I do not own SWTCW nor any of its characters, they belong to George Lucas... and I heard Disney might cancel the Clone Wars series which will be a very bad thing for them to do. Anyway, enjoy.
(CORUSCANT ORBIT/REPUBLIC CRUISER BRIDGE (TARKIN POV))
As the senator's ship lifted from the dock on the planet below I smiled coldly, "Set an intercept course."
"Yes Admiral."
Senator Chuchi had just officially committed a crime by helping a convict and her accomplice escape Coruscant. I am within my authority to search the ship and once I found Tano and Offee then I can arrest the lot of them.
Then the Chancellor's plan could begin in earnest.
I watched as my ship closed on hers and attached a docking tube. After giving troopers enough time to board and secure the area I stared heading down to join them.
This is a matter that I will oversee myself. Personally.
(CHUCHI'S SHIP)
"Admiral Tarkin." Her blue face was filled with outrage, "On what grounds have you boarded my ship? I am a member of the Senate and I do not take this kind of action lightly."
I dismissed her attitude with a smile, "I have reason to believe you may have stowaways on board and I have every right to check."
"Anyone on this ship is authorised to be here." She lifted her chin defiantly, "There are no stowaways."
My smile faded, "And if I were to find criminals hiding on your ship? You have just stated in front of witnesses that anyone on this vessel is under your own authorisation. Were a criminal to be found…" I decided to let her think of the consequences, "Captain Rex and his men will search the ship, if you have any objections…"
I knew she wouldn't object. If she did it would be suspicious that she didn't want us looking around her ship.
"No objections." She answered dully.
With my smile returning I nodded to the clones, "Begin your search."
(CARGO HOLD/AHSOKA POV)
Barris and I huddled close together behind containers of supplies that were being taken along this journey. We could sense the overwhelming and repulsive ego of Tarkin nearby. Doubtless he had been expecting us to slip away from Coruscant before he gave Barris her first assignment, or whatever he had planned for her.
Either way we had to hope he wouldn't find us.
Silently we conveyed our thoughts to each other. Barris had a gleam of excitement but a touch of fear in her eyes, I don't know what messages I was sending but she seemed reassured as I gripped her hand tightly.
Then we heard a sound that chilled us to the bone.
The cargo bay door opened and footsteps echoed around the hold. I slowly peered out to see the outline of two human shaped figures moving towards our hiding spot.
(BRIDGE/TARKIN POV)
I was reasonably confident that within a few minutes of searching there would be some word of finding my little escapees. Surprisingly the search parties were turning up with nothing.
Deciding not to notice the growing smirk of the young senator I turned to Captain Rex, "Tell your men to sort into a floor by floor search. Once each floor is cleared post sentries at each access point. We will trap them."
"Yes Admiral." He nodded and relayed my orders.
There was no way I was going to abandon this search and leave empty handed after having been so confident I would find them. My reputation would be butchered.
So, with a beckon to a team of troopers I started walking to the turbolift. While the clones started at the top and worked down, the two ex-Jedi would probably be hiding in the cargo hold.
I would capture them myself and drag them away while the senator was arrested for harbouring fugitives.
(CARGO HOLD/AHSOKA POV)
The hold was silent again as whoever had come in left a minute ago after receiving orders from the bridge. Now Barris and I were able to breathe again.
"Are you okay?" I whispered.
"I'm okay." She replied, "But we aren't clear just yet."
As is to reaffirm that the doors opened again and more footsteps echoed around the hold.
(TARKIN POV)
My troops and I marched into the cargo hold, "Spread out. Search aisle by aisle. There is only one way out of this room, you two stand guard." I gestured before striding forwards, "No-one is to leave until I authorise it."
(AHSOKA POV)
I could hear footsteps getting closer. I could sense seven people in the room with us. Two were standing by the door while the others were moving along the aisles.
Barris started shaking and I grabbed her shoulder forcefully. If we were caught it would be the end of us and for Chuchi. We needed to hope no-one moved the tarp we were hiding behind. I peered through a small hole to see a figure striding straight for us.
(TARKIN POV)
There!
I saw a blue eye staring at me!
Without hesitating I strode forward and could make out the outline of a tarp carefully disguised as part of the wall and containers. A perfect hiding spot.
I seized a hold of the tarp and pulled it aside with a shout to the troopers.
They were mine!
Giga-gasp! I didn't see this coming. Anyway, please review and see you for what could be the finale. Though I might make a sequel if the main characters don't get executed in the next chapter
