Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. It belongs to Disney. I make no money from this story.

Chapter 10: Twilight

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Part 3

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Flag Bridge, Victory

CIS Providence Dreadnought

Bakura

The task force arrived at Bakura without incident. The CIS battle group serving as an escort for San Hill held stationary orbit nearby, as far as in-system distances went. It contained a single Providence dreadnought, escorted by three squadrons of Munificent frigates. A screen of small Bakuran patrol ships stood between them and the planet, with a few squadrons patrolling the orbitals.

"We're being hailed by the Bakuran Defense Fleet, and CIS Task Force 7.3."

"Patching to the holonet. San Hill's location is confirmed! As expected, he is in talks with representatives of the local government and Bakur Mining Corporation. They're at a hotel in the capital."

The bridge's crew quickly reported.

"Continue with the operation. Answer the hails and introduce us. Make them understand that I have important news for Chairman Hill, and need to share it in person. Get us permission to land at his location." Dooku ordered his crew – all rebuild droids with scrubbed memory banks ensuring that they had no shut down codes hiding within their machine minds.

"Delta One is in position. Stealth field and thermal shields are online." Sigma One-One, the commander of Dooku's Droid Commando bodyguards, reported.

"Good. Let's go."

The Sith headed towards the nearest turbo-lift. Five black Commando Droids fell in formation behind him, acting as an honor guard. The rest of their platoon waited at the hangar, keeping an eye on their transport and its little modification. While Dooku had many plans on how to dispose of San Hill, the ideal option would be to blame it either on another party or use the Force to mimic a death from "natural" causes. That's why, he had a few modified Commando Droids clamped to his transport, outfitted with state-of-the-art stealth technology and thermal shields to protect them from detection. Depending on what sensors the transport could detect at their destination, those infiltrators might prove critical in achieving Dooku's objectives today.

Unsurprisingly, the locals went out of their way to permit Dooku's party to make planetfall. The ships he brought outnumbered and outgunned what passed for the Bakuran defense navy. Combined with Hill's escort, the correlation of forces in orbit was unfair for the locals, which would help keep them honest.

A few tense minutes followed, while his shuttle flew through the orbital defense perimeter, then entered the atmosphere and quickly descended towards the capital. There was still no sign of treachery by the locals, or that Hill suspected what was about to happen. The only odd thing was the Dark Side – it hungrily rumbled in anticipation.

That was never a good sign, Dooku thought.

Nevertheless, they landed on one of the hotel's landing pads without interference. A small group of local security and a harried official – a short dark-haired human woman, waited for Dooku's arrival. Their less than pristine appearance, and the flush on their faces, betrayed the hurried nature of their deployment.

"Count Dooku, welcome to Bakura!" The woman greeted him with wary anticipation. "I'm Secretary Claudia V'tan, your guide for your stay here. How can the Bakuran government be of assistance?"

"Secretary V'tan," Dooku offered a polite half-bow. "I need to urgently speak with Chairman Hill."

"He is in a meeting right now. I can take you there." The woman answered with a professional smile and waved towards the tall metal building in front of them.

"Lead the way."

The sense of hungry anticipation increased with every step Dooku took towards his prey. It was odd. While he had several reasons to want the banker dead, they were all professional, not personal. There was no reason for him to feel that much anticipation of the kill…

After experiencing a brisk elevator ride, their small party reached the upper floor of the hotel. The Secretary led them down a long, well-lit corridor. The odd large potted plant or landscape mural broke the monotony of the marble floor. It was quite tasteful if not exactly Dooku's cup of tea.

His anticipation and the Dark Side's huger came to a crescendo, when the Secretary stopped in front of large wooden doors, with a pair of security guards standing before them. A brief nod, an exchange of documents, and a security scan later, the doors opened. It revealed a large conference room, the likes of which one could find in offices and hotels all over the galaxy.

The Force lurched in warning, giving Dooku just a moment to protect himself before alarms blared and something crashed through the far wall.

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Salis D'aar
Bakura

"I told you that we weren't wasting our time out here." Master Tholme chided good naturally.

The Weequay Jedi in civilian clothes beside him, did his best to remain serene, no matter how hard the state of the Force, or his companion did it.

"It's about time. We've been wasting our time with your spy network for weeks now. You were certain that Dooku will flee to his base here after Geonosis." Sora Bulq grouched.

"The Force provides. Not only we've got San Hill right here when we can get him, but Dooku is on his way down, as well. You can feel his presence, can't you? He's gotten so arrogant he no longer tries to mask it." Tholme scowled at the sky.

"It's like someone just threw a boulder in the Force, then followed it with a thermal detonator or two." Sora scowled.

"Come on. We've got the codes to breach the outer perimeter. The rest is up to your driving." Tholme stood up from his seat and threw a credit chip to the table, paying for their light lunch."

They had been observing their target from a nearby small restaurant, which was conveniently located right beside a large vertical parking lot.

"For the record, I still claim that this is a bad idea. This is the kind of stuff Kenobi constantly complains about Skywalker pulls off as a matter of course!"

"The boy is supposed to be the Chosen One. That means he's supposed to be pulling all kinds of stunts, that we regular Jedi consider dangerous." The human Jedi pointed out with a smirk.

"I know for a fact that you don't believe in that whole prophecy nonsense!"

"I'm merely keeping my mind open. Sometimes we need to bend the Jedi Code a bit."

"Now you're making excuses. The Council is still most unhappy about the relationship you had with Saa!" Sora pointed out. "They're going out of their way to keep you two as far away from each other as possible!" Bulq accused. "That's why I'm stuck out here with you, playing spies! I still don't know how the two of you didn't get expelled or something."

"Unlike certain youngsters, we were discrete and there isn't much evidence that we were up to anything. We were also veteran Jedi in good standing, not a loose cannon like Skywalker." Tholme patiently explained.

Council politics, Bulq silently grumbled. One would think that as Jedi, they would be beyond such petty concepts! Unfortunately, they weren't that lucky, and he was stuck paying the price for others' sins. Then again, as a Jedi, his life was supposed to be all about self-sacrifice for the betterment of others, and in service of the Force...

"Yet, we're about to pull off something out of his playbook. I'm beginning to see how he almost drove Kenobi to drink." Sora couldn't help it and kept needling the Jedi Master.

"Nonsense! The Force is with us today! We might just end the war in a single strike!" Tholme happily dismissed his concerns.

The Jedi reached their vehicle – a normal-looking truck with a heavily reinforced cabin and got on board. A few minutes later, Sora finally managed to navigate out of the labyrinthine garage and flew straight towards their target. There was no need to consult all the data supplied by Tholme's spies. Dooku's signature burned in the Force, proving to everyone with the right senses, that whatever the man might have been once, he was no longer a Jedi.

Sora kept accelerating. Beside him, Tholme calmly spoke with the people manning the security perimeter around the hotel. The calls from the other side of the open channel became more and more frantic until they suddenly ceased. The Jedi paid it no attention. He was immersed in the Force, letting it guide his actions. Light blaster cannons spoke in anger from the backs of speeders, and a couple of missiles rose to intercept the speeding truck. Bulq deftly avoided the blaster fire, while leaving the rapidly closing missiles to Tholme. Sora sensed how the Jedi Master manipulated the Force, and whatever he did, it worked when no warhead splattered them all over the hotel's facade.

A couple of seconds later, all Bulq could see was a rapidly approaching wall. He closes his eyes and surrounded himself with the Force like a shield moments before impact.

Sora was sure he blacked for a moment at impact because the next thing he knew was dull pain racking his whole body. Something was busy shacking him in a very unpleasant matter, and as if that wasn't bad enough, there was an insistent screaming digging into his skull.

"Bulq! Up and at them!" Tholme roared in his ear.

Sora felt the Force was over him, and briefly, the shriek of twisting metal drowned all over sounds. That was finally enough to get him more or less awake and he gingerly looked around. If it wasn't for the reinforcements of the cabin, combined with the Force protecting them, Bulq was sure neither of them would have survived. Instead of ending up broken and bleeding like the truck, the Jedi managed to stagger out of it just a bit worse to wear.

"Count Dooku, you're under arrest for treason, murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and whatever else the Senate can think of!" Tholme eagerly proclaimed.

Sora staggered behind the Jedi Master and quickly drew his lightsaber, igniting it.

Count Dooku was in the far end of a debris-covered room, looking unscratched in his black robes. The five droids and a few humans surrounding him were fine as well.

Others were not so fortunate. At least a few humans had been too close to the impact site. Debris from the wall and parts from the truck had cut through them with ease, letting behind a bloody mess. Sora briefly froze at that sight. What did they just do?!

"As I was about to say, my friend, I came here to warn and protect you. The Jedi want to assassinate you." Dooku blithely lied, gaining Sora's attention. The Weequay's eyes darted around the room until they fell upon the bloody and battered figure of San Hill, their other target. The tall Muun was decidedly worse to wear, but still very much alive. The same couldn't be said for the poor bastards they ran over.

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Part 4

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To explain the wild fluctuations of public support the Jedi received during the Clone Wars and the sudden inquisition the Order faced by the Senate, we first must look at the reasons behind those events.

For the first few weeks of the war, the Republic loyalists closed ranks and did support the Jedi's actions on Geonosis. Legally, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker had a strong case for visiting that infamous Separatist world. Master Kenobi went there, following the tracks of the Bounty Hunter Jango Fett. He was suspected to be one of the mercenaries hired by the Separatists to assassinate Senator Padme Amidala. After local security captured Jedi Kenobi, his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, who was the closest Jedi able to intervene, traveled to Geonosis in order to resolve the situation. He brought along Senator Amidala, who Skywalker was protecting at the time. The official Republic stance was that the Senator's presence was meant to facilitate a proper diplomatic resolution of the crisis.

We've all heard of the Separatists' claims over the events on Geonosis. They're covered earlier in this work, along with their wide-ranging implications.

Unfortunately for the Jedi Order, it had been a long time, since, in Republic politics, the facts on the ground mattered. Perceptions, impressions, and political consequences were what mattered in the Senate. That was how actions either praised or broadly accepted as right and just a few days earlier, could become anything, but! That was how the Jedi's conduct on Geonosis suddenly became the central issue of multiple Senate hearings as soon as the political situation shifted. The roots and reasons behind that change lay in the foundations of modern Republic politics.

For centuries, there were two primary lines of divisions within the Senate. The first, and most obvious, was that of the Core with its allies, on one side, and the Rim Faction standing in opposition. The second one was often subtle and unclear on a macro level. First, we had those supporting the sovereignty of individual member states as one of the foundational principles of the Republic, with all that entails. Against them stood those who viewed the Republic as a project that would eventually unite most of the galaxy under the banner of a single nation.

The reason this divide was often invisible, was that the Republic, along with its institutions were often incredibly convenient for everyone. For many citizens of the Core, in practice, if not, in fact, the Republic could have been a single nation already. There were few restrictions in travel if you had the credits and up-to-date identification. Most of the galaxy already used the Republic credit as its de-facto currency. Everyone who you were likely to meet either spoke or understood Basic... It was a long list.

At the same time, governments, and larger corporations, found the status quo both incredibly useful, due to the increased integration keeping the economy growing, yet at the same time, dangerous. From the largest alliances to the smallest planetary governments, their sovereignty offered them a measure of protection against the meddling of rivals, larger neighbors, and the Republic government as a whole.

This line of division was highly mutable, due to support for it increasing or waning depending on a multitude of local factors. It was also notable, that often, both citizens and governments, wanted the best of both worlds. The benefits of a highly integrated Republic were too good to pass on. However, they were even better while retaining all the benefits of being fully independent nations, with all that entails.

In this particular case, the consequences the Jedi faced over their actions on Geonosis, all centered around the concept of sovereignty. It didn't matter why the Jedi went there. All that mattered for too many governments all over the galaxy was the Jedi violated Geonoisian sovereignty. As if that wasn't bad enough, they started a war without explicit sanction from the Senate. The hearings themselves, and the events that happened all over the galaxy at the same time, would further politically divide the Republic between those who supported the actions of the Jedi, and those who ultimately saw them as an unacceptable level of overreach.

The Rise and Fall of the Jedi Order

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Salis D'aar
Bakura

"Focus, Sora! We can end the war today and save countless lives!" Master Tholme's words broke through the haze surrounding Bulq's mind.

He drew on the Force, letting it flow through him and guide his actions. Its warm and soothing touch revitalized Sora. That allowed him to fully focus on the situation at hand.

"That's a bold claim, Master Jedi," Dooku taunted them. "Do you think you can get away with attacking another neutral world?"

"Once this is over, the Senate and Jedi Council will judge our actions." Tholme declared. "I'll ask you once, surrender or face the consequences of your actions!" The Jedi Master demanded.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, old friend. I can't allow you to kill Chairman Hill here." Dooku shot back. He drew his lightsaber in a single graceful motion and moved forward to place himself between Hill and the Jedi.

"So be it…" Tholme's voice didn't waver.

The two of them knew that this could only really end in violence anyway. Why would traitors to the Republic come in quietly if they had a chance to getaway?

The Force pulsed between the Jedi, filling them with its light. When Tholme drew on it and acted, Bulq was on his heels, moving as fast as he could. The distinct snap-hiss of activating lightsabers was all the warning anyone not graced by the Force got before the conference room exploded into violence.

Tholme tore the broken conference room off the floor in a rain of twisted metal and shattered wood. The Jedi Master hurled it at Dooku and his Droid guards before jumping at them. Sora followed suit, though his target was San Hill. With him out of the picture, they could concentrate on the Sith.

He didn't have to bother. Dooku jumped back, avoiding the shards of the massive table hurling his way. The Commando Droids and few locals around him were less fortunate. The woman only survived because Dooku uncharacteristically pulled her back. Two local security guards and three Droids were less fortunate. The broken table hit them, shattering completely on impact, but not before squashing them. A smashed droid convulsively pressed the trigger of its carbine, sending a hail of crimson blaster bolts scything through the room.

Bulq grimaced, acutely feeling the passing of the guards, but didn't allow it to slow him down more than a fraction.

The Force shifted at that point. Sora wasn't sure if it was its will, or if Dooku desperately tried to save Hill. It didn't matter in the end. A pair of blaster bolts struck the Muun in the chest, burning through his expensive clothes with ease, searing flesh and boiling blood.

All Bulq would remember was the surprise on Hill's face, before he fell. At the same time, Tholme reached Dooku, engaging him in a duel. Sora wasted no more time and went for the few remaining Droids, determined to cut them down, so they could concentrate on the Sith.

The Jedi Master went at Dooku with unexpected aggression, momentarily taking him off guard. Tholme leveraged that advantage to push the Sith back and buy time for Sora to join him. Meanwhile, the Weequay Jedi used the Force to smash one Commando Droid against the wall, while deflecting the shots from the other, doing his best to send them at Dooku's back. The Droid noticed that almost immediately and dropped his blaster, going for a vibroblade attached to its back. It managed to retrieve it and block Sora's first slash. Unfortunately for the machine, it was only it and Bulq. While it might have been faster and stronger than any organic with a similar build had any right to be, it lacked the Force.

The Jedi let the Force guide his defense, while quickly focusing some of its power along his left arm. He deflected a shallow slash and quickly reposed. When the Droid moved its blade to defend, Bulq made a punching motion, releasing the gathered energy into a broad telekinetic wave that sent the machine flying. He jumped after it and slammed his blade through its torso as soon as it hit the ground. A few quick wrist-motions saw the blade carve the Commando Droid to pieces.

With the distraction done, Sora turned around and charged at Dooku, aiming at the Sith's back. He paid no attention to the local woman who ran past him, in search of safety.

Dooku whirled around, parrying a flurry of strikes from Tholme, and sent a strong telekinetic push at Bulq, that staggered him even through his best attempt to counter it.

For a brief moment, the battle ceased, letting the three combatants size each other.

"Hill is done for, Dooku. Surrender while you still can!" Tholme demanded.

The Sith glanced at the crumpled form of the Muun and raised an eyebrow.

"Acting as assassins now? How far the Jedi had fallen," He shook his head. "And you have the gall to judge me." Dooku sneered. "Such arrogance!"

"We can take him!" Sora proclaimed, not sure if he meant it, or if he was trying to reassure himself.

In the Force, Dooku was different. He was a ball of pulsing dark light, of channeled anger and cold calculation.

Dooku twitched, giving them a mocking salute with his red, malicious lightsaber. That acted as a sign, and the Jedi charged at him, moving as one to flank the Sith. Dooku merely raised his free hand and unleashed a torrent of lighting at Sora, who barely caught it on his lightsaber. It was all he could do to push against the onslaught and keep it contained. Meanwhile, Tholme fell upon Dooku, who refused to move and met him strike for strike.

Sora's world narrowed to the confrontation at hand, with everything else falling back as unimportant. He didn't even have the capacity to spare to think about the fact that their time was running out. Local security teams and Commando Droids were already converging on their position in overwhelming numbers.

Tholme, on the other hand, was painfully aware that they had to end this confrontation as soon as possible, otherwise, it would be all for naught.

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