Author's Notes: And, here we have the first part of the confrontation between Sidious and all who stand against her. Yes, I had to break it down into two parts. Originally, I planned a third section, but I was convinced (had my arm twisted) into ending it here, with Mace picking up the narrative in the next chapter. Yeah, my fight scenes suck great big hairy donkey balls … I muddle through as best as I can. And for anyone worried about Obi-Wan … have faith. Just … have faith. Next chapter (whenever I have that) will have the conclusion of the final battle. So, in this chapter, Palpatine sets a trap for his treacherous assistant; the Fett father and son team make a decision; while the truth about Order Sixty-Six is revealed (and the clones ain't gonna be happy about this … especially not the 212th).
Chapter Fourteen
Order Sixty-Six
He thought for some time about how to lure Kimi into their trap. The young knight Kenobi's warning about not underestimating her didn't go unheard … but he'd waited so very long to confront the bitch whose tricks led to his daughter's death. He was willing to wait only until the end of the ten-day while the Jedi put their own plans in place (choosing which Masters would take part in the confrontation, finding the ways into his office without going past the front desk). After that? After that, Kimi would rue the day she ever met him, and Sheev Palpatine was fully prepared to die to ensure that happened.
As luck would have it, the Jedi were ready well before his self-imposed deadline. Out of respect for the young man who opened his eyes, Sheev told the Jedi his plan. They may not have liked it, but respected that he knew Kimi better than they did. Rephrase … he knew her longer. Plus, he was still her employer. Not for the first time, he wondered if her supposed incompetence was nothing more than a cover, a shield, to keep people from figuring out what she truly was. Hiding in plain sight.
He thought, too, of his counterpart in the dreamworld Kimi. Did that Sheev Palpatine have a daughter, or anyone who mattered to him? Or … or did he simply thirst for power, even after being elected to the Chancellery? What had Kenobi said about the confrontation in his office, between that other Palpatine and the Jedi Masters sent to arrest him? 'Unlimited power.' Was that what drove Kimi? Was it a desire for revenge? Did it really matter?
To Sheev Palpatine, it did … he wanted to know why his daughter was dead. Why someone hated her so much, that individual not only killed her, but ensured that no one would stop to help her. How was it possible to hate someone that much? Sheev loathed the people of his home planet, for a variety of reasons … but he didn't hate any one individual so much that he would cause them to be injured, and then perform a mind trick that prevented passersby from seeing them (not even the beyond-annoying Jar Jar Binks). He needed answers, needed to know why his beautiful girl was gone … but he was also aware that he might not receive those answers.
His eyes flickered around the room, locating each Jedi in his office. And while he wasn't supposed to know about it (he was fairly certain the Jedi didn't know), Jango Fett was atop the building with his young son. Probably not the best place for a child, but Boba wasn't exactly typical. And he was the lynchpin for all of this … Kenobi was tortured with images of that other reality as punishment for protecting the boy; Boba in turn acted as a touchstone for the Knight until the very last time he was placed in that monstrosity; and he was the one who made them aware that the Sith was a woman. Besides, it wasn't Sheev's call to make, it was Jango Fett's.
From the corner, a pair of blue eyes blinked at him and Palpatine took a deep breath. He closed his eyes … breathed, 'for you, Jasleen.' He opened his eyes and called in his most querulous voice, "KIMI! Blast it all, girl, I need your help in here!" A glance to his right told him that Obi-Wan Kenobi was smirking at him. Annoying brat. Despite the derogatory comment about the young Knight, Sheev felt his lips turning up into an answering smile, albeit a brief one … it died as Kimi clattered into his office, all breathless and tottering on high heels way beyond impractical for the job she did.
"What's wrong, Chancellor?" she cooed breathlessly. He barely managed to keep from rolling his eyes, not just at the sickeningly sweet tone of voice, but at the way she was almost literally falling out of her blouse. Really … she had to be faking her incompetence, absolutely had to be. Who would ever expect someone like this to be a dangerous Sith Lady? Then again, he was told that her Sith name was Sidious … and what could possibly be more insidious than an incompetent assistant?
As the door closed, the Jedi emerged from their hiding places until they stood in a circle around her: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Yan Dooku, Asajj Ventress-Kenobi, Yoda, and Mace Windu. Surrounding them were five more Masters. Palpatine was unnerved when Kimi smiled. He had a very bad feeling. She didn't protest her innocence or question what was happening or behave as if something was wrong. In fact, she actually laughed and said, "So few Jedi? I'm insulted; I rate at least the entire Council. Then again, that didn't work out so well for the Jedi in your dreams, did it, Master Kenobi? I must say, that was inspired of me … there is no prison like an individual's own mind, though you shouldn't have been able to shake it off so quickly."
There wasn't even a hint of fear in her expression, or her Force signature. There was quite a lot of contempt and even more amused disbelief, but no fear. On the other hand, there was also no fear in the Jedi. Nor anger. Well, except for Anakin Skywalker, who retorted angrily, "You'll find that Master Obi-Wan is full of surprises! He's stronger than you think, and smarter than you imagine!" Kimi merely lifted an eyebrow and smirked, completely assured in her victory. He could only hope that complete confidence would prove to be her undoing.
Knight Kenobi said one word, resting his hand on his padawan's shoulder, "Anakin." The boy trembled and Sheev felt him release his anger into the Force. Returning his attention to Kimi, the young Master addressed her quietly, "That galaxy is far different than this one, in all the ways that matter. I have no illusions about you … I know you won't come quietly. I know this will end in violence and bloodshed. As you said … I've seen it. But it doesn't have to end that way." Kimi merely smirked and withdrew her lightsaber from the bodice of her dress (yes, the same one she was almost falling out of … Sheev was quite certain that he didn't want to know how she managed to hide a lightsaber there. He raised Jasleen more or less on his own, and learned far more than he wanted to know about the feminine mysteries, but that was a bit much).
"Yes … yes, it does. I will enjoy ending you, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I just haven't decided if I want to kill you first … I have wanted you dead for so long, for thwarting my plans. Once I realized you wouldn't be turned, no matter how much work I put into it … you are so full of disgusting Light. And at every turn … at every turn, someone chose to protect you. So, the question now is … do I kill you first … or kill everyone you love first, and make you watch?" Kimi taunted. Even as she spoke, she unleashed her attack on the Jedi. And Sheev Palpatine could only watch the fight that followed, stunned and horrified, as he realized … he would never know why his daughter died. There would be no answers for him … but there was still a chance for vengeance.
And that? That was a chance he would take.
SWSWSWSWSWSW
"Even if I tell you to stay here, you'll find a way to follow me … won't you?"
It wasn't a question … his dad knew he wouldn't stay put. Boba didn't have the Force, even though his uncle did … but he didn't need the Force to know that he would be needed when they confronted Sidious. And Boba thought that was a really silly name, even for a Sith Lord. Then again, after hearing about the other world Sidious created, it seemed like Sith specialized in silly names. What was scary about 'Vader,' after all? (Obi-Wan pointed out, when Boba mentioned, that it could be an abbreviated version of 'invader,' something the boy hadn't considered. He still thought it was silly, though).
"Well, yeah. I was the first to hear what that evil old hag forced Obi-Wan to see. I heard how you died, and I heard about what happened to me after you died," Boba replied. He really had no problem with becoming the best bounty hunter in the galaxy … after all, that was what his father was. But he did have a problem with helping someone as evil and as terrible as Sidious, regardless of his/her known name. His father sighed and bowed his head. Boba hesitated, and then said earnestly, "I know you think you fail Mum and me, every time you can't protect me, but you don't, I promise." His father raised his head and smiled ruefully.
"This is probably a huge mistake … but at least if I do die, you won't be alone. That's my biggest regret about what happened to you in that other reality. Not that I died … but that I died and you were alone. You shouldn't have had to grow up like that. So promise me, Boba … even if I die, even if every Jedi in that room dies … promise me that you'll find your brothers. Let them take care of you. Will you promise me that?" his father asked, his eyes boring into Boba's. The boy hesitated only briefly, and then nodded. He didn't know his clone brothers very well … most of what he knew came from Obi-Wan's stories about his men.
Boba asked slowly, "You don't hate all Jedi any more, do you, Dad? I mean, Obi-Wan's good for a Jedi. Right?" His father's face softened and he reached out a hand to gently brush Boba's cheek, something he'd not done since Boba was a very little boy. In fact … in fact, the last time he'd done this was when Boba asked about his late mother. That was something else Boba had in common with Obi-Wan … they were both really little when their mums died. That was one of the first things he realized when Obi-Wan first started talking with him … that and how kind he was to a little boy he'd never met before.
"No, I don't hate all Jedi … maybe most, but not all. Kenobi's a decent one … Skywalker will be, once he stops being annoying … no, Boba, that wasn't funny. I know I can trust Kenobi to take care of you. He's a dad, too, after all," Dad answered. He took a deep breath, looked down the side of the building, and then looked back at Boba. The boy returned his father's gaze, and Dad asked softly, "Are you ready?" Boba nodded. Dad put on his helmet and knelt in front of Boba, allowing him to crawl onto his back, like he did when he was four or five and wanted to be carried to bed, 'but not like a baby. I not a baby, Daddy!'
And then they were airborne. Boba closed his head and rested his forehead against his father's helmet as Dad rocketed down to the Chancellor's office and blew out the windows with his blasters. Only seconds later, Dad announced their presence with, "I would ask if it was too late to join the party, but it looks like I'm just in time. Stars' end, Kenobi … can't you stay out of trouble even for a little while? Oh, wait, you're a Jedi … forget I asked."
"Congratulations, you just answered your own question. And you have very little room to talk," Obi-Wan snarked back. Boba opened his eyes and slid down from his father's back, gasping at the carnage. Two Jedi were down, and three others were injured … even as Boba watched, another Jedi fell and Obi-Wan stepped in to engage the Sith, his face reflecting determination. The Chancellor himself stood a short distance away. He caught sight of Boba … his eyes widened, and he mouthed, 'stay hidden!' There was probably also a 'what in the Force are you doing here, this is no place for a child' that went unsaid, but he could fill that part in for himself.
And the chancellor was right, at least about the staying hidden part. Boba was a brave kid … but this … this was someone who already took out three Jedi Masters, severely injuring others, and was even now engaged in a fierce lightsaber battle with Obi-Wan. Translation? Boba needed to stay as far away as possible. Besides, one thing he learned while the auburn-haired Jedi was being held captive … sometimes, it was the ace in the hole who could do the most damage. He hid behind the Chancellor and amid the curtains, peering around them to watch the fight. His father retorted as he advanced into the room, "I won't deny that, but you take it to all new heights." Boba rolled his eyes … this was not the time for bad dad jokes!
"Stay back, Fett, this is … urgh!" Obi-Wan began, only for his warning to be cut off with a scream. Boba's blood ran cold, because even while he was being tortured by those monsters, Obi-Wan never even cried out. But as lightning erupted from Sidious' fingertips, Obi-Wan screamed in agony. He was struggling to get his lightsaber up and in place to push back the lightning, even as his padawan was rushing forward to help him. And it was then that Boba's world shattered … it was then that his hatred for all Sith was born.
"You don't tell me what to do, Jedi … I came here to help, and that's what I plan to do!" Dad retorted. Those were the last words he would ever speak. As he moved forward to help Obi-Wan, Sidious turned her attention from Obi-Wan to Boba's dad. Obi-Wan collapsed … or would have, if his student hadn't caught him and lowered him far more gently to the ground. From his position behind the curtain, Boba watched in horror as the lightning arched toward his father, slamming him backward into the wall. With an almost dismissive gesture of her hand, a green lightsaber lying beside one of the dead Jedi turned itself on and hurtled toward his father, piercing the armor he wore … and his chest. He collapsed to the ground, only a few yards from where Boba was hiding. He turned his head … saw Boba frozen there … smiled … mouthed, 'I love you.' And then the light died from his eyes.
Boba … lost the next few minutes. That was the best way to put it … and he wasn't even sure how much time he lost, how much time he sat behind the curtain, staring at his father. The only thing he saw clearly was his father's dead body. Dad … his dad was gone. He was dead, and never coming back, just like his mum. In those first moments, there was no room for guilt or rage or even grief. Just shock … just that terrible sense that something was no longer there, something that always had been. That shock quickly gave way to rage, an overpowering rage that was far too strong for his small body. He understood, then, the hatred the other Boba felt for Mace Windu … but his hatred wasn't for the injured Jedi, kneeling beside another of his brothers. No, his hatred was for Sidious.
Boba got his father into this mess, however unwittingly. His father was gone now, but Boba was still here. He had started this, and now he would finish it. On his hands and knees, the young Mandalorian crawled toward his dead parent, behind the curtain, behind the Chancellor. He didn't feel the Chancellor's eyes on him … couldn't sense the conflict in the old man, nor the sudden, fierce resolve. He had no way of knowing that the Chancellor was thinking about how he, Sheev Palpatine, was a man who lost his child to the spite of Darth Sidious, while Boba was a child who lost his parent to the same being. No, he thought only about the blasters on his father's body and how he could use those blasters to end Darth Sidious.
But as he drew ever closer to his father's body, Kimi said mockingly, "You know, it's really quite amusing. You've been so worried about those meat clankers you call your troopers … the ones I manipulated Sifo-Dyas into ordering? You've been so worried about them, so worried about saving them and that idiot brat you've been raising, it never even occurred to you to worry about saving yourself. That's why you Jedi will always lose … it never crosses your minds to take care of yourself, to worry about yourself. Tsk tsk tsk, such a fatal mistake to be making, now of all times. But, not unexpected. Kenobi … execute Order Sixty-six."
On his knees, Boba watched in horror as Obi-Wan stiffened. The boy's mouth fell open as he realized what she'd done … and as he watched his friend fight for control of his own body. Anakin breathed, "Master?" He sounded like Boba felt, frightened and lost. Even from this distance, Boba could hear the harshness of Obi-Wan's breathing as he fought whatever compulsion that evil hag placed in his mind. Anakin was being pulled away by his injured Grandmaster, while the equally injured Kit Fisto was drawing Obi-Wan's wife back.
"You can do this, little brother … I have faith in you," Mace Windu said softly as Obi-Wan shifted toward him, away from Sidious … Kimi … whatever her name was. And that … that would leave his back open to attacks. Boba scowled and began crawling toward his father's lifeless body. A blaster probably wouldn't work against her, but he had to do something! That evil hag hurt Obi-Wan enough … she already took Boba's father away from him, she wouldn't take his friend too! He wouldn't let that happen!
But even as he was carefully drawing the blaster from his father's holster, he heard Obi-Wan say softly, "Forgive me, my friend." Boba looked up … and watched in horror as his very first Jedi friend turned his lightsaber away from the Master of the Order, driving it into his own abdomen. The entire office erupted into sound, and Boba lunged for the blaster, even as Obi-Wan collapsed into Master Windu's arms, even as Anakin Skywalker howled and pulled away from his grandmaster. Because even as the Jedi circled their fallen brother, there was one other player ready to make his move, aside from Boba.
"You've lost your pawn, Kimi … now prepare to face me," Sheev Palpatine growled. The lightsaber that ended the life of Boba's father rose up from the ground and flew into the Chancellor's hand. He shifted into what Boba thought of as the strike position, adding, "For the lives you've ended … for the people you've manipulated … for my daughter, you will pay." And she would pay … if not at the Chancellor's hands, then at Boba's!
TBC