Chapter 13
No Way Out
REPUBLIC FLEET
Before the recent events of the younglings' attempt to rescue Ahsoka, they'd contacted Obi-Wan and his fleet to receive aid when Grievous's fleet ambushed them. The Jedi General was down two cruisers and his remaining ships were heavily damaged some still in flames his own bridge had suffered a direct hit breaking near half the consoles and instruments.
Obi-Wan was dusting off the holotable when Commander Cody approached him "General Kenobi, General Skywalker's fleet is arriving out of hyperspace as we speak." On cue the Open Circle fleet dropped out of hyperspace to reinforce them.
"Their all a sight for sore eyes sir." Cody said when Obi-Wan turned around to see Anakin's flagship opening up sending ships over with everything they'd need to repair the ship.
"Between telling him what happened to his padawan and the younglings, I'd take Grievous's fleet over it." Obi-Wan told him.
Later, Anakin and Rex walked through the bridge door to see Obi-Wan wasn't the only master in the room, not literally speaking. Obi-Wan had contacted nearly every member of the Jedi Council save for a few, those present including Windu, Yoda, Koon, Vos, Secura, Gallo, Ti, Yaddle, Mundi we're lined up on the table before them "Master I heard your loss to Grievous was bad but did it really have to get the whole Council here?" Anakin joked in a whisper approaching him.
"Show him." Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin looked confused, "Show me what?"
Obi-Wan pressed a small button on the holotable and the image changed to show the most horrifying thing any of the Jedi Masters had ever seen, Count Dooku guarded on four sides by eight Magna guards each with electro staffs primed and ready for what knelt at the Sith Lords feet, six Jedi younglings and two Jedi padawans bound in chains.
"Greetings my old brethren, I must admit the Council have grown bold since I last sat among them to send one of your own into my ranks, a spy, a padawan no less one whom I had an interest in for a long time, a risky gambit indeed." Count Dooku said walking around the eight prisoners. Dooku held out his hand and they all knew what was coming next he let loose a small storm of force lighting into Leo's back to torture him. Leo didn't scream but he did grind his teeth to the point of breaking.
The Count ceased it to make his point "Much must be risked in war, we know this, but how much are you truly willing to risk my old friends?" Dooku said with a smile.
"Hear me jedi, I propose an ultimatum here and now, the Republic prisons overfill with captured Separatist Commanders, you will relinquish them all to me forwith or I shall kill the future of your order." Count Dooku said taking out his lightsaber and holding it up to Katooni's neck, shaking her neck in terrified trembling, "Leave her alone!" Ahsoka snapped.
A magna guard came up quickly and stabbed her with a shock staff making her howl in pain before falling over next to Leo, Anakin squeezed his gloved fists so tight the leather whined "You have but one day of Coruscant to comply with my demand Masters or the blood of these children will be on your hands, Ta ta." The Count said cutting the transmission.
Anakin looked at the Masters dumbfounded "What…. the hell was that?" Anakin asked his anger seething.
"Skywalker this came from Florrum only two hours ago, we wanted to tell you sooner but we had to wait till we're on a secure channel we have grave news." Ayala said her voice sounded grim "When returning from Illum Padawan Tano was with the younglings ambushed they were by Count Dooku's apprentice, Leo Rock they were." Master Yoda told him.
Anakin's face turned pale before burning red "What, when- how?" Anakin was at a loss for words looking to the only man the Masters knew had the answers, Obi-Wan.
"Master?" Anakin asked "As you know, I sent Leo undercover as a spy to infiltrate the Separatist inner circle and for a time we lost him to the darkness, but he has returned to the fold and has been leaking intel to us since the events after Onderon."
"So you claim Master Kenobi." Plo Koon said with dismiss dripping from behind his mask.
The bearded Master ignored it "But we needed the Count to fully trust my Padawan after losing Onderon, so we devised a plot."
"To kidnap younglings!" Anakin snapped in a fury "To attempt Anakin, the plan was never to succeed in stealing the younglings; it would have sent a public message, attacking the gathering heresy." Obi-Wan explained.
The other Masters didn't seem to agree "It was heresy Master Kenobi, more so that you didn't even consider seeking our wisdom when you devised this scheme, again." Windu scolded.
"There was no time to ask for your permission Masters, for that I apologize but our priority now should be getting our children back." Obi-Wan argued, his words while short rang true to many of the council .
"Count Dooku has already sent the list of those he wants released, if is by no means trivial, we will need an executive order by the Chancellor to acquire such an action." Master Plo Koon told them to look for Skywalker.
As if on cue the man stepped forward "Allow me to speak with his excellency if there's anyone who he'll listen to it's me." He said hand on his chest as a motion of honor.
"Simple if only it was." Master Yoda said "Many of these prisoners have already been tried and sentenced to overturn them and releasing them would destroy the Republic's credibility." Master Mundi said glumly arms crossed, not happy to admit it.
Anakin leaned on the table "The lives of evil Separatists against the lives of six innocent children, my padawan included." The chosen one argued.
"And Kenobi's." Luminara looked at Obi-Wan.
"We will need time if we are to succeed, it seems Count Dooku has a second Malevolence cruiser above Florrum where he's hold them with a fully armed fleet o guard him." Master Windu said being a pragmatist. Suddenly Anakin slammed his metal hand on the holographic table shaking them "We don't have it, by the time we finish with the politics and the bureaucracy we'll have lost them." He snapped at the Council "We need every ship we can spare to launch a full scaled attack, Obi-Wan, myself and any of you who will join us should lead a strike team."
The Council didn't say a word "Master?" Anakin asked looking to Obi-Wan but he was as silent as the stars outside the bridge "As of right now, it's up to the Padawans."
MALEVOLENCE II
Katooni could feel her own breath bouncing off the walls of the 'cell' she was thrown into, the sweat coming down her cheeks was sticking to the cramped walls of the small box she'd been shoved into. There was only a small vent she could barely gasp air out of, any ability to move was halted by hard steel. Her joints ached to be moved, to stretch but the cruelty of Count Dooku knew no pity, she had been locked away in a confined cell where she could barely even twitch without hitting the surrounding floor or ceiling.
"I… I can't breath…" She gasped "Let me out- ah- ah- Let me out!" She wailed banging on the walls with balled fists wailing.
In another cell, the youngling wookie Byph was strapped into a metal chair, his leathery limbs and two large eyes locked in place with his eyes forced open as a series of terrifying holographic images were broadcast in front of him. Terrifying monsters like Rancor's and worse, footage of General Grievous slaying Jedi, and worse The padawan did his best to look away but he could do nothing and watch the horrors as they continued howling in desperation to be saved or the torture to end.
Byph and Katooni weren't the only ones, Zatt the nautolian was chained to a wall with a collar around his neck he pulled and tugged at the chains because just three meters away on the other side of the room was the key. He closed his eyes and focused on the force when the key lifted the collar switched on sending a jolt of electricity up and down his entire body. The collar a force dampening one came equipped with a shock element anytime it sensed the use of the Jedi's power it shocked him so he again tried to pull free but fell to his knees "Please…. anyone, Padawan Tano- Master Yoda!"
Sharing their terrible fate, Ganodi the Rodian had a simpler but no painful fate she was locked in an empty cell, with nothing but blasting noise in a chaotic rhythm at an unbearable volume. "TURN IF OFF, TURN IT OFF!" She begged her suction cupped hands over her ears trying to protect them. Curled up in a fetus position hands around her head eyes shut the noise's sheer strength shook the very walls of her prison and to her very core making it hard to even concentrate let alone beg for mercy.
Gungi was put in a different prison, the rooms floors, walls and ceiling were lined with magnetic boxes that flew in and out at the poor young wookie. If he didn't dodge them in time he would be struck hard by the metal cubes, the torture was similar to Obi-Wan's trial in the box with how it was constructed. They were coming at Gungi from every angle hitting him in the head, back, chest arms and legs before he was able to dodge but even when he started to pick up the pattern of the attacks it changed sometimes rising up from where he stood knocking him to the floor.
Petro was given a most unusual punishment because for him he still had his lightsaber, his cell was no different then Zatt's or Ganodi save for three magna guards with shock staffs forcing him to fight them three on one. "Come on you flankers- I'm not afraid of you-AAAH." One of them out flanked the boy hitting him in the leg with a powerful shock. He tried to cut the droid in half but it parried his blow and kicked him down but the boy tried to get up again before being savagely attacked by all three of the droids.
But all of their suffering was nothing compared to what Leo and Ahsoka were, being forced to watch in Count Dooku's private stardeck like aboard the Invisible Hand, two magnetic ray shield cells were there on each side of Count Dooku's throne, the Sith Lord sitting their with a cup of wine enjoying the show. Hands above their heads legs stretched out six holographic images of the six younglings being tortured "You're a monster." Ahsoka shouted at him trying to break free.
"My dear who is the real monster, the one who treats children like soldiers or the master who sends them to war?" Count Dooku asked.
"End this, you got what you want. Count if anyone deserves to suffer it should be me." Leo snapped pulling at the restraints like Ahsoka
Count Dooku only chuckled "Do you think me an imbecile my former apprentice, I have known for sometime your tolerance for pain is greater than most."
"What better way to teach you then by hurting those you tried to protect." The Count said swirling the wine in his glass.
"Do not think your threshold for pain makes you strong, if anything it makes you predictable." The Count said over to them when they heard a scream from the holograms "Padawan Tano- Ahsoka help me please!" It was Katooni, her eyes were balling out tears now.
The fear and pain all the younglings were feeling was ten fold on Ahsoka who was helpless to do anything but watch "You'll pay for this Count." She hissed
"I already have, Padawan." The Count said getting up and standing in front of Leo "You held such promise my boy, I dreamed you would stand by my side as we ruled the Galaxy in the name of the Sith." The Count told him to hold up the glass.
"Your favorite vintage… no, ah yes you quit drinking." The Count said tossing the wine away letting the glass shatter. Leo hadn't answered him, his head was bowed before the Count turned away and looked at another prisoner.
The lightsaber architect and Master droid Huyang was strapped down on a board "Master Huyang, it is a pleasure to see you again."
"The displeasure is all mine young Dooku, you have no right to address me." The droid spitefully spat.
The Sith only grew amused at that "It was not long ago that I constructed my own lightsaber aboard the Crucible, I remember you were most impressed." The Count said walking around the table his finger stroking the sides.
"Consider me repulsed, you have corrupted your lightsaber and so yourself by embracing the ways of the Sith." Huyang replied.
"I wonder, how many Jedi have fallen in this war and the wars before with the lightsabers you helped them build?" Count Dooku asked.
Huyang struggled against the restraints saying nothing "Your memory files stored with the design, legacies and history of the Order." Count Dooku reached under his cloak for his lightsaber "We will have no more need of them for the future."
"You…. you won't?" Huyang asked.
His answer was Count Dooku turning on his lightsaber directly through Huyang's headcase melting the droids brain and system, erasing thousands of years of history and memory of the Jedi off the face of the galaxy "NOOOOOO!" Ahsoka screamed tears forming in her eyes "Master Huyang…" she gasped seeing the droids lights go out.
"Tears for a droid, pathetic." Count Dooku said sheathing his sword "He was more of a Jedi than you ever were." Ahsoka told him salt filled tears cascading down her white marked cheeks.
Upon hearing that Count Dooku just smiled" More a Jedi than I, how amusing."
"I was a Master of the order, it's the greatest swordsman though they would never admit it." Count Dooku said striding back toward them "It was I who was being groomed to succeed Master Yoda as Grand Master, but by the time of the Stark Hyperspace war when I led the Jedi and Republic to victory I had my eyes opened the Jedi, the so called Grand Republic bah corrupt to their core." Count Dooku sat back down on his throne.
"So for the sake of the Galaxy both must be cleansed, you two shall have the privilege of beholding the Jedi's destruction with these six before joining them." Count Dooku said as the howls of the Jedi younglings grew louder with every second.
OPEN CIRCLE FLEET
Anakin was sitting across Artoo inside the cruisers hanger looking at a hologram of the Malevolence II, thinking of a plan when Artoo beeped at him "No, they'd never fall for the same trick twice Artoo, even if we could get our bomber to the bridge they've probably upgraded this latest model our fleet would be destroyed by it's ion cannon before we even got close." Anakin said pacing back and forth.
He patted the droid on the dome "Don't worry buddy we'll get Ahsoka and the younglings back."
"Only them?" Obi-Wan asked, approaching from behind him.
Anakin only glanced at his old Master before turning back around to think out a plan "It's unwise to be in my company Master, considering this is your fault."
"I can't apologize for what was out of my control Anakin in the past, I can only help you if you let me." Kenobi offered "Help me, it's because of you Ahsoka and the younglings are in this catastrophe." Anakin barked at him.
"You don't need to remind me, how many times do I have to tell you it wasn't supposed to go this way it just did, now are you going to bite my head off or are we coming up with a plan?" Obi-Wan asked, walking around Artoo and standing in front of him.
Anakin scowled at Obi-Wan bitterly "I'm thinking of one right now."
"What about the Chancellor have you spoken to him?" Obi-Wan asked "I can't ask his excellency to put himself in that position, it is showing favoritism to the Jedi and destroy his credibility." Anakin replied quickly, shooting down the idea.
Obi-Wan knew Anakin was right "With the ships surrounding it and our last encounter with a ship this size getting onboard will be tricky." Anakin added
"Near impossible, so good thing it's us against them they don't stand a chance." Obi-Wan said "You have a plan."
"I have part of a plan, do you remember the stealth ship you used to defeat Admiral Trench?" Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin started to see where he was going "We could use it to get past their defenses, close enough to maybe even board them?"
"Getting onboard will be easy, getting off and out of range will be harder." Obi-Wan said "It won't be like Serenno, Count Dooku and Grievous will know we're coming." Anakin added.
Obi-Wan frowned "Good thing it's not just the two of us."
Artoo beeped at them insulted "Beg pardon Artoo, not just the three of us"
"Master?" Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan's smug grin grew even wider than before when a Republic heavy gunship flew into the hanger of his flagship, Anakin looked at it puzzled when he saw who was walking out. Jedi Masters Luminara Undulli, Plo Koon, Aayla Secura and last but not least Jedi Knight Selene with Luminara's padawan Barriss Offee
"Selene?" Anakin gasped seeing her waking up with Obi-Wan "But I thought Leo-" "Almost, who do you think gave the Masters the message Leo was a double agent." Selene said up to him.
"So when are we going?" Someone behind them asked, the Jedi looked back to see their better halves, a full squad of Arc Troopers from each of the Jedi's own clone commanders. Wolfe, Byl, Keeli and even the veteran Arc Trooper Alpha.
Walking up to join them were also Anakin and Obi-Wan's Rex, Fives and Cody were already armed and ready "Ready when you are General." Rex said.
"But the Council?" Anakin asked the Masters in front of him "Know the situation is dire, the time for debate is over it is time for action Skywalker." Luminara said back to him "Alright, then let's get to work." Anakin said seeing everyone assembled.
MALEVOLENCE II
While the Jedi planned their rescue, Leo and Ahsoka were still trapped at the mercy of Count Dooku, the doors opened letting in General Grievous mechanically giggling with delight, claws behind the metal frame "And so here we are again, in time to witness your pathetic destruction Jedi." The cyborg said looking at the holographic feed of tortured younglings. Katooni had passed out, gasping air into her small exhausted lungs. Byphs eyes were red and puffy from the constant stream of terrifying images, Zatt's skin had started to show signs of first degree burns from the electrocutions. Gungi was passed out on the floor not moving the magnetic cubes pushing him around on the floor, Ganodi's ears were bleeding now still blaring its music, last but not least Petro could barely stand but kept rising to his feet to try and defeat the magna guards, despite no hope.
"Such glorious entertainment." Grievous observed.
The two Padawans beamed into him "You sadistic metal bastard." Ahsoka shouted at him.
"It will be your turn soon enough jedi filth." Grievous snapped back pointing at her.
"Patience General, a lesson must be taught here." The Count said from his chair "One all Jedi should learn." Count Dooku added getting Ahsoka's ire.
She struggled against the metal clamps on her arms and wrists "You'll never defeat the Jedi, or the Republic." She shouted furiously.
"I swear Count Dooku you die, you'll be on your knees knowing just how wrong you were." She blurted out.
The Sith Lord rose up "Hmm such a strong spirit, I sense great power and anger within you young one, perhaps it is fortuitous and even ironic you are here as well."
"No." Leo said quietly "Oh yes, I find myself in need of a new apprentice and have a potential one right here." The Count said scratching his beard, he approached Ahsoka looking her over.
"Imagine it, Kenobi finding his padawan dead and at the hands of Skywalkers own?" Count Dooku thought out loud, behind him Grievous shook his head scoffing in recession.
Turning to look at his General, Dooku frowned "You disagree with me General Grievous?"
The cyborg's yellow eyes snapped over to his lord and master "My… humble apologies my lord, but why sully yourself with another apprentice who will betray you." Grievous petitioned "The assassin Asajj Ventress, the monster Savage Opress, this traitor here and now you seek to recruit another?" The cyborg argued into the Count's ear.
"... You speak wisely General Grievous." Count Dooku said, turning away from Ahsoka, "Kill them." Count Dooku ordered
Grievous took out his lightsabers immediately "With pleasure my lord."
"My Lord!" Leo shouted, breaking his silence.
The Sith raised his hand to stop his enforcer from carrying out the execution "What about Darth Sidious, do you honestly expect to defeat him yourself?" Leo shouted at him "What?" Grievous asked, turning around to look at Count Dooku.
The aged Sith was hesitant "I lied."
Leo's face turned blank "As I lied from the very beginning, there is no Darth Sidious, at least not anymore."
The spy's jaw dropped his head shaking "No, no, you're lying."
"Indeed, I slew him shortly after the war began." Count Dooku said, rolling his hands as if it were a trivial matter.
"LIAR!" Leo shouted.
Count Dooku reached into his cloak and pulled out holodevice, turning it on Leo and Ahsoka saw Count Dooku emerging from his solar sailor "The force is with us Master Sidious." Count Dooku said when he approached a dark cloaked figure.
"Welcome home Lord Tyrannus, you have done well." Sidious said before the two of them started to walk "I have good news for you my lord, the war has begun." Count Dooku reported.
"Excellent, everything is going as planned." Darth Sidious said, walking beside Count Dooku.
The two Sith Lords walked in the recording for a silent moment "Not, everything my lord." Count Dooku's holographic self said before suddenly drawing his lightsaber.
Sidious raised his arms up, lighting sprouting out of his hands "No-" but it was too late, Count Dooku's red lightsaber found its mark cutting Sith Lord down where he stood. "But… but why?" Sidious gasped out holding one hand up to the apprentice now Master "It is as you taught me my lord, only the strongest may rule the Sith and now…" the holographic Count Dooku raised the tip of his lightsaber over his former teacher and drove it down "And now they do."
Count Dooku shut off the hologram, Ahsoka looked in disbelief then when she saw Leo she couldn't recognize him his eyes were empty, his jaw slacked before closing "It was all…. for nothing… everything I did, everyone I hurt…" Leo said to himself.
"A fool's errand carried out by the Jedi's greatest fool." Count Dooku taunted "Did you not hear me when I told you I left the order after I discovered the depths of its corruption, were you not the least bit curious as to what seed the corruption grew from?" Count Dooku said, walking back toward them.
Ahsoka could see what the Sith Lord was doing "Leo, Leo look at me- don't listen to him."
"I'm sure you're dear father Iaco Stark told you the deal he made for his life, trading his own flesh and blood to the Republic and the Jedi along with the credits that gave him his fortune in the Banking Clan." Count Dooku told him "My father he-" "Was a coward and a scoundrel." Count Dooku accused.
Grievous lowered his arms "Iaco Stark… his son?" Grievous said.
Ahsoka looked back at him "We know that already Stark Hyperspace War was fought to stop the pirates from raiding ships. It's in the past it-" "History repeating itself you foolish girl." Count Dooku interrupted.
"The Republic and Jedi called it raids by pirates, a gaudy name to entertain the rabble of the Republic Senate but to the Outer Rim it was far more." Count Dooku explained before them. "Farmers, pirates, mercenaries and warlords alike united against the corporate ruled Republic." Count Dooku said looking at General Grievous, "The very war that made the General you see before you when he rallied his own people the Kaleesh in a war against the Republic supported Huk, the Stark Commercial Combine supported Grievous's people before your father betrayed them for credits." Count Dooku retold.
"But he- you- it was to save my life?" Leo asked.
Count Dooku only scoffed at him "Your life? Boy it was to sweeten the offer, the Republic had no army, only Jedi and a handful of overzealous militias, nothing compared to a battle hardened army of the Outer Rim's greatest fighters and pilots?" Count Dooku asked him.
"Leo, he's lying." Ahsoka tried to get his ear but Leo was too focused on Count Dooku "Am I?"
He turned his attention to Ahsoka "Girl, what do they call the war I speak of again for I know it's true name."
"The… the Stark Hyperspace War?" Ahsoka asked "A lie created by it's foolhardy veterans like Tarkkin and Chancellor Valorrum to advance their political careers, but to the Outer Rim and the worlds that now serve me as the Separatist Alliance it was the rallying cry to remember the martyrs of the Stark Rebellion who dared to defy the imperialistic Republic in the name of freedom and justice." He told them both Count Dooku made it sound even more dramatic by flexing his voice taunting the whole history.
"But what does this have to do with me, am I just… just a bonus?" Leo asked, still confused.
"A bo- hehehe-AHAHAHAHAHAH!" Count Dooku, the Dark Lord of the Sith who had always been so calm, even when angered maintained a cool composure and been erased with the cruel maniacal laughter "You are the seed of corruption Leo Stark, ever since you were brought into the Jedi Order, to the Republic you've insured it's downfall you're no Jedi, no savior or great hope to the galaxy in ending this war by finding some mysterious Sith Lord in the shadows."
"-Shut up." Leo said closing his eyes "Look at all you've ever accomplished, your first master knew you were a danger and tried to kill you in every battle you fought, corrupting your jedi training away from the Council it was only by chance Skywalker and Kenobi plucked you out like a stray dog in need of water." Leo shook his head back and forth "You're wrong."
"No, I've never been more right; even when you had a proper master, a true Jedi like Kenobi to guide you the damage was already done, the small vein of hope died when you destroyed Pong Krell satisfying your lust for battle." Count Dooku reminded him.
Leo's head went back and forth "No, no, no I- I did it to save my men for the Republic, everything I've done has been for the Jedi and the Republic."
"You did it because you wanted to, because it's all you know, is war and suffering." Count Dooku said getting a bit closer when one of the rooms intercom came on "My lords apologizes for the interruptions." A hologram of the bridge captain for the war ship appeared above them.
"Yes, what is it?" Dooku asked annoyedly.
"Our advanced scanners have picked up a cloaked enemy ship dropping out of hyperspace." The droid reported.
Grievous and Count Dooku's eyes crossed "A valiant attempt to rescue their fellow jedi no doubt, show us the ship I can already sense Skywalker and Kenobi… and more Jedi interesting?" Count Dooku said. The hologram showed the Malevolence and the separatist fleet in front of Florrum, it zoomed out before they spotted a small speck of hologram heading toward the fleet. It had a cloaking shield around it but to the hologram and droids scanners it was clear as day.
"Um shall we open fire sir?" The droid asked from the bridge.
Count Dooku gave the padawans one more evil look "No allow them to get close and when they are too close to turn back, we will destroy them." Count Dooku decided.
"Why not capture them instead, then you'd have an even greater prize?" Ahsoka said, trying to get the Count to call off the attack.
"A tempting offer, but I grow bored with coming up with new ways to torment you Jedi." Count Dooku said while the Republic stealth ship got closer and closer to them.
Inside Anakin was flying with the Arc Troopers and Jedi at each of the other devices, "Alright everyone here we go." Anakin said flying past a Separatist frigate and cruiser.
Dooku and Grievous watched the prey fall into the trap coming up alongside the Malevolence II like a mouse to a tiger before they had another cruiser on their side "Turn back Master, turn back." Ahsoka begged under her breath.
"Fire." Count Dooku ordered.
Ahsoka and Leo watched the feed of the Malevolence II and Invisible Hand's cannons turn like viper heads toward the stealth ship, spraying venomous cannon fire into the small ship. Against the full force of two behemoths the stealth ship was eviscerated in a matter of parsecs "Target destroyed no life signs detected." The droids reported from the bridge.
"So ends Skywalker and Kenobi." Count Dooku said triumphantly.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Ahsoka let out a scream pulling at the restraints around her "I'll kill you Dooku, I'll KILL YOU!" She shouted even while her struggling caused the restraints to discharge into her.
"Hmmm such passion, a shame you would have been a powerful agent of the dark side." Count Dooku said, walking past her up to Leo.
He stopped in front of him "Now where were we, ah yes here is another example of how through efforts to try and what was it… save someone, your friends have died."
Leo didn't answer him "Nothing to say?"
"No quick retort, not insult, not even a growl?" Count Dooku asked again.
When he refused to move or even glance in the direction of Dooku, Grievous or Ahsoka the count let out a sight "It seems the fire in your fellow Jedi has gone out." Count Dooku said back to Ahsoka who had tears rolling down her cheeks at her masters demise.
Leo still didn't move, speak or even try to break free "Very well, Grievous there fate is up to you." Count Dooku said turning around staring to leave "I will enjoy telling the younglings how you were broken, before the end my old apprentice." Count Dooku taunted one last time before dispersing out of sight behind the metal doors of the private quarters. Grievous looked over Leo then, a lightsaber in hand ready to cut him down. Leo still didn't move, "Bah… no sport in it, better to let you rot." Grievous grumbled, turning around also leaving the two of them were alone the imprisoned younglings feed vanished also so it was just the two of them.
Ahsoka looked over to her friend "Alright… alright our Masters wouldn't want us moping around like this, we got to think of a way out of here?"
"You know how to use force lighting, maybe, maybe it can overload the prison?" She asked him "Leo are you listening to me, we have to get out of here we have to fight, we have to save them?" She asked him.
He slowly moved his head toward her "I can't Ahsoka… I can't fight anymore, I can't save anyone." He replied.
"They're right, they were all right about me from the start I'm no Jedi, I never was even when I tried to come back to it I failed to look at me- look at my eyes I'm a Sith, not even a good one." Leo shut both yellow eyes "Why even fight it anymore, why even fight, there's no hope for us for the Republic, the Jedi will be destroyed and all will fall to darkness." He uttered returning to silence
"NO!" Ahsoka's voice pierced the silence before it could take hold "Not as long as there are those willing to fight for it, sure it's bad, but when is it not, how many time Leo, how many times have we done the impossible, how many times have we been able to beat the odds and win the day because we have hope Leo, because I believe we can."
He shook his head "Believe in what Ahsoka, you heard Count Dooku the Republic crushed a rebellion that led to the Clone Wars, my own parents cut a deal to betray them and ever since I was brought into the Jedi the galaxy erupted into war and death, the mission I was sent on has been after a ghost it's for nothing so what- what the hell am I supposed to believe in now?" He asked her.
Ahsoka opened her mouth but she couldn't find the words "Tell me?"
Still she couldn't answer "Tell me, what am I supposed to believe in!" He snapped but still she couldn't produce the words.
Leo hung his head again "That's what I thought."
The silence and darkness gathered around them, nothing but the cosmos around them but even when there was nothing but the cold black void of space, starlight glittered like diamonds "Each Other." She said.
Both of them locked eyes "We believe in each other." She said while behind them the remains of the stealth ship that carried their only chance of salvation drifted past the window.
"This is either madness or brilliance?" Plo Koon said holding onto the outer haul of the Malevolence II. Anakin and Obi-Wan were in space suits along with the other jedi, the clone suits had been sealed with their magnetic boots to the haul of the ship "Amazing how much those two are so easily associated with Anakin?" Obi-Wan said beside him in a space suit of his own. Aayla, Master Unduli and Barriss were behind them holding onto the haul, each of them were wearing dark black space suits on their heads following him along the bow with Selene bringing up the rear with the clones "Everyone clear on the plan?" Anakin asked, walking up the vacuum shoot.
"Plo, Master Unduli and her Padawan will secure the younglings." Aayla said "The troopers and I will plant the explosives in the ion cannon." Selene added "While Obi-Wan and I go get our padawans." Anakin said.
Luminara spoke up then "And if one of us should run into Grievous or Dooku?" She asked "Then you distract them while the rest of us do our jobs, with all of us together there's nothing that can stop us." Anakin said confidently. .
Before Anakin could slice through the controls "And how do we get off Masters once we succeed Imean?" Barriss asked.
"We'll figure that out later padawan we always do." Anakin said before they opened the ship and went into the belly of the beast.
"Is he always like this Masters?" Barriss asked "Always." Alpha said next to her.
A/N: What you thought it would just be one chapter then on to the next arc, no, no, no, time for the final showdown between Primus and Leo, who will he come out as a Jedi or a Sith, maybe something worse or better, you decide. PM, drop a review, help me come up with the perfect ending to the first half of book three.