Thanks to ComparedDread12 for supplying the OCs for this chapter!
Two hours. That's how long they had been stranded, unable to call for help in fear of the Republic finding them. Ahsoka knew they had enough supplies to last them a few days. She'd checked meticulously to pass the time. But after those days were up, things would not be looking good for them.
Hour three had just begun when their scanner began to beep.
"There's a ship exiting hyperspace near us," said Ahsoka. "Maybe they've detected us."
Ahsoka looked out through the glass and her heart sank.
Ahsoka looked out through the glass and her heart sank. Advancing towards the Nebula was a Republic Venator. It looked slightly different, colored white and red and it had more defenses than a typical Venator would.
"It's a Republic Venator," said Ahsoka. "We should get ready for a fight."
"That's no ordinary Venator," said Lux. Ahsoka and Barriss looked at him curiously. "It's an old Mandalorian Dreadnought. I learned about them when I was with the Deathwatch."
"If it's Mandalorian, what's it doing out here?" asked Ahsoka.
"It certainly looks like a Republic ship," said Barriss. "Be on your guard. The last thing we want to do is gain more enemies."
The Nebula shuddered as it was caught in the larger ship's tractor beam.
"Why does this feel so familiar?" asked Barriss sarcastically.
The Nebula was slowly pulled into the hangar of the ship.
"Let's go meet whoever this ship belongs to," said Ahsoka. She put her lightsabers on her belt and made sure to conceal the Holocron in her armor as she exited.
Three figures were waiting for them. One was dressed in full Mandalorian armor in shades of gray, black, and white, with the Mandalorian and Republic symbols on both shoulder pads. His helmet was decorated with jaig eyes. The armor on his wrists was decorated with Diaz's a of buttons and gadgets. Two lightsabers rested on his belt, one short and one long enough to make Ahsoka believe it was double-blades. Two clone troopers stood at his side. Both wore red and white armor, although one had black shin and forearm armor and the other had a white cloak over his armor.
Ahsoka approached the three cautiously, Barriss and Lux not far behind her. She opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by the Mandalorian.
"What are you?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth.
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"What are you?" the man repeated. "Clone armor, and yet, two of you wield lightsabers." He gestured to their belts, where Ahsoka and Barriss's lightsabers hung. "And with your ship stranded, it seems there is far more to you than meets the eye. So, are you Jedi? Certainly not clones."
"I'm Ahsoka Tano." Ahsoka gestured to Barriss and Lux. "These are my friends, Barriss Offee and Lux Bonteri. And to answer your question, we used to be Jedi. Now we're…well, I don't exactly know what we are anymore."
"Ex-Jedi," said the man. "How intriguing. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sedyn Merrick. This is Commander Stagger," he gestured to the man with the black armor, "and this is Captain Ace of the Nexu Battalion." He gestured to the trooper in the cloak.
"And I assume you're a Jedi?" said Ahsoka.
"No," said Sedyn. "I don't associate with the Jedi. I am a member of the Gray Order. The Jedi are blind to the reality of their situation. They allow innocent lives to be taken. I, and my Order, do no such thing."
Sedyn removed his helmet, revealing his face. He had jet black hair, five o clock shadow, and on the left side of his face were three claw marks running from his eyebrow down to his cheek. The scar reminded her of Anakin's, but she brushed the thought aside. His eyes were such a deep blue that Ahsoka could hardly tell where the color stopped and the pupil began.
"But you're a part of the Republic?" asked Ahsoka.
"I believe that by being a part of the Republic, I can defend those who would otherwise be defenseless."
"And what about the rest of your Order?" asked Ahsoka. "Where are they?"
"Scattered across the galaxy," said Sedyn. "They tend not to affiliate too closely with the Republic or the Jedi. Now, tell me how you got here. And tell me why you are no longer part of the Jedi Order."
Ahsoka glanced at Barriss and Lux, and they shrugged at her. After all, what could it hurt?
Ahsoka told him everything. The Chancellor's true identity as a Sith Lord, his plan to use the clones to exterminate the Jedi, and his plan to convert the Chosen One to the dark side.
Sedyn stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I always knew there was a mastermind behind everything. This confirms all of my suspicions. But how does he plan to…of course!"
Ahsoka, Barriss, and Lux exchanged confused looks. "Sorry," said Barriss. "But of course what?"
"Commander Stagger," he said to the clone. "Would you please fetch me our research?"
"Research?" asked Ahsoka. "What I've you been researching?"
"All will he revealed when Stagger returns."
It was not long until Stagger returned carrying a datapad, which he handed to Sedyn carefully. Sedyn turned the screen towards Ahsoka, Barriss, and Lux, revealing a scan of what looked to be a brain.
"What are we supposed to be looking at, exactly?" asked Lux.
"This is a scan of Commander Stagger's brain," said Sedyn. A red pinpoint appeared on the scan. Sedyn pointed to the pinpoint. "And this is what we've been researching. It is called an inhibitor chip. They're organic chips built into the genetic code of the clone troopers. It is intended for limiting independence and aggression amongst the troopers, but they can be used to modify one's actions. They can be made to do whatever the person who controls the chips wants. Even if that action is killing the Jedi."
"So, if they receive the order, every clone would kill the Jedi?" asked Ahsoka, glancing nervously at Stagger and Ace.
"Not every soldier," said Sedyn. "After we discovered this chip, I had all of the troopers under my command have their chips removed. From what I can tell, taking the chip out produces no negative side effects."
"So if we can get the chips out of the clones, then Sidious's plan will be defeated?" asked Ahsoka.
"Precisely," said Sedyn. "But it will not be so easy. The Jedi and the Republic have no knowledge of this chip. They will have to be convinced."
"We can't convince them," said Barriss. "If we returned to Coruscant, even with evidence of this chip, they would arrest us before we could even show them the proof."
"Perhaps I can send a group of clone troopers. They can show the evidence to the Jedi Council. But they will have to be quickly. If Sidious senses what they're trying to do, he will attempt to stop them. Captain Ace, put together a team. Take only those you trust completely."
Ace saluted and jogged away.
"Where are the three of you headed?" asked Sedyn.
"We're not exactly sure," said Ahsoka. "Somewhere in the Outer Rim."
"I have received orders to go to Mandalore," said Sedyn. "The situation there had become worsened. I can take you that far. Once we're there, you will have to find your own way. I'll have my troopers get to work on repairing your ship. Rest while you can. I can sense that you still have a long journey ahead of you."
They were shown to a room where they could try to get some rest. Barriss and Lux fell asleep quickly, but Ahsoka couldn't seem to follow their example. She decided that a walk would do her good. She got up, making sure she still had her lightsabers and the Holocron, and left the room.
She found herself back in the hangar, watching the repairing of the Nebula. It had taken heavy damage from the Republic fighters, but with a little luck, it would hopefully be back in business soon.
"I thought I told you to get some rest." Ahsoka turned to find Sedyn behind her, helmet tucked under his arm
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "Can I ask you something?"
"I don't see why not."
She pulled out the Holocron. "Have you ever seen anything like this before?"
Sedyn's eyes widened. "I've only heard stories. The founding members of the Gray Order supposedly recorded their sacred and powerful knowledge in Holocrons that could only be opened by the use of the Force and kyber crystals. Most don't believe that they exist. May I?" He held out his hand.
Ahsoka place the Holocron in his hand. "This Gray Order," she said. "What exactly is it?"
"A group of Force users who walk the path between the dark and light side. They wield all aspects of the Force, and they know that without one side, the other could not exist. Most prefer to watch thing unfold from afar, but I am not like most."
"What type of knowledge did they record?"
Sedyn shook his head. "No one knows. Legends speculate that the knowledge is secrets of the Force so powerful that whoever finds it will become a powerful and deadly wielder of the Force. To my knowledge, none of the Holocrons had been found. Until now, that is." He studied the surface of the Holocron. "Your journey to unlock this Holocron will be dangerous. You will need protection. Come with me."
"Where are we going?" asked Ahsoka, following him.
"My ship is no ordinary Republic vehicle. I take pride in my Mandalorian heritage, and my ship reflects that."
Sedyn stopped in front of a door. He typed a passcode into a small keypad and the door slid open, revealing a large room. The room was filled with armor, similar to the clones but not quite the same. This armor was Mandalorian. It reminded Ahsoka of her time with the Deathwatch.
"You and your friends will take some armor," said Sedyn.
"Are you sure?" asked Ahsoka. "Mandalorian armor is not easy to obtain."
"Clearly the Force has chosen you," said Sedyn, handing the Holocron back to Ahsoka. "It is the least I can do. We arrive at Mandalore in a few hours time. Your ship should be repaired by then."
Ahsoka stepped into the room, admiring the beautiful armor of all different sizes and colors. She stopped at one that seemed relatively her size. The armor was colored in various shades of blue and gray. It reminded Ahsoka of her time with the Torrent Squad. She momentarily felt a pang in her chest, so she quickly put that thought in the back of her mind.
Sedyn left so that Ahsoka could change into her new armor, and after selecting two other suits of armor, colored black and red, she returned to the room, where Lux and Barriss were now awake.
She tossed Lux the red armor and Barriss the black. "Get changed. Sedyn says we should arrive in a few hours."
The rest of the journey was fairly uneventful. Ahsoka remained in the room with Barriss and Lux, trying, and failing to rest, and eventually just staring at the Holocron and wondering what knowledge it contained. Sedyn said that it was sacred. If so, why had it called out to Ahsoka? She had no connection to the Gray Order. Was she really meant to have this Holocron?
Ahsoka led Barriss and Lux back to the hangar just as they emerged from hyperspace. As they descended on Mandalore, Ahsoka could already see Republic and Deathwatch ships clashing over the city.
Sedyn and Commander Stagger approached the trio.
"Your ship is repaired," said Sedyn. "You are free to leave whenever you like."
"Thank you for you help," said Ahsoka. "What will you do now?"
"Hopefully I can resolve this conflict peacefully," said Sedyn. "Mandalore has seen to much war in its time."
The ship hovered next to the city and Sedyn activated his double blades and single blades lightsabers. Their yellow hue cast shadows in his helmet.
"I wish you luck on your journey," Sedyn said. "Although the Force tells me we will meet again before this is over. Nexu battalion, move out!"
He and his clone troopers activated their jets packs and flew towards the city to join the conflict.
"He's an odd man, isn't he?" said Lux.
"I've met stranger people," said Ahsoka. "You get used to it."
The trio boarded the Nebula together.
"Where should we go now?" asked Barriss. "We can't go to a Republic world. And there are no other neutral systems close by."
"Then a Separatist system is our only option," said Ahsoka. "There won't be any Republic forces there."
"Which system?" Barriss asked.
"Felucia is close by," said Ahsoka. "My master and I once helped a town of farmers there before. Perhaps the farmers will return the favor and allow us to stay there for a while."
Ahsoka input the coordinates and made the jump to hyperspace.
"Ahsoka," said Barriss. "Have you given any thought to what comes after this?"
"After Felucia?" asked Ahsoka. "I mean, we'll have time to decide while we're not n the planet."
"No," said Barriss. "I mean once we open the Holocron and Palpatine's plan is hopefully stopped. What do we do then? Do you think you'll go back to the Jedi?"
Ahsoka paused for a moment. "I don't know, Barriss. But one thing is certain. I'm seeing things from a different point of view now. Before, I never understood how anyone could be opposed to the Jedi, but now I see. They've become blind to the corruption inside their own order."
"Who do we put our faith in, if we don't have the Jedi?" asked Lux.
"Ourselves," said Ahsoka. "The Jedi may be corrupt, but we still hold their ideals. We can become what the Jedi could not."
The hyperspace journey was over faster than Ahsoka had expected, and they emerged in front of three large Separatist ships. One of them looked strangely familiar to Ahsoka. And then it hit her. That ship was General Grievous's capital ship. Which meant…
"General Grievous is on the planet."