Chapter 7 : Treachery
Author Note : It's been a long year ! I know all of you had been asking where I was, if this story had been abandoned but rest assured it is not ! I was just extremely busy, with law school : I am proud to announce that in one year, I will become a lawyer, so you can understand why I left writing.
Anyway, I hope you will all get passionate again, because I am ! So here it goes : my return, and a new chapter ;)
There had been a time when the coldness of space and the magnificence of the stars was nothing but a piece of art for the eyes, and its silence the most relaxing song for the ears. During trips into deep space, one would always find himself amazed at such beauty, his mind wondering about things he never cared about before. However, these times were now over for Jedi Master Siri Kenobi, aboard the Star Defender of the New Jedi Order, the Liberator, on its way to Mandalore's systems. Space was a danger, an unlimited hideout for the ennemies of the peace she and her comrades had fought so hard to achieve. What kind of threat was awaiting her on all of these shining planets, inside the many asteroids fields, or behind moons? Space wasn't her ally anymore, in the quest Yoda gave her. How could the Jedi find the so-called rebels before the war? And how could they find the secret weapon Jedi Master Dooku had been urging them to find before the destruction of everything they cared about?
It was in such moment Siri missed the most her husband, Obi-wan, who had gone alone on the cloners' planet of Kamino. She wasn't certain if his mission was better than hers, considering the possibility that the traitors might have infiltrated Kamino, Obi-wan could face legions of troops if they decided to attack him. A foolish move, of course. The Paragon was the greatest starship of the Cerestan Industry, it had won countless battles, and General Cody had become a master in commanding this Star Defender : the whole defense of Kamino wouldn't last long against this cruiser. And her man, Obi-wan, was in a word, the most dangerous man in the entire universe. No-one could surpass him in the fight, though the Master of the Order had claimed that one day, Anakin Skywalker would become stronger, as well as their son Anteres. But Siri didn't need more power, more ships or more troops. She needed the confidence of her husband, her wisdom and the love he shared with her. She needed to hear him say that Mandalore was safe, that no rebel had managed to hide there. And that she wouldn't have to bring war to this already damaged and still mourning world, after the invasion of the Kiliks a few years ago …
"Siri?" a gentle voice of Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano came to her hears. "Are you alright?" The blonde woman, member of the Jedi Council, turned to stare at a concerned Togruta, coming toward her on the deck of the commanding center.
"Do you remember the last time we came to Mandalore with such ship?"
Ahsoka nodded slowly, finally next to her friend. "We were saviors," she said. "Mandalore is still friend with Ceresta, Fett had repeated it many times, even in front of the Chancellor."
"But we will bring memories the people tried so hard to forget," Siri announced. "And sharing our suspicions about the rebels won't help ..."
"Obi-wan seems confident about Mandalore," Tano stated. "Though he had ordered us to keep an eye on the Neutral Confederacy's ambassade. But I don't feel anything threatening from there."
"You think we are wasting our time?"
"No," Ahsoka smiled gently. "Of course not. We need to assure the Confederacy's Senate and Council that the Jedi Order is here to maintain the peace in the entire galaxy, and that they are capable to work with the Republic in such matter."
"You will have to persuade them not to start a war for Rothana," Siri crossed her arms. "And how do you think they will understand such … council?"
"I was actually counting on you to tell them that," Ahsoka grinned, stroking her left lekku in amusement. "After all, the Cold Queen is far more famous than Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano, former padawan of the deposed Chosen One"
Siri laughed slightly, obviously not taking any offense in these words. "Fett would have to convince them. Then, we may be able to identify some rebels."
"Do you think Rothana's leaders will come?"
"That would be a terrible mistake from them," the blonde woman drew a small silver device from her belt. "Obi-wan gave me the record of his 'appointment' with the administrator. With this, we can immediately arrest them."
"So that is what we'll have to do," Ahsoka brought her hand on her chin, something she might have caught from her training with Obi-wan, which made Siri smiled even more. "We'll have to separate then …"
"Not necessarily. Liam Kryze is still highly regarded as the Order's representative in the Confederacy, and he will have no problem to deal with the politician while we start our little hunt. They will not hurt him, they love him too much," Siri remembered the way Liam had been welcomed back on Mandalore, when Obi-wan had decided to let him continue his training with his mother and Fett. The boy would become the first Jedi leader on Mandalore, so naturally, he was the pride of the Neutral Confederacy.
"Then I guess we'll have a bigger problem!" The young voice of Galen Kenobi echoed from behind, while the boy was still out of sight of the two other Jedi. Soon he appeared from the left side of the room, accompanied by a taller figure with a hood on his face. Seeing her son's grinning face, Siri hadn't even reached for the curved lightsaber's hilt hanging at her waist, but rather decided to let the unknown person introduce itself.
"I've found him hiding in the main hangar," Galen explained, "guess he must have lost his way. He was fortunate I needed to check on my starfighter."
"He?" Ahsoka repeated.
"Come on, Master," the boy had such a teasing face, Siri couldn't suppress the same smile to grow on her lips. "You can't be that blind. You always told me my eyes are deceiving me, what about yours?"
"I do believe Senator Bonteri can reveal himself," Siri announced, as she had checked in the Force who the man next to her son was. She had been too focused on her mission to realize somebody had sneaked in her cruiser.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to both-" Lux Bonteri started, as the hood fell off.
"Oh you better be sorry, Lux!" Ahsoka's eyes widened in shock. "Are you stupid? We are going to worlds where a Senator is not likely to go!"
"If I recall, we did it many times during the Clone Wars, Ahsoka," the Senator winked at her. "And we are still quite alive."
"I should have let you rot with the Death Watch, I wouldn't have to worry about your safety now!"
"Easy Master," Galen raised both hands, trying to calm her now furious teacher. "Senator Bonteri is just too much in love with you to let you go one more time. After all, you hadn't seen each other for what … fifteen years?"
"My son does have a point, Ahsoka," Siri laid a hand on the Togruta's shoulder and winked at the man of the Republic. "Besides, having a senator with us may turn to be an advantage. And Lux is famous, as the leader of the Delegation of 2000. Our message to maintain peace would only be stronger, pronounced by both Fett and him."
"She is right, Ahsoka," the Senator grinned, thanking the Jedi Master silently.
"Of couse she is right …," the Knight assured, defeated. "She is Obi-wan's wife, she is always right. But you shouldn't have come. It's gonna be dangerous."
"I can perfectly protect myself, I won't slow any of you." Lux reached for Ahsoka's hand, and squeezed it gently. "I promise."
"You don't have to face the Neutral Confederacy, Lux," Ahsoka caressed his palm with her thumb, "you don't need to prove me anything."
"You're right I don't need to prove you," the young man repeated, "but I need to prove to the galaxy that the Republic prones diplomatic solutions over taking military actions. That the Confederacy and the Republic can work together to stop these rebels."
"Did Padmé send you?" Siri asked, noticing how much Lux Bonteri sounded like Padmé during the Clone Wars : he would make a great Chancellor indeed, in the future.
The Senator's head turned toward the blonde Jedi Master and nodded, "This operation is not for the record, the Senate must not know that the Leader of the Delegation of the 2000 has flown to Mandalore, but Chancellor Skywalker did agree with my mission. And she is certain no harms will come to me, with warriors like you."
"I like him already," Galen grinned in front of his Master. "Besides … we cannot send him back now."
"You have a point, padawan," Ahsoka sighed. "and I'd lie if I say I'm not happy to have you with me Lux."
"Always, Soka," and stealing a chaste kiss on her cheek, Senator Bonteri followed Galen Kenobi to the hangar, already apprehending his meetings with Boba Fett and his allies : but he could not despair nor lose hopes. He was the voice of the Republic, and the voice of peace. He couldn't lose, he was forbidden to !
Ask any soldier, any pilot, any smuggler, anyone, they would tell you these exact same words : Malachor V was the legendary planet where some old crazy Sith Lords had nearly bend the entire galaxy to their dark will until a Jedi came to stop them. But the result of such battle had been a catastrophe, the planet had been destroyed from the inside, blasting all life around leaving behind only asteroids and the wreckage of many hundreds of blasted warships, a grim memorial to the Battle of Malachor V. Today, Malachor V was another world for 'Hell'.
And then, it had been one of the greatest hiding in a universe where Republic Force warriors were patrolling galaxies after galaxies in their fight against any threat, and also, unknown until recently, by the New Jedi Order.
However, Commander Gilad Pelleaon, standing in front of windows of his Star Destroy staring at his fleet in the middle of the large black floating rocks in space, would never feel safe here. Surely they were hidden, otherwise the Jedi would have already found them, but there was a presence here, whispering in his head, telling things only a foold would listen to. The rebellious officier, a true imperialist to the core, knew with certainty that the so-called darkside of the Force was tremendously powerful. Even Prophet Arriss had admitted that Malachor V was darker than the Palace of Vijun where the other prophets were training and waiting to go to war.
" Commander, are you listening? " the voice of the famous young pilot Soontir Fel asked with concern.
The elder man, and higher ranked officer, turned at his friend, trying to gently smile at the man he almost considered as his son, " I'm afraid I wasn't Lieutenant. This place is disturbing my head more than I'd like. "
" You're lucky you aren't patrolling with a squadron, then."
" That is why I'm a Commander, " Gilad replied almost teasing. " How is it out there, why you're flying in the center of that mess ? "
" I'd rather not tell you, Sir, " the pilot almost shivered as he recalled his hallucinations a day ago. " But I lost three friends to madness … Two fired at each others, the last one headed straight into an asteroid's hole and never came back … "
" We are not welcome here … " Pelleaon simply stated. " Anyway, what were you saying ? "
" That Admiral Tarkin has landed in the hangar a moment ago, " Fel informed, as he already heard the squad of stormtrooper escorting the military leader of the Empire.
He had barely the time to stiffen his position in order to salute Tarkin that the man was already in front of them, with an angered look on his aging face. From what Soontir heard, the admiral had been call back on Coruscant to be briefed by Chancellor Skywalker on the discoveries of the Jedi, and the Republic Old Guard. What was known remained a secret to him, but he was soon to learn it all.
" Admiral ! " Pelleaon saluted, his head straight above his forehead, " we weren't expecting you. I thought our plans were mad-. "
" I have sent half of my fleet to the Mid Rim in order to fake a track of our slavers, but the Chancellor knows, " Tarkin immediately cut him. " And two Jedi along with Leia Skywalker had gone to Kashyyyk : we must act quickly. "
" Distracting the Jedi will not be an easy task, Admiral, " the Commander replied. " Two Jedi have already taken down Commander Niklas. A chance he died during the battle. "
" The Prophets and I agree with you Gilad, " Tarkin nodded, " that is why we won't lead the Jedi away. We need to kill them before it's too late. "
" Soontir, connect us with this code, " Pelleaon gave a small datacode to the young pilot, who in a blink handed it over a communication officer. " I believe it is time we call our friends then. "
A mere minute later, the holodevice of the Star Destroyer bridge ignited, casting a large blue light in front of the three imperialist officers. Soontir Fel managed to secure the link by bypassing the usual way of communication in order to leave no trace at all of such conversation : now that the Old Guard and the Jedi were closer than ever to find the first actual clue about the Empire, they needed an extra precaution. Soon the large blue light shrinked and casted a humanoid body, with a reptilian head, with more weapons than it could really hold. But the Trandoshans were, as a species, renowned across the galaxy for great strength.
" What issssss it ? " the reptilian warrior asked, his longue tongue sliding on his large teeth.
" We have an opportunity to strike our enemy a vicious blow, my friend, " Tarkin announced, a twisted smile on his lips. " It would provide a greater security to our commun business, and I am certain you'll be more than thrilled by the challenge."
" Bosssk has been cautioussss, the Republic cannot find usss, " the Trandoshan pointed an angry finger, a sign of a warning perhaps. " It issss your problem, not oursss. "
" We lost sixty wookies in less dans 48 hours," the admiral countered, " if you cannot provide the security requested, we will be dealing with someone else than you."
"No one is better than Bosssk for slaves !"
"We never doubted that," the human admitted.
"What issss it you asssk?"
" Two Jedi and Leia Skywalker are coming to Kashyyyk," Tarkin informed. " We'd like you to consolidate your security, by organizing a little … hunt. But we need Skywalker alive. Bring her to me, you'll be highly recompensed."
"What about the Jedi ?" Bossk smiled with all of this teeth, quite pleased with the turning events.
"Kill them, along with any Republic soldier you captured," Tarkin ordered.
" My pleasssssssure". And with his consent, the Trandoshan ended the communication.
" These beasts' taste for hunting will one day be their downfall, " Pelleaon sighed, running a shaking hand on his grey hair.
" Are you certain they will succeed ?" Soontir said to the admiral. " If they were to fail, the Jedi might find something against us."
" Transdosha is member of the Neutral Confederacy, the Jedi will then only turn their eyes at them. And if they fail, Prophet Arriss will capture their ships and bring to the Chancellor : we'll win her trust, and we will be free to pursue without suspicions. Either way, we have the advantage here."
" A clever strategy Admiral, " Pelleaon noticed. But somehow, as he knew they were now facing the brilliant Obi-wan Kenobi, he had feeling it could not be enough.
" But it will draw even more attention to Kashyyyk in both case, " Soontir thought out loud. " Will it not bring more Jedi ?"
" Senator Pestage and I agree. We cannot count too much on the Prophets to use their power to hide the battlestation." Tarkin seemed pleased with the question, or the logic, at this point the famous pilot couldn't tell.
" The Jedi will be quite busy, do not worry. They will have to call back-up if they really want to fight us. But then, we will have plenty of time to take Coruscant and wait for them."
" I am not following, Tarkin," Pelleaon frowned. " Have you made a plan for each Jedi ?"
" Yes my friend, exactly," the others replied, nodding. " Right at this moment, I ordered the execution of the Kamino plans. Kenobi is heading there, it would provide us some time to act, and perhaps we can neutralise the Master of the Order, though I am not counting on it. We will see if the Prophets' droids are as effective as they intended them to be."
" Kenobi survived worse," Soontir recalled. " And our fleet may not be able to hold against the Jedi Cruiser."
" Then such battle would provide us informations about these so-called Star Defenders, " Pelleaon understood. Tarkin seemed to take advantage in every situation : he was one of the best candidates to the Throne after all.
"We are also luring the other Jedi into a trap, " the Admiral added. " One of their ship is heading toward Mandalore, we have send a fleet to intercept them, and our allies in the Neutral Confederacy will persuade the Council to arrest them."
"Will the Munn ships hold long enough?" the Commander knew what move was ordered here, as he used it many times to cover his tracks.
" We'd like Lieutenant Fel to lead the fleet against the Jedi," Tarkin replied. " But remember my young friend, you must lose. We are only expecting you, and your famous squadron, to take down as many of them as possible. Then, you are to return here, to Malachore until we move."
" Yes sir !" Soontir straightened, proud to be entrusted with such mission. Even a kamikaze mission.
" Come back alive, and you'll be granted the rank of Commander of this fleet."
"What about Commander Pelleaon, sir ?" Fel was shocked, looking the man who taught him everything.
"Commander Pelleaon will organise the defense of the Death Star, and will be now addressed as General Pelleaon, " Tarkin announced with a smile. " It is time the Empire recognizes the value of your efforts.
" It is a great honor, Admiral Tarkin," both men saluted in unisson.
"Good ! Now let's return to our missions, we have a lot to do," Tarkin stares past his fellow imperialists, deep into the core of the shattered Malachor V still casting a sickening yet very weak green light. " Long live the Empire"
" Long live the Empire !" the whole crew of the Star Destroyer's bridge echoed.
Driving a silver speeder caring three Jedi masters, the warm winds of the surface of Coruscant was singing in her hears, as Luminara Vos headed toward the old Jedi Temple after a long talk with many politicians she had known in her past, as well as the younger ones, representing the future of the Republic Senate. The young ones were for the most, idealist or even naïve in their political quest and had been quite eager to speak with her, whereas the eldest had been cautious around her, meticulously choosing their words to hide some of their thoughts. A futile for most of them : half of them were now senator for glory, or fame, striving to take the place of Padmé Amidala, the other had desired to take her for dinner, and perhaps more. But for a very few, Luminara had been unable to read her interlocutors : she even suspected some to be mentally trained to speak with a Jedi … Sure the Jedi had been exiled, branded as traitor and threat, but such amount of distrust was disturbing.
" You did take your time with the Chancellor, Ferus, " Master Shaak Ti teased the man training Anteres Kenobi behind her. He had been silenced the whole travel, as the speeder now reached the landing pad of the Temple.
" We are old friend," he simply said, his mind clearly on another matter.
" I already see the press commenting on such friendship," she slightly laughed, an eyebrow raised in a suggestive way. " What will you have to explain to your apprentice …"
" Anteres never paid attention to such … trivialities, Master Ti," Luminara commented. "He is a Kenobi, a mighty warrior with a noble heart."
" Wait until he becomes, like his parents or his master, the subject of all the gossips," Shaak Ti added, her eyes now racing on every walls of the hangar. Nothing seemed to have changed, except for the now handing flags of the Old Guard on some pillars.
" As I recall, you two were quite the victims of many fantaisies too," Ferus grinned as he jumped out of the speeder. " Especially after that pictures of you, clothes burned, on Malastar. Do Quinlan and H'can know about them ?"
" You didn't like those holophotos, Ferus?" Luminara asked in a fake innocence.
" Enough of this," the human Jedi's face was red. " My padawan is confused, I cannot keep such pictures into my head."
This time, the two female blushed too, but only Shaak Ti replied : "Something unusual?"
" What do you call 'usual' with a Kenobi ?"
" You're right," the Mirialan female Jedi stepped out of the silver vehicle. " Shira is also requesting my presence in the old training room."
"Oh my !" Shaak Ti laughed again. "Do you think your lovely padawan has taught a lesson to every single guardian ?"
"That is exactly what I'm afraid of, let's find out," Luminara took the Togruta by the arm, and headed toward the right exit. Just before disappearing, she turned to Ferus once again : "Anteres has a deeper connection than all of us, it might be … disturbing for him to be in such place. Go to him, you will join us later. We have a lot to do."
Ferus watched them leave as he nodded to the green Jedi Master. Suddenly he was alone in a place he had not been in more than ten years … Wasting no time, he immediately went to the opposite direction of his friends, and wandered in the alley of the Temple. He still felt the presence of the Jedi who used to walk within these corridors, with a simple touch of the beige stone on the side, he could see many forms, wearing brown robes walking and chatting in this very same place. It was both pleasing, giving him memories of a time where everything had been simple, when he was still a simple learner, a Force-sensitive child discovering a whole new world ; and depressing. How much a fool he had been as he had trained here : had he realized earlier what monster was hiding on this planet, it could all had been different.
But then, he wouldn't have become what he was today. He wouldn't the powerful Jedi Knight every one saw in him, he wouldn't be the Master of the wonderful child of Obi-wan and Siri. None of this mattered now, as Ferus still knew perfectly every corner, every turn to take to join his best friend and apprentice : he was apparently in a lower level, and if Anakin had now changed the organisation of the Temple, Anteres was in the holocron's Ancient Chamber. What could have he found ? The Jedi had been certain to take every single holocron with them to Ceresta, so why Anteres appeared so confused ? The answer would come right now, as Ferus took the last stairs to reach his destination.
The large brown marble doors finally opened to let him through, as Ferus allowed himself to smell the air in such old room, which clearly hadn't been used so often. The Ancient Holocron Chamber was located on the northwest corner of the Temple, under the Tower of First Knowledge which was designed to symbolize unity and the steps to enlightenment each Jedi must take. Everything was as Ferus remembered, the entrance hall was a large planetarium, made up of giant bronzium globes, surrounded by many balconies holding meditation chambers, spaced even to provide the retreat any Jedi would seek during his life. Two marble statues were supported every balcony, creating an archway leading to another room, wider and darker : the Ancient Holocron Chamber.
Stepping silently past the statues, Ferus observed his apprentice deep in meditation in front of one of the biggest holocron the master had ever seen. Made of gold, it was a casting a gentle blue light that somehow reminded him of Ceresta : it wasn't a coincidence if the boy had come to such place then. Anteres hadn't flinched since Ferus had entered, he didn't even seem to notice him as his face was as passive as usual. The master had then still time to study his surrounding. As predicted, the other holocrons had been taken from the large stores on the walls, except a few which, Ferus understood, were discovered by the Old Guard after the Order's departure.
But the large gold one was so unusual, almost constructed recently though the knowledge of making an holocron had not been passed to Anakin, and that the Jedi was sure. So how could such thing existed. Was Skywalker able to discover it on his own ? He was the Chosen One after all, Ferus shouldn't be surprised.
So slowly, Ollin raised a hand, and brought it carefully toward the polished surface of the holocron, uncertain of what he will find. Bracing himself, he took a deep breath when he touched the surprisingly warm metal : it appeared as warm as a stone under a bright sun of Naboo, and the material was indeed those of holocrons, echoing the whispers of the Unifying Force. But it felt like something else, someone else … Someone Ferus knew all too well : Obi-wan.
"Obi-wan gave it to me," a voice suddenly said in the dark, behind the Jedi.
Startled, Ferus reached for his blade, believing that a spirit of a dead warrior has come to test him, only to find Anakin, humbly dressed with dark blue robes, coming toward the two Jedi.
"When ?" Jedi Ollin simply asked.
"He actually gave it to Padmé," the Chosen One informed. " He told her to give it to me when I was ready. It was ten times smaller back then, but it was unfinished or so I believed. One day, I found Leia kneeling in front of it as it expended. She built it that way without realizing. And then, the message came."
"What message?"
"The same Anteres is currently studying."
"How long has he been here, Anakin?" Ferus said, perhaps it was time to call out his apprentice.
"More than enough," Anakin nodded toward the boy, who at the very same moment opened his eyes.
"Master?" Anteres seemed surprised to find his friend here. "Weren't you supposed to meet with the Chancellor?"
"I did, Anteres," Ferus kneeled in front of him. "You have lost track of time in your meditation. It never happened before, my padawan."
"I never heard something like that before, Master, " the boy countered, with stars in his eyes. "Don't you feel it ? It's calling us."
"Holocrons can be dangerous, if you are not strong enough to hear its teachings, it can destroy your mind."
"I wouldn't have let him come here otherwise, Ferus," Anakin defended, despite knowing that he shouldn't step into the apprenticeship.
"So ?" Ferus didn't react. "What did you learn, Anteres?"
"This is my father's holocron left for the Old Guard," the boy replied. "I learnt what Darth Sidious was. What Darth Vader was". Both Jedi felt Skywalker shivered in the Force.
"And what were they, my young friend ?" The master smiled tenderly, in a way that reminded Anakin of Qui-gon Jinn.
"Titans, Master … Titans of Darkness," Kenobi said. "But they were destroyed. My father stopped Palpatine, and Anakin neutralized Vader." Anteres rose and met Anakin's eyes. "My father trusts you, so do I. We are allies in this conflict, and we need to show it to our enemies, to shake their confidence."
Anakin's eyes widened in surprise at the simple, yet truthful statement. Had he closed his eyes, the man could have sworn he had heard the Force talking through the mouth of Anteres Kenobi.
" I am ready to fight with the Republic," the padawan announced. "Let's confirm the fears of their Empire : united, they cannot stop us. It is time, Master. Time for us to enter that war, I've been warned about."
"Your father has gone to Kamino, and your mother is en route to Mandalore," Anakin recalled. "What are you planning to do, Padawan Kenobi?" He couldn't help but feel pride in his heart. Pride to have such ally, and to be the witness of such decision.
"I sensed something wrong here, on Coruscant," Anteres looked at his master. "We should be investigating the Military Complex, I can feel it."
"We cannot go there Anteres," Ferus shook his head. "The Senate is already mistrusting Padmé about covering up our arrival, we cannot step into the army business that much. We are peacekeepers, not controllers. But …. " the Master stroke his scar on his left cheek. "You can probably go with Anakin."
"They would let me in," Anakin nodded. "What about you?"
"Shaak Ti and I will go to the Works," Ferus decided. "I still know how to enter the buildings without getting killed. And we need to be certain if Sidious' data had not been copied."
"Prophet Arriss destroyed everything five years ago, under my order," Skywalker explained. "I couldn't take the risk of someone using it …. I'm sorry."
"The Force tells me to go there," Master Ollin affirmed. "And I am pretty sure your friend had not peer into every single room. I've hidden there for months, I am certain I will find something. But I am not taking Anteres there, it is … to soon to be confronted to such presence."
"He is the presence to be afraid of," Anakin said, knowing that the boy would not feel insulted, it was meant as a praise.
"That is why my padawan will go with you, not where a Titans of Darkness used to reside. He is not ready."
"I will do as you ask Master," Anteres proves obedience in front of the Guardian. "May the Force be with you."
"And with you too, my friend," and after nodding at Skywalker, Ferus went to join Shaak Ti on the other side of the Jedi Temple.
Through the window of the magnificent Star Defender, the Liberator, Senator Lux Bonteri was witnessing a vision of horror, standing in shock in the middle of the bridge while the gorgeous blonde Jedi Master Siri Kenobi was yelling orders to the many Cerestan officers present with them. How could it have turn like this ? A moment ago, the Jedi Cruiser was casually travelling through hyperspace when the urgent alarm went on, and in a blink, seven large, quite longitudinal yet spiky cruisers appeared in front of them and launched all of their fleet.
And then the inferno of a unimaginable space took place : Lux recognizes the enemy's ship as Muun cruisers, and starfighters fighting the elegant Eta-9 Starfighter of Ahsoka Tano and Galen Kenobi leading the forces of Ceresta. It was amazing how much efficient was the starfighter of the cerestan soldiers, and also the clones who had followed the Jedi ten years ago. Their ships looked like an upgrade of the late Arc-170 Starfighter, only this time, it was built for one pilot. It was style colored with red and white, and had a large pair of sloping wings on each side of the long cockpit, but also a pair on the extended centerline, at the back of the ship. On the front, two large cannons were built under the support of the back wings : the ship itself almost looked like a bird, but its power was frightening. Lux never admitted how much he had missed such colours, instead of the new Tie Fighter that the Republic was now using. Here was the bright fleet of the Jedi Order : the Munn would not stand a chance.
But his eyes were only focused on the red and white Eta-9 Starfighter, followed by a blue one, blasting into oblivions dozens of Munn starfighters shaped like a flat 'M'. Clearly Ahsoka had improved her piloting skills, making her a true killing machine. Behind, the apprentice appeared more cautious, moving only when he had to, but his precision was deadly.
"I don't get it," General Rex whispering next to him, also watching the scene. "Something is off."
"Their ships cannot hope to hit us, nor Ahsoka or Galen," Lux commented. "How many ships have we lost ?"
"More than I thought," the aging Clone admitted. "But the Star Defender's shields are holding up."
"Then what is worrying you ?"
"That formation," Rex pointed the Munn cruisers. "It's too academic, too much …."
"Republican ?" Lux finished.
"Yes," Rex nodded. "It almost looks like an officer of the Republic is leading here. The Munn don't fight like this usually."
"You're calling that fighting?" Lux repeated as another Munn cruiser exploded, followed by yells of encouragements from the communication's channels. "We are slaughtering them."
"Not fast enough for my taste !" Siri Kenobi came at their level, reaching for her holocommunicator on her wrist. "Galen, how are you doing ?"
"Perfectly, mother", the adopted son replied in a formal way. "I am surprised their main ship's turrets are not firing at us."
"They are analyzing us …" Ahsoka added
"Yes, that's it," Rex hit the palm of his left hand with his fist. "The main ship will try to escape, all of you need to destroy its reactors.
"Roger that General Rex," the voice of a pilot echoed. "Yellow squad, fellow me"
"We are behind you, yellow leader"
"I'm going to help them," Ahsoka stated, her starfighter flying away from Galen's. "Padawan, watch our tails !"
"Yes, Master"
"Concentrate our firepower on the closest cruiser," Siri ordered behind her. "I want a clear path for Master Tano !"
The red and white Eta-9 speeded past the nose of the Star Defender and with a large loop, headed straight for the tail of the main enemy cruiser, followed by the dozens of cerestan starfighters with yellow marks on theirs wing-tails. They all blew past the Munn starfighters , looping in evasive spirals. The M-shaped ships wrenched themselves into pursuit maneuvers that would have killed any living pilot, but the cerestan men had lived and trained among the Jedi. The Munn closing rapidly on their tails, cannon fire stitching space on all sides, Ahsoka pulled her ship through the nest of the enemy while Galen, far behind literally sniped every single ship coming too close of his master. Lux watched the fight in fear : dodging the enemy while your friend fire all around you was the move of a fool. But the Force was guiding Galen's hand, so he never touched any of his comrades. And so, the entire yellow squad and Jedi Knight Tano past the defense of the largest spiky cruiser.
"Almost there guys, hang on !" Ahsoka encouraged, while she destroyed the very few last starfighters.
"My droid is reading a large amount of energy coming from that ship," yellow leader seemed alarmed.
"Break formation !" Galen yelled with all his voice, "Break formation ! The turrets have been loading up all this time. Master, move from that ship !"
Siri bit his lower lips as she saw Galen firing all of what he got on the four humongous lasercanons now casting a strange violet light on their sides. A mere second later, the Muun cruiser shot four continuous violet lasers on its own last allies, leaving anything but wrecked ships and fire. The blonde Jedi Master realized that the explosion had made her momentarily deaf, and used the Force to check if her son and Ahsoka were coming in retreat : she couldn't see them, she couldn't see anything to be honest. Where the main cruiser had been was now only space. They had fled …
"Did they really destroy their own cruisers ?" Siri asked herself. "Why ?"
Soon the blonde woman started to hear the bridge's crew yelling informations about their shield, asking if there were more damage or any casualties, but she hadn't stopped to follow the ship of her son : something was telling her he had to get out, quickly.
"We're detecting approaching ships, Master Kenobi !" The crew commander panicked. "Five of them, Sullustian Vector Class !"
"That's the Neutral Confederacy Starcruiser," Rex recalled, "do not attack, and open communication."
"Where is Ahsoka?" Lux wondered, recovering from the ground : he had fallen because of the explosions' shockwaves. "Is she alright ?"
"Safely aboard with Padawan Kenobi, sir" the commander informed. "The Sullust are trying to make contact."
"I'll speak with them," Siri stated. "Senator Bonteri, they must now see you. Rex will follow you to the hangar. Now go."
And right after Lux ran towards his beloved, the blue image of a male Sullustan appeared in front of Siri. Sullustans were distinguishable for their almond-shaped black eyes, facial jowls called dewflaps and large, round ears. But this one had smaller eyes than usual, perhaps deformed by his anger or shock, she couldn't tell.
"I am General Grahan Nunb," the Sullustan said in a badly spoken Basic. "You are in the Neutral Confederacy Territories."
"Greeting General, I am Jedi Master Siri Kenobi and we-
"I know who you are Master Kenobi," he cut immediately. "What I don't know is why you just wipe out an entire Neutral Fleet with your cruiser."
"We were attacked on our way to Mandalore, Fett is waiting for us," she tried to explain.
"The Neutral fleet does not attack, Master Jedi !" the alien replied. "That munn starfleet was on its to Mandalore, and it only a defensive weapons. You said you were attacked, I need proof ! The Council will need proof !"
"There was another ship ! You just missed it !"
"The Neutral Council will examine this," Nunb informed. "We will escort you to Mandalore, but in the mean time, you are under arrest, Master Kenobi."
Siri nodded, but her hands were now balled into fists, her anger rising as she understood the whole situation. "We've been set up !"
Some things in this strange universe, where you could meet monsters capable of eating a whole starship, worm swimming into the burning sand, luminous being controlling the fate of the galaxy, seemed to never change. Some things would always remained the way they were no matter : such was the case of the rain on Kamino. Today was one of those day, where Cody wouldn't see a hint of the sun in the sky, hidden by these dangerous black clouds casting terrifying lightnings on the sea and Tipoca City.
But it felt good, to come here, his birthplace that was no longer his home. No, his home was behind that great Jedi Master, dressed with his usual outfit since ten years : a beige tunic, with a strange steel painted in brown, the color of his battle dress covered his legs and his protected tibias and feet.
Wherever that man went, Cody would follow until death takes them apart. And such thought was shared by the hundred men behind him, coming down the ramp of the landed Star Defender.
The last clonetroopers of Kamino had also accompanied the new Prime Minister, who Cody surprisingly recognized as Taun-We. The general had talked with Obi-wan about the cloning facilities, he was now aware of the very low production, and the use of the clone as a protection's milice, not as an army anymore. That meant his new brothers wouldn't be raised to die, but to protect, and such idea had brought warm to his aging heart.
"Greetings Master Kenobi," Taun-We bowed as Obi-wan with a tender smile on her long pale face. "Kamino has missed you. And you as well, Cody."
Cody bowed his head in pleasure, after he heard her use of his name, not his code. And Obi-wan winked at him then stared at the Kaminoan.
"Prime Minister, I'm afraid I'm bearing sad news."
"You can rest assured, there is no rebellion here," Taun-We announced proudly. "We will help Chancellor Skywalker if it's in our power."
"What if someone, within the Republic, uses the clones to enforce rebellion ?" Cody added.
"Your brothers are not mercenaries. They protect the people, it is their mission now. They know what a legitimate order is, or isn't. " The minister assured. "But let's talk inside, shall we ?" Both the Jedi and the general agreed in silent.
A mere moment later, after a long enough walk into the very same white and black corridors where Cody had grown up, and where Obi-wan Kenobi had come for the original sample of the clone army, Jango Fett, the three persons reached the Prime Minister's office. Obi-wan would have laughed, the office was as empty as the last time, just three white chairs coming from the roof were decorating that room.
"So," Taun-We invited them take a seat, as she sat in her own, "I suppose this is an urgent matter. You wouldn't have come otherwise."
Obi-wan swallowed as he searched the better words to express his concerns : "It is a simple precaution, about the cloning's technique. Considering the high risk of war, we need to be sure it is safe, and well protected for the enemy might steal it and use it."
"What enemy, Master Kenobi?" She asked. "You destroyed the Sith, and stopped the Clone Wars. And in many eyes, the Jedi are dangerous, and can be seen as the enemy you are talking about."
"You know about the rebellion, you heard Chancellor Skywalker's warning," Taun-We nodded. "The imperialist are likely hiding in both sides. They may already be here, on Kamino."
"Take us to the vault, Prime Minister," Cody pleaded. "We need to make sure of the security … please."
"You travelled all the way to here, just to check our security ?" The Kaminoan's eyes widened in surprise. "We are honored to host you here again, Master Kenobi, but someone else could have come."
"I do not trust someone else, Prime Minister," the auburn Jedi replied gravely. "But actually there is an another reason : we'd like to buy a battalion of your new clones."
"Well," she took a significant pause, "it seems I can satisfying both of your demands. If you'd please follow me, we'll review the clones before going to the vault. I think you will like them," she looked at Cody, "there is a special battalion which highly respect its elders. They even kept an armor design closer to yours."
"We've never been disappointed, Prime Minister," Obi-wan flattered, "I am certain it will not change today".
Two hours had been spent at financing the transaction of the battalion Taun-We had spoken of before. The new clones, who actually like any other clone during the Clone Wars, were the latest generation : they were all raised as the previous ARC troopers, and the new ones appeared almost enhanced genetically to surpass any human. Cody was quite proud of them, his 'little brothers' as he already called them. He had accompanied all of them into the Star Defender to get them accustomed as soon as possible, tough there wasn't enough time, Obi-wan trust his old friend to boost their new soldiers the way it should be done.
Now Obi-wan was following the Prime Minister in the lowest and darkest corridor of Tipoca City, deep down the wide hangar where the clones were growing in vets, and under the level of the sea. Here, the white on the walls was long gone, replaced by a darker shade of grey, and black creating a grave atmosphere : Obi-wan almost asked himself if his blade could pierce through such obviously armored wall.
Taking to the left, the two of them stepped inside a quite tiny elevator which the Jedi understood as the last access to the vault. And his instinct served him as well as usual : as soon as the elevator stopped his fall, Taun-We entered a small corridor, then with one last door, Kenobi found himself in what could be a hangar of a Star Destroyer of the Republic. The room was huge, both extremely large and quite high but every single space was covering by either a turret, an assassin droid, or a war machine, much bigger.
The Prime Minister didn't seem to pay attention to all of these weapons, and passed all of them, reaching the opposite side of the hangar where a complexe door had been attached to the wall.
"We're here, Master Kenobi," she warned, as she placed a place finger on the console, which immediately turned green, granting access to the vault to the duo.
Though the Kaminoan seemed perfectly at ease, Obi-wan's every sense was telling him to take his blade, to brace himself. The Jedi had always kept an eye on the droids around him, the other on the Prime Minister now entered the vault through a screen of white smoke. But eyes can be deceiving, he had learnt that lesson the hard way, so he turned, protecting the entrance of the vault with his own body and entered backward, trusting the Force with his heart and soul.
"I told you," Taun-We showed the small gold datachip hanging in mid air inside a large column of white steel, right in the middle of the room, "everything is secure. Our knowledge was not stolen."
"Stay inside," Obi-wan insisted, his voice lowering as he grabbed his lightsaber, ready to ignite it. "Something is coming."
"Nonsense," she replied, "you saw it yourself, this place is unbreakable. And these weapons cannot fire at me : we have incorporate a sample of my DNA in their brains, they cannot aim at me."
"Which means if someone has stolen your DNA, he can easily come here and command these droids …" Obi-wan had now a very bad feeling, and the Force was screaming at him. Leave it said, leave before it's too late.
And suddenly, a loud metallic sound was heard, coming from the roof, then another one, and another one until Taun-We spoke, fear now deforming her voice : "Do not use your blade here. If the droids capt any functioning weapons, they will defend the vault."
"Stay inside," Obi-wan repeated clearly annoyed. And those noises sounded too much like someone walking on the ceiling. "Is there another exit to this room ?"
"Only the way we came in."
"Great, now we are trapped, waiting for that thing to come out," Obi-wan cursed, and tapped on his wrist's communicator, trying to reach Cody, without success.
However, before the Jedi could ask why the Kaminoan had prevented the use of communicator in such room, the ceiling was abruptly torn in a terrible metallic sound, letting fall, through the hole, two strange yet slim dark figures inside the hangar, right before the entrance. There was the threat Obi-wan had felt, and he had a worrying feeling he already knew what was there.
And his suspicions seemed correct, as the two figure were now walking toward him without being stopped by the little defensive army : these two were droids, able to hide among the others. But out of the blue, the Jedi couldn't hear any footsteps anymore, nor could he feel any vibration in the floor beneath his feet, meaning the droids were standing still, waiting for something. And unfortunately, Obi-wan couldn't do anything for the moment, even using the Force was taking a huge risk with all of these killing machines around him. What were they waiting ?
The answer was simple : the alarm to be set on. Every light in the room went red, every droid had now been ignited, red brilliant line on their head was quite indicating as they raised their weapon at him. So they had set up, and Obi-wan had walked right into the trap ! But at least, he could use his most trusted weapon and the blue laser sparkled out of his hilt. He checked one last time at the Prime Minister, now hiding in the vault and closed violently the door with a good amount of Force Power.
The army around him reacted instantly, firing at him with a deadly precision while the Jedi reaped out of the ground the vault's console and sent it fly into a group of droids, creating a wild fire as a distraction. Obi-wan twirled around, with a powerful kick on the ground to propel himself in the air avoiding flames, lasers and the blades of many droids.
He landed just in the middle of all of them, dodging with ease the spike of a machine aiming for his neck which he broke with a simple use of the Force. Machine, still attached to the spike, was reduced to dust, unable to bear such destructive power.
But Obi-wan knew the challenge wasn't the defense of Kamino : the intruders were still hiding, and as droids, he couldn't search for them in the Force. He could predict their moves, their thinking, their logic, but they had no presence, Obi-wan wouldn't find any echo in the Force and that was what made them so dangerous. So the solution was simple : destroy everything !
The Jedi hopped in the air, the time seemed to slow around as he brought his legs and arms closer to his body and remained levitating above the ground for few seconds, and then, he let go of everything, with a powerful scream. The result was unbelievable, Obi-wan had literally created a solid maelstrom around him, similar to a bubble which has exploded, burning everything too close, and repulsed any object into the walls, crashing into pieces, except for those who were at a less dangerous distance. But, Obi-wan Kenobi was the Knight of the Force, his power were rivaled by no-one, unless perhaps his son in a certain future, and so only a dozens of droids remained. And among them, Obi-wan found what he was looking for : or at least one of them.
There, half burned, and an arm missing, stood the fully electronic copy of the late General Grievous, activating a red lightsaber in his left hand.
The droid howled as it raced at the Jedi, and clashed his blade with the famous blue one. The offensive brought the brunt of its first attack to the Jedi's left side, seeking that advantage… but Kenobi held fast against the onslaught with only a single sidestep, deflecting every blow, repelling any advance, eventually taking the initiative and pushing the Grievous-like back five hasty paces before it disengaged. The droid came back instantly, two arms appearing to gain an impossible advantage, just like the original would have.
But Obi-wan had defeated, ten years ago, General Grievous, and this imitation wasn't even as strong as the original, so this fight was a message. A message for the creators of such droid. The Master of the Order let the copy miss him, taking a small on the right to spin on his foot, and brought his blade in an arched movement, separating the metallic body in two perfect pieces, from its shoulder to its waist. At least, Obi-wan saved the head for a further study, during his way back to Anteres.
However, the Jedi blinked as he realized he was still aimed at by the remaining defenses of Kamino, and while he heard the main door opened once again, he landed on a droid, severing its head and run toward another one : they needed to be taking care of before he could deal with the new incoming threat.
Fortunately for him, he saw six of his new clones, leaded by General Cody, chasing the other machines, destroying them before Obi-wan could reached his other victim.
"Are you alright Master Kenobi?" One of the clones, with deep red marks on his armor which indeed looked like the previous phase II armor, except for its visor, a simple straight black line, came at his side, checking his surrounding for one last thing to destroy.
"Get the Prime Minister out of the vault," Obi-wan ordered, "I am unharmed." The clone, and two of his brothers happily applied.
"When I heard the alarm," Cody started, "I knew you would need my help. Every door was locked, you would have to cut through all of them …" Cody ordered with two fingers the clones to take care of Grievous' copy. " The alarm said two intruders, where is the other ?"
"I turned him to dust I'm afraid," Obi-wan grinned. "They are less smart than the original."
"Nothing to be afraid of then," Cody seemed amused.
"Unless their creators were recording our fight," Kenobi recalled. "They know now how much improvement they must do. The next fight won't be the same."
"Sir !" One of the clone came back, sounding alarmed. "The Prime Minister is dead."
"Dead ?" The Jedi repeated. "Nothing broke that door, how it is possible ?"
"Poisoned, Sir," the young brother of Cody replied. "The air in vault is filled with toxin".
"Who could have done that ?" Kenobi turned to the expert of Kamino here, his long time friend.
"I found something when we tried to hijack the system," Cody tapped several buttons on his wrist, and appeared a long series of numbers. "It's the code which set the alarm on, and probably which killed Taun-We."
The Jedi scratched his beard once again, a sign he was trying to understand what that code could be. "It does look familiar, the first part reminds me of the codes we used in the Clone Wars."
"You're right Master," Cody nodded. "It's the code of the Chancellor's office."
Obi-wan searched in the Force for his son, trying to warn him and to the maximum of precaution on Coruscant, but all he felt was the urge to go back : the traitors were closer to Padmé than he had tought, he needed to return there.
"Get someone down here to take care of the Prime Minister," Kenobi demanded to one of his new clone. "But hurry : we must return to Coruscant immediately !"
Author Note : As always, I cannot think you enough for all of your support, your critics and reviews, it has helped me in many ways, so think you. I promise the next chapter will come much much sooner than this one. Probably around two weeks, maybe less.
Next time : Anakin and Anteres will be investigating, while Shaak Ti and Ferus go to Sidious' old hideout, the Work !
But also, some bounding between Luke and Shira as well as a development about the Old Guard of the Senate ; and Mandalore ! (+ Kashyyyk, maybe)
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