Star Wars: Arda Unleashed

by Lord Exar Kun

After the Arda Campaign ended in victory for the Republic and their local allies, the galaxy's eyes returned to the wider Clone Wars. However, the Dark Lord Sauron has yet to be vanquished. Now he has come to the wider galaxy free from the binds of Arda, and is ready to be unleashed upon the stars. As the Chosen One's fate, the Republic's and the Jedi Order's remains to be seen.

26. Knightfall

Chapter 26

Knightfall

Night cast its darkness upon Coruscant. The endless streams of airspeeders flew through the countless sky lanes. The spires, buildings, domes, and metal confines of the world glittered or twinkled with light that sprung from within. A normal night for the capitol of the Republic, the heart of the galaxy. The Jedi Temple lay beyond. Many causeways, metal roads or massive connective walkways of metal led to the grand dwelling of the Jedi Order. The central access ramp leading from the outer reaches of the Order's exclusivity zone to the very gates of the main entrance were always silent. No great processions marched. No crowds or those not part of the Jedi Order made a habit of trudging such grounds on normal nights. However, little did anyone yet know, tonight was not in fact 'normal.'

Eyes now peered from high viewports. Peaked from atop spires or around alley corners. As a thunderous percussion ebbed and flowed. Footfalls sounded as a boom following another. The clacking of boots, the shuffling of armor and the silence of unspoken voices. Hundreds, thousands of clone troopers garbed in the white armor and blue stripes of the Grand Army of the Galactic Republic marched. Marched in controlled and careful unison. Marched onto transports from the Executive Annex and the adjoined barracks. Marched off the transports and onto the open plazas just beyond the Jedi temple. Silently forming into racks and rows of tightly packed lines. Hardly anyone speaking a word. Company commanders alone speaking of what they needed to do. Knowing that their men knew what would happen tonight. The deep breath before the plunge as the dagger stared down at the exposed throat of the Jedi Order.

They marched. The clacking and shuffling sounding. They ascended the great stairs leading to the main gate. The great statues of Jedi masters stared down, looming in silent horror as the troopers passed them by. The main entrance nearing, and a great light shining from within. Patrols placed beyond the gates from the rioting nights before watched in stunned silence. None moving, none sure what was happening. None daring intervene or even ask. Security personnel, watchmen, and other assorted persons standing on high balconies, watching from viewports within the temple or sensing a vast array of presences approach turned and beheld the sight. A legion, the 501st Legion itself marched up the ascending stairs. The plaza bare of any resistance or persons. The columns moved closer. Blasters in hands, silent and pensive.

At the head of this marching legion led a lone figure. Draped in darkness. A hood as a cover atop their unseen head. Leading down to a shuffling cape torn along the bottom edges. A lightsaber held loosely and lazily in their right hand. A twin glowing evil just prickling from beneath the hood in yellow. The colors of those steeped in the dark side. They led the columns forward, and they didn't say a word. Not to these men, at least. They knew what their mission was. They knew what needed be done. To not hesitate, to show no mercy. To snuff the nascent Jedi Rebellion before it could begin.

The marching continued, the thrumming concert of coming carnage playing beneath the perception of all hearing. Alone, one figure of all stood at the very entrance to the Jedi Temple. A single bald human man, with an intricate tattoo running down the left side of his face. Master Jurokk, the Gatekeeper. His eyes narrowed at the approach. He had already called ahead to the Jedi inside. The Force had given a sickly lurch some time ago. None could raise Master Windu, neither Fisto, Tiin or Kolar. The Force had rippled in ghastly illness and warning, and the dark shroud that had long hounded them seemed to wriggle in anticipation. Jurokk watched the approaching army, and took his saber hilt into his right hand. Activating a green lightsaber and planting himself, cloak whirling in the cool nightly winds, before the center of the main gate's entryway.

"What business have you with the Jedi?!" He demanded and pointing the tip of his blade against the insurmountable approaching wave of white clad troopers and their mysterious spearhead. Whom, at the question activated their own, blue, lightsaber. Jurokk's eyes narrowed and he made to speak again.

"I ask again, who goes th-" The Jedi was stopped. He felt his throat constrict! His defenses broken through so easily! The Force failing him and as he grasped feebly at his neck with his left hand, the hooded figure raised them into the air. Arm extending up and then swiping inwards towards themselves after. Jurokk flew threw the air, and in an instant was impaled upon the blue lightsaber the dark being held. His eyes gaped wide and turned upon the figure. Noting only their sickly yellow pupils, their mouth hidden beneath a tattered cloth mask. Before they carved their saber up his abdomen and with a fling of the Force's power, tossed Jurokk aside. His body clumping to the floor, his cloak atop his dead body, and lightsaber extinguished.

All the while the troopers continued their advance. Their hooded figure remaining ahead of them. The gate was open. The first row passed on through. Before them coming into view was the Jedi Temple's Great Hall. Inside already stood dozens of Jedi. All standing at the ready. All seeming to have felt a disturbance. All staring in shock, dismay, confusion and whatever else they could hardly think of as the legion poured in, one rack at a time. Temple security troopers lined the upper terraces, and some streamed from adjoined halls or rooms.

The hooded figure came to a stop, and behind them the first row went still. Followed by the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth and on. Silence passing. A long and brutal quiet. Another gasping breath heaved inward as all remained momentarily unsure what was going to happen next. The hooded figure glanced up at the right, going to the left and back down. Three dozen Jedi lining the upper walkway, another couple dozen about the Great Hall itself, with more surely coming. Then, over the comms, the troopers heard it. The order officially came.

"Knightfall." The first line turned their blasters out, and unleashed the first volley of 'order and peace.'

---

A percussion echoed through the thick and intricately woven walls that lined the Jedi Temple. As it reverberated down into the lowest depths of the temple structure it reached the lowest and most secure of the medical wings. Where three figures lay along the floor in various positions. Two humans; one male and the other female, along with one male bith.

Within the actual medical wing, Anakin's body lay limp along the pristine white floor. Unmoved for another long quiet moment. All thoughts black in his unconscious state. Another percussion sounded and boomed. Shaking the room ever so slightly. Metal cabinets made of durasteel and medical equipment along tables or shelves rattled and shook. The sound small, but enough. Enough for the fallen Jedi Knight to give the faintest lurch along the floor. Before his fluttering eyes even opened the young Jedi gave a closed mouth mumble of pain. His head throbbed at the back, and even the act of squinting his shut eyes hurt.

"Kriff." Anakin whispered aloud and ran his gloved right hand along the back of his skull. He could feel a welt forming along his skull, and memories flooded back to him in an instant of what had happened. Causing him to snap his blue eyes open and suck in a hurried and worried breath. Anakin tilted his head up from along the ground. His skin having momentarily become stuck along the ground, peeling with a hint of discomfort as he moved. He planted both hands to the ground and pushed up onto his knees. Casting watchful eyes left to right. The Force was in turmoil. Something was happening. Anakin could sense it. But, in the moment he did not see, nor could he sense Dooku. His heart raced, and Anakin jumped into a stand. Again, flinging himself around in a defensive circle. Never seeing Dooku though. He was gone.

"Dammit!" Anakin cursed, smacking his left hand onto his forehead. Every stupid decision of the past stinging his backside, but this?! Letting Dooku walk free? Thinking they had come to at the least to a momentary truce? "Sometimes I really am the dumbest Jedi in the Order." Anakin admonished himself. His eyes glancing at the two fallen Peacekeepers. A stray sigh escaping him as he did so. Knowing he'd have to explain himself for knocking them around and out. Now it looked better than ever like Anakin had personally helped the Count escape. Just great optics…

Another boom shuddered the Temple. This one was loud and violent. So much so that Anakin felt his body tense into a defensive stance. The room gave another rumble as medical equipment quivered or clanged about. His eyes narrowed again at the sight and sound. He had been woken up...the Force was also in a tumultuous state...something was still not right. Something beyond Dooku.

"Oh Force…" Anakin gasped. His eyes turning to the roof. As though he could peer through the thick plated walls to the upper levels. "Oh Force no! No, no, no!" It dawned on him. A horrible twisting wrenching of his gut ensued, and Anakin felt sick. His body began shaking as it had earlier today. Was it even still the same day?! How long had the Count knocked him out?!

"Kriff!" Anakin seethed and cursed. Reaching out through the Force as he felt the prickling sensations common of a battlefield flood into his perception. Fear, fury, the knells of death, and the adrenaline of battle met. Could it be...it had to be?! It was happening! Just as Dooku said it would! Anakin didn't know what that meant. What happened to Masters Windu, Fisto, Tiin, and Kolar?! What about Dooku himself? Did that mean Palpatine...Sidious had beaten them all?

"Kriff!" Anakin howled again and ran over to the two fallen peacekeepers. He fell onto his knee, flying into action. Doing as he often did in battle and prioritizing even as his emotions gnawed at him at the back of his very much still in pain skull. Anakin placed his right hand atop the large brow of the bith and with his left shook his shoulder.

"Hey, wake up!" Anakin commanded loudly, using the Force to nudge the bith to consciousness. A few seconds passed and the bith's eyes fluttered. Large black orbs stared up at Anakin before he gave a whining groan and sat up.

"What happened?" The bith intoned in his own language. But, for the moment Anakin ignored him. Shuffling over to the woman and repeating the process with her. Shaking her for a moment before her eyes snapped open. Unlike the bith, though, she immediately stared daggers at Anakin. Jumping to a full stand angrily.

"You!" She seethed. Anakin watching her from where he knelt, as she reached for her waistband. Looking for her lightsaber. Patting at the empty spot where it had once been. Her brow creasing in confusion.

"Yeah, me." Anakin nodded, and rose to a stand beside her. Holding his hand down to the bith who stared up at him for a moment. Before taking it and letting Anakin help him up.

"You…" The woman began, but she swung around. Looking into the opened doorway to the medical wing. "What have you done?! What did you do, Skywalker?!"

"There's no time." Anakin replied, reaching down, grasping the bith's lightsaber and snapping it into the alien's hand. "We need to go."

"No!" She seethed, whirling around at him. "You...you knocked us out! You let him...you let Dooku out! Are you out of your-" The hall gave another booming thud and caused her to pause her tirade. The bith jumping beside Anakin and holding his lightsaber hilt at the ready.

"What's going on?" The bith asked. His massive eyes staring up at the ceiling. Much as Anakin had done earlier. Both he and the woman reached out through the Force. Easily sensing what Anakin had seconds before.

"I don't have time to go into details." Anakin began, addressing both of them. "Hate me all you want. Dooku is gone, and like I said earlier, I'll pay for that later. For now, we've got much bigger problems!"

"Spit it out then!" The woman snapped. Her face contorted in derision. As before, Anakin felt as though he knew this woman. She reminded him of...well himself.

"The Temple is under attack. The clones have turned on us. We need to get topside, now!"

"What...how do you know-"

"We don't have time!" Anakin cut the woman off again. "Let's just say I've learned a bit since you've been out cold! Now, I'm going to head to the main assault...I'm guessing the main entryway would fit best. I need you two to help me out."

"We don't take orders from you, traitor." The woman folded her arms over her chest, but the bith looked between her and Anakin for a moment before he too, spoke.

"We should listen, Kholt. Traitor, or not if what he says is true, we need to help out in some way." Anakin appreciated at least his openness. Not that he didn't understand this Kholt's dislike for him right now either. She sneered at Anakin. Remaining silent before she scoffed and shook her head. Anakin figured that was the best sort of acquiescence he was gonna get. So, he nodded his thanks.

"Good. Alright now-" Again, another boom sounded and the three looked up at once. Anakin feeling his adrenaline spike and heart race a bit faster. "Alright...alright I need you, to make for the crèche quarters! Gather up any younglings not attended to and get them to the lower floors. If you can, make for one of the old turbolifts down into the under city beneath the Temple." Anakin commanded the bith.

"Understood." The bith nodded.

"Good. Now you." Anakin turned to Kholt. "I need someone to get to the communications hub. Send out an order across all Jedi frequencies. Telling them to get away from their clones as soon as possible! Make it clear they cannot make a scene, and to find a place to lay low if at all possible. With any luck they haven't been attacked yet."

"Yet?" Kholt repeated. Her eyes burrowing into Anakin. "How do you know so much?"

"Me and the Count had a chat. More will be made clear later. If we survive tonight. Now, enough talk, let's go!" Anakin ordered and broke into a Force assisted run down the hall. The other two turning to look at one another before they joined after Anakin. One less enthusiastically than the other. Though, none could exactly say they couldn't feel what was going on above and around them. Especially as they reached the turbolift and began climbing. The stench of death thick upon the Force. All three anxiously becoming more aware of what was happening in their Temple. Their home.

---

"Hold them back! Around the column, watch the karking-" The security trooper was shot in the head. He flung back along the floor, a sizzling scorch mark along his brow.

"Kriff!" Another seethed and howled. He raised his own rifle and aimed around the corner of the large column he found himself and two others hidden behind. Across the hall from him behind a set of three columns stood or knelt six more security personnel. All of them aiming down the same hall and firing wild sprays of bolts. None of them believing what was happening! Some of them having been there for the riot that had occurred days before, but compared to this?! That was a nice day out. The very concept of what was happening was beyond their ability to comprehend. Dozens of clone troopers were ascending onto their level from a spiral staircase from the main floor. The troopers; whose aim was far superior to their own and they knew it, were trying to move deeper into the Temple. The security alarm, only having begun to blare recently. Only after the first reports of fire and death and chaos. All security forces in and beyond the Jedi temple had been called back. All had been ordered to fire on enemy forces on sight. None of them realizing that the clones had been the enemy...at first.

That was until the clones opened fire on them. Tearing into friends and comrades of the other security troopers. Watching in horror. Stunned by the sight. Only barely able to raise their blasters and return fire as their friends bodies smoke beside them.

The temple security staff were decked out in simple security armor and wielding rifles capable of lethal force, but designed for subduing the wayward criminal or intruder. Yet, even worse still were the bodies. Not their own. It was the Jedi. Some of them had come from halls adjoining this one. Some had even been sent from the Great Hall. They had never seen anything like it. Jedi, men, and women of all species. A few here and a few there. Lining halls littered in blaster bolts, carbon scoring and burns. For many among the Temple Security Forces they had never seen a Jedi be shot dead. To see not just one or two, but dozens? It shook all of them. If the clones could do that to Jedi, what the kriff were they doing here?

"Right, right, right!" One security trooper yelled just as a clone knelt down the hall. The clone lined his blaster up and fired three controlled bolts in a burst at one security guard leaning around the column. The guard's abdomen was riddled and he fell back. He wasn't dead though. He merely howled in pain. A fellow temple guard grappled his belt and yanked him back around the column. His screaming filling all ears just beneath the exchange of blaster fire that burned and scorched the columns and walls at random.

"Grenade!" One of the clones called, and as he did, he tossed one down the hall.

"Get down!" One of the security personnel yelled just as the grenade exploded! A dent blew out of the midsection of one of the columns. A guard huddled behind it was thrown on his back and his gear was scorched from the heat of it as clumps of stone and metal fell around him and the others.

"Covering fire now! On the right!" Another security trooper commanded and dashed across the hall. The flinging blue bolts of the clones flew around him, barely missing him as green and red bolts fired back into the clones. One of them smacking into the eye visor of one of them. That clone slumped back against the wall he had been kneeling by and ceased all movement. His fellow clones numbly carrying on fighting.

"I got you! Here!" The security trooper came to a skidding stop along his fallen comrade. Smacking his blaster rifle into his hands. "Shoot like your life depends on it!" The man on the ground, dazed and confused only nodded after a moment of wide eyed befuddlement. The other security trooper began yanking him back down the hall away from the blown out column, itself swaying and unstable, the trooper on the ground firing at the clones as he was dragged back.

"We need support! Dammit!" A third temple guard called just as a bolt ricocheted off the column he had been using as cover. Just grazing his right cheek and burning him. "Kriff!" He seethed. "This is Captain Restel, I need reinforcements in hallway uh...hallway...what hallway are we in?!"

"B-20!" Another guard called as he fired a bolt that seared a clone's shoulder plate. In kind he and another three clones unleashed a barrage and riddled a kneeling security trooper along his chest and stomach. Dropping him.

"This is Captain Restel in hallway B-20! I need reinforcements! I've got clones bursting at the kriffing seams up the adjoined stairwell! We're in an untenable position, I say again untenab-" A rocket of some kind had been fired and it exploded behind the Captain. Throwing he and three other security troopers forward. Some slamming face and chest first into the very columns they had been hiding behind. Another tossed into the air and along the open floor where the clones picked him off thoughtlessly. All the while the comms were riddled with men, security troopers screaming, calling to one another, demanding or begging for reinforcements or aid. Some howling as one could imagine them to be riddled by the bolts of clones who seemed hell bent on nothing more than their total annihilation. The Captain shook his head. His helmet falling from atop it to the ground. Glancing up as the clones ran and advanced up the hall towards him. Heaving shaky breaths he grasped at a pistol along his belt. Aimed down sights and fired. The bolt grazed a clone's helmet and he fell back. Another fell to a knee and fired at Captain Restel. His life flashing before him much as the colors of the bolts flew at him. His death there just meters away and then-

The clone was tossed back. His own body seared and scorched by the very bolts he had fired to kill the security Captain. Restel rolled onto his back, hearing the familiar hum of a lightsaber. Looking up he saw a Jedi, flanked by two others. The one above him carried two green lightsabers, both humming and bright in the smoking ruins of the hallway. His comrades sported a blue and yellow and both dashed ahead. The clones began turning, screaming orders to one another at the oncoming Jedi assault. Some of them falling back but firing at the advancing knights as they did so. Just as the Jedi fell upon them. Lobbing arms and legs, hewing through their armor relentlessly. Restel couldn't say he felt for them at the moment neither.

"Th...thanks, Master Jedi." Restel breathed as the Jedi above him nodded. Deactivating the lightsaber in his right hand and momentarily clipping it onto his belt. Before he offered the free hand to the Captain. Restel took it and was easily pulled back into a stand. He checked around himself. Coughing through the falling dust and debris to see some of his men charred and dead. Others strewn about in confused and dazed displays.

"You alright?" The Jedi asked him.

"I've been better." Restel coughed again. Leaning down and scooping up his fallen rifle. "They came with an entire legion! What we do to piss them off this bad huh?" Restel wondered angrily.

"Can't say." The Jedi intoned as his two fellow knights returned to him. "But, we need to lock down the outer defenses of the Temple. We can't let them breach the interior." The Jedi noted as one of the others, a female twi'lek spoke.

"Master Hett, the hall is clear." She informed. The Captain thought she sounded young. Maybe she was just a padawan?

"But, the clones could easily climb those stairs again." She grimly intoned. The man she talked to, Master Hett, nodded.

"Captain, you have any charges on you?" Hett asked the Captain.

"Nothing too heavy duty...but they might." Restel pointed to some of the fallen clones.

"Good." Hett replied. "Grab grenades, detonation packs, anything that'll make a mess. Blow the stairwell and cut them off from that end. We need all the help we can get covering the upper terraces and applying support fire for the Jedi in the Great Hall."

"Right away, Master Jedi." Restel nodded. Himself grabbing another fallen security trooper and pressing him to help do as commanded by the Jedi Master.

A'Sharad watched him do so. Idly noting the fallen clones. Many unknowns flashing in his mind. Many questions he was sure he'd not get an answer for. However, A'Sharad wouldn't let himself be scared. He couldn't afford it. Especially as he looked at the faces of the two Jedi he was with. Both were hardly padawans. Their masters...he couldn't say where they were. He had found them shuffling through a hall leading from one of the turbolifts coming from some of the quarters. He had wanted them to head back, but just as he had been, they were answering the general alert issued throughout the Temple. A'Sharad wondered how miserable Master Drallig felt at the moment?

Nonetheless, he shook such thoughts, Right now he had two padawans, a lot of hurt troopers on their side, and mixed information being screamed over the comms.

"Taska," A'Sharad called the twi'lek girl. She was the youngest of the two. Her skin green, eyes wide, and fear evident through the Force. She turned to him jumpily. "You stay here and cover the troopers. Get the stairwell blown then pull yourself and them back to the turbolift back down the hall where we came. That also needs to be blown."

"But Master I-" She began to protest shakily. A'Sharad raised a hand to stop her.

"I know you're scared. We all are, Taska. Right now we need to secure the Temple as best we can. I need someone to do this and help the men. It's very important. Do you think you can do that?" As A'Sharad asked another series of rippling explosions sounded through the Temple. Rocking debris and dust through the hall. Causing some of the troopers to look around in anxiety and fear.

"I...ye...yes, Master Hett." The young girl nodded. A'Sharad smiled and pat her shoulder. Showing himself to be strong and steady for those like her, who clearly weren't.

"I know you won't fail me." A'Sharad bowed and turned to the other Jedi. A male bothan named Drossk. His fur was slightly burnt where stray blaster fire had just grazed the boy in an earlier hall. His chest heaving and heavy with adrenaline, robes tattered and clearly thrown on when the alarms started.

"Drossk, you're with me. We need to get to Great Hall. I want you to stay behind me at all times lest I give you an order. Understood?"

"Yes, Master." The bothan nodded. Eyes wide and seeming stunned or shocked. A'Sharad gripped his shoulder in response.

"Look at me." He commanded of Drossk. The boy did as ordered heaving and shaking. In that moment A'Sharad then wondered or considered if these clones had been the first beings the bothan had, had to kill? Many padawans were to address the realities of death tonight, so it seemed.

"Breathe, padawan." A'Sharad commanded evenly. "We need to go, and we need to go now. Can you do that?"

"Yes, of course...yes, Master."

"Release what you're feeling into the Force. Both of you." A'Sharad turned and grabbed Taska's attention as well. "Remember your training and we'll get through this."

"Yes, Master."

"Yes, Master Hett." Drossk and Taska replied successively.

"Good. Captain!" A'Sharad called and the man turned to him from further down the hall. "Get that staircase gone! Follow Taska's orders from then on, understood?!"

"Copy that, Master Jedi!" He replied. Even as the twi'lek girl still seemed wide eyed and shaky A'Sharad sent calmness through the Force. Himself feeling all manner of similar emotions he was sure the padawans were experiencing. But, for his part he could not be allowed to show it. Whatever this travesty was, he needed to be strong for them. For everyone! Luckily for them, he was used to battle and war. Just...never against the clones. For this treachery...A'Sharad felt a certain kind of dark anger boil in his heart, but he did his best to suppress it for now.

"Drossk, on me!" A'Sharad commanded and turned back down the hall. The bothan nodded and gave chase after A'Sharad as both sprinted with aid from the Force. The comlink A'Sharad had placed in his ear was a mixture of screaming, orders, updates, requests, calls for help and much more. Screams of death and horror. Mixed questions and the voices of Jedi doing the best they could to help their poor, and greatly outmatched temple security forces.

One thing had caught A'Sharad's attention though. During all of this. The reports had come in from just before the shooting had began. A lone dark figure had been leading the legion to march on the temple. They held a lightsaber. A blue one at that. That much had gotten through. Someone had to have killed Master Jurokk, and nobody had heard blaster fire until the clones had entered the building. Well it made it rather easy for A'Sharad to guess who had killed the Gatekeeper.

His eyes narrowed as he and Drossk bounded for an access turbolift. The same Taska would be blowing behind them. He needed to get to the Great Hall. The swarming troopers would overrun the Jedi that were gathering there. With time. If he could get there though, and find the head of this legion, A'Sharad believed he could at least hamper the clone command structure. Maybe he was deluded? Maybe the clones would simply keep on going as though nothing was wrong? It didn't really matter though.

What mattered was that A'Sharad Hett needed to do something. More than what he had been doing. All thoughts of the WatchCircle gone from his mind. The Covenant not even a shadow at the moment. Not even a memory. The adrenaline of battle and survival and protecting the Order was all he could think of. As he and Drossk entered the turbolift, the bothan boy breathing heavily beside him, A'Sharad took a glance down at his right hand. He reached back for and grabbed the deactivated lightsaber from his waistband. He idly turned the deactivated lightsaber hilt over. Regarding the ring that lay across his ring finger for just a second.

Striking it from his mind quickly thereafter.

---

The HoloNet came to a sudden stop. The vast array of channels broadcasting across Coruscant ceased showing or streaming whatever it was they had been. Holovids, films and everything in-between or beyond. A familiar eerie sound reverberated for all to hear. Once, twice and three times. Followed by the message.

The Department of Homeworld Security has issued the following statement:

A State of Emergency now exists within and surrounding the Jedi Temple District. All residents of Coruscant are instructed for their own safety to refrain from approaching the Jedi Temple. As an emergency situation has developed and is ongoing. Further information shall be shared by civil and security forces once the emergency situation has been resolved. Under no circumstances are residents in the surrounding districts or centers to interfere with official government operations taking place inside of the Temple District. For your own safety, you are advised to vacate the surrounding Districts of the Jedi Temple. If you cannot vacate the area, remain indoors and in waiting until cessation of the emergency declaration. Residents of Coruscant are not to enter the grounds of the Jedi Temple. Residents who fail to comply with these orders are subject to arrest by local security forces. The situation is fluid and developing. Your presence would only further complicate the situation. Please refrain from entering the airspace of the Jedi Temple. Again; the Department of Homeworld Security has issued an emergency declaration for the Jedi Temple district and surrounding areas. Follow your emergency guidelines as presented via your local HoloNet security station if applicable. Do not, under any circumstance approach any being or persons presenting themselves as 'Jedi' or members of the 'Jedi Order.' The situation is fluid, but shall be resolved in a timely manner.

This message shall repeat...

---

Padmé watched the message flash across the screen. Having turned the HoloNet on to see if anyone would make a statement. Nobody had said anything. Even as she had watched smoke begin pluming in the distance. She had stared out the balcony of her apartment for who knows how long and just watched. In all reality the smoke had only begun a short while ago. The orange hues of fires burning could be seen as a sheen prickling at the bottom of the Jedi Temple. Padmé couldn't guess nor would she dare to say where the smoke was rising from. All she did know for sure was that she was shaking. Fear and anxiety racked her. She was chewing a nail, and hated that she was doing so but she couldn't stop herself.

She muted the HoloNet as the message began repeating. The Department of Homeworld Security...even that didn't abate her terror that writhed within. Somehow and someway she knew. Knew in her heart that this had something to do with the Chancellor. Somehow Palpatine was involved with this. He had to be! She didn't need the Force to perceive such. She shook at the thought of her one time Senator friend.

She shook not just in terror at the thought of where her husband was. She shook because she was angry. Livid! Enraged even! The Chancellor was involved. He had to be! There was no way Homeworld Security would be the ones to issue the order to evacuate the Temple District. There was no precedent for it. Padmé couldn't fathom such a thing happening. Even if in the back of her mind the logical part of her knew it was...possible. But, then Homeworld Security warned to not approach Jedi or those claiming to be Jedi? As if they were creatures or ghouls risen from the dead to be hunted down! She could smell the politics in the air. She felt it in her core. The same core that was shaking. Unseen perhaps on the outside. Whilst inside she was a mess. She could only thank the Force that the twins were asleep. She didn't know how perceptive Force sensitive children were. She had a clue, but didn't know for sure. Padmé hoped being asleep gave them some protection from their anxiety racked mother.

So, she kept on watching. Watching the temple from afar as it burned. As distant glistening lights moved in the sky. Padmé could guess them to be LAATs. Watched as that orange fire burned hot and bright. The brightest thing besides the moons in the night of Coruscant. She couldn't turn away. Padmé was begging the Force, all the old deities of Naboo and anything else listening to keep Anakin safe! To have him be okay. When she wasn't chewing her nail she found her fingers fidgeting. Twisting her stupid new ring across her finger. Hardly something she had the time to even think about right now! Every happy or funny thing that had happened today seeming worthless. Where Anakin was concerned. She just wanted to see him. Hear from him. Know he was okay! Kriff, get away! She didn't care. Padmé just wanted him back.

She heard the approach of Threepio from behind. Turning to see the protocol droid as he stopped behind her.

"Ah ehm, mistress, I have called the Chancellor's Office as requested. The receptionists there indicated Master Anakin returned to the Jedi temple. I couldn't get much more than that out of them, I'm afraid." Threepio intoned. The last hope Padmé had, simply falling away. A slump pronouncing itself in her shoulders as she couldn't even bring herself to respond. She only shook more.

"Don't worry." The protocol droid tried in vain to comfort his mistress. "I'm sure he'll be alright, my Lady. I uh...I will try and make another call." Threepio bowed and turned. Seeming to somehow sense that Padmé wouldn't be able to respond to him. She watched blankly. Eyes twisting over the sight of the Temple burning for another moment.

Before they finally burst through. Her head fell and tears exploded beyond some unseen dam she had held them back with. She buried herself in one hand. Ignoring the world around her. Still shaking, gasping and gulping air. Her face flush, and anxiety racking at her. Perhaps greater than it had ever been before. Padmé hated that her only reaction left was to cry. But, it was all she could do.

---

"Your Majesty I must insist you don't go!" Bail listened as one of his guards begged him.

"I understand you must insist, Saal, but I'm going! I won't allow the Jedi Temple to burn while I sit here and do nothing!" Bail affirmed fixing a black glove atop his right hand. He began marching from the waiting room of his own apartment towards the veranda where one of his men had driven a crimson airspeeder up to await him.

"Your Majesty, the broadcast says that-"

"Of course it says that, Saal." Bail cut the younger man off. Knowing he was just trying to keep him safe, but Bail would not be stopped. He felt it in his bones that something was wrong here. Not just the fact that everyone in the Senate District and the Government Sector could see the Temple's fires and smell the smoke. That was obvious. No. No there was something more insidious at work here. Something that reeked of a political motivation. The images of the riot that had occurred some nights ago came to mind, but there had been no news nor any sight or sound of another having taken place. No mere rabble of COMPOR rioters could set the Jedi Temple ablaze as it shone now. Bail could feel that the Chancellor was somehow involved here, and he would go and see it for himself! He would be damned if he did not see what a targeted pogrom or purge looked like! Up close and personal. Maybe he'd be proven wrong? Maybe it was some kind of heinous Separatist terrorist attack? Though, somehow he very much doubted that.

"At...at least allow one of us to go with you, sire!" Saal begged as Bail climbed atop the speeder.

"If I take anyone with me the security personnel may get too trigger happy. If I; a mere and lonely Senator on the other hand, arrive with just myself I'd hardly be viewed as a threat." Bail reasoned. Even if he wasn't himself quite convinced by his own reasoning.

"Sir I-"

"I know you have my health and security in mind, Saal." Bail assured with a raised hand. "But, I need to go. Do not worry about me. I will be fine."

"Ye...yes, your Majesty." Saal bowed joined by two other attendants who silently watched as Bail got behind the steering gears of the airspeeder. He pulled back on them and whirled the speeder back and around in a curving loop. Turning it towards the Temple in the distance. Driving with full speed and determination towards it. Whatever awaited him there to be seen by his own eyes. Not the diluted, friendly, perfectly calibrated version of what was to be seen by the public. Crafted so nicely by the Department of Homeworld Security. And their Supreme Chancellor.

---

Arsuna watched the emergency broadcast statement flash over the main viewing screen of her living room. A glass of Pantoran wine in her right hand. Her eyes having only been pulled away from re-reviewing the update from Koll by the declaration.

"This doesn't bode well." Arsuna stated matter-of-factly. Off to her right stood her strange Jedi friend who also had her eyes set on the fully colored screen. "Sounds to me like an attack on the Temple. Or, maybe another riot?" Arsuna mused. "Though, it is curious they don't want you approaching any Jedi. Might mean a Separatist insurgency." The pantoran girl hummed thoughtfully. Honestly she wasn't too concerned. It wouldn't be the first time the Jedi Temple had come under attack by the Separatists or some crazies looking to pick a fight with the Order. Her mind was pulled elsewhere anyways. Come tomorrow morning the Temple would still be there. Come tomorrow morning things would be back to normal. Just another day on Coruscant amid the chaos of anxiety and fear propagated by war.

"One cannot be so sure." The Jedi noted. Arsuna titled her gaze her way. Seeing the woman's eyes turn out towards the veranda. Arsuna watched as the Jedi walked out onto it. Prompting Arsuna to follow after with a light huff and sigh. Taking a sip of her drink as she did.

"You know," Arsuna began. "Jedi or not, your concern for the Temple leads one to think you're the former rather than…" Arsuna paused as she reached the edge of the veranda. Beneath the hanging plants of her balcony her eyes were pulled to the distance of the Government Sector beyond where an orange hue shown in the city. "The latter." Arsuna finished. Watching the smoke plumes rise heavy and thick into the air from the Jedi Temple. All prior belief and assumptions being stricken from her mind, and the faint internal rattling of confused anxiety shaking her.

"Okay, now that's different." Arsuna uttered lowly. Her Jedi friend affixed her gaze onto the far off Temple. Silently observing it. Before she sucked in a long draw of breath through her nose. She turned to Arsuna then.

"I have business to attend to. I will return shortly."

"What?" Arsuna half scoffed. "You're not going to head to the Temple are you? You heard the broadcast, they don't want anyone over there." Arsuna shrugged. "Your Jedi friends are fine, I'm sure. Maybe a bit worse for wear. But, you Jedi are used to all this craziness anyways." Arsuna reasoned. The woman again narrowed her gaze at the pantoran woman before speaking.

"Believe what you will about me. Jedi or not. I have business at the Temple. And, it's nothing to do with the Jedi."

"Oh, how mysterious!" Arsuna smirked. "This whole charade you put up is fun and all, but try not to throw yourself into a situation that puts me at risk. You know," Arsuna scoffed. "Seeing as we're partners and everything."

"Needn't you worry about that." The woman assured. "My business lay with the Temple tonight."

"Well I-" Arsuna began, but before she could finish the woman leapt over the side of the balcony. Arsuna felt her eyes go wide and she couldn't hold back a gasp. "What just…" The pantoran girl tilted her head over the side into the depths below. Her 'friend' nowhere to be seen.

"Good luck...I guess." Arsuna intoned. Turning herself back up. Watching the far fires of the temple burn. Many questions flashing over her mind at the sight. Even if she thought this beyond her, she couldn't help but admit; at least to herself, that this did feel a bit off. Attack or no attack she couldn't recall ever seeing the Jedi Temple burning. Smoke rising, emergency broadcasts detailing weird instructions and orders to the whole of Coruscant. Something smelled funny here. But, for her own sake she would stay as clear of it as possible.

She turned her gaze back inside towards the datapad from Koll. That's where her attention needed to remain. She sighed, and took a final glance at the far off Jedi home. Holding her hand right hand up and appreciating the shimmering light of her new ring in the distant fire's glow. Before leaving the veranda for the comfort of her living room. Thoughts of the fire's pushed to the back of her mind.

---

"Nothing good can come of this! Nothing good at all." Gimli huffed. He and Gandalf looked out from the window leading onto the balcony of their suite. Both of them seeing the distant temple just beyond the corner of sight. More visible, however, were the smoke stacks and the orange glow of fires burning.

"The men outside, and now this…" Gandalf trailed off. "The darkness has come to the fore. Something is...something is very wrong." The wizard intoned. Prompting Gimli to scoff.

"I think that much is clear, Gandalf! The Jedi Temple is burning, and we don't know where our friends are!"

"It's not just that, Gimli." Gandalf replied gravely. "There's something else. Something...fouler afoot. It began a short while ago. I can...feel it in the air." To that the dwarf huffed thoughtfully.

"Something to do with the soldiers outside? Or, something else entirely?" Gimli wondered and Gandalf sighed. His eyes turning towards the direction of the massive Senate and Executive buildings. They narrowed and Gandalf glanced back to Galadriel. The elven Lady nodded once his way. Having seemingly felt what he had; though neither having spoken of it aloud.

"Something else entirely, Gimli." Gandalf warned. To which Gimli growled lowly and thoughtfully.

"We have to be able to do something!" Merry demanded jumping to his feet from where he had been sat along a crimson sofa. "If there's anything I've learned; it's that sitting around while others are fighting doesn't do anyone any good!"

"We don't even know if a fight has begun, Meriadoc." One of the twins, Elrohir offered in response. Though he and Elladan both seemed just as agitated as the hobbit.

"The fires in the distance are noteworthy enough, brother." Elladan replied and jutted his head towards Gandalf. "Mithrandir and grandmother can attest that the mood of this place has shifted. And, not merely fueled by anxiety. There is real darkness at work here. We all have felt it." Elladan spoke for everyone, and none rebuked him. Even if the hobbits had not spoken of the foul mood the others had felt in the preceding days, they too had sensed it. Even Gimli had. None had traveled through the horrors of war and battle and of personal loss to be left numb when presented with the sights, sounds or even sensations of looming evil.

"We mustn't be hasty." Galadriel warned, causing all eyes to turn to her. Gracefully she walked forward and closer to Gandalf. Who joined her as all members of the delegation formed a circle of sorts at the center of the living room. "Even if we can all feel that something ill has taken place we do not have the means to intervene. Even if we had the means to intervene, we have not the equipment or ability to make our way to the Temple. And," She continued. "Even if we made our way to the Temple we know not what has occurred there. What may yet still occur there."

"There must be something we can do?" Pippin softly spoke. Mostly to himself. While the others all shared pensive or silent contemplative expressions among themselves.

"The machine!" Gimli snapped and caught everyone's attention. The dwarf smacking his hands together in excited seeming victory.

"What machine?" Merry asked what everyone wondered.

"This one! The one Anakin used to...'call' us!" Gimli chortled and walked away from the circle. Moving around the corner and facing the large terminal. Gandalf followed after him. Flanked by the twins, and the hobbits.

"What could we do with this machine?" Elrohir asked.

"We could try and call Anakin!" Gimli declared. "Or, perhaps Obi-Wan...someone! Someone who knows what's going on. Someone who could help us be of use!"

"A fine idea, Gimli." Gandalf nodded, but his voice bore a grave tone. "Yet, none of us quite know how to use it. Unless you can?"

"I uh…" Gimli began excitedly but then paused and looked over the array of buttons along the circular metal base. "I would need...time. Did you not use the device left with Aragorn in Minas Tirith, Gandalf?" Gimli turned and asked. To which the wizard nodded.

"I had. Though even then I did not understand quite what I was doing. That," Gandalf scoffed to himself. "And this one is entirely different than the other. At least in appearance." To that the suite became heavily silent once again. The momentary hope of victory dashed. All minds turning once again contemplative. Until Tauriel hummed. Loud enough for the others to turn to her.

"Do you have a thought, my Lady?" Elladan asked her. To which the elf maiden smirked.

"The men outside, Mithrandir," She began looking to Gandalf. "They did offer to help us with whatever we needed, correct? In their own way." As she spoke Gandalf felt his brow quizzically turn down. Before it rose and he joined her in smiling.

"That they did. They did indeed, my Lady." The wizard could barely stop himself from chuckling as he passed everyone and made for the front door.

"What's he doing, Merry?" Pippin asked hushedly.

"I think he's going to ask the soldiers outside for...help?" Merry shrugged.

"That I am, my lad!" Gandalf called without turning back. He pressed the key along the wall, and with a slide of metal against metal, the slab opened. The troopers just beyond it both turned at the sudden motion.

"Please remain inside, sir." The same trooper from before began, without prompt even being given. "There is a dangerous security situation taking place. All diplomats and visitors from off world are being ordered to remain in-place for the time being. Until the situation clears of course." Gandalf only took a moment to appreciate how prepared the man behind the helmet had been to give that little speech. Nonetheless, Gandalf bowed his head and bore the friendliest smile along his face. Leaning himself into his staff and arching himself wearily against it.

"Oh don't mind me, lad! I don't mean to cause any trouble. Nor do I or my friends have any desire to leave. Though...you could perhaps be of some aid?"

"How so, sir?" The solider asked.

"You see...we're from a far away planet. One where your technology is not quite so familiar to us as yourself. We would like to make a 'call' I believe you say?"

"With your holoterminal, yes." The trooper nodded knowingly. Allowing Gandalf to sigh with exasperated relief.

"Oh thank goodness! This thing has been driving myself and the others crazy!" The wizard laughed. "You wouldn't mind helping us send a call, would you?" To the question and expectant sidestep from Gandalf the two troopers looked to one another. Silently gauging whether or not there was any problem with such a request. The one who hadn't yet spoken shrugged and the one who had spoken cleared his throat behind his helmet.

"Sure, sir. That should be simple enough." The trooper replied. Gandalf smiling internally at how kindly obligated the trooper appeared to feel.

"Oh thank you, my friend! Please, do come in! These contraptions are enough to drive an old man insane! What with all the noise and the buttons. The technology is marvelous to be sure, but confusing. Especially when one hasn't been given the time necessary to learn how to use such things!" Gandalf rattled on. The trooper nodding all the way through as he entered the suite ahead Gandalf. The doorway remained opened and the others busied themselves looking as inconspicuous as conspicuous people could. Minus Galadriel who managed to pull it off quite well.

"Do you know the code of the person you're trying to contact, sir?" The trooper wondered rounding the corner to the main holoterminal. Gandalf knew he did not. However, he immediately thought of another strategy.

"No, I'm afraid not. Though, do not fret lad!" Gandalf smiled. "Do, please just make a call to the last person who called this terminal. If such a thing is possible?"

"Sure." The trooper shrugged. "Should be easy enough, sir. All you need to do is press this key, and this one. Move this, and...there." The trooper showed on a small lit display a set of numbers of some kind. Totally foreign to Gandalf, but the wizard could surmise what it was he was looking at.

"Ah, you are a true hero, my lad! I do apologize for all the trouble! You know how these things are I'm sure?"

"It's really no problem, sir. Just...just press that when you want to make the call." The man offered. Sounding ready to get out of the suite as fast as possible. "I'll uh...leave you to your call, sir."

"Ah, quite right! Thank you again, lad! And, thank you for being so watchful." Gandalf thanked as the trooper nodded and gave a final kindly regard before he power-walked his way back out the door into the hall. Shutting it behind him leaving the delegation to themselves.

"From what I can hear, you made that man very uncomfortable, Mithrandir." Elladan smirked. A twinkle in his elven eyes. His brother showing a dimmer, but similar expression as did the mastermind of the whole affair, Tauriel.

"A wizard's work requires many skills, my lad. Now!" Gandalf announced with a turn to the holoterminal. "Let's see if we can get in contact with a familiar face!" Gandalf hummed. Pressing the key the trooper had pointed to upon his approach. Waiting as the machine then began to beep. Silence passing besides that chiming intonation and the delegation forming a crescent just beyond the machine as it whirred. Until, finally an image began to form through a flurry of blue motion. It was a familiar face to some. Just not one any had expected.

"Oh, hello sir!" The droid, C-3PO greeted.

---

"Hold them back! I've got at least a company of clones advancing up hallway A-13! Get me some support over here!"

"I have three Jedi down! I can't reach em' I can't re-"

"Explosion on the third level! Someone get me some kriffing reinforcements! They're repelling in from gunships!"

"Upper floors along the east wings are burning! Fire suppression systems have been blown out!"

Master Ti heard the clamoring and howling on the open comm channels the Temple Security Forces were using. Alongside her, running along her right three more such security personnel charged up along the wall of the hallway they shared. They piled up behind fellow security troopers who formed a breaching line ready to exit the hall into the room beyond. Either side of the hall was lined with at least twenty men each. All of the Temple's; previously thought to be redundant none Jedi security staff, called from across the Temple District. Men of many species and races; much like the Jedi themselves, coming to the call of their Jedi friends in need as the clones turned on them.

The togruta Master felt her breathing hasten. Her chest rising and falling quickly if lowly. She couldn't wrap her head around what was happening! One moment everything was quiet and peaceful. Another dark night on Coruscant. Then, a flicker of...something through the Force. Everyone had felt it. Well, anyone able to listen or listening to it. A dark wriggling just beyond the cornered shadows of the mind pulsated over Coruscant. Then, someone said a legion of clones was marching up the main entrance's plaza. Master Jurokk sent word of the same. Jedi were said to be gathering in the Great Hall. Then...then came the explosions. Shooting and screaming. The hiss and hum of many unseen lightsabers. The Temple rocked and shook as Shaak had not experienced since the bombings of years past. Yet, compared to the acts of Fallen Jedi or Separatist terrorists this was something bigger. Something terrifying. The clones, comrades, and friends in their damnable war against the Separatists were killing them! Relentless, unspoken and efficient. So damnably efficient! It made Shaak's eyes dart back and forth. A myriad of questions and fears. She tried to release them into the Force, but she could feel the deaths. Feel Jedi being snuffed out. Their lights cast into the Force and rejoining it where only the dead knew their eventual destination.

She did not fear dying. But, what she did fear, and fought to let go of, was what had predicated this treachery. Nobody knew where Mace, or some of the other Council Masters were. Only herself and Master Coleman Kcaj were still in Temple at the time of the attack. The rest off world on far away battlefields.

Shaak breathed a long shaky breath from past her lips. Reminded of how she felt when she along with poor Masters Roron Corobb and Foul Moudama tried to evacuate the Chancellor to a bunker. When Grievous and what seemed to be an endless armada and droid army descended on Coruscant. When she was trapped in one of many transport tubes running across Coruscant and was assaulted by a stream of magnaguards. To realize she was being distracted, and feel her two friends be killed at a distance...to then be captured, tied and left as a warning by Grievous. Practically a living trophy.

Even that horrific experience paled in comparison. So, Shaak shook her head. Her lekku shivering as she did so. She pealed her brown robe from atop her still bruised body. A reminder from the very same day she mused over. She gripped her lightsaber in her right hand and held it at the ready as the stomping of feet sounded behind her.

"Master Ti!" Master Kcaj called. The ongree High Council member coming to a sudden halt as he formed up alongside her at Shaak's left. Himself already freed from his outer robes and carrying his lightsaber in hand. "I've secured the opposite hallway leading into the Great Hall. If the clones attempt to use it they'll need thermal detonators at least to blow them open! We've turned this hall into a funnel. At least on this floor."

"Reinforcements?" Shaak asked simply.

"A few." The ongree intoned. Just as he did the stomps of more security troopers sounded. They formed along the wall. Hugging it at the backs of the men ahead of them. While three Jedi heaved heavy breaths and came up behind the two masters.

"Master Ti!" One of them, a young nautolan girl called, sporting a luminous green lightsaber.

"Calm yourself." Shaak urged. Sensing the unease, and emotional torture the three young Jedi loosed off themselves. All of them either clearly newly knighted or still padawans. Most of the seasoned masters and knights having already moved to the Great Hall or off to prepare secondary defenses deeper in the Temple. But, Shaak would not allow the clones to get that far. And, how much it pained her to think that way.

"You three stay at our backs." Shaak addressed the young Jedi as Coleman activated his own blue lightsaber and spun it. Facing the doorway leading out into the Great Hall the gathered security troopers all readied to move out and support those already beyond. The sounds of shooting and lightsabers deflecting, stabbing and cutting echoing.

"Myself and Master Kcaj will lead the charge through. The security troopers will need their flanks covered. Remember the tenants of shien. Guard the men, or relieve those already inside. Leave the clones to myself and Master Kcaj. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Master."

"Yes, Master."

"Yes, Master Ti." The three of them, a human boy and girl and the nautolan nodded their affirmation. Shaak nodded once over her shoulder back at them. Casting a hopefully calming smile before she turned back and around at Coleman at her left.

"Are you ready, Master?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." He loosed a long chattering breath from behind his large ongree teeth. Shaak bowed her head and fell into an ataru stance. Bending her knees and angling herself to dash ahead with a final swing of her lightsaber hilt in her hand. Activating the blue beam with a simple press of the button.

"Go!" She called, and the security trooper at the front smacked his fist into the wall panel. The doors slid open and all ears were assaulted by the torrential unleashing of blaster bolts whirling about the air! An array of colors flying back and forth! An explosion rippling out beyond the door and throwing marble and stone into the air. A Jedi swung his green lightsaber ahead of himself in circular defense, but dozens of bolts flew at him. So many were deflected, but one, two and three broke through! His head snapped back and his chest was impacted as he fell back dead.

"Go, go, go!" The security trooper at the front commanded. Three men passed him out the doorway. They turned to their right and began returning fire at the unseen clone enemies. One of the security troops was thrown back as his chest and legs were barraged with blaster fire. The Captain of the security troopers dashing out as the stream of his men followed and formed a loose line. Some finding cover in fallen columns or beams, curves in the walls or corners or in the pits made by explosives. Those temple security forces that made it to cover shooting. All shooting at clones. At men who were but hours ago the closest of allies to the Jedi Order.

"On me!" Shaak called to Coleman and with the Force at her feet she flung herself forward. The hum of four lightsabers following in her wake. As Shaak passed the door, she gave herself over to the Force. Her body whirled in a spinning motion right and immediately deflected three blaster bolts. Throwing them back into the clone who fired them. He slumped back and down. Shaak landed on her feet, falling into a series of forward figure eights and motions ahead of herself. Expertly blocking a torrent of bolts with precision expected of a High Council Master. One after another after another and another more were cast back or into the air and walls. Coleman followed behind her. Swiftly doing as she did. Blocking a volley careening towards him, and dashing ahead over a fallen column smoking from where it had been thrown to the ground.

The ongree Jedi Master flung in an arch through the air. Falling down and cutting the arm off a clone. The armor clad trooper howled, and Coleman kicked him down. Swinging right and cleaving a turning trooper up the chest. Spinning around himself and slashing down right across another clone trooper. But, even as he felled three of them another four clones turned from both sides. Two left, and two right. They fired on Coleman. He dashed out and away. Their bolts deflecting and scoring off debris or the floor.

Shaak ran after Coleman. She dashed right and curved in at her left. As Shaak did, bolts flew at her; she slashed ahead of her body and blocked a few incoming. Tossing her saber over in an arch from left to right. Casting a bolt into another clone's helmet sending him slumping back dead. She zoomed left. A lone line of clones entered in through the main gate. Firing up into the upper terrace where a line of security troopers fired back. A few Jedi peacekeepers clad in their armor beneath their robes flung themselves at the array of clones supporting this newly come line of their reinforcements.

Jedi lay about the floors. At least a dozen dead. Though Shaak knew it was greater than merely a dozen. Her heart ached, but she could not let herself mourn. She joined the peacekeepers. Running as a red blur of motion and cleaving her saber in swift sudden slashes through the raised blasters of the clones. The peacekeepers threw some of them back with the Force. The men crashing into other clones in the further lines. While some peacekeepers dove ahead. Pushing the Republic troopers down and out of their way. Cleaving into the second line of troopers with their blasters raised at the upper floors.

Clone after clone was cleaved and carved by the armored Jedi. Some crying, many howling and some simply falling over. It was surreal, and horrifying!

These men had served the Republic, and the Jedi for years! Now, Shaak watched them fall, die and kill her brethren with such ease and simplicity that it left her feeling numb. She found that she held an inclination to help those clone troopers she saw defending against the onslaught of the Jedi. Yet, she knew the Jedi were in the right. The Jedi were the ones being attacked! She would do nothing, because she could do nothing to stop it. As one peacekeeper slashed up through a clone's blaster, swinging around and running him through. Kicking him off his lightsaber and swirling left and cleaving another clone near in half.

Shaak came to a stop. Her knees slightly bent, she slashed her lightsaber right and up. Another volley of bolts were flung into two clones. Three scorching one and throwing him down, and three ripping into the second as he slumped over his fallen comrade's body. The togruta Jedi Master once more fell into a dance. Weaving herself and spinning where she stood, allowing the Force to flow through her body. Into it, out and around. With it she parried, blocked and deflected a flurry of bolts. All waiting and wanting their chance to pierce her defenses and subject her to scorched death. A squad of clones ran ahead. Aiming down sights they began forming a semicircle and fired at Shaak. The squad pulling in around her as they fired.

Shaak grit her unseen teeth and took a defensive step back, but blocked and riposted bolt after bolt. One clone was struck in the arm. He jerked back, but immediately fired back at Shaak. Another had his chest and head slammed into by returned bolts and he fell to the floor. The rest continued pulling in. Firing relentlessly and efficiently. Shaak kept deflecting and averting herself. Sensing Coleman the other Jedi and security troopers fighting just as she was. Until she twisted her right foot, and whirled around in place. Utilizing a niman stance she thrust her saber around with herself. Slashing out right as she completed a full 360 degree slash. The Force exploded from her free left hand and out the saber's tip. Casting a wave of energy that sent the clones around her reeling. Some falling, others collapsing while those running in at her jerked or fell to a knee. Those who fell fired from the ground, and those who were dead were trampled over by their very much alive comrades. They just refused to stop.

Shaak dashed left again. Running towards a clone firing a blitzing barrage of bolts at a young human female Jedi knight. She was falling back away form her approaching assailant along with three more clones. The three of whom ran forward to assist the fourth already menacing the girl. The Jedi cried as her right shoulder was hit and she fell back. The clones ran in for the kill, but Shaak came at them instead. With a grunt of exertion Shaak Ti jumped through the air. Arching and falling onto a clone. Her saber piercing his chest. She fell with him. Rolling over her back onto her feet. Rising up into a slash that gutted another clone who gasped in seething momentary pain and fell down dead. Allowing Shaak to deflect a set of bolts from a third back at him. He was assailed by his own blaster fire and fell back. While Shaak had to duck and dodge another set of bolts. Flinging ahead, she drove her lightsaber through a fourth clone's abdomen and slashed right. Creating a sickening gap between chest and waist and the clone trooper fell back, and said nothing.

"Get back behind the security troopers!" Shaak commanded the girl. Her eyes wide and tunic singed. She stared numbly at Shaak for a moment, before nodding and turning. Running with speed beyond a prone group of seven security troopers blocking the way deeper into the Temple between some of the Great Hall's columns. They moved aside, and let her pass. Other Jedi flying in from over and around them joining the crazed fray.

A zabrak male whirled a twin bladed lightsaber over his head, spinning about the air and cleaving a clone trooper down. Slashing the opposing end back up and through another clone. But, another clone trooper and a squad of his comrades ran in from the right. The zabrak turned and formed a spinning circle with his lightsaber. Blocking the oncoming barrage which came as the squad fired freely. Unseen by the zabrak laid prone on the ground one of those troopers the zabrak had just cleaved. The clone yanked his blaster pistol free, ignoring the pain he felt and aimed it. Pulling the trigger and firing one precise controlled bolt into the back of the zabrak's head. The Jedi gave a huff, a cry, and as his lightsaber dropped at his side his chest was riddled with bolts and he slumped to the ground dead.

Meanwhile, a male advozse dashed over the security trooper line. The same troopers who unleashed a salvo of returning fire as clones continued to stream into the temple. An unseen clone lobbed a grenade toward the way of the temple security forces. Yet, as it was the advozse Jedi caught it with the Force, and with a thrust of his left arm it was tossed back into the clone lines. Four clone troopers howled and were thrown in varying degrees of dismemberment in response. As three green bolts riddled another clone huddled behind a column. The security troopers managing to hold back the clones to some degree.

The advozse Jedi activated a twin set of yellow lightsabers. One in each hand. He flew along the ground. His boots stomping with speed and determination as his large blackened eyes narrowed. He swung both right and kept running. Cleaving a clone at the hip. He ran left and swung both sabers out and up. Dashing between two clones and carving through them as he did. He came to a stop, gripping a broken marble block on the floor with the Force and threw his body left. Tossing it into a group of clones running and shooting at him. The stone slab crushed and barreled through two of them and slammed a third into the far wall. His cries sounding for just a moment as more clones tossed thermal detonators at this Jedi and the others. The advozse formed a lowered X and blocked the explosion with aid from the Force. Sweeping through the rising dust in the air and cleaving into, stabbing through and whirling about the endless legionary horde that assailed the Jedi Order.

Master Kcaj blocked two bolts, swinging left to right to do so. Pausing, he threw his left arm out, hand sprawled forth, and he unleashed the Force. It swept at least a dozen clones off their feet. Just as they riddled two Jedi with bolts. Dropping them along the floor of the Great Hall. Coleman huffed and threw himself forward. As Shaak far to his left sliced through another clone, and flowed into a sweeping slash, beheading a second. The ongree Master blocked an incoming bolt. Slashing across the abdomen of the clone who shot it. Then he cleaved left and back right. Two troopers fell. While three, huddled nearer the entrance zeroed in on Coleman.

One firing and the other two running forward as he did so. Breaking up their assault into covering fired and advance. Hoping to overwhelm Master Kcaj with targets. Coleman, however, blocked the coordinated series and flurries of bolts. Sending some back, but the advancing clones dashed, rolling aside. Firing at him as they did so. One bolt managed to pierce his defenses, and slammed into his left thigh. Master Kcaj seethed and buckled, but allowed himself to fall and roll back as bolts flew overhead where he had been standing.

As Coleman climbed back up to stand, three missiles launched overhead. Flying deeper into the Great Hall they careened into a column, a group of security troopers, and a Jedi in the far distance. Successively one after the other exploding and killing. The roof of the Hall ruptured from the loss of the column as it tore off its beam and fell to the floor with a dust vomiting crack and boom. Crushing another two security troopers, whilst a wayward twi'lek Jedi raised his arms up. Barely catching and holding a section of the column through the Force. Just for a clone sharpshooter to fire a shot into the back of the twi'lek's head. Scorching through and tearing his blue lekku. The Jedi fell forward sickeningly and the column followed atop him and another security trooper. Finishing them off.

Another explosion then ripped through the Hall! The Jedi on the lower level and their security teams couldn't turn to observe it. As one of the upper floor doorways leading onto an adjoined walkway lining the outside of the Temple blew inwards. Sending a Jedi and three of her security troopers flying back. Another Jedi threw his hands up blocking the incoming debris. Just to be shot with five bolts as a team of clones entered the upper floor. Having been repelled in by LAATs along the outer walkways. They now streamed in. The security troops on the upper walkways providing covering or support fire were forced to turn and engage the newly arriving clones. Some of them; caught off guard by the arriving clones on their level, were shot dead by said clones. Falling over the sides of the walkways to the bottom floor with cracks and thuds of bodies hitting marble.

"The clones are on the upper level! They're on, ah-" The voice gave a gasp. The security trooper who was yelling was shot through his head by a clone trooper's bolt. An explosion rocked the side of the Temple as gunships fired seemingly wild rockets into the building. Shaking the whole Great Hall. Destabilizing the Jedi and troopers on both sides. Allowing rearguard clones to loose rapid fire bursts that dropped three Jedi Peacekeepers and an unawares Jedi Master. All of them torn and scorched before falling to the ground. Their lightsabers extinguishing with them.

"Coleman!" Shaak called as she swept herself back right and ran. The entire dashing run requiring her to dodge or block incoming bolts from the vast multitudes of clones. The ongree Master ahead of her doing much the same. The ongree Master forced back as the clones just kept coming. Streaming in line after line, rack upon rack. They stepped over or around dead comrades and Jedi or temple guards alike. Firing and killing. Reminding Shaak for just a split second of the battle at Geonosis within the Petranaki arena. Instead, this time it was the clones sweeping overrun Jedi, and not unfeeling and merciless droids...only now did Shaak consider the possibility that neither were quite so different from the other. A pit of anger taking root in her heart that she could not dare to resist in the heat of this slaughter.

"Coleman...have you seen them?" Shaak asked as she pushed her back against her fellow Master's. Both falling into a mutually defensive dance of blocking and deflection as bolts rained down on them from ahead and now above. Stray shots cast by daring or confident clones pushing onto the upper levels.

"No, not ye-" Before the ongree could finish, as though ordained by the Force itself, they came. A thud and shudder of strength and weight pierced the ground. So it seemed at least. As the Force, and the stench of the dark side rippled across the ground and shoved both Council Masters backwards. The firing from the clones ceased. At least ceased coming towards either of the Councilors. Both Jedi looking on with worried narrowed gazes. As a figure clad in a black cloak rose to their full height just ahead of them. Activating the lightsaber in their right hand. A searing blue illuminating the air around them.

"There he is." Shaak whispered harshly, twirling her saber defensively as she concentrated her sight on the lightsaber this dark figure held. The smoke in the air, and the light of the enemy weapon made it difficult, but Shaak could see enough. Her eyes keenly aware and of use as the Force whispered an affirmation of her suspicion as she observed the hilt and forced herself to not frown in sadness that shivered through her body.

"Agen." She intoned. Silently causing Coleman to glance her way, before the ongree peered at the lightsaber and loosed a long angered groan. Though, without prompt, he released it into the Force.

"If they wield his lightsaber...then-"

"Then we must assume he is fallen." Shaak nodded and pointed her own blue lightsaber out at the enemy. Their black torn cloak whipping in upturned gusts as the clones passed by them along their right. Ignoring Shaak and Coleman entirely.

"That lightsaber doesn't belong to you! You're not welcome here on these hallowed grounds!" Shaak dared assert. The dark figure loosed a single chest heavy scoff. Whirling the stolen lightsaber over and around themselves. Falling into a familiar ataru stance Shaak Ti knew all too well.

"You will not-" Shaak began but in a flash the dark figure ran forward! They slashed down right, and Shaak parried stepping back. In an instant the being whirled their lightsaber left to right in arches over themselves. Slashing in a fluid motion in hoops at either of Shaak's flanks. She grit her teeth as she felt the dark side radiate from this creature. Their speed and power added to by the raw intensity of the dark side. She kept stepping back. All as the sounds of battle took place around her. The being didn't give her a moment's rest! After circling the saber at their right in at Shaak's left flank, the being whirled into a circular strike. Spinning the lightsaber at their back, twisting and striking up from Shaak's left. She caught it, but was thrown back! The power and strength of this being of the dark side beyond what she had first dared imagine!

"Master!" Coleman called. The ongree; having been stunned as much as Shaak had been, joined the duel! Jumping and slashing down at the dark being. They raised their saber horizontally blocking the strike and slashed to their right underneath and curving around Coleman's falling form. Immediately the being came in to stab Master Kcaj's back, but Shaak jumped to her feet and threw herself forward with the Force. Catching the blade pinning and it down. Allowing her the briefest moment to look under the hood. Catching yellow eyes brimming with the dark side, pale features and a blackened rag, like torn cloth covering their face.

The being in an instant threw their lightsaber in a vertical slash up. Throwing Shaak back. They spun the saber over their head and pressed onto Shaak. Slashing wildly from left to right, stabbing into her sides testing her and probing for weakness. Shaak fell back on her makashi training. Loosening her wrist and spinning the enemy's incoming stabs and slashes away. Sidestepping and dancing upon her feet along the corpse and rubble ridden grounds. The enemy swept in under left and Shaak stabbed down right Then they whirled to Shaak's right; their blades still meeting and sounding with the clash of lightsaber against lightsaber. They threw a punch into the togruta master's right cheek and she lost her footing. Catching herself in two harsh steps.

"Get down, Master Ti!" Coleman called, jumping back in. The ongree slashed wildly at the enemy's back from Coleman's right. The being whirled around, throwing a savage and precise kick into the master's abdomen. The ongree gave a huff and stumbled back. Allowing the enemy to press upon him. A whirl of their stolen blue lightsaber around their head and shoulders they swung in from Coleman's left. The ongree just managed to parry the slash. Again the being swung wildly in from the right this time, and their hits were as hard and heavy as a careening boulder slamming against the Jedi Master! Coleman seethed as the blue lightsaber slammed into his own and he felt his arms shake against the violent and powerful blow.

The dark being whirled around and slashed his saber as Shaak came up behind them. The being slashed around and clipped their lightsaber against Coleman's blocking both Master's and sidestepping in a hunch and circle away from them both. The two masters spun their lightsabers defensively and watched as the dark being stood tall. Rolling their shoulders and brimming with the dark side as their yellow eyes darted between the two with nothing but a hint of numb contemplation hidden within them.

"Whoever this is, they're skilled." Coleman tried to whisper to Shaak. The togruta nodded.

"They are. Might be another of Dooku's underlings."

"Or, the Sith Lord's." Coleman pondered and Shaak could only numbly nod again. As she could hear the battle raging beyond and around them. Line after line of clones kept coming. One line holding their rifles at their hips and spraying. All of them firing a blistering and endless volley of bolts. A sea of blue flew out across the Great Hall. Causing security troopers to duck behind cover of whatever and wherever. Jedi fell back immediately. Whirling and spinning their lightsabers to block the oncoming attack. Yet, not all were prepared or able. A young human male padawan stepped back, blocking one bolt and then two, then three. The fourth swept under his lightsaber and slammed into his gut. He huffed and reeled forward and three bolts slammed into head, chest and hip as he fell back dead.

A second Jedi, a large weequay male spun a dual-bladed lightsaber. The yellow beams swirling ahead of him, but even that wasn't enough. His right boot was singed. He fell to a knee in pain as bolt after bolt pelted his upper torso and head. With a thud, he too fell back dead. His lightsaber extinguishing.

On the upper terrace the security teams couldn't provide support for the ground level. Pressed on both sides, to their left and right. Clones streaming in from the outer balconies where they repelled more troopers seemingly by the second! Security troopers fired with few other options available to them but to maybe run? However, even that they could not hope to accomplish. They were utterly surrounded. Cut off!

Blue blistering bolts flew at their fronts and backs. The Jedi with them danced and sent what bolts they could back. Flinging three bolts into the black slits of a clone trooper's visor and watching his head slam back and he fell firing a stray bolt from his twitching fingers. But, this lone anomid Jedi was himself struck in his face mask. He stumbled and as with the others, the opening had been made. Bolts flew in and riddled his body. He whirled and fell beside the security troopers.

"Who sent you here?!" Shaak demanded of the dark being. They, however, didn't respond. Instead they pulled back and dashed into another charge! Both Jedi stepped aside and opposite one another. The being fell down. Slashing at the open air and turning just to strike at the tip of Coleman's lightsaber. The ongree pulled back again. The being pressed him. Whirling their lightsaber in a flurry of strikes and jabs at both sides once again. In up at right, slash back left. Swing in an arch right, slice at the left. Prod and push, prod and push. Coleman was forced backwards as the being just kept hitting and slashing.

Shaak grit her teeth and ran forward. She copied the creature, noting the heavy and aggressive use of ataru in their form. Shaak leapt through the air, slashing down, the being stabbed their lightsaber down at their back and blocked the incoming slash. Coleman took the chance and stabbed in, but the being ducked and slashed down. Clashing their three sabers together as the dark being then turned and loosed the Force from both hands outstretched at both sides. Sending Coleman and Shaak flinging through the air.

Coleman flew back first into the far wall. Heaving from his throat and chest as he fell onto his face to the floor. A squad of clones hugging the wall as they breached deeper into the Temple immediately rained fire on his fallen prone body. The ongree rolled onto his back and slashed. Sending some bolts flying back but one hit his left exposed shoulder. The ongree groaned but kept tilting his saber as he lay there nearly helpless!

"Hold on Kcaj!" Shaak yelled having skid along the marble floor along her back. She had immediately jumped up and swung around beheading a clone that had run upon her. Before she dashed back towards Coleman. The dark being in her way loosed another single heavy laugh and held their lightsaber as a batter would before hitting a ball. As Shaak closed in on them, they swung at her head, and Shaak sidestepped right missing the impact. But, the dark one wasn't done. They slashed in left at her retreating back, but Shaak just kept running. Turning back and loosing a push from her left hand through the Force. The being stumbled back, but only barely. As Shaak jumped over a fallen column and slashed down. A clone gave a howl as his right arm was removed, swiftly followed by Shaak twisting her saber and stabbing up left, running the clone through. She pulled it free and threw the lightsaber through the air. Decapitating two more clones, and calling her saber back just as one of them shot at her. Shaak Ti gripped and spun the blade around left, deflecting the bolts back into the clone who fell down dead with his treacherous associates.

"Kcaj! Get up!" Shaak called running to the fallen master. The ongree gave a low grumble as Shaak dropped to a knee at his side. "Kcaj…" She began but noticed three fresh scorch wounds on him. One on the shoulder, another on his left collar and a third in his right leg. "Kcaj...you...damn it." Shaak cursed as she could hear the pain in the master's breathing. "You need a medic."

"Little time...Master." Kcaj replied weakly. Just as Shaak felt the Force tremble and she was forced to stand and turn. She whirled her saber up and made it just to block the slash from the dark being. Their eyes glared into hers and the dark being flung their lightsaber up. The clash forcing both sabers upwards before the dark being leveled another hard kick. Slamming this one into Shaak's stomach she huffed from the boot's impact and clamored to the nearby wall. She pressed her back into it. Eyes widening as the being stabbed at her head. Their lightsaber piercing the wall and slashing left as Shaak stepped aside from them. The being menaced her. Slamming what sounded like the heaviest of boots for one who didn't quite even reach Shaak's height as they swung at her left. Shaak blocked but her lightsaber was forced down from the heavy strike. As though a mace had been slammed into her. Shaak glanced up just as the dark being grabbed her face with their right hand. She gave a cry but the being somehow picked her off her feet and threw her back against the wall. She cried out loudly as her body shivered in pain! Old wounds even screamed across her body as she crumpled down to the floor and stared up through narrowed eyes.

"Masters!" Shaak heard. Glancing up left at an upper walkway she saw Master Hett. With him were a few more Jedi. Some garbed in the armor of peacekeepers. They all flung themselves onto the bottom floor of the Great Hall. A few dozen more Jedi entering the fray from deeper within the temple along the bottom floor. Seemingly coordinated reinforcements to stem the tide, but Shaak didn't know in her heart of hearts if this was enough. She felt...hopeless in this moment. The Force was simmering like burning hair reaching the nostrils. The dark side basked in the death and chaos that was around her, and Shaak felt toothless as the dark being merely acknowledged A'Sharad with a disinterested glance, before turning back to Shaak herself.

Wordlessly, the dark figure spun their saber in their hands. Bringing it above their head and readying to slash down and kill Shaak. Her lightsaber hilt lay in her hand and she tensed her fingers around it. Wondering just how much longer she could resist this creature? This being with such darkness. Such power that emanated off them, as the Force and light waned and withered with Jedi dying around her. Years were sweeping over memory. Her youngling days, her as a padawan, her time before the war as a Jedi and then later. How everything came to here and now. Betrayal and bested in battle. Shaak felt her breathing quicken and she tried to focus on the Force, as she felt nearest to becoming one with it.

"ENOUGH!" A male voice bellowed! The dark being was suddenly and violently lifted and thrown! Flying to Shaak's right to the wall facing the Jedi temple's entrance! She jumped where she sat along the ground. Both from the voice and the violent action. As her eyes beheld the sight of dozens upon dozens of the clones being thrown back against the same wall face of the Great Hall. The Force brimmed and the darkness was cast back, much as the clones and the dark entity had been, and in an instant Shaak felt herself centered once again. Her body once more energized and her mind clear of all hopelessness. She slowly pushed herself up to a shaky and pained stand, using the wall behind her as leverage before she looked left. The Force calling her to attrition there.

He stood there. Both arms sprawled out ahead of himself, his dark robes whirling in the upturned winds of the Force, and face etched darkly but with determination. Even form far off Shaak could see the strength radiating off of him, and the Jedi or security troopers nearest him all turned to him in awe, much as Shaak was. The clones on the upper floor, along with both their enemy security troopers and their Jedi companions also paused. The voice commanding all within this massive Hall to do so. The shock of the sound and power unleashed catching all by surprise.

"Skywalker." Shaak finally managed to intone.

---

Anakin breathed heavily. His hands trembling from the power he had unleashed. Himself not even quite sure where he was able to pull it from as he all but ejected the clones on the bottom floor of the Great Hall towards the entrance facing wall. Taking care to try and not kill any of the troopers himself. Far more aware than the rest of the Jedi at how the clones themselves were being used. Hoping that he could spare himself the need to kill any clone. Hoping he could bring about quick peace to what was already a terrible loss of life. Not just for the Jedi but these men. Though, Anakin knew many Jedi here would likely harbor anger long after tonight...if he could manage to help them live that long.

Anakin glanced his eyes numbly across the multitude of fallen bodies. A massacre of a scene showing itself across the Great Hall. Like something from a horror holofilm. Limbs were cast here and there. Charred and ruined bodies still smoked with gaping holes or scorched chunks missing from them entirely. Eyes were stuck perpetually open and expressions twisted in pain or confusion. Rubble was splattered everywhere. Marble and upturned stone. Columns fallen over crushing bodies, pinning others, and cracking foundation. While fires could be smelt burning beyond the Great Hall. The Jedi Temple, made into the scene familiar to Anakin and many billions across the galaxy. A scene of war.

Anakin, sighed and rose to his full height not yet producing his lightsaber as he stepped forward slowly from where he had been towards the center of the Hall. The clones entering the Temple remained watchful, but Anakin sensed...confusion and unease from them. Especially as those he had lifted and thrown with the Force rose again. Some helping their brothers do so. All staring his way.

The clones had always been good at masking their feelings. Anakin had always thought that simply a matter of their upbringing having an effect on them. Never considering that they had been trained to mask themselves as a purposeful defense against the Jedi. Only now realizing how naive he had been. How naive all the Jedi had been! Both Dooku and Sidious...both having laid the foundations for betrayal between clone and Jedi.

Nonetheless, Anakin kept on approaching. He raised his hands in what he hoped was seen as a calming gesture. Still feeling turmoil and confusion radiate off the clones. Only, now Anakin felt like the confusion didn't stem from his earlier rebuke of the clones. No...as Anakin allowed himself to feel the Force he now got the sensation that it was him. His very presence was putting the clones on edge. All of them! Perhaps what Dooku had said had been true after all? As Anakin got closer still he resolved to play it as if it were true. As if he was in command, and not a Jedi to be purged.

"I want to speak to your commanding officer, now!" Anakin bellowed. Using the Force to make his voice boom. Leaving it impossible to ignore. The Jedi present across the Hall watched Anakin in equal measures of unease and unnerve as the clones did. Though they clearly wanted to keep fighting. To defend one another and the Temple. Anakin, shot those Jedi he passed glances. Trying to beg them with his eyes alone to follow his lead. A few caught his eye, and through the Force or intuition some of them nodded and silently bid him their consent to take charge.

"I said," Anakin began again as he stepped over fallen debris. "I want to speak to your commanding officer! I am General Anakin Skywalker, and I command he present himself now!" Anakin ordered. His mind once more fluttering back to earlier tonight. How Dooku had told him Sidious had conveniently left him off the 'Jedi' list. Well, as far as Anakin read into whatever the Count said anyways.

"Sir!" Anakin heard one clone voice call back. He paused halfway between the bulk of the invading clone legion and the bulk of the Jedi and allied security troopers. Many of the Jedi now around Anakin having just arrived moments before with Master A'Sharad Hett.

"Sir," The clone repeated, moving past the shoulders of two fellow clones. "CC-1119, sir." The clone saluted him. It seemed so bizarre at a moment like this, but Anakin couldn't help but give a small, if sad smile.

"Appo," Anakin began, remembering the Commander. "You don't have to be so formal."

"Comes with the territory, sir." The clone greeted calmly. Leading Anakin to dare think Dooku hadn't been lying. That's why the clones were uneasy and nervous. Not just by Anakin's raw display of power. To them, he wasn't really a Jedi. Even if it appeared his rank outweighed his status within the Order.

"What's going on here, Commander?" Anakin asked, using Appo's rank to denote his authoritative question. The Commander in kind stood rigid before speaking.

"Sir, I have been tasked with leading the 501st Legion against the nascent Jedi rebellion here on Coruscant. The Temple and all Jedi within, as well as across the planet's surface are to be liquidated. As per the authorization and activation of Contingency Order 66, sir!"

"There is no rebellion here, Commander." Anakin offered logically. His voice calm and authoritative. Sounding, even in Anakin's mind, like a father trying to teach their child a lesson. He hoped he didn't sound demeaning. The last thing he needed was to insult these men who were a mess of confusion, unease, and Anakin could sense...distress. How many of them wanted to be here? Doing this?

"Yes, sir. I mean," Appo shook his helmeted head. "No, sir."

"Yes or no, Commander?" Anakin wondered crossing his arms over his chest. The other clones tilted their heads. Looking to one another in continued unease. Some of them likely unsure why they weren't simply shooting at the Jedi lining the Great Hall.

"Yes...no, sir. There is a rebellion. The Chancellor has ordered execution of the Contingency order, sir. There is rebellion on Coruscant and abroad." Appo then began sounding off on what Anakin could assume to be the indoctrination of the Contingency Order. "In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Commander, GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Commander until a new command structure is established." Appo finished.

"Well, I'm right here, Appo." Anakin raised his arms straight out at his sides. "I am a Jedi. So go ahead. Shoot me, and kill me."

"I...I cannot, sir." Appo replied.

"Oh, and why's that?" Anakin pressed. Daring to take another step closer which unnerved the clones and even a few of the Jedi at his boldness. "Is it because you just like me that much?" Anakin quipped.

"No, sir." Appo shook his head again. "It's because...we've been given express order's that you are not to be harmed, sir."

"But, I'm a Jedi?"

"Yes, sir. However, you have been reverted strictly to the rank of General, sir."

"Most Jedi commander's are generals, Appo." Anakin also reasoned, and again the clone seemed momentarily confused. Clearly finding the right way to issue his own logic and reason, agitating.

"Yes, sir. They were considered Generals and Commanders, sir. All Jedi assumed their rank within the GAR via acquiescence of the Supreme Commander and the Senate. It has now been rescinded. All Jedi are stripped of rank and title. Only you have had yours remain active, sir."

"Seems to me like you're being given the right to pick and choose who you kill, Appo."

"Not at all, sir!" Appo vehemently denied. "The Contingency Orders have been given, sir! All Jedi leadership must be liquidated!"

"What has any Jedi done to require the bulk of the 501st Legion to commit mass slaughter, Commander?!" Anakin demanded to know. Once more issuing his barking demand with aid from the Force. The sheer volume of it causing not only Appo, but the rest of the clones to jump to attention. Almost like their training kicked in and they were antsy to fall into line for inspection.

"I...I canno-"

"You cannot?!" Anakin barked causing Appo to again reel to attention. "You cannot give me a straight answer, trooper?! That is unacceptable!" Anakin dared press his advantage with rank. "You have committed an act of mass murder! You and your men, Commander! You have led them on a strike against the Jedi Temple and you have no basis for why you are committing your acts?!"

"We are following order, General sir." Appo somewhat feebly replied just for Anakin to raise his hand to silence the man.

"You are following orders from a Contingency that requires the order to have some basis in fact. Where is the fact that the Jedi leadership here is acting counter to the command structure and solvency of the GAR?!"

"They don't need any proof, Jedi!" Anakin heard a new voice. Though he could guess where it came from. Anakin tilted his head right as a figure clad in black stepped from around rubble and in front of some of the clones. "The clone troopers are following orders from their Supreme Commander, Skywalker. You are not their Supreme Commander, and you are not in command here."

"And who are you?" Anakin demanded. His eyes narrowing as he recognized this being. Well, somewhat. They were smaller than him, he could tell even from the distance between them. Their voice was feminine, but he didn't feel as though he recognized it. Their eyes were a piercing yellow, and the cowl atop her head was one Anakin had seen before. Much earlier today. This woman, whoever she was, had been heading into Palpatine's office. Before Palpatine had revealed himself to be Darth Sidious. Before Anakin's whole world had come crashing down around him. Whoever, and whatever she was to Palpatine, Anakin could easily guess why she had made him uneasy before. She was brimming with the dark side. It radiated off of her like a sickly waterfall, flowing as a rapid of bile. It would seem Palpatine had, had a backup plan for tonight. Anakin didn't even want to think about who may have been standing in her place were he to have...no, he'd dare imagine such things another time. Preferably when he's not staring down the entire 501st Legion and this woman.

The entire time Anakin had observed the woman she hadn't answered his question. Instead she stood between Anakin and the clones. Coming before Appo and ahead of him. She whirled the blue lightsaber in her hand and held it before herself vertically towards the roof.

"Recognize this, Skywalker?" Anakin focused on the hilt and it dawned on him whose it was. A sad sigh escaped his nostrils and he nodded.

"Master Kolar's."

"Master Kolar's yes." The woman snorted. "This Jedi weapon was taken from within the Supreme Chancellor's office! Where Master Kolar and a few of his friends had attempted to assassinate the Supreme Commander of the GAR! That is purpose enough for activation of this Contingency order!" She declared over her shoulder to the gathered clones. Though Anakin still sensed apprehension and mixed feelings flowing off most of them. Others seemed more than convinced by the simple statement, and it disturbed Anakin to feel that emanating off men he knew should know better.

"What proof have you?" Anakin asked and the dark woman scoffed.

"There needn't be any proof when the Chancellor himself has been the victim of the crime! He was there. He was nearly killed by your Master Kolar, Master Tiin, Fisto and Windu. Luckily for his sake, they were stopped, and are dead."

"And how were they stopped?" Anakin sneered, but already knew the answer.

"The Chancellor has his ways, Skywalker." The woman offered simply. Anakin felt a trembling anger rise in his spine. His jaw ground his teeth together. He hadn't felt so disgusted and angered at another since...well Vica on Arda. But, he had to remind himself. This woman was merely a plaything for Sidious, for Palpatine. She was just an obstacle in the way. Whomever they may be.

"You have been lied to, Appo!" Anakin called over the woman's shoulders. "The Supreme Chancellor is unfit for office! He is not the-"

"Oh do shut up Jedi!" The woman snarled and spun her stolen lightsaber in her hand. "I've heard enough of your poor attempts at reverse psychology. Allow me to put an end to this miserable attempt you're making and join you with your friends strewn about." The dark woman snarled on as she pointed to a nearby fallen Jedi broken upon the marble floor.

"We are under strict orders not to harm General Skywalker, ma'am." Appo dared state loudly. The woman growled, and it was a deep thing. One that Anakin honestly couldn't imagine coming from the throat or chest of a mere human woman. The other assembled Jedi also seemed put off by her display.

"Needn't you worry, clone." The woman stated the word with disgust. "I won't kill him. Maybe just maim a little?" She whirled back to Anakin. "I will tend to the General. You and your men continue with the Operation, Commander!"

"You will do no such thing, Appo!" Anakin howled and activated his own lightsaber. "If you try and kill even one more Jedi I will put myself in the path of your bolts! You wanna follow orders?! You want to kill my friends?! Then you'll have to kill me to get to them!"

"Sir I-" Appo began but the woman snapped at him.

"Shut up!" She seethed. "He's playing you for a fool! You brain dead living droid!" To that the Commander seemed taken aback. Anakin could guess him and the other clones to be genuinely insulted at the notion of being compared to battle droids.

"You have your orders, clone! You would do well to follow them! I will keep him distracted and you will kill the rest of the Jedi!"

"If you do, Commander," Anakin began again. "If you try it I will kill myself! You hear me?!" Anakin bellowed once more through the Force. Sensing the other Jedi staring in dumbfounded awe. Even Master Ti where she knelt beside the wounded Master Kcaj. "By your direct actions here in the Temple I will have committed harm to myself! If you or your men fire one more karking bolt I will kill myself and you will be in direct contravention of your orders, do you understand me?!" Anakin bellowed with such power and strength to him he sensed even the dark woman to be momentarily taken aback. His conviction bordering on the crazed and insane. His blue eyes shimmering in the blue light of his lightsaber as he stared down the many barrels of the Legion's blasters. The clones all felt bewildered in the Force. Turning, twisting and tilting to one another. Appo himself turned to both soldiers at his left and right.

"Appo!" Anakin called again as he began slowly moving to his left. Much as he had earlier that day when he began his pacing stare off with Palpatine. This time, however, the dark being was the one to mimic him. Pacing to their left, their eyes watching one another. Each awaiting the other to make the first move.

"Commander," Anakin started again. "Commander, as your General, and as the one being you've been ordered to not cause any harm I am telling you that if you do not order your men, every man you've brought with you to stand down, you will be ordering my death!"

"Do it, trooper!" The woman seethed matching Anakin's pace. "Shoot any Jedi and let him kill himself! It'll save me the trouble! Or, more likely call his bluff."

"It's no bluff, Commander!" Anakin called for all to hear. Clone, Jedi and security trooper. All watching in amazed and stunned silence. Enraptured by the show Anakin had made of cowing the clones, and bringing the dark being to the center of things. More invested in Anakin then she ever showed herself to be in Master's Ti or Kcaj. Both clones and Jedi as well as their security allies laying sprawled and injured, some dying and groaning. The Temple filled with the scent of smoke and the orange glow of some fires beyond the Great Hall assailing any eyes that turned to the outer layer of the ziggurat. All of this chaos, this death and pain came down to a chance. One chance and one dare made by Anakin Skywalker. To stop this, stop this attempt to execute this assault by Palpatine. Here and now.

"All…" Appo began. Pausing as Anakin sensed unease, trepidation and perhaps even fear ooze off the clone Commander. "All units stand down. I repeat, this is Commander Appo, all units stand down!"

"Sniveling, simpering cowards!" The woman growled but did not remove herself from Anakin's sight or their circular dance. Anakin, however, beamed a smirk. One genuine. One of victory. A small one, and a sad one. The room lined in dead clones, security detail and Jedi, but it was a victory! It was right, regardless of all ill before. However, Anakin then raised his free left arm and pointed it blindly about the many Jedi.

"None of us are gonna attack either! Someone make sure everyone knows that!"

"I'm on it!" Anakin heard Master Hett's voice. He was probably still on the upper terrace, but it didn't matter. Anakin appreciated that he'd get the word out to the Jedi to not engage the clones.

"It's just you and me now, Sith scum." Anakin growled. His smirk disappearing and he turned his saber down across his figure in his own personal djem so stance.

"Yes, you and me." She agreed with a low nod. Her mouth, even hidden by the ragged cloth atop it, Anakin imagined a small smirk to grace it. "Once I've gutted you, Skywalker, I'll break the leadership of your little fan club, and the end of the Jedi Order shall continue." Anakin steeled himself. He wouldn't let this woman get to him just as he had allowed Vica to all those months ago. Instead he simply rolled his shoulders and Anakin gave himself over to the Force. To the light.

"We'll see about that." Anakin quipped, and the two came to a stand still. Silence passing but for the hum of two blue lightsabers. An audience of hundreds. Hundreds of clones, dozens upon dozens of Jedi, and many security troopers. All watching and waiting with bated breath.

Until both ran at one another, and the battle was met.

---

Earlier…

Mace stared at the Count as he menaced with his obviously stolen green lightsaber. The wrath and rage boiling in the elder man's yellowed eyes only matched and outshone by the deep yellow that churned in the eyes of the creature Mace held at the tip of his purple lightsaber. The Chancellor, whom remained huffing raggedly though shallow along the open viewport sill. The exertion from their duel still evident as Palpatine also watched Dooku carefully.

"Well, Master Windu?" Dooku began again. The old traitor snapping to Mace. The Jedi Master never flinching, and fighting to watch both Sith Lords in his presence. "Are you going to kill him or not? Are all your vaunted Jedi platitudes and edicts stopping you from ending the threat that has been facing the Order and Republic for decades?"

"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do, Dooku." Mace countered simply. His face betraying only the faintest hit of disgust. "I will not be goaded into committing murder just for your ease of mind."

"It is not murder, Master Windu!" Dooku scowled and flashed his saber towards Palpatine. Aiming his own saber's tip at the fallen Sith who remained watchfully silent. "That is him! That is the Dark Lord of the Sith before your very own eyes. Darth Sidious, Chancellor Palpatine. One in the same."

"Just because he betrayed you," Mace shot back firmly. "Doesn't make you a saint, Count." Mace growled and returned his gaze to Palpatine. The ragged sunken lines of his grayed flesh still simmered by the shock of his own Force lightning. A croaking breath escaped from his lungs with each rise and fall of his chest while he kept his hands just barely before himself. Seemingly in submission to Mace.

"So you know he's betrayed me?"

"A simple conclusion." Mace countered Dooku. "One made days ago. Though we did not know who your Master was we knew your mind had been kept shut in the dark by someone." Mace informed both of the men. Both of whom listened, but Mace wasn't sure if Palpatine cared.

"Well, now you know, Master Windu."

"No thanks to you, Dooku." Mace sneered as he kept his eyes on Palpatine. Only chancing a glance right at the Count as he rebuked him. "You've been awake for hours. You could have told us."

"I don't owe you, nor the Order anything." Dooku simply retorted. His head tilting up as Mace saw that familiar haughtiness exude from the man. "This creature's destiny was mine to tend to. Little did I know how far along you were in your plans, Master." Dooku trained himself back onto Palpatine.

"Little did I know how close you were to revealing yourself to your pet. I wonder…" Dooku trailed off thoughtfully. A snide smirk on his face forming as he did so. "What disappoint did you feel when you ordered him to kill me on Grievous' ship, and he didn't? What wrath do you feel boiling inside now as you see me here, and not him?! Can you fathom the depths of your own failures, Master? Can you feel the tightening walls of the galaxy closing in around you? Or, is it the hangman's noose you sense closing across your neck?!" The Count spat. All the while Mace reeled internally.

Anakin hadn't made any note in his report of Palpatine ordering him to kill the Count. Obviously he hadn't gone through with it. However, such a revelation...it could have led the Council to form a decision on watching the Chancellor more carefully sooner than they had! They may well have been able to deduce Palpatine's evident need for Dooku's removal as an act the Sith lord they had been chasing would make! Mace tensed. His hand flexing around his lightsaber hilt. Feeling himself wonder if he could make it simple by killing Palpatine here and now? Not for some petty desire for revenge or internal pride. Rather, for the Republic. For the only true civilization the galaxy yet had. Without Palpatine there may be chaos, but it would be chaos the Order could step in and bring under control. Mace wanted to be angry with Anakin for not saying what the Count now relayed, but, the boy had done what he thought was right. Mace couldn't fault him.

Nonetheless, Mace had to be careful. He had both Dooku who was clearly on edge and itching for his moment of vengeance, and Palpatine. His silence made things uneasy. The Force in furious motion around the three men. The dark side permeating the very air they breathed as the winds swirled into the office through the broken viewport.

"Tyranus." Palpatine finally croaked. "You have lost some bite, haven't you, my old friend?" The Sith Lord smiled. His grinning features twisting the ragged flesh of his face as Mace watched him carefully.

"You stand there and dictate a Jedi do what you are incapable of accomplishing yourself? It is a wonder you ever came to me to learn the ways of the dark side. You lack the nerve to do what needs be done."

"You're one to speak, Master." Dooku fired back. "You hadn't the stomach to kill me yourself! You wanted your favorite toy to do it. Well, Master, how has that worked out for you?" Dooku raised his arms. Daring to sweep himself left and right and pace off to his right. "I don't see him. Where is Skywalker I wonder? Ah yes!" The Count chuckled. "He came to me. He came wondering just what it was you had planned. And, you know what Master? I told him everything! All your little schemes and plans. All your years of wasted work for naught. Because why?" Dooku proposed a clearly rhetorical question. "Because he let me go. In fact he was practically watering at the mouth to help me come here and put an end to you and your coup to be."

"What are you talking about?" Mace barged in. Turning his gaze to Dooku. Off of Palpatine who did not allow his smile to waver. Even if Mace felt a subtle pang of rage issue from the fallen Sith.

"What coup?" Mace pressed.

"Beyond the obvious, Master Windu?" Dooku chuckled. "The Chancellor here is about to settle all debts, as it were. I imagine General Grievous is being hunted down as we speak? That the last of the Separatist leadership is within reach? That I have been decapitated from leadership myself. Even if not literally." Again, Dooku sneered at Palpatine. "Now, Master Windu, now he has Jedi attempting to arrest or kill him. I presume the former was your intent, but it is all rather moot. Made so by this display." Again Dooku swept the room. "He will use this as a pretext to massacre the Jedi Order. To destroy the one institution that stands in his way of total control. Of not just the Republic but the entire galaxy! Decades long in the making."

Mace tilted his gaze back to Palpatine. His dark features turning up in anger as he pressed the tip of his lightsaber closer to the Sith. Who, pulled himself back further against the viewport's sill as he did.

"You've been using us all along! You've been planning this from the beginning." Mace repeated all that Dooku had said in much simpler terms, and for his part, Sidious simply smirked.

"Oh, before even becoming Chancellor, Master Windu." Palpatine cackled. "Long long before! I have had you, your Order, and your Republic under my thumb since the moment I was elected Senator! I was right here the whole time. Promising you peace, and bringing you war. You cannot fathom how much I enjoyed seeing every report of a Jedi falling in battle! Dying against droids, against Grievous...against Tyranus." Again, Sidious cackled in glee. His head resting back against the sill and loosing a heaving bout of laughter that rocked his whole body. Mace felt his nostrils flare, and hand grip tighter around his weapon's hilt! Sudden wrath erupting across him. Struggling to release it all into the Force as he listened to this creature gloat.

"As you can see, he is by no means worth any form of arrest, Master Windu." The Count spoke up again. Stepping closer again. Causing Mace to again shift his focus to Dooku, and back to Palpatine. Splitting his concentration.

"I am sure you don't need me to tell you the kind of control he wields from behind the scenes." Dooku carried on. "The Senate is in his pocket. I am sure Obi-Wan has told you of the discussion he and myself had? All those years ago."

"He has." Mace nodded.

"Good. Then you are well aware that Darth Sidious controls the Senate. He also controls the courts. Arresting him would be a fruitless exercise, Master Windu."

"So, you want him executed for altruistic reasons?" Mace scoffed. "You don't fool me, Dooku."

"Perhaps not." The Count smiled darkly. "However, I think you have little other recourse. If you let him go you will doom the Order, and your precious Republic. If you attempt to arrest him you will see him let free in a day. More likely a few hours." Dooku warned. "The only option that you have, that we have, is for you to kill him. Or," The Count stepped closer again. Being but a few feet away from Mace and Palpatine now. "You can step aside and let me do what you cannot."

"The Jedi don't kill their prisoners, Master Windu." Palpatine spoke up with a heavy coughing laugh. His yellowed eyes daring Mace from where the Sith lay. "If you kill me here, you will surely fall to the dark side! Just like the Count, just like Sora Bulq, just like so many of your friends!" Palpatine warned, but even as he did he loosed another throaty bout of laughter as he heaved along the ground.

"Oh, but he needn't be the one to kill you, Master." Dooku chuckled. "There is nothing in the Jedi Code stating that you cannot allow a Sith to kill another Sith. Especially one who is beyond redemption. Beyond even groveling for aid. Who mocks you where he is laid low. This creature is not deserving of mercy, and if you do not make your choice soon, Master Windu, you will have no time left."

"Is that a threat?" Mace countered with his voice dipping low in warning.

"Not at all." Dooku smiled. "Only a statement of fact. There will be someone who will inquire as to where the Supreme Chancellor is. Sooner or later. You will have to make a choice."

"I never thought," Palpatine began again. "That you were one to let Dooku play you, Master Windu." Sidious grinned. "Yet, here you are contemplating murder! How the Jedi have surely fallen. Ensnared to commit all manner of war crimes and atrocities. But, so long as it is in the name of the Republic then all shall be forgiven." The Chancellor mocked and Mace for his part grit his teeth.

His thoughts racing with what he should do. What he wanted to do at that. Dooku had a point. Though Mace was not blind or stupid. Clearly the Count wanted him to either kill Palpatine or let Dooku himself do it for his own selfish reasons of vengeance. Dooku was also right that the fate of the Republic hung in the balance. Any move could destabilize the Republic. With Grievous potentially still on the loose they'd still have an enemy at the head of a vast army of droids. Not to even mention the Separatist fleets. Unless Obi-Wan had been successful in catching the monster? Mace couldn't think on that right now.

Even if he did, for instance, allow Dooku to kill Palpatine that would raise more questions from the outside. He would have to lie. Lie that he had been incapable of stopping Dooku. Or, be truthful and say that he had even allowed the Count to do so. The galaxy would be plunged into more chaos! Certainly the Republic would be. The Order would well be viewed as traitors regardless by the Senate.

"Time is running short, Master Windu!" The Count growled.

"Yes, time is short." Sidious grinned. "How long until you break, Windu? How long until you bend the knee to Tyranus?! Will you be his next failed apprentice, I wonder?"

"Enough!" Mace bellowed. He kept his eyes trained on Palpatine, on Sidious. For a long and painful moment Mace just stared. His saber only ebbing up and down ever so much with his own breathing. As the contrast of Dooku's green illuminated the floor and figure of Palpatine. Mace felt deep in his core that were he to kill Palpatine he would feel no shame. That this creature was too dangerous to be kept alive. That the oppression of the Sith must not be allowed to return. Especially not where it hung itself so close to victory.

No. Mace wouldn't let that happen. Even if the Republic wanted justice for Palpatine's death he could weather the storm. He would weather the storm. He would turn himself over to the Republic and the Senate. He would make and argue his case, and if he is thrown in prison or exiled, so be it. For the Order and for the Republic...he could make that sacrifice.

"I'm going to end this, once and for all." Mace declared lowly. More to himself than anyone else, but the look in Palpatine's face showed he heard and understood well enough.

"You'll be committing murder!"

"Better I be a murderer, than allow you to murder an entire galaxy." Mace resolved. His face betraying no deception or any remnant of doubt.

"You'd allow him to take your revenge from you Tyranus?!" Palpatine wondered in a growl. Dooku huffed and gave the most lordly of shrugs.

"So long as you die I won't go wanting, Master."

"Weak old fool…" Palpatine seethed to himself. Mace didn't want this to go on any longer. So, as he watched Sidious for a moment longer he made his decision. He pulled back his lightsaber over his shoulder and made to swing down.

"NO!" Sidious bellowed! The Force gave a tremendous explosion and both Mace and Dooku were jostled back where they stood. Mace had only a second to respond, but did so by lowering his saber horizontally across his chest as renewed tendrils of bristling, cracking lightning bolts crashed into the purple beam.

Dooku was also shaken, and threw the green lightsaber he held up across his figure. Lightning tendrils were seemingly drawn into the luminous blade as Palpatine struck one hand out for both men. Slowly he pushed himself up. Difficult as it was to remain unleashing the bolts through the Force. Until he pushed one leg underneath himself and pushed himself up upon it. Mace grit his teeth. Having had the thought spring to mind when he had seen Palpatine's shock at Dooku's entrance, that the old man had been hiding a bit more of his reserved strength. Now, it was not a hunch. It was real. Palpatine was obviously still drained from the duel between himself, Masters Tiin, Kolar, Fisto and Mace. But, he had a little left, so it seemed.

"I will not be defeated by some hapless Jedi and his Order's most pathetic failure! Not so easily! Not while I still have this!" Palpatine howled and unleashed a stronger bout of lightning. The ropes of blue tendrils seemed to burst and strengthen forcing Mace back more and Dooku to take another step away. "Not with this power! This unlimited power!" As Palpatine shouted once again another surge, like a bulge of extra power, flowed from his fingertips up the bodies of the many lightning tendrils. Reaching the end where they connected to the lightsabers they exploded on impact! Sending Mace slamming back first into the opposing sill of the viewport and Dooku to the far end of the office where he landed with a huff against an urn. It along with him falling over, the urn shattering on impact.

"Neither of you will stop me. Neither of you can stop me!" Palpatine seethed and reached his left hand out towards Dooku. The Count shook himself as he watched a lightsaber hilt roll out from the shattered urn. Unable to move quick enough, he could not stop it, as it flew through the air into Palpatine's hand. Where he ignited another crimson lightsaber and circled it at his side.

"Come on then! Let's finish this!" Sidious roared and he twirled about the air, once more seeming like a drill of death. He landed before Dooku. In response the elder fallen Jedi jumped to a stand and blocked a downward slash. Palpatine pulled back and slashed wildly. His abandon seeming unfocused, but Dooku could see the intricate wild thought and precision in each strike, slice and slash. Sidious swept right, and Dooku stabbed left. He caught and let his one time Master's strike carry up over Dooku's head. He guided the blade with each stab and slash with his own. Using his controlled wrist and green lightsaber to parry and redirect every move made by Palpatine.

Sidious snarled and with his left hand unleashed another pulse that hit Dooku's abdomen. He stumbled but swept his lightsaber down his center catching, and tilting Palpatine's off to his right. Sidious was dragged in. Stumbling forward, and Dooku swung his saber up over Palpatine's and slashed in left at the Sith Lord. Sidious ducked with speed and agility no normal man of his age would have. Palpatine cackled and shoved his right shoulder into Dooku. Again shoving the Count back, allowing Palpatine to swing himself right, slashing up vertically to cleave Dooku in half. But, the Count turned his body left and angled himself into a horizontal block. Catching his old Master's blade and shoving him back.

As Palpatine stumbled Mace lunged from across the room. Palpatine swept around blocking vertically. Mace flew into a sudden series of swinging overhead slashes. Circling around himself and darting in from left to right around in half circles. Each one grazing in at Palpatine's inner defenses. The elder Sith seething and heaving as he slashed left to right blocking and parrying each savage thrust. Mace easily able to unleash the same measure of violent and powerful attacks. All his pent up anger and aggression finally given an outlet as he once more fell into vaapad.

Palpatine struck left as Mace swirled around and struck a feint. Just then, Palpatine swiveled himself underneath their connected lightsabers and spun away just as Dooku stabbed in where his back would've been. As Palpatine came back up he was met by the sight of Mace Windu on his left and Count Dooku on his right. The two one time allies turned enemies glanced at one another for just a second. Before they both gave a curt nod and turned to Palpatine. Both turning to their respective poses. Vaapad and makashi masters. Two of the greatest duelists of the Jedi Order in these days...perhaps ever, facing Palpatine. Whom even now still reeled from fighting four Jedi masters on his own. Even with what reserves he had left the Sith Lord heaved a heavy breath. Feeling himself struck by the sight of the two powerful enemies before him. Feeding on the fear he felt deep inside, and allowing the dark side to ravage through his person.

Both of them swept in. Mace striking low, Dooku slashing high. Palpatine blocked Mace but had to duck back. Mace swept up slashing vertically. Palpatine stepped left. Dooku stabbed in. Palpatine parried, but Dooku rolled their connected sabers and pushed Palpatine's out right. The Sith Lord only barely able to hold onto it by the motion of Dooku's controlled wrist movements. Mace then stabbed in, and Sidious jumped back. Dooku unleashed a small burst of lightning from his right finger tips, Palpatine blocked with his lightsaber. Mace jumped to Palpatine's right and swung down from overhead. Palpatine blocked with a horizontal parry. Dooku swept around himself and circled a strike at Palpatine's back. Palpatine pushed Mace back, and stabbed down around his back and caught the meeting of his and Dooku's blades. Mace came back in and committed a circular spin with his saber over his head. Palpatine ducked and allowed the two men to catch their blades. Palpatine tried to use that momentary meeting to stab in at Mace's exposed abdomen, but Dooku struck down and pinned the Chancellor's lightsaber to the ground. Mace loosed another hard and heavy kick from his right boot into Palpatine's forehead and he was thrown onto hi back. Rolling over onto his stomach and pushing up quickly. He was just able to slash across his own right shoulder at the side and catch a dedicated and swift stab from Dooku at Palpatine's face. The Dark Lord heaved a low stuttering breath and pushed Tyranus off with a burst of the Force. He fumbled back, but he allowed himself to.

Mace came into and slashed wildly from Palpatine's left across his right. The Sith Lord parried and circled their met lightsabers, but as he did Mace threw Palpatine's right. Not allowing him to force their momentum. Allowing Dooku to stab ahead with a graceful wrist based swipe in and down. Palpatine was only able to parry with a wild angular circle of his own lightsaber across his chest. Again, Palpatine circled around and back from the two, but he could feel it. His strength from earlier against the four Jedi had waned. He was fighting at perhaps quarter strength against two deadly foes. One he had not expected and another who could have fought him to a stand still all his own. The Dark Lord huffed heavy air, he could not hide it from them. Beads of sweat rolled across his brow and Palpatine for the first time in a very long time truly felt himself at a disadvantage. The two loomed before him. Mace spinning his lightsaber in hand and lowering it down left up and out at Palpatine. While Dooku held his stolen blade down towards the ground out at his right. Both men circling away from the other. Both clearly intending to block Palpatine at his left and right. His yellowed eyes glanced between the two. He picked one, and darted to his left.

Windu slashed up and circled his saber around his back as Palpatine slashed in and swung around. Mace then came in and stabbed down low at Palpatine's left shoulder. The Sith snapped up and pushed the Jedi back. Just in time to circle himself and dodge Dooku by parrying a feint up. But, Dooku spun himself and stabbed in at Palpatine's abdomen. Palpatine snaked away by twisting himself, and jutting his back in at Mace. The Jedi in kind slashed down left. Causing Sidious to stab around himself again. Spinning his body while maintaining the lock with Windu and pushing back. To spin and slash down right at Dooku. The makashi Master caught it and circled their lock. Pushing in at Sidious' face with a well placed jutting feint. Palpatine angled to block, but Dooku smirked. Having foreseen this. Instead he reversed his momentum and with his green lightsaber swept around from his left in at Palpatine's right. The green blade scratched at the old man's neck, and Palpatine seethed as he ducked and swiveled away. Feeling a small burn at his right collar bone, his clothing torn and the smell of burnt cloth entering his nose. The Dark Lord glanced down to see the mark Dooku had made. Seeing his inner defenses waning. He snarled to himself watching as his two opponents readied once again to come in at him. But then…

"Well, looky here!" A harsh but feminine voice called. Sidious' eyes widened for a moment and he whirled right. Both Mace and Dooku did the same, but to their lefts. Where in the same doorway Dooku had entered from, a small womanly form leaned against the wall of the connected hallway to the main lobby. A shredded piece of cloth over her face, and a lightsaber in her right hand, though inactive.

"Looks to me like the almighty and powerful Darth Sidious is in over his head!" She laughed, but coughed through some hidden pain. Her own golden yellow eyes staring hatefully at seemingly all three of the men in the room.

"And who might this be, my Lord?" Mace asked with derision. "Another scorned friend of yours?"

"Hardly a friend." The woman answered, as her eyes met Sidious' and for a long quiet moment the Dark lord was once again stunned into silence.

---

Her eyes snapped open and she sucked in a new breath of air. Immediately Vica seethed in pain and felt her body twitching in odd places. Her arms and legs felt burned. On the in and outside, but she felt numb in other places. As though her limbs had gone to sleep, but along her chest or running across her back. Knowing Palpatine had frayed her nerves with his little tantrum. She had no problems remembering it all too clearly here and now.

"Oh Force...kriff this!" Vica snarled under her breath, her left hand nursing her forehead. Her eyes wincing as she pushed herself up. Sitting along a circular sofa she found herself on. Behind her, she turned and saw a large viewport overlooking the skyline of Coruscant's Senate District. Meanwhile, ahead of her she turned and saw two crimson guards in the distance. Neither of whom had bothered to say or do anything at her waking up. Vica sneered wordlessly towards them and continued nursing her head.

Though she did pause after another moment. Wondering just why she was awake now? It wasn't too great a mystery. She could have just snapped awake now rather than later or earlier. However, something felt...off.

"Hmm…" Vica intoned to herself. Not even bothering to ask the two toadies ahead of her anything. They'd obviously be useless. "Are you alive in there?!" Vica yelled in her own mind. Wondering if Sauron would show himself after allowing her to be tortured. You know...just a little bit before. However, he still didn't speak. Not showing himself. Vica frowned hatefully but said no more. Instead she reached out through the Force. Closing her eyes where she sat she just allowed herself to push beyond the room. Prodding with careful ease of her senses for whatever lay beyond.

There it was...something was happening! She could sense it. There was turmoil, pain, anger and rage. The wriggling aftermath and fading of life. The decay of death. The dark side was embroiled in a sort of gravity well. A focal point shone subtly. Only those who were looking may have found it, but when they did they were sure to find a focus point colder than the tundra of Hoth or Ilum. As Vica opened her eyes she now figured that must've been what had woken her up.

A smile crept along her fair features. "Palpatine. What have you gotten yourself into?" She cooed to the open air. She could sense the turmoil and adrenaline. Practically taste it even! Vica wasn't quite sure why, but she felt a compulsion to get up. A sudden spike of energy to find this focal point. To find whatever was happening and observe it for herself. Though she was not stupid. Nor was she blind. She had sensed Jedi too. Their presence in the Force was similar no matter what Jedi you came across. No matter how different or unique one may be from another it was their affinity within the Force that made them noteworthy.

"Better to be safe than sorry, ain't that right Sauron?" Vica spat under her breath again as she rose to a stand. She obviously didn't get a reply and scoffed. Gripping her now subtly swaying ruffled cloak's tail she pulled it up, and with a sudden motion and bout of strength she tore a ragged stretch of the black cloth from off the cloak. In a swift motion wrapping it around her nose and mouth covering her chin up to her neck and around the small amount of sideways swept golden hair she had atop her head. Easily she tied the newly minted mask at her back. The entire time staring down the two guards. Both of whom she saw slowly look to one another in their emotionless red helmets.

Vica huffed a breath and rolled her shoulders. Her body still ached everywhere, and her left hand had gone to sleep and woken up three times in the course of a minute. The sensation the worst kind of phantom burning imaginable. Still, Vica allowed the pain to shiver through her and she focused it into herself. Feeding on it with the dark side. Allowing it to build and build with each shock.

She took her first step towards the guards. Both of whom seemed ready to stop her. Both of them carried one of their staffs in their right hands. Vica, however, wasn't concerned. Nor did she care about these two. In fact she found it kind of laughable that they thought they could do anything.

"You two idiots have no idea who you're dealing with." Vica snarled and raised both hands. In a flash, streams of lightning exploded from her fingertips! Before either could do anything they were thrown back into the wall. Both men howled, and were quickly silenced behind their masks. As Vica quickly ceased unleashing the tendrils of lightning and gripped both hands in the air. The men were raised higher where they were pinned upon the wall. Still shaking and twitching from the bolts that crackled atop and through their forms. In a quick motion of turning grip to closed fist a small crunch could be heard. One layered atop another, and both men's necks were snapped violently! Both bodies slumping to the ground lifeless. Allowing Vica to step over them and punch her right fist into the wall keypad opening the door. It didn't move, of course. They had at least been smart enough to put a key code on it.

"Oh, I am not in the mood for this!" Vica snarled and pushed both arms out ahead of her again. Both hands gripped the door's bottom lock through the Force. With a sudden violent huff and motion up, Vica heard the door give a crack and crunch as the lower end was ripped from the floor indent and she swung herself up wildly. Throwing the door up into the overhead compartment where it jutted out halfway at a slant. Vica didn't care though. She shook and snapped her hands. Both feeling on the verge of numbness once again, as the muscles along her spine twitched from residual shocks. She ignored it as best she could, and followed the sensation she felt before.

Stomping through the halls, she could tell now, what she had guessed easily before. She was still inside the Executive Annex. She merely had to follow the writhing darkness just ahead and she'd find Palpatine. Nobody was in the halls. No attendants, no staff, not even any guards. She found that weird for a person as powerful and important as Sidious. In fact, she found that weird for the Republic capitol as a whole. Perhaps it had something to do with what was going on now? Or, maybe everyone had simply gone home? Unlikely...but you never know.

Nonetheless, she made great haste. Her legs making high and long strides. Until she rounded a corner. Behind her rose many columns leading to a large hall. Ahead of her another longer and small tunnel like hallway. She sensed ahead and felt the presence of multiple beings. One of whom brimmed with the dark side. Whilst her ears were assaulted with the very faint, but audible sounds of lightsabers. She couldn't nor wouldn't dare to guess what she'd find, but it made her heart beat a little faster.

Vica pressed on and entered the main hallway. Passing by what would've been an office for the Chancellor's secretary, she pressed on the keypad opening the door. As she did so she stepped inside and heard the sounds of lightsabers clashing all the more clearly. However, as she entered she didn't see anything in the main foyer. Well, one thing.

"Hmm." Vica intoned. Looking down along the floor and seeing a Jedi. One she knew by name in fact. A nautolan, Kit Fisto. The Jedi Master was...alive. Barely. His breaths were labored and he was crawling along the floor away from the interior of the office. As she had opened the door he had paused his slow retreat along the ground. Turning his head up to look at her. As he did so, Vica, for another time didn't know why, but threw her cowl atop her head. Masking even more of her features. Just in time for Master Fisto to behold her. Allowing Vica to tilt her head to the left and see a large burning gash peeking from under the nautolan man. Running diagonally across his chest. At the sight of her, he remained silent. Clearly wondering what she would do. If anything. And, for a long moment Vica also wondered if she should do anything.

However, her attention was pulled to the sounds of lightsabers clashing, and the wince or seethe of them parrying and colliding onto and off of one another. As well as grunts of exertion and small cries of breath loosing. Vica gave a single low chest heavy laugh and turned back to Kit. Her eyes trailed up where the Jedi had been crawling. In his right hand he held his own lightsaber, so she guessed. While along the floor was another fallen lightsaber hilt.

"I'll be taking this, Jedi." Vica intoned, calling the fallen lightsaber to her hand. As she caught it, she turned the weapon over in her hand. Before meeting her eyes with the nautolan's who didn't say a word. Before Vica bowed her head and stepped around him. She could sense his confusion, and feel his eyes glancing over his shoulder back at her. But, Vica didn't care about one clearly badly wounded Jedi Master on the floor. She had business with bigger fish right now. So, she left Kit to crawl. Leaving an open door for him to do so.

Rounding another corner Vica was baffled for a long moment. Even as she slowly trailed up the hall towards the entrance to the meeting lounge. There she saw in the distance, Master Mace Windu, the Master of the Order, and none other than her old mentor, Count Dooku...Darth Tyranus. Both dueling Sidious. Whom, looked far worse for wear than when she had last seen him. Dooku...somehow; she couldn't even wrap her mind around how he was here or why, was wielding a green lightsaber. His eyes and his presence did not betray the fact that he was flush with the dark side. Anger, rage, hatred, and menace were in his every step and stance. She remembered them well.

The Count had just caught Palpatine in an awkward position. Forcing the Dark Lord back towards Mace, and swiping into his face. Only to redirect and swipe in at his right and cleave a small wound into the Sith's chest. So, the small sizzle of smoke Vica saw rise into the air led her to believe. She could see him huffing breaths. See Darth Sidious with all his talk and all his supposed power and strength slipping before the admitted dueling prowess of two masters of the art.

"Well, looky here!" Vica announced, and leaned herself right into the wall of the hallway's opening. Sidious swung to her, while Windu and Dooku turned to look at her where each of the men stood. "Looks to me like the almighty and powerful Darth Sidious is in over his head!" Vica laughed before a few pained coughs erupted from the depths of her lungs. Themselves spasming within her, and forcing her to try and control the show of any outward pain. All as Mace Windu glared at her cautiously. Though Dooku observed her much the same way. He just hid it better.

"And who might this be, my Lord? Another scorned friend of yours?"

"Hardly a friend." Vica answered Windu for Sidious who glared at her. His eyes, however, also betrayed him with emotions of confusion, unease...perhaps even trepidation or fear? Vica smiled beneath her ragged mask, allowing her eyes to light up in humor as she saw him contemplate. Contemplate what a third enemy in this fray would mean.

"You...you have come!" Sidious began. His crimson saber vibrating aloud mingling with the other two. "Now would be the best time for us to set aside our differe-"

"Oh how pathetic the cornered sound when they finally realize they have been." Vica cut Sidious off before he could dare even imply they work together. Now?! After what he had done to her?! Sauron wasn't here, forcing her hand. Forcing her to help him, and if Vica had a say, as she promised to the silence of her mind, she would not let Sauron out to help him!

"Needn't either of you worry about me." Vica tilted her head to both Master Windu and the Count. "I'm just here to watch an old enemy die. Then I'll be out of your hair...well one of yours' hair." Vica laughed mockingly. Though Master Windu showed no sign he cared.

"Whatever would your betters say?"

"They're not here to care." Vica spat back at Sidious. The Dark Lord snarling. His nostrils flaring and eyes glimmering hatefully. Her vague answer likely didn't make any sense to either Dooku or Windu, but she figured they wouldn't care.

"Insolent lit-" Before Sidious could finish Mace lunged at him. The Jedi swept down with a slash. Palpatine parried sidestepping away. Dooku stepped forward cutting the Dark Lord off and stabbing in. Palpatine slid his saber off of Mace's and swung around and up bouncing Dooku's lightsaber away from him. Allowing Sidious to spin and slash at Mace's left hip. The Jedi turned and caught it. Circling Palpatine's over in an arch down right across them. Allowing Mace to pull in and deck Sidious across his face with the Jedi's left fist. The Sith reeled and Dooku slashed down with an elegant strike, Palpatine dodged. Not even bothering to parry.

Instead, Palpatine pressed an attack his own. Swinging at Dooku from over his left shoulder. The Count parried. The Chancellor flew into a furious circular eight motion of sweeping parries, and flurries. Each one stabbing in and slashing down with swift wrist angled strikes from Palpatine. Sweeping in and stabbing or slashing at either side, and overhead at Dooku. The Count blocked, circling over himself, and sidestepped or stepped back. Each strike or slash pushed off and back. Each one parried. Vica watching the entire time. A smile never waning hidden beneath her mask.

As Palpatine pressed his attack, falling into repeated forward and overhead slashes down to disrupt or overpower Dooku, mace swept in. Catching a strike mid slash and slashing down. Forcing Palpatine down at his right. The two meeting sabers burning into the ground as they fell. Pushing Jedi and Sith shoulder to shoulder once again. This time, Palpatine slashed hard left and spun away form the contact. However, behind him Dooku slashed up from under left shoulder across himself. Palpatine, mid-spin, glided his saber across Dooku's just managing to block a deadly meeting of flesh and weapon. Finishing his sweep he fell into a semi crouched position. Swinging up and stabbing at Dooku, who parried and circled their met blades again. Angling his lightsaber up and over and slashing right at the Chancellor's face. Palpatine yanked himself back. Mace flew in behind him and slashed in a low angled stab from his right up towards Palpatine's back. The Sith had to use the Force from his left hand. Throwing himself to his right away form the sandwiched place he had found himself. Smacking himself into the wall. He swung around just as both Mace and Dooku slashed in at him. Both of their lightsabers aiming for his neck. Sidious ducked and threw himself backwards. He ended up facing his back towards Vica. Whom remained leaning and watching.

Watching as Mace Windu and Count Dooku both turned and faced Sidious. The Sith huffing for air. His body subtly and lowly shaking from exertion as the dark side flowed across and through him like a funnel. She watched as Sidious lowered himself like a predator. Waiting for them to make their next strike. Vica watched and saw that with enough time, he would probably lose this fight. He was already very winded, and she assumed Master Fisto and whosoever lightsaber she had stolen had something to do with that. She watched as Mace spun his saber once again and angled himself to Palpatine's forward left. Whilst Dooku stepped off towards Palpatine's right. Vica watched as Mace dashed forward and Dooku stabbed in from the right. So, Vica grinned beneath her mask. And, let loose the smallest push through the Force forward into Sidious' back.

Just as he made to block Mace Palpatine stumbled forward ever so slightly. His unseen eyes widened. Mace swept his saber under and up. Smacking Palpatine's into the air out of his hand. Dooku stabbed up into Palpatine's right hip and the tip of his green blade came out his left collar. While Mace spun his saber hilt under and stabbed down into Palpatine's left shoulder and his purple saber tip came out his back along the right.

Vica loosed a howling bout of laughter! The room trembled as the dark side cast outwards in pangs and percussion. A sweeping excess of energy cascaded from the room out into the rest of the Annex and further beyond across all of Coruscant. The Dark Side seething and snarling. The shroud of it collapsing as both Jedi and Sith yanked their sabers free of Sidious. Whom, beyond the sight of Vica held both eyes wide. Mind blank and at an utter loss.

Darth Sidious fell to his knees. All those years of waiting. Of working, of fighting and planning. Everything done. Hego Damask, Darth Plagueis, his training, his political life as Ambassador and then Senator. Come Chancellor. Maul, Tyranus, the war, Anakin...Sauron...everything. In a flash of a moment he felt his heartbeat slowing. Imagery of Plagueis waking from his slumber rising to his feet as Palpatine riddled his body with lightning and damaging his breathing apparatus came to mind. Plagueis feebly falling onto the couch as Palpatine mocked him. He felt stunned. He felt cold...he didn't even feel the pain of the four gaping wounds in his body.

He fell onto his face. The force of which ejected an unseen box from beneath the folds of his inner tunic's pocket. It slid along the ground just ahead of Sidious. His eyes blankly staring as his vision blurred. Life leaving him.

"Ah…" Dooku sighed with obvious and clear pleasure. His face showing a wide smirk running along the length of his lips. "I must say your skills have not dulled one bit Master Wind-"

"Drop your lightsaber." Mace calmly and pointedly ordered. All but pressing his purple weapon's tip into Dooku's chest.

"What?"

"I said, drop your lightsaber and surrender, Count. Now!" Mace repeated and flashed him a dangerous look in his dark eyes. Dooku for his part seemed genuinely surprised and scoffed.

"Really? At a time such as this? In the very moment of not only my triumph but your own? You really want to ruin it by arresting me like some thief in the night?"

"Your helping me here does not absolve you of your crimes. Let alone what you've been planning with him this whole time." Mace sneered and tilted towards the fallen prone Sith.

"This is hardly the-"

"I said!" Mace snapped and stepped closer. "Drop your weapon...or I will drop it for you."

"You boys." Vica laughed and shook her head. Mace glancing her way as she did.

"Don't think I've forgotten about you."

"I'm so very scare-" The room shook and all three were thrown back!

The Force snapped and pulsated across and through the very air! The room warbled and shook and the fading dark side seemed to suddenly surge back to the fore. Mace was tossed across the room near the broken viewport. Dooku was slammed back first into a chair and rolled over top of it. Vica was pinned against the inner wall of the hallway she had been leaning into. Only she could dare open her eyes through the whirling winds and the shriek of power!

Not an imagined one. Not something induced by the imagination or any such thing. There was a scream of some kind of horrific phantom. As though something pierced the veil between life and death and shredded ear drums, or at least sought to do so. Causing Vica to wince even as she saw a figure rise from off the ground. Her eyes widened.

"No...no, no, no, no!" Realization dawning on her there and then. Horror replacing joy. Victory dashed by the cruel hand of reality. As Darth Sidious rose from where he lay and stood tall. His figure not just that of a mortal man. At least not as Vica looked upon him then. His being was cloaked in a dark fog. Whipping winds cast themselves like a cowl and cape draped upon his body. As a luminous but hollow light of white bands streamed around him. Never entering him. Never able to pierce the void that was his figure and form. The Force writhed in rapturous agony! As the light was cast away and the dark side, the corrupted embodiment of the Force howled happily. Vica watched as Sidious, the real Sidious, the creature hidden beneath all that flesh and cloth showed itself. Himself. Nothing less than a demon born from the mind of a child too fearful to shut their eyes in the darkness of their sullen room.

The figure turned towards her. No measure could be taken of his features. He bore none. Alone were two eyes like pits into the Corellian hells. They burned hot but yellow. Teeming with unnatural power, so it would seem. They bore into Vica and remained wide, unmoved, unblinking and devoid of mirth or good. Before a sound like the echo of a cackle from beyond the veil sounded, and the figure roared in joy. The room continued to rattle and shake and the dark side ebbed from the room. Following much as it had before, a percussion loosed across all of Coruscant, Vica was sure of it. As Darth Sidious raised up his right hand and beheld upon it, in the darkness of his true form a dark ring. Etched unseen with runes and words of power that shone out crimson red as blood in this long terrible moment. Before the veil was once more thrown up. The cosmos itself having to repair the shattering of reality, so it seemed. Before Vica was allowed to fall back to the floor with a huff and shiver of fear she had not felt since awakening on Korriban and beholding Sauron's form within her mind.

"What a gift. What a fine gift!" Sidious cackled. Vica threw her head up where she knelt. Seeing him as he normally appeared once more. His features, nonetheless, twisted. His eyes burning yellow with the dark side, a ring easily missed upon his right index finger and his power echoing through the Force.

"How did you-" Mace began from where he lay. Without even turning Sidious flicked his left hand over his shoulder. The Force boomed and the room trembled as Mace was shoved with the force of a mag-train out the open viewport! He gave a huff and distant cry as he fell into the long descent of Coruscant. Vica watched in horror. Unburdened by any rational thought of how to handle this. How to fix this!

"What...what power is this?!" Dooku cried having risen once again. He held his green lightsaber up and pointed the weapon feebly at Sidious. At least, feebly as Vica knew it to be.

"Shall I show you, apprentice?! Shall you see?! Yes, yes I think you shall Jedi! Fallen and cast aside Jedi!" Sidious seemed drunk with power. Cackling as a madman as he raised both hands and the sound of thunder snapped in their ears. Vica screamed and covered her head as the sound made her deaf for a few seconds. As Dooku was shaken and purple tendrils of lightning seared across the room burning the carpet beneath them and scorching the metal atop them. Slamming into Dooku's lightsaber they snaked and slithered around the beam and shocked him over and over. The Sith screamed and howled. His flesh burned and body contorted until he was raised off the ground. Dropping his lightsaber as the hilt exploded from a stray bolt slamming into it.

Palpatine laughed madly once more as he watched Dooku writhe in the air, his flesh toiling and scarring before their eyes. "Behold! The failure of your arrogance, Count! Behold what you have wrought!" Sidious threw his left arm out at his side, flattening his hand with a motion as Dooku's eyes went wide and his body slack. He too was tossed like trash from the open viewport into the vast chasm of Coruscant. His body still sparking with small purple bolts as he fell.

"You bastard!" Vica snarled. Her eyes brimming with a yellow all their own. She readied to charge Sidious where she knelt. Pressing her right foot into the ground behind her and readying to jump. "You miserable karki-"

"Enough." Sidious coolly stopped her and without raising a hand grabbed her. Vica's eyes winced in sudden pain. The feeling of a vice gripped her every bone and she howled in torment!

"I see you now more clearly than I have ever seen anyone." Sidious snarled as Vica was brought across the room over to the feet of the disgusting creature. His flesh sullen and gray, sunken and creased. His voice croaking, rumbling and low as a beast. His eyes burning and unnatural in their yellow.

"I don't care what you-"

"Silence!" Vica's head snapped left. She went silent in shock. She had just been slapped, but not by Sidious' hand. He had used the Force. She was utterly...powerless and she felt her pulse racing. Heart pounding, body shaking. Fear racked her, and as before she was screaming internally for Sauron to help her! Come save her! She didn't know how...no she knew she couldn't stop this!

"I wasn't talking to you anyways." Sidious smiled. "I see your better more clearly than I have ever seen him before. Like a shadow just beyond your own. Watching from a distance." Sidious lowly laughed some more. Utterly devoid of any fear or regret. Utterly unburdened of any residual need to show kindness or feigned cordiality.

"Whatever the string of events may be I have now come to own this ring. Such a pretty little thing, is it not?" Sidious leaned reached up and gripped Vica's chin. Forcing her to look at him as she wanted to bite at the cold deathly grip her held over her. "Now, however, now I am in need of your assistance."

"Go kriff your-" Sidious pinched her face so hard she feared her teeth would snap! She winced and loosed an unwanted yelp she could not restrain.

"Shush. I am in need of time. I need to salvage what has been sorely miscalculated. You will give me that time by fulfilling a part of the plan."

"What-" Again Sidious silenced her with a tightening of his hand along her face. Causing her legs to kick out underneath her in agony! Sidious then planted his free left hand atop her brow and clasped his fingers along her scalp.

"You will listen to me now!"

"No I won't!"

"As...as you...will...my Lord!" Huh? Vica hadn't said that. No...no she screamed she wouldn't she had just said it! Why had she...no!

"Good." Sidious smirked cruelly. "You will kneel." He beckoned and released her body in the Force. Vica fell onto her knees and screamed at herself to get up. She was telling her body to kick this very second! Only...it wasn't. Her eyes were bulging and her tongue felt frozen. She could only barely force out a low mumble, but she couldn't speak...she hadn't been given leave to do so. So, her body remained kneeling and she couldn't stop it.

"Move! Sauron, help me!" Vica howled in her mind! Begged even! Tears burned in her eyes. Old feelings of powerlessness rising to the surface. Old hatreds and fears eclipsing thought or reason. Shaking internally begging for Sauron to help her! Free her!

"You will be my Hand for the time being, my dear." Sidious laughed Reaching down and turning her face to look up at him again. Gravity doing the work of allowing tears in her right eye to flow. Sidious pat her face. Mocking her submission. Her inability to move. Her defeat.

"You shall be given temporary command of the 501st Legion. You will go to them here in the Annex within their barracks. As the Hand you will take them and march upon the Jedi Temple. Once there you will massacre every single Jedi. Master, knight, padawan, and youngling. Before it can even begin you will snuff out this nascent Jedi rebellion. You shall, however, not harm Anakin Skywalker. Not permanently at least."

"Ye...ye...yes, my...muh...muh...my Lord!" Vica screamed internally, but it did nothing!

"Good. Very good." He cackled. "Incapacitate Skywalker if you must, but you shall not kill him. You will bring him to me. He will be mine. He shall have no choice over it now. Only then will I be satisfied. Only then will the Jedi failure be...complete. Only then...only then we shall have peace."

"Yes, my Lord." Vica answered aloud. Control of her body lost. It was then that Vica snapped from her body! Once more she was turned into her spiritual visage. She looked down at her ethereal hands. Incapable of doing anything. Incapable of affecting anyone! Her 'eyes' darted up. Watching like a ghost as her body bowed and moved of a volition not her own. She stared in awe, in horror. In despair. Not knowing what had happened. Not knowing what to do. Only watching as her body turned and made from the room. A mind of its own.

"Sauron...please…" Vica begged.

She heard nothing.

---

L's Note: This is a VERY chaotic chapter. It was quite difficult to proofread. Likely in need of another revision but it has taken me like a week and a half to do just the rereading and rewriting. So, this is the variant I am happy with. Also, the chaos is to a degree necessary and expected. Lord Kun wanting us to feel as though we can sense the total bizzarre and unrealness of the chaotic night. Nonetheless, I hope everyone enjoys this doozy! As always, any woefully bad grammar issues can be sent to me and I will fix them as quickly as I am capable!

Shout Outs! : Huan of Valinor, it is ALWAYS a treat to read your long well thought out reviews, even if we disagree with Tolkien lore fundamentals (at least where Lord Kun and I have had to make revisions!). Wandering Scion, you have been here a long time! Lord Kun is very happy you make reviews when you can as they are also a treat and makes him feel great knowing long time fans have remained with him. At least some! GoofBall14, HOLY, that was a lengthy review and gave Lord Kun and myself a LOT to digest from the reader's perspective! Oh, and damn you on guessing the not so well hidden chapter name! You, along with ALL other reviewers are why this story continues to be written! Because it appeals and perhaps even matters to some. :) Oh, and DojoYoyo, you made us laugh with that Lucas quote. XD Archon65 and Thomas Drovin, both of you have stellar reviews as well!

And to EVERYONE ELSE who left small reviews you also have Lord Kun and I's utmost thanks!

Now, to the long guest reviewers I will make this final statement. You guys are consistently arguing over turns this story has made near the beginning. 'Palpatine should've done this with Sauron. Palpatine should've said this. Palpatine is SO MUCH STRONGER than Sauron etc.' Well those points are interesting. They are not how this story was heading. Palpatine wanted to play nice with Sauron. He did not want to make an enemy of a being he had been told by Anakin and the Jedi was immensely powerful, let along what he saw on Korriban. Palpatine and Sauron were playing a game. Neither truly knowing or acting on the other's plans because neither knows them fully. In spite of how Lord Kun's versions of the characters talk sometimes, much like Tolkien said about his characters, THESE characters are NOT all knowing. They think, they guess, they act. Sometimes they know more, and others they know less.

The version of this crossover you want is very evidently not going to happen. If you continue to make reviews where you attack the story that's fine. I will NOT, however, tolerate you attacking any other reviewer if they disagree with you. You guys can disagree but don't make it personal. If you do I'll call it out. If they do I will call it out. That being said, I will not be addressing this argument again.

-L

Edit Note: Edited/Updated 02/12/2022