The Final Battle: Part 7
Ahsoka and Tanya turned to the computer just as the door next to it opened.
"Commander, what in blazes is going on out here? It sounded as though the battle was up here instead of down-" Doctor Caust stopped short, realizing the commander wasn't there and he was shouting at two Jedi. "Jedi!" he exclaimed. Doctor Caust pulled a blaster out of his lab coat pocket and started firing at the Jedi. Tanya deflected them easily, before Force Pulling the blaster out of his grasp and Force Pushed the Doctor into the computer console. Tanya reached forward to bind him, but he turned around and slammed his fist on a large red button before she could reach him. The computer screen immediately turned red and flashed a warning. Tanya didn't understand what had happened, but knew well enough to get him away from the computer before he did anything else. Tanya lifted him with the Force and threw him into another wall. Ahsoka pointed the tip of her lightsaber at his throat while Tanya bound his hands behind his back.
"In the name of the Republic, you are under arrest, Doctor Caust," Tanya stated, tightening his binders.
"You've said that many times before, young one, and yet, as you well know, I always manage to escape," Doctor Caust replied calmly.
Ahsoka looked between the doctor and Tanya, who was glaring at the doctor. "Tanya, do you know Doctor Caust?"
Tanya nodded, grimly. "Doctor Caust and I have met and fought several times in the past. Doctor Caust here specializes in biology, the study of living things. He and I actually knew each other before the war. I was studying the living Force for part of my studies at the Temple and he was a well-known and respected biologist. He helped me with my studies and we actually worked together for a time. Then the Seperatists came into existence and he left the Republic, feeling mistreated and misunderstood in his work. The Seperatists hired him to produce weapons that can kill massive amounts of living organisms and leave machines unharmed. I've been able to stop many of these weapons but Doctor Caust always manages to escape."
"And I will continue to do so. As long as the Seperatists remain loyal to me, I shall continue to slip away and produce the needed weapons for their struggle," Doctor Caust added. Tanya narrowed her eyes even more so that they were practically closed. She decided not to reply and turned to the computer.
"Ahsoka, do you think you can fix this?" Tanya inquired. Ahsoka came over to the computer and looked it over. She stated to try and re-hack into the system but a warning popped up, saying, Access Denied.
"Unfortunately, no. I need some sort of security passcode to enter the system, but I won't be able to find it because of all the security measures," Ahsoka answered.
Tanya turned to Doctor Caust and frowned thinking hard. "I bet he knows what the passcode is."
Doctor Caust smiled. "Sorry to disappoint you, Jedi, but I will remain loyal to the Seperatists as long as they remain loyal to me."
"Then we'll just have to make you talk," Ahsoka responded. She waved her hand back and forth in front of Doctor Caust's face, saying, "You will tell us the security passcode."
The doctor laughed and said, "I'm too strong minded for Jedi mind tricks, youngling."
"I beg to differ," Ahsoka responded and the doctor stopped abruptly.
Tanya moved forward as though to strike him, but she merely waved her hand back and forth in front of Doctor Caust's face, saying "You will tell us the security passcode."
Doctor Caust frowned a little, before echoing, "I will tell you the security passcode." Tanya smiled slightly, looking at Ahsoka's amazed look on her face.
"How did you do that?"
"Part of my studies included using the Force to manipulate stronger minds. It's come in handy in the past and it's one of my favorite applications of the Force," Tanya explained. "Alright then, what's the passcode?" Tanya asked, turning back to the Doctor.
"The passcode is 'Scout System,'" the doctor replied. Ahsoka typed it into the computer and the alarms and security deactivated.
"Excellent," Tanya said. "Ahsoka, can you get the information now?"
"Already on it." Ahsoka retrieved all the information the database held and transferred it onto a memory drive.
"Perfect. And, now, we make our escape."
"What?" the doctor cried, snapping out of his trance. "You're going to leave me to die?"
"Doctor Caust, I recall that the last time we met that you claimed that you were, and I quote, 'prepared to die for the Seperatist cause,'" Tanya argued.
Doctor Caust opened his mouth to reply but no sound came out. Tanya smiled, knowing that she had him beaten. "We'll just be going then, if you have nothing else to say." Ahsoka and Tanya turned to the door, but before they could even reach it Doctor Caust said something that made Tanya stop dead.
"It isn't the Jedi way, is it, to leave your enemies to die?" Doctor Caust pointed out.
Tanya stopped and breathed deeply before noting, "You always get me with that one, Doctor." She turned to the Doctor and stated, "We'll take you back to the Liberty as a prisoner. But if you try anything, I will not let you escape again, understood?"
The doctor nodded in reply. Tanya helped him to his feet, searched him for weapons and found several small bombs.
"What are these?" Tanya inquired.
"Oh, those," the doctor realized. "Those are smoke bombs; when activated and dropped they create a smoke screen so thick that it cannot be seen through in broad daylight. It takes a while to clear away using any means and can be difficult to even breath in."
"I suppose this was your escape plan, Doctor?"
The doctor frowned and didn't answer. Tanya grabbed his arm and led him away.