Nothing could've prepared Amara for the sight before her when the leader of the OUSO stepped into the cell, looking very smug and VERY pleased.
She shook her head in disbelief. "How could you?! How could you betray us like this? Betray me! I trusted you!"
Commander simply laughed, a harsh cackle. "Oh, Ahsoka – when you first came to me after leaving your precious Order, I knew immediately that I wouldn't you get away with what you've done."
"I have done NOTHING!" Amara growled, eyes flashing with anger. "Lux treated you like his father! How could you hurt him like this?! By being the leader of a terrorist group?!"
"You are his beloved. You hurt my family – now I will hurt his," he stated angrily shoving back a lock of his dark purple/blue hair.
"I did nothing against your family, ever. I never laid a hand on Dasq…"
"I'm not talking about Dasq," Commander said. "I'm talking about my youngest children, who is suffering alone because of YOU. You and your precious little Master will DIE because of that!"
Amara shook her head. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Commander walked over to her, and grabbed her chin roughly, bringing her face right against his own. "Oh, but I think you do. You do…"
"Visitor."
The large, double shielded door slid slowly open, and as Barriss Offee sat up on the filthy cot she was on, Anakin Skywalker entered her cell. Her eyes grew wide with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Anakin scowled. "Believe me, I don't want to be. Not after what you did to Ahsoka."
Barriss lowered her head. "I really didn't want to hurt her in that way. But I had no choice. The Jedi…"
"You had a choice," Anakin spat. "And you made it." He walked over until he was standing across from her, and crossed his arms. "I'm here because you have information, and I need it."
Barriss scoffed. "After how you're treating me, why should I give you…"
"You are in no position to argue, Barriss. Besides, the Council is considering letting you out two years earlier if you help. That way, you won' t be in here until you're sixty." He narrowed his eyes. "Just so you know, I don't agree."
Barriss stood up, smoothing out the shabby grey dress she was in. Her Jedi attire had been taken a long time ago. "What do you need?"
"Ahsoka has been captured by terrorists. An organization named Death's Shadow. Have you heard of it?"
"No, I haven't." She spoke slowly, as if picking her words carefully. "I don't know why you think I should."
"You did, after all, bomb the Temple," Anakin stated hotly. "You may not have heard of the group, but I'm sure you know about one of their commanders. His name is Kalzin, and his son was once a friend of yours in the Temple. His name was…"
"Mark," she finished for him, staring into his eyes. "Yes, I've heard of his father. Mark was only ten when he died! Died on what was supposed to be a safe retreat!"
"It was not the Jedi's fault he died," Anakin said. "It was the hunters that killed him. What about his father. I know that you knew almost all of Kalzin's hideouts. Which are near Endor?"
When Barriss didn't answer him, Anakin quickly glanced back, the suddenly outstretched his hand. Barriss, feeling an invisible tightness constrict her throat, held out her hands. "Stop. Stop! I'll tell you everything!" she gagged.
Anakin let the Force-choke go, and Barriss doubled over, coughing. "I thought that was against the Jedi way," she said, her voice hoarse.
Anakin smirked. "Yea, so is bombing your friends and blaming them for it – but that didn't seem to stop you."
"It wasn't like that! I did what I thought was right!"
"I don't want to hear it! Just tell me where Kalzin could be hiding – mostly near Endor."
Barriss coughed again, before finally managing to straighten up. "There's only one near enough to Endor where he could've taken Ahsoka. It's another small moon, named Zardyn. It's volcanic, several hideouts, but I can find them all."
"You?"
"Yes. I was shown a map once by Mark – he told me it was places his father liked to 'hang out.' Let me come with you, and I'll lead you to them."
"Give me one good reason to let you out of this cell," Anakin growled.
"Because I'm the only hope you have for saving Ahsoka! Kalzin was very angry when his son died, though I didn't know he started a terrorist group. I can help you find him," Barriss replied. "I know you are angry, Skywalker, but I'm all you have."
Anakin bit his lip, before nodding. "Fine. You are going to come with me, under my GUARD, and you will lead me to Kalzin's hideouts."
Arrangements were made, and after arguing with the Council, Skywalker got permission to take Barriss with him to Zardyn. The journey through hyperspace was made mostly in silence, with an uncomfortable feeling between the Knight and former Jedi Padawan.
When they finally reached Zardyn, Anakin was shocked at the unique landscape. Volcanoes darkened the skies with its gloomy ash, while gray colored rivers trickled from black mountains.
"Where is this place? I've never heard of it before," he stated, gazing wide-eyed.
Barriss smirked. "I thought the Hero with No Fear had been all over the galaxy. This place is one of the forgotten moons – a planet uninhabited, never visited. It was left to just rot away – no one can live here."
"But Kalzin did?"
"But Kalzin did," Barriss confirmed. "Land this ship, and I'll lead you to the three hideouts Kalzin has here."
"You are NOT in charge here, Barriss," Anakin growled, but he lowered the ship anyway. "How come Mark trusted you with all his father's secrets anyway?"
"He didn't know Kalzin was a terrorist. He thought he just hung out with friends at these places." Barriss lowered her head. "He was too young to die! The kriffing Jedi should've scouted that area better…"
"Those 'kriffing Jedi' are doing the best they can," Anakin snapped. "And instead of helping them, you betrayed them. Ahsoka trusted you…loved you! You were like her sister, and you let her take the fall for your crimes! And she fell hard. You took my Padawan from me, Barriss!" He turned, and narrowed his eye at her. "I will NEVER forgive you for that."
Barriss remained silent; just continued staring at the window. Anakin could sense the remorse in her, and guilt, but he ignored it. Instead, he landed their small ship near a filthy river bank.
The ramp opened, and Barriss walked out, followed quickly by Anakin. "You try anything, and I swear I will kill you where you stand," he threatened.
Barriss nodded, and began walking east. They soon came open a small cave that the river led into. "We have to go inside," she said. When she saw Anakin's doubtful expression, she continued walking. "Don't worry. The water isn't that deep."
"How do I know this isn't some sort of trick?" Anakin asked. He frowned. "You left for ten minutes to go into the cargo hold during the flight. Where did you go."
"I told you, I needed to use the 'fresher," Barriss replied quickly. "Come on. You lead." She was about to walk forward when Anakin grabbed her arm.
"Not happening, Barriss. Stay in front of me, and if ANYTHING happens, I'll gut you like a womp rat. Now…MOVE!"
They slowly entered the cave through shallow parts of the river. The water at first was up to their ankles. Then they're knees.
"I mean it. You had better know what you're doing," Anakin warned.
"I do. This is his main hideout. He'll be in the farthest corner. There's a door that leads into a nearby mountain. It's like a fortress. And if Ahsoka is in there, you'll have a hard time getting her out."
Anakin scoffed. "That's why I have you. Keep moving!"
The water was up to their waists after a few more minutes of walking. Anakin looked around. There was an uneasy feeling in the Force. "Barriss…"
Barriss merely shrugged. "Skywalker, the water doesn't get any deeper. The door is just up ahead." Barriss took three more steps, then stopped. "There."
Anakin moved forward. "What? There's nothing here! Barriss…"
Before he could finish, a hand was clasped over his mouth, and a heavy blow knocked him down.
Anakin felt himself being pushed underwater. He lashed out, kicking his attacker in the knees. Struggling back up, he gasped for air while grabbing for his lightsaber. It wasn't on his belt. Spinning around, he spotted Barriss leaning against a rock, holding it. "I'm sorry, Skywalker," she whispered.
Anakin growled as he spotted about a dozen more large men drop from the ceiling of the cave, and surround him. One man stepped forward, and Anakin immediately recognized him. "Kalzin. What a surprise."
Kalzin grinned, and chuckled. "Anakin Skywalker. We meet again." He stepped forward, and grabbed the young Jedi by the collar. "I'll have you know that I knew you were coming all along."
"Because of Barriss," Anakin spat.
"Yes, she's quite resourceful. In fact, I've been in contact with her the entire time she was in prison. She told my boss you were coming here."
"Where's Ahsoka?!"
Kalzin laughed again, and then kicked Anakin. The Jedi doubled over as Kalzin hit him in the face. He was knocked backwards, into the water.
Barriss watched, eyes wide as Kalzin leaned over and dragged Anakin back above water. "Ahsoka is safe – for now," he sneered. "But my boss is very, VERY interested in meeting you."
Kalzin stepped backwards, and let a tall man come forward. Anakin didn't recognize him at all, but there was a somewhat recognizable trait to his Force signature. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?!"
Commander walked closer to him, and narrowed his eyes. "You don't know me, but I know you. Kalzin's small boy was killed serving your stupid Jedi Order! I will make sure that NEVER happens to my child, who is already suffering because of you and little Ahsoka Tano. I have vowed to spend the rest of my miserable life making sure you and she are put through hell itself!"
"I don't know what you're talking about! I swear, Mark was killed by hunters – the Jedi didn't know about their hide away! And I have no idea what you're talking about…"
Commander turned away, and looked at Barriss. "You did well, Barriss, bringing him to me."
Barriss lowered her eyes. "Thank you…
…father."
Anakin gaped as the sudden realization hit him. Commander was Barriss's father. He wanted revenge for her being put into prison. Kalzin was willing to help because he already hated the Jedi Order for the death of his child…it was just one large trail of betrayal and accusations.
Commander gazed back at him, sneering. "Ah…now you see. Now you see why I loathe your Jedi Order. Now you see why Death's Shadow must destroy them! They are backstabbers! They bathe in the glory of victory throughout this war! They are no longer peace keepers! They are monsters! Fame-hungry monsters! And I WILL wipe them out, one by one!"
Anakin was delivered another blow to the chest, and he toppled backwards into the arms of a Death's Shadow warrior. Electric whips came to life as they wrapped around his neck, arms, wrists, and legs. Anakin screamed in pain, then turned his eyes to Barriss. "This was your plan all along! How could you, Barriss?! Again!"
Barriss slumped backwards and slipped behind a large rock, listening to her father and his men torture the young Jedi. He could hear Anakin's agonized and angry cries.
"BARRISS!"
Barriss slid down into the cold, murky water, and sobbed.
