Plo Koon found himself walking down one of many hallways aboard the Resolute II, trailing the paths of his clone commander Wolfe with captain of the 501st legion, CT-7567, more commonly known as "Rex." Curiously, it was not Master Yoda, Master Kenobi or even Quinlan Vos that called for his presence. It was Anakin, Rex's Jedi general. He was sure that the esteemed Jedi masters could have constructed more than enough reasons to ask for his counsel, especially when asking for clarity on how to best deal with the threat of Sidious. But for now, it seemed that Plo Koon had something he didn't even consider a possibility days prior. A moment to focus on matters that didn't involve neither the
The shared meditation that he had with Obi Wan and Yoda days before was certainly enlightening, though the veil of the dark side only seemed to get stronger in the days since. It was as if the Jedi's search for truth had caused a counter-reaction from the Force. The Jedi spoke of the concept of "balance to the Force," even before the clone wars started. However, what that balance consisted of was still heavily debated among Jedi in the order. What went without question was that the Sith had to be destroyed. It was upheld as fact.
Plo Koon might have upheld such a philosophy before the war. But now he wasn't so sure. He didn't understand what was truth and what was wish fulfillment on the part of the Jedi. Did the Jedi believe that a chosen one was going to save the Jedi Order or were they simply hoping that a chosen one existed at all and not some metaphorical symbol of an ideology? The more popular belief was that the chosen one was indeed real and was destined for greatness.
This rumored chosen one is who Plo Koon was set to meet just now.
"Come on," Wolfe said aloud. "You're pulling my leg."
"I mean it. They were the worst" Rex was saying, moving his arms with exaggeration. "They were pushy, didn't follow protocol and I'm telling you they smelled awful!"
"Really, Rex?" Wolfe said, rolling his eyes. "I think you just got caught up in how they acted. The way you describe it, you make em sound like some low life bounty hunters."
"That's not far off!" Rex exclaimed. "They didn't even look like clones. Their armor was custom made, they had damaged faces and they sounded nothing like me...or you."
"And yet, this Bad Batch got the job done, did they not?" Wolfe said, smiling. "Look at what they did. They helped you take Anaxes!"
"Wolfe has a good point, captain" Plo Koon interjected at last. "The Bad Batch display something that is to be admired. Pure creativity."
"I guess" Rex agreed. "That's what separates us from battle droids. But it doesn't mean they have to be so rebellious or...maybe I just never saw anything like it."
"Clone Captain Rex saw clones that didn't look like clones. What are the odds? Don't answer that" Wolfe said, putting his arm around Rex' shoulder. "Whatever happened to them?"
"I dunno," Rex said with a sigh. "Doing more covert missions I guess. They have a new recruit now. Echo."
Wolfe stopped in his tracks and looked to him, his helmet staring into Rex'. The jovial mood was now almost oppressive. Plo Koon had come to understand that the clone's terminology of "brothers" didn't refer entirely to their genetic similarities to one another. It was that they fought through hell together and all had to face the trials that the war created for them. When one of their kin was lost, it was a personal blow. The Jedi may have come to understand this but to the uneducated, the clones were just machines. Each clone had a personality and a mind that was theirs alone. It was an empathy that could only be learned by being a clone, something that Plo Koon recognized he couldn't experience.
"Echo?" Wolfe spoke. "But at the citadel? I mean didn't he-"
"He was alive, Wolfe" Rex turned to face him. "I found him. They were trying to turn him into some kind of...experiment. They nearly turned him into a battle droid! He was using our own strategies against us!"
"Hell" Wolfe said, his voice going soft. "A living weapon. How did he survive?"
"I don't know" Rex said, shaking his head. "When I found him, I had this horrible thought. I thought, even for just a moment, that he wasn't human. That he wasn't even living. But then when he woke up, he told me that I came back for him. I came back for him. I've never felt worse in my entire life."
Clearing the end of the passageway, Plo Koon watched as the doors to one of the ship's barracks opened. Out stepped Anakin Skywalker, who seemed pleased that Plo Koon had found him at last. The conversation with Rex caused his warm expression to soften.
"What happened to Echo wasn't your fault, Captain Rex" Plo Koon explained. "You can't blame yourself for what might have happened, only what did happen. You'll go through life with misery if all you can do is remember the regrets of the past."
"But I should have known better" Rex said, looking at his helmet. "Deep down I think I always knew he was still out there and he knew I would find him. He was a soldier. My brother. And I couldn't undo what they did to him."
"Rex" Wolfe said softly.
"Master Plo is right" Anakin said, speaking up. "You need to think of what you accomplished, not what you didn't. You saved Echo and you gave him a chance to fight back. And it's all thanks to you."
"War is always rough, Rex" Wolfe said, taking off his own helmet. "That doesn't change, before the Clone Wars and after. You just have to keep fighting till the end and give it everything you have. There's nothing more you can do than that."
Rex continued to stare into his helmet, gazing at the markings made that signify all the campaigns that he's been a part of and all the sacrifices he's made. Finally, he put the helmet back on and stared at Anakin expectantly, awaiting orders.
"Go on ahead, Rex" Anakin said with a nod. "I'll be talking to Master Plo about our, special project."
"Sure thing, general," Rex nodded, following Wolfe as Plo Koon's commander discussed all the thrills that he went through on Cato Neimodia. When they were well out of sight, Plo Koon stepped into the barracks after Skywalker invited him in. The time for pleasantries had since passed and Plo Koon knew that Anakin wanted him for something from him. He had a suspicion as to what was on the younger Jedi's mind.
"For what purpose did you bring me here, Skywalker" Plo Koon asked a bit bluntly. "I presume that if you wished to speak to me instead Obi Wan, there must be good cause."
"You'd be right" Anakin said, shuffling almost uncomfortably. "I wanted...I wanted to talk to you about her."
Plo Koon turned to face him, his face unreadable, but his arms slackened and and his gaze softened. Plo Koon's suspicions had proven to be true after all. Immediately he understood why the young knight chose Plo Koon instead of Obi Wan. This conversation had happened before, he knew it somehow, and Anakin wanted to get another perspective. The perspective of a Jedi who was closely bonded to a Togruta in question.
To the friend in question. As much as Plo Koon wanted to call her by name, he found the word heavy to pronounce.
"You believe that Ahsoka should not have left the order, yes?" Plo Koon asked, speaking her name at last. He was not sure if the question was meant for Anakin or himself.
"I...I don't know anymore" Anakin admitted. "I try to tell myself that she belonged with us but...she did leave. We failed her when she needed us. I just wish I could know where she is."
"And would that ease your pain?" Plo Koon pressed, stepping forward.
"At least I could look after her" Anakin shot back a little harshly. "When I was on Coruscant in the days since she left I swore I felt her. I felt her presence when she left the planet but I couldn't go after her." Sitting on a crate filled with weapons and supplies, Anakin looked at his feet. "Would you have gone after her?"
Plo Koon thought deeply, reflecting on his state of mind at the time and his thoughts of defeat when he saw her leave the way of life he brought her into. He tried to give her a chance to become something better and yet she chose to leave it all behind. He couldn't deny that it hurt.
"I can't say for certain, Skywalker" Plo Koon spoke, sitting next to him. "But what happened to Ahsoka was beyond any of us. She chose to leave and while we could have provided counsel, that choice was something we couldn't interfere with. No matter how much we may want to."
"I want to go looking for her" Anakin admitted. "I want to help her."
"What she needs most of all is to learn to help herself. Even if she did stay in the order, you can't protect her forever. Living one life is taxing enough, but living two is nigh impossible." Plo Koon answered, without any signs of being condescending or judgemental. Plo Koon knew that Anakin leaving to seek out his padawan would be reckless and frowned upon by many others. However, his empathy for Anakin allowed him to recognize what needed to be said.
"I started a little project, Master Plo" Anakin said, rising to his feet and removing a clone helmet. The orange and white markings took the Kel Dor by surprise. Seeing his interest peaked, Anakin offered the helmet for inspection. "Rex and I have created enough for a whole battalion."
"It's very detailed" Plo Koon said, his fingers following the Togruta inspired markings. "Even after she's gone you're finding a way to continue her legacy."
"My troops have nothing but the highest respect for her" Anakin replied, mesmerized by the suits of armor that would soon be donned by clone troopers on the front lines of combat. "Besides, no one's ever really gone."
Anakin moved to return the helmet to a shelf containing many more helmets with identical markings. Standing himself, Plo Koon glanced at Anakin's tensed body, practically feeling the tension that was eroding at Anakin's muscles as he moved. "Skywalker. I told you once that Ahsoka would make her way back to you. That may still happen, even now. But you must have faith. This is your trial as much as it's hers."
The Kel Dor could remember with detail the conversation he had with Anakin at the temple when Ahsoka was being hunted, the stress at trying to determine whether or not she was truly guilty of what her critics accused her of. So much had happened since then. Plo Koon's acceptance of Ahsoka's fate was challenged just by speaking to Anakin. His promise he made to the knight at the time came to nothing; he hoped that the promise he made now wouldn't follow a similar fate. Anakin didn't say anything for several moments. Wondering if Anakin wouldn't speak at all, the Kel Dor was slightly surprised to see Anakin smiling when he looked back at him.
"If that's the case, I've been working on another project, a secret project" Anakin grinned. "But I could use your help with it."
Silently hoping that he instilled confidence in the Jedi, Plo Koon returned to Anakin's side as the Jedi pulled out a small wooden box. Opening the lid very slightly, the Jedi master understood immediately what Anakin was suggesting as he gazed at a small collection of metallic rings, emitters and electronics. "It's got everything we need. Well, almost everything" Anakin spoke, correcting himself.
"I would be honored to help you, Anakin Skywalker" Plo Koon spoke with warm gratitude. These words felt liberating to the Jedi master and for once he accepted the feeling of satisfaction that briefly overcame him. "One master to another."
Obi Wan watched as Dyne led himself, Quinlan Vos and Yoda to a data room onboard the Resolute II. Curiously, Master Plo spoke of different matters to attend to. Most curious since Anakin Skywalker was also not accounted for. If they were working together on something of interest, it would have to wait. It had been days since the technicians had begun to work on the mechnochair and discover what secrets it could contain about the Separatists, Dooku and most of all, Sidious. While not as secure as the data room of the temple on Coruscant, Admiral Yularen assured Obi Wan that there wouldn't be any spies that the Separatists had at their disposal that could get past the encryption frequencies protecting the ship. The analyst Dyne agreed enough to believe that they could discuss their findings with upmost confidentiality.
Furthermore, returning to Coruscant might result in the Chancellor's allies interfering with the investigation. This occurred when the Jedi wanted to inspect the clone trooper CT-5555, "Fives" as he was named in relation to experiments carried out on Kamino, before the investigation was cut short with his untimely demise. Though they agreed with the official findings of the study, it was significant enough to promote caution for future endeavors. The Jedi saw the current course of actions as a necessary precaution, not in that they didn't trust one individual, but in that they didn't trust anyone anymore.
Still, time was against them. They couldn't hide their discovery forever.
Inside the data room was the isolated transceiver, removed from the mechnochair and linked to the larger holoprojector console in the center. Obi Wan recognized more clearly that this was one of many artifacts that was transported off of Naboo over a decade past. The projector showed the full design before magnifying on the inscription that Dyne had hinted at days earlier.
Dyne's "important breakthroughs" surely must be worth the wait and Obi Wan admitted that he was starting to feel the impatience that Anakin revealed from time to time.
"Thank you for meeting with me, masters. We appreciate your patience in this investigation. As of now, we've finally made some important advancements." the analyst began. "If you pay attention to detail, the engraving was made using a high quality carving device. Very similar to a Jedi's lightsabers actually, but on a miniaturized scale, used for carpentry and the refining of advanced machinery. We took this as a clue and have been overlapping the signature with all industrial records and intergalactic sellers authorized to work with the Trade Federation. It seems that the Viceroy wasn't too keen on covering his tracks, though the records we have been retrieving from the Viceroy's palace has sped up this investigation considerably. Best of all, I believe we have found a match with a designer from the Outer Rim."
The Jedi tensed with anticipation as Dyne continued. "We believe that the point of origin is Escarte, an asteroid base belonging to the Commerce Guild, beyond the outer rim territories. The designer in question is a Bith named Thal K'Sar and she's responsible for hyperwave transceiver for the mechnochair."
"Well, here's to hoping that this doesn't prove too difficult" Vos spoke up with dry sarcasm. "Heavy resistance? Blockade of warships?"
"Actually, no. Escarte is of little importance to the Confederacy comparatively" Dyne answered. "Even with their mining operations they carry out, there are far larger and more lucrative worlds for their droid armies to protect. Still, the faster the better."
"Is that all" Obi Wan asked.
"Far from it, master Jedi" Dyne grinned. "We've succeeded in deciphering the code Dooku, and, we have to assume, Sidious, has been using to communicate with the Council of Separatists. Using the code, we will be able to intercept a message sent to Viceroy Gunray, through the mechnochair. And they won't know until it's too late."
This grabbed Obi Wan's attention. "But we've been trying to crack those codes for years. Since the war started!"
"Surprised, Obi Wan. You can be amazed at what people can do under pressure" Dyne smirked. "Regardless, the chair's hyperwave transceiver provided us with our first solid lead. We saw right away that the code embedded in the transceiver's memory was a variant on codes used by the InterGalactic Banking Clan. So we decided to analyze the frequencies we collected from field analysis following the Battle of Muunilinst. We paired the sequences together and we confirmed that the Confederacy code from the chair comes closest to a code used on Aargau, for transferring private bank funds from...you guessed it, the IG BC."
Just as the Jedi were about to discuss the implications of this find, the transceiver began to hum loudy. The entire film fell quiet This could only mean one thing; somebody was sending Gunray, which now meant the Jedi, a message. Anybody, from a Separatist leader to Sidious himself, could be on the other end.
"No" Obi Wan spoke with shock. "It can't be possible."
"You don't think-" Quinlan Vos attempted before being cut off.
"Quickly, we must act" Yoda exclaimed. "Sidious, this could be."
"Clear the room immediately. Prepare to receive transmission" Dyne called out loudly. The staff manning their stations in the data room filed out almost in a rush. Fortunately, protocol was not absent on Anakin's ship, Obi Wan thought. When duty called, they were prepared. "If we answer this transmission and reply, the Separatists will realize that we've managed to eavesdrop on their-"
"Captain, if you will" Obi Wan interrupted, his hands pointing to the still blinking transceiver. "We won't have another chance at this. Open communications."
Not since the day when he reunited with the previously deceased Darth Maul did Obi Wan find himself filled with an impending dread. Most likely, this was a transmission from a previously established threat, namely Dooku or Grievous. But there was always a chance. If it was Sidious, he had no idea what to expect. What, or who, would he see? Would it be another Jedi? A politician? One of his closest friends?
"Very well, here goes nothing" Dyne spoke. "Beginning in five. Four. Three. Two. One."
Dyne entered a response to the transceiver before dashing to the opposite side of the room. There was a brief flickering before a meter high holoimage appeared in the table's cone of blue light.
The figure that Obi Wan recognized both calmed and disturbed him. The figure, who's back was hunched over in preparation to speak, was none other than a cyborg killer who magnified the atrocities of the Clone Wars as wood allows a wildfire to burn.
Grievous.
"You'll be pleased to know that I have chosen a world for us, Viceroy" Grievous spoke. "Belderone will be our temporary home."
The cyborg fell silent when there was no response. Obi Wan found himself tensing as he stared at the high quality image of Grievous' cape. If he tried to stall Grievous, he might be able to gather valuable information through clever manipulation. Obi Wan prided himself on acquiring valuable assets without relying on brute force. Grievous' tone shifted as he continued.
"Viceroy? Viceroy!" Grievous called out with increasing agitation. Obi Wan stepped forward, opening himself to communicating with one of many nemeses.
"Think again, General" Obi Wan declared. Grievous was admittedly surprised to see Obi Wan. His posture straightened before he leaned forward with interest.
"Kenobi" he spoke with metallic crisp. "I don't care how you stole access to this transmission, but it won't change anything."
"Is that so?" Obi Wan answered, not giving him any recognition as a threat. "I suppose that you're not heading towards, Belderone, anymore. Too afraid to face us when we find you there-"
"Stinking Jedi!" Grievous roared. "I do not fear you! You fear me! Belderone will be mine, and you can't stop me!"
"Futile your efforts are, Grievous" Yoda spoke, coming into view alongside Obi Wan. "War does not define your strength. Beaten, your war is."
"The Grandmaster" Grievous boomed, laughing with a dry contempt "Your fate will be the same as any other Jedi. You cannot stop what is to come."
Stepping into view himself, Quinlan Vos spoke a challenge himself. "Then let's see you prove it, monster. You can boast all you want but we know you're just going to hide again. If you do, we'll just find you again."
Screaming with rage, Grievous pointed his clawed fingers towards the Jedi. Obi Wan was glad that the other Jedi had recognized what trap was being set for Grievous. The general was falling for it without fail. "I'll exterminate every last one of you! Come to Belderone and watch as the galaxy crumbles under my heel! None of you can destroy me. None of you-"
The transmission ended abruptly. The Jedi lowered their heads in relief. Captain Dyne sighed heavily and called for men to return to their stations.
"It seems the general is more of a warrior than a coward" Obi Wan spoke up. "We need to make our move, regardless of whether Grievous takes the bait or not."
"Did anyone notice the quality of the hologram? It was higher than anything I have ever seen" Dyne spoke up. "Technology of a different order than we're used to seeing, even from the Confederacy."
"Perhaps they have learned to make better droids?" Vos challenged.
"About his image, Sidious cares, ummm?" Yoda spoke up with a slight grin.
"Were we able to trace the source of transmission?" Vos asked. "Is it from Belderone? Grievous had no reason to lie, at least at first."
"If it weren't for your stalling, we might not have been able to trace the signal. We traced the signal to somewhere in the Expansion regions. Several clone pilots pursued a Lucrehulk class battleship that Gunray boarded to this sector. They haven't been heard from since."
"They may be in hyperspace." Vos proclaimed with upmost certainty. "And what of the source of transmission that Sidious sent?"
"Still working on it, I'm afraid" Dyne spoke. "That transmission was encrypted with even more advanced layers of protection."
"We may have succeeded in ensuring that Grievous' target doesn't change, but we have to act now. Belderone is not a highly populated world, but it is friendly to the Republic. Grievous will kill millions just to make a point."
"Very well, we should set coordinates for Belderone" Obi Wan spoke up, preparing to signal Admiral Yularen.
"Gentlemen, we have one more question to consider" Dyne spoke. "Who learns of this knowledge? Do we inform all parties? The chancellor?"
"Stay secret, this information must. Strong enough to stop Grievous, we are. But return to Coruscant I will and inform the other members of the council our findings."
"Very well, Master Yoda" Vos said. "We have more than enough Jedi here. We'll stop Grievous in his tracks."
Yoda turned to the the Jedi present and looked to Dyne. "Return to the temple, Captain. Your role in this investigation continues to grow. Invaluable your expertise will be. Vos and Kenobi, lead us to battle. May the Force be with you."