Kamino:
Thousands of clones stood in uniform order, awaiting orders from Kamino leaders in Accordium Hall. The war was over. And while some assumed they would be free to live as they saw fit, the Jedi Council dropped proton bomb. The clones were to be sent to Kamino for termination.
Years of fighting side by side with the Jedi and this was the thanks they got. Slowly, the paperwork was being processed. And the clones faced their fate with the same braveness in which they fought.
The Kamino beings would take the stage and direct them to a facility there on the planet. Likely gas, some of the clones troopers thought. Today must have been the day of their mass termination. For thousands were called to the hall. A second group would then follow theirs, to receive their orders to terminate.
A lone darkly cloaked figured appeared on the holoscreen before them, his head down as he spoke, face hidden in the darkness of his hood.
"The Jedi and what remains of the Senate have issued an order to terminate the clone forces," the voice spoke. "But now is not the time... the Republic is in trouble."
A murming of sorts swept through the hall. Some of the clones grabbed each other's hands as if to support each other, others watched the stage in apt attention.
"The clone forces were sworn to protect the Republic from tyranny and evil. Well... that day is upon us. And I ask you to join me in saving the Republic !" the cloaked continued. "It is your sworn oath. Your duty, your PURPOSE."
(An outbreak of applause)
"But sir," a voice called from the sea of clone troopers. "Our directives come from the Jedi."
Anakin pulled the cloak from his head, showing his face. An audible gasp rang out. "Then you are not in violation of your code. I am not only a Jedi, but THE Jedi. Anakin Skywalker...the Chosen One," he said.
Nearly all of the clone troopers knew and recognized the great Anakin Skywalker from places of battle and Holonet News. Of all the generals that commanded them, he was the only one who went out of his way to save them when they were in trouble, while the other Jedi didn't even see them as human.
All the clones stood in sharp salute to the great warrior. Not a single voice rose in protest.
"Together, we must save the Republic from its traitors. Section 87409 of Amendment 313 states the Jedi must serve the Republic and are barred from interfering in political affairs. And yet, they've driven our senators out of office by remand or outright execution in clear violation of the law. The Jedi are tyrannical. They're dictators... and have turned against the government we serve," Anakin said, pacing the stage before them. "In order to save it, we must drive this sickness and corruption from the heart of our beloved Republic... and out of Coruscant like poison from a wound and save what remains of the Senate and our security forces... we must save you."
Obi Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu walked briskly down the hall of the Jedi temple for an emergency council meeting. The Republic was being rebuilt and there was peace in the galaxy... But despite all the good that came out of Chancellor Palpatine's death and the end of the war, both men sensed that something was still out of place.
"I have a bad feeling," Mace said.
"Think positive, Master Windu."
"Positive thinking is as unrealistic as hopeful thinking. Remember, we must face the challenges of head of us despite any uncertainty. Hope is hollow."
"Indeed."
The two Masters hurried into the Room of a Thousand Fountains, seeing only four masters there. Leading the discussion was Supreme Chancellor, Master Yoda.
"Disturbing report from Kamino, received I have. The clone forces have left."
"In violation of our order to terminate?" Master Windu shook his head, eyes wide.
"But Master Yoda... the clones are programmed to take Orders from the Jedi and the Jedi alone. How could this be?" Obi Wan asked.
"It means, it was a Jedi that ordered them to leave. Master Fitso has investigated and not one of our field Jedi, it is," Yoda said.
"I sense, we all know who's behind this," Mace replied, lips tight.
"Master Windu, I fear your personal feelings about Anakin have clouded your judgement."
Obi Wan Kenobi's assessment of the Master drew a gasp from the room. "I'm sorry, master. But it would take much to sway the Clones into disobeying an order, and Anakin is not a man of words -- but action."
Mace nodded, a silent agreement.
"Death, is motivator for many things," Ki Adi Mundi interrupted. "And the clones may well have decided to preserve their lives despite the order to do otherwise."
"Then let us decide. Obi Wan Kenobi will continue to lead the investigation into Anakin's whereabouts. And I will go to Kamino," Mace said. "Perhaps, there are clues there to set me on the right path."
"Good plan this is," Yoda replied. "Master Kenobi, search your feelings you must. And find your former apprentice."
"I will do my best, Master Yoda. But somehow, I'm certain Anakin is not behind this."
Padme Amidala Skywalker had been struck by on and off labor pangs throughout the day.
"Give the baby time," D210 had told her through Threepio. "When the contractions are less than five minutes apart, we will begin the delivery of your baby," Threepio translated in an excited voice.
"Is Anakin here?" she replied, beads of sweat on her head.
"I think he arrived this morning. But it appears he is set to leave again."
Padme tried to sit up. "Leave? Where he is going?"
"Perhaps you might ask him yourself."
Threepio moved aside, allowing her a view of her husband, who had entered the room. Padme reached for him. He sat beside her, taking her hand in his.
"Anakin, the baby-"
"I know." Anakin caressed her cheek, smoothing aside an errant strand of hair. He wore his dark cloak and lightsaber.
"But... you're leaving..."
"Don't worry my love, I'll be back. There's something very important that I need to do. D210 and Threepio will take good care of you."
Padme shook her head. "More important than me and the baby? You can't leave, not now!" she insisted.
He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "Everything will soon be set right. I promise. I'm doing this for you and the baby."
He stood and walked toward the door.
"Don't leave..." Padme whispered in a strained voice. Her words fell on deaf ears.
Anakin was gone. Gone with the men he now called Storm Troopers and were now on their way to the Jedi Temple to confront the council. They would turn them out of Coruscant and scatter them throughout the galaxy like vagabonds... just as they had done to him and Padme.
As Anakin's star destroyer rose to the sky, another descended.
Obi Wan Kenobi was inside. When he told the Council he didn't know anything about Anakin or where he had gone --- he lied. Mygeeto was Anakin's adopted home. A place he went as a Padawan to get away from the Order. He had friends there. Friends who would help him if needed.
Traces of Clone troopers were there. Obi Wan could sense them. A feeling of dread washed over him, as Mace Windu's words called back. "I sense we all know who's behind this," he said.
Obi Wan first visited Gobi, an old gambler and past informant. The man lived above a playhouse, the kind men from other systems visited for the sole purpose of being entertained by women.
"Gobi, old friend," Obi Wan smiled.
"Yeah yeah yeah," Gobi replied. "A friend you are, never coming back to say hello? I suppose you want something from Gobi yes?"
"You see straight through me," Obi Wan replied. "And I'm sorry I haven't visited. But I am looking for my old apprentice, Anakin Skywalker."
"Don't know where he is," Gobi replied.
"You must know something. Please... he's in trouble and I need to help him."
"Ah, yes, the Jedi. Turn against him no?"
"So, you know something?"
Gobi's face turned bright red. "I'm not supposed to say anything. But he's here. If you help him, and not do anything to hurt my good friend, then I tell you. Otherwise, you must kill me first."
"I swear, I mean him no harm. Anakin is my friend, and I've come to warn him."
"He lives in the house over the ice bridge - East Mygeeto."
"Thank you, Gobi. If there's anything I can do..."
Gobi opened his hand. Obi Wan smiled, reached into a compartment on the inside of his tunic and gave the man a handful of credits.
"Nice seeing ya!" Gobi replied, a smile across his wrinkled face.
Obi Wan hurried out of the playhouse and climbed into the starfighter, his destination eastern Mygeeto. Which wasn't far from where they were...
He circled the ice bridge from above, then landed the ship just before the house. He braced himself, his stomach in knots as he approached.
Obi Wan knocked on the door. After a few moments of intense waiting, it opened. Threepio stood on the other side. "Oh, Master Kenobi! Please come in. Master Skywalker isn't available, but the senator is inside."
"I see..." Obi Wan replied, following the droid into the lavish interior. He wondered, almost immediately how Anakin could afford such a dwelling. This was far more elaborate than the Senator's apartment at 500 Republica. "Please tell the Senator that I would like a friendly word with her, if possible, and I apologize for arriving so unexpectantly."
"Oh, I'm afraid the senator is in no condition to visit. She is having her babies as we speak, and I must get back to her."
"Babies?"
"Yes," Threepio replied, excitedly. "There are two. But, the senator doesn't look too well... D210 is working desperately to make her better."
Obi Wan sensed the situation was indeed, quite grave. He followed the protocol droid to her bedroom, where Padme had already given birth to a little boy. She was miserable, panting wildly and grunting in pain.
He gazed at the senator, steel blue eyes soft and compassionate. She reached for him and he took her hand into his own.
"Hang in there, Padme," he said.
"Anakin," she said, tossing her head miserably.
"He isn't here. But I am. Stay with me, Padme. Threepio said you weren't well. The babies need you. Be strong."
D210 chirped then pulled another baby from the senator. After a few tense moments, Obi Wan heard a cry.
Padme gasped, exhausted.
D210 spoke again, leaving Threepio to interpret.
"She isn't well," Threepio said. "There were problems throughout the pregnancy, but none were discussed with Master Skywalker."
Obi Wan Kenobi's comlink buzzed. He hastifully answered. "Yes?"
The garbled sound of Yoda's voice passed through the line. "Master Yoda, I will be there soon. I haven't engaged Anakin yet, but I will."
Padme held Obi Wan's hand, falling in and out of sleep. "Stay with me," she mumbled.
"Don't worry Padme, I won't leave."
He couldn't abandon her while she was in such a terrible state with only two droids to look after her. Threepio found a chair and gave it to Obi Wan, who sat beside the bed, watching as D210 laid the two freshly cleaned babies beside her. The adorable twins cried and cooed. The girl, somewhat agitated, and the boy, easy going and calm.
Where the sun shined on Mygeeto, darkness fell on Coruscant and the Jedi Temple. Thousands of Storm Troopers descended on the ancient grounds from air and land, led by one someone who carried a lightsaber.
Bolts from blaster guns screeched. Air bombardments knocked the spire from atop the temple and fires burned.
Children and Knights alike stood their ground, until they realized how outnumbered they were, tried to flee, only to be cut down before they were able to escape.
Anakin Skywalker sought all the masters of the temple, but it seemed they had left the grounds unguarded. So sure they were of peace, probably because they were the only ones who threatened it. Nevertheless, there was always supposed to be at least one master at the house. But on this night, there were none. Only undistiguished Jedi.
It didn't matter. There were clones stationed throughout the galaxy, wherever there were Jedi -- under orders to unleash violence unlike any they had ever seen.
He did it for himself. He did it for Padme and the baby- who the Jedi, planned to take away, he did it for peace. Every slash, every dismembered body, every decapitated head, every fallen youngling.
Dead.
They brought it on themselves.