Chapter 15: The Prophets of Retribution

Lasky smirked as he watched the final arm of the Andromeda Ark near completion. The world-building efforts on the final stretch of habitat were nearing the final stages as the artificial atmosphere was generated by the machinery of the Ark. "Lord of Admirals, the Ark's systems are reporting active on all but one arm." The Sensors officer declared over the light hum of bridge conversation. "The Seed Fleet is docking with the shipyards now, and civilians are being brought onto the installation."

"Excellent." Lasky nodded. "Alert all GC fleet assets that their new home station is ready."

"Right away."

Lasky turned back to the observation window, gazing out to the megastructure that had been manufactured. Gas giants and small stars alike had been consumed for this project, and it had finally paid off. The GC had a home just outside Andromeda, and a means to monitor the galaxy once they were finally able to remove their forces. With any luck, that would be soon.

XXXXX

Kathryn stepped off of the ramp, the confines of the small civilian liner giving way to the temperate air of Raxus. The world was certainly beautiful, seeming almost like Earth's more temperate regions locked in a perpetual autumn. It was almost… calming, were it not for the B1 battle droids that were asking for the identification of disembarking passengers.

Kathryn quietly resisted the urge to call upon her armor and weapons to tear these droids apart as Ahsoka and Padme stepped out behind her. Just as a pair of droids were approaching them, a tall human woman with grey eyes and brunette hair approached them, a small smile on her face. "Padme…" She said, pulling her friend into a quick hug. "It's so good to see you again."

"I just wish it didn't need all of the secrecy…" Padme lamented. "Ahsoka, Kathryn, this is Mina Bonteri. She was my mentor when I was growing up on Naboo."

"You're a Separatist?" Ahsoka asked, earning a chuckle from Mina.

"Well of course, my dear. What were you expecting?" She allowed herself a small smile. "Now come, I have a transport waiting."

The short shuttle ride from the landing pad to the Bonteri Estate on the outskirts of Raxulon was taken up mostly by Padme and Mina catching up. Ahsoka simply sat in her seat, spending half of her time watching the city whiz by through the window and the other half watching Bonteri out of the corner of her eye. Kathryn was a bit more overt in her distrust, but kept her expression blank and professional.

As the small shuttle landed on the pad just outside the estate, connected to it by a tall staircase, everyone stood up and disembarked, meeting that warm air again. Kathryn immediately spotted a young boy near the top of the stairwell, watching the transport land with his arms folded across his chest. "Lux, get down here and help our guests with their luggage!" Mina called out to the young boy.

Lux descended the staircase, meeting Padme first. "Please, allow me." He gestured to the small luggage bag she was carrying. Padme gave him a warm smile as she handed her bag over to him. As he approached Kathryn, he was slightly taken-aback by the sheer height of this woman. She truly towered over him. Stranger yet… she had nothing other than the clothes on her back. He elected to bypass the massive woman, and offered to take Ahsoka's bag. "Let me help you." He offered.

Ahsoka reflexively jerked her hand away. "I can handle it." She declared, sending a glare in his direction as she continued following behind Padme. Kathryn smirked as she heard Ahsoka's pace quicken slightly, coming to walk alongside her.

XXXXX

"Anything to report?" Alice asked the Sangheili Honor Guard that stood steadfast by the gates of the GC Embassy. "Admiral Cutter mentioned a trip on the motion trackers?"

"Yes…" The Sangheili nodded, shifting the weight of his body slightly as he adjusted his stance. "One of the cleaner droids wandered into one of the diplomatic offices. It was merely a false alert, SPARTAN."

The moment the Sangheili finished his statement, a series of explosions rocked the GC Embassy. Glass shards were sent out in all directions as multiple levels throughout the massive skyscraper went up in smoke. Alice and the Sangheili reflexively flinched as the suddenness of the explosion caught them off-guard. "By the Mantle…" The Sangheili muttered, grabbing hold of his Light Rifle.

Civilians all around the square screamed as the explosions echoed throughout the upper levels of Coruscant. Senate Guards rushed over from their posts, and the few GC Honor Guards guarding the perimeter immediately darted towards the building.

Alice called her armor into existence, the plates assembling themselves over her body. "Admiral Cutter, this is SPARTAN Alice!" She shouted into her communicator. "Multiple detonations in the Embassy, we need forces planetside to secure the area!"

"ODSTs en-route, SPARTAN!" Cutter responded. "Secure the embassy, check for survivors."

"Copy." Alice answered, sprinting into the building alongside the Sangheili guard, armor assembling itself over her as she ran.

XXXXX

"He's grown so much, Mina…" Padme commented, looking out the ornately paned window at Lux, who was sitting on the staircase, looking out at the distant city.

"Time won't stop, even if we are at war." Mina shrugged, walking over and handing a glass of some unknown liquor to Padme. "I'm afraid the war is… shaping his life."

"A shame…" Kathryn piped up from the other side of the room, standing by Ahsoka. "With any luck, the war will be over soon."

"I wouldn't be so sure…" Mina looked to the SPARTAN. "Even with the Republic's new ally, the war's just as stagnant as it has been."

"Wars have a nasty habit of changing when you least expect it." Kathryn offered.

"With all due respect. Maybe now we can end the war that the Separatists created." Ahsoka said.

"Ahsoka…" Padme began.

"It's quite alright." Mina placated. "That's a very polarized point of view, my dear. Many of us in the Separatist Senate feel the same way about the Republic and the Jedi… Lux's father was the same way."

"Well… I'd love to speak with him, maybe change his perspective?" Ahsoka offered.

"If only…" Mina sighed. "One year ago, next week, he was setting up a field base when Clones and those… Coalition Marines attacked. He fought bravely in self-defense… but was killed."

Ahsoka immediately regretted bringing the topic up, a guilty feeling welling up in her gut. "I should… get some air." She offered, heading for the door to the courtyard.

Kathryn followed behind, allowing herself a moment to turn around. "If it's any consolation… this war's a pointless waste of life, on both sides. I'm sorry for your loss."

As the SPARTAN followed behind Ahsoka, heading outside, Mina turned back to Padme. She took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "She seems… very principled."

"Which one?" Padme asked, earning a small chuckle from Mina.

"The tall one." She answered. "She's certainly well-built, far taller than most. Who is she?"

"A friend of Ahsoka's, she insisted on coming along." Padme half-lied. She had no idea what Kathryn's restrictions were when it came to information, so she offered what little she could without putting her in danger.

Outside, Ahsoka and Kathryn were heading down the staircase leading to the courtyard. Ahsoka simply stared down at the steps before her, and all Kat wanted to do was offer her a few kind words. Seeing that Lux was nearby, however, she remained silent.

As the two stepped past him, Kathryn gave him a quick, sideways glance. He seemed to be eyeing Ahsoka's lightsaber, which she wore on her hip. "You're a Jedi, aren't you?" He asked, catching her attention.

"Yes… why do you ask?" Ahsoka asked, turning around.

"Before the war, I was always told that the Jedi were good. Defenders of the peace." Lux answered.

"And now?" Ahsoka asked.

"I don't know anymore." Lux admitted. He cast a look over to Kathryn. "And you're a mystery… you're unarmed, but you're with a Jedi. You're… well, huge. Your eyes almost glow. You're Galactic Coalition, aren't you?"

"Perceptive." Kathryn offered. She didn't show it, but she silently debated bugging out. She could at least take Padme's word that Mina was trustworthy, but Lux was a rogue element. She wasn't even sure if Mina even knew.

"Well, we're the first Jedi and Coalition soldier you've ever met… we're not so bad, are we?" Ahsoka offered, leaning against the stone guardrail.

Kathryn watched as Lux started eyeing Ahsoka with a bit more than just curiosity. He seemed to focus on her more… physical traits. "No… not bad at all."

Ahsoka caught this too, rolling her eyes. "No matter where you go, boys are always the same. Republic or Separatist."

"Well, I'm the first Separatist you've met. I'm not so bad, right?" Lux tried.

"No… could do without the ogling, though." Ahsoka stated.

Kathryn resisted the urge to chuckle, but found herself distracted by an Alpha-Level Ping from her Neural Lance. She opened the message, the words reading out before her eyes as the data was brought to her retinal implant. A sickening sense of dread washed over her as she scanned the message from Admiral Cutter.

SPARTAN K-792,

Three Milky Way-Standard Hours ago, eight bombs were detonated in the Coalition's Embassy on Coruscant. OMI has confirmed that these bombs were contained in infiltrator droids disguised as janitorial units. With this, it is highly unlikely that peace talks will be considered by the Republic Senate. The Emergency Session held just one hour ago confirms this, as previously-undecided Senators voiced their support for expanding the war effort.

In this attack, forty six personnel were killed and one hundred and twelve were wounded, including Ambassador Aiter and his staff of diplomats. The Office has cleared the amendment of mission protocol. If you have the opportunity, you are cleared to engage Separatist Military leaders.

The Office expects you three back by the next standard day. We will be returning the favor in twenty four hours.

-Vice-Admiral James Cutter

Ahsoka seemed to notice that Kathryn had zoned out for a moment. She had seen this before, and it meant that she was doing… something with her neural implant. "Kat? What's going on?"

Kathryn took a deep breath. "There's been a bombing on Coruscant, the GC Embassy." A look of shock and terror overtook Ahsoka. "Forty six dead, over a hundred injured."

"You think it was us?" Lux asked, confused.

"We know it was you." Kathryn deadpanned. "I need to update the Senator."

XXXXX

Try as she might, Kathryn simply could not convince Padme that these peace talks were no longer an option. So now here she was, sitting in the Parliament house of her enemy, the same enemy that had taken the lives of her people. Non-combatants at that. She silently cursed the fact that Dooku was only here in holographic form… it saved his head from being ventilated before the entire Separatist Parliament. Padme had at least relented on the need to be off Raxus within the day, unless they wanted to be caught in the GC's retribution strike.

Kathryn watched as the Separatist Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of peace, despite the recent bombing of an Embassy on Coruscant. She looked over the parliament's floor. None of these creatures were worth breaching her operation's security over. They'd at least get the luxury of perceived security for a few more hours.

XXXXX

Not long after the shuttle bearing Ahsoka, Padme, and Kathryn left for Mandalore, the GC's reprisal slipped into the space surrounding Raxus.

Four Guardian Constructs emerged from the depths of the Slipstream, emerging as individual plates and components from hundreds of small rifts in time and space. The Separatist fleet surrounding Raxus scrambled to form a defense, but it was all in vain.

Just as the first of the Providence-Class Cruisers opened fire on the massive, sentient machines, they unleashed their primary weapon. Four devastating electromagnetic pulses were deployed from each of the Guardians. The fleet in orbit around Raxus was utterly gutted, all of the internal circuitry aboard the vessels fizzled and crackled as it was overloaded. The unshielded Battle Droids of the fleet and on the surface overloaded, many of them either shutting down or self-destructing from the sheer overload.

The electrical grid of Raxus practically collapsed in on itself. The entire world was blanketed in darkness within moments. All security measures, all civilian infrastructure, all vehicles, and every building on the planet shut down. Blasters were rendered inert, communications were shut down, and the entire defense grid was destroyed without a shot being fired.

After the GC's message was broadcasted to the entirety of the CIS, the Guardians simply slipped back into the Slipstream, returning to the Ark in a matter of hours.

XXXXX

"You ordered a Guardian strike?" Ahsoka asked, regarding Cutter and the SPARTANs in confusion. "What's that mean?"

The group was sitting around a small conference table locked away in one of In Spirit of Fire's internal decks. Joining the Admiral, SPARTANs, and Jedi Padawan was a Sangheili in ornate, steely-gray runic armor. His observant amber eyes scanned the table in sweeping, perceptive gazes. The Sangheili's baritone, perfect speech rang out over the table. "It means, young one, that the Galactic Coalition has answered the Separatist escalation of the war." He began, neck craned to look to Ahsoka. "Our people, disconnected from this war and serving only as a diplomatic envoy to the Republic, became the targets of this cowardly Separatist alliance. We have reduced the star system that Raxus inhabits to the late steel age."

"How…?" Ahsoka asked in bewilderment.

"The Guardian constructs serve the role that their name would imply… they are the guardians of life and the enforcers of the Mantle in our galaxy." The Arbiter explained. "We have decided that the Separatists will pay for the spilt blood of innocents, not just with the economic costs of restoring their capital world, but they will pay by holding the knowledge that the Coalition can, and will strike at anywhere we choose, at any time we choose." He placed his hands on the conference table, lacing his fingers together. "The electromagnetic pulse released by the Guardians has rendered all powered systems on Raxus inert. This leaves the Separatists with a choice: escalate the war, or repair their home."

"That's… terrifying." Ahsoka wondered, the implications of an entire system's electrical grid being shut down in a matter of moments hitting her. "Won't innocent people on Raxus suffer because of this?"

"Of course." The Arbiter nodded. "This decision was not made lightly. This is the first time that the Coalition has ever deployed the Guardians for such a purpose. We hope it to be the last. The Parliament has sent our ultimatum to end the war. Should the Separatists accept, I can guarantee that this will be the final deployment of the Guardians."

"What is this ultimatum, sir?" Alice asked.

"The complete, unconditional surrender of the Confederacy of Independent Systems to the Galactic Coalition and the Galactic Republic." Arbiter Moramee explained. "We have demonstrated that their use of battle droids is their greatest weakness, and that we are unafraid to exploit this weakness."

The meeting found itself interrupted by the appearance of Preston Cole on the table, his small Hard Light projection fizzling into existence. "Apologies for the interruption, Arbiter, but it looks like the Separatists have given their answer."

"They have?" Moramee asked, leaning forward. "Please, explain."

"Republic observation units report that a massive armada is en-route to Shilli, a neutral system." Cole explained. Ahsoka froze up as Cole ran through the remainder of the scouting report.

"Hmm…" The Arbiter hummed. "Forward this information to High Command, notify them that I will personally lead the counter-attack." He turned to Cutter, his mandibles clenched in a gesture of his sincerity and bottled-up rage. "Admiral Cutter, muster your fleet. We will relieve the natives of Shilli."

"Of course, Arbiter." Cutter nodded. Cutter never thought that he'd be taking orders from an Elite, and it was a strange experience.

"Excellent." Moramee stood upright, the cloak that bore his House's emblem flowing down to his side, concealing one of his two ceremonial Type-1 Energy Swords. "I will retire to my ship." With that, the Arbiter turned and headed through the door.

Ahsoka almost felt like she needed to vomit. She had such hazy memories of Shilli, yet she still felt that inexplicable attachment to the homeworld. The idea that the Separatists were targeting a neutral system, her home, both sickened her and enraged her. Ahsoka gasped as a familiar voice called out to her. "Ahsoka…?"

She immediately shot her head over to her right, seeing a concerned-looking Kathryn. "Ex-Excuse me…" She said, standing up and making for the door.

Kathryn resisted the urge to immediately stand up and follow her friend, but restrained herself. She was sitting across from her commanding officer, and her commanding officer as well. "Is there a problem?" Cutter asked, confused.

"Shilli is… Ahsoka's home." Kathryn explained.

Cutter nodded in understanding, a grim look on his face. "Ah…" Cutter awkwardly cleared his throat before continuing. "Well, you're dismissed, SPARTANs."

Wordlessly, the four SPARTANs stood, arms bent in a salute before stepping out into the metallic halls of the Infinity-class. As they stepped into the barren hallway, populated only by closed doors and bright lights, Alice placed a hand on Kathryn's shoulder. In a rare, heart-felt tone, she spoke to her team's medical officer. "Kat… you should go talk with her. I'll take these two down to the C-Decks for a while."

Kathryn offered a sincere smile to her superior. "Thanks, Alice." With that, Kathryn headed off to find Ahsoka. She had an idea, and she hoped that she was right.

XXXXX

Kathryn stepped into her barracks. Just as she thought, Ahsoka was sitting on her cot, knees brought up to her chin. She saw a thin trail of moisture running down Ahsoka's cheek. She felt a pang in her chest, seeing the revelation that her home was coming under attack hit the young Jedi before her. Ahsoka turned her head slightly, spotting Kathryn out of the corner of her eye. Kathryn could see that her eyes were indeed red. "Hey, Kat…" She muttered.

"Ahsoka…" Kathryn softly offered, sitting down next to her. "You alright?"

"No…" Ahsoka admitted. "My Homeworld's being attacked and I don't know why I'm crying…"

"What do you mean 'you don't know'?" Kathryn asked, looking down at Ahsoka.

"I haven't been on Shilli since I was three!" Ahsoka declared, clenching her fists in exasperation. "Fourteen years!"

"Ahsoka…" Kathryn began. "It's your home. You were born there. Don't you think that there's other Togrutans in the galaxy, some who've probably never even seen Shilli, and they'd be feeling the same thing, if not worse?"

"But I'm a Jedi!" Ahsoka half-shouted. "I shouldn't feel sad, I shouldn't feel angry… I feel angry, and I keep getting angrier because I can't stop being angry! It's against the Code, and I can't stop!"

Kathryn sighed. She had read over much of the Jedi code during her down time. Frankly, it sickened her, but she tolerated it… up until right now. "Ahsoka… I have a bit of a bone to pick with that Code you Jedi all follow." Ahsoka looked up to Kathryn, surprised by the strength and passion in her tone. "What the hell makes you any different from the droids you're fighting if you adhere to this damn code?" She asked, rhetorically. "You suppress your emotions, you suppress your… humanity, for lack of a better word, for what?"

"Strong emotions like hatred, rage, passion… and love are all paths to the Dark Side." Ahsoka defended.

"What sounds more like the 'Dark Side' to you?" Kathryn retorted. "Reducing yourself to a soulless, lifeless machine that's impartial in everything it does… like a goddamn droid; or embracing the fact that you're a sentient creature with the ability to express emotions without letting them force you down?" Kathryn let out a heavy sigh.

"The Code doesn't make us like droids!" Ahsoka half-shouted her defense. "It protects us!"

"Really?" Kathryn asked. "Have you ever seen Windu or Shaak Ti ever even crack a smile? Have you ever heard them laugh, cry? Have you ever seen an expression that wasn't robotic indifference on their faces?" Try as she might, as much as Ahsoka racked her brain for a counter-argument… she simply couldn't. She returned her attention to Kathryn after she let out a sigh. "It breaks my goddamn heart to see this…" She began anew, shaking her head. "I get it, you were raised by the Order, and it's all you've ever really known, but that doesn't mean that they way is the right way simply by default."

"What, it breaks your heart that the Order does what it does?" Ahsoka asked.

"No, it fucking kills me that a seventeen year old girl isn't allowed to feel sad that her homeworld is being attacked." Kathryn answered. "Or angry, for that matter. If I got news today that Earth was going to be attacked, I'd be punching through bulkheads! According to your Order, that's wrong. If I got news that my sister was killed, I'd be in tears. Same story!"

"The Jedi ask you to throw away the very thing that separates you from machines, the fact that you can feel. All because they're afraid of this mystical Dark Side crap. Your emotions are what make you… you. The Mantle tells us that life needs to be defended and protected, and your Code seems perfectly content with throwing away the very thing that makes people alive. That's what breaks my heart. The fact that your Code's made you think that the core part of being a living, thinking, feeling creature is inherently bad. What you are isn't bad, as long as you don't let your emotions control you. That's what sets you apart from the likes of Windu, Shaak Ti, and Dooku. You, Anakin, and Obi-Wan are the only Jedi that I've ever seen smile, laugh, and act like a normal person! I don't want to see you broken by this damned Code…"

Ahsoka looked at the SPARTAN in amazement. Frankly, the fact that a super-soldier had just given her what felt like a full lecture on morality and the nature of being astounded her. She spoke with such a passion, such a… truth that Ahsoka couldn't help but consider it. And as she considered it more and more… she couldn't not see the truth in her words. "I'm sorry…" Kathryn said, shaking Ahsoka out of her thoughts. "I took that a bit far."

"No…" Ahsoka interrupted. "You're right."

Kathryn smiled. "Really? I thought for a moment that I just made you hate me."

"No… that opened my eyes." Ahsoka offered a smile in return. "Skyguy always seems to skirt around the Code. Maybe that's something I should start doing… seemed to work out for him."

"And you're not crying anymore…" Kathryn noticed, smiling as she placed a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder.

Ahsoka blinked at the realization, the smile on her face broadening. She immediately pulled Kathryn into a hug. "Thanks, Kat."

"No problem, Ahsoka." Kathryn returned the gesture in kind.

Ahsoka soon found herself released from the hug, removing herself a moment later. She couldn't quite place it, but she felt a certain… something deep down. She had no idea what it was, but it was interesting.

A/N:

Kinda breaking my 5,000 word minimum rule with this one, but it's been so long since I've given this story some love. Felt only right to get something out there. I can't thank you all enough for sticking with me on this story, despite my horrid update schedule.

As always, I love the reviews you guys leave, even the ones that are made a month since the latest update.

As always,

-TallYapflip

P.S. You can expect the GC to start… stepping up their game in this war a bit. The Guardians were only the beginning ;).