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.

31. Passion Strength and Power

Chapter 31

Passion Strength and Power

Anakin tilted his head right. A smile daring to rise at the corners of his lips. His eyes softened even through the slight squint that overcame them. The streaming daylight of the morning broke through the shades of their home and lit the living room of the homestead.

"Give me it!"

"Hold on!" Luke yanked back a hydrospanner from Leia that Anakin had given him. "I need to...uh oh…" Luke grimaced as the tool buzzed a strange sound. Both he and his sister stood alongside an old speeder just outside the home and nestled under a small outcropped metal awning. Anakin had found and bought the speeder for hardly anything at all. Though...he couldn't remember from where or when.

"Luke, you're breaking it!"

"I'm not! I...just...it's not going in right."

"Because it's not meant for this port, laser brain!" Leia scoffed. Her voice elevated and airy. She bore a haughty expression to her as she rolled her brown eyes. In some ways, more than he wanted to admit, she reminded Anakin of himself. Though, again he smiled unseen by the twins.

Both she and Luke had just turned ten. Both of them proving to be menaces to both Anakin and his poor wife. Both twins argued and bickered plenty, but in the end, no matter what happened or what they argued over, they managed to work it out. Luke was far too calm and patient with Leia. Leia was far too hotheaded and temperamental. Again, Anakin sardonically wondered what she got that from.

"Hey, you two!" Anakin called through the open door leading outside. The twins both immediately turned to him and bent themselves backwards to look inside.

"Yeah dad?" Luke answered.

"Try loosening the top cap of that motivator. You know, before you try removing the cover plate." Anakin instructed knowingly. Hardly even glancing their way as he sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor. Allowing himself to delve into the Force and meditate. He eyed them through hardly noticeable slanted lids though. The children turned to one another. Leia's face still visible from where Anakin sat as Luke, in kind, turned the back of his golden haired head to Anakin. Leia whispered something. Running her dirty hands over the cap in question. Scoffing with another prominent roll of her eyes to Luke as the boy mumbled something back to her. Unheard by Anakin.

"Uh...thanks, dad!"

"Laser brain…" Leia intoned as Luke, the elder twin, by mere moments, waved her off and continued their work. Anakin listening and smirking as he shut his eyes once more. The Force beckoned him deeper...and deeper within the infinite recesses of all that was connected by, and of the Force itself. The light and the dark. The natural light and the misshapen and corrupted dark. An aberration, and yet a necessity in the cosmic reality of the Force.

His brow creased. He felt a dark tide pulling at him. The light of his thoughts was wound up, and thrust aside and he heard a sound...like a snarl of some kind. He didn't follow it, but he did brace himself.

"Whatever you are, you're not welcome here." Anakin intoned. Barely an audible whisper. Even as the room grew cold. The prior heat of the streaming light disappearing and all growing colder.

"Where are you hiding, Anakin?" A voice uttered. Slithering and wretched. Anakin recoiled from it. He shuddered as he resisted the call from something so horrid, but frighteningly familiar…

"You're not welcome here!" Anakin growled. His hands tightening into fists that clutched the fabric of his leggings.

"Ah, my boy." It laughed. Shapeless and expressionless as it was. "You cannot hide from what you have allowed to happen!"

"Get out!" Anakin roared, but the voice merely cackled. The room grew colder still, and he dared not open his eyes even as he heard screams! Horrible, wretched screams! His hands flew to his ears but they would not stop! "Get out!"

"I watched them start with her, Anakin." The voice derisively chattered. "They shot her with a stunner. Then they took her and your children deep into a dark cavern."

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

"A scalding hot prod, old but effective. It melted her flesh. She would have screamed but for the constriction of her throat. Eyes bulging as your children lay on the nearby table. I wanted them to feel her pain through the Force. And, they did! Have you heard what infants screaming as they're burning sounds like?!"

Anakin howled! The room thundered and rocked! His eyes opened and he was inside of a burnt out carcass of a home. Smoke billowed and choked his eyes. He shakily tried to stand, but fell onto his stomach wheezing, gasping and begging for air. Tears hotly drew from his eyes and fell down his cheeks and onto the smoldering ruins beneath him. Coating him in ash and decay.

He wept and tilted his head up.

"No...not again. Please, Force not again!" He wailed and slammed his forehead into the floor. The images before him abhorrent. The ruination of that which he loved, total. Mangled bodies, dead eyes, mouths agape with no life to be found. Fires burning behind them, around them, and like a snake in the tall grasses of some far off world, the fires slithered toward him. Wrapping like chains around his wrists. Burning him, eliciting a howl of pain and anguish melded together!

They kept wrapping around him, up his arms, and then gliding, and burning his skin to blackened crust, like the magma dunes of Sullust. He writhed in agony! Incapable of looking away even as his vision blurred. Watching as Padmé and the twins were consumed by fire! An unfeeling cackle thrumming in his ears. The echo of, and bellow of which overtook all senses until Anakin screamed! Raw, primal and unrelenting upon his already withered throat! The fires consumed him whole, enfolding his body and turning him into a pillar of fire. A human form burning without relent even as he screamed, and the fire dove inside his nostrils, and throat! Until, at last…

...

Anakin screamed aloud, and not for the first time. The room warbled in the hot static of blue and piercing purple. The sterile white walls he was surrounded by thrummed in pulsations as his body was racked and ruined. Smoldering, his clothes had long begun to burn into his flesh. Creating deep pits and lines where the fabric melded with him. His arms and legs had twisted and contorted in ways he could not control. Bones snapped. Multiple ribs cracked and broke, and his right leg was currently twisted in such a way that one could see the bone attempting to break through flesh and skin. Whilst his right hand had long exploded from the electric shocks of his ceaseless attacks. His left hand had not a finger left that was unbroken. Even his voice, came as a scream, but more a whimpering excuse of one. Too long had he rubbed it raw, roared it, scratched and tore at it. Blood in the form of spittle coughed up from him in the moments of release. Leaving his voice as less a scratch, and more a dim whisper. His hair, long singed and burned had fallen from atop his scalp. Killed and dead strands lay about the room, and one would not recognize this broken figure that was named Anakin Skywalker.

"Ah..." Palpatine huffed and released the man. Ending the torrent of lightning that crackled from the tips of his fingers. The dark side thrummed as an acrid tinge of burning flesh and fabric mingled into a nauseating cacophony assaulting one's nostrils. While the only other color that shone through the room was the dim twilight of those red runes that lined the ring upon Palpatine's right hand.

"Status?" Palpatine uttered. A small warbling medical droid zipped by him into the cell from behind the Sith and traveled over to Anakin's shaking, shuddering and twitching ragged body.

"Scanning, Master." The droid intoned numbly. A small light traveled across Anakin. Likely an internal scanner of some sort. Not for the first time either. Though, the Jedi could not remember how many times it had happened now. "Beyond the previously noted broken bones, the patient has suffered esophageal tearing. Presently, there is mild bleeding within the right lung, along with cartilage tearing and snapping all throughout the body. More so than prior might I add. Furthermore, Master, pustules have formed across the subject's outer extremities. His immune system is responding, though poorly, to continued excoriation, Master. As well, I believe there to be internal burning within the body. More tests will be required to-"

"That is all, thank you FourDee." Palpatine intoned. The floating multi faceted and multi layered droid, lifted itself from over Anakin and floated with a noticeable warble back out of the cell. Leaving between two of Palpatine's royal guards to rooms and places unseen. Palpatine approached Anakin who now feebly moaned on the floor. Low grunts passed through cracked lips, long burnt and torn revealing wounds where blood seeped through. The Sith bent himself down and pressed his cold right hand upon Anakin's head. The wheezing Jedi lay with his left cheek planted into the ground. Gasping and gagging small blotches of blood. Palpatine's touch was like a torch on his mangled, and thinning head of hair. He seethed, but Palpatine ignored him. Petting him as though he were an ack dog.

"My boy, this grows tiresome." Palpatine sighed. His face twisting into a vision of rueful sadness. "It has been far too long that you've suffered here. Shouldn't you finally allow this to end?" Palpatine wondered. Anakin, wheezed a low breath. His right eye, beneath trembling lid, turned up to him from the ground.

"Pad...Padmé…" Anakin whispered, and Palpatine sighed.

"We've been over this, Anakin. You keep trying to run from it. You keep trying to deny it. You create fantasies in your head. I can sense them. I can see them. Do you not grow tired by tormenting yourself? Even as I seek to show you the power you can wield in the waking world." Palpatine lowered himself close to Anakin's burnt and scarred upturned ear. "Padmé is dead, Anakin."

"N...no!" He whimpered and shut his eyes. Anakin's face contorting in immediate pain as weeping whimpers escaped his lips. "No!"

"You killed her, because you would not listen to reason, son. Weeks… Its been weeks of this! Your torment will need to come to an end. You either accept it soon, or you will suffer even greater loss. Greater torment." Palpatine intoned, petting Anakin's hair. Watching as dead strands fell from Anakin's scalp through his aged fingers.

"No…" Anakin wept. Burning, scalding tears falling down his face.

"Your children have suffered long enough as well, Anakin." Palpatine continued. Sighing long and exasperatedly. "They scream for you. Even as they're molded into the perfect apprentices to be! You could break free from these chains. Both here," Palpatine waved his hand about the room. "And, here." The Sith planted his fingers to Anakin's temple. "You alone can save them from what I will do to them. What I will have done to them. And, in time you will learn to call me, Master. Before you try to break and then kill me. Before you ascend to where you belong. Where you were meant to rise!"

"K…" Anakin gagged a low wail. "K...kill me!" Feebly he demanded, but Palpatine sensed it to be more a dare. Hiding his face from Palpatine and rubbing raw weathered flesh against the floor. Leaving the Sith to sigh once again. Patting the back of his friend's head.

"Okay." Palpatine clicked his tongue. "You're still not ready. That's okay, Anakin. We will make you ready. We will prepare you. But, in the meantime…" Palpatine rose to his feet and stepped around Anakin's body. He flicked his right hand, and the room came alive. Speakers placed throughout the room began announcing a low hum as they turned back on. Palpatine smiled thinly, and darkly. Turning back to Anakin as the cell closed once more. The ray shield keeping him within activating and dulling the booming sounds that erupted seconds after.

Screams, wails, cries! All of them assaulted Anakin's ears. He feebly screamed but it was hardly a sound at all. Especially with the ray shields in place. As the cries of children, the wail of babes, and the choking suffering of women assailed the Jedi. Rattling within his mind, and shaking the already ruined eardrums of a broken man. But, not broken enough.

"Your Excellency." Palpatine turned to one of his guard's as he addressed him.

"Keep watch on him. Don't let him out of your sight." Palpatine warned coolly. Turning back to Anakin a final time as he did. "I have a speech to attend."

"Of course, your Excellency!" The guard bowed, joined by his comrade as he did.

"Hmm." Palpatine thoughtfully hummed and passed the men. Back out from the holding cells into the waiting hall filled with four more similarly dressed guards. "Countless days of torment. Weeks of horror, and unspeakable pain. Time is an illusion to the mind." The Dark Lord chuckled.

His ring shone bright hot.

---

A'Sharad swept down. A cry loosing from his throat as he sliced down. His green saber cleaving a clone in two. The horrendous sight just one fleeting moment of many crumpled together. The Jedi twirled himself. Both of his green lightsabers pulled in vertically, close to his body as a hail of bolts rained onto him from countless directions.

"Come on then!" A'Sharad all but snarled! "Come and get me!" He roared! Feeling the heat of the dragon burn inside of him. The twin suns of Tatooine blazing in his blood, and the wrath of the krayt dragon nipping at him. A'Sharad barreled ahead. Sweeping either saber out at his sides. A company of Coruscant Guard troopers ran towards him. Calling out orders between one another. Aiming down sights and firing after him. A'Sharad spun through the air. Clipping and repulsing many unseen bolts. Some flying back and striking a clone or CSF officer here and there. While many others flew off to singe surrounding buildings or walkways.

A'Sharad fell to his boots and broke back into a run. Spinning around and pushing himself with the Force. Further away from the nearby boundary line between the Temple District and the surrounding city. His body flew back, and as he did he felt the Force wrap around him. Adrenaline and precision in every movement or flick of his muscles. Sharp and attuned, but storming within!

He swept his right saber in, then his left. Both repelled an incoming bolt from an upper walkway between two spires. Both bolts stuck the trooper who fired it and he fell off the ledge screaming into the far abyss of Coruscant. More men knelt or ran from corners. Consolidating in and firing at him, but A'Sharad slid to a stop. His boots grinding the metal walkway. He slashed up and a bolt careened from one shooting trooper into his friend. The man flew back burning at his chest and dead. His friend turned to scream in horror at what he had inadvertently done, but A'Sharad charged with speed in the Force even he had not known to be in him! The Jedi Master gave a cry of thunder and stabbed both sabers in. He impaled the trooper, and with a sudden throw of his entire body from right to left, he tossed the clearly dead or dying man into a small squad of his friends. The bored holes running through him singing and melting into lines before he was ejected off of A'Sharad's green lightsabers.

"There he is!"

"Over there!"
"Blast him, blast him!" Many voice were calling to one another. The hail never ended, but A'Sharad pulled the Force around him. Somewhere in the back of his mind even he was astounded at the exactness and swiftness of his body. His earlier fighting within the Temple had been equally impressive. He could admit as much to himself. But, at the time he had been far too worried about his fellow Jedi or the Temple Security Force to take true stock. Now though? Here outside of the Temple District? Seeing the place he had known for many years, and called home burning…and surrounded by troopers or police intent on killing not only him but every Jedi that yet lived?! Something in him was alive. His eyes were set. Every swipe, slash, twist and turn he made in the dance he now undertook was perfect! Perfect to repel, and hit said troopers or policeman. Perfect to bring them all onto him, and distract them. And, perfect to give the younglings and their caretakers time to escape!

His hands gripped his lightsabers and he felt another rush of awesome adrenaline ripple from his chest outward! His eyes darted right and he swung his right lightsaber savagely to send three bolts away. Two of which struck a trooper each. While the third slammed into a CSF officer's hand. He howled and dropped his blaster. Giving A'Sharad time to jump around himself and dash into another run heading away from the Temple itself.

"This is going better...than expected!" A'Sharad laughed to himself. Somehow finding it within him to find some measure of enjoyment in this. Using the Force, he leapt his body up into a high jump. Bolts danced around him and fired past him into the skies of Coruscant. But, the Force told him he was in no danger. He swerved his body left and two bolts passed across his back and chest. Neither hitting nor even singing him. Instead, he fell onto a higher walkway in a kneeling posture. His green sabers humming prominent and victorious. Even if just a small victory as he sucked in a long draw of breath to steady his raving nerves from the sheer outpouring of skill he had just demonstrated.

"Jedi on the upper walkway!"

"Where?!"

"Spires on the right! Up there!" He heard them screaming at one another down there. A'Sharad smirked to himself. Pushing back to a full stand. His sabers burning green in the retreating, but still quite dark, night. He turned away and slowly paced away from the edge of the walkway. Hearing the scrambling of troopers and police below. He stomped towards the edge of the path ahead. Where a turn led to a ramp leading back down to the lower levels. So he thought anyways. From there, he'd jump down a few levels, and make them chase him again. Deeper into the lower city and away from the Temple of course. Then he-

"What?" The Force prickled at the edge of his senses. He swept right and brought his sabers up defensively. Just as a CSF patrol speeder whirled up from below. Its searchlight burst to life on top of him. Causing A'Sharad's eyes to wince reflexively.

"There's the Jedi! Fire!" The driver commanded over his speeder's built in megaphone over the droning of said speeder. His passenger, jumped into a stand atop his seat and aimed a blaster rifle towards the Jedi Master. The policeman opened fire in mere seconds, and A'Sharad cursed in a whisper. Rolling to his left out of the way. The bolts following him as he dashed back up into a full fledged run for the edge of the walkway he had in mind. The patrol speeder; with lights blaring and blinking as if he were just some mass murdering criminal on the run, followed him. Warbling the skies as the bolts rained after him.

"There he is!" A squad of Coruscant Guard troopers came into sight. They ran in from the left around the corner of the walkway. A'Sharad, in an instant, threw his left lightsaber over his right shoulder and gave a heaving cry! Throwing the lightsaber, it spun through the air and slashed through at least three of the troopers! He kept running, and as it boomeranged around back to him A'Sharad leapt off the walkway! He caught the lightsaber handle and twisted himself around. The patrol speeder kept firing and three more troopers ran to the edge, shooting after his falling body. A'Sharad blocked and repelled every bolt even as he fell. While below, a group of CSF police formed up behind some street stalls and took up position. Firing at him as he fell. Forcing A'Sharad to make a choice.

"Alright then!" He seethed and brought both arms back, and threw them back forward! A rippling wave released through the Force, and the speeder zooming after him suddenly lurched back! The force of which shoved it hard enough that the passenger was thrown off of it. He screamed, but fell with a hard cracking thud to the street below. While the speeder's repulsor lost its equilibrium. The airspeeder abruptly twisted the craft into a ninety degree turn right, and as it tried to reorient it flung into a hundred and eighty degree swing back left. But, as it did it crashed its front fender into the walkway support beam A'Sharad had just been on. Bending it in and causing the walkway to rupture and collapse. The troopers atop which all howled as they began sliding down the tipping walkway. Two sliding clean off and similarly falling into the abyss while the third clung onto a light post for dear life. The speeder falling down onto the street with a booming percussion as it bent inwards and snapped a stall underneath it!

As that all occurred, A'Sharad fell to his feet and immediately dashed right. A sweep of bolts flew where he had been, but he dodged and careened towards one CSF officer. The man fell back, and began pushing himself backwards with a wild stamping of his boots to the ground. As he flailed about he continued firing wildly from the ground up at A'Sharad, but the Jedi swept his saber through the man, gliding it along the floor, burning a trail along the durasteel plating of the walkway. Before he zoomed back left in an arching run. A second and third officer broke off. Firing back at the Jedi. A'Sharad came to a stop and used the Force to rip the mangled airspeeder door dangling off the left side of the vehicle. With a huff and grunt he threw his left hand forward and the metal sheered free. Slamming into and carving through both men even as they ran.

Left momentarily alone, momentarily at peace, A'Sharad trembled. The arteries in his neck were beating harder than ever. The Force was alive around him and through him. His senses peaked to abnormal heights.

"Adrenaline?" He uttered to himself. "Elevated response to...fear?" A'Sharad intoned. Feeling the sweat beads rolling down his brow. He shook himself. The long braided tail of his hair whipping as he did. He deactivated both lightsabers and shimmied himself into a nearby dark alleyway. Moving between the buildings among a fair slathering of garbage and refuse as he did so. Figuring he'd ambush the next company of clones he came upon. Just like a battlefield in the war. The clones, well most of them, were now his enemies. Droids...just imagine they're droids!

"Move, move!" Someone ordered. A'Sharad paused. He pushed himself to the wall at his right. In front of him in the adjoined street he was headed towards he saw a line of Coruscant Guard troops run to his left.

"Where's the Jedi?!"

"Opposite street! Get your men to the barricade, leave the Jedi to the others!"

"Copy, sir!" A'Sharad barely heard several troopers conversing between themselves. His senses reached out, and he felt the flutter of some kind of commotion. A conglomeration of beings and presences.

"Barricades?" He whispered. Hugging his back against the wall as another squad worth of Coruscant Guard with a few...what looked like Security Bureau Tactical teams ran off to the left. Another CSF patrol speeder zipped overhead as their megaphone began blaring.

"All civilians are to return to their homes! This is a restricted area, and under security lockdown! I repeat, return to your homes! If you advance on the barriers, you will be fired upon!"

"The kriff is going on?" A'Sharad wondered as idle droplets of sweat streamed down his face. He flipped his head back around suddenly, however. Hearing a shuttle or speeder; he couldn't tell, moving into the street where he had left the mess of dead. Probably dropping off reinforcements to look for him.

"Spread out!" He heard an accented voice howl from the same street.

"Alright," A'Sharad shrugged to himself. "Let's get a better look at things." He jumped up onto a metal awning of some kind. Quieting his footfalls and repeating the jump. Again, and again between the buildings he found himself until he managed to reach a roof. More a jutting landing that sat at some level of the spire than the actual roof, but it'd do.

A'Sharad lowered himself onto his hands and knees. Crouching low and planting his hands to the cold steel. He peered his head over around the left side of the landing. Squinting, but quickly recoiling as an LAAT flew by and hovered above the street. Which looked like a business thoroughfare. He couldn't be sure, he hadn't been to this street before...he didn't think.

Regardless, he saw it. "The kriff?" He whispered. As the far off street was absolutely packed and growing with people! Not troopers, not CSF officers or any other kind of security group. Civilians, like the announcement had addressed. From this vantage point A'Sharad could hear better. The hoots and hollers, and the bitterness! Some were waving flags bearing the Republic's emblem back and forth. Others had flags or banners showing the COMPOR insignia. But, many...many of them were brandishing blasters. Rifles, assault rifles, pistols, who the kriff knew what else?!

"Really?! Are these people kriffing crazy?!" A'Sharad scoffed incredulously. His eyes darting to the barricades in question. Large metal and mobile platforms placed between two lines of crimson coated Coruscant Guard and their supporting agencies or troopers. They were blocking the advance of this mob.

"Civilians! Return to your homes, now!" The same airspeeder ordered as it came in from another side street just ahead of A'Sharad.

"Kriff the Jedi!"

"Stop protecting them!"

"Let us through!"

"Karking traitors!"

They were all screaming. Like banshees in some dark Sith cave. A'Sharad recalled the riot from days before. He could only shake his head at the sight. But, he remained still as he could. Allowing himself to come down from the adrenaline fueled high he had been engrossed in before.

"Maybe...these people can do the work for me? Well...more of the work for me." A'Sharad absently intoned.

He checked over his shoulder. As if someone would be there. Of course there wasn't, but he did hear troopers moving into the alley he had jumped up from. Idly, he glanced in the direction of the Temple. Wondering and hoping that Master Baas and those Jedi with him were ushering the younglings out to safety.

However...A'Sharad tilted his head back left and felt his brow crease. A flash of some kind of emotion...anger? No, he wasn't angry. A'Sharad shook his head. He wasn't using anger now. No, he was using tactical awareness. He was a General...had been. This was war! No, he wasn't angry, but he did have an idea that one could call, unorthodox. In fact, as he thought about it, A'Sharad wondered what Master Mundi would think? But, he didn't need to wonder. He had felt it some time ago. He had felt a pang from afar. A snuffing out of life. His face contorted scornfully, and his hands itched as his thumb circled his new ring back and forth.

He wasn't angry. He was just being smart. 'Tactical.' And these people? They were hardly good. Any of them. None of them! A'Sharad shrugged his head to the right. Eliciting a near imperceptible pop as he did. Before he closed his eyes, and focused...deeper and further. Until he found one. Someone, nearby, but not too near. He found him, angry, disgruntled. Believing through what A'Sharad assumed to be a drunken haze, that he was there to save the Republic.

"Shoot your blaster." A'Sharad whispered. Opening his eyes as he did so. Feeling his brow curve inwards as he did so. And then.

THRUM!

Then screaming started. Soldiers roared and confusedly took steps back. Even the protesters seemed confused and shocked. Until, finally, THRUM, THRUM, PANG! Someone opened fire from the Coruscant Guard, and A'Sharad watched the front line of the rabble begin dropping! Screams erupted, shouts, and fire returned from the mob. As an avalanche – a veritable sentient wave of masses assaulted the barricades and the whole line of troopers and guards retreated. Firing as they did.

"Civilians have breached the barricades! Trooper down! Trooper down!" Someone screamed, and A'Sharad watched as the zooming LAAT fired a single shot from the front cannons down into the crowd. Projecting uncountable numbers of men here and there, and to varying degrees of dismemberment.

"That'll keep them busy." A'Sharad muttered. Shimmying himself into the dark of the landing. Moving off and back around right where he had come from. As the troopers he assumed to be looking for him in the alley, confusedly ran into the streets. Just to be fired upon, and in kind fire upon their own constituency to tyranny.

"Reap what you sow." He intoned, and jumped from the spire he was on to another. There had to be more mobs. More groups. More soldiers. They would make far better distractions than just himself.

---

"Master Baas, look!" A Jedi, probably a knight by the look of the human man, called Bodo Baas over. The krevaaki master moved forward. All around him, sniffling, shuffling and fearfully fretting were scattered dozens of padawans and younglings. Some caretakers and knights or the wayward master carried the younger ones, while repulsor lifted mobiles or cradles were shifted between the overseeing Jedi, and the few droids brought with to tend to the infants.

"What is it?" Bodo's deeper voice wondered as he reached the knight. He stood with three more Jedi peering past his shoulder. All of them staring outside of a large vent that led from the Temple's ancient foundational vents and under levels further into Coruscant's undercity. Between the vent's metal bars one could see a sky lane beyond. Where CSF patrol airspeeders hung in the air. Denying anyone the ability to get too close to the Temple from outside the district. At least if they took the conventional routes.

"They're still watching the exits, Master." The knight cautiously noted. Bodo, brought a tentacled hand up and pat the younger man's shoulder.

"Patience, my friend. We have to have patience."

"But, Master…" Another knight began. Their voice soft but worried. She was a tall and rather bulky nautolan woman, but her dark eyes and features betrayed her physique. Etched into her face and those of the other Jedi was horror, adrenaline tinged fear and chaotic barely restrained self control.

"What if this plan fails?"

"It is a simple one." Bodo assured with a start. "All we need do is wait for the distraction Master Windu has planned. Perhaps the 'distraction' has not been distracting enough. Not yet, at least."

"But…" The first knight began again. Clutching his lightsaber hilt tightly. "What if-"

"No!" Bodo cut him off with a swipe of his tentacled hand down. "We must dwell here in the present, my friends! If we project into the future, or seek to determine it without pause or thought we are doomed to act rashly! We cannot afford such now. Not with the children." Bodo bid. His voice lowering as his appendages fluttered and shook. Betraying his own concern to the gathered Jedi. All of whom looked between themselves, before bowing their heads or nodding.

"Yes, Master. My apologies." The first knight offered.

"We're just-"

"Concerned." Bodo cut the nautolan woman off knowingly. "I know your fears. We may all wish to lie here and now and claim we're not afraid, but we are. But, we are Jedi. We feel those emotions. Fear, terror, horror and anger, but we do not let them guide us. We're all afraid, my friends. But, we have to act fro reason. Not from the gnawing draw of fear and irrationality. We must think as though we are serene and calm. Center yourselves in the here and now. And...let us wait and see." Bodo bid with a motion of his staff to the vent. The Jedi following him as he did. "Master Windu and Master Ti said they had a plan. We are here where they wanted us. Now we wait."

"Ye...yes, Master." The nautolan bowed her head. The rest of the older Jedi sighing, shuddering or staring off into nothing. Contemplative and pensive the lot of them. Bodo could not blame them. He too wondered if perhaps this plan was tenable...whatever the plan actually was. He had been told to move with the hundreds of children deep and away from the Temple within the industrial tunnels and vent systems. Loud, noxiously foul smelling and cramped for the many Jedi who now wandered halls meant for repair teams and droids. Bodo was to wait for a call. That was it. Only once the CSF or clones, or whoever else cleared the area.

Well...here they were. And here they waited. Bodo set his large eyes back out the vent. Sliding himself closer to it. Laying a tentacled appendage across the brittle feeling flap that acted as a barrier between where they were and the vast outside of Coruscant. Levels beneath the surface of where they would more regularly call home. Internally, Bodo just bid this work. Whatever 'this' was. And, that if it did not, that their end be swift. At least the children's if not his own.

And then… "Hmm?" Bodo intoned to himself. The Force fluttered within his mind, and his senses prickled with a tinge of awareness. His large eyes turned up through the large metal ducts and paneling. The CSF airspeeders remained floating in the open air. Remaining for a while...a bit longer...then...all of them suddenly turned and wailed off! Bodo watched, silent and unwilling to say a word. Not yet while it seemed so surreal that...whatever it was they had been waiting for was now occurring! At least, he hoped that to be the case.

As though answering his wordless hopeful imaginations Bodo watched the further distant skies. Clamored or moving about them he could see far off gunships or CSF patrol speeders. Distantly from their position and generally hung higher above in the skies. Yet, as he perceived them, Bodo watch as all within sight began turning. Blaring or warbling and breaking away from their stationary places or seeming routes off toward the opposing direction Bodo faced. Those with sirens and alarms blared them, and Bodo could feel a distant series of pangs. As some great conflagration seemed to be taking place.

"Master?" A knight approached. As this human man, and the others watched the scene like he did. "They're leaving!"

"That they are." Bodo agreed with a stiff, but relaxing utterance. He turned to speak, but found his comlink ringing. Wordless, he grasped at it and activated it. Watching as the shimmering form of Mace Windu appeared.

"Master Baas." Mace greeted with a pained, even if repressed expression. "I suspect you've noted the absence or removal of clone or police forces?" Mace expectantly questioned. To which Bodo nodded.

"We have, Master." Bodo plainly informed. They hadn't the time for too many other pleasantries.

"Good." Mace sighed. Clearly relieved and incapable of putting on his usual stoic face. "You can expect a flight of shuttles arriving outside of the industrial vent shafts. There's a plaza about two blocks from where you and your people should be, called 'Resolute Square.' It should, hopefully, still be devoid of civilians."

"What's called the soldiers and police away, Master? If I may ask?" Bodo wondered as the other Jedi circled in. The children and various caretakers lingering just beyond them in a small sea of sentient lifeforms.

"Master Hett has caused a distraction for all of you. I don't know the specifics, but the Master made the choice of his own free volition. Best that we not waste it, Master Baas."

"Of course, Master." Bodo agreed with a bow of his krevaaki head. "How many shuttles can we expect?"

"About six, and not so much shuttles as...freighters."

"Freighters?"

"Not commercial, but certainly for planet side transport. It should be enough for all of you. If, albeit, cramped." Mace noted.

"Can we trust the crews, Master?" Bodo asked what was on the mind of all the Jedi nearby. Though, to the question Mace seemed to hold a shadow of a smirk along his dark features.

"I think you'll be able to trust the crews with your lives. All of you, Master. Compliments of Senator Yarua, Chieftain Tarfful, and an aide named Chewbacca." Mace informed. Causing all the Jedi to share expressions of awe, relief and, well a lot of mixed emotions.

"I...we will certainly be indebted to the wookiees for this!"

"That we will be." Mace agreed with a gruff single, and still pained, chuckle. "Now, Master Baas, get yourself and your people out of those tunnels! The wookiees will be arriving any minute and I don't want any of you caught in the open while police forces are still about. You will be transported somewhere safe until we can figure out a more long term solution."

"What about you, and Master Ti? All of you still inside the Temple?"

"If the Republic assaults us again they need to be held off as long as possible. The more time you and the Jedi with you have to escape, the greater the chances our order survives, Master." Mace gravely, if succinctly replied. "Now, Master, please."

"I...very well, Master Windu. May the Force be with you." Bodo bowed his head.

"And you, Master. All of you." Mace announced to all he knew to be watching his small figure. "Always." With that he cut the connection and Mace's figure disappeared.

"Alright, we all heard him." Bodo intoned pocketing his comlink within the folds of his robes. "Let's cut a hole large enough for everyone to get out through the vent here. You three, your sabers will be of use."

"Yes, Master!" The nautolan woman jumped. Activating a blue lightsaber and running by Bodo. Stabbing it through the ventilation opening. As two more humans activated their equally blue lightsabers and began gouging an opposing line and a connective line several meters high as best he could stretch himself.

Moments passed. The grumbling and whispering – fearful utterances, and cries of the younglings rattled all the ears of the older Jedi knights and masters with them. All of them doing their best to keep them as calm as possible. Bodo waited and watched the three Jedi carve a hole that melted the metal simply enough. The snapping of which loudly clanged. Allowing Bodo to raised his left tentacled hand. The Force escaped from him, and he wrapped it about the fallen rectangular slab of dividing metal. With the barest of grumbles he lifted it up into the air and inside of the vents. Where he turned and laid it to lean against the nearby wall. Allowing them all to see outside into the vastness of Coruscant. A nearby walkway just below the massive vent port by perhaps ten feet or so.

"Every knight and master, aid the younglings down. Two knights will remain in the vent systems until every child is out. I don't want the group left unattended for a minute. Understood?!"

"Yes Master!" All the nearby adults clamored in response.

"Good. Let's move!"

...

They did. As freighters grumbled from the undercity upwards. Using lower city sky lanes to reach their destination. The freighters were bulky. At least two stories tall as one could commonly guess their length. One could guess them to be of the Mandalorian make. Practicality over design or look. Regardless, they couldn't all land on the plaza together, but some hung alongside the walkways. Extending ramps as best they could while looming above the great abyss of Coruscant beneath them. From each of them came wookiees wielding bowcasters. Opening large transport hatches that could fit more than a few large shuttle buses as the furry beings came into sight.

A large wookiee, his fur cream colored and even a bit pinkish or reddish along the trim of his coat stepped out onto a vast metal slab inter-cut with pots of flowers and shrub. He planted his hands to his hips and in the distance saw a horde of what looked to be Jedi refugees, descending from a massive vent exhaust port. The wookiee gave a long guttural roar and motioned his right arm forward. Four burly aides of his ran off to meet the Jedi.

Senator Yarua himself stood waiting. Ready to help those who helped his people. The Chancellor, and this charade be damned! What was right, was right!

---

"Civilians have breached the barricades! Trooper down! Trooper down!" Someone wailed into the comm unit. Commander Fox pressed his hand to the side of his helmet and bent himself to his right. The crowd ahead of him screaming and hollering as a line of the Coruscant Guard and other various troopers or police kept them at bay.

"This is Fox, what is going on out there?!"

"Armed civilians have opened fire at checkpoint Desh-13! Trooper down, mul...multiple troopers down!"

"This is Desh-12, I also have civilians breaching the rearguard! Advancing up the main thoroughfare on Zhell-Walkway 12! They're moving towards the line with the 501st!"

"Fire on the crowd! Fire on the crowd!" Someone was screaming and Fox couldn't tell who as the shared channel lost its karking mind! Then… BOOM!

An explosion rung out, and he swung himself around. Looking off to what he believed to be the west side outside of the Temple District. He couldn't see anything but he knew the sound of gunship fire when he heard it!

"Someone move over to Desh Sector and shore up the line between any and all civvies' and the 501st! Do not allow them near the Legion! That is a direct-" BOOM!

Fox ducked on instinct. Grabbing both of his blaster pistols from their holsters. He turned back and aimed at the civilian crowd. One of his troopers fell back screaming! Some kind of incendiary had clearly been let off. Leaving some kind of carbon scoring on the walkway and a few troopers clearly dazed!

"Pull him back, pull...open fire!" Fox growled, but he had no choice, and in an instant all of his men along the barricade did as instructed. A stream of blue bolts illuminated the darkened walkway and scores of the COMPOR mob began falling back and over, dead. Some screaming, as though they had the right to be horrified! Some pulling blasters and rifles up and returning fire over their own dead or dying.

"All checkpoints, this is Fox! Any civilian tries crossing your barricades you open fire! All air units to rally points! All CSF patrols circle back to rally points! TAC teams you have ground command!" Fox commanded. Raising both blasters and firing with as precise a series of shots as he could. A man slumped back dead, a bolt through his head. Another yelped as he was shot in shoulder, then gut then chest and he fell over. While one of Fox's troopers was pelted with some sort of homemade explosive canister! He shrieked as his helmet was burst and the visor exploded inwards into his eyes. He fell back screaming as his fellows opened fire on the crowd with wanton prejudice.

"Command, this is CC-1010! Civilian combatants have attacked my rear barricades on multiple fronts! Requesting immediate assistance along my lines!" Fox roared into his comm unit, keeping his pistols raised. Dropping to a kneel and opening fire on a man running over the screaming bodies of his dying friends. Himself, firing with wild abandon towards the troopers. Fox hit him and he fell back. While someone screamed obscenities towards the troopers, and a hail of bolts riddled one of his men at the front. His body jolting obscenely and slumping back dead.

"Commander Fox," A painfully properly accented voice came over Fox's comm into his ear. "All available units of the Guard are already at your disposal."

"Command, we are spread around the entire Temple District!" Fox growled and fired his right blaster into a man's head as he ran at a trooper. He jerked back and fell off the side of the walkway as Fox's men pulled the bodies of fallen troopers from the barricades. CSF police officers ran into the gaps. Shooting with as wild abandon as the crowd, back into the crowd!

"I do not have the manpower to hold off this assault! I need reinforcements or they will move-" Fox jerked back. Loosening a howl as his right shoulder was hit by a blaster bolt. His armor singed, but he immediately rolled over himself back to a kneel. Raising and firing both blasters into the crowd, and not particularly caring who the kriff he hit!

"Say again, Commander?" The voice numbly requested in Fox's ear.

"Command! I do not have the men for this! I've been hit! I need more men or the civilians will reach the Legion!"

"Copy Commander. Err, standby…"

"Standby?!" Fox seethed to himself as he returned fire! His pistols fired over and over, and though the Commander fell back to his training, and was as precise as could be – even he could admit that he was more or less spraying the oncoming tidal wave of bodies! Mostly human bodies by the look of it.

Nonetheless, as he fired he heard them before seeing a line of troops run forward. Well they came from behind him, having been part of the line watching the 501st from across the walkway. They too opened up bursts of coordinated fire. At least two dozen men repelling the crowd as bolts flew in from it. Striking two troopers at the front of the barricade and sniping a man beside Fox. Whose cranium snapped back sickeningly harshly and he fell over lifeless beside the clone Commander.

"Dammit! TAC squads, all Security Bureau personnel move up!" Fox ordered into his comm. Though he probably didn't need to. As he saw armored up personnel from that very bureau moving up along the flanks of the street. While more people streamed in from the opposing street. Coming from alleyways or further down and deeper from within the city.

"Someone get me-" Fox began, but was cut off as he heard another incendiary explode! However, he didn't see it. He checked left and right. But, in a sudden horrified moment of clarity, he swung around. Where he saw up the walkway leading to the Temple District, the fading smoke of an explosive. Those troopers of the 501st Legion were ducking behind their own barriers or posts. But, as the smoke cleared they all jumped to attention. Fox felt his eyes widen behind his helmet as he saw those very troopers raise their blasters!

"Forward units, down! All units down!" Most of his men did as ordered. Realizing why or not, but a new hail of bolts exploded! Streams of blue scorching balls of concentrated gas sung across the walkways and streets! Slamming into more of the mob! The sudden onslaught slaying them mercilessly! The 501st Legion retaliated and Fox watched from his knelt posture as dozens...hundreds of these moronic civilians were cut down! The streets lined in choking smoke, the stench of burning flesh, armor, and metal. While blood began pooling, and bodies fell over the side of the walkway to levels below. Or, into the vast abyssal depths.

"Kriff it…" Fox sneered as he hopelessly waited for command to relay new orders or information. "All forward units, at my barricade, pull back! Rearguard retreat! Pull in closer to the Legion! Use their fire as cover!" Whether the 501st knew it or not they just became his relief force.

"Any forward unit across the Temple District, retreat to just beyond the 501st demarcation zone if necessary!" He additionally relayed. As he picked himself up. Aiming both pistols and firing as he ran backwards. His men doing the same. While civilians; dressed in wannabe armor, pathetically cobbled outfits and adorned for a war they had constructed in their heads, took up positions. Firing, ducking, and killing or at least hurting his men!

Whether they knew it or not, they had just unleashed the fury of the 501st, and there was nothing Fox could do to stop it.

---

"In short," Bail sighed. "I think everything went well. Senators Sirrom and Derlin are in agreement that this catastrophe cannot be allowed to stand."

"As well," Mon added as Padmé tilted her head to look at the small holographic version of the woman. "Dell, Cadaman and Malé-Dee were as equally steadfast and immediate in their support." Mon smiled thinly. Casting a glance towards Bail. The man seeming tired beyond comprehension. Eyes dark and expression slanted in an incessant frowning furrow. "We're in as good a position as one could hope for, Bail. Better than what we had hoped for!" Mon tried to assure the man.

"She's right, Bail." Padmé agreed. Trying to sound as encouraging and optimistic as possible. Plastering a smile on her own features even as a roaring torrent of anxiety and fear plagued the back of her mind.

"I know." Bail relented raising one hand. "Believe me, I understand we're in as best a position as can be. Though, I hope I can be forgiven in holding reservations? We are talking about and fomenting...upheaval." Bail sighed again. Though his eyes then turned more fully onto Padmé from his own point of view. "Senator Amidala, how went the meeting with Snopps?" He asked at last. Mon also quizzically tilting herself to observe Padmé. Both, no doubt, curious how her meeting went chief of all. For her part, though, Padmé knew she had to be...more coy than they. After all, her tactics were less orthodox. Especially where her reputation was concerned.

"I think we don't need to be so worried about Zafiel Snopps." Padmé smirked, but contained herself. Shifting her shoulders and setting her face to a more even and stony state. "He certainly tried to play his games, Bail. But, I think; with a little motivation, that he saw things my way. Our way."

"Really?" Mon intoned, though she bore a hopeful expression. "I had worried the man would side with Palpatine. Snopps is antiquated, for sure. Reap rewards from those as can give them regardless of any public good."

"He has been in the Senate for a long time." Bail agreed. "Before Palpatine what the Republic had was inaction. And, I'm sure you could find many citizens who'd prefer anything...tyranny even, more worthwhile than inaction."

"True enough." Padmé shrugged. "But, we will not sit idle while the Republic writhes in the agonizing throes before death."

"No, of course not." Bail nodded. "I am simply grateful you managed to get Senator Snopps onboard. Though I hazard to wonder what you could have appealed to?" Bail wondered, and Padmé could see out the corner of her eye as Mon also held a curious curl to her brow.

"It's simple, really, Bail." Padmé began. Shifting in her seat. "I presented the facts. There were, or are I suppose, troopers outside his residence here on Coruscant. The Temple is burning and there are soldiers in the streets. The chaos has to have come from the Chancellor. It is simple logic for someone practical to follow."

"Good...though…" Again Bail trailed off.

"What?" Padmé wondered.

"Forgive me Padmé, I just worried Zafiel didn't have much of any bone in him to resist Palpatine. He's a greedy coward. Even if you told him the Senate were on fire, and Palpatine was refusing firefighters entry, he'd be open to believing that Palpatine was 'directing' said men as opposed to obstructing them. At least for a moment."

"You underestimate me, Bail?" Padmé put a half-cocked smirk on her features. Brown eyes glinting in earnestly felt pride and accomplishment.

"Well, I wouldn't use that word." Bail laughed lightly. "But, I suppose you're right. Though, understand I am beyond elated to see how wrong I was, my Lady!"

"We both simply worried you alone could not convince him, Padmé." Mon offered up sincerely. That much Padmé could see. And she took no offense from either of them. Though, again, a small voice in her head still writhed at what she had said to get her way. While a stronger, and louder voice told her it was necessary. It had been, and she was not ashamed of it! Confused about it herself? Maybe even shocked she had had that in her? Yes, but it was necessary.

"I understand Mon, Bail." Padmé bowed her head. "Let's not dwell too much on it though." Padmé waved her hand dismissively. "We have more to think about than my accomplishments at negotiations. Even if those negotiations revolved around saving this Republic."

"In that you are right." Bail agreed. Idly rubbing his fists into both his eyes. Before he slid his hands down his face in attempt to keep himself fully awake and present.

"Bail-"

"No." He cut Mon off. "I know what you'll say, but even if I wanted to, and I do," He scoffed a laugh. "I couldn't sleep if my life depended on it. We only have a few hours before the Senate meets...I presume."

"It's a likely assumption." Padmé interjected. "We all know it has to come. Delaying it while fires burn from the Temple and the Homeworld Security warning continues to blare would be viewed poorly. Here and abroad. We've all said it, we all know it. Congress will meet. One way or another. Palpatine will need it to."

"Precisely, my Lady." Bail nodded. "Mon, if you'd please?" He motioned to her hologram from his end. Padmé cocked a brow and turned to the woman as the Chandrilan cleared her throat.

"Yes, we need to begin talking about what happens if we go one way or the other, my Lady." Mon began. Her voice low and serious. "Should the vote fail, we will all be in danger. Those who demand the Security Council take a vote on the Senate floor, and the Security Council itself. Or, at least those who vote to remove Palpatine's command."

"Of course." Padmé nodded slowly. "I guess you two already have a few ideas on what to do?" Padmé asked, and it was Bail who sheepishly shrugged.

"For the past few weeks I and Senator Mothma have discussed certain avenues where...certain lines of thinking could take us. Now that we're here, however, a few of those ideas can be redirected to the current state of affairs. With some minor modifications."

"It wasn't that we weren't telling you, Padmé." Mon added. "More, that these ideas came before we spoke with you. Or the other Senators apart of the Delegation of 2,000."

"No, I understand." Padmé assured. "I didn't mean anything by it. It's good if you two have something to work with. So," Padmé relented. "Lets hear them."

"Good." Bail nodded. Turning back to Senator Mothma. "Mon."

"Right." She straightened herself in her seat. "If we lose the Security Council vote the chamber will likely be in a state of chaos. Yelling, hollering, demanding, and arguments between those brave and bold enough to reject Palpatine. Along with those who are his most ardent supporters and defenders. Me and Bail think it would be prudent for those of us who make our opposition known to walk out en-masse. With the cam droids broadcasting us it would be inconvenient for the Chancellor to openly try to arrest or shoot us. He may have incredible political capital, but even that would be unusually bloody for his cult of personality."

"One can at least hope, Mon." Bail added. All the while Padmé nodded as she listened.

"What would happen next?" Padmé prompted. To which, Mon sighed long and lowly.

"We would all have to figure out our best course of action. Leaving Coruscant, staying and fighting in the Senate in prominent positions, or...fleeing from both Coruscant and our home systems."

"Whichever would mean we have the greatest effect on things to come." Bail stipulated.

"Run, is what you two mean." Padmé accused. "I mean, let's just call it what it is, senators."

"Well…" Bail began, but then gave a relenting scoff. "Yes, we'd be running at that point. But, with luck and what pull we may yet have in certain corners of the galaxy we could begin trying to cushion the oncoming tyranny from Palpatine."

"In the midst of one war...right into another." Padmé softly clicked her tongue. Her eyes averting both of her comrades as a renewed dark foreboding nipped at the back of her skull. Though, in the moment after, she felt her nostrils flare. A vigor shot through her chest and she felt her pulse once more suddenly bound with adrenaline. She reclined her head. Closing her eyes to pull air through her nose in a long and soothing draw. Opening her eyes after with a, perhaps unseen, resolute narrowing of them.

"What has to be done will be done." Padmé agreed. Both Bail and Mon seeming to have waited for her to come to whatever conclusion she need come to. She continued.

"I vote in favor of us not running. And, while I understand that it's well and proper to be prepared...I say we focus on the other outcome. Whatever you two may have in mind." Padmé smiled, and it was genuine. Heartfelt conviction pulled at her. Every political fiber of her being racing in heated populist impulse! She wasn't going to run and hide! She wasn't about to say that, but she'd be damned it she did! She wouldn't let the Republic fall today! Not with Anakin needing her. Not with the twins needing her! They and the people, and this bastardized, beaten, bloodied and tattered institution...it too deserved another chance. Regardless of any myopic tyrannical instincts found in her fellow politicians. Senator, Chancellor or whatever have you!

"Nothing like a little optimism to keep us going." Bail chuckled.

"When our backs are against the wall like they are, Bail, optimism is key." Padmé acutely countered. "Even when we may appear to be on the verge of defeat, we fight on. Not because it will be easy, but because it is right. We either stand and fight, or we lay down and die! The death can be long and torturous, or quick and painless. But, doing nothing, while inwardly seething is tantamount to complicity! I for one will not allow the overwhelming odds in our path persuade me to flee before we've even made the first move! Not that either of you recommended as much." Padmé affirmed. "All I mean to say...is that we have to push on. We have to! Because, optimistically or not, all we can do is resist. So, in a long winded way, yes, I am optimistic. And, I will choose to assume we will win the vote with the Security Council. So," Padmé cleared her throat. Her voice passionate even if steady. "Let's discuss what we do when we win the vote. And, what our next moves should be to try and save the unsalvageable."

"Here here!" Bail enthusiastically uttered, beaming a genuine smile. His prior weariness seeming to have faded as he and Mon once more took inspiration from their friend's righteous vigor. Reigniting their own sizable passions for the beliefs they too held. Padmé knew both of them were equally as committed as her. Everyone needed a pep talk every now and again. She was happy to do it today. She would be strong today. Strong for everyone.

"Go ahead Mon." Padmé instructed. Bowing her head towards her friend. Who looked all too thrilled to detail what came next.

"Well, as you say, my Lady, when we win we should be prepared for the same level of chaos within the chamber."

"It will be nothing less than bedlam." Bail added, turning his eyes over something on his end. Padmé assumed it to be a datapad.

"Correct." Mon nodded. "We know Palpatine maintains a majority of the Senate in his pocket. If the Security Council removes him from command of the Grand Army and activates Order 65 he will be arrested or otherwise by the clones."

"He won't go down so easily. If, as the Jedi have said he is a Sith lord." Padmé noted.

"True enough, but what matters is his removal from command." Bail conceded.

"Once he is removed, the Senate is our primary focus, my Lady." Mon reoriented Padmé's attention. "We will have to leave the Chancellor to the Jedi or the military. What we can do, I feel, is try to cushion the political blow-back. Namely, with the removal of the Chancellor, the Vice Chair will assume temporary Chancellorship."

"Amedda." Padmé sourly frowned as the chagrian came to mind. "Even before Palpatine, the man was nothing more than a sniveling bureaucrat. Do we think we have an idea how he'd react?" Padmé wondered as Bail shifted in his seat and sighed.

"None of us can be certain, but Mas has proven himself to be fully aligned with Palpatine. If Amedda assumes power on the Senate floor he will call for a vote to reinstate Palpatine. Which would pass-"

"But, we mustn't allow the vote to proceed." Mon interjected. "There is no precedence for an emergency Confidence vote right after a removal from office. Even if the means by which Palpatine will be removed are unconventional."

"The loyalists will assuredly cry 'Military Coup.'" Bail noted. "But, I believe we can use the chaos in the Senate to our advantage."

"Go on." Padmé tilted her head. Unspoken were the thoughts and ideas brewing in her own mind of the matter.

"Assuming, as we are, the vote from the Security Council goes through, the Coruscant Guard and all present clone security teams will immediately be obligated to arrest Palpatine. While he is within the chamber, however, it is unlikely they will act due to prior commandments and security decrees regarding troopers or soldiers on the Chamber 'floor.' This leaves Palpatine constrained to the Senate Rotunda. Now, as we've been discussing, Amedda will likely assume the Chancellorship with the full backing of the loyalists."

"When that happens," Mon took over for Bail. "Amedda will either call for an immediate emergency vote of Confidence in Palpatine to reinstate him as Chancellor. Whether or not that has the ability to override the Security Council is really up to the clones."

"And we don't need them coming to different conclusions." Bail intoned lowly. "What we can't have are clone units attacking others because they don't comprehend which Contingency Order overrides the other."

"Then," Padmé began sharply in reply. "We can't allow them to reach that point."

"Precisely, my Lady." Bail nodded. "Us in the Delegation of 2,000 must use the chaos of the Chamber to issue a demand for a vote of No Confidence in Amedda's assumption of powers. We can all assume those on their side will scream, and froth at the mouth, whatever have you. We must stand firm and allow the cam droids to watch the anarchy. We have to weaken the political stability of Amedda from the very beginning. He will either cave and allow for the vote to commence, again right there and then; which he will likely do in order to-"

"Allow for an immediate vote of reinstatement of Palpatine." Padmé finished for Bail. Coming to understand the strategy. A smile crossing her features as she found it shrewd. "We lure them into a position where they waste time on their vote for Amedda so they then have the precedence for the subsequent vote for Palpatine."

"Yes," Mon nodded. "But, we can't simply sit idle while this happens. We can only hope the Grand Army or the Jedi can cease their fighting to do something, but we can't just hope that."

"Which is why I think we have to use the Security Council. Induce it into more action." Bail interjected. "Temporarily, the Security Council will assume command of the Grand Army while the Chancellorship is being decided inside of the Chamber. A vote for Amedda will take time, but not too long. We'll have the counting of votes for Amedda's leadership, the declaration of victory or unlikely defeat. Then the proposal for a vote on Palpatine's return to the Chancellorship quickly thereafter." Bail laid out.

"We must act boldly." Padmé cut in again.

"My Lady?" Bail wondered as he paused going into detail of his own plan.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, my friends." She coolly began. "Senator Snopps and those on the Security Council will be quickly accosted by those in Palpatine's control. We should use that to our advantage."

"How do you mean, Padmé?" Mon furrowed her brow.

"Simple. We use the rabble's anger to sow division among the loyalists. If we give Palpatine time, he could bring those under his control into line with a unified strategy. But, as you said Bail, he will be constrained to the Senate. If he lowers the central podium into the lower office he will be outside of the safety of the Chamber. He will be forced to remain seated. Meanwhile, one of us, or someone on our side calls for a vote to strip the Security Council of their positions."

"Why would we do that?!" Mon sounded almost aghast. She was, after all, on that very Council. Padmé calmly bid her a smile to calm her nerves.

"Because, Mon – there will be those on Palpatine's side who will want to do that. To strip the Council of their position and power right there and then. While those who are of clearer mind, and more attuned to what is best for Palpatine in the moment will understand that the Security Council still retains a near majority of loyalists on it. Snopps is a swing vote. Trust me when I say I have full confidence in his vote on this matter, but beyond that? The Council could still be turned to Palpatine's games."

"So," Bail seemed to catch on. Leaning into his desk. "You mean to cause a break within Palpatine's base of loyalists."

"For a little while at least." Padmé nodded. "We, not they, call for the Chairman to be removed from power. Strip him of his Committee Chair and with those on our side, and those too stupid to realize they're playing into our hand on Palpatine's, we can force Snopps from power." Padmé offered. Her thoughts abuzz as she formulated her scheme. "Regardless of how this makes him feel he will then be isolated. If we manage to force a vote through to remove him from his position the Security Council will be deadlocked. Mas could try and force an emergency appointment right there and then, but the fighting will only prolong Palpatine's precarious state. He will want them to reinstate him as soon as possible. But, we waylay him every step of the way." Padmé continued, her eyes once more fiery with her calculated thoughts turned to words.

"One," She held up a single finger. A small metal band around it. "We call for the Security Council to remove Palpatine from power. It will pass. Two," Padmé brought another finger up. "We demand a vote for the Removal of the Chairman of the Security Council."

"Which will gain support from some among Palpatine's base. Out of sheer spite." Mon uttered methodically as she too began to understand Padmé's plan. Padmé beamed a smile and continued.

"We allow the vote to go through. We have those on our side know to vote against Snopps. With enough support from Palpatine's rabble we can possibly remove him from power. However, even if we fail, the good Senator will see himself stuck between the Chancellor and his very obviously ravenous lot, or those on our side willing to make his life miserable, but not call for his death."

"He would be wise to choose the lesser of two evils." Bail mutely concluded.

"We would be his only recourse." Padmé agreed. "On the other hand," Padmé shrugged to her right. "If Snopps is removed from power, a vacuum will bring the Security Council to deadlock. With an open seat the loyalists could demand a vote to replace Snopps. This will force Amedda into an undesirable position. Which brings me to Three." Padmé brought a third finger up.

"With Snopps removed Amedda will either seat someone new. Which will take time, and no time at all for negotiations among the loyalists. Perhaps a Senator already on the Council will put themselves up for nomination. But, that will still leave a seat open and require a vote. Amedda won't have the time for it. Not as we call for a Vote of No Confidence in his leadership. With enough time and effort Palpatine will likely sense what game is being played. In the meantime, however, we make Amedda's life a living nightmare in the Chamber."

"I think I see." Bail acknowledged. "If Amedda and the loyalists allow the vote, we set a precedent for them to vote for Palpatine after. They will go for this. But, with a deadlocked and unsecured Security Council they will either force a vote for a new Chairman or have to contend with Snopps and the same voting block that could remove Palpatine again."

"We deadlock the whole Senate." Padmé clarified again. "We make it so intolerably chaotic that we force hands. Some of the loyalists may well leave in protest! Some will be too frothing with anger to do much else than scream. If Palpatine retreats from the Chamber he puts himself, at least politically, at risk of being made to be a criminal. Attacked by or arrested by the Coruscant Guard. Amedda will be neutered for all the Galaxy to see via live broadcast. And, we give time for Ana...for the Jedi and their friends to act." Padmé caught herself. Rolling her shoulders as she inwardly committed to the plot at hand. "To me this seems the best course. Our effectiveness will come from our bravery. Our bravery from what we do. What we do…" Padmé allowed her words to hold a moment as she looked between her two friends. "What we do must be as radical to the service of Democracy as possible. Because, I don't think I need to remind either of you, we are at the precipice."

"You're right." Mon agreed. Nodding as she seemed in her own way resolute. "It does seem the most sound and bold of courses. What do you think Bail?"

"I agree." Bail easily fell in line...or no he agreed. That brought a renewed smile to Padmé's face. "I will contact our whips and have them get the others in line and prepared for their votes. A simple instruction on when to support a vote or not should suffice." Bail stifled a sardonic laugh. "We don't need everyone knowing the plan word for word after all. Politicians are many things. Chief among them gossipers."

"In that, you're too right!" Padmé grinned as Mon chuckled. "I should be-" Padmé began to give her farewell but then...the power cut. The terminal she was using went out and both Mon and Bail's face disappeared.

Immediately her eyes widened and her breath caught. Padmé jumped to her feet and whirled around herself. Her study connected to a hall leading back to the main veranda and living area on one side, and to the room where Threepio and her children were hold up in the closet down the other. Already she could feel her pulse race and hear the beating of such in her ears. Heat rose through her body as she was put on edge and at attention. She didn't need the Force to know this wasn't a good sign.

"Merry, Pippin?! Tauriel?!" Padmé called. Her right hand patting the table behind her for her blaster pistol. Which she grabbed. Bringing to tightly gripped before herself.

"We're here!" One of the hobbits, Padmé believed it was Merry, called.

"Stay where you are, my Lady." Padmé heard the resolute elven woman's voice. She didn't know what Tauriel was doing, but Padmé quickly darted for the wall beside the open doorway to the hall. She planted her back into said wall and held her pistol up close to her face. Her breath came ever so slightly ragged as furious anxiety rippled through her. But, she kept herself calm as could be. As she peeked her head out the door ever so slightly towards her the bedroom where Threepio had the twins.

"Okay...what's going-"

A cry was followed by a roar! A blaster bolt rung out, and chaos was unleashed!

---

Captain Gregar Typho paced from his left then right. As usual he and the few members of his security team monitored the access points to the massive spire their charge, the Senator from Naboo, lived in. They couldn't monitor every access point, or turbolift. Especially from the deepest depths of the building or the massive city plate it sat atop. But, they did monitor all relevant entry points. Street level access routes from the upper city. Landing pads and airspeeder drop off points. The usual.

Gregar cast his right eye over a set of monitors as he moved from left to right. Pausing just behind the man at the desk. The Captain leaned over the man's shoulder and looked over the screens. Nothing was moving. Nobody was out right now. And, with all Corellian-hells breaking loose across Coruscant it made sense that it seemed even more dead than usual.

"Keep a look out."

"Yes, sir." The man idly nodded as Gregar passed him a rather nonchalant order. The security guard, like he, was used to working this way. It wasn't that Gregar and his people had gotten lazy or complacent. With the war and the amount of times his Senator nearly died both before and during said war, he was used to attacks or assassination attempts against her. No, he wasn't complacent. He was more desensitized. Which was probably for the best.

"Captain, sir." Gregar paused as he paced back from right to left. He pressed the comlink earpiece in his right ear.

"This is Typho, go ahead"

"Captain, this is Sowell, I've just swept my level..."

"Very good, make your rounds as usual."

"Copy, sir. But...uh…" Gregar felt his brow rise as his man broke out of his usual demeanor.

"What is it?" Gregar pressed.

"It's just, one of the tenants on this level was complaining about the noise I'm making."

"Noise?" Captain Typho tilted his head back. "We've had this same routine for years. What noise?"

"Yes, sir." Sowell agreed. "They said I had been making 'too much racket' at a time like this. Something about junction access points. I thought that was strange, I asked them where they had heard the noise and I followed-"

"What is it?!" Typho jumped into high gear. A few of his lounging security personnel looked to one another, but immediately after also jumped to attention. Sensing their Captain's anxiety.

"It isn't a junction box, it's a routing station. I found a droid, and its accessed our cable routing."

Captain Typho paused. His eyes glaring at nothing as his mind went over… He turned to the security monitors.

"Cycle all systems! Reroute through our backup lines!" The Captain commanded, and wordlessly the man at the desk did as ordered. The system shut down. A hum whirred and in mere moments it rerouted all power and transmission through a secondary system built into the station and...the screens were all blank…

"All security units converge on the Senator's suite now! I'm on my way!" Typho growled into his comm, opening it to all channels and immediately yanking his pistol free.

"You two, with me!"

"On it!" One of them called as the two guards in the room bounded after Gregar. He, in kind, was already halfway to the turbolift.

Only when they reached them would they find out they wouldn't go to the Senator's floor…

---

Anakin couldn't remember what time it was. Not in the sense of hour in the day, or the position of the star. His mind was...wounded. He remembered how he got here. He remembered the duel between himself, Gandalf, Galadriel and Palpatine. But, then he had been captured. He had been dragged down deep into the belly of the Annex...he thought. Then, he had been awoken.

He was in a cell. The same as now. But, there was nothing in the room, but speakers in the high corners of the room, a neural pacifier on his brow and small electrodes that extended out from the wall. His body had been weak. He could not move. Anakin had been tossed within the cell and every muscle was quaking, every fiber of his flesh burned, and his skin seared with the foul stench of decayed or flayed tissue. His throat rubbed raw by the power of Palpatine's lightning.

Near immediately he had tried to move, but...then the neural pacifier had whirred lightly. Enough to ring in his ears. Something beeped within the cell, and the electrodes rumbled. Then came the pulsations! Renewed sweeping strikes of contorted and directed shocks exploded like a crack of thunder in a storm swept field. Lighting exploded from the wall and hit Anakin! The pacifier must've been designed to withstand such, but Anakin howled! His body incapable of repressing the wretches of shuddering pain as they peaked in volume from within his seizing lungs!

Only for it to stop after he refused to move. His muscles going lip. His body falling over. A sound of shuffling feet beyond the cell barely audible over the endless groan of a ray shield. Red cloaked guards of the Chancellor watched in silence. Anakin quivered along the ground. The pain awakening every old wound or hurt he had been privy to this past day...perhaps even from days before...he couldn't tell. His vision had blurred and he heard a voice rumbling in his mind.

Though, less a voice, and more a presence. Even from afar Anakin could feel Palpatine probing his mind. Testing his defenses. Maybe, just testing to see if he were still alive? Anakin threw up his defenses! Gritting pained teeth as anger, and rage boiled over! The threats made against Padmé, and against Luke and Leia riddled him in horrified fury! But, Palpatine had him.

He needed to get up! To escape!

So, he had pushed himself up again. And, again the neural pacifier rung and a shock of electricity roared through the room! Anakin's back was snapped back and he seized! The red guards beyond watching him, but Anakin could hardly see as his eyes snapped closed! He then felt his hair smolder and burn and his sense of smell grew to an endless pungent repetition of burning cloth. The smell, sickly and rotten didn't leave him after, and every draw of air through his nostrils made the back of his throat gag. Though he repressed the sensation.

The mental prodding came doubly as powerful after that. The distinct sense of pride, and victory assailed Anakin from beyond. Palpatine reveled in some distant understanding of Anakin's futile attempts to get up, to move or fight. How Palpatine knew of it Anakin could only guess. He wondered through the consumption of unbearable pain if the Sith could sense his pain from afar? It made the most sense. Though, Anakin supposed it didn't matter? Maybe the guards outside the cell were in constant contact? It didn't matter. Anakin was once more thrown down.

He had to move! His body crumpled, riddled in electric scars, fair skin turned purple in jagged streaks across his abdomen from Palpatine's attack and those of this room. His hair falling from his head, and his muscles having snapped. Anakin hadn't known until he felt the numb pooling of pained flesh in his abdomen and back, or in his left arm later. Deep purple pits where blood pooled inside of his body from the tearing of tissues and muscles. He wrapped himself in the Force. Called on every sense of the light. Calm, release of pain and anger, but it kept coming back!

The pain kept coming back, as did the anger and fear! Palpatine's presence slithered beyond his mind's consciousness. Whispers came in the moments after he tried moving for the third time. With an equally dismal result. Anakin started hearing the screams. His heart fluttered even over the already present arrhythmia. His breath caught and came harder and heavier. The rancid stench of burned clothing raggedly passed to and fro. But, as he heard her screaming ring in his head, Anakin howled! The Force, light or dark he didn't care! He called on it, and he slammed his still operable left hand to the ground and jumped up! Two electrodes activated and his body was slammed into by streams of tentacled shrieking electric currents in the form of bolts striking the air.

The crackling sizzle of his flesh, bone and clothing sounded and smoke rose off of him. The two guards beyond watched through emotionless masks and didn't move. Only after Anakin was struck and held aloft in roaring pain for a time, did he see one of them avert their eyes to a monitor. Likely something unseen monitoring him. But, he couldn't think of it! He couldn't breathe!

His lungs both snapped closed, and he gasped for air! Eyes bulging from their sockets as the currents ceased and he fell to a crumpled mess. Legs writhing on the ground even as he jolted in the pangs of his ravaged body. The last thing he remembered was the whir of some alarm. The ray shield seemed to fall, and his vision grew dark as water unbidden flowed from down his seared eyes.

Then his vision became a long series of horrors. Cries, squeals, death. Sights of murder, annihilation, obliteration. Of mindless corruption and torment. From bodies young and newly born to elder and ruined by torments. Anakin could not...would not dignify all those things which he saw with further thoughts. Even if they haunted him in every moment. He knew Palpatine had done it to him! He knew Palpatine had showed him the horror! But, they didn't stop!

He awoke, passed back out, awoke, and passed out. He saw Palpatine. The Sith was interviewing him. Torturing him. Interrogating him. Each scene different. Once in the cell. Another on some desolate world covered in a dead sea of sand like the dunes of Tatooine. Others there was a world boiling hot in the heat of ejecting volcanoes and rivers of magma. Like a sight from the visions of many varying religious concepts of a darker realm in their afterlives.

Always Palpatine wanted to know if he would give in. Each time Anakin saw something new happen to Leia, or Luke, to Padmé or to all three. From the basic indignity of their dead bodies upon a sterile unfeeling floor. To the...terrible. Corpses dangl...no. He wouldn't allow his mind to remember. But, in the end Anakin lost track of time. He lost track of his senses. Only awakening to see Palpatine stood above him in that cell.

The cell he had focused his mind on. That cell which was in many ways the anchor to reality he needed. The one he had. A sight that was familiar enough to let Anakin know he was here. He was alive. Hours...days...weeks?! It didn't matter. He was here. He was broken. Bones snapped, muscles and tendons torn. Flesh flayed. But, he was alive.

And where there was life, there was something. Whatever it was...he'd find a way to use it…

---

The darkness of the entire apartment enveloped them. Both Merry and Pippin had been quietly whispering to one another on one of the couches. Tauriel found herself patrolling in circles around the main foyer. Her ears listening to every creak and crack she heard. Catching faint statements and thoughts shared between the Lady, Padmé and her fellows in the other room. As well as the soft whir of that droid, Threepio, and the small grumbling children with him in the further room.

Tauriel had been thrown into immediate tense agitation. Her brow furrowing deep and her hands snaking and pulling free both of her knives in spite of the advanced weapon she had. It sat on a nearby table. The lights had died in the whole apartment. All going strangely dim, cast against the shimmering and countless lights beyond the balcony and into the endless metal city. Both of the hobbits hushed one another. Both clutching the blasters in their small hands.

"Merry, Pippin?! Tauriel?!" All three heard Padmé call from the other room. Tauriel bent her knees and began slowly meandering her way from the rear of the room towards the balcony. Her body on edge as she listened attentively for any oddity even as her heart beat quickly encased within her chest.

"We're here!" Merry called as both he and Pippin jumped from off of the couch.

"Merry?" Pippin whispered, but Tauriel paid it no mind.

"Stay where you are, my Lady." Tauriel called back to Padmé even as Pippin pulled in close to Merry. Both of them shuffling awkwardly about the darkness looking for something. Anything at all, much as Tauriel.

"You two," She bid them. "Move behind me. You let those bolts fly if you can. Make sure your aim is true." She continued in a low seething whisper. Coming to a stop just beside the now quiet fountain. It also seeming to have ceased flowing when the lights faded.

"Careful, my Lady." Merry bid. Eliciting a slight thin smile from Tauriel. All the same she nudged her head back. And the two did as ordered. She continued moving forward. Tilting her eye right to the nearby table where her own blaster lay. She unbent herself ever so slightly, holding the knives low at her sides. Her eyes narrowed still, and she felt her left ear twitch...then-

ROAR! Tauriel snapped left. A figure fell onto the veranda! Tall and broad, flesh a scaly green. Emphasis on the 'scaly' at that.

"Tauriel!" Pippin cried, but she was on it. The elven woman dove left and a hail of bolts flew out. Crashing into and tearing into the wall she had stood before. They followed her. She landed on her stomach, and rolled over as she heard the bolts singe the marble or stone below her.

"Pippin!" She heard Merry, and suddenly a series of shots rang out intermingled with those of this creature's. Tauriel nestled herself behind a pillar, having rolled beside it. She caught the large creature snap back, once then twice! His shoulder and chest hit by a bolt each from the hobbits. It...he, turned to them, but seemed to miss them. Only catching them as he was hit again in his leg. Slithering a snarling seethe and falling onto the opposing knee. Only then finding his tiny assailants.

"Get him Pip!" As Merry ordered him, Pippin seemed to, by dazzling quaint luck, fire a shot that snapped the head of the beast back! With a final cry the man flung back with a thud. "Great hit Pippin!"

"Thank ya' Merr-" Pippin was cut off as another barrage of bolts littered the open air. Both hobbits ducked behind an opposing seat on either side of the room. Tauriel glanced around the pillar just as a bolt singed just by her brow. She felt her heart seize, but she grit her teeth and checked again. Seeing two more scaly beasts wrapped in dirty armor common of this planet and folk. They held blasters as large, if not larger than the one Tauriel had been given. And the creatures stood perhaps taller than an average Man. Lizard like, with snouts, large yellowed eyes, teeth bared in a seemingly never ending grin, and claws that snaked around their blasters.

"Tauriel!" She heard Pippin. The closest to her. The halfling seemed overwhelmed, as both of these new assailants riddled the seat he hid behind in bolts. Turning the cloth from burgundy or blue in the darkness, to smoking charred wreckage.

"Hold there, Pippin!" She cried and jumped onto her feet. Still gripping her blades, she gave a cry and jumped around the pillar. Dashing forward with them at her sides. The closest scaly creature saw her. Turning and loosed a growl. Aiming her way, but Tauriel threw her slender right leg up! A savage kick into the beast's hand holding the weapon. It flew up and away from him, and he roared in immediate anger. Charging at her just as she had at him. His companion turned, but did nothing as he watched his fellow slam into Tauriel. Her eyes widening just before he enveloped her in his large arms, roughly lined in scales as she thought. She seethed as both of them tumbled to the ground. He made to pin her underneath him. A clawed hand pinned to her chest and his mouth widening in a snarling rasp as his other hand snaked for a sheathed blade. However, by instinct and countless years of training, the elven woman jabbed her right knife into his exposed hip. Again the creature loosed a deafening snarl! His eyes widening and head snapping back in pain.

Beyond her, bolts once more sounded out! A whir of an airspeeder also came, as one zoomed up beside the balcony. Three more of the beasts baring blasters ran out from it. Seemingly unsure what was going on. Growling in agitated grating voices to the one firing into the apartment. However, suddenly a green bolt erupted from behind a desk. The creature already in the apartment snapped back. His chest singed, and smoking. Merry, unseen for now, held the blaster in his hand. Staring at it after he fired it.

"Oh...that's quite n-" He ducked as a hail of bolts flew over his head and tore the desk he was behind apart, and singed the wall beyond him.

"Merry!" Pippin cried as he saw his friend fall to the ground. Covering his free hand atop his head in pure instinct. Pippin jumped up, and planted his blaster pistol atop the smoldering couch. Seeing four of the giants stood opposite him. Just as Lady Padmé had showed him, he focused on one, his attuned sense of distance and aiming which had served him well before, coming to the fore. He pressed his finger on the trigger, and one of the beasts, nearest the right wall from Pippin's view quivered a jolting gasp! A bolt snapped into his knee, but his three companions all turned and fired on Pippin! He gave a yelp and ducked and as Merry did, he managed to dodge the deadly bolts.

Tauriel yanked the knife free, and slammed it forward into the gut of the creature. A cracking crunch sounded as she tore through metal. The finely managed blade of her knife managing to puncture his armor and tear into his gut. The lizard like man gave a moaning groan and his large eyes went wide. Tauriel managed to use strength; the creature had likely never expected of her, to pull him down. Her left hand dropped her other knife and she gripped a random strap along his frame. Yanking him down she pulled her knife free of his flesh and with a sudden gritted determination fueled by adrenaline, she slammed the blade into his neck! Again, his eyes went wide, and a sickly frothing sound came from him. But, Tauriel used that same unexpected strength of hers to throw him over herself. A trail of blood falling along her blade and clothing. Traces of blood also marring her fair face. She ignored it all, grabbing her other knife as her assailant thudded to the floor just beyond her head.

The bolts sounded through the room, and Tauriel jumped onto a knee. In an instant of keen eyesight and rapid decision making, she spun her left blade in her hand and tossed it in a humming spin. The metal singing through the air as it slammed with a sickening splat and thud into another of these creature's right eye. It gave a mewling yelp and fell into one of his friends beside him. Slumping to the ground. Bringing forth a series of harsh guttural curses Tauriel need not understand to know the meaning or intent of.

Two of them ran inside from atop the balcony. The third firing wildly through the room, but just around his two companions. Tauriel dove once more around left, and up into a run. The one shooting semi-blindly turned to face her. She gave a cry and swung her right knife up and swung down to stab. However, the beast grabbed her wrist in time. And Tauriel gave a cry as it tightened like a vice around her. With a suddenness she had not experienced since Bolg, her whole body was lifted off the ground and she felt herself thrown over the creature's left and slammed back first into a pillar! She loosed a heavy gasp as all air was forced from her and pain momentarily blinded her senses. Unceremoniously crashing to the ground onto her stomach, gasping for air. Even with her senses dulled by pain and struggle for breath she knew the other two creatures were looking for the halflings.

"Hey!" A voice called. Merry, hunkered low behind the shattered desk with his back placed firmly against it, glanced left. There he saw Padmé wielding a pistol in right hand, and steadied by her left. With keen eyes of her own she fired, once, twice, three times and four! Each one struck the alien. Shoulder, chest, neck and head. He fired a stray set of bolts that riddled the roof and fell back dead.

The alien looking for Pippin pointed to Padmé and gave a sort of slithering roar. And the one who tossed Tauriel turned and saw Padmé. However, the woman merely smirked and swept herself around the deepest pillar inside the foyer.

"Merry, Pippin! Get the one by Tauriel!"

"Aye, on it!" Merry called back for both himself and Pip. In an instant the hobbit crawled right. The alien looking for Pippin charged by him. Uncaring and restraining himself from shooting the pillar the Senator hid behind. Pippin jumped up from behind the couch, and Merry stood as well. Both turning to see the lizard step a clawed bare foot onto Tauriel's back. The elf gave a renewed grunting seethe. Both hobbits wordless but purposeful raised their blasters side to side. Both firing together! One, two, one two! Each one was aimed true. The lizard turned as the first grazed his hip. The second his chest. Third his knee, and fourth the same. Over and over, pelted and riddled! The alien gave a series of grunts and huffs and in the instant after both hobbits fired again and again and finally the alien jerked over and over and back and back until he staggered into the connective wall beside the balcony and whined. Falling into a motionless mess with not a word said.

"Tauriel!" Pippin ran for the elf. Merry, however turned back around. But, just as he did he watched the final creature snap back. His head fired through. The bolt entering through an eye in grotesque manner and burning clean out the back of his skull. A squelching sound reverberated and the beast fell over in an equal crumple.

"My Lady? Padmé?" Merry huffed, running over a tattering of cloth, and amenities thrown from tabletops or what have you when the firing had began. Padmé stepped from around the pillar. Looking down at the being she had just killed. A long dark sour expression on her face. Mostly within her brown eyes. But, as Merry crunched some broken glass under bare but resilient foot, she turned and saw him.

"Merry...is...is everyone alright?"

"I think so...well we're alive, my Lady. But," Merry turned over shoulder. "Tauriel got hurt it looks like."

"Kriff…" The Senator repeated a word Merry heard Anakin use many times. He could guess its usefulness. Pippin knelt beside the elven woman. She shakily pushed her hands into the ground. Shaking her head as both Padmé and Merry could see a noticeable tremor in her arms.

"Pippin, is she okay?!" Padmé asked the other hobbit.

"I think so?"

"I'm…," Tauriel gasped for air. "I'm well. I just need a moment to catch my breath. But a moment."

"All the same," Padmé turned to Merry. "Grab some of the cushions Merry. Those that aren't too badly...ruined. Bring them to Tauriel."

"Right, on it!" Merry jumped, beaming at further usefulness. Placing his blaster down on a table shot to burning shreds.

Just then Padmé jumped. As did the other three. The doorway leading into her apartment gave a harrowing whine of grinding metal. Padmé raised her blaster and aimed it at the doorway down the short hall. Standing firm and planting herself. Pippin stood up and awkwardly seemed ready to rejoin the fight as Merry shuffled back to his just released pistol.

However, as the doors were forced open using an emergency prying bar, Padmé relaxed.

"Captain Typho!" She greeted the man along with no less than four other guards.

"Senator! I...see we've gotten here late." He began as he and the others ran inside. Looking about the room at the mess and clearly dead assortment of five.

"No fault of your own I'm sure." Padmé assured with a long steady exhale. The guards all moving throughout the room. Checking the dead to see if they truly were, and taking their weapons regardless.

"Are you okay, Senator?"

"I am. But," Padmé pointed a thumb over shoulder. "My guest needs help. Give her what aid you can, Captain."

"Of course, Sowell, med kit!"

"Aye, sir!" One of the men called from within the apartment. Typho eyed Padmé's...strange guests, but he had seen two of them before.

"I hadn't known you had guests, my Lady."

"It's a very troubling night, Captain. As you can see I've just suffered another assassination attempt. And, this time…" Padmé sighed eyeing the trandoshan she had shot through the eye. "I think it wasn't the Separatists who sent them."

"Trandoshans…" Typho began. Following her eyes. "Who would send-"

"I wouldn't bother, Captain." Padmé cut Typho off. "Whether you know it, or believe it Gregar, these men were sent by Palpatine."

"The Chancellor?!" He bristled. Clearly in disbelief. "My Lady, I don't-"

"A lot is happening, Captain." She reverted to his rank. Her expression no less thoughtful and assured. A powerful gaze that one could see affixed in thought. Some unknown resolute notion hidden behind her darkened narrowed eyes. Powerful, but steeped in far and wide thought.

"You've seen the Temple burning. You know about the Homeworld Security order?"

"Yes."

"Then you should know, as is now evidently clear, I'm being targeted." Padmé met Captain Typho's confused eyes. "More will be made clear in the coming days, I hope, Captain. But, for now you have to trust me that my life is in danger. Not by the Separatists, but by the Chancellor. Today…" Padmé checked a nearby chrono. As the first glimmers of morning light prickled in the distant skies. Not a wink of sleep had by some in the room. In fact by most.

"A lot is going to happen this morning. And, you'll live to see just what. But, for now I need you to ready a secure transport for me. I will be summoned to the Senate Rotunda. And I need to arrive inside unharmed. Once there I should be safe from any overt attack like this. For a while at least."

"I…" Gregar paused. Once more looking over the dead trandoshans. "If what you're saying is true, my Lady, then it would make the most sense to me to get you off Coruscant immediately!"

"No, Captain." She obstinately refused with a slight shake of her head. "I must be in that building in a few hours. I can get there with or without your help. You are head of my security. So, believe me when I say I'd prefer it if I had it as opposed to not." She earnestly uttered. Casting a fleeting, and Typho could sense, worried glance down an adjoined hall. He didn't ask why. Better to be quiet on the matter.

"Of course, Senator." Typho relented. "I...we will begin preparing a secure transport. What about your guests?" He tilted his chin beyond her to Merry, Pippin and Tauriel.

"Make sure she's okay, for starters." Padmé pointed to Tauriel. The guard Typho had called, Sowell, he was asking her questions. Probably about her pain, but the elf seemed to be recovering well enough on her own. The two hobbits crowding her a bit as Merry placed a cushion against the wall for Tauriel.

"If she's okay to travel they'll come with."

"Are you sure, my Lady?"

"Absolutely, Captain." Padmé nodded. Tilting her head down to the trandoshan once again. "Do me the kindness of clearing the bodies. I have something I need to check. Summon Dormé and some more guards! Oh, and try and get us some power!" Padmé called as she began retreating down the hall. Typho watching her as she did.

"Yes, Senator." He lazily called after.

Padmé ran to the back room and checked on Threepio and the twins. The droid was a sputtering mess, quite neurotic as usual. But, he was well and the twins seemed to still be asleep. Though they didn't seem all too comfortable. Their little brows tense and twisted. Little grunts and whimpers whilst they slept releasing from their throats. Kicking and smacking the air in unspoken and unclear agitation. For some unknown reason, seeing it made Padmé uneasy. A flash of Anakin's face came to mind, but she had to shove it aside. Even as she felt fury writhe inside her for what had just happened, and fear grip her all at once for Anakin and the twins...she had to still be strong.

"Keep them here, Threepio. Same rules as before. I'll come back and collect you three in just a bit."

"Of...of course, Mistress...oh dear…" The protocol droid stuttered. Padmé closed the closet doors and turned on her heel. Making for a comlink she had in the room.

Eyes set, nostrils flared in unspoken wrath, and her muscles rippled in tense agitation. She needed to call Bail and Mon and let them know she was alright.

They had a tyrant to topple.

---

"I just spoke with Master Baas, they've met up with Senator Yarua and his wookiees. All of the Jedi in that team are in the air and on the way to the secure location. Wherever that may be." Shaak finished as she reentered the room. Mace turned to listen to her, while the shimmering images of both Master Yoda and Kenobi floated just ahead of him. While to Mace's right the team Anakin had taken with him to the Executive Annex stood. Causing Shaak to pause mid step as she noticed them.

"You...they..." She finally managed. "You sir, Gandalf, where is Anakin?" Shaak wondered. Though the elder strange man's brow tilted down thoughtfully. While the rest of them seemed equally as darkened by Shaak's question. The Force whispered darkly and Master Ti stifled a long weary sigh as she dared not now know what she had just asked.

"There's much we need to discuss, Master." Mace began. Shaak noticing the small fellow, the dwarf mumbling to himself and pacing back and forth. Flanked by the twin elves who were not quite so talkative. The older woman seemed equally pensive. Her brow darkened. Her expression restrained but hiding some thoughts that Shaak could not discern through the Force.

"Ye...yes, Master." Shaak finally answered Mace. Coming to stand beside him. Still hoarse and bandaged. She tilted her montrals back and focused on both Yoda and Obi-Wan. The latter of whom seemed as tense as the guests from Arda.

"Good." Mace nodded. "Now, as I was explaining to Yoda and Obi-Wan, we have the evidence we need to discredit Palpatine. We just need to hand it over to Senator Organa. I called him a few moments ago to let him know."

"That's...good." Shaak noted. "And, Master Fisto?"

"He's well enough." Both Mace and Shaak turned as Gandalf spoke up. "Your friend is safe. He came with us, along with a droid. He's with your healers now. Deeply wounded, but he should make it." Gandalf breathed. Seeming genuinely happy at the news, and Shaak appreciated it. It was obviously welcome that they hadn't lost as many masters as they feared. Even one less than assumed was a victory.

"At least there's some goods news." She intoned.

"Indeed." Mace agreed. "What's important now is that we have the evidence necessary to give the senators on our side the momentum necessary to push the Security Council into action. Once Order 65 has been activated, as Senator Organa tells me, a long process will begin inside the Senate chamber. Palpatine may not be arrested or attacked while the Senate is convened. But, what we can do is have the assurance that Order 66 will be made null and void by his removal from office with the Security Council in immediate command following Palpatine's removal."

"Which," Obi-Wan began. "Leaves Palpatine to deal with." He gravely noted. Shaak dismally conscious of his forlorn mood.

"And finding the lad!" The dwarf, Gimli, howled from the other end of the room. At least telling Shaak that Anakin was still alive. "We can't leave him beholden to that sorcerer!"

"Aye, we won't, Master Dwarf." Gandalf calmed. Though the elder man also carried a sigh on his voice.

"No, we won't if we can help it." Mace agreed.

"Hmm," Yoda cut Mace quickly off with a grumble. "Of paramount importance, the removal of Palpatine is." The Grand Master began. All eyes turning to him. "Understand I do, that your attack failed."

"He is very powerful." Gandalf nodded as Yoda appraised him. Only making Shaak wonder what exactly had happened…

"The ring he wears," The woman, Galadriel, spoke. Her mysterious and thrumming voice airy and dominant all the same. "It casts some glimmer of the Shadow come before. Enough of a fleeting echo on the wind to give life to our rings."

"Some fell work of Sauron. In spirit if not in practice." Gandalf finished for her. Shaak...a bit lost, but she along with the Council had read the reports sent by Obi-Wan and Anakin. So, she understood a bit of it. Though comprehend it? Not entirely.

"We cannot so witlessly and aimlessly assail this opponent, I'm afraid." Gandalf continued. Tapping his staff as he neared Mace and Shaak. Coming directly before Yoda and Obi-Wan's holograms. "Even together, myself, Lady Galadriel and Anakin were humbled against his powers. I fear they have grown vast. Though I know not the full sum of all his power before the ring." Gandalf seemed to be speaking chiefly to Obi-Wan. Which made sense given their history.

"Gandalf," Obi-Wan began. "Do we have any idea how Palpatine made this ring? I thought you said Sauron poured his spirit into the One. That gave it its power."

"The One, yes." Gandalf nodded. "Lesser craft and fell deeds are needed where the other rings were concerned. They were made with the knowledge of Sauron and as such were connected to his Ring. A sort of web like that of a spider where the One lay at its heart."

"The three," Galadriel offered. "Were made without the craft-work and knowledge of Sauron. But, even they were made in a shadow and echo of his knowledge. Without the One on his finger they can be directed. Or, rather could be. If the One was placed upon his finger once more Sauron would hold dominion over all other bearers."

"So, what does that mean for this new ring?" Obi-Wan pressed.

"In our meeting with Palpatine it was clear he had some knowledge of elvish lore and history." Gandalf carried on. "It stands to reason then he has been delving deep into the lore of not just the elves. But, in what knowledge one could gather of Sauron and his sorcery."

"Perhaps," Mace cut in. "These are questions better saved for after we defeat the enemy presently?" He dully, but no less earnestly wondered. Wincing ever so slightly as some dull pain in his chest still assailed him.

"Moving in haste could be the death of us." Gandalf gravely warned. "If we do not know who or what our enemy is how can we hope to defeat them?"

"Right, both of you are!" Yoda tapped his gimmer stick, his holographic form shaking as he did. "To defeat Palpatine, understand him we must. Understand what we can, for now, we do." Yoda offered Gandalf. The wizard seeming to reflect what Yoda said before giving a grumbling sound of relent.

"Deal with him, we must. He has been strengthened by these powers from your world. Needed, you may be again."

"Whatever strength we can offer, it is freely given." Galadriel for a change offered. The twins behind her, Gimli and Gandalf all in silent agreement with her. "Though, I fear that he may not be so easily toppled with our power alone."

"Alone, you shall not be." Yoda replied. "Return to Coruscant shortly, myself and Master Obi-Wan will."

"You mean to fight him, Master?!" Shaak pressed. Jolting forward slightly. "Master Windu fought him! Even before this ring, and all these added powers. And he could not defeat him."

"Not even with Dooku by my side..." Mace intoned dimly. His dark eyes narrowing as he ruminated on his defeat.

"Needed, the rest of you are. And prepared to face this enemy, you are not. Join with Gandalf, and Galadriel I will. Obi-Wan," Yoda turned to face his fellow Master beside him. "Among the Council, the most able, you are. Needed you will be, I think."

"Of course, Master. Whatever I can do!" Obi-Wan quickly accepted.

"Hmm, good." Yoda nodded. Turning back to the whole gathered group in the Temple. "Hand over the evidence we have to Senator Organa, you should Master Windu."

"Of course."

"Once the Senate convenes, await opportune time to leave you shall. Master Ti," Yoda addressed with a point of his gimmer stick towards her and Mace. "You and Master Windu will lead the Jedi in the Temple off of Coruscant. Once rescinded Order 66 is."

"Ye...but, Master-"

"Hmm, no!" Master Yoda cut her off. Fully taking command of the situation at hand. "Save the Order you must! If fail we do, the fate of the galaxy will rest with those Jedi that escape. And escape you must!"

"We understand, Master." Mace cut in for Shaak. She turned worriedly to him, but remained quiet. Knowing what Yoda had said was right...even if she didn't like it.

"Good." Yoda nodded. "Gather the younglings, use the wookiees aid, you can. All Jedi will evacuate Coruscant and make for a distant system. In the Outer Rim, you should go."

"Dantooine?" Shaak offered.

"No." Obi-Wan cut in. "If Palpatine succeeds he will scour the most well known systems for the Order. Systems tied to our history would be the first places I would look. Dantooine, Ossus, or even Deneba. None would be safe."

"Perhaps Tython then?" Mace then offered. But, again both Obi-Wan and Yoda shook their heads.

"It too would be well known." Yoda posited. "Somewhere he would not look at first, the best choice would be."

"Arda then!" All eyes turned. Even Gandalf and Galadriel as Gimli trampled close. "Aye! Bring all yer' friends and children to Arda! Wouldn't it be safer there, Gandalf?"

"I...well I don't know." Gandalf honestly intoned. A notable wince of thought in his soft eyes.

"With this ring of his, perhaps Arda would be one of the first worlds this Palpatine would turn his dark attentions?"

"Maybe, Mithrandir." Galadriel began. "Though, when we last faced him, we could feel but not know his mind. He must in kind have felt but not know our minds."

"What does this mean, grandmother?" One of the twins stepped forward.

"When Sauron first adorned the One, those who bore one of the Three perceived his mind. Removing their rings when they did. When we did." Galadriel intoned as a memory passed over her eyes.

"This Man, he does not hold such power of domination. Or, perhaps his ring is not attuned as the One was. Nevertheless, when we face him once more, there may be a weakness to our union. We are all ring-bearers. Perhaps," Galadriel continued positing. "We, you and I Mithrandir, we can affect his mind. Together, whilst we face him, we open our minds, just enough to duel his will with that of our own."

"To what end, my Lady?" Gandalf questioned.

"Should all go well, and we come out the victors we may addle his mind. Weaken his resolve in this fight to come! And, if we should fail, we all the same put it out of his mind any thought of the Jedi gong to Arda. Even if his mind and will should turn with time back to our world, it would give them time. Time enough to rest, and then escape once again. To prepare."

"Yet," Obi-Wan brought everyone's attention back to him. "Your world would be in Palpatine's sights. We can't ask you to put the lives of all peoples of your world at risk! Even for this." Obi-Wan refused, but Galadriel didn't seem disheartened. Instead she smiled, a beam that seemed to brighten even the darkened hopelessness in the room.

"It may. Though I do not think there are just the powers of evil at work." She turned to her left towards Gandalf. "There are other Powers, are there not, Mithrandir? I should not think Arda would be so easily attacked with not a hand raised in its defense."

"Hmm…" Gandalf grumbled low. Closing his eyes and allowing himself to delve into a sort of trance. The Force bristling in light as he did so. As his power, alike but unlike the Force gave a faint relief to those who could feel the Force. A warmth of light rushing over them all, even if for a second.

"We would need to raise swords in our own defense. Every Man, Elf and Dwarf. But, no, my Lady. The will of Evil is not the only force in the World." Gandalf smiled. A light so alike him, seeming to return to his eyes. His voice and broad shoulders seeming to elicit a further reprieve from the darkness in the room. "Bring your comrades to Arda. We can send word to Aragorn using the machine you left with him. He will receive the members of your Order as friends. This I feel in my heart. Though the ultimate choice is his."

"Understand, we do." Yoda smiled. His own eyes full of earnest gratitude left unspoken.

"Aye!" Gimli again shouted. "If Aragorn cannot take them, I know of a few holds across Middle-Earth your lot can hide all the same!"

"Thank you, Gimli." Obi-Wan chuckled ever so softly. "We'll keep it in mind."

"Settled it is then." Yoda turned to Mace and Shaak Ti. "Once enacted Order 65 is, evacuate the Temple you will. Gather the younglings, and use those transports the wookiees lend. Leave the system and make for Arda."

"Yes, Master." Mace agreed simply.

"Yes, Master." Shaak acquiesced.

"Once assembled, Congress is, infiltrate the Rotunda we will. Quietly we must be." Yoda planned, turning more to Obi-Wan and Gandalf. "Once we return, gather you we shall."

"We'll be ready." Gandalf assured.

"Hmm, very good. Find a way into the Senate we will. Allow the Senate time to weaken Palpatine after the Security Council we must. Allow for a greater chance for resistance to be found regardless of what happens after."

"Understood." Obi-Wan spoke for all of them.

"When the time is right. Cause a distraction we should. Force the Senate to be evacuated, and Palpatine into a confined position. His guards, deal with them we can." Yoda intoned, rubbing his chin. Then, one of the twins, Elladan, stepped forward.

"We can cause a stir!"

"What do you mean?" Gandalf creased his brow curiously.

"We do not have the powers of the Jedi. Nor do we have the strength of the rings or your power Mithrandir. Allow myself, Elrohir and Gimli to force this evacuation."

"We don't want to kill anyone unnecessarily." Obi-Wan countered. "Not that you'd want wanton slaughter. I just mean...in general."

"Your point is well meant, Obi-Wan." Elladan smiled understandingly. "We have now seen how these troopers fight up close. We have fought them. We will not seek to harm those as do not require. However, me and Elrohir can cause enough of a stir to force these lords and ladies, 'politicians' to evacuate in distress."

"Aye!" Gimli huffed. "We can do our part, Obi-Wan!"

"I'm sure, Gimli." Obi-Wan rubbed the back of his neck. A glint of mirth in his otherwise worn and weary eyes.

"A fine plan, this is." Yoda nodded.

"I agree." Gandalf joined him. As Galadriel seemed to quietly give her own sort of blessing.

"Finer details we can discuss once arrived, we have." Yoda motioned to Obi-Wan and himself. "Make plans to leave the Temple, Master Windu. Take all knowledge and artifacts as can be saved."

"I'll tend to that, Master." Shaak bowed her head.

"Good."

"What about Anakin?" Obi-Wan finally interjected the looming question. "If he's been taken by Palpatine he could-"

"He wants him alive, Obi-Wan." Mace injected himself. "He wouldn't have taken Anakin alive if not. Nor would the distraction Anakin caused have worked if otherwise. I don't like it anymore than you, but we can't launch a rescue mission at the same time as we...you face Palpatine. If something goes wrong one or both operations could be put at risk. If Palpatine manages to escape then he will not only lead to, but guarantee civil war!" Even as Mace logically set the stage Gimli stomped closer again.

"We can't leave the lad to be tortured or worse by that creature!" The dwarf snarled. "He'd come for us!"

"Calm yourself, Gimli." Gandalf bid. With a flat motion of his hand. To which Gimli gruffly huffed. "Gimli has a point. If Palpatine has Anakin captive, as he assuredly does, he may try to use him or the threat of violence against him as a means to weaken our resolve in the coming battle."

"Hmm, a risk it is." Yoda gravely noted. His large ears tilting lower as he did. "But, a risk we must take. If fail we do, consumed the galaxy will be by the Sith. Wish this to happen young Skywalker would not."

"No…" Obi-Wan sighed. "No he wouldn't." A sunken smile crossed his bearded features. "He gave himself over so we could stop Palpatine." Obi-Wan nodded. His eyes averting. Thoughts unknown to the others crossing over his mind obviously so.

"Let's honor him by bringing down this would be dictator!"

Board Set. Pieces moving.

---

"CT-1290, checkpoint Desh-17, I need reinforcements!" Came a screaming voice over the general comm channel "Civilian militia advancing up the main thoroughfare towards the barricades! 501st Legion has engaged the militia!"

"CT-1290 this is CSF patrol unit 321. We are en-route and will provide what air support we can, over!"

"Copy, 321!" The exchange ended as the sound of whipping blaster gas sounded in the background.

"Checkpoint Besh-24 has been hit by civilian incendiaries! I have three men down! One is unresponsive! I have no medics available, how copy?!"

"Civilian on the right, civilian on the right! By the dumpster! Rifle, rifle!"

"This is gunship 12-20, I am being fired upon by militia ground forces. How may I respond, over?"

"This is Commander Fox!" Fox began as he hunkered himself behind the nearest barricade to the 501st Legion in his sector. Overhead bolts flew back and forth in a wild array. Though the 501st troopers beyond their own makeshift barricades were steadily picking off the militia attempting a poor man's excuse for an assault. Dozens of smoking bodies of human men coated the walkways and streets. A sight of desecration and death perpetrated by these foolish weekend patriots! At least that's how Fox felt in his anger.

"To any and all gunships being fired upon; you are authorized to return fire! Cover all advances on the barricades as needed! All combat actual militia are legitimate targets!"

"Gunship 12-20, solid copy Commander, over."

In the distance Fox heard the striking of a beam. He chanced a glance across his left and saw a gunship across an open chasm between spires and walkways. It fired a ruthless green beam of light from one of its laser-turrets. Of course, Fox couldn't see the damage done, but he imagined a swath of burnt metal interspersed with cleaved and torn bodies. Screams and howls from the immediately regretful masses as the clones met militia rancor with GAR wrath!

"Command!" Fox called a stray bolt slammed into a trooper beside him. He huffed as his chest sizzled and fell back – sliding down the barricade wall. Another trooper beside him jumping over his body, protecting his fallen comrade...if there was a life left to protect, while two more troopers loosed a covering spray that tore an arm clear off a distant militiaman. Unlike the troopers though, Fox didn't see a one militiaman give a damn about their wounded. All glory, no guts.

"Command," Fox repeated. "Civilian militia are advancing up multiple pathways on the 501st demarcation line! They are firing on us, and have significantly degraded my combat effectiveness! I need reinforcements!" Not for the first time he called on Command to do something! Ever since his first call, all he had gotten was a series of confused requests on what the ground situation looked like. Odd statements made of and by the Security Bureau on who exactly was attacking, so on and so forth. After a point Fox made it clear he was incapable of relaying updates of enemy troop composition and simply need reinforcements or this would spill out into an all out sectarian rebellion.

"CC-1010, this is Command." Finally a droning voice spoke back. Though Fox didn't hold his breath as he caught sight of a militiaman running from his right over left. From a smoking ruin of a stall towards a pile of dead bodies. Fox frowned purposefully hidden behind his helmet and loosed a furious torrent of bolts from both of his pistols. The militiaman ducked and fell onto his face. Fox simply riddled him there. He screamed, cried and jolted on the ground. Until he went limp and made no more sound.

"Go ahead, Command!"

"Commander, detachments from the navy have been called down from both the Home Fleet and those reserves in orbit. All have been consolidated into the 187th Legion. They are at your command."

"Understood, reroute my comm channel, if possible Command."

"Standby." The voice calmly replied. And, within moments Fox's comm gave a whir as it switched channels.

"All elements of the 187th Legion, this is Commander Fox of the Coruscant Guard! I am sending location points for all checkpoints under command of the Guard along with CSF units and Security Bureau TAC teams! Separate by platoons, weapons free from above! Do not allow any civilian to cross the barricade line by the 501st, and do not engage the 501st!" Fox ordered.

A small explosion caused his shoulders to shrink. Nothing too big, but he peeked over his cover to see a small fire overtaking a lamppost near a few CSF and TAC squad troops. They broke from cover as elements of the Coruscant Guard fired on what appeared to be ten or so militiamen who had thrown a cocktail of some kind.

Nonetheless, Fox heard a litany of affirmatives from the naval forces now placed under his command. In a matter of moments a stream of LAAT gunships screamed overhead. A drowning droning warble entering all ears as renewed manpower began filtering down. Main cannons on the front of the LAATs fired into large gatherings of armed militia. Fox wouldn't shed a tear for them, that's for sure.

Though nothing about this night was karking normal! Order 66 activated, the 501st refusing to carry out the orders. The standoff, now civilian militia warfare?!

"They're protecting the Jedi!" Someone screamed, and screamed loud. Fox snarled to himself as a roar of curses and screams erupted from the tidal stream of armed civilians who ran up from walkways, side alleys and streets. They wanted a fight, and they were driven. He'd give them that. But that was all he'd karking give them!

As he raised his blasters and fired into an assaulting human wave of civilians alongside his men he did dully wonder one thing. Where had that Corporal Ilarik gone?

He supposed it didn't matter.

---

Anakin listened, and he waited. There was not much of anything to hear but the thrum of the ray shields underneath the screaming. Screams that would leave one deaf as they snaked inside his head. Percussion's of horror and terror… He did his best to try and ignore those horrid sound.

Nonetheless, he didn't open his eyes to see what was beyond the shields. His breathing was coarse and raspy as he sucked burning gulps of oxygen down withered windpipe. His body shivering and slick in forming boils born of violent damage done to his flesh, and the seeping of blood in burnt wounds and flesh wrent ever open. Though it was just a trickle that caused the acrid smell in his nose to stink even greater with the added mixture of metal.

He did not dare wait any longer. Consciousness had only proven to recently remain with him. Darkness threatened the edges of his waking thought. The pacifier on his head was thrumming lowly. Allowing him a moment's ability to think through the miasma of sound, smell and pain.

So, he pulled the Force around him. In the quiet of his ragged breaths he focused his mind onto his heart. Already beating with a chaotic jump, start, sputter and jump. He exited his lungs of all gathered oxygen save but for the barest hint of it, and carefully he commanded the Force to slow his heartbeat.

He felt a rush of heat rise up his neck. Mingled with the pain scattered across his ripped and torn flesh. He paid it no mind. His heart slowed, and he felt an intense sudden panic enter his mind. His body lurched without his will desiring it to do so. A thrashing sound erupted and he heard the whir of the electrodes spin up. The pacifier atop his brow rose, but he ignored the mist of thoughts his consciousness was thrown into! His heart...he focused on his heart!

His mouth fell agape and a long low guttural gargle loosed. He slowed his heart further, and he ceased breathing as the Force scrubbed and renewed what little oxygen remained inside of him for use. His mind swam and he felt on the precipice not only of insanity, but unconsciousness.

Then he heard it. Dully in his broken senses, but familiar from a time he could recall though he knew not the distance toward. As when he was first brought to this cell...whenever that may have been now, and as he had made to jump to his feet and electrocuted himself to near death an alarm rang. Clearly the machinery within the room, the monitors and sensors believed him to be dying. And, in a way he was.

Again he felt his body wriggle on the ground and he allowed it to seem as though a seizure had taken him. As broken bones and shattered limbs sputtered and clanged the metal floor. A rush of sudden motion filled the Force and Anakin heard the ray shield drop. A silent thanks was passed from him into the Force as the screaming also, blissfully came to an abrupt stop. But, he did not stop. The two guards, or so he imagined, ran into the room. The sound of electrical whirring died down around him. The electrodes shut down.

"Grab his-" One of them began from behind his mask, but then Anakin's eyes opened. Wide, furious, and crazed in manner! Blue rims of colors circled tightly around a bare dark pit and Anakin loosed a howl of wrath! Immediately the room trembled and both guards were tossed away from him! The neural pacifier upon his head was instantly torn and shattered! Tossed across the room in bits and pieces. As the two guards went slamming with thunderous force into the walls beside him! A crunch and crack of their armor beckoned and a dull howl and sudden stop announced itself as one of their necks was snapped by Anakin's unleashing of the Force!

The other was pinned to the wall and Anakin tilted his head up. Barely managing through stuttering ragged breaths forced in and out of his nostrils, to glare up at him. Wordless the guard perceived him and Anakin felt a rush of emotions. But, he paid them no mind. In an instant, Anakin willed with not a movement of his hands, for the guard to fly across the room and he did so! Slamming with a sudden cry to the further wall at the end of the room! Again a crack and crash sounded and Anakin threw him to the roof and down to the floor! Each one resulting in a shaking of the room itself. In the end, the guard went limp. Dead or not, Anakin didn't know. Nor did he care.

Anakin jerked his head towards the open way out from his cell. The alarms from before having ceased as his vitals came back. Though the guards had not yet reactivated his torturous machine of electric tendrils. Agony clear in softly wheezing voice, Anakin forcibly lifted his right shoulder. It felt so unbearably heavy, and himself so dismally weak! A wretched and pathetic frown passed his face. Cracked lips splitting in multiple places, as he repeated the process with his left arm. Though at least it could rise, and with all fingers snapped, he laid his palm on the ground and felt his neck tighten. Every fiber of him screamed in torment! But, he placed his hand down and pulled himself forward.

But, he could not stop the scream that came whimpering as a mewl from him as he felt his flesh slide and tear along the thin lines of grating interspersed with the metal floor plates. Patches of his tunic tore away and took skin or more with it. Anakin fell to his face. Sweat, or what parts of him could still sweat, beading and pooling. His brow crashed to the ground and his breaths came heavy, needy and quick.

"Go...keep going…" His voice was soft from pain, and he didn't recognize it. But, Anakin lifted his right shoulder. Shaking as he felt the stump where his mechanical arm had burst grind on the floor. He tremblingly planted it and used it to yank himself forward. His left arm rising. Hand landing, each finger in splitting pain as broken bones curved or pressed against skin unnaturally. All the same, he crawled.

He loosed a howl that was softer than a whisper, as his flesh tore and slid like wet flimsy flung against a wall. He fell onto his face and immediately felt weeping tears fly down his face. He writhed and loosed an agonizing cry of desperation! Screaming for the Force to help him! For Qui-Gon or anyone to help him! He had to move, he had to do something! He had to-

"Ah, greetings my Lord!" Anakin managed to stop himself from wailing in hushed torment. He heard the warble of a repulsor, but as he glanced up, he couldn't see where it came from. So, with another horrendous squelch of flesh and effort of worn muscles, he threw himself over left onto his back. His teeth bared and ground together so loudly one could hear it from across the room as he repressed another shriek! But, he then saw it...that droid from before...whenever that had been. It had been with Palpatine…

"I see you have been released from your cell." The droid carried on hovering just above Anakin. "I had hoped to have you released into my care sooner. To mitigate the damage your body has clearly received. The repairs for which will be quite extensive. Needn't you worry, however, my Lord." The droid zoomed in more closely. A large arm with two thick clamps as a hand, more a claw, lowered and gripped Anakin under his right shoulder. Anakin numbly appreciated the droid looked like a floating Ubrikkian Steamworks droid model. But, it didn't matter. All the same he seethed as the droid latched onto him, but didn't have it in him to resist.

"Wh…" Anakin wheezed. Closing his eyes, and swallowing the most painful gulp of saliva in his life. "Who...what is your desig...nation?"

"I am known as One-One Four-D, my Lord. Though, colloquially I am known as FourDee." The droid explained. Its mid section spinning and producing another arm that lowered down and grasped Anakin under his left shoulder. The first arm being along the droid's upper circular body of several rungs. "I have been in the service of Lord Sidious for many years. He has directed me to ensure your survival once you were released from your cell."

"I...I…" Anakin gasped a breath. FourDee, pulled up and managed to hoist Anakin off the ground save for his lower legs and feet. They were mostly numb but prickled from front to back in a dull ceaseless burning sensation. "I need to get to...get to Lord S...Sidious." Anakin managed at last. Just as the droid began dragging him from the cells and towards an adjoined open doorway.

"I understand, my Lord. He gave strict instructions on your survival. In your current state you would not make it beyond that cell. You must first be stabilized."

"I...I need to go!" Anakin cried.

"Yes, Lord." The droid replied. "I understand your sense of haste. However, your reconstruction must come now. Otherwise your organs will fail. Multiple organs are on the verge of doing so. And your limbs will require stabilizing units, or removal altogether. Lord Sidious has had a specialized enviro-suit sent over. It will accommodate your needs, Lord."

Anakin allowed his head to fall back. Above him a swirling swooning set of lights cascaded painful light down on blurred vision. He felt nauseous as the pain radiated all over and through him. Stinging, burning and retching. His gut twisting as he gagged and coughed. Droplets of blood ejecting out and onto his chin as he did so.

"Fi…" Anakin paused. His eyes closing, but he drew on every fiber of anger he could. Regardless, of any and every Jedi teaching he needed to stay awake. And it kept him awake. Furious refusal to pass once more into the dark of his ceaseless nightmares! "Fix me..." Anakin commanded.

"Of course, my Lord. At once. It will only take a few hours." Anakin felt the need to fly into an immediate rage! To scream at the droid that he didn't have hours! But...he didn't even know how long he had been in that cell…

The sudden horror of fear entered his mind and he felt his very soul radiate in some sorrowful enraged fire. He didn't even know how to react to it. How to use it.

"Fo...FourDee."

"Yes, Lord?" FourDee answered as they reached a door. Unseen by Anakin it opened without need of a button being pressed. Anakin was slid inside and the doorway shut behind him. A locking mechanism sounded and Anakin heard the distinct sound of other droids moving unseen.

"Fi...fix my body...regardl...less of anyone! N...no one stops you."

"All appropriate measures are in place for a safe and clean environment for our work, my Lord." FourDee replied. Anakin observed the droid for a long moment before nodding. Allowing his head to fall back once again as he was dragged dangling towards a long and sleek bare surgical table. Around it stood several surgical droids. Eyes gaping and shining in dim photorecptor lights. While tall droids on stilt like legs waddled over with various flasks both filled and unfilled. Zipping droids with repulsor ability like FourDee moved to and fro. While a dim ghost like light fell onto the table from above. Little light needed by the droids it would seem.

Anakin was picked off the ground by another droid. His feet raised and both it and FourDee laid him onto the table. His head turned in syncopate from left to right. Nearing a state of delirium as he saw the 'faces' of at least five droids crowd him from above as the light fell down on his aching blurred and likely damaged eyes.

"One moment, Lord." FourDee zoomed over. Producing a needle from one of its sockets. "We'll have you sedate-"

"NO!" Anakin seethed! The droids above him reclining at his insistence. To which he realized he had jolted forward. Allowing himself to fall with a thud back to the table after. "No sedatives...no...no painkillers. Keep...me...awake."

"It will be extremely painful." FourDee began, though his needle receded. "Some of your limbs are not presently savable in this environment. They will require extensive reconstruction. Or, removal. Bones must be reset and have splints drilled onto. As well, my Lord, we will have to surgically-"

"I stay...awake." Anakin firmly interrupted the droid. And, in a very droid-like flippancy it simply bowed itself awkwardly and pulled away. Anakin...he couldn't bare returning to his mind. Not now. Not yet...

"Very well, Lord. We shall begin then." Anakin felt his heart jump. And not just from the arrhythmia. Fear, earnest and honest took hold of him, but he grit his teeth and sucked in air through his nose. The acrid pungently sick smell returning to the fore of his conscious awareness as he did. Now joined by the dull sterile smell of an operating room.

One of the droid began stabbing a needle into Anakin's right leg, and wordless he sneered. Feeling the burning prickling sensation triple in intensity!

"F...FourDee!" He called, trying to affix his mind elsewhere as he heard another droid zip over and begin removing the bolts that kept his right mechanical arm stump in place.

"Yes, Lord?"

"Wh...why do you ca...call me 'Lord?'"

"That is your title, my Lord. Lord Sidious expressly told me to address you by your appropriate name per your release from the cell."

"What is my name?" Anakin managed to utter. As splitting pain snaked up from his leg into his pelvis and into his gut eliciting a meek roar from him that the droids promptly ignored. Though FourDee replied with an air of droid incredulity to his robotic voice.

"My Lord, you are Darth Vader."

---

Author's Note: As usual, if you see any grammar issues that are quite glaring, let me know and I will happily fix them. Apologies for the longer delay. I am currently dealing with a bad case of writer's block. The scenes are there, the will to write there, but then once the page is in front of me it's hard to stay focused. But, I digress. Hopefully this chapter makes up for the wait. In that it's...good I suppose?

As usual, a thanks to all of you who leave reviews. The long ones always make my day, but any/all are worthwhile.

Small Rant: I may be a two-bit fanfic writer, but I hope I am not alone in thinking the new Lord of the Rings the Rings of Power looks like trite? At least when I write fanfiction I have the decency to know it's fanfiction and not anywhere near what Tolkien or Lucas could and did make. But, I digress. To anyone who watches the show (as is your right to watch and enjoy!) just understand I am following the film lore of LOTR BUT, all background lore is canonically from the books. Including the Silmarillion and so forth.

-LEK

Edit Note: Edited/Updated 07/26/2022