Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Hope you guys like this one.
So, although this has just one episode title, it's actually going to cover the events of both episodes 18 and 19, given I feel there isn't enough to that episode that's not just Ahsoka and Ventress. So, what little I'll be doing of that episode will be at the end of this chapter.
Let's get to it.
Peter Hong Kong: The CIA is more suited for gathering intelligence and spying. The FBI is more suited for criminal investigations and manhunts, so I decided to bring in the FBI. CSI stands for crime scene investigator.
Guest DCDGojira: There may be flashbacks in the third story to events between the second and third stories. The Alliance may establish a moon base. And having a female OC be anlove interest for Luke is not out of the question. Yes, I'll be doing the inhibitor chip episodes. I'll cover specific revisions to the Code later on, but I'll confirm is that the rule banning marriage is not part of the Terran Jedi Code.
CT7567Rules: How do you mean?
Chapter 49- The Jedi Who Knew Too Much
Adams stares solemnly at the bodies laid out before him. He is currently attending the funeral for the Jedi who were killed in the bombing. Colonel Hall had been recalled to Terra due to a family emergency, and Adams had taken his place at the Temple.
The funeral had a few additions inspired by Terran military funeral customs. Each body was draped in a flag of the Republic. A seven man firing team armed with rifles loaded with blanks is standing by for a 21 gun salute, and a bugler was also in the room.
The entire Jedi Order present at the Temple had come to the funeral. A few dignitaries had come as well, including Palpatine, Mas Amedda, Admiral Tarkin, and the American General Dennis Reimer, the Terran field commander on Coruscant.
Yoda walks slowly besides the bodies. "One with the Force, they are. And our job it is to remember that we will, in time, also pass on. Luminous beings are we, but temporary vessels, our bodies are. A moment of silence, I ask, to remember and to move on."
Near Adams, Ahsoka turns to Barriss beside her. "You were close to one of them?" she asks.
"Tutso Mara. We trained together. He taught me how to hold my lightsaber correctly," Barriss says.
"Live for the living Jedi, we must. Live through us, forever they will," Yoda says. He then taps his walking stick on the ground.
"Squad, ready!" the American officer commanding the firing team orders. The seven men aim their rifles towards the ceiling.
"Fire!" the commander says. The seven men fire, then reload.
"Fire!" The seven men fire again.
"Fire!" The seven men fire for the third time. They then shift their grips on their rifles, bring them down to the "Present Arms" position.
Yoda taps his staff again, and the bodies sink into the floor. As they do, the American bugler raises his instrument to his lips and begins to play Taps. A number of Jedi feels their eyes water at the feeling the song brings to them as the floor closes over the bodies.
Once the bugler finishes, he lowers his instrument, and the commander of the detail salutes the fallen Jedi one last time. With that, the funeral comes to an end, and the guests begin to file out of the room.
Adams walks with Anakin, Ahsoka, Barriss, and Tarkin down the hall away from the chamber. As they walk, Ahsoka asks, "So, what happens to Letta now?"
"The bomber has been moved," Tarkin responds.
"Moved? Where? Why should she be moved?" Ahsoka asks.
"The Republic military has taken her into custody," Tarkin responds.
"But why? This is a Jedi matter, isn't it?" Ahsoka asks.
"Clones were killed, which makes this terrorist attack a military matter. An attack on the Jedi is an attack on the Senate," Tarkin responds.
"The Admiral is right, Ahsoka. Letta's not a Jedi. In any case, I think she has even less chance of escaping if she's in military custody. She'll still get a fair trial, and if and when she is found guilty, her punishment will be just, whether or not the Jedi or the Republic courts conduct the trial," Adams says to Ahsoka. This seems to appease her.
Admiral Tarkin walks towards the lift. "The Chancellor believes that the Jedi be removed from as many military matters as possible. You yourselves said that you're peacekeepers, not soldiers," Tarkin says.
Adams tries to keep his eyes from narrowing. Yet again, an action from the Chancellor makes him a little suspicious. He's not the only one. Many high level officials in the Terran Alliance also share a suspicion of the Chancellor.
"I hope Chancellor Palpatine knows what he's doing," Ahsoka says.
"I assure you that he rarely does anything without a strategy," Tarkin says. The lift then opens, and Tarkin steps in.
"I have many things to attend to, Masters. Good day," Barriss says before walking away.
After a moment, Anakin leans forward a bit and says, "Go. Be with your friend, Ahsoka." Ahsoka nods and hurries off after Barriss as Anakin and Adams walk into the elevator.
"In ways, she is still very young," Anakin says.
"Indeed," Tarkin says. Adams scowls a bit at Tarkin behind his back, but keeps quiet.
Tarkin gets off on one floor and heads for the Temple exit. Anakin and Adams head further up into the Temple.
As they continue up, Anakin's commlink beeps. Anakin touches it, and he hears Yoda say, "Skywalker, needed in the war room, you and Captain Adams are."
"On our way, Master," Anakin says. He then contacts Ahsoka and lets her know to come to the war room as well.
Soon, the three of them are in the war room. After a few minutes, a briefing begins, with Obi Wan, who is currently out in the field, conducting it via holo-message.
"We've uncovered a Separatist plan of attack. We shall travel to the Anoat system here, the move across to Saleucami," Obi Wan says.
"So far out of your way?" Mace asks.
"Unfortunately, we must avoid these neutral systems," Obi Wan says.
Suddenly, a hologram of Admiral Tarkin pops up next to Obi Wan's. "Excuse me, Master Jedi," he interrupts.
"yes, Admiral," Mace responds.
"Commander Tano, your presence is requested by prisoner Letta Turmond," Tarkin says.
"The prisoner from the hangar bombing?" Ahsoka asks in confusion.
"Why is she asking for Ahsoka?" Anakin asks.
"Not exactly sure, but Commander Tano is the only person the prisoner will speak to," Tarkin responds.
Ahsoka nods and says, "I'll report back with whatever I find out," Ahsoka says before turning and walking out of the war room. As she goes, Adams watches her go. An uneasy feeling is gripping him. Feeling it would be best for Ahsoka to have a companion, he follows her out of the war room.
"Why are you following me, Captain?" she asks.
"I don't know. Something just doesn't feel right to me. I'd feel better if I went with you," Adams says. Ahsoka doesn't reply, but just nods and keeps walking.
The two take a speeder and head to the GAR's military prison. As they touch down, Ahsoka hops out, with Adams following close behind.
Entering the prison, they walk to the reception area of sorts in the cell block where Turmond is being held. As they walk up to the booth, the clone in charge, Commander Fox, sees them and asks, "Yes."
"I'm Commander Tano, and this is Captain Adams. Letta Turmond requested to see me," Ahsoka responds.
"A lot of innocent people died in that blast. Nice work capturing her," Fox compliments Ahsoka before turning to one of the other clones in the booth and saying, "Alright, scan her."
The clone scans Ahsoka, and picks up her lightsabers and commlink. Seeing that, Fox, says, "Leave your commlink and lightsabers here."
A drawer pops out, and Ahsoka sets her commlink and lightsabers in the drawer.
"Captain, you'll wait here," Fox says. Adams just nods in response.
Fox then walk out with two clones and says, "Follow me."
Fox leads Ahsoka over to the ray shields that are blocking off the way into the cell block. Once they are deactivated, Ahsoka follows the three clones down the hall.
Adams leans against a wall, looking at the ceiling and whistling the tune "Take Me Home, Country Roads," a favorite of his given he grew up in West Virginia.
Not long after, Fox and the two clones come back. One of the clones looks at Adams and says, "That sounds like a nice tune there, Captain."
"An old favorite of mine from back home, written about the land where I grew up," Adams says.
"That sounds nice. You mind actually singing it? Might help pass the time," the clone says.
Adams smiles a bit and begins to sing. However, he's barely into the first chorus when suddenly an alarm goes off. "Prisoner health critical, holding cell 173!" a robotic voice says.
"What's going on?" Adams asks.
"It's Turmond. Commander Tano is choking her!" Fox says as he runs out of the booth, the two other clones following him.
Adams glances into the booth, and sees the hologram. Instantly, he can tell by the expression on Ahsoka's face that she's panicking, and it doesn't seem like she's doing.
The uneasy feeling in his gut grows. And Adams has long learned to trust his gut. And so, he turns and runs after the clones.
As he reaches the cell, he hears Fox say, "I can't say I blame you, Commander Tano. But all the same you're under arrest."
Adams sprints into the cell, seeing two clones standing beside Fox, who is aiming his blaster pistols at Ahsoka, who has her hands held up. Adams quickly knocks out the two clones with two powerful blows to the head, then grabs Fox in a headlock, putting him unconscious quickly.
Ahsoka turns to Adams, shocked. "Go, Ahsoka. There's no way they're gonna believe you right now. I'll do what I can to help you, but you're gonna be blamed for this one way or the other. They've got recordings of what goes on in each room, and right now you're gonna look guilty. I just bought you some time. Use it!" he says.
"Why are you helping me?" Ahsoka asks.
"Because I know you're not a killer, and something isn't adding up here. Get out of here as quick as you can. I'll tell them someone knocked out the clones, and you got past me in your escape," Adams says.
"Thank you, Captain," Ahsoka says. She then hurries and runs out of the cell.
Adams goes over to the edge of the cell, sitting down and slumping against the wall. As Fox wakes up, he sees Adams slumped against the wall.
"Captain! What happened?!" he demands.
"I don't know. I came to help you, but Tano had somehow knocked you out by the time I got here. Commander Tano got past me before I could stop her," Adams says.
Fox stands up, then helps Adams to his feet. "We've got to stop her!" Fox says.
"You go. I'll wake these guys up," Adams says. Fox nods and hurries off as Adams tries to rouse the other clones. It doesn't take him too long, and they take off running after Fox.
Adams heads off through the prison, lightsaber and blaster pistol at the ready. Not for Ahsoka, but whoever else may be involved in this.
As he rounds a corner, he suddenly sees Fox, Rex, and Anakin standing over the bodies of three dead clones, all with marks from a lightsaber on them.
"What the h***?" Adams exclaims.
"Come on, Adams. We need to find her," Anakin says. Adams just nods and follows Anakin as he runs off.
The two search the facility. As they run, Adams is thinking hard, wondering what kind of plot Ahsoka has been sucked into, and who is trying to frame her.
As he runs, he slows down a bit, he activates his commlink to General Reimer's office. "General, this is Captain Adams. Commander Tano is currently on the run. She is being accused of murder, but I believe she's being framed. Contact Washington immediately. We need Barr out here immediately," he says.
"Understood, Captain. I can call in a favor. I'll get him here as fast as possible," General Reimer responds before cutting the transmission.
Adams continues to search the base with Anakin. As they near the entrance, they hear a commotion coming from the entrance.
The two hurry to the entrance, where Fox and a number of clones are standing.
"What's going on?" Anakin asks.
"We found her. She's heading towards the industrial pipeline," Fox responds.
"Set your weapons for stun. I want her alive!" Anakin says firmly before he starts running in the direction Ahsoka fled, Adams and Rex right behind him.
A pair of LAATs launch and start heading after Ahsoka. As they pass Anakin and Adams, Anakin says into his commlink, "Do not shoot to kill! Do not shoot to kill! Try to box her in. Don't let he escape. Tell me what you see, Oddball."
The three of them continue to run, following the flashing lights of the clone's stun rays and Ahsoka's lightsabers.
Finally, the clones manage to briefly slow Ahsoka down, and using both the LAATs, and men on the ground, they surround her. Anakin, Adams, and Rex run up soon after.
However, almost immediately after they arrive, Ahsoka leaps up onto a large pipe. "Ahsoka!" Anakin calls, but its too late. Ahsoka cuts a hole in the pipe and jumps down into the it.
Clones hurry up to the top of the pipe and begin jumping in. Adams follows Anakin up onto the pipe, and then down into it.
Adams races ahead of Anakin, and the two soon separate, heading down different tunnels.
As he runs through the tunnels, Adams grins a bit. "Good work, Commander. Now, you just gotta stay away from the Republic until we can figure out what's going on," he says.
Within a minute, his commlink activates. "All units, this is General Skywalker. Commander Tano escaped into the lower levels. Everyone, pull back. Captain Adams and myself will return to the Jedi Temple and figure out how to pursue Commander Tano with the help of the Jedi Council," Anakin's voice says over the commlink.
Adams heads back to the opening they came in from. When he gets there, Anakin is already there.
"Let's hurry," Anakin says. Adams nods, and the two get back above ground and board an LAAT, heading back to the Jedi Temple.
When they reach the Temple, they immediately head up to the Council Room. As they enter, they see a hologram of Admiral Tarkin in the center of the room.
"After further investigation, there can be little doubt that the clone officers murdered in the escape were killed by none other than Ahsoka Tano herself. She attacked the clones that arrived in the cell, as well as Captain Adams, and then proceeded to cut down six clones in her escape," Tarkin says.
"I do not believe that Ahsoka could have fallen so far," Plo Koon says.
"The beliefs of the Jedi Council are irrelevant. We deal strictly in facts and evidence, and the evidence points to Padawan Tano being guilty of the attack on the temple and the murder of the Republic officers. This is sedition!" Tarkin declares before the transmission cuts off.
"Tarkin is jumping to conclusions out of dislike for the Jedi Order. There is no evidence yet she was involved in the bombing, and there is evidence that she was not the one responsible for the murdered clones," Adams says.
Yoda sighs. "The Council believes that Ahsoka may be guilty of the latter crime. Still believe they are wrong, do you, hmm?" he says, directing his words to Anakin.
"I believe she didn't kill the clone troopers or the woman who used the nano droids to blow up the Temple. That's why she's running. To prove her innocence," Anakin says.
"Now she's in the lower depths. With her skills, she will be hard to find," Mace Windu says.
"Hmm. Two teams we will send. Master Skywalker and Master Plo Koon, with clones you will go," Yoda says.
"I'll go," Adams says.
Mace says, "I think it would be best if Skywalker stayed here. Having you involved may actually make things worse."
"Master Windu, with all due respect, she is my Padawan," Anakin says firmly.
"The reason for you not to go," Mace says.
"I think we're being foolish if we take Anakin off this mission. Who knows her better?" Obi Wan says through his hologram.
"He's emotionally tied to her. Probably too emotional to do what needs to be done," Mace replies.
"I'd rather capture Ahsoka and find out the truth than let her run because of a lie," Anakin says a little hotly.
"You must prove to us that you will stay focused. Can you?" Yoda asks.
"I've already alerted security on the lower levels to be on the lookout for Ahsoka," Anakin says.
"Go swiftly then, Skywalker, and bring back this lost child before it is too late," Yoda says.
"Yes, Master," Anakin says before and Plo walk out of the Council Room.
Adams follows them out of the Council Room. While they head for a landing pad, he heads down to the entrance.
After Adams exits the Temple, he makes his way to where a speeder is parked. He gets on the speeder and takes off to a nearby building where the FBI team has set up.
Walking into the office being used by the team, he sees Agent Fitzgerald and a number of agents milling about or typing on tablets.
"Agent Fitzgerald," Adams greets him.
"Captain Adams. Welcome," Fitzgerald says.
"Have you had any luck?" Adams asks.
"Not much. We were able to get our hands on pretty much all of the evidence from the prison. The clones were cooperative with our requests. Unfortunately, there's not much to go on. We had experts examining the footage from Letta Turmond's cell and attempting to use their lip movements to construct what the two were saying, but the process is slow. It'll take a while before we can tell what was said in the cell. We're also looking for fingerprints, as well as examining the lightsaber wounds on the bodies to see if we can use the angles and position to gauge the height of the culprit," Fitzgerald says.
"Alright. Let me know if you find anything that could help our case to prove Ahsoka's innocence," Adams says.
"Yes, sir. I must say, after only meeting Commander Tano briefly, I already feel certain she couldn't do something like this. I just hope we can figure out the truth," Fitzgerald says.
Adams nods and walks off, wanting to rest from the excitement of the last day.
Hours later, Adams is woken up by the sound of his name. He sits up and looks around to see Agent Fitzgerald standing next to him.
"Found anything, Agent?" Adams asks.
"Making progress, but nothing solid yet. But, things have gotten worse. We just got a report that General Skywalker and General Koon captured Commander Tano and have returned with her to the Temple. Apparently, she was also spotted with Asajj Ventress, though Ventress was not captured," Fitzgerald says.
Adams stands there for a few moments, then curses under his breath. "Contact Command. Let them know we need Barr here now. I'm heading to the Temple. You and your team keep working. We need to figure out everything that's going on here, and fast," Adams says before hurrying off, determined to get to the bottom of this one way or another.
And, I'll end there. I hope you liked this chapter.
So, obviously this went much different than the episode did. Someone left a review on one chapter a while back asking if Adams would help Ahsoka when she was framed. Obviously, yes. Given his experience, I get the feeling he would be suspicious that someone else was involved, especially if he caught a glimpse of the video footage.
Also, for those wondering, I chose Take Me Home, Country Roads as the song Adams was whistling/singing because it's one of my personal favorites.
So, next chapter is gonna be a little more similar to the episode it's based on than this chapter was . It'll be up soon. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned.