Chapter 4: Taking Action

DATE: 5/07/45876

Jason Dean. Log entry #2.

I've got the comm working again, though I don't know for how long. We've managed to hold the mutants off, but at any second they could attack again. And next time, we may not be able to hold them off. We haven't had time to form a stable security system yet. This building is so big, and we have only been here a day or so, maybe more. Ax is the one who keeps track.

Anakin and Inya are trying to get the power core up and running, so that the locking mechanisms will work, as well as the lights and such. I look at him, and I feel guilt. Overwhelming guilt. All of this disaster could've been avoided if I had just listened to him…

"What? I'm coming! Hang on!"

Obviously, they need help. I'll have to continue this later…

/..:::SYSTEM MESSAGE:::TRANSMISSION PAUSED:::TRANSMISSION PAUSED:::../

xXx DATE: 12/06/45875 (Five Months Earlier) xXx

"Only a few more minutes 'till we reach Coruscant," Jason announced, sighing in relief.

Obi-Wan nodded, then moved out of his chair and towards the cargo hold. The door was still locked, and he peered through the window to see Quin and Anakin sleeping on the other side. He traveled through the Force to contact his former Padawan mentally. "Anakin, are you alright?"

Slowly, Anakin's eyes opened, and the younger Knight turned in his direction. "Yeah, just tired."

"Do you feel okay?"

"Yes."

That brought some relief. Obi-Wan anxiety about his friends and this mysterious virus was beginning to cloud his mind, much to his chagrin. "We're going to head immediately to Standards hospital and get you two examined over there. It'll be safer than going directly to the Healers."

Anakin nodded, frowning. "Master, what if we've been infected?"

The question tolled in the Force unanswered for several minutes before finally Obi-Wan had an answer. "If you and Quin have this disease, I will do everything in my power to find a cure."

"I know you will."

At that moment, Quinlan sat up and rubbed his eyes, yawning. He gave the two of them a curious look. "Why are you two staring at each other like that?"

Anakin smirked. "Force-bond chatting."

Quin crossed his arms, grinning. "Ooh! I wanna do that! Kid, read my mind."

"It doesn't work like that Quin…"

Quin knew, and the little moment of jovialness wasn't unwelcome. Obi-Wan turned away from the cargo hold and sat back down next to Jason, managing a weary smile when they dropped out of hyperspace, and Coruscant appeared before them. "I've already sent a message to Standards, saying that we're on our way there with some possibly contaminated friends of ours," Jason stated. "It's nighttime, but the hospital is open 24/7."

"Good."

Jason took a deep breath before inquiring, "Obi-Wan… what were those things chasing them?"

Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. "I'm not sure, Jason. Anakin won't go into details with me yet, except saying that some kind of disease has infected the entire Crystal City."

"Then those people chasing them… they were sick?"

"I'm going to assume so, yes."

Jason leaned back in his seat, deep in thought. "Wow," was all he managed to say.

"Anakin did tell me that this disease ravages the living body, turning it into a host. Then the body goes through a violent metamorphosis of some sort, suiting the virus's needs. At least, this is what he suspects."

"We'll find out soon enough. We're here."

Sure enough, Jason activated the landing gear as their shuttle began making its way down to the nearest landing pad a moment later. Standards hospital was the one of the best and largest in the entire galaxy – it was also where the Jon Doe's body was still located. The autopsy wasn't finished yet, Obi-Wan had heard.

As soon as the ship touched down, several people came running towards them, some of them wearing protective clothing, other's dressed like doctors. Several security droids were with them to, as well as a few Jedi.

"Are we here?" Obi-Wan heard Anakin's voice ring through his head.

"Yea, we're at the hospital. Some people are coming over to help get you in and then take a few tests, I guess."

"Okay. Did you tell the Council about what happened?"

"Jason explained a bit, but not much."

"What are you going to tell them?"

Obi-Wan thought several moments, and then sighed. "The truth. There's nothing else to say"

The small group from the hospital knocked on the door, and then opened it up. As the doctors and scientists whisked Anakin and Quin away, the Jedi entered the ship and unlocked the door.

The faces of Windu, Shaak Ti, and Plo Koon were grim as Windu spoke up first. "Kenobi, what just happened?"

"I wish I knew, Master," Obi-Wan admitted as Jason added, "We have a lot to tell you, but most importantly, we must warn the rest of Christophsis about the disease I mentioned earlier."

"Yes, the one that you said had a horrifying toll on the living body. I was hoping you could explain further about such a virus."

"We've already contacted the Chancellor," Shaak Ti stated. "He said he'll contact the representative for Christophsis and they'll work out a quarantine program."

Obi-Wan began rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "That may not be enough. From what I saw, this virus infected all of Crystal City, turning them all into some sort of mutated creature. At least, that's what Anakin told me. I was quite a distance away."

At the mention of Skywalker, Mace's scowl deepened. "So you're taking Skywalker's account on what happened back there? Don't you think his description could be a bit exaggerated when he says mutants…"

"I saw them too," Jason interrupted. "A whole swarm of them, maybe the entire city's population, running after both Anakin and Quin."

"But were you up close?" Mace countered. "Did you see for yourself an infected, plagued creature? Or perhaps it was the villagers sick and so desperate for help that they were willing to attack the Jedi in order to get their assistance?"

"I believe Anakin's word," Obi-Wan stated firmly. "If he says that this virus is ravaging and mutating the infected then… I'll believe him."

"Be wary, Master Kenobi," Plo Koon counseled softly. "You're judgment must be faced on facts – not loyalty to your apprentice."

"You're presence is required for an immediate Council meeting," Mace told him as they turned to leave. "We will decide what to do about this 'said' epidemic."

Obi-Wan, now irritated, began following the other Masters out of the ship; but he turned back and gave Jason a worried look.

Jason noticed it a offered the man a wan smile. "Don't worry. I'll stay here and make sure they're both okay."

Grateful, Kenobi nodded before making his way back towards the Temple.

xXx DATE: 5/07/45876 (Five Months Later) xXx

Jason Dean. Log entry #3.

I remember the day of we went searching in Crystal City perfectly, as if it had been yesterday, as well as what had happened afterwards. I remember watching Obi-Wan leaving with the Council and I remember thinking one, specific thought.

They're not going to believe us.

Why would they? We were talking about mutants. Figments of imagination. The only way to get real proof was to go to Crystal City, and both Obi-Wan and I knew that sending someone there could be suicidal.

I myself hadn't seen them very well. I saw the forms of people running after Anakin and Quin, but that was it. I hadn't noticed anything peculiar except that my friends were having some difficulty defeating them or outrunning them. I didn't have hard evidence.

Anakin and Quinlan had seen these mutants face to face, but c'mon… we're talking about the two most reckless Jedi in the entire Order. Quin's been staying in the Outer Rim for years now, and Anakin is the youngest Knight and general we have. I had the gut feeling at the time that the Council would assume they were exaggerating.

I'm ashamed to say I had my own doubts. That's what I hate about myself – I can be easily persuaded. So when the Council kept telling me over and over that I had been imagining the monsters, I began believing their words instead of my own conscious.

How weak we were back then. Weak and foolish. We may have been able to stop the virus if we had looked deeper for the truth, kept pressing.

I believe now that maybe we were just too afraid of the truth to actually go and look for it…

/..:::SYSTEM MESSAGE:::TRANSMISSION ENDED:::TRANSMISSION ENDED:::../

xXx DATE: 12/06/45875 (Five Months Earlier) xXx

/You may go in and see him now./ the medical droid told Dean as he waited in the hall.

Jason replied with a grateful smile. "Thanks." Slowly, he pushed open the doors, and smiled when he saw Anakin already off the medical cot and pulling a clean shirt over his head.

"You're leaving already?" he spoke up, causing Anakin to spin around, surprised.

"You startled me."

"Obviously."

Jason sat down on the cot as Anakin wrapped his utility belt around his waist and strapped it on. "How do you feel?"

"Tired, sore, and frustrated," the Knight replied slowly, crossing his arms. "Nothing too serious though. I was just relieved when the doctors said Quinlan and I didn't pick up any contamination. At least we're not gonna turn into those creatures from Crystal City."

"Yea, about that… Anakin, what were they really like? I didn't get a good look at them."

Anakin frowned, and sat down next to the other Jedi. "They looked like… mutated humans, really. I don't know how else to explain them. Red or yellow eyes, bloodshot, and there was blood running from them. Their bones were showing, and their skin was grayish." He paused a moment and grimaced. "I've never seen anything like that. Has the Council been informed?"

"Yes, in a way," was the quiet reply. "I'm afraid they're having a hard time believing what's happened."

"I thought they would. But they have to! If they don't shut down that city and isolate the disease, it could spread. The Jon Doe made it all the way to Coruscant!"

"Obi-Wan's reasoning with them now," Jason replied quickly. "He really is, but he didn't catch a good look at these monsters either. You and Quinlan will have to go to the Council and personally tell them about the dangers on Christophsis."

Anakin nodded slowly, staring at the ground. "That's what I'm worried about. The Council never listened to me before… why should they believe this? I don't think they consider Quin any more valuable a source than I am."

Jason placed a firm hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Don't worry. With a threat this serious, they'll have to do something about it. Once they go there and see that the city really is infested with these things and this disease, they'll quarantine the entire thing. You and Obi-Wan have dealt with epidemics before, right?"

"The Blue Shadow Virus threat, yes, but…"

"Then my guess is that Kenobi's gonna request you and him are charged with overseeing the operation first-hand. This virus, whatever it is, won't get a chance to spread."

Anakin finally looked up, and locked eyes with the other Knight. "And if it does?"

To be honest, Jason hadn't thought that far ahead – and could only offered a feeble smile as reassurance. "Don't worry. It won't. We'll get to the bottom of this."

xXx DATE: 12/13/45875 (Four Days Later) xXx

A week. It's been a week since what happened on Christophsis, and what has the Council done? Practically nothing. I knew this would happen! They thought Quinlan and I were exaggerating, pretty much shrugged our statement off. I wanted to go back there myself and personally wipe out every one of the mutants… but that would be suicide. Jason is on a mission in the Outer Rim, so he can't stand up for our statement. So I did the next best thing – I went to the Chancellor. He and I have been friends ever since we met over a decade ago. I thought he would support at least a local military squad to be sent over and investigate the situation.

It happened. A team of LCS (Local Christophsis Scouters) were sent over to Crystal City, and you know what they found? Nothing. Nothing at all. Empty buildings, blood; but no mutants, no horde of demented monsters. The story out now was that the Separatists had used a chemical weapon on the citizens, making them go crazy, and then had disposed of them.

No one believes me or Quin. No one. And I'm not ashamed to say that I hate the Council more than ever right now…

Anakin stared at the page on his data-pad, anger and irritation pulsing off him in waves. After a while, and thinking of nothing else to type down, he shut the device off and went to pacing around the room, frustrated.

From small sofa, Ahsoka Tano looked up from her own data-pad and frowned at her Master. "What's wrong?"

Immediately he shrugged her off. "Nothing. Keep reading."

"Master." The tone she used meant that she would not back down so easily. She could be just stubborn as he – and they both knew it. "First you're over there typing so angry that I thought you'd punch a hole through you're data-pad, and now you're wearing the carpet out with your feet. What is it?"

When she received no answer, she added, "It has something to do with all those Council meetings you've been going to, doesn't it?"

Anakin sighed, putting his forehead in his palm. "Snips…"

Ahsoka got up and walked over to him, crossing her arms. "C'mon, Master, you can tell me. What's been going on with you lately? You're always at the Senate Building or with Master Kenobi or with the Council. Something's going on, and I don't like being left in the dark."

"I'm not trying to leave you in the dark, Ahsoka. I just don't want you involved in some scandal…"

"Scandal? What scandal?"

Finally he looked down at her. She was staring up at him, expression so determined that he knew he'd never win this argument. Why does she have to be… so much like me? "Fine."

The Padawan waited patiently, arms still crossed.

Anakin exhaled heavily and sat down on the sofa. She mimicked his movement, the pressed on. "Well?"

He hesitated a moment before saying, "There have been… issues… between me and the Council. And Master Vos. We found a threat on Christophsis, but the Council isn't taking us seriously. It doesn't help that we don't have any hard evidence either."

Ahsoka nodded, thinking hard. "The threat... what was it?"

This is the hard part. "Master Vos and I were paired up to search the Crystal City. At first it seemed deserted, but then…"

"Deserted? The entire city?" She couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, or that's what it seemed like. Then we searched harder, and we found something. A… creature."

She waited for more, but when none came… "Master? Are you okay?"

Anakin was staring into the distance, frowning, seeming almost unfocused.

"Master? Master, what's wrong?" She put a hand on his arm, and finally he turned to look at her, eyebrow raised.

"Huh?"

"You were telling me about some sort of creature you found on Christophsis. Was that the threat?"

He grimaced. "Pretty much. But it isn't how you would think. There was this disease, I think, and it infected everyone in the city. That creature – creatures, I should say – I think… I think it was a human mutant, Ahsoka. Morphed because of the virus that spread."

He didn't blame her for looking so confused and bewildered. "Master," Ahsoka said slowly. "I-I don't get it."

Anakin tried to explain better. "I have a theory – that the same virus our Jon Doe had was originally from Crystal City. The disease ravages the living body and turns it into a host…"

"Just like the suicide bomber said!"

"Exactly. And then the host is forced into a transformation to turn it into the creatures Quin and I saw."

Ahsoka's eyes were wide as she gaped at her Master. "And the Council won't do anything about this?"

Anakin shook his head, growing angrier at the Council as the conversation went on. "They don't believe me, Snips. And they don't believe Quin, either. They sent men to the city, and it was deserted. No one there."

"But those mutants things that you saw, they couldn't have just disappeared."

"I know. That's why I'm so worried." He got back up and began pacing again. "They might've died and the bodies somehow disappeared. Or they could've spread out all over Christophsis. Ahsoka, if we don't find out soon, they could infect the entire planet. All of Christophsis could face an epidemic, far worse than any other that we've ever seen because of what this disease can do."

"Can't you do something, Master?"

Anakin thought hard, running a hand through his hair. "I've considered going back there myself personally, permission from the Council or not…"

"I'd go with you!"

"No, Ahsoka."

"But…"

"No." There was no way he was letting her anywhere near those things. "It is far too risky, Ahsoka. I'm not letting you go."

He saw that look in her eyes, the one that read I'm going no matter what, and scowled at her. He lowered his voice and almost growled. "No."

The Togruta twisted her lips, frustrated. "Master, I could help you. If we don't go, something terrible will happen. You said so yourself!"

She had a point – she almost always did. Anakin thought hard for several minutes, before finally turning back to her. "I'm not letting you on Christophsis…" He ignored the groan that statement brought, continuing, "But I do need your help. You said that Dr. Fuzio is still doing the autopsy? That he's managed to preserve the body or something?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Go to Standards hospital," Anakin ordered as he ran into his bedroom and grabbed a sack of supplies. "I want you to remain there, and tell him what I just told you. Tell him to look for the virus that may still be contaminating the body. I want you to stay with him and help him with the autopsy."

Thrilled to have at least some task, Ahsoka got up quickly, nodding. "Should I inform the Council first?"

Anakin shook his head as he threw on his Jedi robe. "No. You're my Padawan – what I tell you to do is none of their business." He paused just a moment to stare at the girl in front of him. Ahsoka had matured much since they had first met each other – she could handle it. She could probably handle coming with me too, he admitted to himself. But no. "Be careful, Ahsoka."

The Padawan smirked, placing her hands on her hips. "I think I should be telling you that."

He smirked at her and said bye one last time before racing out the door.

He sprinted down the halls of the Temple while activating his comm. "Hey Obi-Wan, you there?"

Moments later, his mentor's voice replied. 'Yeah. What's wrong?'

"No time to explain really." Anakin ran into the Temple's hanger and looked around for a suitable transport. "Master, do you believe my story about those mutants?"

'What? Anakin, I don't understand…'

"Do you, yes or no? Answer the question!"

'Of course I believe you, Anakin, but why are you asking me…?'

"I'll explain when you get down here." Anakin saw the Twilight and made his way over to it.

'Get where? Anakin, what are you up to?"

"You mean what are we up to. You're coming with me. We've got to stop this thing before it gets out of hand."

'…Anakin… You're getting yourself into trouble again, aren't you? What are you stopping?'

"You mean we."

'Fine. What are we stopping?'

Anakin climbed into the Twilight, but paused just a moment to answer his partner.

"Disaster."