Chapter 26 – Zygerria
Author's Note: In which the mission to Zygerria begins...
~ Amina Gila
"Anybody else think it's too quiet?" calls Ahsoka from next to Anakin on their speeder, looking around. "I haven't seen any colonists." The four of them have been sent to Kiros, home to a large colony of Togrutas. Apparently, the Separatists had just arrived, so why are they suddenly gone? It doesn't add up. It's been ten rotations since the Separatists got here, and anything could have happened since. Now that they're down on the ground, Theseus is on a speeder next to Cody while Obi-Wan is by Rex. Anakin and Ahsoka took their own speeder.
"They're probably hiding. Let's hope they stay hidden," Anakin replies as Obi-Wan pulls up next to them.
"It makes our job easier if we don't have to worry about them in battle," Obi-Wan adds optimistically.
"Point," Theseus agrees. He's been off the front so long he'd almost forgotten how thrilling the action was. It's good to be back, even if it shouldn't be. "It's better if they're out of sight, but something else is going on here."
"I don't like it," Rex comments, from his seat alongside Obi-Wan's, "The clankers have never been shy about using civvies as living shields. I'm sure they're here somewhere."
"I'm sure we'll find them eventually," Cody replies optimistically, where he sits next to Theseus.
"Let's make for the city center," Anakin decides.
They speed in between more buildings, but still, there's no sign of life whatsoever. It's like everything has been entirely abandoned.
"Biker droids dead ahead!" Ahsoka shouts in warning.
"Squad, tighten up! Form on me!" Anakin orders.
Rex and Cody start shooting at the oncoming droids, blasting several of them with their speeders. The droids instantly return their fire. Theseus swings the speeder to the side, igniting his lightsaber with one hand. He needs to focus on flying, or he'd turn those droids into scrap metal in a matter of seconds.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Ahsoka standing up and drawing her own lightsabers. Anakin pulls out his own, slashing through one of the droid's speeders as it zooms past his.
Theseus takes off a droid's head with its own blaster bolt and its speeder careens off-course into a nearby structure. The droids slow down their speeders and come around to attack from behind. Cody, Rex, and Ahsoka swing the guns on the speeders around to shoot back at the droids, taking down most of them. Theseus and Anakin finish off the rest.
"We're all clear, Master," Ahsoka calls, jumping from a droids' speeder back to her own seat.
They spot the droids gathered in the central plaza from afar, and instantly open fire. They have a multitude of battle droids there, and two tanks. One of them moves to shoot, and Rex pulls out a rocket launcher, destroying the tank before it has time to fire. Ahsoka jumps off the speeder, landing on the back of the other tank and throwing a bomb inside, before leaping back to her seat. The tank explodes in a shower of smoke and debris.
"Captain, have your men secure the area," Obi-Wan instructs.
Before long the clones are securing the area while Ahsoka and Theseus try searching for signs of life and any clues as to where the Togrutas could have disappeared to. These are her people, and he knows she senses much the same connection to them as he did on Mandalore. It's only a sudden flare of pure rage that draws his attention.
He looks up to see Cody standing in front of Obi-Wan, holding a comm with a transmission from a Zygerrian. Anakin stalks towards him, ripping the device away with the Force and crushing it. Uh... He's had a lot of random outbursts, but never something like this. "Zygerrian scum! I'll handle that slaver myself," Anakin snarls.
"Anakin, he asked for me. I need you to locate the missing Togruta colonists," Obi-Wan replies calmly, stepping forwards. It's like he expected this kind of reaction. Cody is quick to make himself scarce, as everyone does whenever Anakin gets angry like this.
Anakin sighs after a moment, and the worst of his anger disappears or more likely, is buried. "Fine. I'll have Admiral Yularen initiate a planetary bio-scan." He spins around, stalking off, Obi-Wan's gaze following him. Artoo beeps, rolling after Anakin. Theseus hopes the droid is heading off to comfort its master, like it usually does, because he has no idea what's wrong.
After a pause, Ahsoka stands up, approaching Obi-Wan and Theseus follows. "Why is he so upset?" the Togruta inquires.
"Anakin has never talked about his past, has he?" asks Obi-Wan. What does that have to do with it?
"No. He never talks about things in the past," responds Theseus. For some reason, he suddenly has a very, very bad feeling about it.
"Only to tell me he won't talk about it," Ahsoka offers.
"As a child, Anakin and his mother were sold into slavery by the Hutt clans."
What?! Theseus knew Anakin was different, and that he's had a very bad, dark past, but never in a million years would he have guessed something like this. It's far worse than anything he ever imagined. All the implications are too overwhelming for him to contemplate at the moment, so he files them away for later contemplation. Anakin, the man he's come to consider his brother, was a... slave. A... thing, basically. No wonder he's so caring, even to droids. "Oh," he whispers faintly. It's no wonder he snapped at the mention of slavery like this. Whatever happened, Theseus can't even begin to imagine it.
"And these Zygerrians, they're slavers?" Ahsoka asks quietly.
"Anakin has struggled to put his past behind him," Obi-Wan says by way of explanation.
"Obviously," Theseus blurts. How could he not? Jedi are trained to let go, but he's come to realize that not everyone is capable of it. Especially Anakin.
"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him," Ahsoka promises, glancing over to where Anakin and Artoo are transmitting a message to Yularen.
"So will I," he seconds immediately.
"Yes, make sure you do," Obi-Wan replies, "I'll be going to the tower to negotiate with the D'Nar now. Theseus, stay here with Anakin."
The unspoken request of 'be sure things don't go south' is understood. Normally he might object, but he understands the seriousness of the situation. Anakin does have a temper, even if it's hard to remember that sometimes, and if something were to happen, it would take very little to make him snap. Anakin will not be happy Obi-Wan went off with a Zygerrian alone, no doubt, but there is little choice.
He slowly approaches Anakin once he breaks off the call with the Admiral. "Hey... are you okay?"
"Why would I not be?" he replies, giving him an odd look that Theseus knows is completely fake. That he's standing with his arms crossed is a telltale sign he's uncomfortable.
"Some of us are concerned about your wellbeing," he replies mildly.
"I'm fine," he insists. "There's nothing to worry about." Seriously, if Theseus didn't know better, he could almost think that Anakin doesn't even know how to deal with people caring about him.
"As long as you're sure," he replies doubtfully, deciding it's best to drop the matter. He doesn't need to make this worse.
They're moving back to where the rest of the clones are when there's a sudden flare of danger in the Force. The ground trembles violently as one of the nearby towers suddenly explodes. Black clouds of smoke billow out from it as debris flies in every direction. Theseus dives out of the way, barely avoiding being hit himself. He turns to look around again once the worst of the debris has settled.
Cody is slowly pushing himself up off the ground a short distance away. Theseus runs to him instantly, crouching beside him. "Are you alright?"
"I am," he replies, and Theseus pulls him up. It seems to be the truth, unlike Anakin claimed literally five seconds ago. It's ridiculous how all Theseus seems able to do right now is run around checking on everyone. As expected, Cody's armor was able to protect him from the worst of the explosion. Theseus turns to survey the rest of the damage. A number of the clones are on the ground, definitely injured. Anakin and Ahsoka have hurried over to attend to several of them. Theseus sprints over to a nearby member of the 212th, trying to offer whatever assistance he can.
Kix runs to where Anakin is, and a few other medics start moving forwards to help the injured.
"Cody!" Anakin calls, standing up, "We don't have time for the planetary scan. Hook Artoo up, and he'll locate the bombs."
"Right away, sir," the commander answers immediately.
He heads for the walkers. "Ahsoka, let's go."
"Where are we going?" the Togruta calls, hurrying to catch up.
"To disarm the bombs while Obi-Wan negotiations. I hope he can buy us some time."
"W-hey! You don't get to leave me behind!" Theseus calls, running after.
"There's only two walkers, and I think someone should stay here in case something else goes wrong," Anakin replies in that tone implying no one can change his mind, jumping onto his walker.
Okay, fine. Just another day of getting stuck behind while everyone runs off to do the hard work. "Don't complain when I show up late to save your skin," he grumbles, heading back to rejoin his fellow commander. He's greatly missed working with the clones.
Artoo only takes a matter of minutes to start locating the bombs, and they transmit the information over to Anakin and Ahsoka. For some reason, Theseus has the feeling that Obi-Wan is doing very badly right now and decides to keep his concerns to himself. Instead, he turns away to help the medics. Not many were injured, but he can still occupy his mind with something other than his friends.
The padawan's attention is drawn towards the sky when a tremendous explosion rings out. It seems one of the bombs went for a fly, and he won't even bother asking. Some Skywalker-Kenobi dramatics, most likely.
"It looks like someone's having fun," Cody remarks dryly.
Theseus hums in agreement.
"Who do you think it is?" asks Waxer, mildly amused.
"Probably General Skywalker," Rex deadpans, "It's generally him doing those things." No questions there.
"It was thrown out the window," points out Boil, "And that's where General Kenobi is right now."
"Well, I could always call and ask them," Theseus chirps.
"I don't think such an inquiry is important enough to interrupt the negotiations or taking care of the bombs," Cody states dryly.
"Probably not. Either way, I'm sure we'll be finding out shortly." It really is good to be back.
**w**
"General Skywalker, I ran the bio-scan twice, but the results were negative," Admiral Yularen informs.
"Are you saying they're not in the city?" Anakin quires warily.
"I'm saying that they're not even on the planet," he clarifies, "The entire population appears to have simply vanished."
"Vanished?" exclaims Ahsoka with a rush of horror, jolting forwards. "That's impossible! Those are my people."
"Troubling is the return of the Zygerrians," Yoda states with a frown. He's changed so much since the start of the war. He seems sad, distant almost, in a way Theseus doesn't really understand. Not that he's even been with the Grandmaster much, but it still seems different than even when he was his padawan.
"It is likely they mean to use Dooku to rebuild their slave empire," suggests Plo.
"We cannot allow that, Master," Anakin promises fiercely, and Theseus knows he's willing to do anything to stop it.
"Agree I do, but first find the colonists you must. In great danger, they are." The padawan senses a darker note which he doesn't understand.
"What is it, Master?" Master Plo inquires.
"Sense I do a darker hand in this mystery. Slavery, a great tool it is for the rise of the Sith."
"Wait," Theseus interjects with a frown. Normally, he would never talk to the Council like this, but he can't hold himself back this time. "We are being kept on this mission?" The disapproval hangs heavily in his voice, though he doubts anyone takes note or care of it. "Even after we know what's happening?"
Windu and Yoda exchange glances. Obi-Wan looks away. "You already started the investigation. It would be unreasonable not to carry it out," Windu replies. "We don't have the resources."
He inhales sharply before reminding himself to calm. He needs to be calm, to address this with a level head, even if he's raging inside. "That's it?" he asks, "We're being sent on a very personal mission that could well interfere with our judgement, even if it isn't a conscious choice."
"Skywalker," the Jedi Master replies, never losing his cool. "Can you complete this mission?"
What?! That wasn't what he meant!
"Of course," Anakin promises firmly without a shred of doubt, though there is a hint of something dark beneath the surface.
"You must trust him to complete his part of the mission," Windu says before the hologram flickers out.
Is he really going to just leave it at that?! Theseus whirls around stalking towards the door as his anger surges. They're going to send Anakin and Ahsoka into the midst of something so incredibly personal?!
"Padawan, I understand your concerns, but we must carry out this mission properly, to completion," Obi-Wan calls after him.
"How would you feel if something like this happened on Mandalore?" Theseus shoots back. "How do you think I would feel? These are Ahsoka's people! I know it's not my place to question the Council, but how can a former slave and a Togruta not have emotional involvement in something like this?!" He turns to where Anakin and Ahsoka are standing together, neither of them speaking. Anakin is shielding too heavily to tell what he could be feeling, aside from being really upset and maybe a little hurt by... something. "I'm not saying you can't control yourself; I'm just saying you shouldn't have to be in this situation at all," he clarifies.
"Theseus, control is part of being a Jedi –"
"Not in something like this. Not now, Master. I need to get my head on straight if we're going to be figuring anything out." He stalks out the door without looking back.
**w**
After creating and trashing at least half a dozen plans, which somehow manages to pass without anyone strangling anybody else, though it comes close a few times, they've made their decision. Ahsoka will stay in the ship while the boys go out to search. They aren't letting a Togruta anywhere on a planet like that, and Theseus feels sick at the thought of anyone staring at her like that. He knows Anakin does too. Since he's going to be playing the role of the slave instead of her – he can't believe someone even suggested that – things are settled for now.
"Let's just hope the information our spies gave us about the Queen is accurate," Anakin comments as he heads down the ramp of the shuttle, Theseus and Obi-Wan close behind. Ships are flying everywhere, and the streets are bustling with people, mostly Zygerrians. And other beings with Theseus is certain are slaves without even asking, even if it isn't always obvious. He can tell by looking at them, and it's making him sick. How could anyone survive in such an environment? How did Anakin survive in a place like this for... nine years?
"Remember," Anakin adds as though as afterthought, "I'll keep her occupied while you locate the missing people of Kiros." And hopefully in the meantime, Ahsoka will be alright on the ship. It's unlikely anyone would try to board it for an investigation or anything, but it's hard to be sure. He knows Ahsoka can defend herself just fine, but he hates this entire situation. All of it.
"How do you plan on keeping the Queen occupied?" inquires Obi-Wan.
"With my magnetic charm, of course." For some reason, Theseus really isn't sure he wants to know what Anakin has in mind.
"Oh, yes, of course."
"I don't get how a civilization this advanced can still practice slavery," Theseus grumbles as they head through the busy marketplace. Rex and Obi-Wan linger a distance behind him and Anakin. He pointedly ignores the two creatures off to the side, literally fighting with huge knives. It reminds him of Hondo. Ugh.
"It makes them wealthy and powerful at the expense of others. Before the Hutts bought my mother, she was sold in a market just like this," Anakin replies. He says it almost nonchalantly, but there's a distinct undertone of darkness, like there has been much of the time.
A sudden commotion catches Theseus' attention. "Get up, you useless skug!" he hears someone shouting. Both of them stop, turning to see a Twi'lek slave on the ground, his Zygerrian master towering over him.
"Master, the bonds, they are too heavy," the Twi'lek protests weakly.
"Tell it to my whip," the Zygerrian snarls, pulling out and activating an electrowhip.
Never, never has Theseus had such an overpowering urge to murder someone with his bare hands. Yes, he's heard things about slavery before, but actually seeing it is something entirely different, and something like this?! Theseus glances at Anakin, who gives him a subtle nod to intervene. They wanted to draw attention to themselves, and he refuses to stand by and watch as an innocent being is beaten.
Theseus darts forwards, grabbing the Zygerrian's arm before he can swing the whip at the Twi'lek. The other nearby slaves fearfully back away. "You don't want to do that," he growls.
"You dare touch me?!" snarls the Zygerrian jerking away and whirling to face him. Anakin steps forwards, gently pushing Theseus aside.
"Excuse my slave, friend," he says smoothly, "He is freshly caught."
"What have we here?" the man demands from behind them as several guards approach, two of them with blasters aimed. "You wear Zygerrian armor, but you are not one of us. Who are you?"
"I've come for an audience with the Queen," Anakin answers easily.
"Then you have an invitation? We can't just let anyone in to speak with Her Majesty."
"No invitation, but I do bring news, news that the Queen will be eager to hear."
"I doubt that. You're nothing more than a brigand." Isn't that exactly what every single last one of these stupid slavers are? Funny how they can use the word like it's demeaning when it describes them so perfectly.
"I wouldn't say that." Anakin objects calmly, "Especially when the Queen learns you were preventing her from hearing the news about Bruno Denturri."
A probe droid flies up, hovering between them. "Halt," it orders. "Cease all hostilities. This man is to be escorted to the palace, by order of the Queen."
Good. It seems the few days spent researching the planet actually are turning out to be quite useful, and so far, everything is moving according to plan. Except, of course, Theseus knows it won't stay that way.
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