Chapter 17 – Lethal Trackdown

Author's Note: Enjoy the bit of Thesoka in this chapter! They will not actually get together or have a romantic relationship, so don't be too disappointed. Lol.

~ Amina Gila

"You need to meet Master Plo and me in the hanger as soon as possible," Ahsoka informs Theseus.

"I'm on my way," he replies and from the hologram, she can tell that he's already moving, "What happened?"

"Master Anakin and Windu seem to have gotten themselves buried under a Star Destroyer and we –"

"Star Destroyer?" exclaims Theseus.

"I don't know what happened, but Artoo came back with an emergency message."

"Just another everyday occurrence. I'll be there shortly."

She's pacing back and forth impatiently by the shuttle when he shows up a couple minutes later, and they board the ship, heading for Vanqor. She spots the wreckage almost immediately as fly down for the surface of the planet. It's already catching fire all over the place, smoke pouring off it.

"You know, every time I come here, it's because Anakin crashed somehow," Theseus mutters.

"How do you know he crashed this time?" Ahsoka points out.

"I don't, but it happens every other day, so it seems like a good assumption."

She doesn't take the time to reply as the shuttle finally lowers close enough for her to look over the wreckage. "There!" she exclaims, "In the bridge, I see them!" Artoo beeps in relief, but even his beeps still sound very worried. Ahsoka doesn't dare let herself think of what could have happened if they came later. He's almost entirely buried beneath the debris, and there's no way for him to dig himself out. He could have died here. If something else falls on them, she doesn't want to think about what could happen. No, there's no time for those thoughts. She hastily pushes them from mind. Anakin can't die that easily.

"Ahsoka, Theseus, hold the ship steady," Plo instructs. She instantly raises her hands, following his lead as they try to keep the falling debris from crushing Anakin and Windu.

A flaming piece of the Star Destroyer breaks free as the clones finish helping the two back to the shuttle. It crashes down onto a lower part and the entire Star Destroyer explodes into a ball of flames. Ahsoka shudders, turning back to check over Anakin. If they had arrived even a few minutes later, it would have been too late.

"Some pretty serious burns, but nothing a night in the bacta tank won't fix," Ahsoka remarks as she stands next to the stretcher the clones are carrying Anakin on. And why is he trying to sit up? She bonks his leg as a pointed reminder to keep him down.

"If we got there later, we'd be shoveling up ash. So, you owe me one," Theseus far too cheerfully.

"Guess we have Artoo to thank for that," Anakin smirks.

"Come here, droid," Windu calls from the stretcher he's lying on. Artoo whistles, rolling over to him. "I can see why your master trusts you, little one. Good job."

"That's definitely more praise than I ever get," Anakin remarks. Ahsoka is tempted to roll her eyes at him and chalk it up to her master being his usual dramatic self, but it suddenly hits her that she honestly can't remember the last time someone actually praised him. Or thanked him, other than the people he saves. The realization is slightly unsettling. Maybe he actually does have a point. And the way Windu gives him an annoyed look only seems to further it.

**w**

"Master Plo, I don't understand," Ahsoka states, "Shouldn't we be heading for the last place we knew Boba Fett was spotted?"

Theseus shifts in his seat in the speeder next to the Togruta, watching the passing traffic as they head for the lower parts of Coruscant. Somewhere he hasn't been since Vraz... It hurts to think about. He wanted to avoid the place as much as possible, along with any reminders of what happened, except now he's going to be confronting it again. Maybe – maybe it's this best way. He doesn't know.

No, he doesn't have time to get lost in emotions right now. He needs to focus on the mission. Yes, that will make everything easier.

"Why head to the one place we know he's not?" Plo points out from the pilot seat.

"Point," agrees Theseus, "But how are we going to determine anything down here?"

"The second bounty hunter in the hologram is Aurra Sing," the Jedi Master replies.

"Another bounty hunter?!" Ahsoka exclaims, "Like his father, Jango Fett." It's honestly weird to think about how all the clones have the same DNA as a bounty hunter, of all people. Then again, who else would clone themselves millions of times to have them all killed in a war?

"It seems this boy found himself in the care of at least one of Jango's associates," Plo continues.

"So, we're looking for other people who might associate with him?" Theseus deduces.

"Basically, friends of Jango or places where they hang out?" adds Ahsoka.

"And to do that, we must go to the lower levels. The underworld."

Theseus keeps his hood pulled up over his head as they get off the speeder and head for a nearby building. One of the places in the underworld a girl as young as Ahsoka – especially since she's a Togruta – really shouldn't be going. She may be able to defend herself just fine, but he'll be sticking close to her. Even if it annoys her.

"The data on Jango Fett suggested he frequented this area. We must be cautious," Plo advises.

"I already guessed that."

Apparently blending into these places is harder than Theseus was expecting, probably because they aren't spending the whole time either stumbling around drunk or looking to get in a bar fight with someone. How can people even stand being in places like this anyway? And it would help if they were actually finding some sort of lead, because right now all their doing is going from place to place in this area, and still, they have yet to uncover anything.

Finally, they head to the fifth one for the day, Ahsoka muttering under her breath as they do. She's definitely not enjoying this anymore than he is. "This time, try to be more subtle," Plo advises. As if they're not. Well, maybe they could be doing better, but...

"What do you mean?" the Togruta objects.

"You've adopted many of your master's ways, including a lack of subtlety."

"Sorry, Master Plo."

"Just try to blend in," he adds.

"That's what we are trying to do," Theseus protests.

"Two people stand out more than one. If you two want to stay together, you must appear more natural."

"We'll... try," he offers uselessly because that's the best they can do. He honestly isn't really used to this. Usually, Obi-Wan's there, and it's pretty easy to pass them off as being related. He and Obi-Wan do have a fairly similar hair color, after all.

"Do or do not. There is no try," Ahsoka supplies very unhelpfully.

"Just listen," instructs Plo as they enter the bar, "You may be surprised what people reveal when they've been drinking."

Staying close to Ahsoka, but trying not to be suspicious – hasn't he already been doing that this whole time? – Theseus heads off through the bar, trying to listen.

"We aren't getting anywhere," Ahsoka whines finally.

"Try to relax," Theseus suggests. He suspects it's what Obi-Wan would say.

She sighs, nodding as she stands still, trying to listen. He follows suit, though he knows she'll hear anything suspicious long before he does. Her eyes narrow after a moment, and she starts slowing edging backwards towards a table where a group of people are talking. Theseus follows her, doing his best to look casual and probably failing.

The group of definitely criminals seem to be chatting about random things, but then a remark suddenly catches his attention. "Florrum? A buddy of mine was just murdered on Florrum,"

"Murder?" repeats another person.

"Yeah yeah, he was working a big job. At least that's what he said. He was telling me he had some valuable information on a holotramistter, and then boom, she shot him. It must have been some good dirt."

"What's her name? Hope it's not who I think it is."

"He was working with Aurra Sing."

Theseus does his best not to perk up at the name, but his slight reaction – and probably the weird way he and Ahsoka are standing – seems to get their attention anyway. One of the pirates, looks over at them, looking and in the Force feeling seriously suspicious.

No, no, they can't get noticed again. Last time that caused a huge commotion and nearly got both of them injured. And besides, they can't miss important information because of something stupid like this. Ahsoka seems to notice the problem the same moment he does – or maybe she's reading the look of alarm on his face.

He's not sure which of them got the next stupid idea first. Except the next thing he knows Ahsoka pulls him closer to her, and he kisses her.

Doing things like that always seem to make people look away, and it definitely works this time too. The pirate returns his attention back to the conversation. "... There's always trouble when she shows up," one of the others is saying as Theseus and Ahsoka finally back away from each other.

... what in the world did they do? That's something totally forbidden for Jedi. Yes, it was because of the mission, to make sure they didn't mess up and get noticed again, but that doesn't mean that it would be considered acceptable. He glances anxiously around the bar, hoping that at least Plo didn't see. Thankfully, the Jedi Master isn't anywhere in sight.

Good. That's the last thing he wants to deal with. If Plo saw, their masters would hear. Anakin would probably understand for Ahsoka, but Theseus is certain he'd never hear the end of it. Obi-Wan is very strict, and Theseus doubts he'd put up with that.

"Uh, let's just... pretend nothing happened and forget about this," Ahsoka whispers, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from the table of gangsters.

"Yeah, I agree," Theseus mumbles, "Now let's go find Master Plo."

**w**

"We can never stop running into him, can we?" mutters Theseus, irritated, as Hondo comes to greet the three of them.

Ahsoka smirks slightly. "Doesn't seem like it." She's doing her best not to think about what happened in the bar earlier today. It was for the sake of a mission. It wasn't a big deal. So why does it almost feel like it was something more significant than that?

"I should assume you are walking us into a trap," Plo responds to Hondo's welcome.

"Yes, you should," agrees Hondo flippantly, "They're waiting inside the bar. I have no idea what she has planned for you."

"For some reason, I don't really believe that." Theseus counters.

"And the reason you're telling us is?" Plo continues.

"So, you know that I am not involved in this."

"Remember patience," Plo instructs, leaving them behind as he goes into the room where Aurra Sing is waiting. They step back on either side of the wall, listening to the conversation inside.

"I wanted Windu!" she hears a boy's voice that sounds so much like the clones' it takes a moment for it to register who's talking, "What are you doing here?"

"We can do this the difficult way or the simple way," Plo says calmly, "The choice is yours."

She sees Aurra reach up, activating communication with someone. "Bossk, can you hear me? Execute the hostages if I give the word."

"Unwise," Plo warns, "You have already lost, and you don't even know it."

"I am prepared to kill you, the hostages, whatever it takes to get what Boba wants," retorts Aurra.

"Sounds more like what you want."

"Now," Ahsoka mouths at Theseus before sprinting around the corner, quickly deflecting away blaster shots as Boba fires at her. Her lightsaber slashes through the communication device Aurra wears before holding the blade up to her neck. Boba aims his blaster back Plo's head as Theseus sprints into the room.

For a long moment, no one moves, both sides staring at each other. "Let her go!" yells Boba.

"No chance," retorts Ahsoka.

"She won't do it, Boba. She's not like you," Aurra objects.

"She's right. I'm not a murderer," Ahsoka agrees, glowering at them.

"I'm not a murderer!" cries Boba, "But I want justice."

"Which justifies killing thousands, to get to one? No, it doesn't," Theseus retorts icily. "Many should not take the fall for one man's mistake. There is no justice in that."

"We are justice," Plo insists.

"Don't listen to them," warns the bounty hunter.

"No one will be harmed if you come quietly," Plo asserts.

Boba looks to Aurra, lowering his blaster slightly but she shakes her head. "I can't let you die," he protests.

"You won't have to."

Ahsoka senses the danger almost a second too late. "Aurra!" the boys yells before suddenly firing at them. Theseus springs forwards and deflects the shot into the wall. Aurra jerks suddenly, elbowing Ahsoka. She stumbles back into the wall with a grunt, and dives forwards again but the bounty hunter is already moving.

Plo slams a hand down on the table, flipping it onto its side as he stands up, shoving Boba back into the wall. Aurra spins around, whipping out two blasters and open firing on the padawans. Plo throws the table in between them before igniting his own lightsaber, cutting through the ends of her blasters.

"It's over. Surrender," he orders.

"Aurra, now!" calls Boba, throwing an all too familiar object into the center of the room in between all of them.

"Bomb!" Ahsoka yells, diving out of the way. Theseus ducks down next to her as it explodes. Flames are burning all over the center of the room as she starts pushing herself again.

"You okay?" inquires Theseus as he scrambles to his feet.

"Fine," she confirms in a rush as Aurra runs out the door, ignoring Boba's shrieks.

The padawans sprint out after, leaving Plo to deal with the boy. Theseus jumps on one of the nearby speeders first, firing it up as Ahsoka leaps on behind him. They zoom away after Aurra's retreating figure.

The speeder zigzags in between steep rocky walls. Going slightly off course would mean ending in a pile of smoking debris. They need to be careful. Ahsoka almost wishes Anakin was here. Admittedly, it would be easier with Anakin's expert flying skills. "If you get close enough, I can jump to her speeder," Ahsoka hisses, reaching for her lightsaber.

Theseus nods, spinning the speeder over to the side as he increases speed, moments later pulling almost even with the bounty hunter. She spins sideways, slamming her speeder into theirs, and Ahsoka uses the close proximity to jump onto the back of Aurra's. She stabs her lightsaber into the speeder, and it instantly veers off-course, crashing into the side of the canyon. Ahsoka flips off as it explodes, Aurra rolling to the stop right next to her. She instantly raises her lightsaber, aiming it down at the bounty hunter.

"You're under arrest, bounty hunter," she growls.

Theseus brings the speeder to a stop, running over to them. "Where are the hostages, Aurra?" he demands. She only cackles in response.

"Ahsoka!" Plo suddenly calls over the communicator, "She is trying to lead you away from the hostages. Go to coordinates 1-5-7-9."

"I'll handle this," Theseus tells her. Ahsoka nods, running for the speeder. "We have Aurra, and could probably use your help," he speaks into the comm as she speeds away.

The Trandoshan bounty hunter is already aiming his blaster at the clone and Admiral who are tied up on the ground as she speeds around the corner. She's never going to reach them in time. Her hand slams down on the controls and she fires several times at him. The Trandoshan hastily dives out of the way, and she flips through the air, landing in between him and the prisoners. She kicks him to the ground before spinning and cutting the other two free.

By the time the Trandoshan is sitting up, the admiral is already pointing his own blaster down at him. Well, they certainly won this round.

**w**

Images of the Mandalorian wars from 4,000 years ago swim through Theseus' mind as he rolls over restlessly in bed, trying to fall asleep. Ever since he went to Mandalore, they only seem to be intensifying. What he'd really like to know is why. Whatever sort of connection he has with Revan – if that's what this is – only seems to be growing stronger. As much as he wishes he could talk to someone about it, he's not really comfortable bringing it up. So, he'll have to deal with the unanswered questions for now.

He rolls over again, closing his eyes and letting himself drift off back to sleep again. And this time, a totally different scene forms in front of his eyes again. Revan, a woman who must be a Jedi judging from her blue lightsaber, andanother man who may or may not be a Sith, since he's using a red lightsaber, are fighting a group of guards. The man looks very much like a pureblood Sith, based on what Theseus remembers from his Temple studies of Jedi history.

Revan defeats the guard he was fighting and runs into a large room. It looks a lot like a throne room and even from outside the vision he can practically feel the intensity of the Dark Side in the room. A shiver runs through Theseus – if that's even possible in a dream. This place feels plain creepy, even if he's not really there. A dark robed figure starts shooting lightning at Revan, which he raises his hands to deflect, an ability Theseus hardly knew was possible. He knows very little about Force-lightning, or methods of stopping it beyond the use of a lightsaber.

The fights with the guards and the other two travel into the throne room, and the droid that was with them promptly seals the doors as soon as they're inside. Revan's Force shield suddenly gives way, and he falls to the floor as the lightning continues striking him.

The Emperor – assuming that's what the robed Sith is – ceases his lightning attack, calling Revan's lightsaber to him with the Force before raising to deliver a killing blow. The same moment, the woman finishes defeating the last of her guards and charges at them. Her blade intercepts the blow that would have otherwise killed him. The pureblood Sith defeats the last of the guards next, running over to join them.

All three of them stand, turning to face the Emperor. The first to move next is the pureblood Sith – but he does the last thing Theseus is expecting. He stabs his lightsaber through the woman's back. She collapses to the ground, dead almost instantly.

Revan's head snaps towards them in shock, and the Emperor uses his moment of distraction to his advantage, and blasts lightning at him again which he doesn't manage to block. He collapses to the ground either unconscious or dead, Theseus can't tell, as the scene fades.

Theseus jerks awake, eyes flickering around the darkened room. He's... on the way back to Coruscant from Florrum, not trapped in some unknown place being forced to watch fighting Sith Lords. He always feels so disoriented every time he sees these scenes. Taking a few deep breaths trying to ground himself, he sits up in bed. He's going to opt for not going back to sleep right now because he really doesn't want to see anymore strange battles from long ago. Or nightmares of the clones dying all around him. He wants to sleep properly for once. Meditating would be just as good, but he still struggles with calming his mind to that point. It was never his thing in the first place, and if he's being honest, being surrounded with so much chaos all the time only worsens it. It only makes him feel more like he's not a proper Jedi. Sometimes, he can't help but wonder if this is really his path because there's times things about it feel so wrong.

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