The Final Battle: Part 12
"Status report, Captain," Master Li ordered the moment she, Ahsoka, Barriss, and Tanya arrived on the bridge of the Liberty.
"Sir, the station's weapons systems and shields are offline, and their communications and main reactor are deactivating," Captain Mec listed.
"Have any transports or escape pods left the station?" Tanya inquired.
"No sir, only Vultures."
"Very good, Captain. Now, let's finish them off before reinforcements arrive," Master Li instructed.
Meanwhile, on board the Separastist Scout Station:
"What? What do you mean you won't be helping me?" Doctor Caust exclaimed. He was currently aboard his damaged shuttle, speaking to a hologram Count Dooku himself.
"I am sorry to inform you, Doctor, that our reinforcements will not be arriving in time to save you," Count Dooku replied to a pale Doctor Caust.
"What! But you swore I would be safe under the Confederacy's protection. Now, when I need it most, you turn on me?" the Doctor cried.
"Consider our contract cancelled, Doctor. But do not worry; we will make sure to retrieve your stolen information," the Count assured. "Good day, Doctor Faust." And with that, the hologram ended.
"It's Caust!" Doctor Caust screamed. He fell back into the pilot's chair, insulted and exhausted. He heard the station exploding and falling apart but he didn't care; there was no hope for him to escape now. And as he saw the explosion heading towards him, he couldn't help but think about all the times Tanya had told him, "The Separatists will betray you in the end. They always do." And as the explosion engulfed him and his ship, he couldn't help but think, She was right.
Back on the Liberty, the crew stared in wonder as the station exploded, spraying debris across the battlefield. After a moment of shocked silence, the crew began applauding, applauding to the great beast of a station fallen, to the brave Jedi and clones that brought it down, and to those who had fallen in the process. They applauded. Ahsoka and Barriss turned to each other, dumbstruck with their victory. "We did it," Barriss whispered, not believing her eyes. "I can't believe it, we actually did it."
Master Li let out a breath that sounded like she had been holding it since they arrived at the station. "I am certainly glad that I can report back to Master Yoda saying that I was successful in keeping you all out of the infirmary."
Ahsoka and Barriss laughed, relieved as much as Master Li. The mention of Master Yoda drew Ahsoka's mind to Tanya, who was standing in a corner, alone, string out into space like she did when she was deep in thought.
"Tanya, are you alright?"
Tanya shrugged. "I was just thinking about Doctor Caust," she said. "He's dead and I can't help but think how I could have stopped him from dying."
"You're kidding, right?" Ahsoka asked. "It's no ones fault but his own. If he hadn't escaped he'd probably be alive right now."
Tanya looked at Ahsoka. "I know. I just feel awful whenever anyone dies."
"Well, now's not the time for feeling awful; now's the time to celebrate our first fully successful mission," Ahsoka pointed out. "Come on," Ahsoka told her, grabbing her arm and leading her over to Barriss and Master Li. Tanya smiled and followed reluctantly. Ahsoka started talking with Barriss about how she was still amazed at how they completed the mission. Tanya stood nearby, watching and listening. She was just about to join in their conversation when a dark and empty feeling engulfed Tanya. She fell backwards, catching herself on the holoprojector, breathing hard and trying to speak.
"Tanya," Ahsoka shouted, going over to help her up. "Are you ok?"
Tanya shook her head, paler than a ghost. "Something is coming," she murmured. "Something great, and cold, and dark is headed our way. I don't know what it is, but I'm worried." Tanya looked at her friends, fear in her eyes for the very first time. "Oh, I have a very bad feeling about this."