besides, after a good relaxation the details, which were previously unseen, might be found." – Padawan Menson states at an above average pace.
"Understood. Rest up and we'll meet you then."
"Alright. Goodbye, Zane."
"Bye, Oswald."
The line goes dead. Kelan feels a bit confused after hearing the conversation between her friends.
"Well, he'll be out of picture for some time."
"I heard. He is risking a lot on this action."
"I assume he knows that."
"So do I, Zane."
The white chocolate skinned human stands up and goes near the door. Without a good alternative plan, the twi'lek goes after him. Almost instantly the couple appears back in the halls of the Jedi Temple.
"Are we going after our suspects?" – Kelan asks silently.
"Definitely. You want top or second?"
"Top."
"Fair. We find them, have a talk with them. It is crucial that we are open to the Force's signals during our talks."
"That is the only way we will know, if they set up Ahsoka to go down for them."
Zane starts darting his eyes in every direction. Some kind of rat might be among their peers, if that was the case, he wanted him or her found. To underestimate a being's want, lust, need to appeal to its superiors can lead to disaster.
"Meet up here in 2 hours."
"Got it."
"Split."
Oswald's friends turn their backs towards each other and walk off in opposite directions. In dire moments, overthinking about other's decisions is probably reckless. Better option – move on. The human & twi'lek chose the better option. Also, Zane had a detour planned after the talks, the road led to a 'certain' someone.
Sometime later. The battle between Ahsoka Tano & the unknown red dual blade owner had reached the climax. Reason – the explosion had knocked down the togruta female to the floor behind a rectangle shaped piece of metal. The later ensuing fight was mere toying from the wielder of the red blades, at one moment he jumper kicked her in the air & down a couple of stories in an abandoned warehouse. Tired, exhausted both physically and mentally Ahsoka got on all fours, lifted her head and noticed a familiar symbol on a nearby crate.
"Nano droids?"
Then a stare down appeared between the combatants. Ahsoka stood on the lower ground confused, while the masked person stood on the higher ground with a tactic to look for a single, unique sign. He was sure it would come. After it was sent, the wise move of leaving came about. Ahsoka suspected there was something wrong, alas, she was too late. One of the clone troopers that snuck up behind her stunned her after the words:
"Whoa! Wait. I can explain."
Another clone trooper came to one crate, examined its contents.
"Explosives. These are the same types of Nano droids that were used to blow up the Jedi Temple."
"I can't believe it." – Anakin said.
He looked distressed, not sure, how everything today has gone from bad to worse with no slip up. What happened after? A deterministic chain of events occurred, that's what happened. In the end, Ahsoka Tano was once again in someone's captivity.