Ahsoka stood in the center of the council room. The gazes of the members of the council felt like they were seeing right through her, down to her soul. The could probably see how she just wanted to curl back up into a ball and hide.
"Padawan Tano," Master Windu called out as he leaned forward in his seat. "Can you please tell the council about what happened earlier when you were out with Skywalker?"
Ahsoka took a deep breath and locked eyes with Master Kenobi for a moment. He gave her a small smile- one that no one else probably noticed.
"Master Skywalker and I were heading to the diner to get dinner earlier this evening. It's something that we usually do after a long mission together." She paused and looked around the room. All of the faces were hard to read, but she could get hits of condolences from Master Plo and Master Kenobi. "We had sat down in a booth and were looking over the menu when the attack happened. The explosion happened by where we were sitting, which is how we were separated." Ahsoka stopped to take a deep breath. You weren't supposed to show your emotions as a Jedi, especially in front of the council, but Ahsoka couldn't help herself. She was filled with regret and sorrow, which she was pretty sure Master Windu was picking up on.
"The blast caused me to be flung towards the back of the restaurant. When I got up, I started calling for my master and there was no response. When I yelled, the attackers began to shoot at me. After a few minutes, I saw them carrying Master Skywalker out of the diner. They injected him with something, and that… that was it." She looked down and tried to not let the council see the tears pooling in her eyes.
"Do you have any idea who these attackers were?" Master Windu asked.
"None. They were completely covered, and none of them were force sensitive from what I could tell." She replied while looking up.
"This also brings up the question of why someone would want to kidnap Skywalker." Master Plo mentioned. "He is one of our most successful generals in the army. Perhaps someone has a vendetta against him?"
"That could be it," Master Kenobi began "But I have a feeling that it's something else. Someone more ruthless."
"Yourself, Explain, Kenobi." Master Yoda said.
"Well, this isn't the first time that something like this has happened to Anakin before. Usually when it does though, he is kidnapped or injured out in the field. Never on Coruscant, and especially so close to the temple. Whoever is behind this is not only bold but knows what they're doing."
"I agree." Master Windu said. Ahsoka was surprised to hear that. Usually it seemed like Master Windu only tolerated Master Skywalker, and you could tell when you put them in a room together. "This is the case for most Jedi who get kidnapped and used as bait as well. No one comes this close to the temple."
"Well, some do." Master Mundi pointed out. "Although this is rare, it is very concerning. At the moment, we have almost no idea who took Skywalker and why." He turned to face Ahsoka.
"Do you know of anyone who would do something like this, Padawan Tano?" He asked her.
"None. I had some ideas earlier, but as the council pointed out, they probably would have acted when we were out on another mission, since it would be easier for them to capture Master Skywalker."
"Hmmmm, discuss this more we will." Master Yoda muttered. "Dismissed you are, Padawan Tano."
"Thank you, Masters." Ahsoka said while bowing. She walked as fast as she could towards the elevator. Once she was inside and the doors shut, Ahsoka pushed the button for her floor. Then she let out a shaky sob and leaned back against the wall.
"Masters" Obi-Wan began "This may sound like a stretch, but I think that this might have something to do with Maul." The room became quiet, and the tension was palpable when the former sith lord's name was spoken.
"And how is that?" Mace Windu said.
"Because he is the only one who is skilled enough to pull something like this off. Of course, Count Dooku would be as well, but that is not really his style."
"On top of that, we know that the Count has other things that he has to worry about." Plo Koon added.
"But Maul has a vendetta against you, Kenobi." Shaak Ti added. "I agree, that there is a chance that Maul is behind this. Who else do we know that would be able to pull something like this off? Cad Bane is a skilled bounty hunter, but he isn't skilled enough to take out someone like Skywalker. Nor is he swift enough to execute something like this. I think that whoever is behind this has been trained in the force. From Ahsoka's story, the attackers knew what they were doing, and it sounds like they injected Skywalker with a force suppressant."
"Agree with Shaak Ti, I do." Master Yoda said. "The dark side of the force, the attacker has been trained in." Suddenly, a blue hologram appeared in the center of the room.
"Chancellor." Master Windu said while inclining his head slightly.
"Master Jedi." The Sith Lord began. "I have heard about what has happened to young Skywalker. My condolences" He said, his voice dripping like poisonous honey.
"Have an idea, we do, for who is behind this." Master Yoda said.
"You do?" The Chancellor replied.
"Yes, believe Maul is behind this, we do."
"Now, we don't want to jump to conclusions but-" Master Mundi began
"It's the only idea we have right now that is plausible." Master Kenobi said.
"Maul? I am impressed by his sheer determination." Palpatine said. "Why would he do something like this?"
"We are unsure at the moment," Master Windu said "But we think it could be linked to Maul wanting revenge on Obi-Wan."
"Surely there are other ways that he could have done that? And to attack so close to the temple as well. He is bold, but that might be his downfall." Palpatine said
"You might be right, your excellency." Master Plo said. "To attack so close to the Jedi and the senate was foolish. If there is any evidence left behind from the crime scene, we will be sure to find it."
"I have no doubt that you will." Palpatine said before ending the call.