A/N: Hi everyone! Here's chapter 4, and I hope you like it. I decided to break canon again, more than once, and I hope you like it. I know it isn't normal, but not only is this a crossover, it's also AU, so anything goes. I also said, in the beginning, I would be messing with the timeline, so there's that. I'm introducing a few more characters here, and we're going to start seeing some action next chapter, so I hope you like it. (It's not coming out until after my math test, though, so please be patient with me. Also….I haven't written it yet, so there's that). We're going to start meeting many new characters in the coming chapters, and I think you'll like them. But in the meantime, please enjoy this chapter.
Until next time, please read, review, and enjoy!
Manhunt! After a long and perilous search, the Jedi finally track down Separatist leader, Count Dooku.
During a heroic attempt to capture the Count, Anakin Skywalker has gone missing. Having lost contact with Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi heads toward his friend's last known location, a lone Separatist frigate in the far reaches of the Outer Rim.…
Five months after the events at the spy station and the successful recovery of Artoo, as Skywalker and Kenobi tracked down and tried to capture Dooku, the woman was in different straits than what she was used to. She had decided it was her time and left her friends and allies behind, heading as far from them as she could get.
This she needed to do alone.
Well….almost alone. She was headed for Ord Cestus, where two of her friends could be found as they dealt with the issues there. They would help her if she needed it.
Finally arriving on the planet's surface, she found herself near where they had set up camp with the clones they had brought along. R1 beeped; he didn't really like desert planets, and neither did she when she thought about it. Nothing good ever seemed to come from desert planets, in her opinion. She only shook her head in response to his question and comment as she climbed out of the starfighter as best she could, her stomach making it an almost impossible task.
But she managed, and once on the ground, she signaled R1. He beeped and thrummed his gears, not happy with what she wanted, but still cloaked the ship. She nodded to herself before walking into the one-room hut she had landed next to, taking the towels she had brought along with her. It was rather bare; no running water, no lights or power supply of any kind, and only a fire pit right in the center with a small hole in the roof to let the smoke out. She ignored that; she wouldn't be lighting a fire here.
She walked deeper into the hut, looking around carefully before settling on a spot near the far wall opposite the gap that stood as a door. She started pushing dirt around with her feet after taking her boots off, using her hands as well to pile it the way she wanted. Only once she was satisfied did she settle down and get herself comfortable, removing her trousers as well but using one of the towels to cover herself.
Only then did she really settle down, or at least try to. It was made harder because her breathing was labored and the contractions made it harder to stay comfortable. She started straining slightly, testing her body, but it wasn't ready yet. Her water had only broken a few hours ago, and her labor would be long, this she knew. She would have to wait it out as best she could.
Stabbing pain suddenly shot through her, making her arch her back, and her eyes blew wide open. Only thousands of years of instinct kept her from calling out; those instincts did not let her make any sound that indicated she was in danger or needed help. Those instincts kept predators away but didn't do much for her present situation.
The pain settled after a few minutes, settling back down to bearable levels, and she relaxed as best she could, groaning softly as she did so. This would take a while.
Hours later, darkness had fallen, and still, she strained, and still, her breathing was heavy. The darkness was complete inside the hut and there was no indication that she was even there, her labored breathing too quiet to be heard outside. But still, someone knew and found her, and it was exactly who she was hoping for.
She had settled into the lightest sleep imaginable when the Force shifted, letting her know someone was coming her way. Immediately she was wide awake and ready to run, regardless of her situation. But seconds later, she recognized the presence and relaxed, although her eyes stayed wide open as the pain flared again. She watched the door, and a few moments later, Kit walked in, resting a hand on the door frame for a few minutes before finding her in the darkness. He smiled then, and she relaxed; his presence was one of the few comforts in her life right now, and for him to be there when she truly needed him most made this all the easier to bear.
He walked over to her and settled on his knees next to her, resting a hand gently on her stomach as he said, "Quinlan is keeping watch while I'm gone. I can't stay long, though; I just wanted to see how you were doing. Do you need anything?" looking at her in the darkness.
She shook her head, and he looked as though he didn't believe her, using his other hand to brush the hair out of her eyes as he looked carefully at her face. It was pinched and tight; the skin around her mouth and eyes was tightly drawn with each wave of pain that passed through her. Her breathing was labored, and she was lying half on her side to take the weight off her back. Suddenly she groaned, clenching her jaw as a bigger wave of pain came over her. He took her hand, and she squeezed it so hard he was sure she broke fingers, watching as her eyes rolled back in her head for those few moments. After that, she settled again and let go of his hand, giving him a chance to flex his fingers and be relieved that nothing was broken, knowing that she could have if she wanted to. He looked at her then, and she looked back at him, her eyes wide with pain, and his heart broke a little.
She took away his pain, made it possible for him to live his life and keep doing what he loved to do, but when it came down to it, he couldn't take away her pain. All he could do was be there for her and wait it out with her, just be there and be a comfort to her. She groaned again and settled down into the dirt, waiting for the next wave of pain, and Kit almost settled down with her just so she wasn't alone. But at that moment, his comlink beeped, and he turned to look at it before shutting his eyes and sighing. He was overdue, and Quinlan needed him back at camp to help guard the clones and resistance fighters.
Kit turned to her, seeing that she was looking at him. She nodded and gave him the gentlest push towards the door, silently saying she would be alright. He sighed again and stood, knowing there was no choice to be had. She had come this far because she didn't want company or help with this, and he had to respect that choice. Instinct told her to do this alone, and he had to honor that. In the end, he only said, "I will come to check on you tomorrow night and bring some food and water for when you are interested. If you need anything, reach out, and I will be here as soon as I can."
She nodded, and Kit left the hut, looking back one more time as he did so. The hut was a dark silhouette against an already dark sky, the gap where the door had been even darker if that was possible, the darkness easily hiding the new life being welcomed into the galaxy. He could only shake his head one more time before leaving and heading for camp, arriving there about half an hour later. When he returned, it was time to see that the clones and resistance fighters with them had settled down for the evening and were all asleep.
Kit looked around for a few minutes before finding Quinlan on the outskirts of the camp, waiting for him. While Obi-Wan Kenobi had initially been assigned to this mission with him, the chance to capture Dooku had proven to be of more importance. So Quinlan Vos had been given this mission with him, something Kit was personally glad about. They got along well together and had the same leadership style; mainly, as laid back as possible while still getting the job done. The fact they were good friends helped since they kept each other's secrets very well.
Quinlan looked up as Kit joined him, nodding in the direction of his lightsaber as he did so. Kit nodded as well; he had left it behind so that whoever had bugged it wouldn't learn anything of interest, and even now, they were out of range of the bug and could speak freely. Kit smiled slightly in thanks, and they sat in silence for a few minutes before Quinlan asked quietly, "How is she?"
Kit said nothing for a few moments before sighing and saying, "She's in labor. I don't think anything will happen tonight or even tomorrow. I told her I would check on her tomorrow night and bring food and water if she was interested. I'm afraid you may need to cover for me for a few days more than I thought. I forgot how long these things can take."
Quinlan nodded, "Not a problem. If you leave at night, no one will really notice you're gone, and pretending to be half asleep will make whoever is watching you think it's normal to forget your lightsaber if they are as stupid as we all think they are."
"They were smart enough to know that I was the one that needed to be bugged, Quinlan," Kit said quietly, "And smart enough to know that I am keeping secrets. Hopefully, those secrets can be kept for as long as they need to be. I don't want to be the reason this fails."
Quinlan turned to look at him before slapping him on the shoulder and saying, "It won't fail. You and I both know she's a master at not just improvising but also adapting and anticipating. I'm willing to bet she's already a few steps ahead of that problem and has figured out a way to use it against the person spying on you. We just need to be careful."
Kit nodded, and they turned back to listening to the silence of the night, waiting for morning to come, and in Kit's case, darkness to fall again. When night came, he would slip away again and see how things were going in the hut.
The next night Kit slipped away to the hut again, leaving his lightsaber under his pillow as he did so. He had already packed the supplies he needed, or rather, Quinlan had packed them to keep whoever was watching him in the dark. Kit only needed to grab them and leave the camp, heading for the hut as quickly as possible. He also had brought along a small lantern if she wanted it, but he doubted it.
Like the rest of her people, she preferred giving birth in the dark to hide from predators.
Kit slowed as he approached the hut, the tentacles on his head testing the air before deciding it was safe. The pheromones he was picking up weren't the ones of a new mother protecting her child and therefore much more dangerous than she already was; they were the pheromones of a woman still in the middle of a rather painful labor.
He entered carefully, listening for any sound that said his presence was unwanted and that he should leave immediately. There was no such sound, and he easily found the woman exactly where she was the last time he had been there. She hadn't moved and was doing her best to bear the pain. Her pain-filled eyes lit up when she saw Kit, clearly glad to see him. Kit smiled as he walked over, leaving the backpack he had brought on the ground nearby as he knelt next to her, saying, "Are you doing alright?"
She nodded, closing her eyes and relaxing as he started stroking her sweat-soaked hair, just enjoying the comfort he was offering. Minutes later, there was a stab of pain and she was arching her back, neck muscles straining, and Kit immediately gripped her hand, waiting out the wave with her. Minutes later, she had settled again and had collapsed back into the dirt, groaning as she did so and clearly exhausted. Her labor had been going for a long time, but finally, the contractions were starting to come faster and faster as the hours dragged on.
A few more hours and this would all be over.
As for Kit, he could only wait until she relaxed again before saying, "I brought you some food and water, as well as a lantern in case you want it. I can't stay much longer, I left my lightsaber behind, and I've already been gone too long for someone just visiting the refresher. But I wanted to see how you were doing and if you needed anything?"
The woman shook her head and settled into the dirt, holding his hand loosely and clearly glad he was there. Kit smiled; it was amazing what the smallest of kindnesses could do for a person, making him realize there was something else he could do for her. He smiled at her and said, "I did bring something else for you that I think you will like. Let me go get it," and the woman nodded and let go of his hand. He stood and went to the backpack, opening it and pulling out an old cloak of his he had brought along when a friend had told him to watch out for the woman on Ord Cestus since the friend had thought that was where she was going.
Kit turned back to the woman and walked over, folding the cloak as he did so. He then knelt and put a hand under her head, raising it a bit so that he could slide the cloak under. He then lowered her head back down, watching as she pushed into the cloak to form it the way she wanted it, breathing deeply as she smelled his scent. She looked at him and nodded, gratitude in her eyes, and he smiled before saying, "Even if I can't be here with you physically, I thought this would help you know that you aren't alone. And if this can give you the smallest of comforts when you are feeling your worst, then I hope it serves you well."
The woman smiled as best she could before settling into the cloak with a sigh. Kit smiled wider before saying, "I need to go, but I will be back tomorrow night. Eat and drink if you can, you need to keep your strength up," turning to the backpack and quickly emptying it of everything he had brought.
The woman nodded as best she could, and Kit left the hut, hearing the beep of an invisible droid and having to shake his head before he shrugged the empty backpack up on his shoulder higher and kept walking. He made it back to camp in record time and shook his head when Quinlan looked at him with a question in his eyes.
Neither could know that new life would be welcomed into the galaxy only hours later, but it would bring heartbreak along with it.
High above, Tarkin growled inwardly as he saw that Fisto was very good at disappearing and leaving his lightsaber behind when he did so, giving him no way of knowing what he was doing or where he was going. Sidious hadn't found the spy Fisto had met with and wanted answers, but Tarkin didn't have any to give.
Kit Fisto was just too careful and knew when to leave his lightsaber behind, and there was nothing Tarkin could do about it.
He could only wait and see for Fisto's next move.
The next day, Kit could slip away from camp when it was still light out. When he arrived at the hut, though, he stopped, knowing immediately something was different. Today he wasn't dealing with a woman in labor; he was dealing with a mother protecting her own with her life.
He would have to tread carefully.
He approached slowly, shaking his head tentacles a bit so that the wind would carry his scent inside before reaching out with the Force just in time to catch the faintest of growls from inside. But the growl quieted almost immediately, and he felt her reach out with the Force on her own to see if it really was him. After a few minutes of quiet waiting, he felt her welcome his presence. So he walked inside quietly and immediately smiled at the sight before him.
The woman was now sitting against the hut wall and holding a towel-wrapped bundle like it was the rarest treasure she had ever had. She was looking up when he entered, and her lips twitched slightly in an attempt of a smile, but it was clear she was exhausted. But she was still glad to see him as he walked over and settled next to her, giving her a quick hug before she gently pushed the towel aside and revealed a little face. Kit smiled; the child was as beautiful as her mother, and he was glad he got to see her first.
"She's beautiful, just like her mother," he said softly, not wanting to wake the child, "I am very proud of you," turning to the woman, who smiled tiredly before holding the child more securely, clearly not letting go of her at all if she could help it. Kit smiled at that; she would be an amazing mother: protective and strong, but also caring and loving when she needed to be. He looked around the hut then and saw something that immediately caused him some grief, but he knew it was the likely outcome.
Another bundle lay on the other side of the woman, wrapped entirely in a towel and much smaller than the child currently alive and asleep in the woman's arms.
Kit looked at the woman then, seeing the pain in her eyes at the loss and the determination not to dwell on it as her living child required everything she had to give and would give as much as she could for however long she needed to. He smiled then, "You have done well, and you know it. That is all that matters."
The woman nodded, looking down at the child in her arms before looking out the door of the hut into the fading sunlight, and Kit knew what it meant. It was time for her to leave and return to her home, and delaying any longer would be unwise.
Especially since the child needed to be seen by a doctor to make sure she was healthy. He could sense that she was, but her mother would want an actual doctor to confirm it for her.
Looking around again, Kit could see that everything was ready for her to leave; she was dressed and even had a bit to eat and drink, but there was still some blood on the ground that would need to be removed.
No one could know she had been here.
Turning to the woman, he said, "Your starfighter is ready to go?" she nodded, and Kit asked, "Can you walk?"
The woman thought a moment, clearly feeling out all her muscles and listening to the signals her body was sending her. After a few moments, she shook her head; she didn't have the strength to manage much of anything right now.
Kit's smile said it was alright, though, since he only said, "I guess I'll have to carry you," and she looked at him in concern, knowing the kind of pain it would cause him. He only shook his head, "I'll be alright. It's you that I am more concerned about right now. Let's get you home," standing up and walking around her to the other side, picking her up as carefully as he could. Even knowing what was coming didn't really prepare him for the stab of pain that raced through his midsection, and he had to stay where he was for a few moments while he waited for it to pass. Eventually, it did, and he looked down into her worried eyes and smiled slightly, trying to convince her everything was okay.
She clearly didn't believe him, if the raised brow was any indication, but only wrapped her arm around his neck as he carried her outside to where her starfighter stood, R1 dropping the cloak so she could get inside. Kit was able to lift her inside but had to stop afterward as the pain flared for a moment before settling again. As she got comfortable and settled with her child in the seat, he went back inside the hut and stayed for a few minutes. When he came back out, he had the other bundle in his arms, wrapped in his old cloak as well, holding it delicately and gently as he handed it to the woman before saying, "I cleaned up everything as best I could. I don't think anyone will come this way anytime soon, so you should be alright. Go ahead and get home; I'll call later and see how you're doing."
The woman nodded, reaching out for his hand. He gave it willingly, feeling her give it the barest squeeze before she also gave him some relief from the pain coursing through him before he could stop her. He pulled away quickly, saying, "You shouldn't do that. You need all your strength right now."
So do you, her eyes seemed to say, and Kit smiled slightly. She was so self-sacrificing, so willing to help those who needed her help, and it was humbling to have that help directed at him. He turned to the droid then and said, "Get her home, as quick as you can, R1. I will take care of things here."
The droid beeped and primed the thrusters. The cockpit closed and sealed itself a few moments later, the starfighter taking off slowly before setting a course for the atmosphere and space beyond. Kit watched it fly away until it had disappeared from sight before turning and heading back into the hut. He needed to clean up a few more things before returning to camp.
High above, the starfighter gained more and more altitude, R1 navigating well and engaging the cloaking device to get past the Republic cruiser nearby. Once past the cruiser and out of range of the scanners, he activated the navicomputer. Moments later, the ship was ready and the hyperdrive engaged, and then they were heading for home.
Later that night, when Kit returned to camp, everyone was settled for the night, except for Quinlan. He was waiting at the entrance to the camp and raised an eyebrow when Kit approached. Kit only nodded and said quietly, "It's a girl."
Quinlan's eyes widened considerably, but then he was smiling and clapped Kit on the shoulder, saying, "And I'm willing to bet she's as beautiful as her mother."
Kit shrugged at that and continued walking into camp, Quinlan's quiet laughter echoing in his ears, picking up his lightsaber as he did so before heading to his bedroll and settling in for a night's sleep, relieved that this part of the adventure was now over. Now he only had to deal with the situation here on Ord Cestus, and then he could go home.
He certainly had some exciting news to deliver when they finally returned to the Temple.
Dooku held for ransom! After escaping capture by Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the villainous Count Dooku fell into the clutches of pirates led by the brigand Hondo Ohnaka. Eager to get custody of Dooku, the Republic agreed to pay Hondo a hefty sum in exchange for the Sith Lord.
But Anakin and Obi-Wan had not counted on the treacherous cunning of Ohnaka and his band...
While Skywalker and Kenobi dealt with Ohnaka's gang and did their best to outwit them, which wasn't very much, the woman had finally arrived home. R1 had taken over flying the ship for the last day or so, knowing she was in no condition to fly it on her own. The fighter was almost immediately swarmed by friends and allies when they touched down in the hanger. Among them was a doctor that had been her friend for a long time that she trusted completely.
He smiled when he saw her, "You took your time, didn't you?" when she only shot him a withering look, he said quickly, "I'm sure it was worth it, though?" knowing that it was never worth it getting on her bad side.
She nodded and carefully handed him the little bundle she had been holding and safeguarding for the entire journey. He took it gently, moving the towel away and seeing the little one bundled in and snug for the trip. He smiled then, "She certainly is beautiful. Let's go make sure the both of you are healthy, shall we?" turning to the woman, who by this time had climbed out the starfighter with the help of a few friends and a medical droid and was sitting on the wing of the fighter. She nodded but made no move to stand and walk. His smile slipped slightly, and he said, "I imagine you are sore and can't walk?" when she nodded, he said, "If you carry her, I can carry you," handing her daughter back to her.
She nodded again, and he lifted her quickly, taking her to the medical center while she held her daughter safely. The few friends that had been there trailed along behind, eager to meet the newest addition to the family. Behind them, the medical droid carefully lifted out the second bundle and brought it along behind them, knowing his masters still would want to do something about it.
Right now, they had more pressing concerns.
A few hours later, the woman and her new daughter had been given a clean bill of health. Neither was sick or been harmed by the birth, and the woman was sitting in her quarters, in bed, when the door opened. She was still holding her daughter, who had woken up with all the commotion surrounding her and was only just settling down into her arms again. The woman looked up as the door opened and a droid walked in.
But this was no medical droid, and it became even more evident when it walked over and looked at the little one cradled in her mother's arms. It looked up and said, "You sent for me, mistress?" when the woman nodded, he asked, "This is the little one you want me protecting and caring for?"
Again the woman nodded, and the droid said, "I will be her nurse droid to the best of my abilities and protect her as best I can; you have my word, mistress."
The woman smiled and nodded slowly, the assassin droid reaching out and gently touching the child's face. The child smiled a little and grabbed at his pincer-like hand, which he allowed as he looked at the little one. Seeing this, the woman nodded to herself, she had made the right choice reprogramming the assassin droid, and he would serve her well, making the last few months of complicated coding and programming worth it. Now she didn't have to fear for her own while she was on her missions; this droid was more than capable of caring for her child and protecting her with everything he had.
A few days later, Kit finally returned to Coruscant. The mission to Ord Cestus had been a success. However, he had been grieved when the ARC Trooper Jangotat had sacrificed his life to protect countless civilians. Kit knew it was the cost of war and that many more would die in the coming years, but it didn't make the loss any easier.
But the news he had to give Padmé and Bail, and by extension, the rest of the Conspiracy made the loss of Jangotat easier to bear. And so when he arrived at Padmé's apartment, he was more than ready to give the news. It was late at night, and only Padmé and Bail were in, Threepio elsewhere in the apartment and Skywalker nowhere in sight. Kit smiled to himself a bit then; he had heard that the attempt to capture Dooku had been a failure and the Count was still at large, and so Obi-Wan and Anakin had been recalled back to the Temple for debriefing before returning to the front lines.
It seemed Skywalker had slipped away for a few hours while he was back on Coruscant, and Kit immediately knew where he had gone as soon as he had been given a chance. Seriously – did Skywalker think he was fooling anyone when he said he was going to get some fresh air outside of the Temple?
Kit saw through that excuse every time, having used it once himself and knowing that next to no one ever believed it, but with the war holding everyone in the Temple's attention, it was easier for Skywalker to make the excuse and slip away. As long as he was back in due time, no one seemed to care, and it wasn't for Kit to call him out.
After all, there were worse things he could be doing than visiting his wife.
But he was gone right now, and Padmé and Bail were waiting for the news he had to deliver. The entire Conspiracy had known what was going on with the woman and knew that there would come a time when she needed to give birth. While a few had been dismayed at the timing, most were overjoyed to hear that she had found time to have some joy in her life. And Padmé and Bail were the two who would be most glad to hear the news. When he entered, he saw they were both on the balcony, enjoying a glass of what he guessed was Domaine de la Maison sur le Lac, a popular wine among senators as they watched the nightlife of Coruscant. They turned when they saw him approaching, and once he was in earshot, he said, "She came to Ord Cestus and gave birth there."
Padmé smiled at that, "And…?"
Kit kept a blank face for a few moments to let the suspense grow but finally smiled and said, "And it's a girl."
The two senators stared at him a moment in surprise and disbelief before Bail said, "That's excellent news, my friend! I'm sure you are relieved. I know you were worried."
Kit nodded as Padmé said, "I can't wait to meet her. I'm sure she is as beautiful as her mother, and just as incredible."
Kit smiled slightly at that, "They are both surviving in a galaxy where the odds are stacked against them, Padmé. I'd say that is incredible in and of itself."
Padmé nodded while Bail said, "Hopefully, we get to meet them both in due time. In the meantime, how was your mission to Ord Cestus? I know you were hoping Master Kenobi would come with you?"
Kit smiled again, "He was sent to capture Dooku, as I'm sure you know," and the two senators nodded. Kit continued, "So Quinlan Vos was sent with me to Ord Cestus, which in the end, made things a bit easier. Slipping away to visit her was easier with him to think of excuses. When we were younglings growing up in the Temple, he was the one who came up with excuses for why we weren't where we were supposed to be. He certainly has a knack for thinking of plausible reasons. The mission went a little wrong, but in the end, it all worked out, and the X'Ting now can do what they want with their home. I think all will be well there, in due time. Our spy was able to deliver some intel I'm sure we need using a third party, so we are all set for whatever happens next. And whatever she has planned next."
"Good," Bail said, "And in the meantime, we can continue the work she set for us. I'm not sure why she has us sending her the files and information on the finances of the Republic, but as long as I don't have to try and sort out all that bureaucracy, that's fine with me. All those numbers made my head hurt, and I was just skimming the information!"
The others with him both laughed at that, with Kit saying, "I think she just wants something to do while she recovers from giving birth. It will be a week or so before she can start being as active as she used to be and another month or so before she is back to full strength and can get back to doing what she wants. She probably wants something to do to pass the time."
"Reprogramming assassin droids isn't enough?" Padmé asked with a smile, "If I didn't know her so well, I would be surprised, but in all honesty, I'm surprised it took her so long to decide to do so. She has an ability for technology that would rival Anakin."
Kit shrugged at that, while Bail said, "And I feel as though I'm the odd one out on a secret that only you two know," the Jedi and the Senator immediately quieted and looked at each other, but then Bail smiled slightly and added, "And I can live with that. I think I understand why you two are so protective of her, but I will keep my own counsel in this regard and let you have your secrets. I'm sure everything will be revealed in due time. And in the meantime, I find myself enjoying trying to crack the mystery of this woman. You two and your secrets make it all the more interesting."
Kit and Padmé smiled at that, but Kit added, "I know you don't like being kept in the dark, Senator, but I promise that you will know everything by the end of all this. And it won't be just you. The Jedi Order and the Senate will know too."
Bail nodded and said, "I can live with that. I'll be patient a while longer," but there was a smile on his face that was mirrored by his companions as they watched the speeders zooming past the skyscrapers of Coruscant.
In another part of Coruscant, Tarkin and Palpatine met. And it wasn't for a social call. Tarkin was nervous because he knew he wasn't meeting the supposedly kind Chancellor who led the Republic with surety and a steady hand. He was meeting a ruthless Sith Lord who would be less than pleased with what he had found out about Kit Fisto.
Which was next to nothing.
When he arrived at the apartments, Palpatine was waiting for him in his study, staring at him as though he was looking right through him. After a few moments of this, Tarkin finally said, "I have been watching the feed as much as I can before I send it to you, my lord, but I'm afraid I have nothing to report. Fisto does everything I expect a Jedi to do: meditate, go on missions for the war effort, command his fleet, those kinds of things. The few times he left his lightsaber behind were to meet informants and spies, and there wasn't much I could do to convince him otherwise. I didn't want him knowing that his lightsaber was bugged and therefore couldn't press too much. He is already suspicious of me, or just doesn't like me; either way, he is too careful to get caught."
Palpatine stared at him a moment longer before nodding slowly, "I am aware of your efforts, Captain. Under other circumstances, I would even commend them. But I need to know everything Fisto is doing, and that requires you to get creative. Thanks to you, I know there is a high-ranking spy in the ranks of the Separatist military, but so far, my search has been unsuccessful at locating them. Whoever they are, they have done an excellent job covering their tracks. My apprentice and I will locate them as soon as possible, but in the meantime, I need you to figure out what Kit Fisto is doing when he doesn't have his lightsaber with him. There are surveillance cameras all throughout the city, especially in the underworld. I would advise you to use them to their utmost to find Fisto whenever he heads into the underworld without his lightsaber. I have already given you priority access to them; no one will ask why when it is I giving the permission. Find him. Find who he is meeting with, where they are going, what they are doing. Everything. I need to know if my plans are going to be successful."
"Yes, my lord, I'll do my best," Tarkin said immediately, "But I still will have issues when we are with the fleet and he leaves his lightsaber behind. I can't force him to take it with him; he is my commanding officer. I have to respect the chain of command to keep him from getting more suspicious of my motives."
Palpatine's eyes narrowed, "Get creative, Captain. Whatever happens, try and force him to have his lightsaber with him at all times, even if he thinks you are overstepping. Pretend you want him to be prepared for an unpleasant situation or something similar. I don't care; just learn what you can as quickly as possible. I need to know if he comes into contact with the person I mentioned earlier; I can't know that if he is doing everything in his power to keep you in the dark, knowingly or not."
Tarkin nodded, "Yes, my lord, I understand. I will do what I can to find out everything I can about him."
Palpatine nodded, "I know you will, Captain. I'm sure your life will appreciate the effort you put into this endeavor," Tarkin did his best not to gulp or betray his fear at the threat he could hear. Somehow, the threat from Fisto was nothing compared to this. Palpatine continued, "And to aid you in this assignment, I thought I would give you some help," looking behind Tarkin as the door opened.
Tarkin turned to the door in time to watch as a male being entered the room. He was tall, with an angular face and blood-red eyes. His skin was blue, his hair a darker blue, and he moved with calm confidence. His eyes traveled up and down Tarkin, taking in every detail, before turning to the chancellor and saying, "Chancellor Palpatine, you sent for me?" his words slow and measured, seeming to not have a care in the galaxy.
Palpatine nodded, "Yes, I did. Captain, this is Lieutenant Mitth'raw'nuruodo, otherwise known as Thrawn. He is a Chiss from the world Rentor in the Unknown Regions. He has joined the Republic with the intent of learning more about the conflict with the Separatists, but I have found that he is an incredibly skilled leader and tactician. His ability to win battles is worth the medals and higher rankings he will inevitably receive, but I think you will find his research skills will be invaluable in your efforts."
Tarkin nodded slowly, still unsure what to make of this person, but Thrawn clearly didn't care about his lack of response because he again addressed the chancellor, "You asked for me to assist Captain Tarkin with an assignment?"
Palpatine turned and went to his desk, sitting down and folding his hands on his desk as he said, "I need to know who Kit Fisto meets with and where he goes. We have bugged his lightsaber and are attempting to learn what we can, but I want to know more. He keeps secrets, from the Jedi and everyone else, and I want to know those secrets. I thought the two of you would have more success than one of you continually failing."
His words hit Tarkin hard, but he swallowed his indignation, knowing there was a fair amount of fear mixed in as well. Thrawn nodded, ignoring Tarkin's apparent unease and fear, "I will do everything in my power to learn what I can, Chancellor; you have my word."
"Good," Palpatine said, "Tarkin is assigned to Kit Fisto's fleet and will get you everything you need," the chancellor leaned forward then on his desk, "It goes without saying that this assignment is highly confidential, and no one can know about it. Not even the Jedi or Republic High Command. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, my lord," Tarkin said, while Thrawn simply nodded. The two officers left then, and once the door was closed and they were on the lift heading down to the lobby of the building, Tarkin turned to Thrawn and said, "I don't know what you plan on doing, Lieutenant, but I can assure you it won't be easy. Fisto is much smarter than you think. Defeating him in this game of wits won't be easy."
Thrawn seemed to smile then, not bothering to look at the captain as he said, "I have learned, over the years, that the best way to defeat an enemy is to know them. That means learning everything about them, from what they like to eat all the way to their history and the history of their parents. Learning their philosophies, their art, their music. I will start there and dig into his family while you keep monitoring his activities. In time, and with some patience, I'm sure we will find out everything the chancellor wants us to learn."
Tarkin scoffed, "If you think learning what kind of music he likes will help, by all means, do so. But the chancellor wants us to find someone Fisto has a connection with, and I'm having a hard time figuring out who that person is. Not even the Chancellor knows their name and isn't inclined to tell me what they look like. I doubt even he knows. So I'm not sure what help knowing Fisto's history will be, especially since he hasn't seen his family since he was taken to the Temple. Even if they were alive and you did find them, I doubt they'll be of much use."
Thrawn actually did smile then, "Learning everything about his past will help, Captain, because if General Fisto has met this person recently during the Clone Wars, it is safe to assume they have met in the past. Finding the answers in the past may be easier than finding the answers in the present, don't you think? And once he gets overconfident and arrogant enough to think he won't get caught, he will make mistakes, and that is when we will be able to catch him in a lie."
Tarkin only scoffed again but said nothing, knowing there was no point in continuing this conversation. Thrawn could do what he wanted and research Fisto; he would continue watching the Jedi and hope that doing so would lead to answers.
And if nothing else, it would help him understand his general a bit more. Maybe enough to get into his head and make him reveal something that would help in this search.
Over a week later, the woman had recovered from giving birth to her daughter and was already much stronger. She had left her daughter in the care of the droid for a few hours while she took care of something she knew she had to do. Now it was time for her next task.
It was something she had been meaning to do for some time.
And so she left her temporary home, heading for the place that had been home for maybe only a few years but had left such a mark on her that it would always be home. When she landed, she just stayed in her starfighter for a few minutes, staring at what had once meant everything to her. Safety, a warm bed, a place to play and explore, good friends.
That was all gone, and only ghosts remained.
After a few minutes, she finally shook her head and got out of her starfighter, reaching in to collect the little bundle she had brought with her. The little one deserved a place of peace for their rest, and she would give them that. She signaled her droid to stay where he was, and R1 beeped in acknowledgment, knowing no one would be looking for them here. She started walking, carrying her bundle around the partially collapsed wall and into what had once been elaborate gardens but were now overflowing with weeds and trees. She walked through the gardens to where a little stream ran its course between the trees. She followed the stream, eventually coming to a place where peace seemed to reign.
It was a small clearing, but there was an old bench rotting away. Nearby were a few flowering and budding plants, as well as creeping vines up the trees nearby. The grass grew long and wild, and a scattering of stones was about. She nodded to herself; this place was perfect for what she had in mind.
The little one would be comfortable and safe here.
An hour later, she was done. A little grave stood against a tree, rocks marking where the little one now rested. She had carved their name into the stones, carved it in a language lost to time that no one and no droid could ever hope to read, and stayed there for a few minutes on her knees, just looking at the grave.
Finally, though, she had to stand up and leave, knowing that while the dead were granted peace, the living still needed caring for. She turned then and stopped dead. There, standing there and watching her, was a little girl.
A girl she knew.
The girl smiled and waved as she watched before running off into the garden, her bare feet leaving no trail. The woman followed more slowly, watching as the girl leaped from rock to rock and climbed trees and vines before racing away. The woman followed and finally came to another clearing, where the girl waited. The girl smiled then and started dancing around the clearing, laughing and smiling all the while. As the woman watched, the girl began to fade away, still laughing and smiling and dancing, until finally she was gone, nothing more than a ghost from a memory of long ago, back when the woman had been much more innocent than she was now.
Now, she was nothing like she used to be.
And yet, still, she stayed in that clearing for a few minutes more, remembering. She remembered being that young and that innocent, laughing at the wind as it played with the leaves and singing with the water as it danced over the rocks in the stream, playing with her friends and watching the stars and nights pass them by without a care in the universe, but now wasn't the time for memories or for the past.
The present and the future called to her, and she couldn't ignore them much longer.
She turned and left the clearing then but stopped when she heard another ghost calling to her. There were no words, no sound other than a familiar laugh. But that laugh was enough for a smile to come to her face as she remembered a gentle smile and kind blue eyes in a face she hadn't seen in so long. That face was framed by graying hair and a graying beard, and she smiled as she pictured him. Her old friend was still with her, even after all this time and with him gone where none ever returned from.
The present and future may be calling to her, but her past was telling her that sometimes the answers to everything were in the past if she could bring herself to look there. Perhaps that was all she needed to do to continue on the path she had set for herself.
With those thoughts, she continued to her starfighter, leaving the world where it all began a few minutes later to continue on her path and finish what had been started so long ago.
And this time, she wouldn't do it alone as she felt the presence of her old friend with her every step of the way.
A/N 2: Any guesses on who the person being described at the end is? The one who guesses right gains a touchdown from me (and maybe a sneak peek at the next chapter)!