Hey, everybody. Back at last with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 6- Order 65
In the entrance of the Jedi Temple, Captain Rex is standing completely still, watching through binocks at the positions the clones under Fox in the distance. The clones seem to be massing and preparing for another attack on the Temple.
"What do we got, Rex?"
Rex looks to his side and sees Ahsoka now standing next to him. "Doesn't look too good, Commander. I think Fox called up some reinforcements. The odds against us are getting worse. I don't think Fox is gonna wait much longer. My guess, we have at max two and a half hours before Fox launches his next attack."
"Got it. Keep an eye on it, Rex," Ahsoka says.
"You got it, General," Rex responds. Ahsoka smiles a bit at Rex before she turns and walks back into the Temple.
As Ahsoka gets back into the Temple, Mace, Cin, Shaak Ti and Jesse are all waiting for her in the entrance. As he reaches them, Ahsoka says, "Looks like Fox is massing for another attack. We've got no more than two, two and a half hours before they attack again."
Mace frowns at hearing this. "We can't stand against another attack of even greater strength. Have we heard anything from the Senate?" he asks.
"No. Nothing. The meeting of the Senate should've already started, and Anakin hasn't messaged me," Ahsoka says.
"Do you think the Senate still supports Palpatine?" Jesse asks.
"I guess we can only wait and see," Ahsoka says, hoping that Padme and Anakin had gotten through to the Senate.
The group stands there in silence for a second. Then, right as Ahsoka is about to speak again, Jesse's commlink starts to beep. Everyone looks down at the commlink, then back up at each other. After a moment, Ahsoka says, "Go ahead. Answer it, Jesse."
Jesse nods, then reaches down and pulls out the commlink. As he activates it, it shows Bail Organa, sitting in a familiar chair.
"This is Bail Organa of the Galactic Senate, transmitting to all units of the Grand Army of the Republic. After a meeting of the Galactic Senate just an hour or so ago, the Galactic Senate has officially impeached the Supreme Chancellor and removed him from his position of Supreme Chancellor and declared him a traitor of the Republic. Per the vote of the Senate, I have been appointed as Supreme Chancellor in his place. As Supreme Chancellor, I am issuing orders to execute Order 65 in regards to former Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, and to declare his pronouncement of Order 66 as null and void. All units of the Grand Army of the Republic will cease hostile actions against members of the Jedi Order immediately, and begin a search for the former Supreme Chancellor and detain him, or execute him if he cannot be detained. All units will report in to my office and confirm receipt of these orders."
The image remains projected for a second longer before it fades. Everyone looks at the commlink, then everyone looks up at each other. After a moment, they begin to break out in smiles. Ahsoka is the one to break the silence, "They did it. They did it. Now, we just have to hope that this can override Palpatine's programming and snap the clones back to normal."
"We have to hope that Palpatine did not include any biological programming designed to prevent an override in the event of an impeachment. I guess we'll find out shortly," Cin says.
The group moves towards the steps leading up to the entrance of the Temple, looking into the distance where some of Fox's force can be seen. The minutes tick by with no sign of movement or communication from the clones. Then, after about 10 minutes, a small group of clones breaks out of the lines of the clones and starts marching towards the Temple. It's quickly apparent that they are holding a white flag high enough to be seen.
"Well, looks like they want to talk," Ahsoka says.
It takes minutes for the clones to arrive at the top of the steps. They can identify Fox at the head of the group. As the clones halt, Fox steps forward to speak. He stops a few feet away and salutes the Jedi.
"Generals, my apologies for what has happened. I know nothing can erase our attack on the Temple, but I hope we can move onwards. I wish to formally apologize for turning against the Jedi, and promise to do all I can to aid in bringing in the former Chancellor," Fox says.
Mace steps forward, looking right into Fox' mask. Then, he says, "For now, we'll trust you, Fox. But if you show any signs of trying to turn on us again, we won't hesitate to defend ourselves."
"Understood, General," Fox says. He then follows up by saying, "I received a personal transmission from Supreme Chancellor Organa. Myself and the Coruscant Guard are being put under the command of General Skywalker, who is on his way back to the Temple."
Mace nods. "Good. All of your clones and those of the 501st who accompanied you will stand down and make their way towards military medical facilities to prepare for a medical procedure deemed necessary by the Chancellor," he says.
"Yes, sir," Fox says. He salutes Mace again, then turns and begins leading his escort back to the rest of the army.
Mace turns to face the rest of the Jedi. As he does, Ahsoka, a big grin on her face, says, "It worked. It worked."
Right then, Ahsoka's commlink begins buzzing. She pulls it out and turns it on, revealing Anakin.
"Anakin, you did it," Ahsoka says.
"I only helped seal the deal. It was Padme and Bail," Anakin responds. He pauses a bit, then says, "I talked to Bail before the Senate meeting, and we agreed that if this worked, Bail would have orders issued to the clones to have their inhibitor chips removed. Hopefully those orders will start to be sent out now. I'm going to start contacting medical centers here on Coruscant that Fox will be taking his troops to and issue them instructions for the procedure to remove the inhibitor chips."
"Good," Mace says before turning to Shaak Ti. "Master Ti, send orders to Commander Fox and to the Defense Fleet. As soon as he has men with their chips removed, order Fox to task his men to search Coruscant for wherever Palpatine may have hidden himself. At the same time, order the fleet to lock down Coruscant. No ship leaves this planet."
"Understood. I'll convey this to Chancellor Organa," Anakin says. After Mace nods to indicate he heard it, Ahsoka cuts off the transmission.
Everyone nods, and the group separates to follow Mace's orders
(Hours later)
Anakin's face is firm as he walks into a situation room within the Jedi Temple. He returned to the Temple a few hours ago after spending a little bit of time with his wife. He wanted to spend more time with Padme, but he knew he had to return and attend to his duties.
The past hours since Bail issued his first order to the GAR. Since then, clones all over the galaxy have begun the process of having their inhibitor chips removed.
However, at the same time, casually counts have begun to come in of Jedi killed by clones after Palpatine's order went out, which has caused much sorrow at the Temple. Several thousand Jedi are confirmed to have been killed. Among them include Ki Adi Mundi, Aayla Secura, Stass Allie, and Deppa Billaba. However, a handful of Jedi are confirmed to have survived, including Yoda, Luminara, and Plo Koon. They're still trying to figure out exactly who has survived. But with reports coming in, it seems like Palpatine's orders have resulted in the Jedi Order's numbers cut at least by half.
There was also no word yet from Obi Wan. Anakin was very worried for his old master, but was trying to hold out faith that Obi Wan was okay.
As Anakin is about to enter the situation room, Mace suddenly comes rushing out of the room. "Master Windu, what's wrong?" Anakin asks.
"We just received word from Commander Fox. Some of his men were able to identify a building in the Industrial Sector where they think Palpatine may have had a hideout, and may have gone to after he fled his office," Mace says.
Anakin grins. "Good. Then let's go get him," he says.
(An hour later)
In the back of an LAAT gunship, Anakin looks out at the ground passing beneath him. Anakin had insisted on being part of the strike force going to apprehend Palpatine. It was a miracle that the clones had even managed to find this place in the first place. Luckily, they found footage of Palpatine's speeder moving in the direction of the Industrial Sector, and found a brief transmission from the building they had identified.
Mace had quickly assembled a small, elite squad to go confront Palpatine. He was bringing Anakin, Ahsoka, and Shaak Ti. They were also accompanied by about 50 clones, led by Rex.
Anakin leans out of the side of the gunship, and sees the building up ahead, closing in. In a matter of seconds, the gunship flies through an entrance into the building for small ships, with the two other gunships of the strike force following close behind.
Anakin leaps out of the gunship, the clones and Ahsoka following him. Mace and Shaak Ti leap out of the other two gunships with the rest of the clones.
"Alright. Spread out and search the whole building. If you see anyone, report back immediately so we can reinforce you," Mace orders. Everyone acknowledges this before they begin to spread out. Anakin draws and ignites his lightsaber before he heads out of the hangar with Ahsoka.
The team searches the building inch by inch, constantly on alert. After the first few minutes, despair begins to set in. Finally, after about 15 minutes, all of them come to the same conclusion, and head back to the hangar.
As the group recongregates in the hangar, Mace is the one to speak. "It's clear that Palpatine escaped Coruscant, possibly even before the attack on the Temple. For now, we will return to the Temple and try to figure out every Jedi who has survived, and work with the Senate to regain control over this chaos we are in. Only then will we be able to begin the hunt for the Sith."
Everyone nods, clearly upset at coming out empty-handed. However, everyone is determined that Palpatine will not hide forever, and he will eventually be brought to justice.
And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you liked it.
Next chapter will be up in the next few weeks. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!