Phantasy Star Horizon
ESKK: Well here we are the second part of the Holocron Heist. I hope you all are enjoying this and will continue to support me and this fic. Now then let's begin this chapter with a bang!
(Star Padme's Apartment Republic Heights)
Padme had just gotten through her work at the Senate for the day and was fortunate to find a day off for herself. Ever since the appearance of ARK's and the Dark Falz the war had taken a major change and so far while it appeared to be contrary at first Peace was still a long ways away from them. The War had been raging and while ARK's aid had changed the tides some it still didn't end the war. Padme had long since been fighting in the Senate to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict but every time she gets close its still a long ways off.
She honestly wished her husband was here to help relieve the stress she was feeling. But right now while he is back planet side Anakin had his duties as a Jedi General and with the loss of his last campaign Anakin time was booked. But no one said she can't enjoy an evening to herself a holo vid, comfortable cloths, and snacks would be just right up for Padme. Well that or a nice warm bath to wash away her worried of the day.
"Threepio can you retrieve something for me?" Padme asked but when she did to her concern Threepio didn't respond. "Threepio?" Padme asked as Threepio was normally here greeting her when she called. Padme began to grow concern and entered the living room area to locate the droid. "Threepio where are you?" Padme asked as she carefully reached for her side arm in trepidation. Eventually she got to the living room as the journey felt longer than it should due to the anxiety she felt at the moment. But when she got to the living room she was shocked to find Threepio there unmoving. She ran over to look him over and saw his power switched was turned off. Upon further the droid was in the middle of a task judging by the small mess he left behind.
But ask Padme moved to reactivate the droid a new voice cut in surprising her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Came the voice and thus Padme had her gun out as she looked to find Dark Falz Persona on her couch. She was sitting with her fleet plopped up and her arms spread out clearly relaxed as she sat there before Padme. "Unless of course you want him to panic and or overload with two of us here at the same time?" Persona asked as Padme glared at her supposed clone/other self.
"Dark Falz [Persona] the Masked." Padme said as she glared at the Dark Falz here. "How did you get in here?" Padme asked as she expected Persona to admit to using her Dark Falz portal.
"The same way you got in here." Persona said a she stood back up and walked to the side a bit not caring Padme had her laser on her still. "This place use to be my apartment the same way it is currently you apartment." Persona said as she picked up a random decoration piece. "Of course I still have my keys to get in." Persona said looking over to Padme who glared at herself.
Padme should have expected such a response as she glared at Persona. The fact Persona was here was a reminder to Padme of what Anakin told her about the Dark Falz. As Padme glared at Persona she kept her weapon primed on her to make one bad move against her. The fact Padme learn that Persona was herself was a shock but now to learn Persona can literally enter her home at any point she so chooses… needless to say this fact frightened the Senator. The fact that even in her own home she was not safe was enough to put Padme deep on edge.
"What do you want?" Padme asked as she had another idea in mind.
"What I want…" Persona began as she walked towards Padme who stepped back. But instead Persona walked passed Padme to look outside the balcony of her apartment. "What I want is for you to help me KILL Anakin Skywalker, our husband." Persona said turning her head to Padme who was shocked by such a request from this Dark Falz.
"How can you ask me such a thing!?" Padme yelled as she glared at Persona for saying such a thing. "If you truly are ME how can you even desire to do such a thing!" Padme yelled as she glared at Persona who wish to murder her husband in cold blood.
"Because so long as Anakin Skywalker lives him and his lineage will bring chaos to the galaxy and destroy the Republic!" Persona yelled as Padme was surprised by such an outburst.
"How do you know this?" Padme asked as she glared at Persona as she wanted answers now.
"Because I have lived it several times in fact." Persona said as she glared at her past self. "As you may have suspected either I'm lying about being you or there is something thought impossible going on." Persona said as she turned back to Padme's direction.
Padme thought about it as she knew of ONE possible theory as to why Persona was here. But the fact it was believed to be impossible was to overpowering. But how else can Persona be here since they had only recently arrived in this Galaxy. As the saying goes when the logical answers are removed the illogical answer no matter how improbable is the correct answer to any mystery.
"You're a time traveler aren't you?" Padme asked as she looked to Persona who chuckled a bit at Padme figuring out the truth like that.
"So now you accept it, yes I am for an alternative future where I too met myself." Persona said as she glared at Padme.
Padme was shocked by this as Persona was a time traveler and by what she said prior had been doing it for some time now. But with this fact in mind Padme saw an opportunity for herself and if possible the Republic as a whole. If the Senator played her cards right she might be able to figure out what made Padme into becoming Persona. And if she can figure out what made Persona she can work to avoid that possible future as best she could.
Just then Persona chuckled as she saw the look in Padme's eyes once so much like her own was. "I know that look you have." Persona said as she looked to Padme. "You're thinking of trying to manipulate me into revealing what lead us to this." Persona said as she gestured to herself referring to Padme becoming a Dark Falz in a possible future. "Well forgive me for destroying your idealistic bubble Senator Skywalker but the truth is, it's inevitable." Persona said as Padme was shocked by this. "You will become the catalyst to Anakin's fall to the darkness and with that fall the Republic shall fall paving the way for an Empire of Tyranny to rise." Persona said making it clear what was to come. "By destroying Anakin and any associated to this empire we shall prevent its rise but we must do so before Skywalker's lineage can continue." Persona said as Anakin was shocked that the Dark Falz was still on about killing their husband.
"How can you be so certain!?" Padme demanded as Persona sighed in frustration.
"Was I truly this naïve and idealistic?" Persona asked surprised by her own unwillingness to accept the truth even when it stood right in front of her. "That would explain why Palpatine took such an interesting mentoring us." Persona added off handedly causing Padme to go wide eyed.
"What does Chancellor Palpatine have to do with any of this?" Padme asked as she glared at Persona.
"Everything, this was isn't supposed to have a winner it's supposed to be dragged on and in doing so the one in power can gain more power until the Senate is just a puppet council for the Emperor." Persona said as Padme knew what Persona was implying.
"No you have to be wrong, Palpatine is a good man he mentored us he's from Naboo!" Padme yelled as she glared at Persona for her obvious lies.
Persona sighed and removed her mask to reveal Padme's own face staring back at her. When Padme saw Persona's eyes they were dull almost lifeless despite the crimson glow it had. But as she looked deeply into them she saw that any emotion Persona had was gone. No for lack of better terms Padme saw that Persona's eyes reflected what she was inside and at the moment Persona was broke and dead inside. Whatever had happened to Padme to turn her into Persona the Senator of Naboo knew that it must have broken the woman.
"I too thought that way but just because he is our mentor and from Naboo does NOT mean he is a saint. Politics is a slippery slope Padme and in the end even with the best of intensions you can't reach a goal without sacrifices." Persona said as she then turned back to the Balcony. "Skywalker WILL die before his lineage can spread with or without your help, but in the end you too shall see what I had been forced to accept." Persona said showing that Padme's fate was inevitable. Padme in turn opened fire but alas Persona vanished through her Portal before the shot could hit.
Padme stood there for a moment in shock as she began to catch her breath from the tension leaving her body. She didn't want to believe it but as her mind began clear the gears in her head turned. Chancellor Palpatine had emergency power due to the war but if she looked underneath the underneath she also saw he was gaining more power in the Senate. Something was very wrong in Padme's eyes and she knew that whatever it was may very well lead to what Persona told her. She had to stop it she would save Anakin from his supposed fall and in turn save herself from becoming Persona.
(Later back at the Temple)
As soon as the high alert was processed throughout the temple, all the available Jedi in the temple were sent on patrols. ARK's was even helping as two ARK's Operatives were walking by one with a rifle and another with a Partisan as they accompanied Master Luminara. In fact there was even the aid of what appeared to be masked Jedi wielding pike like lightsabers patrolling the halls for added extra security. Anakin and Obi-wan walked together, trying to understand the goal of these intruders and why they would attempt something as reckless as this. "Where do we start looking for these intruders?" Anakin asked as he walked with Obi-Wan. "What could they be after?" Anakin further asked as he tried to make sense of this foolish attempt.
"I doubt they've come to hijack Starfighters." Obi-wan stated as he had a few theories on the intended target.
"What can they get here they can't get anywhere else?" Anakin asked as he looked to Obi-Wan. "If they want information on ARK's they would have a far better time going to Halpha for that." Anakin said knowing most if not all of ARK's information can be found at the source over Halpha in the ARK's Fleet itself.
"Information." Obi-wan answered as Anakin began to put the pieces that Obi-Wan put out together.
"The Jedi transmitter codes and the ARK's decoder." Anakin said as he realized that such information can be access here since it helped the Jedi Coordinate their movement with ARKs.
"Every piece of troop information, in one place." Obi-Wan said as he knew it was the only thing that the intruder would possibly target.
"And it's all in the east tower." Anakin summarized unaware of a small glow from the item Shmni had given him currently in his tool belt.
"The east tower communications center." Obi-Wan said as Anakin realized what this meant while he stopped his walk to look to his former master.
Just then a new voice resonated to Anakin catching him off guard. "I mean it sounds reasonable but couldn't that be acquired at just about any Jedi Temple in the Galaxy?" Came a new voice which got Anakin on edge.
"Whose there?" Anakin asked as he had his hand at his Saber.
"What?" Obi-Wan asked as he didn't hear the voice Anakin did.
"Oops sorry I didn't mean to startle you." The voice spoke as it sounded female and quiet bashful at the moment.
"Show yourself." Anakin ordered as he looked for the source of the voice that was speaking to him.
"Anakin who are you talking to?" Obi-Wan asked as he looked to his former apprentice in concern.
"I hear a girl's voice, can't you?" Anakin asked as he looked to Obi-Wan who looked worried for Anakin with that statement.
"Anakin I don't hear anything." Obi-Wan said and thus the girl spoke again.
"Oh sorry again I guess with the device closed I can only talk mentally." The voice spoke as clearly she felt she dropped a ball just now. "Um ok please don't panic but I'm in your pocket." The voice spoke and thus Anakin did not know why he did it but he checked. He in turn pulled out the Holocron like device from his person which Shmni had given him. When he did both Jedi saw it was glowing with Photonic energy which it had not done so since Anakin received it.
"Hi um one last request… can you open it up, it's getting stuffy in here and the tension is making it worse." The voice spoke and in turn Anakin was worried but let it be. In turn as he let go Obi-Wan looked to Anakin with concern as just then he could sense Anakin using the Force and from it the Holocron began to open up for the Jedi Knight. Once it was opened a ball of light came out similar to the one Shmni had formed from at ARKs.
"Hi again sorry for that, scare Anakin." The voice spoke and this time Obi-Wan can hear it.
"Well this is startling." Obi-Wan said as he saw the ball of Photons floating around.
"Yeah when I'm inside the Holocron I can only communicate via telepathy… I'm still learning what I can and can't do at the moment." The being spoke as it hovered close to the Holocron that served as her home for the time being.
"Still learning?" Anakin asked as he looked to the ball of light floating around him.
"It's complicated." She said and thus Obi-Wan knew they had little time to argue or discuss this at the moment.
"We can speak of it later, right now we have more pressing concerns." Obi-Wan said and thus Anakin was in agreement with his former master.
"Right I'll head to the East Tower Communication Center." Anakin said to which Obi-Wan nodded in agreement.
"I'll monitor the perimeter defenses from the central security station." Obi-Wan responded and thus they got moving to their intended locations while the ball of light returned to the Holocron where it then closed up on her again.
(Meanwhile over with Yuvel's team)
Yuvel and his team were seen walking through the Jedi Temple as Ahsoka was on guard detail. Thankfully their positions as ARK's Ops and as part of Anakin's battalion allowed them limited access to the temple. Of course they had to carry a pass to let people know they are ok to be where they are but that was not a problem for the four ARK's Operatives.
"Come on man why do we have to come here?" Reggie asked as he leaned down some to talk to his closest friend.
"Because we need to show Ahsoka our support while's she's stuck in here." Yuvel said as he looked to Reggie. "She's stuck here probably bored out of her mind so the least we can do is help her out some." Yuvel said as he led his team into the library.
"You sure it's not because you have a crush on her, Yuvel?" Zurna teased with a small smirk on her face at her friend's expense.
"That's not it Zurna I'd have done the same for you guys too if I could." Yuvel said as he rolled his eyes over his Deuman friends little comment there.
"So you say." Laura said with a sing-song tone and a mischievous smile in place of her normal kind smile. Reggie chuckled a bit while Yuvel sighed knowing he was being ganged up on by the two girls with them.
"Just remember I know where you all sleep." Yuvel warned them as they continued their journey through the Jedi Temple.
(Meanwhile with Ahsoka Jedi Archives)
Meanwhile down at the archives, Ahsoka Tano looked and walked around to see how she could be of assistance for this time of punishment. Needless to say the Togruta Padawan was bored out of her mind at the moment. She then saw a familiar face and when she did Ahsoka put on a smile and approached the Skrilling Jedi Master to see if he needed any help. "Good afternoon, Master Enisence." Ahsoka greeted as she approached the arriving Jedi Master.
"Good afternoon, young one." Cato stated, using her acting skills to the fullest while she was inside the Jedi Temple.
"May I be of assistance?" Ahsoka offered as she looked to the Jedi before her no doubt feeling bored.
"No - No, thank you, my dear I don't want to bother you" Cato told her, mentally wishing for the padawan to leave her alone.
"It wouldn't be a bother at all, Master. Things are slow right now, I could use something to do" Ahsoka pointed out, smiling hopeful for something to ease the boredom she felt right now. Meanwhile the changeling had begun to think of something to say so to keep Ahsoka from growing suspicious of this discussion.
"Cato, come in Cato, are you there yet? Cato, come in." Bane was heard via the communicator Cato had as he was no doubt currently in position waiting for Cato to get to her own position.
Realizing she had little time to act Cato decided to take a shot in the dark for this one here. "Thank you, I'll be fine on my own" Cato said as she took her leave of Ahsoka to get to a terminal for her part of this entire heist here.
"You sure?" Ahsoka asked and in turn Cato had to make it clear with this Jedi Padawan to go away.
"Look, youngling I said I was fine. Now let me go about my business." Enisence snapped at Ahsoka, which alerted some of the nearby ARK's Operatives currently on guard duty. From what they read and heard the Jedi do not lose their anger like that.
"Can't seem to do anything right these days." Ahsoka despaired as she went to try and not be a bother.
At least that was before a new voice cut in. "What was that about?" Yuvel asked as Ahsoka looked and saw Yuvel and his party walking to her.
"Yuvel, what are you all doing here?" Ahsoka asked as she was happy to see some familiar faces.
"We figured you'd be bored so we came to give you a smile for the day." Reggie said as he tried to make a smiling face with his hands to his head which lacked a mouth.
"That and we were in the Temple because Xect had business here on Coruscant which includes business with the Jedi." Zurna said as she looked to the Jedi Padawan standing before them.
"How are you holding up?" Laura asked as she looked to Ahsoka with concern.
"The short version or the long version?" Ahsoka asked as Yuvel then gestured for Ahsoka to lead the way and in turn they followed after her to hear her woes. Meanwhile Jocasta Nu looked suspiciously at the Skrilling Jedi after his little outburst there. She knew Master Enisence and his recent loss of control over his anger was not the kind of being he was. Something was going on, especially since the temple was on high alert.
(Later with Cato Computer Terminals)
As soon as the changeling lost sight of the two Jedi and ARK's Ops guards who were overlooking that intersection of the archive, Cato went to a terminal. Once she got there she activated it and began to log in. "I'm in." She said as she got to work on her part of the heist.
"It's about time. Just tell us where to get in." Bane said showing he was losing his patience prior.
Rolling her eyes a bit Cato got to work on guiding both Bane and Dark Falz Luther to his intended target inside the vault. "There's a weak point in the shield that Todo should be able to break through." Cato said as she typed some more making sure her part in this went off without a hitch. "I'm beaming him the coordinates now." Cato added and in turn she sent the coordinates to the Technical assist droid.
"Okay, I have got it." She heard Todo say through the coms as Luther was heard chuckling a bit no doubt also taking part in this major heist.
"I will jam the temple's scanners." Cato added, though she had to make sure her actions were not detected by the ARK's Operatives in the temple.
(Meanwhile with Bane and Luther)
A hole formed in the shield as Luther smirked almost as if he expected that to happen. "Well then partner shall we depart?" Luther asked as he gestured for Bane to enter the barriers hole. Bane rolled his eyes and in turn he and Todo proceeded to enter the hole. Once they did so Luther followed suit as he had his own reasons for coming here. He won't comment but with the Mothership and how efficient it was he suspected that there may be a hidden path to his desire hidden somewhere in ARK's.
Luther long desired Omniscience and he knew the only way to it was the Akashic Records. But the only way he could acquire it was through a being who was basically its librarian. After all he who holds all knowledge in the Galaxy is basically a God. As the old saying goes knowledge is power and what better knowledge then the collective knowledge of the entire galaxy held in his grasp. With the hope of this goal in mind Luther proceeded into the Temples Vent system to locate the Holocron Sidious desires as well as well as any leads to the being connected to the Records.
(Meanwhile the Temple Security Center)
While in the Security station Obi-wan was checking the security with the head of Security for the temple, Master Cin Drallig. With him the droids were there performing their tasks when a screen went out for a second, concerning the Jedi a tad bit.
"What was that?" Obi-wan asked as Xect was with him providing what aid that he could.
"The system is just recycling, sir." The Droid responded but Xect begged to differ on this information.
With a shake of his head Xect got to work. "I do not believe so…" He then used his scanners to find the source of the… 'glitching' in the temple's security sensors.
Soon Anakin's hologram appeared as he looked to Obi-Wan from his end. "Master, I'm in the tower." Anakin reported as he looked to the Jedi Master. "No intruders, but something just happened. All the scanners were behaving strangely for a moment." Anakin informed as Xect heard this and knew this was not normal for this place.
"Yeah, something happened to the system down here too, it cannot be a coincidence." Obi-Wan said as nearby Xect was still hard at work trying to decipher this mystery. "Xect is here with us and searching for the source of the scanner's erratic behavior." Obi-Wans aid as Xect was working.
Xect pulled himself out of his scanning as he figured out what was wrong. "I have discovered that those were not the auto-cycling of the internal sensors, but that could only mean…" Xect began before the door opened and a new arrival was seen.
"Arrived, the intruders have." Yoda said as he walked in as he sensed them on their arrival. The two human Jedi and one Newman Ark's Operative turned to see Master Yoda entering the security center.
"But if they are not in the tower, what are they after?" Obi-Wan asked as he looked to Yoda for an answer.
"The communications center, perhaps, their target is." Yoda theorized as Xect was not convinced as he thought it over.
"They must be in the central ventilation system, using it as a means to get to the communications center unnoticed." Anakin theorized as he looked to the group while Xect pondered over this scenario.
"Let me check the system." Obi-wan said as he began to access the system for any breaches. In turn he found one as he saw an image of the Temple's Outer Wall appear and pointing to the intrusion in question. "You're right there has been a disturbance." Obi-Wan said before turning his attention back to Anakin. "It's near the top of the south tower." Obi-Wan said as Anakin understood.
"I'll meet you up there." Anakin said and thus the communication link ended.
"On high alert place the temple." Yoda said as Xect knew that should have been done earlier than this.
"You should have done that the moment you suspected this to be happening." Xect said with a sharp tone as the Head of ARK's Intelligence Bureau while not Chief of Security like Noto knew that if they had a breach they need to go to high alert to seal it.
"Mistaken, we were." Yoda admitted as Xect glared but let it be for now. Xect took his leave as he opted to check out his lead on the possible security breach in the temple.
(Later in the Halls with Xect)
Xect was walking down the Halls of the Jedi Temple as he began to make a call. "This is Xect of the Council of Six, Access Code Delta-5154 Magi." Xect called as in turn the call went through.
"Hello Councilman Xect what is the problem?" The voice of an ARK's tech asked as she received Xects call.
As Xect continued to walk he discreetly placed scanners on key points in the Temple. He did not trust the Jedi and would rather keep them under close eye. Frankly he didn't trust anyone and thus preferred to be ready if things ever go south. "I need a list of our most formidable ARK's Operatives currently in the temple, stationed or otherwise." Xect said as he wanted to be ready in case they have trouble catching the intruder.
"Of course beaming the data to your Mag now." The ARK's tech said and thus Xect's Mag went off and displayed the information before Xect's eyes. As he read through it he saw that the ones at the top of the list were in the temple at the moment.
"Thank you that will be all." Xect said as he then made his way to their Mag's current displayed signal location.
(Meanwhile over with Bane's team)
Luther, Bane, and Todo arrived at a tunnel with a fan at the bottom of it. Now while Bane was using his get boots to lower himself down Luther opted to use his wings to lower himself down the path. "The control board for the fan should be on your left." Cato said to them via their communicator as Todo quickly found the mentioned board.
"All clear sir!" Todo said after he pressed the button shutting down the spinning fan. Once that was done the trio began to lower themselves down the tunnel once more.
"Not quite. The fan you're passing through has a security switch." Cato stated as she was no doubt looking through the schematics of the vents on her end of things.
"I do not see anything. Besides, we have already gotten past the fan." Todo said just before the Fan began to start back up when red lights went off on either side for the trio.
As the trio began to be sucked through Luther was oddly calm about this as Bane glared at Todo. "Todo, we're getting sucked into the fan! Turn it off!" Bane ordered but alas Todo was useless in this current situation.
"I do not know how!" Todo shouted as he was clearly scared of being torn apart by the oncoming fans. Just then the fans suddenly stopped much to the Droids and Bounty Hunter's shock. They looked around and saw Luther was missing from their sight.
"Wait Cato was that you?" Bane asked as he looked around for their missing compatriot.
"No I was actually just about to turn it off." Cato said as just then Luther was seen descending from the fan once more.
"That would be me." Luther said as he lowered himself to their intended target vent.
"How did you do that?" Bane asked clearly suspicious of the Dark Falz and his actions.
"Trade secret any Bounty Hunter would know to keep his secrets." Luther said as they once more proceeded down to the vent leading to the Vault with the Holocrons inside.
(Meanwhile back in the Archive)
Cato was still hard at work as she made sure to keep quiet and unnoticed by anyone who was in the Archive at the moment. "Okay, Bane, the next part is relatively simple." Cato said while currently unware of someone coming up to her. "Make your way down the shaft until you reach-" She began before a new voice cut her off.
"Excuse me." An Elderly voice said and in turn the disguised Clawdite turned and saw the elderly Jedi librarian standing behind her. "I don't mean to disturb you, but the whole temple is on high alert." She said as she looked to Cato.
"Thank you." Cato said before she struck. Acting fast the Bounty Hunter went and proceeded to knock the aged Jedi out. Once the task was done she walked over to her and before she proceeded to assume her identity. Making sure she was out of sight the Clawdite went back to her spot to continue her part in the heist at large.
(Meanwhile back with Bane's team)
Bane, Todo, and Luther made their way through the vents as they kept quiet expecting the worse to happen at any moment if they were not careful. "This is it." Bane began as he looked down the grate to see a laser security grid in use.
"Perfect. Let's go in." Todo began but was stopped by Bane before he could do so.
"No!" Bane cut in as he kept Todo from going any further. He then went to his communicator to contact Cato once more. "Cato, come in. We are over the vault." Bane said from the comms.
"Give me a moment to check out the security system." Cato said to the Duros as Luther also took note of Cato current new voice.
"What's wrong with your voice?" Bane asked, sounding confused and a bit worried since this could mean they were compromised.
(Back at the Jedi Library)
"Change of plans I'm the librarian now." Cato answered though she felt her holo-emitter over her clothes acting up, knowing she needs to quickly finish this before someone else finds out what was going on.
"Hurry it up, Cato We can't stay hidden for long." Bane snapped back, making Cato wince as it was as though he was right next to her.
(Back with Bane)
"Well seem we are in a bind." Luther said as he turned around and began to walk away from Bane.
"Where are you going?" Bane asked as Luther smirked to this.
"I had my own reasons for coming here, I'm going to run interference for a bit handle the job while I'm away." Luther said before he vanished through a Falz Portal. If his calculations were correct then by all means they had Jedi investigating their entry point from before.
(Meanwhile with Anakin and Obi-Wan)
"Well, looks like this is where they broke in." Anakin said as he looked to his former master, as they both saw the opened gate of the air vent.
"Fortunately, we'll have a less troublesome time." Obi-Wan said as he in turn began to use the Force to deactivate the ray shield for them to pursue the intruders.
"You would think so wouldn't you?" Came Luther and the two Jedi looked and saw Luther exiting the Falz Portal behind them.
"Anakin." The Photon being spoke as Anakin heard her. "Don't let him know I'm here, he's a." she began as she tried to warn Anakin.
"So Dark Falz [Luther] The Fallen I presume." Obi-Wan cut in as Anakin got the Photon Beings warning to him.
"The very same." Luther said with a small bow to the Jedi standing before him. "And you two are Anakin Skywalker the man with no fear and Obi-Wan Kenobi the Negotiator." Luther said as he looked to the two Jedi. "As I understand you wish to stop me and my associates from our current task do you not?" Luther asked as Anakin glared at the Dark Falz.
"What was your first clue?" Anakin asked as he glared at the Dark Falz standing before him.
"Oh and here I thought Libraries allowed visitors time to study and even borrow its contents." Luther said as this got the Jedi worried for this.
"The Library?" Obi-Wan asked as he looked to Luther with concern over his words.
"Regardless I must ask were you two ever upon the ARK's Fleet's Mothership?" Luther asked as he looked to Anakin and Obi-Wan.
"And what if we were?" Obi-Wan asked as he discretely activated his communicator to silently warn the security detail of what was going on.
"Then humor me with this answer and I will humbly turn myself over to your custody." Luther said as he raised his hands to show he would in fact surrender quietly to the Jedi. "My question is this, did you by chance happen upon a being there who seems to know more than anyone knew." Luther asked as he looked to Anakin on this one.
"No… I did not." Anakin said as he knew who Luther spoke of and that was Shmni.
"Pity." Luther began as he lowered his hands and to the Jedi's shock suddenly vanished from sight. "It seems I detect a liar among you." Luther said as he held the Holocron Shmni had given him back when she had first taken form.
"ANAKIN!" The Photon being cried out but alas was cut off when she was taken from Anakin's person.
"I can sense it, this object had been touched by a being of Xion's level." Luther said as he admired the Holocron. "When Xion had passed on I had feared for the longest time that I would have to wait lifetimes before even hoping to access my grand desire the Akashic Records." Luther said as he admired the Holocron in his hand. "And here in the palm of my hands is proof that Xion had a successor and with it another path for my Omniscience." Luther said as he had an insane look upon his face. Anakin acted and swung his lightsaber at Luther who avoided it. But in doing so Anakin took the Holocron back and in turn Luther appeared a bit away from the two.
"You may keep that, it's merely a pale imitation to my goal, tell me Anakin Skywalker what was the name of this new being." Luther asked as he looked to Anakin.
"Not telling!" Anakin growled as he intended to keep Luther as far away from Shmni as possible.
"Then allow me to garner a guess." Luther said as he looked to Anakin. "I have been studying you for a great deal of time, Anakin since Persona had taken such a deep interest in you." Luther said as he then appeared next to Anakin with a smirk. "Tell me killer of men, woman, and children, does your mother know had given her name to Xion's successor?" Luther asked making Anakin go wide eyed and thus swung his saber but Luther was gone once more.
"Since you two won't be forth coming with the information I seek, perhaps I shall instead raid your archives I assume they may have the answers I seek." Luther said as Anakin glared at the Newman Dark Falz before him.
"No you don't!" Anakin roared and charged at Luther only for him to vanish into a Dark Falz Portal he had summoned.
"Master Yoda did you receive all that?" Obi-Wan asked as he looked to his communicator.
(Meanwhile with Xect)
"We all did." Xect said as no doubt he was also on this line. "I'm making my way over to the Archives but it will be a hard to beat Luther there." Xect said as he ran down the halls to the Library. "Beef up security there." Xect said before he hung on the line while running.
As he ran the sensors he had placed prior detected temporal anomalies and in turn Xect knew he was short on time as is. Picking up the speed Xect used the Photon sprint to go as fast as he could to hopefully beat Luther over to the Jedi Archives.
(Back at the Security Room)
"How has the intruder evaded us thus far?" Mace asked as he tried to figure out this current problem with the other Jedi Masters here.
"Deep in the temple, the intruders are." Yoda said as he had a theory as to why this was happening. "Possible it is, receiving assistance they are, from inside." Yoda answered and in turn the Jedi realized Xect may have been on to something here.
(Meanwhile at the Jedi Library Ahsoka)
Ahsoka walked with Yuvel and his team as they patrolled the library while have some small talk here and there. "So I told her if you can get me some fleshy bits we can roll otherwise it won't work out." Reggie said as he spoke of a failed relationship he had due to himself being a member of the CAST.
Ahsoka chuckled a bit as she walked along the halls when her wrist communicator beeped. During this the ARK's Operatives Mags chimed showing they were receiving a message from someone. "Padawan ARKs, alert you must be. Sense deception, I do." Yoda said as he spoke through Ahsoka's communicator and the ARK's Operatives Mags. Ahsoka was surprised by this before hearing Yoda telling her. "Posing as a Jedi, the intruder is. Find Master Jocasta, you must. "Councilmen Xect, heading your way he is." Yoda said and in turn the group sprang into action.
Pulling out Clarissa Laura began to use the Cosmogenic Arm to sense any disturbances in the Library. Meanwhile Yuvel had his sword ready to draw while Reggie pulled out his Photon Rifle from its holster. Zurna of course had her bow and arrow drawn as they in turn split up to locate the intruder within the library.
The group moved as a military unit as they closed in on the Archives Computer Terminals. During this they heard the voice of Jocasta Nu speaking which got them on edge with what she was saying. "Bane, the two Jedi have turned around and are making their way towards you." The imposter said as Yuvel signaled for Reggie and Zurna to get ready to strike with Laura near Yuvel ready to provide him with some backup.
Thankfully since they came here first Ahsoka should not be far behind to provide them with a much needed distraction. Then as if on que Ahsoka came out and glared at the Imposter on the Terminal. "Who are you, and what have you done with Madame Jocasta?" Ahsoka demanded as she spoke with hostility against the Imposter who was before her.
"The same thing I'm going to do to you." The Imposter hissed as she activated the Jedi's Lightsaber and attacked. Lightsabers clashed against each other as the imposter swung wildly clearly with no prior Lightsaber training which was Ahsoka's edge in this battle. Just then laser fire came at her when they parried as it was followed by arrow shots. Ahsoka and the imposter looked and saw Zurna and Reggie charging in on the imposter wearing Jocasta's skin here.
Seeing this Yuvel came in with Laura providing some added buffs to Yuvel before he came down with his sword drawn. The Photon edge of the weapon met with the azure blue lightsaber blade and in turn created sparks against each other. Forcing her back Yuvel and Ahsoka began to gang up on the imposter as when Ahsoka went back Yuvel went forward. Reggie had his rifle ready with Zurna and her bow as they tried to keep the imposter from escaping in case she found a hole to exploit.
As the four on one gang up went Cato began to realize she was in some deep trouble now as she tried to hold her attackers back. But with Laura's Techniques followed by Ahsoka and Yuvel's attacks her chances of escape were dwindling every second.
Just then out of the corner of their eyes the group of heroes saw a Photon card of sorts flying in. The Card flew by before it hit the area behind Cato before it exploded and knocked the changeling down. While on the ground Ahsoka approached the fake Jedi while glaring at her. "You may have Madame Jocasta's shape, but not her combat skills." She said knowing full well that having the shape doesn't mean having the skills to fight.
The group looked to where that attack came from and in turn saw Xect approaching them with an odd looking Talis in hand. "Glad to see I was not too late." Xect said as he walked in calmly. "But I'm afraid we nary the time at the moment." Xect said as he looked to the group. "I've received word a Dark Falz is currently in the Temple coming to the Library Luther to be exact." Xect said as he looked to the four ARK's Operatives and One Jedi Padawan here.
"Shit." Yuvel cursed as he knew Luther will be a tough opponent to face here.
"What's the plan?" Ahsoka asked as she looked to Xect.
"I can set up a field of sorts to somewhat cripple Luther's abilities but I will need to hold my concentration on it." Xect said as he looked to the group. "Until aid arrives it will be up to you five to hold Luther here for as long as possible." Xect said as he made it clear he needed their help for this coming fight.
"Just tell us what to do." Zurna said as she was ready to roll.
(Later)
Xect stood at the center of the Jedi Library as he prepared himself to act. As he waited he then breathed out and had his Talis at the ready. Just then he could sense it Luther was almost here and thus he had to act now less Luther uses his Time Manipulations to decimate them. "Decipher the laws of nature and unveil for me the secrets of the mystics, MERLIN!" Xect invoked and when he did his Talis released a powerful glow as it the chains keeping its true power locked proceeded to come undone. Once it was awoken Xect's talis had taken the form akin to that of a spell book mixed with a shield.
With this act done Xect drew forth his cards and threw them on every wall he could and just in time too. The Doors burst open and from it Luther walked out as he noticed that time was moving at a normal paste now. "Huh a proverbial time anchor." Luther said as he saw that his powers were nearly nullified while in this room. "What a most intriguing concept." Luther said as he then was faced off with Yuvel, Laura, Zurna, Reggie, and Ahsoka. "Ah ARK's of course." Luther said as he looked at his foes. "Well ARK's and one Jedi Padawan." Luther said as he looked to the group.
"Give up Luther you're not going to time stop your way out of here." Yuvel said as he glared at Luther in contempt.
"Oh believe me I have no intentions of such a thing." Luther said as he was ready to do battle against them. "Even I am not above doing things the old fashioned way." Luther said as he in turn summoned photons to his hands ready to do battle against his foes.
In turn Reggie opened fire and as the bullets flew at Luther he smirked and summoned forth a barrier that stopped his attacks. The battle began as the ARK's Operatives and Jedi Padawan moved in to attack Luther who simply walked around not even bothering with them. This was no ray shield as Ahsoka could see as her Lightsaber hardly had any damaged to it. Yuvel and Zurna attacked with their Sword and Katana but the attacks did nothing.
"Oh is it my turn already?" Luther asked before he brought down his barrier and grabbed the human and Deuman by their necks. Once his grip was made he spun them and threw them before sending large blades at them. Seeing this Yuvel spun in the air and used his sword to block it before deflecting it. Zurna spun her body and when the sword got close she spun over it and switched to her bow. Opening fire on Luther the Dark Falz summoned his barrier once more stopping the attack.
"Remarkable isn't it my own personal shield generator." Luther said as he took out the advice in question. "Able to activate and deactivate with but a thought." Luther said as he showed off his tool. "But I heard a Jedi could use the Force to find a path to victory, why not prove that, Ahsoka Tano?" Luther taunted as the Dark Falz pointed the device at Ahsoka.
Yuvel of course saw a kink in the defense of the barrier. Luther seemed to shut the shield down in order to attack which meant he can't send out an attack with the barrier active. Thus they had to attack him before he put the barrier back up.
"Guys listen." Yuvel said as he glared at Luther ready for battle. "His barrier it goes down when he attacks why is that?" Yuvel asked as he tried to be quiet about it.
"I think I know why." Zurna said as she smirked over this.
"Same here." Ahsoka said as she looked to Luther wondering what he will try to use against them to fight.
In turn they got ready for the next bit and thus waited. Yuvel was the first to attack as he went at Luther's barrier and swung his sword at him. Nearby Reggie slid on the ground and fired at Luther before getting to a table and flipped it to its side for cover. AS Yuvel kept his attack up Ahsoka came next and swung her Lightsaber at Luther. Luther of course was powerful and was clearly toying with his foes.
He even yawned for added measure as they tried to chip away at his barrier. Once Yuvel and Ahsoka finished their attack Laura had Clarissa at the ready which she then charged up a Technique. In turn she fired off a powerful beam of light which to the shock of many blasted Luther and his barrier back. The Dark Falz with his barrier in turn hit the wall and made a crater in the shape of Luther's barrier in it.
"Ah I see." Luther said with a small chuckle as he then stood back up. "You've taken time to practice in the use of Clarissa the White." Luther said as Laura had her Cosmogenic Arm at the ready for whatever Luther may pull up next. "I suppose I should deal with you first." Luther said as he then got ready to attack. He in turn fired a beam of his own at Laura who in response used Clarissa to make a shield comprised of Photons to block the attack.
Acting fast Ahsoka used the force to pull the shield generator away from Luther's grasp. Seeing this Yuvel came in and slashed down against Luther with Zurna backing him up. The attacks hit Luther this time surprising the Dark Falz for a second before he regained himself and blasted the two back with a dark elemental technique. The two ARK's Operatives flew back a bit as Reggie rejoined the fight and fired upon the Dark Falz. As Luther was forced to shield himself from the attack he had to admit to himself he may have underestimated his foes with their adaptability.
Regardless Luther was the man destined for Omniscience and pion's such as these fools are hardly the ones to stand against the Dark Falz's destiny. The battle continued as Yuvel and Ahsoka jumped in with Zurna and began to fight Luther with Laura and Reggie providing cover fire for the three. The battle went on as they did their best to overpower Luther but it was clear Luther was holding back against his five foes. The battle went like this for a bit as Xect saw it all go down despite his task to keep the barrier weakening Luther up.
Xect had to admit he did not have much of an opinion on these ARK's Operatives or Ahsoka. But since Laura had awoken Clarissa he had to change his thought process on them. Looking at it now Xect knew he had to add a few more contingency plans for later.
The battle went on for a bit longer as the Four ARKs Operatives and one Jedi Padawan tried to fight off Dark Falz [Luther] the Fallen as best they could. But it was clear that Luther was starting to cut loose against them a bit. Luther then blocked an attack from Yuvel and Zurna before pushing them back just before Ahsoka came up against Luther. Luther in response back flipped away until he was standing atop the large holo terminal of the Jedi's massive Library. "I must admit you are proving to be interesting toys to play with." Luther taunted them as he stood there. "So perhaps I'll cut loose a bit further to see how much it will be before you all break." Luther said and thus they all knew what this meant here.
"No!" Zurna called out as she charged in with her Katana at the ready to try stopping Luther from transforming. But alas it was for naught as Luther began to lift off the ground and crunch up on himself releasing his power while doing so. Just then Luther's form vanished into a cloud of darkness that blasted the group back as it was clear Luther had taken off the Kid Gloves before his foes here. Soon Luther's form was once more revealed but now he was in his Angelic Hunar form ready to do battle against the foes before him.
With Luther now transformed the battle took a turn for the worse as the group tried to hold their ground against Luther. They tried their damn hardest to attack him but when they did so Luther easily powered through them. Yuvel swung his sword but Luther was too fast for Yuvel and thus stopped his attack and blasted him back. Reggie fired upon Luther from his spot of cover only for Luther to send forth his blades at Reggie's backside. This forced the CAST to jump out of his cover but when he did he landed on a circle on the ground that quickly exploded thanks to Luther's own power.
The last ones standing were Zurna, Laura, and Ahsoka as the trio held their ground. Luther scoffed to this and went after them forcing the girls to act. The two ARK's Operatives and one Jedi Padawan jumped out of the way of Luther's attack. In doing so Laura fired off light based Techniques at Luther while Zurna fired off as many arrows as she could muster against the Dark Falz. The attack went on as Ahsoka then joined in as she got close with Zurna right behind her providing aid.
As Luther chuckled a bit he saw that his victory was assured at least until a set of glowing cards came in and hit him. The attack knocked Luther back as Xect walked out glaring at Luther with Merlin at the ready to fight Luther. "Xect sir the barrier field!" Laura called out as she looked to Xect in shock.
"We can't allow Luther to escape and as he is now we need to best him now." Xect said as he had his Cosmogenic Arm ready to battle against Luther.
"Well the more aid the better I suppose." Ahsoka said as Zurna nodded in agreement with the Intelligence Bureau Head.
"I'll mark where to go." Xect said as he drew more cards to fight against Luther. "Go now!" He called out and thus three the cards marking where to move. Acting fast Zurna, Laura, and Ahsoka got moving to position. Laura got to her spot fire and with Luther's cards sent a beam of light at Luther with the card sending out blades of light. The Cosmogenic Arms duel attack hit Luther causing him some pain. Creating an opening Zurna fired off her arrows once more as she jumped over one of Luther's attack attempts. Next came Ahsoka as she spun around and slashed at Luther surprised to see that her Lightsaber hardly did much against the Dark Falz skin.
Luther of course was hardly bothered by this and thus proceeded to release a barrage of attacks against his foes. Xect and Laura put up a shield while Zurna and Ahsoka moved to whatever cover they could get themselves to. The attacks hit strong and true and eventually Ahsoka was knocked back while Zurna used her Katana to shield herself as best she could. Zurna was blasted back for her efforts as her weapon broke in two scattering its shards. When Zurna landed Luther was quick on the uptake as he attacked Zurna head on.
Zurna used her bow to block it but with Luther's superior power the weapon was broken joining with the Katana. In turn Laura and Xect rejoined the battle and fired off a beam at the back of Luther but the Dark Falz dodged the attacks. Zurna was of course hit as she was thankful for being durable enough to survive it. Luther was then met with Zurna's gunblade as she fired it off at the Dark Falz hitting his face. Zurna charged in and began a flurry of attacks with the weapon switching it up as she fought against Luther.
Luther of course was not going to deal with the Deuman girl and thus proceeded to fire off his beam at Zurna. The attack sent her flying and thus Luther charged at Zurna when she hit the wall. Luther had every intention to end Zurna as the Deuman was wide eyed as she saw the attack currently coming her way. Zurna prepared for it as she then got ready as she glared at Luther refusing to back down against him.
But suddenly as if an act of God was occurring time began to slow down and with it a flash of light erupted. Zurna was blinded by it as she could neither move to block the light nor look away from its radiant glow that covered the entire Jedi Library.
(Scene Break Location Unknown Zurna)
Zurna's eyes snapped open as she stood outside of a room of sorts with only a glass window seeing inside. As Zurna stood there she put her hand against the Window trying to figure out what was going on here. When she did she saw the window clear up and inside she went wide eyed at what she was seeing. Inside the room was a girl on a bed as she had a game controller on her bed side table and a TV connected to an Xbox Series X game system from Zurna's old world. As Zurna stood there the girl in question was one she recognized in an instant and truly wished she didn't.
The girl on the table was frail skin and bones in fact while dressed in a hospital gown. By the looks of it she was very well not long for the world with the IV's all connected to her providing her body with what medicine that it could for her. Wires were hooked up to her monitoring her current state of wellbeing as Zurna could still hear the beeping from them that no doubt matched up to the girls heartbeat.
As Zurna stood there she could not help but feel for the girl since before ARK's this was her life. The room the girl was in was a sterile one since her immune system was very fragile at the moment. As she the girl laid there Zurna put her hand on the glass knowing what her life was like before ARKs. It was also why she did not return when the Great Light gave them the option to do so. Her old body had AIDS a decease that is normally can be handled if detected early enough. But this was not the case for Zurna since the mentioned decease was killing Zurna in her old life. It was so bad for her that she could not leave a sterilized environment.
Zurna felt trapped for it and had desired to escape the prison made by her own body so long ago. So thus when the chance had presented itself one day Zurna took it and in turn was able to escape. Now she had a new body yes one she created for her only means of freedom, PSO2, but a new body none the less. As Zurna living in this galaxy Zurna was able to escape, she can run, swim, and do so many things she could not with her old frail body so long ago. She had no regrets for it save for abandoning her family who had done all they could to help her.
But it wouldn't do much since the variant she had been infected with was a drug resistant variant of it. And with all the surgeries she had undergone to treat it all they did was buy her a small amount of extra time to live. It was why she played PSO2 and any MMORPG she could get her hands on. Even if it's not her actual body she can create her desired body one that was no suffering like this.
"So this is it showing just how weak I really am." Zurna said with her voice cracking while her legs began to give out under her. Zurna fell to her knees as she began to feel the full weight her decision to stay had brought with it. Was her old body already dead now? Did she die and leave her family broken hearted with an empty corpse while their actual daughter was in this world? Zurna did not know but she did not want to know less she finds an answer she does not like. They said she was a trooper a strong survivor battling with the odds against her but for Zurna the truth was she was a coward running away so to live.
"Even now I can't forget this damn place can I?" Zurna said as she rested her forehead on the window.
"But do you regret it?" Came the voice of the other as Zurna stood up and saw the girl looking straight at her. "Did you regret the choice you made?" She asked as Zurna was unsure on how to respond.
"I… I don't know." Zurna began as she then tried to figure it out.
"But you made so many friends and now you're with them in this world." The girl in the room said as she looked to the Deuman. "Do you regret that at least?" She asked as Zurna thought it over and pictured the images of her friends.
Yuvel using fake antlers being a bit of a goofball, Laura reading a book to pass the time, Reggie sleeping while Yuvel and the Clones painted graffiti on him with Anakin helping, and even Zurna and Ahsoka talking shop on the AIS and its uses. "No… I don't think I do." Zurna said as she placed her open palm to the glass window. "The friends and family who came before they still live on in my heart but I can't look back so all I can do is keep moving forward." Zurna said and thus the sick girl before her smiled. In turn the room with the girl inside it began to be drawn into Zurna's open palm where it formed into an orb of light.
"I hold these memories strong in my heart and will seek the future even if the memories vanish. That's why it's fair I call to you." Zurna said and thus the ball began to take a new form in the Deuman girls waiting hand.
(Back in the real world)
As Luther came close to Zurna he was suddenly blindsided by a powerful beam of Photons that came from where Zurna had stood before him. Luther hit the far wall as he began to get back up and glare only to go wide eyed when Zurna began to walk forward. "Introducing my Cosmogenic Arm." Zurna said as she pointed the new gunblade at her foe. "Nanaki the Vigilant!" Zurna called out as she pointed Nanaki against the enemy Dark Falz.
"Another Cosmogenic Arm?" Luther asked shocked over what he saw. Just then Zurna vanished using her ability as a Braver slashed through Luther causing the Dark Falz pain as she attacked him. Following it up Laura and Xect used their own Cosmogenic Arms to support Zurna and her use of Nanaki and in turn forced Luther back against a corner. Dark Falz Luther looked around and saw he was surrounded by three Cosmogenic Arms now. "Dammit all." Luther cursed realizing he was beaten for now. "I know when the odds are not in my favor." He said as he flew up a bit. "But we'll meet again count on it." Luther said and thus Zurna fired at him just as he vanished into a Falz Portal. The shot missed regrettably but the results were there they managed to chase off Luther from the Jedi Temple.
Xect then looked over to Zurna as she gave Nanaki a look over as Yuvel and Reggie were left in shock over this sudden event. "Wow." Yuvel said as he was shocked to see that now Zurna had a Cosmogenic Arm to use in battle.
"We found two of the intruders now we need to find the others." Xect said as he glared at the Changeling both Ahsoka and the ARK's Operatives had apprehended prior.
(Meanwhile with Bane and Todo)
Meanwhile as Luther took on the ARK's Operatives and Jedi Padawan, in the Holocron Vault access way, Bane and Todo were hard at work. The two had been working on deactivating the security door and the laser beams into the vault while Luther was providing a distraction for them. Once they got the first layer of lasers shut down Bane had ordered Todo to start cutting into the wall of the pipe. Of course Todo had his argument but the deadly bounty hunter had basically told him to shut up and do as he's told.
Bane meanwhile growled a bit as he saw he needed a final lair of aid to get through this door. In turn he activated his Comm. Link to contact his partner in this huge heist. "Cato, come in." Bane spoke but as he did so all he got was silence in response.
"What has happened?" Todo asked, approaching his master as he sounded concerned with Cato being unresponsive.
"Something's gone wrong..." Bane said to himself as he realized that things were going south. Thankfully after Luther did his work on Todo Bane added a little extra to the small droid. "Todo, is the hole finished?" Bane asked as he glared to his Droid.
"Yes, but–" Todo began before being interrupted by the Bounty Hunter.
"Go to the communications center." Bane said while he cut off Todo from speaking surprising the droid with what he said.
"What?" Todo asked, getting nervous on what Bane was trying to do right now.
"You heard me." Bane curtly said as he had a plan on how to escape this place.
"Bane, the communications center will be crawling with Jedi… Why do I need to go in there?" Todo asked as he clearly did not want to go to the one place he may very well be cut up by a Jedi's Lightsaber.
"Now!" Bane ordered, as Todo did what he was programmed and did as ordered. As soon as he was away, Bane placed an explosive on the control panel to the vault seeing as the Jedi were getting closer to his position. Once the bomb was placed Bane headed to a safe spot until it went off. The bomb exploded with a large bang which would no doubt attract the Jedi looking for him to the source.
Eventually Anakin and Obi-Wan arrived on the scene and saw the damage the explosion and soon saw the, hole Todo had made prior to it. "Quick the communications center." Obi-Wan called out as he and Anakin sprang into action.
"Let's go." Anakin said just before the duo went after Todo all the while unaware that it was actually a diversion.
Once the path was cleared Bane began to make his way into the Holocron vault after opening the door some more. Once the door was opened fully he went inside and made his way to one of the empty Holocrons before proceeding to take one.
(Meanwhile at the Communications Center)
At the Communication Center, many of the Jedi were there with Master Yoda, overlooking everything in the hopes of capturing the intruder. But the Jedi were soon caught off guard when the vent's duct open up and from the duct a small techno-union service droid came out of it.
The droid in question gasped a bit when he saw all the Jedi looking down on him as he was now nervous on the possible outcomes. "Oh, uh, hey, guys." Todo began as he greeted the Jedi in the room. "I was just, testing the access hatch." Todo said as he went for the grate so to seal it back up again. "Works great." He said and in turn a beeping sound was heard from his back socket.
"Bomb!" Mace cried out when he realized what that beeping meant
"Bomb? What bomb? Is there something going to blow up?" The droid asked, confused only to be sent back into the vent by Mace and his use of the Force where Anakin and Obi-Wan currently were.
"Bomb!" Obi-Wan called out as he heard the beeping before he and Anakin ran for cover. As they ran for cover the Droid eventually blew up after trying and failing to stop the explosive inside him. The Droids explosion thankfully did not harm anyone as clearly this showed the Jedi they were deceived by an obvious target instead of the actual target of this security breach.
(Later back at the Library)
Ahsoka and Yuvel were leading Cato away with Reggie having his rifle armed on her just in case she tries something. Nearby down the path Xect and Zurna were helping Jocasta back up after she had been knocked out by the Changeling.
"Easy, easy does it madam." Xect said as he helped the elderly woman while Laura used Resta to heal the elderly woman here.
Seeing this Ahsoka approached the woman with concern for her. "Madame Librarian, are you okay?" Ahsoka asked as she
"I think I'm all right." Jocasta Nu said, before regaining her balance after that incident with the Bounty Hunter from earlier. "We must call security." She said as she began to lead the group on out. But as they left they were unaware of a Duro with a cloak over his body holding a holocron in his hands as he walked out of the temple unseen. Well, all save for one as Xect glanced at the Duro from the corner of his eye and saw his blaster that he hidden away. Xect knew this would be easy to point him out but he did not know of any other plans the being may have to use.
Plus more so if Xect's hunch was right then in all likely hood letting him carry on will lead him straight to the one who hired him. For now it's best to keep close tabs on this Duro and like a cunning snake patiently wait to unveil itself to strike.
(Later that day Jedi Archives)
Inside the vault the Jedi entered and saw one was missing, even as Yoda confirmed the suspicions that Xect had. "Our war operations, it was never about." Yoda said as he looked to show that two Holocrons were missing at the moment.
"You don't say." Xect said as he was of course given access for this one time to investigate what was stolen from here.
When she saw this Ahsoka then pulled the captured changeling away. "Come on, changeling, we have a new home for you." Ahsoka said as she and Yuvel lead the Hunter away.
"What would someone want with a holocron and two of them I might add?" Obi-wan asked as he and Anakin followed Ahsoka and the captured Bounty Hunter out of the Holocron Vault with Xect and his gathered ARK's Operatives.
That made Cato remember something as she hoped it may give her a get out of jail free card somehow. "Wait..." Cato said before she turned to the Jedi and ARK's Operatives with Yuvel, Ahsoka, and Reggie currently keeping her on close watch. "Bolla Ropal." She said giving the name of the Jedi Bane was going to go after once they had secured the Holocron.
"What did you say?" Mace Windu asked, his tone on the verge of being hostile which Xect took note of him using here.
"Bolla Ropal. That's who Bane's next target is Some Jedi." Cato told them which in turn caused the room grow quiet with tension. The members of the council there looked to each other affected by the news as to the ARK's Operatives the name was of importance.
"What's wrong? Who's Bolla Ropal?" Anakin asked as he was currently lost on this.
"He is the keeper of the Khyber crystal, the data on which can only be read by holocrons." Mace said as the ARK's head of the Intelligence Bureau began to see where this was leading.
However Xect had to be sure before he decided to proceed or not. "What's on the crystal?" Xect asked as he had a hunch but had to be absolutely sure here.
"A list of every known force-sensitive child in the galaxy." Mace said to which the ARK's Operatives all went wide eyed by this new information. "The future younglings. The future of the Jedi Order." Mace Windu stated to which they all knew that with Bane in possession of the Holocron Bolla Ropal was in danger.
"We have to warn him." Obi-Wan said as he Yuvel was in agreement on this.
"That's going to be hard to do. He's out of contact, somewhere in the Devaron system." Mace Windu said to which Yuvel had a counter for that.
"Then let's find him the more time we waste here the more danger this guy and the kids on that list are in." Yuvel said as he stepped up to the plate here.
"Agree I do, young Yuvel." Yoda said as he knew Yuvel was right about this.
"I'll contact the Council of Six to provide aid, we need to get that list by any means available to us." Xect said making it clear saving the children on that list was top priority.
"Ahsoka and I will set out immediately." Anakin said volunteering for this mission as he and his padawan left to prepare their army.
"If this Cad Bane is still here on Coruscant, I'll find him." Obi-wan Kenobi said, leading Cato away to be incarcerated.
As they all parted ways Yoda was the one left behind as he felt a great weight on his shoulders. Unaware of the game of Cloak and Daggers had just been played with ARK's taking their turn in this particular game.
(Scene Break Xect Yaga's apartment)
With Yaga gaining an apartment in Coruscant Xect stayed over at his place for the evening. During this Xect had ensure his room was in no way shape or formed bugged. Call him paranoid but Xect does not like to take chances or play with dice. Thus after his search he activated a small device on his person before closing the blinds on his window.
With everything secured Xect activated his holo communicator to contact Arthur. The holographic image of Arthur appeared and lit up the room with a dull glow to it. "What news old friend?" Arthur asked and in turn Xect pulled out a Holocron from his person.
"I managed to secure this Holocron from the Temple. At the moment they suspect Bane to be responsible and pieces have been placed that when that is discovered as false to direct the blame to Luther." Xect said as he made sure to keep quiet as he may have swept the room but that did not mean he found all the bugs if there were any.
"I see." Arthur said showing he did not like this but as Leader he had to make such hard decisions for the sake of ARK's and all its people. "We're playing a dangerous game, Xect." Arthur urged as he knew Xect was the best at this set of business.
"I know but we need to get our hands on that list. If what the Jedi said is true then our agreement with the Republic may have opened the path to more abductions and this time not for slavery." Xect said showing he did NOT trust the Republic or the Jedi Order. Xect read up on them and while the facts pointed to the Jedi taking children with parental consent first there have been incident where that was not the case for the religious order.
"If any children of ARK's is on that list we need to find out about it." Arthur said knowing that there may be a chance slim as it is that the Jedi may take the child even if the parents say not to the order.
"Preferably before the Jedi get the list, it will give us the chance to make needed modifications if required." Xect said as he had no intention of controlling the Jedi just keeping them from causing harm to the ARK's fleet.
"Very well proceed with caution Xect, we cannot risk making any enemies in this junction." Arthur said and thus the conversation came to an end.
"I know." Xect agreed as he will do what he must to ensure security and safety for ARK's and Halpha. And if that meant dirtying his hands then with God almighty as his witness Xect will do so without hesitation.
(Scene Break Padme's Apartment)
Padme was pasting back and forth as her mind raced over Persona's visit to her apartment. She had contacted Anakin as she needed him to help her this time around. The fact is her own home wasn't secured and Padme feared this was not going to be Persona's first visit to her apartment and she feared whatever security measures she employ will not stop Persona's visits.
"Padme!" Anakin cried out as he entered the apartment to speak with his secret wife.
"Annie!" Padme greeted as she ran and hugged her husband surprising him. "She was here, Persona was here in my home!" Padme admitted which surprised and worried Anakin very deeply.
"Padme its ok don't worry." Anakin said but Padme had more to give.
"It's, worse she said some troubling things that you would go to do terrible things, and the Chancellor is not to be trusted." Padme spoke as she was worried for their future and the future of the Galactic Republic as a whole.
"Padme she has to be." Anakin began but stopped himself as he had to remember Persona was also Padme under the mask. And Padme hardly had reason to lie to him so why would she lie to herself about this.
"Anakin…" Padme began but Anakin cut her off to comfort her.
"It's ok I won't go down that dark path." Anakin said as Padme smiled to this and hugged her husband close to her being. It was a happy scene… at least until a new voice cut in for them.
"Ah isn't this sweet." The voice gush and thus Anakin drew his lightsaber to show a young girl in an outfit similar to a Jedi mixed with that of ARK's. The shirt area looked like it had the cosmos mixed in with the fabric itself.
"Wait I come in peace!" The girl said with her hands raised as Anakin noted she sounded familiar. "We spoke before at the temple before I had this body please lower your weapon!" The girl said and thus Anakin with a nod from Padme did so. "Sorry for this but Shmni told me not to reveal myself until I can form my body so here I am." The girl said as Anakin was surprised about what the girl told them.
"Wait Shmni sent you?" Padme asked surprised the ARK's overseer could or would do that.
"Well she made me for this and another task so yeah she sent me." The girl said as Anakin tilted his head in clear confusion.
"She made you?" Anakin asked and thus the girl stood up and smiled with a salute.
"Yeap, you can call me Amelia nice to meet you, Annie." Amelia introduced herself at long last as she smiled to Anakin. "And until either you die or Shmni needs me for my main task I'll be learning a lot from you, so do take care of me." Amelia said as Anakin was surprised and Padme was at a lost at first.
"Why do you look similar to Anakin?" Padme asked as she noticed Amelia looks a little bit like Anakin did the age she was portraying right now.
"Well Shmni is reason one and the fact I spent so much time with you via your pockets is reason two." Amelia said as she gestured to the Holocron Shmni gave him which had been opened again at some point. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone and I won't let anyone see me, after all." Amelia said before her body vanished from sight. "It would be like I'm not even here." She said as Anakin had one thing to say to all that was happening.
"I'm… going to need a moment to process this." Anakin said as he tried to wrap his mind around this.
But as this happened he also knew that the Dark Falz were up to something. And whatever this was it was clear those Force Sensitive Children were currently at risk. The question remained with they find Bane and warn the Crystal's keeper or will Bane find him and make their jobs a lot harder. Only time will tell and until then they could only hope for this needed victory.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well here we are Chapter 20 published and ready for you all. I hope you all enjoyed it and will join me next time for the next part of the Holocron arc. So until then I will once more say to you all ja-ne.