Chapter 27
Sabotage
RENDILI
Outside Rendilieon, Capital City of Rendili
It was mid day, Leo was standing across from a metal casket with a blue and yellow flag draped over it, inside were the noble remains of Commander Jace Dallin. The ten blaster salute of the honor guard echoed loudly across the cemetery, it wasn't the only one being sounded off. The graveyard was filled with the families and comrades of fallen Rendili soldiers being laid to rest having paid the ultimate price. There were tombstones in varying shapes and sizes, mausoleums gathered around one another. Another volley from the honor guard snapped Leo back to the present, he was wearing a dark brown Jedi Robe and he wasn't the only Jedi.
Plo Koon was standing next to him in a robe with his hood up, the honor guard of Rendilians had finished their duty and two of them came to fold the flag into a triangle. It was Gallan and Tess Dallin, Jace's daughter, on the other end of the casket were Rendilian Government officials, officers, and a woman in all black with another young girl standing next to her dressed the same.
The Commanders widow and other daughter, when Tess finished folding the flag she held out her hands to her mother who took it. Leo could see the woman was weeping under her veil. The casket was then gently lowered into the ground by a metal slab drawn over it with a fire lit on top of it.
"Come, we must report to the Council." Plo Koon whispered into Leo's ear as the ceremony concluded the attendees walking by the grave paying their individual respects. Some saluted, others bowed, one soldier with one eye, missing an arm limped over with a cane to lay a reef down by the flame.
Leo grabbed Plo Koon's arm when Kel Dor turned away. "We should say something, to his family at least we owe them that."
"If you must, but do not delay." Plo Koon said, taking his arm away, "Jace Dallin was your friend Master, do you feel nothing?" Leo asked him.
Plo Koon turned his head "Do not mistake my composure for a cold heart Rock, you are not the only one to lose someone make your peace I." Leo watched the Master walk away toward the cemetery exit. Leo gritted his teeth at the Jedi's callousness.
Leo approached Tess and her family as others wept "Captain Dallin." Leo said up to her. Despite her calm demeanor, Leo could sense the pain from Tess's brown eyes when she looked at him. The girl next to Tess looked younger than her, but instead of brown hair like their father the younger sister's hair was blonde. "Sir Rock, my mother and my sister Jacelan." She said greeting him.
"Master Jedi, I heard you led our forces to victory." The younger sister Jacelan greeted.
"Your fathers sacrifice was the key to our victory Lady Dallin, may his memory and the others never be forgotten." Leo said before their mother turned to him. Before Leo could offer his condolences she struck him across the face with an open palm "Mother." Tess said "Damn you Jedi." The widow hissed.
"Mother please-" "No, let her speak." Leo said silencing Tess from stopping her mother. Dallin's widow snarled at him "I read the report, he tried to save you from assassins… he gave his life for yours, a father, a husband, a hero for the life of an unfeeling sorcerer like you… I… I…" Dallin's widow suddenly spat in Leo's face "Mother!" Tess snapped but before she could stop her, Tess's mother took her younger daughters hand leading her away.
Tess looked to Leo "I'm sorry Master Jedi, she didn't mean it."
"It's fine." Leo said wiping the spit from his face "Your father didn't deserve to die." Leo said cleaning himself off.
Tess's guard dropped "I thought you Jedi didn't believe in death."
"... Go to your family Captain, they need you more than." Leo insisted to her, Tess gave him a nod before she started to turn away giving one last look at Leo "Will you be alright?" She asked.
"I have to be." Leo said, starting to follow Plo Koon.
Later, Leo had joined Plo Koon aboard the Knight, it was in orbit far above Rendili, the 703rd had packed up its gear and clones. The relief force's soldiers were working alongside the clones. Twi'lek, Naboo, and Senate Commandos. Was Leo who had discarded his robe to take his spot beside Plo Koon on the bridge in front of the holotable with General Syndulla. "Where's the Admiral?" Leo asked, pulling his hood down.
"Returned to Coruscant, to take up his new position in the Chancellor's cabinet, his plan to defeat the Separatists forces here has earned him nothing but praise." Plo Koon told him, Leo sneered "I fear what a man like that could do with the Chancellor's ear." Leo replied.
Syndulla had his arms crossed "I've heard of this Admiral, he's callus but effective." Syndulla added.
Leo turned to him "Hrrrn." He just grunted.
"We can discuss that later, the Council is waiting." Plo Koon pressed his claw against the holotable's switches activating the signal. Some moments later the holograms of Obi-Wan, Windu and Yoda appeared.
"General Rock, well done in securing Rendili." Obi-Wan said smiling at him, Leo could feel the pride in his former teacher's eye "It was the soldiers who won the day Masters, how did you convince the Senate to send them?" Leo asked.
The Masters looked at him "Senator Taa convinced the Senate to allow General Syndulla to appropriate your ship, soon Senators Organa, Amidalla offered their own forces."
"And the Senate Guard?" Leo asked looking over his shoulder at the blue armored guards "The Chancellor ordered them, but not a moment later did he create a new guard."
"What?" Leo gasped looking to Plo Koon "The Chancellors created his own personal bodyguard, red cloaked soldiers going by the Crimson Guard." Mace Windu explained to them.
Leo looked at the table thinking of Captain Naquila "What will happen to the Senate Guard?"
"They will remain to protect the Senators, but for how long we do not know many of the Chancellors reverent supporters are asking for Crimson Guards." Obi-Wan stated, Leo looked to the silent Master Yoda who had his eyes closed feeling his head "Master Yoda?" Leo asked when suddenly the hologram shook violently before going to static "Masters, Masters come in, come in!" Leo asked Master Plo Koon.
"What happened to the transmission?" Plo Koon asked the nearest bridge officer "We're awaiting answers now General…. reports are coming in that the Jedi Temple has been attacked sir." Leo and Plo Koon locked eyes.
Leo walked down the bridge of the ship "All ships get prepared to make the jump to hyperspace, we need to get to Coruscant now!"
CATO NEIMOIDIA
Outside the Capital City
Anakin and Ahsoka were aboard their Eta-2 interceptors soaring through a sky battle above the canyons of Cato Nemodia. Republic cruisers and Sepratist frigates were locked in a heated contest over who would claim the victory. Vulture droids and bombers laid siege to the Republic vessels where the Jedi shot them down "Ahsoka, punch a hole for the gunships to get through." the older Knight ordered.
"I know the drill, master." Ahsoka replied before she took point as the squadron flew past a few droid fighters. The squadron soon flew under one of the three huge arches before being chased by a few droid tri-fighters. "Look out, incoming missiles!" Ahsoka warned as tri-fighters launched missiles at them. The Padawan pulled her fighter in a barrel roll allowing the missile to fly harmlessly past them and above Anakin.
"No problem." Skywalker said. She could practically see the smirk on her Masters face. Unfortunately it seemed the missile had two functions, as when it exploded a large group of buzz droids appeared and flew towards Anakin. "Ahsoka, I've got buzz droids! How bad did you two get hit?" Anakin questioned. "I'm all clear." Ahsoka replied.
Anakin looked back over at her red interceptor "What? You always have it easy." Skywalker said, with a slight joking tone. With Artoo's help, Anakin managed to lose the buzz droids before they could do any damage. "Looks like you're clear." the Padawan said. "Just keep watching and learning, Padawan." the older Knight said to her before a smoke trail appeared to come from his interceptors engine.
"You're trailing smoke, what's wrong?" she asked him. "Oh, nothing serious. Just a small malfunction." he replied, sounding a bit unsure.
"Master? Master, come in." she said, not getting a reply. "Artoo, what's going on over there?" she asked the droid before the droid beeped a reply. "Unconscious? Fly back to the cruiser." she ordered before Artoo beeped again.
Ahsoka pulled up alongside her masters ship "What do you mean there's something wrong with the engines? Tip your wing. I'll see how bad it is." she told the astromech. Artoo did as she asked and tipped the fighter to show the underside of it. "Oh, that's not good." Ahsoka said seeing the engine was engulfed in fire.
"Let's just say now would be a good time to land. Artoo, can you land the ship on that cliff ledge?" she asked. Artoo beeped. "I don't care if the landing zone is too short- Get that ship on the ground." she ordered. A few seconds later Ahsoka open the cockpit on her fighter before R7 moved closer to young torgurtan leapt onto the left wing of Anakin's starfighter just as it hit the ground and quickly grabbed the cockpit with both hands to keep herself from falling off as it slid towards the cliffside. Ahsoka would have fallen off right away if he hadn't reached out and grabbed the cockpit before pulling herself back up. Artoo let out a worried beep as they got closer to the edge of the cliff and acting quick, Ahsoka slashed the front of the cockpit with her saber to grab her Master before the she Force-jumped back onto the cliff just as the starfighter went over it.
Ahsoka rolled a bit as she landed on her side. "Artoo!" she yelled in worry as the couple watched the starfighter explode beneath the clouds. Barely a second later said droid flew up from below and whistled a joke as he landed near them. "Ugh, very funny, Artoo." she said, sounding relieved.
Ahsoka put her hands on her hips and gave the droid a look, Anakin started to regain consciousness and sat up with a groan of discomfort.
"Are you okay? Master?" she asked, dropping to one knee beside him. "Yeah, what'd I miss?" he asked groggily.
"Oh, not much." she said nonchalantly with a small smile. "Wait a minute. Wasn't I flying? Where's my fighter? How did I get here?" he asked quickly, realizing something happened. "Fighter crashed, I saved the day; You're welcome." she answered simply with a smile before standing up and walking over to Artoo. The older Knight looked at his other friend apparently hoping for a more detailed explanation only to get a shrug and gesture towards the Togruta girl currently trying to wipe some dirt off the droid as if to say, her Master accepted with a smile as he got up to his feet before taking a few steps away and bringing his arm up to contact Rex.
"Captain Rex, the two of us need a little help." he said over his com. "Right away, sir." the Captain replied. Barely a moment later, Anakin's com beeped and a hologram of Master Yoda appeared. "Master Yoda." the older Knight greeted. "Return to the Jedi Temple quickly, you should, both of you." the old Jedi said grimly, judging by his tone and expression.
"We're kind of busy, Master Yoda." Anakin replied looking at his friends for a moment then back at Yoda. "The reason we need you, important it is, Skywalker. Bombed the Temple hanger, someone has. Your assistance to find the terrorist, we need." the Grand Master explained as the hologram switched to one of the Temple with smoke coming out one side.
The Jedi stared at their sacred temple burning in disbelief "Who could successfully bomb the Jedi Temple?" Ahsoka asked her master. "We'll be right there, Master." Anakin assured before cutting off just as Rex's shuttle landed on the cliff.
"Rex we're heading back to Coruscant, can you mop of things here with Admrial Yuralen?" Anakin asked.
"Sir yes sir." Rex replied "Rex, any word from Rendili?" Ahsoka asked
The Captain nodded "Yes Commander, General Rock was successful in defending the planet; they routed the Separatists forces with the field force." Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief at some good news.
CORUSCANT
Jedi Temple
Ahsoka and Anakin had reached Coruscant just a few hours before sunset and were now standing in the Council chambers. "How could the Separatists infiltrate the Temple?" Anakin asked them, assuming it was them after the Council had explained things more thoroughly. "Worse than that, it is." Yoda replied. "What could be worse, Master Yoda?" Ashoka asked him. "Everything is on the table we have to look at the possibility that it could've been anyone in the Temple, even a Jedi." Windu explained.
"If a Jedi this is, gone to the Dark Side they have." Yoda said gravely.
"I... I can't believe a Jedi would attack a place this sacred." Ahsoka said in disbelief.
"We'd like for you three to lead the investigation. We can't trust anyone who was here, even a Jedi. You and Padawan Tano will provide an impartial point of view free of assumptions." Windu said.
"We'll do everything we can." Anakin assured. "Careful you must be, Skywalker. If willing to destroy the Temple the attacker is, to great lengths they will go to keep from getting caught." the GrandMaster warned.
"Then I guess we'll have to go to even greater lengths to catch him." the older Knight said confidently hands on his hips, Leo looked at him then the floor.
The first thing the two did was go to the hangar. The hanger lights were all off except for a group of analysis droids scanning the wreckage and bodies covering the crime scene. Once they were there they all felt a bit uncomfortable at sensing so much pain as Anakin sighed deeply. "I can still hear the screams." he said solemnly.
"Do you believe what they said, that a Jedi could do this?" Ahsoka asked her master, Leo was looking over a piece of what was once an interceptor. "Not every Jedi agrees with this war, Ahsoka. There are many political idealists among us." the older Knight replied.
"If we couldn't have our own opinions Anakin, different albeit, what's the point of fighting for freedom of Democracy?" The two Jedi turned around to the entrance to see Leo walking in.
When they saw him he wasn't wearing the Jedi robe he wore at the funeral "Leo, I thought you were on Rendili?" Ahsoka asked.
"We won the day, at a great price, Master Koon and I returned as soon as possible when we heard the temple was attacked." Leo said "So you two were away when it was attacked?" Anakin asked him.
Leo nodded "I'm to assist you in the investigation if you'll have me?" Leo asked ip to Anakin and Ahsoka
"Sure it'll be just like old times." Anakin said putting his hand on his shoulder "Ahsoka and I were just discussing the rumors, I'm sure you've heard?" Anakin asked him.
"That it could be a jedi, yes, disturbing but I encountered a group of highly trained assassins on Rendili, not jedi but still they had hatred for us." Leo said walking over to some of the wreckage "I've requested to examine the forbidden archives for potential suspects, maybe a traitor like Tol Skorr."
"But a traitor?" Ahsoka asked.
"I'm afraid one can eventually become the other, remember Count Dooku and General Krell that's how they started, too." Anakin explained as he walked up to an analysis droid while Ahsoka stopped and looked around. Leo tensed up hearing both his old mentors' names "Don't be so sure." Leo said under his breath taking a holopad.
Anakin heard him "You disagree Leo?"
"... we should focus on the investigation." Leo said when a droid approached them "Only analysis and investigation will prove what is true or not.'' The droid stated it was a blue and yellow droid shorter than Ahsoka with big goggled eyes and a red tinted visor. "Who are you?" Anakin asked the droid.
"I am Russo-ISC, Crime Scene Analyzer for the Jedi. I will be working with you and your Padawan on this case. I was assigned by Master Windu." the droid replied.
Anakin, Ahsoka and Leo approached the small droid looking over him "Okay, Russo, you and Ahsoka should begin the interviews." Anakin said to them.
"I would rather interview the witnesses alone." the droid said before the three Jedi shared a look.
"Why?" Ahsoka asked him. "Many of the wounded have heard rumours a Jedi was behind this explosion. There will be ill will toward you." he explained, before looking at his datapad. "I think you're over-exaggerating, Russo, there were Jedi killed in that blast along with the maintenance crew and clones. Take Ahsoka with you, let us know if you find anything." the older Knight said, folding his arms behind his back before walking forward again.
Ahsoka smiled "I will Master and Leo?" Ahsoka said before she stopped to face Leo "Yes?" Leo asked.
"It's good to see you again." She said smiling.
He smiled back at her "You too."
When the padawan and droid left Anakin waited till they were through the hanger door "So Rendili, how was it?" He asked Leo who was watching Ahsoka walk away.
The younger knight's smile vanished "A trial to be sure, Commander Dallin died trying to save me he was a good man."
"A good man who betrayed the Republic then the Separatists when it suited him." Anakin said scoffing "Before he died Dallin confided in me he had to choose between serving his people and his own beliefs, he chose the former because he was loyal to Rendili and loyal to the Republic without that loyalty both Master Koon and I would be dead Anakin." Leo said hands on his hips.
"I don't mean to speak ill of the dead, but this is more important you can feel it right the death, the loss." Anakin said, gesturing to the wrecked hanger. Leo walked over to a dead rodian and knelt down looking over the dead.
Leo saw that half the Rodian face had been blasted off "I feel it, I feel your anger too are you alright?" Leo asked him.
"You're asking me?" Anakin asked, smirking "You've helped me deal with my own demons, why shouldn't I help you?"
"The sooner we find who's responsible the sooner those demons will be gone." Anakin said when a protocol droid approached Leo "Sir Rock, the Council has approved your request to examine the forbidden archives under a Council members supervision." The droid reported to him, Leo turned back to Anakin "And I wonder who?" Leo said smiling.
Roughly an hour or two later Anakin stepped into the Temple's medical bay just as Ahsoka and Russo were heading towards them and the entrance. "Did you find anything?" she asked them. The medical bay was chalked full of maintenance crew, wounded clones and even a jedi laying on a medical bed.
"No, but the rumour about it being a Jedi is growing, Ahsoka I can feel the anger and confusion throughout the Jedi Temple." her master replied.
"I don't suppose you have a lead?" Leo asked. "We do we're actually looking for one of the Temple workers, Jackar Bowmani." she replied holding a holopad up as a picture of him appeared, it was the abyssian Leo had spoken to before he left for Kamino.
"One of the witnesses saw him in the area where the bomb exploded right before it happened, and we have not been able to find him anywhere." Russo explained as Anakin took the holopad and looked at the picture for another moment before turning it off and scoffing. "Come on. Nobody just disappears." he said down to the droid.
"Unless it was well planned out." Russo replied.
"Well, it had to be well planned out to get past Jedi. I'll talk to security." he said before making his way out of the medical bay.
Meanwhile in the archives Leo was coming out of the forbidden archives holding holodevice with secure files on them. Master Windu was waiting by a table with other holopads on them, setting them down Leo held up one looking at it. "Hmmm there any Sith Cults we know about that could do this, maybe the Death Watch but there haven't been any reports of Mandalorians on Coruscant in weeks or anything like them?" Leo said swiping through files.
"Tell me more of these Kage Warriors?" Windu asked, looking at a monitor showing them.
"What would you like to know?" Leo asked looking through a file of Sith cults.
Windu looked up "How many were there?" He asked "Three of them, they were very determined and well prepared, they said killing me would bring freedom to their world… before I killed them."
"Their world is not unlike Mon Cala." Windu said, Leo walked around the table to look at the monitor "Quarzite, two different species the Belugans and the Kage, and they're at war?" Leo asked.
Windu scrolled down "No, but the Kage don't recognize the world's ruler, a dictator named Otua Blank." Windu said, showing a fat belugas man with a golden crown "A dictator this deep into the Republic space, how is that even possible?" Leo asked him, disgusted seeing the fat man.
"Politics of course, but this is the third planet in the inner rim the Separatists have been eyeing Onderon, Rendili, we should keep a close eye on this planet." Windu said as Leo leaned on the table "You say that like you're planning for an attack?"
"If the Kage warriors are joining the Separatist we may need to intervene." Windu added "We're invading planets now, I'm all for toppling dictators but this is an internal matter we should be diplomatic at least?" Leo asked.
Windu looked at him out of the corner of his eye "You're looking at potential suspects to the temple bombing not debating politics aren't you?" Mace asked him.
The young knight felt Windu's stoic brown eyes on him "If am, why do I need a chaperone to examine the forbidden archives?" Leo asked him.
"Because these contain forbidden teachings of the Sith, some of the masters worry you may fall back into your old ways." Windu said standing up. Leo faced him holding a holopad "Namely you?" Leo said putting the pad down facing him across the table.
Window leaned on the table "Yes, the Council needs to know it can trust you Leo, everyone is a suspect."
"Even me?" Leo asked Windu, Windu didn't answer him at first "Especially you." The Master said cautiously.
"So my knighthood was for show?" Leo asked him, smirking and rolling his eyes. "Tell me I'm wrong, tell me the Council knighted me because of my skill, my training or something?" Leo asked him, Leo saw Windu's hand move down his hip almost grabbing his lightsaber before Windu dropped his arm.
"You turned to the dark side no?" Windu asked him.
Leo gritted his teeth "I was weak, I've repented, turned my back on darkness, it's why I'm here now." Leo started pointing at the floor they stood on. Leo grabbed his lightsaber and held it to Windu "If you doubt me then take my sword." Leo said offering it to him. Before Windu could answer him, the Jedi Battlemaster's comlink came alive "We have a situation at the entrance Master Windu." Master Drallig said.
"I'm sending someone to assist you Master Drallig." Windu said back, cutting the comlink, he gave Leo a look "Fine." Leo said walking out of the archives.
Anakin walked out of the archives and toward the entrance, when he spotted Anakin walking in the same direction "You got Cin's message too?" Anakin asked. "Master Windu did, sending me to assist like I'm still a Padawan." He grumbled.
Skywalker patted Leo on the shoulder "Don't take it personal, Windu's been busting my chops since I lost my braid." Anakin said to console him. The two made their way out of the Temple's main entrance and towards Cin Drallig who was standing guard with two Jedi Temple Guards a few feet behind him either side and two Clone Shocktroopers standing on the steps with riot shields, obviously ready in case things got violent. "They're all family and friends?" Anakin asked Drallig as the two Knights stepped either side of him.
"Yes, looking for answers." he replied. "
While the knights spoke, Leo looked down into the crowd hearing their chant seeing their holo signs "NO MORE CLONES, NO MORE JEDI, NO MORE WAR!" They all chanted over and over. In the crowd he saw all of Coruscant demographics, humans, aliens and so on.
"So am I, Cin this is the guy who might be behind all of this if you see him, alert us immediately." Anakin said, turning the holopad on and showing him the picture. Leo saw it as "I know this man." Leo said, taking the holopad looking at the abyssian.
The two jedi looked at him "You do?" Anakin asked "I spoke to him before leaving for Kamino, his name is Jackar." Leo said turning it around.
"That is Jackar." a woman said as she stepped forward. The jedi looked down into the crowd to see a dark haired woman with tattoos on her face, she was wearing a lavender hat and vest.
"You know this man?" Anakin asked her.
"He's my husband, I've been trying to reach him since I heard of an explosion- Where is he?" she asked.
Anakin stepped forward with Leo following him "We need you to come with us." Anakin replied, gesturing towards the Temple, Leo walked the steps and stood beside her. The woman reluctantly followed the older Knight as the crowd started to grow restless when they took her past the row of clones who held them back.
"Why does she get to go!" A twi'lek man shouted "What's going on you damn Jedi!" A rodian shouted.
"Where's my wife- please where is my wife!" Another man shouted, Leo looked back at Anakin "Go, I'll handle this." Leo said.
He turned around toward the crowd holding his hands up "Listen to me, listen to me." He called out, the crowd continued to shout and curse at him "Damn you Jedi, damn you we know one of you triggered the explosion!" A woman said shouting at him, Leo felt the same pain and loss as Lady Dallin when she spat in his face.
"We are currently investigating the situation, but I promise you will have justice for those slain in this gruesome attack. I give you my word as a Jedi." Leo said to the crowd when suddenly a glass bottle appeared in front of Leo's face smashing on his forehead "You jedi got our families killed!"
In a flurry the shock troopers rushed forward shields and batons at the ready hitting and striking the protestors. They surrounded Leo who was on the steps holding his cut forehead "Are you alright?" Cin asked him.
Leo wiped away the blood and glass out of his hair "Fine… fine." Leo said watching the clones push the protestors back, Leo felt his cut forehead and looked at his own blood. He looked up to see the protestors pushing back on the clones banging on their shields with their signs "We need backup here." Cin Drallig said looking to the temple guards "No!" Leo snapped getting up, stopping the temple guards. Leo quickly headed down the steps to the clones grabbing them and pushing them back "Get back, get back now!" Leo shouted, pushing them away.
He got between the clones and the protestors "I said- BACK!" He held up both his arms sending the force out on each one force repulsing everyone back ten feet.
"This doesn't help any of us!" Leo shouted to the clones and jedi, he looked next to the protestors to the protestors "We've all lost people today!" He shouted at them "Fighting amongst ourselves won't bring them back, it won't find the monsters who did this any sooner." Leo shouted at them.
One of the protestors, a young Plutonian with blue skin and white hair came forward "You jedi brought this, you and your war."
"I want this war over as much as you do." Leo said to him "Then why haven' you ended it, why are we still at war?" He snapped, the other protestors shouted in unison demanding an answer "..." Leo looked to him then to Cin Drallig, he saw Mace Windu had joined Cin outside the Temple entrance, locking eyes with the older master Leo looked back to the crowd "Because the Senate demands it, and the Jedi are servants of the Senate" Leo said down to them taking a step "But the senate is your Servant!" He called out to the crowd.
Leo took another step down toward the people "If this war is to truly end it must come from the people." Leo told the man "Go to your Senators, go to your leaders and tell them you want the war over. It is you who hold the power to end this war, not the Jedi, not the Senate or the Chancellor but you the people." Leo said reaching for the man who let Leo touch him on the shoulder. "Why should we listen to you?" One of the crowd barked at him.
"Because he is Leo Rock!" All heads turned to a new group in the crowd, all in blue. Captain Naquila of the Senate Guard was walking through the crowd with two Senate guards behind him. Naquila had his helmet under his arm. When Naquila spoke Leo's name to the crowd the word of who was spread through them like water in cracks "He led the combined forces of Alderaan, Naboo, Ryloth and Rendili to victory over a Separatist invasion that would have burned Coruscant ot the ground and yes there were clones there." Naquila said to the crowd "But they were all there fighting, fighting for you dying for you." Naquila added loudly.
Then he pointed at Leo "This young man even went so far as to betray the Jedi to infiltrate Count Dooku's inner circle, the heart of the War and try to end it. His word is without question to the Senate Guard." Captain Naquila barked at the crowd who were all silent. The Captain turned to Leo nodding for him to speak when no one else would challenge it, Leo gave the Captain a thankful nod.
"Go now, mourn your dead tomorrow you will have your justice." Leo said in front of them, no one moved then others started to leave. The crowd began to shrink smaller and smaller till even Leo turned back up to the temple when the crowd was gone Leo looked to Naquila "Captain, good timing."
He looked at the bleeding cut on Leo's head "A new scar?" He asked.
Leo touched it wincing a bit "A scratch."
"I came to offer my condolences and… more." Naquila said warmly offering his hand, Leo took it firmly in his own "It's me who should offer mine, I've heard about this Crimson Guard." Leo said up to him.
Naquila's face scrunched up "Yes, rumor has it they were trained almost entirely in secret and have already began taking over the Senate Guards duties, but my men and I will remain at the ready until we're dismissed." He said firmly to Leo.
"Indeed, you said you were here for more did you lose someone as well?" Leo asked him, Naquila sighed looking at the steps "Yes, his name is Guvo Nyx, if you should spot him please let me know if he is okay or… I dare not say." Naquila said trailing off "Of course, but please be patient." Leo asked him.
Captain Naquila gave a firm nod before he bid Leo farewell walking back down the steps with his two guards.
"A dramatic resolution don't you think Rock?" Cin asked him.
"These people are in pain, we won't get them to calm down if we sick soldiers on them Cin." Leo said looking at the shock troopers. Leo turned next to Mace Windu "If that's all I should go help Anakin." Leo said, wiping away the rest of the blood on his forehead.
Later in the Detention Center where the woman who's name they'd learned was Letta Turmond. Anakin was questioning her from across a table where she sat. The walls were gray metal along with the floor and furniture "You have no idea where Jackar is?" she asked.
"No." Anakin replied.
"You're a Jedi, and you cannot find him?" she scoffed, Anakin felt a vein on his temple throb in annoyance.
Calming himself, Anakin spoke softly "I understand your frustration." the older Knight said. "Don't. Just find Jackar." she said coldly crossing her arms looking away
"Letta, do you think Jackar could do something like this, blow up the Temple?" Anakin asked. When Leo walked in a bandaid on his forehead "Do you have any idea what someone has to go through to work in the Jedi Temple, hm? Jackar dedicated his life to serving the Jedi. It had been his dream. Not just anyone can walk into you precious Temple. He passed all the entry tests that were needed." she snapped.
Anakin looked at Leo who shrugged crossing his own arms and leaning on the wall "Okay, I had to ask unfortunately, everyone's a suspect." he said gently. "Jackar would never do anything like this. Please, find him." she pleaded.
Later, the three Jedi investigators and droid watched a holographic recreation of the bombing and paused it in the middle of the explosion. The blue hologram of the explosion showed machinery, metal fragments and bodies flying through the air frozen in place "Hmm... based on the trajectory of the debris, it seems the blast came from there." Ahsoka said as she gestured to a part of the hanger that had ship debris. "Why is there no bomb residue?" Russo wondered.
"So you think whoever did this triggered a ship to explode?" Anakin asked her. "We think so. Russo's trying to use the shrapnel to determine that now. The witness says he saw Jackar in the area. Maybe Jackar planned to do this and just kept quiet." she said.
"Or..." Leo started. "It actually was Jedi." she finished. "I found something, an anomaly, something that should not be here." Russo said, changing the hologram as they walked over to them.
"These pieces came from the blast origin. They are covered with microscopic droids of a highly volatile nature." he explained. "Nano-droids." Anakin deduced.
"Yes, nano-droids." the droid confirmed before shutting the hologram down and re-opening the hanger door flooding the hanger with light. "Great. Now we're chasing nano-droids." Ahsoka said, sounding annoyed.
"Russo, go through security footage. Try to see if Jackar went to other parts of the Temple." he told the droid before turning his attention to his friends as the droid walked towards the exit. 'You two, let's go find out how Jackar got his hands on these nano-droids." he said as they made their way to the door and then the elevator to the Central Security Station.
While they walked, Ahsoka noticed the bandaid on Leo's forehead "What happened to you?" She asked.
"There were protestors outside the temple, family and friends of the people who died wanting answers." Leo told her "Master Windu said you were able to reason with them, did you do your… you know?" Anakin said, holding his hand up.
"My battle meditation doesn't work like that, I just spoke with them and asked them to be patient before one of them threw a bottle at my head." Leo said, making Anakin smirk "Bet the clones didn't like that."
Leo stopped then "They attacked the people like they were droids Anakin, the people have a right to be angry." He said.
"The people should be grateful we're fighting this war for them." Anakin said turning around "They never asked for this war, they barely have a say in anyhow." Leo said walking past him.
"How can we claim to serve these people when we keep them out of our temple." Leo insisted "We do so to avoid things like this from happening." Anakin pointed out.
Shaking his head Leo looked at Ahsoka "What do you think Ahsoka?" He asked.
"I think we should focus on finding who did this, that way the people know we're with them not against them." Both Leo and Anakin heard the wisdom in her words sighing "Agreed."
Eventually the Jedi had arrived in the security center, another droid like Russo coming up to them "Bowmani's file, Master Jedi." a smaller analysis droid said, handing him the datapad. "He's a munitions expert." Ahsoka said as the three Jedi read it.
"Jackar was the foreman over all the gunships, bombs, and weapons his specialty was nano-weaponry." Anakin said as he read more on the datapad.
"We've got to find this guy." the Padawan said as they walked over to Russo who was currently going through security footage on all eight monitors. "Isn't that going a little too fast for you to make sense of it?" Leo asked the droid.
"It is simple data at this pace, I am able to view hundreds of hours of footage." he replied simply. "Have you found Jackar?" the older Knight asked. "No." the droid replied. "I'll gather some Jedi and search the Temple. If he's still here, he might be planning another attack." Anakin said fearing the worst. "Instead of Jedi, I have droids that can do the job much faster." he said, gesturing to the three smaller analysis droids that walked up behind him.
Ahsoka nodded before she and the other two exited the Security Center and made their way to the Council Chamber to update them on their status. "So you've found nothing so far?" Windu asked,
"We have a clue we're following." Ahsoka replied confidently. "But we still don't have answers." Anakin said before Windu and Yoda exchanged a look
"It is imperative that the truth be found soon. There are whispers the Senate will have a meeting to decide whether the military police will need to become involved in the investigation." the Master explained "Especially after the protestors moved from the temple to the Senate, growing in numbers calling for an end to the war." Windu said, glaring at Leo who locked eyes with him.
"They can't do that." Ahsoka protested, Anakin grabbed her shoulder trying to calm her. Mace Windu glared at her leaning forward pressing his hands together.
"Clones died in that explosion, maintenance clones working on the gunships as well as civilians. The Senate tends to take notice of these things no matter where they happen." Windu replied.
The three Jedi nodded before Anakin's com went off "Master Skywalker, we have found Jackar." Russo said over it. "Lock down all exits so he can't escape." the older Knight ordered before cutting off. The three bowed respectfully then made their way to the turbolift.
"Sir Rock, stay." Windu said, making Leo stop, "I'm right behind you." Leo said stopping and staying in the Council chamber.
When Ahsoka and Anakin were gone Leo stood there waiting for the first Master to speak "You actions outside the temple entrance, inspired these protestors to march toward the Senate hall you do realize that do you not?" Obi-wan asked him, a hologram away from the temple at the moment.
"I do Masters." He said back.
"Public opinion of this war is turning against the Jedi, the people must see the Jedi and Senate as one." Windu pointed out "I find it hard that any people can be positive about a war Masters, but yes I agree the people must see the Jedi and Senate as one."
"Then why did you cast the blame on the Senate that the war was their fault?" Master Ti asked from Kamino.
Leo turned to her thinking about what to say "Well?" Windu asked.
"Forgive me Masters, but was it not the Senate who declared this war, the creation of the Clone army?" Leo asked "The planets of the Separaitsts are in open rebellion and must be brought back to the fold." Master Windu said.
"Through the force of arms?" Leo asked.
"For the moment, as long as Count Dooku and the droid army exist." Mundi pointed out to him, Leo's head snapped toward him but Leo held his tongue.
Windu leaned back "I sense you have more to say?"
"I do, but I will hold my tongue and concede to your… wisdom, Masters." Leo forced himself to say bowing. Windu held his hand up letting Leo kno he could leave. When he walked out the Council Members sat there in silence "Do we suspect him of the bombing?" Plo Koon asked.
"How can you say that?" Obi-Wan's hologram said to the other "He is the most likely candidate." Plo Koon stated.
"No." Mace Windu said surprising anyone "I do not sense he's the culprit, nor does any of the evidence suggest it."
"But what if Cin Drallig report, Rock spoke with this Jackar?" Master Koth pointed out from across the room "A random meeting from what our recordings show, Leo and Jackar had never met before that one meeting." Windu said.
The other Masters reflected on Windu's sudden support of Leo "Master Windu, what is it that makes you defend him, you of all Masters?" Obi-Wan asked him.
"Despite his insolence, unlike Skywalker, Rock's politics are against this war." Mace told Obi-Wan "And yet he fights it still, he is loyal to the Jedi and the Republic." Obi-Wan summarized.
"Tested that loyalty is, sense within Leo Rock, great conflict I do." Master Yoda said "Should we remove him from the investigation?" Plo Koon asked.
Master Yoda took a moment to think "No, have need of his… insolence we shall in the future I believe."
Down below Anakin and Ahsoka walked back into the Security Centre and looked around when they noticed Russo was the only one their. "Where is he?" Anakin asked the droid. "Well, part of him is here." he replied while leading them further into the room. "I don't think now is a good time to joke." Anakin said, sounding irritated as they stopped at a desk with a severed hand on it. "This is all that remains of Jackar." he said gesturing to the hand. "His hand?" Anakin asked. "The rest of him exploded." the droid
"Because he was so close to the bomb?" Ahsoka asked the droid.
"Because he was the bomb." Russo explained before holding up a small datapad to Ahsoka, who took it and started reading.
"What's this?" Leo asked. "The connection we were looking for to the explosion in the hanger." he replied while scanning the hand which in turn showed the scan on the datapad. "The nano-droids. How did they get in his bloodstream?" she wondered as Anakin folded his arms. "Oh, this just keeps getting better and better we're going to have to search Jackar's home for evidence." the older Knight said walking to the exit.
Leo came then cutting them off "Where's Jackar?" Leo asked.
"Dead, in pieces turns out he was the bomb and we're going to the undercity to investigate further, you coming?" Anakin said, summarizing their new findings quickly walking past him.
"Uh…. Right behind you, Russo?" Leo asked the droid "Yes?" The droid asked him.
"Can you find someone for me a Guvo Nyx?" Leo asked.
The droid searched his memory banks for a millisecond "Yes, he's right here what remains of him." Russo said, the droid pointing to one of the caskets on the tables across from Jackar arm. Leo sighed saddened he'd have to deliver the sour news to Naquila "Very well, thank you Russo." Leo said before he followed Ahsoka and Anakin.
THE UNDERCITY
Roughly half an hour later Anakin landed the shuttle on a landing pad that was halfway up an apartment building. Once they got out, Anakin asked one of the residents for directions and once they acquired the location the three made their way to Jackar's apartment. "This isn't the nicest place." Anakin said quietly as they stood outside the apartment door.
"I would've thought working for the Jedi paid better." Ahsoka replied, keeping her voice just low like his as he knocked on the door.
"I'm beginning to think what we thought the people believed Jedi are, isn't so much the truth anymore." Leo said looking down the hallways filled with trash and graffiti.
After a few seconds without hearing sound on the other side, Anakin stepped up and used the Force to unlock the allowing them entry. The apartment had a faded orange carpet with yellow and beige walls, some with art on them.
Enter the apartment as Ahsoka watched her datapad and used the scanner to find the droids before noticing some furniture was knocked over. "Letta? Are you here?" Anakin called out and got nothing but silence in return.
"Search for the droids, but be careful, and remember, he was a munitions expert. I'd rather not set off another explosion today. I'll see if he left a note" Anakin said to them.
Leo followed Ahsoka when he saw Anakin was already searching through the apartment living room "Ahsoka?" He asked after following her into the hallway. Ahsoka was holding a scanner in one hand holopad in the other looking for nano droids "Over here, you find something." She called out.
"Uh… no, I just wanted to… I wanted to say." Leo started as she walked down the hallways "Hey what's that?" She said seeing an almost open door, shielding a dark room. Leo followed her into it seeing it was the apartment kitchen, all the lights were off and the kitchen looked like a mess. With empty bottles and opened containers of food everywhere.
"Letta?" Ahsoka called out.
She walked in heading to where the scanners were beeping the loudest with Leo following her "Master!" She called out when she saw the nano droids appear on the scanner from the kitchen's disposal. Ahsoka opened the apartment fridge looking at the frozen food before Russo came up, scanning it "The sensors are picking up traces from the disposal. The nano-droids were in the food." she said.
"Well, I guess the question now is, did he eat them willingly, or did someone feed them to him?" Anakin wondered.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" a voice said in surprise from behind them. The three turned around to see Letta standing in the doorway. "We've learned Jackar was involved in the bombing." Anakin said, folding his arms.
"That can't be true." Letta said loudly backing away. "Oh, really? See if she's got any nano droids on her, Ahsoka." he said before Ahsoka stepped up to her and scanned.
Letta was frozen, paralyzed with fear "She's clean." the Padawan said.
"What do you mean 'nano-droids'?" the woman asked petrified. "We believe someone set Jackar up and made him the bomb." Ahsoka explained. "I... I don't understand." Letta said in disbelief as Leo walked around her so she was cut off from escape.
"Letta, I want to bring you in for more questioning. Maybe you can help us make sense out of all of this." the older Knight said.
"I'll answer any question I can." she complied before the four headed back outside and towards their shuttle outside.
They escorted her down her apartment steps when Letta spotted some hover food carts and a few pedestrians outside. As one street walker got too close, Letta grabbed the man and threw him into Ahsoka "Letta, stop! Letta!" Anakin yelled as helped Ahsoka up as they watched the woman jump onto one of the kiosks that was going up the side of the building. Leo took off after her but lost her when she jumped onto a different one.
The Jedi chased after her with the others following him, "Take the high road." Anakin said as they chased her on the street. "Right, Master." Ahsoka replied, she jumped up until they reached the catwalks and started running after her again.
Both the Knights ran into a large crowd losing sight of Letta "I lost her."
They chased her down into a more crowded part of the city, before Letta jumped off the kiosk and snuck into a nearby alleyway, when she was spotted Ahsoka jumped off one one of the crates "Letta, stop!" she ordered as the woman started backing up. Anakin and Leo came from behind her. "Let me go." she pleaded as they closed in on her.
"Running means you know more than you're telling us." Ahsoka said.
"Jackar is dead, and now you're trying to blame his murder on me." she snapped as Anakin suddenly smirked. "Nobody ever said he was dead." Anakin said.
"But running proves you had something to do with the bomb." Ahsoka accused angrily. "You don't know what you're talking about." Letta growled. "People blamed Jedi because of you. People were killed because of you!" Ahsoka yelled, pointing a finger at her. Letta smacked the hand out of her face.
"You can't prove anything." the woman snarled. "Did you feed the nano-droids to Jackar? You will answer me. Now!" Anakin demanded as Letta shook with fear. At Anakin's overbearing presence Leo could feel her fear coming off her like the cold out of her fridge.
He couldn't take anymore "Anakin!" Leo shouted at him pushing him aside "What are you doing?" Anakin asked "What am I doing, what are you doing? Look at her, she's horrified."
"Good." Ahsoka said hands on her hip glaring daggers into Letta "No, we're Jedi we don't scare people like this."
Then Letta spoke "I did feed the nano-droids to Jackar." she confessed. "You set up your own husband to die?" Ahsoka asked, horrified at the thought of someone actually doing that. Letta cowered at their anger and fury.
"You're dealing with things you don't understand." the woman weakly growled. "Oh, where you're going, you'll have plenty of time to explain everything." Ahsoka said coldly as she and her Master each grabbed one of her arms roughly and started pushing her towards their shuttle with Leo right behind them. He stopped looking back at the people in the crowd giving him ugly looks of disgust.
When they had returned to the Temple, and given Letta over to the proper authority. Anakin and Ahsoka walked with Yoda and Windu through the Temple halls filling them in on the situation. "We're holding Letta in the cell below the Temple to await further questioning." Anakin informed them right before Russo contacted them on Ahsoka's holopad.
"I am pleased to report there were no other nano-droids found in the sweep of the Temple. I am also pleased to report, based on the security footage, Jackar Bowmani acted alone, which means no Jedi was involved." he informed them as they stopped walking. "Thanks, Russo. Good job." she complimented before the transmission ended and she put the pad back.
"Did this woman say what her reasons were for attacking us?" Windu asked them.
"Not yet, but we're working on that." Ahsoka assured them.
"I think we can guess her motives easily enough that public opinion is swaying against the Jedi that is becoming clear, this war is becoming less and less popular every day it persists." Master Windu said before he Yoda left
"Master, I'm relieved we solved this case, but..." she trailed off. "What if it had been a Jedi?" he guessed, clasping his hands behind his back. "Yes. I don't know how I would've felt if a Jedi was really behind this." she said. "There are going to be Jedi who disappoint us, Ahsoka. But as long as we know there are good Jedi who fight for what's right itt makes it all worthwhile." he replied as they continued down the hall together.
Ahsoka followed him "Where's Leo?" She asked.
"He said he had something to attend to." Anakin said back to her.
Far away from the Temple, in the upper city Leo was standing outside a tall metal door in one of the upper city apartments. He had a hover casket with him when he knocked on the door it opened to reveal Captain Naquila wearing loose fitting robes over his body "Sir Rock?"
"Captain Naquila." Leo said looking back at the casket of Guvo Nyx, no words were shared when Naquila saw the metal casket he closed his eyes "Thank you…. my friend, would you care to come in?" Naquila said, stepping aside so the hover casket could be pushed in.
Leo watched the casket go in before he spoke "I cannot, I must return others to their loved ones."
"You're returning the victims of the bombing, alone is that wise?" Naquila asked him.
The young jedi took a deep breath "Maybe not, the clones and Jedi will be taken care off it's the least we can do." Leo said back to him.
"I doubt they'll be as warm as me." Captain Naquila "I'm sure, but someone has to." He said walking away. When Leo left Captain Naquila's home he started returning the bodies of other victims.
The next door he came to he was returning the body of a young man to two parents, the mother wept the second she saw the casket falling into the fathers arms. But a second later the woman came at Leo and slapped him.
Leaving the grieving parents behind, Leo delivered the next remains to the rodian district a husband to a widowed rodian woman, with many Younglings around her, she didn't cry she just squeezed her children tight. Leo looked down at the youngest holding a clone trooper doll before dropping it. Leo turned away leaving the family to grieve when he heard "Murderer"
After the rodian he returned a smaller casket of ashes to another part of the under city, this was one of three caskets all on the same level each with their own reactions mostly insults.
"Bastard." Followed by another slap.
"Sorcerer." A drink thrown in his face.
"Monster." Spit again.
The insults grew more colorful as he delivered the remaining maintenance crews corpses on one level, Leo began a long walk back to the shuttle he'd taken to fairy all the corpses. The word had spread around the level of a Jedi returning bodies to their families people had started to come out of their homes to see him and worse, while Leo walked he saw a man buy food from a vendor and throw a piece of fruit at Leo, he stopped to take the fruit. It splattered over his tunic and the whole crowd froze to see what Leo would do. Leo wiped off the fruit, the stain gushing over his robes before he continued on. More vendors started to hand out fruit or rotting food that the bystanders hurled at Leo the chance to throw things at a Jedi had enraptured the undercitizen like wildfire.
The food and insults fell like rain "Killer…. you started this war… Jedi Sorcerer…. bastard… mongrel…. you killed my son... Go back to your palace... we don't want you…. No more Jedi, No More Republic…. Damn you, Damn you to hell…" He took it all letting them curse him, throw things at him
One of the same women who's loved one he returned rushed Leo tearing at his robe slapping him, cursing him to hell, for letting whoever it was she lost die. She hit him over and over till she collapsed sobbing. Leo felt something hard smash into the back of his head knocking him down, he landed on all fours gritting his teeth. The fruit, vegetables, blunt objects pelted him over and over. He felt someone smear excrement across his white hair smearing it brown to the laughter of the crowd. One of the people saw him go down and picked up a metal pipe leaning on a kiosk, heading for Leo. When he sensed someone was coming iup to take a swing at him, his reflexes took over and Leo caught the pipe before it hit him. The sight of the Jedi defending himself all of a sudden turned the overconfident crowd stiff. Getting up Leo looked back at the crowd, everyone waiting with baited breath to see if the Jedi would attack. He dropped the pipe and headed to his shuttle getting on board and flying away back to the Jedi temple.
By the time he had returned, to the Temple it was dusk he parked the speeder on the outside platform and walked inside, the Temple guards at the door saw him walk in. His robe tattered and smelling of all manner of fouled things, that stench carried to all the Jedi in the hallways that saw him. He didn't even notice their dumbfounded stares, gawking faces and clogged noses. Leo's green eyes were glazed over.
"... Leo." Someone said across from him.
Looking to the sound of the voice, Leo saw Plo Koon standing there returning to the temple, next to him catching up were both Anakin and Ahsoka. Plo Koon was almost speechless to see Leo in such a state "... Master?" Leo asked.
"What- what happened to you?" Plo Koon asked.
"I…" Leo looked at his robes, like he hadn't even noticed it until someone brought it up "I was returning the bodies of the victims." Leo said smelling whatever it was in his hair.
The other jedi smelled it to "Were they living in a sewer?" Ahsoka asked, plugging her nose smirking at her own joke.
"I should go clean up." Leo said to them "Excuse me?" He said before walking away.
All of them watched Leo walk away dumbfounded "What was that about?" Anakin asked Ahsoka watching him go sensing something amiss.
Later, Leo had washed himself of all the grime and filth the crowd had showered him with, he walked out of his quarters in the Knights apartments leaving it behind. He was wearing fresh green robes and night had fallen over their side of Coruscant. Wandering through the Temple, Leo walked to the outside training grounds to think and to his surprise he saw Ahsoka already there sitting in their usual spot "New you'd come here." She said turning around while she sat.
"Am I that predictable?" He asked walking up to join her.
Leo sat beside her a good space between them "Hmm not always, you going door to door all over Coruscant to return the victims to their families I didn't expect that?" She asked.
"Someone told you?" He asked.
Ahsoka shrugged "I asked around, why didn't you take any guards with you they could probably have stopped whatever… that was" She asked calling back to how he had looked when he returned to the Temple.
"I deserved it." Leo said.
"To what, be humiliated, spat on like you weren't a Jedi." She asked him.
Leo shook his head "I don't feel like a Jedi most of the time, let alone a Knight." He said avoiding her gaze.
"What is it?" She asked "Is it… is it Dallin, my Master told me he died fighting?" She asked.
Leo met her eyes, the soft sky blue on his emerald green. "Before he died, he told me to find a reason to fight for myself, not for other people's wars." He said looking at her hand next to his.
"You must have found a reason, I read the report from Rendili it sounded like you almost didn't need the relief force you were so close to overtaking the Separatists." She said looking at him then out at Coruscant golden skyline of lights and ships then she felt Leo take her hand in his.
"I did." He said, taking her hand.
Ahsoka looked at Leo to see him smiling, she melted into it, his eyes were warm and soft, partially open looking at her like she had never seen him look at her. "A reason to fight against the entire galaxy, if I had to."
"Leo?" She asked feeling his hand leaning in, she looked at his lips then at his face "It wasn't the Jedi, it wasn't the Republic or Coruscant that made me fight that day, it's not the force, my duty or honor anymore all of it, doesn't matter as much as you do to me." He said leaning in, Ahsoka felt herself lean into so close their foreheads touched Ahsoka's eyes closed feeling the force radiate from Leo, and here's to him. Like two flames intertwining.
She started to pull away "Leo, no, please don't do this." She asked him ""Ahsoka, no please just listen I lov-" "No." Ahsoka said, pulling away.
"We can't." She said standing up and taking a step back "What- Ahsoka why?" Leo asked getting up and take a step toward her, she backed away again.
"We're Jedi Leo, the order is my life- it's your life, I won't let you throw it all away." She said shaking her head and putting her hands on her head shaking it "All the good you and I have done not for us, we're being selfish if we do." Ahsoka said, turning around.
Leo was speechless mouth gaping so Ahsoka spoke "I'm sorry Leo, I can't… I just can't, no matter how much I want to." She said fighting back tears.
"Then why don't you, we can if you just give us a chance." He asked "No, the Masters warned us about these kinds of attachments, what they'll do to us. Do you want to go back to the dark side?" She asked walking away back down into the training yard by the tree.
He followed her running around to cut her off "Then tell me I'm wrong, tell me you don't feel the same way." He said holding his arms out.
"Let me pass Leo." She asked him avoiding his eyes, "No, if this is it you tell me right now Ahsoka." She walked past him getting close to the tree but Leo held his arm up to block her from escaping "Tell me Ahsoka." Leo said.
Ahsoka didn't look him in the eye, she didn't speak to him and that was worse, "You told me once, I didn't have a heart."
"Leo please stop." She whispered, she held up her hand and pushed on his chest feeling his heart, it was beating fast, so was hers.
"Just let me finish." He begged, seizing her hand on his "You were right, I don't have a heart…" Leo said, recalling their reunion on Onderon, when she snuck away from the rebels to confront Leo when he was a sith. "... it's because I gave it to you the day we met." Ahsoka's eyes rose up to meet him, Leo nodded smiling weakly "My heart is yours Ahsoka, it always has been and always will be because I love you-" he was cut off, by a strike to the face Ashoka had smacked him across the face before he could finish.
Feeling his cheek swell Leo sighed, he let go over her hand starting to walk away when he felt Ahsoka grab his robe. Leo closed his eyes ready for another punch but instead he felt the softest, warmest wettest thing against him is lips, his eyes opened. Ahsoka was kissing him, she had to get up on her toes because he was so tall but she had planted her lips on his. He reached down and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her up against his chest she reached around and laid her arms around his neck.
When they parted, they could still taste each other on their lips, both of them hearts racing when Ahsoka spoke "No one can know, least of all Anakin."
"What?" Leo asked.
"Not yet, promise me?"
He nodded "I promise." He said holding her cheek while his other arm held her there unaware what would happen next would change their lives, and the lives of the galaxy forever.