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Chapter 5: Desperate measures

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Part 7

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Chancellor's office

Senate Building

Coruscant

Mace Windu carefully listened to the Chancellor's arguments and the Admiral's agreement with them. Like it or not, legally speaking, they at least appeared sound. Under most circumstances, the Jedi Master would have wholeheartedly agreed. Persecuting someone over what they might believe instead of what they did, would be at best a slippery slope leading into an abyss. At worst, doing so would be just tyranny.

Unfortunately, when Force Sensitive people were concerned, it wasn't that simple. Without training, even those powerful in the Force would be at best "luckier" than average and extremely good in a skill or two. A trained Force Adept, on the other hand, was something very different. But how to explain it in a way that wouldn't be tainted by what an outsider might see as a religious dogma? Potentially disastrous Shatterpoints passed by untouched, yet the outcome of this discussion shaped to be anything but fortuitous for the galaxy as a whole. If not the Chancellor, Windu had to convince at least Admiral Coburn that giving Skywalker a free rein in his current condition could be potentially disastrous.

"Admiral Coburn, what would you do if you know that one of your subordinates has a spice problem?" Windu inquired. The Force guided him towards one of the few potentially viable Shatterpoints, that didn't necessarily spell an outright disaster if mishandled.

"I won't have us try to destroy my friend's reputation behind his back. We still have communications throughout Hutt space." The Chancellor activated the terminal built into his desk. "If you want to continue leveling accusations against young Skywalker, you can at least offer him the courtesy of doing it in his face. He is still a member of the Jedi Order, is he not?" The Chancellor's frustration and disappointment sang through the Force.

"Unfortunate this is." Yoda finally spoke.

No matter the outcome of today's meetings, the Jedi already lost a lot of the goodwill they had with the Chancellor. If the Admiral's well-controlled feelings were anything to go by, the military as well. They had to salvage something from the unfolding disaster that was Skywalker's fall.

"We will wait for General Skywalker to answer, and use the time to calm ourselves down, so we will all act with the dignity our respective offices require." Palpatine 'suggested' and leaned back in his chair, letting out a small huff of exasperation at the whole situation.

"A wise suggestion, this is." Yoda agreed.

Windu used the opportunity to gather his thoughts and figure out how to best put forth his case. Equating the Dark Side and its effects on addiction with disastrous results was perhaps a good way to explain it. The issue was how to make the politicians and military comprehend that once someone has fallen, there could be no turning back?!

"Chancellor?" Skywalker's bust appeared above Palpatine's desk. "Do I dare hope you're calling with good news?"

There was no trace of darkness radiating from the fallen Jedi, which was at odds with what they sensed earlier that day.

"I'm afraid not, my young friend. Our Jedi… acquaintances," No one missed the fact that Palpatine didn't call the Jedi friends this time, "continue to level accusations at you and your character."

"For some reason, I don't find myself surprised, sir."

"I called you so they could at least do it you your face, instead of at your back."

"I appreciate the courtesy, Chancellor." Skywalker offered a half-bow in respect.

"Do go on, Master Windu? Get it off your chest." Palpatine prodded.

"The best way to explain it is to sadly compare Knight Skywalker to an addict who slipped through the initial screening. If you simply caught him in said screening, his promotion would have been denied with no ill consequences. Now it is too late for that. The question I am asking you is this simple. Will you leave Skywalker in place, knowing that at best he will fall apart under the influence of the Dark Side? That at worst, he will abuse vital military resources for whatever madness it drives him into?" Windu demanded.

Mace could sense the future ebb and flow. Coburn's seemingly unflappable mask cracked for a bit, and he frowned at the comparison. The Chancellor appeared contemplative too. He looked at Skywalker's calm mask. Windu was certain that the young fallen Jedi would explode at such an accusation, showing his true colors. They were well within a Shatterpoint now, with the future balanced on a blade's edge.

"I wish I could say I'm surprised." The Force shifted at Skywalker's bitter words. "Do go on, Master Windu. I can sense you have more accusations to lay at my feet."

Briefly, the shroud around Skywalker cracked, and the sheer sense of betrayal that radiated from his image was breathtaking. It was gone almost as soon as it slipped through the Dark Jedi's formidable mental defense. For a moment, Windu faltered, before rallying himself. Skywalker had fallen. Now it was only a matter of time before he caused a calamity. That was the only thing that mattered.

"Neither the Force nor the Dark Side is mere religious metaphors. The Force allows us the overt displays of power associated with being a Jedi – levitating objects, deflecting blaster bolts, and so forth. The downside is that we cannot allow ourselves to experience emotions like you Admiral Coburn, and you Chancellor Palpatine, do every single day. To do so means that we open ourselves to passions, to addiction fueled by the Dark Side. Both our emotions if not suppressed and put under lock and key, and those of everyone we encounter, would drive us insane, gibbering wrecks. We would be driven to incredible lengths to keep experiencing such passions, and it would never be enough. If you allow Skywalker to retain the rank of General, you'll be enabling an obscenely powerful, drug addict to do whatever he wants. You will be courting a disaster! If not contained, Skywalker soon will become genuinely a greater threat than the Confederacy!" Windu's words rang with all the truth and conviction he could muster.

The balance shifted, yet they all remained in the shadow of the Dark Side.

A slow clap sounded like thunder. A second one followed, then a third.

"A masterful performance, Master Windu. I didn't know that the esteemed blade-master of the Jedi Order had it in himself." Skywalker's words sounded sincere, there was a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, and his eyes sparkled in amusement. His blue, clear eyes, free from the taint of the Dark Side.

"Yet, your performance makes me curious. You see, a decade or so ago, when I found myself coming to Coruscant for the first time…" Skywalker shifted so he could see both the Chancellor and the Jedi, "you initially refused to train me. Because at the ancient age of nine, I was too old. There was already too much fear in me, too much love and passion to properly shackle. All because I grew up as a slave with all that entails. And because I loved my mother more than anything else in the world…" Skywalker trailed off and lowered his head. "My mother, who the Jedi didn't care about, because she was not Force Sensitive. She had no power, no connections, but was a mere slave of no consequence. My mother, who I buried on Tatooine just before the events of Geonosis. Master Windu, I learned to handle my emotions on my mother's knee. If I didn't, I wouldn't have survived long enough for Master Jinn to liberate me." Skywalker leveled a look chock full of pain and betrayal at Windu and Yoda. "I was too old to properly indoctrinate in the Jedi ways. That much I'm guilty of."

"While tragic, General Skywalker, nothing of what you just revealed fully answers Master Windu's accusations." Admiral Coburn chided.

"My apologies, sir. It's just that I've held this back for a long time now. To answer Master Windu's accusations, I'm painfully aware of how dangerous the Dark Side is. However, in contrast with most Jedi, I did learn how to handle my emotions without merely suppressing and bottling them up. Admiral Coburn, Chancellor Palpatine, have I given you a reason to doubt my judgment? Have I broken any Republic law? If my disagreement with the Jedi is an issue, I am ready to leave the Order. In truth, after what I experienced today, I can't in good conscience return to the fold. I'm well aware of what the Jedi dogma claims about anyone touched by the Dark Side. There is supposed to be no turning back, is there Master Yoda? There is no appeal to outside authority, only eternal damnation." Skywalker concluded sadly. "I'm at your disposal, Chancellor, Admiral. If you so require, you'll have my resignation from the armed forces momentarily. It is obvious that it doesn't matter what I say. It doesn't matter what I've done. I'm being judged solely on what I might do! What's worse, the Jedi already have their sentence ready!"

The balance precariously shifted again. The Force was in turmoil, and the Dark Side all but howled in anticipation. The Shatterpoint's resolution was at hand, yet suddenly, Windu wasn't so sure of the outcome. This was a breaking point for the Jedi, perhaps for the Republic as well. Skywalker was supposed to be the Chosen One! He was meant to bring an end to the Sith, not to fall!

"General Skywalker, may I ask what are your intentions if you have to leave the military behind?" Admiral Coburn inquired.

"Considering that our next stop is by necessity Tatooine, I might do something I've always wanted – go and liberate as many slaves as I can. There are a lot of injustices that need addressing in Hutt space." Skywalker announced with a boyish smile.

"You're aware that being a vigilante standing along against the Hutts would be unwise in the extreme?" Coburn pressed.

"That is something worth doing, and at that point, it's not like I would have much to lose. Theoretically speaking, of course."

"We've drifted off-topic, my friend. Remember, no matter what happens, you do have a home to return to. I'm saying this not just as the Chancellor, and your friend, but as someone who still has a debt to repay, to you like everyone else on Naboo." The Chancellor smoothly pointed out that despite his origins, Skywalker had friends to call upon, no matter what the Jedi Order did. "Is it true, Master Yoda? Are you about to condemn young Skywalker forever, even though he has done nothing wrong yet? Even if it is true, Master Jedi, even if I can believe you beyond a shadow of a doubt, I simply can not condemn a Republic citizen about what they might do one day. Much less allow them to endure what sounds like life-long imprisonment without a proper trial. If I do it, the consequences for everyone else will be grave indeed. Doing so will open every action taken by the Jedi, past, and future, to legal attacks, if for no other reason than out of fear of your powers. Just like you fear what Skywalker might do, not what he has done."

And just like that, the Shatterpoint shattered, when the Chancellor made up his mind.

"I am afraid that I can't condone the persecution of General Skywalker. Until and unless he breaks Republic law or military regulations. Even if he does so, Anakin Skywalker will still enjoy the full rights of a Republic citizen. I retain full confidence in General Skywalker and hope for all our sakes that it is not misplaced." The Supreme Chancellor decreed.

=KoF=

Part 8

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Republic cruiser Dauntless

hyperspace

en route to the Tatoo system

Skywalker let go of the barrier surrounding Ahsoka. The furious, freezing dark presence surrounding her pulled back. It collapsed on itself, and she could no longer sense it.

"Well, that was something… else…" Skywalker hummed to himself.

That almost cheerful voice cut through the fog within Ahsoka's head, and her eyes focused on his armored form.

"Cheer up, Snips! We're living in a brand-new age." Skywalker had the gall to chuckle.

Ahsoka stared at the former Jedi who was supposed to be her Master and now thankfully couldn't be! Her wide eyes went back to the holoprojector.

"What just happened?" Ahsoka asked herself quietly. She couldn't have heard it right! Dealing with Darksiders was the Jedi's duty! One of their most important purposes! Doing so was just and good because obviously, everyone who fell to the Dark Side had to be evil! All the teachers back in the Temple taught her that!

"You did pay attention instead of spacing out, right?" Skywalker asked in amusement. "The Force knows, I've done my best to sleep with my eyes open during some lectures and such, but this was important Snips!"

"Stop calling me that!" Ahsoka snapped.

"It suits you! It is especially true when you're acting all snappy, Snips."

Ahsoka growled at the Dark Jedi pocking fun at her. He was enjoying this!

When he looked at her, Skywalker's eyes were molten pools of metal, sparkling in amusement. "It's high time we talked, Snips. The discussion I just had with the powers that be doesn't change our immediate situation. We're still cut off and en route to Tatooine. There are tens of thousands of slaves there begging for salvation and a slimy Hutt crime boss who will finally face justice."

The intensity of Skywalker's gaze made Ahsoka shiver with emotions she could hardly process.

"Will you be a good Jedi and help those who are unable to help themselves? Or will you be a proper Jedi and simply walk away, as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan did?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Ten years ago, I was a slave on Tatooine. You know the story, Snips. The two of them had to make a pit stop there to repair Padme's ship while on the run from the Trade Federation. They did end up liberating me, but only because I had the potential to be powerful in the Force. My mother? All other slaves suffering on Tatooine? They didn't matter. They had no power or importance. The Jedi simply closed their eyes and let them all suffer to the bitter end."

"They must have had reason!" Ahsoka shot back. The Jedi were the good guys! Saving people was their thing! Skywalker had fallen, he must be twisting the truth, Ahsoka hoped.

"If you believe so, then I ask you to come with me to the surface. We'll land at the port nearest to Jabba's palace. Coincidently, that place holds the largest slave market on Tatooine. Come with me, see the truth with your eyes, and then decide if you want to do something about it."

Ahsoka knew that this was some kind of trap. However, she was eager to prove this smug bastard of a Dark Jedi wrong!

"I will come!" She growled through gritted teeth.

"Good. I'm assigning you a few of Rex's boys as a security detail. I don't want to explain to the Jedi how I misplaced you. They would not believe whatever I tell them, no matter what evidence I might have to show them."

Ahsoka simply turned around and stalked out of the communications center. She refused to be baited any further!

=KoF=

Bestine "city"

Tatooine

Tatoo system

Ahsoka was able to hardly calm down by the time the Dauntless entered the edge of the Tatoo system and did its best to hide in the asteroid ring. Her composure was still frayed around the edges when Skywalker bundled them alongside two dozen Clones in a shuttle, and they left for Tatooine. During the flight, Ahsoka did her best to ignore everyone. She scarcely paid any attention to the painted and modified armors everyone had to wear. She could intellectually appreciate the need to look more like a bunch of mercenaries than a force of Republic soldiers. However, the need for such a deception sat ill with her.

Despite that, Ahsoka held herself together until they flew above Bestine and headed to the local spaceport. A miasma of suffering and despair oozed below, spreading slimy tentacles towards anything in range. Ahsoka felt ill at sensing it. She recoiled and did her best to reinforce her mental defenses in order to keep the corruption at bay.

"That is what the Jedi and the Republic ignore without a second thought," Skywalker growled. "For a long time now, Tatooine has been a center of the slave trade. Tens of thousands of beings are sold in markets across the major settlements. As if that wasn't enough of a tragedy, this is just the small sliver of slavery such a sandpit like this could support. The better developed and richer worlds in Hutt space are orders of magnitude worse."

They landed and disembarked without issue. Skywalker led the way, followed by a group of apparent mercenaries. He waved a hand when a Rodian came to demand a landing fee.

"All fees have been handled. You'll enter the required data in the local network." Skywalker ordered, and the Rodian nodded eagerly, muttering something in a language Ahsoka didn't know.

They walked through weathered corridors, passing by all kinds of questionable characters who scattered out of their way after a single glance. Skywalker led them through busy sand-covered streets until they reached an open bazaar. People were busy selling all kinds of exotic, and simply weird goods all over the place.

The miasma of suffering and despair was much stronger here, a stark contrast to the cheerful cry of the colorful crowd selling their wares.

"Rex, there are speeder vendors over there. Check them up. Snips, walk with me. It's time you saw the truth of the Republic, the Jedi, and the galaxy at large." Skywalker's words left no place for an argument.

They walked by a kiosk selling everything from cooking utensils to heavy weapons, all in the open. The smell of cooking meat watered Ahsoka's mouth, despite the precautious situation. They soon reached a large open area in the center of the bazaar. It took the young Togruta a few moments to comprehend what she was seeing.

There were hundreds of peoples from dozens of species, chained, or left to stew in cages. Women of all stripes and even girls clad in clothes barely covering their modesty stood on display. A lot of people shouted obscene suggestions to them, or worse, bargained to buy them.

"There are two types of slaves, Ahsoka. Workers, when they're locally cheaper than droids, and those meant for entertainment." Skywalker spat the last word.

Even as sheltered as Ahsoka was in the Temple, it didn't take her long to comprehend what exactly Skywalker meant by entertainment. An overwhelming wave of fury and outrage burned within her chest. Ahsoka bared her teeth at all the people who enjoyed the sight, the suffering, and despair.

"Now you see and understand, Ahsoka. Will you stand by, like the rest of the Jedi, or will you do something about this atrocity?" Skywalker's voice was gentle and soothing. For the first time since they met, the dark flames surrounding him felt like a cool caress, soothing the intense fire of her indignation and fury.

"How could they let things like this stand?!" Ahsoka hissed. The sheer magnitude of despair in this place threatened to swallow her whole. "They had to know, surely!"

"They know. They just don't care, Ahsoka. Coruscant is far away. It is easy to ignore this when it is out of sight and out of mind." Skywalker sneered. "I know for a fact that bribes help."

"That is not right!" Ahsoka's words were the growl of an angry predator sizing up its prey.

"No. It's anything but right. Will you help me liberate them?"

=KoF=

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